Chapter Text
Bruce could hardly believe this was real. He was content to let Dick lie on top of him, a warm weight of happy rumbling purrs, to prove to himself that this was, in fact, real. His face felt hot and tender, his eyes watery still from his crying earlier. It didn't feel real, it felt like a dream, a very happy one. One he had been yearning for for years . But not like this, never like this, his son in animal form, with children-!
His son rumbled loudly, nuzzling his chest before he propelled himself up and off of him. Bruce pushed himself up, removing the dried grass from his hair, his clothes rumpled and askew. They’d laid on the ground long enough that he felt his back twinge. He took time to roll his stiff shoulders, stretch his back and wake his sleeping limbs. Dick had watched his every move, his grey eyes bright and attentive.
There was a loud chirp from the corner of the enclosure, followed by a louder squeak. Dick crooned in answer, whiskers and tail twitching. His son gave him another look, before he trotted over to the artificial den. There was more chirping and calls before his son was climbing back into the enclosure, a tiny bundle carried carefully in his jaws.
Bruce froze, his eyes wide. He watched, paralysed, as his son walked over to him, Dick’s child - his grandchild - calm and quiet, their tail curled up to their chest. A puff of air against his face made him move, he accepted the cub in his hands, resting over his crossed legs. They were confused, blinking up at him with wide, blue eyes and, once they actually understood what had happened, they pulled back their lips and gave a very gummy hiss.
With careful hands, Bruce cradled the baby shifter, ignoring the little pricks from sharp claws, as the cub settled on his lap. Their fur was soft and downy; grey, white and speckled. It was only a short moment of basking in the awe of one grandchild, before he was confronted with the second. This one was slightly larger and did not hiss at him, they did squeak when Dick unceremoniously dropped them beside their sibling.
The first one puffed up more, stepping over the larger sibling and spat at him. Dick chuffed at the cub, a gentle paw pushing them over which led to them squawking in indignation. Bruce chuckled, “Dick, no.”
Dick, yes , his son’s smug face proclaimed, whiskers twitching in amusement.
He carefully arranged the two cubs on his lap, ignoring the gummy spats and took to petting the quieter grandchild. After no further reaction, Bruce picked them up and checked who he was holding; ah, this was Button, the baby boy. So that made Tiny the smaller, feisty one, nice to know.
Bruce’s heart felt too full and it was threatening to overflow when Dick curled around him, his cheek resting on his knee. His feisty granddaughter crawled over his lap and snuggled under Dick’s chin, finally settling down with a grumpy huff. A loud purr filled the air, as the three shifters made themselves comfortable around and on him.
Button yawned wide and snuffled his hand, pulling two fingers into his gummy mouth and suckled. Bruce smiled softly, rubbing his thumb against the soft cheek, his other fingers pressing under the baby boy’s chin. His ears twitched in time with his suckling, eyes fluttering shut and a soft rusty purr joining his father’s.
“Bruce? We should make arrangements to head back.”
He looked up from his family, turning to look at Jim. Right, they were here to bring them home.
“Dick, can you shift back now?”
The snow leopard gave him a look, his grey eyes dark with emotion. The purring stopped.
Bruce frowned, his brows furrowed in puzzlement.
“Are you able to shift back? Blink once for yes, twice for no.”
Dick blinked once but made no move. Bruce studied his son, at the tension in his body. There was more going on here.
“You're able to change but would prefer not to?” he asked.
He blinked once and he tucked his chin, his ears flattened against his head.
Bruce looked back at Jim, feeling out of depth. He hadn’t considered that Dick would prefer to remain a snow leopard for the trip. Would he change back once they arrived back at Wayne Manor? Or would he have to wait longer to see his son’s face, to hold him close and feel human arms wrap around his shoulders?
“My car doesn’t have a wagon hitch so we can’t pull one behind, an oversight on my part. The kiddos could go in a crate and we can lay some blankets in the car so that the leather seats are safe from stray claws. Not the safest option, but definitely the fastest,” Jim offered, watching them all carefully.
The tension that had been building in the shifter’s body loosened. Bruce didn’t like the idea but he wanted Dick and the kids home more.
“Jim Gordon, do my own ears deceive me? Gotham's police commissioner himself, offering to break the law for us?” Bruce said with faux shock.
“Only this once,” he replied with a stern voice, the pretence undermined by the large grin on his face.
Bruce grinned back at his friend. Something he said made him pause.
“Wait, a crate? Like a cat crate? Can they both fit in one?”
Stacy popped up beside Jim, cheerful and answered, “yep yep! It’s a large cat crate that can hold Tiny and Button, no problem! They’ll be comfortable and safe for the whole trip, I’ll go grab it for you.”
Bruce looked down at Button, at Tiny, the two of them fast asleep. He then looked at Dick, who was staring up at him, who suddenly looked unsure and hesitant and scared . Bruce reached over with his free hand, cupping his son’s cheek, his thumb swiping back and forth.
“Hey, it’s okay, Dick. We’ll go at your pace. If you aren’t ready yet, you aren’t ready yet. It’s okay,” he said the white lie, his heart heavy with want, heavy with so much yearning, the want of hugging his son’s human body and to be hugged in return and held tight, “we’ll take it one day at a time. You’re what’s important, I’m sure the others will understand.”
Dick curled closer, pressing hard against his hand, hiding his face against him. He still looked a little upset, probably worrying that he was selfish, that he was somehow disappointing someone by doing what was best for himself. That wouldn’t do. Bruce waited until Dick looked back at him and tried his best to convey without words that his son should believe him.
“They will, Dick, I promise you,” Bruce assured, gently, “and if they don’t, I’ll talk to them.”
The snow leopard stared and blinked once. He let out a small chuff, his ears flicking.
“It’s going to be okay, Dick,” Jim said, joining in. He had the carrier in hand. Stacy must’ve been really quiet handing it over, Bruce hadn’t heard her at all. Jim walked closer to them, his steps quiet and slow. “Let’s get you and your kiddos home. I’m sure everyone will be excited to welcome you home.”
Dick supervised as Bruce placed Button in the crate and carefully picked up Tiny and placed her beside her brother, the door swung shut and closed with a soft snap. Father and son got up and followed after Jim.
They would all be home tonight, after a two hour car ride. His son, his son’s children, would be back home in Wayne Manor tonight. Bruce was sure that the rest of his children, Dick’s siblings (by law and not), will all try their best to be home too.
His chest warmed, his heart full. Tonight, he will have his whole family together, after all these years.