Dick woke up with a gasp. An irritating noise rung in his ear and he felt lightheaded. Disoriented, his groggily eyes darted around the area he was being held captive in as he tug on his restraints.

As he got his bearings back he closed his eyes and tried to steady his breath. Think, he thought, what happened? How did you get here?

He vaguely remembered being attacked from behind. Oh, he realized, I was drugged.

Dick's bafflement turned into fear. What was going to happen to him? Why was this happening to him? For a second, he wondered if this was his bullies' doing, but he pushed the accusation away just as quickly as it had sprouted. He doubted some spoiled rich kids would go to this extent. So who would?

Dick swallowed nervously as he noted his situation. He was tied to a chair by the hands and feet with rope. He was in a small, dark room like looked almost looked like a closet. Lights peeked from underneath the door in front of him, indicating that his captors possibly stood just outside the room.

Dick tried not to hyperventilate. He needed to get out, but how? The rope was so tight around his wrist that he could feel the lack of blood circulation in his hands. Should he yell and just find out what they wanted with him? They wouldn't kill him, right? They wouldn't have gone through the work of kidnapping him just to kill him.

"H-hey! I'm awake! Why am I here?" Dick cried. No response. "Hello?!"

SLAM! Two men barged in with their hands on their guns that rested in their holsters. They moved to the side so another man could walk in. Dick wanted to scream angrily. It was the teacher that tricked him!

"You're not a real teacher!" Dick accused with knitted brows.

The man chuckled. "Of course not, boy. That's a job I'd never want to have; the pay's too low. But it was worth going through the trouble of following the real teacher and stealing his ID. All I needed then was a fake mustache and tie," he joked. The other men cackled.

Dick pushed uselessly against the rope. "What did you do to him?!"

The man's grin fell and he grabbed Dick's face roughly by the jaw and cheeks. "That's none of your business," he snarled, "You're in no place to demand anything so shut your trap. Now, listen closely, boy," he ordered as he let go of Dick's face and pulled a phone from his pocket. "We're gonna call your daddy, and you're gonna tell him how scared you are, y'know, all that pathetic crap. If big ol' Wayne buys it, there won't be an issue." He paused. "If not, we are gonna have a problem."

The crook faked a pleasant smile that exposed his yellow teeth. "But you'll be a good boy, won't ya?"

Dick paused before nodding curtly. The men laughed tauntingly as their boss pat Dick's cheek like a dog and dialed a number that he read off a slip of paper.

After a moment of ringing a woman answered the phone. "Hello, this is Way-"

"Miss, put Bruce Wayne on the line. Make it quick. I don't like to wait, and I'd hate to take it out on little Dickie here." The man commanded with a sly tone of voice.

Immediately, the call was put on hold and sent to another number. "Where is he?" Bruce instantly hissed after a few moments of waiting for the service to switch the call. He sounded more troubled than Dick had ever heard him sound before.

"Ah, well, you'll have to earn that information, don't 'cha think?" The man said as he cocked his head to the side. Following the cue, the men abruptly took out their guns and aimed it at both sides of sides head. Dick yelped in fear and surprise.

"Mm.. how d'ya feel about 500 thousand dollars for the kid?" The man suggested. "Actually, I think a million sounds like a better deal."

Dick felt the color drain out of his face as he fought back tears. There was nothing he could do to get out of this situation, and he didn't want Bruce to pay ransom for him. At the same time, however, he didn't want to die. Why did he have to be so weak?! He was so scared; he just wanted to go back home to the manor!

"Let me talk to Dick," Bruce commanded.

The man brought a hand to his chest with feigned hurt, "Don't trust me? Ah, fine, I can't blame ya." He lowered the phone to get it closer to Dick and gestured for him to talk. The guns loomed over the boy sinisterly.

"B-Bruce?" Dick shakily whispered, his voice laced with apprehension. "Are you going to- what are you going to do? What's happening?"

"Dick," Bruce shortly exhaled in relief and then continued to speak, his voice stern but comforting, "Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. Just fine, I promise. Hang in tight."

The criminal craned his neck down to get closer to the phone. "Now, are we going to talk money or do I need to further convince you?"

