Chapter 4: Home for a little while

As Dick and his new "friend" 'Matt', started walking from the sidewalk where Dick had just been bullied by three morons "Mathew" took the liberty of keeping an eye out for Dick.

"Here, take this." Bruce said handing Dick a handkerchief. "Use it to clean up your face." Dick politely grabbed the handkerchief and used it.

"Thanks. But by the time Alfred sees my face he's gonna have the first aid kit that could fit an ambulance out." Dick joked. Bruce smirked at the thought of the first aid kit Alfred uses to clean their wounds after a night of battle.

"Sounds, like your butler's really protective of you." Bruce said. Dick chuckled.

"Yeah, he's like the grandfather I never had." Bruce smiled, then his eyes widened in shock.

"I never knew Dick feels that way…"

"You know when you think about it, I'm really not that famous." Dick said. "I mean most people don't read, or can forget what they see in the newspapers so not many people would know who I am, and you'd pretty much have to research Bruce Wayne's ward just to know my name."

"Really?" Bruce said, not at all surprised but made it seem like it. "I recognized you more as the Flying Grayson. I was a really huge fan. Really sorry about that day." Bruce saw Dick slightly cringe at the memory of his parents. Bruce felt bad, then saw Dick smile at him.

"Hmm. Nice to finally be recognized by my family name and not as the Wayne "ward/charity case". Bruce slightly smiled then it fell.

"You're not a charity case. If you were Bruce Wayne would've given up on you years ago." Bruce said.

"Then, what am I?" Dick asked. Bruce was momentarily taken aback by Dick's question. Robin is his partner in justice, that's unquestionable. But Bruce hadn't really been able to call Dick his 'son'. Despite his heart's protests, Bruce can't just decide that Dick's his son and expect Dick to be okay with it. He'd feel like he was trying to replace the boy's parents. But he did in fact care for him, Bruce couldn't deny that to himself.

"I think that's up to you." Bruce said. Dick was silent for a moment as they continued walking down the snowy streets.

"Did you just move here to Gotham?" Dick asked.

"Huh? Yeah. My parents are… doctors. And they get transferred a lot so I probably won't be staying here long." Bruce lied, though not entirely.

"Guess that means you won't be going to Gotham Academy." Dick said. Bruce looked down, then smirked.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that. My parents always want me to go to prestigious schools to get a good education, and to have a social life. So I'd probably end up going to Gotham Academy."

"Your parents are going to pay five-thousand dollars just for you to enroll in a prestigious school for what, a couple months?" Dick asked. Bruce looked down not wanting to disappoint Dick further than he already has earlier. He just hopes he doesn't get too close to Matt.

"A couple weeks, if my parents get lucky." Bruce said.

"Why?" Dick asked.

"My parents got a little freaked out about the freakshows that live in Gotham. They wanted to leave the minute they came." Bruce lied again.

"Can't blame them for that." Dick said. "A couple weeks, is around the same time Bruce gets back from Europe."

"Europe?" Bruce asked confused.

"Uhh, yeah. Bruce is on a business trip there. He says he'll comeback before Christmas." Dick said. Bruce heard Dick's falter. He lied. It wasn't a bad one either.

"Sometimes he doesn't make it back though." Dick said looking down. Bruce felt guilt strike a plight in him. He hates seeing Dick sad.

"First the school bullies, the mission that screwed everything up, what's next, disappointing Dick again? I hope I didn't jinx that." Bruce thought. Dick and Bruce turned to a corner that lead to a small neighborhood.

"You always walk this way from school?" Bruce asked wanting to make more conversation, for once in his life, unable to stand the silence.

"Wayne Manor isn't far. Come on." Dick said. Dick started running, as though challenging Bruce to race with him. Childish act but Bruce went along with it. Bruce had a small grin creeping onto his face till Dick ended up stopping to catch his breath and hold his face. Bruce's smile fell and ran up to Dick.

"You okay?" Bruce asked showing concern.

"Yeah," Dick answered, voice slightly muffled from his hands covering his face. "Everything just started hurting again."

"Come on. Let's get you to your place." Bruce said.

"We're already here." Dick said. Bruce's eyes widened. He never knew he could take this route to get back home. Dick and Bruce kept walking till they entered a familiar looking street.

