wolfy wrighting

“Thanks.” He said flatly but his humor was there, I smiled as we walked, “Met a girl last night…” He stated his sentence cut off by a yawn, I raised a brow at him amused at the thought he might have actually met a girl he liked but… then again, I had seem him staring at the foot ball players… I had been wondering about those wandering eyes of his but I shook it off after all if he was taking interest in a girl, then it was probably just in my head.

“Oh? Reall? What’s she look like? What school does she go to? Is this going to be strictly a W.B thing orrrr do I get to meet her?” I asked leaning against him, his pale blue eyes looked up at me in confusion. He blinked slowly then shook his head hard.

“I haven’t the slightest idea what’s going through your head but knock it off, She needed help.” He stated his voice calm but it dropped to a near whisper when a small group passed us, and I felt disappointed but I nodded. I could understand him wanting to save anyone he could, who wouldn’t when there father was batman. The bell rang and I watched him cring at the sound before we both split off heading to our own classes… but as I did another thought filled my mind, I was robin… I was going to train with the Batman!

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I had hardly paid attention in any of my classes today as I still couldn’t get over it I was going to work with batman, I was bouncing when I spotted that some of Faraj’s old bullies had him cornered, he played helpless really well but I had thought that they’d learned there lessons years ago but it seemed like they’d forgotten that lesson… I started towards them hoping to stop the fight… then again I hadn’t learned much as far as fighting yet and I knew for a fact that Faraj was more then a little capable despite his act.

I watched one of them grab him and my heart lurched on instinct but Faraj moved startlingly fast slapping one hand up and using his leg to swipe the other out from under him.

“Leave me alone.” Faraj’s voice was clear and annoyed. “What ever you think you saw you’re wrong and even if you aren’t? Well that’s none of your fucking businesses.” I paused as I had never heard such pointed venom in his voice before. He walked to me flashing me a soft smile I frowned again as I fell in line next to him,

“You okay?” I asked softly he ran a hand through his hair, he waited until he was sure the mostly empty halls wouldn’t carry his voice.

“She showed up… I gave her my lunch earlier they saw it thought they could use it against me.” He stated his tone soft but had a slight sharpness to it that betrayed his anger at the thought, I frowned I had never known the albino to have much of a temper had they tried to hurt her or… I glanced back at them the were glaring at the albino, I looked back to my friend who’d managed to look calm again. It was no wonder he hid things so well, I remebered how flat his tone had always been when we first met even in his confusion he had only the slightest inflection to his voice, But he’d gotten better about it managing to sound very calm and simply uninterested in most things, I wasn’t sure if Bruce knew how to tell his emotions but honestly? He probably knew what Faraj was the White bat that the city had grown to adore and fear much like batman himself.

“So… do I get to meet her?” I questioned but he shook his head ‘no’ I huffed at him and prepared to whine loudly at him but he spoke before I could start.

“I need to find out what she speaks and make sure she understands you aren’t a threat first.” I paused at that and spoke before I could think twice about it,

“Do you think it’s a human trafficking thing? She might be a victim.” I pointed out he let out a softly thoughtful hum, there where times where I wished I knew what my fried was thinking,

“Maybe… I’ll have to look around the docks tonight.” He muttered I knew that this was likely important, but I had to point it out.

“Uhh Faraj?” He looked at me, blinking his eyes were purple in this light but I knew it was little more then the lighting, “It’s movie night.” I stated as I watched my friend stiffen before he let out a short but sharp cuss and shakes his head.

