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It was noon. Bruce had just come out of the cave after pulling an all nighter on a case, two face had planned a robbery a few days prior and with Bruce away on WE obligations he was unable to stop it as Batman. The GPD were on it but Bruce has little faith in their abilities.
Alfred should be coming home with Dick soon, it was about this time that the two were making their way back from Dick’s school.
Dick had reluctantly started a month and a half ago at Gotham academy's primary school. Bruce already had two meetings with Dicks teachers to see his progress and how he was getting along, they had waved off any of his doubts about his academics because as they stated he was " a gifted young boy" and "extremely knowledgeable for his age" which don’t get him wrong is great, he's been through so much this past year and so many changes, and the last thing he needs now its to be failing 3rd grade, however, Dick just doesn't talk about it.
When the pair go out as batman and robin or the dynamic duo, as Dick calls them. Robin is chatty and maybe a little too verbal for hiding in shadows and staking out criminals. Alfred mutters something about that being part of being a child and Bruce tries not to think too hard about it. He doesn’t stop talking when they get to the cave, telling Alfred all about their adventures and he’s very talkative, when confidently telling Leslie about how he had gotten his injuries while she patches him up and shoots Bruce dirty looks.
But school? Nothing. He doesn't talk about his classmates, his subjects or even his day.
Alfred and Dick walk through the grand entrance of the foyer, Dick immediately kicks off his shoes and makes a b-line for his room.
Bruce walks into the foyer and turns to Dick, who is already halfway up the stairs "hey chum, how was school today?"
Dick stills.
He waits a beat and "fine"
He turns to look at Bruce on the ground floor "any leads on that case? Do you want my help B?"
"Not until I find the new base of operations and from where two face is dispatching his goons."
Dick rolls his eyes and nods his head before he’s on his way upstairs to his bedroom.
The next time Bruce sees him is for dinner, Carbonara, which has always been one of Bruce's favourite dishes whenever Alfred cooks it.
"chum , elbows off the table"
Dick grunts in annoyance
"What did you learn today?"
"Something about the solar system, some kid asked if the moon and the sun were the same thing"
"feet of the chair, and who is this kid? Are you guys friends? You haven't told me much about the kids in your class" Bruce hopes that this kid, even though not the brightest, might have a good relationship with Dick and that he’s not talking about his days at school because of him being tired by the time he gets home instead and not other reasons. Bruce really hopes it’s the first option.
He has his fears on how Dick might be adjusting to being in an actual school instead of being homeschooled by his parents.
Dick rolls his eyes and sights as he sits up straight, taking his feet off the chair he's sitting on.
" You don't know him, and no" Bruce can clearly sense he’s getting upset at the pestering Bruce is giving but he really doesn't know a better way to connect with a kid so similar yet different to him.
Dick is swirling his fork in the pasta and avoiding Bruce's stare. He obviously seems uncomfortable and bothered by the situation he's been put in and it seems he's really looking for the fastest way out of it, and now.
"Any other classmates you want to tell me about? You know, if you ever want to hang out with your school friends you can always invite them over, Dick stop playing with your food-"
Dick cuts him off with an annoyed glare "you're not my dad stop acting like it!"
"Im not trying to make you upset, I dont understand whats wrong" Bruce tries to explain that his interest in Dicks day was really pure curiosity and interest and not just meaningless small talk, but Dick is not having it he pushes himself back in the chair away from the table, completely disregarding what Bruce said, he says something in romani that Bruce only half understands, something about hating his new life here or something along those lines.
He storms off leaving Bruce alone.
After dinner, and a pep talk from Alfred, Bruce finds himself in front of Dick door, with his hand inches away from knocking. He really has tried to the best of his capability to be the best guardian he can be for Dick but Dick isn't handling the trauma of losing his parents how Bruce did, at all. He finds himself unsure of what to say, what to do or how to console Dick when his nightmares hit him in the middle of the night, or his sudden emotional mood swings. Bruce has tried therapy but Dick refuses to talk to the doctors. He really doesn't know how to take care of another human being, he's barely managing himself and that's with Alfred's help.
He takes a breath and knocks on the door. The room quiets.
He knocks again "can i come in?" no answer.
He opens the door and finds the eight year old curled up under his blankets holding zikita on his bed, in tears.
"What's wrong, are you sick?"
"No!" Dick yells "I hate school! Everyone is awful, none of the kids want to play with me and all of them call me names. They say I'm a circus freak and when I was playing on the monkey bars a group of them started calling me a monkey and making monkey noises every time I passed by!"
Bruce takes a second to process that information. He thought something like this might happen but he really did hope it wouldn't. " Have you told the teachers? Im sure they'd be happy to help they speak so highly of you to me"
Dick sobs and Bruce's heart breaks a little "no… they said i would be a snitch if i told"
Bruce sits on Dicks bed and after a beat or two he decides it’s best to hug him. It's a little awkward, Bruce is not nearly used to it enough, but if that is what Dick needs he'd be happy to do it more often.
" I'll tell you what, tomorrow ill take you to school personally and we'll talk to your teachers before class starts. I'm sure they don't want this happening in their classrooms and maybe they'll have a chat with those kids?"
Dick stares at zikita
"Nothing is going to happen i promise, its not snitching if someone is being mean to you"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
"Ok B…but you have to pinky promise "
Bruce smiles and puts out his hand and pinky finger, Dick does the same
" Is that why you don't ever want to talk about school? You should have said something sooner, im always here to help no matter what"
"Sorry"
"Dont apologize, its just so you know better for next time, you can always come to me with your problems"
"Thanks Bruce"
The next day Bruce has a talk with Dicks teachers about his situation while Dick explains what the kids call him through teary eyes. Bruce doubts this will stop the bullying in its entirety but maybe the teachers can help a little, he is Bruce Wayne's ward after all and what’s the point of the Wayne name carrying so much weight in Gotham if he can’t help someone he cares about? He knows he can't shield Dick from all the cruelties of life, he learned that the day he met him. But he can sure as hell try even if it is to only sooth the situation by a little.