Fic: Complications

[sylph_fics]

Title: Complications
Co-writer: merfilly
Fandom: DC
Word count: 1,852
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!, Announcements, Family Affairs, part 1, and Family Affair, part 2
Little brothers and complicated questions and more complicated visits.


Alfred had provided the hot cocoa that both his wards seemed to need, watching as Bruce struggled with a severe shake up in his way of thinking while simultaneously trying hard to be supportive.

Dick looked up at Alfred from his mug, "Alfie, remember Bat-Mite?"

"Oh dear." Alfred had cleaned the manor and the Cave too many times from that prankster's idea of 'helping' Batman in his work.

"Yeah, that about covers it," Dick agreed, shaking his head. "Well, he apparently decided he needed to meddle in my life this time..."

"Oh? What has he done to interfere, Master Richard?"

"Do you want the quick rip version, or the long story?" Bruce he'd just dumped it on, Alfie he was going to be nicer to.

"Whichever makes it the most clear to an old man's mind," Alfred said fondly.

Dick snorted softly, "You're not old, Alfie." Thinking about Alfred being old was something he shied away from. "I got a call from Roy while I was still at work, telling me to get to the Tower quick as I could. When I got up there, I found him with these two baby cribs--bassinets, whatever they are--all plastered with versions of my masks and his arrows, and matching bags of baby-stuff... and two little bitty baby boys in said cribs."

"My word, Master Richard...all the doing of the impish Bat-Mite?"

"That's what Dr. Fate said when we asked him to come over and double-check that there wasn't anything weird going on with them..."

"A wise precaution. I take it from your arrival here, all is...truthful and real?" Alfred was watching Bruce as the older man digested everything.

"Yeah... They're real, human babies... And as if the symbols weren't enough of a hint, the DNA scanner at the Tower says they're 50/50 matches to me and to Roy."

Alfred did not lose his aplomb at that announcement. "It seems even fifth dimensional beings are aware of the truths of the heart, Master Richard," he said instead. He noted Bruce closing his eyes at that, and wanted to smile, but is just wouldn't be proper.

"Kinda does, doesn't it, Alfie?" Dick agreed with a smile--and after a glance at Bruce, that smile widened for a minute. "And at least Roy knows what he's doing--even if Lian wasn't that little when he got her."

"There are resources to help new parents out there. I believe Master Timothy may have such references at hand still."

Bruce nodded. "He would have kept everything, knowing him."

Dick stopped, tipping his head to think about that one for a minute, then nodded,"Oh, yeah, I guess he would--he might even let me borrow them, once he's through laughing at me."

"I'll be most disappointed in him if he does." Alfred shook his head. "It is not so uncommon to be worried over how one will parent. After all, Master Bruce was most terrified even after he made the decision to bring you into our home."

Bruce coughed and shook his head. "Alfred, I have business to wrap up. Dick...I'll see you tomorrow, at the precinct." He beat a very hasty retreat.

"...He was?" Dick looked after his retreating 'parent' with wide eyes, then back at Alfred, unable to really imagine Bruce being terrified of anything, especially over him.

Alfred launched into the tale of Bruce, the new parent, with relish, glad to finally have the opportunity to share this story. Tim came in close enough to the beginning of it to enjoy the story too, without having the frame of reference for why Alfred was telling it.

Dick was grinning, listening to Alfred, shaking his head at the idea of Bruce being that wound up and unnerved, when he'd seemed to know what he was doing most of the time, and been in control the rest... He waved at Tim when he came in, and went back to drinking his cocoa between laughs.

Tim pouted until a cup was set in front of him, but was laughing softly by the end of the story.

"Wow," was Dick's final comment. "Hey, little bro."

"Hey. Don't you have an early shift tomorrow?" Tim looked puzzled that Dick was home, here, and not in the 'Haven getting an early patrol before sleep for the next shift.

"Yeah... my day got pretty re-arranged though; starting with a call from the Tower, I've been home, the Tower, and here in the last couple of hours..."

Tim cocked his head, and listened as Dick told him the whole story. His eyes went wide a little, but he listened and processed it thoroughly before venturing a comment. "I think this is weirder than even the Witch-Boy's prank."

