Missing Hope

{17}

Robin's faltering gaze hardened.
"And what would you know about me and about loyalty..."
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Chapter 17: This Is It

For a moment Bruce was taken aback, at a loss for words. "Dick what-"

Robin cut him off. "You know very well what I mean Bruce. Robin is-WAS MINE and not only did you try to take it from me once, but you gave it to someone else." The raven snapped.

That name was his and his alone and didn't belong to anyone else, especially without HIS explicit permission. No one, not even Bruce, was entitled to that name or the identity it came with but Richard John Grayson. It was his, given to him by his mother. His dead mother.
Bruce ran a hand through his hair. Of course robin was upset, and he had every reason to be. He hadn't thought about how Richard would see it or about the fact that robin wasn't  just simply a name that could be given to someone else when he had reluctantly allowed Jason to use the costume, and the name that came with it.

"Dickie....that was never intended to hurt you. I wasn't trying to replace you, he found out the secret, wouldn't leave it alone and I reluctantly agreed to let him come on a few patrols. I didn't think you would mind-" robin went to cut Bruce off however Bruce beat him to it "and I should have asked you first. It is your name." He sighed.

"Yes you should have." He growled annoyed.

"I asked him not to come until I knew it was safe, but I would like you to meet him dick. He's a good kid.."

Robin had calmed down. He was tired and honestly he didn't know why he was so upset in the first place. It's not like he could have that name anymore as things were.

"Look Bruce. I'm sure if you say he's a good kid then he is, and Gotham needs robin as much as it needs Batman. If you had just asked I wouldn't have been as upset. Yes I may have lashed out, but after a few days I would have called you back and told you to give the kid a chance anyway....I can't be robin anymore, so some one might as well put the title to good use."

Dick looked at his now melted ice cream and sighed. Alfred had made hot chocolate for the two and set them down as both dick and Bruce took a seat.

"Bruce I know you never wanted this for me, and I never wanted this for me either, but what other option is there. I don't want to miserably watch you all die around me..."

"Dick I just want you to come home. Wether that be as Richard or as robin doesn't matter to me. I just want my son to come home." Bruce was tired too and the fighting had gone in long enough.

"Take this stupid thing off, I'll go-" robin started

"I can't dick"

"Would you just listen for one-"

"Richard I said no."

"UGH! YOU NEVER LISTEN!" Dick yelled frustrated.

"You want me to free you so you can run back to that criminal!" Bruce defender.

"NO! I WANT YOU TO FREE ME SO I CAN MAKE HIM AN OFFER AND COME HOME." Dick yelled firmly.

"However short it may be...."

Bruce pauses.

"Your all going to die eventually so when your all gone and I truly have nothing left....there will be nothing for me to hold onto, Slade knows that, which is why I know if I offer to follow him, and do it without question AFTER you've all gone, and once he knows I will no longer be of any issue, he'll take the deal." Robin stated.

"Dick-"

"There's no other option and you know it. What is the harm in taking advantage of the moments we have left Bruce? You'll always be Batman, but robin belongs to someone else now, so what's wrong with a son spending time with his father? We can do that internship you always talked about, and when it's time for Richard John Grayson to disappear again, I'm sure Jason will do you just as proud as you have faith I will. People are mistaken for others everyday, who's to say Richard Grayson ever died?"

Bruce sighed.
"Your right. I may not like it but the facts are the facts. How are you so sure he will even accept this deal of yours?"

Dick gave a small sad smile
"Because we are the same...it's what I would do and I know for fact, time is on his side."

"If you don't come back I can't help you anymore you know that right?" Bruce pleaded discreetly.

"I know."

With those two simple words the anklet beeped twice and fell off. Robin retrieved his uniform and clipped all his weapons into their rightful places. Bruce walked him into the living room and many surprised and angry faces greeted them.

"Before you all get mad, I'm coming back" dick's voice held a strong conviction, and with a nod to each hero he slipped away.
Alfred places a gentle comforting hand on Bruce's shoulder.

"He'll back sir." The elderly butler reassured.

"I know Alf. I know..."

-break-

Robin leapt roof to roof and skidded to a halt when he came face to face with slade. The cool warm summer nights air brushed past the two figures still as stone, neither moving even and inch.

"Apprentice I am disappointed.."

"I figured you would be. Here the deal slade.." robin was doing this.

"We have all the time in the world. We both know this, and we also both know that once they are gone I have no where left to turn, but to you. I also know I don't deserve the chance they want to give me, so I didn't come here for my sake. I came for theirs."

Behind the mask slade was grinning like a mad man.  He knew robin would need to be broken before he could properly be built up, however the funny thing about the mind it it doesn't always see when we pull the strings and force our ideas to seem like that of the pawns very own.

"Once they're gone, I'll be back. There's no need to
worry I'll forget my training, we both know you've made that impossible both literally with the drug and emotionally. There will be no robin from me, no more heroics, just an ordinary guy, living the remainder of what little peaceful existence remains with his father. I'm not asking, I'm telling you and I know you won't jeopardize everything you've worked toward with me over a few measly years."

"Yes, it would seem we have an understanding of each other Richard." Slade voice was even, nonchalant.
"Go and spend that futile time if that is what it takes for you to finally realize my points and to finally leave it all behind. But be warned, I will not tolerate a single mistake, flaw or crack when you return. There will be no more leniency, no more chances. This is it Richard."

Dick knew that. He was well aware.
"Yes master....."