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Son
16
Diana was exhausted. She and Hippolyte were used to long flights, but her little boy had been particularly excited about this one. Bruce had sent them his private jet, so the whole plane was theirs. Hip had been beside himself, jumping everywhere until she held him tight and forced him to direct his attention outside the window during the takeoff. Only once they had been in the air did she release him with the strictest order to be calm.
She might have as well prayed for rain in the Sahara.
She had chosen a late flight so her boy would tire easier and have a better chance to get accustomed to the six hours jetlag. She was so wrong. Hip did not jump nor did he assault the only steward on board, but he touched, poked and probed everything that could be touched, poked and probed. He tried her patience by asking her every ten minutes when they were to land. He exhausted himself halfway through and fell asleep on his chair with crayons in hand. Diana took the opportunity to exchange with Andrew the steward and catch up with work. Unfortunately, Hippolyte's rest only lasted an hour. There was still some time ahead, much to her dismay and Andrew's quiet amusement. He also somehow managed to find the candies and chocolate, and ate a bunch before Diana could stop him by reminding him Alfred would be cooking when they arrived.
When they did land, Alfred was expecting them, as Bruce had come out late from his last meetings. She gleefully released the little boy onto the older man –if Alfred could deal with Bruce for over twenty years, he could deal with a five year old on sugar high- and took a nap while he drove them to the lake house. And when they finally arrived, Alfred's usual stoicism was holding by a thread.
He calmly stated as they left the car:
"I have watched over Master Wayne ever since he was born. I cannot recall him being so…"
"Enthusiastic?" Diana suggested with a laugh. The butler gave her an understanding look, and she knew their relationship would be easier this time. "He might have that from both. Mother would let me run wild, otherwise I would keep fidgeting until they could not stand it anymore." She gave him an amused smile. "Trust me, trying the patience of thousand years old warriors is an exploit."
Hippolyte was already running to Bruce and jumped into the welcoming arms. She did not miss the soft expression on Alfred's face.
"Do you know, Miss Prince, I have prayed years to see him smile as such. I have not seen him so happy since…" his voice trailed off. "I cannot remember the last time I saw him so happy."
She could only smile in response, her throat suddenly tight. She knew, of course, that Bruce had been lonely. The presence of his adopted sons might have made a difference for a time, but it would have worsened after their respective death and departure.
"I won't apologize for keeping Hip away all this time," she said quietly. "But I am glad we met again."
And Alfred would have to deal with that.
After a big hugging session with Hippolyte, Bruce finally let his son down and headed towards Diana. He kissed her like he had when he had departed from Paris –swift but sweet and with feeling. From the corner of the eye, she saw Hippolyte frown.
"Did you have a good flight?" he asked, and his eyes were sparkling like a kid on Christmas Eve. She did not hold back her pleased grin.
"As good as could be with an overactive child," she replied. Hip had the honesty to look slightly bashful. "How about we visit Hip's new room?"
The notion immediately removed any guilty feeling from her son's mind, as he resumed fidgeting uncontrollably. The three adults picked the luggage and brought them to the house. Hip was allowed to carry his backpack. They were just supposed to stay ten days, and with the promise of having his own bedroom to be decorated to his taste, Hippolyte had packed a lot of stuff.
The lake house had obviously been expanded. A few trees had to be taken down and the ground reorganized to cede room for the new wing. She knew from their previous exchanges that he had added a bedroom for Hip, but also a guest room –they had both agreed that they would share a bed -and a separate office for her. The architect had managed not to disrupt the original look of the house -a prowess, given the atypical structure. They walked inside, managing to manoeuver the suitcases –super strength and hard training did come in handy. Diana unpacked her stuff in the closet Bruce had put in the room for her while he helped the little boy arrange his space. Half an hour later, the four of them were eating diner around the table. Hip's hype was finally going down and it didn't take long for the little boy to nod off. He did not even stay awake long enough for his customary bedtime story.
Bruce would be patrolling tonight, but Diana still wanted a word before heading to bed in turn. He had mentioned Luthor during their last exchange; the hacking took too much time because he had to infiltrate the servers from the outside, and he had been searching for a way in. Something in her expression must have tipped him off, for he immediately tackled the matter.
"In five days, Luthor is organizing a charity for a random association at his headquarters. I am invited." He paused. "I will take advantage of the crowd to sneak in the basement."
