THE WOES OF A SINGLE FATHER ; BATFAMILY && SUPERBAT

Chapter 11

You are perfect,
exactly as you are.
With all your flaws and problems,
there's no need to change anything.

All you need to change is
the thought that you aren't good enough.

-- J. Cole

★

"... so, that's what exactly happened. I hope you don't mind your kid staying up at my apartment for the time being. "

A deep sigh escaped through Bruce's parted lips. He lifted a hand, gently massaging his aching forehead. The current situation was an unexpected probability. Yes, he had expected that the teen wouldn't come home today -- but he had not expected Dick to go all the way to Metropolis just to avoid him.

The mere thought saddened him.

"I'm sorry for the problems Richard has caused you, Mister Kent. I will pick him up tomorrow once I'm free from work."

He had an urgent meeting with the other stockholders of Wayne Enterprise. Not to mention, Batman had a case he needed to solve.

The woes of having an emotional teenage son.

Dick had always been the most sensitive among the other boys despite being the oldest. Bruce knew that Dick's personality did not suit with his, and there was no doubt they would clash against each other one day when Dick was older.

He just didn't expect the day would come so quickly.

★

Three years ago.

 "Bruce...?"

Deep slumber broke when the sleepy man heard the familiar child's voice. Bruce sat up, his eyes trying to adjust to the darkness in his room as soon as possible. Once his vision cleared, he was surprised to find ten-year-old Dick Grayson beside his bed, staring at him with wide-awake eyes and his blanket covering his shivering body.

"Dick...? What's wrong?" Bruce yawned as he glanced over at the digital clock on the nightstand. "It's five in the morning." His voice lingered with sleepiness.

"W-Well..." The child stammered through his words as he looked down in embarrassment. "I... had a nightmare. Can I... can I sleep with you today? Even just for the next few hours?"

Upon hearing the word 'nightmare,' Bruce pulled himself awake as he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Nightmare? As in, the bad memories....?"

As Dick nodded, Bruce pulled the silk blanket aside, revealing a space beside him. "Come here." He gestured to the boy.

Dick gave another quick nod as he clumsily climbed the huge bed. Bruce watched as the small figure lingered over him before he lay down.

"I'm sorry... for disturbing your sleep and being a scaredy cat."

Bruce ran his hand through Dick's sweaty fringes. "We used to sleep together back when you'd just arrived here. Don't you remember? There is nothing to feel ashamed of."

"Thank you, Bruce." Dick shifted himself to a more comfortable style on the bed. "Do you... do you think Alfred might be awake? I think I would like to have a mug of milk."

A smile slowly curled on the thin line of the adult's lips as he chuckled at the boy's timid request.

"With a spoon of honey? I don't think Alfred would like the thought of you having something sweet early in the morning. But we can keep this a secret from him. What do you think?"