Author's Note: It didn't take that long this time, huh? (relatively speaking...)
Okay, so the whole idea behind this chapter is to address one of the main issues I myself had with Bridezillas & Kryptonite when I went back and reread it again... and that is that everything worked out a little too well in the end and that everything just fell into place.
I'd like to think that this is my attempt at correcting that whilst giving myself (and ya'll) everything I love in fanfiction (fluff, feels and awesome characters - with a lil' bit of action thrown in the way).
PROMPTS:
- [Key-Words/Phrases: Small Talks/Big Talks, Real-life Issues and Solutions (aka watch as superheroes adult - probably), Communication, Tea/Snacks and Comfort, 9 Months, Preparation, Keep Calm and *Fill In Blank* & Patience
- [Imagery/Mental Image: So... I'm kinda seeing a scene play out where Alfred lays eyes on Baby WonderBats for the first time, holds them in his arm and is, like, "This tiny human is mine now" - and absolutely fucking no one questions him about it.
- [Songs: See below. Sam Lloyd & The Blanks - Hey Ya (Outkast Cover from the Scrubs OST), Maroon 5 - Stutter, Klaas - Figure Out, Sigala - Came Here For Love, Yall - Together (Lenno Remix) & Dominic Fike - 3 Nights
- [Challenges/Mission Statements:
1) Modern (Superhero) Family Values, Expectations and Sentiments - and the Author's take thereon.
2) The Second-Hand Thirst (...in which you'll know it when you see it).
3) Alfred Mother-Hugging Pennyworth. Is. Flawless. (Also, fuck the asshole/s who's bright idea it was to kill him in the comics *glares death rays* - I know comic deaths and all that, but still)
4) Bruce and Diana are love-struck and totally, completely 100% committed dammit... although they're both über rational at times, sometimes very unsure and way too careful about things, and Alfred and the justice-fam has to deal with all of it. Sorry, not sorry!
5) Bruce gets love-bombed from all directions and just... grudgingly endures it with the warmth and cuddliness of a gargoyle.
Disclaimer: DC Comics own all that you are familiar with. The writer is merely borrowing them for a little non-profit wish-fulfilment and low-key rebelling against the status quo.
[and once again I am reduced to using my phone because- China]
Between What Is & What Could Be
(WonderBat Drabble: Quotes & Lyrics, Words & Phrases)
Kitchen Tables
[PART 1: Summer]
-Before-
In which there is a reunion
It was one of those rare early summer nights in Gotham City where the full moon seemed to hang over the bay like a pendulum, casting pale light over concrete and steel, and where the perpetual shadow had seemed to lift... if just for a little while.
He stood at the ledge at the top-most point on one of the tallest buildings around, staring out over it all, the neon signs and headlights from the cars below almost organic in its spectacle; flowing, pulsing, just being.
He was aware of her presence almost immediately as her boots touched down on the gravel, the air around her almost humming with the supernatural energy radiating from her skin. He didn't look when Diana approaches, but the hard line on his mouth softened when she came to stand next to him.
Bruce turned, having some difficulty keeping his face neutral as he laid eyes on her for the first time in almost twenty three days.
"It's a beautiful sight." She said softly.
It really was.
Still... there was a grey area, a line he wasn't cross without her permission.
"The height helps." He said, keeping his voice even. "...You're back."
She turned to face him more directly. "So I am."
"How was the mission?"
"Ares was eventually stopped, another crisis was averted, and peace triumphs yet again... So, all things considered, I'd say it went well."
"Same old, same old?"
She nodded. "Same old, same old."
The corners of his lips curved up slightly but then faltered.
"...You didn't say you were leaving." You didn't tell me you were going, he didn't say either.
Nor did he have to as she took a step closer to him, bridging the gap - even if just a little.
"I had to act. The message came suddenly, and I wasn't sure how long the information would stay relevant. You would have - and have - done the same if the roles were reversed."
She wasn't wrong.
Still, his jaw clenched but relaxed against his will when she reached up and brushed her fingers against his face.
"Were you worried about me, Dark Knight?"
"I kept up with your status updates."
Her lips curled into a smile. "Of course you did, but that's not what I asked."
Despite himself, Bruce savoured the touch as she let her fingers wander down the side of his face, down the armour plating covering his neck before resting against the bat insignia over his chest.
He didn't lie either, didn't see the point in it. "You were gone for three weeks, Princess. I almost came after you."
They're close enough that he could feel the heat coming off of her skin.
"Yet you didn't." It wasn't a question.
"I don't think you would have appreciated it."
He knew he isn't wrong, and he didn't miss the brightness in her eyes.
"I'm here now."
"You are."
"You're here, too." She pointed out.
"I am." Because why the hell would he want to be anywhere else?
She turned her face up just a little, just enough. "So isn't this the part where you're suppose to say hello?"
Never one to deny her anything (or point out he could say whatever she damn well wanted him to say in 14 different languages) he leaned in instead; effectively eliminating any space left between them when he tucked a stray curl behind her ear. "Hello, Diana..."
A slow smile spread over her face, but just as he was sure she was about to press her lips to his, the communicator in her ear went off.
Bruce let out an annoyed huff at the interruption and pulled away slightly. "Of course..."
She squeezed her eyes shut and let her head fall against his shoulder, letting out a short breath of her own. "You didn't really think it was going to be that easy, did you?"
The smile in her voice lessened the sting but wasn't enough to make him stop feeling oddly slighted.
"...Hold the thought?"
For her...?
The upwards quirk of his mouth turned into a definite smirk. "Count on it."
She reached up to answer, stepping out of his embrace as she turned away. "Watchtower?"
He watched as the sudden, serious look on her face softens.
"I am. How can I help you, J'onn?"
J'onn - his name, not Manhunter. A personal call then.
"It's fine." She reassured, smiling a little when Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Is everything alright? You don't usually use this number unless there's an emergency."
She paused, listening carefully for a long moment. "...No, I don't have anything pressing keeping me right now." And at this, she blew a kiss in his direction as an apology. "...If it's pressing, I can be up there whenever you need me to be."
She then looked at Bruce out of the corner of her eye. "...No, not at all, but could you give me a moment first?" She then smiled again. "Thank you, J'onn. I'll see you soon." She said and ended the transmission.
"What was that about?" Bruce asked quietly, letting his hand rest on her waist.
She leaned into his touch, pressing herself against his chest when he steped further into her space. "He wants to talk."
He took pride in the fact that she shuddered in delight when he reached up and swept her hair off her shoulder.
"About what?" he murmured against her skin.
She hummed, eyes fluttering shut as his lips left a feather light trail there and Diana tilted her head to the side slightly, exposing more of her neck for him. "Knowing J'onn he'll probably want to discuss what he found when I had my medical examination after the mission."
"You don't usually go through with those." He said slowly, his hand moving down her arm in something that could only be called a caress. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She said, clearly distracted. "You know how he fusses."
Bruce let out a low, thoughtful sound he knew she could feel against his chest, and pulled back only to really look at her.
"I'm glad you're back."
She turned her head enough to meet his stare. "I have a very compelling reason to be." She said. "...Are you done for the night?"
"Nothing lethal is being fed into the drinking water right this second." And he would have known.
