Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dick was off-world with the Titans, again , when the death happened. He didn’t even hear about it until he came back. Again . Why no one seems to want to inform him of these things, Dick will never know.

And he had to hear from Superman of all people. His uncle Clark. Because apparently after getting the news, both Alfred and Jason went off grid. No one, not even Clark, can figure out where they’ve run off to.

That wasn’t a surprise with Jason, in fact, it’s happened multiple times. Something stressful happens, and Jason goes off grid for a few months to a few years. That’s completely normal for the kid. But Alfred has never done so. Dick supposed it’s warranted, but it’s still surprising to him. Alfred has lost the closest thing he’s had to a son.

According to Clark, Damian has been unresponsive. On auto-pilot, basically. It’s like nothing gets through to the kid. He’s usually found curled up with one or all of his animals, talking in a low voice to them. Jon said his voice always sounded shaky, like he was always a constant 2 seconds from crying.

Tim has been throwing himself into work. The cases Bruce left behind, young justice missions, any work he can find, which obviously isn’t healthy, but if Duke and Kon haven’t managed to pull him away from a computer, Dick doubted he could. He was just glad Tim wasn’t addicted to coffee.

Duke and Cass seemed alright, which was most likely a front put on so they could stay strong for the other two. Bruce was the closest thing Cass has ever had to a dad. No, scratch that. Bruce was her dad. She may not have been biologically related to him, but hey, neither were most of the other kids who lived in the manor.

Duke on the other hand, hadn’t really gotten to know Bruce that well yet. He’d just moved into the manor a few weeks before. That didn’t mean Duke wasn’t upset about Bruce’s death, but it made sense why he had an easier time pretending to be strong.

When Dick pulled into the manor driveway, he expected to walk into a house that felt empty, even with people in it. He was not expecting there to be people waiting for him in the family room.

Clark, of course, was there, along with Kon and Jon. They’d been taking care of the others while Dick was away. 

Wally, who he was surprised to see, because Wally is in the Titans and would have been off-world with Dick. He supposes it makes sense, Wally is his best friend, if Dick went to anyone about his problems, it was the speedster.

Bart Allen, who most likely came with Wally to check up on Tim. Bart, Tim, and Kon were a tight group, along with Cassie, who didn’t seem to be here. Dick has suspected for a while that the three boys were in a relationship, but he refuses to pry about it since Tim won’t confirm nor deny. He doesn’t want to accidentally chase away another brother.

And the last person surprised him the most: Roy. Roy and Jason were super close, like Wally and Dick level close… Okay, maybe not that close, but they were still best friends. Roy literally left the Titans to join the Outlaws. The reason why him being here surprised Dick so much was because he and Roy haven’t really been in contact over the past few years. But he was probably here to recruit Dick into finding Jason.

The portrait hanging above the fireplace looked down at him hauntingly. It was a family portrait, one taken right after Damian’s 14th birthday. The only person missing in it was Duke, who had joined the family the week after the portrait was taken. Bruce had planned to get another one taken, but Dick didn’t think they were going to make it to that appointment.

Everything in this room made Dick feel unsettled. Nothing about it has changed since the last time he’s been here, but just knowing that Bruce was dead made him look at everything with a new lens.

The group kind of just stood in silence until Clark spoke up. “Dick, we’re so glad you came. If anyone can get this family functioning again, it’s you.”

That.. that’s it? No “how are you feeling after the death of your father’? No “I’m sorry”? Just the fact he’s this family’s glue thrown in his face again.

Dick swallowed. “Yeah. Right.” He hoped his tone didn’t show how disappointed he was. Really, he had no logical reason to be disappointed. Since the age of 15, the glue of the family has been his role, his reason for being here.

Wally has the decency to look annoyed at what Clark said. “I’m sorry for your loss, Dick. If you need anything, and I mean it, a place to stay, someone to watch the house, food, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks, Wally. I should.. um.. get Tim off the Batcomputer.” He awkwardly left the room, leaving Wally, Roy, and Bart to glare at Clark, who honestly probably didn’t even know what he did wrong.

Dick took a deep breath before entering the cave. He didn’t think he’d feel so overwhelmed with emotions already, and dealing with Tim would just make it worse. Damian would at least listen to him, but Tim has been distancing himself from this family for a while. Dick thinks that if Bruce didn’t die, Tim would have been so close to just packing up and leaving.

