Forgotten Bonds – Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Eight
The Behemoth Encounter

March 12th, 2009. Thursday, 11:19 pm.

Destiny.

Fate.

Some might call it fate. Others might call it destiny. Some might believe in karma, while others might believe in deity. Perhaps others believe there is nothing of that sort at all. Whatever true destiny is or whatever true fate is, those who truly understand the process of life know that nothing is happenstance, nor coincidence, nor dumb luck, nor fluke, nor accident. Whatever the supernatural forces that are in existence in life, there is always one thing that can be counted on.

The fates of humans are always watched over; both young and old, both bond and free, both black, white, and in between, both male and female; no respecter of persons – watched over like the twinkling of the night stars; forever trying those creatures that must exist upon this world, yet not without a little guidance and aid.

A gentle breeze fluttered by, softly trilling through the air in a chilled contrasting warmth.

Dick’s breath caught in his chest at the unfamiliar voice. He whirled around to see a girl walking out of the shadows. His eyes widened as he recognized her. Her long white hair flowed in the breeze and her violet red eyes looked scornfully at him.

It was Slade’s daughter, Rose.

“I knew it,” said Rose in an undertone. “I knew I felt your presence out and about among the living. Had to see for myself what’s so great about you.”

“Rose…” murmured Dick, shocked at seeing the girl. She really did look like—

The girl’s eyes had widened in fury as he spoke her name. In a split moment, she was upon him, her hand clasped around Dick’s throat as she smashed him into the walled section of the roof. Dick choked, saliva bursting in a cough from his mouth at the terrible blow. He clutched at her wrist, trying to pull her away, but he found her strength too powerful. He had to look up at her; her height being a few inches taller than his own. She was reminding Dick deadly of Slade’s power.

“Let’s get one thing clear,” hissed Rose. “I’m Sadie. You’re to call me Sadie.”

“Why?” asked Dick hoarsely from the pressure on his neck. He was having a difficult time breathing; his breath catching in his throat.

“Rose died a long time ago.”

There was a chilling sound to her voice, something Dick had only heard the like once from Slade – and that had been when he wanted to kill Two-Face for hurting him. There was something so dark and foreign to the sound of her voice, almost as if it was lost in the void.

It was actually extremely terrifying.

“Let me go.”

“Why should I?” snapped Rose. Then, her expression turned mocking. “Well, aren’t you just the cute little brother. I can’t believe dear Daddy adopted you. I honestly don’t understand why he’d waste his time on such a weakling like you.”

Dick’s breath caught in his chest, dying in his throat. The blood roared in his ears and tears began to prickle at his eyes.

‘A weakling like you.’

Was that right? After all that Dick had been through, was he truly weak? Was it weakness enduring a capture and then turning that capture around completely to become something amazing? Was it weakness to find it in his heart to fill it with love for another person? Was it weakness to forgive? Was it weakness to look forward towards a new future where he could fill it with lots of time being the best son he could be?

Where was the weakness in all that?

Dick wasn’t weak. It wasn’t weakness that made him forgive or love. It was quite the opposite. It took someone with a strong heart to do something like that. It took a strong heart to see the good in someone like Slade; and see the good Dick did. There was so much to see if only one’s eyes were open to it. Sure, the man had some glaring faults, but Dick remembered from his mother to always look for the good in others. This was one time he sure was glad he had been able to follow such advice.

“I’m not a weakling,” rasped Dick, pulling at the hand that was clamped over his windpipes. The hand tightened around his neck and stars began to pop within Dick’s sight. He felt something brush against his ear and then heated breath flowed over it.

“Yes, you are. You’re human. Of course, you’re weak,” hissed Rose in his ear, her breath tickling his skin; yet it didn’t feel pleasant at all. Dick could feel the darkness of her heart flowing through her, wafting over him in its poison. What the heck had happened to this girl?

“Humans are always weak.”

Is that true? Are we all really that weak?

No.

No, she’s wrong.

Dick knew all too well that humans weren’t weak. They were the strongest creatures alive. Strength didn’t always come from power of flesh – true strength came from the heart. Love, forgiveness, kindness – the list went on. Dick had seen it all too many times. He had always gained great strength whenever his mother offered such things, and the times that Slade offered them to him were also the times that he gained strength.

Humans weren’t weak – they had the ability to strengthen others and through that, themselves.

Dick didn’t need the power of starbolts to be strong.

“I can’t breathe,” gasped Dick, struggling more against her grip. Blackness was starting to fade over his eyes. “Are you gonna kill me?”

Rose scoffed and withdrew her hand. Dick fell to his knees as he gasped for breath to return the oxygen to his brain.

“You see? You’re weak. Humans are pathetic.”

“You—you act like you aren’t one,” said Dick, still breathing heavily; rubbing a hand around his neck.

“Humans die. What I am if I can’t die?” asked Rose, her violet red eyes glinting with a malicious light. Dick’s eyes widened beneath his mask. Rose couldn’t die…?

“You’re immortal,” said Dick, his breath catching once in his shock.

Just like Slade.

“Yeah, pretty much,” answered Rose, her tone completely resentful.