"...Tell me about it," Dick agreed. "Hey, have you ever met the 'Mite?"

"I don't plan to," Tim said coolly. I have my own problems when it comes to magic, thank you."

"I was just asking, Timmy, 'cause I couldn't remember. I know you've got your own problems there," Dick protested. "Not like I want you to..." //Okay, not much...// He sighed, finally over most of the panic, but still so very uncertain. "I don't know what I'm doing here, bro..."

"Would you like the books from when Steph was pregnant? I bought the 'What To Expect The First Year', in case she opted to keep the baby."

"I...yeah, bro, thanks, I would." He reached over and laid a hand on his brother's shoulder, still amazed by what he'd heard about that entire event.

Tim moved and hugged Dick, the one person he truly cared for more than his teammates or friends. "You'll do great. You do tend to think, after all."

"Timmy, I can't even keep plants alive..."

Tim laughed hard at that. "A plant can't tell you it is hungry or wet or sick. Believe me... babies do."

"Already seen that one, yeah," Dick rapidly agreed, grinning at watching his brother give in and laugh.

"So...what will you name your sons?"

"..." Dick stared at him, having somehow completely missed even thinking about that part. "Um... good question?"

Tim covered his face in mack disappointment. "Brand new Dad, and you're running around without a name for them..."

"Alfiiee..." Dick, quite sensibly, appealed to the higher power in the room.

"That is a very important part of fatherhood. Names have impact." Alfred looked at his ward kindly. "Your life partner would likely appreciate help choosing them now."

"..Yeah, he probably would... okay, I told Bruce, got that taken care of, going to see him at the precinct tomorrow, told both of you, Dinah's telling Babs... I can go ahead and go back..."

"You got lucky, there..." Tim said. "BC's gotta be pretty happy by this to get you off the hook."

"Yeah, I know..."

Tim grinned at him, walking him out while Alfred cleaned up his kitchen.

"I'll catch up with you to get those books sometime tomorrow, if you can find 'em by then?" he asked, teasing.

"I know just where they are." Tim had a mess for a room, because it was expected, but he knew where everything was.

"I just bet. Thanks, bro. See you," he said as he slid into the car to head back for the jet.

Tim watched him go, then just shook his head with a little smile. He really couldn't wait to hear the version that reached YJ through Cassie.

*~*~*

Dick brought the jet back down on the Tower's landing ground and walked out of it, stretching from that much time in the cockpit--and the hair on the back of his neck tightened, senses telling him he was being watched... //Not. Right. Now.//

After just a moment, the source of the watching emerged, and Slade was there. "Grayson..."

Dick looked at his sometimes-teacher, sometimes-enemy warily, looking for any of the signs that typically meant trouble. He didn't see any, not right this moment, but... "Slade."

"Had a small matter come to my attention you might want to know about... but If you're busy..."

"Slade, if you're offering to turn information over, I'm listening." //I'm tired and I need to talk to Roy and--but what the hell?//

He'd honestly expected the next time he saw Slade Wilson (now that Rose wasn't in the Tower), to be when the man made an attempt on Kory's life over Addie's death. Or the next time he got himself into serious trouble. Not... just to have him show up and offer intel. Not like this.

"Care to sit down? You look beat, Kid." Slade was too adept at reading Dick to not see the signs of exhaustion.

"Long day," Dick agreed, nodding slightly. "Sure, let's grab a bench, if this's gonna take a bit."

Slade sat down with cool assurance, and started to relay a piece of information he had about the power structure in Bludhaven. He was keeping an eye on the kid, and this kind of detail just proved that point.

Dick perched, listening, shaking his head after a while. "Damn, okay. ...What'd she do to annoy you?" he asked curiously. "That'll take me a while to counter... well, Nightwing being down there while Dick Grayson is very definitely not should help me some in the long run, much as Roy's going to kill me..."

"Oh? Why won't Bludhaven's finest Officer Grayson be on the job?"