"Here we are." Dick said pushing a button on the side of a large gate with a golden "W" on it.

"Wayne, Residence. May I ask who's there?" Alfred asked through the intercom of the gate.

"It's me Alfred. I brought a friend over. Can you open the gate please?" Dick asked.

"Very well sir." Alfred said. The gates started opening automatically.

"Sir? What are you in your thirties?" Bruce joked much to his own surprise. Dick laughed.

"Nah. Bruce is in his thirties. Alfred just says 'sir' because… you know I never really knew way Alfred calls me 'sir'. Butler thing, I guess."

As Bruce and Dick started to get closer Bruce noticed how big Wayne Manor looked from his short angle. He hasn't seen the manor look so big since he was a kid. Bruce didn't even notice his head leaning more back as he took a good look at his house.

"Big house huh?" Dick asked, knocking Bruce out of his amazement. "Yeah, I had that same expression when I first saw this place. Lean your head back any further and you'll end up falling backwards." Bruce smirked.

"This house has sheltered six generations of Bruce's family. It's amazing how historic almost every fiber of this house is." Dick said. Bruce smiled, wondering if this is how Dick talks about him behind his back. Dick pulled out the key and the sound of the gates closing was heard behind them. Dick unlocked the door and the two entered.

"Alfred!" Dick called. Alfred started entering the room. Bruce hung his head low to try and cover up his face as much as possible. If Alfred recognized him his secrete will be revealed.

"I'm right here Master Dick. Goodness sir, what happened to you?" Alfred came up to him checking his face. His nose was still slightly bleeding. His bottom lip was a little swollen, no doubt that's going to leave a bruise there. And his right cheek bone already had a bruise on it.

"Nothing, Alfred. Can you go get a first aid kit?" Dick asked. "Right away sir." Alfred said running back to wear he came from. Alfred came back and started cleaning up Dick's wounds, completely ignoring Bruce while he was at it. Bruce was very thankful for that.

Once Alfred was done he told Dick to head upstairs to change out of his dirty uniform.

"Oh. Alfred. Before I head up, this is my new friend, Mathew Malone." Dick said holding his arm out towards Bruce who's head was still hung low. "He kind of helped me out today Alfred. He stopped the guys who were trying to beat me up."

"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Malone." Alfred said extending his hand for "Matt" to shake. Bruce took the hand a little hesitantly and shook Alfred's hand. His head slowly made it's way up and Alfred noticed those familiar light blue eyes, and that familiar fourteen year old face that owned them.

"My, God!" Alfred whispered in shock.

"You okay Alfred?" Dick asked, completely confused and oblivious to the situation. Alfred let go of "Matt's" hand and looked at Dick.

"Y- yes sir. Richard head on up and change." Alfred said.

"Kay. Be right back Matt." Dick said heading upstairs. "Alfred. Can you make some hot chocolate?" Dick asked.

"Of course sir." Alfred said.

"Thanks!" As soon as Dick was completely out of earshot and hearing range Alfred turned to "Matt".

"Uhm. So Master Richard, says you helped him today?" Alfred said a little confused, hesitant, and by all means shocked.

"Save it Alfred. It's me Bruce." Bruce said crossing his arms over his chest.

"Oh, my goodness. Master Bruce. What happened to you? And why did you tell Richard your name is Mathew Malone?" Alfred asked. "Why not tell him what happened and who you really are? And… who in the world was trying to beat Master Richard?"

"Long story Alfred." Bruce said. Bruce and Alfred sat down on the couch and Bruce explained everything from the spell from the mission, to where he found Dick getting beat up by those boys from his school. Even the part wear Bruce completely scares off those boys.

"Aren't you going to tell Master Dick?" Alfred asked. Bruce shook his head.

"I'm worried he might get hysterical." Bruce said. Before Alfred had the chance to reply Dick came running downstairs in different clothes. Alfred left to go prepare the hot chocolate Dick asked for.

"Hey, Matt." Dick said. "What was Alfred telling you just now?"

"Uhh… he was just thanking me for helping you today." Bruce said with a smile on his face. Though, he still finds it awkward to talk to Dick as if he just met him.

