A/N: Hello everyone! I'm back, and better than ever (hopefully)! I haven't updated this collection in a bit, so I wanted to. Kinda helps fill the void in my heart while Gotham is on hiatus. As always, please feel free to review, favorite, follow, or PM us! Thank you!
~G
"No! Nooo!"
Alfred bolts up out of bed, jarred awake by the sound of Bruce's screams throughout the house. The butler sprinted to the boys room, throwing open the door when he arrived. What lie in front of him broke his heart.
There was Bruce Wayne, taking turns between being curled up in a tight ball and thrashing about, whimpering and screaming while the covers were being strewn all over his quarters. Alfred walked to his bedside and took a moment to say a silent prayer. He hoped his parents, wherever they may be, did not have to witness this. He could barely handle the torment this caused his heart, let alone his parents.
He shook the boy and cradled him. "Shh. Shh, it's okay. It's okay now. I've got you, it's okay," Alfred rocked Bruce back and forth. "Shh, it's okay. Hush now, it's okay." He laid his cheek against the top of the boys head and continued cradling him.
"I.. I just.. I can't do it anymore," Bruce whispered, a far away look in his eye. The broken look in his eye was more than Alfred could bear. "They.. They're gone. They're really gone. They aren't coming back. They never are. They left me here alone. I'm all alone," he sobbed out.
Alfred had to turn away. The boy didn't realize. He was not alone in this. He had him, for Queen's sake. He would never let Bruce see it, but Alfred was deeply hurt by those words. Nevertheless, Alfred had a job to do at the moment.
"Shh. It's okay.. You'll be okay. I'm here now. It's all okay," he tried consoling the boy, but nothing seemed to be working.
"I just. Don't know what to do anymore," Bruce cried out.
You and I, both, my boy. You and I both.
But the butler would never say that out loud, either so he bit his tongue. Bruce buried his head into Alfred's chest and sobbed himself to sleep in an hour. Alfred, however, did not get a wink of sleep that night.
And the sun rose to a new day, leaving the darkness to dwindle in the past.
.
.
.
"Would you like to talk about it, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked, regarding last night's.. Incident.
"No." Bruce answered deadpan, spoonful of oatmeal an inch from his face. Alfred sighed.
"Very well, Master Bruce. I'll be here if you need me."
The corner of Bruce's mouth twitched upwards, but he refused himself a smile.
.
.
.
Alfred lay awake, staring into the darkness - Bruce does not consider him his. He knows he shouldn't be thinking about it; he is Bruce's butler. That is all he is. He is no father, no parent. All he is, is Bruce's butler. He'll never be more. Bruce won't look up to him, he won't look to him for advice, and he won't love him.
In one fowl blow, Alfred was instantaneously broken. He would never let it show to Bruce though, that would be a catastrophe. He may be Bruce's legal guardian, but he will never be his real guardian.
"Mom! Dad!"
Alfred was startled by the screams again. He sighed, and got out of bed, trudging the long journey from his quarters to Bruce's. It looks like another sleepless night.
The door was cracked open, so Alfred peeked in before entering. There was Bruce Wayne, doing the same alternating pattern of the fetal position and thrashing all about. He opened the door and stepped in, saying another silent man. He found himself praying more often than he used to. Maybe it was a sign.
He wrapped Bruce up, and shushed him, just like the night before. "It's okay Bruce. It's okay, I'm here. It's just a dream, it's all going to be okay."
Bruce jolted up and looked up to see him. He had a wild look in his eye, but it all vanished when he locked eyes with the butler.
"Alfred?"
"Yes, Master Bruce?"
"I. I don't. Make it stop.. Please make it stop," the boy sobbed out, yet again. Alfred sighed and pet the boy's hair.
Bruce fell asleep soon thereafter, but Alfred, yet again, did not get the sleep he needed.
The sun again rose, leaving the darkness of last night behind them.
.
.
.
Alfred yawned as he handed Bruce his breakfast.
"Good morning, Master Bruce."
"Good morning, Alfred." Bruce ate his toast.
"Anything you want to talk about?"
Bruce hesitated. "No.." Alfred sighed, but nodded.
"Well then, I'll be here if you need me."
And Bruce smiled.
.
.
.
On the third night, everyone - all two residents - in the Wayne Manor lay awake, restlessly.
Alfred had conjured up an extra blanket and some pillows, and ended up in the study. That way, if Bruce needed him, he would be closer.
He sighed when he heard the terrified screaming, as his instincts were again correct.
One night, he was fine; two nights, he could handle; but three nights of no sleep was going to put a dent in the weary butler's mental stability. He forced himself out of his comfort and headed toward the sound.
He arrived at the room in record time, and entered to the same sight for the third night in a row. Bruce was in the middle of one of his thrashing bouts, so - after saying another prayer - Alfred fought the boy's flailing arms and wrapped him with his own.
"Shh. Shh it's okay," Alfred said, cradling the boy. He put his head on top of Bruce's and began humming softly. "It's alright now. No need to be afraid."
Bruce woke up, but his eyes were not wild. His eyes found Alfred's and they visibly relaxed. His whole body went limp in peace.
"Alfred.. I knew you would come." Alfred had to keep himself from grinning at an inappropriate time, but could not stop himself. He was beaming.
"Always, Master Bruce. I will always be here."
And for the first time in a long time, both Bruce and Alfred fell asleep.
The final morning, the sun rose, but it was met with closed eyes and happy hearts - for the darkness of the night before had been vanquished already.
.
.
.
That morning at breakfast, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter for the butler as he handed his young charge his breakfast.
"Anything you would like to get off your chest, Master Bruce?" The butler inquired, mindlessly. He didn't expect an answer.
Bruce paused. "Yes, actually." Alfred nearly dropped the plate he was holding.
"I would be happy to listen," he said as he sat across from Bruce.
"When. When I introduce you to people, I'm going to introduce you as my guardian." Alfred sucked in a breath to keep from saying anything. "You're just not my butler anymore. You're much more than that.." Bruce smiled shyly. "I just.. Thought you should know."
Alfred smiled, one that reached all the way to his eyes and crinkled the sides of his face. "I would be honored."
"Thank you, Alfred."
With those three words, Bruce Wayne turned the butler's world from a pastel canvas to a vibrant hue in a matter of seconds.
.
.
.
Alfred slept in the room next to Bruce's quarters that night, but no screams were heard. About half past one, he went into his room to check on him and discovered Bruce lying sound asleep. He smiled and pulled up a chair next to the boy's - no, his boy's - bed and laid his head on the edge, watching over him.
Alfred watched the sun rise with a smile on his face, and kept an eye on the last Wayne; the one he now held so dear. He would never let anything happen to this boy.
He was his guardian, you know.
A/N: So there we have it! Feel free to check out our other stories and send in request. No guarantees about writing, but we would love to hear your ideas! Thank you!
~G