"That's because it's three in the morning," she said matter-of-factly, nuzzling against his exposed cheek. "Most of your villains are either in jail, the madhouse or in bed... the latter of which sounds divine right about now."
He was definitely smirking then. "Agreed... Why do you ask?"
"Would you care to join me on the Watchtower?" she asked and was the one to pull back that time. "I know it's been a long night, and if you want to go home, I understand. But, it has been three weeks, and I-"
He cut her off by tilting her face towards his and kissed her.
When they parted several heart-racing moments later, he nodded curtly. "Call J'onn."
The way she smiled at him told Bruce he made the right choice.
She opened the comm. link again. "J'onn? Requesting two for pick-up."
He didn't hear J'onn's response, he was only aware that she stayed in his arms the moments until they were swept away particle by particle in a haze of white light.
-Later-
In which news is broken
At the unexpected warmth he felt on his back, Alfred Pennyworth peered up, out from under his umbrella and blinked at the watery sunlight that managed to break through the heavy clouds overhead.
He shifted the umbrella a little further, smiling a little despite the fine raindrops that misted against his cheek as he turned his face upwards. For a minute (just a minute, mind you, he had groceries with him), he stood in the middle of the gentle downpour and took in the tranquillity it brought.
If he was lucky, he thought wryly, the rain would blow over before nightfall and he'd be able to spend some time in the gardens.
Unlikely as it was that he was going to get his way, it always did him good to find peace before the night's patrol. Besides the peonies were in bloom and Tim had brought over a rare type of tea from a Titan's mission in China that he was eager to try; the least he could do is watch the sun set from the large window overlooking the gardens.
The thought made him smile and Alfred continued down the path from the garage to the back door leading into the kitchen.
He barely opened the door when the smell of spices hit him. If that wasn't surprising enough, the sight of both Jason Todd and Dick Grayson standing behind a stove clinched it.
"Hey, Alfie!" Dick greeted, waving at him over a large pot, the other hand stirring the contents with a large wooden spoon.
"Well now, what's all this?" Alfred smiled, shrugging off his coat. "To what do I owe the pleasure, lads?"
Jason snorted wryly while busy with the cutting board, different vegetables in front of him. "What's the matter, Alfred? We can't do something nice every now and then?"
"Not at all, Master Jason, I'm just pleasantly surprised to find the two of you in the same room together with little to no bickering."
Jason shrugged. "Wait an hour. Besides, say what you want about the Boy Blunder, here, he knows his way around the kitchen - figured I could put up with his blabbermouth until the food's done."
"Aw, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said about me, Jaybird." Dick winked.
"What? That you'll make a great housewife someday?"
"I prefer the term 'house-spouse', thank you very much." Dick said matter-of-factly, waving the wooden spoon in his brother's direction. "And you're damn right I would!"
Jason rolled his eyes but the act lacked any real annoyance and Alfred just shook his head in amusement. He then took a cautious sniff and identified several herbs, vegetables and the scent of chicken amongst the spices. "Curry?"
"We passed a place last night and it gave me the idea." Dick explained. "We ordered some freshly-made naan bread from there for later - it should be here by the time the meat's done."
"Well, it seems you both have dinner sorted then." Alfred smiled, setting the groceries on an open countertop. "...I don't see Master Tim. Is he home yet?"
Dick closed the lid and stepped away to wipe his hands. "He's in the other room - Bruce called."
Alfred frowned slightly. "Is everything alright? I haven't seen him since last night. He didn't come back this morning."
"Wouldn't surprise me." Jason snickered.
"And why's that?"
Dick and Jason exchanged a smug look which ended in Jason shaking his head with a bark of laughter.
"Diana's back." Dick explained, grinning at Alfred's raised eyebrow. "He asked us to cover for him tonight."
"Yup. Old man's probably not gonna be back for a while." Jason said, moving over to the stove to dump the vegetables into the pot Dick had been busy with.
The unease in Alfred's chest lessened immediately. "That's a relief to hear - I'm glad the Princess has returned safely."
"And Bruce can stop sulking like a twelve-year-old?" Dick said cheekily.
Alfred's mouth twitched despite himself. "That too." He then straightened. "Now, will you boys help me pack all this away, please?"
There was some mild grumbling, but both Dick and Jason did as he asked.
While they were busy, Tim came in from the living room, the house phone in his hands.
"Master Tim?" Alfred asked, looking at him over his shoulder.
He held the phone out for him to take. "Bruce wants to talk to you."
Alfred took it and watched as Tim sat down at the kitchen table, blinking at the dazed look on the teenager's face.
His brothers noticed.
"What's up with you, kid?" Jason said.
Tim just shook his head and Alfred's eyebrows drew together as he answered the phone.
"Alfred?"
"I'm here, sir. Pardon the delay."
"That's fine... Listen, Alfred, I won't be coming back tonight. I'm-"
"Miss Diana has returned, yes, I'm aware - the boys told me as much." He said, smiling to himself. "How is the Princess, by the by? I hope all's well?"
There was a long pause, and it was enough to make Alfred slowly lose his smile as the unease reared its head again.
"Sir?"
"She's sleeping right now - hell, I'm going to join her once I'm done with this."
"Are the two of you-?"
"We're fine, just tired. Both of us, we-" he paused again as it sounded like he was shifting the phone. "We... found some things out this morning."
"Oh? Is it serious?"
Dick seemed to catch the gist of the conversation. "What? Is something wrong?"
"It's... not what you're thinking." There was a sigh. "You might as well put me on loud speaker."
Jason gave him a strange look as he set the phone in the middle of the table. "Alfred?"
"Can everyone hear me?"
"Loud and clear. Bruce, what's going on?" Dick asked.
"Diana's pregnant."
The words hung in the air and silence followed.
On the outset, Alfred understood what Bruce had just said; more than that, he understood the deeper implications, and yet... none of it seemed to register, exactly. That, and he needed to sit down.
As for the boys, when the moment passed, there was a sudden, near-explosion of voices.
"Bruce-!" Dick.
"Wait. What?" Jason.
"When? How?" Dick again. Jason snickered. "Dammit, I mean- how far along is she?"
"Three weeks - almost four."
Dick made a happy noise while Jason glared at Tim. "Why aren't you more surprised?"
Tim held up his hands. "What are you looking at me like that for? I was the test run. I was just as stoked as all of you are."
Alfred seemed to find his voice at that moment, weak as it - and his knees - was. "I suppose you were deemed more mature than the rest of us, Master Tim."
Everyone looked at him.
Bruce paused at the other side. "You're still with us, Alfred?" he asked steadily.
"Where else would I be, sir?" he said only to discreetly wipe at his eye.
Jason stared. "Oh, shit."
"Language." Alfred scolded him half-heartedly, sniffing.
The swell of emotion was decidedly not made any better when Dick's and eventually even Jason's arms found their way around his shoulders.
"Never mind me, boys." Alfred said gruffly, "There are better- happier things to focus on right now. Master Bruce, please tell the Princess... please tell her congratulations on my part."
"Or better," Tim says. "Tell her to come over herself - we want to see her. It's been forever."
"...I'll do that." Bruce then cleared his throat. "Call me if anything happens in Gotham."
Jason snorted. "Unlikely."
