Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters find themselves in. Thanks so much for reading, I hope you enjoy and let me know what you think! I love to hear from you!
Note: I know this is Blake's chapter normally, but I needed to do this meeting from Bane's point of view. Will balance it out sometime in the future. Sorry this chapter was a little short too, I had to end it where I did.
What Wasn't Said Outloud
As ordered Bane went straight to the quarters he'd had prepared for Ra's al Ghul's use during his stay in the compound. Bane didn't anticipate that Talia's father would choose to stay the night, the older man rarely left his main headquarters for long these days, but they were prepared for the possibility. The two alphas flanking the only door were part of al Ghul's personal guard, Bane knew them both to be highly competent at their job, and the three of them inclined their heads in shared respect as Bane approached, one of the guards turning to knock on the door to alert whoever was inside to Bane's arrival. Which was fine, obviously, and Bane inclined his head once more in acknowledgement of the guard who opened the door and held it open for him, stepping through without a backward glance as the door was closed behind him.
Talia stood with her Father, the two of them sharing a look before they turned to face him. Bane had the sense that he'd interrupted a conversation, one they didn't intend to pick up until he'd left the room.
Glancing around quickly Bane confirmed that the room in question had been made up as ordered, a small sitting area created in case it was needed. It was not a luxurious room by most standards, but it was the best Bane could offer given the short notice given. Not that either Talia or her father were the type to expect or demand such things. They did not seek fame and fortune, only to remake the world for its betterment. So that the pain they had all suffered did not continue on to the next generations.
After his quick glances around Bane returned his attention back to Talia, who wore a simple black dress with a headscarf edged in lace. A nod to the occasion, climate, and her mother's heritage, Bane surmised. Her father, on the other hand, wore a simple black suit. It looked a little old fashioned to Bane, though very well cared for. There was also more silver in his leader's hair than the last time Bane had seen him.
Ra's al Ghul gave the barest hint of a nod in Bane's direction. "Bane."
"My Lord." Bowing his head as was expected, Bane waited three heartbeats before straightening up once more, his eyes softening as he met Talia's gaze and said her name.
"My daughter assures me all the preparations have been made for Hitachi's funeral."
"They have."
"He is a great lose to the League. And to me."
Bane gave him his full attention. "I am sorry for your loss. And ours."
For a moment al Ghul held Bane's gaze and then the older man 'casually' looked away. He never held Bane's gaze for long. Partially because he knew that in terms of dominance Bane surpassed him, though mostly because he hated that it was Bane who'd come out of The Pit alive and not his mate. Bane who had gotten Talia out, not him.
Al Ghul laced his fingers behind his back, looking at neither of them now. "I understand the boy he adopted was with him when he passed?"
"Yes."
The older alpha shook his head. "I never understood why Hitachi latched onto the boy the way he did. There's no true resemblance between the imposter and Hitachi's real son, and to take him from Gotham, knowing all the inherent flaws and corruption...had I not owed Hitachi many times over I'd have put a bullet in the boy long ago."
"You will not have to deal with him. I will keep him here and out of trouble."
Ra's ah Ghul gave him a considering look while Talia spoke up for the first time.
"Why would you want to keep the boy?"
"Because Hitachi asked me to."
The lie slipped from Bane's lips before he even knew he was going to say it. Out before he could take the words back.
"He...did?"
For a moment Bane saw something on the other alpha's face. Something that made him think that the man was...relieved to hear that.
"You are not the only one who owed Hitachi a debt. I gave him my word." Bane stated, because what else could he say. It appeared his lord had no intention of fighting him on this, however annoyed Talia appeared for some reason. Why she should care about the boy's fate, well Bane would puzzle over that later. For now it was imperative that he focus on the situation at hand. Especially now that he was thinking about why he'd said it in the first place.
Robin would never forgive him if he took the boy from him. It was as simple as that. Even if Kei was simply taken away, and not killed, Robin would not forgive him. If Bane wished to hold out any hope of winning his omega over and keeping his mate happy it was vital that Kei remain here.
"And your promise has nothing to do with your Pet being so fond of him?"
Looking Talia dead in the eye Bane held her gaze. "Alive he might be of use. And if he is watching over the omega than he is out of trouble and freeing up one of my men."
"He has no use." Was Talia's opinion. "Except as bait or cannon fodder."
Puzzled, because again, why would she care about the boy's fate, Bane asked her.
"He has been babied and coddled. I've told father I think the boy should be given to Kursk. If he can do nothing with the boy his life should be forfeit."
