Chapter Text
It starts with a worried expression on his brother's face.
They do not get to see each other in person often, not since Dick was planted in the FBI wearing the mask of Neal Caffrey. It’s too risky for Neal to be seen with members of ‘cape’ community, bats included. Even more important for him is not to be seen with Gotham local celebrities since, you know, someone can connect the dots and recognize him as Richard Grayson. No one wants to compromise the mission that way. Thus, they are limited to the phone and video calls.
That evening he is on the video call with Tim. His brother drinks a cup of coffee while loading Dick’s latest report and babbles about one of the bats’ missions. Dick listens to Tim’s words without particular interest when he notices slightly frowned expression on young man’s face. For others, those who do not know their family well enough, it would look like nothing. Most of them would not even notice tiny wrinkles on Tim’s face and a worried glint in his eyes. For Dick, it rises red flags immediately.
"What's going on?" Dick asks seeing the way Tim shift uncomfortably in front of the monitor.
"What? Nothing is going on!" Tim says a bit too fast, trying not to look straight at the camera. Dick frowns, thinking that something is definitely not right, when Tim adds, his voice calm and steady. "Why do you ask?"
"I mean, you can't lie to me, Tim" Dick says feeling as the first petals of nervousness starts blooming in his chest. He gives his brother a pointed look (or, at least, tries since it is a bit hard to glare over video call) and tells him. "So, spill"
"Nothing, okay?” Tim answers with an honest expression on his face. Dick is not fooled by it, preferring to continue glaring at the camera. Tim shifts uncomfortably once more and adds. “Just a difficult case, that's all"
"Can I help?" Dick immediately asks.
"No, no, it's fine” Tim mumbles clearly weighting his options. He takes a deep breath and mutters quietly. “But, well, I guess, B wants your help, but like, not right now"
"What?" Dick blinks a couple of times.
"Don't worry, Big Bird. Timmy is just being dramatic" Jason appears on the screen. The man looks like he had a couple of sleepless nights with his hair reminding a nest and deep circles under his eyes. Dick frowns once again, not really trusting Jason’s words. He can feel that they are not telling him everything. And why would B admit wanting his help? The man still claims to work alone at every suitable opportunity.
"No, really, what's up?” Dick makes his voice sound light, unconcerned. “Does he want to pull me?"
"Nope, you are stuck there, Dickface" Jason says shooting him a teasing wink. Dick only groans in response which causes Jason to laugh. Tim looks at them both with something between disapproval and amusement in his eyes.
Truth to be told, Dick likes being Neal. It is easy to be an outgoing, charming person who likes to crack jokes and mess with people. Dick likes working with FBI, solving cases, and discussing latest gossips with other agents. It reminds him of working in the police department, back in Bludhaven.
It is not easy, though, to be a non-violent criminal, to pretend to be from a city that is not Gotham. It is quite hard for him to hide the fact that blood and guns do not scare him, that the dead of night is the time he thrives at, that he cannot stand being confined to a radius not only because he cannot go to some of the museums that way. It’s hard to hide the desire for freedom, for action that runs in his blood, but he manages. Because Dick is an actor, performer by nature, the best of the best at what he does. One cannot be anything else, not when he is one of the bat’s birds.
“Fine, don’t tell me then” Dick says to them at last, worry buried deeply, but not gone. “I will find out, though”
“Sure, Big Bird” Tim rolls his eyes and takes another sip from his cup.
The situation clears itself the next day when Peter gathers the team in one of the conference rooms.
Dick takes his seat and proceeds to carefully fold pieces of paper making a tiny origami bird. He learned the trick ages ago and does not really need to pay such a close attention to his actions as others think he does. So, while his hands are working, making a tiny robin out of blank sheet of paper, he watches his colleagues, noting the things others don’t. It’s vital to his mission, after all.
Neal Caffrey was placed with the FBI for several different reasons. The increase in the number of corrupt agents, the rise in the number of cases connected to the Justice League’s level of crazy and the need for a liaison between FBI and ‘cape’ community were among the most important ones. And while Dick has been quite successful with getting rid of less than honest agents and solving less than common cases, he is yet to choose a suitable person to work as the link between the Bureau and superheroes.
