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“Dad, I’m busy!” I complain, frustrated. Unfortunately, Alfred knows when I begin calling him “Dad” and get frustrated that I’m regressing. My regression still somewhat weird to me if I’m being entirely honest, but I think I’m getting used to it.
I lay down on the living room couch, destressing with Frog. That’s the name I gave my stuffed frog. I know, it’s bland and lacks originality, but it does technically suit her.
Dad pats my hair, sitting next to my head. “I can make a snack. Like apple slices or broccoli bits,” he offers. I huff, kicking my feet in my socks. “Nu thanks,” I inform him, trying to sound tough. He chuckles.
“Okay, big kid. Let me know when you’re hungry.”
“I’m not.”
“That’s okay.”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“I’m a little hungry…”
Dad gets up with a gentle smile. “Apple slices coming right up for you, Master Bruce.”
As he’s in the kitchen cutting up the apples, my Justice League line rings. “Hi?” I ask, putting the person in speaker and messing with my fingers. I hear Dinah welcoming, “Bruce! We need you.”
“‘m takin’ a break.”
I’m hit with silence, causing me to wonder if I just did the wrong thing. “You’re going on…on a ‘break’?”
“You can’t tell me I can’t go on break because I’m always there on time and I always do the meetings!”
“Of course, it’s just… Are you okay? This is unexpected.”
“S’rry,” I mumble. “I should’ve called sooner.”
“No, no! Get rest!”
She hangs up before I can get another word out, so I merely shrug. Alfred sits next to me, sitting me up and handing me apple slices. “I ate a couple, my apologies,” he teases.
“Shuddup. You’re amazing’.”
Dad chuckles, then rests his hand in my hair. I jump up to snatch the TV remote. “‘m gonna watch Powerpuff Girls!” I tell Alfred so he knows.
“What a great choice, Master Bruce.”
……
I’m halfway through my episode when panicked Dinah and Oliver run upstairs. They probably zeta-ed here. “Where’s the threat?!” Dinah asks, getting in fighting position.
“Nowhere. Would you both be interested in some snacks?” Dad inquires, calm as always. They stare at us with blank faces.
“Batman’s ‘taking a break’! That’s code that something terrible has happened!” Oliver claims, bow still drawn. Dinah realizes there’s no threat before he does when she sees me, softly elbowing him in the side.
“Uh…Oops?” Oliver says. Dinah chimes in, “Well, we just wanted to make sure. I’m sure you understand.”
I ignore her as Dad reassures her that she did nothing wrong. “I work with these people!” I tell Frog, who gives me a shocked look. “I know, I know.” Dinah approaches, looking over me. “Is that your special frog?” she asks, soft like she would be with a child. I look up and smile, nodding “yes”. Oliver looks confused before his face softens with understanding. That’s when I realize that they know. They know I’m regressed…
“Uhm, I-I…” I chew on my finger, looking at Dad for support. “Lady Dinah’s a therapist,” he comforts me. “She’s prepared.”
Yeah, but Ollie isn’t!
“I like frogs, too,” Ollie cuts in. “Did you know that some frogs can jump 20x their own height?” Nobody has ever won me over faster.
“Froggies-I mean, frogs-can breath thru their skin!!” I’m visibly excited as I tell everyone the fact. Dinah smiles, a mock-surprised look on her face. “Seriously? No way! I wish I could do that!”
I laugh, bapping her on the face as I say, “Eewww!!”
……
Ollie and Dad got along surprisingly well. So well that they actually fell asleep like 2 old men. I softly squeal at the thought of a sleepover! “Bruce?” Dinah whispers.
“Mm?”
“I didn’t want to say this in front of Alf or Ollie in case you got embarrassed, but do you need equipment for regressing?”
“No pacis!” I exclaim, nervous at the thought.
She chuckles, shaking her head. “You don’t need those if you don’t want them. Equipment can be a coloring book or a onesie or…Froggy!”
I fiddle wif my feet. “No judge.”
“I won’t judge.”
“…Color book would be nice.”
She smiles, resting her head on mine. “A couple coloring books,” she confirms.