Dick grinned as he recovered from a hearty laugh. He, Jay, Dami, and Tim were all out for the day and Dick was ecstatic.
Jason thought he was on a roll and was shooting off quippy remark after sassy comeback when Tim had finally returned the sarcasm and sassy on equal footing. Dick and Damian sniggered but when Jason spluttered for a comeback DIck couldn't help but break out in a full laugh.
It had been almost 3 weeks since that unfortunate therapy session had gone as wrong as possible and Dick was glad to feel normal settling back into his bones and life. His brothers were going to school and attending patrol with Bruce. Dick was hanging out and training with the YJ team and the tense atmosphere of the Manor was lessening day by day. It helped that Megan, Black Canary, and Dr. Leslie were very emotionally mature and in tune to those around them. They sensed that it wasn't appropriate to broach the subject with Dick or Bruce yet.
Dick hadn't been confronted by Wally, Arty, or Kaldur so he assumed that Megan had kept those traumatic memories to herself; thank god.
They turned a corner and Dick bumped shoulders with a shorter burly man with a crooked nametag. The man shot a glare Dick's wat before shouldering past with an aggravated huff. Dick felt himself tense for a second before he forced himself to keep moving on. He found that he was strangely susceptible to certain negative or aggressive reactions and remarks from people. At first, Dick thought it was only something he would need to worry about in regards to Bruce or Clark; figures of authority in his life. Unfortunately, Dick found himself tensing or holding his breath in random encounters with strangers as well; without even realizing it.
His brothers were polite enough not to mention it out loud anymore and let Dick act like those moments of vulnerability and sudden fright never happened. Dick felt his heart start to thump harder in his chest as he forced his breaths to leave his body slower. He started moving again and caught up to his paused brothers a few steps away, Tim offered him a warm smile, and Damian pulled back until he side by side Dick. Dick grinned back brightly, trying to ease their discomfort. The feelings of anxiety and alarm hadn't faded yet but they were slowly joined by a warm appreciation for his brothers' concern.
They had started to fall back into their routine of hanging out on Saturday mornings and Dick had suggested a movie. They were cheaper before 12 pm and it was something that Dick couldn't mess up. On one of their first outings, they had gone to Dave and Buster's but Dick had gotten too excited over a new packman game and broken the button with his forceful button smashing. He had shattered the plastic top of the main button and snapped off the joystick.
They had just seen a comedy-action movie about 2 assassins in Suburban LA who were assigned to each other by accident.
"So, where now?" Dick asked the group. He'd had his fill of popcorn and plenty of soda and was in the mood to do whatever, wherever.
Jason shrugged, his hands deep in his front pockets. Tim glanced back, "I don't really care but I don't want to leave it all up to Damian" Tim replied
"Hey!" Damian protested.
Dick chuckled, "We can always take a vote?" he suggested lightly.
"Suuuuuuure" Tim replied. At Dick's curious expression, he explained, "Your vote is just Damian times 2"
Damian didn't protest, looking smug at the idea of always having 2 on his team. No one said anything for a minute before they started to make their way aimlessly down the street. Dick stopped and pulled his hood down, running a hand through his hair down to his neck, "I got an idea" he said with a roguish grin.
Jason looked back and grinned when he saw Dick had pulled down his hood. "Lead the way, Dickhead"
Dick rotated his arm before bowing suddenly and deeply, "If the Madames would follow moi?"
Dick peaked up to see all his brothers had their eyes on his before he took off down the street in a sprint. Less than a second passed before he heard the screech of rubber sneakers and their pounding feet after him. Jason let out a whoop as they followed their older brother; weaving in between Gotham's common folk.
Dick couldn't contain his beaming smile, laughing as he felt the already breezy wind whipping past him as he turned a sharp corner and then raced down a familiar alley. He caught a glimpse of his 3 pursuers as he clambered up the window ledges before leaping for the broken fire escape and hauling himself onto the ladder. He started climbing and couldn't contain a mischievous giggle as he heard Tim and Jason cussing belatedly below him.
"He's a fucking raccoon!"
Dick pulled himself up onto the roof before turning around and leaving his chest over the edge, watching as Jaso and Damian made their way up the chipepd window sills, Tim close behind.
"Come on now, slow pokes" Dick taunted before disappearing over the edge. He took a running start before leaping over the edge in a flashy handspring before landing on the parallel roof. He fell into a sommersault and caught himself in a handstand. He meandered around, watching the other roof as the 3 brothers pulled themselves onto the roof, upside down, and caught sight of Dick on the other roof already.
"Richard" Damian called condescendingly, "I did not agree to any cardio today"
"Come on, Dami. I thought we were supposed to be prepared for anything, at any moment" Damian sniffed and glared back.
"You are getting such a pounding after this" Jay called over, leeting a dark smirk warp his lips. He backed up to the edge and took a running start towards Dick. Dick's eyes widened at how fast Jason lunged across the roof for him and dropped his handstand. He bounced away as Jason lunged over the rooftop ledge and almost snagged his ankles. Tim and Damian followed at a slower pace.
"Let's go to my old apartment" Dick announced. The other 3 stopped in their tracks and Jason's smirk dripped off his face.
"What?" Tim asked.
"I'm serious" Dick insisted with a smile, "Everything has been going ok for a while, right? No Owl sightings and it's during the day"
Tim and Damian shared a cautious look, "Dick, what if this brings up more bad memories?"
"Well, it won't feel great but I need to be remembering right?"
Tim nodded, "Yea, but I mean…."
