so listen i have a batfam headcanon that's eating a hole in my brain and not a soul to share it with so i'm dusting off ye olde middle school tumblr account that i haven't really touched in the better part of a decade in order to shout this into an empty void for absolutely no-one to read, but i have to get this out of my head.
let me paint a picture: imagine an eight-year-old Dick Grayson, just lost his parents and been brought home by Bruce, just begun his training with Batman. he's been told, of course, that Bruce Wayne and Batman are one and the same, but something in his eight-year-old brain doesn't quite comprehend it. he loves training with Batman and spending time with Bruce is really helping him learn how to live with his grief - he just can't quite wrap his little brain around the fact that they're the same person.
so one night after patrol, Bruce comes into Dick's room to tuck him in - he heads right to his room without stopping to remove the suit and cowl as he knows Dick categorically refuses to sleep without knowing the Bats is home safe (even going so far as to physically fight sleep off when his eyes start to force themselves closed; Bruce and Alfred have long-since given up trying to argue with him when they both come to see it's a trauma response to having lost a dad once already) - when an oh-so-sleepy Robin mumbles something so softly it's almost inaudible.
"Can I tell you a secret, Batman? Only you have to promise not to tell Bruce!"
Bruce, amused and just a bit intrigued by whatever game little Dick is playing: "Of course you can, Robin. I wouldn't tell a soul."
"Okay, but you really have to promise not to tell," Dick says, in a tone that might have sounded indignant had it not been so sleep-laden.
Bruce is openly chuckling now, though he's having a hard time ignoring the twinge of concern that's blooming low in his gut. "I promise I won't tell Bruce," he replies, doing his best impression of solemnity as Dick sleepily curls up in Batman's cape.
Dick blinks up at him. "Pinky swear?"
"Pinky swear," Bruce promises, brushing the hair out of the boy's eyes.
"I love Bruce. I'm glad he's my dad now, even if I still really miss my other dad. Please don't tell him I said that. I don't want him to feel like he has to worry about me. He worries about so much."
Dick would never admit to any of this in the light of day (in fact he adamantly denies it happened when Bruce recounts the story when he's older), but the combination of sleepiness and the warmth and safety of the Batman holding him lulls him into the deep and terrifying comfort of honesty.
Just like Bruce would never admit that his eyes began to grow misty under the cowl as he replies, "Don't worry, I won't tell him. Maybe you should. I know he loves you too."
But Dick has already fallen asleep, curled up in his father's arms.
