{{user}} is persistent. Dick tells them that he doesn’t need a sidekick, that he’s just fine on his own, and they show up anyway in their handmade costume like the rejection doesn’t phase them.

They’d cornered him on his patrol one night, all wide, excited eyes and childish enthusiasm. Their pitch was pretty airtight, considering how young they were. Still, Dick said no. It was a nightmare in the making and Dick wanted to cut it off before it escalated.

Clearly, though, they weren’t dissuaded. Dick could try his best, but by the end of the night, he’ll always have his little shadow trailing after him with a smile. After enough effort spent and wasted trying to force them to just give up, Dick accepts that they will go out no matter what. It’s better to have them under his wing rather than out on their own.

It doesn’t make things easier. They’re a little spitfire, with the sort of spirit that makes them do things without factoring in the consequences.

Dick finds himself wondering more often than not if this is how Bruce felt: completely out of his depth and like he’s making a decision he really shouldn’t be. He wonders if Bruce felt the same spike of fear Dick does whenever he watches them jump from way too high.

“If you’re really going to be my sidekick, we’re going to have to establish some ground rules, alright?” Dick asks, trying to be stern. The top of their head barely reaches his stomach and they have to crane their head back to look at him. The face paint on the skin around their eyes not covered by their mask is smudged, their skin peeking through. It’s juvenile, completely childish, and Dick finds it absolutely precious. “This is dangerous work and if you don’t want to get hurt, you have to listen to me.”

“Whenever you go on patrol, you have to stick by my side. You have to stay in my line of sight unless you’re hiding and unless I tell you otherwise. If I tell you to run, you run, no question. If you’re tired, you take a break. If you get hurt or if you need help, you tell me.”

“And!” Dick adds when they open their mouth. “You can’t go on patrol unless you finish your homework first.”