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Chapter Text

Dick was tired. He had had a long week of both his day job and also being the only vigilante operating in Bludhaven, which meant the entire weight of its night-time activities and crimes fell atop him, because god knew he couldn’t rely on the police. He knew they were too corrupt to help much, which was why he had joined the force in the first place. Well… he joined originally because he wanted to keep helping people out of the costume but he stayed because he saw how shitty the Bludhaven police force was and he was determined to try and be better.

He wasn’t even coming home late, but he felt like he was carrying the weight of the world atop his shoulders. It was late afternoon when he pulled up outside the manor and he winced as he slung his bag over his shoulder, feeling the strap dig into a particularly sore spot that was the result of some fight he had had with an asshole in one of his city’s alleyways.

However the second the door opened, Dick forgot how close he had felt to collapsing because there his brother was, eyes wide and practically gleaming and a bright beam spread on his face. “Dickie!”

“Jay!” Dick dropped his bag on the gravel outside and opened his arms, letting Jason dash into them and wrap his scrawny arms around Dick’s waist. “Hey kiddo.”

“Missed you.” Jason mumbled into his shirt.

“Missed you too.” Dick kissed the top of his head. “Sorry I couldn’t come sooner. Got a lot to deal with in Blud.”

“I – “ Jason pulled away, a look of uncertainty and insecurity taking over the previously happy expression. “I’m not taking you away from anything important, am I?”

Jason was the main reason he came back to Gotham this weekend. He hadn’t come back for a few weeks just because the double workload was proving to be a lot to deal with and while Bruce and Alfred didn’t like it, they didn’t force him to come back either. But then Jason had called him, sounding seconds away from a breakdown (Bruce said he was recovering from a dose of fear toxin) and asked him to “Please Dickie, come home. I miss you.” and who was he to deny Jason that.

“Of course not, Little Wing. You’re more important.” Dick ruffled his hair and bent down to pick up his bag. “How are you? After the fear toxin?”

“How did you – “ Jason cocked his head, a confused look on his face before it was replaced by one of realisation. “Bruce told you.”

“Bruce told me.” Dick confirmed.

“Is that why you came home?” Jason grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I came home because you asked me to.” Dick replied. “Can we go inside, this bags heavy and my shoulder aches.”

“Are you okay?” Jason sounded alarmed as he moved back to the manor door and held it open for Dick. “Did you get shot? Stabbed?”

“No, no. It’s just strained.”

“If you’re sure. And… you’re positive Bludhaven will be okay without Nightwing?”

“100%. I called Walls and asked if he could watch over it for me.” Dick confirmed.

“You called Kid Flash?” Jason raised his eyebrows.

“Yeah? No one I’d trust more with my city than KF.” Dick affirmed.

“Okay…”

“Don’t let B’s weird thing about metas get to you.”

“B has a lot of weird things.” Jason pulled a face and Dick laughed, nodding in agreement. “You wanna play a video game with me?”

“Hell yeah! Let me put my bag away and get changed and I’ll be right down, alright?”

“Okay!” Jason nodded, practically bouncing on his feet.

Dick smiled, ruffling his hair. “Love you kid.”

That night was one of the most peaceful ones Dick had had in a long time. He spent hours playing with his little brother, beating him at various video games and laughing at the squawks of indignation that escaped every time he died in the game. He let Jason read one of his favourite books to him and then took over when he noticed the younger slowly falling asleep.

He put the book down not long after he started reading and noticed Jason’s head leaned on his shoulder, eyes closed and his mouth open slightly. He’d fallen asleep. Dick smiled softly and put the book to the side, closing his eyes and settling in for the night. He would stay with his brother as long as he wanted him to.

Jason had no idea these pictures even existed. But they were on his lap now and he felt like crying. They came with a note written in Alfred’s unmistakable cursive.

Master Jason,

I found these while I was clearing out some things and I thought you might like to have them. Do take good care of them.

The pictures in question were ones taken years ago, before he died. When he was still Robin. Small enough to tuck himself under Dick’s arm and rest his head on his big brother’s chest. There were several of them, one of them being the pair sat shoulder-to-shoulder playing some sort of video game, another one was of Jason in the middle of telling some story and Dick was smiling fondly, a big plate of pizza between the pair, and the final one was of the two of them asleep on a sofa in the library, the corner of Jason’s favourite book at the edge of the photo.

Oh. Jason blinked back tears, scrubbing at his face furiously. Oh.

He didn’t remember any of this; the Pit took all of this away from him. He’d just let all his anger out on Dick, blaming the older for not being there for him, for not being enough when it was in fact the opposite. Dick was there, he was enough. He was more than enough. And he just let Jason say all that shit to him without fighting back.

He had to go find Dick.

Jason: where’s dick

Replacement: why

Jason: just tell me

Jason: I don’t want to hurt him

Jason: I need to talk

Jason: please

Replacement: he’s at the manor

Replacement: came home for the weekend

Jason: be there in a bit

Jason: warn daddy-bats or whatever

Jason: I don’t care

Replacement: I’m not a snitch

Replacement: I don’t care what u do long as u don’t hurt anyone

Jason released a shaky breath and grabbed a helmet, fitting it onto his head before getting on his bike and driving through Gotham to the manor. He may have gone faster than the legal limit was, but he wasn’t staying around long enough for the police to catch him, even if they could. He parked his bike outside the manor and practically stumbled to the front door, the pictures clutched in his hands.

