"He's really such a clever young man, you should really consider him for marketing."

"Well, I don't actually do the hiring myself."

"Of course, but it is your company..."

"I suppose it is."

It was a rainy night in Gotham, and Bruce Wayne was attending a function with his youthful ward, Dick Grayson.

At this point in the night Bruce had been cornered by a small army of women, both old and young, relentlessly topping up his champagne and trying to get a laugh out of him.

An older woman dripping in pearls, probably either a shareholder or a shareholder's wife judging by appearances, was telling Bruce about her son and his potential in the company. Bruce wasn't looking for another semi-rich man to bark orders at the actual employees, but he smiled and nodded nonetheless as this seventy-something woman pitched her son to him.

"But of course," She said, finally pausing for breath, "You'll understand, having a boy yourself." Bruce smiled and nodded. "How old is he now, ten, eleven...?"

Bruce realized he'd been asked a question and sharply zoned back in. "Uh, thirteen actually. He's a little small for his age."

"Oh, of course." Before Bruce could excuse himself and break free of the swarm of women, the woman continued: "I remember when Liam was that age, everything was about girls!"

Bruce was quite confused by this, Dick didn't express interest in girls, at least no more than he did in boys. Still, he smiled and nodded.

"Oh, are we talking about about your heir?" A sharp-chinned woman asked, tuning in to the conversation. Bruce didn't like the way she said 'heir'. "He's such a sweet little boy."

"Not so little anymore," Bruce remarked. "He's growing up quickly."

"They're so independent at that age," The older woman continued. "They think they're basically adults."

Bruce nodded, finally getting ahold of the conversation. "Dick is very mature for his age, but I sometimes wonder if he forgets he's thirteen."

"Isn't it a little late for him to be out?" The sharp-chinned woman asked. "It is a school night."

"Dick will be out cold as soon as he gets to bed, don't worry,"

"Oh, Liam used to be up all hours of the night..."

Obviously that was true for Dick too, but he couldn't share that here. "I guess he is a bit of a fussy sleeper..." Bruce admitted, "he still can't get to sleep without his favourite stuffed toy."

"Aw, that's so sweet."  A very woman with cheekbones squeaked. "My sister used to crawl into bed with our parents when she was younger." 

Bruce smiled. "Dick used to do that. Still does sometimes, but it was a real habit when he was younger..."

"Bruce!" Dick fought through the crowd and appeared about five feet away, his face quite reddened.

"Hey Dick, we were just talking about you." Bruce replied. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Aw hello," The sharp-chinned woman cooed. "Don't you look dapper."

"He's a great sport about wearing whatever we pick out for him." Bruce said, as if trying to manifest it into reality. In reality, Dick usually threw a small fit when he had to wear restrictive clothes. "Dick, how are you enjoying yourself?"

"Oh. Fine." He said tightly. "Excuse me, ladies." Dick flashed an experienced smile at the crowd and then he stormed over, grabbed his guardian by the cuff and began dragging him across the room.

Bruce was honestly glad to escape that swarm of women, he let Dick lead him to a quiet corner. "What's the matter?"

"Bruce." Dick glared up at him. "Can you stop embarrassing me?!"

"Embarrassing you?"

"You realize one of those women is Jillian Digby's sister! If her sister tells her I still sleep with Zitka it'll be all over the school by Monday!"

"Dick, I think you're blowing things out of proportion." Bruce rested a hand on the boy's head. "We were just talking."

"Just talking? Bruce!" Dick hissed. "You realize that thirteen-year-olds don't sleep with stuffies-- or wake their guardian up after a nightmare-- you're painting a target on my back!"

"We were just swapping stories, I bet none of them even remember what I said by now."

"I hope not." Dick grumbled, storming off to hide in the bathroom.