“Fuckkkk me, I forgot… I hope she doesn't mind that I won’t be able to get her dinner till late.” He muttered clearly thinking I sighed and shook my head a little at him, how on earth could he be so clueless at times,

“I swear, do I have to tell you that Lillian likes you too?” I questioned and he stopped dead in his tracks and blinked at me tilting his head just a hair I was pretty sure that little piece of body language he picked up from dick,

“Lillian like the girl who sits next to me in chem?” He questioned and I blinked slowly, there was no fucking way that he…

“How dense are you?” I asked him and watched his cheeks flushed a little, he opened his mouth and I held up a hand, “No, no you have no excuses at this point.” I stated pointing at him he slowly raised his hands,

“I’d like two bat burger meals and… oh two medium milk shakes.” I stated he gave me the total his voice sounded bored and I handed him the money as someone I hadn’t seen or heard in the back started cooking, a few people walked in after me but my order was quickly set on the counter and I grabbed it slipping back out the door and back to the ally where the girl had been, I frowned seeing she was gone… fuck Maybe I shouldn’t have left her alone… *thump thump thump.* I spun as I heard it heart beat but where? I let out a soft squeak, and closed my eyes as It bounced around giving me a good Idea of what was where and a human form, I turned to her and held out the bag,

“I got food for us… and milkshakes…. I just kinda wanted that myself and thought you’d like one too.” I told her she moved slowly the look on her face told me she didn’t quite under stand how I’d seen her hidden against the wall and the dumpster but she took the bag from me and I pulled out the drink I’d gotten her she paused for a moment before she dared to take it from me. Once she did I sat down on the ground and stuck the straw in mine, I waited when she opened the bag and saw to of everything she hesitated but handed me my burger, I gave her a small smiled and we ate in silence, I watched as she slowly relaxed I wish there was more I could do for her then just give her a meal… or...maybe.

Once we were done I stood up and held my hand out to her, I was pretty sure she either spoke a different language or perhaps she was mute and deaf but I didn’t see a problem with that, I didn’t use the space any more and I don’t think that Roy had been back there either. She slowly took my hand reaching out like she thought I might still bite but I pulled her gently along through the back allys that I knew often stayed empty, and when there weren’t any I guided her along the side walk. I of course pulled my hood up so if the batman saw us he’d hopefully not think anything of it but we slipped into the industrial district, and quietly into the small base hidden between two large warehouses. I flicked on the light, it flickered for a long moment before stabilizing.

“You can stay here.” I told her despite knowing it would do little to help her understand, I guided her to the small pair of rooms and motioned for her to see the small bedroom, she blinked a few times not understanding. I scrunched my nose before I pointed at her then the bed and mimed sleeping. She tilted her head at me and I frowned really? She didn’t even know that? I paused trying to think then snapped my fingers and scribbled out a quick picture of her sleeping in the bed then showed her and pointed to the bed, her dark eyes flickered between me and the drawing before nodding slowly.

“Oh wait that works?” I asked her but she just walked over to the bed and practically collapsed into it, I gave her a soft smile and found some spare blankets that didn’t smell to bad and laid them over her she gave me a confused look but then cuddled in. I wasn’t going to leave nit just yet, I found myself sitting for a while and drew a far more detailed picture of her in the small base, I taped it to the door so if she left she’d know she was welcome here. With that I slipped out of the base and into the night letting my wings form, I shivered as I was about to take flight when the door opened I turned back to see her she had her head tilted, as she stepped closer, I closed my wings stepping back as I tried to find the right words to explain before remembering that she couldn’t understand me, she touched my wing and it sent a shiver down my spine but I allowed her to opening it and watching how she followed it with her eyes she formed an O with her mouth.

“Faraj. I really don’t want to fight you.” I paused and made a face.

“Tim?” I questioned slowly my eyes widening behind the goggles, he smiled at me before he speaks again,

“Yeah, what do you think? Do I look good in robin colors?” He questioned spinning I frowned shaking my head,

“You best not let him see you in that sort of thing.” I told him and he smiled seemingly ignoring me, I was frowning at him as he spoke again his eyes sparkling.

“No worries there, I’m the new robin.” I paused and made a face opening my mouth to say something but he didn’t give me the chance to find my words. “But that means I can help you were you need it maybe even pass you some gadgets from time to time.” He stated but I stepped back.

