Just Robin Oneshots Part 2

12th day of Christmas

BlossomWorm suggested this and i thought it would be the perfect ending to this series

I thought my shoutout for today could be up to you! Feel like someone should get some attention? Leave them in the comments with a short description! 

There was no doubt that Batman was a grinch. He'd slowly lost his Christmas spirit over the years and this was the first year where he completely disregarded Christmas in its entirety. It was as though he was blind to the decorations throughout the streets and the constant mention of the holiday. He was long since numb to the excitement it brought and only felt the chaos it brought in Gotham. Crime rose, villains were more likely to bring out a new dastardly plan and patrols were a whole lot worse in the winter snow. Someone who'd seen this gradual descent in Christman cheer was Dick. He was the complete opposite. At the mention of Christmas, he was practically nine again. He'd been particularly excited for this year because it was the only year the family could be together on the same day. Even Cass and Steph were coming! Due to this, he'd been mentioning that they should all have the night off or at least start patrol later. He was still fighting this view until Christmas Eve. "C'mon B, they're getting older now and they might not be free again," Dick argued, following Bruce to the Batcave.

"We don't take breaks. Christmas or not it's just another day of the year," the older protested. 

"But they're kids. You used to let me have the night off when I was little."

"It was the first Christmas without your parents and you were nine. The year after you worked on Christmas," Bruce snapped. He didn't want to hear another moment of the grown man whining like a child. "That's because we were with the League too. We were a weird family celebrating in a weird way."

"They're colleagues and you were working. We're working tomorrow. End of." Dick narrowed his eyes at the older and folded his arms in a huff.

"No, they're not. I'm not letting you ruin their Christmas because you're a grinch."

"I'm their guardian," Bruce stated. The younger laughed mockingly. 

"Their guardian? You can't even admit that you're their Dad. And you're my Dad! Or at least I thought you were," he replied. For a second, Bruce looked hurt then his face turned to that everlasting monotone expression. He continued to stare at his computer screen and began typing up something. Probably a mission report. "Really? You're just gonna ignore what I said?" He chuckled to himself. Not happily. It was that chuckle your mum does when you screwed something up so bad they can only laugh. He'd have to take this in a different approach if the regular guilt trip didn't work. "You know, I don't know why I keep thinking you can change. No matter how hard I try, you'll never change. I miss my Dad. That Dad would have cared that this is the first year we can all be together." He sighed defeatedly as the older once again took no notice of him. "I'm sorry but I'm too tired to keep doing this." He walked away to the elevator and took one last look at his father figure. Bruce watched the reflection of his ward in the computer monitor and sighed to himself. He should've said something. Still twenty-five years on and he still didn't know what to do with his ward. Good luck to the others. He just hoped they turned out as good as him but that was only a hope.

"Master Dick looked upset. I'm guessing you refused his request," Alfred asked, handing Bruce his hourly coffee. 

"It's a ridiculous request. Crime won't stop because it's the holidays."

"They're still young. Why force them to work? The police force should be able to handle themselves by now. You've given many years to the city so they can afford a Christmas without yours or theirs help." He tutted at the butler. He thought he'd be on his side but the revelation that he wasn't didn't change his mind. Bruce was Batman. He was always right. "They took the responsibility and now they must live with the consequences."