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It wasn't the first time they'd had this argument. It'd become a routine of sorts that everytime Dick came back from a Titans meetup he would ask Bruce if he could tell them his identity. Like most of their routines it would look strange from an outsiders perspective. They could go through this argument without really arguing. They went through the motions, but there were no emotions hurt, no personal blows. Dick liked to think that arguing with Bruce was like a weekly debate of sorts. One that Dick would inevitably win. Just like joining the Titans and keeping the shorts in his costume and becoming Robin in the first place.
"Bruce-" Dick started. This time he had waited until they were getting ready for patrol, he was pulling on his boots.
"No." Bruce said immediately. Blunt. Monotone. Meant to dispel the argument before it began.
"They're my friends Bruce" Dick tried
Bruce didn't pause in pulling the latches on his cape closed.
Of course, Dick thought, that never works. I should've known better.
"Clark and Diana know us" he pointed out instead, grabbing Bruce's gauntlets from the shelf. Expecting Bruce to bring up that they found out his identity on accident. To which Dick would argue that Bruce would have told them anyway, and they would go around and around the same way they'd been doing for weeks.
But Bruce seemed to anticipate this too, and instead he said. "I trust Clark and Diana."
Dick straightened, thrown for a loop by this very much personal point. It was bullshit he decided.
"How many times do the titans have to prove themselves?" Dick snapped crossing his arms, still holding the gauntlets.
Bruce deflated "Dick-" he started but Dick was spiraling into anger at this slight against his best friends.
"They have all done so much good in their lives. For a lot of people! I-including you! Just last week we saved your asse from falling into that-that thing that would've taken yours head off" Dick stumbled over his words, accent tripping into his voice in his frustration.
"they are my friends! and I like them! I want them to know who I am!
"Or.." Dick's voice broke "or do you not trust me?"
There was a moment of silence. The words echoed throughout the cave, a few bats on the ceiling shifted in their slumber. Bruce stared wide eyed down at Dick. Dick almost wished that he had the cowl on so that the white lenses would obscure Bruce's hurt expression.
Bruce slowly opened his mouth. "Of course I trust you. I-"
Dick didn't want to prolong a denial he already knew was sincere. It wasn't even a question that Bruce trusted him. Dick was overwhelmed by his emotions and had blurted something out without thinking, preoccupied with defending his friends. He shoved the gauntlets into Bruce's chest "Forget it lets go"
He tried to rush past him but Bruce caught him by the arm. "Dick"
Dick looked up and into Bruce's openly apologetic face. "I know B" he said softly, an apology of his own.