"We don't want you going all psycho Owl on us" Jason interrupted. He felt hesitant to support Dick's idea but even more hesitant to side against him again.
"Oh" Dick wasn't sure how to respond to that one. They hadn't ever really confronted each other about his strange bi-opposing behavior the first few weeks back. Dick remembered it like a drunk person remembered the beginning of the night, but it wasn't clear.
"I know I can't ensure nothing will go wrong but I promise to play it safe. If I feel weird we will leave right away" he assured. "It's during the day, and it'll just be a quick visit"
"But why Dick?" Tim persisted.
Dick massaged the back of his neck, "To be honest Timmy, I just want to make sure I can go back, like physically. I don't really wanna let Bruce ruin some things for me because he's, well, you know Bruce. I just want to make sure I can step foot in there again. Plus I did use to live there" he finished with a grin
Tim glanced at Jason who shrugged back. He threw his arms back and grabbed the back of his neck nonchalantly, "I say we go for a few" he said.
Dick turned to Damian, "Dami? Do you want to? I won't force you to because I know you guys saw some stuff that bothered you a little"
Damian crossed his arms, "You mean where you were using filthy narcotics like over-the-counter pain reliever?"
Dick winced, "...Yea"
Damian's features relaxed, "I am fine going if we must"
Dick hesitated, "We don't actually have to go you guys-"
"It's fine, Dickhead" Jason replied dispassionately, "Are we going or not?"
Dick looked back to Tim who felt his gazes and turned to look at him fully. Tim's jaw flexed as he chewed on his inner cheek.
"Alright, but please don't push yourself, Dick. Not to the point of a migraine or seizure, okay?"
Dick nodded back, unable to hold off his growing smile. He knew he couldn't promise things like that but he'd try his best. He quickly bent overly and popped out his colored contacts.
"And how are we getting there, Richard?" Damian intoned. A knowing smile had peaked the corners of his lips like he knew DIck hadn't thought this far ahead. Dick flicked the fake brown lenses onto the ground.
Dick crossed his arms and leaned back slightly, "The bus" he said simply.
Damian narrowed his eyes, "You want us to take public transportation?"
Dick grinned, "Maaaaaayyyybe"
Jason saddled up beside Damian, "Suck it up, Demon Brat. You're saying you're too good for the bus? I used to sleep in those, you know"
Damian wrinkled his nose but didn't reply.
"Don't worry" DIck assured, "This will be great" he clapped his hands together.
"Dick" Tim said resolutely, "We are riding the bus like normal people right?"
Dick flashed a grin at Tim, "Ah ha! I can always count on you Timmy"
Tim groaned and rolled his eyes while Jason chuckled deeply.
"What? What!" Damian asked the both of them.
"We're hitching a ride," Jason told the younger boy. When Damian stared at Jason, he continued, "On top"
Damian scowled as the biting wind rushed past his face and nipped his nose and cheekbones. His eyes had been squinted the entire time because Richard chose the coldest and windiest day to ride on top of a bus.
"This one!" Dick called back to everyone behind him. The bus ride had been almost an hour long because they were taking the city streets from Gotham to Bludhaven.
The bus was approaching a shaded bus stop. Very few people exited at Bludhaven stops, most got on the bus at Blud.
The bus slowed, but since no one had pulled the overhead line to alert the driver, the bus wasn't actually going to halt. Dick waddled over to the edge where he was gripping the rigged bus roof. As the bus slowed and turned a corner, Dick launched himself off the top, landing in a clean crouch on the sidewalk.
He turned around to catch his brothers leaping off right after him.
Jason flashed a smirk at Dick and he felt his chest glowing with the heat of happiness and joy. This escapade was probably the first thing he had solely led since he was 17. It was also the most he'd felt like himself since being back. The fact that he felt an urge to go somewhere and do something with his brothers, and followed through gave him such a pathetic rush of adrenaline. He was thrilled that this overlapped with something that Bruce would disapprove of, it made him feel like they were younger and Damian had just moved into the Manor.
Almost once a week, Dick used to drag his brothers out of bed to go gallivanting across rooftops to the best fast food joints. It was one of the only ways Damian felt comfortable interacting and keeping up with the 3 older boys in the very beginning. It was also Dick's best idea to slowly introduce his new young brother into normal life.
By the time they made it down the street to his old apartments, Dick was starting to question his decision. Maybe it was because Tim and Damian had warned him about coming back here, but every step closer he took towards his first apartment, made his heart beat faster.
After he and Bruce had gotten into one of their biggest arguments about college after High School, Dick had gone out that night and gotten the cheapest and first palace that would rent to a minor with no credit score. Bruce knew about it within the week but had allowed Dick to keep the place as a semblance of an apology.
Dicks stared up at the building, reading 'Breezy Ways' over and over again. The place as so shady that he'd never even met the landlord. He paid the guy's nephew's fiancee every month.
"This way, Dickhead" Jason called. He brushed by Dick and nudged his shoulder affectionately with his. Dick turned to watch Jason and the others walk into the alley on the right side of the building. He followed to see his brothers already had a regular path up the side of the building, via firescape.
Dick followed them up and hung onto the railing as Tim jammed a pocket knife into the white chipped window sil and slid the window up. He stepped over the ledge into the apartment, encouraging the others to follow.
When it was Dick's turn he held his breath and clambered in. His feet hit the wood floor and his eyes were immediately drawn to the walls.
Colors. Everywhere.
All the sticky notes on the floor and walls caused Dick's throat to close up. He wanted to read them all. To take every single one down and laminate them. He also wanted to burn them.
