Ch. 11

The rest of the night saw laughter, smiles, jokes, and a light heartedness that made Bruce forget life's worries even for a few hours. All he could focus on was the small delighted child that sat across from him as he tore his way through his pizza. The kid had tomato sauce dripping off his lips and sticky mozzarella cheese stuck to his fingers. This was the first time Bruce saw Dick look completely relaxed. As Alfred tried to desperately clean off his newly adopted grandson, Bruce couldn't have believed that tonight could have gone any better.

He had been so worried that Dick wouldn't be ready or he just didn't want to have anything to do with the Wayne family. Though they had been getting closer over the past few weeks, the child had still been closed off. Sometimes it would be at certain times of the day like at night or the kid would be talking with him or Alfred before trailing off and staring into space. Bruce would bring him back and try to discuss whatever was wrong but Dick would deflect switching to another topic. Something was going on and it worried him.

He had been trying to take both Alfred and Selena's advice with Dick by being a more mentorly figure but he still felt stuck. Dick would lapse into a daze but refuse to speak about it and Bruce was too afraid to confront him for fear of the kid shutting him out completely. Did he dare let Dick figure it out on his own? He'd thought about bringing in some help but Alfred suggested waiting and seeing how it played out. His trusted butler promised to keep an eye on him and he would intervene if necessary.

Bruce looked back up to see Alfred alone staring at him from across the table.

"Where's Dick?" he asked seeing the boy had vanished.

"I sent him up front to check out the ice cream options while you decided to stare absently at your napkin," Alfred responded his brow creasing. "What's going on, Bruce?"

"I've just been thinking…"

Alfred rolled his eyes. "And?"

"And I'm so relieved that tonight went as well as it did."

Alfred nodded. "You had your reservations, but it proved itself wrong. But, that's not what's got your wheels turning. I know you better than that."

Bruce chuckled. "You always have."

"What is it?"

"I'm worried about Dick. I know you said to give him some space and time but what if he's really struggling? I doubt he would confide in me, but I can't protect him if I don't know what's going on."

Alfred nodded knowing full well what Bruce had perceived in the child. "Give him some time. He'll bounce back eventually. The kid's been through so much this year. He's healing but slowly. He has less nightmares and triggers since becoming more settled in a stable environment. Now that he knows he's safe and this is going to be his permanent home, I believe he'll make great progress."

An annoyed scowl crossed Bruce's face as he let out a dissatisfied huff.

Alfred rolled his eyes flashing a smug grin. "You know those worry lines are going to become permanent wrinkles if you don't relax a little."

Bruce shook his head raising his hands palms up in mock defeat. He knew Alfred was right. So, he let it go for now.

Alfred stood up to go check on Dick, but as he passed he placed a firm hand on Bruce's shoulder. "It's going to be okay," he said with a comforting squeeze. "We'll make it work. I promise."

Seconds after Alfred left, Bruce's phone buzzed. It was a text from Selena. We need to talk. Can we meet tomorrow at lunch?

Whatever relief Bruce felt moments ago dissipated like fog on a windy day. The message was cryptic but held a sense of urgency. The last thing he needed was Dick or Alfred to see that he was worried once more. He sent her a short message back that he would meet her at their usual spot unless something came up.

Just as he pocketed his phone Dick and Alfred appeared each carrying a large ice cream sundae.

"Well what do we have here?"

Dick slid across the booth as he passed Bruce his ice cream. "Alfred said this was a favorite dessert of yours."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

Alfred chortled. "When he was a kid, he'd beg his father to have their famous sundaes."

Bruce smiled. "What can I say, they're to die for."

"So, now that I'm part of the Wayne family, do I need to make an official appearance?" Dick asked in a small voice. He knew all about the paparazzi and journalists that would follow Gotham's richest man. At the circus his parents kept him out of the spotlight unless it was something special.

Alfred stilled beside him and Bruce's dark gaze watched him carefully.

"No. Not until you are ready. I'd prefer to keep you out of the public eye and accept for a select few no one knows you even live with me," Bruce paused furrowing a brow. "Unless did you want to make a public appearance?"

Dick pushed his ice cream away. "No. I don't."

"That's perfectly fine."

"But what if someone finds out? Won't there be rumours that start to circulate?"

Bruce chuckled. "Kid there will always be rumours flying around. You're young and I don't want those vultures opening up old wounds until you're ready to face them. It'll be on your time not theirs. I don't care if you wait one week or ten years. This is your life and your decision. Whenever you're ready we'll face it together. Sound good?"

Dick nodded.

"Alright, shall we head back? I've got some work I need to finish and I believe you have a project due next week."

Dick let out an exasperated groan. "Why does algebra hate me?"

Alfred laughed patting his shoulder. "Believe it or not algebra hated Master Wayne as well."

"Alfred?!"

"No way! I thought he excelled at every subject."

Alfred glanced at Bruce who glared at him with a twinkle. "That's why I have a financial team backing me up."

Dick laughed. This guy could take on Gotham's finest criminals and crazy citizens, but a little math problem made Batman anxious? That would be a new one for the books.

Bruce got up and grabbed Dick's coat helping him into it. He smiled proudly down at the boy. His son. Bruce never thought he'd ever say those two words let alone think them.

A heart once heavy and concealed in darkness broke open as a single light pierced it's core. This light would forever change the mantle of the Wayne family and strengthen the very guardian who protected it.