Bruce loaded the bike into the boot of the car as Dick leaned against the passenger-side window moodily. The only thing Batman had said was a brief: "Are you okay?".

Dick had responded: "Yeah", and that was all.

The drive home was quiet. Neither said anything until Bruce abruptly pulled over not far from the cave. Dick wondered why they were stopping, but he didn't want to push his luck by asking.

"Robin-- Dick--" Batman sighed, and as he almost never did, Bruce swept off his cowl, turning to the boy. "What did he tell you?"

Dick shrugged. "He just asked a bunch of questions. I don't know. He said I needed to do something or..." He sighed, realizing how stupid his worry sounded. "He said that you'd just keep getting sick of me."  

Bruce stared at the dashboard, and then turned back to him. "What do you mean keep getting sick of you?" 

Dick shrugged. "I dunno." He said, suddenly feeling like it was silly to even suggest it after that hyper-protective display Batman had made back at Arkham.

"Dick," Bruce leaned towards him. "I'm not sick of you. I'll never be sick of you." He promised. "I've been busy lately. I admit I should've done better, I should've made more time for you, and I'm... I'm sorry I didn't." He sighed, pinching between his eyes. 

"You aren't tired of having me around?"

"Never." Bruce promised. "Let's get home. I think we've both had enough action for tonight."

"Really?"

 "Sure, how about we put on a movie?"

Dick blinked up at him again. "Really?!"

"Sure." Bruce smiled. "Gordon let me take a rain check on our discussion, it's not urgent." He explained, pushing back Dick's fringe, "and... and if you ever want to talk about what Strange said..." He nodded seriously, still cradling Dick's head in his hand. "...Just know that nothing that man says is without reason, try not to internalize anything." He said, turning back to the wheel. "You can just tell me or Alfred, okay? I'd rather you do that than believe him for even a second."

Dick fell back in his seat, staring at the dash. "I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"For being stupid." Dick groaned, sinking his face into his hands. "I knew I shouldn't trust him, I don't... I don't know why I did." He sighed.

"Dick, it's not your fault," Bruce insisted, "and you're not stupid either. Strange is a master of manipulation, even I still fall for his attempts sometimes and I have over two decades of building up my mental fortitude." 

"Promise?"

"Honestly, Dick, I'm impressed you were able to say no to him," his guardian admitted. "That's not easy, and from what I overheard, it took a lot of determination not to give in to his demands. You did the right thing."

"You were listening?"

"I only caught the last minute or so, but yes, I was listening." He looked at Dick again, one hand still resting on the wheel. "What he was doing wasn't fair, he was practically extorting you." Bruce explained. "You were very brave in the face of his threats. I'm proud of you."

"Master Robin, I am glad you're home."

"Hi Alfred." Dick hopped out of the car. "Me and Bruce are going to watch a movie." He said, excitedly.

"I take this to mean that Master Bruce has waved your grounding?"

Dick looked up at his mentor.

"Yeah," Bruce said tiredly, "Yeah, sure. I grounded you without enough context." He pat Dick's shoulder. "Go get changed, I'll meet you upstairs."

As Dick ran off to shed his gear, Bruce idled up by Alfred. 

"Dare I ask why he snuck out?"

"Hugo strange has been extorting him," he replied quietly. "He convinced Dick I was bored of him and that he needed to release the doctor or I'd... or I'd stop caring about him." He shook his head. "I'm just lucky I was there to hear, or I'd still think Dick... no, no, Dick was trying to do what was best, he turned Strange down in the end. I don't know how he did it but his determination impresses me."

"Master Dick never fails to impress us," Alfred agreed. "Now, may I assume you'd like some cocoa with your film?"

"Yes, I'm sure he'd love that." 

After delivering their hot chocolate, Alfred wouldn't see his boys again until the end of the movie, when he went in to collect their cups.

Dick was long asleep on the couch, curled up and snuggled under his guardian's arm. Bruce was barely conscious himself, the warmth and weight of a preteen pinning him down.

"Alfred," he hissed. "I can't move."

"Most regrettable, sir."

"Can you take Dick to bed?"

"I fear waking him, sir. I suggest you settle down here for the rest of the night."

Bruce shifted a little, but Dick was dead asleep on top of him. He didn't want to disturb the boy's peaceful slumber either. "How right you are, Alfred."

"I'll fetch you a blanket, Master Bruce, and I'll be sure to wake you in good time for your morning conference."

"Actually..." he thought it over, "actually, can you cancel my plans tomorrow? I think I'll spend the day at home."

"Very good, sir."

-Thanks for reading! I had a blast writing this and am grateful for you reading!!-