Yeah. That's true. [ He's tried. He's tried and he'll keep trying. But it's a terrifying, gaping chasm of uncertainty, with the possibility lurking there at the bottom that Bruce won't want to know him at all. Won't like the person Dick is before there's any real room for Dick in his life.

It's that thought that brings the ghost of a smile back to his face. He gives Damian's shoulder an encouraging pat and then lets go. ] Sorta like we're doing, huh?

[ You're doing alright he wants to say. ]

Maybe I'm not-

Okay, I know I'm not supposed to ask but... [ He has to know. For Damian's sake he has to. ] -how well did you get to know him?

Before I was Batman, I mean.