Many thanks to:
Eve: they definitively are! And I don't really like meddling old women either xD
Sarah: I'm using the DC movies as a basis for this fic; JL will take an entirely different direction tho
Lulu: thanks ^^" I try to write what I'd like to read so I'm just glad other people enjoy it too :)
PabloAugustin: Nah, Hippolyte is more like a 'let's follow the flow' kind a kid. He wouldn't get angry at Bruce, especially since he likes him :)
DCLOVER: Good !
Kate: Thanks :D The first meeting will happen soon!
Please read on and enjoy!
Son
15
3 weeks later
Back when he had made the call, Bruce knew he shouldn't have left the damning voicemail. He should have called again till his eldest son picked up. For all the time they had spent together, he had learned both were incredibly proud in their own ways. Dick's stubbornness didn't quite match his, although the young man could give him a run for his money. Diana had started curving that tendency with him and having a candid and unabashed Hippolyte hanging around tended to do wonders to one's self-dignity.
Reaching out for Dick first must have intrigued his adopted son, but perhaps not enough to induce a quick reply.
Knowing Dick, he would not return his call for days if not weeks before swallowing his own pride. Bruce told himself he would wait three more days before taking the damn step himself. In ordinary times, he would not bother. For some reason though, he really wanted Dick to meet Diana and Hip and get along. No, not some reason. He wanted his son back. He wanted to patch up things with Dick. He wanted them to be a real family, no matter how dysfunctional theirs already was. The young man leaving did not mean Bruce didn't keep tabs on him. He knew where he worked, who he worked with, his latest injuries and his life balance –quite inexistent. Hippolyte brought –what were Diana's words already?- a sense of normality to his life. Perhaps he could expand the same miracle to Dick.
If Dick accepted Hip. Bruce ran a hand over his face and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. He really hoped the young man would show up before he had to make the move, because he would make the move. For Hippolyte, and for himself, he would.
His secretary called, interrupting his musings. Bruce had no emergency appointment, the meetings for the developing project in Metropolis was scheduled in half an hour. Consequently, he was curious when he picked up.
"What is it?" If Professor Donovan had filed another complaint, he would kick his ass out of his lab personally.
"Mister Wayne, detective Grayson wishes to meet you."
And that was not something Bruce had anticipated. He sighed mentally and replied:
"Send him in."
Dick was a familiar figure in the company –or at least, had been a familiar figure over five years ago. The secretary had only been recently hired. The fact she had used the 'detective' part meant he had to use his badge to gain entrance. Nice start. Bruce mentally prepared himself as he stood and walked around the office to open the door.
His adoptive son was reaching out for the handle when he opened the door and for a fleeing second, they stood face to face, inches away, startled by each other. Bruce stepped away and turned back inside his office. Dick hadn't change much physically; same hair –although perhaps a different haircut? –same hard eyes and hard face. The hard muscles of his body were ingeniously covered by well-fitting clothes. Bruce had to have his own clothes tailored to attenuate his build. Dick was leaner, shorter, with the agility of a world-class acrobat and a trained athlete. He had every reason to hold his head high when facing him.
"I was beginning to think I would have to show up straight to your office or your apartment," he started. Working as a detective and a vigilante in Buldhaven was the full-time equivalent to his early years as Batman in Gotham. He genuinely hadn't wanted to impede upon his duties. Whether Dick understood his intention, he merely shrugged.
"Yeah, I figured you might do that. So here I am." He stood in the middle of the room, arms still, limping each side of his waist. "So, what did you want to tell me that you couldn't over the phone?"
Bruce leaned back against his desk, eyeing his adopted son's figure more carefully.
"Thank you for coming. You look healthy."
Dick stared, bewildered. Bruce understood: he had never been one for niceties before. But hey, Diana and Hip had softened him a bit, and he hadn't seen the other man for a while, he was allowed to sprout niceties.
"I checked your activities for the past months," Dick said eventually, straight to the point. "Your extra activities don't seem to have changed, but business-wise, you have been more aggressive. You are implanting in Metropolis. Wayne Enterprise has a huge empire already, yet you want to expend more? The media focused on the shift of your behavior. You are not acting as an idiot anymore. I was skeptical at first, thought it was a new strategy for a few months, but they were right. What's going on? Did Luthor offend you somehow? ISn't Metropolis his turf?"
