Chapter 2
Softness… warmth… He's in a bed? When did that happen…? He starts to open his eyes, seeing the familiar pattern of his bedroom ceiling above him. He's in his room… But he doesn't remember going to bed here… He hasn't been home in a few days… He closes his eyes, trying to think. Think back…
He remembers stopping the Parasite… Staying for another show as a favor to Jack Haly. Then… he was asked to stay after the show… Then… People in masks showed up… He was petrified for some reason… Something made him terrified of them and he isn't sure why… Then his friends showed up… They… They got hurt… M'gann! His eyes snap open and he tries to sit up, but his body feels so weak.
"Dick?" A voice calls. He turns his head to look at Bruce. He's sitting in a chair, looking to have been asleep. He sits up more and grabs his hand. "Are you alright?" He sounds concerned…
"Whrs M'gann…?" He asks quietly.
"She's back at Mount Justice. She's alright." Bruce explains.
"She was hurt… My friends got hurt…?" Dick mumbles.
"They're fine, Dick. Thanks to being Martian, Miss Martian healed quickly. Artemis and Roy have minor concussions, but they're fine, so is Conner."
"Jack Haly…?" He asks quietly.
"I haven't been able to get ahold of him." Bruce admits. There's a panic in Dick's eyes. "Easy… I'll keep checking, ok?" Dick sighs, closing his eyes again.
"What the hell…?" He questions. "What were those people…?"
"We don't know… All we know is what we took from your memories. Something about the Court of Owls. Though, you seemed oddly terrified of them. Why is that?" Bruce asks.
"I don't know…" Dick answers. "I just remember seeing them and I froze… It wasn't until they threw Jack that I snapped out of it… But all I could do was run… Hoping I could get away…"
"Then they grabbed you, and the team came to your aid." Bruce follows. Dick nods. He pushes himself, trying to sit up. Bruce leans over and helps him, grabbing pillows so he has something to lay back on. He takes a deep, shuttering breath, trying to relax.
"I hated feeling so afraid and helpless…" Dick says. "I hate feeling weak… I can barely move…"
"Well, you are still recovering from being in a coma." Bruce explains.
"A what…?" Dick questions, lifting his head up a bit. "H-How long…?"
"Not very long, it's Christmas morning." Bruce answers. Dick rests his head back, sighing with relief. "Speaking of…" Bruce leans down, grabbing a present from the floor and handing it to Dick. "I know I don't really celebrate Christmas, but…" He holds the present out to him. Dick lifts his arms and takes it, though it's obvious he can barely move. He lightly pulls at the paper and rips it down, looking at the book Bruce has gotten for him. A collection of Grimm's Fairytales. Dick's eyes widen and he pulls the book completely free of the wrapping paper, he turns the book over to read the description. It's a complete collection of the Brothers Grimm's stories. He turns it back to look at the cover.
"This is… This is amazing… Thank you…" Dick says softly, looking at Bruce, smiling. Bruce smiles softly.
"Merry Christmas Dick…" Bruce says. He stands up, placing a hand on Dick's shoulder then grabs the wrapping paper.
"Merry Christmas, Bruce." Dick says as Bruce starts leaving. Bruce turns his head and nods, before leaving the room. He steps into his office, throwing the ball of wrapping paper into the trash before taking a seat, going through paperwork. It isn't long before Alfred comes in with tea. He notices Bruce hard at work, but there's also a far off look in his eyes.
"Is something troubling you, Master Bruce?" Alfred asks. Bruce looks up at Alfred.
"So many things…" Bruce admits. "Mostly this Court of Owls business…All I'm finding is just rumors and folklore. Though, oddly enough, one of my ancestors was afraid of owls for some reason, even moreso leading up to his death. However, he was a paranoid man, even blocked off the thirteenth level of every building he owned." Bruce explains. "How can I protect Dick from something that may or may not even exist?"
"I unfortunately have no answer to that, but you are the world's best detective. If anyone can figure out a solution, it would be you." Alfred assures.
"I'm… considering benching him, no missions with me or the Team, not until we figure this mess out… But what about his school? I suppose I could talk to Artemis about keeping an eye on him, but that is risky. She could end up hurt and Dick would never forgive me for putting anyone on the team at risk, especially for his sake." Bruce remarks.
"Well, thankfully you have another week to decide as he is on winter break. Speaking of, you know what today is, don't you?" Alfred asks. He notices Bruce's jaw tighten, lips slightly thinning, he's tensing up.
"No need to remind me." Bruce states, a little coldly.
"I was hoping this year we could do more to celebrate. Perhaps help ease tension with this Court of Owls problem." Alfred suggests.
