Summary: Takes place about a week into Dick and Zee's relationship. Bruce's thoughts.

Disclaimer: I don't own DC

Batman was paranoid. Sue him.

For the past week or so, Bruce had kept a particularly close watch over Dick, more specifically Dick and Zatanna. Call him overprotective, but he knew how fond of the magician Dick was, and he wanted to make sure this relationship was pure in emotion. Bruce knew from firsthand experience how much heartbreaks could hurt, and he also knew that romance was one way people tried to get through grief. He had to make sure that Zatanna was not using his son as a means of dealing with her...daddy issues. Rebound relationships rarely last, and Bruce wanted Dick to be 100% safe from the heartache of Zatanna leaving him, in case this actually did turn out to be a rebound. Bruce sincerely hoped that wasn't the case, for many reasons. One, he had seen with his own eyes how close the two were, and he wanted their relationship to blossom. He himself was quite fond of the young sorceress, and he wouldn't mind Dick taking things to the next level with her. Better talk with him about...THAT as well. Two, if the great Batman was allowed a girlfriend, there was no reason Robin should not be. His relationship with Diana was more...nuanced, but the two still were very much "in love", as the saying goes. Dick deserved the same with his own girlfriend. Plus, Bruce had promised Giovanni to look out for his daughter, and as much as he was prioritizing Dick's heart here, he also had to keep in mind Zatanna's well-being.

Batman had already closely monitored his son's first 3 dates. 3 dates in a week. Alfred was right. He's moving pretty fast. He had seen the subtle interactions between the two even outside of their dates: quick kisses here and there, bodies in close proximity, shared grins, blushing, et cetera. To any normal person, it was clear that they both loved each other and wanted one another. However, he was still not wholly convinced. He would have to talk with Dick, but he would have to be...gentle about it. He didn't want to drive Dick away with a mere suspicion. Right on cue, Robin Zeta'd back from the cave.

"Hey, Dick. Can we talk for a sec?"

"Sure. Is this Bat stuff?"

"N-no. This is about...Zatanna." Dick immediately widened his eyes a tiny bit, tensing up.

"What about her? Is she in trouble?!"

"No, no, nothing like that. I just wanted to talk about your relationship. You two have been moving pretty fast. 3 dates in a week."

"Uh, 4, actually. We were gonna go on one tomorrow. She said she always wanted to see the Eiffel Tower, and Zeta tubes kinda help with that." Dick and Bruce both chuckled a bit before Bruce continued.

"It's very clear to me that you like her. A lot." Dick blushed a bit and scratched the back of his head.

"Y-yeah. And…?"

"And I just...I just want to know how you two are doing."

"Y-yeah. We-we-we've been great. Uh, w-we spend a lot of time together, obviously. W-we haven't really done anything crazy, y'know, yet."

"Do you love her?" Dick choked a bit and turned very bright red as he tried to regain composure. Bruce couldn't help but smirk a bit, already knowing the answer Dick would give.

"I-I-I don't-that's a hard q-question to ans-yeah. Yeah, I love her." Bruce nodded.

"And is it mutual?" Dick cocked his eyebrow at that.

"Wh-what are you implying?"

"Listen, I know she's special to you, but she just lost her father. I don't want you to get too invested in a relationship which she may see as nothing more than a method of coping." Bruce saw Dick's demeanor darken a bit and quickly caught himself. "A-and I'm not saying that's what she's doing. I just want to get a better understanding of how she feels about you. I know firsthand how much breakups hurt, and I don't want you to suffer that pain."

"I-I don't wanna get, y'know, presumptuous or anything, but I-I think she's enjoying it. I-I-I'm not sure, but...yeah." Bruce nodded.

"Alright. I don't want to baby you with this. It's just...this is your first real relationship, and I want to make sure you know to be safe. Breakups can often hurt more than battle wounds. I want you to be safe, just in case."

"Y-yeah. Th-thanks for that. I'll...take things a bit slower. Y'know...scope out the scene. Make sure she really l-likes me before I get too invested." Bruce sighed. Great, look what you've done. Now you've planted doubt in him. It's obvious he loves her, and you've gone ahead and messed this up for him. He's gonna hold back too much now.

"Listen, Dick. I'm sorry. I'm not trying to plant doubt in your mind or anything. I'm just being...overprotective. This isn't the sort of thing you can analyze much. Just...go off your gut, like you've been doing. If you really do love her, then go ahead and show it. I don't mean to get in the way of it. I'm just trying to look out for you." Dick smiled at Bruce. "Besides, if there's any girl I would approve of you dating, it's Zatanna. She's...special."

"Yeah...she is."

"If you wanted to, you could invite her for dinner at the Manor. Y'know, after the Eiffel Tower." Dick laughed a bit before nodding.

"O-okay. I'll do th-that."

"Good. I know Al would love to meet her. Oh, and one more thing." Al was right. I should...probably do this.

"Yeah?" Bruce cleared his throat, looking somewhat nervous. Dick was intrigued. Since when does the Dark Knight get nervous?

"Uhm...h-how far along are you with Zatanna. Wh-what I mean is, h-have you gotten...physical in any way...with her?" Dick's head very nearly went up in flames with how warm his cheeks were, and he was reduced to a stuttering mess. "So, no then?" Thank god. Y'know, maybe this isn't such a good idea. He DID get an A+ in Biology class, plus I doubt I'm the best person to be giving this talk to him. He'll be fine. He's smart enough to know...how to...do that. "Uh...this wasn't a good idea. I'm just...I'm gonna go. Good luck with...all this." Dick continued to splurge and stammer, attempting to regain composure as Bruce awkwardly walked away, not sure how else to steer off the very awkward road this conversation had headed down, leaving the Boy Wonder's hormonal thoughts to roam free.

Next chapter I might do Zatara's thoughts, but maybe not. I'm debating holding off Zatara's thoughts until later down the road. Anyways, feel free to leave comments or suggestions. Next chapter up soon.