Peter enters the conference room last with a grim, concentrated expression on his face. It does not surprise Dick since it appears on the man’s face often enough to become common. Peter gives away heavy folders with documents and tells them about an undercover operation which is, while not a common occurrence, not as exciting as Dick wishes it was. He notes, though, a slight surprise on Jones’ face and a frown on Diana’s.
It is the words ‘Matches Malone’ that catch his full attention.
“I can’t go in” Dick states firmly, thinking rapidly of the possible reasons for Bruce’s arrival in New York. Is it what Tim was talking about? Something B needs Dick’s help with?
He scans his own copy of file quickly, but every detail he sees looks strange, unrealistic. He should not be surprised, Dick thinks, that the whole case is completely made up, staged. It’s not hard for him to recognize Tim’s hand in the way evidence is provided.
He argues with curious agents just for the sake of it, really.
Everything in the file indicates that it is all was made as an opportunity for Dick to meet up with Bruce. It’s beautifully done, Dick can admit it, since he can keep his cover intact and talk with his father at the same time. But why did not he simply call? What is so important that B needs to come to New York and talk to him in person? It cannot be a simple mission or Justice League business. An unsettling feeling grows in him.
A shadow of confusion probably flashes on his face, Dick concludes, when Diana shoots him a concerned look. He smiles at her with honesty and reassurance while hiding all his distress in the depth of his heart. No one can see that deeply, right? No one who is alive, at least, Dick thinks gloomily.
“Do not take it off” Peter tells him making Dick roll his eyes. He adjusts the watch he was given impatiently, wishing to get rid of the tracking anklet as soon as possible. Dick cannot adapt to feeling of an alien weight around his leg, no matter how much time he spends carrying it. He prefers more elegant tracking devices like watches, pens, or buttons. Batman and everyone affiliated with him usually use completely different tech that is made to be invisible, undetectable, and Dick misses it at the times like these.
“Yeah, yeah, or you will land me in prison” Dick nods a bit bitterly. “I’ve heard it a thousand times, Peter, I think I remember”
“It’s not a joke, Neal” Peter hisses shooting him a disappointed glare. He is quite good at it, Dick can give him that, but he still needs some work to be a rival to somebody like Bruce. Batman’s glare is almost legendary in Gotham. Burke continues to look at him with disapproval when he adds. “No funny business, Caffrey, or your new home will have bars on its windows”
Finally, the anklet is gone from his leg and Dick flashes a satisfied smile in the direction of the agent. There is caution, questions in Burke’s eyes, but Dick prefers to ignore it. His thoughts are full of theories of the upcoming meeting.
The pub that was chosen as the place of the rendezvous is vaguely familiar to Dick. The place is tiny and hidden in the depth of Queens. It’s grim and dark, not welcoming almost to the point that it reminds Dick of pubs back in Gotham with their sticky floors and loud shouts. It even smells familiar here, strongly, and unpleasantly, Dick thinks with a drop of nostalgia.
The first thing he sees when he opens the door is his brother. Jason stands behind the bar with uninterested, bored expression on his face. He hasn’t dyed his hair, Dick notes and thinks that whatever awaits for him must be more serious than he thought. Seeing Jason who voluntarily works with Bruce is unusual on itself and the fact that he decided not to use disguise raises even more questions. His brother shoots him an unimpressed, cool glance which makes curiosity bloom in Dick’s mind.
He winks at one of the cameras, hiding his tenseness behind light, easy smile. Dick chooses one of the farthest tables, the one in the direction of which Jason nods subtly. He chats with Peter a bit, noticing a drop of discomfort in the agent’s voice. Burke probably dreads sitting in a van, Dick reasons and winks at one of the cameras again, just out of spite.
