The Red Ghoul {The Red Good Series: Book Zero}

ARC III: PART I

One of the bigger drawing rooms in Wayne Manor was set up by Alfred to be used as a dressing room for the family. They had Jason's book event to prepare for, and Alfred was determined they wouldn't look unpresentable.

"I am so excited!" Dick flitted around the room, hugging and kissing his siblings in exuberance. "We're finally going to one of Little Wing's book launch parties! And I can't wait to see the city my little brothers have claimed as theirs!"

Bruce couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of his son twirling around the room with all the excitement of a teenager getting ready for their first date. Dick's energy was infectious, filling the room with joy and anticipation.

But Bruce noticed a subtle shift in Dick's usual style. Known for his flamboyant fashion sense, Dick never shied away from bold colors and daring combinations. His wardrobe was a vibrant reflection of his personality. Yet today, his outfit was more understated. It seemed Alfred had managed to convince Dick to go for a more classic look for Jason's grand event.

Bruce had to admit, his eldest son looked striking in a blue shawl lapel suit, white dress shirt, blue tie, and white dress shoes. The ensemble softened Dick's sharp features and added a touch of elegance.

Bruce tilted his head as he realized what Dick had just said. "You've never scouted—I mean visited—Fawcett City?"

That's right, the book launch was happening at Fawcett University's Library, where Jason Alexander Head was a Creative Writing Professor. Similar events had taken place at Oxford, Jason's alma mater, when A Death in the Family was launched. This might have been Bruce's first visit to Fawcett City, as there had never been anything noteworthy about the city—no significant crime rates or organized crime needing Batman's attention. Bruce would have expected his children to scout the city as soon as they knew Jason was alive and not planning to return to Gotham full-time.

Dick finally stopped spinning and turned to look at Bruce with a pained expression that Bruce had come to associate with the aftermath of Darkseid's attack. "Little Wing only came out of the woods after Superman brought your 'body' to the manor. With Baby Bird mostly in San Francisco and later MIA, the bulk of keeping Gotham from crumbling fell on Babs and me. So, Little Wing mostly visited the manor when he wasn't teaching or writing or when he had to drop Dami and Billy when he was needed for a mission. I did drop Dami and Billy at Fawcett once, but I did not get to see much."

Bruce noticed Tim flinching at Dick's words, even though Dick hadn't meant to hurt him. Bruce held back a sigh, making a mental note to talk to Tim later. The tension between his children couldn't continue. Things fell apart when he was thought dead, and despite Dick and Jason's efforts to keep things afloat, Tim seemed to have fallen through the cracks.

Just then, Cass stepped out from behind the folding screen and twirled around the room. Bruce's frown quickly turned into a beaming smile. Cass giggled with delight as she spun around, her laughter like music in the air. Her dress—a stunning one-shoulder black mermaid gown adorned with dark beading—clung to her, accentuating her curves. Each step made the fabric swirl elegantly around her.

Bruce couldn't help but wonder how she moved so smoothly in her Louis Vuitton black high heels. His daughter looked breathtaking. It was hard to believe how much she'd grown up in his absence. His little girl was a full-grown woman now.

"Oh, Cass! You look beautiful!" Dick exclaimed, rushing to hug his little sister, who giggled and hugged him back.

Bruce approached them, smiling at his eldest children. He had been doing that a lot lately, showing his care and emotions. Working with Dinah had been tough, but every painful moment was worth it. Knowing his children had believed him dead and weren't sure if he loved them had broken him in a way only Jason's death had before.