MORNING
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Alfred hurried up the stairs, with a speed he hadn't had in a few good years. When he reached the door handle, he was out of breath and with sweat running down his forehead — his white complexion looked like a melted candle.
The Wayne Mansion butler could be described as a lord, unable to let despair ruin his facade of tranquility — often resigned to fate. However, young Damian was testing his limits: he was a real "worry maker" even more than his father.
The old man opened the door slowly, afraid to see what was behind it.
When he arrived at the Mansion, he went first to the kitchen. He wanted to see the tray with his sandwiches empty, as a sign that the youngest of the house was awake again. However, he saw everything overturned: broken wine bottle on the floor, smell of burning things, scattered packages. In short: saw a war field, save for your cucumber sandwiches, exactly in the same place.
In the large room, the lights were on and the "children" were well and wide awake.
Alfred finally breathed a sigh of relief, giving himself the luxury of wiping sweat droplets before entering.
Damian was lying face down on the bed, he had the video game controller in his hands and he seemed to be concentrating on what he was doing. Beside him, like a mirror showing the future, Bruce was in exactly the same position — both kept their mouths half open, eyes glassy and wiggled their eyebrows according to the actions of the match. On top of them, with his back to his father and his legs to his brother, Richard was stuffing himself with chips as he watched the game. Jason, sitting on the floor and leaning on the bed, was delighted with a mixture of ice cream and caramelized popcorn, allowing himself to comment on everything:
— No, Damian! You have to take the shortcuts! — He said with his mouth full — Ah, B! It's not fair, you've already memorized the shortest path on this track!
— I'm just better prepared — the father justified himself.
— Even so: it's not fair!
— Accept as you lose the bet, Jay — Dick smirked.
— I was cheated! How would I know that B likes Dirt Rally?
— I don't like it, I'm just prepared... — again, Bruce justified himself.
— Looks like you do, Dad! — Damian said laughing, of the three he was the only one not interested in the result of the competition.
— I just...
— He just likes to prepare for eventual video game games — Alfred spoke for the Master, smiling in the corner when finally being noticed by everyone — I imagine that the gentlemen woke up very early, just like this being able to eat so many "junk" at the beginning of the day.
— We saw the sun rise — Dick commented, turning the packet of potatoes to eat the bran — Alfred, can you get me another one?
— I want liquor! — Jason said and put some more popcorn with ice cream in his mouth, he was concentrating on the match — Not that way, brat! Enough! You suck, give me that control!
— But Jason... — the youngest said slyly.
— Jason, it's still your brother's turn. Wait until he loses to be your turn — Bruce intervened with the classic game rule.
— Alfred... — As a last attempt, the "middle brother" looked at the butler for a chance to do better than the others. He even pouted.
— Gentlemen, I believe this is the end of the game. — The eldest walked and stood in front of the TV. Everyone sighed, already imagining what would come, except for Damian, who had no idea whether to leave control or continue playing, as his father was doing. — If you are awake and fed... poorly fed, by the way, you can go wash up and get ready for a family breakfast that will be served in... — the butler checked his watch, they were not yet not six in the morning — … forty minutes.
— You heard Alfred, guys. For the bath, all three... — Bruce said.
— Exactly, Master Bruce, all for the bath.
— I'm going to train a little bit before and... — Before the "exemplary father" could justify himself better, Alfred turned off the video game —… training outside, Alfred. I wouldn't be playing games, if that's what you thought.
— I am more than absolutely sure that you can go a day without your training, mainly because it is raining outside — The butler looked at the patriarch with a tired tone — And besides, someone needs to help Damian in the bath while I clean up all this mess.
— I'm out... — Jason warned while getting up. He clapped his hands against his clothes to get the crumbs out — useless since it only made it worse with the molasses from the popcorn.
— I really think I need a shower... — Dick acknowledged: leaving a patrol and just changing clothes was never a good idea. He stood up trying his best not to put any weight on Damian.
— Do I even need a shower, Mr. Pennyworth? — Damian looked at the butler.
— Of course, young man — The butler smiled, going to help him up. Compared to the brothers, he was not so dirty, but he still had sharps even in his hair, as well as a stain of ice cream on his cheek — Nothing better than starting the day with a good shower.
— Come on, kiddo... — The older brother held out his hand to the youngest.
— In the meantime, I hope the person who burned something in the microwave again will help me with the kitchen mess. — Alfred glared at Bruce.
— In that case... — He got up and went to his son, to help him walk to the bathroom.
— ... Master Wayne, are you blaming Master Dick?
— But it wasn't my father, Mr. Pennyworth, he was looking after me the whole time — Damian intervened, adorably polite.
— Yeah, Alfred... — The guilty boy murmured, leaving the room too — I think B's "culinary talent" is contagious…
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NOTE
Damian needs help bathing because of his leg. Let's say she is almost brand new, but he still needs some help - mainly because of the crises. I'm not the best person to know these things, luckily I never broke anything XD
For those who are wondering about the level of hygiene of night watchmen: in Encounter of Couples in Batman magazines, the Catwoman says that he does not wash his uniform every day. Now imagine: all the sweat accumulated after a car chase, a fight against the Joker and a trip home with a lot of tension and he just changed his clothes. I don't know about you, but I think baby Dami was suffering in their midst...
Note: I got a random name for a racing game. I suck at recording names and, moreover, my preference is always for RPG or fighting games
