Dick Grayson one shots

Regrets

Whumptober day 3: Set up for failure

And yes I am aware that I am an entire day behind. I'm working on it.

Jason hated Bruce's new sidekick "Robin" from the moment he found out he existed.

Sure. He understood that the kid had gone through some pretty hard stuff after his parent's death, that was practically a requirement to work with Batman, but that wasn't grounds for letting him become Robin. If anything it was all the more reason to keep him away from the vigilante life. Trauma doesn't fix trauma after all.

Bruce had meant them to have some sort of brotherly relationship apparently, a fact made apparent by the increased frequency of dinner invites he began to receive. Jason, however, refused to let the little boy past his carefully built walls.

Despite his complete dedication to remaining aloof, he eventually decided to visit the manor to steal some of Alfred's cookies... totally not to see how Bruce and the brat were doing.

The newest addition to the family, Dick Grayson, was a little bundle of energy, practically beaming pure happiness and innocence despite everything he'd gone through.

Jason, of course found that to be somewhat endearing, in fact, he dropped his intended scowl in favor of a slightly amused grin.

He'd even allowed the kid to drag him into the library and read him a few chapters from one of his favorite books.

That was all immediately spoiled the moment Bruce started talking about the acrobat.

It was "Dick is such a natural at this," and "Dick got that on his first try," and so on... So Jason decided he absolutely couldn't like this adorable child who seemed to have a heart of gold.

Dick, on the other hand, absolutely adored Jason. He asked almost every day without fail if Jason was coming for dinner or if they'd see him during patrol. When Jason did happen to show up, the little acrobat would follow him around like a little duckling.

Jason tried his best to ignore his new brother, hoping if he refused to talk to him for long enough he'd lose interest... Dick's love, however, seemed to be unconditional.

That's why Jason felt just a little guilty when his first reaction to the news of Dick being kidnapped by the Joker was dismissal.

Dick had been a vigilante for almost 7 years at that point... he could handle himself. Maybe he'd get some sense smacked into him by the clown.

He'd never wanted what had happened.

—

"I... I found him," Bruce said, his voice crackling through Jason's earpiece.

Jason stopped himself from retorting with something sassy when he heard what sounded like a sob. For a moment he thought it must be Dick crying... but no... it was Bruce...

"T-time of death..." Bruce mumbled, voice choked with tears.

Jason froze, why was Bruce calling time of death... surely... surely he'd gotten there in time. That was his job... he was supposed to always be there... Dick couldn't be gone...

Jason heard Alfred's gasp as his own tears began to fall. He was nearly back to the cave now, but he accelerated just a bit more, his motorcycle leaping forward, straining at its limit.

Maybe Bruce was just mistaken... maybe Dick was just playing some elaborate joke on them... he had to be alive.

Jason didn't bother with the kickstand for his bike, letting it drop to the floor as he ran to the cave's computer.