Thanks for all the feedback! I already have Chapter 3 and 4 planned out!

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Dick leaned against the manor door, a navy blue duffle bag clutched in his hand . He knew Bruce wouldn't be home, and they'd left on good terms two weeks ago. Still he felt like the little boy coming from the circus again, doing his best not upset "Big Bad Mr. Wayne ". Trying to be docile and polite in his presence. He and Bruce had played a game of phone tag arrange his visit this weekend, which had been triggered by a flooding of the Academy. So this would be the first time he'd seeing and SPEAKING to his father since they'd had their…..talk. Despite all his scruples Dick missed being home, even being taken care of to an extent.

Biting his lip and taking in a deep breath, Dick opened the manor door. Taking comfort in the cool air hitting his face, as his body had been ready to escape the heat the second he got off his bike. Crossing a few empty rooms, Dick entered a foyer hoping to find Alfie. What he was greeted by was a mess of red-orange hair curled up on the couch.

"Hey Jason," Dick greeted trying to judge/control his stirring emotions that often came when around the manor's newest resident. He could see why Bruce took the kid in, he looked like an pouting little dog. He was sprawled on a floral couch littered with with matching pillows clutching his stomach. He was wearing a giant, bright red jersey that looked about Bruce's size and a pair of white knee socks. He looked quite disheveled, not that Dick looked much better. He was just wearing just his Academy hoodie and pair of jean shorts with baby blue sneakers.

"ALFRED!" Jason shouted, his voice notably hoarse. Sitting up as he did so. The declaration bounced of the walls and took Dick back a little. He'd only met Jason a few times and rarely spoke to him alone. Dick watched as Jason shakily sat up, his hair falling back into it's center part as he did so. A little glare was being thrown his way and Dick was thankful when Alfred came into the room.

"I had feeling what could have shaken Master Jason up," Alfred said casting his eyes toward the youngest in the room who huffed and turned away. "Welcome home Master Richard," Alfred wrapped his arms around Dick, who gladly returned the embrace. While it did not disperse it all, Dick could feel the tension fall from his shoulders as lulled his head next to Alfred's.

Breaking a moment later. Alfred strode over to Jason and sat beside him. Dick noticed Jason whispering something to the effect of "It hurts" as held his stomach. Alfred reached into his pocket and produced a thermometer from his coat pocket. The moment the man did so Jason's stare returned to Dick with renewed disdain. Before he could protest however Alfred had pushed the medical tool into his mouth. Turning to the cop-in-training, the older man returned to his feet.

"I will go fetch something to drink for you boys. Refrain from shifting your tongue Master Jason," Alfred said before exiting the room. Both boys' eyes were trained on the butler until he disappeared down the hall, after which they crept back to each other. A mistake on Dick's part as Jason was visibly upset from Dick seeing him sickly.

Dick let his interest wonder to the surrounding room. Like many rooms in the house it really had not evolved much over the years. Two chairs in the same floral patten sat on either side couch and the center of the room being a classical, oval coffee table. It was a quaint little room for such a huge mansion. The thermometer beeped, Jason tore the thing from his mouth like the tip was laced with acid. Eying the number for a moment he tossed the stick on the table and leaned back on the couch. Dick was able to just barely catch the number from his distance, 104 degrees.

"I'm sorry you don't feel well," Dick said walking over to one of the adject chairs and taking a seat. Jason regarded Dick with the same glare.

"Well you showing up isn't doing me any favors," Jason snapped, voice cracking.

Wincing, Dick wanted to rebuttal, but he didn't want to kick the kid while he was down at the same time. Turning to his wrist Dick checked the time. Bruce would be home soon.

Alfred entered the room holding a tray with three steaming cups. His eyes visibly narrowed at the discarded thermometer. Picking the instrument up with a napkin Alfred's face shifted into a full glare at the fact the temperature been lost.

"It was 104 Alfie," Dick said before Alfred could voice his reproach.

