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Dick had been fortunate enough to have had two great fathers.
He was aware that his memories of his birth father were not as sharp as he would have liked, time smoothing over any rough bits until all he remembered was the good, the gentle laugh and the strong hands helping him practice. Bruce had the benefit and drawback both of still being there, of not having his flaws drowned out by fond memories, of having dealt with Dick’s hellish experience of puberty and stormy teenage years that hadn’t left room for perfect parenting. Even so, Dick was now old enough and mature enough now to know that Bruce had always tried to do his best, to forgive the times when that best had fallen short. Bruce could have never replaced John Grayson, but that was fine, because nobody could have replaced Bruce, either.
Now Dick was glancing in the mirror to catch a glimpse of the baby seat in the back of the car and wondering if he could at least imitate the best parts of them both.
It was only one of a number of thoughts swirling through his head, most of them halfway between panic and bewilderment. He was still not sure he’d even caught onto the reality of the situation, wasn’t sure he could explain this to anyone, but he figured he had time for all that. Right now the one thing he knew for sure was the one he needed to keep going.
He was a father, and anyone trying to take his baby from him would have to do so over his dead body.
The car drive to the manor had never felt so long, yet somehow it was not nearly enough to get his thoughts straight. Dawn was barely starting to peek through the seemingly endless cloud cover above Gotham, yet he didn’t even manage to reach the door before Alfred opened it, looking as close to impeccable as he always was.
“Master Dick. We didn’t expect you today.” If Alfred was at all taken aback by Dick’s disheveled appearance, by the bag over his shoulder and the car seat at his side, he didn’t show any of it. “I see you have company.”
“Alfred.” Despite everything, Dick managed a smile at the man who had probably done more to raise him than either of his fathers. “Sorry for not giving you a warning.”
“Please. I’m sure you are aware, but this is hardly the first time I’ve had surprise additions to the household.” Alfred stepped back to allow them both in, closing the door after them to keep out the morning chill. “Are you going to be staying long?”
“Ah. If it’s okay.” He doubted Alfred was going to say no, that he would ever say no; if anything, Alfred was always dropping hints that it would be much easier for Dick to live within easy reach of his cooking, for all that he understood the need for independence.
“You know you always have a place here, Master Dick. Or two places, as it might be.” Alfred offered him a small smile. “I take it you haven’t had breakfast yet?”
“Not really, no.” Not even cereal, though he knew Alfred would never consider that breakfast to begin with. In fact, he was not sure when he last ate anything — at some point over the day before, he was fairly sure, but the details kind of blurred together. It was like his brain had rebooted when he’d had the baby handed to him and the files from before that had been corrupted.
“Very well. And the young… master? Or miss?”
“I think young miss will work for the time being.” Dick sighed, barely resisting as Alfred moved to take the bag from him. “I don’t think she’s hungry just yet, but I got some formula, it’s in the bag. I hope it’s the right thing, at least.” She had drunk a bottle without too much fuss earlier, but neither of them had been at their best.
“I’m sure it will be just fine.” Alfred led their little procession to the kitchen, then set the bag down on a counter to dive right in. Dick took the time to place the seat down and crouch to open the straps. He’d been feeling out of sorts, didn’t think he would be anything resembling calm for a while, but he did breathe a little easier as he collected her into his arms.
Alfred arranged the most important baby supplies on the counter before he disappeared, no doubt to put the bag away in Dick’s room, then returned to work on the promised breakfast. Dick hadn’t moved on from simply holding the baby close, her light little breaths reassuring his frayed nerves.
Alfred didn’t ask questions, thank god, no doubt trusting he would get answers in due time. For now the only thing he needed to know was that Dick was hungry, and unlike many other things, this was a problem Alfred can solve.
Dick was making his way through a stack of pancakes with one hand, his other arm still occupied with a baby, when someone joined them in the kitchen. Tim gave him a bleary look before stumbling to his own seat. “Morning, Dick.”
