Hey, I got the idea of baking cookies from Robin_Kid 's Alfred and Dick oneshot in their story Just Robin Oneshots Part 2. Check out their content, it's great!

After Dick finished all his homework, he caught up with his messages.

Turns out he forgot to text Oswald when he got home safely. Oswald spammed him with 18 missed calls and a whole lot of text messages. Dick immediately blurted a thousand apologies and had to be stopped by Oswald, who forgave him. He claimed that, "I wasn't all that worried, I was just irritated that I was being ignored."

Dick also received text from Selina, surprisingly.

Selina:

Hey, Dick. What's up? How was your first day
of school?

Dick replied with:

It was interesting.. I still have a lot to figure out I guess

He didn't know why he didn't tell her what happened. Maybe it was because he wasn't upset anymore so there was no point, but it could have been because Dick just wanted to sound mysterious.

Dick spent the rest of the day doing small, unimportant things to pass the time. He doodled in his notebook, jumped on his bed, tried to spy on Alfred ( who caught him almost instantly), cartwheeled from one room to another, and even helped Alfred cook lunch and dinner.

After dinner, he and Alfred made cookies. Dick was given the responsibility of stirring the mix. He completed the task by stirring like he'd never stirred before. Alfred chuckled at the determination in the boy's eyes to make the perfect cookies.

As the cookies baked in the oven, Dick moaned. "It smells so good! When is it gonna be ready?"

Alfred checked the timer. "25 more minutes."

"Ughhhh!" Dick complained as he threw his arms over the countertop and thudded his head onto its cold surface. "I don't think I can wait that long!"

Alfred patted his shoulder. "I'm sure you can. I assure you, the wait will be worth the taste."

"Mm.." Dick grumbled. "Okay.."

To pass the time Dick just flipped through the channels and hoped something good on TV. (Try to get the reference challenge lol)

"I choose you, Pikachu!"

Dick pushed the channel button.

"What are you doing? Don't walk on my roof!"

Yawn, next.

"Ah, my leg!"

Um..

"HaHA! I am the Box Ghost! You can not hold me within the confines of a cylindrical container!"

Dick decided to prove him wrong by changing the channel.

At last, Dick decided on Wild Kratts and watched the show until he heard the ring of the timer. He jumped from the couch. "It's ready!"

"Yes, it is." Alfred confirmed as he opened the oven and picked the pan with his mittens. "But it's very hot, so you'll have to wait a couple more minutes to be able to eat them."

Dick's shoulder's sagged. Time to wait another thousand years...

- - - - - - -

Alfred was right, the cookies tasted great; they were definitely worth the wait! He ate them along with a glass of milk. Despite how uneventful it was, he had a great day. The change in pace was kinda nice.

"You should save the rest for tomorrow," Alfred suggested, "And perhaps head to bed."

Dick nodded. As he got up from his seat he stopped and turned back to Alfred. "Are you going to sleep, too?"

"No, not yet. I'll be waiting for Master Bruce." Alfred informed.

"Then could you make sure to give him a cookie?" Dick asked.

Alfred smiled. "Yes, of course."

Dick rubbed his eye sleepily . "Thanks, Alfred."'

"Anytime, Master Dick. Now go, and don't forget to brush your teeth!" Alfred reminded.

"I know, I know." Dick stated as he climbed up the stairs.

After Dick completed his nightly routine, turned his alarm clock back on and was ready to jump onto bed. He had to get enough sleep if he was going to school tomorrow.

Then he remembered that he never got to tell Alfred goodnight. Dick walked downstairs and looked for the butler. He wasn't anywhere to be seen. Dick looked in the study and found nothing. As he walked away, however, he could've sworn he heard a voice from a far distance.

Dick blinked. The almost inaudible sound came from the clock! He stared for another few seconds but shook his head and walked away from the study. Now he was hearing things. Lovely. I get it, brain. I'll go to sleep.

Dick went back to bed a little sad that he never got to tell Alfred, 'goodnight'.

Sirens wailed and people chattered, clearly distressed and shaken. It was all a distorted mess to Dick, though. His circus friends spoke to him, tears running down their cheeks. He hardly listened; they were probably trying to comfort him, murmuring that everything would be okay. The eight-year-old had sobbed harder than he'd ever done so in his life just a few minutes ago, and now he just felt numb. His eyes burned, his skin felt like ice, and all he wanted to was sleep. Sleep so he could wake up and see that this was all a nightmare.

But even he knew that this was reality.

Haly could be heard yelling from across the tent, towards the entrance. Dick bit his lip. Haly never yelled, the man was just too gentle for that sort of thing.

A short blonde woman strutted obnoxiously towards Dick. She held a clipboard against her chest and eyed the circus suspiciously.

Dick squeezed someone's hand. He didn't remember who, but it didn't matter. It was someone from the circus, and he loved and trusted everyone there. They were family.

"So, you must be Richard Grayson." The blonde stated while reading of a paper.

