CilanTheGreat: I can't believe you clicked this fic but since you did you might as well read it. Darthjennab: Wow, so encouraging CilanTheGreat: People should have the free will to do as they please but they might as well read it… Darthjennab: Where are we going with this CilanTheGreat: Uh...well they like DC and Marvel and we like DC and Marvel so~ Darthjennab : Tch, personally I think DC is better but you knowww… CilanTheGreat: I am personally feeling attacked right now, i can't handle these negative emotions Darthjennab: Don't forget I'm the reason you even like marvel *I was number one* CilanTheGreat: Again with these negative emotions, this is not the way wants us to behave. Darthjennab: STOP DISTRACTING! DO THE DISCLAIMER THING…. CilanTheGreat:We do not own Marvel or DC or any of the character related to them Darthjennab : You sure… like absolutely positive? CilanTheGreat:110% Now enough with your negative attitude and start the fic already-.- ^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^
It was dark, gloomy and wet… an everyday setting in Gotham City. Tony gripped the umbrella handle, his knuckles turning white. He would admit, Gotham could be a very beautiful city, it just wasn't the city for him. It had a depressing atmosphere, it seemed to be always raining and trouble could be found around every corner. It wasn't as if New York had any less trouble, far from it. There was just something about Gotham that rubbed Tony the wrong way. To be completely honest, there was only one reason why he would ever be in Gotham at all. Bruce.
Bruce Wayne; Genius, billionaire, Philanthropist, not unlike himself in many ways. Or at least that's how the world very wrongly viewed them. Most saw them as crazy party animals that liked to move from girl to girl on a daily basis but, behind closed doors, it was completely different.
Tony knew how reckless he could be. In fact, he could barely take care of himself and drowned his sorrows in alcohol almost every chance he got. He was a walking, talking mess that couldn't function by himself. In turn he relied heavily on the people around him to drag him through.
Bruce however, was the complete opposite. Where Tony was almost always falling apart, Bruce definitely had his life together. He wasn't a mess and somehow managed to remain sober almost 100% of the time. He was precis, clear minded and had an answer for everything.
Except for today.
Where Bruce had always seemed to have a steady train of thought, a calm gaze, today he acted dismal, unsteady. Several years ago today Bruce and Tony had met on not so different circumstances. It was several years ago today that Bruce buried his parents.
*Flashback*
The casket lowered into the ground, Tony could barely see above all the old people around him. Why was he even there, he didn't know any of these people, they're not even from the same city... Gotham was depressing.
Gotham. Home to the "Wealthy Waynes". Tony had never met them but he knew that his father and the owner of Wayne Enterprises were close. He himself had never seen them and now he never would. Tony wanted to leave. He hated funerals, he just didn't like the depressing atmosphere. His parents had almost left him behind, "Funerals are no place for children, Master Stark." Jarvis had told his dad but for some reason his father had dragged him along anyways. He was the only child there...well except for youngest Wayne.
What was his name? Tom? Robert? Chris? Henery? It was probably something like Ben. Either way, the kid looked depressing. Everything was depressing. The kid did just lose his parents, maybe he should talk to him? That sounded like a bad idea but then again it couldn't hurt. As his mom always said "Better to try and fail than to never try at all."
Something like that.
He quickly left his father's side (not that the man even noticed) and slowly made his way to the charcoal haired boy. "'Scuse me, Ben?" He got no response, that probably wasn't his name. "Um, Henry, Chris, Robert?" That was no good either, one last try couldn't hurt...could it? "Uh..Tom?" That caught his attention, the boys shoulders visibly stiffened. Then he started to cry, well shit… The older man standing beside what's-his-face made quick to comfort him but not before giving Tony a stern look. What did he do?
"Uh sorry, parents... died?" Oh no, that didn't work at all. Tony was never good at apologies, he doubted he could make the kid laugh.
At least the old man had calmed him down a bit, maybe he should just talk to this kid alone…? Luckily for him the other old guy (He made a quick mental note to learn these people's names.) had left to go talk to the other adults.
"Um... okay, are you okay?" The boy barely lifted his head "My dad's name was Tom…" Tony cringed, great, he messed up ONCE again. Guess what mom? It was better not to try but, since he was already here. "Ah yeah, sorry about that uhhh so not Ben... right?" The boy rolled his eyes, not so depressed now. It almost got him smiling or at least it looked like a smile. "Bruce" "got a nickname?" Bruce sounded like an old man in his thirties not a ten year old boys name. "Nope." ...Uh okay.
"Got a middle name?"
"...Thomas."
Well shit, at least he didn't cry this time.
*End Flashback*
That was the start of a beautiful friendship, although you would never hear Bruce say it. "Come on Bru-Berry let's go" "Don't call me that, Tony" "Well it's not like you have a better nickname! Bru-bru, Brucey, Bru-bear, batsy?" "Not in public." Tony snickered, "Then Bru-Berry it is, let's go home~" Bruce nodded slightly then headed in the direction of the manor, Tony raised a brow.
