Robin one shot part 3!

At least I still have you pt 2

"I'll be fine you two," Dick insisted as he got out of the car. Five months had passed since he last step foot in the manor and admittedly he was feeling queasy at going back but he felt ready. He wasn't the type to leave things this big unresolved and Bruce really was making the effort. He'd cleared his whole night, swearing off going out as Batman if needed. Jason was with a friend for the night, promising to stay out of trouble so they could talk things through. Dick wasn't sure if he'd stay the night yet but he was willing to hold out hope. 

"Don't be afraid to call us," Clark replied. "We're never too far away and I'll come right back to pick you up."

"You wouldn't be bothering us either. We can always reschedule," Lois added. 

"I'll be fine," he insisted with a smile. He waved them off before knocking the door. It felt weird to knock but even weirder to just walk in. The manor was stuck in a sort of limbo between home and a place he just knew. He had so many happy memories here but then they were soured by the last year. Even with help from his therapist, he wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel when the door opened to reveal Bruce. "Hey B."

"Nice to see you, chum," Bruce replied with a ghost of a smile. It annoyed Dick that at that moment, he couldn't stop himself from lurching forward and giving the man a tight hug. God, he missed him so much. Maybe not the person but simply the idea of him. Either way, here he was latching onto him as though they'd worked everything out when they weren't even close. "I've got you Dickie. I've got you." He nodded against the man's chest and let out a tired sigh before letting go, following him inside.

They decided to sit in the library for the discussion. It was tense and uncomfortable as they both sat down on opposite couches rather than the same one as they usually did. Well, maybe it was unusual now considering they hadn't spent time together in so long.

"I want to apologize. For everything," Bruce began surprisingly. Dick would've never guessed he'd be the one to start but still, he didn't voice that surprise, instead waiting for him to continue because that apology was half-assed at best. He wanted something solid, not something the press would eat up. "I failed you. I know I did. Jason required so much help in the beginning and you've always been self-sufficient that whilst I knew I was pushing you away, I thought it was obvious what my intentions were."

"So it's my fault then? For being the way you raised me?"

"No, of course not. I'm just explaining my thinking. Clark said it would help," he replied, desperate to amend his mistake. Dick softened at hearing he'd actually asked for help on this. He never would have before thanks to his pride but this was progress. Real effort. "I should have never taken something like Robin for you. I just- It worked. With you. Jason kept looking at the suit with such pride at knowing you and I think he needed it just as much as you did. I should've at least asked beforehand."

"I like Jason, don't get me wrong. He's my little brother and always will be. I might have said yes if you asked before but at that point you'd taken so much from me to give to him. Everything felt like it was changing and I wasn't in whatever future you were planning. I thought I served my purpose," he responded slowly. "I've worked through my feelings with a therapist and it helped. Clark helped."

"I know. I'd ask for updates," Bruce admitted. "You know why I gave him guardianship, don't you? It's not a matter of me not wanting you."

"I know. You weren't good with two kids. It was better for me to recover with him than with you. We burned a lot of bridges."

"I burned those bridges," Bruce corrected firmly. "Every night, I go over those arguments and I know each time I could've done better-."

"You just didn't." The older nodded disheartened. "But you will now right?"

"I will."

Bruce didn't get the call. It was his fault. He insisted on no Batman, on no outside distractions. If he'd allowed it then maybe he would've been able to save Jason. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice called out saying he shouldn't blame himself. That he couldn't have known. Only he could have known. He knew the job. He knew that being a Robin meant lying to get around things. He couldn't go to the funeral. The guilt made him sick and the imaginary blood staining his hands clung to him as he read the invitation. He'd packed up when he got back to Clark's apartment. Overnight, he was gone like a whisper in the wind. There was no sign of him. Perhaps that made things worse. Perhaps it made things easier. He wasn't sure which was right but he knew that he couldn't stay with the people he'd once known. He'd get them all killed. Dick looked down at his bus ticket. Bludhaven. A fresh new start. A place without a hero to protect them. Well, he'd change that. For once, people would be better off knowing him. 

BTW the 12 days is going ahead this year so if you're interested in requesting something let me know - they'll all have some whump elements to them and you can either be detailed with the request or just give me some characters you'd like to see!!