Summary: Dick is 10, and it's Christmas time. Fluff chapter with Bruce and Dick bonding.

Disclaimer: I don't own DC

Christmas used to be Dick's favorite time of the year. His parents, like most, were happiest around the holidays. Even Grandpa Haly was more lighthearted than usual. But ever since the accident last year, Dick wasn't exactly in a festive mood when the season of giving came around. And for that matter, neither was Bruce.

It didn't help that both Bruce and Dick's parents were murdered around Christmas time. It really killed the mood whenever Dick tried to celebrate and remembered his parents. Alfred did his best last year, but even the old butler couldn't get the Dynamic Duo to turn their frowns upside down.

It had gotten to the point where certain movies were banned in the Wayne household. While most families enjoyed Disney movies during the holidays, Bruce had outlawed certain ones in their Manor. Specifically Bambi, Dumbo, and The Lion King. Dumbo reminded Dick of his time in the circus, and it always hurt to watch. Sucks because it used to be his favorite movie. Dick and Bruce tried watching the Lion King once to bond over Disney, and it ended with Dick crying and the movie disc getting a batarang through it when Mufasa's death scene played out. Bambi, well, Dick never asked Bruce why Bambi was banned, but it didn't take a genius to figure it out once he saw that scene with the deer's mother.

All in all, Christmas was a pretty depressing time to be in the Wayne household, but Alfred wanted to change that. He remembered a time when young Master Bruce was most joyous around the holidays, and he knew there was a similar time with Master Dick's family. He wanted to reignite that spark within them.

"Hey, Dickie!"

"Hey Babs." Barbara raised an eyebrow at Dick's less than stellar greeting. She had known him for over a year now, and he was rarely this gloomy. Of course, he had his dark days, but she had never seen him this torn up. Didn't make much sense to her. Especially since it was Christmas time.

"So, Luke and I are going to the Christmas festival in Central Park later today. You wanna come along? It would be fun."

"Sorry Barb, but I don't think I can make it."

"Why not? It's winter break. No schoolwork!"

"I've..." Dick tried to come up with an excuse not to go. He had to admit, a small part of him wanted to take Barbara up on her offer. She and Luke always knew how to make him happier, plus, they seemed to really want him to come. He owed them that much. But he just couldn't. "Look Babs, Christmas isn't the...best time for me. Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass." Barbara wanted to try to convince him, but she knew that pushing him was not the right move. Especially when he seemed so vulnerable.

"Okay...if you change your mind, call me. The festival's at 7:00."

"Thanks Babs." Dick walked away, deep in thought. Oh c'mon mister gloomy. You used to love Christmas! Here comes one of your best and only friends ever trying to cheer you up and you say no!

I can't. It's...too hard.

Why? Because you miss them? Newsflash: they're gone! You can't be hung up on it for the rest of your life. You gotta get out there and live with it.

Why not? Bruce is still torn up about his parents. Why can't I be?

Do you really wanna end up like Bruce? Dick thought about that. Bruce was an amazing father, he couldn't ask for a better one. But the man wasn't exactly the best example of healthy grieving. His parents died almost 20 years ago and he was still not letting himself get over it. Dick didn't want to end up like that, he wanted to move on, and be happy. But the more he thought about it, the more he remembered how happy he was with his parents, and he started to feel miserable.

As Dick walked into the Manor, he saw Bruce by the fireplace, sitting on the sofa, just staring at that picture of his parents. Damn, he's taking it just as bad, huh? "Hey Bruce. I'm back."

Bruce turned to him. "Hey Dick. Alfred's in the kitchen right now."

"Yeah. I'm gonna head upstairs."

"Alright." Dick walked up the stairs to his room. Once he got there, he plopped down on the bed, staring at the poster of The Flying Graysons he had hung up on his wall. Suddenly, his phone rang, and he had a feeling he already knew who was calling.

"Hey Dick."

"Hey Luke."

"So, I know Babs already asked, but-"

"I told her I'll think about it. I...don't know yet."

"I get it, bro." Dick knew he did. Luke's mother had passed from cancer when he was far younger, and he managed to deal with it. Then again, he barely knew his mother at the time, so it wasn't a big deal to him. Lucious did a great job raising him, even if they didn't always have the best father-son relationship. Dick sometimes looked to Lucious as his own uncle, since he was so well-connected with the Dynamic Duo's lives. Always there to cover for Bruce if he had to leave the company for a bit, always there with new gadgets for them to use in their pursuit of justice. He was great.

"Look, I'll call you back if I change my mind, okay? Right now, I...I just need time alone."

"Got it. See ya."

"Bye."

Alfred was caught up in his thoughts while cooking. He could practically feel the sorrow that resonated off both his masters at the moment. He also remembered the promise he made to Bruce's parents, that he would always be there for him. He couldn't help but feel that he was doing them a disservice by allowing their son to mope. He also knew that Jim had popped by earlier to ask Bruce if he would attend the Christmas festival in the park later tonight.

