The Equivalents

22. Comfort.

Dick had been feeling awful about everything. Batman only made things worse. As soon as Batman had left the room, he let a tear fall down his face. He didn't want to lose his team. He didn't want Batman to blame him. And he most definitely didn't want his little brother to be kidnapped. But Batman didn't get it. When they were in costume, Batman rarely saw the person. He saw the soldier. He saw the mission that needed to be done, and he did it. But Dick couldn't. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't deny how he felt. That this was all his fault.

"You alright, kid?" Tony asked.

Dick didn't respond.

"It's not your fault." Steve pat him on the shoulder. "It was an accident."

"I shouldn't have left them. If all that means is the bad guys get one more hostage, then so be it. I shouldn't have left." Dick stated.

"No. You tried to help them by calling in backup. That wasn't a bad idea." Steve said. "It was an ambush. They planned that few to no people would be there. Any of us probably would've panicked too."

"Batman blames me though. You heard him, he trained me to be better then this. To be his greatest success. His best protege." Dick replied.

"Geez! What's wrong with that guy? Adopting kids and raising them as soldiers?" Tony scoffed. "Is that why he took you in in the first place?"

"No. My parents died. He tried to solve their murder. I wanted to help." Dick explained. "Together, we did."

"What about the others?" Tony continued.

"I honestly don't know what his intentions were with Jason. He claimed he saw an angry, abused kid and wanted him to take out his frustration in a productive way. But I always felt like that made him worse. Giving a kid with anger issues an opportunity to hurt people." Dick said. "Bruce is smart enough to know that. At least I think. That's why I don't know." He paused. "Tim was complicated. After Jason died, he figured out Bruce was Batman and wanted to be his new partner. Cassandra was already trained to fight when she joined the family. And Damian was an assassin, so there's that."

"What's a Damian?" Steve asked.

"I ask myself that question everyday." Tim laughed from the doorway.

"How long have you been there?" Dick asked.

"I heard you talking about me. Good things I hope." Tim answered. "I also heard yelling and wanted to know what Bruce said."

"He blames me." Dick sighed. "And he sure let me know it."

"The man also dresses up as a bat and beats up mentally insane people. Clearly he has issues." Tim smirked. Everyone laughed.

"Sounds like something Jason would've said." Dick frowned.

"If Jason is Bucky's equivalent, then I know for sure he's a tough guy. He'll be ok until we find him." Steve tried to reassure him.

"What if we don't find him?" Dick asked.

"We always find him." Tim added.

"No. You weren't there when we didn't! When Bruce had to bring back his corpse." Dick stated.

"Well we've always found him since I've been here. And we're gonna do it again." Tim nodded.

"Thanks, Timmy." Dick smiled. "And thank you guys too."

"If you need to talk about anything, let us know." Steve nodded.

"Yeah, that guy is nuts." Tony added.

"He's a good man. He just... he's been through a lot and thinks that hardening himself will keep him focused on protecting people." Dick said.

"Still. We're here if you need us." Steve said.

"Thanks." Dick smiled again. He stood up and left with Tim.

"What about you, Cap?" Tony asked. "I know you've been protective of Barnes since he was a little kid. That you see him as a brother. You ok?"

"Yeah. It's Bucky." Steve laughed. "I don't say this to be mean, but Bucky is pretty reckless sometimes. This is like every Friday for him."

"You don't think that maybe this is different? Those guys from another universe could be a whole other level." Tony said as he stood up. "I personally need a drink."

"So this just went from a catch the bad guys routine to a rescue mission." Steve said.

"Time to get to work." Tony replied. "Time to bring our boys home."