And Dick really didn’t want to lose another sibling. It upset him that Jason was still estranged from the family, he really didn’t want Tim going down the same path.

The Batcomputer was full of tabs, case files, documents, Tim’s notes (which were barely legible, the result of the other’s lack of sleep, no doubt), anything that could be on screen was there. And if Dick didn’t find a way to remove the teen from the massacre on the screen, Tim would surely work himself to death.

Trying not to startle the other, Dick spoke in the tone he usually reserved for scared children. “Hey, Tim, what’s going on, buddy?”

Bruce always said Tim was a mini him, and now with Bruce gone, it was like his soul was possessing Tim, because the teen just gave a grunt and continued typing.

“Tim, you have to work with me here, I mean, I can’t even read the notes you’re taking.”

Another grunt, which might actually be because Tim’s muscles have lost function due to lack of sleep. But Dick was determined.

“I will drag you out of here if I have to.”

When he got no response, he picked Tim up, holding him so the other couldn’t escape, and he dragged him upstairs to the family room, where Kon and Bart immediately rushed to take the exhausted teen to his room, both giving Dick their thanks. Or, at least, he thinks that’s what Bart was saying, he was speaking way too fast for anyone to understand him.

Wally walked up to Dick and rested his hand on his shoulder in support. No words were said between them, but they didn’t need words. Wally just being there was enough for Dick.

Dick sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “One kid down, one more to go. Where was Damian last?” He asked the supers.

Jon was the one who answered, probably a good thing, it looked like Wally and Roy were going to somehow gain laser vision and fry Clark.

“Last I saw him, he was in the library with Ace and Titus.” Jon’s usually energized voice was low and quiet, a sign that this was affecting him too, even if it is because his best friend is unresponsive.

Dick sighed again. “Alright, to the library I go.”

Chapter Text

At first, Dick thought that Damian had moved rooms so he wasn’t found. But when he heard the quiet whimpers of Ace, noticed the suspicious lump behind one of the couches.

Damian wasn’t like Tim, force wasn’t going to get him anywhere, and talking to Damian like a scared animal only works about 10% of the time.

That might be his only option, because Dick certainly doesn’t have the energy to try and think of a different solution, something only Wally has seemed to notice about him.

Dick sits on the ground next to the couch and sighs, which he seems to be doing a lot today. “Did I.. ever tell you about the day my parents died?”

There was no response from the young teen, which was expected, so Dick continued. “It was the worst day of my life. My parents died, and I was stuck in a country I didn’t really know the language of?” He took a deep breath before continuing. “Luckily, I was taken in. By Bruce.” Damian’s breathing hitched. Dick knew it would be hard for Damian to hear his dad’s name so soon after the death, but it was a response, and that meant he was getting somewhere. “He brought me here to the manor. I.. wanted to get revenge on the people who murdered my parents. That’s why Robin was created.”

“It.. is?” Damian’s small voice came from behind the couch. It sounded like the kid hadn’t had water in days, and he probably didn’t, so drowned by grief.

Dick huffed a laugh. “Yeah.. Robin was a way for me to release my anger. I was.. A really angry kid. Bruce wanted me to channel that anger somewhere, so Robin was created. I, uh, never got revenge on the people who killed my parents, though. That’s besides the point.” Dick paused. “Did I even have a point to this story? I guess.. Even though my parents died, it didn’t mean I didn’t have people caring for me. That pain.. That agony, that grief you feel, it never really goes away. But the people you care for can help you feel better.”

“What is.. What is going to happen now that Father is gone?” Came the muffled reply. Dick guessed that Damian had his face buried in one of the dog’s fur.

Dick ran a hand through his hair. “Well, I’m going to take care of this family. It won’t be too different from when Bruce was lost in the time stream. Except I’m not letting Tim go off on his own this time.” He tried for a joke.

“I suppose that is.. Acceptable.” Damian sat up, looking over at Dick. “I don’t.. I don’t want to be in the manor anymore. It is.. Too empty without Father.”

Dick rested a hand on Damian’s head. “I’m sure we can find an apartment where all of us could stay.”

Damian nodded before laying back down. 

“Hey, buddy, I need you to come with me. We gotta get some food in you and you need sleep.”

It took about 30 minutes of Dick trying to convince Damian to leave the library. Just  when Dick was about to give up, Damian sat up again. Dick took in his appearance. The kid had red-rimmed eyes, like he had been crying for days without end. His face was pale and his eyes had bags worse than Tim on most days. He was fidgeting with his hands in a way Dick has never seen him do before, and he refused to look Dick in the eyes.

