I Forgot to Mention

A Long Long Way to Run

"You can't keep Wolf."

Honestly, that wasn't the first thing Dick expected to hear when they found their dad. Maybe something closer to "You're grounded for how ever long it takes the Joker to become a sane member of polite society!" Or, maybe even "Thank you for protecting your younger siblings all night at the cost of your own well-being.  You truly are my best son and maybe I should have stopped after one!" But no, though Dick still figured a kid could dream on that last one.  Instead, all focus went to Dami's pet.  Who, admittedly, unnerved Dick the entire time it followed them. It had padded along after Dami, with a look that seemed to suggest it wanted something from his little brother. And, from the quick look of those teeth he had gotten from his unfortunate first encounter, Dick worried it might be a child sized snack. The confirmation that it was a LITERAL FREAKING WOLF, only intensified those concerns. However, judging by Dami's quivering lower lip, and tight grip around the animal's front leg, he didn't exactly see it that way.

"But Father, Better Drake is already a far superior member of our clan than half of your children-"

"I mean it, Robin." Batman took a step forward, clearly not in the mood for any sort of games. "Let him go."

Dick knew they were already on thin ice, and they had exhausted any possible luck on their side when they ran into Dad after only turning the corner. He didn't look happy to see them, but he didn't look UN-happy. That was probably the best they were going to get, and Dick knew he couldn't let Dami mess it up for them.

"Come on, little bird," his voice was as quiet and understanding as he could muster, "don't you think that...Better Drake, might already have a family? You wouldn't want want to just take him away from them, would you?"

Dami's hands loosened a little, and he really seemed to be pondering Dick's words. This wasn't an uncommon occurrence between the two of them, as Dick was the only one who could ever get through to his youngest brother. Their Dad, while amazing at his parental role, could never seem to garner the same level of respect from Dami, though it wasn't for lack of trying. Dami just...likes Dick more. Jay and Timmy, while they look up to him as well, have never needed Dick in that way, as both were always pretty stable under their Dad's guidance.

Unfortunately, as soon as he first arrived at the manor, it was clear to everyone that Dami didn't have the same general upbringing as the rest of them. In addition to being trained in a hyper intensive kill or be killed clan by a psychopathic and unaffectionate mother and grandfather, the five year old boy had absolutely no idea how to be a child. It honestly hurt Dick to watch him those first few weeks, as Dami refused to play alongside him and their brothers, stayed up all hours of the night, and seemed genuinely uninterested in forming any connections with them.  However, after the night he finally got Dami to agree to at least trust him, it was like a switch went off.  Yes, while he was still standoffish and cold to the other members of the household, he was no longer that way around Dick.  He stuck to his side throughout the days, watching his reaction for nearly everything.  While it was a bit...creepy at first, Dick soon realized he could work with it.  So, he introduced ice cream to Dami, taught him the games their brothers always loved, and made sure to deal with his trust issues.  Their Dad and Alfred always made sure to tell Dick that he didn't have to play parent so much, and that Dami would warm up to them just like he and his brothers had, but he would wave them off.  He is the oldest after all, and he never wanted any of his brothers to feel alone within the manor.  Not like he once had.

Casting a glance at his youngest brother, Dick felt a little surge of pride as it appeared that Dami had made his choice.  Dami slowly walked up to their dad, staring up at the man.

"Father, retrieve your credit card.  I'm prepared to let you buy me Better Drake from whichever sidekick owns him."

Okay...so maybe there were still a few problem areas they needed to address.  Like the spoiled attitude that Dami could just never seem to drop.

"You can't buy people's family members, little bird!"

Dick nearly tripped as he ran up to the two, with the wolf following closely behind. Dami looked unconvinced.

"That's how Father got me in our clan."

"Who told you that?!" Dick shot a glance at their Dad, who didn't seem to eager to deny it like Dick hoped he would be.

"Red Hood."

Dick could hear the seething growl under his dad's breath, though the man still didn't entirely discount the information. Instead, he chose to seize his opportunity, and grabbed the both of them. He carried Dami in one arm, while ushering Dick towards where he assumed the zeta tubes Kid Flash never showed him were. The wolf tried to follow them, however, Batman turned back to it.

"Go back to Superboy, Wolf."

The wolf, named Wolf apparently, paused in its steps. It gave a quiet whine, before retreating down another hall.

"Better Drake! Return to my side, immediately!" Dami struggled against their dad's grasp, but it was no use.

Dick stayed quiet as they continued to the tubes, pretending not to notice as Batman's eyes silently ran over his injuries. He must look like he survived a train wreck, because he most certainly felt like he had. He could feel his dad's grip loosen a bit, though Dick was still gently being guided along until they reached the tubes.

"Wait for me on the other side, and don't draw any attention to yourselves."

Dick winced at Batman's tone, before entering the tube. It wasn't the first time he had traveled by one, as Batman had let them test out the ones in Gotham and the Batcave before. Though, it always required use of a special code only he knew to hide their travels from the Justice League, which meant none of them could override the system and go for a "joyride." Jay in particular seemed the most bummed that they couldn't have wider access, though Dick didn't feel it mattered much seeing as they weren't even allowed to step foot in a city controlled by another hero.

"We're not going directly to the Batcave?" Dick asked...well, tried to ask, as the tube activated shortly after the words began to leave his mouth.

He reassembled in a disgusting alleyway in the middle of the night, and from the context, and smell, on the edge of Gotham City. Dick quickly ducked behind the nearby Batmobile, when Dami showed up too. He joined Dick, stewing in his silent dejection at leaving behind "Better Drake." Their dad didn't leave them alone long, however, as he soon exited the dilapidated looking tube. He reached into the back seat, before pulling out a couple of roughed up hoodies and sweat pants for them.

"Cover up."

Dick knew better to argue, and immediately dressed himself before helping Dami. Batman, meanwhile, confiscated their belts, gloves, and what was left between them of their capes and masks. He raised an eyebrow under his cowl at the obvious damage, but seemed to shrug it off for the moment.

"You snuck out to see an R-rated movie and then got mugged on your way home from the theater. I saved you."

"Where's our dad?" Dick asked, analyzing the cover story for any obvious holes.

"Mr. Wayne was called away to an emergency at his work just after the Justice League arrived to search for you. I have already informed him of your rescue and he will be home shortly after I have already left you at the doorstep. He also said to tell you that you're grounded for the forcible future."

Dick sighed, he saw that coming. "Why's Dami with me? I wouldn't take him to such a movie."

"He followed after you, and by the time you noticed, it was too late to take him back home. So, instead, you two watched the only children's film playing this late that runs for over three hours plus previews. The Sound of Music Sing-Along Edition."

Oh, that was cruel...but believable.