An Older Brother's Dilemma - Dick Grayson

An Older Brother's Dilemma

The story is a little rushed, sorry!

Have you ever thought about what an older brother must do? Well, I have. A lot actually. Maybe more than I should.

People like to go around saying that, as the oldest, I should protect my little brothers, that I have to make sure they are safe, happy, or whatever. It's not that I disagree with it, it's just that... When people say that, they just forget one thing. I am only human. I also have feelings. Why do I have to sacrifice everything just to make my younger brothers happy? Why do I have to worry so much about them, if they don't even care about me?

Of course I never say it out loud. If I did, Bruce would beat the shit out of me. He really seems to care about Jay, Tim and Dami. He only wants them to be happy. That's why I always have to do everything I can to help them.

It's not that if Bruce didn't basically threaten me I wouldn't do that, of course I would. I love them. There's nothing I wouldn't do for them. It's just that, I have other things to do, you know? I also have a life. I never asked to be their older brother. I didn't ask to have any siblings. So why should I have to do so many things for them? It might seem a little selfish, but I hate to be left out and forgotten, only because of these kids.

I am sixteen but Bruce doesn't seem to care, since, even though he claims to love them so much, he basically obligates me to be their father. He's never really around, and Alfred is too old to keep chasing them or going to the playground with them, so I have to stop doing whatever I am doing or cancel whatever I had planned, just so I can take care of these brats.

"I already told you, Bruce, I am going out with my friends. I can't go to the park with them today." I said to Bruce. We were in his office.

"Yes, you can." He was serious. "Do you really prefer to go out with the friends that you see everyday than to take your brothers to the fucking park so they can have a little fun?" I didn't reply. "I actually thought you loved your brothers. Guess I was wrong."

There he was again. I hated when he did it. I didn't like to feel guilty about it. I knew he wasn't right. But what if they believed in Bruce?

If he was right about me seeing my friends everyday, what he said would be less wrong. But, thanks to him, I barely see them outside the missions we eventually did together. We were more like teammates than actual friends. And I was getting tired of being so alone all of the time. Why can't I bring friends here but the others can? Why can't I have fun with my friends? Why can't I be happy?

"Fine... I will cancel with the team. Again..." I whispered the last part.

"Great! Glad we came to an agreement!" Bruce said, and started to look back at the papers on his desk. "You can go."

I closed the door behind me after I left. I took my phone out of my pocket and texted Wally, saying that I won't be able to go. Again.

I went to the living room where the others were.

"Dickie!" Tim said, getting the others' attention.

"Hey guys! What are you doing?" I asked, sitting on the couch. "Just watching TV..." Jay answered.

"Well... Do you guys want to go to the playground?" I asked, and they looked at me happily.

"Really?" Dami replied. "I thought you had plans today."

"Not anymore..." I said. "Now, go change. I'll wait."

Right after they went upstairs, my phone rang. On the dialer name it read Chuckle-brains <3.