Title Navajo Dreams
Author Kim
Summery What if...Bruce Wayne raise Roy Harper.
Dc owns all charactors
Part 3
Alfred smiled as he watched through the window as Roy released another arrow, The arrow flew through the air, striking the target dead center. The archery instructor reached over to pat the boy on the shoulder, congratulating him on the accuracy of the shot.
It had become obvious in the first lesson that the instructor had little he could teach Roy, the boy was a natural with the bow and had grown up using it on almost a daily basis, however Alfred had convinced Bruce to continue to employ the Instructor, not for lessons, but simply so Roy could have a chance to practice his skills with someone else who enjoyed archery also. The smile on the boy's face made it money well spent.
Alfred turned at the small sound behind him, surprised to find Bruce standing there, watching the proceedings through the window as well.
"Welcome home Master Bruce...I trust you had a successful mission?" Alfred asked.
"Yes Alfred...quite successful thankyou." Bruce said. He had been called away on a mission with the Justice League as his alter ego, Batman three day's earlier. "How have things been here?" he asked.
"Fine thankyou Sir, the young Master and I have managed to keep ourselves adequately occupied whilst you've been absent...I shall go and organize a pot of tea." Alfred said moving off to go to the kitchen.
"Thanks Alfred...I'll have it in the study." Bruce said watching thoughtfully as Roy nocked another arrow.
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A short while later Roy walked into Bruce's study...Without knocking Bruce noted with mild annoyance.
"Bruce...You're back...where di..."
"Roy haven't I asked you to knock before walking in here." Bruce cut in.
"Yeah...Oh.. sorry." Roy said, some of the enthusiasm dropping from his voice.
"You need to try harder to remember, when I tell you things like that in future.' Bruce stated firmly
Roy looked uncomfortably at the floor. "Sorry...I'll remember next time." He said.
Bruce glanced up, he was tired and he had an enormous amount of work to catch up on. He didn't have time for idle conversations, "See that you do...Now what is it you wanted?"
Roy glanced up at Bruce who was reading through a document in front of him. "Uh...Nothin important...Just wanted to say hello." he said.
"Don't you have homework to do?" Bruce asked, continuing to look at the document.
Roy shifted nervously. "I don't like homework." he said quietly.
Bruce looked up,"I didn't ask if you liked it...I asked if you had any." He said, his voice challangeing the boy to continue the conversation.
"I can do it later. " Roy said.
"No.. You can do it now...It's finished then." Bruce said.
"Why." whined Roy.
Bruce's eye's locked with Roy's. "Because I said to do it now." he said in a low angry voice. He had enough of the childs incessant questioning, he wasn't used to be bombarded with questions in this manner.
Roy stared, challengingly at first, before wheeling around and stomping out of the room.
Bruce sighed, where was Alfred when he needed him.
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Dinner that evening was a quiet affair, Roy sat quietly, pushing his food around on his plate.
"Are you not well, Master Roy?" Alfred asked.
"Nah...I'm ok." Roy said.
"Nah is not a word Master Roy." Alfred said as he collected the boy's plate, "You've hardly touched your food young sir, are you sure your ok?"
Bruce looked at the boy, he was certainly acting out of character, Bruce was actually becoming used to the childs constant chatter. He thought for a moment...Surely the boy wasn't still put out about their discussion in the study earlier that afternoon, Roy was old enough to understand that there were certain rules to follow, and a time and a place for idle chit chat, and while Bruce was working it was not the time.
"Alfred asked you a question Roy...Are you sure your ok?" Bruce asked.
Roy looked up at Bruce, a flash of anger in his eye's "And I already said I was ok." he snapped.
"There's no need to use that tone...If there is a problem than tell us what it is and we will be able to deal with it." Bruce stated evenly.
Roy stood up and turned to walk away.
"Sit down." Bruce's voice carried a veiled threat in its tone, causing the boy to stop walking and turn to face him.
"If this behavior is about what occurred in the study today..I have only on thing to say...There are rules that are set in place for a reason...Those rules are to be followed at all times..No matter how minor they may seem...If you have a problem..With the rules, you will discuss them calmly with either Alfred or myself.." Bruce stopped for a moment before lightening his voice in an effort to relieve some of the tension in the air. "Roy if you find you have a problem don't keep your problems secret, We've given you a home here, that makes us a family of sorts, families don't keep secrets from each other."
