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Dick smiled, looking at his baby brother with a big smile.
Tim was too busy with his skateboard, to notice anything.
Dick wanted him to stay this way, happy, carefree, having fun.
“Are you going to join?” he heard and Tim was watching him with expectations the size of the moon.
“You know it’s one of three sports I suck at, right?” he played it off. It was so hard to say no to his brother’s face.
“Well, yeah. But it’s just more fun if you’re there too.”
“If you say so” Dick laughed, trying to cover how sour his arm felt for the past week.
He took a skateboard and went with Tim.
He ignored the doctor's advice for way less than his brother’s smile, didn’t he?
Dick’s bed felt like heaven. It was soft, and fluffy, and his . After two days with no sleep, he could finally rest. Fall asleep, relax. He didn’t have work, didn’t have to wake up-
And then his phone had to speak up. Phone ringtone could be heard in the whole room, forcing Dick out of the blissful rest.
And when he looked at the caller's ID, he saw Damian’s name.
“I need help” was what Damian said.
“Are you sure no one else can’t come?” Dick asked, desperately.
“Father cannot know” was what Damian said.
And Dick sighed, but so that Damian wouldn’t know, and smiled as he answered.
It was just a couple extra hours. Now his baby brother needed to be picked up. It’s not like he never holds up for longer.
A cut, a hit, a torn muscle. Nightwing would be hurt many times, trying to save people. A distraction resulting in an unfortunate strike. Pushing himself too much while trying to get someone to safety.
It was fine. He loved helping people. He knew it would be hard, going out every day, doing this all the time.
And then he saw Jason - Hood, Little Wing - about to be hit.
And Dick couldn’t let this happen.
So he ran, as fast as he could, and before he could notice, he was on his knees, blood dripping from his stomach, a small smile on his lips. Jay was safe, Jay was okay.
“You are an idiot!” he yelled. “I have fucking armor!”
But it was instinct and when he woke up with new stitches and Jason at his bedside, he decided it was worth it.
Dick kept smiling, kept himself calm. Bruce was difficult, he knew. He can’t show how much it bothers him, how much he doesn’t understand Bruce himself.
He was the only one who could be the bridge, who could be an intermediary between Bruce and their family. A peacekeeper. He can’t fight him, not now. He can’t yell at Bruce, can’t tell him to fuck off, can’t run and hide in Bludhaven, in Titans Tower.
So he smiles, he pushes his feelings down, down, down and pretends everything is alright.
Dick was imprisoned in his bed, in Manor.
He didn’t like it. But he didn’t have to like it. As long as it helps Bruce and Damian worry less, as long as it helps keep Jason there, keep him a little calmer.
It’s okay.
It’s always okay.
And then knock on the door and almost automatic “Came in.”
“Big brother” Cass said, coming close. “You are not okay.”
Dick huffed.
“I have a twisted ankle, it’s kind of a given.”
“Not body. Mind. Big brother… is not well” there was so much concern in her voice. Dick felt bad for worrying her so much.
And he knew, he knew Cass can see through him, that he can’t put a mask around her, but he still tried. He smiled as he said “Just a little tired.”
“Lair. You help us. Do a lot for us. Support. But don’t let us do the same. You are hurt but pretend you aren’t. It’s… wrong. I… don’t like it. I want to… help.”
“I’m your older brother Cassie, of course I’m going to be the one who helps you all. But you don’t have to worry. I can take care of my own problems” he tried. Cass just shook her head, sitting on the bed next to him.
“Bad big brother” she lectured. He knew she didn’t mean it literally, but Dick still felt a pang of pain. “We don’t want to see you hurt. And we all want to help. Do what you are doing for us.”
“You are my little siblings Cass. My family.”
“Little yes. Child - no. I can handle it. Family helps each other. You said so.”
And before Dick noticed, his sister pulled him in a hug, close to her chest.
“I will… I will try. It’s the best I can promise.”
“Hm… Good enough. For now.”