You did your homework, Bruce thought with a hint of pride.
"Luthor is not why I asked to meet with you, but he did…offend me," he replied. "He was involved the near kidnapping of a five year-old child in Paris back in March." Dick's face showed a hint of sympathy. Bruce breathed in and tried not to think as he added: "The child is mine."
All expression faded from the younger man's face. He looked…blank, stunned.
"You have a-?" he repeated slowly. Bruce nodded.
"His name is Hippolyte. He lives in Paris with his mother."
"Five year old you said," Dick went on, and Bruce saw the wheels turning in his mind. He also spotted the moment where anger grew, as the voice turned deadly cold. "I see how you grieved Jason."
The words hit the target and Bruce gritted his teeth. Even though it was the truth, he did not like to be reminded of the circumstances of Hip's conception. Both he and Diana had fallen in each other's arms and forgone the consequence.
"We both wanted a distraction from our respective issues," he hissed and met Dick's eye. "But I can't regret his existence. He is a sweet kid and his mother is a formidable woman."
The younger man stood silent but the body language told him all. He irradiated anger, his fists tight and jaw clenched, eyes narrowed and nostrils flaring.
"And so what?" Dick snapped. "You wanted to warn me before the scandal? Introduce me to your fling?"
"Diana is not a fling," Bruce shot back, then amended: "Not anymore."
The younger man huffed.
"So what, you intend to marry her?" Bruce shook his head.
"It's more complicated than that." The thought had never crossed his mind; he hadn't made it past the getting to know each other better part yet.
"When was it ever easy with you?" Dick retorted, rolling his eyes. "You never got one to get shackled. Or maybe with Selina Kyle, for all the good it brought you."
Pulling the Selina card was vicious, but Bruce did not let it deter him.
"Diana is…special." He hoped emphasizing the word would make his point come across. He didn't want to tell his son he was dating a three thousand years metahuman in a public place. "We are trying to keep our relationship as low profile as long as we can, for her sake and Hippolyte's."
"Why is that?"
"Diana had no desire to be associated with me in the first place. I only know about Hip because I stumbled upon them accidentally."
Dick raised an eyebrow.
"She must have been really memorable," he remarked sarcastically.
Bruce thought he might have growled.
"The circumstances were memorable," he pointed out dryly. "But yes, she is a beautiful woman." He could see the snarky remark on Dick's lips, the shot he intended to take, another slight against –Diana, him, whoever it hurt the most- when he went on: "That's only one reason why I called."
The younger man shut his mouth, narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"There's more?"
"No." Five years to think over what happened, Diana's voice reminded him. He needed to take that step, and swallow his goddamn pride. It had caused too much damage already. "I want to apologize."
That startled Dick.
"What for?" he inquired curiously.
"We did not part on good terms. Diana made me realize that…" his voice trailed off. "I don't want us to be at odds."
A variation of feelings crossed his face –anger, anguish, annoyance –and maybe something else –more hopeful; unless it was wistful thinking.
"If you want me to plaster a smile and play the happy family with-"
"Diana knows what to expect-"
"-your new girlfriend then-"
"-I told her of our sit-"
"-you can shove your-"
"-uation and she knows every-"
"-head in -what?"
"-thing."
Dick stared, stunned and this time –beyond angry.
"How could you? How could you Bruce?"
"Diana can be trusted," he shot back.
"Really? Because you trust people now? You never trusted me!"
Ah, and there was the center of the matter. Trust. For years, Dick had asked him to consider him an equal, or to trust him. One of the main reasons he had left. One of the many things left unsolved between them.
"She has secrets too and she made a smart guess. Technically, I didn't tell her," Bruce finally said and added before being interrupted: "I don't want to fight with you about this, Dick. I am well aware there is unfinished business between us, but I want to mend it."
"It seems she already has some influence over you, if you considered that at all," he replied coldly. "I need to think about this."
Silence fell in the office. Bruce wondered how a short conversation could be so tiring.
"They will be coming early in May," he went on. "I'd like you would meet them then. Consider it, please."
Dick stared at him, as if he couldn't recognize him. If he were honest, Bruce barely recognized himself lately. His dedication to protect his city hadn't wavered, but personally…there was a reason why Alfred held Diana in higher regards.