“Are…. Are you sure? I mean don’t get me wrong but I know what happened to Jason and… what… what if that happened to you?” I questioned but Tim was living the dream as far as he cared right now and brushed me off. He was practically dancing around in the suite before he stopped, I shifted myself closer and heard the coms.

“Robin, report.” My fathers rough and disguised voice, Tim responded quickly.

“The suite fits well, good mobility and I don’t think anyone has spotted me yet but I’m staying high up, and in the better part of the city.” Tim relayed he looked up and mouthed sorry, “I’ll head back to you.” He stated and cut the coms. “I have to head back but I can help now he grinned I sighed softly and nodded giving him a small smile.

“Be careful,” I sold him and he hugged me squishing me hard before he left I sighed running a hand through my hair I doubted that he would listen to me. I watched as he left using a grappling hook to maneuver.

“This should be an interesting.” I muttered to myself, as I walked away from the edge, I should do a patrol, I hadn’t done one in a few weeks after a close call with father and the joker.

I shifted my wings and stretched them and slowly flapped throwing dust and dirt into the air, as I took flight I coughed hard a few times and struggled to breath I sunk back to the roof top as I scrambled for my inhaler pulling it out as I pushed down on it and sucked in a breath. I gave it a moment and tried to breath again, this time I could breath properly I staggered to my feet and shook my wings and held my breath as I pulled myself into the air sending more dust I didn’t dare breath until I was back in the sky.

“I swear that it gets worse every time I try to fly.” I muttered to myself as I carried myself above the city I smiled as I looked down to the city no matter how many times I flew over it it was a sight to see sparkling and looking as if something out of a movie. I relaxed okay, Maybe I won’t bother with a patrol tonight. I think I’ll just relax and enjoy the city, I slowly landed on another roof and flexed my wings before allowing them to fade turning to dust that thankfully didn’t blow into my face, I climbed down from the roof to walk around the city, I knew this was Gotham and that wasn’t wise at night but I knew how to fight and I was in the saver part of town… not like I really thought any place in this city was safe,

I walked out of the ally smiling to myself as people passed by wrapped up in there own conversations, none of them noticed the 13 year old in front of them, I made my way through the streets just watching everyone else for a while when I heard it… someone sniffling, I paused at the ally entrance, I wasn’t in full costume, I just had a hoodie and goggles none the less I couldn’t just leave it, I stepped into the ally making sure my boot made no noise on the ground I kept my ears open listening for any other voices but found none as I got close to the source.

I braced myself for what I might find and stepped around the corner finding a girl with blood on her hands her hair was dark and she looked shaken. Why was there blood who was she? I knelt down carefully keeping my distance in case she suddenly lashed out at me.

“Hey there.” I said softly pulling my hood down and reaching a hand out to her, she looked up at me her brown eyes shining with tears, “Are you alright?” I asked tiliting my head softly she paused for a long moment her eyes staying on me then she cuddled farther into the corner making her look even smaller, I frowned and eased myself onto the ground, “Hey I’m not going to hurt you,” I tried again her eyes had never left me but she did seem to relax a little now when her stomach growled. I couldn’t help the soft chuckle that left my lips.

It was nearly two before I looked again and there he was asleep in his bed, I frowned not a single sensor had gone off as if he was a ghost, I walked over and set a hand on his side, but he didn’t so much as twitch when I did, he was sound asleep and weather that was from exhaustion or something else I didn’t know however… I ran a hand through his hair and collected several loose strands. I smiled to myself as clenched my fist, Good I can test this for drugs or anything else he might be taking.

“I’ll keep you safe,” I promised him as I ran my other hand through his hair, he shifted in his sleep and let out a soft sigh, I smiled at him he looked so small so… so helpless, I paused and shook my head, No. I couldn’t train him I won’t let him become another Jason I… I wont. I turned leaving the room, though I was careful not to shut the door to hard as I didn’t want to wake him.