Dick started to answer, stopped, sighed, and twisted to look fully at Slade, weighing telling him now against him finding out later. "Because Bruce Wayne is about to throw a very public fit about his heir slumming it, for one.." //Can I trust you with knowing about my kids, Slade, when they're Roy's kids, too?// "Oh, damnit, you'll wind up finding out anyway, might as well just tell you."

"Tell me what? And why is the social mask about to interfere in your life?"

"Ever heard of a creature called Bat-Mite?"

Slade rubbed at his beard. "Once or twice. Supposedly like that creature that annoys the Boy Scout on occasion."

"It decided to meddle, lord only knows why, and I now have twin boys... very young twin boys." He flicked the lenses back from his eyes to look straight at Slade, knowing just how much warning was burning in them, "that I won't put at risk in the 'Haven." //Or let you risk them.//

"Kid...you're showing more and more why you're smarter than the Bat," Slade said after a moment's thought. "Don't get yourself killed in the 'Haven, you hear?" He stood up, so as not to keep Dick from his responsibilities.

"Not about to," Dick replied, standing up to flick the lenses back over his eyes, knowing Slade'd heard everything he hadn't wanted to put into words--and, amazingly, wasn't annoyed with him for it.

Slade gripped the young man's shoulder hard, and turned to go. That grip conveyed both pride in Dick's choice, and a subtle warning not to let his costumed life get in the way...like he had done.

He leaned into that grip for a second, then headed down into the Tower, //why today, of all days?//

As Slade left, he pulled his phone out, texting a message back to his source, with a smile on his lips.

Comments

[wachey.livejournal.com]

Omg, Slade!! I was shocked!!! Scared, worried, and then amazed!!

And yay!! Alfred telling stories!! And I just wanted to hug Timmy :3

[ilyena_sylph]

Remember. The Titans era. *pets sane, vaguely amoral mercenary gently* Not going to let him go freaking insane, not us. Not without a hell of a lot more fight than happened in Teen Titans. insert usual chant of 'stupid damn writer Johns you HACK'

And thanks!! Alfred had been waiting to tell that story a long time, I think. And he knew Dick needed it to help calm down.

Told you you'd want your flail!Robin icon for this one!

[senmut]

Slade slipped in, being rather murderous at this point only toward ONE Titan (Starfire), and still relatively a gray character. I couldn't let the man with a key to Dick's apartment AFTER this team not acknowledge the babies.

Alfred telling stories is a hilarity...only man that can embarrass Bruce easily.

And Timmy is the bomb, with all the Steph love that makes him a pseudo expert on babies...

[elfcat255.livejournal.com]

you two are amazing!...I'm loving this..can't wait to see how it continues and woo for having Slade pop up..heh

[ilyena_sylph]

Thanks so much! *grins*

It's The Titans, of course Slade's lurking around somewhere! *grins again* Thanks so much!

[senmut]

Miss a chance for Slade to goof with Dick's head? Who us? *grin*

Glad you're liking.

[loopylouise123.livejournal.com]

Yay for happy Bat family! And yay for Alfred! Because he gets a very special cheer. And I love what the babies have done, hopefully they've helped to avoid the diaster that was Bludhave, and Dick just seems so... happy.

And Slade is a marvel in this, I really do love the way he acted.

I look forward to more.

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Alfred is love, yes.

And the babies had dang well better avert the Haven, or Roy will kill him slowly.

Dick is shellshocked but happy, yes.

*grins* *points at The Titans timestamp* I miss the basically decent Slade written there and in his own book. Though, he's still out for Kory's blood, even here.

Thanks so much!

[senmut]

I tell you trying to make continuity work here has been hard...We're playing with about four different years worth of publication, but smooshing them together to fit what we want.

Slade is Slade, and there's no dollars attached to hurting Dick and Roy.

Yay!

[roguecatwoman.livejournal.com]

Love the brotherly scene with Dick and Tim(that's how I usually picture them). Then you throw in a slightly flustered Bruce, a chatty Alfred, having Slade show up, and this is my favorite part so far! =)

[ilyena_sylph]

They are very much brothers, *nods firmly*

Bruce getting flustered was entirely too much fun. Alfred had been sitting on that story for absolutely years, you just know he had; and, well, Slade can be a damn loudly insistent muse.

