Chapter Text
Chapter 1
"Master Richard…" Alfred's voice wafted into his dreams.
"Master Richard, the sun is setting and young Master Damian has been asking to spar for the last two hours."
The lines between dreams and reality blurred for a moment before Dick's mind focused.
Coffee…Alfred…Damian.
Damian.
Remembering the unpleasant boy awaiting him in the Bat-Bunker yanked Dick's brain back to full consciousness.
Lingering soreness pulled at his muscles as he sat up and stretched toward the ceiling. It had been about a month since Bruce's return and their victory over Dr. Hurt and Professor Pyg. Gotham had been slowly recovering. It amazed him how resilient the people of Gotham were. Life, business, and crime around the city were all getting back to normal.
Bruce had jetted off to spread his idea of establishing Bat-posts and Bat-reps around the world. He'd left Dick and Damian as Gotham's Batman and Robin, roles they'd already assumed during Bruce's absence when he'd been declared dead.
"Thanks, Alfie," Dick said as he accepted the cup of warm coffee and put it to his lips.
"I really must insist that you make haste to the bunker, sir. Master Damian is in quite the mood. Our population of practice dummies has dwindled to extinction lows."
Dick smiled into his coffee. "Of course. It's a rare day when we aren't treated to a mood." He stood and ambled toward the shower. "Tell him I'll be down in five."
Dick heard Damian before he saw him.
THWAK. THWAK. THWAK.
THUMP.
The dummy's head hit the floor and rolled toward Dick.
"Grayson! You are wasting valuable training time with your lethargy," said the dark-haired boy gripping the staff. His brow was shiny with sweat and crinkled with a scowl.
Dick could see Bruce in him. From his piercing blue eyes to the intensity behind them, Damian was definitely a Wayne.
"Well, it's good to see you too, sunshine." Dick stopped the rolling dummy head with his foot. "Damian, catching a few hours of sleep keeps this Batman bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Maybe a few more hours of sleep for you would turn that frown upside down."
With a quick wink and grin, Dick grabbed the other staff and readied himself for Damian's attack.
As the two circled left, Dick could see the gears turning in the boy's head. Quick as a flash, Damian swept right and was airborne. Dick caught the staff sweeping toward his right shoulder from the corner of his eye and leapt nimbly away.
He had to admit, the boy was good. His attacks possessed finesse and style, probably the result of Talia's training. Dick brought his staff up to block Damian's next blow.
He was strong too, especially for a ten-year-old.
Dick remembered when he'd first started as Robin. He'd been strong from his years as an acrobat, but he hadn't been quite at Damian's level. The boy had the strength of a warrior, albeit a warrior in training who still had some growing to do and desperately needed to smile more.
Dick continued to dodge and block Damian's attacks, waiting for the right time to go on the offensive. He knew Damian would grow frustrated after enough of his attacks were thwarted. The kid was a master fighter, but his youthful impatience still frequently got the best of him.
Dick planned to use that particular misstep as a teaching moment.
A few more sidesteps.
Another block.
As Dick dipped to avoid an overhead blow, the large monitor at the main tech terminal lit up, a familiar code crossing the screen.
"Finally, some worthwhile pursuits on the horizon," Damian quipped, placing his staff back on the rack and grabbing a fresh towel from Alfred.
"Always good to see your face, Babs," Dick said, placing his own staff aside and walking toward the computer.
He meant it too.
Barbara Gordon was probably one of his closest friends. Yes, they'd had an interesting, if sometimes strained, history, but she was one of those people Dick knew would have his—and his entire family's—back through thick and thin.
It didn't hurt that she was beautiful.
Barbara had soft red hair and a lovely face, but her eyes were what had always captivated Dick. They captured the intelligence and beauty of her soul.
Dick caught himself lingering on that thought a little longer than necessary.
Business call.
Batman and Robin were needed.
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