Chapter 8: An Unexpected Adoption
It was a chilly Monday morning and despite the fact that it was still Christmas break for most elementary schools in Gotham the highway was still busy as ever. Everyone was trying to get to work, appointments, and meetings even the Wayne family. At the moment Bruce drove his black Mercedes as Dick, strapped securely in his car seat, rode in the back to the local dog shelter.
"Daddy why are wes goin to da dog shelter?" Dick asked curiously, though still very excited to join his daddy in work related things.
"We're going to talk to the owner to finalize the details on an upcoming charity." Bruce answered as he kept both eyes locked on the road.
"Why?"
"Because they really need help raising money and giving all those poor doggies good homes. If we don't a lot of the dogs will have to stay there and never leave."
"Oh I don want that daddy." Dick said rather sadly, being a big animal lover.
"Neither do I baby so that's why we're going to help."
Immediately Dick perked up, excited to help man's best friend find happy and safe homes. Eventually they reached the dog shelter, a one story brick building surrounded by a tall chain link fence with a large and happy looking welcome sign. Outside waiting for them was a large and muscular man with fiery red hair and a jolly grin on his face. Bruce quickly parked in one of the nearby spaces and got out to meet the man with a poised but friendly smile.
"You must be Seamus McTagger, a pleasure to meet you." Bruce said with his hand extended out.
"Pleasure to meet you Mr. Wayne, thank you for commin to our dog shelter." Seamus said with a firm handshake and a strong but understandable Scottish accent.
"Happy to come and support an organization such as yours."
"And we here are more than grateful for it, I'm afraid we're in rather great need of your help. But why don't we go inside and discuss further, it's bloody cold out here."
"Of course, but give me one second and let me fetch my son out of the car."
Immediately Bruce turned around and went to Dick's car door, where he quickly unbuckled him and scooped him out of his car seat. He then carried him over to where Seamus was, who looked at Dick with great joy and happiness.
"Hello!" Dick greeted in his usual friendly and happy manner.
"Oh my what a cute babee you got there, do you mind if I hold him. I do love me self little ones, I'm actually a father and a grandfather too so please know I mean him no harm."
"Uhh sure he's a friendly little guy, just make sure to give him back." Bruce responded politely despite his jealous and possessive urges wanting him to say no.
Immediately Seamus took Dick and mercilessly started to tickle him, causing the little boy to squeal with great delight.
"My aren't you just adorable! Now what's your name, son?" Seamus asked as he ceased his tickling.
"My names Dick!"
"Well hello Dick and how old are you?"
"I'm five!" Dick answered proudly as he held out five fingers.
"My you truly do have a wee one here Mr. Wayne, but that's perfectly normal. Me youngest was a real tiny sprout when he was a youngin, but by the time he reached puberty grew up to be as tall and big as a tree!" Seamus said as he then tossed Dick in the air several times, causing the little boy to giggle madly.
"We'll see, now why don't we go inside to look over the facility. I'd like to see what you need help with." Bruce suggested knowing this was a business meeting, plus he didn't like to talk about Dick growing up it was too scary.
"Oh of course, let's go in shall we." Seamus agreed as he simultaneously passed Dick back to Bruce.
The three then walked into the building and immediately saw that the front office looked like it had seen better days. Paint was peeling near the ceiling. The desk looked a little worse for wear and the computer looked like it belonged in the 1970's. As Bruce continued to assess the damage he set Dick down and helped him take his thick winter jacket off, revealing him in a pair of denim overalls and a warm red sweater underneath.
"I know this place needs work but we've tried to make due with what we get. We've petitioned several times for more money from the Gotham City council but each time it's the same response, not enough money. Aye, pardon me for me rudeness, let me take your coats!" Seamus said as he quickly took Bruce and Dicks coats and placed them on a series of hooks.
"Thank you Mr. McTagger, but I'm afraid that your answer is unfortunately the common response of the City Council. But that's why I'm here to help, now let's see the rest of the facility. I can imagine there's a whole slew of problems for you to show me." Bruce said as he then took Dick's little hand into his.
"Follow me this way then." Seamus said with a hopeful smile.
From there the three toured the rest of the dog shelter seeing the feeding area, the outdoor yard, and the housing facilities for the dogs. It was clear the shelter was in need of repair and better resources but that Seamus and his team had done the best they could with what they had to provide a good life for the dogs.
