Basically, this is gonna be my saying how I got completely immersed in the Batfam and the authors (and specifically which fics) led me there. So I guess it can technically be considered a fic rec...? Just with more ramblings because these are the people who opened my eyes to all of Bruce’s sons and made me realize how awesome they all are.
The first daddy!bats relationship I completely just melted over was with Bruce and Dick. This happened when watching Young Justice that I looked in the cartoon’s fanfiction and stumbled onto glimare’s Hero’s Debt (which really was just so mind blowing at the time), and spiraled on to more writers and fics.
Then I got into the DC Animated Movie Universe with Son of Batman and fell in love with Damian, the little assassin baby, and naturally looked up fanfictions that were centered around him and Bruce. That was how I found ao3.
The writer who got me into the Damian and Bruce fics was @audreycritter with their fic Sleeping Heartaches (Damian holds a baby and it’s precious). I went through all their Bruce and Damian fics and then started using the filter to look for more.
I found @autumnhobbit with their fic For you, I’ll always take the bullet (It involved all four batboys and was one of my first glimpses toward Tim and Jason).
Then @lurkinglurkerwholurks with The Robin Manual (Damian is completely adorable). Then @cdelphiki with “No, Stop!” (Damian is dosed with fear toxin).
All of these amazing writers had fics centered around Tim and Jason but I because I would filter them, they would never pop up.
Then I read @audreycritter’s The Wound Begins to Bleed, (Tim is an awesome big brother and Bruce is a great dad) mainly because it had the Bruce Wayne and Damian Wayne tag. In it though, I was introduced to the sibling dynamic that is Tim Drake and Damian Wayne. Tim, who I’d never cared much for and I kind of always glossed over.
My interest was piqued thought so off I went, filtering once more and that’s how I found @cdelphiki‘s Life Happens (Tim and Damian are transported to our dimension and have to learn how to cope with each other and live because Life Happens) and oh my gosh, I sobbed. Tim suddenly went from being a character I just knew to a character I loved and his brother relationship with Damian was once I went head over heels for.
From The Ol’ Switcheroo by @autumnhobbit to Worse Company @cdelphiki and so many more I can’t name off the top of my head.
Then @cdelphiki posted In for a Penny (baby damian!!) and it was back to the Bruce and Damian train which was how most recently (this morning actually), I stumbled upon Nature and Nurture (it has deaged Bruce in it!) by @lurkinglurkerwholurks and I just freaking fell in love with Jason and Bruce, I sobbed and cried, and beautiful.
Then I read If the Sky Comes Falling Down (For You), again by @lurkinglurkerwholurks and I fell in love with Jason in general and all his relationships with his siblings.
Finally, Tim and Bruce. I thought I’d post this and still not have found the fic that made me go head over heels over Bruce and Tim but I did and credit goes once again to @lurkinglurkerwholurks with It Wasn’t Real (But We’re Happy) (which why do you this to yourself, Tim?!)
But yes, I am now obsessed with Bruce trying his best to be a dad to all his four sons. There are so many more authors and so many more fics that revolve around the Batfamily that are also so awesome and amazing but I mentioned these because they are the ones that really just tore open the door for me and planted themselves in my heart.
So yeah, if any of you amazing authors who are listed read this, thank you!
He had imprisoned the man who had murdered his admittedly not-so-great-dad, but-still-dad, taken over the Iceberg lounge, transformed it, and was raking in the moolah. He was also the Red Hood, dispensing justice and living the dream.
Now, with time on his hands, he wondered how to best annoy Bruce.
Then, he knew. Tim.
Jason dialed his baby brother, and was gratified when it was picked up. “Hey, Tim-Tam.”
“Don’t call me that, only Kon can call me that,” Tim whined petulantly. Then, “What’s up?”
Jason smothered an insidious giggle. “I’m throwing a party at my new digs. Wanna bring the Waffle Beast and our sister along?”
“Bruce will be annoyed,” Tim mused. “Okay.”
Jason snickered. “Cool. But you don’t sound very hapy about raising Bruce’s blood pressure.”
Tim sighed. “It’s just...Dick, y’know? His amnesia is a real bummer. I’m working on a way to jog his memory, but he keeps beefing with Bruce, and Damian gets upset, which in turn results in him directing his upset towards me - pure, innocent Timmy.”
Jason, who knew there was nothing pure or innocent regarding Tim (thanks to Kon-El) sighed. In all honesty, not annoying Dick was bumming him out too. And as much as he pretended to dislike Dick’s hugs, he actually missed the warm comfort of his brother’s loving, waxed arms.
“A thought occurs,” Jason said brightly. “I’ll invite Dick over too. He’s avoiding Bruce, not us. Bruce just reflects badly on all of us. That way, Damian can see Dick on his own time, and he can stop being such a brat.”
“Cool beans,” Tim agreed. “So, see you tonight?”
“See yuh,” Jason said, and turned the phone off. He turned to see his bodyguard, Suzie Su, staring at him, clearly unimpressed. “What? I’m being nice,” Jason insisted.
“Uh huh,” she said. “Penguin died, by the way,” she said, pointing to the fish tank, and the hidden room that housed the Penguin. “He had a spite attack so strong that it overwhelmed him. I took the body out back and burned it.”
Jason high fived his friend. “Aw yiss, I love it when things work out.”
Suzie smiled maternally at Jason. “I’d be happier if you didn’t just set up a plan to bring your baby brother into a bar.”
“It’ll work out,” Jason said confidently. “After all, I’m in charge now.”
SUMMARY: Sometimes, Dick forgets how much he has to be grateful for and how lucky he is to have Bruce. But sometimes, he also remembers.
Rolling down memory lane yay! This is an old one-shot of mine, hope you all enjoy!
--
After five years of living with the man, Dick sometimes forgets how truly lucky he is to have Bruce.
