Chapter 13: Sick Day

The Next Day

"*cough*cough*!" Dick heaved furiously.

At the moment poor little Dick was lying in his bed with the flu, contracted from his running away in the cold of February and the germs from the dirty vents in the warehouse. He'd gotten it that morning and Dick was miserable, but it had gotten him out of being grounded so it wasn't so bad. Originally Bruce planned to ground him for a week but after seeing the misery of his son and sure he learned his lesson, he figured the poor boy had suffered enough.

"Come on baby say ah, you need to keep up your strength." Bruce said spoon feeding his son some warm chicken noodle soup as he laid sick in bed.

"I'm notta baby daddy." Dick whined hating his infantilization.

"I know baby but your not quite strong enough to feed yourself right now, so daddy's gonna help you out a bit. Now say ahh." Bruce explained, understanding his son's slightly grumpy nature at that point.

Knowing he couldn't fight it Dick obeyed and opened his little mouth for his daddy. From there Dick managed to get a few bites in before he just couldn't eat anymore.

"Good boy, now do you need anything baby?" Bruce said putting aside the cup of soup.

"I'm so thirsty daddy, can I has water please?" Dick asked weakly, his body racked with pain.

"Of course, I'll be right back." Bruce said as he got up and left the room.

As Dick waited, despite his cranky mood he couldn't help but appreciate his daddy's kindness. He'd been so naughty but here he was taking care of him so selflessly and lovingly, he was a very lucky boy. It was then Bruce came back with a glass of water, only it was in a sippy cup.

"Daddy no I can use a big boy glass, no sippy cup." Dick whined now feeling more like a baby.

"I know baby it's just so you can drink your water in your bed without spilling it. It's only temporary and as soon as you get better it's back to big boy glasses." Bruce explained as he sat down and gave his son a sippy cup of water.

Dick accepted it and knew his daddy only did what was best for him so he ceased his complaining and started to drink.

"Take small sips, little bird, you don't want to make yourself more sick." Bruce warned like any concerned parent would.

For a few minutes Dick just drank all the water he could until he felt like he'd had enough. He then had a bit of a coughing fit which Bruce did his best to comfort him through. Once that was over Dick felt sleepy and closed his eyes to rest his aching sick body. For a moment Bruce just watched his son pained by the sight of how hard it was for his son to breathe as he watched his little chest shudder and heave with every breath. But he realized that his watching was only going to worry him more so Bruce gently kissed his son's very warm head and left the room as silently as he could.

"How is the young master faring?" Alfred asked having water close to the door in the case of a need of assistance.

"His fever is still raging but he drank some fluids and ate a few bites of soup so not all is bad." Bruce explained.

"That's a relief, but how is he doing emotionally? Have you talked to him about what happened between you two?" Alfred asked knowing this was a tough but important subject.

"No not yet, I just don't think he's well enough to talk about it yet. Maybe when he gets better we can sit down and talk about it, I wouldn't want to make his condition worse." Bruce said trying to speed past the topic of the past few days.

"Now Master Bruce this is not something you can simply brush under the rug. Do not forget that Master Dick is still just a little boy and he doesn't fully understand everything that goes on or why things happened. You two must discuss what has happened, or it could seriously damage your relationship." Alfred warned.

"I know that Alfred but that's why I'm afraid to talk to him about it. What if I don't explain it well enough or I make things worse, it's happened to nearly every one of my past relationships and I couldn't bear to do that to Dick. I can't lose him Alfred, I just can't." Bruce said his paternal anxiety showing.

With a noticeable gentleness Alfred placed his gloved hand on Bruce's shoulder.

"I am all too aware of the ending result of your past relationships master Bruce but those were grown women. Master Dick is a little boy who only wants to know everything is alright and that daddy still loves him and cares about him. I promise he will understand and that it will all turn out in the end. Now I will go make the young master more soup, hopefully his appetite is more up to snuff by the time I'm finished." Alfred advised as he walked off to the kitchen.

As Alfred walked away Bruce simply stood still for a moment simply contemplating his butler's advice. Could he really repair his relationship with his son, and make things alright just from a simple talk. In the past it hadn't really worked but maybe this time could be different, it was worth a try. Resolved to give it his best shot Bruce re-entered his son's bedroom and quietly took a seat in the big comfy armchair directly next to his bed.

For a while Bruce just watched his sick little boy sleep once again, rack by the guilt he felt for being involved with his son's suffering. It was incidents like these that made him question his capability of being a good father, how could he be one when he couldn't even protect his son properly. As he stewed in guilt Dick suddenly began to toss and whine, a fever nightmare ensuing.

Without even thinking Bruce began to coo and lightly strike his son's very warm head. He did this for about a minute and by that time soothed his son back into a peaceful sleep, a smile finally on his face. In turn this made Bruce smile happy his little boy was alright and he was able to calm him. Soothed by this fact alone Bruce finally sat back in his seat and watched his son nap until he himself fell asleep content but the fact his son was home safe and sound.

