Avoiding Past And Future

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October 16

Danny only barely managed to get Cujo calmed down enough to not attempt to phase through his grip. Though he had long since walked out of frame, they both knew Batman was on his way there. Holding firm on his grip, Danny braced himself when the door to Dick's room slid open.

Cujo barked loudly, not really trying to push forward but not backing down either. At least, not until Batman removed his utility belt and cowl. Now face to face with Bruce Wayne, the man they had been collectively avoiding, and the door closed behind him, Cujo snarled a huff in annoyance. Circling back around Danny, he hopped back onto the bed and got comfortable again.

Silence filled the air as none of the others moved. Both boys were fixated on their own random thing in the room, not even trying to hide that they were avoiding making eye contact.

In a smooth move, Bruce casually crossed his arms and leaned back slightly against the door. "That's quite the guard dog you have there." He commented, purposely keeping his tone light as he watched them twitch identically when he finally spoke.

"Thank you, I think. He's more a friend, though. Ah. Sir. Batman. Sir Batman." Danny quickly added, trying hard to not literally sink through the floor as he fought against the urge to disappear. Maybe underneath Mount Justice would be a nice place to claim as his final grave. No hero would be insane enough to blow this place up and the villains didn't know they were still here.

Bruce chuckled slightly. Oh how similar the boy was to when Dick was 10 and thought he was in trouble. Well, looking at him now, nearly 14 year old Dick wasn't fairing any better himself. "Just Bruce is fine, Danny." In tandem, both boys' heads flew up in shock.

"Wait, you know who I am?"

Bruce cracked a smile, raising a quizzing eyebrow at the shocked boy.

"Right," Danny grumbled to himself. "Greatest detective and all that." He let himself fall back slightly, softly bouncing on the edge of the bed. Of course he knew, what kind of question was that.

Bruce looked them over, thoroughly enjoying their misery at the moment. Was it bad he was taking joy in this? Maybe, but it had been quite some time coming. Like waiting to catch a child with their hand stuck in an empty cookie jar. It probably also helped to keep the mood light after everything they just went through. "That, and the fact that Dick said your name." As if only remembering now that they had all watched that happen, Dick flopped backwards onto the bed. His head landing on Cujo's side, not like the hound minded at all.

Grabbing the pillow Cujo oh so conveniently provided, Dick chucked it straight at Bruce's head. Barely needing to move a muscle, the man simply tilted his head to the side to avoid being hit. "You knew already, didn't you?!" He accused, growing frustrated at the man's smug and amused grin. "I saw the planning schedule. It was supposed to be only you, J'onn, Tornado and Marvel. Yet it got moved to today with all the mentors present. You knew. How?! We were careful!" He glared, somewhat hoping Cujo would give him another pillow to throw. Or something harder, sharper was also an option if need be.

"Not careful enough to remember every mask has a tracker in it."

Now it was Danny's turn to groan exasperatedly, falling onto his back. He didn't even care when his head fell between Cujo's front legs, prompting the hound to try and smother him by laying down directly on his face. Conveniently enough, it provided Danny with something to scream into. The sharp pain shot back through his chest, forcing him to curl up in weak attempt to get rid of the severely uncomfortable feeling.

All of that sneaking, all the hiding and stress about Bruce finding out. All of it was for nothing because the man knew from day fucking one.

Two weeks. 16 fucking days since he broke out and it was already over. Just when he thought he had a chance at starting over again. Poof. Up in smoke, just like Amity all over. Why did he ever believe he was able to start over? Worthy of a second chance after what he did, or rather, failed to do? What a joke, just like his attempt at redemption.