fic: Family Affairs, part 1

[sylph_fics]

Title: Family Affairs, part 1
Co-writer: merfilly
Fandom: DC
Word count: 1,551
Continuity notes: I hate current canon. My canon stops pre (the idiocy of) Graduation Day. So it's 'The Titans', Young Justice, the full Bat-clan, and the rest of the world.
Feedback: Please?
Summary: Continued from Surprise! and Announcements
Dick has that conversation that's making him nervous..



Dick finally got the baby in his arms back to sleep now that the senior heroes had left and the babies had been fed again, and carefully settled him back into the bassinet before he glanced at Roy and walked over to him. "I... guess I need to head down to Gotham, try and get some of this started..."

"Yeah, 'mano." Roy stretched fitfully. "That is what you have to do, while I stay here and... watch the babies."

"And Lian. And maybe, now that the screaming's stopped, you can go ahead and get a hold of Ollie?" He walked towards the door, giving Dinah a wry smile as he laid a hand on the door.

"I was going to bat my eyes at the Pretty Bird there for that end of things..." Roy smiled at his mother/sister/friend and got a tongue stuck out at him.

Dick laughed at that and left, heading up for the jet. He swung out over the ocean to avoid the usual traffic, and headed fast for Gotham. He settled the jet at the airstrip outside of town, changed, and took the car they left there into the city. He drove up through the city and up into Bristol, to the manor's gates, stopping to key the code in to open the gates, and drove up into the garage.

Alfred soon met him, smiling. "Master Richard...this is a wonderful and welcome surprise."

"Hi, Alfred. Good to see you. Is Bruce around?"

"I do expect him within the half hour...traffic being what it is." He led the younger ward of his heart to the kitchen.

"...D--rat. Alright. I can wait..." //Damnit, Bruce, you couldn't have decided to be idle rich for once?//

Alfred's lips twitched at the conscious self-censorship. "Certainly...with a fresh sandwich and drink."

"Thanks, Alfie... oh. yeah. I think I am starving, now that you mention it..."

Alfred efficiently set about feeding Dick, doing so in silence, to see if the boy would talk on his own. Dick sighed into the drink, foot and fingertips tapping impatiently, eying the clock hung over the stove.

"I do believe they say communication is important."

"This time, I need to talk to Bruce first, Alfie... I... need his help."

"Ahh." Alfred was actually quite pleased to hear Dick wished to speak with Bruce first. "It should not be much longer, if you'd prefer to wait in his study..."

"Alright. Thanks, Alfie..." He hopped up, heading for Bruce's study... at least as long as he was moving he could--kind of--keep from thinking. He tried to settle once he was in the study... but just wound up pacing circles, patterns around the furniture. He did manage to stay just on his feet, though, which at one point Bruce would have considered progress.

"You were waiting for me?" came the deep voice, lightly stressed by the day at the office.

Dick spun around, caught completely off guard, "Bruce!" He probably looked like he had as a teenager when had Bruce caught him out.

That drew a smile to the elder's lips. "What brings you to Gotham, so soon after shift?"

"I... Somehow, this is your fault--or at least it's the 'Mite's fault, and if I wasn't so freaked out I'd be a lot more pissed about it..."

"What has Bat-Mite done this time, Dick?" Bruce had a long-suffering tone to his voice as he thought about one of the annoyances of his life.

"I have twins, with Roy, about seven weeks old. Boys. His hair. We're not sure about the eyes yet."

Bruce looked at his adopted son, his long-time partner. He then calmly sat down at his desk, still watching the younger man. "Tell me the details, Dick. Please."

"I got a call from Roy with about three hours left on my shift, telling me to get my butt to the Tower as fast as I could. So I did, got down to his room, and there're these two cribs, bassinets, whatever, practically plastered in my masks and arrows, with these two little bitty red-haired babies in them. Bags of baby-stuff underneath them... So I got Donna to go get Garth, given that they just appeared out of nowhere." Dick took a breath, spacing out the report. "Garth got up there, checked things over, said they were real, with real souls and everything, the DNA scanner said they're half Roy's, half mine. Jesse wouldn't calm down and stop thinking they were some kind of trap until we coaxed Dr. Fate into coming over and checking, and he's the one that figured out it was either him or the 'Mite, and I kinda doubt it's him, so it's got to be your favorite little pest's fault!"

"A logical deduction." The prince of Gotham looked thoughtful. "I see several problems with your current situation, Dick." He said it patiently, offering his insight, but without the usual Bat-abrasion.

"Yeah, so do I. The biggest one I see is I can't leave Roy with them all the time, but there's no way I'm taking kids into the 'Haven, so somehow, I've got to get back out of the 'force. Damnit, I worked my tail off for that job!'

"I know. You did a very good job, Dick." Bruce leaned back in his chair. "But certain priorities have shifted now." He debated making the offer, stopped himself, gauging Dick's body language to see if it was the wisest course. "You've made me proud with what you've done over there."

Dick stopped, looked at him, trying to hide the shock that brought, and smiled. "Thanks, Bruce. I... Do you have any good ideas about getting me back out--preferably without losing everything I managed to accomplish?"