“You should visit Slade,” said Dick, his breathing beginning to regulate. “You should go see him. I know he’ll want to—”

“No way,” snapped Rose, the light in her darkened eyes becoming even more frightening. “I don’t want anything to do with him. I don’t want anything to do with humans.”

“I don’t understand. What does humans have to do with anything?” said Dick, slowly standing up. He leaned against the wall briefly as his head gave him a lightheaded feeling for a moment. “We’re all human. What does it matter?”

There was a small laugh that slowly twisted into deep chilling laughter. She lifted her head and laughed terribly at the sky. Dick swallowed, feeling completely unnerved by the sounds she was making. It made her sound unhinged. There was a disturbing feeling that rose inside Dick’s chest.

Rose sounded almost deranged.

But that couldn’t be right… could it? What had happened to her to make her sound like that? Her entire aura sent shivers down Dick’s spine.

Then, the laughter stopped abruptly as Rose dropped her head to glare at Dick. She lifted her arms elaborately.

“Did you know there’s a sound that’s made when souls are separated from their bodies?” asked Rose, the light in her eyes turning truly frightening. Dick found he could only shake his head in answer. Rose continued, “Oh, yeah. There’s a sound. I can hear it. Looks like I got myself some special powers, huh?”

Dick sucked in his breath.

That experiment on Slade… She must’ve gotten powers from Slade. Did Joey get powers, too? I doubt Grant did, since he was conceived before Slade volunteered for the experiment.

Is Joey immortal, too?

“You know my story, don’t you?” asked Rose, taking a step closer to Dick. There was something chilling about her and Dick found himself trapped beneath those terrible eyes. “You know how my class was blown up, right? Just because I was Deathstroke’s little girl.”

Rose leaned in closer to Dick, who tried to back away; only to find himself pushed against the wall. She leaned down to his ear and he once again felt her warm breath against his skin. Chills flooded down his back, making the hairs on his neck stand on end.

“Do you know what death sounds like?” came the harsh whisper into his ear. “I’ll tell you. It sounds like the very jaws of Hades licking at your insides; like the gates of purgatory, home of devils, tearing at your heart and soul. It is the very sound of the souls of humans being ripped from their bodies in a premature death. Such sounds can never be erased from one’s mind.”

There was an inhale of breath, before it exhaled over Dick’s ear; sending further dark chills down his spine.

“That’s the sound I heard my classmates create when that classroom exploded.”

Dick shuddered by the terrible voice that was sinking into his entire soul. All he could think about was how horrible that must sound – the sound of death. He had heard it once with his parents and he never wanted to hear something like it again. He even had felt it when Slade had been shot – the terrible feelings that nearly drowned him as he heard those sounds blast through the air.

The sound of death came in so many different forms.

A darkness seemed to flow over him; suffocating every segment of his entire soul. It felt as if she had the ability to suck the happiness right from his entire being. Dick’s heart began to palpitate as the darkness threatened to consume him. All the feelings he had ever felt in fear of being left behind from the death of someone he loved began to clutch at his heart. He almost felt hands grab him, as if he were to be dragged down into the darkness.

No!

A breeze fluttered through Dick’s hair.

‘Remember that everyone has a spark of good within their hearts. You need only to light it and it will burn away the brittle brush of the darkness, spreading the light all throughout one’s heart.’

The words he had heard from his mother at that climactic moment a few weeks ago rose inside Dick’s mind. The darkness faded from Dick’s soul, the light spreading throughout his entire being. The darkness fled from the light and peace that flowed over him; warming every tip of his entire soul – the warmth completely enveloping in its embrace.

Peace, light, kindness, warmth flowed into his heart and a smile formed within. Dick focused his gaze at the girl who was leaning near his face.

What he saw was a girl in agony, yet hid beneath the darkness of her heart. Dick understood, then; the knowledge lighting through his mind. The girl’s heart had become twisted from that terrible event. How could it not? To watch, hear her classmates dying all around her, yet she lived. What had been her feelings during that moment? ‘Why was she different?’ Perhaps, after so many years, she was still afraid that something like that would happen again.

Rose was afraid to love someone.

“And that’s a sound I never want to hear again,” hissed Rose in his ear. She leaned back a little, glaring deeply at Dick.

“Slade won’t die,” whispered Dick. “He’ll always live since he’s immortal, too. So, you don’t have to worry that he’ll leave you.”

There was a moment where Rose considered him. Then, there was that terrible laughter once again. She leaned against the wall, her presence almost dominating as she loomed over him in her dark laughter. Dick could almost feel her body pressed lightly against him as she rested her forehead against the wall. He quickly focused on the words of his mother, so he wouldn’t be drowned within that overpowering darkness.

Then, she pulled back slightly; her presence still looming over him.

“Of course, he is,” said Rose, shaking her head. “No wonder I turned out this way. It’s all his fault!”

There was a long moment of stillness, of quiet between them. Then, she dipped her head slightly, considering Dick heavily.

“Yeah, maybe,” whispered Rose in mocking. “Yeah, maybe I’ll see the man in a hundred years or so. Yeah, since you’ll be dead by then.”

The color drained from Dick’s face as his heart stilled immediately. Rose laughed again.

