A/N: Here I am again, after a very long break. I had no inspiration, but now I'm getting back into the flow. I want to apologise for letting you all wait for so long and I promise (pinky promise) you that I'll keep going. Btw, I'm sorry for some grammar errors.

Reviews are very welcome :)

Thank you for all the favorites/reviews/followers! ^^


Dick looked up from his seat by the window frame. It was a beautiful day and there was not a single cloud in the sky and the grass looked greener than ever before. He sighed deeply, since he had discovered the Batcave Alfred no longer played hide and seek with him. In fact, he hadn't played outdoors at all since he had discovered the secret. Longing, he looked at the beautiful garden and his thoughts brought him back to the circus, to his father who climbed in the trees with him while his mother occasionally came to look what they were doing and she always brought something to drink with her. He could continue to play from early morning until late at night, until his parents sent him to bed because otherwise he wouldn't be able to perform the next day.

Dick closed the book he was reading, it was time again to go outside. Without thinking, he walked right through the hallways along the grand staircase straight to the two biggest doors to the garden. The doors weren't locked and he felt a feeling of happiness bubble up when he opened them, he was greeted by a cool breeze and the warm sun rays on his skin. He walked across the porch and sat down on the grass, only now realizing that he had no idea what he could do.

He had no toys to play with outdoors because he always spent his time inside at the beginning of his arrival at the Manor. He never really went outside without Alfred before. He stared off toward the woods. He could climb into the trees but Alfred would be worried that he would fall out of one and break something.

With a sigh, he stood up and he wanted to turn around until he noticed something. It was a big old tree that stood just outside the forest and Dick felt like a magnet attracted to it for no certain reason. Once arrived at the tree he looked at it from top to bottom. Underneath the tree seemed to be an old shelf or something and Dick picked it up carefully. It was an old weathered plank and on each side was still a piece of string with a knot. Dick looked up to see if his theory was correct, and indeed, above his head was a thick horizontal branch. Here used to have hung a swing, probably a long time ago.

Unconsciously his hand went over the piece of wood, and suddenly he felt something prick and with a loud yelp he dropped the plank on the ground. Dick looked at his left hand and in the middle was a large splinter, or actually a large piece of rotten wood that had come off which had made an open wound in his hand. It hurt, but he didn't dare to take the piece of wood out of his hand by himself. He stood there staring at the problem in his own thoughts and he failed to hear the approaching stranger.

"Can I help you?" asked the stranger and for Dick it seemed like the voice came out of nowhere and it startled him. He turned to the stranger with his head down and his eyes on his hand.

"That does not look good. Does it hurt much?" asked the stranger worried as he grabbed Dick's hand. The stranger was bigger and more muscular than Bruce noticed Dick, but the guy was quite friendly and he seemed reliable. "Let's go inside. Maybe Mister Pennyworth can help you with this nasty problem."

Dick didn't' understand the intentions of the stranger at first until he remembered that Alfred's last name was Pennyworth.

The stranger was standing straight up again and he seemed to be waiting for him, but Dick remained in place and refused to take a step. He never met the guy before and what if he wanted to harm him? He was strong enough to seriously hurt him, kidnap him or even worse if he wanted to.

Dick heard a soft chuckle and then he was suddenly lifted off the ground, "You're a little shy, aren't you? But you don't have to worry, I won't bite." said the man while he took Dick towards the house again.

Once inside, the stranger seemed to know the way in the big Manor, almost as if he was a regular visitor even though Dick had never seen the guy before. He walked straight to the kitchen where the smell of supper came to meet them all and upon entering he greeted Alfred who quickly looked up. "Good afternoon, Mister Kent. I see you have already met Master Dick." said the butler as he wiped his hands on the towel.

Mr. Kent looked ashamed for a moment. "I'm sorry Alfred but I didn't introduce myself to him yet. I found this young man outside in the garden and he has a nasty wound in his hand." Alfred dropped the towel and walked straight to Dick. He began to inspect the wound carefully with a worried look.

"Master Dick, what happened to you?! Did you fall again?" said the butler as he took the first aid kit. Dick shook his head and he pulled his hand away when Alfred wanted to pull out the piece of wood. The butler tried a few times but Dick continued to withdraw his hand with a fearful sound of disapproval. Clark walked to Dick and he took his place behind him, holding his arm, and he rubbed his other hand in circles on his upper back. "Calm down, you don't need to be afraid. It only hurts briefly, buddy."

On hearing the little nickname Dick petrified which gave Alfred the opportunity to pull out the really large splinter. Expertly, the butler treated the wound and within a short time Dick's hand was covered with a thin layer of bandage. "I would like to point out that I would appreciate it if you would like to be more cautious in the future, Master Dick." Alfred said as he handed over a lollipop which Dick took gratefully.

"Is Bruce home, I actually had an appointment with him." Clark noted while he gave a pat on Dick's head. Alfred shook his head and went back to cleaning. "Master Bruce has not informed me that you would come today. Perhaps he has forgotten it..." the last note sounded like Alfred knew that Bruce deliberately didn't show up today.

Clark sighed and looked at the young man. "So this is Dick, right?" and Dick nodded softly.

"Yes, his name is Richard John Grayson but he prefers to be called Dick. He lived in a circus until his parents were killed and he now lives temporarily with us. Since that terrible night he has not spoken a single word and other forms of communication are extremely minimalist." explained Alfred as if he was reading the text on a small card and Clark couldn't deny it that he actually looked if the butler was holding one in his hand. But of course, it's Alfred and the butler would never need such a thing as an instruction card. "I'm afraid you've traveled for nothing. My apologies for the inconvenience Mister Kent, I can only offer you a cup of coffee or tea to make it a little less bitter you came such a long way for nothing."

Clark smiled "Of course Alfred, I do fancy a nice cup of coffee, but I don't think I've come for nothing." Clark said as he turned his attention to Dick. "If you don't mind Alfred, I would like to spend some time with Dick today."

Alfred thought for a moment and looked at the young man who he began to care about more and more. "I have nothing to say about whether you may or not. Since the householder is not here to give you permission, I don't see what you might deter to spend some time with Master Dick. Of course, if the young Master wouldn't mind it."

Dick thought for a moment, it was a long time ago that he did something together with someone else. He nodded almost imperceptibly but Clark saw it and smiled broadly. "You will have no regrets Dick, we will have a lot of fun!"


"Good afternoon Master Bruce. How was work today?" the butler greeted him as he took his coat and suitcase. "I survived it." Bruce said curtly, he had had a hard day and he longed for a little rest before getting back on the streets of Gotham as Batman.

"Dinner is served at six o'clock, sir. Oh, and before I forget, we have a guest tonight. Also, I hope you will keep your appointments the next time, Master Bruce." Alfred spoke before he disappeared back toward the kitchen before Bruce could even protest about having a guest.

Bruce grumbled. Clark didn't go home as he had hoped by not showing up and 'forgetting' he had made and appointment for an interview. He sighed, the last thing he wanted to deal with was an overjoyed journalist who just smiled too much and was too damn happy almost all the time.

But, Bruce realized suddenly, if Clark wasn't interviewing him or talking with Alfred, than what was he doing now?