Batman #8

Setting: morning in Bruce Wayne's bedroom. Colorful bachelor pad. Think 2000 scene kid vibes. Goth with bright colors. A gurr plush holds an alarm clock.

Bruce gets up and stretches rubbing his eyes brushing his teeth wearing a muscle shirt like freddy mercury.

 He checks on dick who is still sleeping peacefully and smiles heading to the kitchen to get coffee. 

Once coffee was done he turned around

saw Grayson sitting at the counter

he is wrapped in a blanket rubbing his eyes, his hair a mess.

Bruce: Good morning sleepy head. Alfred has breakfast out in the courtyard when your ready to eat.

Dick yawns: I’m good. I’m not hungry.

Bruce: a word of advice. You should maintain a regular meal schedule even if you're not hungry. This way if you need to skip a meal throughout the day you will still have the energy you need to get through the day.

Dick: its too early for big words.

Bruce nods and makes grayson a cup of hot cocoa

It has whipped cream and marshmallows.

Bruce: its never too early for a sunny attitude-

Dick: yes it is.

Bruce: and your awfully small to be such a sourpuss in the morning.

Dicks head shot up and looked at bruce with a wide eyed expression of shock.

Dick: excuse you! I am a child.

Bruce: as far as I am concerned before i have had my coffee you are old enough to handle a little smack talk. Besides its all in good fun. Anyway here's a hot cocoa.

He puts a straw in the cup.

Bruce: drink this it’ll help you wake up.

Dick: fine. Would hate make an old man cry

Bruce sits next to him on a bar stool.

Bruce: wow you really must have slept well if that's the best comeback you could come up with.

Dick: yeah i did. Didn’t have any nightmares for once.

Bruce: good. I’m glad. I try my best to keep the bedrooms feeling safe and secure

After the coffee bruce makes dick get dressed and brush his teeth while bruce gets dressed.

Outside.

Bruce: dick you should go and play with the others your age.

Dick: No, why should I? We hardly know each other. And besides no one here could understand me.

Bruce: believe me when I say they may understand you better than you think. You just need to give them the chance. If you don't form connections with someone else now… you will regret not doing so later in life. So go have fun and make friends.

Dick looks up at bruce with a knowing and somewhat sorrowful expression on his face as Bruce looks out at the kids playing in the yard.

Grayson hugs him and bruce looks down.

Dick: thank you bruce. For inviting me here, making sure I felt safe and the hot cocoa.

Bruce smiles and hugs dick back.

BRuce: anytime dick. Now it's time to stop stalling and go make friends.

Dick let go and nodded walking away towards a group of kids and Bruce sighs.

Alfred: What is on your mind sir? 

Bruce: nothing just… hoping I’m wrong about Grayson being like me at his age.

Alfred: Well, I raised you to be an excellent judge of character. What if you are correct?

Bruce: well if that happens… I don't think it would be a good idea for him to stay in a group home.

end of issue 9