"You didn't bring a car?"
"Alfred is at home"
"You can't drive, Bruce?"
"Shut up Tony."
^._.^ *Batsy the line break*^._.^
Bruce rang the doorbell,
"You don't even have keys, Bru?"
"Alfred's at home, leave me alone."
Alfred opened the door, "Welcome Master Bruce, Master Tony what a...surprise." "Alfredo you wound me."
"May I suggest you two head down stairs?" Tony could never understand bat speak, how hard was it to say 'to the cave?' His thoughts were quickly cut short by the bat himself. "That sounds like a great idea, Alfred." Tony followed Bruce down to the living room but was confused when instead of going to the super secret entrance thing he just sat down on the nearest chair.
"Tony we need to talk." Tony gasped dramatically as he flopped down on the nearest seat. "Bruce, are you breaking up with me?" Bruce frowned at that remark, everyone who saw them thought they were together, Tony probably being the reason why.
"This is serious Tony-" "Hey, something smells good! What's Alfredo making?" Bruce sighed in agitation, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. "He's making cookies-" "Cookies? Cookies for what? You starting to grow a sweet tooth or something, Bru-Berry?" "Stop calling me that, they aren't for me-" "Are they for me then? Alfredo's cookies are the best cookies-"
"TONY!"
"...Yes Bru-Berry?" Tony could see that he was getting on Bruce's nerves, it was always fun seeing the normally calm collected bat lose his cool.
"Those cookies aren't for you and they aren't for me either…they're uh.. For the kid…"
"The kid?"
"Yeah the kid...in the kitchen…"
"Bruce why is there a kid in the kitchen and how the hell could I not have seen him?"
"Well you aren't the sharpest tool in the shed-"
"BRUCE!"
"Okay fine, the kid in the kitchen then?"
"Yeah an explanation would be nice." Tony watched as Bruce folded his fingers and rested his elbows on his knees, whatever Bruce had to say about the kid it had to be important, especially since Bruce was in his 'important news' pose.
"I'm a foster parent? I uh, took in a ward yesterday?"
"YOU DID WHAT? WHEN WAS THIS?"
"Yesterday…I literally just said so" Tony rolled his eyes at that, Bruce was always being a smart ass.
"Not what I-, you know what never mind just tell me how this happened."
"Not important, Dick is here an-"
"YOU NAMED YOUR KID DICK!"
"M'names Richard Grayson ."
Tony jumped his hand gripping the arc reactor in his chest, "Jesus, kid! Don't do that! What kind of name is Richard anyway?"
Dick frowned, small arms crossing over his chest "Dick is short for Richard…"
Tony turned to face Bruce, his eyes twinkling with mischief,
"You're a Richard~"
Bruce glared at Tony not liking the smirk plastered on the others face. Dick watched the exchange between the two men, confused on what was going on.
"Dick this is Tony Stark, CEO and owner of Stark Industries."
Tony turned to face Dick, his smirk turning into a grin "Former CEO, it's nice to meet you Dickie." The boy frowned at the nickname, not liking how the man said it.
"Likewise Mr. Stark ar-"
"Please Mr. Stark was my father, call me Tony...or you can call me Uncle Tony, that works too~" Tony could see the boy's nose wrinkle in discomfort and couldn't help but chuckle a little bit.
"Are you Bruce's boyfriend or something?"
Bruce face palmed, while Tony burst out laughing, this happened every time. "No Dick, Tony and I aren't in a relationship, he's just a very annoying childhood friend."
"C'mon Bru-bru, I know you love me~" Dick hesitantly sat next to Tony, his gaze fixed on his fidgeting fingers.
"How did you two meet?"
Bruce sat silently, his eyes and Tony's meeting in an instant the two sharing a visual conversation of sorts,
'you tell him.'
'Bruce!'
Tony looked back at Dick, a sheepish smile finding its way onto his face. "Let's just say it was a business event and our families had to meet."
"When can I meet them?"
This kid was asking all the wrong things. It was Bruce's turn to explain, "Um...well you see Di-" "Master Richard the cookies are ready."
Tony and Bruce both visibly relaxed, silently thanking Alfred for the interruption.
"Alfredo brought cookies, you're the best Alfie!"
"Can I call you Alfie?"
"Please don't Master Richard."
"Just Al then?"
"...I suppose. Master Richard but please, do remember I have a name." Bruce could hear the sigh in Alfred's tone and was pretty sure it passed right over both Tony and Dick's heads. It hadn't even been an hour yet and Tony was already a terrible influence on the kid.
^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ ***^._.^ CilanTheGreat: Well that wasn't so bad was it? Darthjennab : It took us days just to write the flash back . NOT MY FAULT YOU'RE SO DISTRACTING CilanTheGreat: It's called being lazy, it's an art in itself Darthjennab: "Art form" CilanTheGreat: Exactly~ Darthjennab :