There was a quick blink of his eye to betray the fact Bruce was surprised. "There is one way...one I planned out in case you ever felt a need to get Dick out. Should make you out as a sympathetic hero on the force, and extend the Brash Bruce with Money image..."

Dick looked at him for a long minute, then his lips quirked in a slow, far too amused smile as he thought about that. "I... think I know exactly what you're talking about, and yeah, it should. We both know how to play that image back and forth, so that ought to be easy enough... Oh, oh how interesting that will be..." Thinking about the reactions of a few of the people that had tried to bribe him in the last year or so seeing him as that Dick Grayson made the smile widen.

Bruce gave him a sharkish smile. "Your next shift is tomorrow, yes?"

"...Yeah, it is." Dick couldn't help but smile back at him. "Okay, that'll settle that part. We're thinking that we'll keep the kids in the Tower, at least until they're older, where there's more protection for them, and so Lian'll have Cere around at least part of the time. Moving 'me' to New York shouldn't be that hard either... The Haven's the biggest problem... well, that and that I have no idea what I'm doing!" he heard his voice starting to raise in the panicked worry he hated admitting to, and shut up again. "Sorry," he said after a moment.

"You'll learn. You'll adapt. You're too fine a man not to." Bruce nodded. "We can handle the 'Haven...and you moving to New York, in a 'temper' with me is quite suitable."

Dick shook his head with a laugh, "It's not even the first time.... At least this time it's just a show." His nature got the better of him for a minute, and his lips quirked as he went to tease Bruce a little "..Heck of a way to wind up being a grandfather, isn't it, Bruce?"

The relaxed, casual demeanor of a man at peace with his 'son' gave way abruptly to the intense darkening of his visage that came with the Bat falling across his nature. "Grandfather?" Even the timbre of his voice shifted, as that one casual remark put Bruce on the defensive, his mind coping with further ramifications.

"They're my kids--" and that awe flashed over his face all over again, sharp contrast to the darkness on his father's face, "--Bruce. That... does make you their grandfather..." he managed to keep his voice from being as tentative as he suddenly felt.

"Yes...yes it does...." Bruce made himself relax again. "At least the other parent has already shown himself able to the parenting challenge."

"Yeah, he sure has--thank god, because I don't know what I'm doing... but yeah, I'll learn. Not like I've got much of a choice. Oh, lord, Bruce, papers for the kids..."

"Dick..." Bruce stood, came over, and put both hands on the younger man's shoulders. "Trust me...these things will be handled."

Dick leaned back into him, soaking up the solid comfort of his partner for a minute. "Okay. Okay. Sorry. Still kind of in shock--in case you couldn't tell?"

Dick then blinked, realizing--finally--that Bruce had honestly complimented Roy on something.

"I can...let's go get some cocoa, and we'll discuss this with Alfred. He might have access to knowledge neither of us do."

"Wouldn't surprise me," Dick agreed, and shifted away enough to go get cocoa.

Comments

[second-batgirl.livejournal.com]

Awww. Good Bruce. *pets him* *loves this* And yay for cocoa! It makes everything better!

[senmut]

Bruce objects to being petted, but I think it's a formality...And Cocoa is the make-better drink of the DCU.

Thanks!

[ilyena_sylph]

Thank you so much!

Filly writes a wonderful good-Bruce. *hugs him despite protests*

Yes, Yay for cocoa.

[wachey.livejournal.com]

Aww, Bruce is a granddaddy!!

[senmut]

That he is. And it caught him completely off guard to hear it.

[ilyena_sylph]

Yes, yes he is, and man was he shocked. *G* Thanks!

[greeneyelove.livejournal.com]

I love Bruce here. He was so...mature and willing to express pride in Dick and faith in Roy. This should be canon Bruce. Yes, yes it should.

I like poor Dick's understandable shock.

And yes, talk to Alfred please!

So glad this is being continued. Loved this addition.

[senmut]

I try to keep in mind the pre-Return of the Joker animated Bruce, as that one runs closest to what I think Bruce should be.

Dick in shock is very understandable.

Like they would leave this a secret from Alfred...
Thank you!

[ilyena_sylph]

Filly gives me a wonderful, sane-Bruce to work with. Though I think he was in shock at Dick being mature enough to come ask for help. Poor thing. And yes it should be.

Thanks, he's just... overwhelmed, the poor thing.

Alfred will help him calm down though.

*grins* They won't let me stop, though they want to NOT be squalling smallthings anymore. *glares at the twins*

[ladyoneill.livejournal.com]

Yay! Bruce wasn't an ass! And he complimented Roy!

Loved it.:)

[senmut]

Bruce remembered how to be a functioning human being outside the cowl...*shock*

*grin*

Thank you!

[ilyena_sylph]

He's not an ass when Filly writes him, which is a wonderful thing. 'Course, my Bruce loves his kids.

And he's been known to compliment Roy once in a while...

[ladymordecai.livejournal.com]

Dick, panicing in this situation is a perfectly acceptable response, as long as it doesn't interfere with everything you have to do.