No answer came forth. The younger man took a step back and walked out of his office without a word. Bruce sat on the border of his desk, feeling too many things to be certain of their accuracy. Dick's reaction was not quite what he hoped for. He pulled his phone, texted Diana, and slowly put it down on his desk. First things first, he would have to notify his secretary that Detective Grayson was welcomed anytime. Then, he hoped he could focus this afternoon.
Son
Diana was glad she had finished early today. Hippolyte had been overjoyed to see her pick him up at school instead of Ethan and had immediately urged her to head to the park. As Bruce wasn't supposed to call today, she indulged him and spent half an hour watching him race around the playground with other children. When it was time to go home, they took the long way back to enjoy the warm afternoon. So far, the day had gone smoothly without incidents, she had planned a nice diner –her son's favorite –and had made a note to call an old friend to catch up.
She was caught out of her musings when Hippolyte suddenly pulled at her trousers.
"Mothermothermother look! Look!"
His small hand was pointing somewhere in the crowd. She tried to follow his gaze, but could not find anything amiss. Annoyed by her lack of reaction, he reached for her hand and pulled decisively. Bemused, Diana allowed him to trail her behind. Her confusion did not last as she finally recognized who he was herding them. The woman saw them approached and offered them a smile as she recognized them.
"Call that a coincidence!"
"Miss Lane," Diana greeted. "What a surprise."
The reporter was indeed back in town, dressed in comfortable jeans this time and a casual top. She looked every bit the tourist in the mass.
"Please, call me Lois," she corrected. "I'm sorry I don't remember your name."
"Diana," she replied, reluctant to give up her last name. "Are you on holiday or waiting for another plane?"
The woman huffed impatiently.
"This airport is cursed, my flight has been delayed till tomorrow morning and I have no Mister Wayne to help me this time. I am less in a rush though, so I figured I could visit while I had the time," she said with good humor. "At least they paid for the hotel room –Paris is expensive." She looked down, grinned at the little boy. "How are you?"
Hippolyte was gone to halfway hide behind her legs, but Diana did not believe he was actually afraid. He had, after all, guided her there.
"I'm okay," he said, peeking at her with a small smile. "I don't have nightmares."
"Well that's…good," the reporter said and then fell silent, not quite knowing what to say next.
"Would you like to have a drink at a coffee?" Diana asked. Hip was beaming. Lois agreed, as she had nothing else to do.
They settled on a terrace in the sunlight, ordered a drink that Diana insisted on paying. They chatted a little before Diana accidentally dropped some tea on her clothes. She left them to go to the bathroom and clean the stain. When she returned, Hippolyte was waving his arms around and Lois looked fascinated and dismayed at the same time.
"…and so then, the siblings thought they had to take the chance. They wanted to see more of the u-ni-verse and stay together. But they still had family to warn before leaving, so they asked the god to wait one day for an answer. The god agreed and the siblings called their family and their friends and said their goodbyes. One day later, the god then opened the gate to the other worlds and they stepped through and they were never seen again."
Another story, she thought, not one of mine.
She didn't remember mentioning gods and portals to other words, or did she? Bruce hadn't and it didn't sound like Alfred's style. It was nice to see he was creating his own style. Lois nodded slowly.
"You are quite the storyteller, Hippolyte," she said and glanced at Diana. "He is more interesting than some writers I've met."
Diana laughed softly.
"He loves stories, don't you my love?" she added. Her finger caressed his cheek affectionately. Hippolyte grinned and looked away shyly.
"I still like stories no-one-knows better," he retorted and glanced hopefully at the reporter. "You must have a ton of stories no-one-knows!"
"True stories," Diana nuanced. "Edited, of course."
Her son gave her a strange look. Lois nodded in understanding.
"I do know a lot of stories," she admitted. "I don't think you would like them though."
Big, big mistake. Hippolyte was hooked by the time she said 'lot'.
"Tell me one please? Please? I have not heard a new one in aaaaaages! Mother knows a lot of stories, but I know them all now. Please Miss Lane? Please?"
Diana snorted while Lois appeared to be seriously considering his offer.