As they toured Dick wandered all around petting and giving attention to all the dogs he could. The dogs all massively appreciated this wanting nothing more than love and companionship like any other dog. However then they came upon a solitary cage that contained one huge, very unhappy, and almost angry looking german shepherd. Immediately this drew Dick's attention, hating seeing anyone sad even animals.
"Mr. Seamus who's that doggy?" Dick asked with a sad expression.
"Oh that there's Ace, he's one of our more recent rescues and also the biggest rescue. Believe it or not he's actually only just over a year, but he's not very friendly unfortunately. You see we rescued him from an abusive breeder when he was about six months only. The poor thing was all scratched up and beaten, most likely from being forced to fight in illegal dogfights. We've tried to get him to warm up to us but he just growls and snarls at us."
"Well hopefully with the charity we can get Ace here more of the help he needs to recover. Now why don't we discuss the financials in your office Seamus." Bruce said feeling pity for the poor shelter owner.
"Of course Mr. Wayne, right through this door." Seamus said eagerly, happy to at last be getting the help he needed for his staff and dogs.
Together the two men walked off and through a door leading to Seamus's office. However neither noticed that Dick didn't follow them through, but rather stayed behind staring at Ace's cage. Slowly the little boy walked up to the cage till he was right in front of it.
"Hi Ace, my name's Dick!" Dick introduced sweetly as he put his little hands around the bars of the cell and leaned in to see the dog more closely.
However Ace just snarled at the boy without even looking at him, not willing to trust the child no matter how nice he seemed. Other humans had done the same before and each one ended up abusing and betraying him.
"Come on Ace, I's a nice human, I won hurt yous." Dick promised upset to see the poor dog so guarded.
Despite the little boy's pleas, once again Ace huffed and turned further away from Dick, making it clear he did not want to be bothered. However Dick would not accept this answer and huffed himself, but in the most adorable and ironically not angry way.
"Thas it I'm comin in!" Dick declared as he then jiggled the padlock on Ace's cage furiously.
For the span of two minutes Dick used all his strength his th y body could muster to break the lock, all while Ace continually growled and occasionally let out a powerful bark, but to no avail. Still determined Dick stopped jiggling the lock and looked around for a way to open the cage. Eventually his eyes set on a cork material bulletin board with a few sets of keys.
With a big smile Dick ran up to board, which was pretty high off the ground, and used his acrobatic skills to jump up to the board several times. Luckily his first grade reading level, being the most advanced in his kindergarten class thanks to Alfred reading wise, was enough to read the key labels. For about a minute Dick jumped up and down looking at the keys till he found ones labeled cage keys. With one last big jump Dick grabbed the keys and then ran over to Ace's cage.
With him Dick pushed over a chair, needing a little height boost to be able to turn the knob of the cage door, and put it right against the cage. He then put the keys in and turned them till he heard the click of the lock. With a proud smile Dick hopped off the chair and went through the opened door into Ace's cage. Immediately the large dog got up and turned to face his intruder, growling menacingly to give the little boy one last warning to leave him alone.
"Is ok Ace I won hurt yous, I jus wanna make yous not sad anymore." Dick said with his hand out as he slowly approached the very large German Shepherd.
With each step Ace growled louder and louder ready to attack the little boy coming towards him. He didn't trust humans, they always ended up treating him terribly so why would the child be any different. Eventually Dick came up and was seconds from touching him, so Ace prepared himself to pounce on the boy.
Seamus's Office
Meanwhile Bruce and Seamus were finishing up on the details of the charity, both very satisfied by the end result of their partnership.
"Well I think that we have ourselves a solid plan here Mr. Wayne, thank you once again for your help." Seamus said as he rode from his seat and shook Bruce's hand again.
"It's been a pleasure, I'm very happy to help a well standing foundation like yours." Bruce said very genuinely.
"We try our best, and hey I know you still have to drive home with the wee one. But I would still like to toast and give you a gift of gratitude for your patronage, so how about a bottle of the finest beer from my home country to go." Seamus offered gratefully.
"Oh no I couldn't…"
"No I insist, I know it's not very sophisticated but believe me it's the best beer you'll ever taste. I keep it around for special occasions with my other staff." Seamus said as he turned and dug through a little mini fridge under his desk.
