Batman x Joker What Would I Do Without You

Chapter 22

Batman POV

It's been a few days now and Bruce was waiting in the batcave for Dick to finally arrive back home for a week. He had told Joker to wait upstairs for the day until he came back up to tell him it was ok. Hopefully this time Joker would listen. Alfred was waiting in the batcave with him to make sure he kept a level head about everything.

"Alfred... What if he doesn't understand? What if he thinks I'm not as good as before and I end up driving him away with this?.." He was so worried.

"Sir. I was ok when you explained it all to me. He can be just as understanding. Give the boy a chance to let it sink in though, he'll need some time to think." Trying to reassure him.

"I know... It might be too much to be dropped on him in one day though... He might not want to stay the whole week anymore if it's too much at once to handle." Expressing his concern.

"Master Bruce, I know it's difficult but better to let him know sooner than later. Even if it is a lot to take in he'll appreciate you told him right away than to hide it from him. He cares about you and would want to be there for you."

"I hope you're right.. I would hate to lose him after already not seeing him for months."

"I know, sir."

At that moment the batcave opened up and Dick Grayson drove in on his new vehicle. He nearly burst out of the driver's seat running up to Bruce and Alfred to greet them, obviously showing that he missed them dearly.

"Hello Alfred, Hello Bruce, gosh it's been a while hasn't it since I left for school. I can't believe I have to leave again in a week.."

"Did you travel here safely? No trouble on the way home?" Bruce asked.

"Yeah, it was fine. Have you been doing fine without Robin on your side?" Dick joked.

"I'm always fine working alone, but it is good when I can have you around." He smiled at him.

"Shall I take any bags you have to your old bedroom, master Dick?" Alfred interrupted.

"Sure Al, they're all in the trunk. I only have like two bags with me. Thank you." Handing Alfred the keys to open the trunk.

"Are you sure you brought all your things with you?" Bruce questioned.

"A lot of my stuff I left back in my dorm at school, one of those bags has my regular clothes in it and the other has my Robin stuff."

"Ok, well, Dick remember when I told you over the phone that I needed to speak with about something important?"

"Oh, yeah I remember, do you want to talk about whatever it is now? I don't mind, you can tell me whatever you need to."

"Yeah we can just talk in your bedroom if you want, I imagine you'll want to put your things away and rest soon."

"Yeah that's fine."

Alfred brought Dick's bags to his room upstairs as they followed and then left them alone in the room to talk.

Bruce sat on the bed next to his adopted son. Dick could tell by the look on his face he had really harsh news.

"So what's going on? If it wasn't about me then what do you need to say?"

"I'm not even sure the easiest way to say this but... " He hesitated but knew he had to come out with it, "I'm involved with someone... Someone I never thought I would ever be involved with.."

"Sooo... You like have a girlfriend? Is it someone like Talia was?..."

"Well... You're a little right.. Yes it's someone kinda like Talia was, except this time they aren't trying to use me or kill me."

"But it is a criminal like Talia?.."

"Yeah.. I never thought I'd have feelings for someone like that again... I know it doesn't sound good but I'm able to trust him and he's been better since being with me and..."

Dick cut him off raising his voice a bit in surprise, "Woah Woah wait.. Him?... You're dating a man?.."

He hadn't realized the pronoun he used, "Oh.. yeah.. yeah I have a boyfriend... You don't think any less of me do you?.. "

"So what are you like bisexual now or?..."

"Honestly, I haven't figured that out yet.. Maybe I am." He confessed.

"Well it's fine whatever you're sexuality is, I won't judge you for something you can't help."

"Thank you" He felt relieved for the most part.

"But aside from that, who is he? I don't know I'm totally ok with you dating another criminal but if I know who he is then maybe it's not as bad as I think it is. Riddler? Penguin? Bane? Scarecrow?...

"Well umm.. it's.." He was stuttering.

"Oh my gosh Bruce.. Is it Joker? It's Joker isn't it!" He gasped like a gossiping 7th grader.

"... Yes... it is..."

"I guess I should've known... I mean.. I saw how you two would battle before... You guys always had this weird chemistry that seemed like something more. I was close enough with you to notice whatever that connection was but I guess I chose to ignore it, didn't think that would be true in a million years, until now."

"I just hope you can understand... You're right, there has been something growing between us over the five years that I've known him.. I've been dating him for a couples weeks now and day after days things keep feeling better. Alfred already knows, I told him the first time I felt like I could and I knew I had to tell you too but I wanted to wait until I saw you in person." He explained.

"It's fine you like guys and you should be able to date whoever you want to date. I'm not comfortable with it being the Joker though, I mean he is the clown prince of crime, I thought you learned something from being with Talia. I'm trying to understand the best I can, I mean why him?.."

"Why him?... I've been asking myself that same question for a long time now... I wish I knew why, but I can't explain falling in love.."

"I didn't know you were in love.... I'm sorry.."

"No, Alfred said you'd need time to think about everything so take as much time as you need and rest. You don't have to be sorry because I understand it's hard for you to hear from me."

"Ok... Is there anything else I should know?.."

"Actually yeah... Joker has been living here with me and has been hiding in my bedroom waiting for me to have this talk with you.."

"He's been in the Wayne Manor this whole time?!?!" He freaked a little.

"You don't have to worry, he's been under control and won't do any harm."

"... I think I'll just go to sleep for a bit now.. "

"Ok Dick, I really hope you're ok.. I'll check on you later this evening."

Bruce left the room and Dick covered up and went to bed. Hopefully everything will end up alright in the end.