"I'll bring the cash. Where will we meet up?" Bruce asked stiffly.

"The parking lot by [insert name] Street. Remember, Wayne, I have the boy held by gun point. It only takes the push of a finger to have a bullet launched into his brain. Don't call the police." The man spat. And with that, he hung up.

"Come on, men! Let's get this over with and become rich!" He shouted joyfully as they cheered. Dick, meanwhile, was trying not to show how fearful he felt and attempted to steady his shaking body.

The goons cut the ropes to his surprise and pulled him out of the chair. One of them still aimed a gun at him, unfortunately, so he didn't even think about running or trying to fight them off. He didn't even know how to fight for goodness sake.

He was taken out of the abandoned warehouse and shoved into the back of a van where he suffered a bumpy and smelly ride. Something was dying in there for sure. Dick sighed when he looked at the state of his uniform; it was covered in dirt. What had they done, dragged him when he was unconscious?

Dick would be overwhelmingly relieved and happy to see Bruce, but he'd also feel horrible knowing Bruce was going through all of this because of him. He was such a liability... He'd be surprised if he wasn't lectured after this.

Well, assuming everything went alright and he wasn't... shot.

Again, Dick was shoved and threatened with the guns as they pulled him out of the van and into the middle of an empty parking lot, and it was getting old real fast. Someone stayed in the driver's seat in case they needed to abort or escape for any reason.

They stood and waited for Bruce to arrive. The only sounds heard were the rustle of the wind and cars off in the distance. The man checked his watch.. what was taking Wayne so long?

Just as Dick was about to yawn, a car drove up to them. In the driver's seat was Alfred, but Bruce himself was nowhere to be seen!

"What the-?" The man muttered. "Who's the old man?"

Alfred stepped out of the car. "I am Bruce Wayne's butler. You needn't worry, I have the cash."

Dick gave him a wavering smile. He would've been angry the kidnapper for calling Alfred 'old man' but he was just so grateful to see a familiar face. He was downcast, however, that Bruce wasn't there.

The criminal smirked and retorted with, "Wayne couldn't even be bothered to get off his high horse to make the transaction himself? Damn."

Dick didn't like how he made him sound like an object, something that you just had to pay money for.

"That is irrelevant. Take the money and leave Master Richard be," Alfred stated coldly.

"Ah, whatever," the man decided. He sent a goon to walk over and get the money, but before he could take the envelope, a black bola was suddenly thrown at his feet. The man outcried as he fell on onto the asphalt ground and hit his head.

"Crap! It's Batman!" Another goon shouted.

Dick remembered that they were ready to run if necessary and hollered, "They're gonna run to the car! Someone's waiting in the driver's seat!"

The boss growled. "Brat!"

Batman pulled two bat shaped shurikens from his utility belt and threw them at the tires, which successfully slashed them opened and prevented the car from moving. The man in the vehicle, jumped out and ran away as fast as possible.

Sooner than Batman could act, the boss of the goons quickly snatched a gun from a man who was watching the tires deflate, pulled Dick from the arm, and pressed the gun against the boy's temple. "Take one more step and I blow his head off."

Batman froze, becoming as still as a statue.

Dick could feel the cold metal dig into his skin. Goosebumps littered his body as he looked at Alfred in the eyes, silently pleading for help. The elderly man appeared uneasy, but kept his composure. he held up the money.

"Give me the cash now," the gun wielder barked.

Alfred began to slowly step towards the two males with the envelope in his hands. Dick, Batman, and Alfred acted at the same time.

Alfred threw the envelope at Batman, who caught it and shoved it somewhere in his utility belt. This served as a distraction that Dick used to grab the man's wrist, twist it in an almost unnatural angle, and perform the disarming technique Selina taught him all those days ago.

The man screamed in pain as Dick ran away from him with the gun in his hands to Batman. The Dark Knight hid his shock and acted quickly. He left Dick to run to Alfred and they embraced each other in a hug. He menacingly approached the man who was groaning and clutching onto his sprained wrist. He tried to run when he noticed Batman pacing towards him, but the vigilante was faster and grabbed him by the back of his shirt. He punched him to the ground and didn't stop.

