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Dick woke up shaking. He couldn’t tell why he was suddenly thrown into the land of wakefulness, but from the way the tips of his fingers shook with numbness along with his racing pulse, it must have been a nightmare. A nightmare he couldn’t remember having dreamt just a moment ago, but the facts were all laid out in front of him.
He sat up slowly, taking in the large emptiness of his childhood bedroom. He’d been staying at the manor for quite awhile now. Needing to rest and relax after a hard fall from a rooftop about a week ago. No significant damage other than a few bumps and bruises and a good ole case of the breath being knocked right out of him, but Alfred had wanted him to take it easy just in case. To be on the safe side of caution.
Funny how it seemed like he was doing a lot of that these days.
Staying cautious. Mending his injuries by himself, even if slight or small. Being away from home, his home home, was something he still hadn’t gotten used to after all these years from moving out.
At the time it had felt like something he needed to do. To get out on his own, live his life, find who he was without the big-looming-broad shadow of Batman hovering over his shoulder. Don’t get him wrong, he loved his dad, but he had been Robin for so long. Had been Batman’s number two for so long. He needed to find his individuality.
However, with all that said, he deeply craved the company of his father at this very moment. Waking up without any reason to know why was terrifying in itself. Nightmares plagued him and the rest of his family a good chunk of the time, but it wasn’t too bad when you knew what the nightmare had been about.
This happened every once in a while. He wakes up, not knowing why, feeling on edge and panicky. As if the Joker or Harvey Dent or any other bat villain was about to crash through his unnecessarily enormous bedroom window. In these moments, he needed someone at his side. Whether it was for reassurance of his safety, or for the reassurance that he’ll have backup if it was ever needed.
Dick knew that the rest of his family was currently staying at the manor as well. With Christmas rolling around quite soon, most if not all of the little birds and baby bats tended to hang around the manor or Gotham during this time.
The eldest Robin knew that the rest of his adopted brothers and sisters were just down the hall. Some most likely still awake, others dozing and dreaming the night away, and the rest possibly out patrolling still, seeing as the time on Dick’s bedside clock only read around one o’clock AM.
Dick didn’t feel like doing any of those though, He didn’t want to stay awake (his eyes still felt droopy and sore), he didn’t want to sleep (scared that another nightmare would take hold of his psyche once more), and he most certainly did not want to go out on patrol and risk getting caught by Alfred. He enjoyed living, thank you very much.
The only viable option for him was going to look for the company he so desperately wanted right now.
So he got up, his sweatpants clad legs swinging over to the side of his bed. Slipping on his softest sleep loafers, he grabbed the dark gray sweater he had been wearing earlier during dinner and slipped it on to try and preserve the last of the cozy warmth he had accumulated during sleep before heading to his door.
Dick slipped quietly out into the hall, looking both ways as if crossing the street to see if any fellow bird or bat was dawdling around. With no sign of anyone, the sleepy man continued on his journey to try and find someone, anyone, willing to let him just hang out for a bit. If there was cuddling, blankets, and hot cocoa involved, even better.
Dick rounded the corner of the hall and came across his brother's rooms. Damian’s was the closest on the left, and although he’d love a good cuddle with his littlest brother, he knew the kid had school tomorrow and he could tell the kid had already been running on his last leg of energy, so asking him was out of the question. Tim was next, right after Damian’s, but it seemed he was out on patrol at the moment given the small sign hanging from his door handle. It simply read, “Draco Malfoy, currently fighting Dementors!”. Sometimes one had to get creative with subtle signals when normal civilians came over for lavish parties often.
That left Jason, the only inhabited room on the right. He seemed to be here as there was no sign hanging from his knob and a faint light could be seen from underneath the door.
Dick walked slowly, raising his hand to knock before thinking otherwise.
