'This is fine, totally fine.' Dick thought as he stared up at the ceiling from where he laying on his bedroom floor.

He turned his head and looked at the walker and cane that were beside his bed, just a couple feet from him.

Tools he neglected to use when he tried to get up to get the pitcher of water on his dresser. Tim left it there by mistake and it would seem Dick's stubbornness was starting to come back.

He glared at the hated objects for a moment before turning his head back to stare at the ceiling.

'Yep. Totally fine.'

He blew a piece of hair out of his face.

'Boring though... oh man whoever finds me is gonna freak!'

And he didn't even fall because his legs buckled, no that hasn't happened for nearly two months now, not since the last fall when he was working with Bruce...

And finally got sense knocked into him. Nope, he fell because he tripped.

Yeah. On none other, than his yearling dog.

There was a slight snuffle beside him before a black, fluffy face peers down at him.

"Hello Zitka."

Dick stares up at his dog with a serene look on his face and reaches up to stroke his fluffy ears. Zitka however, merely whines before curling up at his side and lays his head on Dick's stomach.

"It wasn't your fault Zitka."

It really wasn't, Dick didn't even know Zitka was in the room with him. He had spent the last ten minutes carefully raising himself up and positioning his legs over the bed. 

Tim had accidentally left the pitcher of water on Dick's dresser near his bathroom door and Dick had already drank the remaining water in his cup. Initially, he had tried to will himself back to sleep but his dry throat was preventing him from doing so.

After a quick glance at his alarm clock, he nearly groaned in frustration. It had only been 5:00am, Alfred wouldn't be around to check on him until 7:00am.

Well... he had been making progress and he was a lot more steady...

So he could probably get some on his own.

But he didn't anticipate the jet black dog laying just a foot from his own feet on the ground. He had hoisted himself up carefully and made a move for the walker. But as he attempted to stretch out his leg muscles, his right foot bumped into Zitka, causing Dick's feet to falter leading to, well...

The situation they were currently in.

It had to have been at least an hour, sunlight was peeking in through the large windows overlooking the terrace. At least now he could see.

He lifted his head up and glanced at the dresser, at the silver pitcher of water that now seemed to be mocking him as the sunlight reflected off the shiny surface. He couldn't help the eye roll as his head slowly went back down to the carpet. 

Well at least it couldn't get any--

*rumble*

Dick let out a groan and ran a hand over his face.

'Ah damnit...'

He set a gentle hand on Zitka's face before gently tapping a finger twice on his snout, causing the young dog to look up at his master.

Dick met his gaze and starting speaking to him firmly but calmly.

"Zitka, get Alfred."

Zitka flicked an ear before quickly getting up and trotting out Dick's room, tail held high.

Dick raised his head to watch him go before resting once more, a soft sigh escaping his lips.

At least it didn't hurt. It was odd, ya know. Since he finally managed the victory with Bruce nearly two months ago, he's been feeling... better.

True, he had a nasty headache last week. And apparently, a short seizure nearly five weeks ago, he still felt better. 

He had um, well he had more confidence. He felt... more at peace. It was hard for him to explain.

He only hoped it would last.

He soon heard quick footsteps approaching his room and tried his best to look as little pathetic as possible.

He quickly relaxed his muscles and crossed his arms behind his head as if he was simply relaxing.

Zitka came trotting back in, leading a rather frantic looking Alfred in as well.

"Master Dick! What--"

Dick quickly cut him off with a sheepish smile, hoping to convey that he was okay and in fact wasn't hurt.

"Sorry Al, I was thirsty and Tim accidentally left the pitcher on the dresser. I tried to get it myself but... I kinda tripped over Zitka. I..."

Dick's face suddenly fell, his eyes looking away from Alfred, embarrassed.

"I... I couldn't get back up."

Alfred's face changed from panicked to a softer tone of understanding.

"I see, I see... Well, let's get you back in bed shall we?"

He carefully  helped Dick sit back up before guiding him back over to his bed.

His gait was shaky to say the least, but with one arm wrapped around Alfred's shoulders he still managed alright.

When Dick was finally settled on the edge of his bed, Alfred glanced over at the wheelchair in the corner of his room.

