Bruce was barely 20 minutes down the road when his cell went off. For a second he thought he had misheard, but worry crawled up his spine and he checked his phone just to be sure. That same worry clutched his entire ribcage in a death grip as he confirmed the distress signal from Tim. It was Bruce's best idea in case they needed help and didn't have their comms or hero communicators with them. Texting even a quick 911 was way too long in mid-danger and this allowed the boys to press a single button and have the emergency message go straight to their father and dropped his phone in his lap and made a severe U-turn, ignoring the honks as he changed lanes and headed home well above the speed limit. He called Alfred, but Alfred informed him that he was in downtown Gotham picking up another large load of groceries for the week. He sounded out of breath and Bruce wouldn't be surprised if the older man was dropping his grocery haul and booking it back to his car now.
Bruce cursed as he sped as quickly as he could, he had to remind himself that the traction on his high-end cars wasn't that of his skidded to a stop and jumped out, leaving the door wide open as he sprinted for the steps to the manor. He opened the door and met a small but solid sudden resistance, "Ugh!"
Bruce blinked, his panicked thumping heart not ready for the fact that he just bowled Damian over, "What are you doing here?" he asked breathlessly. Confusion was warping his rationality and Bruce despised unclear decision making.
Damian frowned, "Today was a half day, and, apparently, everyone forgot so another student's parent delivered me home" he crossed his arms, "Richard and Pennyworth will be hearing about this"
At the mention of Dick, Bruce's eyes bulged and he realized he'd wasted a valuable minute talking, "Dick" he breathed and sped off, uncaring of Damian's yell following his back. Within seconds he heard the thump of a backpack and light feet sprinting after him. They made it down to the cave and Bruce stumbled to a stop in and Tim were facing Dick with a cautious and defensive stance while Dick appeared to be restraining himself from attacking, his face distorted with venomous ire. His eyes were a blazing hue, like melted gold under the sun.
They hadn't seen him yet and Bruce watched as Jason held up his hands, "I'm not lying, Dick! I dunno what's going on. Talk to me ma-"
He ducked down to avoid a flying mouse aimed at his head.
"Shut up!" Dick roared, "You can't hide stuff and life to my face anymore. I'm not stupid. It's my life!"
"Dick-" Tim tried when he caught sight of Bruce and Damian. Dick and Jason did as well but that only seemed to make Dick angrier.
"He's lost it!" Jason snapped, glaring at an uncooperative Dick "The dude has lost his marbles"
"Bruce, it's Dick, but we don't know what's wrong. He's pissed but won't tell us why" Tim said quickly.
"As if you didn't just try to work me like some mindless slave" Dick hissed.
"We thought you weren't …you know, you?" Tim tried to explain. Dick's expression highlighted how unsuccessful Tim was in getting his point across.
"We thought he was mentally somewhere else, it was an accident" Tim pleaded to Bruce.
"We thought it would help, like last time" Jason added.
"Last time?" Dick's eyes had gone egregiously wide and hurt cut across his face, "You- this-you've done this before?!" Dick's words started off in a discombobulated splutter but quickly grew to an outraged roar.
"Dick, be reasonable. You know you weren't aware of everything when you came back home. We found some conditioned phrases and behaviors on accident and had to deescalate the situation a few times"
"You mean when you drugged and dragged me back, both times?"
"Are you saying you regret coming back?" Bruce's tone was cold, but the defensiveness was perceived just as well.
"Of course not!"
"Then what's the issue?"
"With your methods? Where do I start?" Dick said back in a scathing tone, "Don't try to turn this around Bruce, I know what you did. You all hid it from me like I'm some mentally inept kid, and then finding out that you've been using the fucked up shit the Court forced into my head?!" Dick's blazing eyes couldn't seem to pick one emotion, fluctuating between a wide range of outrage and shock.
"Dick, it wasn't like that and you know it, we would never treat you like Cobb. You're not thinking clearly if you can't differentiate between your family and the Court" Bruce was cut off.
"Dont. Lie" his shoulders heaved with bubbling fury, "The Court of Owls pumped me full of drugs, held me underwater, locked me up alone for weeks, and then conditioned me to respond to words I can't even remember! But apparently you can, because those 2" he pointed a daring finger at Tim and Jason, "Just used it like they were ordering pizza?! How many times have I blacked out and obeyed you just like Cobb, Bruce?"
"Don't compare us to them, Dick. We're your family. We took you from them. I love you. You know we'd never use that against you, but you were struggling to detach yourself from their training and posed a risk if we didn't sedate you somehow. That was just a one-time thing to stop you from lashing out and hurting your brothers"
Jason's eyes narrowed and he turned to object to Bruce. They all remembered that Dick's accidental response to certain tones and words happened more than once, but each time was the epitome of submissive and non-aggressive. Dick seemed to freeze and wait for orders like some insecure robot. Dick spoke before he could voice this though.
"I would never hurt them!" Dick looked to Tim and Jason for support; suddenly more desperate than angry.
"You already have before Dick. You didn't remember yourself or us and lashed out when we first tried to bring you back, and then under Cobb's orders you defended the Court! So much has changed since you were 17, I don't know anything for certain, and I won't until you start telling me what happened at the Court" Bruce stressed sternly.
