p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Duke had been studiously working on his homework in his favorite corner of the Manor. He reached the book assignment that was due at the end of the week only to realize the book needed was not present but instead in his room upstairs. Sighing, he stood up and trudged up the stairs in the general direction of his room. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, he couldn't help but laugh at the sight that greeted him. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"All four of his brothers were sitting in the doorways of their respective rooms. When they heard him laugh, they all turned to face him, varying depths of desperation on their faces. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Duke!" Dick called, his tone a mix of relief and utter desperation. "Great! We need your help!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What… happened?" Duke asked. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason scoffed and Damian huffed in annoyance. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""emSomebody/em, not naming names, was being rude—" Tim started before being interrupted by Jason./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey! I was not! You didn't have to call me out like that!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Dude, he didn't name names," Dick grumbled. "You could've stayed silent, and Duke probably wouldn't have known if it was you or Dami he was talking about."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason only glared petulantly at Dick in response. Duke held his tongue to not get a matching glare aimed his way by agreeing with Dick. Dick might not be affected by such a look, but Duke sure didn't want to be on the receiving end of it. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""emAnyway,/em" Tim tried again. "As I was saying—emsomeone/em was being rude to me, and then I might have lashed out—"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""emDid/em lash out," Jason added./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""—because I'm quite honestly sleep deprived and low on caffeine—" Tim continued, unaffected by Jason's second interruption./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Tt, this does not matter," Damian growled, interrupting Tim, again, and for a final time, it seemed. "What you need to know, Thomas, is that a fight happened, Pennyworth banished us to our quarters, and now we are stuck and have been for the last hour and counting." /p
p style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Dick sighed. "I don't even know how I got 'banished' to my room. I'm an adult for one, but two, I wasn't even involved in the fight. I just watched it take place." Duke tried–successfully it seemed–to hide the grin that slipped onto his face at Dick's dramatic, yet sarcastic, jazz hands he used to emphasize his point. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""…Okay…? How can I help, then?" Duke asked. "Also, I'm pretty sure none of you are in your rooms."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""We are in the doorway, Duke. That's close enough. We are, after all, within the parameters of our respective rooms." Jason growled. Dick nodded along. It seemed sitting in the doorways of the rooms to communicate with the other grounded souls was something Dick and Jason have long practiced. Duke shouldn't have expected any less from the Robins; they had the natural affinity to push emBatman's/em rules and regulations, after all. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay… still though, what can I do?" Duke repeated. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""OH! Sorry, I thought that was obvious," Dick seemed surprised but quickly shrugged it off. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""He emis/em new to the house, and to the sibling thing…" Tim mumbled as if reminding Dick of something. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""True, true," Dick agreed before explaining to Duke what they needed. "We need you to go ask Alfred when we can come out of our rooms."/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;""Oh," Duke said. emThat seems simple enough. And surely I won't get into trouble for asking something so inconsequential. /em"Okay. I can do that."/p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Alfred?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Alfred turned to face the owner of the voice that had oh so cautiously called his name. "Yes, Master Duke?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Umm, I—well—the birds, heh, they were, uhhh, wondering how long they had to be in their rooms."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Took them long enough," the butler grumbled to himself. Duke overheard./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What do you mean?"br / "My boy, I was waiting for them to send someone—although I expected it to be one of them—to come ask such a thing of me." At Duke's confused expression, he continued. "You see, it has long been a tradition of sorts in this household—although I am certain the same can be said for many households over the world—to send the person most likely to receive a positive response to ask for something."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Oh," Duke mumbled, understanding. "Tim mentioned that I hadn't been in the house very long, nor used to having siblings, when Dick wondered why I didn't know what he didn't directly ask."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""My good sir, having siblings truly doesn't have much to do with it, although that does make it more common, I suppose. Since you didn't have any siblings before now, I understand that you are not familiar with concept."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You said it was 'longstanding'?" Duke asked, probing for further information./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Alfred chuckled, "In my personal experience, it started with Master Thomas Wayne, I believe."/p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Thomas Wayne was sitting at the desk in his study. He was supposed to be finishing some paperwork so he could let Bruce have all his attention, yet he couldn't seem to focus. Bruce, bless the boy, was patiently waiting in one of the several chairs in the room, playing quietly with some toy or another that Thomas couldn't quite see from this angle. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emAh, screw it,/em he thought to himself. emBruce has been behaving so well and I can't seem to focus anyway. May as well call it quits. /em"Hey chum," he called. A slight bit of guilt stabbed him when he noticed the speed in which Bruce turned his entire body to face him. emAh, he wants my attention so badly/em. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You're done, Dada?" Bruce asked, excitement evident in his voice. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emIf I had any doubts about stopping early, they're sure gone now./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, chum, I'm going to stop for now." Thomas couldn't help but smile when Bruce clambered off his chair and quickly moved to his father's side. An idea struck him—perhaps more of a craving. emI'd never get away with it. Alfred wouldn't allow it. Unless…/em emhmm. That just might work…I should make it seem like his idea though./em "You know what I could go for, buddy?" Thomas asked, pulling his son into his lap. emGod, he's getting so big. Five years old. Wow. Slow down for me, will you, son?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce laughed as his father lifted him. Settling happily on his father's lap, he pressed his hands against Thomas' chest. "What, dada?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Some ice cream," Thomas whispered, ducking his head closer to Bruce as if trying to avoid unwelcome listeners from overhearing. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce copied Thomas, leaning his head down and closer to his father. "Ice cream?" Bruce repeated, struggling a bit on the 'r.'/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah," Thomas confirmed, leaning further down to press his forehead against his son's. "Only problem is Alfred will probably say 'no.'"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce pouted, leaning further into his father. "No, he won't."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Thomas fake sighed. "I'm afraid he will, chum."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No, he won't," Bruce insisted, pulling away from his father slightly. "I'll ask him!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Thomas pulled further away, gasping in fake surprise. "You will?!" Bruce nodded, enthusiastically. "Wow, chum, that—that just might work."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay! I'll go ask now," Bruce stated, squirming off his father and scampering out the door. Thomas watched him go, that's when he noticed Martha. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You naughty man, using our son to fulfill your cravings."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Thomas shrugged, standing up and moving toward her. "What can I say? It was the situation with the most likely chance of success." Thomas pulled Martha to his chest. "Besides, you would do the same thing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Martha hummed, holding him. "No. Not against Alfred. You, possibly."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Thomas paused, thinking. "You—you have… dang it. I should have known Bruce asking for a fancy night out wasn't his idea." Martha's light laughter filled the air. Bruce chose that minute to come running back in./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Mama! Guess what?" Bruce asked, running up and clutching onto his mother's legs. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Martha pulled away from Thomas and reaching down, picking their son up and holding him near their height. "What, baby?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Dada an' I wanted ice cream, so I went an' asked Alfie for some, an' he said yes! So can we go get some?" Bruce put on his best puppy dog eyes, undoubtably what he did to Alfred. /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Martha laughed again, hugging Bruce closer. "Of course, baby. Let's you, me, and your father go get some ice cream." /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce sat back and mentally groaned as he stared at the mountain of paperwork he still had to do. "Ugh, I can't believe I was so desperate to grow up," Bruce complained to the empty room. His stomach made a noise. "Mmm, you agree with me, do you?" Bruce asked his stomach sarcastically. "God, I need sleep," Bruce mumbled as he rested his face in his hands for a moment, "I'm starting to talk to my stomach…" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Maybe that just means you're hungry?" A young voice suggested. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce's pulled his head away from his hands, successfully making it look like he hadn't been surprised that there was someone else in his office. "Dick," he greeted. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, B!" Dick responded, leaving the doorway to flop into one of the chairs on the other side of Bruce's desk. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce leaned back deeply into his chair. "You're right. I emam/em hungry."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, that's usually what happens when your stomach growls," Dick laughed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce hummed. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment; Dick pondering what he wanted for lunch and Bruce plotting how to get what he wanted for lunch. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Dick?" Bruce asked, drawing out 'hey.' Dick looked at him with a skeptical look on his face. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yes?" he asked hesitantly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce sat forward, leaned his elbows against the desk, and steepled his fingers. He looked almost like an evil mastermind. "How do you think pizza sounds?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Pizza?" Dick asked, surprised. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, you know, the real greasy pizza from that one place about a block away from the bank."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah…" Dick confirmed, wondering what Bruce was getting at./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Does that sound good?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, it does, actually," the boy answered, finally warming up to the idea. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Great!" Bruce sat up suddenly and clapped his hands together firmly, emphasizing his exclamation. Pulling his clasped hands toward his chest he suggested, "Why don't you go ask Alfred while I get the car?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Sure thing, B!" Dick rose from the chair and danced out of the room, likely heading toward the kitchen where Alfred was sure to be found. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce watched him leave as he rested his elbows on the desk again. "Mmm, now I understand why mom and dad would use me to go ask Alfred," he murmured. He thought for a moment, "Or each other. Mother did that quite frequently…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Alright, B! Let's go!" Dick shouted from, what sounded like, the hallway just outside the kitchen. /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Bruce swiftly exited his office and arrived at the garage, grabbing the keys to the Rolls Royce before Dick was in sight. "I'm waiting, kiddo!"/p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick sighed and flopped onto the couch. emI really hate when Bruce randomly leaves town./em emHe could at least tell me when he goes. /emHe groaned in disappointed frustration. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Watcha doin'?" Dick prided himself that he did not jump at the unexpected voice. He opened his eyes to find Jason standing above him. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Did Bruce tell emyou/em he was leaving for a bit?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason shook his head. "Alfred did, though." Dick groaned again. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Nobody told me! I could've planned a weekend getaway or something!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason just stared. Then shrugged. "We could watch a movie?" he suggested. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick nodded, liking the idea. "Sure, we could have a movie marathon if you want."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason seemed to get excited about that idea. It was hard for Dick to tell. His new brother was hard to read; probably a survival skill from living on the streets for a while. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Go, pick out some movies," Dick offered. Jason moved to do just that before an idea popped into Dick's head. "Hey Jay, wait," he asked. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason paused, "Yeah?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Have you been to a theater before?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No, but I've seen the movie room here," Jason answered, eyes growing big. "Can we use that room to have a marathon?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emOkay, scrap that idea. The probability of successfully going to a movie theater without supervision is extremely slim, anyway. The movie room will do just fine, especially if he's so excited about it. New idea: crap food. /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Sure, but do you wanna get dinner first?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason thought about it. "I mean, yeah. I am pretty hungry," he admitted. Dick beamed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emProgress! A week ago, he wouldn't have admitted it that easily or honestly!/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay, why don't you go ask Alfred if we can go to McDonald's? I'll go get my wallet…" Dick hinted. "Or would you rather go somewhere else?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason was smiling brightly at Dick. "I like McDonald's! It's been a while since I've gotten an actual meal there!" Jason said, excitement plain as day in his voice and on his face. "I'll go ask Alfred!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emAlfred can't say no to that face, /emDick mused. emHe'd have to be heartless./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He quickly climbed the stairs and grabbed his wallet before sliding down the banister. Jason was waiting for him at the bottom. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Good?" Dick asked. /p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Jason nodded enthusiastically. "Good! Let's go!" Jason made a move that looked as though he wanted to grab Dick's hand but then decided not to. Dick didn't care; he snatched his little brother's hand and led him to his car. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey Dick?" Dick looked up at him from across the room./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, Jaybird? What's up?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Wanna go get something to eat?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah! What do you want? I'll go grab something from the kitchen."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No, I meant emout/em." Jason put his book down and swung his legs onto the floor as he sat up from the couch. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;" "Oh," Dick paused briefly and copied Jason. "Sure! What were you thinking?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason shrugged. "Not sure, just want to get out of the house for a bit and thought a bite to eat would be a good excuse."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick gave him a funny look but didn't say anything about why Jason would want to go out. "Okay. I'll drive. Go ask Alfred."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Uh, see… that's the thing. I need emyou/em to go ask Alfred."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dickem /emdid ask the question written on his face. "Why? What happened?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I'm kinda grounded right now, because Bruce thinks I'm irresponsible and violent," Jason mumbled just loud enough for Dick to hear. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Ah," Dick sat back before shooting forward and using momentum to fling himself out of the deep chair. He went into a roundoff that landed him just in front of Jason. /p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;""Sure," he tugged Jason out of his seat on the couch. "I'll go ask Alfred. Go get in the car." /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick trudged into his room. emVisiting Jason's grave is always depressing, /emDick thought to himself. emBut I know I need to, for multiple reasons. Still, no reason I can't do something to cheer myself up. Milkshakes sound nice. But I really don't want to try and ask Alfred right now. /emDick pulled his jacket off and replaced it with a sweatshirt. emAaaand now I'm putting on my depression fit out of /emhabit. emNot good./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Sighing, Dick found himself pulling on his most worn pair of jeans and walking down to Tim's newly moved into room. Knocking on the open door, he found Tim on the bed, staring intently at his laptop. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Mr. Studious," Dick called softly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim immediately shut the laptop—after saving whatever he was working on, of course—and turned to give Dick his full attention. "Hey, what's wrong?