The next moment Bruce enters the pub in the horrifying striped suit and the most ridiculous fake mustache Dick has seen him wearing. Jason snorts in his corner trying not to let laughter thunder in the small room. Dick has to do everything in his power to remain calm, unfazed. He shoots his brother a look and Jason responds with an eye roll and a nod in Bruce’s direction as if saying ‘Just look at him’.
“Neal Caffrey, as I live and breathe” Bruce states, sitting in front of him and taking off the sunglasses. His voice is low, almost cold, but Dick has become quite good at reading Bruce’s moods over the years. He can see that the man is pleased to see him. However, Dick also notes a weight in his words, a serious edge which makes him anxious. Everything points out that this is not a simple get-together.
The conversation alerts Dick from the start. The question about the birdie, a clear reference to Tim’s slip a couple days ago makes him shift uncomfortably. Dick asks about deals even though they are obviously fake, nonexistent in order to see if this, whatever this is, is connected to his job in New York. In response Bruce shifts their conversation to Gotham, calls it ‘home’ which make Dick miss the city desperately. It’s not like he wishes to abord the mission immediately, leave New York and his work with FBI. He does not. Dick likes it. But almost a year far from gloomy streets of his hometown makes him strive for a visit.
He does not get a chance to get angsty, thinking about the way he misses Gotham’s craziness. Bruce mentions rumors, talks about certain people. Dick titles his head curiously, feeling that they have finally reached the main part of the conversation.
“A couple of waves about your fiancé” his father says carefully which makes Dick freeze.
He blinks a couple of times, thinking that he must have heard the other man wrong. There is no way he is talking about his fiancé because it is impossible. There cannot be any kind of rumors about his fiancé, no waves or anything else because Dick had only one fiancé. And Wally is dead, has been for years. He died saving them all, disappeared into thin air in the cold of Arctic and there is no way for him to be back. People do not rise from the dead, even if Jason managed to pull it off.
Dick freezes because he does not understand what Bruce is saying.
“What?” Dick manages to mutter. He needs an explanation because he does not want to let the hope grow. He cannot let it grow.
He does not notice when the mask of Neal Caffrey slips away. Dick does not care about impatient questions from FBI agents in his ear. All that matters now is a serious, stoic, worried expression on his father’s face which tells Dick more than any words.
Truth to be told, he has never managed to get over Wally. He has tried, he really did. Dick knows that it is unhealthy to live in the past, to hold onto something long gone. He accepted that Wally is dead, lost to this world forever. But a part of his heart has never stopped loving Wally, not even for a second. That part of his heart always aches slightly, when the man is mentioned and is ready to accept even the most insane idea if it meant Dick would see Wally again. Maybe, that's exactly the part that takes the reins of his body when he sees the look in Bruce’s eye, because suddenly Dick is not sure how to breathe.
“Nothing solid, just a couple of flashes” Bruce continues carefully. Dick wonders briefly if the pun was intended. He catches his brother’s stare across the room, concern glittering in Jason’s eyes. It’s strange, to see his brother’s eyes full of worry.
He starts to feel sick all of a sudden, blood thundering in his ears and heart beating so hard as if it is trying to leave his body. His necklace, a simple chain that holds both of their engagement rings, burns his chest with its cold metal.
Hope is like a weed, Dick knows. It grows in seconds and is impossible to get rid of. It is dangerous, poisonous, vicious. He should not let it bloom in him, but is not it a bit late for that?
“That can be something…” he mumbles, hoping that his conclusion is right.
“Or nothing” The way Bruce cuts him off, harshly, strictly, sobers Dick up a bit. His father gives him a strong, firm look that reminds Dick of one of the Batman’s famous glares. It helps, Dick can admit that. He sorts his thoughts as much as he can and reminds himself that there is no way Wally is alive. Whatever Bruce is talking about can be literary anything else. No need to be excited.
“Regardless, we are keeping an eye out” Bruce adds with much more warmth, reassurance seeing as his son does not let his feeling consume him.
“I…” Dick is not sure what he wants to say, so, he shuts up. Dick takes a couple of deep breathes and straightens up a bit. He is on a mission, after all. He has no right to ruin his cover even more than he already did. It earns him an approving look in his father’s eyes.