Dick spluttered a weak objection, "I can barely remember that fight, Bruce! That wasn't me!" His weak brow turned harsh "Don't turn this around on me like you aren't 100% aware of everything that's been going on! You're such a hypocrite Bruce! You want to know everything, but think you're only entitled enough to dish out the info when everyone else is in the dark. I don't know why you're like knowing how many minutes I was waterboarded will help you find Cobb. If you wanted to you could just order Megan back into my head"
"You agreed to that Dick" Bruce snapped with a rekindled frustration.
"For you!? Dick yelled, throwing his arms straight up, "I forced myself to remember everything for your awful mission-driven guilt trips! It's not like Cobb invited me to every goddamn board meeting! I don't know where Lincoln and Cobb are or where my broth-everyone else is; Lincoln told me he'd find me. I don't know anything!" He groaned in a mixture of ire and exasperation, "You're the one with the most information! You and your stupid secret agendas and missions"
"What are you talking about? You remember everything, Dick. I haven't kept anything from you" Bruce took a step closer.
Dick matched him by taking a defensive step backward, "Cut the crap B. You've lied and hid almost everything from me until I started to investigate it on my own. And you even made them complicit!" He pointed to his brothers again. Jason was glaring at Bruce, and Tim and Damian looked drought with uncertainty.
"Dick, explain yourself, you're not making any sense" Bruce was close to losing his temper. Every few sentences Dick would say something Bruce thought he could follow but then his son would follow up with a bewildering accusation that he couldn't seem to track rationally. Dick's posture couldn't be more defensive and aggravated. His eyes were wide with shock and betrayal that Bruce couldn't seem to clue into, no matter how hard he tried.
"Oh my god" Dick groaned in frustration, "Just drop the act! I know everything!" He ran his hand through his hair and pulled it back in a show of exasperation.
"There's no act!" Tim tried. He and Jason were confused, but Tim seemed to be giving way to his worry and concern before Jason. Dick dropped his arms and looked around the cave looking for something that might help him.
Bruce stepped forward to stand beside Tim, "Dick, what's wrong? Talk to me, Chum"
Dick stilled and Bruce felt a flutter of hope for a second but that was squashed by the look of amazement that consumed Dick's face. Like he was in disbelief that Bruce would say such a thing, "I can't believe this. You're still trying to act like you didn't do it. Like you can just hide it and lie to my face" He barked out a single dry disbelieving laugh.
"Dick" Bruce said seriously, "I promise I don't know what-" His eyes found the monitor and he froze with the realization of what audio file Dick had stumbled upon. Despite all the issues and consequences Bruce knew he was about to reap, all he could think was 'How did Dick find this file?'
"Yea, Bruce" Dick sneered, "I know"
Tim and Jason spied the monitors as well but in blatant confusion, "Who the fuck is gonna explain?" Jason exclaimed.
Dick's shoulders fell and he looked like he was about to collapse for a second. He clenched his jaw and fists, standing tall and firm. Anger was leaping from his body in waves so strong it could be felt, "The Court!" Dick cried as he threw a hand at the monitor, the words seemed to fall out of him before he could control them, "Bruce's god damned hypocrisy and lies! I know it all! I know you drugged me and I know you went behind my back and killed all my brothers and sisters because they weren't worth saving in your book! I know you don't-have never trusted me! I know it all!" he cried. His eyes started to glisten.
"What?" Tim said. No one thought it would be a good idea to point out Dick's word choice in the heat of the moment, "Dick we didn't know-"
"Don't even try Tim" Dick said tiredly, "It's almost admirable but you and Jason helped Bruce upload every single shred of evidence. I know about all your little group sessions reviewing everything about me; without me. You basically live down here, how could you not know this was here?" He accused sharply.
Timr recoiled, not sure how to respond. Jason held up his hands, "Dick. Just explain what's going on. I can promise you that me and the replacement have no idea what you're talking about and the little demon won't even leave your hip. What did the old man do now?"
A frantic light persisted in Dick's eyes as he rubbed his arms and paced before them, "He lied! That's what happened! You all did but then Clark and Bruce went to the Court and killed all the talons and soldiers. All those defenseless people!" He turned on Bruce with a pointed finger, "They were sleeping!" he shouted.
He threw up his hands, "You've kept so much from me and I'm not even sure when it turned into flat-out lies" Bruce wasn't able to tell when Dick was talking to him, the group, or himself.
Bruce cursed himself for letting Dick have completely unfettered access to everything before they'd spoken with J'onn.
"Richard" Damian spoke up. His voice was quiet but he was putting forward a firm up his voice, "Whatever Father did, I'm sure we can find a way to discuss it and fix it. Please don't get mad" he added.
Dick's eyes softened just at the sight of Damian and he swallowed heavily. His chin trembled but he clenched his jaw and turned away angrily, "He was right. I can't believe he was right" he said to himself incredulously.
"Who Dick?" Tim asked.
Bruce could think of a number of people who would reach out and fumble Dick's slowing healing mind so soon. Lincoln Marsh, William Cobb. Someone from the Light, even Deathstroke.
