Chapter Text

Talia Al Ghul knew she was making a big mistake that night, yet it didn’t stop her. A week after she got to know she was pregnant. When Richard was born she tried to hate him; he was so delicate, small, and needy. But no matter what she thought, she loved him more than anything. She gave up ignoring him by the time he was 3. Her father had told Lady Shiva to train him as soon as he walked, so he had learnt a lot. By the age of 6, he was one of the best assassins they had.

Richard had something unique about him that no other in Nada Parbat had. He loved freely and was always happy and so soft. This side of him usually got him punishment until, he knew not to speak unless asked, show no mercy, and be hard, and stoic. She still remembered the day she saw this side of him.

In one particular training session, Richard and Lady Shiva were fighting brutally with katanas and even though Shiva knew that Richard was too small to dodge a strike she didn’t hold back. “Ah!” He exclaimed in pain. The pain was written all over his face. At this moment Talia whole heartedly hated Lady Shiva. “Wrong! You are too weak. You need to learn to show no pain. It shows you are weak.” Shiva had yelled and left not even bothered by the crying 4-and-a-half-year-old. This incident had ended with Talia hating Shiva; for how dare she scream at her son; only she and her father were allowed to discipline him. Even though Talia’s father had drilled the fact that love is a weakness she had rushed toward her child as soon as his mentor had left. She had gently taken the leg from the child's clutches “It's ok Richard,” she had told him with a softness in her voice that she thought she was incapable of. “Mother. Hurts” he sobbed, Talia was surprised that the child trusted her enough to show her this kind of vulnerability but then she realized how young he was; and of course, he trusted her she was his mother even though she had ignored him till now.“I know my beloved, I know.” Talia said, pulling the tiny 4-year-old into her embrace. After stitching him up she had picked up her Habibi when he spoke “Thank you Ma.”. This statement had made her heart fill with love as she blinked away the wetness in her eye. No one had called her with the amount of love her habibi had just now.

That day she had decided that she wouldn't ever let anyone or anything take her son away from her.

When Richard was 5 he was sent on a mission with her to Uzbekistan they had to kill 2 and injure one fatally but gave him time to warn his allies. Talia knew that Richard had killed when told to do so, but what she also knew was that he hated to kill (innocents, mostly, but as a whole too); but it was necessary for in the real world no one was going to be there to save him. So after the mission was over Talia, already dealing with the weight of taking a life, saw her son’s sad eyes but couldn't do anything. What surprised her was that her habibi came to her and said “Mother.”

“Yes, my love?”

“I am sorry we had to kill them, but I think that they might finally find rest and peace wherever they’ll go next. Isn’t that better than to live a life where the League of Assassins is hunting you? Than being lost? I hope they find a home.”

Talia wondered what she had done to have a child like him; so hopeful, so bright, and oh so wise.

“I too son. I too hope the same.” She said softly, all the weight she was carrying seemed to vanish in thin air as she looked at her son’s bright blue eyes. She would take lives or give her life to keep him the same. She knew if Ra’s ever saw her son be so soft and innocent, he would beat the child to the inch of his death like the many times he had done previously. But it was Richard’s hopefulness, brightness, and resilience that made him, himself, so Talia was not taking that away from him.

But the league crossed the final line 6 months after when they had sent Richard to a mission in which - unlike others - there were several targets and was deemed high risk. Ra’s had told her it was essential for him to be ready as soon as possible for being Ra’s host; He had told her this like they were talking about some mere thing, a vessel, not his grandson or Talia’s son. So Talia had sent her most trusted soldier, Mary, to take as many kills as possible for herself and spare her child. But yet Richard ended up slaying many that day.

It had destroyed him.

His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes anymore.

The bright and confident kid she knew wasn’t there anymore.

His eyes were sad and he looked so lost.

But Talia wasn’t going to let anyone steal her son’s light away, so she tried. She tried to heal him. She tried to make him smile more. She started to treat him like a proper mother would to a son. She let him sleep cuddled into her when he had a nightmare. Told him time and again that it wasn’t his fault, that he is neither bad nor evil. She started to spend more time with him. She also learnt a lot of things in that period, like how Richard liked his food cooked enough to be crispy but not burnt, or that Richard, unlike her, had a strong affinity for gymnastics and the trapeze. But she also got to know bad things about

By the time he was 6 he was fairly healed. It was the time for her to make the hard decision.