Dick took a deep breath before grabbing onto Damian’s arm and helping him stand. And it was a good thing he was there to support, because Damian’s legs almost gave out right away. A sign that he hadn’t used them in a while.

It took a second, but Damian was able to stand without support or falling over, so Dick took his hand and led him to the kitchen. There was a table there, but it was small. The family usually ate in the dining room, but he thought that room might not be a good place right now.

“This is unnecessary, Richard. I have gone weeks without eating before, I will be fine.”

“That’s not a good thing, Damian. And if you learned that in the league, then that means it’s been years since you’ve been conditioned to that situation. So, sit down and think of something to eat.”

“As long as you are not the one cooking.”

“Why does everyone think I’m a bad cook?” He mumbles before heading back to the family room.

Everyone but Kon and Bart were still there, but he knew only two of those people were here for support. He turned to Jon. “Damian’s in the kitchen. Maybe you can help him think of something to eat.”

Jon’s expression immediately brightened before he rushed to the kitchen. Dick couldn’t blame the kid. He knew the super was just excited to have his best friend back.

He turned to the other three. “I’m.. going to look for an apartment for all of us to live in. Damian can’t handle being in the manor, and I think it would help to get out of here anyways. Less reminders of B, help the healing process, you know?”

The other three nodded, Wally speaking up. “My apartment should be big enough. If they don’t mind sharing rooms.”

Dick shook his head. “Wally, I can’t ask you to do that. You’ve already done so much for us.” For me, Dick thought.

“Dick, you’re my best friend. You’ve seen me at my worst times. I will do anything to help you out.” Wally spoke with a serious expression. “Plus, you moving in with me saves you the trouble of looking for a new place to stay.”

Dick hated how right Wally was. Well, he didn’t. That’s exactly what he needs from the other. Someone to be the common sense when Dick didn’t have any. 

“While you two are figuring that out, we have other matters to discuss too.” Roy spoke up for the first time. It’s only been a few years since Dick has seen him last, but his voice sounded older, way more mature, like he lived through something no one else could even begin to imagine.

“Right.. Jason.” Dick nodded solemnly. “Here’s the thing with that, Roy: Once Jay goes off-grid, he goes off-grid . There is no finding him until he wants to be found.”

“Well, you can’t have been trying very hard, then.” The archer huffed. Dick could tell he was getting restless, frustrated.

“I know Jason, Roy. I’ve known him since he was 12 years old. I know how he thinks, how he processes things.”

“ Do you know him?” Roy snapped. “Because if you did, you’d be out there searching for him.”

“Hey, it’s not like Dick doesn’t want to find Jason.” Wally protested. “But in case you haven’t noticed, there are four kids living in this manor who just lost their dad. Dick has to be here for them.”

“If you aren’t going to search for Jason, I will.” Roy growled before walking off. It only took 30 seconds before Dick heard the loud slam of the front door.

“He is not whelmed, not whelmed at all.” Wally muttered before turning to Dick. “I’ll let you think about it, this is a big decision, after all. I will be staying with you guys until then, just so that you guys have some support. Also Bart would kill me if I told him we had to leave when we just got him to sleep.”

Clark cleared his throat, reminding Dick that he was there too. “I unfortunately can’t stay, and I’m sure you don’t want two more kids running around here. But I will help if you need it. Just call out, I’ll be listening.”

Dick shared a look with Wally before looking at his uncle and giving a small smile. “Thanks, Clark.”

The super nodded before heading off to the kitchen, no doubt to make something for the two teens in there that were promised food.

“Hey,” Wally rested his hand on Dick’s shoulder. “We’ll get through this. Together .”

Dick took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah. We will.”

Chapter Text

It’s been about a week since the Wayne family has moved in with Wally, and all things considered, it’s been going as well as it could be. Tim’s still working, but it’s on his laptop, and he doesn’t argue when Dick tells him it’s time to sleep.

Damian’s been having nightmares, but in this line of work, it was rarer not to. Luckily, Jon’s been coming over quite often, and he helps out a bit.

Duke and Cass have given themselves the time to grieve now that Dick was back. Duke’s been acting more or less the same, most likely trying to keep it together for the family so that Dick wasn’t the only one trying to keep the family from falling apart.

