It started with a text he wasn’t supposed to see. You left your phone on the counter. Not unlocked. Just lit up. He wasn’t snooping. But the name that popped up caught his eye. And then he read the message. Nothing special but... he felt that there was something here. Cue instant older brother meltdown.

You had plans to watch some stupid movie while Dick was in Gotham and had some free time. You were gone for a couple of minutes, so Dick had a moment to see the phone screen. By the time you came back from grabbing a hoodie, Dick was already pacing the living room like he was preparing for a press conference. You stopped in the doorway, not quite understanding why he had such a puzzled look on his face. “I need to ask you something,” he said as soon as turned all attention to you, very seriously, like you were under interrogation. “Who is texting you? A friend, right?" In general, he never bothered with questions of this nature. But you don't tell him anything! What if uou have a relationship or something else and he missed it all! And what kind of older brother is he then? But he immediately realized that it was worth clarifying something. “I haven't read anything! No, I mean, i did... but not on purpose! Your screen lit up. My eyes were simply… available.”

You were honestly confused because this was the first time you had been in a situation like this... and he clearly saw this expression on your face, reading it rather poorly. “I’m not mad,” he said quickly. “I’m not. I’m just… concerned. Curious. Apprehensive, maybe."

And that’s when it happened. The speech. As soon as you sat down next to him on the sofa, Dick Grayson, eldest sibling, and emotional disaster, turned to face you fully, hands clasped like a professor mid-lecture. “Okay. Look. A relationship — any relationship — is a lot. It’s trust, communication, emotional compromise, and occasional heartbreak. You think it’s all dates and butterflies, but it’s also ‘did you eat today?’ and ‘why are you being weird right now?’ and sometimes crying at 2 a.m. over stuff you didn’t think still hurt.” All you could do was keep quiet, blink and listen. He wasn’t done.

“You need someone who respects you. Not just the version of you that’s funny or cool or good at something — you. Even when you’re mad. Even when you’re annoying." But... he seemed to realize in that moment what kind of bomb he had dropped on you. He had to take a rather big breath through his nose before looking at you again. “My point is,” he continued, “feelings are intense. And I just… I want you to be okay. I want someone to see how good you are and not flinch."

You stared at him for a long moment. His face was open, worried, sincere. But... it even made you smile, which caused an immediate frown and protest. “I’m being serious!” But he sighed again. It's not that serious... he went a little overboard. He ran both hands through his hair. “I just care, okay? Maybe too much. But you’re my little sibling. You’re not allowed to grow up or date or have feelings. You’re supposed to stay twelve forever and play Mario Kart." He looked at you for a second longer, then sighed, he wrapped his arm loosely around you, pulling you towards him, resting his cheek against your head. “If this person of yours hurts you, I will show up to their house.” He wanted the best for you, even though he was overprotective at times. Sometimes too overprotective.