It is? Really? Awesomeness. *happy*

[senmut]

*grins* Chatty Alfred rules, especially when it is at Bruce's expense!

Glad you're liking!

[greeneyelove.livejournal.com]

I love Alfred. His reaction was perfect. And I love Bruce running before the story could be told. And yeah, Dick, names would be very good for the kiddies.

A wonderful addition.

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Alfred is wonderful, and Bruce running away made me laugh hysterically.

Yes, names would be good, but most people have months to think about that kind of thing!

Thank you so mcuh!

[senmut]

Alfred rules the bats with a velvet glove and great cooking...

Glad you liked!

[ladyoneill.livejournal.com]

Of course Tim still has the books. :)

And Slade...Okay, I'm really hoping he's not playing a game here. Please be good okay not nutjob evil, please.

*g*

[ilyena_sylph]

Of course Tim has the books.

*looks insulted!* Have a little faith, this is us writing him! How often have we ranted about "hell no, not my Slade"?

This's the one that went to the Titans to ask for help. Kory's the only one of them he wants dead at this point, and he's protective where Dick's concerned. *pets him*

[senmut]

Timmy is the best little nutjob for most intellectual things...

And where would the profit be, sister? {`.'}

[dark-eyed-brat.livejournal.com]

Good stuff, like how things are progressing...though I am getting slight confused since I am not too clear on this era of cannon.

Slade, I know, being someone who is mostly in the business of killing Titans or turning girls into crazed killers with serum.

And I was abit confused about Tim and Steph, so she was pregnant at some point?

[ilyena_sylph]

Thank you so very much! Really, find and read The Titans, it is solid gold. *recs like crazy* So much better than current canon.

...Oh, boy, you just hit one of my hot button issues. *grins* The Titans is set in one of those points of canon when Slade was an admittedly amoral mercenary, but a man who loved his wife, his son and daughter, and his country.

He was a man that could show up on the Titans doorstep and say 'I need help' and get suspiscion, but also the help he was asking for. Who was Gar Logan's best friend other than Vic Stone, and a teacher/ally/enemy of Dick Grayson's. The fastest way to make me Scream With Rage is to remind me what DC has done to that man. (it's okay, not your fault). (caveat: There are people in fandom that used to be friends of mine that like to ignore that part of his canon, and would say that what he has done recently is who he is. I say bullshit.)

Also, the idiot that had him ever give anyone any version of the serum that he knows killed his son and his wife needs to be drug out in the street and Shot.

...Sorry about that. Hot button issue.

Steph was pregnant, yes, not by Tim, but he was willing to step up and be a father to the child. She later decided to give the baby up (understandable decision).

[dark-eyed-brat.livejournal.com]

Yea I didn't mean to bring up any bad things, cause I know quite a few fandom writers/roleplayers who do not like the way things are.

I was just curious to know the setting and the "current" character relationships to better under your fic. Thank you for clearing it up for me, even if it brought up some heatedness.

[senmut]

Pish tosh...sorry if it came on strong.

I believe strongly in picking my own canon. Now. There are points in continuity I like to work from, because my life has not been very black and white to date. This is one of those points.

Steph's pregnancy (which I read bits of) seems to have been handled with a lot of the real world complications plus the whole vigilantism and 'my dad is a two bit criminal' adding problems. Tim was gorgeous throughout it as her friend and support.

Hope you continue to enjoy the story. I like a little 'comic' in my comic books, and this fic refelcts it to a huge degree.

[ilyena_sylph]

*chuckles* that's because in a lot of our opinions current canon sucks.

*pats your back gently* It's okay, really. I didn't mean to get as longwinded as I did.

Glad to have cleared it up for you, and you're welcome. Sorry, I was trying not to be too agressive, and I think I failed.

Hope you keep enjoying!

[dark-eyed-brat.livejournal.com]

No you didn't come off badly, you are just passionate and have flet the sting of Dido.

I didn't take it personally and I am loving the story, look forward to more.

[darkdanc3r.livejournal.com]

!!!!!!!!!