He wanted to beat his disgusting face to a bloody pulp. He wanted to teach him a lesson to never mess with his family again. How dare he take Dick from his school, hold him at gun point, and treat him like a damn object. Batman only stopped pounding his fist into the crook's face when he noticed how violent he was getting. Blood from the side of the man's face was beginning to pour onto the parking lot ground and he was inches from reaching unconsciousness.

Batman stood up and turned back to Alfred and Dick, his anger disappearing and replaced with concern again. "Are you alright?" He asked in his gruffest voice possible. He didn't want Dick to recognize Bruce's voice coming out of Batman's mouth.

Dick, who was still holding onto the butler, nodded. "T-thank you for coming to save me," he uttered in a quiet voice. Turns out Batman is just as cool as Superman, Dick supposed, he doesn't need superpowers to save people.. to save me... "But.. some of the other bad guys got away."

"There will always be another day to catch them. What matters is that you're safe."Batman assured. He glanced at the two bodies lying on the floor. "These guys will be put in jail where they belong. You won't have to worry about him going after you or anyone else ever again."

He squeezed his fists when noticed that the eight-year-old was still trembling. Despite this, Dick out on a brave smile. "Okay. Thanks." It killed Batman to be unable to hug him. It killed him to keep everything a secret from the boy in general, really.

Batman nodded before taking out a pair of handcuffs and kneeling down to cuff the men and turn them in to the police.

Dick sighed and rested his head against Alfred's arm. The man silently ran his hand up and down Dick's back comfortingly as he lead him into the car to go back home.

- - - - - - - - -

From the car radio Dick found out that the school had been under lockdown after the authorities found out Dick was missing. The only clue they had was his backpack that lied on the tiles, and it was enough to assume he had been kidnapped. Alfred quickly changed the radio station but Dick asked, "What did Bruce do when he realized I was missing?"

Alfred thought for a moment before replying. "He was worried sick. He called the school, the police- everyone. Then that man called and he went to get the money."

Dick wanted an answer as to why Bruce didn't do it himself. If Bruce really cared wouldn't he have wanted to see him safe in person? He wasn't about to ask that aloud, though.

Alfred seemed to be a good mind reader, it seemed (Dick should probably look into that) because he explained, "Bruce didn't trust that the kidnapper would keep his word, so he went to get further help. He didn't want to tip him off, though- the man did say he'd shoot if Bruce called the police- so he... managed to contact Batman and ask him to interfere."

A line appeared between Dick's brows as he thought about what Alfred such said. Did Bruce... just happened to have Batman's number or something? Dick didn't want to accuse Alfred of lying but... something didn't add up too well... Still, he was awfully lucky to have Batman be in the area coincidentally and help save him. So maybe Alfred was partially telling the truth? He just didn't know.

Ah, whatever. He was just happy to be safe.

"Okay," he whispered. He wasn't as distraught anymore about literally being kidnapped but he was still a little shaken. For now he wouldn't care if Bruce and Alfred were hiding something from him. They saved him and he was grateful and relieved beyond belief.

- - - - - - - - -

Bruce wrapped Dick in a warm hug that the boy returned without hesitation when they met up at the manor. Bruce was so much larger than Dick that it was almost overwhelming. But it was nice; Dick had never hugged the billionaire before, and he felt safe in his hold. He was slightly disappointed when Bruce finally pulled away.

"You must have been so scared. Gosh, Dick, I'm so sorry that I didn't think think of the possibly that you could be at risk because of my position. I'll never allow it to happen again." Bruce assured with a remorseful gaze. He was kneeling down and rested his hands on Dick's shoulders.

"It's not your fault.." Dick claimed sadly. "It's mine for not being more careful. I let him trick me.. and- and-" his voice cracked "-you almost had to pay all that money if Batman didn't come in time." He rubbed his wet eyes with his hands as he continued, "a- and so far all I've done is worry you.. ever since I came. I'm the one who should be sorry! I'm so sorry!" His shoulders shook from the sobs pouring out of his lips.

