Disclaimer: Meh.
Dick's POV
I don't regret telling Sel the truth.
She deserves to know who she's dating.
Bruce hasn't noticed a change in our demeanour, mostly because we haven't changed our demeanour.
We're surprisingly good actors, if you haven't noticed.
Can't wait to stun the big bad bat today.
I was a little confused as to how he hadn't worked out that I was the kid who learnt mini-justice's little secret.
Then it hit me, he knows Richard GRAYSON found out. He thinks I'M Richard KYLE.
Just wait until he finds out that his 'girlfriend's' son is the person who figured out tiny justice's IDs!
I can't wait to shock the Batman again... twice in a month, who knew?
I make my way through Mr. Wayne's way-more-complex-than-necessary hallways and find his study.
Alfred told me Bats had a 'critical business meeting' at 11:30.
Obviously I know where he's really going, but oh well.
I'll play along.
It's only 11, so when I knock on the door Brucey calls for me to come in.
I do, and he seems surprised that it's me.
Which is dumb.
Alfred has a really distinct knock, mine sound completely different.
Who was he expecting? Selina?
She's still confined to bed rest.
Or am I just reading WAY too far into this...
Yeah, probably that last one.
"Hi Mr. Wayne..." I say, making myself act slightly shy and sheepish.
I can't believe anyone actually buys my 'shy and sheepish' look.
But, whatever.
Better for me that they do.
"...Good morning, Richard." he offers.
"G'morning, I guess... and I actually go by Dick, not Richard." I point out.
"...Okay... I'm sorry, did you need something?" he asks, clearly not enjoying our conversation.
"I just wanted to say I'm heading out for a bit."
Just to clarify, I'm NOT asking for permission.
I'm INFORMING him I am leaving.
"I don't think that's a good idea." Battsy responds.
I have to admit, I'm taken aback.
"What?"
How dare he think he's in charge of me!
"It's nothing against you. It's just because... since Selina and I are dating it might be dangerous for you to be off on your own."
I just stare at him, jaw dropped.
I have a choice now.
Lose my cool and tear into his STUPID notion, or I reason with him.
... I'm leaning towards option #1.
No, no. No. Reasoning would be more 'in character'...
"But nobody even knows you two are dating yet..." I reason quietly, sticking to my slightly shy act.
"And, and I'll keep in touch! I'll be back before 4! Please?" I beg.
Begging... ugh.
I've stooped LOW.
"Please? I've already promised some friends I'd be there!"
... Technically true.
Brucey sighs.
"Fine. But I want your phone number in case of an emergency."
I fight my eyes from narrowing at him.
It's a... reasonable request.
But I don't like it.
I know he thinks he's 'responsible' for me until Sel recovers, but I don't want him to be!
If he starts acting like... ugh I don't know, a parent or something... I'm going to lose it!
Thankfully, Wayne Enterprises and being the Batman should keep him too preoccupied to run my life.
"Okay!" I agree enthusiastically, scribbling my number onto a slip of paper and handing it to him.
Blech.
No! Not 'blech'.
Act grateful...
... Thank him.
But I really don't want to...
Get it together! Stay in character!
"Thank you so much Mr. Wayne!" I shout back as I sprint out the door.
I have to hurry if I'm going to catch the Ferry to Happy Harbour.
But I still need to tell Sel where I'm going.
What can I say? She likes to be informed.
Plus, she IS allowed to act like a parent.
As I hurry down the hall, I run smack-dab into Alfred.
Smack-dab... that's a weird expression...
The english language still baffles me.
Now that I'm thinking about it, baffles is a pretty weird word too...
CRASH
... Oops...
"I am SO sorry!"
I'm stunned to realize I actually mean it... I actually feel really bad about this...
Alfred doesn't look too put off by the broken... thingamajig... on the floor.
He just sighs.
"Don't worry, Master Dick. It wasn't all that important, now where were you off to in such a hurry?"
I'm still kinda put off that I didn't hear him coming...
That's twice now he's snuck up on me...
"Oh, uh... I was just going to tell Selina where I was going." I answer, honestly.
"She's resting at the moment, though I will tell her where you have gone the moment she awakes."
"Thanks Alfred! Bye!" I call back.
I snag my backpack from my room.
It's still equipped with anything I could possibly need.
And many things I don't.
I hop on the bus to where the Ferry boards.
There's only one seat left, so I thankfully don't need to stand.
The bus ride is boring. I end up playing Fruit Ninja on my phone.
My high score is 5 678.
It would be higher but it takes forever to get that high.
The Ferry ride is loud, crowded, long and dull.
Nothing else to say really.
The second my feet hit solid ground, I'm power walking to Mt. Justice.
I head to one of the entrances and although I know they clearly won't hear me, I knock.
Why? Because it'll give them a security alert.
When they go to cameras, I sit back, rock on the balls of my feet and look innocent as all heck.
And... success.
The door slides open and I slowly make my way in, trying my best to look amazed by their dumb little hideout.
I make my way into what looks like a living room connected to a kitchen.
"Hi, everyone!" I smile cheerily.
Artemis, Superboy and Wally give little grunts that just barely acknowledge my presence.
Miss M rushes over and gives me an actual welcome and Aquadude just gives me a respectful nod.
"By the way," Megan adds after I sample a third cookie, "Batman wanted to speak to you."
I force myself to look astonished.
"THE Batman?! Talk to me?" I gasp.
I feel someone over my shoulder and look behind me.
I force myself to keep calm.
I'm not Swiftclaw right now. He has no reason to attack me.
I know it's still just Bruce... but... he's all dressed up and in Bat mode right now...
It just a little intimidating.
"Wow, you're him! You're Batman!" I say, forcing an awed expression.
When he fully takes in who I am, I can tell he pales just a little.
No one else'd be able to notice.
I grin on the inside.
This'll be fun.
Won't it Brucey...