Dick heard his brothers down the hall and forced himself to head their way. He stumbled when he found the hallway overflowing with pinks and blues and yellows of all shapes. Dick looked closer to one in particular, noting that the handwriting was different than in the bedroom where they entered.
"It's all still here," Dick said absentmindedly.
"Bruce owns it now" Tim replied.
"What?" Dick's attention was broken, and as he turned to the others.
"Yea," Jason said bluntly, "The old man bought out the one unit for a couple hundred thousand. The landlord knew he'd never make that much off this 800 sq ft shithole; especially in Blud."
Dick nodded, it was true that rent and housing prices were so low due to the crime ratings. It shocked him for some reason to know that Bruce had bought his apartment after his death, and paid over the fair market price for just the room; not even the entire complex.
"Did you guys ever visit?" Dick asked while peering around.
"No" Damian answered quietly. Dick felt his heart sink and his mind flashed back to one night when he had admitted to Slade that he felt guilty over seeing how his family hadn't fallen apart over his death.
"The first time was when we followed you after the Star Labs break in," Tim said.
Dick made his way over to the main wall in the small living room. The brick wall was filthy and dusty, but he couldn't look away from the sticky notes that were barely hanging on.
"Dami tried hitting Jay today"
The brother fell silent as Dick read aloud.
"We read some," Tim said. "We were confused at first, but now it all makes sense that you were having flashbacks and trying to categorize them"
Dick didn't respond but looked at a yellow one beside it.
"Jay might be lactose intolerant, he doesn't believe me"
Another one above that drew his attention next, "Tim got mad at me for distracting him from homework today"
Dick continued reading all that he could. Sometimes the handwriting changed and sometimes it became so shaky he couldn't read the entire note.
Dick couldn't stop reading but couldn't stop the harsh pain and wetness that was building up behind his eyes and blurring his vision.
He couldn't stop staring or reading, trying to absorb all the writing as quickly as possible. As if reading it all would force his memories back. Every word re-solidified that Dick had been separated from his family for 5 whole years, and part of it was his own fault. He'd been free somehow and couldn't remember to just make it to the next city over. Rage and fury started to pique inside of him over it all. He didn't deserve to have his life interrupted at 17, Bruce should have found him, what did the Court want with him? Why wasn't Slade reaching out anymore…
Too much was bothering him and causing his raging emotions on either end of the polar spectrum. He should be in college and spending his Saturdays hanging with Wally. It was all so unfair!
His memory loss made him feel vulnerable and weak and pathetic. He was struggling so much and the fact that so much was still in the dark and alluding them all was infuriating beyond belief; especially because most of the information they needed was about him and he couldn't fucking remember!
He was so stupid! So foolish! He'd had all the clues right here, all the memories right in front of him! How could he not put it together! Instead, he was targeting random genetics labs for information on his freak weaknesses and taking street crack to help with his headaches.
Dick tried swallowing down his anger and shame but found that his throat was tight and parched. He brought up a hand and rubbed his eyes with the back of his wrist but that seemed to initiate the tears quicker.
Dick felt them sprinting down his cheeks as he tried to keep his breathing steady. It must not have worked in the slightest because Damian approached, "Richard-"
"I'm fine!" Dick snapped.
Damian fell silent and he could hear his brothers shuffling behind him.
Immediate shame and embarrassment washed over Dick and he felt his face heat with sheepishness, "Sorry" he said quietly.
"It's fine," Tim said quickly and quietly.
Dick looked towards the wall before turning around to the others. He noted that the kitchen wall was overflowing with dust and sticky notes as well but forced himself to ignore them. Reading them would only cause more pain. Apparently Dick wasn't getting any closure today.
"Let's go" he suggested, "It wasn't a good idea to stop by here afterall"
No one said anything but let Dick lead the way out the window and up to the roof. Dick stood there, gazing out over the Bludhaven skyline as his brothers joined him atop the 15-story building.
Bludhaven was bleak and gray and foggy and malicious at times. It felt foreign and homely and Dick didn't like that very few things felt singular and made sense nowadays.
Dick turned to his left, "Let's g-"
Within the span of a few milliseconds, Dick felt his 6th sense flair to life and scream in his face. Dick wasn't sure where or who or what was the problem, but before he knew it, he was reacting.
Without a single warning, Dick tackled Tim and Damian, who were in front of Jason. They all fell into the tallest brother and went tumbling to the rough concrete roof.
"Arghh- What the fuck Dickie!"
Jason screwed his eyes closed against the concrete rug burn he received on his back but when he opened his eyes he was met with Dick's glowing gold eyes instead of his gleaning baby blues.
"Oh sh-" Jason began.
"Quiet" Dick hissed. His eyes were wide but focused. Their Dick was still present, Jason realized.
"Someone's watching us" Dick muttered as he lifted his head and scanned the surrounding rooftops.
"Who is it?" Tim began.
Before Dick could answer, his eyes widened at something only he could see and he threw his torso further up on the pile of his younger brothers. No one had time to complain before a sharp whistle sounded through the air and Dick's body jolted, a deep snarl reverberating through his clenched teeth.
Damian's eyes were wider than saucers, "Richard, are you shot?" he exclaimed quietly.
Dick didn't answer but peered over his shoulder from where the sniper was perched across the street. The moment Dick looked away, the sounds of pounding feet sounded in the other direction.
"Dick!" Jason cried out. Dick whipped his head back in the original direction only to have his face meet the toes of a solid black combat boot.
Dick could only grunt as he was tossed back from the kick to his chin. He rolled a few feet before scrambling up, searching for his brothers.