“What’s this? You didn’t think about that, did you?” mocked Rose. “What, does he love you? Heh, when you die, it’ll be like you’re ripping out that man’s heart with your bare hands; crushing it, smashing it into nothingness. And you know, he’ll mourn your death far greater than Grant’s death. Why? Because he grew to love you. That’s powerful stuff right there. He’ll be devastated.”

Dick’s eyes widened; a burning sensation rose inside them. A choking, strangled gasp mixed with a sob broke from his lips.

“He’ll never recover, you know,” continued Rose darkly. “His heart will become like steel. You’ll only be able to save him for so long. But then, you’ll die like everyone else in this world, leaving him behind. How do you think that’ll make him feel? Watching his son grow up before his eyes and then grow old to only die, becoming the dust of the earth.”

Tears overflowed. They slipped from his eyes into the fabric on his face. They began to soak deep into his mask.

“He’ll be alone again,” whispered Rose in a terrible voice. “This time he’ll have loved and lost, but he’ll never be able to see you ever again – if you wanna believe in an afterlife. He’s doomed to watch any and all loved ones die. He’s cursed.”

Dick’s heart palpitated in his chest at that terrible, horrible, awful thought. He hadn’t ever considered such a possibility before. He had been too worried at being left behind himself that he never thought of who would be torn at his own death. Who would he leave behind? Would Slade truly be devastated by his death? Would Slade be lonely yet again? Would he mark the day of Dick’s death like he did for Grant’s death? Would he sink into depression and try to drown himself in alcohol on the anniversary?

Would Slade cry?

Another far more powerful wave of tears flowed from his eyes. They streamed down into his mask only to overflow and fall down his cheeks. His chest shuddered as he took a deep breath, gasping through a small choking sob that broke through his defenses. There was a mocking laugh from Rose.

“Look at this; I made my baby brother cry,” sneered Rose, a dark smile lifting her mouth. “You truly are weak. Aren’t you supposed to be the all powerful hero, Robin? Isn’t crying weakness? This is why humans are pathetic. You’re weak. You’re pathetic. You’re useless.”

‘You are strong.’

‘You are extraordinary.’

‘You are unique.’

‘You are special.’

‘Your life is precious.’

All throughout his life, whenever Dick felt his self worth falling, the voice of his mother would fill his mind; bringing him renewed comfort. But now Dick found that the voice in his head sounded exactly like Slade; the words of praise that the man had told him replaying in his mind over and over again. Dick felt anchored by that smooth, deep voice now. Seven months ago, he never imagined that the voice that had brought him so much irritation would now bring him his greatest comfort.

Dick knew who he was; he knew the entirety of his soul.

Dick lifted a hand to his mask and pulled it off in a swift movement; storing the mask in his utility belt afterwards. Rose’s eyes widened as Dick gazed at her with unfiltered crystal blue eyes. He smiled at her through his tears. He didn’t bother to wipe them away. Somehow he felt strengthened, as if there was something soft holding him up.

“I’m not just Robin, the Boy Wonder, or Dick Grayson, but I’m a combination of both,” said Dick with another smile, tears slipping down his cheeks. “It’s okay to cry. And you know, I can’t be strong all the time. I’ve tried before; it’s impossible. But guess what? I don’t have to be strong all the time. I have people, a father, that I can rely on to help me through the difficult times. I have adults who care about me – Will, too. I don’t have to do things all by myself now. It’s okay to need others. It’s okay to be weak sometimes. Slade is my father now and I need him, and that’s okay.”

That’s right. Slade will be there for me. So, that means I have to be there for him, too. Rose is right; one day, I’ll die and have to leave him behind. I don’t want to cause him pain. But the memories we’ll create will be able to sustain him. Just like mine of my parents have been special to me.

But that doesn’t mean I’ll let Slade ever be alone again.

“As for my eventual death,” continued Dick, his tone turning soft. “I’ll just have to make sure that Slade is never alone again. I’ll have to get married and have a family. You know what—” A broad smile spread through Dick’s face. “—I’ll have so many children, Slade won’t know what to do with himself. I might have seven kids or seventeen; all I know is Slade’s home will always have a child in it. I’ll be sure to tell my children to always have large families of their own. It’ll only take a single ripple, me, to start something amazing. I’ll tell them that Slade must never be left alone. Even in a thousand years into the future, I’ll hope and pray that some descendant of mine will always be by Slade’s side.”

Rose broke out into more laughter.

“That has got to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!” cried Rose through her mocking laughter. “That won’t do anything! That’ll just create more humans to tear out his heart! And anyway, there’s no guarantee that can happen.”

“Slade is a man of his word,” said Dick reverently, looking down at the ground as he felt his heart glow. “That’s one of his greatest character traits. I want to be like that. I want to aspire to become a man of my word – just like him. So, starting now, I swear that I’ll do whatever is humanly possible to make sure Slade will never be alone again. This I promise.”

Dick felt Rose take a step away from him. There was a moment of silence, but Dick didn’t look back up at her; feeling slightly emotionally drained by the implications of both her words and his own.

“Well, then,” began Rose’s dark voice; her tone turning hardened. “Maybe you shouldn’t be around to fulfill that promise.”