Dick didn't reply. Haly met up with them and said in a low voice, "I said we can talk care of him. There's no need for this. Let's talk in private-"

"Please. Like you or anyone here could watch over a child. Look how his parents turned out." The lady scoffed. "No net.. what a ridiculous and idiotic idea. I'm surprised the child didn't die as well."

Haly sharply inhaled but didn't respond. He didn't want to begin yelling again. Not in front of Dick, a least.

"I'll be taking him now." She informed bluntly.

"What? No!" Haly demanded. "You can't do that! There needs to be a day's notice or something at the very least!" Others listening in in the conversation argued as well. They couldn't take their last Grayson away. They couldn't loose another member of their family.

"This environment is currently rather chaotic and is not healthy mentally for the boy." She spat.

"Neither is taking him away from his home!" Haly retorted.

"Don't make this difficult." The woman hissed. They continued to dispute while Dick was pulled away from the middle of it.

The lady must have won the argument because next thing Dick knew, he told to pack his things and being rushed out of the tent. His family (although not blood related, it didn't matter) began weeping again and hugging him so tight like they never wanted to let go. They sobbed their goodbyes and kissed his nose and cheeks and just tried so hard to compose themselves for Dick. They told him to be strong and repeated how much they loved him.

How could this happen? How could all of this happen so quickly?

Dick himself was simply confused. Why were they saying goodbye? Why was this lady grabbing his arm? Why was he being lead into her weird car? Why was everyone just letting it all happen?!

When the car was enough from the circus that he couldn't hear any of the many ranges of noises that came from its direction, the reality of the situation hit him. He was being sent away.

He never said goodbye. He never got to tell them how much he loves them- how much he'll miss them.

Why was this happening to him? What was going to happen next?

"So, are you going to bring him in now?" A woman on the front seat next to the blonde asked. She had brown hair and was fixing her makeup in the car mirror.

"Yes, of course. Why, don't like him?" The short one asked. They were speaking about him as if he wasn't right there listening.

The brunette shrugged. "I don't really know. Feel like you should place him in the center instead. I mean, he's a circus kid. A Romanian one at that. Yeah, he's kinda cute and all, but the second people find out about his history, they'll drop him. The place is getting packed, any available space should be used wisely."

The blonde considered her words, "true, true."

Dick didn't know what this center place was. He could feel his pulse grow stronger. Fear and dread was surging through his whole body at the thought that his fate lied in the hands of complete and utter strangers.

Then she glanced at Dick from the side of her eye and pushed her purse, which was lying in the glove compartment of the car, and closed it as if she were worried he'd steal it.

"Now, how do I get there?" The short lady asked the one doing her makeup.

Dick never got the suitcase of his personal belongings back.

- - - - - - - - - - -

After they dropped him off at the facility, a man who looked strangely like a security guard took him to a room with a doctor. The young man gave him a physical and checked to see that he was healthy.

"..when am I going home?" Dick spoke up for the first time in hours. His voice was small and wobbly but he looked at the man with a tinge of hope.

The doctor glanced at him, his expression unbelieving of what he was hearing. Then he gave a pitiful sigh and explained what Dick needed to know. "You're in a Juvenile detention center. And you're not going back home. Ever."

Dick's eyes watered and the hope in his eyes was diminishing. "W-what's that? Why can't I go back? What's going to happen to me?"

"This is the place where the bad kids go. Not to say your bad, but according to those ladies, there's no space for you in the orphanage. That's why your here. Your 'home' isn't suitable." The man said as he typed something into a computer. "Listen. You'll be fine here as long as you don't get yourself into trouble."

"No, no, no... please, I don't wanna be here! I need to go back home!" Dick cried. "Please!" He reached an hand out to grab onto the adult's arm but the man pushed away and turned to the phone on the counter.

"Sorry, kid." The doctor muttered. "That's life for ya." He then called for security to escort the hysteric boy out of his office.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Dick rubbed his swollen cheek as he bit into something that this place had the audacity to call food. He could still hear the shouting from the guards in his brain for him to 'stop whining like a baby and get over it.'

He had finally gotten over the shock that he had been hit, but he was still recovering from the hurtful words. Was everyone here this mean? Was he going to get hit every time he cried?

Dick's grip on the spoon tightened and he held in the urge to sob into his hands. Why did Mami and Tati have to die? It was so unfair! He wasn't supposed to be here! His parents were supposed to die when he was an adult. They were supposed to die a natural death from old age! They didn't deserve any of this! He didn't deserve this!

No, instead they died in the most cruelly ironic way. The Flying Graysons fell.

It was a murder. Tati always triple checked the ropes and equipment. When there's a murder that means there's also a murderer. But who?

Dick thought back to when that man was threatening Haley. It had to be him. Who else would want to hurt his precious parents? Only someone who wanted revenge.

Tony Zucco. That name would be engraved into his memory forever. He hated that name.

Dick didn't know when he'd get out of there, but he did know that when he did, he'd find him. He owed it up to his parents to.

Until then, however, he had to eat this 'food'.

The sound of laughter made Dick curious. He glanced at a group of people ranging from different ages sitting at a table.

