Here's the first of many drabbles to come on Batman. I will give informations about the timeline at the beginning of each drabble. They can be set prior to Begins, during Begins, pre-Dark Knight, during The Dark Knight, pre-Dark Knight Rises, during The Dark Knight Rises (based on what I saw in all 4 amazing trailers -can't wait for the movie to come out!- and on my imagination). Hope you'll enjoy reading those as much as I enjoy placing Bruce in terrible situations and play with his emotions (poor dear ol' Bruce!)
Alfred will be present in most, of course (because Bruce would be lost without him), but also many characters from Nolan's kick-ass movies (good guys as well as villains) :)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters. If I did own Bruce, I'd give him a big hug and a cup of hot chocolate to try and cheer him up!)
He was staring out the window when Alfred silently came in. It was snowing outside and it was almost dawn. Bruce was sitting in a chair, still wearing his Batsuit although he had removed the helmet which laid on the floor a few feet away. He seemed unaware of Alfred's entrance so the butler came closer.
"Master Bruce?" he asked softly, unwilling to disturb the boy.
Bruce slowly turned his head towards Alfred. The look the butler saw in the young man's eyes froze him instantly. They were those of a scared, remorseful, angry child who would gladly give everything he had to go back in time, all the while knowing he never could. The billionaire looked more tired than ever. Tired of his life, of his crusade, of the routine. Bruce's face bore new severe bruises and Alfred surmised his covered body must have been just as hurt. Yet another long night chasing the scum of Gotham's underbelly.
'Turn up the volume, Alfred," Wayne asked wearily.
The butler had not expected such a request, however, he did as he was told without any questions. He realized the radio was playing Silent Night, sung by the everlasting Franck Sinatra. It would be Christmas soon.
This song meant a lot to Bruce. When he was a young boy, his mother would sit at the piano, play it, and they both would sing, smiling, happy.
Alfred noticed a tear slowly rolling down Bruce's cheek, silently followed by others. "You're exhausted, Sir..." He observed, although he knew this wasn't the only reason for Bruce's unusual outburst.
"It's been 25 years ago today..." the young man softly said, still staring out the window.
Alfred knew it. 25 years since that dreaded night where an 8-year old Bruce Wayne had witnessed his own parents' murder. "Yes, Sir. And, after all, it went by rather fast, didn't it?"
"I'm not sure about that... But I do know that I wouldn't have gotten far without you."
Author's Note: Alright, here's the appetizer! I'd love to hear what you thought of it! Next one should be up soon!