Chapter 4: Comfort and Commemoration
The whole week Dick had been melancholy, but today was icing on the cake. It was already noon and he hadn't even been out of his room yet. Alfred knows not to bother him about the importance of meals like he usually would, not today.
Bruce had called Dick's school to tell them he wouldn't be attending today. Tim, Jason, Damian, and Terry had left for school hours ago, despite their protests. Bruce was positive that he and Alfred could handle his youngest for the few hours his elder children would be gone.
So far the day had been uneventful. Bruce sat in his den, pretending to be productive, as he waited for Dick to make an appearance. His waiting finally paid off at around one o'clock.
There was a quiet knock at the door, and Bruce instantly perked up.
"Come in," Bruce said softly.
The door creaked open, and Bruce found himself staring at his 13-year old son. Except, with his disheveled hair, red-rimmed eyes, and stuffed elephant, Zitka, tucked under his arm, he looked to be only nine or ten.
"Hey," Dick whispered. Bruce's face immediately softened.
"Hey, how are you holding up?" He asked his son.
Dick pursed his lips and shrugged. "I want to go see them."
Bruce nodded, he had been expecting this. "You grab a jacket and I'll let Alfred know."
Dick shuffled out of the rom and Bruce let out the breath he had been holding. He hated to see Dick like this, any of his children like this. It tore at his heart in ways he couldn't explain, yet he knew he would endure the pain tenfold for the sake of his children. He loved them all dearly, even if he sometimes had a hard time showing it.
The cemetery was empty when they arrived. Dick went straight to his parents graves, flowers clutched tightly to his chest. Bruce trailed him from a safe distance. He watched as Dick knelt in front of the two graves and gently placed the bundle of flowers in between them. He listened as Dick whispered a quick, "I miss you," to the stones. But he turned away when tears started to fall from Dick's eyes.
After a few minutes it started to sprinkle. Every so often Alfred, who was waiting by the car, would check his watch. Eventually the butler made his way over to Bruce and tapped his shoulder.
"Master Bruce, if I may, school is letting out soon."
"Right, um…" Bruce looked uncertainly back at Dick, whom appeared to be standing up and wiping a sleeve across his face. "Are you ready to-"
Dick cut him off. "Yeah, let's go."
The trio made their way back to the car. Dck took one last glance towards the cemetery before climbing through the car door that Alfred was holding opened for him. The boy took the seat closest to Bruce. As Alfred drove away from the lawn of graves, Dick layed his head on Bruce's shoulder.
"Thank you, " he murmured. Bruce didn't say anything, but wrapped his arm around Dick's waist, pulling him close, and kissed the top of his head.
The rest of the drive was quiet. The volume only raised slightly when the other bat brothers filed in, their clothes rustling.
No words were spoken, but each boy couldn't fight the big-brother instinct they all had to comfort Dick.
Damien gently patted Dick's knee, Tim smoothed down his hair after Terry had ruffled it up, and Jason blew him a kiss. A tired smile flitted across Dick's face at his brother's actions. The young ebony knew he was so lucky to be a part of this family. And with that thought, he buried his face into Bruce's chest and let himself relax as feelings of love and safety washed over him.