“Richard! Habibi!” Talia whisper shouted trying to wake him up. “Mother? What happened Ma !?” He said getting up. “I am sorry Richard, my beloved but the time has come. You need to run from here Mary is waiting for you outside all you have to do is escape then you’ll be free.” She said hurriedly, “What!? No Ma! I am not going anywhere without you! You– You’re my mother I can’t leave you, you're my home” Hearing her Habibi say this to her made her throat fill up. “I’m so sorry Habibi but this is for your good. I give you my word that we’ll meet again, but for now, you have to go” Talia said as she readied him to go. When they reached the place they had to part she knelt on her knee, so she was eye to eye with Richard “Her take this,” Talia said handing him a simple black thread with a robin pendant on it – she had bought it for him when she was on a mission, it had reminded her of him, the colours, the brightness and it suited him – “I love you.” “Love you too, Ma.” He whispered back. Then she pushed him out and ran in to create a distraction. But all she could think about was that it was her first time telling her son that she loved him; it was her first time telling anyone she loved them and it could be her last.

Chapter Text

Mary had been travelling with her husband, whom the league isn’t aware of, is one of the best trapeze artists in the world, John Grayson. They had a lovely life at the Hayley’s circus. It was just her and her husband and when Richard came along all she had to tell was that Richard was his son.

And Richard is having the time of his life. He had quickly adopted Dick as his nickname, and his love for gymnastics and trapeze help him to reach up to Grayson’s level. 

So, now Richard Al Ghul was Richard ‘Dick’ Grayson, the world’s youngest and best trapeze artist, and a Flying Grayson. He had a true family now with a mami and a Tati, an uncle, an aunt and a cousin he could play with and tease. Dick also learnt a lot of languages, dialects, tricks and other things travelling with the circus.

The people were friendly, kind and helpful they taught Dick humility, humanity, happiness, and empathy. They softened the edges of his sharp personality. 

But every night Richard trained hard with Mary and waited for the day his mother met him again. Mary taught him how to be a kid. 

She told me what kids do. How they cry when they are sad.

How they jump when they are excited. 

How they express their feelings. 

But Mary also told him that he wasn’t like the other kids, the other kids his age didn’t know how to wield weapons, kill, or even fly like they did. 

They were innocent, naive, happy, and bubbly. 

During his time at the circus, he learns a very important art; the art of performing, and body language. The art that taught him how to lie. How to hide what he was. How to fool anyone and everyone with all his mind and body. 

According to Mary the art of performing was very important, but not something one should make too much use of. 

It made distrust grow and couldn't lead to real relationships, so taking her advice Richard stopped performing and pretending.

Then the circus went to Gotham.

Dick saw Haly and a man talk. It was seen that Haly was intimidated, but Dock just ignored it and carried on.

“Let’s fly, little robin,” Mary said.

Snap . goes the string.

The Flying Graysons fell.

Splat.

Crack.

Splat.

Crack.

Splat.

Crack .

They died.

And Richard was again left alone.

He was sent to Juvie of all places. It is not even near brutal compared to the places he had lived, but he had gotten used to being unguarded and he was still grieving. So, the old walls came up, shutting him out from the world again.

“Hi, I am Bruce Wayne and I’d like to be your guardian. Is it ok?” His body told him he was sincere. Dick wanted to tell him he already had a mother, but she had abandoned him. He also knows that Bruce would never want him if he knew that he had killed and tortured so many innocent people.

So his soft “Yes” hurt him on the inside, reminding him that the only people who wanted him were dead and his blood family would never want him.

Life moves on, he moves on.

Life in the Wayne manor is amazing. Bruce is good, he somehow likes Dick and never gets angry with Dick and punishes him. Alfred is more of a lifesaver, and grandfather than a butler.

So, Dick lets the wall slide down and lets himself be the real him, Dick Grayson.

His personality is not a facade, he doesn’t think he could handle lying to Bruce about that.

Then he finds out that Bruce is Batman, and he understands.

By luck, he apparently ended up with one of the only people in the world the League doesn’t want to mess with.

So, he too starts saving lives. He takes the alias, Robin, which connects him to his other two families.

When he vows to never kill, he silently vows to never kill again.

He pretends to be incompetent in martial arts for a year before he can start learning. 

Unluckily Bats disapprove the use of “lethal” weapons like swords and daggers in the field.

Pretending to learn Arabic, and the other languages he’s already fluent in is downright torturous.

But at the end of the day, he likes the person he is now. He wants to keep it this way. 

Occasionally people will comment on how similar he and B look, but he sums it up as a coincidence.

He ignores it when people spread rumours about him being Bruce’s secret biological son. He doesn’t even consider it for a minute.

Looking back on it, he probably should have.

One day when he was ten, he saw B sitting on the batcomputer with Talia Al Ghul’s profile open. His mother’s profile. “Who is that?” He asks, pretending to be curious, B buys it.