He knocked on the door frantically, completely forgetting he had a key. A key that Dick had pressed into his hands months ago, begging him to use it whenever he needed it because this was his home and he’d never be turned away –

The door swung open and Damian stood there, a scowl marring his features. “Todd.” He greeted stiffly.

“Brat.” Jason pushed past him. “Where’s Dick?”

“Why?” A defensive tone overtook the previous nonchalant one.

“Need to talk to him. Where is he?”

“His room.” Tim appeared, poking his head into the entrance hall from the kitchen.

“Drake!” Damian frowned. “Why did you divulge that information to Todd. We do not know his intentions.”

“Your precious Richard is fine, brat. I’m not looking for a fight. Now, piss off.” Jason snarled but there was no real heat behind his words. He turned his gaze to the stairs and marched up, footsteps quiet despite the heavy boots he wore. It was almost like instinct to turn down the corridor and head to the last door. Dick’s room.

He stood in front of the polished mahogany, his hand raised to knock but he didn’t knock yet. “Are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to come in?” Dick’s voice came from inside. Of course Dick would have known he was there, he’s been a vigilante for so long, trained by Batman just like all of them had. Just because Dick didn’t like showing his cards doesn’t mean he was any less talented than all of them.

Jason opened the door, his eyes landing on Dick, who was stretching on the floor. The older looked up when the door opened and a surprised smile appeared on his face. “Dick.”

“Jaybird. Hey. Wasn’t expecting you here this weekend.” He cocked his head to the side like an inquisitive bird. When Jason didn’t respond, the smile morphed into a concerned look. “Everything okay?”

“What – “ Jason began before he inhaled sharply. “What is this? When did this – “ He fell to his knees in front of Dick and thrust the pictures forward, watching Dick take them gently and thumb through them, a look of fondness (and longing?) appearing on his face.

“How did you find these?” His voice was so soft.

“Alfred gave them to me.” Jason’s was just as soft. “He – Dickie – when?”

“Years ago.”

“I know that. But – why – how…”

“It was when you had just become Robin. I – I couldn’t come back to Gotham as often during that time.”

“Because of me.” Jason nodded.

“No, no. Not because of you. Never because of you.” Dick corrected fiercely. “It was my job and being Nightwing. It was a lot to deal with on my own. It must have been three or four weeks since the last time I was home and I didn’t think I would come back that weekend either but then you called.”

Dick paused, putting the pictures down and leaning against his bed, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. “Then you called, Jay. You sounded wrecked, like – like you were on the verge of a breakdown or something. Bruce said it was fear toxin. And you asked me to come home. Said you missed me. So, I came home and we spent the weekend together.”

“But you hated me.” Jason whispered, almost pleading.

“I never hated you, Little Wing.” Dick opened his eyes, a sad smile on his face. “You were my little brother. And I failed you.”

“No, no – you didn’t.”

“I did. I wasn’t there when you needed me the most, and you died.” Dick pressed the palms of his hands to his eyes. “You fucking died and I was on the wrong planet.”

“Dickie, that’s not on you.” Jason shook his head. “You were there for me before that when I was scared and everything was different. You were there and you – you let me yell at you for how bad of a brother you were? You just let me do that?”

“You were right.” Dick shrugged.

“No, I was wrong. I was so fucking wrong. You were there for me; you were the only one I could trust. Not Bruce, you. You came home for me and you spent time with me. Thank you.”

“Of course. I’d do the same every time.”

“Can we… can we do that again sometime?” Jason asked, his voice dropping in volume.

“We can do it any time you want, Jaybird. I can promise you that. You want to spend time together; you call or text and I’ll make it happen.” Dick said, sounding so sure of it that Jason couldn’t even doubt him. He knew his brother didn’t break his promises.

Chapter Text

Cass had been through a lot and it took a while and quite a bit of effort for her to begin trusting her new family. Dick didn’t blame her, he would be the same way if he had been raised and taught as she was, but Cass adapted wonderfully and Dick loved her very much.

She didn’t show affection in a very specific way, she took any hugs Dick gave her and she liked spending time with her other siblings, just basking in their presence. But Dick noticed the way her face would light up whenever he gave her something. It might have had something to do with not being given many nice things when she was younger. Dick took it in stride and made an effort to give Cass more things, expensive or otherwise.

Anything that reminded Dick of Cass was automatically grabbed and saved for the next time he saw her. If they were flowers, he would make an effort to find her that day so he could give them to her before they wilted and if he couldn’t, then he would dry them out and give them to her anyway. It didn’t matter if he had to drive an hour, maybe even longer with traffic, it was worth it to see the smile on her face.

Today however, he couldn’t find the time to drive out at his usual time after work, because he liked spending his weekends in Gotham at the manor. This weekend, however, he was running late and had barely parked his bike at the manor before he needed to change into his Nightwing costume and rush out to patrol, but he made sure to take the flowers he had found with him, so he could give them to Cass.

Luckily, patrol seemed to be relatively uneventful which was always a good thing but tonight, it was a great thing because it meant he could take some time to locate Cass and give her a flower. “O, where’s Black Bat?”

