Disclaimer: I don't own Batman, Young Justice, or any of its characters. Really, I don't.

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Chapter 2.

"Hey, Alfie! Found him," Dick called as soon as he stepped into the kitchen with Bruce at his side. He didn't want to give too much away without talking with Alfred first, even if he knew the butler was more than capable of going along with anything he said.

And the talk was going to have to wait since they couldn't speak freely with Bruce here.

"I can see that, Master Richard. Master Bruce," Alfred greeted his now youngest charge with a gentle upturn of his lips before turning back to the teenage boy. "You had no difficulty finding him then, young sir?"

Dick didn't miss the way Bruce's small body relaxed fully at the older man's recognition of the strange visitor. Or maybe it was just Alfred's familiar presence what caused that reaction. Not that it mattered. Dick was happy and relieved either way.

"Nah. It was him who found me, actually. In the hallway," He added with a meaningful look.

"I see," Alfred replied with a nearly imperceptible nod of his head. Yep. The cave and any other Bat-related business were safe. For now. "Well, young sirs, now that you're both here why don't you go wash up. I have a light supper ready for you."

"Sure!" Dick agreed before turning to Bruce, "Come on!" He took the smallest hand in his, and they disappeared together. They didn't run, because Dick was sure Alfred's firm rule about not running inside the Manor had been in place even back when Bruce was a kid, so they walked quickly instead.

He remembered just in time to ask Bruce for directions rather that led himself. It would be odd than he remembered the Manor's layout so well after years without 'visiting'.

When they returned, just a couple of minutes later. From where he was standing by the oven, Alfred steered them straight to the large kitchen island to sit down.

Bruce quietly climbed up on his usual stool, trying not to squirm in his seat as the older boy sat at his side. He didn't like it when people he didn't know got too close, but this wasn't so bad. He kept his eyes away and swung his dangling feet a little as he waited.

Silence filled the kitchen as Alfred placed two plates filled with delicious smelling food before them.

Dick exchanged a look with Alfred as the butler returned with two glasses filled with orange juice for them. The older man's eyes were kind as his lips formed a sympathetic but unconcerned small smile, so maybe this wasn't too weird. For this Bruce he was a total stranger, so maybe that was why he was being shy.

Their previous exchange had been more an interrogatory than a real conversation, after all.

Bruce looked down at his plate, moving around his food a little with his spoon. He missed his parents so much, but he didn't want to act like a baby. Dick's parents were gone too and he was okay.

"Is something wrong with your food, Master Bruce? Perhaps you would like something else."

He looked up as the butler said his name, and then shook his head as he finished speaking. "No. It's fine, Alfred." Bruce shoved a spoonful into his mouth to confirm his words, chewing slowly. It tasted good, like everything Alfred made. So, even if he wasn't very hungry, he kept eating anyway.

Dick ate in silence for a moment. Maybe it would be better if he spoke up rather than wait for Bruce to do it? He wasn't sure. But he had never liked silence, so it didn't take him long to make up his mind.

"Where were you anyway?" He asked nonchalantly, as he turned to look at Bruce. "Before you found me."

Bruce hesitated a second before answering. "The library."

Dick nodded. That was good. According to Alfred, the library had stayed pretty much the same over the years, so there was less chance of Bruce noticing something strange. Not that the Manor as a whole had changed much, but still. He wondered if Alfred had suggested it or Bruce had gone there on his own. Probably the latter. He recalled Bruce telling him the library had been one of his favorite places when he was a younger.

"Cool! You like books?"

"Yes."

"I like books too," Dick shared with a smile. "What were you reading? No, wait. Do you know how to read?"

Bruce slumped slightly in his chair, keeping his eyes down as he shook his head in denial.

Startled, Dick looked back at Alfred for help. He hadn't expected that kind of reaction to such a simple question. The kid at his side was too young to know how to read, but he had thought it better to ask. This was still Bruce, after all, so he wouldn't have been surprised if he had gotten an affirmative answer instead.

"Master Bruce started learning recently, but I must say he's doing an outstanding job, young sir."

The teenager sent the butler a grateful smile. "I'm sure he has," He turned back to the young boy, noticing the faint pink tinge on his cheeks. Dick held back a grin. "Everyone needs time to learn new things, you know. It took me some time to learn how to read too, but Mom and Dad helped me a lot, so it wasn't too hard. I'm sure your parents are helping you too, right?"

"Yes," Bruce admitted with a small smile. "And Alfred too."

Dick saw him exchange a smile with the older man. He beamed.

"That's great! With all that wonderful help I'm sure you will learn in no time."

Bruce ducked his head, lips curled up into a soft smile and a warm feeling in his belly at the older boy's words.

"I remember my mom read to me when I was younger," Dick recalled with a sad but fond smile. "Maybe we can read together later. If you want."

Bruce perked up a little at that. He loved when his parents or Alfred read to him, and he wouldn't mind if Dick did it this time. He kind of liked him. He was nice.

"Really?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Dick caught Alfred's faint but honest smile. He was sure a bigger smile was reflected on his face. "Of course! It'll be fun."

"I- I would like that."

"It's sealed then," Dick declared, bouncing a little in his seat.

Alfred cleared his throat, drawing the attention of both boys. "Before you go anywhere, young sirs, you have to finish your lunch."

"Yes, Alfred." Both answered in unison, turning to look at each other and sharing a smile.

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a/n: I hope you liked it. And yes, there's going to be more because reasons. Fluffy and cute reasons. And more Alfred too.