Oh, boys, I'm so proud of you! Timmy, you're a doll for letting Dick use the books you bought for helping with Steph. Bruce... kawaii. That's... all I can say there. And Alfred, of course, is awesome.

Slade... I'm really glad you had Slade actually pop up here, you two. Better than anyone else, he understands what it's like to lose sight of your kids in your nightjob. He'll keep an eye on Dick and won't let him repeat his mistakes. *hugs Slade tight*

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Tim protests, but i think it's pretty much a formality.

Bruce protests being called cute, as well, and Alfred thanks you for the compliment.

*grins* You Got it, hon.

And hey, it's us. You expected our favorite merc not to show up?

[senmut]

Timmy is a doll. Alfred rules the bat world.

And, it was kind of a foregone conclusion Slade would show up...

[kage-no-mizu.livejournal.com]

Heh. Terrified Bruce is a hilarious image. Alfred is the voice of wisdom and reason. I love how you got Tim in there to find out. But Tim's right. The boys need names. Bruce Wayne having a hissy fit should be amusing. You even had Slade come out. Semi-decent Slade whose not causing trouble at the moment. I wonder who he messaged at the end though. Can't wait until your next addition.

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Isn't it, though? But really, he was a very young man when he took Dick in... Alfred is very much the voice of reason to his boys, all of them.

Tim... *Grins* Tim had entirely too much fun messing with his brother over this, and of course he's right.

We have something of a love affair with the Slade Wilson we used to know, so we're taking steps to kep him that way... and *GRIN* all the clues are there, if you want to guess... *giggle*

Thanks so much!

[senmut]

Bruce occasionally amuses me to no end. Tim is a miniature voice of wisdom to go with Alfred. I hope you enjoy the hissy fit.

And Slade was fun to use here. The clues are in earlier parts, as to who his source was.

[amarin-rose.livejournal.com]

Mmm, and who is Slade's source? Can't wait to see Brucie's fit, though, should be fun to read. :)

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Do you have a guess?

*giggle* Oh, Brucie can be so very entertaining.

[amarin-rose.livejournal.com]

Not really, n-- Oh, wait. A certain pretty bird told him?

[ilyena_sylph]

*giggles* Would I do that? *big innocent eyes*

[senmut]

Brucie's fit is up. And the clue is in earlier pieces...

[ladymordecai.livejournal.com]

Roy is going to be SO annoyed that he told Slade. Roy has ISSUES regarding Dick and Slade, with good reason. And of course Tim still has all the books--I can't actually imagine him getting rid of a book, at least not before he memorized its contents.

I can't wait to see what they name them!

[ilyena_sylph]

*chuckle* You bet he is. Yes, yes he does (though mocking them as mentor and sidekick a few months ago (comicstime) will come back on him at that point), and with very good reasons. Oh, boys. He's going to be a lot more annoyed later, though..

*grins* Of course Tim still has the books.

[senmut]

Oh, yes...but Dick's reasoning that it is better to tell than let him find out...I can see the logic. I agree with you on Tim.

I hope you find the names appropros

[jij.livejournal.com]

Alfred did not lose his aplomb at that announcement. "It seems even fifth dimensional beings are aware of the truths of the heart, Master Richard," he said instead.

Awww! Alfred is so lovely here. I adore the way you guys write him.

And the idea of Tim ever meeting Bat-Mite...the brain implodes at the intersection of Silver and Bronze! *helpless laughter* The idea of Bat-Mite messing with their lives is just endlessly funny...

[senmut]

*snugs Alfred over his protests* He's a great character to write, and one day I will give him the fic he's due, of his younger days in service to the Queen.

I was glad to see BatMite return to canon, so yeah...Bronze meet Silver in good form.

[ilyena_sylph]

*grins* Alfred is wonderful all the time. Thank you!

*giggles* Isn't it a cute idea? And well, we like the silly little 'Mite.

[stalinglim.livejournal.com]

Rereading....a nd I never commented... :)

Those twins will find they have a guardian mercenary, won't they? (huggles Slade)

[senmut]

Hmm, not telling. ;-)

Thanks for reading and telling though!