"Coming!" Dick called back to Alfred from the manor's yoga room. It was situated in a sunroom on the far side of the manor and Dick loved to start his day there. There was something about the outdoors and the direct sunlight that just got Dick's blood pumping with elation. He loved to sit back and attune himself to the different textures and smells that the sun or clouds gave each day. He still preferred going to bed with the windows open so he could absorb as much moonlight as possible in his sleep, and he loved waking up to a cold morning so that the contrastingly warm sun could filter through him and buzz each of his cells to life with subtle warmth.

Dick dropped from his handstand and made his way down the hall to find Alfred setting the breakfast counter. He was previously in a calisthenics position for the past half hour, one of his favorites where you sit with your feet straight out and leverage yourself up and maintain that position with just your arms and core strength. Dick found himself craving the pain of a good soreness after a fulfilling workout or stretch.

Dick pulled up a tall chair to the island, hearing pairs of feet start down the hall and stairs after him. Things had been on a suspiciously good and upbeat pattern for a few months now. Bruce was handling night patrols with the help of one son each night; Dick still wasn't allowed back out in costume. Dick had finally hit a significant day in his new life last week, for the first time in a long time; he was bored. It was about 1 pm on the dot and Alfred was out running errands. Bruce was at a Wayne Enterprises Board meeting and the boys were all out or at school. The team and Barbara were running drills or at school as well.

Dick was home alone and felt it hit him very slowly and then all at once; he was bored. He had been back with his family for almost a whole year now, about 10 months actually, and in between all the re-introductions, the therapy, the nightmares, and readjustment talks Dick hadn't had time to feel bored. There had always been more to feel, more to acknowledge and reflect on, but for some reason that afternoon Dick had felt boredom hit him like a true authentic young adult. Boredom felt a lot like loneliness.

Overall DIck acknowledged that if it weren't for his brothers, sparring, and his nightly escapades with Slade then this might've hit him sooner. He wanted to start making his own decisions again, without Bruce's final say or Leslie hovering in the background. Dick was getting antsy and at this point he knew he wanted something to change, maybe he wanted to start getting back into Nightwing again, or maybe he wanted to go out in public, Dick wasn't quite sure what he needed but he knew that he'd have to broach this subject with Bruce, and soon.

Dick was startled out of his thoughts by Tim sliding into a seat next to him with a mighty yawn and downcast eyes. Dick smiled at his rumpled hair and posture, turning to see Damian and Jason wander in after; their feet dragging. Without looking at Dick Jason said, "Roy keeps calling bs on me when I talk about you. He wants to see you in person"

Dick smiled, "I do too. I miss Roy but I don't want him to rush anything on that mission in the Congo. We could always video chat too"

Jason shrugged, "You know that guy. He goes through rehab once and thinks he knows how everything should play out"

Dick's smile fell at that. It had been hard for him to hear that in the years he was presumed dead, some friends had spiraled harder than others. Roy had taken his drug habit too hard and gotten Chesire pregnant all in one year. Ollie had forced Roy into rehab until he got it right. According to Jason, he and Chesire had worked out a schedule with their daughter, Lian. Dick wanted to meet her but Black Canary was very hesitant to allow Lian into any more vigilante lives. Dick could understand that because having connections to Chesire's family alone put a large target on the toddler's back.

Eventually, everyone made their way down for Saturday breakfast; which was more accurately a brunch for the Wayne household. Bruce was flipping through someone on an ipad ignoring everything but his coffee when Dick found he couldn't take it any longer. "I want to go outside, like in public," he said hurriedly. Before Bruce's wide eyes could make eye contact with Dick's he rushed to explain himself, "I was thinking that someone might say something, especially if I go out with Tim or Jason you know? So I was thinking we could do something under the radar with the Gotham Gazzet and say I was found from some plane crash like a year after my-um funeral, and say I had amnesia for a while but am ready to like reintegrate or whatever. Just in case people call BS and google it; cause they usually do and-"

"Dick" Dick looked up to Bruce's monotone face.

"No"

"But-"

"No, Dick"

Dick didn't have the chance to frown, his features morphing into anger as quickly as his 16-year old-self did.

"You're not hearing me out, Bruce"

Bruce set down his ipad, "I just did Dick. The answer is no. You've been gone far too long to suddenly throw yourself back out into the public eye and act like the past 5 years didn't happen"

Dick glared harder, "I'm not saying we just announce me or anything! I'm saying the whole article and whatever is just a backup. I'd lay low, promise!"

"No Dick. You're not ready"

"Leslie says I am"

"Dr. Leslie said she thinks you are progressing quickly. She didn't say you can just walk down the street and pretend to be Richard Grayson"

Dick stood up quickly, "I am Richard Grayson, Bruce," he said while glaring daggers at Bruce.

