Getting to know you

Drugs

When Dick woke again, everything was very heavy. His eyes fluttered open, but shut again. He couldn't seem to keep them open for long. He could feel cold bars underneath him, and could hear a low rumble. He managed to push himself up to his elbows and opened his eyes.

He was in a cage of some sort. It looked like a dog kennel, except the lock was much more complicated. He was in a large room, a few suitcases with him. They must have been able to get him on a plane. Knowing how rich Markus was, it was probably a private jet.

Dick felt a sudden wave of exhaustion hit him. His arms gave out, which sent him crashing down. A small cry of pain escaped as his head hit the metal, any training forgotten. He laid limply, breathing heavily. He wanted to go home.

A door opened, catching Dick's attention. He opened his eyes, seeing a door across the room. Markus had walked in, a smirk on his face. Dick whimpered and closed his eyes, curling on himself.

"Well, look who finally woke up. Took you long enough." Dick didn't respond, trying to keep his chin from trembling too much. "I wonder what daddy is doing right now. Looking for a replacement? Mourning you? Hoping that you'll somehow escape again?"

Was Bruce looking for a replacement? Dick hoped not. "Anyway, we are headed to Europe, where the police aren't as strict. You are going to spend the rest of your life in a cage, to remind you the world ain't all about you, gypsy. Have a nice flight." Markus walked off again, and Dick heard the door slam shut.

"Tati, îmi pare rău. Îmi pare rău, te rog, lasă-mă să vin acasă. Ajuta-ma." Dick whimpered, curling up and gripping his arms. The engine roared to life, startling Dick. "Vă rog, să mă ajutati, Tati!"

Dick didn't know why he was using Romanian. All he knew was that he was scared, alone, and in pain. His language was a comfort in his torment. The cage and a few suitcases jostled around as the plane took off, throwing Dick around as well.

Dick's fate seemed sealed. He didn't have the necessary tools to pick the lock. The plane was taking off, and wouldn't land until they got to Europe. Bruce didn't seem to be coming for him. And he couldn't change anything.

Dick hiccuped and wiped the few tears that had escaped. Maybe, if he really tried, he could discover this was all a dream. He would be in his warm bed, just having a nightmare. Not stuck in a cold cage with no one to turn to, with his limbs heavy and his heart hurting. He could be with his boyfriend and his family again.

But he knew it was of no use. Daydreaming would get him nothing. He had to face reality. The reality where he was stuck in a cage, being flown to somewhere in Europe, and left to die in a cage.

Before he could dig deeper into his thoughts, the lights shut off. Dick gasped and backed up against the cage wall, pulling his knees to his chest. He could hear footsteps running through the halls, heading towards his location.

Dick screamed as he heard a gunshot, his ears ringing. Usually he had special ear plugs or headphones that would dampen the sounds. Tears fell free once again, and he covered his ears. The door slammed open, making him scream again.

"Tati, ajută-mă. Nu mai vreau să fiu aici." Dick sobbed into his knees, hearing the footsteps come closer. The cage door was almost ripped open, leaving Dick exposed. Markus grabbed Dick's leg and pulled him closer, ignoring the pleas for him to stop.

Markus pulled out a syringe and injected it into Dick leg again. Dick screamed for his father one last time before his limbs went dead, his harsh breathing the only sound he could make. Markus slammed the door close and ran out again.

The only thing Dick could do was watch the shadows. His ears strained to hear anything, but the only sounds he could hear was the engine. The tears still fell from his eyes, pooling under his head. He wanted to go home. He wanted to be safe.

The door opened again, but much quieter. A smaller form walked forward, looking around. Dick recognized it as Tim, and wanted to smile. He tried to get Tim's attention, to say something and let Tim know he was here. But the drug prevented him, and he wanted to sob all over again.

Something seemed to grab Tim anyway. He walked over to the cage, where his older brother laid. "Dick. Dick, can you hear me?" Tim asked softly, reaching his hand through the bars to grab Dick's. Dick wanted to respond, but couldn't. "Hang on, Dickie. I'm going to get you out of here. Bruce is fighting Markus, and Damian and Jason are getting the plane landed."

Tim started picking the lock. Dick managed a whimper as Tim pulled his hand away. Could the drug be wearing off already? "I know, Dick. I'll work fast, ok?" Tom whispered, a mix of fear and worry gathering in the pit of his stomach. What was wrong with Dick?

"Ta...ti." Dick rasped out. "What?" "Tati." "Batman. Batman, come in." "Tati." "Red Robin, what's going on?" Bruce asked over the comms. "I found Dick, but something's wrong. I think Markus might've drugged him. He can't move, and he's just now regained the ability to talk. Even then, he can't say much. All he's saying is 'Tati'. You have any idea what it means?"

"It's Romanian. I've got an idea of what he wants. Get him out of the cage, and to the couch in the plane. I've got Markus subdued, and will make my way to you." "On it."

Tim smiled as he unlocked the cage. "Hang on. I'm gonna take you to the couch. Stay with me." "Tati. Unde e Tati?" "B, I got more for you to translate. Unde e Tati." "Tell him he's on his way." "He's on his way, Dickie. I've got you." Tim pulled Dick out of the cage carefully, watching the part that jutted up.

Once he was safely out, Tim started carrying Dick. It was awkward, as Tim was about half the size of Dick, but he managed. Bruce met them about halfway, which seemed to make Dick excited. "Tati. Esti aici!" Bruce pulled Dick into a hug and sighed, getting Tim as well. "Sigur că sunt aici, fiule. Nu te-aș părăsi niciodată."

Bruce picked Dick up, getting the weight off Tim. "Thank you for getting him here." "It's no problem." Bruce and Tim walked to the seating area, watching Dick carefully. He'd been silent, his shaking increased.

Bruce set Dick down on the couch and kissed his forehead. Markus was unconscious in another seat. At the sight of Markus, Dick whimpered and closed his eyes. Bruce shushed him and grabbed his hand. "Nu vă speriați. Nu te mai poate răni."

"What's he saying?" "He scared. Don't let Markus out of your sight." Tim nodded and faced the criminal, a deep hatred toning into a loathing feeling.

Bruce pulled Dick's head into his lap, running his fingers through Dick's hair. Dick's finger twitched, signaling he'd regained some movement. Bruce squeezed Dick's hand, trying to comfort him.

"Tati, putem merge acasă?" "Of course. As soon as Jason and Damian land." Dick sighed and relaxed. Jason came out from the cockpit. "Demon's almost landed this thing. How is he?" "Out of it. We think Markus might've drugged him." "How bad is 'Out of it?" "He's speaking Romanian. He can barely move, and can barely comprehend anything."

Jason growled. Dick whimpered and dug into Bruce, trying to hide. He needed to hide, he didn't like being exposed. Jason softened his expression when he saw Dick was frightened of him. He knelt down in front of Bruce and put a gentle hand on Dick's shoulder.

Dick cracked his eyes. "You ok Dickie?" "Mă simt expus." Bruce covered Dick with his cape, pulling it up to his chin. "Better?" Dick didn't respond, his eyes closing. Jason noticed this. "Get some sleep, Dick. We'll be home before you know it." Dick closed his eyes fully, letting sleep take him. He was going home.