"Hey! Hey, hey - hold up a minute!" Dick straightened as he grabbed the phone. "Should we head over to you? We can go, like, right now - or we can bring dinner. Do you guys want curry? No, wait, Diana probably shouldn't have spice, I don't know. Hell, I didn't think about that... But, we can make it mild! I'm sure we've still got some yogurt or coconut milk around here somewhere. Do you want it mild? We haven't added the peppers yet, either!"
Alfred could picture the exasperation on Bruce's face if the tone of his voice was anything to go by. "No."
"No to mild or-?"
"I mean no. Full stop."
"What do you mean, 'no'? C'mon, Bruce! We have to celebrate this!" Dick near-whined.
"And we will - later. For now I'm hanging up and then I'm going to sleep. You already said you'll be keeping an eye out tonight, anyway."
"Well yeah, but, Bruce-!"
"We can talk about this tomorrow." He said in a final sort of way. "Just don't let my city burn down while I'm gone."
Tim smiled slightly. "No worries, we got this!"
"No promises, though!" Jason snarked just as Bruce hung up and Dick made another attempt at protesting.
"Oh, my god," Dick said suddenly, making Tim jump.
"What?" the teenager said incredulously.
"I need call Babs. ASAP. And Kory. And Donna - if she doesn't know already." He said. "I need to-"
"Check on dinner." Jason added.
"- check on dinner." It took a moment - and the mild scent of something very nearly burning - for Dick to come back to his senses, and when he did, he swore and almost somersaulted over the counter to get to the stove.
Tim just shook his head at his older brothers when Jason rejoined Dick for the sole purpose of ribbing on him further before looking at Alfred.
"This... it's good, right? I mean, it's a good thing?" For Bruce, for Diana, for the family - their family - he didn't say.
Alfred smiled slightly, his mind already several years down the line - in the exact same kitchen only made so much brighter by what could be - and nodded that yes, yes it really was.
Month 1
In which tea is served
Bruce's heartbeat was a steady rhythm at her ear as she stared up at her bedroom ceiling. With the curtains shut, Diana couldn't tell what time it was, only that they'd been asleep for longer than she anticipated if the languid stiffness was anything to go by.
She was... ridiculously comfortable, however. She'd miss this, she'd missed him - the past few weeks away had been too long and being back in his arms felt like being home in on itself.
...It didn't still the busy thoughts in her head of slack the budding knot in her chest, but it helped in the intimate ways it counted.
She was stirred by the sound of her doorbell.
The arm around her waist tightened.
"Ignore it." Bruce grumbled in her ear, his voice low and rough and not dissimilar to the night before, and just as likely to inspire certain... thoughts.
Thoughts which, in hindsight, lead them into their current - reality.
She turned her head so she could look at him and smiled at the sight of half-lidded blue eyes and dark, mussed hair.
Diana leaned in closer despite herself. "Hi."
"Hi..." He looked over his shoulder and squinted. "...What time is it?"
"If I had to guess it's either very early or very late." She admitted.
"Probably that last one." He mumbled, very nearly burying his face in her hair as his arm around her tightened.
She grinned. "You seem to be lagging, my love."
"Too much sleep." He grumbled.
"Maybe you need some more." She said affectionately.
"...Maybe."
The bell rang again.
"...I'd better answer that."
Bruce relented, unwillingly, and loosened his arms enough for Diana to sit up. He hummed in approval however when she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek, but dozed off the minute he closed his eyes again.
Diana left the bed, grabbing her dressing gown as she stepped out of her room.
It was only when he heard footsteps from the other side of door that Alfred realized that the grip he had around the stems of the sunflowers in his hands was tighter than what was probably good for them.
He felt uncharacteristically... well, not quite nervous, exactly, but noticeably profound - excitement? It was part of it; Anticipation? ...Perhaps.
Dick had called him 'giddy' earlier that morning, which Alfred wouldn't deign to think about... even if he couldn't wholly deny it.
...Regardless, he was there now and he was eager to see the happy couple, and he very much doubted Bruce had given any thought about getting home.
Two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.
He heard the lock and once the door opened Diana brightened when she saw him. "Alfred, hello."
"Good afternoon, Miss Diana." He said with equal cheer. "I do hope I'm not intruding?"
"Not in the slightest. Would you like to come in?"
He did and held out the bouquet. "These are for you."
Her breath caught as she accepted them. "Alfred, they're magnificent."
"Not to mention fitting, if one pays any mind to the language of flowers, of course."
"Do you?" she asked, taking the wicker basket he had with him so that he could shrug off his coat.
He took it back once he was done. "On occasion..."
Diana's fingertips brushed over one of the larger flowers' petals. "Happiness?"
"That, and strength, admiration, luck - as well congratulations."
She paused for a moment. "...Very fitting indeed."
He then cleared his throat delicately. "I also brought tea, freshly made cookies, pastries and the like - I've been up since dawn, so I thought I might as well be productive."
"You're the most naturally productive person I've ever had the pleasure of knowing." Diana laughed as she lead them into her kitchen. "It must have been quite the sight if you decided to put your mind to it."
He set the basket down on the table there. "The boys had a hand in the baking. They weren't all too pleased being dragged out of bed so early but I managed to twist their arm well enough."
"I can't imagine how." She said wryly.
"Speaking of sleep, is Master Bruce-?"
"Still in bed." She reassured. "I only just really woke up myself a little while ago."
Alfred's gazed dipped momentarily and when he just noticed the dressing gown he felt himself colouring slightly.
"Oh, dear- I should have called first. I apologize-"
She waved it off and changed the subject. "Would you like some tea, Alfred?"
"Allow me to get that." He said immediately.
"You're my guest-"
"Please, I insist." He fussed, moving to where he remembered the cups to be last.
Diana looked like she wanted to say something - but then thought better of it. "Will you allow me to get a vase for my own flowers?"
He matched one of the Princess's more delicate white tea sets with the patterned tablecloth he brought with him. "With all due respect, I will not."
She surrendered with a benign smile of the head and leaned against the island counter, watching him with amusement as he fluttered around the kitchen to set up.
He set the antique kettle to boil before sifting around her cupboards until he found a crystal vase (one he would, at a later date, most definitely borrow). "May I?" he asked more out of courtesy than actual permission.
"Of course." She said, all too aware and fighting back another laugh.
Once he filled the vase and had carefully - artfully - arranged the flowers within (true to form, in short order), he set about unpacking his basket and laying out the contents.
He heard a sound of approval from Diana behind him and took that as the sign he needed to proceed. As he thought, the soft yellow material of his table cloth complimented the flowers, tea set and kitchen marvellously.
Once he was done, Alfred stood back and nodded in satisfaction as he took in his handiwork. While the Princess's kitchen was already tasteful in its own right, he liked to think his tea spread complimented her style
Proud of himself, when he turned around and saw the look in Diana's eyes he paused.
He was about to open his mouth - perhaps to apologize again - when the Princess surprised him with a hug.
"I am more than just a little fond of you, Alfred Pennyworth." She said affectionately, her arms gentle as she tightened them around his shoulders.
Alfred took a moment to find his baring - and remember himself with some mild embarrassment... Until he just decided to give up the pretence all together. "Just as I am of you, Princess Diana - and I will always - infinitely - be glad it's you."