Jason, Tim, and Damian had gotten to their feet as well, and were backing up to the left side of the rooftop. Dick was to his brothers' right and in front of each of them were about 10 Talons.
Without taking his eyes off their attackers, Jason called out, "Dickie are you okay?"
Dick opened his mouth to respond when he felt a shot of pain race through his thigh, tickling his spine and back.
"Fuck!" Dick cried out as he stumbled forward. He reached back and probed the back of his thigh, realizing he'd been shot again. He was so stupid, basically asking to be shot again by turning his back to the shooter.
"Dick!" Tim cried.
"Gray Son" One of the Talons stepped forward. He had short brown hair and was fairly taller than the rest of his group. "You are to return to the Nest or the next one goes in the head" Despite his face mask and goggles, Dick could see the man's smirk, "You remember how awful it is to come back after a headshot, don't you?"
Dick felt his breath stop at the tone and symmetry of the man's words.
"Lincoln?" Dick uttered with wide eyes.
The man grinned back, "There we are! I'm glad to see that it'll take a bit more to forget me" he joked.
Dick didn't reply so Lincoln pushed his goggles up into his dark hair and returned Dick's stare. Lincoln's dull hazel eyes moved to something at his right for a slight second but that was all Dick needed to know that another shot against him had just been approved.
Dick lunged just as he heard a piercing twang hit the floor where he stood moments before.
He rolled but knew he needed to keep his momentum going. He pushed his thighs and calves even harder, gritting his teeth as he rushed into a handspring and continued to flip away. Dick heard the ground behind him ring off as multiple bullets failed to hit their mark.
Finally, Dick came to a stop and caught himself slightly in front of his brothers. He stood straight but froze as he felt sharp pain worm its way through his back and thigh. Dick gritted his teeth before the pain suddenly faded to a dull throb.
Dick heard Jason whistle behind him, "Daaaamn, Dickie"
Dick furrowed his brow, confused when he froze, realizing that they were seeing the bullets exit his body from the 2 sniper wounds in his upper back. 2 small thuds sounded off behind him and Dick heard Damian and Tim gasp.
Dick felt his upper lip curling into a snarl. He was starting to lose his cool. He never wanted Tim or Damian to see how freakishness on such a blatant display.
"Tim. Alert Bruce. Now" Dick ordered as he studied the group before them. This was very bad. There was a sniper trained on them from across the street and 10 armed talons against 4 unarmed teens.
"Already did. No response yet" Tim replied.
"I pressed my panic button," Damian said as well.
Lincoln stepped forward and raised his arms slightly, "We will let the boys go if you come with us Gray Son"
Dick growled, "I am not Gray Son!"
Lincoln dropped his arms, "So be it"
Dick saw Lincoln's fingers twitch in a very purposeful manner so he threw himself backward to catch the next bullet. Dick let out a shout as his upper shoulder caught the bullet that was meant for Tim's head.
"Scatter!" Dick called.
All 3 of his little brothers obeyed instantly and jumped in different directions. The Talons began to space out and make their way around the outskirts of the rooftop edge before closing in.
Lincoln and another prowled towards Dick, "Gray Son, please. You know the consequences will not be pleasant when Grandmaster hears of your resistance"
Dick felt himself tense and his heartbeat start running away from him, "I-Screw your Grandmaster! He's messed with my head and my family enough". Dick clenched his fists, "Tell him to leave us alone"
Lincoln grinned, "You can tell him yourself". He lunged for Dick and Dick launched himself straight up and managed a front-forward flip before catching himself on Lincoln's back and shoving him away. Lincoln grunted as his face was run into the rubble ground.
He rolled and stood up, wiping his mouth, "I see you have begun practicing your acrobatics again. I do hope Grandmaster lets you keep that this time around"
Dick felt his mouth dry up suddenly and he could only stare as Lincoln approached. Dick knew he had to run, to leave somehow but his feet seemed incapable of obeying him. The reminder of punishments at the Court brought a wave of vague flashes and feelings over him. It was like his own personal tsunami of nightmares that Dick had no way of deciphering.
Suddenly Damian lunged in front of him and threw a punch toward Dick's opponent. Lincoln leaned back but his smile fell as Damian placed himself in front of Dick.
Dick's breath came back to him all at once as he realized that Damian was trying to redirect the talon's attention to him.
Lincoln reached behind himself and pulled out a serrated short knife. Damian snarled and dropped down, sweeping out a long kick towards Lincoln. Lincoln leaped over the shorter legs and slightly back.
He looked towards Dick, "Are these truly the boys that you would not submit to us over? This is the level of skill that earns your undying loyalty?" He raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
Dick didn't give Lincoln a second thought before reaching out for Damian's shoulder and jerking him back. Damian was about to protest when he saw the look in Dick's bright gold eyes.
"Never do that again!" Dick roared. Damian froze up but Dick didn't seem to notice, "Never place yourself in front of me, do you understand?" Dick shook Damian once, hard. Damian elicited a single jerky nod as his wide eyes caught Lincoln approaching from behind again.
Damian was about to warn Dick when Jason yelled out beyond them. Dick jerked his head up as Damian twisted to peer behind them. Jay and Tim were attempting to defend against 4 talons on the far side of the roof.
Dick scrambled to his feet, hoisting Damian's lighter body with him. Dick shoved Damian forward, "Go!"
Damian nodded and moved to join Jason and Tim when Dick grabbed him again, Damian whipped around to see Dick's eyes were wide and even more feral than a minute ago, "Damian! Go home!"