“Are you in trouble or anything? Need backup?” Barbara’s voice filtered through his comms, an undertone of concern lingering in her words.

“No, no. All good. Just want to give her something. I meant to do it earlier but I got to Gotham later than usual and the city’s quiet tonight so I can spare some patrol time.” Dick explained then paused to hear Barbara’s soft laugh followed by an address and he was off, shooting his grapple and performing an elaborate flip mid-air as he jumped to the next building. It took a very short amount of time for him to get to Cass’s location and he landed behind her silently. “Black Bat.” He called.

Cass turned, the wind blowing her dark locks behind her but she straightened when she saw him, a small smile playing on her lips. “Nightwing.” She greeted; her voice was quiet but it carried across the roof.

Dick bowed dramatically and held a flower out to her, beaming as he watched her visibly brighten and dash across the roof to take the flower carefully and then leap to hug him. “I take it you like the flower?”

“Pretty.” She mumbled into his chest, nodding her head vigorously. “Thank you.”

“Anything for you, Black Bat.” Dick replied sweetly, pulling away to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear and then kiss the top of her head. “I’ll leave you to the rest of your patrol, but we can do movie night when we’re done, yeah?”

“Okay.” She nodded, waving as she watched him jump off the building.

Another time, Dick came back from a Titans mission with a heavy box. As regular procedure called for, he was to head to the cave after any missions longer than a week, so Alfred could check him for injuries, which he was notorious for hiding, and so he could update Bruce’s database with any new information.

And this time was no different, except the box took up the entire back of his car and he had strapped it down with both seatbelts, not wanting any damage to come to it, not after all the trouble he’d gone through to get it all the way back to Gotham, but it would be so worth it to see Cass’s face when he gave it to her.

The sun was just setting when Dick parked his car in front of the manor and unlocked the front door, making his way downstairs when he didn’t find anyone in the living room or the kitchen. He was right to head down to the cave because he ran into Tim and Steph sparring while Cass sat on a chair in front of the Batcomputer with her legs pulled up to her chest and her eyes scanning the sparring pair, no doubt analysing their moves to help them after they were done.

“Afternoon.” Dick greeted once they had stopped fighting, so he didn’t distract them, the box over his shoulder.

“Dick!” Tim greeted, taking Steph’s hand, and letting her haul him upright after she knocked his feet out from beneath him. ”Welcome back!”

“Thank you, Timmers.” Dick beamed. “Good move, Steph.”

“Thank you, Dickie!” Steph brightened, preening under the praise from the legendary first Robin.

“Cassie!” Dick turned to the final girl who cocked her head to the side as her eyes flicked to the large box on his shoulder.

“Big brother.” She greeted, watching as he approached and leaned down to plant a kiss on her forehead. Dick put the box on a table right next to the Batcomputer and ruffled Tim’s hair and gave Steph a brief side-hug before he turned back to Cass. “What is that?” She pointed at the box.

“Gift. For you.”

“Me?” Her eyes widened a little and she straightened, sitting upright in her chair, and dropping her feet. “What is inside?”

“Open it and find out.” He urged, stepping back, and letting Cass approach the box and unlatch the silver latches along the front of it. She slid her hands over the smooth wood and opened it carefully, letting out a soft gasp when she saw what was inside.

“Oh my god.” Tim’s jaw dropped a little as he looked at it and Steph let out a low whistle of admiration. There was a beautiful silver sword laid out across a bed of bright red silk. It was engraved with a few runes and the hilt was dark and the handle wrapped in soft leather with silver threads.

“For me?” Cass looked up at Dick.

“Yeah, sweetheart. For you.” He nodded, the smile on his fading to a softer, more fond one. “I found it when we were on the mission and I thought it suited you. Brought it back with me.”

Cass picked it up with both hands, one under the handle and the other under the blade and then she flipped it, holding it with one hand and performed a series of moves, swinging her sword as she moved and flipped around the area. Dick’s heart swelled with fondness as he recognised some of her flips as ones he taught her not too long ago. He always loved passing on the legacy of his family to his siblings.

Dick watched Cass stop, put the sword down and then throw herself at him. He barely caught her and swung her around in a hug, both of them laughing. “Thank you.” She giggled when they stopped.

“Of course, Cassie.” He beamed, kissing her forehead.

Chapter Text

Replacement. Replacement. Replacement. Replacement.

Was Tim really a replacement? He hadn’t intended to be. He never wanted to replace Jason because Jason was his hero. He wanted to save Batman, Bruce Wayne, and if Dick Grayson wouldn’t be Robin again then he had to. He had to do it.

“Dick.” Tim called, his voice quiet and guarded. Dick hummed, looking up from his laptop to meet Tim’s eyes. They were both sitting in the living room, Dick doing some work and Tim recovering from his last meeting with the Red Hood. “Am I… am I a replacement?”

Dick’s eyes widened and his mouth fell open a little. “Tim – what – “

“I – it’s just… Jason keeps saying it and – and maybe he’s right! I swear I didn’t mean to though! I didn’t want to replace him, he’s my hero and – and so are you. But Batman – Bruce – wasn’t doing good and I had to, Dick, I had to do it – “ Tim broke off, gasping loudly, tears rushing down his cheeks as his chest heaved for breath.

