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Bruce stared at the shelves of cereal, feeling a bit intimidated. What did kids even eat? Bruce’s breakfast consisted of a protein bar and hot, bitter coffee.
But now he had another mouth to feed. A tiny, traumatized, eight-year-old one.
He decided to play it safe and grabbed a family-size box of honey-nut cheerios and made his way to the checkout. At least it was heart healthy.
Bruce piled his purchases into the backseat and began the drive home. He opened his speed dial and pressed the first contact.
“Alfred Pennyworth speaking.”
“Hey, Alf, I wanted to let you know I’m on my way back to the manor. How’s the little guy?”
“Master Richard is watching TV in the den. He has been most anxious since you left,” Alfred replied. “I will let him know you will return soon.”
Bruce smiled, a warm feeling spreading from his heart at the thought of his son ward waiting for him.
===
Dick fidgeted with the rubix cube in his hands. He wasn’t trying to solve it, just enjoying how it moved in his hands. It helped relieve the anxiety thrumming through his veins.
Bruce is just running errands, he’ll be back. He isn’t leaving you, not like—
Dick blinked away the sudden wetness in his eyes and twisted the cube sharply. He couldn’t believe it had been only six months since that night. Since Bruce had brought him to Wayne Manor. The adoption had gone through two weeks ago, giving Bruce full parental rights.
Technically, Bruce was Dick’s new dad.
Dick tried not to think about it too much.
A knock pulled him out of his thoughts. Dick looked up, and a grin spread across his face immediately. He discarded the cube on the couch and leapt at Bruce, trusting him to catch him just like his dad.
Bruce held Dick close. “Hey, chum, how has your day been?”
Dick tilted his head to meet Bruce’s eyes and shrugged with a hum.
Bruce nodded. “I had a good day, too. I missed you, though,” he added, ruffling Dick’s curls.
Dick giggled, pushing his hand away. He squirmed in Bruce’s hold, pointing to the floor. Bruce obliged, setting him down carefully.
“Why don’t we help Alfred with the groceries?” Bruce suggested. Dick nodded and led the way to the kitchen.
Alfred unloaded the refrigerated items before they could melt, and smiled at Dick when he skipped in. “Perfect timing, Master Richard. If you could put the pantry purchases away that would be splendid.”
Dick scurried back and forth, placing the groceries in their correct spaces. In the last bag, a box of honey nut cheerios caused Dick to smile wide.
Bruce chuckled, and Dick hugged the box protectively against his chest as he turned to face his caretaker.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d like them, but it seems I was wrong,” Bruce said in explanation. Dick squinted. Then he rolled his eyes and pointed at himself.
“I could have asked you?” Bruce guessed, amusement dancing around his tone. Dick nodded. Bruce laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind next time I go shopping.”
Dick smiled and put the box away, satisfied. The rest of the day was uneventful, and they ended their evening with a movie.
===
Bruce’s eyes opened. Something had woken him up, but what? His senses didn’t scream danger, so he sat up and clicked the bedside lamp on.
Warm light flooded the room, revealing the young child clutching his elephant stuffie at the foot of Bruce’s bed. Dick sniffled, keeping his head down to hide the tear tracks surely on his cheeks.
Bruce opened his arms in silent invitation, and soon found his hands full of a trembling, fragile body. He whispered soft assurances into the boy’s hair and rubbed his back soothingly. Soon, the pair slipped back into sleep.
Alfred woke them with breakfast in bed, and suggested an outing. Bruce agreed, and soon Dick was buckled in his car seat and they were on their way to a new coffee shop that had opened last week.
Dick stayed silent as always, but his energy felt muted. The nightmare last night must still be on his mind, but Bruce knew some fresh air and some place other than the manor would do the boy some good.
Bruce pulled into a parking spot. Stepping around the car, he opened the back door to find Dick already unbuckled and his hands reaching up expectantly.
“You sure you don’t want to walk, chum?” Bruce tried. Dick shook his head and wiggled his fingers again. Bruce sighed but relented and lifted Dick out of the car and placed him on his hip.
The bell tinkled softly. The coffee shop wasn’t too busy for a Saturday morning, thankfully. The barista looked up from her phone when they entered, offering a cheery grin.
“Good morning! What can I get for ya?” the barista asked.
Bruce skimmed the menu, then grunted, “Medium dark roast coffee, please,” he turned to Dick. “And what do you want?”
Dick blinked. Bruce turned his attention back to the barista and said, “He’d like a hot chocolate.”
The barista’s eyes widened slightly and her enthusiastic smile faltered for a moment. But she tapped the order into the register and rang them up.
“What’s a good name for the order?”
“Bruce.”
They found a booth in the back and waited for the drinks. Dick stayed in Bruce’s lap, playing with the hem of his shirt and humming under his breath.
Bruce kissed the top of his head. “I love you, Dick,” he mumbled before he could lose courage.
Dick froze, scanning Bruce’s face intently. Then a beautiful smile spread across his face and he whispered, “Love you, too.” Warmth burst from Bruce’s chest and he held back tears as he hugged his son.