Ch. 6

Dick slowly blinked open his eyes to find himself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. What the heck? Where am I? He flipped over to find himself resting not against his pillow, but none other than Mr. Wayne, who snored softly. The scenario would have been funny if Dick had been expecting it, but it completely threw him for a loop. Wahh!

He immediately sat up and scrambled backwards getting caught in his blanket. He fumbled to find the end of it and pulled but the action tipped him backwards and he tumbled off the side of the bed. Oof. He landed in a tangled heap with a groan. Oww. Dick sat up confused when his pillow fell smacking his head. Seriously? This was not how he expected his morning to start.

"Dick? Where are you?"

His head snapped up suddenly at the sound of Mr. Wayne's voice.

"I'm down here…" he grumbled embarrassed.

A few moments later, Bruce appeared above him with a look of bemusement and surprise.

"You okay, kid?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Bruce chuckled. "Morning acrobats already?"

Dick smiled back sheepishly. "Yeah, something like that."

Bruce reached out a hand and pulled the kid to his feet. He glanced at his young ward with a worried expression. "Did you sleep better?"

Dick tipped his head to the side. He barely remembered what happened last night. As he glanced around, he realized he was in Bruce's room. Then it hit him that he had been sleeping in Bruce's bed. A look of horror crossed his face.

"Oh my gosh! I woke you up last night, Mr. Wayne, didn't I? I'm so sorry! What have I done?" Dick exclaimed beginning to ramble in a panic.

"Dick, calm down. You're fine. You had a nightmare last night. You did nothing wrong," Bruce replied placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

Dick looked up at him tears pricking at his eyes. "I'm sorry." Dick didn't know how to explain how he was feeling. He didn't want to feel like he was burden to Mr. Wayne. That Mr. Wayne had to always worry about him or take care of him even though it was his job as his guardian.

"Dick…" Bruce tipped the kid's chin up till he was looking at him. "This is nothing to be ashamed about. I went through something similar when I was your age. It's my job to look after you, so we'll work through this together. Okay? Do you think you can do that?"

Dick was silent for a moment before slowly nodding. Bruce's gaze softened and he smiled. "Alright. Why don't you get dressed and meet me downstairs for breakfast."

Bruce watched the boy leave before sitting back down with his head in his hands. Who was he kidding? He had no idea how to deal with this. Sure, he knew what worked for him, but it took time and he had been much older than Dick. What the kid was going through he had experienced himself, but he needed to approach it from a different perspective. He had hoped to break the news of the adoption to him today, but it might be too much too soon. He decided he would wait until a better opportunity presented itself.

He sighed glancing up at the portrait of his parents that hung above his bed. I could really use your guy's help. He whispered quietly. With nothing but silence hanging around him, he got up to get ready for the day.

Fifteen minutes later, Bruce found Dick sitting at the kitchen counter reading a note from Alfred who had to head into the city for some errands.

"Well guess it's just the two of us. You okay with pancakes?" Bruce asked opening the fridge and grabbing the orange juice.

Dick looked at him wide eyed. "You can make pancakes?"

Bruce chuckled. "It can't be too hard right?" He pulled out a box of instant pancake mix from the pantry.

Bruce motioned the kid over and together they managed to stir the mix without too much of it spilling. Dick poured the orange juice and set out the maple syrup smiling as he watched Bruce struggling to flip the pancakes over on the griddle.

"You're not making them into the Batman symbol are you?" Dick asked with a smirk.

Bruce laughed winking at him. "You wish. I'm afraid I'd break the wings off. I have enough trouble making them out of steel."

Dick stared out the window at the bright blue sky and light fluffy clouds. Despite it being warm and sunny outside, he still felt sluggish and weary. He didn't know where these feelings were coming from, but he knew it was more than just the nightmares. He turned back to see Mr. Wayne dishing up the plates adding strawberries and blueberries as a side. Dick loved fruit so Alfred always had some on hand in the fridge.

"Thanks," he said taking the plate and beginning to douse his pancakes with maple syrup.

Bruce sat down next to him after grabbing a hot cup of coffee. How people functioned without it he would never understand. They sat together in comfortable silence enjoying the morning quiet.

"Sorry, I missed you yesterday. How was work?" Dick asked quietly.

