Seeing Someone That Ships Booker And Elizabeth...boy, That Would Be Interesting.

Seeing someone that ships Booker and Elizabeth...boy, that would be interesting.

Can you tell what I am craving?

Father's Day

A Reverse Batfamily Fic

Summary: It's Dick's first Father's Day without his family.

Dick had thought Mother’s Day had been difficult, but Father’s Day proved to be an even bigger challenge for him.

At least with Mother’s Day, he didn’t have any guilt about replacing his mami. Sure, he had given his card to Selina, but he only saw her about once a week or so. He considered her a mother figure, but he did not yet consider her Mom. 

Father’s Day was a different matter.

Dick didn’t want to replace his tati. He loved his parents more than life itself, and he still had a difficult time wrapping his mind around the fact that he would never see them again, though months had passed since their murder.

But…

He couldn’t deny the feelings that were brewing the longer he stayed at Wayne Manor. He couldn’t deny the joy he felt with every story Bruce read to him before bed or the safety he felt when Bruce let him crawl into the man’s bed after a nightmare. He couldn’t deny the way the words “daddy” and “tati” bubbled at his lips before he swallowed them back down.

It felt like the worst betrayal to his father, but he still couldn’t help it.

Dick could also admit that he was afraid. How would Bruce react to him referring to the man as his father? He knew the others referred to Bruce as their dad (for the most part at least), and Bruce seemed happy to be referred to this way, but what if Dick was the exception? Bruce already had so many kids, including a biological one! Why would he want another?

Dick knew he was probably being ridiculous, but his time in the detention center—as well as the harsh words from his fellow classmates—had done some serious damage to his self-image. Dick could admit to that.

As Father’s Day approached, Dick began avoiding Bruce. It wasn’t too hard at first. Bruce spent a lot of his time either at Wayne Enterprises or patrolling Gotham. However, Dick could only ask one of the others to read him a story before bed instead of Bruce so many times before the man would get suspicious.

Bruce finally spoke up one night after patrol. The others were heading out of the Cave when Bruce asked, “Dick, do you mind staying back for a moment?”

Dick froze. “O-Okay.”

The others glanced at Dick but continued heading out, giving the boy’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze as they passed him. Bruce waited for everyone to leave before speaking again.

“Did I do something wrong?”

Dick startled. “What?”

“Did I do something wrong?” Bruce repeated, looking uncharacteristically hesitant. “I’ve spent the last few days trying to think of anything I could have done to upset you, but I’m coming up blank.”

“You didn’t!” Dick blurted out. “You didn’t do anything. I…It’s me.”

Bruce was silent, and Dick worried that he would ask for more information. Dick wasn’t sure how to explain his feelings, and he didn’t want to upset or disappoint the man. Thankfully, Dick didn’t have to worry. Bruce informed him that he wouldn’t pry for now, but if Dick did need someone to confide in, he always had his siblings.

Dick left the Batcave with Bruce, an idea forming in his head.

“Timmy?”

Tim paused his reading of The Lightning Thief from the Percy Jackson series and looked at the boy beside him. He and the others weren’t sure why Dick was avoiding Bruce, but they figured he would come to one of them eventually. It seemed like now would be that time.

“Yes, Dick?”

Dick bit his lip and hesitated. Tim smiled at him encouragingly. “What was your first Father’s Day like without your dad?”

Tim froze before mentally facepalming. Of an entire family of detectives, none of them could figure out that Dick was feeling conflicted over his feelings about Bruce as the holiday approached. And of course, Tim was the one he approached about it. It made sense when Tim thought about it. While his dad hadn’t been the best, he had been leagues above the fathers of the rest of his siblings (except Damian, of course). If anyone was going to come close to what Dick was currently feeling, it was Tim.

