Well I'll be damn! 10 chapters! Wooooo! And it's another long one for the right reasons!
Most of you probably don't know but I always had trouble reaching this amount of chapters. I still deal with it though, I mean this chapter is a bit late! But that's more of a me thing with various things going on that has me focus on them then this story. I still aim to finish this story, and hopefully finish it before 2024 comes. But I'm not gonna put my hand out where I can't reach.
I'll finish this story surely, the when part will come whenever it can.
Chapter 10: Dinner
Selina had a lax schedule today. Around this time, even in the evening, she would be helping with whatever the orphanage kids needed; whether it was food, taking them around the city, teaching the basics of reading, writing, or introducing them to something fun for a change. She would be doing all that she can for those orphans and the orphanage.
And it came from the place of understanding with all that they went through; she herself grew up with no parents at a young age; mother died from the struggles of abusive marriage and money troubles that led to her suicide, and then sometime afterwords, her father continue to drown himself in misery with alcohol. Since then, she was always clawing for freedom, security, a will and a way to survive in the harsh streets of Gotham.
She would become something similar to Bruce, donning a costume of sorts and painted herself as Catwoman; stealing whatever she can find and getting a thrill from the utter danger she put herself in.
But she made it out of that life somehow. Dropping the costume sometime ago, marrying the man that stole her heart more ways than one, opening up a place to keep kids off the street, and yet she won't lie to herself about one thing. Sometimes she misses those days when she was in her 20's, starting out as Catwoman even when she realized the dangerous games she started playing with the rest of Gotham criminals.
Or when she was in her 30's where now that she had years of experience, she tried to at least pass on her teachings to someone who was in a similar situation as she had been through. But that crash and burn just like how it broke Peter's heart when he found out that she only cares about the spider and not him as a person.
But now in her early 40's, she finds it ironic how age does wonder on the mind and body. She was still fit to do a lot of things, still had the speed and reflexes that made sure she was alive, but she knew eventually that wouldn't be the case. And she also knows being Catwoman is not an option for her as it was before.
Because now, being 43, she has everything she ever wanted. With that case close, she wants to fight for all that she has, to keep it close to her heart, and never lose it by any means necessary.
To never be in the streets fighting for her own freedom and peace.
That's why she was riding her motorcycle to Wayne mansion as the sun was starting to dip. She knows that he was there, she knows what his mind has been thinking as of late, and she knows she has to pull him back out of that cave.
It may be tiresome, it may be stressful, but she wouldn't have married Bruce if she didn't know what she would be dealing with.
She made it to Wayne manor, parking outside of the entrance, turning off the engine, and taking off her helmet. She didn't need to worry about her short hair being a mess when entering the Wayne mansion. Her heels on her feet that she somehow rode on a bike was the loudest thing to make noise in the mansion. Like often, the mansion was quiet, few lights were on with the only source of light coming from the sun through the windows. She never quite liked it like this, to have a house like this without any guest, families of sort encapsulating it? It just made it look more haunting than anything. It didn't suit either Cassandra or Peter to live in a cave on top of a cave.
They belong outside of this place with Bruce needing to sell it to someone who could put it to more use. But it would mean destroying and relocating the bat cave to which Bruce would dearly hate if it came to that.
Though surprisingly, she heard the sound of a plastic bag rummaging around in the kitchen. Peaking through, she saw Alfred being the supportive person he always was, restocking food in Wayne mansion. Again because of her heels, Alfred probably heard her coming from a mile away. So instead of making her introduction, she waltzes in and began helping him. Old as he was, he quickly stopped Selina from touching the bottle of milk, "Come now Ms Kyle, you know I'm well capable of doing this on my own," he said with nothing but kindness in his voice.
Selina flashed him a smile, "Nope! I'm helping! And that misses Kyle Wayne to you good sir!" she pronounced in a sort of comedic tone, one that got Alfred to lightly chuckled. Selina would handle restocking the fridge while Alfred restocks the little cabinets of ingredients, "I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner to see you come back! Work has been a little hectic recently and I've been trying to keep the kids more away from the streets for the time being. In fact, today was rather lax and that I can entrust my employees to handle the kids so I could take time off on my own."
"With the likes of Mr Parker, Ms Cain, Ms Gordon, and now master Grayson on the case we'll likely see the criminals brought to justice in no time. I'm to assume you're also here because of Master Wayne?" Alfred curiously brought up.
Selina let out a soft sigh, briefly looking at the few chickens, potatoes, rice, and other sources of food being left on the large table. She got the impression that this likely wasn't just for the two couples that live here, "Are you…Cooking lunch or dinner?" Alfred turned to Selina, a shift of his eyebrow, and the smallest of smiles before restocking the kitchen was enough of an answer for Selina, "What brought this on Al?"
"Well why in the world not? It would be nice to have regular dinner like we used to have," Alfred imparted.
Selina frowned, a hand couldn't help but hold her chin, "Use too Al. We're missing a few people for that dinner that you want to have."