1 Hour Later

With heavy but fluttering eyes Dick started to wake up feeling a little better but overall still quite sick. For a moment he took in his surroundings groggily till his eye came upon his daddy sitting asleep on his armchair next to his bed. A small smile spread across his face, happy to know his daddy was watching over him. However he still felt a little guilty as well and undeserving of his love after how he acted over the past few days. It was then Bruce started to wake up in his armchair, his paternal instincts telling him his baby bird was awake.

"Hi baby bird I see you're up at last, are you feeling any better?" Bruce asked gingerly as he delicately stroked the little boy's head.

"A little bit, bu I still feels yucky." Dick expressed and ended with a hard cough.

"I see well how about I get you a little medicine to help that cough and fever of yours, I'll be right back." Bruce said as he felt his son's burning forehead and turned to leave and get some medicine.

"Wait no don leave! I need to ask you somthin daddy?" Dick called out in distress.

"What is it little bird? What do you need to ask?" Bruce asked pleadingly as he stopped in his tracks and sat back down in his armchair.

"Daddy are yous still mad at me for runnin aways?" Dick asked shyly as he sat up with the little strength he had.

"No baby I'm not mad at you, a little sad that you felt you had to run away but I'm not mad at you. Now can you tell daddy why you ran away? That was very dangerous and you scared daddy half to death." Bruce asked honestly.

Dick looked down shyly afraid to make his daddy mad with his answer especially with the memory of his spanking still fresh in his mind. But then he felt his father gently raise up his chin and look at him with eyes that said "this is a safe place you can tell me anything", so he gathered up his courage.

"Because…because you hurt mes. You lied about goin after Tony Zucco together and den hit me when I was upset. I felt sad, mad, an confused, an I felt like you didn wan me as your partner or baby anymores." Dick sobbed with heartbreaking tears.

Heart shattered and on the floor, Bruce immediately but very carefully gathered his son into his arms and held him close to his chest. For a minute he did all he could to soothe his son, rubbing his little back and quietly cooing him until he was at last calmed down to little sniffles.

"I'm so sorry I spanked you baby, daddy was very wrong for doing that, but now I never meant to hurt you. I felt hurt and unfortunately my anger got the best of me, but you have to know you can't talk to daddy like that. It was very disrespectful and you didn't let me explain myself. I know I lied but it's because Tony Zucco is a very dangerous and crazy person, I knew he'd only want to hurt and kill you and daddy didn't want to risk that. And I didn't want you to seek out revenge, daddy did once and it led to a very hard and scary place, and I did t want you to go through that. I never want to lie to you for no reason, sometimes parents lie to try and keep their babies safe because they know something will only hurt them. But daddy will try to be more honest with you and I promise to never hit you like that ever again, do you think you can forgive me?" Bruce explained as a few tears leaked from his eyes.

Dick looked up at his father, his tears streaming quietly down his face and hugged him tightly.

"Yes daddy I forgive you, I know yous the bestest daddy an I don't want to leave you again. Can yous forgive me for runnin away am bein mean ta yous?" Dick asked his sobbing threatening to start once more.

"Of course baby I forgive you and I promise you'll never lose me, even if you tried. You're my baby no matter what you do or how old you get, and my partner for as long as you want to be." Bruce said as he snuggled his son tightly, not wanting to let go of his baby boy ever.

For a moment there was peaceful silence as father and son healed their relationship until it was once again whole and repaired. However before Dick could fully smile again he had one more very important and critical question to ask.

"Daddy does dis mean yous still love me?" Dick asked timidly, afraid this was all about to fall apart.

Bruce looked at his son right in the eyes as a warm and loving smile spread across his face.

"Of course Dick, I will always love you no matter what." Bruce said as he kissed his son's very warm forehead.

Dick then finally smiled, happy to know his fears were untrue and that all was well. But then feeling both relieved and a little bit cheeky, Dick decided to als one more thing.

"Can yous say dat one more time daddy?" Dick asked as his normal mischievous smile returned.

"I love you Dick and I always will." Bruce said with a light but sincere chuckle as he snuggled his baby one more time.

"I love you too daddy, forever an ever." Dick said contently as he snuggled his father back.

"Yes baby, forever and ever, now how about you go with me to get that medicine. That way you can pick what flavor you want." Bruce said as he stood up with his son in his arms.

Dick nodded cheerfully, color at last returning to his cheeks. Bruce then kissed his forehead once more only this time, while still warm, significantly cooler. For while genuinely sick Dick's illness was only made worse by his guilt and shame, but was now descolated thanks to the healing salve of paternal love. Relieved and significantly happier Bruce carried his son to get some medicine, though luckily none was needed for the bonds of father and son as it was once more intact and thriving.