Dick managed to look up in time to see a terrible punch coming towards his upper chest. Just in time, Dick crossed his arms in a block. Pain exploded through his wrists as the powerful blow struck them. His back smashed into the wall, stars bursting in his sight.

Suddenly, a leg came swinging at his left. Dick threw up his arm to block the blow. It connected in another terrible strike of pain to his arm. He skidded against the rooftop from the force. There was a brief moment where Dick was fully and completely reminded of Slade at his top power; except this opponent wanted to hurt him, perhaps even kill him.

This girl wasn’t going to hold back.

Dick quickly ducked as another kick came his way. He swept his leg beneath himself, knocking Rose to the ground. But she was on her feet a moment later, rushing forward to exchange blows with him. Dick had to go on the defense, blocking each blow expertly. He was impressed with the knowledge that, while Rose was an excellent fighter, she most certainly wasn’t as skilled as Slade. Dick had spent seven months under the intense, at times fierce, training of Slade.

And that’s where Dick’s advantage lied.

In the fight, Dick breathed deeply, letting his nerves calm and settle. He let his body go, allowing instinct to kick in – all the months of training flowing through every movement of his muscles. He could remember every blow exchanged, every sweat drop, every instruction, every praise – everything Slade had ever taught him, had ever shown him.

And at that moment, fighting against someone with Slade’s power seemed nothing more than just another challenge in training.

Somehow, Dick’s speed increased. Able to anticipate Rose’s attacks, Dick got through her defense. He landed a punch to her stomach; causing her to double over briefly. But then, she lifted her head and Dick had to jump back warily. Rose’s violet red eyes were slowly filling with white. A second later, she swung her arm through the air in a slice.

Dick instinctively dodged, even though he was out of her reach. However, he felt a blast of power blow in a fierce wind beside his cheek. He felt something slice his skin. He rolled to the side and quickly put a hand to the stinging area. He felt a long stripe, a slick sensation of liquid, and Dick brought his hand to see that there was blood.

Well, wasn’t this just wonderful.

In a panic, Dick rolled out of the way as another slice was sent his direction. The power missed him this time, slicing deep into the wall of the roof; a thin carve within the metal like a knife cutting butter.

Dick bolted forward, determined to bring the fight to a playing field where he could participate on. Giving Rose no time to react, he brought the fight back to blows where she couldn’t use her strange power. This time, Rose had to go on the defense, backing up towards the wall through the fight to avoid Dick’s attacks.

Then, Dick saw an opening. He grabbed her by the wrist with one hand and by the neck with the other. He slammed her into the wall, pinning her there; her cheek pressed against the metal.

“Why are you doing this, Rose?” demanded Dick, his chest heaving from his exertion; a trickle of sweat slipping down his temple. “Why are you so angry? What’s happen to you?”

“Shut up!” growled Rose, pushing off against the wall with extreme power. She swung her arm around and backhanded Dick across the face. Dick’s hold on her released as he was jerked to the side from the force of her blow. A second later, he was grabbed and slammed into the same position Rose had been in. Pressure was applied as Rose leaned to his ear.

“What do you know about anything?” snarled Rose, her breath flowing over Dick’s skin. “You have no idea what it’s like. You don’t know what it’s like!”

“Yes, I do.”

Dick was pulled back and slammed against the wall.

“Liar!”

“I know!” cried Dick, blinking rapidly from the blinding stars in his eyes. “I watched my parents fall to their deaths when I was seven years old – on my birthday. You aren’t the only one who’s heard the sound of death!”

The pressure on Dick released slightly. In that moment, Dick dropped to a crouch and swept his leg behind himself. He felt Rose jump back as he quickly turned to face her. There was a brief moment while Dick lifted slowly to look at the girl, who was staring back with slight shock in her eyes.

“No matter how many times I wished I could’ve saved them, I couldn’t; I didn’t have the power,” whispered Dick. “But that’s why I’m who I am today – so, no one else has to feel that way. I want to protect and save others.”

Dick looked deep into Rose’s violet red eyes, trying to extract the darkness and pain that swam within those orbs. As he stared into those terrible eyes, he widened his own for a moment; remembering. Those eyes looked exactly like Slade’s single eye had when he returned from the dead. It had been brief, but once he saw Dick, his eye had changed.

What if…

What if Rose never truly came back after her death; teetering on the edge of life and death where her heart was safe from attaching to those humans that would one day leave her behind? If that was the case, what could bring her back? What could bring her back from the dead?

Soft memories lifted in a trilling light within Dick’s mind. All of them included a moment where his dear mother had wrapped her arms around him and told him that everything was going to be all right; her comforting warmth more than enough to prove her words right.

Well, there was only one way Dick knew to try to bring this girl back from the dead and try was just what he was going to do.

“Not only that, I’m going to save you, too,” said Dick; his voice strong in his determination.

“Huh?—”

Dick darted forward. Before Rose could react to him, Dick collided into her; his arms wrapping around her waist. The force made the two of them fall backwards. But Dick didn’t let go. He felt Rose sit up, forcing Dick to sit up as well. Dick was kneeling on the ground, his face in Rose’s upper shoulder and his arms still tightly wrapped around her waist.

