Bullies, and How Dick Failed to Deal with Them, but the Team was There

Dick trudged out of school, head low. Maybe if he was quick enough, he'd get out okay. Maybe if he just kept his head down, they wouldn't notice him. Maybe-

"Hey, Grayson!"

He winced.

"Hey mathlete, where's my homework?"

The person in question grabbed him by the scruff of his collar, lifting him up and bringing him face to face.

"That's better," said Evan, and his friends Michael and Thomas laughed.

The crime-fighting hero in him begged to be let loose. However, the rational side of the costumed vigilante knew that he couldn't draw attention to himself. Internally sighing, he looked down silently, preparing for the onslaught of punishment he was about to receive.

"Nothing to say? Well then, you know what happens when kids don't do my homework."

Laughing, his lackeys slapped his back, wishing him luck.

Bracing himself, Dick prepared to be thrown down by Evan.

"Hey!"

His head snapped up.

"Wally?" He whispered.

Conner stormed over, balling his fists.

"Put. Him. Down. Now."

"Why should we listen to you?"sneered Michael.

"Because, he's got backup, moron," Roy stepped in.

"Whoa, that's Queen's kid! What you doing way out here, man? Coming for this loser?" snorted Thomas.

Roy growled.

"That 'loser' happens to be out little brother, jerks. So, again I reiterate. Put him down now." Wally answered for him.

"You attract all the rich kids with your stupid little sob story, don't ya?" Michael's eyes got a steely glint.

Dick's eyes, already huge, widened the tiniest fraction more when he realized what was happening.

Before he could call out a warning, Thomas had already launched himself at the group. Only to be stopped swiftly by Aqualad, who twisted his arms behind his back with cold fluidity.

"If you do not wish to be badly beaten by my friends and I, I suggest you leave now." Leader voice employed, Kaldur was clearly starting to knock some sense into the three.

Dropping Thomas' arms, he blocked the first punch, and swept a foot under him. He landed, sprawling on the ground, just in time to trip Michael. Evan gaped, looking incredulously at Kaldur, then back to his goons.

"But-"

"Put him down. Now," ordered Roy.

Evan sneered.

"Fine then. Have your pathetic gypsy friend back."

Evan swung around, whipping Dick with him. He released, sending Dick flying into a wall.

The acrobat crumpled, landing a heap of limbs.

"DICK!"

Conner had had enough.

"You get away from here. Now."

"Or what?"

Conner growled, sweeping a foot under the guy, who threw a feeble, easily intercepted punch.

He pulled back his foot to kick the pathetic life form, but a hand on his shoulder held him back.

"Boys!"

The stormy grey-blue eyes of Dinah Lance glared at everyone present.

The cowardly bullies shrank away from her.

"B-but you're- Dinah Lance!"

"Yes. I am."

They scrambled to their feet and sprinted away.

Dinah raised a challenging eyebrow. None of them, except for Dick, backed down. They all leveled cool gazes at her.

"What were you thinking?"

Dick winced. Head hung low, he cradled his ribs. Conner could see a red stain forming on his undershirt through the white dress shirt.

This only served to fuel his anger.

"We were thinking that our little brother was getting hurt," started the clone.

"And don't think we don't see your bleeding," added Roy.

Dinah looked sharply at Roy, but upon hearing him immediately turned to the bird.

"Dick," she said in a soft voice, "Is this true?"

The acrobat wouldn't meet anyone's eyes, but he nodded.

"Dick..."she sighed, "Come on, let's get you patched up."

"What is going on here?"

Bruce Wayne approached the group, glaring at the heroes.

"Dick is hurt, patch him up and I'll explain."

While Bruce rewrapped his ribs, the boys explained what had been going on.

There was a period of silence in which Daddybats used to study his ward carefully.

Wally glared forcefully at the ground, until, finally he asked.

"When were you planning on telling us?"

Dick flinched.

"Were you going to tell us?" Wally pushed further, spitting bitterly.

The other half of Robin shook his head contritely.

"Why?"

He was quiet for a long time. Wally knelt in front of his brother.

"Why?" he asked, softer now.

"I don't know! I thought it was going to stop, I didn't want to disappoint anyone, I-I..." Robin trailed off after his vehement outburst.

"...I was scared." He finished, so quietly they had to strain to hear it.

"Rob..."

Surprisingly, Roy was the first one to cave. He strode forward and hugged the bird.

The others joined in quickly.

They stayed until the tears subsided.

Then they all dispersed, shuffling. All of a sudden it never happened.

Robin, back to usual, quietly snickered.

Wally caught the contagious giggle and began to chuckle. Roy, Kaldur, and Conner followed suit until they were all rolling on the ground laughing.

Watching unseen from the door, a smiled curved onto Bruce Wayne's face. He was never more grateful for his ward's "older brothers."