Bruce tells him about the game, almost as an apology for not offering any more answers. Dick hears the message loud and clear. FBI would pay a lot more attention to him after this conversation, so, it would be impossible to talk anywhere else. Game is a way for him to find answers, to see what Bruce discovered, to understand what the rumors and waves mean. It is a way for Dick to find out if Wally’s alive. And to attend, he needs to ditch FBI.
He asks about Noah, his own alias and makes it sound like they cannot stand each other. FBI won’t be able to send Neal in if there is a chance of blowing up the operation. Bruce, as always, catches his idea as soon as Dick says the name and plays along. It’s refreshing, to see someone who understand him without extra words. It’s a side effect of them working together as long as they do.
Bruce’s mention of the jewelry is clever. Dick is pretty sure his father means the neckless that is safely hidden under layers of clothes, hinting that his son should not talk about his engagement in front of FBI agents. For them, though, jewelry would mean the tracking anklet or watch. The phrase clearly indicates that Malone knows about Neal’s involvement with FBI. Thus, they will have to use someone completely different if they want to send someone undercover again. Dick won’t be surprised if Peter takes him off the case all together.
He has no time to wonder why everything has to be so dramatic when he leaves. Jason nods at him, his eyes full of concern, but Dick does not see it properly. His thoughts are fully occupied by the information he just received. The number of arising questions continues to increase.
Dick reaches the van in no time and sits heavily on one of the chairs. He has no energy to deal with Peter’s bad mood and Jones’ disapproving glances. He cannot stop wondering what Bruce meant by his words.
Dick does not really listen at the way Burke rants and shouts. He lets the agent express his frustration and disappointment without paying it any attention. It’s infuriating, the way Peter is always irritated by Neal’s mere existence, but Dick is a true professional at ignoring people’s bad moods.
He cannot say that Peter is a bad person, not at all. He is just doing his job. Dick sees from where the agent’s annoyance, suspicion growth and has to agree that usually it is justified. But from time-to-time Peter’s mistrust starts to get on his nerves. Burke can be a real pain in the ass when he wants to.
Dick’s attention is caught when Jones mentions Kate. He frowns almost unnoticeably and looks at the agent in confusion. He does not understand why her name surfaced, let alone was used in the same sentence as the word ‘fiancé’.
It takes him an embarrassing amount of time to understand Jones’ words fully. The agent thinks the conversation was about Kate which is quite logical. After all, it would be strange if a criminal broke out of prison for someone he is not engaged to, right? Dick reaches a conclusion that it’s for the better. He will let the agents believe that his fiancé is Kate. Maybe, they will refrain from asking stupid questions that way.
“I will not discuss my engagement with any of you” he announces, not bothering to sound as friendly as Neal usually does. He misses being himself anyway, even if it is just for a moment.
It wasn’t a surprise, Dick thinks lazily the next day, that he is taken off the case. He expected it, really.
Dick did not get much sleep the night before, his mind running a marathon of coming up with weird theories concerning his father’s words. However, he does not let himself believe that Wally is alive, killing the thought of it before it is truly formed in his mind. He comes up with something different, something that sounds insane, unrealistic to his ear, but something that does not let hope grow in his heart. It’s easier that way. At least, it is what he tries to convince himself of.
He flips through the endless pages of mortgage fraud that Peter has so kindly placed on his desk and does not even attempt to complete it. These cases are almost routine in the white-collar office. They do not spark any interest in Dick who has always avoided working with papers. He could not stand it during his time as Robin and growing up has not changed the fact. Neal, though, absolutely dreads such cases. It is not hard to hide Dick’s tension, anxiety, worry behind Neal’s disgust of paperwork.
Dick cannot refrain himself from glancing in the direction of the conference room he has just been kicked out. He would not say he wants to be there, but it would be useful to know what the agents are planning.
“Hey, Neal!” he hears Diana’s voice just a moment before the elevator dings its arrival.