Tim, Jason, and Damian had been playing a violent game of rubber neck at every new response but Dick standing up seemed to present some new physicalness that the boys sensed could escalate further.

Bruce sighed, "Dick, I said no. Let's revisit this in a few months-"

"Months?!"

Bruce frowned and steepled his fingers, "Dick be reasonable, you were held captive by a group we know nothing about, and until you can remember-"

"I'm. Trying" Dick gritted out through clenched teeth.

"I know" Bruce continued without a beat. "But until we have more information on how to counter and defeat the Court, it is too dangerous Dick"

"I'm not 17 anymore Bruce. You can't control me. I wanted to backpack across Europe before College, remember how that argument went? You can't just lock me! What are you gonna do? Fight me?"

Bruce stood up to match Dick's rising aggressiveness, "That conversation didn't go at all Dick. You. Died"

The kitchen fell silent as if they were all on TV and someone had just pressed mute on a brand-new remote. Dick's eyes were sharp and hyperfocused but Bruce could see his throat working overtime to produce some sort of comeback.

He felt his other children boring holes into the side of his head from where they sat to his right and Dick's left.

Bruce glared at Dick and let himself sit back down, "Don't push this Dick. I'm not trying to control you but what if something happened and none of us were there?"

"I don't need your hand holding Bruce, are you gonna use that line when I'm 30?"

Bruce took a large breath before trying again, "What if something happened and we weren't there for others involved Dick?"

Dick stumbled at that, "What, like if the public needed protection…from me? What the fuck Bruce!"

Damian moved to stand up, his mouth already parted when Jason grabbed the edge of his chair halting him. Damian stole a glance at Jason and Tim to see them tensed but still seated, watching Bruce and Dick go at it. Damian hesitantly sat back down, worry smeared across his forehead. Jason flicked his eyes to Damian before giving him a small shake of his head.

"I'm not gonna hurt anyone, Bruce!" Dick argued, his expression started to fall apart as his insecurities and doubt weren't quite on par with his anger.

"I'm not saying you would ever hurt someone, on purpose Dick" Bruce responded in a calm tone. "But" he remained firm, "You can't deny that in the past few months, you have been back home, there have already been a few incidences between you and Jason or me because you thought we were a threat, even for a millisecond"

Dick's gaze dropped to the countertop, unable to say anything back.

"We know very little of what you went through Dick, and until we know more about that and your status as a possible meta, then you can't just go wherever and whenever you want" Bruce wrapped his hands around his mug as he chose his next words carefully, "You were with assassins for 5 years Dick. Please act your age and reflect on what that implies"

Dick slowly sat back down as Bruce's implications started to sink in. Bruce was always smart and overprepared, his ability to think ahead of the enemy by 4 different steps and in 4 different directions is what made him the world's greatest detective and so sought after by the League of Shadows. It felt drastically different when Bruce was weaponizing that elite level of logic and thinking against you though. In a matter of minutes, Dick felt the passion behind his request fade beneath his growing shame and insecurity.

Bruce still saw him as a danger to the people of Gotham, maybe even his family. Dick grimaced at his obliviousness; everyone knew Gtham came first for the Bat. He had been so stupid, Dick felt his face heating slightly as his family stared his way across the kitchen counter. How could he have thought Bruce would support him?

Ideally, Dick would have loved to hear Bruce say, "Hey chum, I'm worried about any hidden reflexes you still might have but let's make a plan to work through it all slowly so you can start going out with your brothers, ok?

But no, that would never happen.

Apparently, Bruce still didn't trust him without 100% of their missing information. He even felt sure enough in his theories to accuse Dick of learning to be lethal towards others in front of Alfred and his brothers. God, oh god, what if Bruce thought Dick remembered everything and wasn't being truthful or honest with Bruce.

What had he done to deserve this kind of mistrust from his adoptive dad?

Dick's passion was quickly being redirected towards a new desire to flee the room. Now.

Dick cleared his throat, knowing there was no point in trying to play off what just went down between them. He flashed a quick look at Bruce, hoping the man had gone back to his ipad. Unfortunately, Bruce's stone-cold blue eyes met him head-on, forcing Dick to look away quickly.

"Thanks for breakfast Alfred," Dick said nonchalantly before making his way into the family room and up the stairs in record time.

Damian whirled on Jason and Tim, "What was that Todd?! Why weren't you two defending Richard?"

