Bruce knew something was wrong the minute he walked in the door. He regretted it the minute he walked din the door but he had seen him so there was no backing out now. He had only come to see Dick to ask him if he wanted to help him out with patrol tonight. He hadn't expected or wanted to deal with all of this. First of all Dick was hostile, unusually hostile.
"What do you want?" He barked when he saw Bruce.
"Nice to see you too." He said sarcastically.
"What do you want?" He repeated.
"Well if it's not too much trouble I was wondering if you would want to come out on patrol with me tonight."
"It's always about business with you isn't it?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"Do you have any idea what has been going on in my life lately? Do you even care?"
"I-um-I-um heard some things." Bruce didn't know quite how to respond.
Dick shook his end his fists balled up in anger.
"You know what? Whatever forget it. No Bruce I do not want to go out on patrol with you so why don't you just get out."
"Dick I-I don't know what you want me to say."
That infuriated Dick even more.
"You what Bruce? I don't want you to say or do anything except maybe act like a human being for once instead of a damn lump of stone!"
Bruce just stared at him blankly unsure of what to say.
Dick was so angry he wanted to cry, to scream but he would give Bruce the satisfaction.
"Dick I-wait."
"What?"
"I'm sorry about what happened."
"Do you really mean that or are you just saying it because you think it is what I want to hear?"
"I mean it."
"Then where the fuck have you been?"
"Do you know what I have been going through? First Barbara breaks up with me, then the circus burns down, then Blockbuster blows up my apartment building with everyone inside! And it's all my fault!
"So tell me, where the fuck have you been?"
"I heard, he paused about everything but I thought it would be better to give you some space."
"You just didn't want to have to deal with it because it would be messy and you don't give a fuck!" Dick screamed.
"That's not true!"Bruce screamed back. "I sent Alfred down didn't I ?"
"Why didn't you come down? I didn't want Alfred. I wanted you!"
"I was busy! I have a life of my own you know! I had stuff to do! And besides I don't have time to tune into the Dick channel every second!"
"You know what Bruce fuck off! You just don't care so fuck off!"
He walked away into his bedroom and slammed the door.
Bruce rubbed the bridge of his nose. What had just happened? And why had he said that? He knew he had better fix this now. He went into the room and saw Dick sitting on the edge of his bed. Tears were pricking the back of Dick's eyes but he was determined not to let them overflow.
"Dick I-I really am sorry." He knew it was trite but he didn't know what else to say. "I figured you would want some time alone and you wouldn't want me hovering over you."
"Well you were wrong. I could've used some hovering."
"I'm sorry." He said again, moving to sit on the bed next to him.
"I'm here now so talk to me."
"It's all my fault." He said; his voice breaking a little.
"They are all dead and it is all my fault because I fucked up."
"It is not your fault. You didn't' kill those people." Bruce said putting a hand on his shoulder.
A silver tear rolled down Dick's cheek. No, no, no he thought I cannot cry in front of him.
"Why don't you get out of this crummy hotel room and come stay at the manor for a few days until you get back on your feet?"
"Thank you but I should really stay and figure out this Blockbuster thing."
"Just for a few days; I insist."
"Well alright if you insist." Dick said smiling. "Just for a few days."