Here is chapter two of the series. Little Richard dislikes thunderstorms.
Pre-Robin.
Disclaimer: I don't own Batman.
Needed for Protection
When Dick began falling asleep at the computer console one night, Bruce rang for Alfred. Bruce had been training his young ward to properly use the Batcave's electronics, but the lesson on researching police files was so extensive that Dick lost interest after three hours. That was excusable, of course. The boy was only nine years old, and Bruce assumed that he was exhausted after toddling behind Alfred all day.
"You called, Master Bruce?" the butler said as he entered the Batcave. Bruce nodded at Dick, who was half-asleep with his cheek resting on his propped-up palm. His lips were parted with the beginnings of gentle snores.
"He's tired," Bruce explained, leaning over to nudge the boy's shoulder. "Dick. Wake up, kiddo. Alfred is taking you to bed."
"Carry me," Dick whined. Bruce gave him an expressionless stare.
"Not unless your legs are broken. Now go on."
Dick complained for a few seconds longer, but he finally dragged himself out of his chair. Alfred offered his hand to the boy, which was taken after a brief yawn. As Dick led out of the room, he glanced back and called, "g'night, Bruce."
"Goodnight, Dick."
After he had changed into his pajamas, Dick heard the alarm in the Batcave go off. Alfred showed no reaction to it, only continued to fold Dick's clothes nonchalantly.
"He's always leaving without me," Dick sighed, climbing into bed. Alfred began putting the boy's clothes into the armoire.
"Someday, he'll allow you to go along. Until then, it's only appropriate to be patient," Alfred said, shutting the armoire doors and then going to tuck Dick in. The boy snuggled deep into his blankets, his eyes traveling uneasily to the window as thunder rolled in the distance.
"I don't want to be in here by myself," Dick protested as Alfred made to leave the room. The butler gave him an incredulous look.
"If you expect to become the Batman's protégé, then you mustn't be afraid of a weak little thunderstorm, correct?"
Reluctantly, Dick nodded. "I guess." He squirmed a little farther under the covers as Alfred smiled.
"Well, then," the lights were extinguished, "Sweet dreams, Master Dick."
It seemed that only minutes had passed before the thunderstorm was in its full effect. With every rumble, the walls vibrated and the windows rattled. Dick had shoved his fingers into his ears and was breathing into his pillow, willing the thunderstorm to cease. It was in that position that he finally fell asleep.
Near the middle of the night, a particularly loud thunderclap startled Dick from sleep. He cried out incoherently as he sat up in bed, then proceeded to call for his mentor fretfully.
"Bruce? Bruce!" he yelled, hoping that his frantic tone would send the billionaire running to his rescue. There was no answer, save for a vibrant flash of lightning and a roll of thunder so heavy that it shook the bed. With a whimper, Dick clambered out of his blankets and darted into the dark hallway.
To his greatest relief, Bruce was in the Batcave, still dressed in his vigilante uniform. He was programming something into the computer in front of him, his eyes dark with concentration under his cowl.
"Bruce?" he bleated softly. The Batman glanced over his shoulder at the boy knowingly.
"The thunderstorm is supposed to continue until dawn."
"Can I sit with you?" Dick implored. After a moment's consideration, the Batman nodded. Dick almost ran down the steps, skipping the last one so he could reach Bruce's lap before the thunder sounded again. He was tucked against his mentor's chest milliseconds before another thunderclap rumbled through the cave. Knowing that his ward was terribly distraught and in no mood to be treated like an adult, Bruce wrapped the ends of his cloak around the boy and returned his attention to the screen.
"I'm scared," Dick moaned. The Batman fought a smile.
"I know, but you're here with me now. You should feel a little braver. After all, this thunderstorm is nothing compared to C-4 explosions."
"Really?" Dick asked, turning a curious, wide-eyed gaze up at the masked billionaire. The Batman patted Dick's head and allowed his waist to be hugged as another roll of thunder announced itself.
"You will grow out of this. I promise."
I wrote this with a fever of 100.7, so... that's my excuse for everything. Please review!