The boy's face flushed red and his fist balled, finally unable to contain himself any longer he blurted. "This isn't my home, this is just where I have to live...And secrets...You can talk about secrets...I see you sneak back into your room in the mornings, I know you go somewhere every night..and I see the bruises you sometimes have..And if I ask...what do you say?..You get called into work or some other stupid excuse...I'm not an Idiot you know." Spinning on his heels Roy ran from the room.
Bruce stood and started to go after the boy, but was stopped by Alfreds calm words. "It's best you leave him be for a while Master Bruce...He needs space to calm down.. and..I feel you may as well."
Bruce sighed angrily, before returning to his seat.
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Roy jumped on the bed and angrily buried his face in his pillow, he felt tears prickle behind his eyes but refused to let them come..After some time his breathing evened out and he was able to think through what had happened. He was angry...Not with Bruce he suddenly realized..But with himself..He knew Bruce was right about the events of the afternoon...He should have knocked, he'd just forgotten again that was all...there were so many rules...he was always forgetting something, He'd never had to remember so many rules and regulations before...But that wasn't Bruce's fault, or Alfreds...it was his fault, he always seemed to have a million things running through his head, that distracted him, making him forget other things.
Roy lay quietly for a bit longer before making a decision..He had been wrong..and Brave Bow had always taught him that once you have recognized that you have done wrong you should face the situation and correct it...He would have to face Bruce and Alfred..No matter how angry they were with him..and apologize. He rose and headed out the bedroom door.
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Bruce had calmed down somewhat. Alfred had a way of helping him to see to reason. he'd explained the events that had occurred in the study that afternoon.
"So basically he was sulking Alfred, He knew he had done the wrong thing, but continued to dwell on it all afternoon." Bruce finished.
"Master Bruce, I realize how annoying the situation may have been for you...But had you entertained the thought the child was excited at your arrival...And in his excitement he had forgotten the rule about knocking?" Alfred asked patiently.
Bruce stared at Alfred for a moment, he realized he actually hadn't given a thought to what the child was thinking...He'd only felt annoyance because his work had been disrupted, in fact come to think of it, he hadn't even taken the time to actually say hello to the boy.
"Actually, Alfred...No..no I didn't stop to think about that...I just had so much work to do..And I was only thinking about getting that done...Couldn't the boy have waited until after I'd finished?" Bruce asked.
"Master Bruce, Master Roy may very well have waited until after you had finished your work...If you had explained that to him...Perhaps as well as Master Roy forgetting to knock...You may also have forgotten the he is only a child..Children are not very good at reading minds...and sometimes they need to be gently guided in the right direction."
Bruce stood up running his fingers through his hair. " Darn it Alfred...it's only a matter of time before we have to reveal...My nighttime persona...This is why I was reluctant to take the boy on in the first place.
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As Roy approached the door way he could clearly hear Bruces voice..He stopped suddenly as the words drifted to him..Listening carefully.
"I never wanted to take on a child...I felt sorry for the boy, I knew he'd never fit in here...I should have just found someone else to take him." Bruce was saying.
Roy had heard enough, he turned and quietly went back to his room...He'd thought as much, Bruce felt he had no choice but to take him in...he didn't fit in here, he didn't fit in at the reservation now that Brave Bow was gone...He didn't belong anywhere. This time the tears that had threatened to fall finally did.
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"Master Bruce...I understand that taking on a child was and is a frightening prospect...But you have to understand that even parents who are not facing the same conditions you are...face trials with their own biological children...Yes the time will come when you will no longer be able to hide your other persona from the boy...that is inevitable..but you will face that issue when that time comes. This will not be the first disagreement you have with the boy, but indeed the first of many..But children learn and grow from such experiences, no matter how unpleasant they may be at the time...There is a saying Master Bruce... We do not choose our family, perhaps it is wise to keep that in mind..Now there is no point in rehashing this afternoons events..Whats done is done...If you like I shall go and talk to the boy?" Alfred finished,and started walking towards the door, at the slight nod of Bruce's head.
"Afred." Bruce called.
"Yes Master Bruce.
"I'd be lost without you." Bruce said sighing.
"I know Master Bruce." Alfred said, walking out of the room.