I paused in the hallway when I spotted Alfred. “He’s back… seems safe… but we need to know how or why he left.” I stated firmly,

“Of course sir, but… where is he going?” Alfred asked and I paused for a long moment before shaking my head lightly,

“I don’t know… If this keeps up I’ll put a tracker on him see if we can pin point where he’s going… maybe even why.” I stated looking back to the doors of his room…

“Sir… we could simply… trust him to handle himself, after all we don’t know how long he’s been doing this.” Alfred pointed out but I shook my head no. but another thought came to mind… Faraj was the only Albino in Gotham and the white bat… I shook my head hard no, that he wasn’t a meta human. Then again I was still trying to find the right gene for that. I shook my head and headed straight to my office.. to the bat cave below it. I took the strands of hair and placed them in a vile before putting it in the computer to have them analyzed for any kind of drug that he might have gotten a hold of. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair as I waited for the results. But I was surprised when it came back clean.. nothing no drugs. I interlaced my fingers and hummed softly before shaking my head.

“What on earth are you doing?” I asked the empty air, “Why are you sneaking out?” I ran a hand through my own hair, but then my mind fell back to the white bat the way I’d seen him fight he didn’t move anything like Faraj even when he was on edge he kept his eyes on me mean while Faraj would drop his gaze and find anywhere else to look. It was small things however there where plenty of small things like that.

My eyes lingered on the on the computer but it wasn’t like it was going to just give me the answers that I wanted. With another sigh I got up and walked back up stairs.

Faraj was awake getting breakfast, I paused at him for a long moment before speaking,

“Faraj… Where did you go last night?” I questioned to see if he’d give me the truth, he paused a moment and blinked looking up at me for a long moment before he spoke.

“I… Uh went to see Tim.” He mumbled and looked a little sheepish a small blush creeping across his face and for a moment I wondered if there was something more to it before I shook my head.

“Please… don’t do such things at night. It’s not safe… and… and I don’t know what I’d do if…” I trailed off looking down, I knew I didn’t need to bring Jason up by name and I knew that it wasn’t kind to manipulate him like this but there wasn’t a chance in hell that I was going to let him get hurt.

“I’ll keep you safe,” I promised him as I ran my other hand through his hair, he shifted in his sleep and let out a soft sigh, I smiled at him he looked so small so… so helpless, I paused and shook my head, No. I couldn’t train him I won’t let him become another Jason I… I wont. I turned leaving the room, though I was careful not to shut the door to hard as I didn’t want to wake him.

I paused in the hallway when I spotted Alfred. “He’s back… seems safe… but we need to know how or why he left.” I stated firmly,

“Of course sir, but… where is he going?” Alfred asked and I paused for a long moment before shaking my head lightly,

“I don’t know… If this keeps up I’ll put a tracker on him see if we can pin point where he’s going… maybe even why.” I stated looking back to the doors of his room…

“Sir… we could simply… trust him to handle himself, after all we don’t know how long he’s been doing this.” Alfred pointed out but I shook my head no. but another thought came to mind… Faraj was the only Albino in Gotham and the white bat… I shook my head hard no, that he wasn’t a meta human. Then again I was still trying to find the right gene for that. I shook my head and headed straight to my office.. to the bat cave below it. I took the strands of hair and placed them in a vile before putting it in the computer to have them analyzed for any kind of drug that he might have gotten a hold of. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair as I waited for the results. But I was surprised when it came back clean.. nothing no drugs. I interlaced my fingers and hummed softly before shaking my head.

“What on earth are you doing?” I asked the empty air, “Why are you sneaking out?” I ran a hand through my own hair, but then my mind fell back to the white bat the way I’d seen him fight he didn’t move anything like Faraj even when he was on edge he kept his eyes on me mean while Faraj would drop his gaze and find anywhere else to look. It was small things however there where plenty of small things like that.

My eyes lingered on the on the computer but it wasn’t like it was going to just give me the answers that I wanted. With another sigh I got up and walked back up stairs.

