Dick slammed the door behind him as he angrily entered his room. After the mission debrief, Bruce had pulled him aside. The tech in the Robin suit was acting up so he felt like he had no choice but to explain what happened. Of course, he felt like an idiot for thinking the tech malfunctioning would finally be enough proof.

Nope

Bruce had yet again doubled down on Cujo being a hallucination.

"Dick, we are both aware of how strong hallucinations can be. It may feel real in all senses but that doesn't make it reality."

How could that man still think Dick was lying?! The tech proved something happened! And, please, while he is a skilled fighter, who in their right minds would think a 13 year old powerless human could singlehandedly take down not one, but TWO mutated birds while his superabled friend struggled with just one?

The signs were all there

So why did nobody believe him?

Dick curled into a ball at the foot of his bed, tears streaming down his face in both anger and sadness.

What hurt even more was that they weren't even alone. Both Alfred and Wally were there to witness the fight. Wally was here for a sleepover but truth be told, Dick really wasn't feeling like it anymore. He knew from the pitying look the speedster gave him that not even he really believed what Dick was saying. Why should he? Wally had always been more science-based in his beliefs. If he didn't get solid proof himself, there was no way Wally would believe Dick being followed by his brother's meta dog.

Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but Dick really had hoped this was the last bit he was missing to prove he didn't need a one way ticket to Arkham.

He looked up in a haze, attention drawn to his partially opened wardrobe. His old family poster hung there, mockingly. Of course the only people who would have believed him before he could utter the first word were either gone or unreachable. His eyes zeroed in on the support beam right under the poster. The one time he had physical proof and it just vanished. Disappeared just like his new family's trust in his sanity.

Loosing his temper just a bit, Dick angrily punched his bedframe. He could feel the bruises on his knuckles forming already but at least the pain kept his brain occupied enough to prevent spiraling more. At least there would be no marks left on his bed as it was meta-proofed. Just yet another thing where only he would bear the signs that it even happened. Would they also not believe him, just because the bed has no marks? Sadly enough the current events would point towards a negative.

Before he could go down that doom spiral, a soft knock sounded from his door. Dick slid off his bed, setting himself with his back to the door and facing the window. After a moment, the door opened and the person wordlessly slipped inside the room.

Wally cautiously sat next to Dick, leaving enough space so the younger didn't feel like he was intruding in his personal bubble. Little did Wally know Dick's entire room was currently his personal bubble and he wasn't particularly welcoming to guests at the moment.

Still, the two sat in silence for a bit. Neither really speaking as they gazed at the sun setting over the gardens. Small mercies Dick thought, happy to not need to speak when he wasn't sure if his voice would handle it. It gave him time to calm down a bit before the older started getting twitchy from sitting still for so long.

Oh the joys of being an overenergized speedster

"So..." the ginger started.

Dick lifted his head slightly to raise an eyebrow at his friend.

"Look man, there is no easy way to say this and you know I'm horrible with words."

That's an understatement Dick thought humorlessly.

"But you gotta see it from our side too."

There it is

"We all get how the Belle Rêve thing has messed with you, and and don't get me wrong. I know that green thing is real. It tried to eat me for Christ sake!"

Maybe...maybe Wally did believe him?

"But the first time you talked about it was when you were drowning man. I've see some crazy shit too when adrenaline was going insane. Hell, to this day I'm still not sure what happened on my first patrol or my first big fight because it was all just so intense you know?"

Dick straightened up from his curled up position, looking up at his best friend. Hope was sparking up that maybe he did believe what Dick had been saying. Maybe he just couldn't speak out earlier because Batman is, well, Batman. The man doesn't particularly invite interruptions during a discussion.

"But that doesn't mean that there weren't others there who could walk me through what happened when my own memory was...compromised. In my heart I know what I saw, but in my head I know it was just the adrenaline and novelty of it all. Well that and the fact I was still recovering from the accident."

Dick could almost hear all his newfound hope shatter the more Wally talked. He started tuning out the speedster as he fumbled his way through a long winded monologue. It felt almost insulting, how he was trying to explain it. Dick had been a hero for way longer than Wally had. Dick was the first child hero for fucks sake! In Gotham of all places too! He had been through more than any of the others could imagine, especially after some rogues declared open season on him just for being able to beat them in a fight. The others would never understand how strong you'd need to be to get through that kind of stuff, especially with Gotham's particularly spicy rogue gallery.

He knew, in both heart and mind, that he didn't make anything up. That the adrenaline of the N'th life threatening attack he faces didn't break him. But how could he even find a way to convince the others if they didn't even believe the proof he already presented. What more could they possibly expect him to do to prove he isn't crazy?

"I can't say I know what you think you saw, but... Look man, all I'm trying to say is, maybe you just need a break? Sit out a few patrols or missions, catch up on some sleep and just take a step back, you know?"

Now that made Dick's head turn. "You can't be serious. Tell me you're joking."