"I'll take your word for it, thank you." Bruce said graciously, not remembering the last time he had a good beer since he adopted Dick.
Within seconds Seamus had a large brown bottle out and gave it to Bruce as a gift.
"Thank you Mr. McTagger, and truly it was a pleasure to work with you in this."
"Oh don't mention it, the pleasure was all mine...but wait just a question. Where is your wee ladee, wasn't he just behind us?" Seamus asked, realizing that Dick wasn't with them.
"Oh...I'm sure he's just outside in the waiting room. Probably not wanting to join in on the boring adult talk. But let's go check shall we." Bruce said realizing himself his little bird wasn't beside him.
Immediately the two walked out of the office and looked around the waiting area, but saw no sign of the millionaire's little son.
"Dick baby where are you?" Bruce called out, his anxiety raising a bit.
It was then they both heard a loud scream coming from the area where all the dogs were. Bruce's heart immediately stopped and his paternal instincts kicked in causing him to sprint out of the waiting office.
"Not my baby, please not my baby!" Bruce screamed in his head, hoping desperately his son wasn't injured or hurt.
With Seamus close behind him, Bruce ran through two rooms till he at large reached the dogs living quarters, his heart pounding in his head. However when the two entered the room their eyes were greeted by a very different and unexpected sight. Instead of screams of pain they heard loud and joyful belly laughing and instead of carnage they saw a little boy playing gleefully with a very happy dog.
Seamus and Bruce watched as Dick laid on his back all while Ace stood over him and licked every inch of his face. For several minutes the two stood there stunned by what they saw till at last Dick noticed.
"Hi daddy! Look I made a friend!" Dick squealed past his little bursts of laughter.
"I can see that." Bruce responded trying to sound happy, though his heart was pounding very hard with worry, afraid the ginormous dog would bite his child.
With caution Bruce tried to approach his son so he could carry him out of danger, only to have Ace instantly change moods and growl angrily at Bruce, teeth bared for everyone to see.
"Ace no, bad!" Dick said authoritatively, as he got up and stomped his foot on the ground.
Immediately Ace began to wimper, his head and ears held down in shame. Feeling bad for the pup, and knowing he was simply trying to protect him, Dick quickly started to rub the large German Shepherd's head and scratch his ears comfortingly.
"That's my daddy right there, he's a good daddy so be nice to him ok?" Dick requested as the large dog began to pant with a wide happy smile.
"Never in the six months of him being there have I seen him look happy once, you're boys' a natural. Maybe he can become an honorary member of my staff, we could really use him with our tougher cases." Seamus said only partially joking in the last part.
"I'm afraid no matter how good he is, hiring kindergartners isn't legal Mr. McTagger. But you are right in the fact that Dick's a natural, he grew up in a circus and helped train the animals there, so he knows all about getting them to behave and do what you want." Bruce said very proud of his multi-talented boy.
"Daddy?" Dick asked as he went up to Bruce and tugged on his pants.
"Yes baby?" Bruce answered as he scooped up his boy, relieved he was alright.
"Can we adopt Ace?!" Dick asked desperately to his father.
Immediately Bruce was taken back by his sons request, but nonetheless knew his answer.
"I'm sorry baby bird but I'm afraid we can't, we don't have the time for a dog." Bruce told his son gently, hating saying no to his son.
"But daddy I love him! Please I promise I'll takes care of him, I did all the times for da Ellefants!" Dick begged.
"I'm afraid an Elephant is quite different from a dog baby and…" Bruce tried to deny again before he was faced with Dick's secret weapon, his glittering baby blue eyes.
With the saddest face imaginable Dick looked at his daddy, wanting nothing more than to take Ace home with him. Bruce tried to resist but it was hard enough for him to say no to his son most of the time. But when he brought out his beautiful, innocent looking, and sweet blue eyes he immediately became putty in Dicks tiny hands.
"Pwease daddy pwease!" Dick said, talking a little more babyish than normal to cherry top his top rate begging.
With that the final blow was made to Bruce's normally strong and unmoving armor, that is except to Dick in which it became weak and easily destroyed.