Diana stepped away then but didn't let go of his hand, her expression sobering a little. "Do you mean that?"
"Absolutely." He said with as much sincerity as he could muster. "You have both my approval and my blessing, if that counts for anything."
"It does in the ways it counts the most, Alfred."
They sat down after he cast an eye over to the kettle - it wasn't boiling just yet, which meant they had some time to talk. He'd already put the teabags into their individual cups and was busy heaping a sizable amount of lopsided biscuits on a plate when Diana cut right to the heart of the matter.
"As much as I adore our tea dates and getting flowers from you, Alfred, am I wrong to assume there's more to you being here?"
Caught out. " Ah... I had hoped I was more stealthy in my approach." He said sheepishly.
"You were but you look like you had something you wanted to ask." She teased.
He nodded. "Quite right, Miss, but of course, you are under no obligation to answer."
"I know, and I won't if I don't want to."
"In that case, I hope I'm not prying, but did you and Master Bruce... talk, at all? About your plans moving forward, and such?"
"We did - we established a timeline, at least, and we both agreed to talk in more detail once things have settled."
"That's probably for the best."
"There's still so much... more, but things are clearer as they stand."
It wasn't so much the delivery as the brief look in her eyes that caught his attention.
At that exact moment, they heard the kettle whistle and Alfred - rather unwillingly - stood up again.
"There was something else we talked about last night as well." Diana mentioned almost casually as he had his back turned.
"Oh?" he asked, coming over and started filling their cups.
She watched him, accepted her tea when he offered it but waited until he set the kettle down on the stove again before saying anything.
It was a good thing she did, in hindsight.
"Bruce brought up marriage."
If Alfred had been holding something, there was no doubt in his mind that he would have let it slip from his grasp. Instead, his eyes widened, his back straightened and he said the first thing that sprang into his mind.
"He finally proposed?"
Again, in hindsight, not the wisest course of action, and despite himself, his eyes darted towards her hand (silly, of course, because if that wouldn't be the first thing he immediately noticed the moment she opened the door, but, then, Alfred was more the sentimental sort).
Although he probably should have known better, he was still a little disappointed when he didn't see a ring there like he had hoped. Which is to say very much.
"Not exactly. Like I said... it wasn't so much a proposal as it was a suggestion." Diana said slowly. "...I take it from your reaction that Bruce was planning to do something along those lines?"
Alfred felt his shoulders go taught and then slack in a span of several heartbeats and a gust of breath. "I'm afraid I can't tell you that, Miss Diana."
When he sat down again, Diana looked at him carefully. "Are you disappointed, Alfred?"
That was putting it mildly.
"That he didn't propose to you properly in the manner befitting of both of you? ...In a word, yes." Alfred then realized something important. "...You didn't give him an answer?"
"He didn't technically ask me anything." She pointed out.
"But, if - hypothetically - he had...?"
Was he overreaching? Oh, yes. Did it matter in the moment?
Well...
Diana, at first, looked like she wasn't going to answer him. But, when she did...
Well.
"That's a complicated question, Alfred - and not one I can answer confidently." It was Diana's turn to sigh then. "...Is that cruel of me?"
Alfred, alarmed and ashamed, was quick to reassure her. "You could never be cruel, Miss. If anything it was unkind of me to ask that. I'd just hoped... well, you know."
"You want Bruce to be happy."
"More than anything." He said honestly but kept his sincerity. "With that said, and I'm sure Master Bruce would agree with me on this - his happiness would never nullify your own."
Diana went quiet and Alfred felt his smile fade a little.
"...Unless there's something you disagree with that?"
"It's not that I disagree, at all, but the truth is that Bruce and I never discussed what it was we wanted past being together - what would be good for us."
"You don't believe this would be good for you?"
"It's not that, Alfred. I am happy, and I believe he is too, and, with time, I have no doubt we would have gotten to a point that we're both comfortable with. But, given current circumstances, now..."
"The veritable has changed?"
She nodded. "Yes, they have, and now - suddenly - there's this... urgency to it all. What time we might have had to work that out on our terms is..." she stopped herself and looked away. "Everything is uncertain right now. Not to mention the fact that neither one of us has any idea what the next nine months and beyond will hold."
"I don't think anyone would expect the two of you to have all of it planned out immediately - these things, relationships and ways forward especially, they take time."
Her eyebrows knitted together. "I know... it doesn't make it any less daunting."
Alfred reached out, gently laying his hand over hers. "It has only been a day, Miss, and whatever it is you decide... I have all the faith in the world that you- that the two of you will get to everything in all due time. As for the rest, well - all that can keep for a little while, can't it?"
"Do you think... this will make him happy?"
"You make him happy, Miss Diana, as does his sons and - even though the situations are more often than not outrageous - the work he does for Gotham, during and after hours. And this... this child will be another thing I can positively say will affect Master Bruce's life for the better. Yours too, I hope."
She let out a breath, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "I know it is, and it will." She said honestly, squeezing his hand back. "I'm going to be counting on you, Alfred."
He raised his hand confidently. "A hefty responsibility, but one I'll be all too glad to shoulder."
Diana laughed until she noticed their cups. "Oh, no, our tea..."
"Not to worry, Miss - I can have a fresh batch in but a few minutes-" he said only to have the princess beat him to the punch standing up.
"I think it's my turn now."
"But I-"
She interrupted him. "Please, I insist."
Alfred opened his mouth then closed it again. "...Will you allow me to-"
"Will all due respect, I will not." She said cheerfully as she retrieved their cups.
Fair enough.
A few minutes passed, of which they thankfully move on to lighter subjects, when they heard footsteps. Diana looked up, grinning as Bruce entered the kitchen, looking only half-awake as he did.
"Ah, good afternoon, Master Wayne." Alfred said blithely.
"I thought I heard your voice, Alfred." Bruce grumbled, rubbing his eyes with his palm.
He grinned. "I trust you slept well, sir?"
Bruce turned his head to look at Diana and softened slightly. "Never better."
Diana hummed as she walked up to him. "That's good to know..." she murmured, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Everything okay?" he asked quietly.
"We were just talking - Alfred was... congratulating us."
Bruce looked back at Alfred. "You couldn't wait to do it at the Manor, huh?"
"I was simply in the neighbourhood and I thought I might pop in for a spell. Besides, you know that I prefer to do things personally." He then cleared his throat delicately. "Tea, sir?"
Bruce didn't look too convinced but was distracted when Diana nuzzled against his cheek.
"Thank you." He said vaguely as the Princess winked at Alfred over Bruce's shoulder.
Alfred just smiled to himself, humming as he stood up and got another cup.