“Diana” he says with a cheerful, welcoming smile. Maybe, a little too joyful for someone who has just been taken off the case, but Neal has been created to be an optimist. “You needed something?”
“Do you want to grab lunch together?” she answers with a bit strained smile. Diana throws a glance at the office and adds. “Maybe we can chat”
“Sure” Dick answers and looks the way she did. The office is almost empty since it is lunchtime and most of the agents left in search of food. He can clearly see Peter standing before his desk and flipping through some of the documents. The agent’s expression does not look pleased, but right now Dick cannot care less.
“Excellent” Diana mutters and enters the elevator. Dick throws last glance at the office and joins her.
He is not sure why she decided to talk, and it bothers him. Judging by worried, almost guilty looks that she continues to shoot him, the topic won’t be pleasant. He hopes Diana will not ask about his connections to Matches Malone since all his excuses ended up being quite clumsy and he has not come up with anything better yet. Dick wishes none of his siblings would find out about them. Otherwise, he will not survive the teasing.
They end up sitting in a small coffee shop just outside of the FBI office. It is not an ideal place for private conversations, but Diana is clearly not concerned about such details. She shifts uncomfortably in her seat and takes a sip of her drink quickly. Dick waits patiently for her to start talking.
"So, Gotham, huh?" she says after a couple of minutes. Dick titles his head in surprise. It is evident what exactly she means by the curious, anxious glint in her eyes and a bit too high tone of her voice.
"Born and raised” Dick decides to open this secret because there is no point in keeping it further. She has clearly figured it out and Dick doubts there will be anything that will convince her otherwise. The question, though, how she did it. He has been extra careful, has not he? “What gave it away?"
"Apart from Malone who not only knows you but knows your relationship status?" she smiles at him as if she has won some kind of a prize.
"That's quite obvious, I agree” he nods because he expected something like that. Gotham folk is extremely territorial. Criminals there prefer to work only with locals, distrusting the outsiders. It is not common knowledge, though. So, he hoped FBI agents won’t reach this conclusion, to focused on catching Malone on money laundry or something as ridiculous. Dick smiles again and adds. “But look at Peter, he is still clueless"
"He likes to seem observant, and usually he is a genius detective. But he can't see just under his nose sometimes” Diana rolls her eyes. Dick finds himself amused. She continues after taking another sip of her coffee. “And, well, I think your calmness gave it away. For a non-violent criminal you're a bit too okay with seeing blood or taking part in shootings. Tells a lot about your past”
“Well, how can you be sure?” Dick says, feeling frustrated. He has made a great effort to play non-violent criminal, but still has not been good enough. Bruce has been right, Dick thinks bitterly, it is impossible to hide Gotham’s mark on one’s soul. He refuses to give up, though, and adds. “It’s not like we participate in shooting every day, right?”
“We don’t, of course” Diana nods thoughtfully. “But remember last time? I panicked, Peter panicked, but you? You were completely collected as if it was just another Tuesday”
“Yeah...” Dick mumbles because she has a point. He cannot let himself lose his mind in the face of danger and last time it saved them their lives. Dick has not expected anyone to remember it.
“And considering Malone” Diana continues, her voice steady and sure. She is clearly proud of her accomplishment. “It is not hard to make a connection and see where you grew"
"You’re the first person to realize it” Dick tells her with a charming smile. “Count me impressed"
The sit a couple of minutes in silence, sipping their drinks. Dick’s creamy latte tastes way too sweet on his tongue, but since it is Neal’s favorite beverage, he continues to drink it. Diana would make a good liaison, he thinks suddenly. She is smart enough to figure out a part of truth about him, her observation skills are excellent, and she is clearly capable of dealing with the insane level of crazy that Justice League works at.
"Can I ask a personal question?" Diana interrupts his thoughts unexpectedly. Dick blinks at her in question.
"You can ask” he nods, interested in what she wants to find out. However, he needs a way to deny her a response, so, Dick adds. “Maybe I will answer"
"Your fiancé...” Diana’s voice is hesitant. She does not look Dick in the eyes, preferring to stare at her coffee. “It's not Kate, right?"
