The call came early into the night. Patrol had gone smoothly, with only minor hiccups in the schedule. After the robberies had been taken care of, the criminals handed over, and Gordon effectively ditched at the scene, Batman felt his nagging conscious steer him back home.
With a month now passed since his little life changing adjustment, a feeling had been slowly growing stronger inside him. Patrols became shorter, office hours were cut, and sleep deprivation molded into his normal routine.
It isn't that early, he halfheartedly conceded. Crooks are not my main concern. My job is to secure the major threats to Gotham. The police can handle the rest.
Batman felt an uncomfortable aura settle upon him- a common sensation as he constantly broke away from him normal night hours- but as soon as the car door opened and that warm body was pressed against his cold, armored chest, he knew he didn't feel nearly as bad as he thought he did. In the end, those blue eyes were worth it.
With Dick's unsteady sleeping patterns and Bruce's maintained insomnia, bringing the child to the cave helped erase a few steps in between. Of course, that hadn't been Alfred's nor Bruce's first guess; it took many trial and errors to realize how needy Dick was with their presence.
"Master Bruce," Alfred waited until his charge had removed his cowl and situated the child into one of the favored positions. "I'm afraid the young master's fever had not subsided."
Bruce frowned as he looked down unto rosy cheeks. With the long weekend granting the new father some free time, the trio embarked on a stroll through the new park; courtesy of Wayne Enterprises. Being the boy's first outing since the media's discovery, Lucius encouraged Bruce to broadcast the parkway in a new light.
"You've always showed support for the company's fund raising operations, albeit with a model or a well placed scandal. But this is a family oriented environment, Bruce. Seeing playboy Bruce Wayne enjoying the natural view with his new found infant son is just what the public wants."
And how did the public repay him? By spreading the cold to his nearly five month old son. Alfred would have thought nothing of it if a strangled cough had not left the under developed throat the day before. And after much research and many hours panicking, Bruce learned not only should such a young child not be coughing, but a cold is not something they should have.
"I've already called Leslie and scheduled an appointment for the morning, but until then it seems we will have yet another sleepless night." Alfred watched as the young man cradled the boy. "Do not fret, Master Bruce. While it would have been helpful for the boy to have avoided it, the cold will certainly not be his undoing."
Bruce gave a hum of acknowledgment as he sat himself into his chair. His doubts of himself had silenced slightly as he became accustomed to the workings of being a father, but with this unseen contagion he felt the darkness slowly peek.
"I've already brewed a new pot of coffee," Alfred said over his shoulder as he headed up the stairs. "I trust you can watch the young master until I return."
Having learned that the child was most calm when rocked, Bruce slowly rubbed the onesie clad foot. Seeking warmth, Dick burrowed into the crook of his father's elbow.
"Hey," Bruce cooed softly, rubbing the small back. "I bet you don't feel too good right now, huh chum?"
Hoping to receive the usual toothless grin, Bruce pressed soft kisses against the soft, red cheeks. All that was given in response was a quiet whine.
"Sh," the father pulled the boy to his shoulder, giving easier access to the small face and the soothing back rubs. "I know, baby."
As the infant pushed his face against the man's neck, the batcomputer let off a loud ring. Burrowing further into his shoulder, Dick let out a shriek. Cursing, Bruce quickly answered the call before gently massaging the child's head.
"What?" Bruce said in a low growl.
"Batman." It was Superman.
"I'm busy."
"You honestly think I would call if it wasn't urgent?" There was a pause. "We haven't heard from you from you in weeks. I almost didn't call in the belief that you were out of country."
"If this is nothing but a house call, I have other things to attend to."
Another pause. Bruce nearly pressed the end call button before the Kryptonian spoke again.
"Vandal savage has targeted the pentagon, and Luthor has supplied him with weapons and a small force of foot soldiers."
Bruce hesitated. He had always told the League to never call him unless it was of global importance, but with the group having been banded for nearly a year now, Batman had been seen in Metropolis on more than one occasion.
"Hold."
Quickly muting the call, Bruce rocked the child as he called for Alfred. The sight of fresh coffee made the dark knight almost sigh with joy, but the continual beeping of the computer reminded him that his night was about to get much longer.
"Was that Master Kent?"
Giving an affirmative grunt, Bruce turned to lay the boy in the cave's spare crib. Hoping the baby was too exhausted to give much of a fuss, he quickly grabbed the mug from the older man.
"Apparently the big, blue boy scout and his gang need my help."
Alfred took a sip of his own refreshment, watching the man's demeanor tense and body tighten.
"Well, it seems you have no choice but to go."
Bruce looked back at the computer, the waiting call sign flashing red and white around the dark cavern. He shook his head, muttering softly, "No, I should be here with Richard. You've been watching him nearly all day."
Alfred gave a tired smile. "Watching the young master is no trouble at all, and neither will extending my shift." Walking over the crib he added, "Besides, I almost forgot how entertaining it was watching you at this age."
As the older man gazed at the child, Bruce tried to remember interacting with the butler at his youngest ages. Was he as experienced with babies as he is now? Or did all of his knowledge of children come from the Wayne bloodline?
"I'll be back in time to take him to the clinic." Bruce tugged the cowl over his head. "You can take the rest of the week off."
Batman quickly whisked the child into his arms once more, pressing a soft kiss against black hair before handing the child back to the other man.
Alfred chuckled. "There is no need, Master Bruce. What would I do with so many days to myself?"
"Alf-"
"Tomorrow will be a suitable amount of time."
Knowing there was no point in arguing, Batman gave a nod, turning to the flashing computer. He waited until Alfred's footsteps were nearly unnoticeable, then pressed the hold button.
"What's the status?"
Wow, it has been a while since I posted anything. I apologize for the long hiatus guys, it was unplanned. This last year has been very rough to say the least, but my family problems have started to die down (hopefully). Even though I'm beating myself up for wasting this summer, what with my senior year coming up, but hopefully I'll be able to update somewhat frequently.
Now, about the whole coughing/cold part, I don't know anything about babies health. The "babies aren't supposed to cough this young" was taken from my own experience. My neighbor's son was that old about a year ago and was talking to my mom about how he was coughing and she was worried because babies aren't supposed to cough at that age. So, forgive my errors if that is incorrect.
Again, sorry for the delay, please be patient with me and I promise I will update as soon as possible. Thank you!