There's a tiny winy bit of daddybats this chapter.

Dick just stood in place, slight hunched over from opening the window and getting ready to crawl through it. He had the perfect deer in headlights expression.

Dick tried not to panic. Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh. He's must be mad, super mad. Please don't hurt me..! However, Dick knew he put this upon himself so he didn't have any right to complain. It didn't mean he'd like whatever he was about to endure though.

"Come inside, Dick." Bruce commanded as he got off of the bed that he was sitting on. His arms were crossed over his chest and his eyebrows were knitted.

Dick fearfully complied and entered the room. It was a lot warmer inside than out, but he was still shaking nonetheless.

Bruce walked towards Dick and raised a hand. On instinct, Dick sharply inhaled, glued his eyes shut, and brace his body for a painful force of any kind before the action occurred. Instead, he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. It was slightly tense but nonthreatening. Dick opened his eyes and fixedly looked into Bruce's eyes in shock. What is going on?

"Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?" Bruce interrogated, his voice laced with concern. He scanned Dick before turning his direction back into the boy's face. He seemed to notice his rigid stance. "Wha-? Dick, did you think I was going to hit you?"

Dick didn't say anything. He just stood there, dumbstruck. He then suddenly became interested in the floor and nervously bit his lip. He nodded his head stiffly at last.

Bruce gazed at him painfully. He really needed to work things out with Dick. Right now. He needed to stop treating him like glass- something that was easily shattered. Oh, and was the man was going to have a long discussion with whoever was in charge of Gotham's juvenile detention centers.

"I would never hurt you. Never. No matter how angry I get at you, Dick. And I'm not even angry right now. I just want to talk. I think we really need to talk." Bruce expressed. Gosh, why couldn't he better with children? Alfred made it seem so easy.

Dick observed Bruce's face, trying to see if he could detect any signs of lying. No, Bruce seemed genuine. Dick's body relaxed. "Okay," he uttered quietly, "I agree."

Bruce gestured at the bed for Dick to get on. Dick climbed into it and sat crisscross in front the pillows. He leaned into the plush softness of its fabric, feeling his tension slip away slowly. Bruce sat at the edge of the bed. He was unsure of where to begin.

"Do you have your phone?" Bruce questioned. Dick raised an eyebrow. How was that relevant to anything going on? Was he going to confiscate it as punishment? If so, Dick didn't really mind. Yeah, he liked being able to text Oswald and Selina, but temporary contact from them was okay with him if it meant not getting hit.

Dick nodded. He took the phone out of his pocket and held it in his hand, ready to give it to Bruce.

"So you did bring it with you," the man confirmed, "Did you not hear my calls or see my texts?"

Dick gave him a puzzled look. "..No?"

Alright, so that meant Dick hadn't been ignoring him. The thought relieved Bruce. He had been worried that Dick ran away and wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Bruce remembered how confused he'd been when he went to check up on Dick, only to find the door locked. It didn't seem like Dick to lock the door for privacy, so he called out the child's name and received no response. Bruce immediately searched for the key to the room and was crestfallen to find no eight-year-old boy anywhere to be found. He had no clue where in Gotham Dick could be but he forced himself to remain positive and assume that Dick would return. Alfred and Bruce searched the entire manor just in case. He considered calling Selina but decided against it for several reasons. So at last, he waited on Dick's bed, hoping for him to come back same way he had left.

The thoughts that ran through his mind during that time was: What did I do wrong? Where is he? Is he at least safe? If only I knew why he left.. Should I contact commissioner Gordon?

Relief was not the right word to describe how he felt when he saw Dick back home again, peering through the window with his magnificent bright blue eyes.

"I see. I called and texted you, but I guess you weren't on your phone and had the sound off." Bruce explained, looking deeply into Dick's eyes. "I was so worried, Dick. I thought I'd never see you again, I didn't know if you were safe or- or even alive. Please, never scare Alfred and I like that again."

Dick's glanced at his fidgeting hands guiltily to avoid Bruce's gaze that pierced into his soul. It was weird, Bruce wasn't very expressive, but his eyes held so much emotion. Right now it looked sad, but relieved. No anger at all. Dick almost would have rather dealt with an angry Bruce than this, because this- it was causing Dick to drown in guilt and shame.