Tim looked over at Damian with a surprised look paring his lips when Jason spoke up. He had his gaze firmly planted in Bruce's direction while he answered his youngest brother, "Chill demon brat. This isn't the worst fight Dick and Bruce have had, but I'm done stepping in and accidentally helping Bruce save face. He's oooone step closer to crossing the line with Goldie for good and I'm not gonna be the one to remind him how close he is"

Bruce frowned, "Jaso-"

"I wasn't talking to you Bruce" Jason replied without any intonation to his voice; his gaze never wavered from Bruce.

Damian turned to his father, "Father, that was unacceptable and rude. You just accused Richard of being an assassin and not trying hard enough to remember what happened while he was gone!"

Bruce sighed and turned to Damian, "Damian, it's complicated. Nothing I said was false, but Dick understands the risks. He is just getting antsy, you never saw Dick when I first adopted him. Your brother had the worst undiagnosed case of ADHD I'd ever seen. He doesn't take to boring routines very well. You'll see, Dick understands but it doesn't mean he had to like it"

Bruce moved to stand up and grab some fresh coffee when Damian's voice stopped him in his tracks, "You never adopted him"

Without another word Damin left with Tim and Jason, most likely to seek out Dick and spend the rest of the afternoon together before Dick's friends arrived for their usual Saturday night movie in the family room.

"My apologies, Richard. You should not have to face that kind of verbal backlash from Father" Damian stated later that day.

Dick beamed over at Damian, "It's fine Little D. Bruce is right, I just got bothered is all. We, we still have a lot to learn about all that stuff that happened"

Jason didn't look up from his phone but called to Damian, "See? I told you. Complete pushover"

Tim kicked Jason's foot from where he sat beside Jason but everything soon settled. Dick knew part of why he was doing so well was because his brothers had really joined together for him. It made him so warm and fuzzy inside to know that he meant so much to such different young men that they'd be willing to put most of their differences aside for his emotional stability. Sadly, if Dick ever mentioned an iota of this gratitude, all 3 brothers would run for the hills.

Still, with seeing Slade every few nights, spending the days with Alfred, and the nights with his friends and brothers; Dick knew he didn't have a lot of room to be picky and ask for more. Especially since he had probably used up the rest of his luck by surviving the last 5 years and finding his family again.

"Master Bruce, I hope you don't disregard my advice when I tell you that Master Dick is within his right to demand access to the outside world. I have spent almost triple the amount of time you have with the young Master recently and he is transitioning well; exceptionally well"

"Dick always was the most emotionally competent" Bruce murmured in response.

"Quite so" Alfred agreed before continuing.

"With that being said, do not set him backward by stunting his progress with your fear and overly cautious behavior. Master Richard hasn't been beyond the front door or the back greenhouse the entire time he has been back home. You know that under most circumstances I would agree with you, but Richard is a unique case. The more you protect and hold that boy close the more he squirms and wants to run free"

Bruce gave up reading his email to Lucious for last week's board memorandum. He turned to face Alfred fully with one eyebrow peaked.

"Alfred, I understand, I'm not too dense to hear or understand Dick's request and needs"

Alfred nodded, "I understand that sir. I understand that you think you understand why and what Dick is asking for"

Bruce sighed before humoring Alfred, "Am I not understanding that Dick had been cooped up for too long and wants me to allow him out now that he feels more adjusted?"

"That's part of it, certainly"

"Fine, I'll bite. What else am I missing?"

Alfred stepped closer to Bruce. "Every single boy in this household knows freedom, Master Bruce. Unfortunately, freedom in this household also means an absence of you"

Bruce's humoring look fell flat at Alfred's words, but his pseudo-father continued.

"You and Master Jason have never been the same after his death and his new approach to the vigilante lifestyle. After his death, you took to blaming yourself so diligently that you almost hurt him again so soon after; if it weren't for Master Dick stepping in of course"

"He strayed from the path, Alfred. Called himself an anti-hero and everything. He started killing!"

"He started killing killers and those who wronged the innocent. But, my statement stands true. You have never had an emotional hold or connection with Master Timmothy like you did with Master Dick or Master Jason when they were younger. Master Timothy came to us later in life already an orphan and used to the lifestyle of a Wayne. He already knew you were Batman and hence, there was very little to do except clear out a bedroom and officially say yes to his nightlife involvement. Master Damian came to us too late in life and unfortunately was never afforded the privileges a young growing boy needs for his emotional and mental wellness; once again Master Dick overstepped and overcompensated for his brother on your behalf"

"I get it, Alfred, I've failed all my boys in different ways. What's the point here?" Bruce asked hoarsely.