It isn't that there are times when he stops being appreciative, because Dick will always—always—remember the man who had been there for him when no one else had.
It's just that sometimes, Dick forgets the little things. The little things that so often become so normal that eventually they’re easy to take for granted.
--
Things like Bruce helping with a school project.
The scene: One of the many living rooms in the manor, the floor is littered with paper, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, puffy balls and of course, glitter.
Beside Dick, paint containers are spread out before him. Bruce in all his artistic vision holds a paintbrush (he’s the only person Dick has ever met who can make a paintbrush look intimidating)
“So I’m painting the words “Kinetic Motion” in blue, right?” Bruce asks.
12 year old Dick nods enthusiastically “Yes! Aaand…” There's a theatrical dramatic pause “I’LL SPRINKLE THE GLITTER!”
Bruce gives him an exasperated look before muttering something under his breath. Catching something about “glitter” and “death wish” Dick just grins as Bruce begins to paint.
“You have a very steady hand you know” Dick observes.
“Mhm” Bruce answers automatically, most of his attention focused on the poster board in front of him.
As he finishes up, Dick—as promised—happily sprinkles glitter with more joy than even a fascinated two year old would have.
Bruce is just glad Alfred put covered the entire wooden floor with layers upon layers of plastic.
After writing down the definition of Kinetic Energy in a sparkly green pen, Dick begins the fun of the party.
His assignment is to make a model that represents Kinetic Energy. So he decides it's a good excuse as any to make a roller coaster.
A roller coaster made out of an assortment of pipe cleaners, colorful popsicle sticks, fluffy puffy balls, and a whole lot of glue.
The rest of the night goes something like this:
“You just glued my fingers. YOU JUST GLUED MY FINGERS!! I’M GONNA DIE, I’M GONNA DIE. WHAT IF THIS GLUE HAS LIKE, WEIRD CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND I GET A WEIRD BACTERIA AND OH MY GOD, MY WHELMED FINGERS! THEY WERE TOO YOUNG TO BECOME OVERWHELMED!! WHY DEAR FINGERS, —WHY??”
*Amused look from source of great panic* “You done?”
*Dick stares at panic source incredulously* “Am I done? AM I DONE! I WILL SHOW YOU DONE—”
Bruce cuts him off by calmly unsticking Dick’s fingers.
*gape* “You couldn't have done that before I went ballistic?!”
*Stare*
-
“Pipe cleaners hate me. This is a fact.” This is what Dick says as he stubbornly gives an innocent pipe cleaner the death glare.
“Really?” Bruce wryly asks.
“YES!” His charge exclaims. “I mean, is it my fault the stupid first hill has to be high so that the ball we send down can gain energy from it so it can continue the rest of the way? Is it my fault roller coasters are biased against poor 8th graders? IS IT MY FAULT KINETIC ENERGY EXISTS AND I HAVE TO DO A PROJECT FOR IT?!” By the end of his rant, Dick is standing up.
As Bruce sticks a puffy ball onto a pipe cleaner, he retorts, “Yes. You chose the model, didn't you?”
Dick opens his mouth to retort, then he closes it. “Whatever” he grumbles but sits back down and continues working in his roller coaster.
Bruce just smirks.
-
“Long was the haggard night. One blue eyed pre-teen (cough official teen cough) works hard to finish the project assigned by his torturer—teacher—that is due tomorrow. He is ready to drop dead from exhaustion and his stomach clenches in painful hunger but he valiantly continues his work. He will not back down, he will not give up, he—”
“—would not be here if he hadn’t decided to leave everything to the last minute.”
Dick glares at Bruce who shrugs innocently, “It’s true”
“Don’t intrude upon my enthralling narrations!” Dick whines.
Enthralling … ?
At Bruce’s look, Dick pouts. “Don't Judge!!” In a quieter voice he mumbles, “You’re just jealous I can use bigger words than you”
*Another look* I heard that
Dick pouts again. “Whatever”
-
After what feels like eons, the adrenaline starts to fade. Dick knows his previous excitement and absolute optimism are on their deathbed.
And it’s because this stupid roller-coaster-project-thing was so annoying! And frustrating. And mean. And a bully. And uncooperative. And generally insufferable.
He’s done all the calculations and the model should be working—the ball they are rolling should be able to continue the entire way depending only on the initial push… But it isn't!
Every time he tries to make it work with the pipe cleaners, is only another time he fails and becomes even more frustrated.
The solution is simple—it has to be—But Dick’s brain has become a slushy and is so mushy that he can't see the answer.
He’s ready to throw in the towel, crash on his bed, and forget about this dumb project.
But then his grade suffers.
And so does Robin.
Even after knowing Dick left school work to the last minute, Bruce hasn't said anything about grounding Robin but if Dick doesn't pull this project off and proves he can handle both his duties, Dick knows he will say something then.
Suddenly, Bruce nudges him. Dick looks up to an unreadable face.
“Go to bed,” Bruce tells him
Dick’s eyes widen in panic. Because he knows what's going to happen next, Bruce is going to say that in the morning, they're going to “talk” about how Dick needs to be more responsible and how he needs to prioritize. Then he’s benching Robin.
Dick opens his mouth to say that No, he can finish his project and sure maybe he was a little irresponsible but he’d done the actual research beforehand and honestly hadn't thought making the roller coaster model would've taken so long. It wasn't like he’d decided to be sleep deprived and frustrated on purpose!
Before he can anything in though, Bruce repeats himself. “Go to bed, chum”
Then he says, “I’m going out for a couple of hours; When I get back, I'll wake you so you can finish up and actually comprehend what you're doing.” Bruce stares at the roller coaster pointedly, “For now, just get some sleep.”
And so Dick sleeps. 3 hours later, Bruce—as promised—wakes him up and helps Dick finish up the roller coaster.
