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Dick Grayson hates celebrating his birthday. Celebrating his birthday means celebrating the day that his parents died and he hates it. Bruce is understanding of this, but he still presents Dick with a small gift and the option to have a movie night every year, Dick never passes up the chance to spend time with his adoptive father. Today, Dick turns fourteen, but there is no time to visit his parents grave or open a gift from Bruce in the morning, he and the Team have a mission.
“You all have your assignment, good luck.” Batman says, finishing his briefing of the mission. The Team nods and begins to walk away but Batman places a careful hand on Robin’s shoulder, “I will take you to see them later. Yellow roses right?” He asks, quiet but not enough so that the leaving group couldn’t hear him.
“Thank you.” Robin responds, solemn and muffled, before rejoining the team. The group boards Bioship and heads off towards where they have to fight the supervillian of the week.
On the way back, Conner finally addresses the elephant in the room.
“So, who are you going to see, Rob? With the yellow flowers?” He asks, earning a scolding glare from Aqualad, who turns to face Robin.
“You do not have to answer that if you do not wish to.” He adds, watching the Boy Wonder’s shoulders go down a fraction of an inch.
“It’s fine, Kaldur… It's uh, the anniversary of my parents’ death. Batman brings me to their grave every year with our family flowers.” He explains, looking out Bioship’s window in order to avoid eye contact with anyone. He tries not to think about his parents, he really does, but he has to wipe his eyes before tears start spilling out from under his mask.
“Your… parents?” Conner asks as Kid Flash flies to his best friend’s side in an instant, placing a gentle hand on Robin’s upper arm.
“If it would help… you could tell us about them?” Artemis suggests, prompting Miss Martian to put Bioship on autopilot and for the rest of the team to turn their seats towards their surrogate little brother.
“They were… they were performers. Amazing too. People always threw yellow roses onto stage after their shows.” Robin sniffles a little, Kid Flash shifts to offer him a hug, but Robin just places his head on the speedster’s shoulder, “They died during a performance too. Their last one, my first.” He explains, taking deep breaths with Kid Flash.
“It’s okay to cry, Robin.” Miss Martian states, following it up with, “We’re landing in the cave within the minute.”
Robin doesn’t cry on Bioship, but Black Canary does their debrief, not that the Team could pay attention while in the other room, just barely visible through the wide opening, Robin cries onto Batman’s shoulders while the latter uses one arm to hold his protege and the other to hold a few roses.
The dynamic duo wait until the debrief is over, then Robin goes to change into civvies and Batman comes to address the Team.
“Robin told me what happened on the way back here. He said that if any of you would like to come, you’re welcome to.” The man says, his glare was slightly less piercing, something soft and parental taking it over just slightly.
“Anything for my best bro.” Kid Flash says, though his voice lacks its usual pep, he still walks right past the Bat to wait for Robin by where the roses had been placed down.
“If Robin wants our support, I would be happy to oblige.” Aqualad responds, following Kid Flash to wait by the table in the other room. The remaining team members look at each other before Miss Martian speaks up.
“I think we should let those two go alone, they have known Robin for way longer than the rest of us have.” She says, to which the others agree. Batman nods and heads back over to where the, now three, teens wait for him.
Wally, Kaldur, and Bruce stand behind Dick as he places the flowers down on his mother and father’s graves, whispering something in a language that none of the others understand before standing up and all but collapsing into Wally’s outstretched arms. As he cries, Kaldur joins in on the hug, carefully moving to hug both Dick and Wally. Bruce only places a comforting hand on Dick’s back. None of them dare to say anything as sobs rack Dick’s body, but they’ll stay there until he is okay.