Faraj was awake getting breakfast, I paused at him for a long moment before speaking,

“Faraj… Where did you go last night?” I questioned to see if he’d give me the truth, he paused a moment and blinked looking up at me for a long moment before he spoke.

“I… Uh went to see Tim.” He mumbled and looked a little sheepish a small blush creeping across his face and for a moment I wondered if there was something more to it before I shook my head.

“Please… don’t do such things at night. It’s not safe… and… and I don’t know what I’d do if…” I trailed off looking down, I knew I didn’t need to bring Jason up by name and I knew that it wasn’t kind to manipulate him like this but there wasn’t a chance in hell that I was going to let him get hurt.

“And here I thought you might be living a normal life.” He then chuckled at his own thought shaking his head as if he knew better. “So kid you met your father what do you think?” He asked sitting back down and patting the spot next to him, I let my wings turn to ash and sat down hard.

“A lot…” I stated and sighed laying back. “He’s a good man but he’s been a bit…” I trialed off as I looked for the right word controlling? Twitchy? No while that might have been how it felt that wasn’t it. “Over protective lately… I can’t really blame him though but… It’s been…” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “He thought about sending me away…” I told him and watched as his gaze sharpened at the thought,

“You can come back to me at any time.” He stated his tone sharp and pointed and I knew he meant it, and… it was tempting but… I had never had friends when I traveled with him.

“Where did you go?” I asked my voice softer now, I needed to know why he left… why he only comes back now a year later, I looked at him and watched as he hesitated, then let out a heavy sigh.

“I… I’m a hitman Faraj, I was caught, broke out they’ll be looking for me but I had to make sure you were at least being taken care of.” he looked a little resign when he said it as if he didn’t want to tell me.

“I...I’m fine I have some friends… I get along with night wing he has my back so does cat woman it seems… it’s… strange.” I stated and he chuckled and shook his head.

“Do you want to stay? Even if he sends you away?” He asked, I sucked in a breath, “No… if he sends me away then he doesn't want me and I wont be a burden.” I told him firmly and he nodded slowly as he slid a hand into his pocket and pulled out a phone. I blinked at it.

“Call me if you need me,” He stated I slowly took the outdated flip phone, I looked up at him, “I won’t let him cast you off if you need it… need anything… training, weapons, back up… a way out call me” He stated firmly I nodded slowly and then he pushed a small box over to me, I blinked at it.

“What’s this?” I questioned and he crossed his arms.

“Your birthday present… I missed it but I made sure to get you something.” I slowly picked it up and opened it, a rather nice knife sat in the box a sheath next to it.

“It’s a good blade sharp too should cut through most things you need it to…” He informed me, I chuckled shaking my head.

“Good timing, I lost my other one recently.” I told him and he frowned I knew why this one was bigger a bit harder to hide in civilian cloths.

“I’ll fix that.” He said simply as we just sat there for a long moment before I slowly sat up, I nodded and sighed softly running a hand through my hair.

“Just… don’t get killed or caught giving it to me.” I told him and he snorted and shook his head.

“I won’t.” I raised a brow teasingly I shook my head as I sat up shifting to strap the knife to my leg, Mr Wilson watched me the look on his face told me that he wasn’t sure about leaving me here but I gave him a smile.

“Maybe next time we can talk… really talk and I can tell you about Tim… and Jason.” My chest ached at mentioning him I had actually really liked my brother but… but now…. I shook my head and gave Mr Wilson a quick hug something that seemed to startle him before I gave him a playful salute and fell off the building letting my wings form as the wind whistled around me finally with them fully formed I spread them letting the air catch and pull me up. I laughed to my self loving the thrill, I did a flip to right myself and started to head home watching the lights of the city pass by below. I sucked in a deep breath when my phone went off not the flip phone that Mr Wilson had given me but the smart phone I’d had for a long time. I pulled it out careful not to drop it as I had done before… boy that had been hard to explain.

