Getting to know you

You've never what?!

It had been a few weeks since the arrival of the newest family member, and the manor had never been livelier. Alfred was helping Dick relearn the flute, which often caused the manor to be filled with the crisp notes. He was a fast learner, already mastering the beginner music. Alfred believed it wouldn't be long before he was moving onto more challenging stuff.

Bruce had gotten Dick the plastic glow-in-the-dark stars for his ceiling. Dick had mapped out constellations, taking time and effort to make every one perfect. He would often spend hours staring at them, naming every constellation and feeling pride because he made them. He may not have named them, but he made them.

It had been getting colder in Gotham, so Bruce was being careful with how much time Dick spent outside. He was sensitive to cold, being an ex-Talon. If they went outside, you often found him bundled in a coat. The other batboys had been introducing Dick to things slowly, such as movies and books. Dick knew how to read, he just didn't read a lot.

"Yo, Dickie, you ever had ice cream?" Jason asked one day. They were all hanging out in the living room, Bruce included. "What's that?" Everyone stared. "You've...never had ice cream?" "No. I, uh, don't know what that is." Dick sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, a small pink tint dusting his cheeks.

"That will not stand. Bruce, grab your wallet. We need to go." "Which one are we going to?" Tim asked. "The one by the harbor, Plucky's. I figure he'll probably like that the best." "Right here, and what are you talking about?" "We, dear Dickie, are taking you to get ice cream. There's a place called Plucky's, you'll probably need your googles. It's got some pretty bright lights."

"Thanks, I guess?" "No need to thank me, your mouth is already. Let's go." Jason dragged Dick to his feet and started pulling him to the car. "Ok, don't pull my arm off!" "Then hurry up!"

Dick laughed as everyone piled in the car, Jason telling him about the strange food called ice cream. He was a little worried about it being a cold food, with his sensitivity. Jason assured him that it didn't stay cold, melting with heat. The joyous spirit didn't last long.

Dick grunted as the car was slammed into, being thrown around. His head hit something, and black dots appeared before his eyes. The car spun, the others trying to get a grasp on what had happened. Jason clung onto him, giving him a sense of direction. Before he knew what was happening, the car flipped. It finally stopped, upside down.

Dick groaned and reached for his seatbelt. He unlocked it and hissed as he dropped, broken glass biting into his skin. He shivered, the cold air hitting him. He wouldn't be able to function for long, he needed to work fast.

"Jason. Jay, wake up." Dick shook Jason's arm. He groaned and opened his eyes, looking dazed. "Jay, we've gotta move. We got hit, we need to get out before something happens." Jason groaned, waking up more. "M up. Let's go. Anyone else awake?" "Not that I can see. Help me get the smaller ones out."

Jason nodded and dropped down as well, his white strip of hair splattered with blood. Dick carefully unbuckled Damian and handed him to Jason, who had opened a door. "Go ahead and get Alfred while you're out there. I'll work on Tim and Barbara." Jason nodded and carried Damian out before going for the elderly butler.

"Tim...Tim, you gotta wake up." Dick shook Tim, getting drowsier. He was losing function. Tim groaned, but didn't wake up. Dick got him out and slung him over his shoulder, wincing as the glass dug into his injuries. He got Barbara down next, and she crawled out. Jason came back in and took Tim, shaking Dick slightly. "Hey, just a little bit longer." "The cold's too much. I'm not gonna be able to function for much longer." Jason nodded. "I'm gonna take Tim out. Get Bruce, then get out." Dick nodded.

"Bruce, dad, wake up." Bruce groaned and opened his eyes. "Dick? What happened?" "Questions later. We gotta get you out of here." "The others..." "Just us left. I'm not gonna be able to do anything for much longer. C'mon."

Bruce let Dick lead him out. Dick could see flashing lights through closing eyes. As soon as Bruce was out, Dick collapsed. He heard shouts, and someone feeling for a pulse, but couldn't respond. It was so cold.

"Dick! Dick, c'mon, wake up!" Jason shouted as he shook Dick's shoulder. "He's too cold. He can't answer us, even if he can hear us. We need to warm him up." Bruce said as he pulled Dick into his lap. The poor boy was freezing, and extremely pale. Bruce could feel him barely breathing. His hands were bloody from the glass, and his head was bleeding.

Jason pulled his leather jacket off and laid it over Dick like a blanket. A couple of cops came down the hill. "Is everyone ok?" "My eldest. He needs help!" Bruce called up. "Get the ambulance. We've got someone injured." Bruce looked around at everyone. They all looked worried, watching Dick. He'd risked everything to get them out, knowing he didn't have long before the cold became too much.

"Is he gonna be ok?" "We need to keep him warm, just until the paramedics can take care of him. Does anyone know what happened?" "There's no other car down here. I've checked already. Whoever did this did it on purpose. They meant to send us off the road. Someone wanted us dead." Barbara informed them. Dick's shivering increased, worrying everyone even more. "Jason, why is your hair bloody? Are you hurt?" Bruce asked. "No, it's not mine. The only one near me was...dammit. Dick was the only one near me. The blood's not mine, it's Dick's."