"You don't have to," she said. "If you have other things going on…"
"No, seriously it's fine. My audience is not usually five years old, but I'm sure I can find something, especially since you just told me the story of the century," she added with a wink. Hippolyte giggled happily. "It's the story…" Lois started, paused to consider, and then seemed to make up her mind. "Actually, it's a story that happened not so long ago." Diana smiled indulgently as Hippolyte leaned forward, all ears. "It happens in a very cold country," she said with a hint of mystery. Cold country, Diana assumed something had happened in the Artic during her last voyage. She leaned back and listened. "It's…uh…" Lois paused, briefly looking for words adapted for her young public. Diana saw how the plot was transforming in her mind, shifting into something else. "It's…uh…the story of an alien who was looking for a way home, but he lost his…uh…means of transport."
"You mean a spaceship?" Hippolyte interrupted, intrigued.
"Yes, exactly!" Lois agreed, and Diana blinked in surprise –her interjection sounded very…genuine. "In fact, he parked it in that very cold place, but he forgot about it. And then one day, people native of the country found out that something had been buried at the same place the alien had buried his spaceship. So they started trying to figure out what exactly the ice was hiding –I mean the ground." Hippolyte blinked. Diana's interest was piqued. Definitively happening in the Artic. "So he infiltrated the team of natives and waited for the right moment to join his spaceship. But," she added, lifting a finger. "He did not know he was being followed."
Hippolyte inhaled sharply, his eyes wide in anticipation. Diana felt the same anticipation, but much more uncomfortably. Her thoughts were briefly redirected towards Henry and his quest to find out about his past. His phone call was less than a month ago. Could it be…?
"A native spotted him slipping away from the group and dig a tunnel to join his spaceship. She followed him through the tunnel without him knowing, and entered the spaceship moments after. And that's when…" her voice trailed off. Hippolyte was leaning so far Diana thought he might tumbled down off his chair. "The ship security attacked!"
Her son opened his mouth and then shut it, shifting impatiently. Lois seemed to appreciate her rapt audience and went on with more confidence:
"The native was injured and thought she would die. But the alien returned and disabled the security. He apologized to the intruder and…" Lois paused briefly. "-healed her. Then, he dropped her off not too far away from the other natives and took off with his spaceship."
"Did he come back?" Hippolyte demanded, and Diana privately seconded.
"Not yet," she replied and added on a softer tone: "But I will find him."
Diana's blood ran cold. The little boy blinked again, confused.
"Why?" he inquired. "Did the alien not go home? Why would he want to woman to find him?"
"Because I want him to know that I know he's here," she retorted seriously. "And his story must be a fascinating one. People should know about him."
"I don't understand," Hip slowly said, frowning slightly. "He hurt no-one, right? Why are you looking for him if he left? Does he want to be found? If he does not hurt people, should you not leave him alone? What if other people want to find him too and want to hurt him because he's different?"
Lois was not the only one caught off-guard by his remark. Diana stared at her son, stunned. He looked up at her, as if seeking an answer from her too. And then she understood. The alien was different, had a secret, just like her, just like him, and somewhat, just like Bruce. He made a correlation between this individual the reporter was seeking and their own situation.
You, my son, are so smart it's scaring, she thought sadly. She would have to report this to Bruce. Gods knew he would either be thrilled or worried. She certainly was worried.
"I…" Lois started and kept staring at him in wonder. "I suppose I didn't –" she paused, stared at Diana instead, as if asking –seriously? When she showed no help whatsoever, Lois turned her attention back to him. "I suppose it's because I am a reporter. I find stories and report them. It's an instinct. His story must be extraordinary, and I want to write it."
Hippolyte frowned.
"Tristan is in my class and he's bad. He hurts Amanda because he wants to." His tone turned chiding: "You want to find him but you do it alone. If the alien is bad, you can tell everyone. If he's not, you are going to hurt him." His face fell. "I don't like when people are hurt. They are sad after."
Lois had that stunned expression Diana did not like. She ought to have intervened earlier and cut the conversation short, but watching her son interact with an adult was always diverting. She did not expect him to carry on so far.
"Miss Lane is very good at her job," she injected. "She would not hurt someone on purpose."
The pout melted into a more serene expression. Hip leaned against her side and grinned.
"Can I have ice cream mother?"
