Chapter Text
Cassandra knew that something was wrong the second she saw her big brother.
Dick hadn't been coming to the manor for a few weeks now, and with the way he looked he probably had a good reason.
The first thing she noticed was his clothes, Dick didn't usually dress in baggy clothes and yet there he was, wearing a sweater so large that his body disappeared inside of it. While Cassandra wasn't one to judge anyone for their style, Dick's fit was screaming "don't look at me" the absolute opposite of who he normally is.
The second thing was the fact that he was extremely tensed, nervous, she noticed it when she received one of his famous hugs. Normally her big brother would wrap his arms around his siblings and hold them tight, today he barely put his hands on anyone's shoulders probably trying to hide how anxious he truly was.
The third thing Cassandra noticed was the way he flinched when Damian caught him by the wrist to lead him toward his bedroom.
She wanted to talk to him and ask the questions Dick seemed to be running away from. But she knew interrupting the youngest when he had something to show to Dick was a bad idea. Damian was always so excited to spend time with Dick, as much as he tried to deny it.
Both Damian and Cassandra had silently agreed this would stay a secret, though both knew Cassandra could see it.
She hadn't realized she had been standing there frozen and lost in thoughts ever since Damian had kidnapped their brother.
''You're good Cass?'' She turned her head to find the concerned eyes of her second Brother. How much time had she just spent standing in the hallway worrying about the first Robin.
''I know you're more of the quiet kind, unlike someone else!'' he said speaking louder. ''But you've been extremely silent today.'' Stephanie yelled an answer from the kitchen while Cassandra was thinking of something to tell Jason.
Both her and her brother froze when they heard Alfred's voice, telling Spoiler that she'll have to clean the dishes instead of going to patrol that night, before bursting in laugh.
''so?'' Jason said finally taking back the control of his breathing. ''Anything you want to talk about?''
''There's something wrong with Dick.''
'' there's a lot of things wrong with that guy'' he growled as an answer. How could she forget, they weren't talking because of some arguments that neither of them tried to explain to the rest of the family.
''Jason, I think this is something serious.'' she said softly trying to manage his emotions.
''of course it is''
'' Jason, I mean it. ''
''I. Fucking. Know. Cass. That asshole is fucking incapable of asking for help.''
Cassandra frowned.
'' is that what you guys argued about? ''
'' Yes, it is. '' Jason looked around, making sure that they were alone. '' I don't know what to do... I... Okay but you got to promise me that you won't tell anything to anyone until we make a plan. ''
''Yes, of course.''
He took a deep breath.
'' When I was training with him the other day... He changed his t-shirt and there was... I saw scars like... line? And... We all noticed how much bandages he's always wearing on his arms and forearms but there's always a fucking good reason and... Fuck.'' He bites his lips. '' I think Dick self harms. ''
With a serious face, her big brother had said out loud what she was thinking.
And that scared Cassandra.
That made it real. Talking about that with Jason made it real. And that was terrifying.
She didn't even realized there was tears in her eyes.
One of her siblings was hurting.
Not just one of her siblings.
But Dick the one who was always trying to help others.
Dick was in so much pain that he needed to hurt himself.
And none of them helped him.
''When I tried to confront him about it, he just told me that it wasn't my role to worry about him and that it was nothing... I know that my reaction was shitty but when he told me that I was just imagining... I just.. Lost it.''
The blackbat took a deep breath, trying to think.
''We have to talk to him... about it.''
Jason looked uncomfortable and... Sad?
And just that fact was breaking Cassandra's heart.
''You're right...but when ?''
''We probably shouldn't wait too long.'' She said that knowing that that seemed impossible for the both of them.
Dick was always the one to start heart to hearts conversations and now that she thought about it she was so incredibly thankful that her big brother was here.
She closed her eyes for a minute.
When she opened them again she was filled with determination.
She grabbed Jason's hand and lead him towards Damian's room.
She threw a look at her brother before knocking.
''What do you want, Cain?'' Said her little brother as he opened the door.
''We want to talk with Goldie.'' Jason growled behind Cassandra.
''Later. We're busy.'' the small assassin answered.
''Hey, its okay, Dami, I told you, I'm staying here a few days. I'll have enough time to look at your art. From what I've already seen it's really impressive.''
'' Tt. You only saw my oldest draw.''
Dick put his hands on Damian's shoulder and pressed it.
''You should train a bit for patrol. ''
The kid mumbled something about always being ready before closing the door of his bedroom.
''So, what did you guys wanted to talk about?''
''Not here. Your room.''
''My bedroom is a mess, guys.'' Dick explain with that same tired smile.
'' Mine then. '' Jason said immediately starting to walk away.
Once they reach it, Cassandra went to sit on her brother's bed, quickly joined by the red hood himself.
The oldest just stood awkwardly in the middle of the room.
There was a long uncomfortable silence before one of them started talking.
''You've been acting weird.''
'' I don't know what you're talking about, Jay. Everything's fine. ''
''Right. And that's what explain the fucking weight loss, and the exhaustion readable on your face, and the way you've disappeared for a whole month?''
'' Jay stop. We already talked about that.''
The younger boy got up and went to face his brother.
''No Dick. I talked and you pushed me away.''
''Because there is nothing wrong, Jason.''
''Okay. Then show me your wrists.''
Cassandra is pretty sure that this is the first time she sees Richard so pale.
'' What? "
''You heard me. Show me your fucking wrists if you're so fucking fine."
Realizing that Dick wasn't going to move, Jason took his right arm and rolled up the sleeve.
The two youngest gasped as the sight of their big brother's arm, covered with scars.
Some looked older but most of them look like they were only a few days old.
"Fuck, Dick. Fucking fuck.''