Damian gasped, "What? No! I will not abandon you Richard"
Dick snarled at something he saw beyond Damian's shoulder before glancing back at Damian as if his protest hadn't registered yet, "I said, G-"
Damian's pocket buzzed loudly, causing him to stop dead, "Alfred got my alert" Damian informed Dick.
Dick felt a minuscule part of his relax slightly at this information. If Alfred knew, then Bruce knew and he was most likely already on his way. They just had to outlast their attackers.
Nonetheless, Dick shoved Damian towards the opposite end of the roof, "Do not endanger yourself Dami, leave now. Bruce is on his way, this is just a waiting game"
Without waiting for his response, Dick turned and ran back towards Jason and Tim. Tim was crouched behind Jason and climbing back to his feet, most likely from being tossed.
Jason sensed DIck's approach, "We are fucked" he said coldly. "These guys came packing"
"Bruce is on his way" Dick informed them. "We just gotta wait"
Jason grinned, "Well, he never retracted his permission for lethal force against these assholes" and then threw a pocket knife toward one.
His knife landed solidly inside the chest of one of their advancing opponents. The man's face was covered in a black tactical mask and gold goggles; like the others. He reached up and pulled the knife from his chest smoothly before flipping it and down and pocketing it before withdrawing his own knife.
Tim looked at his brothers, seeing that Damian was edging back towards their group in the back, "We gotta get outta here. Lead them on a chase or something. Bruce can track us"
"I already sent Damian away" Dick replied.
"Bruce can track us personally," Jason said.
"What?" Dick exclaimed as he tried to keep his eyes on the advancing opponents; they were trying to circle behind back of them now.
"Did you actually buy the vaccine excuse, Dickhead"
Dick scowled but didn't say anything.
"On 3," Dick said. It was code between all the brothers in case they had to ever plan out loud in front of opponents, 'on 3' meant 'on 1'.
"1"
All 3 brothers turned on their heels to sprint away but Dick cried out as another bullet slammed through him. His hand slapped the side of his shoulder where it curved to meet the bottom of the side of his throat. Dick cursed under his breath as he felt thick viscous liquid slipping between his fingers. He had forgotten about the sniper and assumed the lack of shooting was due to their amo running out.
"Dick!" Tim and Damia cried.
"I-I'm fine, go!" Dick cried out.
During their blunder, the rest of the talons on the roof had trapped them fully and now encircled the entire roof. Dick looked up and scanned around him, blanching when he realized they were screwed. He looked over his shoulder as he felt sweat start to gather on his forehead and palms.
Lincoln smiled sadly at him. His goggles were around the base of his throat and he pulled up his face mask to cover just the bridge of his nose.
"Come home, Gray Son"
Dick stiffened at the softer tone. It stirred something inside Dick and hated how he fought to relax his muscles for this man. Dick was certain that he was responsible for a good portion of his torture as well. His limbs fought to slacken and obey the authority figure in front of him and for a minute, Dick was lost in his focused hazel eyes. Lincoln looked at him like an older brother should. There was no hate, only knowing patience.
Like, no matter what, there would be love and acceptance waiting for him at home.
"Fuck off! He's ours!" Jason yelled behind Dick.
Lincoln peered beyond Dick to Jason, "He belongs to the Court of Owls. He is destined to bring our evolution to hand. Isn't that correct, Gray Son?"
Dick had to bite his tongue to keep from agreeing.
"Finders keepers shithead, we found him first" Jason countered snidely.
Lincoln frowned, "He only exists due to the generosity and might of the Court"
"Leave us!" Damian cried. "I am the heir to the League of Shadows. Do not test us or you will be wiped from existence"
"Oh? Is that right? Maybe you ought to ask your mother once more if you still hold that title, boy"
Damian's glare faltered at that ominous statement.
Lincoln nodded his head once and before Dick could react, Tim was tackled to the floor.
"Tim!" Dick cried as he went to take on his attacker.
While everyone was distracted with Tim, Jason was assaulted by 4 talons at once. Dick stopped and looked back to Jason. 2 struggled to hold his upper body down while 1 threw his torso over Jason's trashing legs. Another above them looked to be drawing a weapon from his back sheath. Jason bucked and twisted until the 3 on him lost their grip and rolled away frantically, kicking one in the groin with all his might.
He stood and tackled one talon to the floor, skidding closer to Dick. Dick jumped to help Jason just as he grabbed the shorter man's head and twisted with a shout.
The man fell limp and Dick couldn't spend any time checking to see if he was unconscious or dead. He ran past Jason to tackle the next one approaching from behind. Dick snarled as he threw a punch at the man's throat. The talon choked for a second before Dick launched a knee into his gut and flipped over his head to deliver a punch to the side of his head. The man's eyes rolled back before he collapsed to the ground in a few seconds.
Dick's head whipped up as he scanned for Tim who was being rolled to his front. 2 talons were struggling to bind his arms behind him but Tim was twisting and flopping like an oiled fish. Another approached and punched Tim in the cheek, causing his struggles to falter.
Dick cried out as Tim's head dropped to the ground and the talons started to bind his arms and wrists to the small of his back. Dick sprinted to them and felt something small and solid hit his collarbone and forearm, he vaguely noted that it was the bullet wound healing from his neck shot.
Just as Dick was about to leap to Tim's side, another cry rang out that caused Dick to skid to a stop. He whirled around to see Jason on his back, struggling with another 2, larger talons. Beyond the second oldest bat was Damian.
Dick saw Damian swinging wildly with one arm while another man, taller than maybe even Deathstroke, held his arm in a contorted twist behind his back. There was a small trickle of blood leaking from Damian's nose and Dick felt himself grow hot.
