Dick stumbled to the nearest pay phone after slipping out of the hospital. He was hoping that he had at least a few minutes head start on the hospital staff that were on their shift.

“Can you keep them safe?...Yes, yes you kept me safe...This is a lot Bruce. More than I’ve ever asked of you before...I know that da-Bruce...I-...Thank you.”

Hanging up the phone with a relieved sigh, he felt a bit of the tension leave his shoulders. Dick hated asked for help but there wasn’t any way around this. If he wasn’t safe then they weren’t safe. It should have been an easy decision but it still tugged at his heart strings. He knew he was doing the right thing but that didn’t make it any easier on him. 

It took a little longer than it normally would have to get back to the boarding house because he stuck to all back alleys and side streets but, Dick finally made it back home. He was apprehensive about even opening the door as he stepped up, his hand pausing as he clasped the door knob. What if his enemies made it first? What if he was walking into a blood bath?

Dick finally worked up the nerve, closing his eyes as he pushed the door open. Thankfully, he was met with the sound of tiny feet running across the hardwood floors and giggles. He felt himself start to break down in that moment but he forced it away. He needed to be stoic in this moment. 

As he walked into the kitchen, he grabbed Gretta, pulling her close for a hug, something that she was clearly thrown off guard by. “Thank you so much for being here. I’ll never be able to explain how much that means to me.” Dick finally let her go, pulling out one of the kitchen chairs as he did, “Please, take a seat. I have something that I want to discuss with you.”

“Is everything ok, Mister Grayson?” She had never seen him act like this before.

”It will be Gretta. I have something to ask of you. And believe me, I wouldn’t be asking this if I didn’t trust you completely.” Dick rubbed at the bridge of his nose tiredly, trying to come up with the right words on the spot, “I’ve sent for someone. Someone to take the twins. He’s a good man. The same man who helped me out after-my parents. I want you to go with them. You’ll be compensated better than you would anywhere else. You’ll never want for anything. I-I just need you to help look after them.” 

”I don’t know, Mister Grayson. Where?” He couldn’t blame her for having her doubts.

”It would be out of here. Another city but safe. Probably the safest place in the world actually.”

Dick could see her mulling over the idea in her head, “They’re good kids, Mister Grayson. Smart as a whip too. Yes. Yes, of course I will look after them.”

Reaching across the table, Dick squeezed her hand lightly, “Thank you so much Gretta. You are a good person.”

With a warm smile and a nod, she stood and started preparing dinner for Jason and Emma.

Now came the really hard part. Dick leaned against the entrance way frame to the living room, watching Jason for a moment as he vaulted over the back of the couch, landing in a crouch position before taking off after his sister. For her part, Emma effortlessly sidestepped him, sticking out her left foot as she did, sending her brother sprawling as she began howling with laughter. Of course, this only made Jason double his efforts. He faked going right and cut back, catching just enough of her to send them both crashing into the couch cushions with a thud. The both of them laughing now. 

Dick didn’t want this to end, he could have watched this for the rest of his life and been content. Unfortunately, if he didn’t start making moves now, that end would be sooner rather than later. He let them keep playing for a few minutes as he sat down in the comfy leather chair that he usually reserved for his drinking or brooding sessions. Both of which hadn’t happened since before the twins were with him. 

”Hey, guys, come here please.” 

Jason tried to get one more shot in before relenting, almost dragging himself over to where Dick sat, as if he thought he was getting in trouble. Emma was close on his heels, ready to step in and protect her older by two and a half minutes brother. She was the over protective one. Dick lifted them both up, placing them on either knee as he pulled them both close for a hug. It had been a few weeks since everything happened in New York and the three of them had grown close. Close enough that they felt like a part of Dick Grayson at this point. 

”We need to talk about something guys. Something that I wouldn’t do if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.” Both kids looked at him slightly confused, which only cut him deeper, “I know that you haven’t been here long but-“ Fuck, he didn’t want to say the words, “You aren’t safe here. Neither am I. A good friend of mine, actually more like a father, really, is going to take care of you guys for a little bit.”

Dick was slightly surprised that it was Jason who answered him, “Do we have to leave? We like it here.”

Fuck. That stung.

”I’m afraid so kiddos. The place you are going...you’ll be taken care of. Anything that you need or want will be provided for you. Absolutely anything.”

Emma pipped up next, “We don’t want to go. We want to stay here.”

”I know that you do. But things are...complicated. I need to know that you guys are safe. Somewhere that you don’t have to worry.”

The twins spoke in unison, “We don’t want to-“ 

“I know. We don’t have a choice though. I promise you both, as soon as this is over I will find you again. There isn’t anything in this world that could keep me from you two.”

They both began to protest as there was a loud knock on the front door. Dick let his shoulders slump, unable to hide his emotions no matter how hard he tried, “Please. Go pack up your things. One bag each, we don’t have a lot of time.”

They look dejected as they slunk away, taking the stairs up to their room side by side. 

Dick thought about saying fuck it until the knock repeated. It was best to get this over with now before it became any harder. He moved slowly on purpose, trying to drag it out, his hand trembling as he reached for the door knob. 

“Thanks for coming Alfred. They should be ready in a few minutes.”