“Oh, Timmy.” Dick moved his laptop aside and moved to sit next to Tim, wrapping an arm around his shoulder and tugging him closer. Tim was so small, way smaller than Jason used to be and he fit right into Dick’s arms without much of a struggle. “No, sweetheart, you’re not a replacement.”

“But Jason – “ Tim managed to get out through his tears.

“Jason… I love Jason. He’s my little brother and he means a lot to me, but he’s been through a lot.” Dick explained gently. “He’s wrong about this but I can understand why he thinks you’re a replacement. He came back after so long away, he’s mad from the Pit and at Bruce and I, justifiably, and he sees there’s a new Robin. But it’s not on you. You’re not a replacement, alright?

“I felt the same way years ago when Jason first became Robin. Bruce didn’t tell me he was taking him in, didn’t tell me he was making him Robin. I’m not mad he became Robin; I was mad Bruce gave it to him when it was something that belonged to me. It was mine to give. Robin was my mother’s name for me, it wasn’t something Batman came up with.”

“Oh.” Tim realised.

“Yeah, oh. You’re no replacement Timmy. You’re a wonderful Robin and I’m glad the legacy passes onto you. You’re a great brother too, you know that, right? I love you.”

“Love you too.” Tim mumbled into Dick’s shirt, clutching the fabric with a small hand and sniffling. “Thank you.”

“’Course, kiddo.”

Tim was sick of his phone ringing. It was the same person calling him over and over again and when he didn’t pick up, there were text messages. Dick.

“What?” He practically snapped into the phone one day, fed up with the constant calls. “What the fuck do you want, Dick?”

“You picked up.” Dick sounded awestruck. “Thank you for picking up. Please – can I please talk to you? Please, will you listen to what I have to say?”

“Why wait until Bruce was back to talk?” Tim replied stiffly.

“Did you give me a chance before?” Dick returned and Tim was struck with an odd feeling of guilt that he quashed. He shouldn’t feel guilty, not when Dick was the one at fault, not when his supposed older brother had ripped Robin, the one thing he had left, away from him and gave it to that demon that called himself the “blood son”.

“Whatever. Fine. I – I’m at the manor.”

“I’ll be there later today.” Dick said. “Thank you, Tim.” And he hung up.

It was a few hours later that there was a knock on his door, a familiar one, tapping out a tune he hadn’t heard in a while. “You can come in.” The door swung open and Tim almost did a double take at how tired Dick looked. His hair was a mess and there were bags under his eyes, and a few bandages peeked out from under his collar.

“Tim. Hey. Thank you for – for letting me talk.” Dick nodded, wincing as he walked in. Tim didn’t offer him a seat and Dick didn’t take one either. He stayed standing and Tim shut his laptop off and turned his full attention to Dick, raising an eyebrow and urging the older to continue. “First of all, I – I want to apologise for how I handled the whole situation with you and Damian. And Robin. I – “ He sighed heavily and it hit Tim how much older Dick looked.

“You took Robin from me. It was all I had.” Tim whispered.

“All you had?” A hurt expression crossed Dick’s face. “You had me… and Jase… I – never mind. It’s okay. I – I’m sorry I did that the way that I did.”

“But you’re not sorry for doing it.” Tim realised, a scowl marring his face. “Of course.” He scoffed.

“No. I’m not.”

“Then why are you here? Are you just here to remind me of what happened?”

“Tim! Please – just listen.” Dick raised his voice a little before it cracked and Tim lifted his head to see a tear slipping down Dick’s cheek. “Listen. Listen to me. I’m not sorry for doing it, because if I didn’t give Damian Robin, he wouldn’t have a reason to stay. He would have gone back to the League and – Tim, the way they treated him. I couldn’t send him back. I know the League and I know he wouldn’t have been safe there.

“I should have discussed it with you before I did. I should have asked you what you thought. Robin wasn’t mine to give and take anymore. It hasn’t been mine in a long time. It was yours and I took it from you the same way Bruce took it from me and for that… I’ll never stop apologising. Tim – the reason I took Robin from you was because you – “

Dick paused to take a deep breath. “Tim, you deserved better than to be a – Robin is not Batman’s equal. You are my equal. I couldn’t let you be the Robin to my Batman.”

“So, you were just going to leave me without an identity?” Tim inquired.

“I was going to offer you Nightwing.” Dick admitted.

Oh.

Oh.

Nightwing. An identity Dick had forged for himself, separate from Batman. Separate from Robin. Something that he wore with so much pride, something so him. And he was going to give it to Tim? “To me?”

“Yeah. You never let me offer.” Dick shrugged. “I – I had some designs drawn up.”

“But – but Dick… Dick, Nightwing is yours. You – you made him. Why would you give that to me?”

“There’s no one I trust more with Nightwing.” Dick shook his head. “Why wouldn’t I give that to you?”

“I – “

“Timmy, you’re just as important as everyone else in this family.” Dick said. “You’re not a second choice, not a replacement or anything. You’re part of this family. You’re my brother.”

“Then why didn’t you believe me when I told you Bruce was still alive?” Tim threw out the last weapon in his arsenal. After that, he was drained. He had nothing left to argue or defend himself with.

