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This is a companion fic to Tattoo by Piratesquared! Go check it out!
Dick felt like he was fourteen years old again, being forced into a perfectly tailored suit that felt constrictive, like he couldn't move or breathe properly in it. He was used to clothes that meant he could run and flip and twirl. He remembered hiding from Bruce and Alfred in cupboards to avoid having to attend some fancy ball or gala, holding his breath and being as quiet as possible.
But they always found him in the end, and he'd have to spend the evening having to make small talk with these rich strangers who stared at him like he was some kind of exhibit in a zoo, a freak show oddity. That carney kid that Bruce Wayne had so generously adopted. Dick was used to being in the spotlight but not like this, not like he was some lost creature that needed the pity of all these socialites who had nothing better to do than coo and exclaim over him. He hated it because it reminded him how he didn't belong, how different he was.
So once he turned eighteen, he told Bruce point blank that he wasn't going anymore. And that was that.
Until two days ago, when Bruce called him.
**
'So there's a ball on Saturday night, charity function.' Bruce said.
'Mm' Dick replied, tucking the phone more securely between his shoulder and ear so he could carry on washing up. 'That's nice, hope you have a good time.'
He heard Bruce huff out a breath on the other end of the phone and Dick could practically see him pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.
'I know you don't like them.' he continued. 'But if you could come along to keep an eye on Damian and Tim, I'd be really grateful.'
'I'm sure they don't need a babysitter.' Dick replied.
'Damian tried to smuggle a knife into the last gala.' Bruce said, sounding weary. 'You'd be doing me a massive favour, I've got some very important people to schmooze.'
Dick sighed, he was still terrible at saying no to Bruce as it turned out.
'Fine.' he said, dumping the wet plates onto the draining board. 'What time do you want me to pick them up?'
**
And that was how Dick found himself standing in the corner of a ridiculously fancy ballroom, having commandeered a corner table where Damian and Tim were sitting. Jason was standing next to Dick, looking thoroughly pissed off at being dragged into this too.
Dick glanced across the crowded room and grinned as he spotted Bruce who was practically batting his eyelashes at Clark Kent as he leaned in to talk to him.
He nudged Jason with his elbow and jerked his head slightly in Bruce's direction.
'I get why he asked me to babysit now,' he said
Jason looked over and almost burst out laughing.
'Christ almighty.' he said, shaking his head. 'Do they think they're being subtle?'
Dick shrugged, and cast a quick glance at Tim and Damian who appeared to be arguing in hushed voices. At least they weren't making a scene, that was an achievement.
'Were rich people always this awful?' Jason whispered, his eyes scanning the room as though checking for threats ''And what's with these suits by the way? '
Dick glanced down at himself, his suit was midnight blue with an open necked pale blue shirt, Bruce had picked it for him in his Nightwing colours. The others had hints of their colours in their suits too, Jason's tie was red, Tim's suit was a deep burgundy and Damian's suit was emerald green. It was a wonder their superhero identities stayed a secret.
'Yeah, they've always been this awful.' Dick whispered back 'First time I went to one of these things, some woman commented on how exotic it was that Bruce had adopted a child from the circus.'
'Jesus.' Jason muttered. 'I'm sorry, that's not on…'
'It's fine.' Dick said airily. 'It was years ago.'
Jason opened his mouth to argue but they were interrupted by the sudden appearance of two middle aged women dripping in diamonds. Dick vaguely recognised them from the last gala he attended about seven years ago, and his brain started scrambling to remember their names. When he failed to come up with anything, he simply plastered on a winning smile and hoped for the best.
He felt Jason tense next to him, he clearly didn't like the way the women were looking at Dick, and honestly Dick didn't like it either, their smiles were slightly predatory.
'Dick Grayson is that you?' exclaimed one of the women, a tall blonde in a red dress. 'My goodness I barely recognised you.'
'And you haven't changed a bit.' Dick replied smoothly. 'I think it's been what, seven years since my last gala.'
If there was one thing Dick had picked up from Bruce over the years, it was how to flatter rich people. He hated doing it, it felt so insincere but sometimes it was necessary.
'What are you doing skulking in the corner like this?' she continued. 'Handsome young man like you should be out socialising.'
'I'm just keeping an eye on my brothers.' Dick explained. 'Have you met…'
But he was cut off mid sentence by a shout of 'Get back here you little shit! '
Dick looked around to see Damian sprinting past him, pursued by a very angry looking Tim. He had to fight the urge to giggle.
He turned back to the women and gave them his politest smile.
'Please excuse us ladies,' he said, grabbing Jason's arm to rescue him too. 'Those would be my brothers, we should probably go and deal with that.'
'Tim! Dami!' Dick shouted, elbowing his way through the crowd. 'Stop it!'
He found them eventually, Tim had backed Damian into a corner and was looking at him like he wanted to hit him. People were starting to stare.
'C'mon.' Dick said, grabbing Tim by the shoulder and manoeuvring him out into a deserted corridor. 'Jay, get Dami will you?'