"Oh Dear," Both men looked over at the redhead who, while still upset, had sort of glazed look in his eyes. Alfred retrieved one of the cups, when Jason smelled it he perked up a little. Alfred took a seat to make sure the cup and plate were steady in the boy's hands.

Dick retrieved the one intended for him. Just the smell of one of Alfred's upper tier teas really hit home the lack of quality in his living. Sipping Dick glanced over at Alfie and his….co-ward…...what was Jason to him? Whatever, issue for another time.

Alfred was fussing over the boy and before Dick could question why Jason was getting so excited about tea, the redhead pulled the cup down to reveal a light brown chocolate foam mustache on his upper lip. Hot chocolate in floral china cups, strange combo.

"So what's wrong with him, " Dick asked sipping loudly. Jason turned opened his mouth to speak, but before he let loose his obscenities Alfred cut in.

"A few nights ago Master Jason had an allergic reaction out at a restaurant, the severity of which he is still reeling from," Alfred finished before wiping the chocolate from the red head's lips with a napkin from the tray.

Jason was looking away now, arms crossed. He looked like he was trying to pout, but this was undercut by the tired look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to hear that. What was he allergic to that caused such a reaction ? " Dick asked setting his cup down on the table and looking at Jason with a hint of concern. Alfred coughed into his hand.

"We are not yet sure," Alfred looked sternly over at Jason who was pushing his head into a pillow, "According to Master Bruce, Master Jason was consuming his food with such abandon he could not keep track of what exactly made him sick," Alfred sighed and began to stroke the boy's hair gently. He couldn't be mad at Jason's lack of etiquette when the boy looked so miserable.

Dick stared at the display and felt a bit alien. He remembered being the little kid sitting there. Dick had grown, but Alfred seemed to stay the same like the house. Leaning into his chair and causal averting his gaze, he tried to give the appearance his was taking pleasure in the silence or trying not upset Jason. Dick began rubbing his arm gently, he thought about the times when he'd been alone in Bludhaven and missed the manor. He at the moment still felt like he was divorced from it. However, he was shaken from his thoughts by the man of the house creeping into the room without a sound.

"Hello Dick," Dick stood slowly and walked over to Bruce almost as if the greeting had been a beckoning. Bruce had discarded his tie and jacket, he was now fidgeting with his cuff links , he looked down at Dick with a neutral expression that Dick loved because of its familiarity and hated it for the barrier it created.

Reaching toward his father Dick softly wrapped his arms around the taller man, pressing his face into chest. Every move he made was in slow motion, as if any minute him and Bruce were going to degenerate into arguing.

Bruce looked at the fluffy black hair that belonged to his son. Slowly he brought his arms to encircle Dick, feeling the back of his navy hoodie. He closed his eyes for second and inhaled. He squeezed some, rubbed the boy's back a few times before opening his eyes to check on his other son.

Releasing Dick, Bruce walked over to the couch. Shifting the pillow Jason was buried in onto his lap, Bruce began to rub his son's shoulder softly.

"Jason, how are you feeling ?" Jason rose up enough from the pillow to meet Bruce's question a pair of tired blue eyes, tainted with exasperation at the question.

"He's temperature is far too high, Master Bruce. Any higher and he'll have to go to Ms. Thompkins," Alfred spoke, standing from the couch and going to get Bruce a beverage.

"NO!" Jason pushed himself up from Bruce and swayed into an upright position where Alfred had been sitting. He crossed his arms and glared at Bruce, "I wouldn't need to go to the doctor if you stopped trying to freaking poison me," the Robin in training said.

"Yes, a five star restaurant would be the perfect play place to poison my youngest son. No one would suspect," Bruce rubbed his forehead and brought his eyes to Dick who had been watching the entire exchange, eyes curious. Maybe Dick was wanted to know about Bruce's parenting when he wasn't the child involved.

