Chapter Text
Dick Grayson was 10 years old and had been living with Bruce Wayne…..The Batman, for around two years now. Living as Bruce Wayne’s ward had been pretty good, Dick still missed his parents who had been killed by the mob boss Tony Zucco but was really starting to warm up to Bruce and his butler Alfred.
There was something that had been weighing on Dick’s mind lately, there was something that he wanted to talk with Bruce about but he wasn’t quite sure how to go about doing it. He decided to try and talk with Alfred about his dilemma to see if he could shed some light on the subject. Alfred was always there for him and had been the one he had the most interaction with as Alfred was homeschooling him while teaching him the finer points of English that he hadn’t quite grasped while living with Haley’s Circus.
Walking through the large opulent hallway towards the kitchen where Alfred almost always seemed to be. Knocking on the door and walking through Alfred was sitting at the counter drinking a cup of tea in an unnecessarily fancy cup. Placing the cup down Alfred spoke ”I had a feeling that I would be seeing you soon Master Richard. What is it that you wish to speak to Master Bruce about?”
“How did you know I wanted to talk to Bruce about something? I didn’t say anything.” Dick asked
“You didn’t have to say anything I just know these things,” Alfred replied with a hint of amusement in his voice
“I…I wanted to ask if Bruce would be ok with adopting me…not because I don’t miss my parents and I want to replace them, but because I thought it would be easier for me to get an American Citizenship this way. That’s not to say I don’t care about Bruce and I wouldn’t mind him being my parent but….” Dick trailed off
“My boy I don’t think he would mind it at all if you asked him,” Alfred said laying a comforting hand on Dick’s shoulder. Dick looked up at Alfred with a tearful expression on his face “Will you be there with me?” He asked tearfully.
“Of course, Master Richard, let's plan to do it tonight at Dinner does that sound like a plan? And in the meantime how about you help me prepare dinner while we talk.” Alfred said, Dick, nodded along.
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Sitting at the dining table Bruce had a feeling that something was off with both his butler Alfred and his ward Dick Grayson. They had spent a large amount of time together today in the kitchen talking about something that seemed to be important. It was at that moment that Dick walked into the dining room followed by Alfred.
Dick was fidgeting, wringing his hands together in front of him and glancing from the floor, to Bruce to Alfred then back to the floor.
Deciding to take action Bruce spoke up “Is there something you wanted to talk to me about chum?”
“Um….Yea.” Dick said quietly glancing at Alfred who gave him a go-ahead gesture. Not wanting to push he kept quiet and let Dick continue.
“Bruce there was something that I wanted to ask you.” Taking a deep breath Dick said, “I want you to adopt me.” Dick burst out. “It’s not that I don’t miss my parents and I want to replace them, but because I thought it would be easier for me to get an American Citizenship, That’s not to say I don’t care about you and I wouldn’t mind him being my parent but….I-I do care about you and I like living here and having you and Alfred take care of me. Dick trailed off quietly
Bruce saw how apprehensive Dick seemed to be and gave him a reassuring smile. “I would be honoured to become your father. We work together well as Batman and Robin and it’s an honour that you would be comfortable enough to see me as a second father to you.” Bruce said smiling. “Is this what you and Alfred spend the day talking about? Were you worried that I wouldn’t want you as my son, that I would reject you? I’m sorry if I ever made you feel this way chum, I love you.”
Dick looked up at Bruce and smiled for the first time in the nearly two years he had been here he felt lighter and happier than he had been in a while. Living as Bruce Wayne’s ward had been pretty good and now that he had confirmation that Bruce really cared about him, not just as Robin as Batman's partner but as his son.