"No can do, I can't afford to take a night off patrol, especially with this new threat." Bruce states. Alfred sighs.
"Very well, sir." Alfred relents. There's a tense air of silence between the two. Alfred sets a teacup down on Bruce's desk.
"What would you do, Alfred? If it was me instead of Dick dealing with the Court of Owls?" Bruce asks.
"Well, I would take every measure I could to keep you safe." Alfred answers. "Especially if you yourself were still a child. Though you have more resources at your disposal than I did back when you were fourteen." Bruce leans forward, resting his elbows on his desk, resting his chin on his hands. His leg bounces neurotically as he thinks. "You do what you feel is most appropriate, for Master Dick's sake. He may be your partner, but he is also your responsibility as you are his caregiver." Bruce nods.
"Then the most logical choice would be to bench him, homebound him the best I can. The less he's out there the better." Bruce says. "He may have been attacked in Switzerland, but they're from Gotham." Bruce thinks a moment in silence, then stands up. "I need a moment." Bruce states and leaves his office. He heads back upstairs, knocking on Dick's door.
"Yea?" Dick calls out. Bruce enters the room.
"Dick, I need to talk with you." Bruce states. Dick looks up at Bruce and shuts his book, sitting up more. He places his book on the nightstand.
"What's up?" Dick asks, he's regained some of his strength as he swings his legs off the bed. Bruce grabs a chair and sits down so he's more level with the young teen.
"I have made a decision you're probably not going to like." Bruce starts.
"Ok?" Dick looks confused and concerned, brows knitting. Bruce sighs, looking right into the boy's eyes.
"I've decided to bench you until further notice. No more Team missions, none of our missions or patrols, not until we have this Court of Owls problem is resolved." Bruce explains. Dick's eyes widen and he stands up, albeit a little shakily, he's still recovering afterall.
"You can't do that! The Team needs me! You need me!" Dick argues. Bruce gets back to his feet, there's a slight hint of fear in Dick's eyes, but he doesn't waver. "I can't just sit on the sidelines and wait!"
"You can, and you will. It's for your own safety." Bruce states. "That includes reducing your time outside the house."
"I can protect myself! Haven't I proven that?!" Dick continues to argue. "If I had my belt, I would have fought back!"
"You have proven yourself, but this is a new threat we know nothing about, we don't know what they're capable of. They took down the Team without effort." Bruce argues back, though is keeping himself noticeably calmer. "Which is why you are benched. If something were to happen to you, what good would it do the Team? Or me? Or Gotham? This is not up for debate, Dick." Bruce states. Dick clenches his fists and looks down, if he were superman, he'd be firing lasers into the floor. Bruce places a hand on Dick's shoulder, though the boy is still so weak that it's enough to make him shift back a bit. He looks at Bruce's hand, a little confused and surprised. "We both have lost a lot, something children shouldn't lose, especially so young… But I don't want to lose the one thing a parent shouldn't ever lose." Dick looks up at him, there's a slight glistening in his eyes. Is he… on the verge of tears…? He looks back down, staring at the ground with softer eyes. Then, something surprising happens… Bruce pulls Dick into a hug. Dick's eyes widen, unsure how to react. "I nearly lost you, yesterday… I would rather die than lose you…" Dick closes his eyes, hugging Bruce back.
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have yelled… I get why you… I-I'm sorry…" Dick apologizes.
"I understand why you would be upset. You know how I get when I'm benched due to injuries." Bruce states, smiling a little.
"Yea, and you're so stubborn, you'll refuse to stay down despite those injuries…" Dick teases. Bruce parts from him, ruffling his hair. Dick laughs a little.
"You continue to rest, I'll see if we can order some pizza for dinner tonight." Bruce says. "I know it doesn't entirely make up for it, but I'll get your favorite, even if it is an abomination."
"I'll forgive you for benching me if you have at least one slice of pineapple pizza." Dick offers. Bruce glares playfully at him. Dick smirks, Bruce sighs, relenting.
"Fine, one slice won't kill me." Bruce states.
"I'll hold you to it, Brucie." Dick teases and sits back down, grabbing his book and laying back.
"You're a pain in the ass sometimes…" Bruce comments, though he's smiling a bit, indicating he doesn't really mean it.
"I know you are, but what am I?" Dick taunts childishly, smirking. Bruce then leaves the room, leaving the door just slightly cracked because he knows it'll annoy Dick. "Definitely a pain in the butt!" He shouts after him. Bruce laughs, leaving the boy be. Hearing Bruce leave, Alfred decides to come in to check on him, see how he's doing, bringing him tea as well. Dick looks up from his book again to see Alfred come in.