His skin started to prickle and singe as fury erupted inside of him. They hurt his brothers! They hurt Dami!
Dick didn't notice exactly when the background noise of the streets below tuned out or when the edges of his vision became fuzzy with blurred colors. He only knew that he let loose a roar and charged the man holding Damian. The man barely had a few seconds to realize it was directed at him. Dick spun in a perfect circle and kicked out at the man's head. His leg extended out and up in a perfect ballet imitation. The man coughed out blood as he stumbled to the side and dropped Damian's arm. Dick grabbed the man's forearm as he was attempting to right himself and pulled with all his might to throw him to the ground.
Dick flew him with and contorted himself to land on top of the man's throat. He wrapped his legs around his arms and throat so that he could only wiggle beneath the enraged older brother.
Dick growled lowly in his throat as he let loose punch after punch into the bulky talon's throat and face. A small voice in the back of his head let Dick know that he could stop after the man fell limp and Damian called his name. Dick couldn't hear anything over the soothing thumps of flesh or flesh and the bloody shade of red that was engulfing his vision. He couldn't feel anything besides the bristling feeling of rage and anger that was spiking through his body. The feeling wouldn't stop, and Dick couldn't find it in himself to fight for control back either. He wanted more and more of the feeling because this was the only way to make sure Dami was safe.
He had to make sure Tim was safe
That Jaybird was safe.
He had to-
Dick's repetitive train of thought was cut short as a singular sharp throb echoed in his throat. Dick hissed and he slapped a hand to that spot on the side of his throat.
Dick realized that he didn't feel anything so he withdrew his hand to see if there was anything there, all he could see was blood.
Dick jerked and looked down, realizing that the body below him was gurgling and spitting blood. The larger man's eyes were closed, but one eyelid was busted and split in half. His mouth and nose were smashed and cut beyond repair.
Dick's eyes widened. What had he done.
Dick pushed off the man's chest and stumbled to his feet, backing away from the talk beneath him when suddenly noises and colors seemed to rush back at him. He heard his brothers calling for him and whirled around to see Jason, Tim, and Damian all bound and on their knees; forced into a straight line on the other side of the rooftop.
Dick snarled at the men holding down his brothers. Their arms were tied and bound at their upper arms and wrists and their ankles also seemed to be bound as well. When had they taken down Jay?! When had Damian left his side? He was next to him just a second ago?
Dick couldn't control his lip curling up in anger as his skin and chest started to beat harder and prickle with that uncontrollable heat again. He took a step forward, intending to advance into a run and help his brothers when suddenly his right knee gave out on him.
Dick's eyes widened and he felt his heart stutter when he realized that his heart wasn't beating with just anger, it was speeding up in general. Dick felt panic trickle into a gushing emotion as he tried to stand but only ended up stumbling another step closer to his brothers.
"Really, Gray Son. Must we do things like this? Grandmaster would be telling you that you're acting uncouth right now"
Dick turned his head to spy Lincoln beside his brothers. He was standing beside another leaner talon who was holding a muted barrel handgun with the tip muffled. Across their back, Dick spied a long-range barrel. This was the sniper, Dick realized.
He growled and tried to stand straighter again when he let out a gasp. A zing of pain so hot in felt cold ripped its way through his body and Dick felt all the breath in his lungs escape his chest.
Lincoln smiled sadly, "Please, Gray Son. See reason"
Dick vaguely noted that the sniper was loading a small clear blue bullet in his handgun again but kept his gun lax at his side.
Dick snarled at Lincoln. He was so angry it was as if he was incapable of speaking. Dick tried, he really did, but he could only spit out heavy breaths and snarls.
Lincoln nodded, not surprised at all by Dick's behavior. He turned to the sniper beside him and Dick watched in horror as he lifted and shot his gun, barely taking a second to steady his aim.
Dick tried to lunge out of the way but cried out as he felt the glass bullet shatter in his abdomen. Dick vaguely heard his brothers yelling and crying out as he fell to his knees. Dick gasped as he curled in on himself, the cold heat kind of pain felt so familiar. He stared at his palms as he realized that he couldn't control his shaking.
"Fuck" Jason muttered.
"It's the cryo capsules," Tim said.
Damian hated how helpless he felt and thrashed his shoulders against the man holding him to his knees. Dick cried out as he was shot a second time and fell to his knees. He stared at his hands as he tried to push himself to his feet but was trembling violently.
Lincoln approached Dick and tsked softly. "Don't worry Gray. These are diluted. I know how much you hate the real thing"
Dick realized Lincoln was standing before his kneeling form and looked up to see familiar golden eyes looking back at him, there was a touch of genuine regret in them. "Now will you come with us? I'll even try my best to let your brothers go. Grandmaster does want to meet the people that made you run from us though"
Dick curled his lips back and bared his teeth. He tensed and prepared to attempt one last attack, but before he could another large figure approached behind and shoved his torso down to the floor. Lincoln placed a hand in his hair and forced his foreheard to meet the gravel on the ground, helping the talon behind him bind his arms and legs.
Dick snarled and jerked but felt pathetic as it did almost nothing to deter his wrists and feet from being synched together.
The man behind Dick grabbed his forearms and dragged him back towards his brothers. Dick felt the cold flashes of searing pain slowly start to increase and consume him. He gasped and cried under his breath as his legs stopped responding to his command and then became limp as he was dragged across the rooftop.
As they got closer to the main group, Dick was able to make eye contact with his brothers. Tim was watching Dick with bright blue eyes full of concern while Jason and Damian stared down Lincoln and his oppressor with hard cold fury.