Kursk would kill the boy. It would not be a fast death either, and the boy would be praying for an end to his suffering long before his heart beat its last. But more importantly-at least to Bane-was the question of why Talia was lying about her motives. He'd known her too long not to know her tells. They'd worked tirelessly to train those betraying gestures out of her long ago so that she could better deceive others. Which meant she wanted him to know she was lying to him. Why? As payback for somehow knowing that he was lying about giving his word to Hitachi? Something else?
"If Bane is willing to put up with the boy he will remain here." Her father stated, his tone making it clear that this was now law and not to be questioned.
What was going on here?
Bane watched the silent exchange of looks between father and daughter while doing his best to show nothing of his thoughts as he struggled to understand. Talia wanted Kei to return with her and her father for some unknown reason. Talia's father, who sometimes indulged her too much, was not allowing this. Why? Kei was worthless. A nonentity. There's was nothing to be gained for having OR losing him. And this wasn't about Ra's al Ghul's friendship with Hitachi or any promises their leader might have made about the boy. This was...this was Ra's al Ghul knowing or thinking he knew what his daughter wanted. And denying her for that reason.
What reason? What value did the boy have that he was unaware of?
Talia's statement that if that was what her father wanted then so be it ended the silent conversation she'd been having with her father, her smile as false as her earlier claim.
Not looking at his daughter, as if she might weaken his resolve if he did, al Ghul looked instead at Bane. "If he becomes a problem, put a bullet in his head."
"Without hesitation."
The sound Talia made indicated she didn't believe that for a second.
"My daughter seems to think that the police detective is having a negative effect on you." A moment's pause. "And you are sure that that is what he is? An omega. All his records indicate otherwise. I viewed them myself."
The look in al Ghul's eyes suggested that their leader still had some hope that that was the case.
Bane stated that the compound's healer had confirmed it. He also intended to take his omega to a specialist shortly to be looked over. What Bane didn't say was that the other man could no doubt smell Robin's nature in Bane's skin. And as an alpha would know as soon as the two were in a room together that Bane spoke the truth.
They were culpable. They had brought great dishonor to an omega. It was a truth they must accept.
"Bane wishes to find out if it can breed." Talia informed her father. Distain dripped from every syllable.
It was on the tip of his tong to correct Talia, Robin was not an 'it' as he'd already made clear once, but it wasn't the time. Or the place. Talia did not react well to being corrected, particularly in front of her father.
Ignoring his daughter's words for the moment al Ghul posed another question. "You believe that he's telling you the truth? About his platonic relationship with Bruce Wayne?"
Bane nodded. "I do. The way he speaks of him, I believe his claim that they're just friends. I have also overheard conversations he's had with Kei. He says the same then as well."
A slight tightening around his mouth was Ra's al Ghul's only tell.
"Do you believe Wayne will come for him?"
"He seems convinced that he will."
Ra's al Ghul seemed to mull that over for a couple of minutes before changing the topic to the question of where the omega and Hitachi's adopted son were presently.
"In Barsad's quarters."
"I see." A moment's pause. "I am not staying the night and would prefer to leave as soon as possible. I wish to pay my private respects to Hitachi now. You will take me to him and we will discuss Singh on the way. He has been kept waiting long enough and grows impatient."
"As you wish."
Walking back to the door it was Bane's turn to hold it open, Talia's father going through first with Talia bringing up the rear. And as she walked past him Talia shot him a look Bane wasn't sure how to interpret. He just knew, in his gut, that it did not bode well.
)
Hitachi's funeral, like the many others before him, was a simple affair. It took place on the grounds outside the compound with Ra's al Ghul giving a short speech in praise of Hitachi's deeds and history with the League, followed by a minute of silence. Kei had not asked to give a eulogy and al Ghul didn't offer him the opportunity. In fact their leader hardly seemed aware of the boy as Kei stood sandwiched between Barsad and Robin during the proceedings. Nor did the alpha entrust the boy with the lit torch that was used to light Hitachi's funeral pyre. Ra's al Ghul did it himself.
They all stood there in quiet respect as the fire burned, Kei's voice quiet as he recited the Lord's Prayer. Robin did the same beside him.
Once they were done both men crossed themselves in nearly perfect synch.
As it took hours to burn a body to ash men had been assigned to keep an eye on the blaze while the rest of them returned to the compound in silence. The plan was to go in, have some refreshment after standing out in the drying heat of the desert, and then Ra's al Ghul and Talia would be leaving with an urn containing some of Hitachi's ashes. The rest would be allowed to scatter to the winds.