"Dick, why don't you go change while I get Jason situated," Bruce said reaching over and taking the sickly child into his arms. Jason was too worn to protest, he simply showed his disdain the treatment by dead weighting Bruce. Not that it made a difference.

"Why do I need to change ?" Dick asked pulling the collar of his hoodie.

"We are going out to eat," Bruce said walking past Dick in the direction of the stairs, his eyes never leaving Jason.

Rolling his eyes Dick tossed his bag over his shoulder and trailed after Bruce. Dick watched Bruce's back and the tiny socked legs bouncing slightly in his arms as he followed. Parting ways at the top, Dick went to his room.

He casually walked in and tossed the bag onto the his bed. Dick looked around and took in his abandoned little corner of the mansion, and felt a slight shudder.


"AT LEAST THEY VALUE YOU ME! Actually NEED and WANT me around !" Dick screamed slamming clothes onto his bed before packing them, he was too frazzled to be doing anything with cohesion.

"I VALUE you by being honest when you've done wrong! I'm your father, NOT YOUR FRIEND RICHARD! Joining them has skewed your perception of what proper partnership dynamics are," Bruce said pushing Dick away from his bag slightly to face him.

"You don't KNOW them Bruce! You try and have the JLA under your thumb and yet you have the...the GALL to lecture about teamwork !? " Dick shoved Bruce's hand away.

Bruce's removed hand was clenched into a fist at his side, he stared at Dick with a hardened glare. Dick looked him square in the eyes, he'd seen that look for years and wasn't going to pushed around like everyone else was by it. Grabbing his navy blue duffle bag, Dick stalked away. A slight tremor in every step.


Dick approached a full-body mirror in the corner of his room. He noted how he seemed at least a little taller than the last time he'd looked into it. He removed his hoodie and tossed into the floor, and took in his bare chest. There was more muscle from his combined regimen of police training and patrol . Rubbing his hand horizontally on his abdomen, he looked at the floor.

How was this going to work ? How was he going to stay in this room when the past year's memories of if were nothing but screaming at his father. Nothing but hateful things he regrets and feelings he'd been wanting to vent for years that he chose to say at the worst time. Moments like this he wanted to relent and come back to the manor. Forget he'd ever left and simply follow Bruce.

However, he knew that would up with both them unhappy. He would be unhappy being stuck under Bruce's thumb. Bruce would be discontented by Dick's eventually soured mood. Besides, he had Jason now.

Audibly sighing Dick went over to his bed and threw open his duffle bag. Pulling out the most formal thing he thought to bring, a blue sweater he could pair with a white undershirt. Sliding on both garments, Dick sat on the bed for moment and fished for a pair of jeans.

Shit


Bruce delicately closed the door to Jason's room. The moment the kid was in his bed, he'd gone out like a light. He'd hear footsteps heading downstairs so he assumed Dick was ready. Ever since he'd punished Dick he'd been on edge as how to act. He couldn't simply order Dick around. Well...he COULD do that, it just wouldn't be the best way for them to get along. God he missed when Dick was just impressed with everything and looked at him like he was the end all of his world. For Bruce Dick still was. He and Jason were his humanity.

Descending the stairs, Bruce met Alfred at the bottom. His old friend's eyes were pointed in the other direction, his expression that of deep thought. Whatever was on his mind must have been important enough that he allowed his poise to fall by the wayside.

"Your coat, Sir," Alfred tossed the jacket around Bruce, "Master Dick is waiting for you in the Mercedes. I hope you to find the evening fulfilling," Alfred began up the stairs presumably to attend to manor's most recent addition.

Trying, and failing, to ignore the obvious hidden meaning behind his companion's tone Bruce made his way to the massive garage.

The garage of Wayne Manor was size of a small warehouse, dozens of cars were scattered across the space. Bruce's eye caught a lone light coming from a black Mercedes.