“Get off me!” cried Rose furiously, pushing at Dick’s shoulders, but he clamped his arms tighter around her waist. He felt her struggle against him, but he held on for dear life. No matter how hard she dug into his arms or shoulders, he wouldn’t let go. He gritted his teeth as her powerful hands created bruises on his arms. But soon, he felt her quickened breathing intensify as she stopped struggling. He could feel her heart flutter rapidly against his chest.

“It’s okay to care about others, Rose,” whispered Dick. “You don’t have to be afraid any more. I understand what’s it like to lose important people.”

“Y—you don’t!” cried Rose, now frantically pushing against Dick once again. “It’s Sadie now! I’m not Rose. She died years ago!”

“I don’t think so. You’re still holding onto her.”

“I’m not!”

“Then, why did you go with the name Sadie? Did you purposely choose it?” asked Dick in a soft whisper. “I know Sadie is a nickname for Sarah. You never did let go, did you?”

“No!” screamed Rose, struggling fiercely. “You don’t know anything!”

“You’re still Rose to your father and mother,” continued Dick, holding onto her tightly as she fought against him. “You’re still Rose to yourself. You should go back to your mom. She misses you.”

“Stop this! Stop it—let go of me!”

“I know it hurts, but it doesn’t matter if one day they’ll leave you behind,” whispered Dick, tears freely falling from his eyes again to slip down his cheeks. “What time you have is precious; don’t waste it. There were times that I wished I hadn’t ever met my mother and father, since they had only been taken away from me. But I know and understand that such a wish is wasteful and foolish. Think of all the times my mother hugged me or told me she loved me. I would’ve missed out on that. I need that; I need those memories. They’re treasures. You need to create treasures with the ones you love before it’s too late.”

“I don’t love anyone!”

“I think you do,” countered Dick. “Stop lying to yourself. Stop burying your heart. You’ll die that way.”

“I can’t die! Don’t you get it?” snapped Rose, her voice becoming more frantic.

“I meant your heart will die,” whispered Dick. “You’ll be nothing but a shell. And that’s worse than death itself.”

There was a choking sob.

“It already died long ago,” cried Rose.

She went limp in his arms and the struggling stopped. But Dick didn’t release his hold on her. He just held her; knowing that being held was one of the most important things in life. Then, he felt her body begin to tremble. There were soft little cries. Dick tightened his arms around her waist. There was a long moment where the air was only filled with her soft cries. Then, small arms lifted and wrapped themselves around Dick’s waist. They laid against him for a moment before they tightened, as if she were grabbing onto a lifeline.

Then, more sobs filled the air as Dick felt Rose bury her face into his neck. He smiled lightly now; feeling relieved, yet exhausted. Even with the tears, he knew she’d be all right now. She’d get better. He buried his own face into her upper shoulder, letting his own tears fall. It was a strange thought to think that this girl was now his adopted sister. Having a sibling was something he had always wanted, but Mary never was able to have another child.

It was like he had a family now.

Dick slowly rubbed Rose’s back. Her hands clutched his taunt uniform fabric, tightening her entire hold on him as she continued to cry.

“I know your parents love you,” whispered Dick. “You should try to fill your life with as many precious memories with them as you can. You should come visit Slade. I think he’ll be really happy if you did. And I want to see my new sister more often, too.”

Still small sobs came from Rose as she continued to cry. So, he just held her; letting the comfort flow to her and in turn, letting himself be comforted by the hug as well – two lost children holding onto each other.

Minutes passed in this soft moment.

Then, Dick blinked, hearing the sound of soft shoes pad against the ground nearby. He looked towards the sound to see a young man of around twenty years old walk up to them. The young man smiled gently as he knelt down beside the two of them. Dick noticed that the young man had blond hair and deep bright green eyes. A white, lifted scar was on his upper neck in a horizontal thin line. There was something familiar about his face.

Then, Dick’s eyes widened.

The young man reached up towards Dick’s face and gently placed his hand on his cheek. Dick was too surprised to pull away – not that he could with Rose in his arms. Then, the hand stroked his cheek with fingers, right along the cut that lined his face. A moment later, the stinging faded. The hand withdrew after another moment.

Then, a smooth, soothing voice filled Dick’s mind. It was not much unlike Slade’s voice, but it held a gentleness and a lyrical sound to it as well. There was something so overwhelmingly soft to it.

“Thank you for helping my sister,” said the voice that came into Dick’s mind. Dick tried to think his answers, but the voice came again. “It’s okay, you can talk out loud. I’m mute, not deaf.”

“You’re Joey, aren’t you?” whispered Dick, not wanting to frighten Rose. She didn’t respond at all, but continued to hold onto him; crying softly.

Joey nodded.

“I’ve been watching over Rose; following her at times. She’s never been the same since the incident. Our whole family hasn’t been the same.”

Joey’s green eyes glanced over at Rose.

“Both Mom and I just haven’t known what to do about her. Every day it seemed as if she disappeared more and more, burying her heart deeper and deeper until we couldn’t recognize her. Nothing we did would break her down. She distanced herself even more, until two years ago she just moved out. Mom’s been sick with worry, so I decided to keep an eye on her all this time. Whether or not she’s known it, well, she hasn’t let on.”