"It was busy. There are several new employees so I have a lot of paperwork along with this quarter's monthly meetings with the board. I've never liked meetings though they are vital to the company. I don't know how my father did it. Anyways enough about me. How was school?"

"Fine. Had some more chemistry lessons with Alfred, passed my math test, and been practicing my acrobats."

"Good. Since it's Saturday, I thought we could practice some more sparring if you're up to it. You've come a long way, but there is still much to learn. I won't always be around to protect you, so I want to give you a fighting chance. Not that I think something is going to happen since few people know you're here with me, but in my line of work and with my history as a vigilante one can never be too lax," said Bruce with a slight frown. He didn't want to scare the kid and he knew Dick knew the dangers after witnessing his homecomings and the aftermaths of the fights against Gotham's criminals.

Dick nodded. He had watched Alfred bandage up his guardian, much to the butler's disapproval at that age, but Bruce insisted that he should know basic first aid though some of it was advanced. Bruce knew Dick was bright and didn't shy away from blood or other horrors he brought back to the Bat cave. He was a strong kid which helped ease some of Bruce's concern for his safety. Dick could take care of himself if push comes to shove. He hoped it never would, but with Batman's shadow looming over, one could never take their safety for granted.

Bruce watched the young boy's face as he seemed to mull something over in his mind. "What is it?" He asked curious.

Dick turned toward him with a grin. "Have you ever thought about getting a dog?"

Bruce frowned. "No. I haven't."

"Why not?"

"Well, it hasn't seemed necessary. I don't know what I'd do with it."

"Well, Superman has a dog and he's an alien."

"How'd you know about that?" Bruce said raising an eyebrow.

"Ugh...the newspapers?"

"Right. Well, maybe Superman gets lonely. He is the last son of Krypton."

"Do you ever get lonely?" Dick blurted out before he could stop himself.

Bruce paused taking a sip of his drink. He rarely spoke about this topic, but Dick seemed genuinely concerned, so he decided to go with the blunt truth. "Yeah, kid. I did. I had faced it every day growing up and if not for Alfred, I'd be a very different person today."

Dick nodded as he poked at his blueberries. "Have you ever met Superman?"

"Not as Bruce Wayne, but I have a few times as Batman. We've worked together in the past on some things. He's nice, though we don't always see eye to eye. Never thought I'd meet an alien in my lifetime though."

"Really? Does he have a secret identity? Do you know who he is?"

Bruce laughed at the excitement in Dick's eyes. "Since when were you so interested in this guy?"

Dick shrugged with a smile.

"I have my suspicions, but I haven't confirmed anything yet. I've spoken to Jimmy Olsen whose followed his actions, but he hasn't found anything concrete. For all I know, Superman may not even live in Metropolis. A guy who can travel at the speed of light I'm sure can live anywhere he wants," Bruce leaned back in his chair pausing to take another sip of his coffee. "But I'll figure it out eventually," he said with a wink.

Dick finished his breakfast and grabbed their plates setting them in the sink to soak. He knew Alfred hated having to scrape off old crusted food. Bruce watched the kid thoughtfully. He wanted to know what Dick had dreamed of last night, but from the kid's body language he knew it would have to wait. Perhaps, after going through some sparring lessons and keeping busy for the day, he could distract the kid from his own brain.

Half an hour later, Dick found himself standing in the Batcave facing Bruce on padded mats.

"Remember, Dick, combat isn't just defending yourself or pulling punches. It's about control. Controlling your own energy and force. And being able to control your opponent's energy and redirecting it."

Bruce suddenly lunged swinging his arm straight at him. Dick ducked underneath waiting till Bruce's momenteum carried him forward and then he pounced, striking out against Bruce's unprotected side. Bruce let himself stumble for the lesson, though Dick's force was too small to do any real damage. He stood up and faced the boy.

"Good. You anticipated the direction of my force and took advantage of it. In hand to hand combat, this is a key component. You may face off against opponents much larger than you, but don't be intimidated. Right now you have speed on your side over strength, due to your size. Your opponent won't be expecting that. Now, let's do it again, this time you start."

They circled one another, Dick narrowing his eyes in concentration. Though he had been training with Bruce for months, he could barely get a read on the guy. Dick jumped kicking out with his left foot which Bruce easily blocked. As an acrobat, Dick was quite flexible, so in mid air he twisted and brought his other knee up catching Bruce on the underside of his chin. Bruce grunted and shot an arm out catching the boy's right ankle and tossing him to the ground.

