Chapter Text
Bruce looked at Dick. His ward was beaming at him next to his tiny duffle bag. There were at least six trackers on his person and property. Dick knew of three. Alfred had probably added some too.
“You have Zitka?” He asked. His ward did not like sleeping without it. Dick made a face.
“They’ll think I’m a baby if I take it. Besides, I don’t want her to get hurt if we play. She can guard my room while I’m gone.”
“A most wise choice, Master Dick.” Alfred said and handed him a plate of freshly bakes cookies. “For your hosts and friends.” Dick beamed.
“Thanks, Alfred! Can we go now? I’m gonna be late!” It was his first sleep over. Bruce had run six background checks. The parents had voluntarily submitted to one seeing as they would host one of the richest men in the world’s child—ward.
“You have your emergency supplies and weapons hidden?” Bruce checked once more.
“Yes! All normal looking stuff so no one thinks it’s weird. Come on!”
“Fine. Alfred, get the car ready.” Dick’s face fell.
“I thought you were driving me.” Bruce ran a hand through his hair.
“I’m sitting back with you. I want to see you go in. I can’t do that if I’m focusing on driving.” Dick smiled again. “I know you think I’m babying you but I just…worry. You’re my partner.” Dick nodded.
“Yeah, I know. I also know you’re dumb and paranoid so I’ll let you see me go in so I can have fun!”
“Thank you, chum.” Bruce said and ran a hand through his hair, planting a bug while he did it. Dick gave him an unamused look, hands full of Alfred’s cookies he couldn’t take it out. Bruce chuckled. The horn let them know Alfred was there.
“Come on, don’t want you to be late.”
“I have to be fashionably late but not like too late.” Dick said. So he was learning from Bruce about some things. Bruce felt his chest warm. He wasn’t always sure what he was doing with Dick but times like this made him so glad he had taken up the role.
They chatted on the way to the higher end neighborhood. Bruce was greeted by the parents. he saw Dick go in and wave them goodbye. He joined a group of children from his school.
That was the last time he saw his son.