Diana raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you think it is a trap?"
"Maybe. I'll have to go to figure it out."
"Am I to be your plus one?"
He hesitated.
"Paparazzi will be there. Luthor might recognize you and have you watched carefully," he pointed out. "I don't-"
"If you believe one second I will let that pompous piece of suit intimidate me, you are sorely wrong, Mr. Wayne." She stepped closer, didn't miss how his eyes followed her hand, how they darkened when she touched his arm. "Our tie will come to light sooner or later. For now, I can be Mr. Wayne's latest fling for the papers."
He put his other hand over hers. Diana shivered involuntarily. Her thoughts briefly drifted back at when those hands had wandered elsewhere.
"That is not what I meant to say but as he has already 'met' you twice. If he had no suspicions before, you will definitively catch his attention." Bruce smirked when he realized she had been distracted. "He will already suspect something is amiss the moment I step through that door."
Diana shrugged.
"As I said, I cannot evade him forever. My hiding will most likely draw him out." she paused and added softly: "I was always more attack for defense and so are you."
He snorted.
"Touché."
She remained silent for a moment, contemplating the next situation.
"I did not bring an appropriate dress. I suppose I will have to go shopping one afternoon."
"Is my presence needed?" he asked.
"Needed? Not necessarily. Although…" her voice trailed off, took a more suave tone. "I might require your opinion. A second pair of eyes, you know."
Bruce pretended to think, but she could see a different pair of wheels turning in his mind.
"You have a solid faith on my knowledge of women's shop."
Diana chuckled:
"Bruce, do not claim you have no references in that domain."
He had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed.
"As much as I hate to admit it, Metropolis has a better selection. I do have a meeting there in three days. Perhaps we could head there in the morning, spend the day, and you and Hip return early afternoon while I get the work done?"
"You will have to keep Hip entertained while I try my dresses," she warned. "But it should be fun."
Hippolyte absolutely hated shopping for clothes. She already pitied Bruce.
"My patrol keeps me in the city till two. I will probably return around three in the morning." He paused and added: "I'll try not to wake you."
Diana did not offer her help –his refusal had been clear five conversations ago. Instead, she pressed a kiss to his cheek and wished him a good hunting.
Son
Bruce woke up slowly, warm and peacefully. Something was tickling his nose and a foreign but familiar smell was soothing his senses. His body was holding onto something soft and warm. He didn't have to crack an eye open to recognize Diana.
He had come home slightly earlier than expected, around two thirty. The night hadn't been bad, rather quiet with the occasional thug wandering around, so he hadn't wasted too much time in the cave. He had planned to crash into bed and catch some sleep until strong hands had pinned him back on the mattress and an eager mouth caught his. All thoughts of resting had vanished in thin air as he had responded with the same intensity.
Now, slowly growing aware of his surroundings, he slowly grinned. He wasn't quite ready to rise for the day. Diana was there, in his bed, and former performances had proven she rather enjoyed their intimacy. As it happened, so did he. Bruce was wondering how he should bring her back to consciousness –kisses, caresses? –and how long he had before…
And of course, that very moment, the door creaked open.
Biting back a sigh, he glanced over his shoulder to see Hippolyte peeking from the entrance. Bruce put a finger over his mouth and motioned him out. No need to risk the kid climbing in bed with them and question his parents' state of nakedness. Thankfully, Hip nodded and stepped back. The man grabbed his pj pants and a shirt and stealthily walked out of the bedroom. Once the door firmly closed, he faced the five year old with eyes wide awake.
"Mother is still sleeping?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," Bruce replied. "Did you sleep well?"
The little boy grinned and nodded.
"The mist was still on the lake, it was like fairies," he said, echoing his words from his first visit.
"That's nice," Bruce replied, unsure what he was exactly supposed to say. Hippolyte didn't find his answer lacking and went on:
"Say father, Mister Alfred is not there and mother is still sleeping. Can we make them breakfast?"
Son
She woke up alone. Outside the bedroom, she could hear giggles and soft spoken words. At first, Diana felt amused that Bruce could definitively sneak out of the bed without waking her. Then, she wondered what her two men were up to, but decided to let them in favor of some extra sleep. But when the smell of something burning tickled her nose, she reluctantly left the bed for a rescue.
