Dick rang the doorbell, hearing the bell echo within the Manor. Normally he would just walk in, with or without an invitation, this was home after all. Although today was different, it was Dicks 22nd birthday; he wanted to make sure his family was prepared for his "surprise" party, before walking in. In truth this party was more like Dicks birthday present, having his whole family together under one roof, well that is if Jason actually showed up. Which was doubtful since he and Bruce never actually patched things up, and Jason didn't get along very well with his other brothers. Actually none of his brothers got along with each other and all the Robins seemed to have this never ending battle of love or hate towards Batman, or did that apply to all people who have worked with Bruce/Batman?
Dick's family was a jumbled mess, but he wouldn't trade it for the world. Dick was pulled from his thoughts when Alfred pulled open the front door,
"Ah, Master Dick come in" Alfred gestured for Dick to enter the Manor.
Dick strode past Alfred, walking into the main hall. "Thanks Alfred, how are Bruce and the boys treating you?"
"Busy" was all that Alfred replied as he led Dick further into Wayne manor.
A flood of memories and emotions washed over Dick as he looked around the entrance of the manor. Dick remembered playing on the chandler and the banister, breaking each several times through out his time living with Bruce. Dick glanced at the vase on display noticing the cracks, which littered it from when him and Tim where in a heated water balloon fight. Alfred was furious and gave them a full-blown lecture about respecting the art in the house; Dick still thought it looked better with the cracks.
Alfred stopped just outside the living room and turned around and faced Dick. "I certainly hope you keep in mind Master Dick that your family did try"
"That's reassuring, Thanks Alf, I will." Dick smirked as he walked around Alfred and into the living room. Dick was greeted with the room decorated with half-assed red and black streamers lining the wall and a handful of semi filled balloons on the floor. Tim was sitting on the couch typing away on his computer, obviously totally consumed with whatever he was working on, not even looking up as Dick entered. Bruce was nowhere to be seen, neither was Damian, but evidence of the youngest was left behind. Damian had left half eaten cupcakes on the table; anyone who was close to Damian knew he loved sweets. Leaving the cupcakes to spell out "H-PPY
-IRTHDAY". And as Dick guessed, Jason was a no show, but he still appreciated what was done for him.
A voice came from behind Dick, "Long time no see."
Dick turned around to be met by Barbra smiling up at him. "What are you talking about Babs we talked to each other last night."
"We talked last as Nightwing and Oracle, when was the last time we saw each other outside of the hero business?" she raised an eyebrow at Dick.
"Touché, nice to see you again Babs." Dick leant down to hug the woman in the wheelchair. The embrace was full of love; Dick pulled her tighter as the hug lasted a little bit too long for being just "friends".
"Grayson!" the interruption caused the hug to be pulled apart. Damian stood in the doorway with his arm crossed over his chest. "Father said that we cannot go on patrol until we have finished your celebration, so lets get on with it."
"Nice to see you too Damian" as Dick walked toward his youngest brother, slightly irritated at him for breaking up his hug with Barbra. That still didn't stop Dick from trying to hug his littlest brother. Damian saw Dick's intentions as he moved closer.
"Don't you dare lay your hands on me Grayson, or I swear I'll bea—" Damian never got to finish his threat as Dick held him in a death grip of love.
"Unhand me Grayson!" Damian was struggling against his oldest brother.
"Just stop fighting it Damian, struggling just encourages him" Tim piped up from the couch.
"I am not so low to accept advice from you Drake!" Damian responded with more struggling, managing to get his arm lose and punched Dick in the throat. Dick choked on the air being forced up his throat and let go of Damian.
"See Drake, I can manage myself." Damian straightened his clothes from the attack.
"Tim is right, if you just go with it the hug is shorter," said Barbra as she wheeled towards Tim.
"That's not what I noticed with the two of you," mumbled Damian, Barbra shot him a glare.
Dick walked over and sat next to Tim putting his arm around him in a half hug "What are you working on?"
"Just working on some stuff for the Teen Titans," still not glancing up from his screen.
"Need any help?" Dick offered as he looked over to Tim's screen.
"No, I can manage."
Damian opened his mouth to make a comment on Tim's incompetence but was interrupted by Alfred.
"Dinner in served"
"YES! I haven't had a proper meal in ages" Dick flipped over the couch
"I hope you are not suggesting Master Dick that you haven't been eating properly in Bludhaven" although Alfred stature didn't change, you could feel the concern coming from the man.
"Of course not Alfred, I eat properly back home" Dick placed a passing hand on the older mans shoulder as he walked towards the dinning room.
"If you count Mac and Cheese five times a week as eating properly" snickered Barbra as she pulled away Tim's laptop, her comment caused the rest of the males to grin.
"HEY! I HEARD THAT" came Dicks shout from the dinning room
Small conversations about life and the hero gig filled the evening, along with several arguments between Tim and Damian. After dinner the group ate what was left of the cupcakes, Bruce joined them at this time. Barbra left to attend to the Birds of Prey, and around midnight Damian pushed Dick towards the door so that they could go on patrol. Alfred and Bruce walked Dick to the door as Tim and Damian suited up for the night.
Alfred handed Dick a plate of wrapped leftovers, "Make sure to eat all your vegetables and dairy everyday Master Dick you're still growing"
"Stop worrying about me Alf, I promise that I DO eat back home" Dick still took the plate from Alfred, you couldn't say no to Alfred's cooking even if you wanted to.
Alfred gave a small smile, "Happy Birthday Master Dick." The butlers eyes lingered for a moment on the young man, feeling as tho just yesterday he was the 8 year old boy moving into the Manor.
"Thanks Alfred!" called Dick as Alfred walked away. A moment of silence washed over the original dynamic duo. Both shifting their feet, not sure where to take their goodbye. Dick was about to break the silence, when Bruce surprisingly spoke first.
"Sorry I was late tonight Dick, I got caught up with paper –"
Dick cut him short, "Bruce you don't need to explain yourself to me, I know how the system works. Besides you did show, which is all that really matters"
"Happy Birthday Dick" Bruce placed a hand on Dick shoulder. To most people this is a small gesturer, but those close to Bruce knew it meant so much more.
"Thank you Bruce, …for everything. Be safe tonight, call if you need help" Dick opened the door and walked out. Just as Dick closed the door behind him he could barley manage to hear "You too."
The drive back to Bludhaven was boring, finding it difficult to keep himself entertained Dick dug into Alfred's leftovers.
Dick was about halfway home when his communicator went off; his first thought was Bruce and his brothers. Dick raised his hand to his ear, "Nightwing here " panic rose in Dick's chest.
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