Getting to know you

I'm sorry

Bruce held Dick's hand in the hospital room, waiting for...something. Something that said Dick would wake up. The bandages rubbed against Bruce's hand, reminding him that not only was Dick unable to function yet, he was injured. The bandages on Dick's forehead was a big reminder as well.

Dick had hypothermia, due to his increased sensitivity to cold and the amount of time he spent without a jacket. He was shivering still, the cold hospital room not helping. Bruce had brought a blanket, thick and warm. It helped some, but not enough.

"Dick, I don't know if you can hear me, but if you can, thank you. We're all safe, thanks to you. A few of us needed stitches, but it was nothing compared to what happened to you. You chanced everything, not knowing if you would be able to function enough to save us, especially with your injuries, but you did. Please, please wake up soon. I love you, son." Bruce kissed Dick's cheek, squeezing his hand.

He pulled the blanket up to Dick's chin, tears brimming in his eyes. Dick was so...pale. Sick. He laid his head down, still holding onto Dick's hand. Everyone else was at home, per Alfred's instructions. Bruce was the only one allowed out, because he had rode with Dick to the hospital, and no one wanted to risk another crash. He still remembered the report he was given.

Bruce sat in the waiting room, tapping his foot. Dick had been taken to the back, so the doctors could work, and Bruce was anxiously waiting for anything. Anything that told him his son was alright.

"Mr Wayne?" A doctor stepped out. "How is he?" Bruce asked as he stood up. "We got lucky. If he'd spent too much time in the cold, he would've died. He's got a bad case of hypothermia, a mild concussion, the skin of his palms look like they were attacked by a rabid animal. One reason it took so long was we had to go and remove all the glass, which had dug itself into his hands. His hands, along with his forehead, almost got infected. It's survivable, but with his condition, I wouldn't expose him to too many people, just because we don't know what they may be carrying."

Bruce paled. "Can I see him?" "He's resting, but yes. If you want to hold his hand, be gentle. Too much movement, and the cuts can open again. If you have any family that wants to visit, I would advise no more than three. May I have your relationship to the patient?" "He's my son." "I'm sorry to hear that. His room is right here." Bruce nodded and stepped into the room, a sense of dread filling his throat.

On the bed laid Dick. He was so pale, the breathing mask fogging with every breath. His bandages stuck out, white on brighter white. His frail body was shaking, showing how cold it was. Bruce gently grabbed Dick's hand, intertwinning their fingers. Bruce sighed as he sat down. How had it all gone so wrong?

Dick had been sleeping for five hours. Five long hours, he'd been unconscious, shivering in the cold environment. They were hurt, he was sick and unconscious, all because some person held a grudge against them. They had just been going for ice cream, like any family might. Bruce sighed and held Dick's hand, warming the skin.

A groan woke Bruce right up. He snapped to his feet, watching Dick's face. Sure enough, Dick's blue eyes opened, the gold flecks somewhat dull. "Dick. Thank God. I was so worried." Bruce wrapped his arms around Dick, holding him close. "Bruce? Where...where is everyone?" "They're at home, safe. You saved us, Dick. You did it." Dick sighed shakily, slowly wrapping his arms around Bruce.

"Are you ok? Do you feel ok, can you move?" Dick nodded. "I'm a little weak, but that's usual when I lose function. I can move, I can feel everything." "Why do you know what it's like to lose function?" "Let's just say the Court didn't stop for the winter." "Dickie." "This is my fifth time losing function."

"Has anything changed?" "I'm a little colder than normal." "That might be because of the hypothermia. Stay down, I'm going to get a nurse. Try not to move your hands too much, you might reopen a few cuts." "Ok. I'mma take a small nap." "Stay awake. They'll want to ask questions." "Oh. Never been to a hospital. Don't know the rules." "It's not in the rules, but in this family, you try to stay awake until the nurse checks you out."

Dick nodded. Bruce squeezed Dick's hand one last time before walking out. Dick sighed as he kept his eyes open, watching for Bruce to come back. His head was pounding, and his hands stung. He was still very cold, and pulled the blanket closer. He winced as the bandages rubbed against his cuts.

Bruce walked back in with a nurse, making Dick smiled. "Hello, Dick. Quite a big risk you took there, young man. You nearly died." "Feels like it. Especially in my hands." "You had quite a lot of glass in them. We almost had to take you into surgery. We've gotten all the glass out, thankfully, so there shouldn't be anything causing any more damage to your hands. I'm going to do a few quick tests, please try to cooperate."

Dick flinched as she shone a light in his eyes, the light doubled with his senses. "Pupil dilation looks good. Breathing sounds alright, and you're doing much better than when you originally came. I'm going to prop your head up and prod around the wound, ok?" Dick gave a thumbs up.

She gently put a hand under his head and prodded, earning several whimpers as she drew nearer. Bruce carefully grabbed Dick's hand, whispering "It'll be alright," quietly enough so only he heard it. He hissed in pain as she poked the injury, earning a nod. "Looks pretty good. I'll change your IV, then leave you to sleep." "Thank you."

"I thought you said they ask questions?" "They do for me. Don't know who they didn't for you. You can go to sleep now." "Can we call the others? I want to see them again, and I figure Alfred has them on lockdown after what happened." Bruce smiled. "Of course. You sure you don't want a nap first?"

"Yeah. They deserve to know I'm alright." "If you're sure. Let's video chat. They're gonna kill me for not contacting them sooner, but it'll be ok." "With Alfred?" "Maybe not with him, but I'll explain." "Don't die. I did not save you only for you to be killed by Alfred."

Bruce chuckled. "That's true. Let's give them a call before you pass out." Bruce pressed the button and waited, the camera angles so it caught both of them. Dick smiled as his family's faces popped up. "Hey, guys." "Dick! Are you alright?" "Not feeling the aster, but I'm alive." "What the hell were you thinking? You nearly died! It's been six hours!"

"I wasn't exactly dying, just lost my function. I can't move, I can't respond, can't do anything. If I'm not warmed up in time, I'll just freeze to death." "Not helping!" Dick chuckled. "I'm fine. Not the first time it happened." "Why the hell is it not?!" "Jay, you're gonna give yourself a stroke. Calm down." "How the hell are you handling this so calmly?" "Like I said, not the first time. And stop questioning everything in hell. We're on Earth." "You cheeky little-"

"I think it's time for Master Dick to rest, as well as the rest of you. I wish you a good night, both of you." "You too, Alfred. Bye, guys." "See you, Dickie." "Come back soon." "I will." Dick smiled as the video ended, and Bruce put his phone up.

"Alright. Get some sleep, Dickie." Bruce kissed Dick's forehead. "Are you gonna sleep, or are you gonna stay awake worrying?" "I'm going to sleep. I'll turn the light off, and we'll both get some sleep." Bruce stood up, walking over to the light switch. Dick visible relaxed as some of the bright light went away.

Bruce walked back and sat down, brushing Dick's hair out of his face. "The more you sleep and rest, the sooner we can go home." Dick nodded and closed his eyes, ready to sleep again. "Sweet dreams, son."