It's one reason why Bruce needs more people. Why he needs Gordon and the others that will come into his life. Because if it had just been the two of them when Alfred died, Bruce would have broken. It's not that he didn't, really, but there were others to help take up the load when it got to be too much. Who are also reminders of all the things that Alfred helped to get right.

Bruce hugs back and Dick lets himself breathe a sigh of relief. One that lets him get his own emotions back under control. "It'll be okay. It's Alfred. He always comes through."