“Sorry. I’m so sorry for not believing you, but – but if I had let myself hope, even for a second that he was still out there and then it turned out he wasn’t? Tim… it would have wrecked me. I wouldn’t have been able to keep going – “ Dick shook his head. “I was running myself ragged with Batman, I don’t like being Batman and hoping and then losing that hope? It would have been the death of me.”

“Dick.” Tim gasped, standing, and practically throwing himself at Dick who barely caught him. The older wrapped his arms around Tim and blinked back tears when he realised how much taller Tim was now, how much stronger, and bigger he felt. He wasn’t the little boy that trailed behind him in the manor, the one who’s eyes lit up every time he got a hug because he’d been deprived of that touch as a kid.

“I’m sorry, Timmy. I’m so so sorry. I – I didn’t mean to make you feel like you didn’t belong. You do – you belong just as much as everyone – I’m sorry, I’m sorry – “ Dick tightened his grip, mumbling into Tim’s hair, tears running down his cheeks.

“It’s okay, Dick. It’s okay. I understand now. It’s not your fault and it’s not mine. We just didn’t communicate like we should have. I’m sorry for leaving you alone with all that responsibility. I should have been there to help you. I’m sorry.”

Chapter Text

Damian was perplexed, to say the least. He wasn’t used to people doing things for him out of the kindness of their hearts, which meant that everything Richard Grayson did was perplexing. And confusing. It just didn’t make sense to him. At all.

Richard took him out to get ice cream every time he got an A on one of his tests, which was every time because he was not raised to fail. Richard took him to see movies for fun, and he didn’t get angry when Damian disobeyed orders. He explained why it was wrong in a calm and collected manner that was so foreign to Damian.

He was allowed to spend time doing things he liked and Richard even indulged them. He bought him art supplies when Damian briefly mentioned enjoying drawing and painting, and he hung every drawing and painting Damian did on the fridge of the penthouse. Richard taught him how to be an acrobat (like his parents) and he was so gentle with him and showed him everything multiple times, no matter how many times he messed up.

“Richard.” Damian began, getting Dick’s attention. The older put the newspaper he was reading down and looked up. “I – I do not know how I can repay you.”

“Repay me for what?”

“For… for everything?” Damian cocked his head to the side in confusion. “Kindness does not come without something in return. Nothing you do should come without something in return. And – “ He paused, hesitating. “You do a lot. So, I do not understand how I can repay it all back.”

“Damian, I don’t expect you to repay me.” Dick frowned. “I don’t do any of it because I want something in return from you. I do it because you deserve someone to be kind to you and buy you things and – and hang up your pictures and take you to get ice cream. That’s just – it’s normal.”

“It is not normal.” Damian shook his head immediately. “It’s not.”

“Maybe not in the League.” Dick shrugged. “But here it is. I don’t expect you to give me anything back, alright? You being here is enough. I do this because I love you, not for any other reason. Just because I care about you.”

“But why do you care? I – I do not understand. I have no done anything to earn that.”

“My love and my care is unconditional, Damian. You don’t have to do anything to earn it. It’s given naturally. Because you’re family, because you’re my brother. You don’t have to earn my love, kiddo.” Dick cupped his cheek with one hand and planted a kiss on his head, soothing the frown lines on his forehead with a gentle touch. “Okay?”

“Okay.” Damian still didn’t fully understand but Dick wouldn’t stop until he did.

Damian hadn’t meant to snoop, he really hadn’t. But when he caught a glimpse of some papers on Dick’s kitchen table one night when he was visiting and saw his name on them, he couldn’t help but look. Upon closer inspection, he discovered they were adoption papers. For him.

The door opened and Dick stepped into his apartment, he grinned upon seeing Damian. “Dami! Hey! When did you – “ And then his eyes landed on the papers Damian was holding and he stopped. “You – “

“Are these real?” Damian whispered, his eyes wide as he looked up at Dick and then down at the papers gripped in his hand.

Dick dropped his bag down on the floor and shut the door behind him. “Yeah, they’re real.”

“How long have you had them?”

“Not long.” Dick admitted. “Less than a week. I was going to show – I was going to bring it up to you this weekend when you came to visit…”

“This is not a joke? You – you’re – this is serious? You – you want to – “ Damian was having trouble forming his sentence properly, his mind in shambles.

“It’s not a joke. I’d never joke about something this serious, Damian.” Dick shook his head, his tone soft.

“You want me?”

“What? Of course! Why would you think otherwise?” Dick stepped forward, slowly approaching Damian.

“I – I was thrust upon you and – and Father. I – I’m not like you and Todd and Drake and Cain. He did not choose me, it was – he had to take me.” Damian looked down.

“That may be true for Bruce, but I chose to take care of you when he left. I could have left you to your own devices, let you go back to the League. I could have left Robin with Tim. But I didn’t.” Dick said, standing in front of Damian now. “And I’m choosing you now too. I’m choosing to adopt you… if – if you’ll have me.”

“Grayson. I – I would be a Grayson.” Damian whispered, eyes flicking back to the paper. Damian Grayson.

“Yeah. You would be. You wouldn’t be a Wayne anymore…” Dick trailed off. “I – I know how much being Bruce’s son means to you, and I would never want to take that away from you if that’s what you wanted to stay as.”

“Father… he was never – he wasn’t there.” Damian said, looking down. “You gave me Robin. You trained me to fight by your side. You – you came whenever I called for you.”