"Like you don't already know" Dick sneered, as he waved his hands around. "Is this all a game to you? I survived 5 years with some underground cultists and now you're blaming me for the trust issues around here?!" he fixed Bruce with a pointed glare, "Fuck you, Bruce"
Bruce hardened his look in return, "When did Wilson get in here? How did he speak with you, Dick?"
"Wilson?" Tim gasped.
"That's impossible, Richard hasn't left home without us," Damian said.
"Don't try to turn this around Bruce. This is on you! Your insecurities! And how you keep finding a reason to blame us when you can't raise us right!". He jerked his chin at Jason, "You took a kid off the streets and was surprised when his solution was to fight fire with fire? After you taught him legitimate self-defense and just threw his killer back in jail for like, the bazillionth time?! Jesus, the double standards are worse than any other elephant in the room. I mean Jason can kill one of Sionis' guys for pulling a gun on him but god forbid I have blood on my hands. Are you gonna let me fuck up even once Bruce? Or Tim? How are you gonna stab Tim in the back next, huh?"
Tim cringed and all eyes jumped to Bruce.A small alarm went off in the cave signifying someone's approach but Bruce only had eyes for Dick. Behind him, Damian discreetly checked his phone to see who it was. He must have wanted the support of Alfred because Damian made himself scarce and backed up the stairs without a word.
"Dick you need to think about what you're saying. How long has Wilson been coming to you? He kidnapped you from the Court and didn't even help you get back home. He's only ever been out to use you. Especially now"
"Oh really? What do you mean by that Bruce? Especially now that I'm a meta? A freak? You don't know what I am, but you sure don't trust it!"
"You're not it Dick, you're my son"
"I know what I am!" The energy seemed to leave him, "What are we even doing?" He asked gripping his head. Bruce wasn't sure if the question was for him specifically.
"You've been through a lot Dick. You need a break from everything. From Wilson, from Nightwing. You need time to recuperate"
"I've been through a lot in the past 6 years Bruce" Dick shrugged, "Yea, maybe you're right. But I don't need you to tell me when to take a break from my own life" he stated firmly.
"Dickie-" Dick cut Jason off.
"Don't placate me Jay" Dick spat, "You and Tim have helped him hide all this shit from me like I don't deserve to know what's going on in my own life. I had to accidentally google my own death and even then I thought to give you the benefit of the doubt"
"Dick we didn't know about the Court, about Bruce. We got there after it happened"
"Uh huh," Dick sneered in a mocking manner. Jason knew how convenient it sounded but he tried to amend, "We didn't even know what had happened at all! We got to the Court's compound just it collapsed and we thought it was an earthquake"
"Honest Dick' Tim pressed, "We had no idea"
Dick glared, "And I'm just supposed to take your word for it? Like I've been trusting you for the past weeks?!"
"Dick we wouldn't lie to you-"
Dick took a step forward intent on making his point, "But you have Tim. Every single person in this house has lied to me and kept things from me because you thought I couldn't be trusted with information about myself. That I didn't deserve it yet or couldn't handle it. Whatever it may be. You helped Bruce keep me in the dark and I…"
He trailed off uncertain of where to go with his overwhelming feelings, "Maybe this is a sign" he whispered out loud. "Maybe I shouldn't be here. Everything was fine before I came back. You guys were living your lives. You moved on just fine"
"Don't say that dipshit" Jason argued. He wished dearly that he could fix this by swinging and pummeling but all he could was watch Dick spiral out of control.
"Why not?! You're good to go, Jason. Bruce won't touch a hair on your head and you've killed how many? I bet enough for you to not remember the exact count, right?"
"We haven't had a good thing going since I was 17. You don't even know me anymore! You admitted it to Clark, just say it to my face!" he roared at Bruce.
Bruce glared, "Don't be ridiculous Dick. You're my son and I love you. You aren't going anywhere. We are going to deal with this together and move on from this"
Dick smiled sadly at the floor, "Still giving orders, are we? One of these days you'll have to start listening to others, Bruce. You can't be right forever. Even now! You're not even owning up to what you did to all those defenseless people!"
Dick's face crumpled and Bruce fought past the aching clench in his chest, "Dick, those were murderers and killers who would've died without a doubt. We can't just keep them immortal with free electrum, you know they need it to sustain themselves"
"Would you kill me too?" Dick's voice dropped to almost a whisper.
Bruce blinked, "What?" he asked, an edge to his voice.
"If I wasn't even more of a freak than them and needed electrum….would you just let me waste away too or would you make it quick? Would you justify it with the fact that I died when I was 17?"
"What's that supposed to mean Dick?"
"It means that we don't know each other! You all want the old Dick back and you got some fucked up memory loss failure with an unknown kill count on his hands and you're trying to make me back into him!" He gripped his midnight tresses and pulled, "I don't know who or what I am but I'm not him! I haven't even seen you guys for more than a few consecutive months since I was 17! How do I know you anymore?"
