Dick laid curled into Bruce's side, with one of Bruce's arms lazily slung over him. Drool snuck past Bruce's lips and down onto his pillow, an observation that caused a soft giggle to break from Dick's throat. It was so rare for him to see Bruce like this, relaxed.

The soft giggles quickly turned to a frown. Why would Bruce be this relaxed? Did he catch Zucco? No, he would've made sure Dick knew that, right? He wouldn't hold off on telling him something in fear of ruining his already nonexistent sleeping schedule. You couldn't ruin what was never there, so there had to be some other explanation as to why Bruce was so relaxed. Unless...

Unless Bruce finally decided that he'd be better off working on his own. Robin had already fulfilled his purpose. Take Zucco off the streets to make sure he didn't mindlessly seek revenge against the people who robbed him of his family for the rest of his life. Robin was only a liability. Someone who got in the way, someone who could be used as leverage, someone who could be tortured in an attempt to get secrets from. 

"Dickie, you okay?" Bruce asked, eyes not opening. Dick froze.

"Yeah, I'm fine." The lie rolled effortlessly off of his tongue. 

"Can I ask why you decided to sneak in here to sleep?"

"I like your bed."

"Dick, don't lie to me."

"I'm not-" he sighed. "Superboy snores." Dick didn't look up at Bruce, knowing if the man chose to open his eyes he'd easily see there was more. He couldn't stand sleeping in the same room as Superboy because he knew soon that would be pretty close to his reality. He'd have to share Bruce. He'd have to work harder than ever so Bruce didn't replace him. A reminder of everything he is and isn't. 

Bruce chuckled and pulled him closer. "Can't blame you then, can I?" He carded his finger's through Dick's hair. "How much longer to you think we could sleep before Alfred yells at us?" Bruce didn't get a response, but he still smiled as tension left Dick's frame. "Get some more sleep, Barry is coming over with Iris and you know how that's going to go."

"Stay here?"

"Dick-"

"Please."

Bruce hesitated. His arm tightened and he nodded. "I'll stay here. At least until Alfred comes, okay?" Dick nodded, mumbling a reply and nestling against Bruce. When Alfred came in thirty minutes later, he raised an eyebrow and walked over to the bed. 

"Why is Master Richard in here?" 

Bruce looked up from his book and then down at the boy still curled into his side. "Superboy snores apparently."

"He does," Dick mumbled. He wrapped his arms around one of Bruce's, fully intending to keep him from leaving. "And he's loud."

"Louder than Kid Flash?"

"Yeah."

Alfred laughed. "Very well, but need I remind you that we are expecting a journalist and her husband today? You cannot look like you rolled out of bed, either of you. And I do not want to hear any complaints." He leaned over and ruffled Dick's hair. "Breakfast is ready, if you hurry you might get some."

Dick groaned, rolling out of bed. He ran his hand through his hair, attempting to tame the unruly mess. He couldn't even act like himself and now he was going to have to layer another act on top of it? Well, it really wasn't all that much different from his normal life. Actually, it was pretty much the same, just with the added complication of most of the people in the Manor knowing him while he's wearing the mask. 

He slunk to his room, keeping a careful eye out for the Team. A suit hung on the back of his door, a tie coordinated with the same shade of red on his. He sighed and changed into the formal clothing, hoping he could get the tie on without having to ask for help. After all the training he'd been put through to do everything with one arm, not being able to tie a tie would be pitiful. 

Dick looked himself over once, nodded, and plastered a smile on his face. Same old, same old. Smile for the cameras and the press, don't let them think Bruce is a bad guardian. Don't get taken away. 

"What's got you all dressed up?" Kid Flash leaned in the now open door. "Bruce didn't mention any sort of trip."

"A reporter from Central City and her husband are visiting today. Hopefully, I only have to sit still and look pretty. I mean, Iris is nice and I know she won't publish anything bad, but-" Dick shook his hand. "-doesn't stop the nerves."

"You've done interviews with her before."

"Not under these circumstances."

Kid Flash sighed. "It'll be fine, dude." Just signal to me if you think you can't do it. I can get Iris to stop. 

Bruce would get upset.

He's not going to be mad at you when the guy who murdered your family is trying to murder you.

I'm not worried about him being mad. You- Dick's hand stilled. You don't see the way he looks at me when I mess up. 

Wall- Kid Flash pressed his lips together. He pressed his hand onto Dick's shoulder. "Do you think he would want you to-" Dick fixed him with a look. "Yeah, that was dumb. But think about it like this. Everyone else-" Kid Flash gestured. "-won't be expecting you to be calm and collected about all of this. They expect you to be scared, terrified even. So as I see it, you have two choices. Act the perfect poster child and show no emotions making them think Bruce has emotionally stunted you, or you act every bit the scared kid they're expecting and keep them from questioning him."

"I- I'm not scared for the reasons they'd expect."

"And who said they had to know your reasons?" Kid Flash ruffled Dick's hair and smiled. "Because if Iris asks why your scared, then I might steal her notes right out of her hands. Now go eat, unless you want me to steal your food."

Ah yes, writing stories to avoid doing homework

College is a fun time isnt it.

See yah