Dick had been right before—the solution had been indeed very simple.
Then, Dick heads to school and turns his project in.
Bruce doesn't mention anything about it afterwards nor does he give any reason to imply Robin is grounded.
Dick makes an effort to be more responsible with his school work from then on though.
It isn't until two months later that he finds out that the day Bruce helped him on his project was also the day he’d been awake for more than 24 hours already.
He also finds out that despite having two important board meetings that morning, Bruce had still kept his promise about waking him up and helping Dick finish the project.
---
Things like Bruce letting Dick rant about anything and everything.
Age: 10
Rant Topic: Spicy Foods
“It makes no sense! How come that food is so spicy, how come it makes your mouth feel like it's living fire, how come it makes your ears burn and feel hot n’ cold, how come it’s so hot, if it gonna be so good?! With the hint of lemon and the flavor it leaves in your mouth… Mmmm!” *Dick smiles to himself like a sap before snapping out of it* “... Exactly my point!! Why does spicy food enjoy torturing a kid like me?? I mean did I ever do anything against it? Who was the brilliant person who thought it would be an awesome idea to add hot spices to food anyway?!”
Bruce: “Do you need more water?”
Age: 11
Rant topic: The English Language
“In my humble opinion, English is a dumb language.” *as he rakes his fingers down his face* “I mean why are there so many rules?! Silent E, if it's beside a verb you say it's name, i before e except after c, ph makes a fffff sound… So complicated!! And half of them don’t follow their own rules half the time!! Toe-may-toe, Toe-ma-toe… Same thing!!”
Bruce: *shrug* “That’s why you learn other languages”
Age: 13
Rant Topic: Exams
“I’m done… Mark my words Bruce—are you marking them? I. Am. Done. DonedonedonedonedoneDONE!! My brain cells feel non existent right now… I am stressed beyond relief and I'm still nowhere near done with all these exams! It is impossible to retain all this information!! Who cares about random math dudes who found the formulas to life changing equations or the dates of every major event in history?! We aren't gonna need the info in life so why bother? Why does a test have to define you as a person anyway?”
Bruce: *in his most insightful voice* “It doesn't”
---
Things like sitting at the counter and simply eating along with Dick. An apple, a pear, a banana, a kiwi, baby carrots, a ripe tomato… no matter the fruit, the vegetable—just knowing that he wasn't alone… Sometimes that was enough.
Some of his funniest memories had actually happened at the counter.
Some of his saddest memories had happened at the counter too.
Some of the moments that didn't stand out, that weren't spectacular, that were just there—they'd happened at the counter too.
---
Things like playing a game of basketball with him.
Things like hiding junk food behind Alfred’s back (but at the same time not really since Dick suspected no one—not even the World's Greatest Detective—could hide anything from Alfred).
Things like taking Dick out when it snowed and helping him build a snow fort.
Things like quizzing Dick for his next Mathlete Competition.
Things like hearing about how Dick’s day went practically everyday and never complaining about it.
Things like everyday things.
Things that when Dick stands back and looks at his life—actually really looks at it—he realizes that he should not take for granted.
Things that make him understand how much luck he has in his life. Even after all the tragedy he has gone through, luck somehow found it’s way to stay.
Luck or Hope.
Knowing that there are still people in this world who care for him, knowing that a man he has learned to love and look up to cares for him so much that the care eventually feels normal…
Somehow, that feels like so much more than just luck.
---
When Dick silently enters Bruce’s study, the man looks up.
When Dick whispers, “Thank you,” Bruce blinks in confusion.
When Dick says, “Thank you for everything,” Bruce’s eyes slowly comprehend the meaning behind the words. And he smiles.
When the 8 year old son of his former fiancé is suddenly thrust into his hands, Bruce doesn't know what to make of it. But as time passes, he learns there may be more to Dick Grayson than he originally thought. AU where Dick is Bruce's biological son but Bruce doesn't know (little!Team makes appearances as well)
>>Start from the beginning here
"Bruce, Dick is your son."
And it was as if a powerful wave crashed into Bruce and left him disoriented and gasping for air because Dick was his son? Multiple thoughts swirled inside his mind but he couldn't process them all at once, couldn't figure out this puzzle that made absolutely no sense.
Because Dick had known, and oh God, Dick had known all along. From the first moment he'd met Bruce, he'd known that Bruce was his dad.
And Bruce- and Bruce… how much had he hurt that kid? His kid?
Suddenly the sound of a shrill beep pierced Bruce's thoughts and drew him back into reality. He looked at his wristwatch and his eyes widened, "The antidote's done," he said.
As he went to retrieve it, he could only hope it worked.
The half hour it took for the antidote to work seemed like an eternity to Bruce. And when the tests finally showed that Dick's hemoglobin levels were no longer decreasing, Bruce didn't think he'd ever been more relieved his life.
About an hour after that, Dick began to stir and Bruce saw Rebecca lean anxiously over her chair, ready to comfort and reassure her nephew.
But when Dick blearily opened his bright blue eyes, it was not his aunt's name on his lips.
"Brss?"
Bruce jolted in surprise but moved forward nonetheless, "I'm right here, Dick. You're okay."
The kid closed his eyes and smiled a little, "Kay" he said before falling back sleep.
Rebecca looked up at him with shock written all over her face but Bruce was in no mood to appease her. Instead he ignored her and chose to continue watching the boy who he'd almost lost.
Word spread fast around the watchtower though and several of the Leaguers dropped by to see how the kid they'd come to know as Robin was doing.
The first to visit were Dinah and Ollie who brought some balloons. Bruce was tempted to ask Dinah to stay with Dick so as to keep up appearances but in the end decided against it. Dick deserved better than that.