[Later]
:We are going to big brother the hell out of this baby.:
:...I don't think that means what you intended it to, Dick.:
:Then again, we are paranoid assholes, so it might mean that other thing, too.:
:That's not- You know what? Fine - fine, yeah - fair enough.:
:You guys are getting off track here. My point is, Baby WonderBats is gonna have three big brothers that's gonna make all lesser big brothers feel bad about themselves.:
:What about all greater big brothers?:
:Jason, don't-:
:A hearty nod of approval.:
:A hearty- oh my god, Dick.:
:As low of a bar as that is, weirdly, I can get behind it.:
:Ah yeah, bro, life-goals!:
:...I take it I'm going to be seeing a lot more of you two?:
:Oh. So. Much.:
:Yup. 'Fraid you're stuck with us, Bruce.:
:Forever.:
:Spectacular...:
:By the way, 'Baby WonderBats?':
:It's cannon, besides 'Baby Wayne' was way too boring and - technically - only half true... Sorry, Bruce.:
:Believe me, I'm aware.:
:Anyway... So, yeah - I thought I might as well cut to the chase and split it down the m iddle. Fight me.:
:That's fine, you can call it whatever you want, but can all of you let go already?:
:We would, Bruce, but Dick is part octopus.:
:Let me have this. Now shush and feel my love.:
:...Way to make this more awkward, Grayson.:
:It's only awkward if you think it's awkward, Jaybird.:
:Besides, it's a sign of a well-adjusted individual if they're able to accept physical affection.:
:Uh-huh, because everyone in this room is so well-adjusted.:
:...Words hurt.:
:And I'm gonna hurt you if you don't let go soon.:
:Yeah, Dick, I'm starting to get a cramp.:
:Five more minutes.:
:One.:
:Two?:
:...Fine.:
:How did this become my life?:
Well, as I recall, sir, you brought one home and just kept at it since.
:Hey-oh!:
:And Pennyworth swoops in for the killing-blow.:
:Wanna get in on this action, Alfred?:
That's quite alright, Master Tim, I'm perfectly content with capturing the moment for prosperity.
Diana's entire body shook with laughter at the look on Bruce's face.
She would find a way - more than likely she was going to ask Tim when she saw him again - to get the video from her phone onto a bigger screen, but until then, she was going to thoroughly enjoy what she had.
:Are you gonna send this to Diana?:
I think the Princess might appreciate the moment as much as we all will at a later date.
He wasn't wrong and she did.
:Hey, Di! If you're watching this, we love you!:
She lay back against the pillows on her bed, biting her lip to keep herself from smiling even broader, reminding herself to hug the boys.
:But not as much as this guy does-:
:C'mon, Bruce, tell Di you love her.:
:Dick, really-:
:If you do, we'll stop bugging you.:
:For tonight at least.:
:Not that there's a whole lot of night left, but it's the best deal you're gonna get, old man.:
It thrilled Diana more than anything else that Bruce gave in with just a roll of the eye but was smiling a little anyway.
:Fine. Diana, Princess, I'm being held against my will, but I love you, really, and I wish you were here.:
She let out a breath, leaning back against her headboard as she touched Bruce's face on the screen.
"I love you too." She whispered, letting her gaze wander to the empty spot in the bed next to her as the sound of Bruce's sons teasing and cheering came from the phone.
Month 2
In which ice-cream is had
Bruce point-blank ignored his waiter's pointed stares at the other side of the dining hall or the delicate cough he'd sometimes let out whenever he passed his table, instead smiling blandly and tapping out a steady, stucco rhythm against the white tablecloth.
He cast a deceptively lazy eye around the restaurant, vaguely taking note of who was there and who was making a point of not staring too openly. While he wasn't exactly a hermit by any stretch of the imagination, he hadn't been quite living up to his infamous reputation recently, so a few stares were to be expected.
Not that he was paying attention to any of it, not when the reason for his absence just re-entered his line of sight.
He was tempted to stand up, meet with her halfway - once you looked passed Diana's flawless exterior, you would have made out a feint sheen of sweat on her forehead and the pale tinge in her cheeks.
Once she got to the table, she sat down across from him and drank her glass of water eagerly, almost greedily, uncaring of their waiter openly staring.
Bruce spared the man a look that did its part to shoo him away before he picked up the glass pitcher there. "More?"
Diana nodded and smiled weakly. "Please."
He poured another glass and watched as she finished this as well a little more calmly.
"Did you order yet?" she asked when she finally set her glass down and looked at him properly, looking more like herself again.
"I thought you'd appreciate deciding for yourself."
She reached over, holding her hand out. There "Any suggestions?"
He reached back, taking it automatically. "A few... it depends on what you're in the mood for."
She noticed the wine glass in front of him. "Is that white wine?"
He smiled a little himself. "Sparkling white grape juice."
There was a spark of amusement in her eyes. "They don't mind?"
"Why would they? I own the place."
She let out a soft laugh. "Of course you do."
"I come here a lot for business dinners, so they know my preferences."
Diana weaved their fingers together. "Is that what this is? Business?"
He held her stare calmly. "...Like I said, it depends."
"...Is that something we can discuss here?"
Bruce nodded. "No one if going to hear what we talk about, Princess, believe me." He reassured.
She let out a sigh, whether it was relief or not Bruce wasn't quite sure but some tension drained from her shoulders and he took it as a good sign.
"In that case, if you're really that curious, it turns out that 'morning sickness' isn't exclusive to mornings themselves."
He squeezed her hand. "Are you...?"
She nodded, squeezing back. "It passed, don't worry about it." She then smiled, playful again. "I do, however, have the sudden, irrational need punch something."
Bruce paused for a minute, blinking. "...Already? It's only been eight weeks."
"Imagine how it'll be at eight months."
He could and he winced.
"Scared, Mr Wayne?" she teased.
"Oh, terrified, Ms Prince." He agreed, lips twitching. "Anything I can do to make it better?"
"Buy me ice-cream," she said immediately, no hesitation whatsoever. "...and not here."
"Not a fan of the locale?"
"It's beautiful."
"But?"
"Far too many eyes." She said simply and left it there.
"...I'll see what I can do." He said. "Anything else?"
Diana leaned forward. "You. Me. A combat simulation, and a handful of those throwing knives of yours."
"That would make me feel better."
"I can lend you my sword if you want. It would be a fair trade."
"I've got my own, but I won't say no."
"You're not supposed to."
A minute passed in relative quiet apart from the bustle of the restaurant around them. Their waiter had given up hope and had slunk off in the meantime and despite the people around them, they were truly alone for the first time.
He was still holding her hand. "...This is the part where we talk, isn't it?"
"We should." She said but smiled benignly. "But we won't."
He raised a brow. "Why's that?"
She tilted her head to the side, towards the massive window overlooking the city, and when Bruce followed her line of sight, he saw his signal amongst the clouds.
Diana kept smiling at him. "Not here, at least."
"Join me?" He asked, bringing her hand up and brushed his lips across her knuckles.
"I thought you'd never ask."
He had the armoured truck in his line of sight. From his position on the rooftop across from Gotham's Federal Reserve building, Bruce had a clear view of the truck and the street from both ways.
Diana stood at his side, her hand casually resting on the pommel of her sword. "Any sign of our robbers?"
The enhanced lenses in his cowl allowed him to zoom in and move between the faces of the guards as they loaded the truck, their vital signs showing up steady.
"Not yet." He allowed, looking up instead to scan the other buildings nearby. "They're from out of town - they're a highly organized motorcycle gang not affiliated with anyone in Gotham."
"You've never heard of them before?"
"They've been active for the last few months, high-jacking armoured cars in transit - they've done similar jobs in and around Blüdhaven."
Diana arched a brow. "Nightwing hasn't dealt with them yet?"
"He did... until their snipers got in his way."