Dick adored Jason. The older man was so glad to have him back and alive. In the beginning after realizing Jason was still kicking and breathing, it had been rough. More than rough, but they were still working on making him feel comfortable and just plain happy living here full time with everyone and learning how to be a part of a family again. Dick was happy to think that so far, it had been going smoothly. Other than the occasional mis-step, Jason was doing amazing. However, Dick knew that the second boy wonder still had troubles and terrors of his own, especially if the screams and cries Dick could hear from his own room every other night had anything to say about it. With that, he didn’t need Dick’s own problems piling onto him.
He let his hand fall to his side and continued to make his way down the hall. The upper most floor of the Wayne Manor consisted of a large, softly squared off circle that eventually led to the stairs being located in the middle.
Bruce’s room was the closest to the stairs, as he wanted to make sure that any fool who decided to break in, had no chance of getting to his children before going through him first. Call it old fashioned, but it was something Bruce stuck to over the years. Dick thought it funny given that most villains and possible robbers usually snuck in through the upstairs windows in all the thriller movies the young man had seen as a child. He wouldn’t put it past the many enemies they had made to try and stick to the classics, but he couldn’t blame the man for trying. Dick certainly couldn’t judge him either seeing as he himself would probably do the same in his fathers shoes.
He walked on, closing the distance between himself and his fathers bedroom door. Usually he’d try and go to one of the girls next, to see if they were available for a good heart-to-heart. They were always the most open and understanding in his family of makeshift loners and orphans and unique individuals, but tonight he really just wanted his dad.
Being twenty-five didn’t take away Dick’s absolute need for physical affection. His friends knew that. His family knew that. Anyone who knew anything about Dick knew that he thrived on being around people. So whenever he was down or sad or upset, you could always find him snuggling up on the couch with one or all of his siblings, sipping warm drinks and watching old reruns together.
Coming to Bruce for any problem he faced was never a hesitation for him. Sometimes, depending on the topic of conversation, he’d become nervous, sweaty, maybe even a little nauseous. Which wasn’t Bruce’s fault in any sense, just Dick’s own insecurities haunting him, but he always tried to talk to Bruce about it. Especially if it was about something that truly bothered Dick to the core.
Like when he finally told Bruce about his sexuality.
The reaction he received from that particular conversation wasn’t exactly what he had expected, but after having dealt with the secret of keeping his true self and preferences from not only his father, but his whole family, it had gnawed at his stomach until he finally tearily gasped it all out in Bruce’s bulging arms. Sobbing out his entire soul about who he really was. The only reaction he had received was a confused turned warm glint of the eyes, a small smile, a back breaking hug, and a promise that his father would love and adore him no matter who he liked, loved, or married.
That conversation solidified his emotional trust in his father-turned-crime fighting partner.
Dick stopped at the large double doors leading into Bruce’s only safe haven. Which was truly saying something seeing as the manor had been entirely blown away before, but afterwards, the millionaire made sure to triple if not quadruple the security around the property, as well as taking many steps to add in a state of the art security system within the old walls of the building itself. It made Dick feel safe and he’s sure that’s what Bruce had intended. For that he was grateful.
He took a deep breath, raised his fist, and knocked softly against one of the oakwood doors. Dick heard some rustling behind the doors and a quiet murmur before the door he knocked on creaked open. A brief glimpse of his fathers eye peaked through the sliver of light coming through the crack, but then he opened the door wide, revealing his entire figure clad in his own pair of sweats and a black long sleeve pajama shirt.
At least he's dressed properly. Dick noted.
Usually he’d find the older man still sporting a pair of suit pants and one of his many button up shirts he dons for work or meetings at this hour. The man was never able to fully turn off that amazing brain of his, even for work related matters. Though, he was happy to see Bruce looking nice and cozy and relaxed for once. It worked perfectly for what Dick needed right now.
“Hey chum, what’s up?” The older man asked. Bruce wore a soft little thing of a smile. Undyingly endeared by his kids whenever they come to him. Always able to look small or vulnerable in their pj’s and sleep clothes and Dick knew this and was absolutely willing to use it to his advantage.
