Pasåre Bolnavå

Family Affair

See? I'm not dead... ugh...

I told them.

I told them and look what it's done!

Silence. They won't say a word and shadows have crossed their faces.

They won't look at me. Instead, they're keeping their eyes trained on the floor.

The door starts to quitely creep open but either they don't care or they just didn't notice.

Jay slowly walks in, his attention on some device in his hand. He stops just after the doorway and looks up, his mouth open to say something.

But instead his eyes go wide for a second and then he clenches the device tightly and slowly backs out of the room, barely leaving the door open.

I'm taking over again.

Dick blinks and slowly looks away from the door, trying not to draw any attention, when his gaze lands on his wall mirror directly behind Tim and Babs.

That damn mirror.

Same one he had his little 'pep-talk' with.

Over the years he's actually become friends with the mirror. First friend after moving to Gotham actually.

Now don't judge the poor guy. When you're faced with possible death every night its not exactly easy to get out a lot. Not to mention your father is freaking Batman and being the charity case at school doesn't exactly help either.

Now that mirror... its seen so many sides of Dick. Sides that no one has or ever should see.

But this was the worst.

He looked like Death himself. His face was pale as snow, his eyes were sunken and his hair was not as full and... fluffy as it used to be.

And that's only what he could see from his spot.

Even with the medicine... he's only got a few days. Maybe a month or two. And there's nothing to be done about it.

Maybe if he would have taken better care of himself this past year... maybe if he was never under physical or emotional strain...

Then maybe he would've had another year.

But the thing is... he just doesn't care anymore. And to be honest he hasn't cared for a year.

Dickie is back :)

"How much time?"

I look up and Tim staring at me. His eyes are blank.

"Not... not even a year Timmy. I'm sorry--"

"What the hell are you apologizing for?!"

Babs...

"You're the one who's sick!"

Barbara doesn't seem 'mad' anymore. Just scared.

"I never told you guys..."

Tim and Babs looked at each other. Either contemplating to hug me or... or string me up 'bat style'.

They both walk over to my bed... and wrap their arms around me.

I guess they went with the hugging.

But... I can't move my fingers to return it.

"No... you never told us. But we understand why."

"..."

I stay silent. I'm trying to keep myself from having a panic attack!

"Dick?"

"Your lips are turning blue!"

Damn it all!

"W-where..."

Now I can't even talk straight!

"... is that d-damn medicine?!"