Alfred knew this, the smallest of silence was an indication of that, "...True, but what we have now is better than nothing. I think we all need a moment to just…Be around each other once again."
Selina crouches low in the fridge when restocking, looking up to Alfred with an eyebrow raise, "Including Bruce?"
Stopping his own restocking, the man in question was something he still had to deal with. He has been avoiding him ever since a few days ago when they found Cletus, but now he's been coming more, staying in the batcave, either coordinating crimes or planning the next move against the likes of Cletus, and the unknown threat that Wilson Fisk was dealing with.
It surely gave Barbara some time off her back, but he wasn't prepared for Bruce to come in so suddenly. Then again, Alfred had become unsure how to approach Bruce. He looks the same albeit a bit bigger with the lack of exercise he used to do, acts the same from what he sees, but deep down, he still feels mentally scarred from what he saw first hand after Bruce killed Joker, "Including him…I uh.. Only briefly got to talk to him, but it's not easy looking at him," his eyes drifted to Selina's own, "I'm always reminded of the monster he became after he decided Gotham's only way of being saved was killing the damned and insane."
Selina couldn't help but get up quickly and offer him a hug. It was not unexpecting for her to do it, but he wouldn't lie that he did need it from her most of all. After all, she gets it the most, she's the wife of Bruce Wayne, and to see her husband become the thing he fear the most had impact on her as well as for himself, "I…I've been doing everything I can to keep him grounded and sane, feels like I'm failing though, that I'm losing him every since that Carnage guy been murdering people."
Alfred would hug her back, "As his wife, you haven't given up on him. Although others find it hard to be around him, you haven't and that gives hope…It's just the rest of the family that needs to come together now. I know eventually, I'll have to face him, and making dinner is my way of…Confronting him."
'If only you knew the half of it Alfred,' Selina told herself. Her expression became downpour when Alfred couldn't notice it from the hug, 'How many times I rather not be around him, or not deal with his transgression, the night terrors he sometimes has. A normal sane woman would outright leave due to the stress…But I guess I'm not so sane if I'm still here for him.'
Letting go of their hug, Selina made sure to keep her expression from being too sorrowful for Alfred to worry about. She placed a hand on Alfred as she began to see how worn, and old he's becoming. He's tired, guilty, stressed, and looks like he hasn't been sleeping. Poor Alfred has been through so much over the years, but this is the first time Selina is seeing him like this, and she wanted to reassure him of one thing, "Everything will be ok Alfred. I won't give up on him, or anyone here that's family. I am kind of a mother figure anyhow."
Alfred and Selina shared a small giggle, "Ironic that now as you're older, you see yourself as that. I remember once upon a time you didn't want to be associated with us."
Her eyes rolled, "I grew Al! I think that's what happens to both men and women no matter what age they are. I'm 43, still looking quite sexy I may add, and still learning how to be a good person," she pauses briefly, still holding a smile on her face, "..And also how to be a good wife."
Alfred's expression lightens up from his conversation with Ms Wayne in front of her. He patted her hand that was by his cheek, "All we can do is do our best, just keep going Ms Kyle Wayne," Alfred positively acknowledged, lighting up the mood, "He's down in the cave, whenever you're ready. Just make sure to message the rest about dinner, I'm gonna be having my hands full today."
She nodded, "I'm helping, don't forget about that, and Bruce will too," her grin widened at her statement.
Alfred on the other hand made a silent prey to god above for him to get through the day. Selina would finish helping out before she retreated to the cave under the mansion. She still finds herself amazed at the little things to the big things Bruce did to build this place the way it is.
She knew Alfred helped, even the late Lucius Fox did so too, but the bulk of it was built by Bruce's mind and hands. Going down the stairs, her own boots causing the sound to echo out the echo, and not minding the bats that tend to still live and fly around here, she saw him with his hands behind his back.
Watching the costumes in the glass cases vault, costumes that were not only from the past, but also his own making on either building the identities of the people he helped grew, shape into what they are now.
Selina walks to him, taking her time, watching his expression, his poker face not changing, but she was aware of his eyes quickly glancing in her direction before continuing to stare at the costumes in front of him. Selina kept her distance from him so as to not impose his space just yet, "So, after a whole year of trying to stay away from this place, you finally ran back home huh?"
Bruce didn't answer at first, taking a moment to breathe in and out. His eyes was still glued on to the costumes that not only had his, but for the likes of various robins; one that was designated for Dick with the green shorts, small green boots, and the red and green upper chest that had an R symbol on the right of the chest, along with the yellow cape that were cleaned and kept.
He was the perfect example of the kind of hope he can bring to people who experienced trauma like he did.
Yet Jason's own was different; same color, same color schemes, more armor that cover the arms and legs, over all being taller, but also being brutally ripped apart, blood stained on the costume and domino mask, and wear and tear with remnants related to an explosion that caused.