Jason's eyes were close to turning an ominous glowing shade of fern green and Dick hoped that Jason's anger was enough to get them out of this or stall for Bruce to get here. Jason seemed to inherit an unnatural level of strength and endurance from the Pit at times. He had no idea how long they'd been fighting but Bruce had almost a 50-minute freeway drive from Gotham to Blud.
"It looks like we get to show your brothers the nest after all, Gray Son," Lincoln said happily.
"Stop calling him that! His name is Richard!" Damian yelled.
Lincoln frowned but didn't respond. Instead, he looked at Jason and Tim, "Did you see that?" he asked them coldly, motioning to Dick.
"No one should be able to break that many facial bones or survive that many bullets and be fine…. He did though" he pointed to Dick's bowed head.
Dick's head was drooping lower and lower as he lost the fight against the agonizing burning that was quickly spreading and consuming his every thought. His pain was now muddled with drowsiness
Lincoln reached down and grabbed a fistful of Dick's midnight locks before yanking his head up to bare his throat.
"This is not your brother, you never had an older brother. This is the Court's weapon and an extension of the Owls' will. Do not mistake any past relationship you had with him to imply that you had any right or claim of ownership over him"
"No one owns him, you fucker!" Jason spat back.
"Batman is on his way, this is pointless" Tim cried angrily.
Dick was barely aware of the ongoing conversation, and couldn't hold in the whimper that escaped his lips as his neck was bared further, straining his neck and healing wound.
When Dick didn't have anything to say, Lincoln sighed, "Let's go home," he said to the man behind Dick. Suddenly Jason jerked and started to yell, but Dick couldn't seem to find a reason for his sudden panic and anger. A hand came into view with an off-white colored cloth and wrapped the large hand and cloth across Dick's nose and mouth. Dick breathed in regularly before he suddenly couldn't smell anything but an overwhelming sweetness. Alarm bells started roaring to life inside his head and Dick jerked. He tried to shoulder away and throw his head back. The figure behind him jolted and cursed as he hit something with the back of his head but redoubled his efforts to clasp Dick's nose and mouth under his hand the sweet cloth.
Dick suddenly realized he couldn't hear anything and his panic increased tenfold, he cried out and that seemed to cause more sugary aromas to fill his throat and nose. Dick groaned as his head started to feel incredibly light. He blinked and felt like he was floating away causing him to look down at his feet to make sure he was actually still standing.
He was kneeling? When did he get on his knees? Dick looked up to see amused golden eyes watching him. Those eyes seemed awfully familiar. Dick heard himself moaning but when he blinked to try and correct his doubling vision, that only seemed to make it worse. Dick tried to weakly shake his head, but on the second blink he didn't open them again.
Jason, Tim, and Damian watched as Dick struggled weakly against the man holding Dick's lower face under a cloth. Dick moaned and whimpered as he tried to shake his head. He started to blink largely before the blinks got significantly slower, and then he couldn't seem to open them anymore. Dick's head slumped to his chest and the man behind him, holding his bound arms in one hand, let go of his face and retracted the cloth.
The leader of their attackers stepped forward and knelt before Dick. He reached out a hand and checked Dick's pulse. He looked back to the sniper amongst them, "No more shots" he ordered coldly. "His heartbeat is too fast, only sedation from here on out"
Jason tried to rip his shoulders out of the grips of the man behind them but was unsuccessful, "Take your hands off him fucker" he seethed.
The man looked over to Jason and dragged his gaze up his body, unimpressed. "My name is Lincoln, but you may call me Talon" he sneered.
"I thought Dickie was supposed to be your fucking talon?" Jason sneered back.
Lincoln frowned before straightening up, "He is next in line"
He turned away from the struggling brothers, "You fuc-"
"No!" Lincoln spat suddenly. He whipped around on the brothers and pointed a clawed finger in Jason's face.
"You. Do. Not. Speak" he hissed. "You have done enough damage"
Jason glowered and vibrated with rage. His vision was tinged a faint green, but half of his anger was over how useless he was against 10 of these things. Dick had just been shot and injected multiple times and Bruce still wasn't here.
Lincoln rounded on a person holding Tim to his knees, "Round up the bodies and deliver them back to the nest"
Lincoln glanced back once more to the brothers, "You're lucky, you know. Gray Son held out on us for years because of you. When we threatened you, he submitted almost all of himself. Grandmaster wants to meet the people who are so lucky to have his successor's loyalty"
He leaned in, "If you weren't so special, you'd be dead already. But then again, I doubt your new position is a very good one to be in anyway"
Tim clenched his teeth while Damian jerked against his restraining hold again.
LIncoln leaned back and looked down his nose at the boys. Without taking his eyes off of them he called out, "Let's go!"
Jason was about to ask 'where' when the hands holding him shifted. Jason felt hope flare in his chest at the possible opportunity to escape. A second later, a hand behind him wrapped around and shoved a cloth against his face. Jason's eyes flew open when he realized what was happening. He held his breath and struggled to the sides, thrashing his head back to hit his attacker's groin.
Lincoln stepped forward and socked Jason in the stomach unexpectedly. Jason coughed and ran out of breath, he tried his best to hold it, but his lungs and chest started to burn and he couldn't hold in the next intake of air.
Jason cringed and clenched his eyes as he tasted a sweet sugary overload in his throat and on his tongue. He felt shifting beside him and heard the sound of a body hitting the floor.
Jason started to feel dizzy and he opened his eyes to reorient himself. The world was sliding to the left and Jason narrowed his eyes to try and focus. He looked to the right to see Tim and Damian but cried out behind the cloth when he saw they were clumped over on their sides.