She paused. "Snipers. As in, more than one?"
He nodded curtly, shutting off the lenses. "Nightwing looked into it afterwards - these guys have a method in their hits, they plan out their tactics, watch routes and set up marksmen at key points."
"It sound like they could be ex-military."
"More than likely." He agreed.
The truck finished loading and they watched as armed guards got in at the back. Just as the truck pulled out, however that Diana tensed and looked up as if she heard something.
"Wonder Woman?"
She looked away, towards what she was hearing. "You mentioned something about motorcycles?"
It was then that Bruce heard them too, several bike engines coming from down the street, loud and getting closer.
The two of them shared a look, and with a curt nod, Diana reared back into the sky and Bruce took out his grapnel gun.
"Shall we?" she asked as the bikes in question came into view.
"Let's." He agreed and stepped off the ledge.
They came at the truck on three fronts.
Two of the bikes pulled ahead, driving in front of the truck as the gunmen on the back of each turned around and emptied several rounds of their SMGs. While the glass didn't break, it cracked enough to prevent the driver from seeing where he was going.
A third moved in when the vehicle slowed, closing in on the driver's side of it enough for the passenger on to coat the door and lock with a spray of liquid plastic explosives. There was a breath in which the bike moved to the side enough as the controlled explosion rocked through the truck and the door was blown clean off.
A beat passed and the masked highjacker launched himself into the front of the truck, knocking the already disoriented driver out cold before taking control of the wheel.
Once it stopped all together, a fourth bike moved in from behind, both driver and passenger got off, armed with blowtorches. The rest of bikes round back, the gunmen on the first two lining up their shots as the others set about getting through the armoured doors.
They were just about to get through - and would have, if a golden chord didn't suddenly find itself around both the driver and gunman on the left.
The men didn't even have time to make sense of it as the next thing they knew the cord was drawn back and they were both forcible yanked off the bike. Their yells in surprise alerted the rest, but when they turned, they were caught off-guard by the sight of Wonder Woman in her full glory, standing over an unconscious heap.
The men turned their guns on her and Diana found herself smirking.
Naturally, with their backs turned and their focus on her -and subsequently open fired - they didn't see the Batman as he touched down on the roof of the truck.
With all the noise, they also failed to notice as he knocked out the would-be driver, dragged his unconscious body around the truck and out of sight.
It was carelessness on their part, but considering what they were trying to do, Diana certainly wasn't going to correct them.
Between deflecting the bullets, she watched as Bruce got back onto the roof and started typing something on the panel in his gauntlet. There was a sharp, decisive beep over the gunfire followed by none at all and a round of incredulous gasps.
If that wasn't enough to make them rethink their life choices, one of the highjackers then happened to turn his head and saw Batman.
"Oh, shit! It's him! It's the Bat of Gotham!"
"Perfect," the bravest of the lot seethed, "first it was that flippy prick in 'Haven, now half the fuckin' Justice League shows up."
"We're screwed!"
"What gave you that impression!"
That, and the speed in which both Bruce and Diana took them down together, was almost laughable. The hardest part was getting them off their bikes, but once the men were down, however, they were down.
"I thought they'd be more of a challenge." Is what Diana was about to say - that is, until she was it, that distinct red dot focused squarely on Bruce's temple.
She heard the shot ring out and reacted without a moment's hesitation, flying in front of him just in time, her bracers taking the brunt of the impact.
Bruce, realizing what was happening, pulled them both into cover behind the truck just as a second shot rang out.
"So," she said with forced lightness, partly to hide her own relief, "there are the snipers."
The corner of Bruce's mouth perked.
"How many?"
"Three so far - there might be another one further down."
"Will you or shall I?" he asked wryly.
She smiled. "And deny you your fun? Besides, no one does it quite the way you do, my love." There was a pause between them and Diana's expression sobered. "Go, I'll draw their attention."
His grasp on her hand tightened for a moment. "Do I have to ask that you'll be careful?"
"No, you don't." She said and kissed him. "But, then again, I understand why you would."
Bruce nodded curtly and hid his departure with a smoke pellet, disappearing seamlessly as he stepped out of her reach.
Diana herself didn't linger for very long, doing her part to both act as the distraction and prevent the likelihood of friendly-fire by dragging the unconscious highjackers out of danger.
Once she was done, all what was left was to wait for Batman to take down the snipers.
...Which, luckily, what with Bruce being as expedient as he was and the complete lack of gunfire at her back, didn't take long at all.
[Later...]
With her eyes closed and her face turned towards the night-time sky, Diana didn't hear Bruce so much as feel his presence as he joined her on the roof.
He wasn't empty-handed either.
"Please tell me that's what I think it is." She said as he sat down next to her, legs hanging off over the edge.
He let out a quiet chuckle as he held out one of the wafer cones for her to take. "Chocolate chip and strawberry."
She took a bite and let out a satisfied hum. "I love you." She said, leaning into his side.
He put his arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss against her hair. "I know."
"Dare I ask how you got them?" she asked mildly, far too preoccupied.
"There's an ice-cream parlour down the street." He said, looking at his own simple vanilla cone with a thoughtful look in his face. "I used to go there when I was a kid."
This got her attention. "Oh?"
He smiled a little. "I was surprised they were still in business, actually."
"They were still open? At this hour?"
"Surprisingly, yes. Believe it or not, midnight sundaes are a thing." He admitted, amused.
"You went inside?"
"Through the back." At her quirked eyebrow, he was quick to reassure her. "I left money on the counter."
If it were at all possible, Diana felt her affection for him double in a span of a single sentence - the feeling was warm and poignant in her chest and complemented the cool sweetness of the ice-cream perfectly. "I never thought that you wouldn't, Dark Knight."
They ate their ice-cream in companionable silence, enjoying the warm night air and their own company even once they finished.
Still, there was a saying about all good things and such...
Diana let out a soft sigh and rested her head against his shoulder. Bruce, for his part, let his arm drop and turned his head to look at her evenly.
"So..." he began carefully. "Do we...?"
She nodded and sat up straighter, not quite disentangling herself from him, but enough for her to meet his stare. "Before we do, can you tell me one thing?" At his nod, Diana took a deep breath to steel herself. "You want us to get married."
Much to Bruce's credit, he didn't so much as flinch, although Diana would have been a fool if she assumed he wasn't effected at all. Diana had never been much of a fool to begin with.
"I do." He said honestly, again to his own credit.
"And you've been planning to ask for a while now."
Bruce's actually eyes widened for a moment. "How...?" he began only to for the realization to dawn. "Of course Alfred told you."
"Bruce... How long...?"
"Six months." He admitted with a sigh of his own. "You're not asking the question you want, Princess."
"Is your... asking me this, now, because of the baby?" she said steadily, her heart beating in her ears.
Bruce frowned. "Diana-"
"Answer the question, Bruce. Please."
Bruce surprised her by pulling his cowl back enough for him to run his fingers through his hair as he shut his eyes tightly and breathed in through his nose. "I was going to ask you that night you left." He said quietly, all traces of the Bat gone for the time being. "I was going to ask, but then everything just..."
"Happened?"
He nodded but turned his head. "...You weren't going to say yes, were you? Even if I did ask you then... Just like you aren't going to now."