"Dick you can always trust us" Tim assured, "We aren't trying to force you into some sort of mold"
"That's what you say now, but I've seen the way everyone looks at me. The way you were so surprised when Roy let me hold Lian or the way I'll say something and half the room will flinch. Admit it! Damian's the only one who never outright lied to my face but I've barely known him a few years!" Dick stopped and a heavy depression descended onto him, "I can't even say for sure that he didn't outright lie to me" he said lowly.
Bruce could see the tears fighting to fall down his son's red cheeks. His golden eyes glistened like coins under a pond's surface, "Dick this wasn't a forever situation. You've been put through on and off torture since you were 17. You didn't have your full faculties at times either. For everyone's safety, we had to keep certain things from you as you healed but you're expecting too quick of a transition back into normal life Chum"
Dick glowered, "No I was expecting trust and honesty and all I got were lies and judgment. I'm not blind to how everyone is walking on eggshells around me. I heard you admit to Clark that you can't trust me. Then you went and killed all those talons! All those people who resisted the Court; they deserved a second chance, Bruce! They were like me!" He dropped his hands from his hair, "I can't even trust that you wouldn't treat me like those talons if you could-locking me up or depriving me of electrum like them"
"Dick don't be ridiculous" Bruce barked. "You're my son and we all care for you"
"Oh? Really?" Dick asked exageratedly. "Because you didn't seem to love me enough to adopt me? You never offered me the option, you said Robin was mine but then you gave it to every damn kid you replaced me with! How many kids are you gonna need 'till you feel like you've made up for your first failure Bruce?!"
Bruce was moving forward before he realized it and snarled in Dick's face, "I Iove you! Don't you ever doubt that. You're still unstable even now; you just can't admit how much of a risk and danger you were to everyone when we first found you. You couldn't remember Damian or anyone else; how was I supposed to trust your actions? Everything I did was for this family and you are part of this family!" He threw his arms around Dick's shoulder as if to shake some sense into him, "Look how Deathstroke is manipulating you this easily! You're not thinking Dick. You need a break from everything and-"
"No!" Dick threw off Bruce's grip, "This isn't Slade, this is you! You chose me back in that juvie cell! You chose me! You are the only one here who had an obligation to me but you're the only one that hurt me this bad. You told me to trust you and then refused to trust me! After all I've done for you!"
Dick stepped forward until they were nose to nose. Bruce never would have imagined he'd be looking at Dick and not down at his Robin. Frigid blue clashed with bright, blazing yellow "You're so fucking warped and stuck in your own ways. I would never hurt my family, but you wouldn't know authentic unconditional love if your parents were still alive!"
Jason made a low whistling sound at his last statement and stepped forward to defuse the building-bubbling tension, "Ok. I think we can all admit Bruce is a raging asshole and that boundaries need to be set but you need to cool your jets, Dick. Drop whatever plans you might have of running away or whatever is going through that brain of yours"
"We love you, Dick. I'm so sorry we kept things from you for this long and made you feel so kept in the dark but we thought we were helping your mind heal slower instead of throwing you face first into your trauma"
"The replacement's right" Jason intoned to Dick.
Dick glared at Jasin before sliding his burning gaze to Bruce, "Just because you love me doesn't mean I feel loved" he said lowly.
Suddenly the elevator descended and Damian forced his way out, "The League of Shadows is here!" he cried.
All eyes jumped to Damian as the breathless boy panted at the top of the stairs, "What?" Bruce demanded.
Damian nodded, "Mother and Mickel and a team, they're swarming the grounds as we speak"
"How many?"
Damian's eyes flickered to Dick before answering, "At least 20, maybe 30"
"So that's where Talia's men disappeared to" Jason surmised.
Dick seemed to be the only one not connecting the dots as he wasn't there for Jason's rescue. His figure bristled but he held his tongue as the enemy advanced. The elevator closed and began ascending, everyone watching with the realization that Talia Al Ghul would likely be on the next ride down to the cave. Bruce gritted his teeth as they were thrust into another unexpected emergency. He looked towards Dick whose gaze was still firmly set on Damian and the elevator. His eyes still glimmered brightly with that inhumanly gold hue. Dick felt Bruce's gaze and snapped his eyes to the older man, "This isn't over" he spat. Bruce nodded, glad to receive the quick confirmation that he had all his children ready to fight, "Suit up. Now" Bruce barked. Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian all jumped to assemble their uniforms and gear, eager to beat the elevator.
Dick raced to the far wall where the glass stands held their uniforms and stopped short with the realization that his glass case was empty. He'd been killed in his Nightwing uniform and they'd all suspected him dead. Why would Alfred bother mending his uniform? Despite the rationale, something deep and tender throbbed painfully over how long his case had been empty. He threw on a slim padded tactical vest, gloves, and boots over his long sleeves and leggings while Jason holstered his guns and leather jacket. Tim and Damian were the last, barely dressing in the Robin-inspired uniforms before Talia stepped out of the elevator and made herself known on the topmost platform. Her dark green gaze found Damian first.
She was dressed unlike how Bruce had seen her back at the warehouse in pants and a cover jacket. She was clothed in League attire with slim pants in a ceremonial looking tight fitting dress that split at the thighs and hung down between her legs and out of the way with every step.