Next came Barry who merely raised an eyebrow at Bruce and placed some candy next to Dick's bedside. After him came J'onn who calmly phased through the door (much to Rebecca's surprise) and deposited some Oreos. He gave Bruce a knowing look before leaving the way he'd entered.
Finally Clark showed up with Conner who was holding a small robin plush in his hands. Conner settled it on Dick's pillow and quietly said, "You better be okay, alright? And you're not allowed to ever get sick like that again," he shuddered and Clark placed a comforting arm around his shoulders. A moment of silence passed before he continued, "I'll come back when you wake up, okay?"
After they'd left, Rebecca gazed at the door fondly, "It's nice to see Dick made friends in his time here. He'll be sad to leave them but it's for the best. He needs to go home."
Bruce's eyebrows furrowed as he said, "He can come visit"
Rebecca whirled on him instantly, "No, he can't. Are you serious right now?" She looked him up and down in disdain, "I don't suppose you mean just to visit his friends?"
Bruce set his jaw, "I want to be able to see him, Rebecca."
"No." Her tone was final and there was fire in her eyes but Bruce had a fire of his own.
"I have missed more than 8 years if my son's life and if you think that I plan on losing anymore-"
She interjected before he could finish, "Actually, that's exactly what I plan on you doing. You weren't interested in 'seeing him' before you knew he was your son. Now suddenly, because he's a Wayne-"
Fury ignited inside Bruce at her implication that he only cared about Dick because he was his son. "I didn't think I had a right to see him." So he hadn't asked because what right would he - the man who had pushed Dick away for a large part of the time they'd been together - possibly have? "Now I do."
And he'd changed, he was aware he still had a long way to go - even now, he still had amends to make - but he was willing to try.
Rebecca gave him a cold glare, "Bruce, you hold no rights to that boy."
Bruce shot back a glare of his own, "My blood says otherwise."
"Listen Bruce, the thing about kids? They need stability in their lives. Either you're there for them or you're not but in both cases, you need to be consistent. Because if you aren't, you destroy the kid. And that's exactly what you've been doing!"
"I'm not blind, Bruce. As soon as I got here, I could see that Dick was uncomfortable around you and I thought, 'Well at least Bruce picked a side'. But then Dick woke up and the first person he looked for was you. I don't know what happened these last few months but at some point you were there for him. Then—I'm guessing when you found about his lies—you flipped your switch to uncaring. You can't do that! And if you won't choose a side, then I will … stay out of my nephew's life."
"I know I made a mistake-"
Rebecca gaped at incredulously, "A mistake? Bruce, look around you! All you've done is cause your son pain – Dick almost died because of something he would've never been exposed to if you didn't parade around Gotham dressed as a bat. And then you top on emotional pain above everything else…" Rebecca shook her head, "Just stay away."
And Bruce wished he could deny her accusation, he wished she didn't have a point.
But she did.
/0\0/0\0/0\
When Dick finally joined the land of the living for longer than five minutes, he was pretty sure he'd already awoken like four or five times. His aunt had been there the whole time but Bruce…
Dick had thought he'd seen him the first time but he was starting to think his foggy brain had just imagined it all. Bruce definitely wasn't here right now.
Aunt Becca offered him a cup of water with a straw and a reassuring smile. Dick did his best to smile back and took a sip.
He was fine. And also dumb for thinking that because he'd gotten pretty sick, Bruce would actually be in here with him. While he still wasn't sure of all the details of said sickness, he knew it'd been serious enough to bring him to the watchtower (because where else was he going to see a view of space this real?).
Regardless, Bruce was absent and it was fine.
He leaned his head back on the pillows and sighed.
His aunt nudged him, "What's wrong, bud?"
He shrugged, "Nothing,"
Aunt Becca frowned at him but instead of pressing the issue, she said, "Would you like to speak to your friend? Conner, I believe his name was?"
At this Dick's eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically.
His aunt chuckled, "Okay then, give me a second," she stood, "He should be a couple rooms over."
Not even a minute after she'd left, the door burst open and Conner ran in. His face broke out into a grin as he saw Dick sitting up, "You're awake!"
Dick grinned back, "Nope, I'm asleep with my eyes open."
Conner rolled his eyes and bounded forward, "Whatever, Mr. Smart Comeback,"
"I am smart, thank you!"
"Sure"
"No, really, I am."
"Well I'm smarter."
"Conner, you do realize I skipped a grade, right? At a private school."
At Conner's put out glare, Dick burst out laughing. After a minute, the other boy joined him.
After they finally calmed down, Dick decided to ask about his sickness. He hadn't wanted to ask his aunt because he knew she wouldn't tell him much and considering she had yet to come back, he was going take advantage of the opportunity and ask Conner.
"Um, so what was wrong with me?"
The easy grin slipped off his friend's face and Dick started thinking that maybe this wasn't a good idea. But no adult was going to tell him the whole truth in an attempt 'to protect him' or whatever… expect maybe Bruce because the man just plain blunt but that obviously wasn't an option.
He knew Conner would.
Conner shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he began to explain, "You were losing blood, like not through an injury or something, but because your blood cells were getting destroyed in your body. Bruce called my dad when they were going to bring you here and because it was so last minute, my dad had to bring me too."
His expression somehow became more sad, "It was scary, Dick. You were like chalk white and and your aunt was freaking out and everybody was running around trying to get you situated."
Dick opened his mouth to stop him because it was obvious it bothered Conner to talk about this and yeah, that made sense because Dick would hate to see Conner almost die and then have to talk about it but Conner continued to talk, seemingly wanting to just let it all out.
"It got worse because they were suddenly talking about a blood transfusion only to find out there wasn't any available blood. Wally's uncle was about to go to nearby blood bank when Bruce suddenly showed up," At this, a small smile settled on Conner's face, "And his blood was the the same type as yours… isn't that crazy? You got the blood transfusion and I guess they figured out a cure because you got better."