Dick smiled back.

"Yep. Sounds just like Alfred to do that." Dick said. "Hey lets go play some video games. I have the whole trilogies of Battlefield and Modern War Fare complete with two headsets." Bruce smiled. He remembers getting Dick those video games for the Xbox 360 for Christmas. Some even before they came out. The two headsets were a gift unless Dick ever invited friends over to play. But Bruce has played at least once or twice with Dick and was fairly good at the games.

"Sure Bruce answered, grabbing his bag and following Dick upstairs to his room.

"If you weren't coming from any particular school around the neighborhood where we met, what's with the bag?" Dick asked. Bruce looked at the bag that was still swung over his head and shoulder.

"My cousin wanted me to pick up a few papers up for him." Bruce said. Lying to Dick was starting to come out a little more naturally, but he still wasn't liking it. Dick seemed to have understood but didn't press any further. They continued going upstairs till they reached Dick's room. Dick set up the game and handed Bruce one of the headsets. Bruce took it and put it on. Dick grabbed his and did the same. The game started and the two began playing. Dick's GamerTag is "Nightwing1995". He wondered why he called himself that but never really questioned it. once they began playing the online version of the game Wally's GamerTag appeared on the screen "SpeedForce1959".

"Hey cool. Wally's online." Dick said. Bruce tried hard not to let out an annoyed breath. The last thing he wanted to do is play the video game with both of those boys. He's just glad he doesn't have to tell anyone about this. Dick and Wally talked throughout most of the game while Bruce remained silent. He only talked to point something out and blew up one of the enemy tanks coming towards them.

"Hey dude, who was that?" Wally asked through the headphones.

"Just a friend I invited over." Dick said.

The two or three played a while longer until Alfred came in with the hot chocolate. Bruce's mind screamed, "FINALLY!" as he removed the headset and Dick turned off the game to turn on the tv.

"Later Wally," Dick said then turning towards Alfred, thanking him as he received the hot beverage. Alfred left taking one more glance at the fourteen year old Bruce still surprised by all this and the two were left watching Dick's rented movie, "Abduction". He didn't even know why he allowed Dick to rent this movie. He gets enough action every night being Robin. Maybe he gets inspired to do the stunts he sees in movies to reenact them while crime fighting. He's noticed Dick copy several moves from the "Mission Impossible" movies. But usually Dick has his own moves he came up with.

As soon as the movie ended he got a text.

Clark: "Bruce. We need you up at the WatchTower now."

"Your cousin again?" Dick asked. Bruce nodded.

Bruce: "Why? Got the cure?"

Clark: "No. we can't locate Etrigan or Zatara. We're worried that they've gone missing. And can't find where the blue wave was located this morning."

Bruce: "On my way." Bruce turned to Dick.

"I have to get going. Something came up with my cousin and he needs my help rght now." Bruce said.

"No problem Matt. I'll see you at Gotham Academy. You know if you go there." Dick said. The two went down to the entrance.

"Thanks for helping me out today. I owe ya." Dick said.

"Don't mention it." Bruce said.

"Alfred could drive you if you want." Dick said.

"No thanks. I'd be more easier without my parents or cousin see me come out of some random car. Later, Dick."

"See ya Matt!" Dick called as Bruce went running out of the entrance, Dick quickly left the doorway to open the gates but as soon as he looked out the window "Matt" had already gone out the gates before Dick even got the chance to open them.

"So he's athletic. That's perfectly normal." Dick said to himself a little confused at how high "Matt" managed to quickly jump or climb the high gates.

XXXX

Bruce entered the "out of order" phone booth in its usual ally and applied his sunglasses. Thankfully the thing scans your whole biology and not just your current face image.

Bruce was sent up to the Watchtower. When he entered he saw the concerned faces of six leaguers.

"What happened?" Bruce asked.

A/N: And Done. I don't know when I might be able to post the next chapter since I might be busy from January to April. And nooo, om not starting my apprenticeship at the Pentagon to be a secrete agent apart of the Secrete Service. )': But please leave a review. They inspire me to write more. I hope you guys like the new title. I felt like it suited the story more. If you see any mistakes It's because I didn't have any time to edit it. Happy NEW YEARS EVERYONE!