A/N: Written for the Faster Than the Batmobile zine by the lovely BabblingBookends on Holy Server Batman. This story has exactly 500 words.
Timeline notes: This takes place about two months after Belated Vigil. Bruce is back from travelling for Batman Incorporated, and both he and Cassandra are living in Gotham again. Jason has formed an uneasy truce with both Dick (as seen in All the Corners That Are Left) and Bruce (feel free to theorise).
Ends and Beginnings
"Well," said Dick, resting his elbows on the now-deserted dining table, "I suppose, for a first attempt, family dinner wasn't that bad."
From the other end of the table, Bruce glowered. "It could hardly have been worse."
"Someone could have been stabbed."
Bruce muttered something that indicated that stabbing might have been preferable, and Dick was almost inclined to agree. The seating arrangement, intended to stave off conflict, had been ignored, with Damian and Jason instantly clashing over who would sit next to Dick. Then, Jason had said something that set off Cassandra's temper, and Damian had utilised the commotion to antagonise Tim. Immediately, Steph had jumped in to defend her boyfriend, leaving Dick with no ally in the room save Bruce, whose interest in the gathering had entirely waned. Now, the rest had scattered, and they were alone.
"You know what this reminds me of?" Dick said. "When I first came to live here and we ate at opposite ends of the table, even though there were only two of us." He grinned.
Bruce didn't smile. "Is that your way of saying that my interpersonal skills have not improved since you were a child?"
"What? No." Dick left his seat and assumed the one that had been Cassandra's, on Bruce's right. "And that's not true, either. You haven't really seen them for a year. If anything, the fact that they agreed to be in the same room as each other is a massive improvement."
"I am disappointed that they would all resort to petty disagreements."
"Look, I hate to say it, but Damian brings out the worst in Tim. And the others haven't been around Jason the way you and I have."
Bruce grunted.
"We're a family of only children—but you're not the one who has to deal with siblings who weren't always there. Or who once tried to kill you. And Damian's still not used to living here instead of at the penthouse. He was bound to be on edge."
Bruce shook his head. "You give yourself too little credit, Dick. And I was too blind to appreciate how much you've done to hold this family together." He passed a hand over his face. "I've missed too much."
A lump rose to Dick's throat. "Give it time, Bruce."
"I've been gone too long. Damian's two inches taller. Damn it, Tim became an adult and I wasn't there."
Dick swallowed, eyes prickling. "Speaking from experience… needing your dad isn't something you grow out of."
Bruce brushed a thumb over Dick's cheeks, catching moisture. "I'm sorry," he murmured, and then Dick was enveloped in a hug so familiar, it was painful. "You're a good leader, Dick."
"Thanks." Dick clutched Bruce tighter. "Only when I don't want to be." Only because I have to be.
"And a good brother. They'll come around—for you, if not for me."
"Yeah—I hope." Despite the disaster, Dick knew he'd missed being alone with Bruce. He closed his eyes, savouring the silver lining.
A/N: Why did I have to be sneezing up a storm during the one week I'm posting daily? Please let me know what you think of this vignette (and send Lemsip).