Dick rolled and popped up again, looking slightly concerned. "You okay?"

Bruce nodded before advancing on him once more. "Never drop your guard even against me," he said sending a flying punch toward the boy who tumbled just out of his reach. Bruce swung out with his leg catching Dick's ankle sending him flat on his back. Dick rolled left flipping upright and came at Bruce again with left hook followed by an uppercut which both had missed contact. Bruce danced easily out of his way sending out strikes for his young apprentice to block and dodge.

At one point, Bruce had Dick pinned against the wall in a seemingly immobile position his feet dangling off the ground. They had practiced this maneuver several times and Dick knew several ways to get out of it, but he knew his mentor would anticipate it and stop him in a counter move. He had to think outside the box. He remembered something Bruce said to him in another training day. You must be able to use your surroundings to your advantage in a fight no matter where you are. Dick glanced around him and mentally calculated the force. It just might work, but he would have to time it right. He relaxed slightly feeling Bruce's grip loosen on him. Dick held up his hands, a sign of submission.

He was up against a wall of the Batcave that had a little bit of padding but it was thinner than the floor mats. He watched Bruce give him a disapproving look as he started going on about expecting more out of him. Dick nodded and slouched his shoulders slightly and just as Bruce was about to let him go, he struck. He grabbed Bruce's arms as leverage, took two steps up the wall, kicked out against it and flipped himself over Bruce's head. Bruce stumbled forward as Dick landed on his back in full force using his legs to launch himself away. His momentum slammed Bruce into the wall and if not for the padding and his experience as Batman, it could of been quite ugly. As Bruce tried to quickly rebalance himself, Dick struck out again hooking his right leg under his mentors taking his feet out. Dick sprang on top of him, stance at the ready to finish him off if it had been a real attacker.

After a few seconds of heavy breathing, Dick smiled at Bruce who looked up at him in surprise from the floor.

"Nice move, kid. How'd you get that one past me?" Bruce asked getting to his feet.

Dick smirked. "You talked too much. It distracted you, so I took advantage of it."

Bruce nodded. "It had good technique. You analyzed your position and mine, you studied your surroundings, took in the angles…" Bruce paused seeing his student had turned away.

"Like I said, you talk too much!" Dick said over his shoulder before tossing him a bottle of water.

Bruce rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright we can break it down later." He followed Dick over to a bench and sat down to cool off. He placed a hand on the kid's shoulder. "But seriously Dick. You did good today. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks Mr. Wayne."

"You know, you can call me Bruce." They had discussed it several months ago, but either he was still uncomfortable with it or he wanted to remain respectful. Bruce had no qualms against it, but perhaps they weren't there yet.

"I know. I just like Mr. Wayne better," Dick said softly.

Bruce laughed. "You make me sound like my old man."

Dick looked up at him in alarm. "Oh, I'm sorry. I-I didn't realize you felt that way. Do you want me to call you Bruce?"

"What? No, I'm kidding. Not to worry. Call me whatever you're comfortable with; just not Mr. Batman in public."

Dick looked up him with a mock salute. "Yes, sir."

Bruce laughed. "Now that's too formal."

After their break, Bruce tried to teach him meditation techniques but after a while he could tell Dick was getting frustrated.

"I don't get it! I can sit for hours and concentrate on a subject, but I can't focus my mind enough to do whatever this is…" he gestured angrily at the air in front of him.

Bruce sat cross-legged facing the boy who stared angrily at the ground. "It's okay, Dick. It doesn't happen right away. It's a process like everything else."

The boy buried his face in his hands. "Argg! I can't get my brain to shut down, and I just want to be able to sleep without any nightmares…" he mumbled quietly.

Bruce hummed thoughtfully. He knew this issue was going to come up. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

The boy stiffened, but then he looked up at him and nodded.

"Alright, begin wherever. I'm listening," Bruce said gently.

And so, Dick told him everything from his most recent nightmares to ones that plagued him from the night his parents died. Bruce sat through it listening patiently as his mind spun up possible solutions that could help Dick through this.

He let Dick explain as much or as little as he wanted knowing the kid needed to take it slow. This was going to be tough and if the kid could harness the emotions and redirect them into something else that could strengthen him, Bruce was determined to help him succeed.