An Assassin's Guide to Family

Chapter 9: Past

-------------Dick's POV: ----------------

It would be impossible to say what had happened to make Percy and Tim close. It was like they were inseparable now, always talking in hushed tones, walking together to school, it would've been heartwarming if it weren't for the fact that they were leaving us out of it. Or rather they were leaving me with Jason.

I even caught Tim taking off early for the night in order to go back to the mansion. I had to cover for him that night which was most definitely not easy on my part.

Percy leaned over and said something to Tim in a hushed voice, the two laughing lightly. I narrowed my eyes as I turned to Jason who was more preoccupied with his breakfast to even worrying about what was happening around him. I kicked him from underneath the seat earning a swift glare.

"Dude what the f-"

"What did we miss?" I asked, cutting off Jason's quick curse. He narrowed his eyes before turning to Tim and Percy who burst into another set of laughter. His posture almost became offended as he hunched back, it was almost like he was seeing them for the first time today.

"I don't know," Jason said in a whisper, now seemingly fully invested in the issue. "Do they have classes together?" Jason asked, cupping a hand near his mouth as if trying to keep the others from hearing.

I paused, feeling my brows furrow. I tried to remember the two's schedules. A sudden light went off as I nodded. "The only class they have together is that greek and roman class," I mumbled, nodding as I became more and more confident.

"Really? Isn't Tim in like, advanced classes?" Jason asked, suddenly sounding apprehensive as if he hadn't asked the question in the first place.

"Well, yeah, but..." I hesitated, suddenly not believing Percy could truly do that. I mean, nothing against her but in the short time we've been together she's barely been able to read, and we know it's due to her dyslexia but... to suddenly be able to excel in a class that was heavy on reading long myths, well it was strange, to say the least.

"What are you two so concerned about?" We both turned to see Tim with his arms folded over his chest Percy looked beside him with slight confusion, a bright smile on her face. I couldn't help but smile back, glad to be included once more even if it's only for a little.

"Oh nothing, just wondering what we'll be having for dinner tonight." Tim deadpanned, his fork lowering slightly.

"Only you could think about the food we'll be having later with a whole meal out in front of you." He grumbled, shaking his head. He placed a fork full of food into his mouth.

I decided I'd run with this sudden opening, hoping for an opportunity to figure out what was happening. "You guys wanna go outside and play frisbee, maybe Percy can find that dog again!" I smiled as Percy looked off to the side, probably embarrassed.

The first time she'd called the dog we'd been in the middle of a game, she whistled a sharp tone and before she could dodge a dog the size of probably her, leaped over the fence, landing gracefully before her before jumping and placing its paws on her shoulders, licking her with a happy face. That had been the first time and we'd yet to let her live it down. Of course, we tried to see who the dog belonged to and return it but it disappeared after a while with no trace, not even the cameras picked it up.

"Yeah, let's not bet on that." She said with a smile, laughing slightly.

"So is that a yes?" I asked, leaning forwards slightly.

Tim and Percy looked at each other before nodding. "Sure!" They both said almost at the same time. I smiled as I turned to Jason who was back to being in love with his food.

"Alright, I call being on a team with Percy!" I said, smiling as Tim looked hesitantly to Jason. He turned to Percy but she was already leaning over the table to give me a fist bump.

"Awww yeshhhh, let's do this!" She said, I quickly met her halfway before she tossed herself back in her seat.

It was a quick and generally quiet meal from there, each of us scarfed down our food before rushing out to the backyard.

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"Alright, Percy, go long!" I yelled, bringing my arm all the way back before throwing it with most of my might. I didn't want to use my full power for fear of hurting her. Percy ran fast, it was something I was very impressed with and brought up multiple times with Bruce, though he looked less than ecstatic about the topic.

She turned last second, and almost as if she'd had laser vision she spotted the disc, her hand flying up the catch the plastic as it landed in her palm with a thick slapping noise. She turned and vaulted over Jason, placing her hand on his shoulder as she threw herself over his head. She landed with ease, getting back into a full sprint as if she'd just gone straight through him. Jason let out a yell of frustration as he spun on his heel, racing to try and catch up.

I decided this would also be my time to catch up, I began running, catching up slowly as Percy kept a steady pace in front of him.

He jumped, trying to tackle her but Percy dodged, rolling to the side before getting into a kneeling position and yelling "Dick!! Catch!" I turned just in time to see her launch the frisbee, the disc flying at me at sonic speeds.

I caught it with a thump before I raced to the 'goal' we'd set up. I turned once I scored Percy running up to me with two hands up, our high five ringing out throughout the field. I heard a groan from Tim and Jason as Percy and I laughed.

Percy's smile was bright, her eyes shut slightly as she laughed and tried to catch her breath. Sometimes when I looked at her smile it was hard to associate her with the sad and lonely girl she'd been in the room only weeks before. It hurt me to remember her like that but it only made me more proud of how much better she looks and is getting.

"I want a break! Give me 10 minutes and I'll bring out a Gatorade for everyone!" Jason yelled, jogging into the manor. I watched as Tim fell to the floor, his head going back as he caught his breath. Percy smiled once more beginning to walk over but I caught her, deciding now would be the best time to ask her what was up.

She turned back to me with an eyebrow raised, her smile falling but not gone. "Dick? What's up?" She asked, stopping her walk and coming back to where she'd been seconds before.

"I..." I paused and gave her a small smile. "I was wondering if something happened with you and Tim, you two seem to be so close recently," I mumbled, only now realizing how weird this probably was. Percy deadpanned before suddenly realizing a small 'ooooooohhhh' leaving her lips.

She smiled and gave me a hug, I happily returned it though I felt bad as I was sweating at the moment. She pulled back for a second, only giving me a small remark about the hug being gross. "Dick I promise I don't like you or Jason any less, Tim helped me out the other night. I was..." She shrugged, shaking her head a bit. " I guess I hadn't gotten over everything as well as I'd assumed and I thought I saw someone sneaking into Tim's room. I freaked out and he calmed me down." She gave me a bright smile. "I promise nothing too important happened." she turned back to Tim. "Now let's go sit before Jason comes back and we have to get going again." I smiled and nodded, following her as we joined Tim.

As I watched the two talk now I felt no jealousy or spite, I was happy. Percy was growing into our family and I could only be happy that she trusted us enough to talk to us. I could only hope that one day maybe she can be ready to learn our secrets.

I smiled as I joined the conversation, enjoying the warm sun that beat down on us.

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1444 words