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What's wrong?" Dick repeated, "Nothing's emwrong/em—why?" emCareful, you sound defensive. He's too smart to not see that./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No offense, but you sound depressed. And I'm pretty sure emthat,/em" he gestured to Dick's outfit, "is your 'depression fit' minus the shoes." Dick looked at his bare feet. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay, you're right. The depression shoes are missing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Probably only because you are in the house."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick sighed and moved to flop down on the bed next to where Tim was sitting. "Fine, you got me. Geez, you've been here for a month and already know my depression fit?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim looked faintly embarrassed. "Well, I emdid/em study everyone here for a while before bringing my evidence to Bruce…" he reminded. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick huffed. "That makes me feel better, actually. I didn't like the idea that I was so easily figured out. Even by a kid genius." Dick flung an arm over his face. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""So, what's wrong?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Nothing's wrong," Dick repeated, sighing. "I just… I just got back from visiting Jason's grave." Dick swallowed the ashy lump in his throat. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Oh," Tim breathed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I want milkshakes," Dick stated, rather randomly. emBut,/em he admitted to himself, emisn't that what you came in here for? To make Tim go ask Alfred to let you—and him—go for milkshakes?/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Well, I can go ask Alfred if we can go get some?" Tim offered. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick blinked under his arm. emDid he just fall into my trap? Or does he know what I want him to do and is willing to do it? Ah, who cares? He's doing what I want him to./em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""If you don't mind," Dick mumbled. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"The bed moved underneath him. He could hear Tim shifting about, putting on shoes, it seemed. "Okay, I'll go ask Alfred and meet you by the door. You go put on your depression shoes and grab your keys and wallet. Okay?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay," Dick said, a small, albeit depressed looking, smile tugged his lips up at the corners. /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Tim huffed as he left, mumbling something about not wanting a teary-eyed Robin roaming the halls. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim couldn't focus on the documents in front of him anymore. He shut his laptop and leaned against Dick, who was reading something on his phone beside Tim. Dick leaned his head down to rest his cheek on top of Tim's head. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What's up, little bird?" he asked, still scrolling through what looked to be Instagram. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Can't focus anymore."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick hummed. "Yeah, don't blame you. I'm pretty sure you've been staring at that computer for three hours now. And I'm almost as sure that it's been the same thing you've been working on."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah," Tim yawned. "It's been the same thing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeesh, I couldn't."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"A snort sounded from the other side of the room. Dick and Tim both glanced over to find Damian glaring at them from over the top of his sketchbook. Well, glaring for a normal person; that was actually just Damian's resting face. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What?" the demon child asked. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Nothing, baby bat," Dick soothed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"At the same time, Tim asked, "Why did you snort?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Damian rolled his eyes and returned to his sketches, ignoring Tim and taking Dick at his word. Tim huffed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He and Dick returned to their comfortable silence, still leaned against each other. Tim found himself looking at Dick's phone as he continued to scroll through Instagram. An ad for Wendy's Frosties and fries came into the feed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim hummed. "That looks good," he mentioned. Dick paused his scrolling at the ad. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, it does, doesn't it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"They sat up and looked at each other, then at Damian, and then back to each other. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Are you thinking what I am thinking," Tim asked quietly, so as to not alert Damian to his plan. Dick nodded and instinctively understood his task. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Dami?" Dick called as he turned to face his youngest brother, honey practically coating his words. Damian glanced up; one eyebrow raised in question. "Could you do something for me?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Damian lowered his sketchbook—Tim couldn't be sure from his angle, but he thought the image Damian was sketching was of him and Dick leaning on each other in the way they had just been—and studied Dick. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And how would this benefit me?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""A fair question. Let me explain," Dick responded, sitting up straighter as if he was about to proposition a business opportunity. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emHe may as well be doing just that,/em Tim thought sarcastically as he copied Dick's posture. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You see, Tim and I are in mutual agreement that we want to go to Wendy's and get fries and Frosties. We hoped you might go ask Alfred if we can go. Of course, you would gain coming with us and receiving the same treat."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim nodded sagely. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I see," Damian commented. "And why, exactly, must emI/em be the one to ask Pennyworth? Since, after all, it is yours and Drake's desires you wish for me to fulfill." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Are you saying you emdon't/em want to go get Frosties and fries?" Dick asked. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""That is not what I said, Richard. Now, answer my question."