Ra's al Ghul had yet to acknowledge or speak to either Kei or Robin, which was likely for the best. Bane wanted to minimize the presence of both when it came to the other man's radar. The less his leader thought of them the better.
The men in question both seemed to recognize this, Robin remaining unusually silent as he walked a couple steps behind Bane with Kei at his side and Barsad bringing up the rear. Talia and her father walked in front, leading the way.
That Robin was behaving was both a relief and a gnawing worry plaguing Bane's mind. He knew his treasure well after all and Robin could never behave for long.
When Ra's al Ghul stopped walking they all stopped, waiting to see or be told why. They didn't have long to wait.
"Barsad. Escort the Pet back to Bane's rooms. His presence is not required."
A hiss of breath from behind him, Bane knowing the sound came from Robin. Then movement as Robin closed the gap between them, his lips probably close enough to brush against cloth or skin if he wished.
Hidden for the most part by Bane's bulk Robin's words were pitched low for Bane's ears alone. "If anything happens to him I will blame you."
A step back.
Bane didn't turn to watch Robin be led away. Knew better than to make that mistake. Instead he trusted that Barsad would see to his omega's safety and started walking again. Kei following behind. His footsteps were loud and obvious, Barsad and Robin's retreating ones barely audible.
Silence reigned once more, guards opening the door to Ra's al Ghul's quarters for them upon arrival. Drinks had been set out for them, as had grapes, dates, and three different kinds of nuts.
Talia and her father took a seat on the hardbacked sofa, Bane wordless directed to take the chair placed on Talia's other side so that he and her father protected her on both sides. Ra's al Ghul then pointed at Kei, then the other chair situated by the table. It would put Kei only just in arm reach of the table. And the leader of the League of Shadows.
Looking completely unperturbed or aware of the possible danger he was in Kei sat and folded his hands in front of him. His gaze seeming to be on the table, though Bane got the sense that the boy was at least paying a little attention to the occupants of the sofa.
Reaching for the bottle set out on the table Ra's al Ghul poured some of the amber liquid into four of the glasses, setting the bottle down once that was done. Then he picked up the first glass and handed it to his daughter. "For Bane."
Understanding what was being ordered without it being said Bane reached up to begin undoing the straps that kept his mask in place.
Al Ghul recognized the power of Bane's mask. Knew how Bane used it to unnerve and strike fear into the hearts of others. It dehumanized him and made him seem more than just a man. Hid his scars and half his face so that he was that much harder to read and anticipate. More, it was an integral part of who Bane was now. Who he had made himself to be once he'd left The Pit. No one had seen him before he'd donned the mask. Now no one forgot his face. Forgot the mask.
So when they were alone Ra's al Ghul often ordered him to take it off. To strip him of his armor...and remind him of his place.
Pulling the mask away Bane set it down on the arm of his chair, keeping his expression blank.
"Huh. You really do look like Tom Hardy when he played Charles Bronson. Well, if he'd been older at the time. And you don't have the hideous mustache."
Bane looked at Kei. "Who?"
"One of John's favorite actors. He said you looked like him and I didn't see it until now. He thinks whoever did that to your mouth should be shot. Most Tom Hardy fans would agree."
"He thinks Bane looks like Hardy, really?" Talia's voice dripped with sarcasm and derision.
"You have to look beyond the scar tissue and the 'I'm planning your death' eyes, but I think so. It's weird."
What was weird was Kei. And it would certainly be for the best if the boy remained silent unless spoken to, which Bane tried to convey with a hard look before accepting the glass Talia continued to hold in her hand for him.
Seeming to get the message Kei didn't say anything else on the subject, though he continued to stare at Bane as though he was a work of art he was appraising. It was more than a little disconcerting.
"Boy."
Blinking, Kei glanced over at the glass being offered him by al Ghul. He studied it just as intently as he had Bane's face for a moment and then he took it with a quiet 'thank you'.
Once they all had a glass in hand Ra's al Ghul raised his.
"To Hitachi."
"To Hitachi." They all echoed, the three members of the League tossing the contents of their glasses back while Kei took a sip, made a face, then with a grimace sipped a couple more times to finish it off.
Leaning forward Kei set his glass on the table, seeming to want to get it far away from him lest someone suggest he want a refill. Then he looked up at Bane, his expression seeming to ask if he could please have some of the fruit or nuts on the table to get that awful taste out of his mouth.
Bane sent him back a look that told him to wait until he'd been offered it.
The resigned look Kei gave in turn suggested the message had been received.
It was going to be a trying day.