"Beloved" She greeted Bruce, "I see you and your Robins were successful in rescuing both of your wayward birds. Dick looked at Bruce in question but didn't speak.
"Talia," Bruce said, "What are you doing here?"
Suddenly the garage door behind them creaked and shuddered as it was forcefully opened from the outside. Bruce spun around to find the army of assassins Damian reported. They filed in, led by Mickel, as quiet as a mouse, and stopped in a semi-circle around Bruce and his boys.
Talia smirked, "We" she emphasized, "Are here to reclaim my son"
Instantly Dick took a step in front of Damian. His fists clenched and his thighs tensed into a slight crouch. Talia spotted the movement and narrowed her eyes, "I hear you have not recovered from your extended…stint Nightwing" She purred, "Do not stand in my way"
Dick seethed, narrowing his eyes, "What do you want with Damian?"
She raised a single brow, "He is my son. My child, heir, and legacy"
Dick scoffed in response, "You left him on our doorstep years ago and all you said was to earn Batman's title. He isn't Batman yet so I think you early by" he checked a fake watch on his arm, "Ooooh I dunno 30 years"
Talia watched him, "He is needed home. I am his mother; his creator. My word is law before that of a father who obviously cares very little for developing his skills to their fullest. Damian come" She beckoned him.
Dick shifted blocking Talia entirely from seeing Damian. Her voice turned sharper and colder, "Damian. Now"
Dick growled low and deep, silencing the room of what little sound there was. Bruce crossed his arms, "What are you really trying to accomplish here Talia? You could've taken Damian the moment you rescued us from the Court" Dick jerked his head to Bruce sharply and he fought the urge to react, realizing how little had been explained to Dick. He probably assumed the Justice League had assisted in a rescue mission, "And then you lent us your men to rescue Jason"
Talia leaned to one hip with an insensitive demeanor, "Plans change" is all she said.
Damian blanched before recovering, "Mother, I don't want to go. I am staying here with Father and the others"
Talia tasked, "My dear, responsibilities often call for us to do that which we do not like. Now come. You are needed home"
"For what?" Bruce asked again lowly.
Talia turned to Bruce, "Do not tell me you wish to be involved with the League now dearest? You shut that door yourself long ago"
"He asked. For. What" Dick growled. His voice held a timbre so low Jason almost felt his bones vibrate; almost.
Talia's eyes roamed over Dick's figure with a combination of caution and disgust. Dick hated to see green eyes so similar to Damian's looking at him with such a demeaning aura, "This does not concern you, Richard Grayson. Your presence has done nothing but burden my son with your emotional fragility. It is my intention to correct this. Damian. Come. Now"
Damian didn't move from behind his older brother. Talia sighed wistfully, "So be it" She snapped her fingers three times succinctly and the Shadows descended onto the Batclan.
Dick shoved Damian backward and intercepted the first assassin easily. Damian stumbled back, his back hitting one of the uniform cases, "Damian!" Bruce barked, "Do not leave my sight!" Damian nodded and fell into an easy fight stance. He looked at his brothers to see them already in the throws of the massive fight.
Dick was facing off one opponent while another clung to his back and attempted every possible choke hold. Dick held his forearm up and over his throat so the choke hold couldn't take, and intercepted the assassin he was facing. His opponent threw a solid punch but Dick grabbed his forearm and pulled the arm towards him and across the opposite side of his body. As soon as the outer elbow was vulnerable Dick smashed against it, cracking the arm inward and the completely wrong way it should bend. A permanently disabling blow. The assassin cried out and Dick kicked him away before grabbing the attacker on his back and throwing himself backward to land directly on his opponent. As soon as the grip faltered and loosened, Dick was pushing himself up into a backward handstand over the assassin. He dropped down and smashed an elbow against the man's throat, leaving him gasping for air. Red-tinged spit splattered across his mouth.
A gunshot echoed off to the right where Jason had already gunned down 2 assassins in the legs and feet. Beside him, Tim flipped and spun, relying heavily on his bo staff to keep assassins at a defendable distance. Damian cursed his distracted state as a hand grabbed his shoulder and tugged him back. His attacker had a small grey rag in his palm but Damian knew instantly that spelled trouble. He kicked the arm away, aiming for the wrist and hearing a satisfying crack. The rag fell to the floor and Damian kicked it behind him while diving under his opponent's legs. Just before he stood behind the man, he made sure to grab the back of his calf and jerk his legs together. The man wobbled and fought for balance giving Damian the opportunity to get to his feet smoothly. The man spun and reached for Damian again but he barely had a chance to reach out before his father appeared like the shadow of Vengence that he was. Bruce descended on the opponent, forcing Damian to the side to not become a liability. Bruce made quick work of the man, with minimal effort. He swept his legs out from under him before punching him in the chest. The man gasped out and Bruce uppercut him, forcing his jaw upward in a motion so jarring his head snapped back into the floor beneath him. The man fell limp and his father moved on to his next target; Damian following quickly.