"My point, my boy, is that every child currently has a barrier keeping them from complete and utter attachment to you. I think this is normal for adults and their parents over time. That barrier and distance only increased with their brother's death and your emotional absence. They have a type of freedom none of them asked for and it is the ability to detach themselves and their decisions from you and Batman. Master Dick is not free. He is not free of the burdens of Batman nor the expectations of Bruce Wayne. That boy left us when he was 17 and full of life, he spent every day thinking about how to make his 4 parental figures proud every day, in each of his decisions. Then 5 years later, he is brought back to us within that same mental state and was told he should outgrow it, quickly. You have not been there for him, you have only given him space and enormous amounts of clinical therapy. I-"

Alfred sighed, "My point, Master Bruce, is that earlier today Master Dick made his first stand to demand distance and independence from you. He wants to be able to start making decisions like he's told a 22 year old should be; but he still came to you first instead of just sneaking out or asking for asssitacne from his friends and brothers. That boy is is trying to develop and grow just as any young man should but he is doing it in a way that leaves room for you and your opinions as well"

Alfred moved to start cleaning the next room, "You would do well to proceed cautiously, Master Bruce"

Bruce put his mess of a life and his 3 boys out of his mind for the next few hours in order to attend 2 meetings and maintain a modicum of his professional image while doing so. That night Bruce got home and found his living room a complete mess.

Artemis, Wally, Connor, Megan, Barbara, Kaldur, Tim, Jason, Damian, and Dick were all spread out. Every cushion in the house was on the floor and Bruce wouldn't be surprised if his bed was the only remaining mattress with blankets and sheets in the manor at this point. He felt Alfred stop beside him as they all watched the teens from where the foyer met the kitchen. Alred silently took Bruce's briefcase and overcoat before moving to place them down in his study.

Bruce saw that Damian, Jason, Megan, Wally, and Connor were all deeply asleep while Dick, Artemis, and Tim were all huddled together staring at phone screens listlessly. Bruce looked over at Alfred with a perplexed inquiry, "Master Dick was the only one without a phone to play some online group app game earlier. I have yet to see a reason to retrieve it as he is only burning brain cells like any proper young man" Alfred whispered.

Bruce smiled slightly at Alfred's phrasing before making his way over to the teens still awake. Dick heard and shifted onto his back to accommodate Bruce's towering figure. Bruce knelt down beside Dick and Tim while Artemis kept to herself with only a small wave.

"Hey Bruce" Dick murmured, they weren't far from sleep it appeared. Bruce smiled back, appreciative that Dick was acting like this morning had not happened as severely as it had. "Did you enjoy yourselves?" he asked Dick and Tim; to which they both nodded.

"Did you?" Tim replied, knowing Bruce was at Wayne Enterprises all day on a Saturday. Bruce smiled sardonically, "Sure"

Dick yawned and Bruce was certain any minute, his words would be going in one ear and out the other. "Hey," he said quietly, as he laid a hand on Dick's upper arm. "Why don't we go out tomorrow? All of us"

Dick perked up slightly at that while Tim smiled knowingly at Bruce.

"Alfred too?" Dick asked in a way that wasn't actually a question.

"Of course," Bruce said with a smile, the only lights in the room were from the tv screen on mute and the phones around them but Bruce felt the need to let Dick know the simple ticks and behaviors of his sons brought his comfort.

"I dunno, it'll be a big deal and-"

"No, I mean something small. None of us will dress up or take one of our cars. We can get a cab to be discreet but you boys can pick what we do"

Dick didn't reply for a minute and Bruce couldn't see his face to gauge his reaction properly. The hue from the screen only allotted Bruce to see Dick's shaggy locks and sharp jawline as he studied Bruce.

Eventually, his jaw stretched into a smile, "Sure, Bruce Sounds fun. Right, Timbo?"

Tim shrugged with a grin, "I'm down for whatever. You know Jason and Damian are gonna be butting heads on where we go though"

"We have the whole day, they can take turns" Dick replied with a soft chuckle. A lion's yawn quickly followed to the point where Dick felt his jaw might unhinge.

"Ok, I'll let you guys get some sleep and we can decide over breakfast and after the team leaves" Bruce motioned to Artemis who had fallen asleep beside Dick in the last few minutes.

Dick smiled again and gave a slurred 'ok' as his jaw parted for another massive yawn. Bruce patted each boy on the arm gently before rising and making his way to his own room to grab a few hours of sleep for the night. He also had some notes he wanted to run by Queen's lab techs about the cryo capsules before he forgot.

He made a mental checklist as he slowly undressed and decompressed for the night. He'd have to make sure Dick was able to keep up his hoodie most places they went, he'd also have to wear colored contacts; probably brown. Bruce stopped short at the site of his master bedroom. Jason must have raided his room because every sheet, linen, and comforter was gone save for one decorative pillow left in the middle of the bare mattress. A polite fuck you from Jason or Damian, mostly likely. Bruce sighed before trudging to find Alfred and some spare blankets for the night.