Chapter Text
Bruce didn't like humans.
That was a fact. (Well except Alfred, but Alfred’s the exception to every rule.)
He just likes being alone, ok?
He even has wards around the Forest surrounding Wayne Manor to encourage humans to turn around and not enter his home.
So why the heck is there a tiny human sitting in his forest?
He supposes he will go check it out, since it's making a very loud noise and he’s planning on going to bed soon .
There is no way he can sleep with that awful noise, he not is concerned the human is distressed, totally, definitely not
(He swears on his hoard)
When he approaches the humans, he notes the human’s face is wet, coming down in two parallel streams under what appears to eyes. (Bruce has been excelling in human studies class recently.)
The kid just stares at him. He supposes if cheers it up it will stop making noises. So he asks “What's your name, little dragon?”
He knows the boy is no dragon but it comforts him when Alfred uses the term of affection, so hopefully it also comforts the little human.
The human replies in a small voice “My name Is Dick, please don't eat me sir.”
Bruce is appalled, the tiny human, now know as Dick, thinks Bruce going to eat him, dragons don't eat humans .
“I'm not going eat you Dick, I just want to know what's your doing here.”
The boy gives him a confused look “Shouldn't you know this?, the sacrifices are for you after all”
This perturbs Bruce further, why would he want a human? Humans are not good for eating. “Sacrifice for what ?” He asked the boy. “To not hurt the rest of the village people, sir”
“I have no interest in harming the village or its people, I just protect what's mine “ Bruce says. Dick sighs, “Well that's great, but what am I supposed to do now?” “Don't you have a family to go back to, I'm sure they miss you.”
Dick gives a sad look “I have no family, sir.” This doesn't make sense to Bruce, Dick can't be any older than 8 and he lacks a guardian. Bruce learned in human studies class that humans aren't considered adults until they're 18 and their brain isn't fully developed until they're 25.
Dick doesn't have any magic coming off him so Bruce is certain he is the same age that he looks. He looks at the small human's face for a second. If Dick has no parents then Bruce will just have to be his parent.
This is a good idea since Dick requires someone to take care of him and he would look so cute on top of Bruce's hoard of gold. He just has to tell Alfred.
The only problem is how to get Dick inside Wayne Manor. Bruce thinks about it for a minute, of course Bruce can fly so he can fly with the human on top of him like he does with his gold. The difference is that Dick is living so Bruce will have to be extra careful
Bruce turns to the child “How would you like to come with me to Wayne Manor ?” then to encourage the kid he adds “ We have candy”. Dick replies an enthusiastic “Yes!” and his excitement makes him start bouncing up and down where he stands.
Bruce tells him “Okay chum, but you have to get on my back so I can take you there.” Dick nods and then makes a motion which Bruce assumes means he wants to climb up. He lifts Dick onto his back.
Bruce begins his flight back to Wayne Manor with Dick in tow. On the way Dick points out a couple of especially tall trees on the way. This continues until they arrive at the manor.
Bruce lands near the entrance to the manor, where he spots Alfred who was presumably waiting for them this whole time. Well waiting for Bruce, Alfred doesn't know that Dick even exists at this point.
Bruce approaches Alfred as Dick leaps off him. He is understandably confused by why Bruce has flown a random child to the manor. He makes this known by looking at Bruce once, then at Dick and back at Bruce again.
After a long moment of staring, Alfred begins to talk “Greetings Master Bruce, and who might that be”. To which Bruce responds “This is Dick, he's my child now”. Alfred obviously understands that this can't possibly be Bruce's biological child but he's familiar enough with human custom of adoption to know what's happening.
To clarify Alfred asked “The young master will be staying with us for the foreseeable future, then?’. Bruce grunts out a “Yes.”.Alfred gets up from where he is seated ”Very well then, I will prepare a room for Master Dick to stay.”
Clean linen sheets are pulled from the closet to be used in the guest room, where Dick will be staying. Dick is guided inside his new room by Alfred. Bruce can't fit through the door so he must use the side entrance to get back into his residence.
Bruce resolves to go for supplies in the morning. Surely, the human will need more things to survive than just clean sheets but for now Alfred's stash will do. Bruce is so tired and just wants to lay down on some hay and get some shuteye.
As Bruce heads to the basement (his preferred place to sleep) he is stopped on his way by Dick, who is in pajamas now thanks to Alfred. As Bruce is about to ask Dick what's wrong, Dick hugs him.
Although this surprises Bruce, he gives a small squeeze back . Once he releases him, Dick explains “It's a good night hug!”. This must be a human tradition Bruce has yet to learn about. He is sure he will learn more about it with Dick staying here.
Bruce wishes Dick a good night and then literally hits the hay. He settles to an easy sleep. He will surely wake up content in the morning.