Chapter Text
As soon as he stepped out, a coughing fit hit him.
Lasting a lot longer than he would have preferred.
He pressed the back of his wrist against his mouth, trying desperately to keep the sound quiet. The last thing he needed was for Damian to hear him through the door.
That would only create questions. Questions led to concern. Concern led to someone trying to stop him.
And Dick really, really didn't have time for that.
He took a slow breath through his nose. Very bad idea. His throat burned.
"...Okay."
He straightened himself against the wall, waiting for the dizziness to settle. It didn't. Wonderful.
Dick rubbed his face before forcing himself to move again. Bruce was next. Then, once Bruce was taken care of, Dick could finally run off, go lick his wounds in Blüdhaven.
Maybe. Probably. Eventually.
He made his way toward Bruce's room. The door was closed. Dick knocked twice.
"Bruce?" No answer. He frowned.
"Bruce?"
Still nothing. Dick opened the door. Empty.
"...Oh, come on." The bed was untouched. The curtains were open. And the window—
Dick's eyes widened.
"Bruce!"
He rushed toward it. Sure enough, there were ‘footprints’ in the snow below.
Someone had climbed out.
…or at least someone wanted to think he did.
Someone wearing a black sweatshirt, pajama pants, and absolutely no shoes. Dick stared out the window with a disgruntled look.
"...You have got to be kidding me."
;- ————————————— -;
Bruce made it perhaps three steps toward the hallway before Dick caught up with him.
"Bruce."
The older man stopped. Slowly, he turned around.
"Dick."
"You are not going to the Cave."
"I need to."
"No, you don't."
Bruce opened his mouth. Dick pointed toward the bedroom.
"Back."
"Dick—"
"Back."
Bruce stared at him. Dick stared back. For a moment, neither moved.
Then Bruce sighed.
"...Fine."
"Thank you."
Dick stepped closer, gently taking Bruce by the arm and guiding him back toward the room.
"You know," Bruce muttered, "you're being unusually bossy."
"I'm always bossy."
"Not usually with me."
"Maybe you're finally getting the full experience."
Bruce gave him a tired look, in response, Dick smiled.
"There."
"What?"
"You almost smiled."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
"Sure."
By the time they reached the bedroom, Bruce was visibly exhausted. Dick helped him sit back down on the edge of the bed before pulling the blankets over his legs.
"Stay."
"I wasn't planning on leaving."
"Good."
Dick turned toward the small table beside the bed.
"You want tea?"
Bruce hesitated.
"...What kind?"
"Something warm."
"That isn't a kind."
"Then pick one."
Bruce thought for a moment.
"Chamomile."
"Coming right up."
Dick disappeared into the hallway. A few minutes later, he returned with a steaming mug. He placed it carefully into Bruce's hands.
"Here."
Bruce looked down at it.
"Thank you."
"Drink it while it's warm."
Bruce nodded.
Dick adjusted the blankets one last time.
Then he stood.
"Get some sleep."
Bruce looked up at him.
"And you?"
Dick smiled.
"I'm going to back to Blüdhaven. Catch some ‘Z’s."
"Dick."
"Hm?"
Bruce studied him.
For one horrible second, Dick wondered if he'd finally been caught. Instead, Bruce only said—
"Don't overdo it."
Dick's smile softened.
"I won't."
It was a lie. They both knew it. But Bruce was too tired to argue. Dick turned toward the door.
"Goodnight, Bruce."
"Goodnight."
The door clicked shut behind him. Dick stood in the hallway. He let out a slow breath.
His throat hurt. His chest hurt. His head felt like it was stuffed with cotton. But Bruce was settled.
That was what mattered. Everyone was taken care of. That was what mattered. So Dick kept moving.
;- ————————————— -;
The cold air outside hit him like a wall.
Dick barely made it to his motorcycle before he had to stop. His hands gripped the handlebars. He lowered his head.
Then the coughing started.
Quiet at first.
Just a small cough that he tried to swallow down.
Then another. And another. Soon, his shoulders were shaking.
Dick pulled his sleeve over his mouth, desperately trying to keep the sound from carrying back toward the Manor.
Nobody could hear him. Nobody could see him. Nobody could ask if he was okay.
For once, he was completely alone.
The coughing fit finally broke.
…
Dick stayed hunched over the motorcycle, breathing heavily. His lungs burned. His throat felt raw. His eyes stung.
"...Okay."
His voice came out barely above a whisper. He swallowed. That hurt too.
"Okay."
He straightened himself slowly. The world swayed. Dick waited until it settled before putting on his helmet. He couldn't go back inside. Not yet.
If he went back inside, someone would notice. Tim would notice. Jason would notice. Damian would notice. Bruce—
Bruce already knew something was wrong.
Dick couldn't risk giving him more evidence. So he swung onto the motorcycle.
As the engine roared to life, he paused. Slipping his phone out of his pocket, he decided to leave a text in their group chat. Just to let them know he was fine.
[ Bats that are coincidentally a Family ]
Dickiebird:
Hey guys, just letting you guys know that I’m heading back to Blüdhaven.
Read: Crowbar Victim, The Blood Son, Timbotron, BBB
Crowbar Victim:
Bitch get the fuck back here.
Dick.
DICK.
OPEN YOUR GODDAMN PHONE
Read: The Blood Son, BBB, Timbotron