Bruce's eyes widened. "No, Dick, no, no, no... Stop putting yourself down. I've worried about you because I care about you. I just want you to be happy and safe. I'm worried because I feel like I haven't been a good enough guardian for you. Nothing is your fault. None of it."

He pulled Dick back into his protective embrace, his voice was more gentle this time. "I'm.. I'm not the best with kids and I'm definitely not the best at expressing my feelings, but I want to be better. For you. I know you've gone through a lot ever since you've stepped foot in Gotham, and you're confused and lost and so much more, and I just want to help you. I know how it feels, Dick. I really do. So stop blaming yourself and... and.. I'll stop blaming myself. Then we can start working to improve whatever.. this is."

Bruce surprised himself. Had he really just said that.. he'd stop blaming himself? But.. he always blamed himself. If an employee was unhappy working in WayneEnterprises, he'd blame himself. If a charity gala ball didn't turn out as well as he thought it would, he'd blame himself. If Batman was too late to stop a crime that was committed when he was around the area, he'd blame himself.

He blamed himself for his parents death.

He blamed himself for anything that went wrong. If he had even the slightest way possible to make things right, yet he didn't do it, he had reason to blame himself. Because then it was his fault.

Or so he told himself. He lived a majority of his life living with that mindset.

Now here he was saying that he wouldn't do that? Well, of course he couldn't. If he continued with that negative habit, Dick would learn and act on it, too. He was supposed to be a good role model, wasn't he?

Dick was so positive and happy- sort of the opposite of Batman, honestly- but even he could get down, too. Even he could feel self hate. To see him blaming himself for something he couldn't control- for something that wasn't his fault... it made Bruce realize how immature and pointless it was. And he had done it himself for years.

It was time he grew up. If not for his sake, then for Dick's.

Dick sniffled against the man's shoulder. "What... is 'this'?" He asked, his words muffled but still decipherable.

Bruce pursed his lips. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "What do you think?"

"Well.." Dick began. He slowly pulled himself from the heartfelt hug and looked into Bruce's eyes hesitantly. "I think.. you're trying to be a parent.. like, my.. dad.."

Bruce noticed the way he tensed up uncomfortably and avoided eye contact as he said that. "I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable. I know that I'm legally your father, but it doesn't have to be that way if you don't want it to be."

"It's not that I don't like you or anything..." Dick assured, still uneasy. "I just.. I don't want a... new dad. If Tati knew, he would be sad that I'm replacing him. I don't want to replace him. He'd think that I'm trying to forget him. I'm not! I-"

Bruce nodded in understanding, but he had a persistent glint in his eyes. "I understand that you don't want someone to replace the title of being your father- I don't expect you to see me as one at all- and I don't know him personally, but I don't think he would be against you finding a new family. By doing that, you aren't forgetting him. You're moving on, you're focusing on you're future and happiness- you're not going to forget him, and I don't think he would think so either. It's okay to move on, Dick. You're parents would want you to be happy, wouldn't they?"

Dick blinked away some tears. "Yeah, they would. They loved me so much.. they always wanted the best for me... I think you're right. I think I should.. move on... b-but it's so hard to, Bruce."

Bruce rubbed Dick's shoulder. "I know, chum, I know... It takes time.. and you have all the time you need."

Bruce got up from his now aching knees and sat with Dick on the couch. He let Dick cry in his shoulder for as long as he needed while the man rubbed his arm supportingly. He was going to let Dick go through grieve the healthy way, and that started with letting it all out.

Eventually Dick's weeping lessened as his body stopped shivering. His gasps for air became steady breathing and Dick's clutching hand slowly fell limp. His head lolled to the side and he began to fall into a blissful sleep. Bruce gently picked the boy up into his arms bridal style and carried him to his room. It seemed that every time Dick came from school, he came home to the manor only to end up crying.

Hopefully now things would change for the better.

Bruce rubbed Dick dry tear stained cheek with his thumb before closing the door to allow Dick to enjoy his slumber. Instead of going on patrol like usual, he stayed in the manor to make some much needed phone calls and to be there should Dick need him.

Alfred, who had watched from the sidelines, couldn't be prouder.

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