She cupped his face. "I love you, Bruce Wayne."
He leaned into her touch, eyes still shut. "But no."
Diana dropped her hand so that she could wrap her arms around his waist instead. "But we have a lot we still need to discuss." She corrected him, quiet but firm.
Bruce was quiet for a while after that.
"Fair enough." He said finally and Diana could feel his shoulders sagging. "One question?"
She smiled weakly. "I asked mine, I suppose it's only fair if you asked yours."
"Just... why? Or, why not?"
It was Diana's turn to be quiet. And even then, even after a minute and then another passed, the answer didn't come without some difficulty speaking it out loud for the first time.
"Because I have a feeling everything is going to change if we're not careful. Because marriage may not make what comes next easier and it might just do the opposite and we're not us anymore, like how we could- should to be." She said and hated how very fragile everything suddenly seemed to be.
She shook her head. "But maybe, most of all, because as much as I want to take that next step with you, to embrace the future, there is still a part of me that wants to hold on to what we have right now for a little longer."
His brows drew together. "Nothing has to change, Diana."
"Maybe not, but it will - and we both know that."
She was right and she knew Bruce knew that too.
"You are wrong about one thing, though." She said quietly.
"And what's that?"
"This... It's not a 'no', Bruce."
"It's not a 'yes' either."
"No... but, I can comprise on a 'not yet' if you can."
"Compromise, huh?" he said like he was testing the word out.
"Meet me in the middle with this." She murmured, pressing their foreheads together. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but understand why. I just want us to go at a pace that suits us both."
"I do understand."
"I know you do, and I don't want to hurt you either, Bruce."
There was an unfathomable kind of look in Bruce's eyes as he let out another soft sigh and pressed back. "You couldn't hurt me like that."
"How are you so sure I won't?"
"Because you have the misfortune of holding my heart firmly in the palm of your hands, whether you want it or not, Princess-"
"Well, you can't have your heart back." She said matter-of-factly in an attempt at levity. "It was a fair trade, after all - I already gave you mine."
The corners of his lips perked a little. "...You also happen to be one of the handful of people I trust implicitly, Diana. There's never really been any... doubt when it comes to you."
"And no faith required either?"
He kissed the crown of her head. "None whatsoever."
She shut her eyes. "I know this conversation isn't what you were hoping for-"
"It's not over yet." He reminded her. "I can work with whatever makes you feel the most comfortable with, Diana, I can match your pace... if we can compromise on something else."
"What is it?"
"Move in with me."
She withdrew a little to look at him.
"It's a change," he said steadily. "But, it might be a step in the right direction."
When she still didn't respond, Bruce tried again.
"It doesn't have to be - permanent. You don't have to give up your apartment either, and if you wanted your own space, you can have your own room, hell - you can have your own wing of the manor-"
It may have taken a second for her to realize it, but this was Bruce Wayne's version of nervous rambling. It was strange and amusing and so, so endearing, and whatever swell of affection she had for the man next to her earlier paled to the onslaught she was faced with in that moment.
"Bruce..."
He stopped talking at the gentleness in her voice.
She cupped his face, leaned in and whispered her answer.
Bruce's reaction - the slow breath of relief she wouldn't have caught without her enhanced hearing, followed prominently with a kiss that stole her breath - made his feelings on the matter loud and clear and all the more beautiful.
Month 3
In which positive male bonding occurs
Bruce felt a pang of something as he stood in the middle of his childhood bedroom, now emptied and cleaner than it's been in years. And yet, despite the bareness and the odd conflicted feeling in his chest, his mind was already making plans as he took in the blank walls and the dark wooden floors.
The thought of what it (and a much different room just down the hall) could be was... daunting.
A careful rap against the door pulled him out of his head and Bruce turned around to see Clark standing in the doorway.
"So," the Kryptonian started conversationally, "We found what we were looking for."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "And you're not-"
Clark flashed him a grin and shook his head. "Hal shot himself in the foot - he said something Ollie didn't take too kindly, so they're doing things the hard way. They should be here in a few minutes, though."
"Tell me John is still there."
"He has his ring on, just in case, don't worry." Clark reassured with a chuckle. He then looked around and let out a low whistle. "So... what's the plan here?"
"We need to cover the floors with newspapers first-"
He barely had words out when Bruce suddenly felt a draft, and the next thing he knew, the floors were covered - with Superman smiling at them from the front pages of the Daily Planet.
Bruce shut his mouth and gave the man in question a look. Clark's hair was a little windswept but otherwise he was standing in the exact same spot as before.
"Seriously?"
Clark was unbothered and shrugged. "We had some papers over from yesterday's edition. And we're just gonna get paint on it, anyway."
Bruce didn't look too convinced but didn't say anything as, just then, the dulcet tones of a bickering Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen was heard down the hall.
"Grab it on side-" Oliver. Out of breath.
"I am grabbing it on the side-" Hal. Annoyed and out of breath.
"Then move it flyboy."
Their voices were closer and soon Oliver entered the room backwards, carrying a large wooden crib on the one end.
"Turn it! Turn!"
Hal followed through carrying the other side, looking red in the face.
John was trailing behind both of them, looking equal parts amused and weary. "Easy does it, fellas." He said wryly as he watched them set the crib down in the middle of the room.
Once the crib touched down and the two men straightened up, John and Clark gave them a mocking round of applause.
Hal, hunched over whilst trying to catch his breath, met that with a crude gesture of his own.
"Why? Why did none of you assholes help with that?" he asked, grumpy.
Clark's grin widened. "Well, you did tell Ollie you didn't need our help, so... you know." He said and laughed when Hal flipped him off again.
Oliver threw his arm around Hal's shoulders. "Not easy being normal, huh?"
Hal waved him off. "Yeah, yeah, no need to beat me over the head with it. It's not like I have super-strength either." He grumbled. "I just want to know why the hell we lugged this thing all the way down here. It's nice enough to look at and all, I guess, but wouldn't a modern crib work better?"
Bruce snorted. "Are you going to be the one that tells Alfred 'no'?"
Hal opened his mouth and shut it twice as fast. "Ah... no."
"Smart man. Speaking of, where did Alfred get off to?" John asked.
"He wanted to show the boys the gardens." Clark said with a laugh.
John looked amused himself. "Well, good luck with that - Rex and Ryan are a handful."
"Never underestimate Alfred Pennyworth." Oliver said solemnly but the glint in his eyes betrayed him. "Besides, I think he said something about... practice?"
Bruce rolled his eyes as the other men snickered. "Are the others back yet?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Dick texted me a few minutes ago. Apparently something came up at the store." Clark explained.
Bruce stared at him incredulously. "They're getting sanding paper and paint. What's the hold up?"
"Well, to be fair, you didn't specify what colour you wanted - so that's on you." Hal said slyly. "Arthur has his heart set on turquoise because - hey, and from what I've heard, Wally and Jason are making a pretty good case for sunshine yellow. They're having a hard time deciding."
"J'onn's with them."
"That doesn't seem to matter. He's squarely in the summer lilac camp with Tim and Dick."
"By the way, you might want to text them back about getting that pastel rose colour they asked about earlier - honestly, that'd go with almost anything they pick." John said matter-of-factly.
