"He looks up at me with nothing but trust in his eyes. And all I can think is—God, I hope he never learns how much there is to be afraid of."
Bruce adjusted his gloves, watching Dick in the mirror as the boy spun in circles, letting his cape flare around him like a dramatic stage performer.
“Stop that,” Bruce said.
Dick stopped, only to immediately start again.
Bruce sighed. “Listen to me.”
Dick grinned at him in the mirror. “I am listening, Mama.”
Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose. “Tonight, you stay under my cape until I say otherwise. No running ahead. No waving. No—”
Dick gasped dramatically. “You think I’d wave? Like a regular person?”
Bruce ignored him. “You will stay hidden because no one has seen Robin before. The League knows I have a partner, but the public doesn’t. That means if they see you, it changes everything. Understand?”
Dick rocked back on his heels. “Mmm… no.”
Bruce exhaled slowly. “I don’t want them knowing who you are yet.”
“Because you love me?”
Bruce’s mouth opened, then closed. His shoulders slumped. “…Yes.”
Dick threw his arms around his waist. “Awww! Mama loves me so much he’s scared to let people see me!”
Bruce sighed, resting a hand on Dick’s back. “Yes.”
Dick grinned into his chest. “What if I really want them to see me?”
Bruce stepped back. “Then you really stay under the cape.”
Dick gasped again. “Mama! You monster!”
Bruce turned toward the door. “Get under the cape.”
Dick clung to him dramatically. “I love my mama, but he is so mean to me!”
Bruce pulled up his cowl. “Get under the cape, Dick.”
Dick muttered under his breath but squeezed himself against Bruce’s side.
Bruce sighed in relief. Maybe the night would go smoothly.