"... would you rather come to the living room? I was going to start a fire before making breakfast this morning."

Dick smiled with a slight wince and nodded but glanced over at the water pitcher while subconsciously rubbing his knees.

Alfred followed his glance and then smiled, quickly pouring him a glass of water.

"Well, while you finally have your drink I shall go and start the fire then."

Dick merely gave him a thumbs up, too busy relishing the water to vocalize a response.

Alfred chuckles before leaving his room and heading down the corridor to enter the living room. He had just started setting up the logs when he head a soft clang coming from Dick's room. 

Alfred quickly stood straight up just as Zitka came running towards him with his ears down and tail tucked between his legs.

'Oh dear...'

He quickly followed the dog back to Dick's room. At first glance, he wasn't sure what was going on. Dick was still sitting the way Alfred had left him...

But the now empty cup was now on the floor. Alfred's gaze went from the cup up to Dick's face.

Ah...

Another seizure.

Alfred sighed and came to sit beside Dick, quickly taking his wrist in his hand to keep track of his pulse. 

Dick was staring straight ahead, unresponsive with his facial muscles twitching of their own accord. His mouth also was moving but more subtle.

Well... it seemed mild enough. 

Alfred keeps a hold of Dick's wrist, making sure his pulse stays steady, all the while counting off the seconds in his head. The last one a few weeks ago lasted roughly two and a half minutes. 

This was one was almost going on two minutes--

A slight groan came from Dick's mouth, his eyes drooping as Alfred allowed him to slump against his own body. Well, the good news is that it was a short one.

Another groan as Dick's bleary eyes peer up at Alfred, dazed and confused. And tired.

The bad news was, it was going to be one of those days.

You see, even though his seizures are short and mild, they usually leave him drained for the rest of the day. And they often trigger one of his headaches.

Alfred gently set Dick against his propped up pillows as he got back up and brought his wheelchair over and carefully supported his torso in such a way that he was able to carefully set him in the wheelchair.

He pushed him out to the living room and quickly settled him into his recliner and propped his feet up. Wordlessly set the TV remote on one armrest and his current book on the other. He glanced at his face and decided to go to the kitchen to prepare a light breakfast for him as well his seizure and pain medications.

Because when he left, Dick was still coming out of his daze.

When Alfred crossed the threshold of the living room again, now carrying a tray containing eggs, toast, ice water, orange juice, and his medication, he noticed Tim coming from the other corridor.

He paused for a moment, rubbing his eyes, before he finally seemed to notice his older brother in the chair. He moved to say something until Alfred completely walked into the room, making his presence known to the young man.

He quickly shook his head, effectively cutting off whatever it was Tim was going to say.

Alfred crossed the remaining distance between him and Tim before bending down slightly to whisper in his ear what happened.

Tim's face fell a bit but he nodded in understanding.

He spared one more sad glance at his brother before turning in the direction of the kitchen for coffee. He gave one last nod to Alfred before murmuring under his breath.

"Oh boy, one of those days..."

Alfred watched him go before coming around to Dick's chair, settling the tray on his lap securely.

Dick blinked twice before awareness finally seemed to fill him.

"... Al?"

Alfred hummed in response and gestured to his medicine. 

Dick glanced down at them before his eyes suddenly shut tight, his entire face twisting into a grimace as a shock of pain ran through his head, spreading into his neck.

He let out a miserable groan before quickly taking his medicine. Alfred set a comforting hand on his shoulder before looking up and away to the staircases. Bruce was at the base of the stairs, watching the interaction with crestfallen yet understanding look on his face before turning to join Tim in the kitchen.

Alfred stayed just a moment more to make sure Dick took all of his medicine, he then quickly woke a fire and left to join the others in the kitchen, it was time to make some phone calls. Specifically, to let people know that no visitors would be allowed today.

Dick always required peace and quiet on these days, and often preferred to be left alone as well.

Yes, it was just going to be one of those days. But he'll get through it.

After all, he has before.

It's not like he had a choice anyway.
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So... this was actually just a filler chapter if it's not obvious 😬

Because it clearly didn't advance the plot in any way, but I wanted to write about how he's doing at home without having to push plot.