Bat-Family Oneshots

The truth

Jason walked into Dicks darkroom which was a bit unusual considering the time but Jason didn't question it and flopped on to the bed almost directly on top of the older boy. Usually, Dick would make a protest or try to drag him into a hug which would be fought off almost instantly. As Jason wiggled a bit getting comfortable and at the same time peaked over the eldest birds shoulder to double-check he was awake. What Jason found was a bit unsettling Dick lay on his side eyes staring blankly at the wall in front of him. Jason didn't say anything for a moment as he pretended to text on his phone as he watched out the corner of his eye. 

Jason couldn't handle the silence so he spoke: "What's up Dickhead?" as was expected he got no response, the room once again the room fall silence "Come on Dickhead aren't you gonna answer me?" he said nudging him with his elbow. This time Dick replied but it came out in a quiet mumble that Jason couldn't even begin to try and Translate. "what was that dick?" the boy didn't reply this time instead he dug his head into his pillow hiding his face from sight. 

If Jason wasn't worrying before (which he was) he definitely was now. Instantly Jason got up and moved to the other side of the bed so he was kneeling on the bed hand on dicks tense shoulder "What's wrong Dickie you can tell me?" once again Dick mumbled Jason sighed "Do you need me to go get Bruce?" this time Dick answered a little more loudly "Why would he care?" this took Jason by surprise making him almost speechless, Dick was usually the one telling everyone that Bruce cared about them more then anyone so for him t change his mind now showed there was something seriously wrong. 

"What are you talking about Dickie, you know Bruce cares," Jason said softly. suddenly a sob erupted from the shaking form of his older brother scaring Jason "No, sh sh sh dick don't cry your okay" he said again trying to calm the eldest down. Jason rubbed his back in what was a soothing matter while mumbling quietly to him. unfortunately, this didn't seem to help as the sobs got progressively worse meaning that Jason instantly picked up on the signs of a pending panic attack. He knew that he had to stay calm as if he showed signs of panic then it would make dick worse. he also had to work out how to get Bruce up here without shouting and making dick worry more. 

"Don't worry dickie. you're okay. you're safe. No one is going to hurt you" Jason once again trying to calm Dick down, "Dickie-Bird I need you to try to sit up okay?" the eldest shook his head digging hiding his face once again sobs racking his body "Alright, sh sh sh, you don't need to. It's okay" Jason said a little alarmed. 

once Dick's crying m softened a bit Jason spoke "Dickie I'm just going to go to the door and call Bruce or Alfred okay?" the eldest didn't answer so Jason made to stand up when a shaking hand clasped his wrist "Dickie, ill be right back i promise but i need to get Alfred ir Bruce" Dick shook his head and whispered "Please Jason" the boy in question was getting desperate he had never seen his older brother like this biting his lip Jason weighed his options "Dick i dont want to shout but i need to get Bruce in here okay? Do you understand" the eldest nodded letting go of Jasons wrist to cover his ears. Face still covered in tears and form shaking. fear in his eyes as he watched Jason making sure he didn't go any where, scared that he would be left alone.

Jason took a deep breath and shouted for the only two people that may know whats going on. "BRUCE, ALFRED COME QUICK I NEED YOUR HELP" as expected Dicks face contorted into fear as he once again falls into the world Jason found him in his body shook as sobs escaped his lips. Jason took a breath pushing way his panic as he once again rubbed Dicks back whispering soothing words as he listened out for his guardian and trusted friend. 

Finally after what felt like an eternity, but really it was almost instantly he heard the telltale footsteps running towards the eldest birds room. Bruce burst through instantly catching sight of his oldest son and came round taking Jason's spot as he stood up and moved next to Alfred who muttered "Oh dear!" Alfred put his hand on Jason's shoulder and started guiding him out of the room "Come this way Master Jason, it is best we leave Master Bruce tending to Dick" Jason nodded glancing back to Dicks panicking form huddled under the blankets and Bruce crouched next to him whispering inaudible words. Finally, Jason followed the older man out the room and into the kitchen where he was busied making what looked to be two cups of tea.

