Batjokes You Complete Me

Chapter Eighteen

Bruce POV

Bruce had gotten showered and dressed, then after finding Dick they began talking in his study.

"You know Dick, you really don't need to stay here." Bruce tried to say in a friendly way.

"How am I sure of that when you're taking a vacation of sorts? Heck, you might be going as insane as Joker." Dick replied.

"I'm not going insane, I'm just stuck between a rock and a hard place, and I had to make a small sacrifice. I never imagined I'd be in the situation I'm in now over 15 years ago." He said calmly.

There was a moment of silence before Dick spoke again, "Bruce, you know you can talk to me about anything. I know so many things are different now than before."

"Well, what are you expecting to hear from me?" Bruce raised an eyebrow.

"...Are you sure you're still happy dating the Joker as when you first started the relationship?..."

Bruce paused in slight shock by the question, hesitant to answer, "What do you mean?.."

"Are you still as in love with him or are you just trying to make this work because you feel like you have to?" Dick crossed his arms.

Bruce sighed, "I do love him."

"Yes but are you IN love with him. There's a difference, Bruce."

"We're both just going through a rough patch in life right now. Everything will eventually get sorted."

"You just sound like you're trying to dodge my question."

Bruce knew Dick would just keep trying to pry a straight answer from him, "No alright, I don't have that initial falling in love feeling anymore. But that should be normal when it comes to long term relationships like ours. Nothing unusual. On top of that we have Lucy together, I have Gotham, I have my company, and I have the Justice League..."

"You got too much on your plate too fast and all at once," Dick said interrupting him.

"Basically. But I'm fine."

"Bruce, it's fine to ask for help from me. Don't think you can do everything on your own all the time."

"So then what do you suggest?" Bruce asked curiously.

"Well if it will make things easier at all on the two of you I can let Lucy live with me. She'd be closer to school and it would give you whatever time you need to sort through your issues." Dick said optimistically.

"First of all Dick, you know nothing of raising a child. Secondly, she's only 10. I can't have you taking her from the only home she's ever known at a young age. That's Joker and I's daughter, we can't just give her up to you because things got difficult." Bruce said kind of harshly.

"I'm only offering what I think might help. I was only 13 when you took me in, not much older than Lucy at the time, and it's not like you knew the first thing of raising a child either but look at me today. Also it's not as if I'd lock her away, of course I would still bring her over all the time to see you both. I'd have to be selfish to not let a little girl see her parents whenever she wanted to." Dick sternly made his point.

"I know Joker wouldn't feel okay about it either. He doesn't even like you that much, so how do you think he'd react if you walked up to him and said you were taking his daughter?"

"I understand what you're trying to say Bruce, but there's nothing wrong with me giving an idea to help. You never know what could really happen unless you try something."

"I appreciate that but for now let me try to think of my own solutions. If nothing can work out then I'll talk to Joker about letting Lucy live with you for a little while." Bruce patted Dick's shoulder.

"Sounds like a plan."