“Of course.”

“How is it that…” Damian gulped. “How is that you felt more like a father than he did?”

“Oh, Dames.” Dick breathed out, kneeling and cupping Damian’s face. “I’m sorry he wasn’t there for you. You deserve better, kiddo.”

“You were better.” Damian said. “I – I don’t need him if I have you.”

“You always got me.”

“I think – I think I would like to be a Grayson.” Damian whispered, lifting his gaze from the papers to meet Dick’s proud one.

“Yeah? Really?”

“Really.” Damian nodded and Dick beamed. He reached out, lifting Damian into his arms and spun them around, laughing loudly. Damian’s eyes widened and he tucked his head closer to Dick’s neck. “You’re going to drop me!”

“Never!” Dick declared.

Chapter Text

Replacement: Jason

Replacement: u might want to see this

Replacement: it’s about dick

Jason: you better not be joking

Replacement: wouldn’t joke about something like this

Replacement: when u come to the manor, bring damian and cass down to the cave with you

Jason read the message and left it at that, immediately getting on his bike and heading right for the manor. Luckily, he’d been in one of his safe houses that was the closest to the manor so it didn’t take too long until he parked outside and marched in, this time using the key Dick had given him so long ago.

He found Damian right where he expected to find him. In Dick’s bedroom. He had paint spread around him and a large canvas. “Brat.” Jason greeted.

“Todd.”

“Timmers is asking for us. Says it’s about Dickie.” Jason said and Damian stood in the blink of an eye, abandoning his work. “Where’s Cass?”

“Here.” Cass called from behind him and Jason whirled around to see her leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest and a small frown on her face. “What is it?”

“Don’t know.” Jason sighed, walking out of the room, and prompting the two to follow. “Tim texted and asked me to come to the manor, bring you two down to the cave with me. He has something to show us about Dick.”

Damian was uncharacteristically quiet but Jason didn’t really blame him. Dick was the person who was there for him, the only one who was there for him for so long. And then he died, and when Damian came back, he discovered Dick was gone. if it affected Jason this badly, then it was way worse on Damian.

When they got down to the cave, Tim was sitting in front of the Batcomputer, but the big screen was off and he had his own laptop in front of him. “Tim.” Jason called, alerting the younger boy. “What is it?”

“I – “ Tim gulped as they all got closer. Jason could barely make out the footage on the screen as it was paused on a blurry frame. “I wanted to confirm it for myself. That Dick was – y’know… and – and I know Bruce saves all his cowl footage but when I was looking for it, I came across something encrypted… like heavily encrypted – “

“What did you find?” Damian demanded.

“First of all, do you – do you want to see the footage of his death or – “

“No.” Cass was the first to speak and when she turned to her side, she saw Damian shaking his head too. “No.”

“Okay. Okay.” Tim breathed. “I need you to stay calm when we watch this. Please. Don’t go tearing off to find Bruce. Jason? Please. Promise you’ll stay.”

“What the fuck are you saying?” Jason asked roughly. “What do you mean? What did the old man do?”

“Just promise. We can figure out what to do after, but you have to stay.” Tim insisted.

“Fine.” Jason breathed. “Fine, whatever. Show us.”

Tim silently pressed play and his siblings crowded around him, watching the small screen. Jason watched in horror as Bruce began speaking to Dick, who wasn’t dead. Watched as Bruce coldly told Dick that everyone thought he was dead and he needed to go on a mission, to infiltrate Spyral. Watched as his “father” beat his brother up, fists clenching tighter every time he heard a groan of pain or saw blood splatter on the white floor.

Bruce was beating him up and Dick didn’t even have a choice but to fight back.

Damian felt sick to his stomach as he heard Dick pleading with Bruce to let him stay, because he didn’t want to go. He couldn’t go. He had to be there for his family, he couldn’t lie to them and make them think he was dead. But his begging fell upon deaf ears.

When the video ended, Tim slammed his laptop shut and pressed the palms of his hands against his eyes. “He’s alive. He’s alive and he’s alone and Bruce forced him to leave us.”

“That bastard.” Jason snarled. “I – I’m going to fucking end him.”

“Not your decision. Dick’s.” Cass replied simply.

“Cass is right.” Tim sighed, bringing his hands down and meeting Jason’s rage filled eyes, glowing a bright green. “We – it’s Dick’s decision, he’s the one who got fucked over. It’s his right to what he wants with Bruce.”

“You know Goldie, he wouldn’t do anything about it.” Jason grumbled, running a hand through his hair. “He just takes it.”

“We have to find Richard.” Damian spoke up finally and all three of his siblings whirled around to look at him. He had never looked younger than in that moment, head bowed low and his arms wrapped around himself, his bottom lip quivering as he tried to stop himself from crying. “He needs us.”

“We – as much as I want to, Damian, we can’t.” Tim groaned. “He’s undercover. If we blow his cover now, it could mean his death.”

“So we’re just supposed to leave him alone?” Damian shouted, dropping his hands, and clenching them into fists at his sides, his eyes wide and furious. “How can we do that? He’s always the one who comes for us, who saves us, stands up for us and you expect us to not do the same back? He needs us, he needs us!” Damian lost the battle with his tears and they dropped, running down his flushed cheeks.