“Morning, Timbird.” Dick nodded at him, not taking a break from his pancakes. The baby was starting to stir on his arm, so he suspected she’d be waking up soon, at which point his own breakfast would have to be put on hold. He was sure Alfred would be happy to help, but he didn’t think he could bear to let go just yet.
Tim was quiet long enough for Alfred to wordlessly set a plate in front of him, then gaze Dick a gaze that was surprisingly sharp for someone who seemed half asleep still. “Is that one of those creepily realistic dolls, or did you pull a Bruce?”
“I’m fairly sure B has never brought home an actual baby,” Dick pointed out, not missing the smile Alfred was trying to hide. “But, uh. I guess I kinda did.”
“Oh.” Tim paused, then nodded. “Better you than me.”
“Indeed.” Alfred sniffed. “You are far too young for such responsibilities, Master Tim.”
“I’d say I could totally handle a baby, but I’m very happy not having to try.”
This was when said baby started to make small sounds, and Alfred arrived at his side with a bottle Dick hadn’t even noticed him preparing. Not that he was complaining, not when he offered the bottle to the baby who immediately latched on.
Jason was the next one to make an appearance, a colorful bruise on his face and a bandage around his arm; clearly the night before had been eventful. Like Tim, he made his way to the table before actually speaking up. “What the fuck, Dickhead?”
“Hm? Ah, the baby?” Dick grinned down at the hungry little thing. “Turns out I knocked up a girl a while back.”
“Of course that’s the thing you’d pick up from the big bat.” Jason shook his head, more focused on his breakfast than the incredulous looks Tim and Dick were both giving him.
“Really, Jason? You actually think I managed to get someone pregnant?” Dick snorted. “My cock collection is impressive, but there’s a limit to what they can do.”
Jason blinked, then made a face as he caught onto Dick’s meaning, but refused to show his embarrassment. “Hey, you’re the one who says I should trust family more.”
“Not when it’s obviously a joke!” Dick groaned. “Just, I don’t want to explain everything more than once. It’s going to be a pain anyway.”
“Sure, get all mysterious.” Jason rolled his eyes. “The kid here to stay?”
“Yes.” Dick poured all his not inconsiderable determination into his voice, not leaving them any room for doubt. “She’s my daughter.”
“Okay.” Tim’s eyes were a little clearer now, no doubt thanks to the coffee cup he was cradling protectively in his hands. “You need any paperwork sorted beyond what B’s lawyers are used to?” Because apparently that was enough for him to accept this new state of things, even if it meant less than legal avenues were involved.
Dick’s heart felt ready to burst, his lips curling into a smile. “Honestly? Probably.” He grinned down at the baby. “Hear that, princess? Uncle Tim is already prepared to commit some pretty serious fraud for you.”
“Got to earn my title somehow.” Tim shrugged, though there was a smile playing at his lips as well. “We both know Jason’s gunning for the cool uncle spot already.”
“I’d say I’m the one who’s going to beat up anyone even looking at her the wrong way, but I think we all know that’s Damian. So yeah, I’ll settle for cool uncle. Or bad influence, that works too.” Jason grinned. “Figures you’d be the first one to become a father, Dickhead. You already filled in for B with the demon, anyway.”
“Hopefully I won’t screw up too badly.” The baby was so small, so helpless on his arm, her focus entirely on the bottle with no idea that her new family was already forming around her. It terrified him, knowing how much she would rely on him, for how long. Still, he’d never been one to run from a challenge.
“You’ll do great,” Tim said, his voice full of confidence, and that made it easier for him to believe. “And we’re all going to help.”
“Help with what?” Of course this was when Bruce arrived, Damian at his heels. “Dick! When did you get here?”
“Morning, B.” Dick drew a deep breath, and despite all his doubts and worries, he couldn’t help the hint of mischief creeping into his voice and expression. “Say, do you prefer grandpa or granddad?”
Perhaps there was no escaping the explanations much longer, but the first baffled, then stunned look on Bruce’s face almost made it worth it all.