“Hey um… can I come hangout for a little while?” Dick wrapped his arms around himself. Trying to keep in the fading warmth from sleep, but also trying to make himself look like that scrawny little kid from years ago, disregarding the fact that he was almost six foot and much more bulky than he used to be.
It’s not like Bruce would turn him away so easily, but sometimes his dad just wasn’t in the mood to be around others. Which was totally fair when you had over eight kids rampaging around the house and even more villains constantly chasing after him. Space was a necessity sometimes when living the life of a vigilante.
“Yeah, sure.” Bruce tilted his head. “You okay bud?” He asked, opening his door more for Dick to slip on in. The room was considerably more cold than the hallway. Bruce was the kind of guy to run on the warm side, so having a colder room made sense. Didn’t mean Dick had to like it though.
The shorter man shivered slightly, already having lost a considerable amount of warmth just getting here.
“I’m okay, just-” He paused. “I just needed to be with someone right now.” Dick admitted. Bruce’s brows furrowed in concern. Shutting his door with a soft click, he walked over to his eldest son and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“What’s going on?” The bigger man led the duo over to the small sitting area in his room. It was decorated with a soft and cushioned sectional, a small coffee table, and a stand with a decently sized television. A few fluffy blankets hung off the back of the sectional as well. Bruce had the little area put in after it was clear that many of his estranged children liked to come hang out in silence. Not like his bedroom, didn’t have the room for it either.
They both took a seat, Dick opting to keep a little distance between them for now so they could talk first.
“It was just a nightmare. I don’t know what it was about though.” Dick shrugged. “I don’t really remember what happened in it, but I-” He lost his words for a second.
“You just needed some company?” Bruce finished for him. Dick let out a shaky sigh.
“Y-Yeah.” He could feel the emotions bubbling up a bit. It had been a rough few weeks recently. Dealing with case after case, running from one rooftop clue to another. Dick was honestly exhausted. Now that he’s been able to take a few days to recuperate at the manor, it’s almost as if his body and mind have finally caught up with just how tired he was. He thinks Bruce finally caught up with just how run down his child looked as well.
He brought his arm up to pull Dick in closer for a proper hug. Dick couldn’t have fought it off even if he wanted to. His nose was smushed into his dad’s shoulder as he wrapped his arms around Bruce’s neck. Two strong arms wrapped around his back with an almost bruising grip, grounding him. An equally strong hand began rubbing up and down his back as sniffles began to bubble up from his throat.
Even without so many words said, Dick knew that Bruce could read him just fine. With one arm, Bruce detached himself slightly in order to grab one of the soft, fluffy blankets laying across the back of the couch. He pulled it over and around Dick’s quivering shoulders before wrapping both arms back around the smaller man. Dick finally, for the first time after waking up, felt safe and warm and relaxed. Being around his dad really tended to do that.
“It’s alright bud. I’m here.” Bruce whispered, raking a hand through his hair and the other continuing its slow massage of rubbing up and down his back to help soothe. “Just let it all out, chum.” And so Dick did.
It was only maybe a few minutes of weeping before Dick actually felt normal in his skin again. He hadn’t realized just how bad it had been until he was able to have a moment with his dad, soaking up as much love and affection as he could.
“Feeling a bit better?” Bruce asked him. Dick nodded, probably rubbing his snot and mucus into the bigger man’s soft sleep shirt, but he knew his dad didn’t mind. “Good, why don’t we go down to the kitchen and grab some mugs of hot chocolate?” Dicks head snapped up, eyes widening in excitement whilst small, salty droplets still made their way down his flushed cheeks. Bruce couldn’t help but to chuckle a bit at the notion of just how excited his kids get over even the mentioning of the hot and chocolatey beverage. “Alright, c’mon.”