Wally immediately sensed the quickly rising tension, holding his hands up in surrender. "All I'm saying is-"

"Is that you think I'm not fit to be Robin anymore?" Dick growled, hands balling into fists.

Wally sputtered as he tried to wave off the accusation. "No, no of course not! That's not-"

Dick, again didn't let Wally finish. "That is exactly what you said! You're trying to bench me from something none of you have control over! B doesn't own Robin and you most certainly don't either! You can't just decide for me when I am and am not allowed to go out!"

"Dick, that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean? That I'm too fragile and unstable to make my own decisions anymore? Or did B send you up here to tell me instead of owning up to it and telling me himself?" Dick was practically shaking as angry tears streamed down his face. "Is that why you're here? To keep me busy and occupied so I wouldn't go out?"

Wally's silence pretty much confirmed Dick's suspicions. When he tried to reach out to the distressed bird but Dick just shot up and walked away from his grasp. "Get out." He mumbled under his breath.

"Dick-"

"I said GET OUT!" Dick yelled at his best friend, anger preventing him from fully breaking down a second time that evening. Luckily, Wally finally listened for once and left the room. Now finally alone, Dick felt himself get overwhelmed by it all and cried until his voice got hoarse.

A while later, another knock sounded from his door. "Dick?" Wally called out, "Dinner's almost ready and Alf asked me to come get you." He received no response. Feeling brave enough to risk a batarang to the head, Wally entered the room, only to be met with an empty room.

Of course Dick wouldn't stick around where he knew he was unwanted. He was already running across rooftops in Gotham, trying to run from the words haunting his mind. He wasn't in his Robin gear so he wouldn't attract too much attention. Just another kid hiding out on the rooftops to avoid a fight at home. Gotham saw more than enough of those to not mind kids up there so long as they stayed away from the edge.

Dick jumped across yes another roof as rain started pouring down on him. It seemed like Gotham wanted to match it's favorite's mood. In the distance he could faintly hear thunder as he landed. Wet gravel slipping under his feet as he just kept running.

Running from the anger

Running from the betrayal

Running from the hurt

Tears blurred his vision as he jumped again, missing his landing and coming to a rolling stop. Dick pushed himself up again, not wanting to stop. He had no destination other than away and sitting still only increased the chance of more unwanted visitors. So he kept going until he felt his energy drained enough. Anger burnt off and making way for sadness yet again. He rested by one of his favorite gargoyles. Silently watching over Gotham, yet unable to stop any crimes. If he had just taken his suit or gear he could at least be useful. But the suit also meant trackers and tech that Bruce would use to find him and that seemed like the worse option.

So he sat, letting himself get drenched in the late September rain.

He felt a presence behind him. Tensing a bit he listened to see if he could identify them without letting them know he was aware. A noise, soft crushing of gravel. Not heavy enough to be Batman, not light enough to be a pigeon. If not Batman, it was ignorable. None of the current rogues knew how to get this high up anyway. It's one of the reasons he liked this particular spot so much.

An odd noise, rustling metal, pulled him out of his musing.

Dick sighed as he turned around to face whatever was behind him and froze. He gaped slightly as he watched Cujo scratch behind his ear, collar shaking violently as he did. Dick rubbed his eyes, trying to make sure it wasn't some light reflecting in the unfallen tears in his eyes. Surely fate wouldn't be so cruel as to show him the driving factor to all the mess he was in for nothing.

Right?

Cujo finally finished scratching and looked towards Dick. Realizing the boy saw him, he yiped happily and trotted over. The pup stopped just a bit outside of the boy's reach as it noticed how upset Dick was. Tilting his head a bit, Cujo whined.

Dick shakingly got up, actually starting to doubt if he was actually seeing this or not. It would be too much of a coincidence. Every time he was alone and needed somebody, Cujo would magically appear. Sure, it was a meta dog, but was he really that special that he could sense Dick's distress? Now that truly sounded like he was losing it. Still, he had to be sure. With a shaky hand, he reached out. He stopped right before touching the pup, unsure if he could actually handle it if he couldn't feel anything.

He didn't get much choice though as he felt his brain blue screen. Cujo stepped closer and sniffed his hand, the hot breath from the pup's nose tickling his cold skin. Cujo helped himself to some pets, rubbing his head and body against Dick's frozen hand.

Dick, meanwhile, felt like all the mess from before lifted off his shoulders as he only existed in this moment. He felt the warm breath. That couldn't have been the wind. He felt the soft fur against his palm. That couldn't have been anything up on this roof. He felt that same tingly sensation he always got when Cujo was near.

Dick choked out a sob as he collapsed to the ground and tightly hugged Cujo. The pup didn't seem to mind as it softly licked Dick's falling tears. He didn't know how long he sat there, crying into Cujo's fur. Broken sobs drowned out by the storm. It wasn't like he could make the pup any more wet than the rain already did.