Bruce opened the door and slid into the vehicle. Before Dick registered his appearance he'd been leaning forward, feet on the dashboard and head down. This caused his fluffy black hair to obscure his entire face. When Bruce entered Dick's head flew back and his bright, blue eyes looked up. Tired, but not shocked.

"I thought I told you to get dressed Dick," Bruce glared at the worn hoodie and childish sneakers, which were smudging who knows what on the dash.

"You're not exactly dressed for the nines," Dick mumbled before bringing his feet into the seat and putting his knees under his chin. He shifted his attention to his father, "I didn't have anything formal , besides I don't want to go out somewhere stuffy,"

Bruce tapped his car key on the steering wheel. Of course.

"You have plenty of clothes here, go get changed," Bruce brought his eyes forward and resigned himself to wait.

"No," Dick brought his wrist in front of him to check the time before sticking his feet back on the dash.

"Richard, I'm not taking you somewhere refined and having you look like you just woke up," Bruce said encroaching closer to his son.

"Then let's not go somewhere refined, " Dick said imitating Bruce's voice on the last word.

"Fine!" Bruce angrily grunted starting the vehicle and opening the garage door. He gripping the wheel, Bruce asked, "Where do you want to go ?"

Dick looked towards Bruce, "Somewhere with ice cream," Dick crossed his arms and then curled further into a ball in the seat.

Bruce scowled for a moment before taking in Dick's posture. A part of him still thought his son was trying to needle him, taking in his body language however decided he was being at least somewhat serious. He didn't like seeing his son so…..so worn. It reminded him too much he was an adult.

"Alright," pressing on the gas Bruce pulled forward. Dick looked up and pulled his seatbelt over himself. Untangling his limbs, Dick put his feet back on the floor and looked over at his father.

Bruce kept his eyes on the road, but did note that Dick was staring at him. Sure he wanted to take Dick out to some grand restaurant, but that's what HE wanted. He couldn't mess this up.

It was only as short drive to a locally owned ice cream shop that was out of the way, had to avoid paparazzi and all that. Bruce tried to remember that last time he and Dick had gone somewhere together, maybe they'd driven to an event at some pulled up and parked, he turned to look over and saw his son was dozing a bit.

"We're here," Bruce said slipping out out of the car. He walked over to Dick's side of the car and took a moment to assess his surroundings. It was getting late and shadows had begun stretching over everything. This was a tiny rural corner of Gotham and Bruce wondered if maybe Dick had the right idea. Maybe they both needed to get away from the "refined" part of Gotham.

Dick stepped out and stretched his arms upward. He had fallen asleep for a second, he registered that they were at an ice cream parlor. He'd only been half-serious, but he smiled to himself. Wondering where Bruce was he turned and bumped into the man's chest.

Looking up he say Bruce's expression, and smiled. He could tell whenever Bruce was getting flustered. He wrapped his arms around his father for the second time today, with much more ease.

Bruce brought his hand to fluffy black and stroked it gently, though he justified it to himself that he had to straighten Dick's hair up. They'd only been together an hour and he already felt on edge.

"Come on, I'm starving," Dick moaned and began toward the hand-painted, pink building. He felt more rested and ready to be up all night.

"Then we have should have gone to get dinner, not dessert," Bruce grumbled locking the car and following are the suddenly after the "adult" . He watched from behind as Dick walked forward, ease in every step. To Bruce this was the all the more rewarding. He'd seen the tremor in Dick's steps before, he preferred childish mannerisms to apathy when it came to his son's demeanor.

Stepping inside onto the pink checkered floor, Dick raced over and began scanning for his favorite flavor. Spying the tub of baby-blue and pink Dick grinned, "Bruce," Dick turned behind to tell his father his order, only for the older man to be in front of the cash register.

"I know, Dick. A double-scoop cone of Cotton-Candy and a cup of Caramel please Miss," Bruce said handing the black plastic card to the small saleswoman behind the counter. Her eyes shifted from between both of them, obviously recognizing them both, but saying nothing.

"Thank you for your busineth ," the woman lisped before handing Bruce his order.

"Let's eat outside," Dick said taking the ice cream from his father and walking towards the door.

Sitting on bench outside the parlor, Dick began attacking the cone. Bruce watched his son for a moment before starting on his own confection.

A moment passed before Bruce ventured a question. "How is Bludhaven ?" He asked trying not sound apprehensive.

"Same old, same old. In a worst state than Gotham, but at least it's starting to feel like home, " Dick said mouth turning blue and pink as finished off the first scoop.

Bruce was not sure he could properly process the emotions that that simple remark had stirred. Before he could examine it further Dick asked, "How are things with Jason?"

Bruce swallowed his ice cream, "They are going well. He's taking the more strenuous aspects of his training quite good," Bruce said remembering how excited Jason had been the first time he tried the Robin suit on to train, "I just worry he'll have trouble remaining composed when faced with actual crime,"

"Hmm," Dick mumbled before crunching down on his cone, "Don't overwork the kid," Dick said through chewing.

Bruce rolled his eyes a little, "Speaking of work, how are things at the Academy ?" Bruce was not exactly about excited Dick's career path, putting it mildly, but he at least hoped he was happy.

"Fun most days. I'm doing pretty good so far, I try hold back during the physical exams sometimes," Dick answered before beginning to drink the the melted ice cream from the bottom of the waffle cone. Nodding Bruce continued to eat.

Dick saw his father had barely eaten half his own treat. Reaching over Dick took the spoon and shoved a bite of caramel into his mouth. Grinning as he dropped the spoon into back into cup. "It's good, why aren't you eating?" he swallowing Bruce's ice cream.

"Some of us like to taste our food, Dick," Bruce said picking his spoon back up.

Grinning Dick caught to his knees and pushed his face onto Bruce's. Wrapping his arms around his dad's shoulders, "Thanks for the ice cream big man,"

"Dick, you have ice cream all over your face! You are 18 not 8," Bruce said setting his cup down and beginning to wipe his cheek. After which he turned and saw that Dick was still covered in leftovers. Taking another napkin, Bruce took Dick's cheek into his palm, he proceeded to wipe the boy's mouth and chin in a gentle, but quick motion. Dick was wide-eyed through the proceedings.

Dick covered his mouth and blushed." BRUCE!" Dick said shrilly. This man, telling him he was not a child then wiping his mouth. Shaking his head Dick admitted to himself it was nice having someone be attentive after living for months alone.

Bruce didn't respond as he stood, he needed to go inside and get something for Jason. He knew the boy was likely jealous since he had to stay home.

"Your ice cream is melted," Dick pointing to the cup which was almost full of sugary brown liquid while shoving the tip final bite of waffle cone into his mouth., "Alfred wouldn't be soooo cross with you for wasting food, "

Bruce took the cup into his hand, sighing he brought the cup to his lips and drank the ice cream like a shot.

Bruce coughed a laugh into his , "Very refined Bruce,"

Going back into the store Bruce went over to the freezer and retrieved pint of "gourmet" ice cream for Jason, know the struggles the boy had gone through Bruce enjoyed spoiling his youngest son. Paying again, he wished the saleswoman a goodnight with a nod.

Walking out he turned to see Dick sitting on the bench, starting up contently with a sleepy grin. "Come on, let's get you home before you pass out," Bruce said walking toward the car. The world had become dimmer over the course of their little break from responsibility. The sky was now orange-purple and a distant streetlight had come on.

Climbing into the vehicle Bruce handed the cold container to Dick, who promptly slid his hands into his sleeves and clutched the treat to his chest. Despite the cold, it was rather comforting.

The car started and heat filled the vehicle space. Bruce looked over and saw Dick's eyelids flutter shut. Turning forward, Bruce started home.

Something a little different.

Also I wrote a short interlude with Jason that should be up shortly after this chapter is posted.

Thanks for reading.
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