They both stood, Bruce tucking the blanket around Dick so he could keep it on while they trekked downstairs. Walking into the kitchen, all was silent as Bruce turned on a few of the lights so that neither of them would accidentally spill anything. Although their vigilantism almost always took place during the night, sadly it didn’t allow them to evolve night vision. Good thing Tim had decided to install visors into their masks. How Bruce had hunted during the darkest nights when he had first prowled out as Batman during their early days, was beyond Dick.
Dick sat at the large counter as the older man went scrummaging around for Alfred’s finest packets of prime hot cocoa powder, no doubt imported from some country Dick’s never heard of. And although his father wasn’t the brightest when it came to cooking, Bruce knew just the right way to make the best cup of warm, chocolatey goodness the younger man had ever had.
Bruce had just been putting the two mugs of milk in the microwave, when Dick heard soft footsteps making their way towards the kitchen. Jason stepped in, looking tired and rumpled in his pair of red and black checkered pj pants and black t-shirt, as if he’d just woken up. Which was most likely the case. He startled though when he finally looked up from the floor after a long yawn took over his body.
“Oh, hey.” He greeted, earning himself another yawn as he strolled over to where Bruce was leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. “Whatcha guys doing?”
“Just whipping us up some cups of cocoa. Want some?” Bruce offered, going to pull another mug from the cupboard. Jason nodded a yes, crossing his own arms and leaning against the counter, so Bruce-like in his own way, it made Dick smile. After the eldest man put the third mug in the microwave to wait for it to heat, he leaned back against the counter next to Jason, the perfect spot for the slightly shorter man to lean his head against their father’s shoulder and close his eyes for a moment. With Jason having turned 20 this year, it was funny to see him stand next to Bruce. Just as big and hulking as their father, but still a little shorter in comparison. He thinks Bruce finds amusement in the same thing with how the older man turns his head to lean it against Jason’s own, smiling softly in the process.
Dick had felt the same pain their father had when they lost Jason. The pain had run deep for Bruce and Alfred especially, considering Dick hadn’t been around much during that time. Dealing with stuff in Bludhaven, but he had still been completely destroyed when Jason had been gone. Now that he's back, along with a ton more little chicks to add to their flock, Dick felt at peace and he assumed that Bruce felt just as happy and whole as he did.
The microwave dinged, signaling their cups were as hot as could be. Bruce nudged his shoulder at Jason to stir him a bit as he turned to grab the steaming mugs and finish making their cups of decaf and chocolatey jo’s. Jason took a spot next to Dick at the counter, deeming him as good a replacement as any for his head to lean on as Bruce was working. The man slid two whip cream-topped mugs across the counter to the two men, bringing his own mug up to his mouth to sip from.
Dick and Jason both took a sip of their own, Dick humming in delight afterwards and Jason most likely having wanted to chug it down, but being unable to due to its temperature. Having this moment here, Dick wanted Jason close. Not having chosen to go to him earlier about his nightmare after effects, Dick regretted it now. He originally wanted to just snuggle with his dad and watch a movie or something, but now he also wanted Jason to join them.
“Hey Jay, wanna join us up in B’s room? We’re gonna watch a movie I think.” Dick muttered quickly before Jason had any chance to escape back upstairs. The younger man raised an eyebrow and caught a glance at Bruce.
“Apparently we’re watching a movie. You’re free to join us.” Bruce said, laughing at Dick’s eagerness. “We can bring the cocoa up. Just don’t tell Alfred.” He joked, bringing a finger up to his lips to mimic staying quiet and keeping their little secret. Jason rolled his eyes, but he seemed amused.
“Eh, sure why not. If I fall asleep on one of you though, I ain’t moving an inch.” Jason warned as he took hold of his cup and pulled at Dick’s dangling blanket to pull him along. The eldest son got up, following his big little brother back up the stairway, their father only a few steps behind.