Cass tries her best to act the same. Dick wasn’t as good at reading people as Cass was, but he could tell she was upset. She didn’t talk as much and he caught her spacing out sometimes, even if after they meet each other’s eyes, she sends him a smile.

Steph has been around a lot, too, which makes sense. She’s as close to family as she can be without being family. She’s still best friends with Tim, Duke, and Cass, and she’s been hanging around all three of them, trying to cheer them up. 

Dick has no idea how Steph feels about the situation. It was already hard to get her to open up about her feelings, and it seems like she just clammed up even more. She’s keeping herself composed pretty well from what Dick could tell, but he could only imagine how she must be feeling. After she broke off from her father, Bruce was the only one to accept her with open arms.

As for Dick, well, he didn’t like thinking about his feelings too much. If he starts thinking about how he feels, he won’t be able to be there for his siblings when they need him. Wally’s been trying to get him to talk about his feelings, but Dick doesn’t really want to go down that road right now. Not when his siblings need him. If his siblings knew he was repressing his emotions, they would surely yell at him for it, but he’s just gotta make sure they don’t find out. With how they’re immersed in their grief, he doubts they’d notice.

Sure, they’re a family of detectives, but even the self-proclaimed “world’s greatest hero” Bruce has fallen to grief before. Dick just regrets that Tim was the one who had to help the older bat.

At the moment, Dick was laying in his bed, which was placed in Wally’s room. The speedster’s apartment was pretty big, which Dick was surprised about, but he supposed that being an engineer would get you a lot of money.

With how it stood, Dick and Wally shared a room, Bart, Tim, Damian, and Duke shared a room and Steph and Cass took the old office.

Sometimes (read: most of the time), Tim spends his nights on the couch, whether it’s to get away from Damian or because he was too tired to make it to his bed, Dick was just glad he was getting some sleep.

If only he was the same. Nightmares, well, more like memories, are keeping him from sleeping. He’s seeing it all: his parent’s deaths, Jason’s death, the time they thought Bruce died. 

“Stop thinking so loud over there, I can hear you from across the room.” Wally grumbles, as if he was actually sleeping. Dick knew Wally was staying awake for his sake. To be someone he could talk to if needed.

“Sorry, I’m just..” Dick trailed off. “Sorry.”

“Hey, I get it. This is a stressful time for everyone. You, especially. You knew Bruce the longest, had probably the closest relationship with him. And you have to take care of your siblings now. And don’t think I haven’t noticed that you push your emotions down.”

Dick didn’t know what to say to that. It was all true. Despite how air-headed Wally might seem, he was good at knowing what to say to people.

“You need some sleep, Dick. You can’t be there for other people if you can’t be there for yourself.”

Dick sighed. “I.. know. It’s just hard. I keep.. Seeing them. My parents, Jason, you . I thought I was done losing people for now.”

Wally sat up, if the sound of the bed creaking meant anything. A few seconds later, the foot of his mattress dipped with added weight. “I know.” Dick sat up. “It’s unfair. Really, it is. And I really hate when people say this, but that’s how life goes, especially in our line of work.”

When Dick didn’t respond, he continued. “Nobody blames you for grieving, Dick. Take as long as you need. That’s why I’m here. For support. But, you have to get some sleep. Burning yourself out like this is only going to make it worse for everyone involved.”

“I just wish it was easier to deal with. I went through this so many other times. And when it happens again, I’m having nightmares and can barely sleep.” Dick ranted. “And I’m only 22, Wally. This responsibility was put on me so many times because I’m the oldest of the kids, but I’m still only 22.”

Wally put his arm around Dick’s shoulder and pulled him into a side hug. “I know, Dick, I know.”

Dick took a deep breath, wrapping his arms around Wally’s torso. “Sometimes, I wish the responsibility didn’t fall on me.” He mumbled.

Wally nodded. “It would be stressful to anyone. And you know what helps stress? Sleep .”

Wally laid them down so they were facing each other. “I’ll be right here when you wake up, I promise.”

Dick sighed and nodded, closing his eyes. He didn’t think he’d get much sleep, but it didn’t hurt to try. Plus, if he can pretend well enough, Wally would be able to get enough sleep tonight.

Except, Wally starting running his fingers in Dick’s hair and man, was that relaxing. Dick found himself slipping off into unconsciousness within minutes.

He barely heard it when Wally said: “Sleep well, Dick.”

Chapter Text

The sound of yelling as woken up Dick and by extension, Wally, who he forgot was sleeping right next to him.

“What the hell?” Dick asked, his voice groggy from just waking up.

Wally sighed. “Well, it was probably time to wake up, anyways.”

Dick sat up, stretching. Wally winced at the amount of cracks heard. Standing up, Dick walks out of the room, just in time for Tim to storm out of his.

“I don’t need your animals ruining my computer! I have valuable stuff on there.” He yelled back into the room.

A second later, Damian marches out. “It is hardly my fault that Titus wants someone to play with.”

“He’s your dog! Train him! Teach him that my laptop is not a chew toy!” Tim fumed.

“Woah, hey, what’s going on?” Dick wondered aloud. He was barely following the conversation, but he didn’t necessarily want his siblings fighting with each other. Not now.

“The demon child let his dog chew on my laptop! It’s practically unfixable now.” Tim seethed.

“If it means that much to you, you can always buy a new computer.” Damian argued.

“I’m going to sell you and your dog!”

“No one is selling anyone.” Dick said firmly. “Tim, we’ll buy you a new laptop. Damian, you will train Titus to behave. Why he doesn’t already know not to chew on things that aren’t his toy, I don’t know, or really care right now.”

Both boys looked like they were going to protest before Dick cut in. “That’s enough. Now, I’m going to be making breakfast. Damian, go get Duke and Bart, Tim, go get the girls.”

Tim glared at Damian before walking off, which prompted Damian to flip off Tim’s back, heading back into his shared room.

Dick sighed as Wally walked out, swinging his arm around Dick’s shoulders. “That was an eventful morning. But hey, that just means they feel safe enough to start letting other things bother them again.”

While Dick silently agreed, he wished his brothers wouldn’t fight. Tim and Damian never got along, and it was hopeful to think they’d be able to share a room without something happening.

As everyone gathered in Wally’s somehow spacious kitchen, Titus included, who Tim stayed far from, Dick started getting everything out he’d need. He wasn’t cooking anything big, just eggs and toast, but they live with two speedsters now, who could eat a whole mountain if prompted.

The room was tense and quiet as Wally and Dick worked together to make breakfast for everyone. Tim and Damian wouldn’t stop glaring at each other, Bart was trying to keep Tim focused on something else, Duke was sitting in between the two awkwardly, and Steph and Cass were sitting in the corner, whispering to each other.

Dick really need to get the ones under 18 back into school, but he hasn’t gotten the chance to look at high school in Central City, so he feels stuck. Maybe he can ask Bart about his school later.

It wasn’t until a few hours later that Dick and Tim were able to get out of the apartment to buy the younger a new computer. Dick felt bad, he wasn’t able to keep as close of an eye on everyone, so it was his fault that the argument even happened.

“I was thinking..” Tim started. “What if I go to school with Bart? He says it’s a good school, and I need to get out of the house."

“Holy shit, are you a mind reader, Tim?” Dick laughed. “I was just thinking about getting you guys into school. I just.. Haven’t been able to look into any here yet. And I want to make sure you guys get the best education you can get.”

Tim had a sheepish grin on his face. “I, uh, may have already signed myself up for classes.”

Dick stopped walking and turned towards Tim. “Are you sure? I mean, I don’t want you to push yourself too hard, Tim. Everything happened so fast. If you still need time away from people, you can take that time.”

Dick didn’t want to admit it aloud, but after him, Tim took Bruce’s death the hardest. Not because Tim was Bruce’s favorite or anything, but because from the age of 13, Tim made sure Bruce was able to function. Tim and Bruce had a bond that no one else in the family had. One that Dick regrets, only because he should have been the one there for Bruce, not a kid.

Tim exhaled. “I’m sure. I need something to keep my mind busy. Ever since.. There really hasn’t been anything to keep me busy. I’ve finished all my cases and I feel if I stay in that house all day everyday, I’m gonna go insane. And I.. don’t really want this family to be broken up.”

Dick ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I get how you feel. That’s why I’m trying to do everything I can to keep everyone happy and together.”

Tim was silent after hearing that. Dick had to look over to make sure the younger boy didn’t disappear. “What are you thinking over there, baby bird?”

“Sometimes I hate how you’re the one that has to take care of the family.” Tim explained softly. “Every time something goes wrong in this family, you’re the first one to take care of everyone.”

“That’s my job, Tim. I’m the oldest.” Dick stated.

“And while I appreciate it, it shouldn’t be your job. You’re only 22. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. You’re barely older than all of us, you shouldn’t have to take care of all of us.”

“Tim, I’d rather take care of you guys than leave you to fend for yourselves.”

Tim hummed but didn’t say anything, just continued walking. It got Dick thinking, though. He knew deep down that it was unfair how he was always expected to take care of the family, but he always pushed those feelings away. After all, it’s his job as the oldest. And he did mean it when he said he’d rather take care of them than let them fend for themselves.

“I’ll.. have to think about it some more, but maybe I could get a job out here. I mean, we don’t really need the money, but like you said, it’d be nice to leave the house and have something to keep my mind busy.”

Tim looked over at Dick questioningly. “Where would you get a job at?” The question wasn’t unkind, but Tim has always struggled with tone of voice, so to Dick, it sounded a bit like Tim was judging him. Dick tried not to take it to heart.

“Like I said, I’d have to look into it more, but probably anywhere that’s hiring that will hire me.”

Tim hummed again, and Dick knew that trying to hold any further conversations would be pointless.

Chapter Text

Tim didn’t know how to feel about this whole thing. He was conflicted, for sure. The first time this has happened, there wasn’t a body, wasn’t proof that Bruce was dead. But he’s seen it with his own eyes this time. He wasn’t there when Bruce died, but he was there for the funeral and burial, and it was unmistakably Bruce’s body in the coffin.

Another thing Tim is conflicted on is that Dick didn’t even know until he came back from his mission a week later . He wasn’t able to tell Dick due to his own grief and depression, which he really hopes Dick won’t hold against him. But he knows how it was when Jason died. Sure, he wasn’t there to experience the death alongside Bruce and Dick, but he was there during the aftermath, how Dick was so upset over Bruce not telling him about it because he was off-world. Not knowing about this until a week after it happened has got to be killing him inside. And of course, Dick never shares how he’s feeling. He has the mindset that he needs to take care of everyone else, that he doesn’t need anyone to take care of him. Which is objectively not true .

And the last thing Tim is really conflicted on is how affected he’s been by this situation. He feels like he’s been affected by it way more than anyone else, and he feels bad . Dick was the closest to him, Damian was his blood son (something he actually stopped reminding the rest about), and even though Jason and Bruce weren’t on the greatest of terms, Tim could tell Jason had a soft spot for Bruce. One that he definitely didn’t have for the rest of them. Even Cass had a strong bond with Bruce. The guy was practically her father.

So really, Tim had no reason to let this affect him that much. He was still accepted into the family, no one besides Damian made him feel like he didn’t belong. But the fact remains that Bruce didn’t want another Robin when he took up the mantle. He had to work for months to prove himself to Bruce before he was even allowed on the field.

That didn’t necessarily mean Bruce didn’t want him in the family after that whole situation blew over, but Tim still felt like he wasn’t allowed to grieve in the same way the others do. That’s why he’s planning on going to school so soon.

Chapter Text

Damian knew how he felt. How could he not? He spent the last however many years with Richard, who was nothing if not persistent in having the family talk about their feelings.

So yes, Damian knew he was upset, but he also knew that death was just a part of life. What he didn’t understand was why he was upset when he knew the second point. He grew up with assassins, he probably understood better than anyone else in the family that death was as natural as breathing.

So why was he so upset over this?

He can’t even look at Ace without those incessant tears showing up. He doesn’t remember much between the time of finding out and Richard finding him in the library. He didn’t even remember going to the library in the first place. Jonathan told him that he would mostly just sit there in silence and stare off into space, which he supposed made sense, especially if he couldn’t remember anything. Jonathan has no reason to lie to him.

Now they’re living with Richard’s… friend(?) West. The relationship between those two were unclear, but that didn’t matter at the moment. Damian had to share a room with Thomas, Drake and Drake’s irritation of a boyfriend Allen. It wasn’t the sharing of a room that he was annoyed with, although he did miss having his own room and privacy. It was the fact that no matter what he did, Drake seemed to be upset with him. And just recently, he lacked giving attention to Titus, so the dog seeked attention elsewhere and ended up destroying Drake’s computer. Damian felt bad, the last thing he wants right now is to drive Drake away, but even still, Titus is just a dog. Sure, Titus is trained, but even a police dog will want attention sometimes.

But Damian doesn’t even know where to begin with an apology. He doesn’t even know if Drake will accept one after years of being tormented by Damian. Now that Father is gone, Damian has realized just how easy is can be to lose someone and.. Oh. That’s why this situation has got him so upset.

Chapter Text

Duke has never felt more awkward in his life. Of course, he’s upset Bruce is dead, how could he not be? The guy took him in, gave him a place in the family. It’s only been a few weeks since he joined, and he wasn’t able to gain a relationship with Bruce the way the others have, but he wasn’t a monster. He was grieving too, just.. Not in the same way or as intense as the others. He didn’t really know what to do, if he was honest. He didn’t know how to process it, didn’t know how to care for the others.

After they moved in with Wally, he made himself scarce in the apartment. Central City was a great place to explore, so that’s exactly what he did. He’d walk around the city, the countrysides, he’d stop at malls and ice cream parlors, watch new movies that have come out, even though almost all of them were boring. He’d even made a few friends. 

It wasn’t like he didn’t want to help his.. Family (?), but, he had no idea how , and he didn’t want to make things worse, so he figured the best thing to do was stay away. He’d stop by the apartment to sleep, and as soon as the sun was up, he’d find something to do outside. Sometimes, he’d hang out with his new friends, sometimes they’d be too busy, and that was okay, really.

He feels like he isn’t doing enough for the family, though. It wasn’t his job to take care of them, and it technically wasn’t Dick’s, either. Duke felt bad for the older man. He’s already had to put his life on hold multiple times for this family and he has to do it again now that Bruce is dead. Duke wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

Dick says it’s his job as the oldest. Duke never had siblings, so he wouldn’t know, but that kinda sounds like a load of shit. Why should things have to be handed to the oldest sibling just because they’re the oldest? Isn’t that why godparents exist? If something happens to the parents, they live with their godparent or whatever. But, it makes sense that none of the batfamily have any godparents. Once their parents died, they were almost immediately taken in by Bruce. Alfred probably would have been the one taking care of everyone, but he’s gone off to who knows where.

Still, the responsibility shouldn’t have fallen to Dick. He can’t keep putting his life on hold for them. Man, now Duke feels like a dick. The answer to helping the family was right in front of him! He can ease the load of Dick by helping out around the house and with the others. Jeez, why did it take him so long to realize?

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Wally really hated to see his best friend like this. Back when Dick was still going to college, the poor guy was struggling with keeping his family in check, work, AND school. The stress got to him, and more often than not, Wally found himself comforting his best friend. Which, he would have done anyways, that’s something that he’ll always do.

Now, it was like that, but 10 times worse. The guy wasn’t giving himself any actual time to rest . Wally knew Dick felt like he was responsible for his family, but the truth was that most of them could take care of themselves. Sure, it wasn’t practical, but all of them have been on their own before. Maybe most of them weren’t the best at cooking or reminding themselves to sleep, but that wasn’t Dick’s problem.

Wally knew his best friend, though. He knew that Dick wouldn’t let his siblings take care of themselves. Even though most of them were adults (or close to being adults). And yeah, maybe Wally’s a not-great person for suggesting they take care of themselves in their time of grief, but he just wanted his crush best friend to get some rest . Maybe that’s selfish of him. But at this point, he doesn’t care. Dick’s not going to get any better by pushing his grief aside to take care of his family.

 That was the whole reason they moved in, wasn’t it? So that Wally could help?

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hey guys, this isn't an updated chapter. i'm going to be rewriting this fic. i'm just not happy with how i've been writing it so far and i want to do something else with it. maybe instead of following dick, i'll follow jason or tim. or even duke. i'm not entirely sure, i'm open to ideas. but also, the ao3 fanfic author curse is real lmao. that's another reason i havent been updating.

but yeah, anywhizzle, i'm open to any ideas, so if you have any for the re-written fic, you can go ahead and comment.

this fic will remain up until i have published at least a chapter of the new fic.

so far, i've been basing this fic off of my experiences with raising my siblings, but i have no idea what the full experience of being the oldest sibling is like. i'm the middle child turned oldest (my sister moving out), which is why i wanted to focus more on one of the middle kids and their experiences with it.

i also like writting fics off of characters i relate to the most, and while i can relate to dick in some ways, i've always found myself drawn to jason and tim and relating to those two more. i'm also just not great at doing POVs of characters i don't relate to, so i have no idea what i was thinking with those small pov chapters lmao.