“Slade still cares about you two,” said Dick, tightening his hold on Rose. He felt her respond slightly, her hands flexing on his back. “He’s never stopped caring and he’s always blamed himself for what happened. I can see it: he really loves you both very much.”

Joey smiled knowingly.

“I know. I know Dad still loves us,” said Joey; that soft smile still spreading through his young, yet masculine features. “He’s always been like that; blaming himself for things. I don’t blame him for what happened. If you think about it logically, it can happen to anyone. I always wanted to see him, but Mom… Well, she’s bitter and unhappy about everything. She still loves him, though. No denying that.”

“You can visit!” cried Dick, a desperate feeling rising inside his chest. “You can visit him. I think he’ll love that. I’d like it, too.”

“We just will have to do that sometime, then,” said Joey, his smile spreading wider. Then, that smile lifted into a playful one that reminded Dick a little of Slade’s mischievous smile. Joey lifted his hand again and ruffled Dick’s hair.

“It’s kind of nice having such a cute, little kid brother now.” Dick felt his face flush deeply. Joey’s mouth opened in a silent laugh, yet Dick heard the melodic sounds flow into his mind. “Yup, you really are adorable. Welcome to our… well, basically messed up family.” There was another melodic chuckle. “But I can tell that through you our family has gone through quite a bit of healing. I thank you for that.”

Dick bit his lower lip and could only nod; feeling emotion rise in his chest. Joey’s hand withdrew and he held out both his hands towards Rose. He moved closer and began to pull Rose away. Dick noticed that the ashen, snow colored skin that had once covered Rose was now filled with warmth; a flesh olive skin color in its place. As Rose was slowly extracted from Dick, there was a moment where she looked deep into Dick’s eyes. A light flickered there and Dick instantly noticed that her eye color had changed from her darkened violet red to a light, steel grey blue – eyes that were so much like Slade’s single eye.

Dick smiled and placed a hand onto her shoulder.

“You really do look like your father,” said Dick. Those steel grey blue eyes blinked for a moment, before a genuine smile graced her lips. The darkness that had been held in her eyes had completely lifted. Dick could still see pain hidden in those eyes, but it was no longer clouded by a dark void. There was hope now.

Joey easily maneuvered his arms beneath Rose and lifted her into them. She rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes. Dick quickly stood, noticing that Joey’s height towered over him. Not quite like Slade’s and not quite like Bruce’s, but it was much taller than Rose’s and Dick felt extremely small next to him.

When was that growth spurt going to kick in?

But Dick smiled, letting himself feel like a little brother. That’s what he was feeling at that moment, looking up at this young man he really had only just met, but knowing that they were brothers – at least on paper. Perhaps there would come a time where they really could experience a closer relationship.

“You’ll visit?” asked Dick, feeling a little nervous as he watched Joey turn away. The young man looked back at him and gave him a firm nod, a gentle smile spreading through his face. Dick could hear the soft words from the young man.

“Of course. We have a little brother now.”

Dick watched them leave; Joey stepping over the edge of the roof confidently to slowly levitate towards the ground. Dick watched his feet touch payment before the young man began to walk down the sidewalk with Rose in his arms.

Something pulled at Dick’s heart. He had a lot to tell Slade when he got back. What would the man say when his other children were going to come for a visit? There was a small twinge in Dick’s heart, but he pushed away. He knew Slade cared about him even if his other children were to enter his life again. Surely a parent can love more than one child. There wasn’t any reason for Dick to doubt his worth. He was literally the man’s son now. Slade had actually put forth the effort to adopt him.

So, Dick let his heart be at peace with it.

Instead, newfound excitement began to fill his soul. He had siblings! Hopefully, they would come to visit soon. Their home would be filled with more voices and Wintergreen would like that.

Dick would like that, too.

Things were changing so quickly that Dick wondered what more the future held for him. There was this small voice in the back of Dick’s mind that still questioned certain things – like the fact of what Dick would do in his future.

Would he be the man’s apprentice? Would he become his partner?

As much as Dick cared about Slade, becoming a mercenary wasn’t something he wanted to do. He didn’t mind learning from Slade, but he truly hoped that he could convince Slade to allow him to continue being a hero. When that would be, Dick wasn’t sure.

Hopefully, the future held that promise.

Suddenly, an alarm blared nearby. Dick looked down over the edge of the roof to see two robbers escaping from a convenience store down below. Dick’s hands flexed nervously; clenching closed to open again. The same old adrenaline flooded through his veins as he watched the criminals running off; a sign that even after months off the job, he still felt the same excitement rise within him at the thought of catching those criminals.

He just couldn’t let them get away like that. He was here, watching them run off. Dick was still a hero at heart; he knew that. He just couldn’t let this one get away from him.

Just one for old times’ sake.

Quickly, Dick pulled out his mask and smoothed it over his eyes. Then, he leapt off the roof; using a grappling hook to ease his descent. He landed in a crouch in front of the escaping robbers, who stopped abruptly by his appearance. Without even an introduction, Dick rushed at them. He swung his leg into the nearest one; causing him to burst to the side from the impact. With a single punch to the face, he sent the other robber to the ground. Both men groaned deeply, but were, for the most part, stopped.