He could hear Jason behind him, and Damian's shouts of protest.
'What the hell do you two think you're playing at?' Dick asked once they were all outside. 'You were making such a scene back there.'
Tim tried unsuccessfully to wriggle out of Dick's grip, and Jason kept a tight hold on a scowling Damian.
'That shit head stole my phone.' Tim said angrily. 'I was texting Bernard and he tried to look at my messages. When I wouldn't let him, he snatched it out of my hand and ran. I just want it back.'
'He kept giggling.' Damian said, finally succeeding in extracting himself from Jason's grip and straightening his suit jacket. 'I wanted to know what was so funny.'
'It's none of your business.' Tim snapped. 'Now give me my phone back.'
Damian looked nonplussed and didn't make any move to hand the phone back.
'Seriously, bud.' Jason said cajolingly. 'Just give it back.'
'Not until he stops keeping secrets.' Damian said, and he actually sounded hurt. 'Who's Bernard?'
'Dami,' Dick said warningly. 'Tim doesn't have to tell you that.'
But to his surprise, Tim shook his head and crouched down so he's on a level with Damian.
'I'm not keeping secrets squirt.' Tim says gently. 'I just didn't think you cared all that much. Bernard's my boyfriend, does that answer your question?'
Damian nodded and handed Tim's phone back without further argument.
'If he turns out to be a super villain.' Damian said calmly as they headed back towards the ballroom. 'I will have to kill him.'
**
'Why do you put up with it?' Jason asked, once they were all seated back at their corner table.
'Put up with what?' Dick asked, half watching the door to the toilets. Clark and Bruce had disappeared in there a while ago, and people would start to notice if they didn't come back soon.
'The way those women treat you.' Jason said, taking a sip of his drink. 'They look at you like you're a piece of meat, not a human being. It's gross.'
Dick shrugged, he didn't like it but the women didn't mean any harm, not really.
'Need to keep 'em sweet.' he replied. 'They're just bored, gotta get their kicks somewhere.'
Jason shook his head.
'If they start that again, I'm not gonna keep my mouth shut.' he replied matter of factly. 'You're a person Dickie, not a museum exhibit.'
Dick was touched, Jason might be younger than him but he was still fiercely protective of all of them. And Dick didn't doubt for one second that he'd make good on that threat.
'I need to use the bathroom.' Damian announced loudly and suddenly, interrupting their conversation.
'Go then.' Tim said, barely looking up from his phone.
'They're out of order dummy.' Damian said huffily. 'Have been for ages.'
'There's another set down the corridor.' Dick reminded him, trying to conceal a smirk. 'They're not as fancy but they'll do the job.'
Damian sighed dramatically and hurried off towards the double doors that lead out of the ballroom. He knew full well why the toilets had been occupied so long and he was pretty sure Jason did too but he wasn't about to tell Tim or Damian about it.
The rest of the ball passed without incident (unless you counted Tim trying to order an espresso martini and being marched back to their table by a rather irritated looking bartender.)
'Hey.' Jason said, at some point towards the end of the evening. 'Toilets are finally free.'
Dick followed the direction of Jason's gaze, where Bruce was exiting the previously engaged restroom, walking with his signature billionaire playboy swagger.
'Someone looks pleased with himself.' Jason muttered in his ear.
Dick elbowed him sharply in the ribs
'Shut up Jay. I don't want to think about it.'
Dick vaguely wondered where Clark was but that question was answered when he appeared through the French doors that lead out to the terrace. Which made no logistical sense if you didn't know the man possessed the power of super speed.
But Dick did know better, so he simply shook his head and went back to listening to Tim and Damian debating the merits of different computer operating systems.
**
Twenty minutes later, and the ball seemed to be wrapping up, people were beginning to say goodbye to each other and were heading to the cloakroom to fetch their coats.
Dick glanced over at where Bruce and Clark were clearly making preparations to leave. He figured they probably wanted a bit of privacy, and having Tim and Damian knocking around wouldn't exactly help with that. So he made a last minute decision.
'Hey guys.' he said to the others, who were sitting around the table looking restless. 'We're going back to mine tonight. Sleepover. Go get your coats.'
'Oh, I was gonna get a lift back with Bruce,' Jason said half heartedly. 'I've had a few drinks so I can't drive…'
'Nope.' Dick said. 'You too Jason.'
'Why?' Tim said, looking puzzled as he stood up. 'I thought we were all staying at the manor tonight.'
'Change of plans.' Dick said quickly. 'C'mon, I'll go get the car and meet you out front.'
Amid much grumbling and complaining, Jason herded the two younger boys in the direction of the cloakroom whilst Dick headed towards the exit.
He texted Alfred as he walked,
I'm taking the kids back to my place, I'll drop them home in the morning. See you tomorrow.
**
When Dick pulled up in front of the building, he spotted his brothers standing on the steps looking slightly bemused.