Bruce left it that way, a sign of not being able to save Jason not only from the clown prince of crime, but because of his inner rage.
Interestingly enough, Tim would build his own suit; a cowl, the emblem on his chest, and the cape pointed more towards the bird he earn to be. He wanted to be the robin, the batman partner because he felt that the city and batman included needed a robin.
It's only unfortunate that due to the life he chose to live in, he met the true cruelty of it all, and he wasn't smart enough to avoid it all.
Then there were the batgirls. Cassandra and Stephanie were all based on the first batgirl, Barbara's costume; a deep black and yellow costume, the armor being the gauntlet, shin guards, utility belt, and bat symbol were encased in yellow with everything else being black.
He kept it here so it would be better for her to not always be reminded of those days.
Stephanie changed her a bit to add the purple in the waist lines, more to make it her own suit. And she did make it her's, but now the suit was heavily burned and melted like acid was poured on it.
Bruce hated how he wasn't fast enough to at least not made her endure those aching pains she went through/
And Cassandra did away most of the yellow, or even let the cowl branch out her hair like the two other batgirls. She kept it more simple, moving away from her original costume that she no longer had the desire to see in the cave.
And most importantly, Cassandra's costume looked more and more like Bruce the more she wore the costume.
And in the middle, between the robins and batgirl suit, was the fame red and blue costume with an iconic black spider in the center that allowed the web lines to spread out to arms and legs with the red while the blue was more in line being more by the armpits, waist, and legs. While he did use it recently, and was sued up, it still had its share of tears to it, marks from past battles that Peter didn't look over properly, and above all else, the mask was no longer a mask. Its len's was cracked wide open, the mask being held together barely. It was a reminder of Peter's last battle with a similar being he's now facing.
Something he should've been there for, but Peter is a stubborn person, and that he didn't want Bruce even donning the costume for him. Rather than he do it, Cassandra did it, living up to the mantle he passed down to her.
Bruce held his gaze for a few more seconds on all of the people who helped, couldn't help, and wished to help to this day before now looking at his wife, "..They need my help Selina."
She moved a step forward, "Do they really?" She asked with her arms now crossing.
"They do."
Selina heard his voice sounding affirmative, but she felt different about it, "No Bruce, your there, waiting and watching to be called upon again," her shamrock eyes kept her focus on her husband, just as his steel blues eyes kept his focus on his wife, "You've been here before, waiting all this time for something like this to happen again…Hoping, begging for another villain of this caliber to come to hurt everyone in Gotham. All so you can have an excuse to wear this," her hands touch upon the case that was his own costume.
A suit that changes time and time again, modifying, evolving, and the one that started the crusade of saving Gotham. It now stood there, holding the gaze of both husband and wife; the cowl while cracked and broken, held its stoicness still, the cape, the suit, the utility belt, everything about showed the damage it was put through since it was last worn. Like all the costumes here, it was a reminder for Bruce and Selina.
A reminder of never again, yet now, it was becoming more and more of a conflict between the two.
"...I'm just here to help where I can..Selina," Bruce said, more of a mumble than his clear affirmation he once had a second ago.
Selina still heard his mumble, and then moved closer to him. She would let out a small sigh now that she again started upon her husband. Selina now can see his expression was changing slowly when holding his gaze at his costume, "I get it, you want to be useful, you still want to have ways to help everyone. But you need to remember that they've all grown, they can handle Gotham. Do you not trust them?" She asked, wondering if this was one of the main causes why he's back in the cave in the first place.
His eyes went back onto his wife, becoming more and more unsure of the real motivation of being here. Was it because he so desperately wanted to be the bat again? Or that he doesn't trust Peter, Cassandra, or even Dick and Barbara to help keep the street safe? Or maybe he still feels the need, the urge to permanently wipe the scum that wants to hurt his city once more?
Or was it all of the above? Or maybe something more. Bruce rubs the back of his neck out of being uncomfortable, shying away from Selina just a bit, "I…Don't know Selina."
Because she was close, she took one of his hands, to hold it, to bring reassurance, and to be a supportive wife, "Whatever the case maybe..I'm here, and I won't leave ok?" He would nod as a response, "..Also you need to talk to Alfred, you owe him that more than he does."
"..I owe everyone to be better, and I'm still trying to figure it out," he said whole heartedly.
"And you can't do it alone."
"I know," Bruce paused, not only deciding to bring back his focus on his wife, but also think for a second to put the proper words he wanted to say to Selina, "...I apologize for how I've been lately, that I've been hard to be around once more."
Selina would shrug, and hug his husband, "You're my husband, I wouldn't have said yes if I knew what I was getting myself into."
Bruce let himself smile at that. Selina had a real good point because anyone that barely knew who Bruce was would've given up on him. And even though the likes of Alfred, Dick, Barbara, even Peter and Cassandra don't interact with him like they used to, they're still around him, they still want to, in some semblance, be around him, and they haven't given up on his humanity.