“It was…difficult. My dad and I had our ups and downs, but he was still my dad, and I loved him. I still love him.” Tim paused. He had to think about his next words very carefully. “I just want you to know, Dick. My dad is still my dad, no matter what. Even though I consider Bruce my dad, it doesn’t mean I’m replacing my biological dad. He’s just…another dad.”

Dick sniffled and inched closer to Tim, who took the hint and wrapped his arm around his younger brother. Tim continued, “I think if your dad could see you now, he’d be so happy to know that you were able to find a family to love and take care of you until you could see your parents again.”

Tears gathered in Dick’s eyes. “Do you really think so?”

“Well, I can’t say for sure since I never knew him, but from the way you talk about him, I believe so. He sounds like he was an amazing man.”

Dick sniffled again and rubbed at his nose. He cuddled closer to Tim and shakily said, “Yeah, he was.”

Tim ran his fingers through Dick’s hair. “You don’t have to think of Bruce as your dad if you don’t want to—it’s your choice. Just know, though, that if you do think of him that way, that doesn’t mean that you consider John any less your dad either. You can have two dads and love them both equally. It’s like…It’s like having two best friends, you know?”

“Like Barbara and Wally?”

“Exactly.” Tim smiled. “Whatever you decide, we’ll all support you.”

“Thanks, Timmy.”

Tim read one more chapter of the book to Dick before tucking him in for the night. He stared at his Superman night light as Tim left the room, resolving to talk to Bruce the next day.

If the next day happened to be Father’s Day, that was just a coincidence.

“Bruce?”

Bruce looked up from his desk and found his youngest standing in the doorway to his study.

He smiled softly. “Hey, chum. Come on in.”

Dick shuffled into the room slowly, his head down and his hands hiding behind his back. It was so different from the boy’s usual exuberance and bouncing step that Bruce immediately became concerned.

“Is everything all right, Dick?”

Dick nodded but stayed silent, making his way around the desk to stand in front of Bruce.

“M’sorry I’ve been avoiding you lately, Bruce.”

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Bruce said, cupping Dick’s cheek. “You know you don’t have to tell me—”

“I want to!” Dick paused and took a deep breath before speaking again. “I want to. It’s not fair to you, so I want to tell you.”

Bruce waited as Dick seemed to gather his courage.

“Father’s Day is today.” Bruce tensed but let Dick continue. Dick’s voice wobbled as he spoke. “I…I love my tati, and I miss him a lot. It hasn’t even been that long…” Dick cut himself off before he could finish that thought. “He’ll always be my dad, but I think…I think you might be too.”

Dick looked away, not wanting to see whatever expression was on Bruce’s face. “I’ve been avoiding you because I feel really guilty. I don’t—I don’t want to replace my tati. But Timmy said it wouldn’t be replacing him. I’d just have two dads.” Dick still wasn’t looking at Bruce. “But if you don’t want that—”

Dick stopped as another hand cupped his other cheek. He looked up to see Bruce staring back at him with an unreadable expression.

“Dick—” Bruce cleared his throat and started again. “Dick, I don’t want to replace your father either, but I would be honored to be considered your dad. I already consider you my son.”

“Really?” Dick asked, eyes watering. 

At Bruce’s nod, Dick’s arms came out from behind his back, thrusting something into Bruce’s hands. Bruce looked down to see a handmade card with Happy Father’s Day! on the front. 

“I gave one to Selina on Mother’s Day,” Dick said, like a confession. 

“I love it,” Bruce replied, touched. This was definitely going on the fridge.

Dick and his siblings spent the rest of the day showering Bruce with love and cliche gifts. His siblings were happy to see Dick snuggling up to Bruce on the couch, and Tim gave him a knowing smile.

Dick still felt pain, knowing that he would never again celebrate this holiday (or any holiday) with his parents, but as he stood in front of their graves, hands clasped with Tim and Bruce, Dick thought that he’d be fine. He’d see his parents again, of that he was sure. In the meantime, his family would be there for him, and he’d never be alone again.

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Freedom isn’t Free by Rhytz