"How are you fairing, Master Dick?" Alfred asks.
"I feel like I've been put on house arrest." Dick admits. "But I understand where he's coming from."
"Master Bruce only seeks to protect you. First and foremost, you are his son. That may not be by blood, but in my experience, the best family you can have is the one you make for yourself." Alfred explains, he sets a teacup on Dick's bedside table. Dick nods, taking the teacup and looking into the amber-brown liquid.
"Is it bad to admit I'm terrified…?" Dick asks. "I felt so helpless… I was too paralyzed to fight, I didn't have my belt either… and they took out my entire team with barely any effort…"
"Fear is not the opposite of courage, in truth, they go hand in hand." Alfred states. "Without fear, there is no courage."
"I know you're right…" Dick says. "I just…" He sighs. "I don't know…" Alfred places a hand on Dick's shoulder, sitting down beside him. "They almost had me… If it wasn't for Superboy, I'd…" he starts tearing up. "I don't know what would have happened to me… And I think that's the scariest part…"
"No matter what could have happened, it didn't. You're home, you're safe." Alfred states.
"But for how long…? What if they find me…? What if they hurt you or Bruce… O-Or worse…?" Dick closes his eyes, causing the tears to fall. "I can't lose my family again…" The young boy trembles, trying his best to keep himself together, but… Alfred wraps his arms around him to comfort him.
"I can't promise you will never lose us, but despite the dangers, we will remain by your side for as long as we can, because that's what family does." Alfred says, just letting the boy cry it out until he wears himself out, he's still not a hundred percent after having been in a medically induced coma the night before. When Bruce brought Dick home in his arms, Alfred feared the worst, but thankfully Dick was ok, just recovering. "Just rest, Master Dick. We will be right here." Dick nods a little and Alfred lets him go, taking the teacup from his hands and placing it back on the nightstand. Dick lays down and Alfred grabs a blanket, placing it over the small lad. Alfred pulls a small present out of his pocket as well as a letter, placing it down next to the cup of tea, then heads to the door. He stops just before leaving, looking back at Dick. "Merry Christmas, Master Dick." He shuts the door and walks away.
It's a few hours before Dick wakes up again, he opens his eyes, seeing the small present and the letter. Curious, he sits up and grabs the box first, opening it. Inside, there's a small wooden trinket of an elephant. Dick smiles, admiring the craftsmanship. It's basically perfect. He sets it down and grabs the letter.
"Dearest Master Dick, I regret that I have not said this more face to face, I am proud of you. I want you to keep this letter in a safe place to remind you how proud you make us, just by being you. You've grown so much in these five years, and I don't mean just physically. Keep being you. Keep fighting for what you want, what you believe in. You are no one else but yourself, remember that."
Dick smiles, rereading the letter a few times before placing it safely in a drawer, for now, he'll find a better place to hide it, he's still not feeling that great, so getting up isn't a priority. Though he probably should get dressed, he's still in his acrobat uniform… He stands up and walks to his dresser, opening different drawers to find something else to wear. A t-shirt… pair of pants, not jeans since they can be uncomfortable sometimes. He dresses and sticks his acrobat's uniform in with his dirty clothes, then walks over to his bed, sitting back down.
He grabs up the carving of the elephant, gazing over all the small details, the floof on the tail to the feet, the wrinkles on the trunk, if he didn't know better, he'd think it was carved by a machine, but he knows Alfred did it. He sets it back down and tries looking for his book to continue reading. He finds it on the floor, must have knocked it down when he was sleeping. He picks it up and tries to find where he left off, relaxing back again.
His phone starts ringing, making him stop and look at his phone. Without having to look at the caller ID he knows the person calling is Wally, having a stylized ringtone specific to him. He grabs his phone, answering it.
"Hey, Wall." Dick says.
"Hey! Glad to hear you're awake!" Wally says. "How're you feeling?"
"I feel ok, still a little off, but ok otherwise…" Dick answers. He sits up, shutting his book again.
"That's a relief. I'm glad. Hey, I suggest you grab a jacket here in a bit." Wally says.
"Ok? Why?" Dick asks.
"Trust me, you're going to want a jacket." Wally warns. Dick's brows knit in confusion. Though he has a feeling of what's going to happen… "Bye!" He hangs up before Dick can say goodbye back. He sighs and stands up, grabbing one of his favorite jackets and placing it over his shoulders. He sits back down and returns to his book.
Though… not for long as he hears a knock at the main door. So he gets up, going to see. Alfred will get there first, but he's curious. He walks out of his room and down the hall, looking over the banister at the door. Sure enough, Alfred is about to open it, as expected. The door swings open immediately and there's a blur of a figure entering the house.