You Complete Me

Chapter 7: Feelings

Bruce Wayne lifted his son over his shoulders, and gave him a piggyback all the way back to his bedroom. He placed Dick down gently on his bed, and tucked him in, still grinning from ear to ear.
"Thank you so much, cookie. You don't understand how much this means to me. So, you're definitely okay with it, right? Even if I tell you who it is?"
Dick smiled up at his father gently. "Always."

The next morning, Bruce woke up to the memory of last night's revelations. He was still terrified, but he had made up his mind to tell his family. He dressed quickly, and hurried downstairs. Bruce ran into the living room, and pressed a concealed button behind the bust of his father. At once, the fireplace spun around, revealing the lift down into the BatCave.
"Hey, computer,"
"Yes, Mr. Batman, sir?"
"Can you tell Alfred, Barbara, and Dick to meet me in the living room in," he paused to check his watch, "Twenty minutes."
"Yes, sir. Sending invitations now."
"Okay, thanks. I need to talk to them."

Exactly twenty minutes later, they were all assembled in Bruce's living room. Bruce cleared his throat nervously.
"Hi, everyone. So, um, the reason I called you guys here was because I need to tell you something. I, uh, well, Dick helped me a lot with this last night." He chuckled and rubbed  his hand over the back of his neck. Suddenly, the smell of smoke in the air  from the fireplace became much more apparent to Bruce, and he was unsure whether this was a bad idea. He felt a small hand grasp his, then, and it seemed that while Bruce was lost in worrisome thought, his son had crept over to reassure him.
"It's gonna be alright, Padre." Dick whispered. Encouraged by Dick's words, he pressed on confidently.
"I'm in love."
Alfred clapped his hands in wonder. "Congratulations, sir."
"Cool. Well done, Bruce." Barbara interjected coolly.
Bruce looked at her confusedly. "Aren't you upset? I assumed, since your father was spearheading the whole 'trying to get us together' thing..."
"No! God, no! I've been trying to tell him we're just friends for years now!" she laughed at the memory. "Anyways, who is this mystery person, then?"
Bruce smiled. "It's a guy..."
"Okay."
"And, uh, he's also the Joker, so, yeah."
"Interesting choice, there. I respect your decision, sir, but why the criminal? Forgive me, but isn't he the crazy murderer who kills for fun?" asked Alfred.
"Uh, yeah, he is. I don't know. I mean, these feelings are terrifying, because I've only ever felt paternal love to Dick, friendship love to Barbara, and of course, family love to you. But somehow, I'm positive about this. I love the Joker."
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uh, ❤️