Jason sat at the breakfast bar watching the older man working until he sat down pacing a cup in front of him before taking a sip of his own. "Do not worry Master Dick will be okay?" he said trying to be reassuring but Jason could see the worry in the man's eyes. Taking a deep breath Jason spoke, "What is wrong with him?" Alfred looked at his mug "I do not know. I do not think even Master Dick knows what his wrong when it happens." Jason took a sip "So this has happened before?" Alfred nodded "Yes. It was much worst after you passed. Your death teared him up inside" Jason was shocked "Why?" Alfred smiled sadly "He blamed himself, still does. Master Dick was left in charge of you but you escaped his watched and he didn't notice. He was there outside the building when it went up in flames. Just a minute too late." Alfred had to take a deep breath and Jason could physically see the tears he blinked away "You know what Bruce is like Jason. he is an amazing man but so cold and broken inside. He felt like a failure blamed himself. Locked himself down in the cave for weeks neglecting the young boy in his care that he had promised to look after. Dick felt that Master Bruce was blaming him as well. You can't imagine how bad it got. eventually, Dick couldn't take the cold shoulder and the memories the manor held so he ran. set up the teen titans with Wallace West and Roy Harper they helped a bit having his brothers by his side. But the depth to the darkness in his mind was too deep. I don't know everything that happened out there but I do know that he ran once more to buldehaven where he properly took up the Nightwing title. west and Harper along with those on the team lost contact with Dick while out there he tried ...tried to take his life on many occasions" Alfred said gulping eyes glistening, Jason's mouth fall open not sure what to say, so Alfred carried on "Wallace found him in his apartment the first time it happened after getting a bad feeling. after the third time, West and Harper managed to convince him to go to therapy with Mrs Lance. After a while, things got better." 

Jason took a breath shaking his head to clear his tears just knowing things will be getting worse. "then Master Dick caught wind of a new Robin in training. Timothy Drake. Dick was furious, outraged that Bruce could even think about training a new Robin after what happened with you. They fought and fought and fought, in the end, Dick. I don't know what was said both refuse to talk about it but whatever it was left Dick broke and done with the life he was living. eh attempted again. this time far worse than the others. Bruce received a phone call that night from a very devastated and worried Mr West, he was so angry that he didn't even have time to be afraid of the man in the mast." Jason couldn't help but smile sadly at that Wally was a complete flake especially when it came to Batman, but to hear he grew a backbone for his brother meant a lot. 

"Bruce changed his tune after that, after many a conversation Dick moved back to the manor and took over Master Timothy's training after seeing how brutally his training regime was. The newest Robin truly flourished under Dicks guidance and Dick enjoyed playing the role of big brother once again but that happiness didn't last of course  a new villain made his stance in the streets of Gotham." 

Jason swallowed, he didn't know how he managed to listen this long. Stomach in knots making him want to physically sick hearing everything his older brother went through, but he needs to know, need to understand. So he kept listening.

"the great red Hood appeared on the streets, tormenting Dick to no end blaming him for things he blamed him for, only one other person could blame him for that. the person who was dead. Dick felt himself go crazy, believing that his dead brother was infact alive and well. a few weeks later Dick committed himself to a hospital" JAson fianally spoke "He commited himself?" Alfred just nodded "How would you feel thinking you were being tormented by your vbrother a brother that was dead. everyone reminded you were long gone but dick swore you were there. i guess in the end he couldn't take it not that anyone really believed him. Then the truth came to light, bruce started talking to you. He came home, started to get to know you again and he started getting better then Damian arrived and well he is how he is now. But every now and then he gets like how you saw, itll pass but Bruce believes it's a form of ptsd"

Jason nodded and the pair of men both sat silently thinking over the truth swearing that they would help the glue of the family. That he was no longer alone.