He stopped and looked at Dick directly in the eyes, "But you better not get sick like that again, okay? You're not allowed to."
Dick shakily laughed, "Okay. Sorry for scaring you."
"S'okay, at least you're better now," Conner said.
"I guess"
There was small silence before Conner spoke again and this time he was the one with the hard questions. "Your Aunt's back… does that mean you're leaving soon?"
Dick bit his lip before answering, "Yeah"
"Oh. Wait-"Conner's eyebrows scrunched up together as he though, "Whenever you were at the cave, you knew you were gonna leave, didn't you?"
"Conner, I-"
"Why didn't you say goodbye?" His expression was so hurt as he asked, "Were you just gonna leave without saying goodbye?"
"I wanted to say goodbye, I was going to but then I just… I couldn't. I'm sorry."
"Why not?"
"Because I wasn't ready to say goodbye." Dick shrugged helplessly, "I'm still not."
Conner expression slowly cleared and he nodded, "I get it - I don't want to say goodbye either."
Dick smiled sadly, "I'll miss you,"
"Me too"
Conner's sad look was back so Dick held out his fist and grinned as cheerfully as he could, "Best bros?"
Conner smiled a little and bumped it with his own fist, "Best bros"
The door opened and both boys turned to see who had entered. It was Clark and behind him… Bruce.
Clark smiled at Dick and asked, "How are you holding up, Dick?"
Dick shrugged, "I'm doing good, I guess."
"That's great," Clark's expression suddenly became more somber as he said"We're really going to miss you when you leave though,"
"Me too," Dick said softly.
"You know, what? I bet you can come-"
Bruce suddenly shot him a glare so dark Clark stopped speaking. They both engaged in what Dick assumed was a silent argument but he didn't even try and read it.
Because Clark had been about to tell him he could visit and Bruce had glared at him… Bruce didn't want him coming back.
"Um," At Dick's voice, both men turned to look at him, "I'm actually kind of tired so if you wouldn't mind…" he trailed off.
"Oh, of course." Clark said,
Conner for his part looked at him with concern so Dick put his hands together and tilted his head to the side in a traditional sleep gesture, crossing his eyes as he did so. Conner smiled before waving and following his dad outside.
The lights turned off and the darkness allowed Dick the freedom of letting his tears fall. He tugged his covers up and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fall asleep before his crying became worse.
The tears continued to stubbornly fall though and Dick swallowed a sob. It was okay, it was okay… it was okay.
ooo
He was allowed to return the the manor the next day as he was apparently on the road to a full recovery. His aunt was with him most of the time but it seemed like Bruce couldn't even stand being in the same room as him.
Before, Bruce had either ignored him or acted completely indifferent but now it was as if his body language was speaking through a megaphone and clearly saying, "I don't want you here."
And sure, nothing new there... even if before the whole shebang with his aunt happened he'd thought that maybe, maybe...
But even after the that happened, Bruce still hadn't acted like this! What had happened?
So when Mia came to visit him one day, he knew it was his chance to get some answers. It took a bit of work but eventually she relented. And Dick wished she hadn't.
Because his Aunt had told Bruce that Dick was his son... and that had led to Bruce's change in behavior.
(Was it really such an awful thing to have Dick as a son?)
Apparently, it was. Something inside Dick's chest broke and and his breath hitched as he came to his realization.
He and Mia sat in silence for a few minutes before she pulled him into a tight hug and whispered, "I'm sorry."
But Dick didn't cry. He just squeezed his eyes shut and held it all in.
After she left, he quietly got up his bed and walked over to his shelf to get his Rubik's cube. He sat back down and proceeded to begin solving it, the puzzle distracting him from the ache inside him. With an intense determination, he twisted and turned it oder and over, unwilling to leave it unsolved.
And finally, all the sides were the same color. For the first time ever, he'd been able to solve it. He hadn't given up and he'd actually been able to do it! A shaky grin spread itself across his face as he took in his accomplishment. Then, drip, drip, drip.
He blinked in surprise at the drops on the surface of the cube and gingerly touched his cheeks only for his fingers to come back wet. The tears continued to fall and suddenly his whole face crumpled. With a sob, he launched the Rubik's cube across the room and sank to his knees.
It wasn't fair!
... It wasn't.
/0\0/0\0/0\
Bruce was in the middle of his meeting when his secretary stuck her head into the room, an apologetic expression upon her face. "Mr. Wayne? I apologize for the interruption but your butler is on the line and he is quite insistent that he speak to you."
Before she was even done speaking, Bruce stood. He offered a polite smile at those in the room, said, "Excuse me for a moment," and quickly followed Mrs. Lacy out the door.
He took the offered phone with a grateful smile and moved to stand in a corner. He took a second to brace himself – if Alfred was calling the office it was because he couldn't reach Bruce through his personal phone and usually when that was the case, it meant Bruce was in the middle of something really important. If Alfred was interrupting that…
He sighed and placed the phone to his ear, "Alfred?"
"Ah, Master Bruce, thank heavens! I am deeply sorry for the interruption but Miss Rebecca has just informed me that she intends to leave for the Gotham Airport in approximately two hours. Apparently, she booked a commercial flight," despite you offering to let her use your private jet or at least pay for the flight went unsaid.
Bruce sighed an ran a hand over his face, "I see,"
"I wished to inform you so you could come and say your farewells."
And it seemed like a rock sank in Bruce's stomach, "I can't, Alfred."
"Master Bruce, you may never see that boy again. Will you not reconsider?"
"It's not that, it's just I'm in the middle of finalizing a merger and if it goes wrong, thousands could end up losing their jobs, some being the only source of income for their families. I can't, Alfred."