“Oh, Damian.” Tim looked crestfallen. He always forgot how young Damian really was. Dick was basically like a father to him, having raised him when Bruce was lost in time. He was just a kid who wanted his older brother and pseudo-father figure back. Jason sighed, tugging Damian into a hug, and letting the kid sob into his chest. “What do we do?”

“Wait.” Cass shrugged, wrapping her own arms around herself. Jason saw and tugged her into the hug too, one arm around her and the other around Damian.

“When he comes back, and he will. We’ll be there. We’ll keep him safe from that motherfucker.” Jason muttered darkly. “In the meantime, we can’t let Bruce know that we know. I don’t know what he’d do.”

“Okay.” Tim nodded, feeling exhausted. “What about – do we – do we have to stay at the manor?” His voice sounded quieter and Jason frowned. Tim was scared. Of living here. Of Bruce.

“You have an apartment in Gotham, don’t you?” Jason asked.

“Yeah.” Tim nodded. “I do. I know you have safe houses. What about Damian and Cass?”

“I don’t know how much I can do without alerting Bruce.” Jason sighed.

“Cass doesn’t stick around here too long anyways so Bruce wouldn’t mind it. But Damian…” Tim broke off.

“Father will not suspect if I leave. I don’t think he cares enough.” Damian pulled away from Jason, wiping his eyes roughly with the sleeve of his shirt.

“You can stay with me, brat. If he asks, we’ll tell him I’m helping with the pit after-effects. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, although I wish it did.” Jason huffed.

None of them found out when Dick came back. Not right away anyways. Bruce didn’t tell them because why would he? He had no idea they knew Dick was alive, and Dick didn’t tell them because he also didn’t know they knew he was alive.

The only reason they did find out was because Tim was patrolling Bludhaven one night and he, instinctively, swung by Dick’s apartment only to find the lights on and see a shadow inside, one that matched the build of his brother. He almost hit the side of a building but he landed and turned his communicator on.

“Hood, Black Bat, Robin, he’s back. Lights are on in Nightwing’s apartment. I think he’s back.” Tim blurted quickly, stumbling over his words.

“Be there in a bit.” Jason replied quickly. “Where are you?”

“I’ll send you my location.” Tim quickly broadcasted his location to the three of them and then sat down on the rooftop, keeping an eye on the window of Dick’s apartment. It didn’t take long until he heard three people land and turned to look at them. “Look!”

“Holy shit.” Jason whispered, eyes widening under his helmet as he looked at the lights on in Dick’s apartment. “Are you sure it isn’t just one of his buddies?”

“No one except us and KF know where he lives. And KF isn’t built like that.” Tim shook his head. “It’s him, it has to be.”

“Why are we still here? Waiting? When he’s right there.” Damian questioned.

“Let’s go.” Cass jumped off the building, using her grapple to move smoothly and she landed in the alleyway beside his building. The three others followed right behind her. “We – we are not dressed right.”

“People would find it a little weird that four vigilantes are entering this random building.” Tim mused.

“Not if we’re fast about it.” Jason shook his head. “Come on, enough wasting time.”

They walked into the building and headed up the stairs to the highest floor, where Dick’s apartment was and stood there in front of his door. “Knock?” Cass asked and when no one moved she sighed and reached out, rapping her knuckles on the door. There was a thud and a muffled curse from inside and Jason’s lips quirked up at the sound of his brother’s voice, as muffled as it was.

Dick swore as he hit his shoulder into the wall in his hurry to turn around and give his door a suspicious glare. Who would be at his apartment at this time? No one even knew he was alive, other than Bruce and he sincerely doubted Bruce would be here. He’d only been back a few days and the old man hadn’t reached out once. Dick grabbed his handgun from the table and approached the door silently. He reached out and yanked it open, lifting his gun and aiming it at… his siblings?

Jason watched the door open before he was faced with the barrel of a handgun and the face of a brother he hadn’t seen in so long. He watched the gun lower as Dick realised who was standing in front of him. The eldest didn’t look too good, there were eye bags on his face and a cut half hidden by his hair. He was shirtless and there were bandages wrapped around his torso and he favoured one leg over the other, clear from the weight he was leaning on it.

“Wh – “ Dick’s voice cracked as he spoke. “How – “

“I found the video footage.” Tim said. “I – I saw what Bruce did. I know you didn’t want to go; we know. We know what he did and – and how he sent you away – “ Tim broke off, catching his breath. “You’re okay. You’re alive.”

Dick lowered the gun fully, flicking the safety on and resting it on the little table beside his door. “You shouldn’t have had to see that.” He sighed gently.

“Shut up, Dickhead.” Jason tugged his helmet off, dropping it on the floor without a care and lunging to catch his brother in a hug. He wrapped his arms tightly around Dick and rested his head in the crook of his neck. “Just… shut up.”

“Jay – “ Dick stumbled back a little but returned the hug gladly. He could feel something wet on his neck and he made a distressed sound. “Oh, Little Wing.” He brought his hand to cup the back of Jason’s head, hugging him the same way he used to when he was little, even if Jason was bigger and taller than him now, that was still his little brother.

“We thought you were dead.” Jason’s voice broke in the middle of his sentence. “He made us think you fucking died.”

“I know.” Dick sighed. “I wanted to tell you so bad.”