Tim tom tam?

[Hey man, you okay? You stopped for a while.]

Faraj

[Yeah just having a conversion with a friend no biggie… got a new toy to show you after school tho]

Tim tom tam?

[… Pic or I come after your ass.]

“I… no is he?” I asked my stomach dropping as my chest twisted. I moved to leave to check his room but Alfred stepped in my way.

“He is in his room, I caught him and stopped him, however that doesn't change the fact that he was packing. The boy hasn’t had a stable place to stay.” I frowned as my gut twisted.

“Ye he has, he’s been safe here and-” Alfred cut me off giving me a pointed look.

“He doesn’t feel that way and this? Has made it more then clear, if you want to lose him completely send him away.” He stated pointedly I dropped my face into my hands and sighed heavily,

“I… I can’t lose him not the way… Not like Jason.” I whispered and the older man put a hand on my shoulder as he voiced his own thoughts.

“You cannot protect him from everything sir, but… you could teach him a bit more about how to protect himself, perhaps…” He trailed off I knew what he was suggesting and shook my head hard.

“No, I am not going to have another robin, not after this and I am certainly not putting him in that role even if I do have another robin.” I stated sharply, there wasn’t a chance in hell that I was going to put him in that kind of danger. I saw the look in his eyes when I said that and he kept his eyes on me I knew he wanted something from me.

“I… I’ll talk to him.” I stated and he nodded and finally stepped aside.

I made my way through the large hows hunting for him I had been told he be in his room, I froze in front of the door and knocked lightly, I waited a moment expecting the heavily muffled shout through the door but it never came and I pushed it open.

“Faraj?” I called out gently but failed to see him anywhere, I frowned as I looked around and noticed his window unlatched, my heart sank. no.. no he … shit. I turned and headed straight for the bat cave, I ignored Alfred’s questions, damn it I should have put a tracker on him. I-I… I paused at the bat computer and I sighed closing my eyes and collecting myself I had to find him, I needed him to be okay and the only way I’m going to find him was to be calm to collect myself and breath. None the less I was out patrolling half looking for a glimpse of white hair while I drove around the street as far as crime it was quiet tonight… I’d been quiet a lot more recently…

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after hours of nothing I was starting to feel the panic rise again, that’s when I spotted him and Timothy Drake, they seemed to just be talking Faraj looked stressed… had I caused that? I hesitated to get out to get him… he seemed to be alright but this didn’t explain how he didn’t set off the security system and yet? There were far worse people I could have found him with…

I let the car creep along before parking it out of sight of the two and getting out I wanted to hear what they were talking about.

“So… are you going to go back?” Tim’s voice was unsure and sounded a bit worried to me.

“I… I don’t know, If he’s just going to send me away… I mean I know what Alfred said..” He trailed off but Tim filled in the thought.

“But if he’s just the help he might not listen to him.” Faraj made a noise and shook his head,

“Man you don’t know how complicated that is do you?” He asked a certain amount of amusement in his voice, “No… He’ll likely listen to Alfred it’s just… I don’t like that he even thought of it this is the first time I’ve ever had friends… I don’t want to lose them.” Faraj’s tone had softened and I frowned to myself, I really hadn’t taken that in to account… the boy’s shy and Tim seemed to have pulled him from his shell but… but there was only so much that it would work he likely would just hide away again if I pushed for this, I sighed softly running a hand through my hair, I couldn’t tear them apart not right now not while he needed things to be stable… needed faces not to change. I sighed, I had been blinded to this I was so worried I… I watched as he an Tim laughed, I didn’t like that they were out this late Gotham was not the city to be out late in but… this was at least better then anything else he could have been doing. I’d… I’d talk to them but, I’d let them before the time being.

I got back into the car and damn near jumped out of my skin when I heard a voice sultry and soft.

“You don’t think I’d have let him walk around this town with out some kind of protection do you?” I sighed and gave her a grunt.

