Young Justice Trash

Babysitting Richard Grayson (Part Two)

Artemis clutched the handle of Dick's backpack, keeping him close as they left school. She met Kaldur at the bioship and took the kid home as quickly as possible. 

"He's your problem now!" She exclaimed, even though the kid was right there. "I'll take the bioship back to pick up Ms. M and The boys, and then," she wound up, giddy at the mere idea. "I won't have to deal with Richie Rich again until tonight!"

Kaldur didn't want to chastise Artemis mid-mission, so made a mental note to talk to her and immediately apologized to Richard For her poor behaviour the moment she left.

He didn't seem to care very much. He kind of laughed it off awkwardly, like this happened all the time.

Honestly, from the way Artemis (and the media in general) presented the kid, the team leader thought he would pitch a fit. But Dick took it in stride, which was... concerning considering that he was just insulted several times by someone he barely knows.

"Well, you know, being insulted by strangers is a very common occurrence, just read any newspaper article about me." It wasn't really a joke. "I'm always either the poor  little boy, graciously taken in by Bruce Wayne, or I'm a snobby elitest brat. You can't win."

It was also strange that he opened up to them so easily, joking about his life like they were old friends.

Wally didn't wait for the bioship. The second school ended, he was racing to Gotham city to see his boys.

"Hey, I'm here!" He squeezed through the door the second his leader opened it. "School was hell, as always."

"I don't like school either." Dick explained, and the two went off again to chat.

Not long after, the other three arrived, and it was M'gann's turn watching the kid while the other's took their breaks, it almost seemed like Wally didn't want to stop being with the kid; they really hit it off!

"So, did you do anything at school?" She found the one thing they had in common; attending highschool.

"Not really, me and your friend Artemis rehersed in drama, I took an english quiz, I was almost kidnapped at lunch..."

"WHAT?" She exclaimed. "Oh my gosh, are you okay?"

He shrugged. "Yeah, but I didn't have time to finish my lunch."

"Oh, okay..." She got uncomfortable. "Should we get you some food?" 

He thought about it. "Yeah." He lead the way to the kitchen. He sat cross legged on the counter (Alfred would KILL him) eating peanut butter toast.

The two of them chatted for ages. M'gann didn't have much to talk about, but Dick could carry one hell of a conversation. He sat with her as they discussed what they'd make for dinner; now, Dick wasn't supposed to touch the oven without Alfred home... but he could be present while M'gann used the stove.

They desided on pasta; teenagers will never go hungry while there is still pasta on earth. 

Dick set the table excitedly, he went as fancy as he could without getting in trouble. "I guess I don't need to use the dinner bell..." He used his nieve sheltered child voice (Which he'd been using all day).

M'gann's eyes grew wide. "There's a Dinner Bell?"

You bet the two of them were enthusiastic with that Goddamn bell. Poor Conner's eardrums; as if superhearing wasn't hard enough to live with. 

"May I say grace?" Artemis stated, almost forgetting that Dick was there. The team always said joke-grace, but to the outside world it was weird..."

"I'm not sure that is-"

"Go for it." Dick challenged.

Artemis inhaled, putting on a slow, solemn, voice, like she was praying. "Bitch, I look Like I'm straight off the runway, Ah. Bitch I go crazy the dumb way, Ahh, Bitches want to be me, Someday" She dragged the last word out. "Alright, dig in!"

Everyone looked at Dick, who was trying SO HARD not to laugh. He had to fight to keep in his Robin Cackle™. 

"Okay, bon apitite!"

"I'm sorry," Conner was actually sorry; the team was stupid as fuck. "It's tradition."

"It's okay." An adorable smile began tugging at the corners of the boy's mouth. He was fighting a losing battle. "We've all got traditions...." He started eating, but felt obligated to share. "Like... when I started going to the doctors office, Bruce used to take me for icecream, and now I buy myself icecream after every appointment." He thought that if he mentioned buying it himself, it'd make him sound more grown-up.

M'gann expessed how adorable that was, and Dick quickly changed the subject. They talked slightly, but mostly just ate. Dick knew this was weird since the whole team (especially M'gann, Kaldur and him) got so distracted by talking that they'd forget to eat.

Artemis watched the boy while he was going to bed. It was weird. "Hey, hurry." She snapped.

Dick refrained from shouting that it was his house, he even refrained from reminding her to be 'hands off'.

"I am." He stated. "You don't have to watch me, you can go do anything else."

"I'm supposed to be doing my job."

"There's soda in the fridge."

"Oh, okay!" She shrugged, heading off as the boy got into bed. He closed the door, Bruce took the lock off the door when he was nine, so he just kept it closed. He clambered into bed.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

He took his meds! He knew his friends were nearby! Why was he so uncomfortable? Guilt tugged at his gut, and he knew why he was so uncomfortable. 

He lowered his arm, feeling around under the bed. He heard a footstep on the stairs and jerked his arm up. Artemis leaned against the door and fell into the room when it obviously wasn't locked.

"Sup."

"Sup."

"Kid Flash is taking over to make this less creepy."

"Okay." He waited, and eventually, she left. Dick's arm fell back, and felt around. He gingerly pulled out the stuffed elephant. "Sorry. I had to hide you." He whispered, hugging penut under the blankets.

"Hey, KF will be-" She stopped in the doorway. No way did this kid fall asleep in under a minute. She approached her sleeping classmate, it felt like he was hiding something. She adjusted the covers and noticed something; he was cuddling a tiny (clearly well loved) stuffed elephant against his chest, hiding it under the covers, out of sight. Yep, he was asleep. She replaced the covers and left. 

She wouldn't tell anyone. 

Except Wally, she told Wally.

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