And that's why the likes of Cassandra and Peter try to steer him away from being the bat, because they believe they've learned enough from him and their own shared experience of how to protect this city.
So he hugs his wife back, at the sheer notion of having not only her but others who would still find their own ways to help Bruce.
Barbara was in her usual place in Gotham, the clock tower, monitoring multiple places and people at the same time on her computer. She noted that Peter was out in about as spider-man, focusing on old Gotham, and Cassandra was out in about in North Gotham.
Though, she was keeping more of a close eye on Dick who seemed to be flying in the air with his wing jet he himself made thanks to his soon to be fiance sister, "I still haven't found the right time to ask her. All this stuff with Gotham has kept me busy from either seeing or even texting her as much as I used to," Dick came through on Barbara's small mic in her ears.
"Understandable, it's a big thing to pop up especially when you did so before," Barbara took a sip of tea she had near her before continuing on, "Just don't leave her hanging even when you're busy."
"Who do you think I am Babs?"
She smirked, raising an eyebrow from the sarcastic question, "You're the Dick Grayson, women love's you but you also have a problem with communication for the opposite gender."
"Not true! I'm talking to you right now!"
She shifted her head slightly, acknowledging that he has a point, "Ok true, but besides the person you knew for a great while back when you were wearing your green underoos."
"See, I don't hear that kind of talk when it comes to Peter."
"That's Selina territory and he gets enough from her. But besides me, you and I always were communicative because Bruce instilled that in us. Not only that, who else could we really talk about what we do in the night?"
"I did, and still have the titans."
"But how much do you ever tell them with what you're dealing with? Or what you had to deal with? Do they know the time you got rape by Mirage or Tarantula?" Dick went silent, and his silence was strong enough that Barbara couldn't help but sigh, "Does Koriand'r even know?" He again was silent, so silent it almost felt like she was talking to Bruce again, "This…Is where I'm getting at Dick, I or anyone here in Gotham can't be the only one you really communicate too. If you really want Koriand'r to be a part of you for real this time you have to be open to her."
"...Easy for you to say. You had it easier than I did."
Her eyes widened quickly when Dick said that, out of all people, he said that so easily, "How dare you say that… Did you know what he did to me Dick? How he took away the very thing that stops me from helping out more? That he undress me, took pictures, and fucked up my own father with showing me in that predicament?" her face was scrunched up, her hands clutch the cup tightly, Barbara never thought Dick would say that she out of all people had it easier.
When she is likely the only person who could ever understand what it's like to not be able to control, to fight back the offenders who have them in position to overtake them however you wish, "The hell is wrong with you Dick to say that kind of crap to me? Me?! O-"
"Because you don't understand that Barbara! That clown could've done far worse but he chose to take pictures of you lying naked, shot, and bleeding. What I went through, in both situations, how the hell could I control those outcomes? I didn't even know I was screwing the wrong person till days later, and Tarantula took advantage of me in a dire state that I couldn't do anything, ANYTHING BARBARA! So how do I tell that to the titans? How do I tell that to the people who are better than me? And how do I tell that to the women I love who, beyond all standards, understands what I went through the most! So I get it when you say I should be more open, but you don't understand that I don't want either of them look at me like that, that they feel sorry, pity of what I went through. I don't need that with them or Kory. But you, Bruce, Selina, Jason, Tim, Steph, Cass, and Peter…You all get it and wouldn't pity those situations."
Barbara wanted to call bullshit in all that he wanted to say, but she can't let her anger outweigh her, "Still doesn't give you the right to judge me haven't it easier Dick," Barbara tone was still pissed, almost as if she wants to yell and scream at him for throwing something as her own trauma to her face like that, "You of all people should know we all went through our own share trauma, and not one of us would either throw it to the other person face, or say that they went through worse. You, would never had said that to anyone years ago…But now I'm understanding more and more-"
"That I'm not me?" He cut her off, adding a scoff, "Who Cares if I'm not the old Dick Grayson. What matter is that I'm not longer a couch potato, lying in bed all day, reliving the utter pain that the fucking clown put me through. I'm here now gonna make a difference for my family."
While his resolve was clearly there, Barbara can tell just from this piece of communication they just had, she wasn't talking to the same Dick. It was as if that brain aneurysm changed him in more ways than one. It's been said that it could happen, but for it to be on this scale involving her best friend? Barbara couldn't put a pin on it.
There had to be something more causing Dick's own bipolar emotion than just from a brain aneurysm, or maybe she was looking too deep into it, trying to put something on his personality change when really it could've simply been the aneurysm. In a sense, her years of understanding how people work from a civilian mindset, hero mindset, and to a criminal mindset just ache to find a reason instead of what's on the wall.
"I'm here," Dick made it to the sight that was supposed to be where ravencroft was at. It is laid out by New York in the Westchester county side of upper New York. But upon landing, Dick found nothing but a disgruntled building lying in waste; part of the building was collapse on itself, whatever grass was there were almost burned or dried out with no ounce of h20 sustain it, and pieces of those building that were still standing looked to be cracked wide open, but also held not entry point for Dick to get into, "This is suppose to be the place right Babs?"
