Dick had made a terrible mistake.

Babysitting Bruce’s newest little bundle of responsibility didn’t seem that hard—at first. Bruce was tied up with League business, Alfred was elbow-deep helping him, and the rest of the Batkids were off handling missions. So, naturally, Dick volunteered. Easy. One evening with the baby. No problem.

The mistake? Bringing the baby to Titans Tower.

What should’ve been a quiet babysitting job quickly turned into an all-out game of “Keep the Baby Away from Dick.” The second he let his guard down—even for a second—one of the Titans would swoop in to snatch the baby from his arms, cooing and cuddling like they were competing for the title of Favorite Uncle or Aunt.

Right now, Kory hovered several feet off the ground, baby in hand, smiling radiantly as she floated just out of reach.

“Kory! Please!” Dick called up, practically hopping in place as he reached toward her. “Give them back! That’s my baby sibling, and Bruce will literally kill me if anything happens to them!”

He jumped again, fingertips brushing air. Kory only drifted higher, rocking the baby gently while whispering in Tamaranian.

“I just got them back from Wally,” Dick muttered under his breath, glaring at the speedster, who had finally worn himself out zooming around the Tower with the baby strapped to his back like a jetpack passenger.

From the corner of his eye, Dick spotted Gar lurking nearby. He was watching too intently, crouched low like a jungle cat ready to pounce—or shift—at a moment’s notice.

“I see you, Gar. Don’t even think about it,” Dick warned, eyes flicking between him and Kory like he was playing defense in a one-man basketball game.

Gar grinned, fangs flashing slightly. “Who, me? I’m just watching, man.”

“Yeah, sure. Just like Wally was ‘only holding them for a second.’ That second turned into twenty laps around the Tower!”

Kory floated in slow, gentle circles, baby cradled in her arms like royalty. “But Richard,” she said sweetly, “they are so precious. Look at those tiny hands! Their tiny socks! They are the cutest little Earthling I have ever seen!”

“I know! They’re adorable! But they’re also my responsibility!” he cried, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “Seriously, how is this harder than fighting Deathstroke?!”

He lunged again. Missed.