It wasn’t even a contest. Robbers like these were seriously pathetic. Well, he’ll let the police get them from here.

He had to go. He promised Slade that he’d return. So, return he must. No matter how much his heart really wanted to see his friends, he knew he needed a little more time – just a little more time. He had sent them letters, so they would know he was all right soon.

Or was the real truth the fact that Dick was simply afraid to face them after all this time?

Interesting how in life, fate aligns our destinies in just the perfect way where we must face those fears.

“Robin…?”

Dick froze.

That blithe, gentle voice wafted over him, paralyzing his entire body. His heart pounded rapidly in his chest, his heart falling and palpitating terribly. Seven months; seven months – it had been so many months since he had heard that voice, that beautiful voice. So kind, so gentle, so soft – so long since he had heard it.

It had to be Starfire’s voice at that moment, wouldn’t it?

Dick’s lips trembled as he silently gasped multiple times; his chest heaving terribly. He didn’t turn around. He couldn’t face her. The loneliness without her and his other friends had been so great, but pushed away to avoid remembering – luckily, he had found great comfort in Slade. Now just from hearing her voice, the loneliness came crashing down; burying Dick’s heart beneath its creaking weight.

Now that he was confronted with the thought of facing her and perhaps the others, the crushing realization of just how much he had missed them was beginning to destroy him. He had missed them so very much. He had dreamed of the day he would see them again. How many times had they filled his nights with their happy faces?

But not like this – he hadn’t dreamed of meeting them like this.

“Is that…”

Dick clenched his eyes closed, hearing Cyborg’s voice. They were all there, weren’t they? They were a team, after all. Of course, they’d be there together. How foolish he’d been. He shouldn’t have interfered. The Teen Titans would’ve taken care of the robbers. Why had he forgotten that?

His shoulders began to shake. He was so afraid; so terrified to hear what they might say, think, or feel about him. He couldn’t bear it if his friends hated him now. Losing them just wasn’t an option. But they would’ve heard about the adoption; they would wonder why.

And Dick had already poured his feelings out on paper and they hadn’t gotten their mail yet – Wintergreen had just mailed those letters today.

Dick slowly turned his head towards the source of Starfire’s voice. A wave of emotion poured through him. There they all were, each wearing their own shocked look on their faces. Even Raven looked completely startled to see him. She was levitating in the air while Cyborg and Beast Boy stood near each other.

And Starfire… She was floating the nearest to him.

Utter shame poured through Dick’s soul. He didn’t want to face them like this – not when it looked like they were on opposite sides; even though he wasn’t doing anything criminal, he sure looked like he was. He never wanted to face them like that. Never. But how could he explain the complexity of his feelings and situation? Dick couldn’t even fully understand it himself sometimes.

He had hoped to face them when he had made a little more progress with Slade. Dick was starting to see more softness from the man and he craved that – with all his heart. It seemed as if the man was completely getting used to him and Dick was seeing glimpses of a possibility – that, perhaps, one day he could pull the man out of the darkness.

But he needed more time.

But it was obvious that time had just run out.

Starfire lowered to the ground and reached out a hand towards him hesitantly.

“Ro–Robin?”

The paralyzing feeling escaped and Dick did the only thing he could think of.

He ran.

Dick tore away, darting up the street as fast as he could. He had to get away from them. He couldn’t explain things to them yet. Not without the letters. There was no way he could articulate those words just how he crafted them on paper. He needed more time. He was sure that Slade had a good side to him – he had seen it countless times in the past months, once they got past that first hard month. Dick didn’t know how he was going to explain all this to them; they couldn’t understand.

He was just too frightened; facing them was more than he could handle at that very moment.

Dick shot a grappling hook upward towards a roof, using all his acrobatic body to vault himself into the air. With another grappling hook, he flew through the air to land onto a rooftop. Then, he bolted to the other side. With adrenaline pushing him forward, he leapt off the edge of the roof, flying through the night air. His pounding heart raced at top speed as he was weightless in the air. He landed onto another rooftop across the street, rolling out of the jump before returning to his feet and continuing to bolt as fast as his heart could go.

“Robin!”

Dick heard that name called again. He couldn’t answer to it, though. His mask had long been pulled off. He was Dick Grayson now. He couldn’t be Robin to them yet. It wasn’t that he’d given up on that Robin; he just needed time. He needed space. Yet, somehow, the Titans didn’t want to give him space.

Well, obviously.

“Yo! Dude, we just wanna talk!” shouted Cyborg, his voice coming up high. Dick figured that Beast Boy or Raven was carrying him.

Dick leapt off the other side of the rooftop he was on, allowing himself to drop down. He pulled out another grappling hook from his utility belt as he fell and launched it; the end of the hook catching on a wall. His weight caught on the hook and he swung forward. He landed onto another rooftop and continued to run.

His brain wasn’t quite thinking properly at that moment. All he could think about was getting away. All he could think about was getting back – getting back to him.

Getting back to his father.

