Raising Robin
Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: Okay I'm very confused as to whether I still like young justice or not but Batman still is and always will be my passion. I promise I will try to update more often now.
Chapter Three: Uncertain Attempts
When Dick awoke for a second time the fog in his head has somewhat cleared though he still feels dizzy. The boy sits up carefully and looks around the massive room as the memories of last night come flooding back. He's free from that hell hole now and now he's living with Bruce Wayne the richest man in Gotham. Dick isn't quite sure what to make of this.
"Master Richard," Dick turns to see Alfred, Bruce's butler, standing in the doorway. "Glad to see you're awake. How are you feeling?"
"Better," Dick says shyly. Alfred enters the room and sets a tray on Dick's lip. The tray holds chicken noodle soup and tea. Dick can't help but smile at the gesture of kindness, it's one a few he's gotten in what feels like forever. Alfred pulls up a chair and sits beside the bed as Dick eats slowly.
"Where is Mr. Wayne," Dick asks carefully.
"He decided to work from home today," Alfred says. "He's quite concerned about you." Dick blinks owlishly and twists his hands in the bed sheets.
"I don't want to cause him any trouble," Dick says carefully. Alfred frowns and rest his hand on Dick's shoulder.
"Master Richard," Alfred says in a comforting voice. "If he saw you as trouble he never would have taken you in." The butler stands from his seat.
"I'm going to inform Master Bruce you're awake," Alfred leaves with one last smile. Dick settles against the head board and finishes his meal.
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Alfred enters Bruce's study to find the man working at his desk. The frustrated look on his face cues Alfred in to the fact its paper work instantly. Bruce raises his head to see his butler.
"Master Richard is awake," Alfred says. Bruce nods his head.
"Good," Bruce says.
"He already fears he's a burden on you," Alfred says carefully. "It's troubling Master Bruce." The last Wayne frowns heavily and sighs.
"How did I screw up already," Bruce asks.
"He's just unsure of what to make of all this," Alfred offers. "He needs understanding and comfort. Not so different from what you need if I do so recall." Bruce stands up from his desk.
"How can you always be right," Bruce asks.
"Years of training sir," Alfred says as he exits the room. Bruce does the same as he walks down the long hall toward the room he gave to Dick, the room that was his as child. It was some kind of gesture to Dick, to show him that he is in fact welcome here. Seems that has failed though.
Bruce steps into the room to see Dick rubbing at his eyes and biting his lip. Bruce can tell he's fighting back tears. The boy looks up and quickly tries to hide the oncoming tears. Bruce carefully steps into the room and sits down on the side of the bed. He wants to hug the child, but he hasn't done that in so long he's afraid he'll break the skinny boy.
"I'm sorry," Dick says quietly.
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Bruce says calmly. "I know how much this hurts and if you need to cry, than cry." Dick stares at Bruce with wide, blue eyes and without warning launches himself into Bruce's chest and cries. He clings to the man's suit which probably cost more than everything his parents owned.
Bruce is shocked and without a clue how to react. Now he remembers what Alfred said the night before: He doesn't need batman. Bruce closes his eyes and places one of his massive hands on Dick's head. Bruce is scared, but he knows Dick is too. Bruce rest his head on top of Dick's; he's not going to mess this up, he's going to make this better if it kills him.
A/N: I always imagined Bruce trying so hard but at the same time not really knowing what he was doing. He'd try though, I truly believe that.