Because apparently, Rebecca refused to even allow him saying goodbye to Dick. In the end though, maybe it would actually result the better. It was definitely a more favorable outcome than Bruce having the chance to say goodbye and not doing it. Which considering everything…
"Very well, sir."
The call ended and with it Bruce's mask was set in place. He gave the phone back to Mrs. Lacy with a simple nod before going back to the room, his face seemingly composed.
And if he lost his patience faster than usual or became an even fiercer shark while negotiating or growled when one of the members wasn't on board with an idea… well maybe he wasn't as composed as everyone seemed to think.
A couple of painful hours later, the merger was complete. Bruce glanced at his watch but what was the use? The two hour deadline had come and gone a while ago. He sighed and went to leave but was stopped when Lucius came up to him and said "Everything alright, Bruce?"
And what was Bruce supposed to say? No everything's not alright, I'm a horrible person and an even worse father? Was he supposed to say, I distance myself from others so I don't get attached but in the end I do anyway? Was he supposed to say, I'm pretty sure my son hates me or will eventually grow up hating me and he was every right to?
What was he supposed to say?
That he'd broken a kid's trust in him and that he screwed up everything he touched? That a little boy had managed to worm himself inside Bruce's heart but when things became tough, Bruce acted like he hadn't?
Was that was he was supposed to say?
Instead he looked up and said, "Everything's fine, Lucius."
The man seemed like he wanted to say something else but in the end only sighed with resignation, "Alright"
When he arrived it at the manor, there wasn't a little boy to greet him. And even though there hadn't been one for the past week, this time it was different. Because before, Bruce would know that he could go upstairs and Dick would still be there; now he was gone and he wasn't coming back.
Despite everything, he found himself discarding his briefcase and standing inside Dick's room moments later. And it was as if the kid was still there.
Everything Bruce had bought him - all the clothes and the toys - remained in their place. The boy had only taken what he'd arrived with.
Bruce sighed and sank onto the bed only to narrow his eyes at the paper he rustled. At first glance it was just a piece of notebook paper folded in half but when he opened it, a blank envelope was revealed.
And so was the messy scrawl on the notebook paper:
Hi Bruce
The envlope has a letter from my mom that's for you. I don't know what it says, just that it's for you. I figured you deserved this much after all my lies.
I'm sorry.
I know you found out that you're my... you know.
I'm so sorry.
I know you're mad and I am so so sorry.
I shouldn't have lied - I shouldn't have even come here!
But you still took care of me so thanks for that. Bye.
- Dick
Bruce blinked hard at Dick's goodbye letter and forced himself to look at the envelope instead. It was from Mary...
He opened it and began to read.
Dear Bruce,
I have no idea how many times I've written this and never finished. Each time I start the words just seem to leave but I know need to press forward this time. You deserve that much, our child deserves that much.
Yes, Bruce, we have a child - a son. His name is Richard 'Dick' John Grayson and he is the sweetest boy any mother could ever ask for. He carries his heart on his sleeve, not like his father who hides it behind thick stone walls. But nonetheless, he's still so much like you; brave, kind, smart, and oh so stubborn. He's athletic and simply adores soccer, so very much like you did. He has your black hair and handsome looks, I know he'll be a real ladies man when he grows up, just like his father.
Forgive me for not telling you when I found out - for leaving instead - but I just didn't know what else to do. I knew you wanted to make a change in Gotham in a way only you would think to do and I also knew that because of that, you wouldn't have time for a family. The truth is we would just have been a burden to you but you would've stuck with us either way. And I knew that no matter what I wanted, the greater good was more important so I called things off between us.
Afterwards I had no idea what I should do… that was when I met John Grayson. He was an acrobat at Haley's Circus and what better way to disappear tha to join the circus? And so that's what I did. Then I had Dick – a tiny little thing born two months early – and John was kind enough to let me put him down as the father on Dick's birth certificate. He also let me use his last name so I could change my own name as well. For the next two years things went pretty good, I was adapting well to life as an acrobat thanks to my gymnastics roots and Dick was growing up into a cute and healthy baby.
That was when John's trailer caught fire - a tragic accident that took his life. I was devastated for a long time after and eventually made up my mind to come back. The next time Haley's Circus came to Gotham I went in search of you, fully intent on telling you about Dick (who was 5 at the time) and maybe beginning anew. But then I found out about well, you know. You'd already set all your plans into motion and even though you'd just began, I could already tell you were making a difference. And so I left it at that.
Now, I write this as preparation for the future. The next time I am able to see Rebecca, I'm going to give her this letter and make her promise that she'll show it to you if anything ever happens to me.
That's why I know that if you are reading this, it must be because I no longer live. Please Bruce, I implore you, please help Dick. He needs you.
With love,
Mary
Bruce had to fight the onslaught of emotions threatening to overwhelm them... she must've never gotten the chance to give the letter to Rebecca before she...
He shook his head before burying it in his hands. Because yeah, Dick had needed him and Bruce- Bruce hadn't been there. He should've tried harder, he shouldn't have let anger blind him, he shouldn't have-
He looked up and a small object near the wall caught his attention. Slowly, he stood and walked closer; the colors flashed-
"Bruce, Bruce!" A yelling nine year old came bounding out of nowhere, holding a Rubik's cube in his hands.
"I can't do it!" He complained, "I've tried over and over and each time it messes up!"
Dick pushed the cube into his face and declared, "Bruce, fix it!"
Bruce wryly rose an eyebrow as he took the offered object and within two minutes, he had it solved.
Dick gaped at him but his eyes were shining with admiration... and Bruce wasn't sure he deserved the admiration of this kid but he had it anyway.
"How'd you do that?!" The kid exclaimed.
"Practice. You have to keep on trying even when you fail... you can't give up."
The boy stretched out his hands and wiggled his fingers, "Okay, okay, let me see!"