Dick pauses for a second and takes a deep breath. It is not the question he has been waiting for. It is not the question he wants to answer. It hits too close to home.
"No, it's not" he finally whispers because part of him detests hearing the name Kate and the word ‘fiancé’ in one sentence concerning him. He cannot imagine anyone but Wally playing this role.
"There is a tragedy there" Diana looks at his pained expression carefully. She does not pry for explanations which Dick is grateful for. He is not sure he would have been able to provide any.
"The saddest of all" he whispers because Dick is pretty sure his voice will fail him.
He usually manages to convince everyone that everything is okay, that it does not bother him as much as it used to, that he has moved on. He has become excellent at hiding his grief in the depth of his heart, where no one can find it. It’s not like there are a great number of people who cared enough or knew enough to see through his reassuring smiles and sweet words. Dick managed to fool even Barry who has been affected by Wally’s death almost as much as Dick himself. Now, though, he feels as his façade is cracking before uncertainty.
(He does not let himself hope, he can’t).
"Well then, if you need someone to talk, I am here” Diana offers him a reassuring smile. Her voice is gentle, understanding which make Dick wonder what’s the story there. Tim probably knows since he did all the background checks, Dick thinks lightly. Diana nods to herself and adds. “But I won't push"
"Appreciate it” Dick sends her one of Neal’s warmest, most realistic and because of it private smiles. He wrinkles his nose a second later and tells Diana. “Don't mention any of this to Peter, if it's okay"
"Why?" Diana frowns, her voice full of sudden suspicion.
"He is... Nosy. And this is not something I want to share” Dick says with the most honest and saddest expression he can manage. Alfred would be proud if he saw it. Suspicion disappears from Diana’s eyes as quickly as it has appeared. Just to be safe, Dick adds. “There is nothing criminal about it. Just personal"
"You have my word, Neal" Diana sends him a warm smile and stands up. It’s time to return to the office.
Dick looks at the phone in his hands. It’s a great, modern, convenient device made specifically for him. It has not failed him even once. Dick looks at the smooth black screen, at the elegant blue bird at the back and wonders who he should call.
The game is in two days, but his patience is running out. Dick is pretty sure he is going mad but cannot bring himself to care. Wally refuses to leave his thoughts these days. His roaring laughter, soft smiles and gorgeous eyes haunt Dick’s mind. He needs to know what rumors and talks mean; he needs to know if his fiancé is alive. He refuses to think of what’s going to happen if he is.
Dick continues to stare at the blank screen and thinks.
Among all his family there are only four people who understand completely, unconditionally what he is going through. At least, Dick hopes they do. The first two are Bruce and Alfred, of course. They brought him up, they made him the man he is today. He cannot fool them in believing that he is okay even if he tried since they saw it all. They had the best seats; they occupied the first row.
Barbara knows, too. They have been friends for ages, went through all the trials and tribulations together. Dick was there for her when she needed a friend more than anything. Barbara was there for him when he needed support.
The last person is Jason. The rest of his siblings would not understand, not fully. They have not simply joined the family back then. Of course, they have heard the story, it is not exactly a secret. Dick Grayson used to have a fiancé, a speedster with fire-red hair who has died saving them all. For most of his siblings, these are just words and Dick cannot blame them. Tim may suspect just how much Wally’s death broke Dick, but the man is not sure. Tim has just joined the family when it happened and has not known neither Dick nor Wally well before that dammed mission in the Arctic.
Jason, though, Jason witnessed it all. He met both of them when they were freshly in love and was there when their relationship bloomed. He always teased Dick when he visited the Manor, but Dick only laughed joyfully. They were not on good terms with Bruce back then, but Dick continued to visit to see his newly acquired younger brother and Alfred. Jason was there when Dick appeared at home with a ring on his finger and the stupidest, happiest smile on his face. He died before he saw how their rings ended up on a simple silver chain around Dick’s neck.
One of the first thing he asked when he came back and stopped trying to murder Tim was ‘What happened to West?’ Jason did not ask if they split up or decided to take a break. He knew, somehow, that it’s not what happened.