Damian did his best to stay beside his father or one of his brothers. Offering support and calling out opponents if they attempted to sneak or slink around a distracted Robin. Every time Damian spotted his oldest brother, he was the most immersed in the sea of overwhelming assassins, but seemed to be fairing the best. He was flipping and soaring overheads, landing attacks and cutting down foes with quick powerful, and angry precision. While Damian wasn't clear on what his father had done to anger Richard so dearly he was glad this offered an outlet for anger so that Damian wouldn't be forced to watch his brother and father exchange anything worse than heated words.
As the fight continued, Damian noticed that Drake was slowing and Todd was relying more on combat skills as he ran out of bullets and wasn't able to grab more casings. Damian was about to run to the aid of Drake when a hand grabbed his arm, jerking him back. Damian whipped around but stopped as soon as he registered the soft skin and painted almond nails, "Mother" he gasped.
Talia regarded her son cooly, obviously displeased, "Do not be foolish. Resistance against the demon head will get you nowhere but 6 feet under my love"
Damian wrenched his arm away, "I will not return. I am happy where I am. You haven't even been truthful about why my grandfather is calling me back home. Last we spoke he called me a disgrace for refusing to kill any longer"
Talia nodded, "You must trust me; as your mother. Return home with me and all will be clear"
Damian shook his head, "Even if I wanted to; Father, the others, they need me"
Talia scoffed, "Need you? Who? The circus trash? Grayson is meant for a dark demise and nothing can pull him from the path he is on now. Your staying will only give you a front-row seat to his destruction. Todd will be lucky to make it to middle-aged and Drake does not have the heart to continue fighting crime alone."
Damian scowled, "That is not true"
She reached out and grabbed his arm with excessive force, wringing a hiss from Damian, "Look at him!" She spat. Damian followed where her other hand pointed. Richard was standing up from his opponent; the man was bloody and gasping on the ground. Richard's lower face was speckled with blood splatter and his eyes were a luminescent canary yellow, almost overtaking the blacks of his eyes. Another assassin made an attempt for him, swinging a sword at his chest and jabbing after every miss. Richard evaded with cat-like reflexes, his eyes cold and focused on the man in front of him. Damian realized he was playing with the man like a tiger plays with its food. Richard suddenly reached out and caught the sword-baring arm mid-swing and squeezed cracking the man's bone. The sword fell from his wrist and Richard snarled, barring his teeth. He jabbed him in the chest and then the throat forcing the man to double over. Richard used his bent back as a sort of springboard and rolled over his back, grabbing his arm as he did and throwing him across the room, hitting 2 others and sending them toppling mid-fight. There was no attention to injury or concern if the man had been crippled in any way. Richard didn't even seem to notice the growing red smears across his lips and cheeks as he descended on the next man he spotted, "He is unsalvagable and you are not doing him nor yourself any favors by fueling this pathetic blindness to the issue at hand. He is uncontrollable, a time bomb, if you will"
Damian turned back to his mother, "I don't care. Richard is a good soul. He helped me and cared for me more than grandfather ever has. I will not abandon him when he needs me"
Talia glared and she looked to be on the verge of seething. Damian had seen her like this a few times, and even fewer had been directed at him, "He is an experiment, he has no place in your life, Damian"
Damian looked over at Richard in time to see him drop another body to the ground, his opponent's face was bloody and his right looked like popped flesh. Todd stumbled back from a blow and bumped Richard's back aggressively. Instantly Richard swung around with the same aggressively barred behavior. He dropped to a squat and swung his leg out, sweeping Todd's feet out from under him. Todd landed with a thud, his head snapping back into the floor violently. Within seconds, Richard had Todd pinned on his back and punched him across the face. Todd's head whipped to the left as his cheekbone and lips took the brunt of the hit. Todd squeezed his eyes closed and brought one forearm up to shield his face while he thrust and flailed his lower body. His thighs threw Ricahrd's balance off slightly and he kneed a softer part of Richard's inner thigh. Richard wobbled and fell forward, he clasped a tight hand over Todd's throat and delivered another powerful blow to his cheek again.
The moment Todd's surprised cry escaped his flayed lips, Richard stopped, his arm still pulled back. His eyes widened in horror and he rolled off his brother, scrambling to his feet. He reached out before he stopped himself and seemed undecided on whether he should help. Todd pushed himself to his feet and wiped his face, cringing at his horrendously split lip and bruising cheek. A large gash had opened up in the corner of his lip and separated the skiing almost to the gums.
He looked up at Richard and stopped when he saw the blatant terror and alarm in his older brother, "Dick" he started to say, blood dribbling with every syllable. Before he could continue, a sword came down in front of him, missing his nose by inches. Todd stumbled back in surprise before he growled and punched the attacker.
