Chapter Text
Nothing could have prepared Dick for the message he had just received from Bruce, mere moments after he’d stepped out of the shower. He groaned as he heard the unmistakable sound of the text alert he had for Bruce and only Bruce, hair still damp.
“What now?” Dick muttered under his breath, padding over to where his phone rested on his bedside table, still plugged into its charger.
Bruce
Dick.
I am heading away on an off-world mission with some
League members for some time.
Time frame is expected to be a year, but that could
change.
As the oldest, you have the responsibility of making
sure nothing goes wrong in Gotham, both Batman
wise and WE.
I leave Damian in your care as well.
Don’t disappoint me.
Bruce
Bruce
What the fuck do you mean
You motherfucker, you can’t just say that
and leave
Are you serious right now?
You’re an ass
Fuck you
Dick dropped the phone onto his bed and buried his head in his hands, letting out a muffled yell of frustration. Of course Bruce would leave for an extended period of time and drop everything onto Dick’s shoulder, not expecting an argument and not waiting for one either. And he had the gall to tell Dick to not disappoint him, as if that wasn't Dick’s goal in everything he did in his life.
He didn't have time to curse Bruce to the ends of the earth now, he had to go to the manor and check up on everyone and tell them what was going on, because knowing Bruce, he probably hadn't told anyone he was going away. No one but Dick, because it made perfect sense that he had to deal with everything. So much sense.
“Fuck you, Bruce.” Dick huffed, heading to his closet and grabbing a duffel bag. If Bruce really was going to be away for a year then he couldn't very well live in the middle of Gotham when most of his family was at the manor, including a ten year-old former assassin who was going to be twice as unhinged with Bruce gone.
When he had packed a good majority of his clothes into two separate duffel bags, he grabbed his electronics and stuffed them into a backpack, which he slung onto his shoulder as he walked out of the apartment and locked the door behind him. Luckily, he bought this apartment instead of renting one, so he didn't have to worry about paying any rent during the time he would be gone, just dust.
He unlocked his car and tossed all the bags in the back seat before getting in the driver's seat and turning the engine on. As much as he would prefer to use his bike, it was not feasible to drive it with two duffel bags and a backpack. He could ask Jason for a ride to come and get it some time later. Right now, he needed to focus on driving to the manor and figuring out this whole situation.
It registered in his mind that Jason probably had no clue what was going on either, and the younger would definitely not be at the manor right now. He decided to call him and see where he was.
“Jay.” Dick greeted when his brother picked up.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Are you in Gotham?”
“Yeah, why?” Jason’s tone changed to slightly concerned.
“Can you get to the manor? I gotta talk to everyone.” Dick sighed wearily.
“Is Bruce going to be there?”
“Definitely not.” Dick snorted.
“Alright, be there in a bit. See you.”
“Drive safe!” He managed to get out before the call ended. “I’m going to kill Bruce when he comes back.”
Thirty minutes later, his car was parked outside the looming manor and he got out, grabbing all his bags and walking to the front door, which promptly swung open, revealing Steph.
“Steph.” Dick smiled. “Hey.”
“Hi Dick. Fancy seeing you here.” She beamed, her eyes flicking down to the bags before she met his gaze once more, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
“Yeah. I need to talk to everyone. It’s important.”
“Come on in. You want me to get everyone?”
“Please.” He nodded, following her into the manor and kicking the door shut with his foot after she disappeared to go find everyone. Dick left his bags at the base of the stairs before he made his way into the kitchen, waving when Alfred turned to face him. “Hey Alfred.”
“Master Richard. A pleasant surprise.” Alfred greeted. “What brings you to the manor, dear boy?”
“Bruce tell you anything?”
“Should he have?” Alfred questioned.
“Of course he didn’t. I swear –” Dick shook his head, sighing deeply. “Better to just wait for everyone to get here. Jason’s on his way too.”
When everyone was gathered and Jason had arrived, Dick dropped the news on them.
“Bruce dipped for an off-world mission. He said the time frame was a year or so. And he also dumped all of his responsibilities, from Batman to Wayne Enterprises to you all, on me.” Dick plastered a very obviously fake smile on his face and flashed a thumbs up at all the shocked faces peering back at him.
“What the fuck.” Jason was the first to break the silence. “He just dumped all that shit on you?”
“Father left?” Damian’s normally expressionless face showed a modicum of shock.
“Yeah.” Dick huffed, leaning back against the kitchen island. “He even told me to not disappoint him.”
“He’s delusional .” Jason stage-whispered.
“Tell me about it.”
“Is that why you had the bags?” Steph asked, gesturing back to the main hall.
“Yeah. Doesn’t make sense for me to live in the middle of the city when I’ll need to be here. So, as much as I don't like staying at the manor, I don't have much of a choice.”
“If I may, Master Richard… you could simply purchase a new property. Perhaps a penthouse in the middle of the city. So you could go to and from your jobs with ease, and it would be big enough that your siblings would be able to stay there as well.” Alfred proposed.
“I hate to break it to you, Alfie, but I’m not rolling in money. I work two jobs, I cannot afford a penthouse that big in the middle of Gotham.” Dick shook his head.
“Of course not. Use Master Bruce’s money.” Alfred shrugged.
“Alfred!” Tim’s eyes widened. “I didn't know you had it in you!”
“I do not know what you are referring to Master Timothy. Master Bruce will be gone for an extended period of time and did not do us the grace of informing us. It would be less than the amount of money he would spend in that time, so I do not see why not.”
“You know what Alfred? You’re right. I will do that.” Dick nodded. “You guys want to help pick somewhere out?”
“Hell yeah!” Steph cheered.
“Duh.” Cass deadpanned.
“I don’t even know why you’re asking.” Jason rolled his eyes.
“I suppose I must make sure it is a satisfactory place.” Damian relented.
“Timmers?” Dick turned to the only one who hadn't spoken up.
“Of course!” Tim nodded. “And Dick, about Wayne Enterprises. Do you – I could help you with that, if you wanted?”
“Would you?” Dick’s eyes widened.
“I mean… I do a lot of Bruce’s work anyway…” Tim rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
“You’re a godsend, baby bird. Yes, absolutely I would love for you to help.”
And so a small weight was lifted from the load atop the eldest shoulders. It might have seemed like much, but it meant the world to Dick that his siblings were there to lighten some of the load.
It was a mere week later that they all moved into a massive penthouse in the middle of Gotham, not too far from where Dick’s much smaller apartment was. They had several spots in the parking lot, enough for Dick’s car and bike, Jason’s bike along with Tim’s and a space for Alfred’s car of choice. There were also a few extra spots in case anyone, like Steph, was over.
Everyone had their own room in the penthouse, even Steph, because she was basically unofficially living with them. Alfred insisted upon coming with them, stating he didn't want to stay at the manor alone and that none of them, save for Dick, would survive a day without his cooking and he refused to let them be subject to microwavable meals and takeaway food.
Thus began the start of a new journey in Dick’s life, multitasking his own life and Bruce’s and all of his siblings, from Cass’s ballet recitals, to movie nights with Jason, analysing cases with Tim and every aspect of Damian’s life. It was hard, but he could endure it if only for them all.