Oswald was right; Bruce cared about him. A lot more than Dick felt he deserved. He gave him a home, he tried in his own awkward way to make him feel welcomed, and he assured him that he would never hurt him. Dick felt.. safe.

He felt so bad. He should have appreciated Bruce more, he should have just talked to him about everything.

"I won't. I'm sorry for scaring you." Dick apologized, ashamed, with his head still facing down and his eyes looking up at Bruce. To the billionaire, he sorta resembled a puppy that was had just been scolded.

"It's alright," Bruce softly guaranteed, "I'm just glad you're safe. Could you tell me where you went?"

"Umm, well.." Dick started slowly. He knew that Oswald knew who Bruce was, he wondered if the opposite would occur. He suddenly began to speak quickly, "There's this guy that I'm friends with.. I don't know if you know his name, but he's Oswald Cobblepot, and I knew him before I met you- just like Selina- and I got his number a while ago and today I met up with him a few blocks past the manor and he took me to a place where he made a deal or something- it was weird, but cool; there was a green plant lady, her name was Poison Ivy- and then we went to an ice cream place so I could talk to him like he said I could and then he dropped me off to where he picked me up and I walked back here." He blurted and gasped for breath after rambling the long, overrun sentence.

It seriously took a few seconds for Bruce to comprehend the words that had just spilled from the boy's mouth. He could definitely give the Flash a run for his money. Anyways, once he took in everything Dick said, he realized he had a lot to be concerned about.

Dick was still in contact with Penguin. He had to have seen him in person to get his phone number, and the only time Dick had left the manor was to hang out with Selina and go to school. Dick was supervised at school so it couldn't have been there, so that meant he gave Penguin a visit when he was with Selina. That suggested that Selina knew and let Dick see the mobster, which was odd considering Bruce was under the impression that she disliked the guy and vice versa.

Then there was the question as to why Penguin was maintaining a 'friendship' with Dick. What did Penguin benefit from this? To be honest, it didn't seem like he had any ill intentions based on what Dick had said, but it was suspicious. Also, what Dick said inferred that Penguin brought him to a place where he and Ivy negotiated. Why bring Dick? Who else was there?

Dick had also mentioned briefly that Penguin said he could talk to him. Bruce presumed he spoke about his problems, thus the reason he left the manor in the first place. Did that mean Dick trusted Oswald Cobblepot more than him?

"Um, Bruce..?" Dick spoke aloud, bringing Bruce out of his thoughts.

"Hm? Sorry, I was just thinking of something. Yes, I have heard of Oswald Cobblepot. He is a rather notorious criminal." Bruce stated, clearly trying to send Dick a message.

"Yeah, I know.." Dick admitted sheepishly. "But he's actually really nice. He just needs a little push, really!" He confidently defended.

Bruce wasn't convinced. It didn't matter, he would just prohibit Dick from seeing Penguin again and soon Dick's interest in the killer would diminish.

"Anyways," Bruce transitioned, "I want you to be as comfortable here as possible. This is your home, Dick. If it doesn't feel that way, tell me what I can do to make it feel more that way."

Dick didn't know how to respond. His home was the circus- well, his ex-home. But it didn't mean that he'd be less homesick if the manor resembled it. Assuming that's what Bruce meant, anyways.

"I think the manor is fine just the way it is." Dick responded simply before stifling a yawn. What time was it?

Bruce gave him a puzzled look. "Then why did you leave? Is it something I've done?"

Dick waved his hands with wide eyes. "No, no! I just- I don't know.." He looked down and hugged his arms. "I guess I felt kinda hopeless. Trapped. Not because of the manor but because of everything. I missed the old days, I was just sad. And I know now that it's not true, but I felt like you didn't really care about me. I texted Ozz- Oswald and he said it was better to talk in person. And I was happy to do that because I wanted a little freedom and a friend. And it actually helped. I feel better now."

There was silence before Bruce spoke again. "Dick, I'm glad that Oswald has been able to help you, but he's dangerous. You really shouldn't be friends with him. You can get hurt, just like when you're with Selina."

Dick flinched. How long has he known about what he and Selina have been up to?

"I'm not going to stop you from seeing Selina, but I want you to stop involving yourself in whatever you guys have been doing. I've noticed the injuries, it's not safe. You're a child, you shouldn't be doing all of this. You're not on the streets anymore, there's no need to be getting yourself in all this trouble. I can provide you with everything you need, and you can always come to me for anything." Bruce stated with certainty.