Bruce held it out of his reach, "Not until you promise you won't give up."
Dick looked at him seriously, "I won't, I promise!" he said.
Bruce nodded in satisfaction and gave it back to him. The boy immediately messed it up before proceeding to try and solve it. His tongue stuck out in concentration as he twisted the cube over and over and with a small lift of his mouth, Bruce left him to it.
As long as he didn't give up, he'd figure it out.
Bruce grabbed the cube from the floor and studying it - all six sides were the same color.
The kid had done it. He hadn't given up just like he'd promised.
Bruce leaned his back against the wall and slowly lowered himself down.
Staring at the cube in his hands, only one thought ran through his head:
What had he done?
/0\0/0\0/0\
AN: Oops?
(In other news, I got a tumblr! My username is the same one I use here so you can go check it out for updates and/or teasers for future chapters!) (And uh... yeah. Oops. Again. I have a plan! ... *raises eyebrows* Any guesses?)
...I've rediscovered my love for the Batman fandom. I grew up with the caped crusader, and when most girls my age were playing princess dress-up, I was trying to tie a black cape around my neck. This was my first fandom, at the age of seven. Dick Grayson was my first love. You know what? He still is. This is my first foray into this fandom on tumblr. I hope that this fic is an appropriate start. This is also posted on ao3, where I write as Living_Free: http://archiveofourown.org/works/9499421 ------------- Summary: Bruce Wayne is Gotham's media darling. He's their late-night scandal maker, their social butterfly, the ultimate playboy, scourge of the social circle. No young person is safe from his charm. Then he has a child. And another. And he never stops. ------------------ Bruce Wayne was Gotham's guilty pleasure - billionaire, playboy, and media sweetheart. He was always ready for the cameras with a witty quip, or a dashing smile, always with a slim, svelte, lady on his arm. Until one day, there was no lady. Instead, a tiny child was hanging off of his hand, grinning up at his guardian. When Bruce Wayne looked down from the cameras, he lost his toothy smile, and instead, it melted into a softer one. The small child giggled and buried himself into Bruce's side, which effectively hindered any and all females from attaching themselves to him. "This is Dick," he introduced the sleepy child in his arms to the media. "He's mine." In his arms, Dick would giggle and doze off, or at least pretend to. Bruce would take this as his excuse to escape the gathering - "I need to put him to bed," he would say earnestly. In the car, Bruce would tell Dick what a smart boy he was, and within a few minutes, the pair could be seen leaping across rooftops, the little Robin cheering his mentor on as the Batman beat twelve types of shit out of the villains of Gotham. ------------ Years later, Dick would still be seen on Bruce's arm, not so much adorable as mouthwateringly sexy. He would still look up at his mentor, giggling, and Bruce would still smile softly down at him. They still owned the night, but Batman would more often cede control of the beating of villains to his first Robin, watching from the sidelines as Nightwing gracefully thrashed the rogues of the city. As Bruce looked at his boy - always boy, at least to him - he would feel a spark of pride. No matter the dark moments in his life, no matter the mistakes he made, he would always know that he had gotten one thing right. And that was enough. ----------- "This is Jason," Bruce said some years later. "He's also mine." Jason just scowled up at his adopted father, until Dick whisked him away to scowl at other people. Jason was a fish out of water with the Waynes. Where Dick was a natural performer, Jason hated being in the limelight, clinging to his elder brother or hiding behind his father's large frame. Bruce learnt to step carefully, for fear of crushing his newest son. Jason was much more at ease as Robin, where he could shine in his own way. Where he floundered Jason Todd-Wayne, Jason made his mark as Robin, and Bruce couldn't have been happier. Bruce smiled bigger than ever, happy that both his sons were making their way in the world, kicking ass and taking names. Until one day, Bruce didn't smile anymore. ----------- "Hood, stop!" "Hood, no!" "Hood, don't!" Batman had never thought that he would address his second son again, much less with such reprimands. Every time Jason raised his gun, Bruce's heart would bleed a little more, yearning to smack the gun out of his boy's hand. Nightwing didn't have the heart to discipline his wayward brother, too glad at having Jason back to do anything. Tim was still skittish around him, sticking close to Bruce or Dick whenever Red Hood was around. And wasn't that another dagger to the heart. Eventually, things did look up. Jason warmed to Dick first, having never lost the soft spot he had for his elder brother, and then Alfred. No one could stay mad at Alfred. Jason would visit more often, hanging around Dick's room. Whenever Bruce would show up, hoping to catch Jason, the boy would leap out of the nearest window. Tim was shy around Jason, fearful of invoking the older man's anger. Jason made no moves to calm the boy, still resentful of him. Bruce thought that his two youngest would never get along until one night, Red Hood entered the Batcave carrying Red Robin in his arms, as the boy rested his head on Jason's chest. R'as Al Ghul had been holding Tim a little too close for comfort, having sedated the young bat. That had been enough to set Jason off, pulverizing the old lech and bringing the shaky boy back home. Dick had predictably gone ballistic, weeping and cursing, refusing to let go of a disorientated Tim. Bruce was left to deal with Jason, who looked uncomfortable being left with his estranged father. Bruce only compounded the situation by drawing Jason into a hug. Jason just stood there as Bruce squeezed him, whispering thanks in his ear, before leaving to take Tim upstairs. Dick led Jason upstairs, clinging to his arm, head resting on his shoulder, a little teary thinking about what could have been. Jason allowed Dick to take him upstairs, allowed him to cuddle up to him, sitting squished together in Tim's room as the boy himself clung to Bruce in bed. Later that night, Jason started awake, with Dick still snuggled up to him, and Bruce snoring lightly, his hand in Tim's hair. Jason looked at Tim, who was wide awake, looking directly at Jason with wide eyes. Jason stared back calmly, making no moves, only smiling slightly. Eventually, Tim's