By the time he had a chance to look back, his brother had been enveloped by the crowd again. Damian gasped and went to leave Talia's side when she caught his shoulders again and turned him to face her fully. Talia's face softened and she reached out, running her fingers lovingly down Damian's cheek, "My sweet child. The world does deserve such kindness from you. That young man is blessed; truly" She leaned into Damians' ear and he couldn't help but notice her familiar fragrance of spices and Middle Eastern warmness, "Forgive me for what is to come, my beloved"
She released his arm and he couldn't help but note the bloody palm print she left behind. Damian followed the blood until he found a small long river starting on his upper shoulder. The blade must have been extremely sharp for the cut not to have registered. Talia didn't wipe her hand, instead, she held it aloft as if she was trying to preserve the blood coating her palm and fingers, "We will see each other again my dearest. Stay safe"
"Mother!" but Talia had disappeared back into the throng of fighting clashing bodies. His instincts screamed at him that Richard was in danger if his mother had seen fit to not only apologize but warn him. Damian whipped around, realizing he'd been separated from his father. He scanned quickly, jumping and skimming over grabbing arms and fingers. Looking for Richard, Todd; anyone. Quickly he found them all further and further away. He started to make his way through the taller armed bodies, but Damian couldn't help but notice that their battles with the assassins were too succinct. Too concise and easily won. Had his mother brought recently graduated assassins? Why not anyone more experience?
He reached Todd, "Where is Richard!" he asked over the sounds of yells and metal.
Todd shrugged before tackling his opponent and kneeing him mid-fall. Damian cursed and looked around, spotting his father finally, but no sign of Richard. He spotted a flash of black hair and bare skin, as Richard was the only one without appropriate armor, Damian knew he'd found him. He shoved through bodies as quickly as he could but they didn't seem to be after him anymore, intent on overtaking his father, Drake, and Todd.
He lost sight of Richard but found him further away suddenly. Damian felt confusion start to slip in. Was Richard fighting carelessly or was he following someone? Panic set in, was Richard following his mother?! Damian did his best to catch up to Richard, he called out but the older boy either didn't hear him or ignored him. His golden eyes were intent and set forward on something Damian couldn't see. Damian lost Richard again as he was distracted by an influx of Shadow assassins attacking. Damian was forced to pick up a fallen League blade and defend, making sure only to slice extremities and not too deep. Before he realized it, Damian had found Richard again but he wished he hadn't.
Before his brother stood Deathstroke the Terminator in full armor. The man stood casually, leaning on his longest blade like it was a cane and not a finely tuned weapon. The man always exuded an energy of indifference but Daman knew differently. It wasn't that Slade Wilson didn't care. It was that he only cared about a few things; his brother being one of them. Damian came to a jarring stop behind Richard as Deathstroke spoke. His single eyes glanced briefly at Damian but he continued; unconcerned about Damian's potential intervention, "Do you see my point now kid? This isn't you. This" he motioned to the fighting bodies, "Isn't what you were meant for"
"Slade, now is not the time' Richard hissed, filling Damian with joy and hope, "We can talk later but my family is in trouble.
"The same family you just beat to a pulp?" Slade inquired, "You're lucky your punch didn't pop his eye socket like that second idiot" Dick's face flushed to a sickly white and he swallowed heavily, "It was an accident, if I'd known it was Jason…. I-They still need my help. We're outnumbered"
Slade peered him over, "Stop kidding yourself" He leaned in and narrowed his eye, "Just look how immersed in the fight you get. I bet a whole year's worth of jobs that you were mentally prepared to take down the whole room. You. Don't Belong Here.
"Oh, and I bet you think I belong with you, huh?" Dick smirked smirked weakly.
Slade huffed, "That would be a start, but no. You belong wherever you want to be. I can just tell you don't want to be here anymore. This so-called family of yours is nothing but a drain on that bright soul of yours kid"
Dick smoldered, "Bruce is in the wrong but he was right you know. I know this is all perfect timing for you to come back and show me all this crap. I'm not that easy to play asshole"
Slade picked up his sword and deftly spun it until the blade was pressed lightly into Richard's chest, "I know you're not pleased with me for my interventions, or lack thereof, but I know that by the time you're 40 or 50 and look back, all you'll have is resentment for this little band of orphans you're so desperate to cling to. You'll be angry at yourself for never making a selfish decision once in your life and you'll resent all your loved ones for letting you live your life for them"
Damian's pulse quickened. That wasn't true, was it? Did Richard feel as if he lived his life for his family and not for himself?
"Stop fucking with my head, Slade. I don't have time for your games"
Slade narrowed his eyes, "I'm not trying to fuck around with anything pretty bird. But you should realize that if my words are ringing true and bothering you- that's a you problem, not a me problem"
Richard pointed a finger at Slade, "Cut the bullshit. You had the chance to help me and you didn't. You made it easier for me to spiral, to lose years of my life, and then you've got the balls to come here and claim you want to help my autonomy now?!"
Slade leaned back casually, "Don't be like that Little Bird. I know you remember all the good times we had when I finally got you away from your grandfather" Richard jerked and his cheeks flushed.
"Think for yourself kid, for once, see what's right in front of you. I'm a mercenary, I have no allegiance to anyone or anything. You don't make the money I do by looking out for others" His hungry grey eye seemed to devour Richard's still form, "So then why do I always seem to be saving little bluebirds?" Slade's eyes lost any amount of remaining humor, "Be honest with yourself Dick, stop playing by other's rules and for other people"
Richard's shoulders wobbled for a minute before Damian realized his whole form was trembling with suppressed quivers and dry sobs, "I don't know what to do!" he cried out, "They're my family but they don't want me, not really. They want the old me and I-I just hurt Jason!"