Moving away from their argument, Barbara expression slid into a poker face as she did her quick research on the place, "Yes, it's supposed to be the place where Wilson had some financial routes to be put into. It's not officially labeled, but it has a known license at the least so no one could copyright its name."
"Hm. I'm gonna do a run about scan of the area, maybe I can find a way in. If not, we might need Peter on this case since he's the muscle in our family."
Dick was doing his part to lighten up the mood, clear the air from their heated argument, but it won't work today, "That's probably what Kasady would want, could be a trap."
"True. Maybe I'll get Kory instead to help out if she's not too busy in new Tamaran," from where she can see, and hear, Dick ended moaning what felt like agony to Barbara. Before she was gonna ask, Dick would take a green pill from his utility belt and take it, easing whatever pain he was dealing with, "Simple drug to manage the pain," he quickly answered.
Before she could give an opinion on what she saw, Barbara received a text from her phone that was linked to her computer. Selina ended up messaging her that they were supposed to have dinner so in Wayne manor, "You might wanna head back to Gotham."
"Any reason why?"
"Alfred is cooking dinner."
Slowly but surely, Wayne Manor was feeling a bit more alive. Selina took the opportunity to clean the mansion because dear lord, she found out that the place hasn't been kept clean as she thought it would.
By all means, it wasn't completely dirty where it brought about rodents, but it surely needed a caliber of a woman's touch put into it. The whole being a cleaning maid in Selina eyes was quite funny because she knew years ago she would never see herself as the type to clean up a mansion that was her's.
It wasn't to say she'll let a simple butler do all the work, but to put in the work from going room to room and make sure everything was tidy? No, Selina's younger self would never do that. But now that she's older, she would, because this is also her home just as it is for anyone else.
On the other hand, it provided time for Bruce to talk with Alfred. Every now and again Selina would come back to the kitchen, getting a peak of how it was still she would notice it still being quiet between the two when prepping dinner. And every now and again, she would clear her throat ever so loudly.
With the added use of vacuuming.
Brushing really loud.
Or the added humming of a Britney Spear song stuck in her head. It was enough for Bruce to lightly glare from behind, and she caught it so in response, she gestured with her broom pointing to talk to Alfred.
Bruce would groan, the slight motion of his head when going back to helping cook was a gesture that he knows. So with a heavy breath, he took the first step, "...I'm glad you're back."
Alfred's eyes briefly looked at Bruce who kept his eyes on mashing down the now boil potatoes, "..Not forever," he told before going back to his own focus on the chicken he ended up putting in the oven.
They switch sides; Alfred saw that Bruce already prepared the fishes that needed frying and Bruce made sure to monitor the brown rice he was making, "I figure," Bruce shortly said.
It went quiet once again, but this time Selina wasn't going left and right, making such a disturbance for them to man up and talk. Again, Alfred's eyes swayed to the taller man beside him, eyeing the shape of his body that, while not too big and still held a slim form, there was notice bulk in his figure then he remembered.
It had to be the fact that Bruce was likely not training as he regularly did, but he at least knew that Bruce wouldn't let go everything he learned from years of fighting the ordinary and unordinary villains, "I noticed you've become more bigger then I last saw you," Alfred pointing out, frying the fish while adding a tinch of more seasoning.
"Managing Wayne enterprise and being an actual billionaire playboy tends to have that effect," Bruce remarked.
"Hm, as you say."
While the quietness came back between the two and the sounds of sizzling meat, frying fish, boiling water, and the stove adjusting itself when baking, it didn't last not a second later when Bruce went over to the counter side to fix up a salad bowl, "Visit anyone else in Gotham?" Bruce asked.
Alfred saw the rice was done and made sure to grab a proper bowl to put it in, "Who else could I visit here Bruce?" Turning off the side of the stove, he check to see if the rice was not too sticky but also not too soft for it to tear apart with a wooden spoon, "Miss Thompskins decided she had done enough off trying to help this city as is and moved away," he would pour the rice into the big round bowl and take it by the counter near Bruce along with a few other food that they finish up earlier thanks to Selina's help, "And…The women I loved unfortunately passed due to the rapidness of her dementia that she hid up until it was too late to do anything…"
Bruce stopped his movement of adding certain stuff to make the salad he wanted too. He found himself no longer shying away from Alfred and looked at the man that stared endlessly in the hot, steaming brown rice he just finished. Bruce made sure the fish was done cooking, turning off the stove, but then proceeded to have Alfred's full attention.
Wanting to touch him, comfort him, but his hand stayed idly to his side, "May was a good woman, it's one of the reasons why Peter is the best of us."
Alfred sighed, "Yet it seems he struggles with being the best of himself, knowing that he is forever gonna be tied to this city that only wants to constantly destroy him," Alfred said with the hint of irritation in his tone.