eyes closed, his fears assuaged, at least in that one regard. From that night on, something shifted in their family dynamic, and Tim would shyly claim to have two brothers. Jason would just grunt, but not refute this fact. Gotham learned that overnight that the Bat and his Birds were now a solid group of four, and none were to be trifled with. That night onwards, Bruce stood a little taller, a little prouder. ----------- The media speculate that after the death of his second son, Bruce Wayne would not smile again, and for a long time, he didn't. His eldest came back to Gotham, and clung tighter than ever to his father's arm, no force capable of moving him from his place. It took a waifish boy to lure a smile out of Bruce Wayne again, months later. Doggedly determined, little Tim Drake stalked the Batman around Gotham, until one day, tired of his little shadow, Bruce just look the little boy home. Wayne Manor regained its light with the little boy running around its halls, all around the Batcave, and into Bruce's heart. Dick was lured out of his depression by the tiny boy, his heart picking up at the prospect of having another little brother to hold and love. One fine night, Bruce Wayne showed up at another gala, Dick holding one arm as per usual, and a small boy cradled in his other arm. "This is Tim," Bruce introduced his newest son, "he's mine." Dick grinned as Bruce passed the boy to him. Tim spent a lot of his early galas in either Bruce's or Dick's arms, both being fearful of the small boy being trampled in the horde of unforgiving socialites. The streets were another story entirely. The new Robin earned a reputation of being sneaky, quiet, and almost as clever as the Bat himself. Eventually, the Batman learned to stand strong again, and the caped crusader ruled the night once more, his little bird by his side. ---------- Damian Wayne was a nightmare. The media hated him, and the feeling was mutual. He growled and bit and scratched, and clung to his eldest brother like a limpet. The Feral Wayne, the media called him. Bruce was at his wits end when it came to Damian. The boy was not warming to him, Jason, or Tim, and only sought out Dick. Dick had his hands full with the youngest Wayne, having become a pseudo-mother virtually overnight. The boy's ideals were warped, twisted by his time with the League of Assassins, and his heart was hard. Time would prove to be a true healer, slowly melting Damian's heart. Unbelievably, Gotham and life as Dick Grayson's Robin thawed Damian's cold exterior, and his warm core was revealed. When Bruce was thought dead, and Dick was left to pick up the pieces, Damian clung to his brother harder than ever, desperate not to let his brother break. When Tim brought Bruce back, Damian heaved a sigh of relief as Dick handed the cowl over again, then proceeded to smother Bruce with his all consuming hug. Something changed that night, when Damian saw that Tim was truly capable of moving mountains for their family. Damian gained a new respect for his elder brother, and made it known in small ways - heeding Tim's advice on patrol, keeping his silence around the older boy as he worked. When Family Photo time rolled around, Dick subtly passed Damian over to position him on Tim's lap, and to everyone's surprise, Damian did not even squirm as Tim's arms encircled his waist. The same could not be said of Jason, who threw a mini fit when Bruce tried the same with him. The photo came out thus - Damian sitting on Tim's lap, both with serene smiles, Dick next to them, one arm wrapped around Jason and one over Tim's shoulders. Bruce stood to the side, glowing with happiness, his arm thrown sloppily around Alfred, who gave his best Mona Lisa impression. The photo was hung in the batcave, where it still hangs to this day, a loving reminder to the Bats of the challenges that they overcame to come together. ----------- Bruce looked down at the slightly built girl who stared stoically back up at him. Boys, he could handle. He was familiar with their ways. He had given the birds and the bees speech to all of them, nursed their owies, and trained them to become heroes though the years. Bruce took a deep breath. He could make another hero of this one, too. "You ready to be a hero?" Bruce asked Cassandra. A nod. "It'll have to wait," Dick said, flouncing in. "The Wayne Christmas Gala is tonight. We have to get ready to schmooze." Bruce wrinkled his nose in distaste, eliciting a laugh from the girl. Bruce looked down in a panic, realizing that he had no clothes for a little lady. "I have nothing for you to dress in," Bruce said, vocalizing his dread. Dick beamed at Bruce's conundrum, and ushered the entire family into the car. "Mall trip!" He bleated, as Bruce paled. They found themselves at the mall, Cassandra holding onto Bruce's hand at the ladies section while Dick piled his arms with everything that looked cute enough for his sister. Cassandra refused to become Dick's model, stalking out of the store, which left Bruce to pick something for a young lady. He eventually chose a disgusting, pink, number, much to Dick's delight. Cassandra emerged from the room that night in the flowing, frilly, disaster, as Bruce looked at her, considering. "This is okay, right?" Alfred tutted from the corner, muttering about how a young lady with untamed hair would stand out like a sore thumb at a gathering such as the one they were going to tonight. Bruce panicked once more as Dick passed a comb and hair ties into his hands. At the gala, Bruce presented his newest child, complete with uneven pigtails and overdone blush. "This is my daughter," he said proudly. "She's mine." To her credit, Cassandra didn't scowl. That night, Black Bat kicked ass harder than ever, taking out her humiliation on the evildoers of Gotham City. Although he was clueless as to what brought on her unprecedented savagery, he still watched her like the proud father that he was.
I love BvS!Bruce, in the footage from the MoS fight. He just sees a distressed child in the street and thinks to himself: "Yes, this child, this child is mine."
No but think about Tim being de-aged and Bruce becomes like an uber parent and fusses over everything making Tim breakfast and stuff.
And Tim had chocolate spread one morning, getting it all over him like kids do, and before Bruce goes off to work he has to kiss his daddy goodbye in one of those really wet kisses that kids give you and he gets chocolate all over Bruce’s cheek.
And he doesn’t notice in all his fussing over Tim and wears the chocolate all day, with all his employees laughing about how adorable it is!!