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick sighed; Tim struggled not to laugh—or show anything but neutrality on his face—as he watched Dick's performance. "Ah, very well. You see, you asking Alfred has the highest probability of success. So, if emyou/em go ask Alfred, he will almost definitely say yes. If one of us goes and asks Alfred, he is more likely to decline our desire to trek to Wendy's for a treat. So, you see, you are our highest chance of success, Damian. Of course, should you decline our offer, one of us, or perhaps both of us together, will go ask Alfred and risk being turned down. Of course, if you do decline, we won't allow you to accompany us…" Dick trailed off his long-winded, formally worded explanation and ended it with a rather sophisticated and indifferent looking shrug. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emI have no idea how he does it. /emTim mentally shook his head. emIt is so interesting to watch everyone in this family act. Everyone is frighteningly good at it—except for Damian…/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Turning his focus to Damian, Tim recognized the boy's look as one of consideration. He was truly weighing the pros and cons of this request. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Very well, Richard. I will ask Pennyworth. Remember this Richard, Drake." Tim and Dick watched Damian leave. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"They waited a bit, making sure Damian was out of earshot before the collapsed into the couch, laughing softly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""He's such a little businessman," Dick wheezed. "He's so cute!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I almost died trying to hide my amusement during that. You were great! I feared if I laughed or even showed I thought it was funny, he'd say no."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick wheezed again. "Yeah, that's probably how he would have reacted. Probably would have assumed we were making fun of him."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""He's just so serious all the time," Tim sat up. "I wish he would relax a little."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick sat up also. "Yeah, me too, Timmy. But that's just how his mother raised him…" Dick mused sadly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim shook his head. "I don't believe his mother really raised him at all."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, you're right. I don't either," Dick slapped Tim's knee then stood up. "Good thing he's here with us, now. We just gave him a lesson on siblings, after all. I can officially say I have sent every single one of my siblings to go ask Alfred for something."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Wait. That one time when you were in your depression fit after visiting Jason's grave…" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah. I never did ask if you knew what I was getting you to do or if you were just doing it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I was being nice. You looked like you were about to cry."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Ah, dang. It was that bad?" Dick shrugged. "Anyway, I wasn't going to push it since you didn't even make me ask you to go ask Alfie." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim laughed. "You are unbelievable sometimes, you know that?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick smiled brightly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Why are you lingering?" Damian announced his return. "Let us leave and go venture for Frosties and fries."/p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"He swiftly left their sight. Dick and Tim looked at each other and laughed softly./p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Damian and Cassandra silently put their training gear away. Cassandra was moving slower than she usually did. Damian was… worried. This is unlike her. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Cain."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Cassandra looked at Damian. emYes?/em was expressed on her face. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What is the matter?" Damian asked, bluntly. "You are moving slower than usual right now. What are you thinking about?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Cassandra looked shocked, then… touched? Yes. Touched. Damian tried to not think too hard about that. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Recital. Bruce missed. Off world." Cassandra explained in broken English. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You are upset that Father missed your most recent ballet recital because he was off world on a Justice League mission?" Damian repeated for confirmation. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Cassandra nodded with a shrug. "Not upset. Just think."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You wish he was there but understand why he was not."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yes. Not upset." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Sad," Damian offered. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Cassandra tilted her head, considering. "Yes." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Damian nodded. emPerhaps an escape into town would cheer her up. /em"Go ask Alfred if we can go out. I have a few ideas of things we can do." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Go out?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yes. As Damian Wayne and Cassandra Cain. Not Robin and Black Bat," he clarified. "I will prep our bikes." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay!" Cassandra agreed brightly, already seeming happier. /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"emGood, /emDamian thought. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Cassandra craved boba. But she had a feeling Alfred might not approve a trip out for some. She needed someone else to ask for her. Just as she was thinking this, she heard Stephanie walking down the hall. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emGood,/em Cass thought, emSteph ask Alfred. /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"She stepped out of her room just as Stephanie was reaching it. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Cass!" Stephanie greeted brightly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hi," Cass returned. "Have question."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Sure, go ahead. I'm just gonna drop this," she motioned to the duffel she was carrying, "in my room." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Cass nodded and walked with Steph. "Want boba."