The lightning seemed to make Cujo restless as the pup wiggled its way out of Dick's grasp. "What's wrong, boy?" Another crack of thunder and lightning answered him as the storm had settled right above Gotham. Cujo shifted into his big hound form for just a second, growling at the sky, before shrinking down and cowering as the clouds illuminated with crackling electricity. The pup grabbed Dick's arm softly and started to nudge him away from the open sky. Confused, Dick tried to follow him. "It's okay, Cujo, its just a little storm."

As if the heavens took insult to being called little, another massive boom echoed across the city. Seemingly spooked by the noise, Cujo set off running. Equally spooked by Cujo's sudden escape, Dick tried his best to follow the pup. Focused on following the green dog, he didn't even pay attention to where they were going. Rooftop after rooftop, he followed Cujo until the pup started to slow down. Finally catching up to him, Dick practically tackled Cujo. Breathing heavily, he wrapped himself around the pup so he would be somewhat shielded from the storm. "It's okay, Cujo. You're safe." Cujo whined softly, nudging Dick's head up. With a soft bark he looked over to an all too familiar window.

It only registered now where Cujo had led him. Out of all places in Gotham to run to.

"Cujo, I- You can't come in there with me, buddy. The other residents there wouldn't really like you." He chuckled a bit. Cujo whined a bit, standing up on his hind legs and using Dick's chest as support. Another crack of thunder boomed and Dick couldn't help but curl protectively around Cujo. "It's okay, it's okay. You're safe." Cujo whined and licked Dick's face again. He let out another soft bark and looked back over to the window of the apartment across the alley. "Buddy, you can't go in there. We'll look for another place, okay?"

Even the sky didn't seem to agree as more thunder rumbled. Cujo jumped out of Dick's grasp and ran behind him. Pushing the boy towards the edge of the roof, a bit harder as the thunder and lightning increased in repetitions. Each crack making him push harder as Cujo desperately tried to get Dick closer to the apartment. Finally it seemed to click as Dick got up and picked up Cujo. "Okay, okay I'll go. I'll go." He gave the pup a right squeeze before setting him down again. It wasn't much effort to jump across and hang onto the window ledge. Cats scattered away with a hiss.

Dick looked back after knocking on the window, but Cujo was already nowhere to be seen. He was getting used to the pup's vanishing acts. If Bruce would only listen, he'd agree that Cujo had already learned the family art of quiet disappearances.

His musings got cut short as the window opened. "Oh, kitten, what are you doing here all soaking wet?" Selina said as she pulled Dick inside. Cats all around him scurried away with varying degrees of hisses. "What's up with them?" He asked, reaching out for one, only to get swatted at with another hiss. Selina chuckled softly as she pushed his hand back to his side. "They don't like the smell of dog, sweetie, you should know that by now."

Dick froze. "What?"

"Believe me, if I could, I'd purge the world of wet dog smell and, Dick, you reek of it." Selina tried to guide him towards the bathroom but Dick was anything but cooperative.

"Wet...Dog?" Was this really happening?

"Jesus, honey, did you run into some strays on your way here? You're going to stink up the whole place if you don't take a shower."

They could smell dog.

They could smell Cujo.

"Dick?"

He was real

"Kitten, are you okay?"

Finally, finally somebody else could tell he was real! He knew he wasn't hallucinating!

"No." Dick's voice cracked as, for what felt like the millionth time today, Dick felt himself break down. He turned around and hugged Selina as he tearlessly cried. So, so incredibly overwhelmed by quite literally everything. Selina let him, holding him as they sat in a tangled up mess on her living room floor. She rubbed comforting circles on his back as she whispered sweet nothings. Eventually sobs turned into hiccups as Dick felt absolutely drained. With a little help, he finally took a warm shower. Afterwards, he passed out the second his head hit the couch pillow.

Dick stayed at Selina's for a few days. He pretty much ignored his phone outside of talking to Alfred. The man knew he was safe after Selina called him the first night. She always did, just so Alfie would know he was safe. He wasn't doing full patrols but he did go out at night with Selina by his side. Both as security when he didn't have all his stuff, and to make sure she stayed out of trouble while he was there. A win-win for all he cared.

Today was a more casual day. They were eating cereal on the couch as they watched some random cartoons. Gotham had been feeling weird the past few nights and it made getting proper sleep hard. The air was tense and the goons more restless and jumpy than usual. All the usual signs before something big would happen. Judging from the serious look on her face, Selina could feel it too.

"Dick?"

He hummed in response, mouth full of his favorite sugary meal.

"You know I don't mind you staying here." She started. Dick swallowed his mouthful and put his bowl down. "I'm sensing a but here." Selina sighed, also losing her apatite. "But something's off with Ivy. Like, really off. Maybe it'll be better to go back. Just so you can be prepared for whatever she is growing. Not to mention that stupid clown broke out and is laying low for once."

With all their years living in Gotham, they both knew she was right. Something was wrong, and it'll be a big mess to fix.