'I don't see why we can't go with Father like we planned.' Damian complained, as Tim and Jason climbed into Dick's car.
'Because I said so.' Dick replied irritably. 'Get in the damn car or I'm leaving you here.'
Damian looked slightly alarmed at the idea and quickly clambered in next to Tim and slammed the door behind him.
**
Back at Dick's apartment, the other three piled onto the couch like they lived there whilst Dick went into his room to find some old t shirts for the boys to sleep in. They couldn't very well sleep in the suits that had probably cost an eye watering amount of money. He changed out of his own suit too, into sweats and a t shirt before heading back to the lounge
'Can we order pizza?' Tim asked as Dick walked in. 'I'm starving.'
'Didn't you eat at the ball?' Jason said incredulously.
Tim shrugged.
'Still hungry.' he said.
'I swear you have hollow legs, kid.' Dick said, laughing. 'Yeah go on, order a pizza if you want but no pineapple ok?'
Damian, who had looked positively sullen since they arrived, suddenly brightened and shuffled closer to Tim so he could look at the menu on his phone.
'There's t shirts there for you to sleep in.' Dick said, dropping the pile onto the armchair. 'Alfred might actually kill me if you ruin those suits. I'm just going to make some tea, don't murder each other whilst I do.'
'Can I have coffee?' Tim piped up hopefully.
'It's midnight.' Dick said, checking his watch. 'I am not giving you caffeine at this time.'
Tim pouted but didn't argue the point further so Dick left them to it.
He stood in the kitchen, waiting for the pot of tea to brew. All the boys drank tea, even if Tim preferred coffee. It was a side effect of being brought up by Alfred Pennyworth, and as a result Dick always had a supply of it in the apartment alongside the fancy coffee that Babs got him for Christmas.
Jason came in when Dick was rummaging through the cupboards to find four mugs that weren't chipped. His brother had luckily left some of his own clothes at the apartment the last time he stayed over, Dick didn't think any of his clothes would even come close to fitting Jason.
'Alfred would be scandalised.' he said, hopping up onto the counter. 'That you're not serving tea in the finest bone china.'
'Oh shut up.' Dick replied. 'The kids ok?'
Jason nodded.
'Pizza's ordered and they're now arguing about what movie to put on. They're exhausting.'
'You do know why we're having this impromptu sleepover right?' Dick asked as he poured tea into mugs.
'So Bruce and Clark can have some private time without being interrupted.' Jason replied, a smile ghosting his lips. 'Do Tim and Dami know?'
'Well they know they're together . I think,' Dick said. 'But no I didn't tell them we're having a sleepover so their dad can fuck his alien boyfriend funnily enough.'
Jason shuddered and slid off the counter to help Dick with the mugs of tea.
'Yeah fair point, don't want to mentally scar them.'
They returned to the sitting room to find Tim and Damian both wearing Dick's old t-shirts that fell almost to their knees. Tim was scrolling through Dick's Netflix account, apparently looking for a movie to put on.
**
The pizza arrived half an hour later and as they ate, they decided who was going to sleep where. Jason would get the bed in Dick's spare room, Tim would use the camp bed that Dick inexplicably had in the same closet he kept the cleaning supplies, and Damian, as the smallest, would take the couch.
Damian tried to argue with this but he quickly shut up when Jason pointed out that the alternative was sharing with Dick who snored.
Jason finally overruled Tim and Damian who were arguing over which movie to put on by deciding on The Mask . It was such a left field choice that none of the others could really object.
Once they'd finished eating, Dick left them to watch the movie and went into the kitchen to wash the dishes and tidy up so he didn't have to do it in the morning.
He pulled out his phone to check his messages, and saw there was just the one from Alfred.
Thank you for taking the children, I wouldn't worry about rushing back tomorrow morning. I fear Master Bruce will not be rising early.
Dick scrunched up his nose, and put his phone back into the pocket of his sweatpants. He did not need to know that but somehow he found out anyway. Fantastic.
When he came back into the sitting room a little while later, he was surprised to find the two younger boys fast asleep. Tim and Damian were curled up together under a blanket on the couch, Damian's head resting on Tim's shoulder.
Jason was sitting in one of the armchairs, scrolling through his phone.
He looked up as Dick walked in and smiled softly at his sleeping brothers as he leaned over for the remote and switched off the TV.
Dick didn't have the heart to wake the boys up, if they woke later then they could move if they wanted to, but Dick wasn't going to do it for the sake of it.
Jason stood up and crossed the sitting room to the door that led towards the bedrooms and the bathroom. Dick followed him, clicking off the light as he went and shutting the sitting room door quietly behind him.
'Kinda sweet when they're asleep aren't they?' Jason said quietly. 'Makes a nice change from them being at each other's throats.'
Dick nodded and yawned. It was late and he just wanted to fall into bed and sleep for a long time. So he bade Jason goodnight and headed for his own bedroom, content that he had all his brothers under one roof even if it was just for one night.