Jason took stride into Bruce’s room first, still pulling Dick along with him. He pulled them both onto the couch after setting down their mugs of still steaming hot chocolate and grabbing the other spare blanket tossed over the back. The bigger man tugged Dick to him, stuffing him into his own side as he swaddled Dick’s blanket around him more. Dick knew Jason had a “momma-bird” streak a mile wide, but he thinks Jason’s never really realized it yet. It was adorable, but he’d keep that particular thought to himself.
Bruce came over to join them, grabbing the tv remote and plopping down right next to Dick, crushing him in between the two. His giant little brother on one side, and their just as giant father on the other. It was exactly where Dick wanted to be. Snuggled up and safe, closing his eyes for just a moment to savor and take it all in.
“What should we watch?” Bruce asked. Dick shrugged with his eyes still closed, squirming down a little more in order to rest his head on Bruce’s shoulder just like Jason had earlier. Jason however, had no problems piping up.
“How ‘bout some good ‘ole The Good Place?” Jason said, trying to take the remote from Bruce, but it was kept out of reach.
“Jay, I said a movie, not a show.” Bruce reminded him.
“Yeah? And?” The boy continued to reach over Dick in order to get at the remote. “The season finale just came out. I gotta see if my theory of the good place actually being hell is right or not.” Bruce only shook his head.
“We’re letting Dick pick.” Bruce finalized, but as he looked down at his eldest bird, he noticed the young man snoozing away. Quiet little snuffles left his partly opened mouth as he squished in a little more into Bruce’s side. Jason noticed just a second later of his big brothers drop off back into dreamland. The youngest man waved Bruce off then, sitting back to rest against the couch and bending down to scoop Dick’s legs up to rest atop his lap. Bruce contemplated just how much he had missed of Jason’s growth as he had integrated back into the family after returning and just how sweet and thoughtful his son truly has become, but his thoughts were interrupted.
“Is he okay?” Jason asked suddenly then. His eyes strayed to Dick, concern laced with confusion. Bruce only sighed, but made sure that his eyes stayed true.
“Nightmare.” He replied honestly. “He’ll be alright.” Bruce said with as much reassurance as he could give at the moment, seeing as the two of them were one whole Nightwing away from each other. “He has us.” The big bad bat said.
Dick had always struggled with these sorts of things. Old memories, pain, horrifying flashbacks, nightmares. The things he’s gone through as Nightwing, and before as Robin, almost makes Bruce wish he’d never taken the boy in after the Grayson’s tragic end. Seeing him though, standing alone in that big red and yellow tent. Cops standing and running around him to figure out what was going on as the rain poured down upon him and drenched Dick from head to toe. It had reminded Bruce of himself after losing his mother and father.
He hopes he saved his son from a life of hardship by adopting him and giving him something to work toward. Finding his parents' murderer and giving him the skills to survive and defend and protect. He knows for a fact that his son saved him from a life of terror, revenge, and bloodshed and for that he would be forever grateful.
Bruce bent his head down slightly to press a small peck of a kiss to his son’s head, slinging an arm around his lithe shoulders once more and pulling him to rest against him fully.
“Now how about that show you mentioned.” He said.
“You can pick whatever, I’ll probably doze off soon anyway.” Jason said, leaning his head back against the couch. Bruce hummed, putting the tv show on anyway. Clicking play, he turned to glance at his second eldest, noticing a small smile plastered across his face.
His kids would always come before anything else. The mission, civilians, himself. They were his everything. Bruce Wayne would make sure he’d always be there to hug them. Batman would make sure he’d always be there to protect them. They would always have a bat to chase all their fears and sorrows away.
And that was not just a promise to his kids. That was a threat to the universe and anyone else who even thought about laying a hand on his found family. As for Dick, he would have to make sure to keep his eldest close for a while. He may not be the best dad, but he sure as hell makes for a good Batman. And if all it took was one glare from his frightening cowl towards any villain that chose death that day by hurting his children, well…
Hell hath no fury like a bat protecting his birds.