"I tried giving him every out, every chance for him to stop being who he wanted to be bu-"
"But he's too much like you," Alfred cut him off with whatever he really wanted to say, staring up at the man he helped raise when was just but a boy who lost his parent's in the alleyway, "Both of you rather take a bullet then letting another poor child lose someone they care about. The real difference lies in the fact that Peter still blames himself for his Uncle Ben's death, and he will always blame himself for what he could've done in a circumstance he couldn't possibly know would happen. While you? You were a boy who grew into a man too early because he wanted to change this city for the better, to make a safer city so no one would experience what you've gone through. Yet, I always hope that you wouldn't break under the pressure of this city because like Peter, you both wouldn't let it happen," Alfred felt a lump on his throat, holding back the tears that wanted to intrude through his eyelids, "...But I would never blame you for being broken by what the clown did to this family, in fact, I would've killed him myself. It's.. Only that afterwards," Alfred's expression change to a frown at remembering the plenty of ruthless actions and choices Bruce made in spite of being broken by the clown, "What you did to those people, to those that might've deserved it, to those that didn't, that's not something I can forgive Bruce. It's something that only serves to sever everything you once stood for as batman."
Bruce looked down to his feet, feeling ashamed of disappointing his adoptive father, yet raised his head to comfort the shamelessness of his past, "What I did…What I had to do Alfred, I did it because I thought it was truly the only way Gotham would be safe," Alfred sucked his teeth, moving past Bruce to check on the chicken that was being baked in the oven, "Ra's was right, all these criminals, these psycho's, will not change!" He turned to face the back of his adoptive father, "I…I just wanted to make sure none of what happened to everyone… Happened again."
Alfred can hear the pain, the brokenness of his son still. It truly meant that he was still struggling, still coping with all that happened. And he couldn't really fault him since his actions were just, but it didn't make it right. Not everything Bruce stood for at one point; vengeance for sure, but no killing since it was his philosophy that he and every ally he had, that they can't stoop down his level.
Bruce did, he stooped down to their level, and he almost lost his family in the process, "... I don't want to hear it again and again Bruce. Because I know.. I understand…But it doesn't make it right," he again looks behind him, to Bruce, to his broken son, "I'm not here to say, to agree that your actions were justifiable no matter how much I understand it. I'm here for my family because I had enough of seeing the world, this city, the villains, tear us apart. I won't let it further break us apart."
The oven made a ding sound, meaning the chicken was just about done. Selina would come rushing in, "I GOT IT!" Alfred somehow with his eyes widen slightly at seeing the women mad dash her way to the oven, step to the side to let her take it out
"Careful honey," Bruce said watching as she took it out with the oven mit.
"I'm not a clums, honey," she set aside on the table, watching as most of the food they had in store was just about done, "This is gonna work," she had a smile on her face that differentiated from the poker face of Bruce, and the frown from Alfred when eyeing the two, "This dinner is gonna work for everyone that's here."
And who could deny the glowing positivity from misses Wayne? Even when they were just arguing, they couldn't help but smile for her.
Barbara and Dick drive to Wayne manor was rather quiet with the radio playing some music mix between what's new and old. It was the only way to keep the air between them from being uncomfortable. While Dick was behind the wheels, renting a car for this type of predicament, he too wanted to say something.
But he couldn't out of shame knowing that he was in the wrong, knowing that all that stuff just went out the window before he could stop himself from saying it, 'God… This is getting too complicated… The drugs are helping, but only making things worse for me,' Dick said to himself, 'But I can't stop, if I do, then I won't be of use to help everyone.'
Steeling himself, convincing himself whatever he was doing on the right, Dick focused on the road as he drew ever closer to Wayne Manor.
Barbara stared out the window, watching her own reflection, watching her own glasses, her own red long hair, her own lime like eyes all stared back at her. This was her way without talking to Dick, to look at him, to observe, to simply find out what is going on with her long time friend. But she's stopping herself, just for a moment, stop being Oracle; the woman who must find an answer to everything wrong in the world. Yet, her mind still drifted on Dick and their conversation from hours ago, 'How could he do that..? Why would he say that? Dick had never said or done something of that matter. It could be the drugs he is taking? Maybe I need to figure out what type of drugs are those,' she wanted to sigh, but then it would give away her own thoughts so she held it in, 'Or maybe they're just simple drugs and I'm overreacting, thinking outside sources have a play on his personality change. Maybe I should talk to Koriand'r, find out what really is going on with him since she's the only one that has spent the most time with him since his recovery. But…It never was easy to talk to her, even now since she hasn't been on earth for sometime."
"Babs," Barbara turned to Dick, gesturing that they were by Wayne manor, "Is it me or is the place…Glowing?" In the palm of his question, Barbara took notice that Wayne manor was now lighting up more than usual. The mansion itself now looks a bit less gloomy and dark just from the outside alone.