"Oh...alright, if you promise to take care of him every day and train him well, he can come home with us." Bruce at last relented knowing he wasn't winning this battle.
With a high pitched squeal of delight Dick hopped out of Bruce's arms and ran to hug Ace around the neck.
"Ace yous comin home with us, yous mine now!" Dick squealed as he hugged his new dog tightly.
Almost as if he understood Ace began to cheer and bark with joy at the fact he got to go home with Dick. All the while Bruce rubbed his face, wondering what in the world he got himself into. As he thought Bruce suddenly felt a large hand rest on his shoulder, he turned around to see Seamus giving him an encouraging smile.
"I know it seems like a lot, but believe me nothing enriches a wee boy's life more than a dog."Seamus reassured, also happy to know Ace found a home.
"I guess you're right." Bruce agreed nervously, hoping that Seamus really was right.
One Week Later
Ever since the Wayne family had welcomed Ace into their home it had become much more energetic. At the moment Dick was being chased by the large dog laughing absolutely adorable belly laughs as he ran. Eventually the little boy was trapped under the large dog in the living room and being licked to death.
"Ace...Ace...stop i….i tickles!" Dick squealed madly.
As all this went on Bruce and Alfred watched from the dining room hallway, both entertained by the two.
"I must say getting Master Dick a dog has certainly been good for him. He seems so happy and not to mention the young master trains him like a professional." Alfred commented, genuinely impressed by his youngest charge.
"My little ones' truly quite talented, though he can't seem to get that dog to like me." Bruce huffed annoyed.
"I'm sure he's just overprotective sir."
"Overprotective! I'm Dick's father for crying out loud, but still no matter how nice I am or what I do he growls at me like I'm some sort of predator!" Bruce ranted confused as to why Ace acted so volatile towards him.
"I'm sure it is nothing personal Master Bruce, the dog shelter owner did say he had deep past trauma. So I'm sure he simply doesn't interact with adults very well, but children must be an exception. Though if you ask me both you and Master Ace are rather similar." Alfred theorized with a cheeky smile.
"Me, similar to a dog who chews his own butt." Bruce said with a doubtful frown on his face.
"I'm simply saying Master Ace is not the only one with a love for Master Dick and a disdain for those he views as potential threats to him." Alfred said simply but palpably as he walked off to attend his duties.
For a moment Bruce just stood there, slightly stunned at the sudden revelation. Was it true, could despite their disdain for each other he and Ace share the same love and protective instinct for his son. Bruce looked over at Dick and Ace playing fetch and immediately saw the love between boy and dog.
Just like him Ace had gone from an angry and bitter being to a loving and happy one all thanks to the little cherub named Dick Grayson-Wayne. This meant together they shared the responsibility of caring and protecting him, so Bruce concocted a plan for how to at last win the German Shepherd's trust.
Later that night
It was nearing midnight and just like normal Bruce was tucking his footie pajama cladded son into bed. The two had just gotten back from patrol and as usual Dick was out cold by the drive home. He was a very skilled and powerful little boy but that didn't excuse him from being tired out like normal little boys. So tenderly Bruce made sure his baby was comfily and soundly tucked in his bed and asleep, laying his special blanky and stuffed Elephant over him. He then watched as the sleepy little boy cuddled into the two necessary items and an adorable peaceful smile spread across his face.
Once completely sure his little bird was fast asleep in his little bed Bruce silently turned around and exited the room. But just as he did was about to carefully close the door he heard a low but menacing growl behind him. Bruce turned to see it was none other than Ace angry his entry to his bed, which had now found its spot in Dick's room on his insistence, was being blocked. Immediately Bruce shooshed the angry dog and pointed to the little boy sound asleep in bed.
"Will be quiet Dick is asleep!" Bruce whisper yelled at the dog.
Immediately Ace stopped but nonetheless face Bruce the evil eye as he normally did.
"Alright that's it, you and I need to talk dog." Bruce said knowing it was now or never for his makeup plan.
Though still looking angrily at him, Ace looked somewhat intrigued by this older man's notion.
"Ok Ace it's very clear we do not get along well, but the fact is we both love Dick and he loves both of us. So I think it's time we called a truce, don't you?"
Ace looked skeptical but his expression somewhat softened.
