(no subject)
"Why does she get to pick a movie?" Damian demanded, hot on Dick's heels. Even in sock-clad feet, he seemed to stomp.
"Because she's never got to pick out a movie on movie night," Dick told him, stopping just so Damian would bump into him. He loved how Damian fell for it every time.
"She's four," His little brother said, as if this were something he didn't know.
"And it's still her turn to pick out a movie on movie night," Dick clipped. He ruffled Damian's hair and then gave him a pat on the butt. "Now, get lost. I need to help Alfred with dinner."
Movie night had not been an official tradition in the mansion. Usually on the rare event that they were all home, they would get bored of staring at each other and pop in a movie. Of course, during the actual movie, they would all start chattering again. Dick and Tim kept track of who had picked what movie to watch and the order it happened. This made it fair for everybody since their tastes in movies were very different. Dick and Damian liked horror films-the cheesier the better. Jason and Tim prefered action-Jason for the explosions and boobs, and Tim for the nit-picking how 'it would actually work' scenarios. Stephanie liked comedies, especially romantic comedies. Barbara liked independent films-usually foreign and dreadfully boring. Now, it was Helena's turn. Her very first movie on movie night.
Actually, it was her very first night in the manor without her mother, or father for that matter. Bruce and Selina, after much hesitation, were finally off on their first open date night. The Batkids were thrilled for them, and the boys had surprisingly cornered Bruce in his bathroom, splashing him with cologne and picking out ties.
"You know," Bruce said, frowning as Tim re-combed his father's hair. "I was known for being Gotham's most eligible bachelor once."
"I'm sorry, Dad," Tim said, sighing. "But that was before the wheel, this is after."
"Very funny," Bruce said dryly. "Dick, are you sure you can handle things while we're away? Selina and I don't have to get a hotel."
"Please get a hotel," Jason said, scanning one of the upper cabinets for interesting medicine. "The last thing we need is Helena scurrying off to find out how bastard babies are made."
"Jason," Dick warned. "We'll be fine. Helena will be fine."
"Damian too," Jason said. "We'll just put them in a kennel until morning."
Bruce's cell phone rang, interrupting the wardrobe procession, and Tim glanced at it to see Selina's picture on the screen.
"Guys," he said. "We'd better hurry."
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"And if she wakes up crying," Selina said, adding to the ever-growing list of what-to-do-if-Helena ect ect, "just rub her back and she should go back to sleep."
"Okay," Stephanie bubbled-the perfect big sister. She was holding Helena, who solemnly sucked her thumb, pouting at her mother.
"Mama, don't go," she said.
"Kitten, Mama and Daddy will be back in the morning," Selina said, giving her a kiss. "Quick as a wink. You're going to have so much fun with your brothers and sister."
"Damian." Bruce beckoned to his youngest son with a finger.
Shooting a worried glance at Dick first, Damian went with his father, a few steps away from everyone else, out of hearing range. Bruce lowered himself to be on the boy's level, which made him even more nervous.
"Keep an eye on Helena," he said. "Make sure she's happy."
It was an odd request, but Damian felt oddly proud to have joined the responsible band of brothers. Never had he been entrusted with a domestic task. He nodded, trying not to show interest, and sauntered back to the group.
"Tim." Bruce nodded at his next to youngest son, who knew the drill all too well.
"Keep an eye on all of them," Bruce said. "Call me if something goes wrong."
"Yeah, Dad," Tim nodded.
"Jason."
"Jesus."
Jason reluctantly moved over and raised his eyebrows impatiently.
"Don't let Kon come into the mansion," Bruce said. "And if he does, he and Tim are not to be alone together."
"Oh, for God's sakes, Bruce! Tim is twenty years old."
"A hundred bucks."
"And Kon will not come in."
"Dick."
Dick only found it amusing, this line of tattling deals, and he was eager to find out what his was.
"No movies over PG tonight."
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"Mama!" Helena wailed, seated in Stephanie's lap as they all got comfortable on the wrap-around couch. "Mama!"
"Oh, Sweetie," Stephanie said. "Don't cry. Mommy will be back."
"This is going to be irritating," Damian muttered, and to his surprise, Tim nodded. It was such a rare gesture of peace between the two that there should have been a greeting card to commemorate it.
"Mama!" The four year old only continued to sob, and wipe her tears and snot away with the back of her hand.
"Helena?" Dick grinned his big clown smile and knelt down before her. "What movie should we watch tonight?"