And they both can see from the window of the living room that Selina was running around with a broom in hand while likely shouting at Bruce to help clear things up. It left Dick confused and Barbara scratching her own head, "She really is going all out for this huh?"
Dick nodded, "I'm surprised this is happening at all. You would think Bruce's presence would complicate things just a little bit."
"Who knows," just as the moment of conversation between them started, it fell back to silence with Dick turning off the engine and getting out of the car. The backseat had the wheel chair Barbara needed to be able to maneuver wherever she needed to go. Dick would help her, both out of the car and onto her wheelchair with relative ease.
He did this so many times it was like second nature to him. In a brief second, their eyes met one another knowing how the other felt in an instant. Weirdly enough, Dick sighed as he went behind Barbara to help roll her in the mansion, "What I said hours ago…It was out of line," Barbara would let him continue with his apology, not wanting or needing to interrupt him, "Your right that I would never say something like that, not even to you of all people who was in the right to tell me what I need to hear," he would stop shy away from the door, "But I did.. And I'm sorry for saying that."
Behind her, Barbara looked up to him, noticing how sorrowful he now looked, "..Whatever is your going through Dick, you know you can tell me right? If not me, maybe Koriand'r?"
By saying that, he was considering telling her, telling her why he's now the way he is, the problems he still or has been dealing with, but Selina would quickly open the door stopping from him any sort of mention on his end, "Why isn't it the little robin and batgirl!" Her smile spread ear to ear, first hugging Barbara before quickly going to Dick, "Let me look at you properly mister!" Grabbing his cheekbones, Selina checks to see any signs of damage on the pretty face he's known to have.
Even checking the body, and even the odd part involving his ass before going back to right in front of him, and hugging tightly while he stood there more confused, "It's uh…Great to see you too Selina. But was all that necessary?"
"Necessary?!" She glared at him when removing herself from the hug, "Of course it is! I haven't seen you in person for a whole year! And look at you! It's…" For a moment, she took this in. Seeing Dick standing in front of her, baffled and all, "Really good to see you again," her tone became a bit more somber, "Anyways!" And just like that, she pitches right back up to excitement, "The two love birds should be here anytime now."
Dick and Barbara would share a glance at each other, knowing full well, it won't be anytime soon they'll show up.
North Gotham
Gun's were being spared from a vehicle as Cassandra was driving her batmobile, chasing after some crooks she cracked down on a drug operation. The guns didn't make a dent on her vehicle as kept right on their tail.
"WHERE'S MY FUCKING ROCKET LAUNCHER!"
"RIGHT HERE HAMMERHEAD!"
"TAKE THE FUCKIN WHEEL THEN!"
Hammerhead, clad in a black suit yet having a distinguishable giant forehead, put himself out the window to take fire on the batmobile, "I DON'T CARE IF YOU SURVIVE THIS BAT'S! I'M NOT GOING BACK!"
He fired, Cassandra saw an opportunity knocking and drift the car sideways so the blast would impact on the side. The car withstood the damage, but the projectile was strong enough to flip horizontally. Timing it right, the car went over hammerhead vehicle, but this allowed Cassandra to eject out the vehicle simultaneously right on top of the car.
The batmobile made sure to land properly and move out the way remotely while Cassandra handle's hammerhead. She first would take him, Swiping the rocket away, and kicking him hard enough out of the vehicle. That big head of his helped break his fall say the least. Cassandra would then flip herself right inside the vehicle, breaking the windshield, and easily putting the driver to sleep with the usage of her momentum when breaking the windshield. She took control of the vehicle, slowing it down but not too much where its speed would flip it.
But she also had to swerve and weave past people to get it under control, and she did so with success. Ironically, the damaged vehicle was parked outside of North Gotham precinct. Seeing in her mirror that Hammerhead was getting up a block back, she hit the vehicle in reverse to catch up to him.
He tried running, oh how he tried running, but once Cassandra caught up to him, she was out of the vehicle and tackled him to the ground. Being on top of him, she had control of his arms and posture herself in a position where he couldn't push her off, "I'M NOT GOING BACK WI-" With quick succession of hitting the nerves, Hammerhead went to sleep.
Another night of helping Gotham. She did notice a crowd of people watching her, some recording, some kept walking out of fear, but there were also those that felt the need to speak up, "SHE KILLED HIM!"
Behind her cowl, Cassandra eyes widen from the misunderstanding, "No he's-"
"I say good riddance."
"He's ac-"
"Why can't you bat's just stay gone!"
"What y'all screaming for?! It's Gotham! We all know bat's would've killed sooner then later!"
"But pass on to others! Jesus fucking chirst!"
"Hey leave the lady alone! Least she tries out here to do some good instead of taking away our homes!"
"Get the fuck back to work!"
Cassandra tried to explain the situation, but she couldn't. How could she when everyone had their own opinions and she couldn't just say that she was different. She couldn't be different from Batman.
After all, she learned from him, and sooner than later as one person said, she would kill like him, she would kill again.