"I'll take that as a yes then, but this is no ordinary truce. This is a promise that we're both going to protect that precious angel in that room. I know you don't trust me but if you'll at least try, I have some ideas on how we can do that best together." Bruce proposed, though midway realizing he was talking to a freaking dog.
For a moment there was only silence as Ace thought about the man's proposal, he most certainly didn't trust adults particularly Men he also loved Dick deeply, so he decided to take a chance. Ace simply held one of his huge paws out and waited to see what Bruce would do to see if he could really trust him. Much to his surprise Bruce took his paw into a strong shake and gave him an approving smirk.
"Looks like we're in business Ace, now come on we have a little training to do before you go to bed." Bruce said as he stood and motioned for Ace to follow him.
Gaining a slight bit more trust for Bruce, Ace followed him down the hall curious as to what their training was going to look like, he hoped it involved lots of treats, Dick's always did.
Three days later
"Ace Fetch!" Bruce called out to the large dog.
Immediately Ace started running through a little obstacle course running past lasers, slipping through walls, taking out dummies, and easily blowing through many other obstacles. Eventually Ace made it to his target, a large black leather briefcase, and brought it back to his master proud of his work.
Once completed Dick started to cheer for joy and clap his little hands excitedly, proud of his friend and his daddy. At the moment the three were in the batcave in uniform, even Ace who had on a tight leather mask, mini leather bat cape, and a yellow utility collar, and Bruce was showing off his progress with the once not so easy to get along with dog.
"Good boy Ace! See I told yous daddy's a good daddy!" Dick squealed proudly as he petted and rubbed his dog.
"He's not the only one who didn't have the right first impression, I should have believed you when you said he was a good dog." Bruce said as he crouched down and joined in on giving the large dog affection.
Ace gladly accepted this and even began to nuzzle Bruce's chest to show he accepted and loved the man. Bruce smiled lightly and rubbed the good dog's large head.
"You does so good with him daddy." Dick said as he then hugged his father, proud of his daddy's progress as well.
"Thanks Dick, but I'm not finished yet. I have one more thing to show you , a very special command. Ace!"
Immediately Ace sat and looked at Bruce patiently, ready for his master's orders."
"Ace….protect the baby."
With lightning quick speed Ace ran in front of Dick and rested in a protective stance, ready to defend his master's baby.
"Daddy, whas Ace doin?" Dick asked curiously as he tried to walk towards his daddy but was immediately blocked by Ace.
The large dog was much taller than Dick so this wasn't hard, but the little boy nonetheless tried to get around him. But every time he tried to get around Ace would stop Dick from moving and keep the little boy in a small easily defensible perimeter.
"Ace stop it, I can't move!" Dick said as he then tried to push the very large dog out of the way but to no avail.
He kept trying this for several pushes, but to no avail so he finally stopped. Once still Bruce smiled and then tried to run at Dick only to have Ace launch at him and bite down hard on his arm cuffs. Luckily they were strong and has no effect on Bruce's arms, but the scene nonetheless scared Dick.
"Daddy! Ace stop it! Stop hurtin daddy!" Dick screamed, now starting to tear up.
"Oh no….Ace heal!" Bruce commanded, causing the dog to immediately stop.
Bruce then ran over to his son, scooped him, and began to console him.
"Hey hey hey it's alright, I'm alright." Bruce comforted the small boy as he rubbed circles around his little back and lightly bounced him.
Quickly Dick stopped crying and was pacified down to little sniffles.
"See nothing to cry about daddy's ok. Ace was just obeying a very special command daddy taught him ok?" Bruce said as he wiped his sons tears with his cape.
Dick nodded his head and was at last calmed down without any tears or sniffles.
"Good boy, now come on, we have patrol to do!"
Immediately Dick perked up and cheered loudly, always loving patrol. Bruce then carried Dick over to the batmobile and strapped him into his car seat in his usual spot up front. Once finished and sure Dick was secure, he then hopped into the driver's seat and started the car. Ace then hopped into the back seat and sat obediently ready for duty.
"Ace is comin?!" Dick asked excitedly.
"Yep I think he's ready, he won't come every time. But I figure now's a good time to give him some experience." Bruce said as he proceeded to close the Batmobile's top.
With that the bat family was off ready to face the evils of Gotham together and defend its citizens, now a Bat dog included.