“The same thing that happened to you” Dick answered with a haunted look on his face. “He died”
Dick does not think calling Bruce or Alfred would get him any answers. Barbara is out of question, too, since last he heard she was taking a break and leaving Gotham for a vacation on a sunny beach. She made it clear not to bother her unless the world is ending.
He should call Jason, Dick thinks, because Jason understands. He deals the number and waits a bit too long. He is almost ready to end the call and text Damian instead. The boy will definitely help him, even if he cannot fully comprehend the importance of Dick’s call.
“Big bird” he hears Jason’s calm, relaxed voice as if from afar. He is probably preparing for patrolling, Dick thinks looking at the clock on the wall. It’s almost nine p.m. Criminals wake up at ten in Gotham.
“Little Wing” he all but whispers.
“I expected your call earlier” Jason says with a teasing note in his voice. Dick still can hear tiny drops of worry in his little brother’s words which cause rather controversial feelings in him. He is pleased the Jason cares enough to worry about him but is a bit irritated that his brother thinks he cannot handle it.
“What’s going on, Jay?” he asks right away, too tired to make small talk. Jason sighs heavily over the phone.
“I don’t know” he says after a couple of silent seconds. “Bruce didn’t want to tell anyone since someone can spill it to you”
“Why is it so important for me not to know?” Dick asks, irritation sparkling in his voice. He hates being denied information. He is pretty sure he has inherited it from Bruce who wishes to always know-it-all. A thought, the one he has not let enter his mind for days, appears in his brains. “Is Wally?”
“No idea” Jason says again. “They didn’t tell neither me nor demon brat. B probably figured we will tell you even if he is against it. Others may know, but I can’t be confident”
“This is stupid” Dick spits out. Resentment blossoms in his chest, he suddenly gets an urge to call Bruce and yell at him. It’s his fiancé they are talking about. Why on Earth he has to wait to receive answers?
“Calm down, Big Bird” Jason tells his, his voice surprisingly gentle. “I bet they want to have something solid before talking to you. I am pretty sure they would have kept it quiet till the end if demon brat didn’t overhear name ‘Wally’ and didn’t ask Alfie”
“Well, sounds like Bruce” Dick mutters darkly. “But who else? Tim?”
“Sure is” Jason says cheerfully. “What a scandal it was, you should have seen it”
“So, I have to wait for the game, then? Others will keep their mouths shut, won’t they?” Dick says his heart sinking.
His family can be extremely stubborn at times. Usually Dick likes this quality, but today he hates it with all his heart. If Bruce said them to keep quiet for the time being, most of them will listen. Even Stephanie who does not recognize most authority will be silent. Tim is as bad as Bruce; Barbara is on vacation; Cass does not talk much at all and Duke is too new to rebel. Damian and Jason are the best candidates to get information, but they were kept in the dark. Disaster, isn’t it?
“Yep, guess so” his brother sounds reassuring. “Don’t hold it against Replacement, though. He regretted everything already”
“What have you done?” Dick asks cautiously. Jason can be rather protective, and he is usually vicious in his revenge, even if he does not want to murder anyone anymore. Or anyone in the family at least.
“Nothing” Jason lets out a laugh. “But Alfie is scary when he wants to be”
“I mean, you should not tell me that” Dick huffs a laugh, his heart lighter suddenly. He misses the days when his biggest concern was Alfred’s disappointment. “I have been a subject to his glare too many times to count”
“I bet you were” Jason snickers. However, his voice turns more serious when he continues. “It’s going to be fine, big bro. I will make sure B tells you everything on the game”
“Yeah” Dick sighs. It’s weird, but endearing, for Jason to sound so supportive, almost soft.
“Don’t forget your monkey suit or Alfie will deliver another disappointed glare to you” Jason’s voice is bright, teasing, slightly rough once again. Dick takes another deep breath and answers as lightly as possible.
“Of course, I won’t. His glare is a way too terrifying threat to ignore”