Dick didn't want to stop what he's been doing with Selina. It was fun, and it made him feel useful. They even managed to save those animals. It was worth getting hurt if he could do some good and offer some help.

And Dick didn't like how it sounded like Bruce was going to ban him from seeing Oswald ever again. He couldn't just abandon his friend!

"So me and Oswald can't be friends anymore?" Dick questioned unhappily, almost accusingly. He crossed his arms defiantly. He'd consider running away for real if that were the case.

Bruce sighed. "I'm not sure, Dick. I know you care for him, but he's a bad influence. I.. I'll let you text him, but you can't just leave if he asks you to, okay?" He shouldn't have allowed even that, but he didn't want to seem controlling or else Dick would never feel comfortable here in the manor.

Dick seemed content with those terms. He uncrossed his arms and Bruce was sure he saw the ghost of a smile for a split second. "Hm, okay. Uh.. thanks."

Bruce merely nodded as a form of response. "Also, Dick, don't think that I'm ignoring you whenever I leave for work. I'm a busy person, and I know that it makes me seem like I can't bother to spend time with you, but that's far from the truth. On the days I have off I promise we'll do something fun. In the meantime, you can hang out with Alfred or play with your games. I'm telling you this because I have a busy day at work tomorrow and I won't be back home until late." Actually, he had a busy day ahead of him tomorrow, but as Batman. Bruce would only be at work for an hour or two.

He didn't like it either. Working as Batman during day hours was awkward and made him stick out like a sore thumb.

The raven haired child wasn't surprised by this. Yes, he was a bit disheartened, but he expected Bruce to occupied with work. It was slightly odd to him that he was so busy when he could probably hire people to do his job for him, but he didn't question it.

With slightly heavy eyelids, Dick muttered, "Okay. Don't worry about it. I like Alfred, anyways."

Bruce smiled a bit at that. Of course he liked Alfred. Who didn't?

"Let's tuck you in, buddy. You look like you're about to fall asleep right now as we speak ." He decided. Bruce would have preferred for Dick to change into his PJs and brush his teeth before going to sleep, but he let it slide since the boy seemed so tired.

"Sorry.." Dick apologized sleepily. Bruce probably wanted to talk some more and here he was, barely keeping himself awake.

The billionaire shook his head. "Don't apologize, you did nothing wrong." He took the blanket and threw it over Dick's small body once he lied down.

"I did, though. I worried you and Alfred." Dick stated quietly. Was he still upset about that?

Bruce ran a hand through Dick's hair. Dick subconsciously closed his eyes and leaned into his touch.

"You didn't know that would happen. Again, I'm not angry, so don't apologize." He clarified softly.

"So I'm not in trouble?" Dick murmured as his eyes fluttered back open and examined Bruce's.

Bruce gave a small lopsided smile that Dick hadn't been expecting. "No, not unless you want to be. I could always come up with a punishment if you'd like," he suggested jokingly, "Hmm, how about we give you get an extra scoop of vegetables tomorrow for dinner."

For the first time since he returned, Bruce saw Dick's vibrant grin. "Ew, no!" Dick cried through laughter, "Anything but that!"

Bruce chuckled at the boy's reaction. It was nice.. how this child besides him could make him feel a strange warmth inside. It made him forget all about his dark state of mind, and it reminded him that there were still good people in Gotham, people worth fighting for.

He had a strong desire to keep Dick safe and happy for as long as he lived. And that's why he had to shelter him from his Batman persona.

"Good night, Dick." Bruce said after a long moment of peaceful silence.

He didn't get a reply. Instead, he heard faint, rhythmical breathing; Bruce's cue to leave.

Bruce silently walked towards the door and began closing it. He glanced at Dick in his tranquil state and smiled.

How could someone be so sweet yet mischievous?

I know, I know, there's been a lot of talking lately, and not a lot of action. It's kinda been killing me. But hey, these characters have stuff to work out! Anyways, next chapter will be more carefree, I promise. And shortly after that, some good action h a h a h a

And thank you guys so much! This story has reached 5k reads! That's crazy, and I'm so grateful for it. I love you, guys!