"Master Bruce, that's quite enough, sir."

"Quite enough of what?"

"You know what Master. I understand that the holidays are a depressing time for you and the young Master upstairs, but I can no longer in good conscience allow you to stay here and wallow in your own self-pity." Bruce opened his mouth to argue, but Alfred was having none of it. "The Gordons have invited us over to the Christmas festival in the park later, and we are all going as a family. If it helps, you have no choice."

Bruce sighed. He knew arguing with Alfred was hopeless. He also knew Dick could use the fresh air as well, since he was taking it just as bad as him. Truth be told, Bruce felt a bit guilty for letting Dick deal with it on his own and expecting him to manage. "All right. Get Dick. I will be ready in 10."

Alfred walked up the stairs, thinking to himself. Well, that was easier than I expected. Let us hope young Master Dick is as cooperative. He opened the door to Dick's room to find him staring at the poster. "Hey Al. What's up?"

"Master Dick, get ready. The Gordons have invited us over to the park for the Christmas festival, and it is not in good manners to be late. We have an image to maintain."

"Al, I'm not really in the mood to-"

"I will have none of that now Master Dick. Master Bruce has already agreed to go, and you shall as well. God knows you could use the fresh air after being up here for hours." Bruce agreed to go? Okay, but I don't want to.

Come on, Grayson! Get up off your ass. Even Bruce is gonna go. You have no excuses now! Dick sighed before standing up. "Okay. I'll get ready and be down in 5." Alfred smiled to himself as he walked to his own quarters, getting ready to leave. A job well done. This old chap's still got it.

Dick and Bruce sat in the limo as Alfred drove them to the festival. "So, how have you been holding up these past few days."

"Yeah, I've been good."

"Sorry I wasn't there for you."

"Nah it's all good. You had your own stuff to deal with."

"That's not an excuse."

"Could say the same thing about me not being there for you." Bruce sighed before wrapping his arm around Dick. The boy, despite his age and appearance, carried great wisdom. He was stronger than anyone Bruce had ever known.

"Alright, but we're here now. How's about we have some fun. It IS the holiday season, after all."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Dick voiced what he was thinking. "Hey, I, uh, I know it's silly and all, but do ya think we could decorate the Manor?"

"What?"

"Well, my parents and I used to always decorate our trailer back in the circus. We would put up lights and wreaths and stuff and we even had this small little tree. Could we do that for the Manor?" Bruce smiled to himself. He and his own parents actually used to do the same before they were killed. Now he was given the opportunity to do it with his own son.

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea. How's about tomorrow. The two of us and Alfred. We could even make it a contest. Whoever puts up the most gets extra cookies." Dick smiled. "You're on, old man. I just hope Al here can cook enough cookies for me."

"Do you doubt my abilities young Master?" All three of them smiled as they pulled into the park. They all got out of the limo and went in different places Alfred went over to talk with Lucious and Leslie Thompkins, Bruce and Dick's physician. More like Batman and Robin's. Bruce went over to meet up with Jim and Vicki Vale, a GCN reporter he used to date. Dick went over to his friends.

"Hey guys."

"Dickie! You made it!"

"Nice to see you, man!"

"Yeah. Sorry about earlier-" Dick was cut off with a group hug. He smiled. He could always count on his friends to be there for him.

"S'all good. You're here now."

The festival was great. Dick, Luke, and Babs played in the snow while the adults talked. As it approached midnight, everyone huddled up as a group of carolers sang. When the clock struck 12, Dick swore that the inhabitants of the park could wake up everyone from Blüdhaven to Keystone. Man, sorry Uncle Clark.

Bruce, Alfred, and Dick all stood next to each other, a rare smile on all of their faces. "Merry Christmas, Dick."

"Merry Christmas, Bruce."

Ok, I tried to pack that with as much bonding as I could. Don't know how it turned out, but I'd say it wasn't that bad. Side note, if Babs seems too blunt with Dick, it's because she doesn't understand why the holidays are not a good time for him in this story. Luke knows cuz his dad told him, but Jim didn't tell Barbara about it, at least not yet. That's just my explanation anyways. Comment thoughts and suggestions. Next chapter is episode 6 of YJ season 1, and it introduces Artemis, so that's nice. Someone new for Dick to bond with. Since this book centers around Chalant (at least, it will when we get to Zee, which is coming up, so don't worry. It's ep 15 of s1 so a little wait, but once we get there I'll do my best to write as much chalant as possible), Dick's got a ton of sister figures. Barbara, Artemis, Donna, Megan, etc. He might have more sisters than brothers by the time I get to the other Robins, which is weird. Anyways, next chapter up soon.