“I didn’t know you were watching him.” I stated then chose to add. “You wouldn’t happen to know how he got out in the first place would you?” I questioned her, I couldn’t see her eyes behind her mask but she shook her head no.

“With your systems not a damn clue, but… it’s impressive isn’t it?” She questioned as she leaned over I followed her lean and found myself staring at the two again Tim’s eyes were wide and he looked excited as he pulled out a small camera and started taking pictures of the car. “Ooo is that his new little friend?” She questioned with a bit of a purr I looked over to the two Faraj looked around a little concerned, I watched his mouth move but I couldn’t hear him speak through the walls of the car but Tim seemed to brush off what ever he said. I let out a low hum not willing to give her to much, But truth be told I was sure she already knew.

As soon as Tim got his picture the two started walking again and Faraj relaxed, as they walked I sighed softly watching them go.

“Dick… okay he was the first robin and.. wait I thought he-” he was cut off as someone landed on the roof I heard the gravel under there feet but even Tim with out super hearing was aware of it, telling me it wasn’t Selina, I decided dad wasn’t likely to let himself be heard either. But I was wrong as Batman looking pissed came around the corner he knelt next to me his hand quickly going to my wound,

“You’re going to be alright.” He said his voice that gravely low thing he could do, I winced in pain and hissed. He looked to Tim for a moment, “How did this happen?” He demanded, My friend straightened up before he spoke.

“The joker stabbed him, and kidnapped us we climbed the rafters to get away, I think the adrenaline is how he was able to do it.” Tim stated, I had other wounds one that I couldn’t explain but I was starting to think due to Tim it might be easily explained, Dad nodded his came enveloping my sight.

“Don’t fall asleep,” He told me firmly as he shifted pulling something out of his belt before he pressed that to my hand to my wound. The pain was still there but now he seemed to feel secure enough to pick me up and he turned back to Tim as I leaned into him.

“I will have knight wing get you but he needs a hospital.” Father didn’t give him time to respond, suddenly I was in the sleek black car and the lights blurred to gather as we drove, my eyes got heavy, and I started to let the closed but sucked in a deep breath and shifted letting the pain spike, had I really lost so much blood.

“You’re going to be alright.” Father told me, I under stood he was trying to comfort me but I was bleeding out here.

“Yeah… I know.” I stated biting back a smart ass comment, he was worried I was sure after all this was so soon after… after Jason… my gut twisted am I going to die? I shook that thought from my head as we stopped I barely had time to react before the door was opened and the hospital staff grabbed me and put me on a gurney

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Weeks later

Sterile rooms I hated it, I hadn’t been able to do much while I waited for that wound to heal the cut that the joker had left was bad and while nothing vital had been hit my other bruises and scrapes had also been noted and Dad wanted all the checks they could run done, turned out I had cracked my ribs at some point honestly I hadn’t noticed it.

On the bright side Dad had assumed that it was the joker’s fault I was hurt in the ways I was and that I was simply either to hurt or unconscious to remember how it had happened. I glanced up from the teacher’s droning voice on my laptop. I waved at him as they kept talking,

“Hi.” I mouthed he smiled gently but I could see the tension in his shoulders, he slowly walked over and took a seat next to me.

“Hey… how are you feeling.” He asked quietly and I muted myself,

“Pretty good actually finally off those pain meds.” I stated and he nodded smiling gentle I had been happier on the meds the high pitch beeping that filled the hospital bothered me lest that way. I wish Jason would just come and…. Fuck right. I blew the hair from my face as I gave him a small smile, “I want to go home though, something about this place gives me the creeps.” I told him and he nodded slowly, While I couldn’t tell him that I heard everything from people dying slowly to the nurses getting it on, With a soft as he ran his own far larger hand through my hair, I closed my eyes as he scratched my scalp.

“Soon. You should be being discharged soon.” He said gently, soon? How soon was soon? Like before dinner? Or…

“How soon?” I questioned he paused and I could tell he thought about lying but I was top of my grade I knew all this stuff after all.