“That.” Bruce says “Is Talia Al Ghul. I met her a few years back when I was training with the League of Assassins. She tried to recruit me. I have no doubt she wants something.” He frowned.

Richard’s pretty sure he knows exactly what his mother is looking for.

Him.

And he doesn’t know how to feel. Should he be happy that she came? Or should he be scared that she will take him away back to that hell hole of a place? 

“Maybe you should sit this one out, chum. She’s dangerous.” Bruce gives him an apologetic smile.

“No. Please B, I’ll stay away from her. I don’t want to stop patrolling just because she’s in Gotham.” He tries not to sound like he’s begging, but he is.

Chapter Text

Just as he expected Talia met them at the third rooftop in their route. How had she gotten the ever-changing route? Richard doesn’t know. Richard can see the smirk on her face that clearly says I’m coming for you. Robin knows that this is his mother, she loves him and won't be taking him back to the place, she helped him escape. Yet, he tenses as Talia steps out of the shadows. 

“Talia. What do you want?” Batman asked shielding Robin by gently pushing him behind him protectively. “I’m not here for you beloved. I’m here for the someone behind you.” Both Batman and Robin tensed even more, moving their hands for their respective weapons. “Tt. Protective much?” She said sarcastically “I’ll assure you that I have no intention of harming our son today.”. This statement shocked both Bruce and Dick immensely. 

Our son? Dick was Bruce’s son?! Seeing them shocked Talia chuckled.

“I see you haven’t figured it out yet. Honestly, I can't say I’m surprised; by him ending up with you of all people.” She said with an amused look “ No matter. I’m here to keep a promise, not to harm.”. This statement made Dick relax, his mother wasn’t here to take him back and she wasn’t going to punish him.  

Seeing him visibly relaxed his mother beckoned him over with a nod. Bruce didn’t even stop him as he walked to his mother, even though Richard wanted to hug her, he kept a respectable distance between them, he didn’t want to get pushed away just yet. “Does grandfather……?” He tailed off. “Does he know that you are here? No. Does he know you ran away? Yes. With Mary? No. Or that I helped? No. He is better kept in the dark about some things.”. “Are you going to take me away?” Then his mother asked the most startling question “Are you happy?”

 He nodded “Good.”

“Are you Ma?” This question snapped something in Talia. She closed the distance between them and hugged him,he stiffened at first but slowly melted into her safe embrace for the first time in a year. ‘ Take it in Richard, it might be the last time she will show you love this freely’ he thought to himself. 

“Love you, Ma.” He murmured into her embrace, he felt his mother melt a little at the endearment.

“You too my Robin.” She said as she released him “You have got a bright future with your father but beware of the League; your grandfather is still sore about losing his heir.”

“Watch him. Train him. At the very least make him happy.” She says to Bruce.

Then she was gone.

“Robin, In the car we’re going home,” Batman ordered. 

When they were finally in the bat-mobile Bruce spoke up “Did you know?” He asked. “That I was your son? No. That I was from the league? Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what Bruce? What should I tell you ‘Hi man-who-wants-to-adopt-me I am an ex-assassin and heir to the demon head.’ Of course not B! I am sorry though. I don’t want you to feel an obligation to keep me just because we’re related.” By the end of his spiel, his voice was small.

The 34 seconds of silence before Bruce spoke felt like 34 years to Dick, “No I’m not going to disown you, chum. I’d never do that, no matter what. But I can change the paperwork to Richard Wayne-Al Ghul if you like.” He said. 

Dick still in denial, said “But I have killed before, Bruce.”

“It's ok, it was before you met me.” “But -”

“Did you want to kill chum?” He cut Dick off.

“No.” Dick sighed.

“Then it's ok. You were forced. You did what you had to do.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, chum.”

When they reach the Bat cave, they climb out of the Bat-mobile and Bruce stops him in the middle of the cave, pulling down his cowl. He pulls off his domino mask in return, and their eyes meet.

Now he sees how they are similar shades of blue, and how they have the same nose.

“No matter what might’ve happened today I will always love you. I’m sorry that you felt the need to hide your past in the league, but you don’t need to.

Life goes on in the Wayne manor. By the next week, Richard’s official and legal certificates are renamed to Richard Wayne-Al Ghul, but he still introduces himself as a Grayson for both remembrance of his second family and his safety. No one treats him differently.

Bruce still lets him sleep in his bed after a nightmare. Alfred still chastises him for not showing proper manners. They both still get scared when he climbs up on the chandelier. B still takes him to the ice cream van and gets ice cream after winning yet another mathlete competition. Alfred still makes extra cookies that he keeps hidden and only takes them out when the other batches are eaten.

They showed him unconditional love, even though Dick had seen flashes and bits of it in his mother’s eyes, he had never gotten it so freely. Here he didn’t have to be perfect. Here he wasn’t punished every time he made a mistake. All in all, he was happy.

Until he wasn’t. As he grew up Bruce tried more and more to make him retire Robin. And Dick was angry because Robin was everything to him; it was his only good connection to his mother. So, on the day he got kicked out of the manor he ran. He ran to Talia’s safehouse in Blüdhaven. He knew his mother knew about what happened and he waited. Waited for her to come and save him. To help him. To do something. But she never came.

Uncle Clark visited him every day and he would just be with him. Giving his silent support. Then one day Clark told him the story of Nightwing and Flamebird. The story of Hope. The story of Rebirth. He told Dick, how Nightwing living in the shadow of evil saved the world every day. Killing the evil from the inside instead of the outside. And Dick could relate, he too was born to be evil but he lived to banish it. So, he took the alias Nightwing, becoming a hero of his own out of the Bat's shadow, out of the Demon Head’s darkness.

Dick became Nightwing.

It still hurt Dick how fast it took Batman to replace him with another Robin. It angered him that B let some stranger take his name. The name his mother gave him. Jason didn’t know the real reason the hero was named Robin. Jason wasn’t the one who wore the Robin pendant around his neck every single day. 

But Dick knew there was no good in getting angry with Jason. It wasn’t his fault Bruce had made him the Robin. So, Dick let it go. He trained Jason to fight for himself to do what was right. And never give up. He became the one thing he always wanted. He became a big brother. He protected Jason from the world of death, sorrow and pain.

Even after all this Dick still didn’t return to the manor. His father had kicked him out of it; he wasn’t going to go against it. He wasn’t going to disobey his father.

Soon Dick formed the Titans, a group of young heroes who were lost and needed help, just like him. They all made an odd dysfunctional family, they needed. Donna was the team’s older sister and Dick’s twin; she always knew what they needed. Wally was the funny, cute and goofy one, he always knew what to do, and he was Dick’s closest confidant. Garth was… Garth. Roy was a hothead with totally good intentions and he was a secret softy. Kori was… still learning about Earth and had a crush on Dick, she was always smiling, and attractive Dick personally thought she was ok.

All in all, Everything was good. 

Until Jason died.

Everyone took Jason's death hard.

Dick wanted to kill Joker. And it scared him. He had never felt the urge to kill this hard. So he put all this energy into other things he joined the Bludhaven police department as a detective. For a while, he went into a dark place. He left the Titans, but Wally followed him and Donna called every week. In the end, they were the only things keeping him from going destructive.

Then Bruce shocks him by taking in yet another child. Tim Drake. He figured out their secret identities at 7 and was a genius. But was severely neglected by his parents. So, B made him Robin and also adopted him.

This time Dick made sure he didn't neglect Tim. He swore he wasn't going to let Tim die ever.

Life went on, but he didn't forget Jason. 

He and Wally went from best friends to boyfriends. Bruce started to relax more. B managed to find 2 other children to adopt. Cass was amazing, but Dick couldn't help but feel bad. He should've known about her, after all, Lady Shiva did train him. He could have saved her earlier if not for his ignorance. Steph was smart, and cheerful and had managed to annoy Bats more than the first Robin. 

His Family was growing but still missed Jason.

Chapter Text

Damian was… different than Dick, even though he was his brother. He was way more stabby and closed off than Dick had ever been. He never had his guard down and looked way too mature for someone his age; it hurt Dick to know that someone else had to suffer through the same things as him. What hurt him the most was that Damian didn’t even know he had a brother, meaning their mother had never talked about Richard. Damian's existence altogether was odd by far. 

Sometimes Dick thought his mother had only had him to show Richard how much of a failure he was. How imperfect, and useless he was, and how easily he can be replaced. But deep down Dick still knew that his Ma loved him, just had difficult ways to show it. And that Damian wasn’t a replacement but a brother and someone to give him company. 

As it turns out Damian had a nasty habit of reminding everyone he was the ‘Blood Son’ . And every time he spoke so, it made Dick’s chest tighten more; for he and B had decided that his true parentage needed to be secret for his safety, he couldn’t snap back ‘So am I.’ and shut him up .

The tiny insults the other boys and Steph throw at him about the other fucked up side of his family hurt Dick too. Every time Jason said ‘You might be the blood son but you also share blood with the Demon’s Head how's that for a family?’ or every time Tim called him out ‘Well at least I don’t come from a family of killers’ or Steph quipped ‘I was raised by an assassin too you know, but I am not like you’, a tiny part of Dick’s heart broke. He knew those quips were meant to be harmless and weren’t directed at him, but…  

His lie came into the light on an odd uneventful night when a hooded figure jumped them on their bat-family meeting spot. Lucky enough everybody was there and it wasn’t hard to take the figure down. But right before Tim tied the man ran to the very edge of the building and jumped. They all ran up to see if the man was ok, but the only thing there was a note.

They returned to the cave with the unread note deciding it wasn’t ok to read it without Bruce who was still patrolling the other side of the city. By the time Batman arrived back at the cave, everybody had freshened up and out of their uniforms.

“What happened I heard there was an incident at your meeting spot” B asked his children.

“Well, a creepy man came and jumped off the roof and left us a note, if that’s what you’re askin’ for,” Steph said recounting the story.

“What does that note say then?”

“We were waiting for you to open it with B. I mean it has a League of Assassins emblem on it” Tim said.

“It seems like the time for a grand opening” Jason says, opening the note.

“ Richard Al Ghul,

I know where you, grandson, are and it is time to return and claim your rightful place as my heir. Your punishment awaits.” Jason read confused, 

The room was quiet. While his brothers and sisters were taking in the letter, Dick sent 

a pleading look to Bruce, asking for help.

“Wait wha—” Tim said breaking the silence.

“Father” Cass signed pointing at B, then “Son” poting at Dick.

“What the fuck Dickward! We have known you for like forever and you both didn’t care to tell us that the Demon Head was your Gramps! Even after Damian!??”

 Oh right, Damian was there. He looked slightly pale and a lot more betrayed that his favourite and best brother hadn’t even bothered to tell him they were blood-related, even after the large amount of trust he had put in him.

“Ok I know you all have some questions, but they can wait. I was born the child of Talia Al Ghul and Bruce Alright.  I was trained the second I started to walk and was the league’s best fighter by the age of 6, so Grandfather thought it was time for me to become his heir. But Mother didn’t agree so, she sent my caretaker and me away from the league.

 Mary then married John Grayson and we took his surname, to hide me from the league. It was a coincidence that B adopted me. We got to know that we are related. We kept my true identity a secret as my grandfather had been searching for me. And as it turns out he still was. But anyway we chose not to tell you all because we didn’t think it was important. Sorry.” He ended guiltily.

“You know what's fair. If I were you, I’d also hide my Identity,” Jason said.

“Ok. But you could’ve told me we would have bonded over assassin parents!” Steph said.

“At this point, you all could just make a club,” Tim said “Thank you for telling us now though.”

“You should have told me.” Damian said stiffly and ran out of the cave “Dami—” Dick tried to go after him but Cass held him back.

“He needs time. Let him feel.” she signed. 

Dick still felt guilty about leaving her and started apologising “Look Cass, I’m so sorry. I should have known about you and saved you. I mean Shiva had been teaching me for a long time.”

“Not your fault. I have forgiven you.” Cass signed.

Dick sighed in resignation.

“Hey, May I come in?” Dick asked knocking on the door.

For a while, he heard no answer. Just as he was turning back he heard a small “Come in,” from the room.

As he entered he saw how clean and organised the room was; Just like his after he had left the league. Looks harmless but is strategically arranged to act like a trap if needed. I made his heart clench. The resident of the room was perched on the edge of the bed playing with a small knife.

“Hi,” Dick said dumbly.

“Richard. Or shall I call you brother ?” Damian said sarcastically, proving the bat brothers' sarcasm was catching up to him.

“Dami, I was always your brother; related by blood or not and always will be,” Richard said softly sitting beside Damian. He wondered what Damian would be thinking. ‘ Would he be disappointed or worse feel betrayed? I knew it was all my fault. Why can't you do the right thing for once Grayson!’ Dick chided himself.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“ It was safer and Mother never told you about me so, it was obvious she didn’t want you to know about me. I am the league’s dirty little secret and have been for years. The runaway heir. All grandfather saw me was a tool to rule the league, earn and be feared. Hell, he made me kill at the age of 4. And mother? She was a whole other story. Sometimes she acted as if I was the worst thing on the Earth and punished me until I was unconscious and sometimes… it was a whole other story, she would help me patch up my wounds and take all the kills to herself so I didn’t have to kill, She would call me my little Robin and kiss my head. She was the one who made me escape from the League of Assassins and sent me with Mary. And when—w—we were leaving s—she” Richard choked up remembering the short time he had spent with his Ma “When I was leaving she gave me this necklace” He said taking out the tiny Robi pendant that he had never and rarely if ever removed since that night “ and told me that she loves me for the first time in my 6 years long life. She was the first person to tell me that.

Anyway, I am truly sorry and sorry for dumping all this on you.” Richard said.

Damian simply snuggled into his side as if saying a silent I understand and both the brothers sat there in silence taking in each other’s experience and pain. 

Chapter Text

Dick heard his door creak slowly as Cass entered the room. The silent footsteps and quiet breaths proved it was her. He slowly turned from his position on the desk in the corner to see her entering.

“How are u” she signed

“Don’t know” he signed back.

She didn’t say anything. She sat on the edge of his desk, looking at him with the same focused expression she saw when solving complicated cases.

“Guilty?” She signed.

“A little bit, Yeah”

“What for ?” She asked even though she clearly knew the answer.

“For leaving you with that douche of a father and mad woman for a mother, and not even realising that you existed.” He said feeling disappointed in himself.

“It's not your fault. They knew how to keep me hidden. You did not leave me when the time was right, you saved me from my father.”

“I didn't. Also, I lied to you, about everything .”Richard started to rant about how much he had failed Cass. “I could have told you about my past and helped you through the problems you were facing, I could have made your transition into this family easy. But I didn't, I stayed on the sidelines and watched. And if Bruce hadn’t found you'd still be there , I could’ve saved you. You should hate me.” 

“Not everything. You are still the same Dick Grayson. Knowing your true parentage doesn’t change that. And yes you didn’t help me, no one did, but that just showed me that I have no limit and can do whatever I wish to do. About Bruce not finding me; I’m here, aren’t I? And I still love you, the same as before, and I am never going to stop. I had forgiven you long ago.” Cass said comfortingly. Mid-rant she had put her hand on dick’s back and started rubbing in circles gently. 

Dick was surprised that Cass was speaking this time and not signing. He was touched that she considered this matter important enough to speak instead of sign; She only did that with very important things. 

“My mother always said you would have been her greatest achievement if you had stayed, but also told me that it was Talia’s decision to send you away and hide you and she would never question a mother’s decision. So, she helped Talia’ protect you and you true identity. She always called you a traitor but never a coward. And when you were forced to join Deathstroke she sent me to give him a message; I never read it, but you found your way out quickly after. I think I reminded Mother of you sometimes. And whenever I did she went easy on me. But it made me feel forgotten, that you were her son more than I was her daughter.” She ended, quietly sighing.

“I'm sorry that you felt that because of me. I never wanted that. I thought Shiva hated me, I guess she does but not as much as I thought she would. I’ll always love you for being my sister, you are very important to me. Thank you for saving me. And I am sorry that Shiva did that to you. You are the best of yourself and I promise you’ll never have to pretend to be someone else ever again. Thank you for saying what you did I needed it.” 

“Of course. I’ll go now” Cass signed both thinking the same thing.

“Call Dami will you?”

After Cass quietly left the room, Richard said, “You can come now, mother.”

A figure that wasn’t there before appeared in front of the room’s seemingly unopened window.

“Richard.” His mother spoke to him with softness he was rarely spoken to by her.

“Mother, I assume you are here to speak about Grandfather’s letter.” He said getting directly on point. Even though Talia was showing some vulnerability, he wouldn't because he knew if he dropped the act he would become a crying mess.

“Yes, but before that; we need to talk.”

“About what !? Huh?” Dick suddenly snapped, filled with angry that he didn’t even know he possesed. “About the fact that you never came to visit again.  Or that that no matter how much I called after Jason’s death when Bruce kicked me out, you never came.Or that I had a brother that didn’t even know about me. You promised that I will be safe and happy here b-but it w-w-was all a lie. You never came. Even when I needed you the most. You left me alone.” His voice was cracking and his vision was blurry and all he wanted to do was hug his mother and cry like he did when he was 5 and a half.

Talia unable to see her robin in so much pain quickly walked to him in 2 long strides and enveloped him in her embrace. She never wanted to see her son in so much pain ever again. She had vowed that this wont happen again; he will forever be happy, but here she was knowning she had caused it. 

She knew whatever he said was true. She had indeed done all that and it was her fault. Consoling her son she spoke “My Robin… I am truly sorry. I thought I was keeping you safe when I was staying away from you. And now I see clearly how wrong I was. I sorry I wasn’t there and I didn’t help. I wont ask you to forgive for what I did is unforgivable but I will tell you that I always loved you and will keep loving you. I am sorry I made you feel unloved. Not telling Damian was a tough desision but I did not want to take any risk of my father knowing about you.

I am so sorry my son, my littel robin. I love you.” By the end of it both of them were in tears holding each othe like they were the other’s life line. Both stood there mourning a life they never had, missing yearning the life they lift behind, and treasuring every micosecond of the embrace both of them had missed like a broken limb.

“Mother.” A tiny voice came from the door causing Dick and Talia to break their embrace. They both discreetly wiped their tears, that if it was’t for their bloodshot eye Damian would have never known that they were crying, but he chose not to comment on that. 

“Oh Damian! My beloved. You can't imagine how much I have missed you.” Talia exclaimed, hugging Damian who melted a few seconds later. “How are yo-” just as Talia and Damian were pulling apart Bruce appeared at the door; even though Bruce hid his emotions well the three assassins noticed the undertone of panic in his form. “Talia, we must hurry, it seems Ra’s is more impatient than we thought.”Just as he said that red gas started to leak out of all of Manor’s ventilation system. The family immediately held their breath and reached out to find their mask. Knowing the drill, the entire family moved through the red mist to the backyard, but it seemed that the mist was not just consumed by breathing but also by the pores of the skin- something even Talia didn't know about - and all family at some point ended up unconscious and was carried out by nothing but shadows.

The first thing Talia saw were metal bars in front of her. It could only mean 1 thing she was imprisoned. This made her angry but not as much as the sight of both her sons' tide. In contrast, Damian was in the same cage as her. Richard was tied to a pole in between the large underground land that everyone unofficially called the torture zone. The torture zone was a vast yet isolated space where duels were fought and people were punished. every leaguer at one point or another had been here and still had nightmares about it. Unfortunately for both her children and her this place was more familiar than their own homes.

“Bru…” she heard a weak sound from her right. She turned to see Timothy and Jason in another cage just like theirs. She also noticed that Bruce, who lying beside her, moved a little hearing the voice, but continued to pretend to be unconscious. To her left was another cage, which looked a lot more secure than theirs, holding Cassandra and Alfred.

Dick woke up with a start by a slap across his cheek. He opened his eyes to see none other than Grandfather. He then registered that he was back in the torture zone, tied to a pole in the middle. He then realised that he was surrounded by cages that were holding his family.

“Richard, I am glad that you are back where you belong”, grandfather said with a sadistic smile “It appears to me that your escape from this place was not a task you did alone. My beloved daughter here, too, had a hand in it. What people do for the ones they love. Keep secrets for years from their father. Sabotage the missions done to find you. Manipulate me into thinking you were dead. Pity I thought that I taught my daughter better.” He completed his monologue, glaring at Mother, who matched his glare with the same rigour even though she was caged.

“Now, my dear grandson, tell me, do you want to be hard and make me beat your so-called family into joining me, or will you join without putting up a fight?” Ra’s stared at him questioningly. it was clear that was not going to be patient and wait. So he did what he had learnt over the years was the best trick in his bag. 

He performed 

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

“No! Do not hurt my family.” Dick said helplessly “I shall do as you say Grandfather.” As soon as he got these words out there were shouts of protest and outrage from his family and nothing but a sadistic laugh from Ra’s.

“Ahh! Exactly what I was afraid of; you’ve grown too soft grandson. Submitting without a fight.”

“ You didn’t let me finish ; I have a condition. I want a fight till death with you. And I want all those league officials that are standing behind this door to see this match. The match will be fair with no external assistance and one of us shall die.”

“If you are thinking that I'll leave you dead at the end of the match resulting in your freedom, then I must remind you grandson that I have a certain green pool that can resurrect people from the dead. I will not refrain from doing so to you too.”

“You forget that I have grown in more ways than one during my time away from the league of assassins, Grandfather. I have learnt many new skills.”

“I see grandson you have learnt but I am afraid not as much as me. Be prepared to die and fall into the pit Richard.” Ra’s crackled as Lady Shiva, David Cain, Ubu, and Deathstroke. 

“Well, then you clearly underestimate me Ra’s” Dick said, “ Everyone grows and learns and so did I. Lets see who wins now Ra’s” 

“Oh grandson I pity you and the false confidence My dear Detective, my daughter and young detective have instilled into you over the years. Now go pick your weapons, sharpen your swords and say goodbyes to your family, this may as well be the last time you see them before I order them to be executed. Maybe, I will make you watch their execution too if I'm feeling generous enough.” Just as Ra’s finished Dick’s face hardened but was still expressionless.

He strode towards the weapons section and picked up a traditional sleeveless green clothing. Unknown to anyone else this suit was made by his mother specially for him with hidden pockets only he knew about. After subtly hiding small weapons like daggers, birdarangs, and smokebombs, he picked what others recognised as the sword Shiva had gifted him after a successful mission. Then he went to Deathstroke who wordlessly offered him a sword similar to Shiva’s and a short doublebladed sword that he put in his back holster securely.

He approached the cages his family was put in. “Dick!” Tim shouted, “You don’t have to do this! I was supposed to be Ra’s heir befo–"" It's ok timmy. I know what I’m doing, I have been training for this since before you were born. I have been trained by everyone from Batman to the Court of Owls.” Leaving his brothers and mother in shock by the last one he continued, “I am sorry, Bruce but you know I've always been morally gray, and I am killing this psycho for once and for all. This is for both of you Dami and Babybird.” He immediately turned on his heel and left.

“Ra’s!” He called the man from where he was also preparing for battle, “It's time!” 

“Why grandson? I have always been ready. Deathstroke you will referee this match.”

At this all the other villains stepped back while Slade came forward to stand in front of his apprentice and the Demon’s Head.

Everybody in the room could feel tension radiating off the grandson and the grandfather as they made eye contact. 

Ra's looked ready and confident but there was a slight overconfidence that filled his eyes. And Richard… he was in all his heirs of the Demon’s Head and the Bat glory, eyes filled with determination, anger even she hadn't seen and if Talia looked close enough fear. But Talia could see it as she was his mother, she was the one who held him in her for 9 months, nurtured him for another 6 years and sacrificed her desire to be a mother after 6 years of being one. This…this was her son. He will win. It's in his blood and sinew .

“FIGHT!” Shouted Deathstroke.

This was going to be one brutal fight. Richard knew that. But he also knew that he was going to win. Ra’s might be older and have more experience than him but there were a few things he hadn’t experienced, gone through and learnt. Dick fought super humans with twice his strength and mind everyday and yet emerged victorious for every single one of those days. Plus, Ra’s didn’t know him as well as he knew Ra’s. He had been watching his grandfather from the second he left home but Ra’s had only watched him as a kid; before deathstroke, before batman, before robin, before renegade, before joker, before spyral and the crime syngate. That was Ra’s weakness — not knowing his enemy. And Richard — he was going to use it to his benefit.

When people arranged the bat family in who-is-the-most dangerous Tim would be the third Cass and Alfred being the first and second respectively. And Tim knew that. He had years and years of painful scars and memories to show that. But, seeing Dick now in royal green assassin gear only high ranked and trained assassins like Ra’s and ready to fight Ra’s Al Ghul with that look of pure hate marring his generally cheerful face he was seriously reconsidering that. 

“FIGHT!” 

And that was it.

Now there were merely two blurs flying like they were made to fight each other. Now Tim could see how much Dick has always held back. As he has never, never ever in his long, tiring, and coffee filled life has he seen anyone fight like this, not even Cass. Dick was pure precision, power and grace. He wasn’t brutal or dangerous no… he was lethal. He fought with his whole body dancing to a deadly siren song. 

Ra’s didn’t go easy either it was apparent in the way he was slashing and stabbing with power. He was trying to end the fight quickly and brutally. No mercy. But Dick had somehow seen that it had become Ra’s weakness.

Daggers.

Swords.

Katanas.

Guns.

Garrotes.

Stilettos.

Kusarigama.

At some point birdarangs too.

And blood… a lot of blood .

After what felt like an eternity the fight slowed nearing to its end. Now his body was aching. His breath came short. But what mattered was the person he had pinned under him, Ra’s looking at him with anger, pride and fear. He had to end this. End Ra’s. He had to. So he did it. He recalled the starting years of his life and felt the pain, fear, and emotional torture. He remembered feeling angry at his fate. But now when he looked at his family, he didn’t feel angry for himself. No, he felt rage and hatred so deep for Ra’s that it made him want to skin the demon’s head alive but that wasn’t an option. His family was there. His brothers and sisters and his father were there. 

“What are you waiting for Richard? Too scared to kill a man now are you? Maybe I should take the young detective over there as my heir. You have gone too soft, Grandson. Or is it that you can’t kill in front of them? Are they too stickler for their moral code? Will they leave you, if you kill?” Ra’s attempted distracting Richard but it only made him more angry.

“Don’t expect me to hold my end of the bargain either Ra’s. After all, I am the heir to the demon’s head.” Richard said laughing maniacly, though he stoped as soon as he felt his siblings tense in fear.

“I did hold up my end of the bargain you brat! You can’t ….”

“You didn’t though, did you? I saw the sharp shooter before the match started. The only reason I am not dead is because Lady Shiva detained him. So don’t you dare say I am dishonourable!” He replied menacingly, “You were wrong Ra’s, I didn’t grow weak just got too good at hiding the truth. Close your eyes” he told his siblings before wrapping his hand around Ra’s skull and crushing it with a crunch, the last of his energy.

Then like his body was on autopilot Richard turned to Deathstoke and fainted as soon as both his hand came in contact with Slade's shoulder.