Getting to know you

Moving

Dick groaned as he woke up, the familiar weight of his googles comforting him. He was in an infirmary of some sort, definitely different than the Court's. His mind was foggy, and he couldn't remember where he was exactly. He'd escaped, he'd removed the tracker, but where had he gone?

Dick tried to sit up, but was pushed back down. "Easy, you're safe, Dick. Do you remember where you are?" Dick looked over at the voice, who proceed to be none other than Bruce Wayne. "No. Where am I?" "You're at the Batcave. You came in and asked for a place to stay. You'd gotten hurt on your side, and required stitches."

The memories came back, and Dick relaxed. "How are you feeling?" Tim asked. "Sore, but I think I'll be ok. Thank you, for letting me stay a couple days." Bruce smiled. "Actually, we were wondering if you'd like to stay for good." "You'd let me stay?" "Of course. I planned to years ago, and I plan to now."

"But, what if I hurt someone? Really badly?" "That won't happen. We can show you how to fight without hurting anyone. If you promise not to kill, we can help you." Dick nodded enthusiastically, but winced at the headache. Bruce smiled and lifted his chest. "I'm going to carry you up. Try not to move too much."

Dick nodded and let Bruce pick him up. It was strange, the last time he was picked up like this was before his parents died. He leaned into Bruce, which caused the older to smile. However, he realized what he was doing, and started to pull away. "It's ok. You can lean into me, no one's going to punish you." Bruce gently whispered, prompting Dick to lean back into him. "It's just weird. I-I would get punished if I showed emotion, and I'm just not used to it." Dick was slightly trembling.

"You don't have to be scared. We're not going to hurt you. Of you ever feel scared or uncomfortable, just tell us, ok?" Dick bit his lip, but nodded. His side was throbbing, the pain in the back of his mind. He still remembered the hate the other Talons had in their eyes when they attacked him. They just couldn't understand why he wanted to leave.

"Do you like to do anything?" "When it's a clear night, and the Court was willing to let me out, I'd look at the stars. Find constellations. I like to whittle, making little objects out of wood is calming. I found these things called Legos, they're pretty fun. I was learning to play the flute before they decided I was an expendable Talon."

"How do they decide if you're expendable or not?" "If you had a family member in the Court, and they gave you as a Talon, they trained you. My grandfather, William Cobb, was a Talon. If they die early, you are declared an expendable, because your training was cut short. It's why we get no healing factor, and why we are not as well trained. If you get an expendable on your trail, they do not believe you're a serious target, and the expendables stalk them until a full Talon is sent after them." Dick looked down as he described what had happened to him.

Bruce was silent. Dick had gone through all that, and was still so positive? "We'll see if we can get you back on the flute, and we can definitely let you see the stars again. Whittling might have to wait, while the others adjust to you being here, and Damian has some Legos you can use." Dick looked up. "Really?" "Of course. I want you to be happy, Dick. I want this to feel like a home, not a prison."

Dick wrapped his arms around Bruce's neck, his head buying in Bruce's shoulder. "Thank you." Dick whispered, barely audible, but Bruce heard it. "You're welcome, Dickie. Let's get you to bed." Bruce smiled, and kissed Dick's forehead. Dick gasped, stiffening. Bruce felt his heart break. When was the last time someone had shown Dick love?

Dick choked back tears and buried his face in Bruce's shoulder again. Bruce gently set him on the bed and grabbed his hands. "Dick? Are you ok?" "Y-you're being so k-kind to me, a-and the only t-thing I've ever d-done to you is c-come to the cave. I-I've got no right to b-be treated like this." Bruce gently pulled Dick's head up to face him, only to see the googles filled with a thin sheet of tears at the bottom.

Bruce stood up and turned off the lights before gently removing the googles. He set them on the nightstand and grabbed Dick's hands again. "Look at me, Dick. It's ok. I don't care how the Court of Owls treated you, or how important they deemed you, they're not us. We won't hesitate to show you love, nor will we treat you like the Court treated you. You are not expendable, you are important. You will always have a home here, and a family who cares for you. You don't have to hide your tears from us, because we've all cried. We all know the pain of losing someone, and we know the pain that comes from lack of love. Never be afraid to show if you're hurt, ok?"

Dick nodded and wrapped his arms around Bruce again. Bruce pulled him closer and held on, letting the ex-Talon get adjusted. Dick buried his head in the crook of Bruce's neck and cried. He cried because of the pain, the heartache, the years of childhood stripped away. The pain of having no family to love you.

After a few minutes, Dick pulled back and wiped his eyes, which were now puffy and red. "Feel better?" Bruce asked, cupping Dick's face. Dick nodded, a small smile on his face. "Good. Why don't you get some sleep?" Bruce kissed his forehead again. "Will you stay? I know I'm new but, just for a little bit?" "Of course. You need time to adjust, you'll get time to adjust."

Dick nodded and laid down. Bruce grabbed his hand and started petting his head. Dick hummed and closed his eyes, holding onto Bruce's hand. He slipped into another peaceful slumber, finally at ease.