She stepped on the floor, slipped back her nightgown and left the bedroom. She was greeted by the most original sight: Bruce and Hip were rushing around the room, Bruce cursing, Hip following like a lost puppy. The two paused when they saw her. Smoke was coming out of the kitchen. The fire alarm blared.
"Shit," Bruce cursed and hurried to open the windows. Hip stared at her, even more distraught and on the verge of tears.
Diana snickered but left to turn off the alarm. She then stepped into the kitchen and laughed heartily when she spotted the two burned casseroles and the fried toaster.
"I see you tried your hand at breakfast," she said, turning towards Bruce.
He glared at her, clearly embarrassed.
"Hip wanted to surprise you," he admitted. "But I am not sure how half of this work."
Unsaid –Alfred usually takes care of the food.
"Sorry mother," the little boy added sadly.
Diana grinned even wider.
"You will have to apologize to Alfred, but I doubt he will be angry at you, my love. Come here," she added and picked him for a much needed emotional hug. He buried his face in her neck and held her tight. She then stepped closer to Bruce and kissed him lightly. "I cannot claim he will be so lenient with you; but for what it's worth I appreciate the attempt."
His cheeks turned into a lovely shade of pink. He mumbled something before she firmly interrupted him with her mouth again. This time, he responded and smiled. It was more a light curl of his mouth than a real obvious smile, but knowing Bruce, he might as well be beaming.
"Let's see what's in the fridge, we will make up something. In the meantime, you-" she put Hip down and looked at him straight in the eye. "You are taking a shower."
Hippolyte stared up at her, horrified.
"I don't need a shower, mother!" he protested. "I took one yesterday!"
"Yesterday, when we were still in Paris. Hippolyte Prince, you will go under that shower and wash yourself."
He pouted, turned towards Bruce. The man looked on the verge of laughing but supported her claim in the end. The little boy trotted away unhappily.
"You think he's old enough to shower on his own?" Bruce asked as he vanished in the bathroom.
"If you offer help before he asks, he will throw a tantrum. He is five, remember," she said, mimicking her son's latest favorite argument.
Bruce tugged at her arm, pulling her closer. She let him embrace her and accepted his long, lingering kiss. They were soon caught in the moment, and hands began wandering over her hips, hers ran in his hair, and the kisses turned heated and insisting-
"Mother! I –eeewwwww!"
The two parted, but barely. Hippolyte had changed into his day clothes and looked utterly disgusted.
"What are you doing?"
Bruce narrowed his eyes at him.
"Did you really take a shower Hip?"
The little boy opened his mouth to confirm, but another firm stare from Diana had him huff anew and return to the bathroom. A few seconds later, he called, frustrated:
"I can't reach the handle!"
Both adults snickered. Bruce volunteered to help and left her with a thorough kiss. Diana watched his nice form as he stepped away and thought it was a good thing Hip slept heavily during naptime.
Son
Dick pulled the car in the driveway. There wouldn't be enough room for too many cars in front of the house and he wasn't planning on staying very long. Arriving by six pm meant he either would have to stay dinner or hit back the road fast if things didn't go well. According to Bruce's latest text, they would arrive the tenth of May and depart the twentieth. He had decided to leave them a day to settle before paying a visit and get over with the introductions. Although he was still unused to the idea of Bruce having a blood family, he wondered what kind of woman would raise his child and not want his involvement, if only financially.
A proud woman, perhaps? He thought uncharitably. Or a smart one. He hadn't lingered long enough to find out the full name of Bruce's lover –he just had the name Hippolyte anchored in his memory. He should have done his research before coming, but the thought bothered him. He wanted to meet the woman face-to-face, without judgment, and react based on his impressions, not through whatever intel he would find on the web. If Bruce allowed her to invade his privacy, secret identity or not, then she must be a force to reckon with, right?
To be honest, he was equally curious about Bruce's child. His old mentor clearly cared for the boy, had showed more emotion during their ten minute meeting than some months in his younger years. He was seven when the billionaire had adopted him, eight when he first wore the Robin cape. Would Bruce make another Robin out of Hippolyte? Would his mother agree with it?
He slammed the door of the car a little too harshly and, after a deep breath, walked straight towards the lake house.
