"It's bad? Daddy, you crying," Arsenio said to Bruce. "You crying, Daddy."
Arsenio looked concerned but also confused.
"I am alright son," Bruce said as Arsenio sat on his lap. Bruce made himself stop crying immediately.
"Daddy, why?" Arsenio asked. "Why you crying? Where Mommy?"
"Your mother is just fine," Bruce assured his son.
"Why you sad?" Arsenio asked and hugged Bruce before he could answer. "Don't cry, Daddy. It's okay. It's okay, Daddy, I love you. It's okay."
Bruce held his son in the embrace and listened to the reassuring words and smiled.
"Thank you, Arsenio," Bruce said to him. "I feel much better."
"Okay, Daddy," Arsenio said and resumed sitting on Bruce's lap. He looked into Bruce's eyes still looking confused.
"Are you ready to go brush your teeth?" Bruce asked. "Wash up and have some breakfast?"
"Daddy..." Arsenio said and reached for Bruce's hand and squeezed it. "You sad?"
He didn't want to have to do it. Telling his son that he was leaving was something he needed more time, at least an hour, to prepare for. But he knew Arsenio would worry more if he waited.
"Arsenio," Bruce said. "I have some news to share with you."
"Okay, Daddy, okay," Arsenio said. "Tell me?"
"I need to go away again," Bruce said. "For a while."
"How long?" Arsenio asked. "Two weeks?"
"Longer," Bruce said. "It could be 5 or 6 weeks. Maybe a little more."
Bruce watched Arsenio's hazel-colored eyes, still sparkling even as they turned sad.
"Daddy, I can go," Arsenio said. "I can go too!"
"I'm afraid that's not possible, son," Bruce said.
"No! I go!" Arsenio said. "I'm not a baby! I am big!"
"Arsenio," Bruce said, trying his best to restrain his own emotions. "I am so sorry...I know this is not the best news but..the time will fly by and-"
"No! No!" Arsenio said. "I go! Me and mommy we go too! No!"
"Son, I wish that were possible," Bruce said. "Believe me I do...more than anything-"
"Nooo!" Arsenio began to shout persistently. "I go! I go too Daddy, with you! I go-"
Bruce became quiet as his son went on shouting. For a moment, Bruce was unsure of what to do. Arsenio was typically a very calm and mild-mannered child. He barely ever cried. He understood everything. He had never become uncontrollable and had never thrown a tantrum. Bruce felt unprepared for this outburst and had no idea how to calm him as it went on.
Bruce wasn't sure where it came from, but a very stern and serious voice came out of him. He did not raise his voice very much, but the voice he used was one had never needed to use with his son or anyone else before.
"Arsenio Thomas Wayne," Bruce said firmly.
Arsenio had been throwing his arms around and kicking his feet aggressively. When Bruce said his name, he stopped moving and sat still immediately.
"Huh?" Arsenio said timidly.
Bruce noticed that Arsenio looked afraid. But he didn't look afraid in the way that he thought he was in danger. It was a reverent fear. He looked at Bruce expectantly, waiting for what he would say next.