The blue eyed boy bit his lip. He didn't want to spend the rest of his time at the center alone. It wouldn't hurt to try to make friends, right?

Dick groaned as his alarm clock went off. He turned it off and rubbed his face. It was wet. Ah, he must've been crying in his sleep again. He didn't like it when that happened, it made his eye bags look puffy.

Dick lazily got out of bed. He didn't sleep too well last night, and it didn't help that he had to wake up early. Still, he was determined to make the day great, so he straightened his posture and placed a smile on his face. It fell a few times when he recalled the memories from his dream, but he managed to bring it back up.

Bruce sat at the table for breakfast to Dick's surprise.

"Good morning, Bruce!" Dick happily announced as he ran up to the man.

"Morning, chum. How'd you sleep last time?" Bruce questioned as he noticed the condition of the boy's eye bags.

Dick gave a half shrug. "Fine."

Bruce's forehead creased but he didn't push. "I ordered the books. They should be home by the time you get out of school. I think you'll like the selection."

Dick offered Bruce a grateful grin. "Thank you so much! I can't wait to check them out!"

Dick greeted Alfred and ate. After breakfast, He rushed upstairs to get changed and ready This time he made sure not to get toothpaste on his clothes and brushed his hair so he didn't get embarrassed by Alfred again.

Bruce drove Dick to school. He gave him some advice during the trip and Dick gave him two thumbs up, indicating that he understood.

"Don't forget to be yourself and have fun." Bruce added as Dick hopped out of the car.

Dick couldn't help but playfully roll his eyes and sarcastically say, "Okay, I got it, Dad."

As if on cue, they both froze. Dick had just been joking, but it was a topic that had gone undiscussed. Bruce had legally adopted him, therefore making him his dad. But Dick didn't want a new dad. He couldn't replace Tati! Why hadn't he just made him his ward or something?

"Heh, okay, kiddo. See you after school." Bruce chuckled almost nervously and drove off once Dick said goodbye and began to walk away.  When had Bruce started using those cheesy nicknames? That's something a dad would do! Dick thought frustratedly.

His train of thought was interrupted with the girl from last time waving at him. Barbara, Dick recalled.

"Uh- hi!" Dick said happily with a hint of nervousness.

"Hey, Dick. Didn't see you at school yesterday. Were you sick?" She questioned. It didn't sound like she had bad intentions. She walked into the building with the raven haired boy by her side.

Dick's eyebrows rose. She thought about me..? His cheeks turned a shade of pink at the thought. "Um, well, you know... something came up.. 's all."

Barbara nodded. "Huh, okay. I was just wondering."

Dick stood uncomfortably for a moment until he asked something to move the topic of the conversation away from him, "You seem really smart. What grade are you in?"

Barbara raised an eyebrow and smirked. "I'm in fifth grade, but I'm not all that smart. Are you trying to suck up to me? Did you do something illegal?"

Dick look like a deer caught in headlights. "H-huh?! What-"

"I'm just kidding!" Barbara laughed. "Thank you for the compliment."

Dick gave a shaky laughed in return. She didn't know that he actually had done something illegal, but that was for the best. "Um? Are you, like, a hallway patroller or something?"

Barbara appeared surprised by the question. "Wait.. you don't know who I am? Well, more like who my dad is."

Dick blinked before shaking his head.

Barbara inspected the look on his face before decided that he was being truthful. "Good. Means I don't have to worry about you acting like I could arrest you and stuff."

Dick didn't know who her dad was, but she he was probably a cop by the sound of it. Turns out he wasn't the only one treated differently because of who their parents were. Erm, legal (and live) parents. He was glad.

"That does sound good." Dick agreed.

The redhead gave a cheeky smile. "Ah, well, I guess I should tell you who he is before someone else does." She leaned in and whispered, "Gordon. James Gordon."

Dick looked up at her with the same expression that he had before she uttered the name. "That's cool," he said, "who's that?"

Barbara slouched. She wanted to watch Dick's happy smile turn into one of fear. She wanted to watch him squirm!

Not that she liked to scare the newbies or anything. No, totally not.

"Are you new to Gotham?" She asked.

"I am." Dick confirmed.

"Ohh.." she voiced. "Okay then. Well, I guess it sounds less scary now, but James Gordon is the commissioner of the GCPD. He's kinda famous for that to be honest."

Dick became interested. "That's cool. People must recognize you a lot then."

"Yeah. It sorta sucks, though. People see me as James Gordon's daughter, could totally have you arrested if she wanted to. I want to be seen a Barbara Gordon, a slightly above average kid." She informed.

Dick almost gasped. "Holy moly, Barbara, me too! Being Bruce's kid had made people treat me differently. But I'm going prove to them that I'm actually a normal kid, too!"

Barbara eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

"Yeah! Today!" Dick exclaimed.

"That's super cool, I wish you luck," she commented.

"Thanks," Dick responded at he looked at a clock on the wall, "I'm going to go now, don't wanna be late!"

"See ya!" Barbara called out as he sped off.

He's pretty weird, she thought, but also super nice. This school year just got a lot more interesting...