"We don't have all day" Lincoln drawled. Jason narrowed his eyes before suddenly the dreaded feeling of drowsiness washed over him and he couldn't seem to keep his eyes open. Jason felt his eyelids forcing themselves shut, and after the first few blinks he was gone.
"Here!" Bruce shouted as he and Superman neared the location ping he had. He had been at a Wayne board meeting that was dragging on an hour past its scheduled timeline. The boys and Alfred were at home today. Alfred had dropped them off to go see a movie and they should be back before Bruce today. Alfred mentioned that he had something new planned for dinner.
He stepped out for a coffee during their 15-minute break when he brought out his phone to check messages. His brow furrowed when his phone didn't turn on, he tried holding the power button in case it was off and then tried clicking the side button to see if it had died and lost battery. Nothing. What was wrong with his cell?
As Bruce was messing with his cell, Lisa his secretary raced around the corner in her heels and pencil skirt, "Mr. Wayne!" she said hurriedly.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Your butler called and said there was an urgent family matter and that you were needed home now"
Bruce froze, "Did he say what for?"
She shook her head, "No, but he did seem very anxious. It might be serious. I know he's British and all but he said you have to be faster than a Robin? I don't know if that hel-"
Bruce took off, racing down the hallway to the main elevators. He jammed the down button and when it didn't immediately open, he took off to the right and started jumping down the stairs that were made in case there was a fire. Bruce cursed, he was on the 30th level. This would take forever and that is exactly why he was convinced this was all planned.
Did the boys get back and get attacked?
Did something happen when they were all out?
Bruce cursed again as he started hopping over railings and landing roughly. His dress shoes were not made for this type of activity but he'd be damned if he wasted a second that didn't need to be.
By the time Bruce got down to his car and started it up, he used the inner phone system to call Alfred.
"Master Bruce!" Alfred cried.
"What happened?" Bruce demanded.
"Master Damian activated his panic button while he and the other boys were out at the movies. I haven't heard from them!"
"Whe-"
"I'm driving to them right now. They were supposed to be a movie in Gotham West Plaza but Master Damian's beacon was activated 4 blocks from Master Dick's old apartment complex in Bludhaven"
Bruce slammed his palms on the steering wheel as he sped out onto the freeway heading westbound, "How long ago?" He demanded.
"The alert went out at 1:10, but I didn't get down to the cave to clean until 1:30 and that's when I saw it"
Bruce glanced at the clock.
3:01
"Dammit!" he cried.
"What does traffic look like for me Alfred?"
"I'm terribly sorry Master Bruce but I'm driving to the boys right now, you weren't answering and I was not about to risk Master Dick. I am almost there but I did hit some traffic myself"
Bruce breathed through his nose loudly, that's right. Alfred did say that already.
"Ok, sorry you're right, hold on," he said. He had a sudden idea.
He pulled over and called Clark, "Hey Bruce? How's it going"
"Clark, I need you here now" Bruce ordered. Something in Bruce's tone alerted Clark that Superman was needed.
"Hold on," he said seriously. He excused himself in the background and a few seconds later he was back, "What happened?"
"The boys went out without today and Damian pushed his panic button we can't get ahold of them, and someone sabotaged my phone"
"Ok," said Clark, "Pull over and start yelling, I'll find you and fly us over right now"
Bruce felt relief cool his panicked muscles and heart, "Thank you" he said gruffly.
He careened to the far right, ignoring all the honks and yells before pulling to a stop. He opened the window and started bellowing for Superman.
Less than 4 minutes later, Superman landed by his car, "Let's go" he said. He picked up the car, ignoring the cries of the people around them. He flew them straight to Bludhaven within a few minutes.
At the border of Blud. Superman placed the car down and took Bruce alone so the trip would be even a few seconds faster.
At Bruce's command, Superman set Bruce down on a rooftop and Bruce's breath got caught in his throat.
There was blood and glass everywhere. In one particular corner, there was a puddle of blood so thick and dark it almost looked like oil in the afternoon sun. There was scattered gravel where people had most likely tussled and scrambled.
Bruce noted one line of blood drips and then there was nothing.
He peered around the rooftop as his gut started to sink past his stomach and into his legs, down into hell where his parenting skills belonged.
Bruce couldn't speak for a second, he turned around as if he could find his boys within sight suddenly.
Bruce's lips quivered for a second and his knees weakened before he locked them.
"What happened here?" Superman asked calmly as he floated around the rooftop. He reached down, "There are bullets-"
"Leave them" Bruce barked. Superman's hand paused before he pulled away and looked to Batman, who was now overtaking Bruce Wayne.
Bruce clenched his hair between his fists, "My boys" he whispered.
Bruce looked to Clark who was starting to realize the same gravity of information, "They took my boys"
Clark held up his head to his ear, "Dinah? Diana? Oliver? Come in. The boys have been taken. We need to start searching ASAP"
Clark looked back to where Bruce was pacing wildly, his hands were clenched in his hair and his chest was rising at uneven intervals, "Bruce, I know this looks bad but we don't know if they're gone or in hiding or-"
"They took them!" Bruce spat at Clark, his bright blue eyes were lit with rage and anguish.
"I promised Dick they'd never touch him again! I-I, god" Bruce couldn't continue as words started to jumble in his head and mix with the rising tide of emotions he felt.
Clark opened his mouth again but closed it at the volcanic look in Bruce's eyes. He stayed silent as he observed the crime scene. The Court of Owls took his boys. They would regret that.