Weekends
Dick was bouncing around on fields of dark green grass and clovers. The sky was an undisturbed silvery grey and the slightest breeze ruffled its way through Dick's tousles. There was a chill in the crisp mountain air, but Dick was never one to mind.
Dick bounded towards an ancient oak tree, its autumn foliage was a vibrant red and orange against the sky's muted colors. He watched as Dick climbed into the oak's branches, shaking a couple of withering leaves loose as he did.
"Look, Bruce! I can see a playground from here. And- Meadows and meadows full of sheep!"
"That's a farm, Dick."
"And look how fluffy they now are."
"They need it to keep themselves warm. Their farmers will shear it back off in the spring when it gets too hot."
"And their wool grows back every year?"
"Yes."
"Can we go see them, Bruce?"
"Of course."
Dick smiled, brilliant and beautiful.
Dick had always found such delight in the simplest of things. Yesterday it was the funny-shaped leaf he found, then it was the 60's movie they watched together.
And now, Dick was smiling at the young sheep he was crouched next to.
Dick cooed softly at the creature and offered it some feed.
"That's Molly." Its caretaker said, "No more 'an six months old."
Molly languidly gnawed at the grass and fodder in Dick's hand. Dick giggled and gently ran his free hand through Molly's winter fleece.
"She's so soft and fluffy, Bruce." Dick looked up at him, and smiled. "She's also really warm."
The caretaker was glancing at them oddly, but Bruce smiled back at Dick nonetheless. And if, perhaps, his smile didn't nearly convey what he really wanted it to, Dick didn't mind. Dick was never one to mind. Dick's smile softened, and there was a sweetness to it that wasn't there before.
For a moment, the chilly mountain air was almost warm.
"Bruce, do you think it's going to rain?" Dick was hanging upside-down from a monkey bar, looking down at the sky instead of up.
"Not until after the sun sets."
"Do you think Alfred will mind if we come home a little late?"
"He won't. Don't worry about it."
Dick made a happy sound as he flipped off the bars. The playground was empty, and it had probably been that way for a long time. Dick ran from one corner to the next, tireless and so full of life.
"Bruce,"
"Yes, Dick."
"Do you think I can reach the highest bar without climbing?" Dick stretched and stood on his tip-toes, reaching his fingers for the bar. Dick jumped and reached again, but his fingers did not so much as graze the bar. Dick's brow furrowed in concentration, and he tried again.
"Sure you can." He wrapped his arms around the boy's waist and hoisted him up. Dick made a surprised gasp, then laughed.
"That's kind of cheating, Bruce."
"No it wasn't. You didn't climb, did you?"
Dick grinned at him. Playful, as always.
While the sky's grey gradually turned darker and the breeze's chill grew damper, he watched Dick tumble and flip across the bars like he was born to do it. It was there in the confidence of his movements and the sheer fun he was having. Then, of course, Dick probably really was born to soar. And to fly. And to be magnificent.
"Watch out, Bruce!" And Dick somersaulted clean off the bar, hurtling towards him.
He caught Dick in his arms and Dick instantly wrapped himself around him. Dick was laughing. It was so easy to make Dick happy. It was so easy to pretend that everything was alright with Dick around.
Even when it started raining, with Dick, it was as if the sun had never ceased to shine.
"You were right, Bruce." Dick was looking out of the window from their seat in the train. Dick loved trains, they reminded him of the long caravan trips with the circus. "It only just started raining now."
Dick turned around to look at him, "Bruce, what if the sheep get wet?"
"They have a shed to stay in during the night. They won't get wet."
"Oh, that's okay then." Dick sank back into his seat and yawned.
"Get some sleep, Dick. We have an hour more to go."
Dick yawned again and shuffled into his lap. He wasn't as soft or warm as the sheep were, but Dick was never one to mind. Dick made a soft noise and snuggled into him as if he was the softest thing in the world.
"Can we do this more often?"
"Do you want to?"
"Yes." And Dick's smile told him all he needed to know.
"Then, of course."
"Thanks, Bruce." Dick smiled and rested his head on his chest. "I love you."
And if for a heartbeat too long, all he did was silently stare back at Dick, Dick didn't mind. Dick was never one to mind. The arm he gently wrapped around Dick was answer enough. Dick sighed softly and closed his eyes.
He would never tell anyone, but only when he was absolutely certain Dick was fast asleep, did he press his lips into Dick's hair and softly whisper.
"I love you, Dick"
And on that train, with the sound of rain drizzling in the distance and Dick curled up at his chest safe and happy, he realized that he really did.
So very, very much.
