Work Text:
Dick was always giving. Whether it be to his family, friends, or even people he doesn’t know, he was always giving. It was always giving though because god forbid Dick to receive something back. He always felt like every time he gave his time away, he gave a part of himself with it.
Dick didn’t know when it started. He wasn’t sure if it was before the incident with his parents or after he became Bruce Wayne’s “ward.” His memories around that time are all a blur. Giving started small, like when he would sneak into Bruce’s office to hug him on hard days. It just evolved from there. The giving just became too much, Dick didn’t seem to know when to stop.
‘Haven’t I given enough?’ He thought.
~
It was going to be a long day for Dick, he just knew it. Work was already dragging him down before Bruce had a chance to call him. The man had called him to tell him he needed Dick to get his youngest brother, more like a son if you asked him. He could’ve said no but he didn’t.
Damien had gotten into a fight, so Dick was left to show up and be his parent. The fight didn’t leave marks but it left residual anger because Damian was arguing and ranting the whole way home. The other kid had insulted the family, as most people do anyways, and Damian wouldn’t let that go by.
“Grayson you should have heard the things he was saying, you would have been angry too,” Damian said with his version of a pout, crossing his arms.
“I’m sure I would’ve been Dami but you can’t go fighting people you know this, what is Bruce going to think?” Dick asked back with a hum.
“I don’t care what he thinks, it’s not like he’s raised me.” The young boy grumbled. Hearing this caused Dick to tense. It was never a good thing when the kids started to have these thoughts.
“Dami you don’t mean that. You are Bruce’s son and he loves you.”
“Well, you’re the one who takes care of me! He’s never around long enough to even ask how I’m doing or what projecting I’m working on.” Damian said.
There was silence in the car after the confession. Dick didn’t know what to say so he stayed silent. That wasn’t going to slide with Damian, he was too worked up.
“You’re more of a dad than he is Grayson.” Was the last thing Damian said before they pulled into the long driveway of the Wayne mansion.
‘Haven’t I given enough?’
~
The day only got worse. Forgot that family dinner was tonight and that we met for at least an hour with everyone who ever lived in the mansion. He loved his family, he truly did, but after getting Damian everything seemed to be too much. He wanted to leave but instead, he let Alfred talk him into staying.
Thankfully dinner wasn’t far away from when he dropped Damian off. He only had to wait an hour or so until the meal was ready to be eaten. During that time waiting he spent it talking to Damian and pretending to help Alfred in the kitchen. He just didn’t want to see everyone else.
“Master Dick, do you mind getting everyone to the table?” Alfred asked, breaking Dick out of whatever problem he had conjured up.
“Of course Alfred,” He replied, dreading the thought of leaving the safety of the kitchen.
Walking down the many corridors he shouted out about dinner being ready. Most of his siblings ran past him, chasing each other to the table. God he wished he could be that carefree in this house. The only person he knew he had to actively get was Bruce. Of course, it was Bruce who caused the trouble.
“Bruce, dinners ready, you should come down before Alfred gets to you,” Dick called from the other side of the door that led to Bruce’s office.
“I’ll be down in a minute, there’s no need for you to stand there and wait for me.” He heard Bruce call back.
Dick didn’t waste another second standing behind that door. He had spent far too many years already doing that.
~
“Would anyone like to talk about their day?” Bruce asked, clearing his throat.
“Mine was all right, me and Steph trained a bit together,” Tim spoke up first with Steph confirming after he finished speaking.
They all went around saying the same vague responses. Everyone expects Dick and Damian. Dick just didn’t want to speak but Damian looked like he wanted to bite someone’s head off.
“Damian? Dick? Are you going to answer?” Bruce asked.
“We both had nice days,” Dick said, quick to make sure no issues would arise.
“I got in a fight at school and Grayson had to pick me up,” Damian said just as quickly as Dick had.
The table got quiet, the soft sound of silverware scraping against their plates. Dick looked at Damian with alarm and sighed at the stubborn look he received.
“Damian you can't keep getting into fights like this, I taught you better,” Bruce said as he continued eating, unaware of the tense atmosphere.
“You didn’t teach me anything, father.” Damian spat, voice full of venom.
“Damian, let’s just eat okay?” Dick tried.
“Dick doesn’t get involved,” Bruce said just as sharply as his son.
That’s when the table decided to come alive again. There was a gasp from Steph, or maybe it was Cass and a quick ‘Master Bruce’ from Alfred. It didn’t matter though, Dick was used to this.
“Of course Bruce, because what would I know right?” Dick asked.
“Please don’t start this argument at dinner Dick, I’m trying to enjoy this time with you all.”
“Well, maybe you should’ve thought about that before I started raising your kids!” Dick shouted. “I have been the fucking backbone of this makeshift family you’ve created and I can’t keep doing this.”
“Dick maybe we should leave?” He could hear what he thinks was Jason.
“I have taken care of everyone here. I even went to get your son from a fight he had at school because you didn’t raise him, I did.” He continued.
Once again there was silence, not a sound to be heard from anyone. It’s like the world was on pause. Bruce was the first one to break it with a sigh.
“Dick I’m not doing this with you again.” He heard the older man say.
“I’ve given everything to this family! But you don’t care, do you? I’m the one taking care of your children, I’m the one who picks Dami up when he’s in trouble. I’m the one who puts Tim to bed when he’s asleep at his desk and I’m the one who has sleepovers with Jason when he’s too caught up in the past.” Dick ranted. “I’m done here Bruce, enjoy your dinner.”
~
“Haven’t I given enough?” He asked about the night sky.