Bruce had mentioned a short attention span. He might not be wrong.
"Not so close before dinner," she retorted dryly before turning towards Lois: "Hip is very inquisitive for his age, I apologize if he made you uncomfortable."
The reporter waved her apology away.
"He is good at argumentation, I will tell you that," she replied lightly, but Diana did not miss the clouding in her eyes. Oh dear, Hip had hit a nerve. "I should probably leave, the plane is at six, and I should have a good night sleep." She paused, and added almost absentmindedly: "And make a few phone calls."
The two women and the child wished each other well and Diana walked away carrying Hip, who was starting to show signs of tiredness. She thought it would be awhile before they meet again. Bruce thought Lois Lane an excellent reporter with a keen sense for huge scoops. If she was as determined as he had understated…
Perhaps she ought to send a warning to Henry. Though the chances that her acquaintance and Lois' mysterious man to be the same were exceedingly thin, a head's up would be kind.
On an impulse, she took out her phone and started typing.
'Do you know a reporter named Lois Lane? She is trying to find a man who saved her life in the Artic.'
She sent the message to the number he had called from and let it there. She didn't expect a reply. As she had no idea where he had decided to
Two minutes later, her phone chimed.
'Thank you for the head's up. I will deal with her when she finds me. How did you get across her?'
'She saved Hippolyte.' Diana typed back without offering further information. He would never get the knowledge of the incident, as Bruce had most likely erased every hint of the attempt kidnapping upon his return to Gotham –and if he hadn't, Mo would keep things under wraps too. Still, she considered her duty done and put the phone back into her handbag. It chimed again, and she was surprised that this time, Bruce had sent her a message.
'Saw Dick. Didn't go so well. I hope he'll come around. Can I talk to you tonight?'
Diana lowered the phone. The short message meant he was truly not happy with the situation. She bit her lower lip, wondering what she should do. The afternoon was started in Gotham and he had a few meetings with his board of directors.
'Call after Hippolyte's bedtime, when your meeting is over. I'll wait.'
His reply was near immediate.
'Thanks Diana. It's a date.'
She snorted but smiled.
Son
Hippolyte couldn't sleep. Mother had wished him a good night and tucked him in. Then she had gone after her customary story –the one of the girl and the fire, he had already heard it, but he liked it. He did not know how long it had been, but he was bored. And thirsty. He huffed exasperatedly and pushed away his covers. He was going to drink! Maybe mother would still be up and could tell him another story?
He pushed his door open. The rest of the house was dark –mother must have gone to bed then. He tiptoed towards the stairs and noticed the light under mother's bedroom door. She wasn't sleeping! He thought. He did not open though, not when he heard her speaking.
"-not your fault. Give him time to acknowledge the situation." Pause. Exasperated sigh. "You can't force him Bruce!" His ears peeked up. Bruce? Father? Father was calling mother? Hippolyte sat by the door, his back against the wall. Father was calling mother after his bedtime. They wanted a grownup talk. He was not supposed to listen, but he could wait until she was done to come in and ask a glass of water. If he waited outside, mother would not know he was listening.
"If your son is half as stubborn as you are, you won't change his mind by harassing him."
Father hadn't asked him anything lately, had he? Hip wondered.
"Dick is his own man. He will call or he won't."
Hip didn't know Dick. Was he father's son? Another son? The little boy grinned. If father had another son, then he had a brother? Like Julie? What was the word –half a brother!
"I already told you, I won't let him around Hip if he's angry. I know it's hard, but you can't –Bruce, Hip is my priority. I have no issues with Dick but Hip is an empath. Trust me, he will feel the sting of rejection." Her voice lowered. "And I won't allow that."
The cheer suddenly subdued. Father's other son –Dick –didn't want to meet him? Why? He stopped listening to mother as she kept talking, and pondered over the question. Was Dick angry that father met mother? Lucas was angry that his father re-married because he did not like his stepmother because she was mean to him. Did Dick not like mother? Or him? But Dick never met him or mother, he could not dislike them. Hippolyte huffed again. Now he understood why grownups had grownups discussions. They made no sense.
He stood from his position and returned to his bedroom. He was no longer thirsty and starting to get tired. He curled under his covers, closed his eyes, and his last thought was about how nice it would be to have a brother -even only half of one.