That overwhelming need flooded over all his senses; blocking everything else out. He had to get back home. He needed Slade. He needed that reassuring look on the man’s face. He needed that voice to anchor him. He needed his room. He needed to hide away.

Anything other than facing his friends within such a terrible situation.

No matter how much he wanted to stop and hug them; tell them that he was all right; that he’d been all right all this time; tell them how much he missed them – he couldn’t. But why not? It was simple, wasn’t it? Just stop and turn around. Why couldn’t he do it? Why?!

When had he lost this kind of courage? He had never been afraid to fight against bad guys. When was he afraid to face his friends?

But there was a completely different question, the true question.

When was he ever truly brave?

Hadn’t he run away from Bruce? Hadn’t he kept secrets from his friends by donning the alter ego, Red X? Hadn’t he kept everything to himself, worried to ask for help?

When was he ever brave? He wasn’t brave, especially now. The only time he was ever brave was when he was assured of victory. Jump City was perfect for that. Robin could be as brave as he wanted; there were never any truly powerful villains here in Jump.

But then, Slade showed up and threatened everything. He showed Dick the truth.

Dick was just a kid, a child who was afraid – a child who dressed up in a suit, who put on a mask, and pretended to be brave.

Well, there was no pretending now. Dick was truly afraid of what his friends would think and if he’d lose them. Losing them was the one thing that could unravel his heart. No matter the strength that he had gained over the past seven months, if he lost the only friends he had ever been able to make, then all would be lost inside Dick’s heart.

At least for quite a long time.

“Robin, please stop!”

Dick tried to block out the pleading cry that came from Starfire. The only thing he thought was each foot rushing forward, getting him closer and closer to the man he felt safe with, the one that could reassure him that everything was going to be all right, that man that would understand just what Dick was feeling from simply looking inside his eyes – and also be able to fix it.

But Dick really wasn’t noticing that he was also leading his friends to that very same man.

His entire body pounded with his feet, his heart thudding against his chest as he ran. Finally, with one leap, he jumped onto the rooftop that signified that he was nearing home. He quickly leapt off the roof, using another grappling hook to soften his fall. Landing into a roll, he rushed forward onto his feet, still never stopping to catch his breath.

He skidded sideways into the darkened warehouse, his feet catching on aged fallen leaves. His feet slid out from beneath him and he had to use his hands to support himself. Once he got his balance back, he rushed to the keypad. With flying fingers, he punched in the passcode.

With a signaling noise, the door slid open.

Dick barreled through the door, the sliding door closing behind him. He heard the locks clicking into place. The only sounds that came into his hearing were the thudding of his heart against his chest and the familiar sounds of the gears clinking above. He leaned against the door, the palms of his hot hands touching the cool metal surface there. His chest heaved as he gasped for breath. His pounding heart just wouldn’t calm down.

What delightful sounds… Those soothing sounds of the gears.

A bead of sweat trickled down his temple. Then, Dick saw Slade. The man turned in his seat from his place at the main computer to look at Dick in surprise. He stood up and walked over to him; stopping a foot in front of him. A look of concern filled his face for a moment before sliding into a neutral appearance. Dick noticed that the man was in his normal leisure clothing; black slacks and a white button up shirt.

Relief poured through Dick’s heart. He wanted this man to touch him; his arm, his shoulder, his hair – heck, what he’d give for a hug right now – anything to anchored himself back to reality. Anything to remind him that everything was going to be all right and that he was safe.

And that he wasn’t going to lose his friends.

“Dick, what’s wrong?” asked Slade, the concern flooding through his face more. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” The man’s eye narrowed. “Did you get cut?”

“Uh—uh—um—”

Two powerful hands grabbed Dick’s shoulders as he felt his legs give out beneath him. The only thing holding him up were those two strong hands. Dick closed his eyes beneath his mask, his breathing slowly beginning to calm.

“Dick, what on earth happened?” asked Slade, the worry getting stronger in the man’s voice. Dick looked up at the man, unable to know what to say.

Then, his brain began to catch up to him. The Titans had been chasing him. They had followed him. They probably would be here at any moment – heck, they’ll probably break down the front door now; Cyborg’s sonic cannon could blast through material far better than a normal explosive. Dick’s eyes widened as he looked up into the face that he was so used to seeing for the past six months.

No mask.

Dang it.

“Um…” Dick tried to put on a smile, but it came off tense and nervous. “We, uh… might have a little company…”

“What?”

The wall exploded around Dick. There was a low cry of shock that burst from his mouth as he covered his head in protection. Arms wrapped around Dick’s head protectively, pulling him into the man’s firm chest. At that touch and at that split moment, Dick took a deep calming breath; peace flooding over his senses just as much as the man’s cologne did. There was no stopping the Teen Titans, was there? He was going to have to face them now – without those letters. Dick took another deep breath. No matter what, because this man was here, everything would turn out okay.

Well, he truly hoped, anyway.

Debris of stone and metal littered the floor on both sides of Dick and Slade. As the smoke settled, Slade pulled back slightly and Dick looked up to see irritation all throughout the man’s face. Dick smiled timidly and there was a little nervous laugh that escaped his lips.

“Um… surprise?”

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