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""That's not a question, silly," Steph laughed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No," Cass agreed. "Want boba. You ask Al?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Steph opened her door and threw the bag in before shutting it again. "Sure! Long as you take me with you!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Cass nodded. "I pay."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You mean emBruce/em will pay."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Same thing."/p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;""Alright. Throw a jacket on, it's cold outside. Meet me by the garage. I'll drive." /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Dick," Stephanie asked, catching his attention. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, sis?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"She flipped her phone around to show him an ad that had come across her TikTok feed. "Wanna go try out the new Korean place that just opened up last week?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Sure! You know how much I love trying new places!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Great. Go ask Alfred, yeah?" she suggested. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Ohhh. I see what's going on here. What'd you do?" he asked, smile tugging his lips. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What did emI /emdo? Nothing!" she insisted. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Nothing, huh? I don't believe that," Dick remarked, crossing his arms. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay, he's still mad at me for trying to make cookies."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick wheezed. "Okay, I'll go ask. But you're paying."/p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;""Hey!"/p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick and Jason were relaxing in the Manor's sunroom. It was nice, in Dick's opinion, to spend time with newly returned Jason. Especially when he wasn't being difficult. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I could go for some lemonade," Dick mentioned softly. Jason hummed./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah, me too."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"There was a pause. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You should go ask Alfred," the said at the same time. Dick turned his head to his brother and Jason sat up before looking at him. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""emI /emshould go ask Alfred?" Jason asked. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yeah," Dick confirmed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""But you're the nice, friendly one. He won't say no to you," Jason argued. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Uh, yeah, he might. You're the one who… who…" Dick couldn't quite finish that sentence. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""What? Returned from the dead?" Jason offered. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Well, yeah. I mean, he won't turn emyou/em down! He's so happy you're back!" Dick hadn't realized he'd sat up. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason leaned back, considering. "Mmm, okay fine. I'll try it. But if this backfires, it's on you." Jason pointed accusingly at Dick to emphasize whose fault it would be. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Dick held his hands up in a surrender gesture. "Okay, okay. I agree."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason nodded tersely and left for the kitchen. After several minutes, Dick almost decided to go find Jason. Right as he was about to stand up, Jason returned, two glasses stacked in on hand with a pitcher of ice-cold lemonade in the other. /p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;""Sorry, that took so long. He had to make it fresh," Jason explained as he sat the cups and pitcher down. "You were right," he admitted almost under his breath. Dick chose not to comment on it as he accepted the glass Jason handed to him. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason put his book down. He couldn't focus on the story with all the typing Tim was doing. emOkay, time for a break I guess. For /embothem of us. Jesus, I mean, he's been working on that dang computer for so long now. /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Timbo," he called. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim didn't stop typing, didn't look up, and barely reacted. "Hm?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Why don't you go ask Alfred if we can go out for coffee?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"That got Tim to look up. "You want me to go ask Alfred if emwe/em," he used a finger to gesture back and forth between the two of them, "can go get coffee somewhere?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Jason rolled his eyes at Tim's suspicious gaze. "Uh, yeah. That is, in fact, what I said." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Why?" Tim asked. "Why do you want me to ask Alfred that? Why do you want to go get coffee with me?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Because I can't focus on my book, mostly because you're typing so loudly, and you haven't taken a break from that thing in literal hours. We could both use a cup of coffee. And Alfred probably won't say no if you ask him if emwe/em can leave for coffee." Jason paused, gauging Tim's reaction. "But you should probably let him know that I am taking you for coffee, because he won't let you go for coffee and he probably won't let me take you just anywhere but if you mention it's emme/em taking you for emcoffee/em, he just might let us go." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And why can't you ask?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Because if it's me asking, then it's my idea, then I have an ulterior motive. Do you want coffee or not?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay, okay," Tim put his hands up in a soothing manner. "I'll go ask. But please tell me we're taking separate vehicles."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Do you have something against my driving?"/p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;""No offense, but you drive like you have nothing to lose. Besides, I'm barely comfortable with Bruce's driving," Tim tossed over his shoulder as he left to go ask Alfred. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim was falling asleep. Too bad he was on a coffee ban. emUgh. This is unbelievable. I should get someone to take me out for coffee. Yeah, that's a great idea. Let's see… who's at the Manor today… Bruce and Alfred, obviously—actually, I'm not sure Bruce is actually home right now—anyway, I can't ask them because they're the ones who banned me. Dick's out. The chances Jason will take me out for coffee are extremely low, especially after him doing just that so recently. Stephanie and Duke are at school right now. Cass is out of town… That leaves Damian. Ugh. I'm never getting coffee. Still, I can't hurt to ask. /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Just as he was concluding this, Damian walked in. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Damian." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Drake."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, wait. I—I have to ask you something."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Damian stopped and glared at him. "What?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I, I mean, would you want to go get a drink or something? From, like, Starbucks?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You mean you want to break your coffee ban but need my help to do it." It wasn't a question. Point to demon brat. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Tim sighed. "Yes." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I'm seriously the best option? Todd is here. Ask him."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Wait. Wait. What if—how about I buy you… a year's worth of high-quality art supplies? On top of a drink today, of course."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Are you attempting to bribe me, Drake?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""No! No, I'm just trying to offer you a deal. I need caffeine; you can help me get that. In return, I'll buy you a drink, and a year's worth of good art stuff."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Do you have any idea how much 'high-quality' art supplies cost?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I don't care. I need caffeine."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""This is a poor deal on your end. Very well. I will go ask Pennyworth if you can take me to Starbucks."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Thank you so much." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Don't thank me. It's a bad deal for you."/p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"While Damian was gone, Tim researched art supplies. emDamian warned me. I should have listened. Oh well. Guess I'm gonna have to stock up on those bottled drinks while we're there to make it more worth it./em/p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I am certain that there are more instances in which someone was coerced into asking me to approve something, but those are the times that I am aware of," Alfred finished. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Duke, remembering that staring was rude, blinked several times as he gathered his thoughts. "So… this is a sibling thing? Er, well, a family thing."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yes, it seems to be a tradition." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Huh. Well. Uh… how long do the birds have to stay where they are?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Oh, yes. They are free to go now, I suppose," Alfred shrugged back to the dishes he had been washing. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay! Thanks for the stories, Alfred!" /p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"After Duke left, Alfred responded, "Thank you for listening to an old man's stories, young master." /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, guys!" Duke called, running up the steps. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Finally!" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Dude, what happened?"br / "Took you long enough!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Tt."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"When Duke reached the top of the stairs, he saw that Cass and Steph had joined the boys in the hallway. They, too, were sitting in the doorways to their rooms. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Uh, Alfred says you're good to go, but now I feel like I should sit in my doorway."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Heh, you should," Jason confirmed./p
div style="border-width: medium medium 1pt; border-style: none none solid; border-color: currentcolor currentcolor windowtext; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Duke did just that. Now, all seven of them were sitting in the doorways of their respective bedrooms. It was interesting how easily they fell into conversation. For once, no fights broke out. Likely because everyone was distanced from each other. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Duke didn't notice as time passed; neither did any of his siblings. Nor did anyone notice Alfred Pennyworth discreetly take a picture of all the scene before disappearing down the stairs. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce was tired. He wanted to kick his feet up and watch a movie or something with his kids. Alfred was humming a tune in the kitchen as Bruce passed it on his way to his bedroom. He rubbed his face as he climbed the stairs. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You know what I—" that was Dick's voice./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hello, Father." And Damian interrupted him. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hello, Damian, Dick," Bruce dropped his hand and looked in the direction of their voices as he reached the top of the stairs. "And everyone else." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"He wasn't expecting to find all his kids sitting in their doorways having a bonding moment. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hi, B!" Dick responded/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""B!" Cassandra waved excitedly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey," Jason drawled./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey!" Steph repeated, decidedly more chirpy than Jason. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Bruce," Duke greeted, still hesitant for some reason in calling him 'Bruce.'/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""How's it going, B?" Tim finished the greetings. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I hope I'm not interrupting."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Nah, you're good, Bruce!" Dick assuaged. Several nods from the other children backed Dick up. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Well, good. If you don't mind, I'll make my way to emmy/em room," Bruce announced as he started down the hall. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Actually, B," Jason started, giving Bruce pause. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yes, Jaylad?" Bruce didn't miss how Jason responded to the nickname. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""We were wondering…" Tim continued. Bruce turned to face Tim in response./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Would you be willing," Stephanie prodded. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""To go ask Pennyworth," Damian picked up. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""If we could go out," Dick proceeded./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And get snacks and food and drinks," Duke listed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""For movie night?" Cass concluded. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And all seven of you needed to take turns asking?" Bruce questioned, moving to the end of the group of his kids so he could look at them all. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yes," all seven of them said at the same time. Bruce's eyebrows lifted. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Alright. Okay. What kinds of snacks and drinks and food?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""The junky kind," Jason answered. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Is that so?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Yep," Tim confirmed. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Why should I approve this? Much less ask Alfred?" /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""You would be included, Father."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"Bruce crossed his arms. "Would I, now?" His question was answered by nodding heads. "You devious rascals," Bruce muttered. "Fine," he spoke louder, "I'll go ask Alfred. Just let me change." He disappeared into his room before he could be talking into anything else. "I've been ganged up on," he told his reflection. He quickly changed out of his work clothes and into lounge wear. Reentering the hallway, he was met with a huddle of his children./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Okay, so here is the plan, Bruce," Dick started. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""We're gonna go to a store," Tim kicked off the explanation. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And we're all gonna pick out as many snacks or other food items as we can carry," Stephanie continued. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""And then, after we put them in a cart, we're going to each grab some drinks," Jason finished. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Is this satisfactory, Father? If not, that is too bad."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Well, as long as I get to participate."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"His kids all looked at him for a few beats, then they all smiled triumphantly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""I think we can all agree you have a deal, Father," Damian stated, offering his hand. Bruce shook it. /p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"They all followed him downstairs and to the kitchen. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;""Hey, Alfred?" Alfred recognized that tone. He was going to be asked something by one of the kids. For someone else most likely. And he'd just finished telling Duke about several examples of just this occurrence./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"What he wasn't expecting, though, was for the Sent Child to be Master Bruce himself and with all seven of his children gathered behind him. All looking hopeful. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emOh dear, this is a battle I likely won't win. /emHe made the mistake of looking emat Bruce. /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"emOr even fight./em He rectified his previous thought./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"He sighed. "Yes, Master Bruce?"br /"May we go to the store?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""The store? Whatever for? I shop for groceries regularly. And you surely aren't asking for a trip to any other store as you never ask for that." /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah, you're right," Bruce confirmed. "Can we?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""You didn't answer my question, sir."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Junk food."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Junk food."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yeah." And then Bruce did something truly terrible for Alfred's resolve. He gave him emthat/em look. The one Alfred had never been able to say no to. emBruce Wayne's puppy dog eyes. Far more effective than Richard Grayson's but far less frequently used. /em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"That's not to say Dick's puppy dog eyes weren't effective. They were. Terribly so. Alfred blinked and then all the children had on their respective puppy dog eyes. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Oh, dear heavens. Cut that out, all of you. I was going to say yes to Bruce. All these looks were completely unnecessary," Alfred turned away from them. "Clearly none of you have ever seen Bruce's puppy dog eyes."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Alfred knew he made a mistake as soon as he said it. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""emBruce's/em puppy dog eyes, Alfred?" Tim asked. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Yes, Master Tim. His puppy dog eyes are quite effective."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Oh my God," Jason whispered. "They're worse than Dick's, aren't they?" Alfred could tell Jason had turned to Bruce. "Has he ever said no to you when you used them?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"Bruce didn't answer immediately. "No," he said softly and slowly. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""He's said no to me before," Dick whispered. /p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;""Alfred, is this true?" Bruce asked./p
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p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: 0.5in; border: medium; padding: 0in;"Alfred didn't linger. "Enjoy your trip to the store, young masters!" He fled into the servant's quarters. /p
/div
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; font-size: medium; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"strong(A/N): /strongBruce doesn't know the true power of his puppy dog eyes. He doesn't use them much because he's too prideful and manly. (They're his secret weapon. In his mind, the puppy dog eyes are stored in the "break glass in case of emergencies" section)./p