While Dick had never wanted to be, he sure as hell felt a lot like Bruce lately.

About three months ago, a new vigilante started popping up around Blüdhaven. Dick made it his mission to find you and get you to quit before something happened to you. And he caught you after just a week after your second appearance.

And Dick just as quickly realised you were a child. Well, teenager, but damn it you were a child to him. But once you’d made it painstakingly obvious you weren’t quitting, Dick sighed and decided to take you under his wing. He was at least going to make sure you didn’t die.

And again it only took one week. One week for Dick to get attached. You didn’t talk about yourself much, secret identities and all, but you two had shared legal names. Regardless, as soon as he started teaching you, he decided he had to be better than Bruce was. Dick was going to make sure you felt better than he ever did under Bruce. Even if you weren’t that open about yourself, he was going to make sure to support you properly. He was damn determined to not only keep you alive and fighting, but also happy.

And, unbeknownst to Dick, his methods had worked… too well.

And now here you two were. Three months later, with Dick standing by your side on a rooftop after a successful mission.

“Way to go, little wing.” Dick says with a gentle smile, putting a hand on your shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks dad.” You’d said without thinking. Only realising what you’d said when you felt Dick’s grip on your shoulder falter.

And now Dick could see how much his kindness had affected you. Dad? But.. he’s not a father figure, is he?? Dick’s hand on your shoulder tightened, then loosened, and tightened again as he had no idea what to do, while you yourself were stammering for something to say or a quick way to run away.

God, Dick may have been trying to be different from Bruce, but what he wouldn’t give for the old man’s advice right now.