Dick forces himself to breathe normally, to not give anything away as he turns the question over in his mind and replays their earlier conversation about Alfred in his mind. Has he already given it away, then? Or is Bruce just wondering, thanks to Dick's own age, whether Alfred was still alive in his own world?

Of course, by waiting so long, he's probably saying enough.

"Damian's been raising himself since before he came to Gotham," he manages, voice a little tight, then takes a deep breath. "But, no. Alfred left us about a year ago."

He will NOT say how. Or why. To a Bruce Wayne this young, knowing some version of his father was responsible? No. He's not going to be put that on him.