The sun was beginning to lower and the air freshening. and yet, a little boy was playing by the shore, jumping in the still water with both feet, arms occasionally digging in the submerged ground. Dick frowned in disapproval; what kind of parent left a five year old alone by the water? Springtime had begun and the weather had been rather warm that day, but he knew an accident could easily happen. If the child tripped, hurt himself, anything…
The boy suddenly peeked up in his direction. From afar, he saw him stare at the new visitor with curiosity before he rushed out of the lake and ran up to meet him. The boldness and complete lack of fear for strangers annoyed Dick. Another negative point in the parents' favor. Did the kid always meet up with people he didn't know? Was that the reason he had almost been kidnapped back in March?
The young man breathed in and out deeply –it was not Hippolyte's fault he had been raised thus –and smiled:
"Hey, what are you doing outside alone?"
The boy blinked owlishly and for a brief moment, Dick could not look away. A mop of dark hair, a lean body, a round but beautiful face…but those intense, painfully familiar eyes that seemed to pierce through his soul… He was Bruce's kid alright.
"Mother and father are fighting, but it's okay this time," Hippolyte replied easily. "Mister Alfred is in the kitchen, he can see me." Dick felt his heart clench at the mention of the butler; he missed the old man. "Are you Dick?"
The young man blinked, startled.
"Yeah. You know me?"
To which the boy beamed.
"Yeah! Mother said you were father's son."
Second surprise.
"She did?"
"Yeah! I was not supposed to listen, but I was thirsty and mother was speaking to father on the phone and so she didn't see me listen. Father was sad and she said you had to make up your mind about…" His voice trailed off then he shrugged. "Something like that. So if you are father's son, then you are my half a brother, right?" He paused again, craned his neck and added: "You're not as tall as mother and father but you're still really tall." A little frown appeared. "I thought a half a brother would be smaller."
Dick opened his mouth and shut it straight. The kid was very confusing, but he couldn't help…smiling. Yes, he had just met Bruce's flesh and blood, and he was smiling.
"I suppose-" He cleared his throat. "Yes, I am your half-brother."
Hippolyte immediately lifted his arms in the universal saying of 'pick me up please'. Dick indulged him, remembering last minute that half the boy's clothes were wet from the lake. By then, surprisingly strong arms had wrapped around his neck and the little boy was hugging him.
"I'm Hippolyte by the way," he belatedly introduced himself.
And Dick laughed, because he had expected –he didn't know what he had expected, perhaps a tantrum, perhaps rejection, interrogation, but not plain acceptance. And this little boy –his half-brother he said, calling him Bruce's son…it felt like a warm welcome home.
Perhaps he had been growing too cold in Buldhaven.
"Master Hippolyte!"
Alfred's voice echoed in the background. The butler stormed out of the house, looking agitated. When he spotted the two of them, his expression first turned thunderous. And then, the light of recognition came and his whole face brightened.
"Master Richard!" he called happily, and Dick felt another, stronger pang in his chest for not calling him sooner. "Welcome back."
Dick smiled in return.
"It's nice to see you Alfred."
The older man glanced at the boy. His eyes considerably soften.
"I see you have met Master Hippolyte."
The boy pulled back slightly, twisting his body away from Dick to look at the older man.
"Dick is my half a brother!" he chirped happily. Alfred smiled indulgently. Dick shifted his attention on something that the boy had said earlier.
"Are Bruce and –" he paused, trying to remember the woman's name, "-his mother fighting?"
"Sparring," the butler corrected. "Master Hippolyte is uneasy with the concept, thus he stayed with me."
"They are sparring in the cave?" Dick wasn't sure he had heard correctly.
"We can go see them," Hippolyte offered candidly. "Mother can train you if you want. She already trains Mo, and he's a soldier."
Who the hell is that woman? He thought, incredulous.
Alfred stared at the little boy equally stunned, but for a very different reason.
"Will you be alright, Master Hip?" he asked cautiously. "You were not too keen on having your parents spare."
Hippolyte released Dick and turned around, keeping a hand of his shoulder.
"Last time, the fighting was not right," he said matter-of-factly. "It's not the same now, or with Dick, 'cause Dick won't be afraid of mother, right?"
Bruce, afraid? And Alfred not blinking an eye…once again, what the hell was going on?
"I assume Master Wayne did not inform you of Miss Prince's particularity?"
Bruce had mentioned a difference, although he had been a little too angry to fully consider the significance.