Richard cut himself off with a dry sob, "I don't know how to be him anymore"
Slade, as quiet as the sound of clashing metal, continued, "Do you even want to be?"
Richard shook his head no. Slade cocked his head, "Then there's your answer kid. Do. What. You. Want. Even if all you know is what you don't want" Slade punctuated each word in a way that drew even Damian into his velvet tone and dangerous timber.
"I can't leave them, Slade. They need me…" Richard trailed off. Slade tsked at his brother, "I think your family would take offense that you are the only thing standing between them and their demise Pretty Bird"
Slade saddled up in front of Richard and reached out, lifting his chin with a crook of his finger, "I know you care for them kid but you're going to find yourself in an early grave if you keep throwing yourself in front of them for every needless thing" Richard's shoulders shook again, "You need to pick your battles if you really want to make sure they stay safe; because if you go down then who will keep watch over this pathetic bunch? Certainly not your Justice League, who let the Bat and your brothers disappear for months on end"
"They aren't helping you heal or get stronger, you're floundering with them, kid. Look around"
Dick glanced behind him at the piling bodies that littered the floor at various misshapen angles. He looked down at his hands and choked on a breath when he saw how deeply red his bare hands were, "I-I didn't mean it. She was trying to take Damian. They attacked first" He almost gagged when he realized some of the blood under his fingernails might be Jason's. It wasn't so much that he'd punched Jason; they'd fought and sparred as rough brothers often do. No, Dick's fragile stability wavered under the realization that he attacked his own brother in a ruthless loss of control. For a few seconds, he'd wanted to make someone hurt and didn't care who it was or how much.
Richard stared hopelessly back up at Deathstroke, "You need to choose yourself if you want to be able around long enough to choose them, Dick. This means your strength and mental health. Heaven forbid they deserve it after all you've done for them, and they still don't trust you"
At the mention of their earlier argument, Richard's expression darkened severely and his fists clenched tightly at his side, "No one will put your loved ones ahead of the world like you want to. You need to be stronger and more selfish if you're determined to do this. If I'm going to allocate resources so that you can ensure your priorities come before the world's" Slade gave Richard a considering look, "Are they even worth it? After everything…?"
Richard looked away before Deathstroke tsked and drew his face back up to him, waiting expectantly. The moment Dick hesitated in answering, Damian experienced a minor heart palpation. Eventually, Richard nodded, "They are" he rasped wetly. Deathstroke chuckled knowingly, "Alright kid. Whatever you want, but keep in mind I'm not a charity case for stupid sacrificial lambs" Richard nodded firmly, "But before we do anything" he looked over Richard's shoulder directly at Damian and he froze realizing he was being pulled into their conversation. Dick followed the merchant's gaze to Damian and his eyes went wide before they hardened with resolve. Damian stumbled back as Richard approached him and his old brother froze when he recoiled. He sighed and relaxed his shoulders a little, "I'm sorry Dami. Really, I am" Richard always overextended apologies and condolences but this time felt different.
Damian shook his head, "Don't listen to him, Richard. He's always been obsessed with you. You can't trust him. We love you. Don't do what he wants….Todd deserved it! He's fine anyway"
Richard's gaze softened and his golden eyes seemed to dim with the introduction of a murky blue, I know you love me Dami. I love you too but I can trust Slade…to a degree. He may be a selfish bastard but I can trust him to stay true to his word. If that's the only way for me to get out from under Bruce's shadow, then maybe I need to consider that they're the right options for me" He flexed his fingers into a fist, "I don't know what the Court did to me but I can't ever lose control and hurt you guys again"
"No!" Damian stressed, "This is what Father warned you of"
Behind them, Salde snorted and Ricahrs shot him a scathing glare over his shoulder.
"Damian, I know it's hard to understand now but-"
"No" Damian shook his head and grabbed Richard's hand, "I forbid you from doing what he wants Richard". Damian was trying his hardest to convey his solidarity and severity through his grip and tone, but no matter how hard he squeezed or glared, he couldn't blink fast enough to keep the wetness at baty.
"Bruce and I used to get along great, you know. We still do as long as I don't contradict his decisions" Richard's eyes found Bruce fighting in the lessening fray, behind Damian's shoulder and there was some sort of mixture of longing and spite in his eyes, "He cares for me, I know he does. But he doesn't love me the way I love him Dami, and if I die tomorrow or in 10 years living this exact same way" he swallowed heavily, "I think that might bring my parent's memory more dishonor than some of the things I've done already"
"Richard….Father loves you" Damian wasn't sure what to , stop, listen to me, stay, and let's possible response was crowding his tongue but he couldn't seem to force one out.
His brother's sad smile dropped off as if the effort to continue the conversation alone pained him a little, "He thinks he does. But the past few years and today have just proven that if we aren't Gotham, we aren't his priority"
Richard smiled at him warmly despite the threat. He reached out for Damian and cupped his face, "I love you too Little D" Riachrd's eyes seemed to swirl and dissolve until only clear blue remained.
That was the last thing Damian remembered.