Sunlight filtered in through the glass windows as the curtains were drawn apart. He turned over in his bed, trying to cover his head with his pillow. But the alarm clock shattered the silence as well as his sleepiness, for in his haste to escape the deafening noise, he had rolled down from the bed.

He sat up rubbing his eyes, mentally cursing the alarm clock for being so loud and startling.

"Good morning, Master Richard," a calm voice greeted him and he peeled open his eyes to see Alfred Pennyworth standing at the foot of his bed, with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Morning Alfred," he replied, "and thank you so much. How did you even know I was craving coffee?"

The elder man had a slight smile on his face, "you had been quite tired from last night's patrol. I figured this might help."

Richard's blue eyes glittered as he took the coffee mug from Alfred, "honestly, Alfred, we really don't deserve you."

"Master Richard, breakfast has been laid out and the rest of your brothers are waiting for you downstairs."

"I'll be there in a moment," he answered as he downed the coffee in a few gulps, not caring that it had burnt his tongue, "thanks once again."

After Alfred had stepped out, Richard headed to the bathroom to freshen up as quickly as possible, throwing on his sweatshirt and trousers as he reemerged and tousled his wet hair.

The hot water had soothed his muscles though he had been quite sore from chasing after a group of dangerous criminals last night; a rather common occurrence in Gotham.

Richard Grayson was one of the crime-fighting vigilantes of Gotham. He had been taken in by Bruce Wayne, Gotham's resident billionaire, after the untimely death of his parents. He was the first to join Bruce in his mission to seek justice under the alias Batman and his trusty sidekick Robin. Or rather, the Boy Wonder, as he was often known in those days.

A small smile took over his face, remembering his time as Robin. But his Robin era had come to an end when he shifted to Bludhaven, patrolling the city as Nightwing before returning to Gotham after a year.

Noticing the time on his clock, he quickly dashed downstairs, knowing that his brothers Jason and Tim would not wait for him at breakfast any longer.

"Rise and shine, Dickybird!" Jason exclaimed soon as he saw him entering the kitchen, sending an enthusiastic wave his way.

Richard, often known as Dick by his family members, raised an eyebrow skeptically at Jason. As far as he knew, his brother had never been in such a joyous mood, especially at breakfast time, because he hated getting out of bed.

"Where's Tim?" he spoke, noticing that the youngest of the three was missing.

"He left for school," Jason replied, "couldn't miss a class just to have breakfast with such a late riser as you."

"Look who's saying that, Jay," he remarked with a playful smile, "and what's with all the cheery outlook? You're never happy in the mornings."

Jason feigned an innocent expression, "I just felt like being happy for once."

"Seriously, Jaybird, what's the catch?"

"I may or may not have eaten up your share of bacon as well," he remarked sheepishly, realizing that Richard's gaze implied he wasn't going to let go that easily.

His teasing smile turned into a disappointed frown, "Jason!"

Alfred was shaking his head, slightly amused at how the two fully grown men still behaved like preschoolers at times.

But before Richard could tackle Jay down, the phone started to ring. Alfred would have left to answer it but he had put the bacon to cook on the stove.

"I'll get it," Richard offered, "but this is still not over, Jay."

He picked up the receiver, greeting the caller in a cheerful tone, "morning from Wayne Manor. Richard Grayson at your service; how may I help you?"

"Stop being cheesy for once," Jason remarked, rolling his eyes at him, "you sound like a radio jockey on morphine, for Christ's sake."

Richard gestured him to shut up, reverting his attention back to the caller.

"May I speak to Mister Wayne, please?"

The caller was a girl with a voice that he couldn't recognize, partly due to a different accent. Mentally going through the list of who she could probably be, he answered, "Bruce isn't at home. I suppose you were going to call his workplace but accidentally got this number?"

"This is the only number I have. I really want to meet him, it's urgent. Could you please arrange that for me?"

"But Miss, I hardly even know your name, nor do I know what reason you have for meeting him. How can I possibly arrange anything for you?"

"Mister Grayson, I don't know who you are either," the voice was slightly irritated, "but it has come to my knowledge that Mister Wayne recently adopted Timothy Drake after his father Jack Drake was imprisoned. I wish to speak to him regarding that."

Surprise crossed his features but he kept himself calm, knowing that Jason would drop by immediately if he got suspicious, "it wasn't that recent...? Tim has been living with us for three years now."

"Well, I hadn't known that. I recently found out. But I assure you that I really have to talk to Mister Wayne about this."

"Alright then, can I have your name and your relation to Timothy at least?"

"Sayuri Drake. I'm his elder sister."

Richard was quite shocked and kept silent for a while because he had never heard Tim mention anything about his elder sister. Alfred had dropped by to see what was wrong with him, but Richard gestured that he would explain everything later.

"Well... As I said earlier, Bruce isn't at home. So it won't be possible for me to do anything right now."

"Hey wait, this is Wayne Manor, right? Can I talk to Tim then? Is he at home?"

The abrupt change of her tone, from solemnly formal to slightly hopeful, wasn't missed by him, "he left for school, Miss Drake."

"Oh... I... Thanks for the help, Mister Grayson," her voice dropped.

However, just as she was about to hang up, an idea flitted through Richard's head and he spoke up, "wait, don't hang up. I know what I can do for you. Tim will come back around 2, and I'll let him know about you and we'll call you back. On this very number, I suppose?"

"No no, it's a calling booth," she replied however, the lilt in her voice was back.

A soft smile crept on Richard's face, "do you have a personal phone?"

"Yes, but..."

"Rest assured, Miss Drake, I'm not going to ask you to give me the number while you're in a calling booth. However, you can note down mine and text me later with your own phone. And then soon as Tim returns, he'll call you."

There was a while of silence after she spoke again, "thank you, Mister Grayson."

"May I give the number now? Pen and paper at the ready?"

"Yeah sure."

He hung up after that and turned to see Jason still seated at the breakfast counter, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Who was it?"

He considered telling him but decided against it, knowing that he would create much of a ruckus. He wasn't even sure whether the girl on the phone was actually Tim's sister or not, hence he didn't want to spread any unconfirmed rumor like that. And knowing Jason, he was quite skilled in spreading any news like wildfire.

"Someone from Bruce's clients accidentally called the Manor instead of Wayne Enterprises. I was only kind enough to redirect."

"And that someone was definitely a Miss who got your number in the end?"

"Shut up, Jay."

"So, are you about to have a new girlfriend?" Jay's face broke out in a teasing smirk.

"None of your business," he remarked, "and keep your hands off my bacon."

***