With any luck at all, Roy will be able to squirm out of having to tell Ollie. And Bruce's reaction to being an insta-grandad was something closely resembling hilarious.

I gotta say that I have no idea where you're going with this, but it looks like an interesting ride!

[senmut]

*nods about Dick panicking*

And Roy really doesn't want to, but he does...he doesn't want to have to tell, but he wants to see Ollie's reaction.

Glad Bruce's reaction got some hilarity.

We're not sure, either...we're just along for the ride on this one, I think...unless Yena's got a better idea than the Twins have a story to share....

[ilyena_sylph]

He's trying not to let it, but holycrapkidsIdon'tknowwhatI'mdoing! *coughs* Dick, stop imitating Wally.

No such luck... and Bruce was hysterical, I agree.

Thanks much! We're having fun, and the twins keep promising they know what they're doing, would I stop writing them as squalling babies. *I* keep telling them I need to build the world they want.

And then they sulk.

[travellingone.livejournal.com]

Of course they sulk. With Dick as a father and Bruce as a granddaddy, they definitely know how to sulk.

[senmut]

Bruce insists he doesn't sulk.

He broods.

[(Anonymous)]

Bruce sulks like friggin' Achilles. :)

--Jessica

[ilyena_sylph]

Does that make Dick his Patroclus?

[(Anonymous)]

Well, Jason's the one who got killed.

--Jessica

[travellingone.livejournal.com]

potato, potahto, same difference. 'Brooding' just sounds slightly more mature. :)

[ilyena_sylph]

*snicker* So true.

[loopylouise123.livejournal.com]

This was so very lovely. Good Bruce.

And I love how Dick still can't seem to get his head around this situation. He's all happy, scared and shocked at the same time!

I really do love this.

[senmut]

Yena writes a very amazing Dick Grayson...so vibrant and lively and HUMAN.

I tried to match her as best I could.

Thank you very much.

[ilyena_sylph]

Bruce in Filly's hands is much closer to the way I think he should be portrayed. He's too good a student of psychology to screw up with everyone around him the way he sometimes does in canon.

Dick... is trying, but... too much, too much! And yes, he is.

Thank you so much!

[gottaluvit123.livejournal.com]

Oh Bruce.... *hugz him* Such a good daddy figure.

I'm loving this fic, I find myself squeeing everytime I see a new pat posted. You two are awsome!

[senmut]

This makes me happy with so much want to write moremoremore!

[ilyena_sylph]

Filly does damn good Bruce, and Thank you so much, hon!

*happysquee*

[darkdanc3r.livejournal.com]

Adult!Bruce for the win! Yay for him not acting out poorly over the news *cheers*

I look forward to what comes next.

[senmut]

Is a me writing Bruce...I have amnesia on the Bastard!Bat years...

[darkdanc3r.livejournal.com]

all well and good in my book!

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Thanks, hon!

Bruce can be a decent man, really he can... Also, *iconlove!*

[darthbatgirl.livejournal.com]

Of course Alfred has knowledge that neither one of them has - he's Alfred. And yay for Bruce for being the good parent. Can't wait for more

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* But of course. And Bruce thanks you, I believe. So do I!

*points* Next two parts are up!

[senmut]

Alfie is the bestest!

Thank you for sticking with us!

[roguecatwoman.livejournal.com]

Yay for this Bruce! AND, he was nice to Roy! =) Great part!

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Filly gives good Bruce. and it's more that he was nice about Roy, but yeah.

Thanks again! Hope you enjoy the rest! Thanks for putting up with us throwing bit after bit of fic at you, too.

[senmut]

I try to keep Bruce in line with pre- Return of the Joker Animated Bruce...because he feels more like the one I grew up with.

[kage-no-mizu.livejournal.com]

Heh, I love how Dick's panicking and still in shock. Bruce wasn't an ass about this either. Poor Dick, he really doesn't know how to deal with this. At least he has Roy to help him. Can't wait to read Ollie's reaction. Or the rest of the bat and arrow clans.

[ilyena_sylph]

Dick's very still in shock--he has babies, plural, with Roy!!

Bruce was very well behaved, I thought. Though he got quite the shock when Dick called him grandpa... *Grins*

He does have Roy to help him, thank goodness.

Ollie... oh, Ollie. *laughter*

[senmut]

Oh boy is Dick in a panic! I try hard to remember that Bruce has studied human behavior and psychology a long time...

And Yeah Roy will stand by Dick a long time.

More reactions, later parts.

[jij.livejournal.com]

Awwww, shared cocoa! Bruce being sane and fatherly! Dick being overwhelmed! So nice...it's just such a treat to read them staging a fight instead of actually doing it. :)

[senmut]

We try to remember Bruce has studied psychology a long time. Makes no sense for him to be an idiot in his family life.

That staged fight...hurt both of them to do it.

[ilyena_sylph]

Thanks so much hon! In the holiday insanity I lost your comments! *hugs*

Bruce is smarter than the comics give him credit for, damn it. And oh, that fight...