Jason pulled away from the hug and let Dick hold his face tenderly with his warm hands, brushing his thumbs under Jason’s eyes and wiping away the tears. “I’m going to murder him. I swear – “ Jason said through gritted teeth.

“No, you won’t. Gotham needs Batman.” Dick shook his head. “I’m not going to say that what he did was okay. Because it wasn’t. But – the city needs him. People need him. We don’t have to like him; we just have to be civil.”

“Is that what you want?” Jason asked, bringing his own hands over Dick’s.

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” Jason squeezed his hands briefly. “Okay.”

“Thank you, Jaybird.” Dick smiled softly, kissing Jason’s forehead.

“Yeah, whatever.” Jason pulled away with a scoff but there was a light flush on his cheeks. “I’m gonna raid your fridge.”

“Go for it.” Dick encouraged as Jason picked up his helmet and walked into the apartment and then he turned back to the door. “Tim. Cass.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I should have known earlier, I should have asked for more evidence when he said you were dead. I – I could have helped you – “ Tim rambled, eyes wide and his breath shallow. Dick frowned and put both of his hands on Tim’s shoulder.

“Tim, Timmy – hey, easy. Calm down.” He said softly. “It’s not your fault, baby bird. You couldn’t have known. It’s not on you.”

“But – “ Tim protested but was cut off when he was tugged forward into Dick’s chest and his head was right above his older brother’s heart. He closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Dick’s waist, listening to his heart beating.

“It’s okay. I don’t blame you. I never could.” Dick rested his chin on Tim’s head, rocking them back and forth. “You couldn’t have done anything about it. You’re safer that way.” He lifted his head and pressed a kiss to Tim’s hair.

“But you’re not safe.”

“I am now.” Dick corrected. “I’m safe now.”

“We’ll keep it that way.” Tim pulled away from the hug, a determined look on his face. “That starts with making sure you eat a decent meal because I know you. I’m gonna help Jason.”

“Alright.” Dick huffed out a laugh, ruffling Tim’s hair as the younger walked into the apartment. As he turned back, he got an armful of Cass and instinctively caught her, feeling her legs wrap around his waist and her arms around his neck as she nuzzled closer to him. “Cassie, hi darling.”

“Big brother.” She mumbled into his shirt. “Safe. Alive.”

“Yeah. I’m safe. I’m alive.” He hummed, rubbing her back soothingly. “I missed you.”

“Missed you too.”

“You watched over them for me, didn’t you?” When she nodded, he beamed. “Thank you, sweetheart. I knew I could count on you. I’m so proud of you, Cass.”

“Didn’t watch over you.”

“You couldn’t watch over me.” He shook his head. “That’s not your fault. I was somewhere unreachable and the only people who are to blame are Spyral and Bruce. Not you, not Tim and not Jason.”

“Not Damian.” She added.

Dick almost dropped her in his shock as he realised what she said. “Damian?”

She hopped down from his arms and nodded. “Little brother alive. Brought back.” She explained.

“He’s alive?” Dick braced himself against the wall with one hand as it hit him. Damian was alive. His brother – his kid – was okay. “What – where is he? Did he not come? Is he with Bruce? Is he safe?”

“Scared.” Cass said. “Went up. I think.” She pointed at the stairs that lead to the roof.

“He thought you were dead when he came back. It was a while until Timmers found the footage. He – it’s been hard for all of us but him specifically.” Jason appeared from behind Dick. “Go. We’ll be here.”

“Okay.” Dick nodded. “Okay.”

Dick turned and practically ran up the stairs, his heart beating so fast he could practically hear it and his mind was racing. He took the stairs two at a time until he burst through the door at the top and the cold night air slammed into him. He let the door shut behind him loudly, eyes wide as he scanned around him for Damian.

And oh. There he was.

Damian’s own eyes were wide as they met Dick’s and in an instant, the kid fell to his knees and sobbed, covering his face with his hands. Dick rushed to his side and grabbed his hands. “Dami, hey, sweetheart, let me see your face. Come on, buddy.” He urged softly, tugging Damian’s hands away from his face. “There you are.”

Damian’s cheeks were gleaming with tears and his eyes rimmed red. “R – Richard.” He practically gasped.

“You’re alive.” Dick breathed, cupping Damian’s little face with both of his hands and leaning their foreheads together, closing his eyes when he felt little breaths against his face. Breaths. Because Damian was alive. He was okay and he was right in front of him. “You’re alive.”

“They said you died.” Damian sounded heartbroken and Dick didn’t even have to open his eyes to wrap his arms around the younger and practically tug him onto his lap, a hand splayed on his back and the other near the base of his neck protectively. Damian leaned against Dick, bringing one of his hands to his neck and relaxing when he felt the pulse thrumming beneath his fingers.

“I’m sorry Bruce did that to you. I – I wish it could have been different. I wish I could have seen you come back. I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” Dick mumbled.

“Don’t be stupid.” Damian tried to say haughtily, but it came out desperate. “It’s not your fault. If it wasn’t for Drake’s snooping, we wouldn’t even know you were alive.”

“I’m sorry I left you.”

“You didn’t leave me.” Damian shook his head, nuzzling as close to Dick as he could. “You didn’t. Not by choice.”

“I’d never leave you by choice, kiddo. Never.”

“Then that’s all that matters.”