"Mother is the strongest!" Hippolyte preened proudly. "But she won't hurt you; she's too nice even when she shouldn't. That's what Ethan said."
And now Dick's curiosity was definitively roused.
Son
Bruce groaned as his back hit the sparring mat for the third time in ten minutes, but the smirk on his face stood firm. Diana had won over three times already, but he knew she was barely holding back. Though she wasn't using her speed, her strength and her hand-to-hand was something he could deal with. Had they sparred the first time, he might have gotten angry and wary of this display of power. Months later, now that he knew her, he did not feel the same…dismay.
"Tired already?" she teased, perfectly at ease sitting on his haunches. Her skin barely showed any trace of sweat, but so did his. Training with her in the future would be rewarding and helpful for his own skills, if Hip could get comfortable with the idea.
"Not quite," he replied. His left hand caressed her upper thigh, the other cupped her hip. She had dressed in leggings and skin-tight shirt. A few strands had escaped her high ponytail and dangled in front of her face. She looked as entrancing in sportswear as she did naked. And when she leant forward to press a strong, firm kiss to his mouth, he flipped them over, her back on the sparring mat, his body holding her down.
As he became lost in their kiss, he did not hear the doors of the cave open, barely noted the familiar babbling of Hippolyte approaching, but certainly stopped at the quiet gasp. He jumped on his feet at once; Diana followed a split second behind. Bruce felt the matching smile –and glowing cheeks –appearing on his face. That was when he spotted the newcomers.
"Dick?" he blurted, surprised. The young man did not seem pleased. He next spotted Hippolyte, whose eyes brightened in fascination at his surroundings.
"This is so better than an attic!" he chipped, and immediately darted towards the table where his tools were waiting for a repair. The sharp kind of tools. "Mother look!"
Before he could even reach a piece of the batsuit that had been dangling off the corner, Diana moved very fast to intercept him. A blink of an eye later, she had crossed the cave and had picked her son, a very annoyed expression on her face.
"Don't touch without permission," she chided. Dick and Alfred stared at her agape, Dick more shocked than Alfred. The butler knew of her powers, but had never actually witnessed her in action. Dick, on the other hand, knew about his strong feeling where metahumans were concerned. His astonishment felt like a stinging judgment, but he would not shrink in shame. He knew they needed another heart to heart, out of Hippolyte's –and possibly Diana's –hearing after the revelation.
Said boy's interest was quickly diverted again as he asked:
"Father, can Dick stay to sleep tonight? And he can stay here tomorrow with Alfred and me too so you and mother go shopping together."
At Dick's inquiring glance, Bruce explained:
"I have a meeting in Metropolis tomorrow. I thought it would be nice to go together."
"But I don't like shopping, and Dick doesn't either," the little boy added and glanced urgently at the other man. "Please?"
There was something utterly charming at the sight of a five year old attempting to direct the people around him to his leisure. He would also have to ask Hip how exactly he knew Dick to get so quickly attached, because he doubted Alfred had spilled his story.
"Only if his schedule is clear," Diana interrupted before glancing at the young man and adding softly: "Bruce spoke many times about you, we'd be happy to have you, if only for dinner, for starters."
Her tone was calm and kind, and Dick, though not seduced, did take a second glance at her. To the outsider, she appeared in his mid to late twenties while he was on the wrong side of forty. The truth, once Dick knew, would be…most likely as blown as he had been. But hey, Diana had offered to wait a decade or two to prove her words, and he was well inclined to agree.
"I –" Dick started, but Bruce could see the hesitation and uncertainty. Guilt gnawed him as he realized that while he had tried his best with Dick, he never had much of family diners than with Jason and him. "Dinner sounds fine," he eventually relented, a small smile growing on his face. Bruce relaxed.
And the lights suddenly blacked out, leaving the cave in pitch black.
"Is the generator faulty?" Dick asked first, sounding as surprised as Bruce felt.
"I checked it recently," Alfred replied. "It wasn't malfunctioning."
"Hip, stop fidgeting," Diana ordered quietly. "Do you have a lamp somewhere?"
"My phone won't turn on," the younger man said in turn. "Whatever's going on, electronics aren't working."
Every screen suddenly lit up, grey with static. The five directed their eyes on the computers and waited, with a strange sense of dread. A voice moaned, shortly at first, before mumbling gibberish. And then, the sound became clearer, as did the message that followed:
"You are not alone."