The most bizarre thing about the whole situation wasn't the statement itself, but the fact that the sentiment was met with agreement around the room - while Bruce found that he had take a deep, calming breath to centre himself.
It was supposed to be a barbecue and it turned into a thing instead.
Seriously, how had this become his life? It was all very surreal and disconcerting, really.
"Why don't we wait downstairs? We won't be able to do anything until they get here, and I think everyone needs to take a minute." Clark said as he flashed his best smile. "I can make us lemonade in the meantime."
For a moment, Bruce was tempted to kick all of them out of his house - the truth is there were still things he needed to think over (the nursery, the modified Batmobile schematics he still needed to look at, the... uncertainty-) and if none of them were going to be helpful-
Clark clasped his shoulder amicably, pulling Bruce out of his thoughts (and more or less out of the room), and he relented with a sigh.
The lemonade was admittedly (by painful threat of death) quite good.
Oliver was the one to break the lull that had fallen over the kitchen as he sat back against his chair with a thoughtful look that didn't belong on his face. "...Did you add mint to this?"
Clark, looking like he jumped out of the cover of a country cookbook as he stood in front of a cutting board and wearing one of Alfred's more ridiculous aprons, perked up, if at all possible.
"I did. Do you like it?"
"Are you kidding? It's awesome." Oliver said sagely. "Family recipe?"
"You caught me. My mother swears by it."
Next to Oliver, Hal nodded. "Well, it's refreshing as balls."
Clark laughed. "I'll tell her you liked it!"
For his part, Bruce wondered if he could chance slipping out through the back door before the others noticed.
It wouldn't have been much of a head-start, but if he could get to the Cave, there was always the possibility of keeping the others out. He was one of the few people on the planet with the actual means to do just that, after all.
As if readings his mind, John nudged him in the ribs and leaned in inconspicuously. "Whatever you're planning, count me in. This getting too damn wholesome for my blood." He said loud enough for only Bruce to hear, although who were they kidding?
It was tempting, though - with John, the odds were tipped slightly more in his favour.
Still... conditions would need to be set.
"Never bring up 'pastel' or 'rose' together in a sentence again and you've got a deal."
John snorted quietly but gave a curt nod in agreement. "Copy that. Just say when."
Clark caught most of that, of course, and just laughed as he came over and refilled both their glasses with lemonade. "If you're set on leaving, I'm not going to tackle you to the ground trying to keep you here, Bruce. But..."
Bruce found his defences automatically rising.
"Despite what it looks like, we really are just trying to help."
And, just like that, Bruce felt himself deflate.
"Believe me, Clark, I know, and I - appreciate it, for whatever it's worth."
"Now don't go getting soft on us, Wayne, we're still very much here to mess with you, too." Hal said matter-of-factly.
"Noted, Jordan."
"Seriously though." Oliver said. "We're talking about paint colours and everything, so does that mean you and Diana know what you're having?"
"Not yet." Bruce answered. "We're... supposed to go back to Leslie's for a follow-up later this week. We should be able to find out the sex then."
Clark beamed. "Bruce, that's great!" Again, the sentiment was shared around the kitchen.
"We're supposed to be able to hear the heartbeat on the monitor now too."
The look on Clark's face softened at the quiet anticipation in Bruce's voice.
"You don't have to worry about that, you know." He said evenly. Bruce turned to look at him as everyone else fell quiet. He just smiled. "It's strong. I can hear it loud and clear every time I see Diana."
Hearing this made something Bruce wasn't even aware of settle in his chest and he nodded. "Thank you."
"And, if there was something on your mind, none of us here would mind hearing about it."
Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Are we speaking hypothetically here, Clark, or are you actually offering group therapy sessions now?"
"Hey, I'm with Big Blue, and if talking it out means you'll brood less, I'm game." Hal said flippantly. "Trying to get you to open up might even be entertaining."
"Uh-huh. It wouldn't be weird?"
"It would be both those things." Oliver said matter-of-factly. "But men can talk about their feelings, right?"
"Not legally." John said wryly.
Bruce snorted. "I'll take the offer under consideration."
Clark frowned. "Are you sure? You looked like you had something on your mind upstairs."
"I'm not going to dump this on you, Clark."
John's eyes lit up knowingly. "So there is something."
"It's nothing, just- a project I'm considering."
"Oh yeah? What is it?" Hal asked.
"Personal." Bruce grunted.
"You mean the nursery?"
"Not exactly."
Oliver just shook his head. "Man, you are bad at this. What we're trying to ask is if you wanna talk about it?"
"It might help, Bruce. Besides, we'd like to know - don't we fellas?" Clark said encouragingly.
Sensing his friends weren't going to leave him along until he told them, Bruce did just that.
"I'm thinking of fixing up my mother's personal study." He said finally.
His statement was met with surprised stares.
"Your mother's study? Why would you-" Oliver began before he just got it. "Oh! Oh, wow - good on you, Bats."
John looked at him curiously. "You're fixing it up for Diana?"
Bruce nodded. "Alfred suggested using it, actually."
"And you're... okay with doing something like that?" Hal asked evenly.
"I wanted to do the whole South wing, but he thought it might be better if I start small."
Hal made a face. "That's not what I meant, man."
It took a moment for Bruce to answer him honestly. "It makes sense... That study has the best view of the ocean, it also gets the most sun out of most of the other rooms." He then paused, hesitating almost. "And I... want Diana to be comfortable at the Manor, happy. To give her, her own space."
"Did she say something - that she wasn't comfortable here?" Clark asked gently.
"No, she didn't, but-" Bruce then found himself unable to put what he was thinking into words.
Clark seemed to understand what he was trying to say, however, and nodded. "It's a great idea, Bruce."
"Yeah." Hal said, grinning. "Have you told her?"
"That would be counter-productive."
"How's that?" Ollie asked.
John snorted. "I think that's Bat-speak for wanting to keep it a surprise. Speaking of, do you want help with it? Interior decorating might not be my forte, but I can sand, hammer and saw anything that you'd need me to. I've literally got the universe's best multi-tool right here."
"Ditto." Hal agreed, eyes bright.
The offer caught Bruce by surprise.
"And since we're all pretty set on helping you with the nursery, we can cover for you any time you need us to if you want to work on the study." Clark said. "Personally, I still owe you for helping me get Ryan's nursery set up last year, so it's the least I can do."
When they've all said their pieces, Bruce had to sit back for a minute to take it all in.
Another minute passed and, finally, he let out a sigh.
"Uh... Bruce?" Oliver said uncertainly when the man in question stood up.
He made it all the way to the door before he turned around and beckoned them to follow after with a curl of his finger.
"C'mon." He said, sounding both entirely resigned to his fate and not wholly against the idea all at once. "If you're gonna help, we might as well see what the damage is."
He didn't need to see the grins on his friends' faces to know what they thought about the whole thing as they followed him out.
-END PART 1-
TO BE CONTINUED
A/N: i wanted to add more, but we were already pushing past 20 pages so my brain just - stopped.
Next thing to be released? Mmm... methinks I'll just release a schedule of what I have planned at a later date. But mayhaps I won't because the goddess is a grown ass adult with work that keeps her too busy to do nice things (like fangirl)
sobs*
Anyhow!
Until next time,
GoddessofDawn out.