Chapter Text
Dick slammed the door to his bedroom. Who did Bruce think he was? Some kind of hero? Okay, maybe not the right analogy. But Bruce was being a jerk. He wouldn’t let Dick go on any cool missions lately. He kept treating Dick like some kid. He was 17, for God’s sake!
Dick understood why Bruce was being so overprotective… kinda. He just wished he had more freedom. This past missions went terribly in Bruce’s eyes, while Dick thought they were pretty epic.
…
Batman flipped over a speeding vehicle, while Robin shot a birdirang at the Riddler. They had been tracking him for weeks and finally had him cornered. Dick was supposed to stick with taking down the Riddler’s goons while Bruce was supposed to take on the jokester head on. Dick didn’t listen, which in his defense, saved Bruce! Batman left his back exposed for a whopping 3 seconds.
It was enough time for the Riddler to throw one of his new inventions at Batman. It was a toy soldier, but hid a toxin when it made contact with the skin. Robin saw and parried the device with… himself.
The toxin felt ice cold and he immediately felt awful. He tried his best to stay upright, and he managed to throw another birdirang at the Riddler, which caught the man’s feet and caused him to fall.
Batman rushed to Robin’s side.
“I’m fine, B! Get him-“ Dick caught himself off with a groan of pain and he crumpled to the ground. He wasn’t feeling too hot. He saw Bruce apprehend the Riddler before passing out.
He woke up in the batcave, hooked up to some IVs. Bruce was nowhere to be seen, but Alfred was.
The older butler was sitting next to Dick’s bed and reading the newspaper.
“…Alfred?” Dick mumbled as he fully opened his eyes.
“Ah! Master Richard, you are awake. Would you like anything to eat? Perhaps some cheese and crackers?” Alfred remarked.
“No… I’m fine, thanks though.” He paused.
“Where’s B?” Dick asked, rubbing his eyes.
“I’m afraid Master Bruce is back on patrol.” Alfred said, quickly checking Dick’s blood pressure and temperature now that he was awake.
Dick scoffed, “typical.”
The following weeks got worse. Bruce was mad at Dick for taking the hit for him. Robin began to go on patrol without Batman. Even when he did this, thugs would ask where his mentor was. It pissed Dick off.
One night, Dick got back from hanging out at Wally’s in Star City. Bruce was waiting for him in the entry way.
This couldn’t be good. Dick sighed and walked over to Bruce.
“What’d I do wrong now, huh? First I save you, then you stop talking to me… now what?” Dick began, slinging his bag off of his shoulder and crossing his arms.
“Dick, you know you’ve been… reckless, recently. Putting yourself in harm’s way for no apparent reason. I know you’ve been sneaking out to patrol on your own-“ Bruce was cut off by Dick’s scoff.
“I’m trying to help you, Bruce! A concept that has taken me 8 years to discover is foreign to you. So what if I’ve been patrolling on my own? You’re never home. What else am I supposed to do? Believe it or not, I don’t want to live in your shadow forever. You may have been able to tame me when I was 9, but wake up. I’m not your puppet, Batman.”
The whole thing was sharper than he intended. He didn’t hate Bruce, not really. All of his emotions from the past year had just come flowing out. He didn’t realize the impact of his words until he looked up and saw Bruce looking stern as ever.
“B, im sor-“ Dick began.
“Go to your room.” Bruce glared.
“Wh-“
“Room. Now.”
…
Dick slammed the door to his bedroom. Who did Bruce think he was? Some kind of hero? Okay, maybe not the right analogy. But Bruce was being a jerk. He wouldn’t let Dick go on any cool missions lately. He kept treating Dick like some kid. He was 17, for God’s sake!
Meanwhile, Alfred approached Bruce.
“Master Bruce, perhaps you were too harsh with Master Richard.”
“He hates me, Alfred. What did I say wrong?”
“Actions speak louder than words, I’m afraid. Maybe you two just need to have a bonding moment? Perhaps a ‘cool mission’ as Richard would say?”
“…you’re right, as always. Thank you, Alfred.”
Dick heard a knock on his door.
“Go away.” He mumbled from his place on his bed.
Instead, Bruce walked in.
“Hey, chum… I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you recently. It’s just- nevermind. Enough excuses for me. I just got intel from the Watchtower of an extraterrestrial threat. Superman asked me to assist with his and Green Lantern’s efforts. What do you say?”
Dick stared at his adoptive father and blinked.
“What? You’re actually letting me go on an interesting JL mission for once?! Who are you and what have you done with Bruce?” Dick joked.
Bruce chuckled, “Yes. We leave at dawn.”
“Oh, cool- wait what?” Dick yelled out as Bruce began to leave his room.