“They’re talking about tomorrow so long as you can do some of the physical tests they want.” he paused for a long moment, then spoke slowly. “It’s going to hurt, but you’re strong you survived the joker.” He told me I pushed up my glasses and huffed.

“I’d have kept my mouth shut had I realized who he was.” at my comment dad raised a brow.

“What… what did you say?” He asked his voice was worried, I shrugged

“Told him I couldn’t hear him because they dropped my glasses.” I told him his face twisted I wasn’t sure what to call the expression, but he shook his head slightly then in the normal gentle tone he used on me.

“Please… for your safety don’t antagonize people you don’t know.” He said gently as he moved his hand before squeezing my shoulder. I gave him a quick nod after all he didn’t know how I fought how I dealt with the people I fought.

🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇

I was out by dinner the next night and while I was still sore I was glad to be home and eating Alfred’s cookies. I paused as I heard Dad speaking to Alfred.

“I don’t know Alfred… I really do think a bording school would be safer for him. What if the Joker starts gunning for him?” He questioned, I slowly shoved another cookie in my mouth.

“Sir, the boy was abandoned once, how do you think he’d view a bording school?” The older man asked, “And that being said… how would you get to him if the joker does attack him?” he pointed out, I stopped myself from walking in and stating my own opinion.

“I can set something up an early, warning system.” He stated sounding confident about that.

“And if he runs away? The boy likely has far more training then he or Slade has informed us, if he doesn’t wish to be found I believe it would take a great deal of time and effort to find him. Especially when he’ll know the area better then you.” I could hear Dad… could I still call him that? I wasn’t sure I was allowed to think of him like that any more, I set down the plate of cookies, before slipping up stairs. This didn’t sound like protection… it sounded like he was trying to put me in a gilded cage. I stopped myself and sucked in a deep breath.

“Easy, Easy, Don’t jump to things.” I told myself as I paced, I should have something set up just in case, I sighed running a hand through my hair, I guess that’s what I’ll be setting up, I shifted grabbed my back pack taking only the cloths that I had come in with then the old sneakers that slade had gotten for me, Once I was done with that I moved to grab my spare glasses but I paused… No if he decides he doesn't want me I won’t take those, besides he might question me if I lose another pair, shifted to the bathroom and opened the cabinet pulling out the spare tooth brush and toothpaste tub. I walked back to me room and froze, I hadn’t heard the older man come in but he looked at me with a sad expression my old back pack in on hand. Fuck. Fuck. fuck. I mentally screamed as our eyes met.

“You over heard that conversation…” He said gently I just took half a step back, but he didn’t get upset he didn’t try to come closer but he didn’t leave the backpack. “Your father isn’t trying to get rid of you, he is hurt and scared.” he spoke gently and I lingered in the door way, those soft caring blue eyes lingered on me, “He’s already lost one son he doesn’t wish to lose another however your father has always over corrected for things… especially when it hurts him.” He stated I slowly stepped closer staying cautious.

“He was talking about sending me away, that doesn’t sound safe it sounds like a gilded cage with a fancy name.” I told him he frowned,

“I am aware of how it may have sounded, but I also know your father better then anyone.” he said setting the bag next to him, “And if he dare do that not only would I have to put my foot down, weather he believes it better for your safety or not, it would not be good for you.” He stated his tone firm and sharp. I relaxed a little and sighed running a hand through my hair as I thought about, still I was going to set something up just in case but… it was nice to know that I at least had Alfred was on my side.

“I don’t like that he even considered something like that.” I stated but the older man simply nodded putting his hand on my shoulder as he squeezed it softly,

“I understand. But he is simply trying to keep you safe, your… your encounter with the joker it… it scared him and he isn’t handling it properly, even if I have to be firm I will not allow him to send you anywhere.” he stated firmly before he stood back up taking my bag with him as he left. Damn it I wanted to finish setting that up… but I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised.