Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Dick was nervous, that was a massive understatement but he couldn’t even begin to think of better words. Leaving Damian alone always freaked him out. Well not alone, Jason was with him and he’s pretty sure there’s no safer place to be for his son. But you can’t blame him for being freaked out can you?

“Dick, come on! Let's go already!”

He can feel the judgmental stare he’s getting from Luke as he nuzzles his snout into Damian's fur just once more. He sneezed and his chest felt so warm and helpless for the sleeping pup, why did he have to leave.

Jason pushes his face away from them with his hand, eyes glaring at him with a lot of amusement.

“Not going so soft that you can’t even go get some food are you Dickie? That would be pretty embarrassing.”

He wants to say a retort back before he’s shoved by Luke’s body. An almost navy in color tail smacking him across the face, stunning him. He sulks as he walks into the forest with his pack member. Tail slumped as he trails after Luke like a pouting child.

“I thought there was only one new pup in the pack lately. Didn’t know you were the second.”

“Shut it Lucas, I’m not a pup!”

“Could’ve fooled me!”

The wolf’s laughs fall at his expense, contagious enough to get him to laugh at his own misfortune.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”

They walked a little further than usual, they were supposed to go hunt down some food but also check on the southern boarder. Bruce hadn’t checked lately and he’s as paranoid as ever, might as well go check it for him.

Luke slows to be next to him, paws slowly stopping next to his. He doesn’t smell anything new but it won’t hurt to re-update the boarders.

“Go ahead and hunt. I’ll just remark our territory before catching up.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, it’ll only take a second.”

“Whatever man, just don’t take to long. We’re supposed to meet up with Kate and Cass.”

“I know, I know. I got it.”

Luke gives a once over, before taking off. Probably tracking a scent he caught earlier, hopefully it wasn’t that rabbit he caught wind up. He wanted to give it to Damian.

Dirt dug under his claws as he rubbed his scent against the trees that served as their boarder. It only took him a few minutes, marking weak areas as he walked along the boarder.

Only for him to still, a red blur caught out of the corner of his eye. He felt himself lower, attack on the ready as he scanned the area for anything resembling red. Hell, for anything moving that damn fast. It was very impressive, he almost didn’t see it.

If he thinks it through, he can’t remember any nearby packs except for the Metropolis Pack. But they were on the western boarder, there’s no reason for them to be this far down into their territory.

He knew Bruce should’ve gone to that stupid Alpha meeting of nearby packs. Then he would’ve known what to expect at least, all he’s got is a color and speed. Well, in all honesty it’s better than not-

There.
Right there.

He crouches low to the ground, hiding his light grey fur best he can with the grass. He crept slowly as he watched as red jumped from tree to tree, closer and closer to him. Unaware of Dick’s presence as he’s only a few trees away.

Once the Red Blur gets near the tree he waited near he pounced. Claws grabbing onto fur as he pins him with jaw against a tree. Legs and claws holding it in place-

“Let me go! Damn fucking wolf there’s no fucking way Barry sent me here just to get attacked!”

Dick actually jumps a bit at that, jaw unlatching as he slowly backs away from what he now sees is a… fox? Didn’t they live across the river quite a bit away from here? How did they end up over here, much less checking out his territory?

“What are you doing here?”

“…Are you serious right now?”

Alright, that’s not the answer he thought he was getting, in fact he thinks that’s the last thing he probably he could’ve heard. What an odd thing to say, much less an intruder.

“You’re in Gotham territory, and you sure as hell don’t look like a bear. So yeah, I guess I am being serious. Right this second.”

The fox’s eyes roll as they pat their tail against the floor or pat a paw against the grass. Always moving, he doesn’t seem to stop.

“…What are you-? The Metropolis sleuth said they would tell you. Did they not?”

Alright, Dick is pretty sure he’s never been more confused in his life. This random fox showed up out of nowhere talking about how HE’S wrong for protecting his pack from intruders? And somehow it’s Uncle Clark’s fault?

“I know I’m handsome but you don’t have to stare so intensely. Now, are you going to let me get by or…?”

He glares at the fox, the only response a smirk as he rests against the tree he was currently against. Alright, one option left. Luke is not going to be happy about this, but he can’t just leave a hunt without letting someone know.

“If you need a second opinion I cou-“

The fox gets cut off by Dick’s howl, the sound reverberating through the leaves as he waits to listen for running. The fox actually has the decency to wait for entry which confuses him too. He knows how fast he is, why doesn’t he just dart past?

“DICK! Where is it!”

“Richard, where is the threat. Why aren’t you in battle?”

He feels Cass round his side to glare at the fox, the red fur standing up a little more made a laugh escape him before stuffing it down.

Kate and Luke look at him weird as they focus onto the fox as well. Luke’s snarl as he shifted to pounce must’ve shifted something in the intruders brain as he realizes the situation he’s in.

“You, state your purpose.”

Kate’s commanding voice must’ve bee the final straw for this guy because he’s starts backing up slightly.

“Let’s all calm down now, I was sent on behalf of the Central Skulk. I’m supposed to negotiate with your Alpha? Bruno was it?”

“Bruce. Bruce Wayne.”

“Right, I knew that.”

He didn’t like this, how are they supposed to believe him? He can’t just bring this guy back to his pack. Now when Damian is still adjusting, not when he’s just a baby.

“Fine. Let’s go then.”

“Wha- but Kate! How are we supposed to trust this guy!”

“Do not argue Lucas. We must let Bruce decide what to do with him.”

Dick watches as Kate and Luke flank his sides, making sure he can’t make a break for it. Its futile, he knows he could get away if he really wanted to. Instead, he slows to Cassandra’s place in the back. He spoke in a whisper, out of simple caution but also fear for what happens if he ends up being an enemy.

“Cass, I need you to run ahead and tell them we are coming. Alert Cullen to stay with his sister and keep Damian until I can get there.”

She contemplates for a moment before nuzzling into his head slightly before taking off. Kate and Luke not even bating an eye as she runs back as they stayed at a leisure walk.

He can’t tell if his anxiety about his son or the anger towards the intruder for causing said anxiety will kill him first. His eyes lock on to see the intruder staring at him as well. The green eyes against the red of his fur pissing him off more, because who cares that the colors work together.

That’s the last thing he wants to think about. Ever.

Chapter Text

The fox did not. Stop. Talking. It caught him off guard, not that he would show that to the intruder of course. The walk seemed endless as the fox said nothing about everything he could think of. He’s surprised he stayed silent for as long as he did when he was calling his pack over.

“-And then Barry nipped at Don’s Tail, but in the playful way y’know? Well the Beta didn’t like that very much so-”

“Are you quite done yet Fox?”

He hadn’t meant to say it out loud, from the way Kate glanced at him he guesses she was just a surprised. He felt green eyes look back at him, he glared at the smirk on his face. He’s been doing that a lot. Using that half smile whenever he looks at Dick.

“Well Snowflake, for your information I was not done. But I can change topics if your highness would so like~?”

“Who are you calling Snowflake.” A growl edges at the back of his throat. He’s is not a fan of people making fun of his fur.

“Woah there Hotstuff, why don’t you calm down a bit huh? Or am I making you hot under the collar?”

“The only thing that will be hot is the pain in your lungs as I slam you against the ground if you don’t shut up.”

“Oooh~ didn’t know wolves were so kinky. Maybe those books Dawn likes aren’t so off kilter huh?”

He hates this stupid, stupid Fox. His teeth bared as he purposely ignores the flush he would be sporting if he was not in his shift.

----------

The Fox finally stops speaking as they enter the den, Cass sat on their father’s right as the heir to the pack with Jason on her other side. Tim sitting on their father’s left, with space left for him as the oldest. The pack lined the rock with Harper missing alongside Cullen and Damian.

Thank God

He did not want his pup anywhere near anything that could be a threat. He bowed his head slightly at Bruce before joining him next to his immediate left, standing tall in front of a now wide-eyed intruder who clearly did not know he was Bruce’s son.

Kate and Luke breaking off after herding the red fox in, blocking any exit points not yet covered. The bright red fur a stark difference against the darker shades of fur, except for his own he supposed. Oh and Clark-

Wait Clark?

He’s not sure how he missed the looming bear, brown fur made of primary hues when caught in the sun. He's surprised he had time away from his Sleuth based on how their son was still so young.

“Speak. Who are you?”

Bruce’s voice boomed, carrying across an almost hostile tone much to the fox’s displeasure.

“Oh fuck- how did Barry say to-? Oh that’s right!”

Dick hid his amusement at his stumbling, hiding his smile behind his paw. Honestly seeing them bumble around in front of his father was surprisingly funny.

“Ahem. Hello-uh Pack Leader, I am Wally-sorry, Wallace West. Heir to the Central Skulk lead by Barry..Allen”

Clark leaned over to Bruce, saying something along the lines of ‘West’, ‘Relations’, and ‘Allies’. He’s not sure what he should be expecting, but it was definitely not that Clark was trying to expand our allies. He’s never been so bold.

Bruce turns to the fox, or who he now knows as Wallace. His father looks torn between decisions, a common look but it makes him nervous because he knows there is only two options and he doesn’t like either.

“State your purpose, why have you invaded out territory?”

“Well, Barry basically sent me to talk about becoming allies of sorts because of the number of rouge shifters invading our uh- shared forest.”

Something in Bruce clicks, he can see it in his eyes and his nerves started working up again. They sat in silence as the Alpha thought, his eyes subconsciously moving over to the Fox again. Only to find green eyes already looking at him, they don’t say anything but he can feel Tim staring at him quizzically before he tears his eyes away.

“Wallace West, you will be given temporary quarters.”

He sucked in a breath at his decision, they didn’t have temporary dens. Meaning he’s going to share with someone and it’s going to be someone Bruce trusts not to anger a turf war.

“Cassandra, stay with the…guest. Dismissed.”

The pack hesitantly disbursed, Cassandra guarding Wally from going anywhere as he feels his eyes on him as he follows his father and Clark.

----------

“So snowball, I wasn’t sure before but i’m pretty sure your more growly inside your den. Are you ever not grouchy?”

To Dick’s dismay, Wallace’s hair was as bright and unruly as his fur. An unforeseen distraction he desperately wanted to be rid of. Alongside the long freckled pattern across his face that made his eyes seem to stand out.

“Have you taken to consideration that I’m only upset around you? Or are you under the presumption that nobody is unhappy around you?”

“You see I was wondering about that, but nobody with eyes like yours could possibly not see all my charms.”

“Only if your charms include stumbling over your own introduction in front of my father.”

“Wha- HEY! That was situational! Have you seen the guy?”

Dick snickers to himself as he leaves the fox pouting behind him, not wanting to let the other get the last word. Sure he’s petty but he can’t seem to care as getting one up on the fox is just too easy.

----------

Dick can feel the annoyance cloud his mood before the fox has the indecency to come bug him, again. The orange and red blur making his way around the den before coming to a stop in front of him and Damian. Dick pushed gently at the pup to stay next to him, still not all that trustworthy of the envoy.

“Heya Cloudy, Been looking for you but all I could find was your vapor trail. Someone might think you’re avoiding me~”

“How proud of you to assume I think about you enough to actively avoid you. Maybe I have other things to take care of.”

“You know for a wolf your pretty feisty, Almost makes me think your packs got you all wrong.”

Dick shot him a glare, pointedly ignoring how Wallace somehow got closer to them then he was originally. His words died out however at the lack of a pup near his side.

“And who are you?” Dick watched as Damian curiously batted at the fox’s tail before circling to his back and inspecting his fur like he does to Jason. He moved before he could think, grabbing Damian and stalking back to his personal den. Green eyes piercing through him as he moved quicker than he would like to admit.

----------

“This smells like trouble.”

“I know Cass but there isn’t much we can do. If what the Central Skulk says is correct then we must at least check it out.”

“But how can we know that this won’t backfire on us?”

“Well if you slow down and examine the facts-“

“I don’t need facts to know this is going to blow up in our faces Timmy!”

“Enough”

Dick watched as his siblings stopped bickering at the sound of Bruce making his way into the strategy meeting. Alfred, and Wally of all people, walking in with him as they all took places around the territory map.

Dick watched in surprise as the fox’s face dawned a serious look. Stepping forward and taking command of the meeting.

“We have been keeping a close eye on the rouge shifters sniffing near our territory. Near the clearing at the divide between our land. Barry would like to form an alliance with your pack so we can corner them and chase them out of our shared area of the forest.”

Tim looked unamused as he debated with Wally about how dangerous these rogues are if they needed the Gotham Packs support.

Dick agreed that it was an interesting proposal to say the least, it would benefit both parties for the rogues to be gone and it would benefit them to be able to infiltrate the Central Skulk to uncover any hidden motives they might have. It also proves to be a disadvantaged method as they will have to trust these foxes on this battlefield before knowing all of their plans.

“I say we scout the place first, we can at least get a feel for what they look like and how hard it will be to take them down.”

“Tim’s right, we could be walking into a straight shitstorm without any proper knowledge on who the hell we’re killing.”

“Calm down Jason, we're not killing anybody.”

“Seems like a waste-“

“-Scouting the place could go terribly wrong if they catch us, we shouldn’t go in large groups.”

Dick is broken from listening to the whirlwind of debate as Alfred claps his hands. Everyone quiets down is earned respect for the elder, including the confused Wally following everyone else’s example. Dick resists the urge to laugh at the utter confusion shown on their face at the sudden silence.

His father puts his hand on Alfredo shoulder as he walks forward towards the crowd of shifters in the room. “Thank you Alfred, I have decided to work with the Central Skulk. Go back to your Alpha and tell him to send his best warrior for a next move.”

“But Bruce-“

“It has been decided. You are all dismissed.”

Dick moves to walkout before being stopped by his father. He watches as everyone leaves but him and Bruce, awkwardly standing near the entrance until everyone is gone.

“What is it?”

“Dick, listen closely to me. I’m sending you on that scouting mission with Cass and the warrior being sent from our temporary allies. I need you to find out whatever you can about that skulk and whatever they may be hiding.”

“But what about Damian, Bruce he just settled in! I can’t leave him to go on a takeout mission of all things just to make buddy-buddy with Wallace!”

“The pack will look after him, he will be fine son. You are one of our best warriors and I need you on this mission. This is not a negotiation ”

----------

“You going to miss me Glacier?”

“You wish.”

The fox snickered at him, much to his dismay as he debated just leaving him in the forest instead of escorting him off their territory.

“You know what Snowdrop, I think you like me a lot more than your letting on. But don’t worry, I’ll be back before you even know I’m gone.”

“Your ego seems to be so large you can’t even find the logic your brain so clearly neglects. How unfortunate for you.”

Wally laughs, genuinely laughs at his dig of his character. His face morphing into that horrible smirk of his before turning tail and running off through the woods. Dick walks back to the den feeling the stress fall off of him, and yet some kind of unease sticks with him as he moves through the familiar paths.