"Who cares about that! Look at the street's from that chase!" The bystanders pointed out how she handled the car chase that was more than one. Few blocks down had several cars causing traffic problems.
She knew she needed to take care of that. She heard a notification from the cowl, and saw on her gauntlet that brought up a mini hud of Selina asking where she was at, "Shit."
She was gonna be late, very late.
Old Gotham
"IMBECILES! WHAT DID I HIRE YOU FOR!" A man with a pure white face, and sharp teeth as a shark shouted when running away from spider-man taking down his man with relative ease.
"That's what I've been asking myself, oh great white shark!" Peter quipped when webbing up and taking down the great white shark goons. He either left him hanging on a web, web up to a wall, or outright knocked them unconscious with his amazing speed, agility, and coordination of his attacks.
Soon the great white shark was back into a corner, and Peter dashed right to him with a simple knee he held back at the last second when it impacted his stomach. In an instance as he let the air out of his stomach, a great white shark was knocked out cold, "Alright!" He would beat him up just like he was crooked, but added a webbing to hang him by his pants for comedic reasons, "Another crime boss bites the dust. Maybe I have time to drag most of them to the police station," Peter would tap the mask so the hud would bring up the time.
He didn't exactly have time as he wanted too, "Crap! Better hit up Dewolff for this clean up!" he shouted to himself as he urgently leapt out the window and began swinging with breakneck speed, "I still need to get the whine on the way!"
Somethings for Peter hasn't changed, and being on time for important stuff was one of them.
Barbara would wait by the dinner table near the living room as the majority of everyone was prepping for the Wayne dinner. She couldn't help but feel useless in that she wasn't able to help out as much, what with her being stuck in the chair and all.
In doing so, she would distract herself by calling up a special someone, "Do you want me to be there?"
"No Ted you got more important things to deal with such as your company for example. And you also need to monitor that heart of yours too."
"Pish posh! I could be there in a heartbeat, butttt I know you want to handle this by yourself so I won't budge."
Barbara smiles when moving a strand of her hair from her eyes, "If you can't tell, I'm smiling."
"Oh you are? Fantastic! I'm doing something right!"
"You're saying you've been doing everything wrong?"
"No I mean with this relationship since everything else I have to make sure I'm right otherwise the planet could go boom. And I love a certain someone enough that I can't let that happened."
It warms Barbara's heart to hear him say that. Never in a million years Barbara Gordon would be dating Ted Kord, the once famous blue beetle that helped out the justice league and justice society from time to time. They had a brief thing going on sometime after Barbara had to get used to her new life being in a wheelchair. While she did love their time together as he did, they both decided that they work better as friends, colleagues of sorts that help each other out.
Yet it all changed a year ago, and Ted became someone she can really rely on, someone she can talk too, laugh, smile, great and patient sex, and overall love she had never felt for someone like him. She wouldn't be lying to herself that it sometimes felt like she was dreaming whenever they were together or even talking from a far.
But this was reality, and Barbara loved this part of reality. She loves Ted Kord as much as he loves her, "Save the smooth talk when we see each other again soon. Now! I must go to deal with family stuff."
"And off you go my beautiful mistress. I'll be dreaming of you in my boring meetings."
"Remember Ted-"
"I know I know I know. Love you Ms Gordon."
"Love you too Mr Kord."
Hanging up on each other, she saw Alfred putting some more food on table, "This all looks amazing Alfred."
He smiled at her thoughtful gesture, "Why thank you, but I can't take all the credit for today. Miss Wayne pushed herself to help me out, and also…Pushed master Wayne to help out too."
Spotting the frown when talking about Bruce, Barbara figured it was the time to ask about that topic, "I have you… Talk to him yet?"
"We had words, yes, but the less that said is the better, today is about family and not the drama about it."
"Your.. Right, sorry about bringing it up," he waved off her apology, "Do you need any help with anything?" She asked, hoping she can do something instead of nothing.
"No, but talking to you has always been a pleasure," his smile came back, allowing Barbara to smile also.
Both took notice of how Selina was ordering Dick and Bruce around, "MAKE SURE THE CHICKEN IS IN THE CENTER! WATCH HOW YOUR RUNNING DICK!"
"BECAUSE YOUR RUSHING ME! CASS AND PETER WON'T BE HERE FOR SOMETIME!"
"WRONG THEY'RE ALMOST HERE! BRUCE! FIX THE SALAD!"
"What's missing? Bruce asked calmly compared to Dick.
Selina looks at the salad and at Bruce, "Dash a love," Bruce eyes shrewd, perplexed by what she meant. Selina would simply kiss his cheek, "Handle with care."
"COMING THROUGH! HOT HOT HOT!" Dick shouted once more when weaving past the husband and wife with more hot food to be put on the table.
It was amusing to see the authority that Selina had on the two men in the eyes of both Alfred and Barbara, "She's been acting a bit motherly, hasn't she? You don't think she's…"
"She is surely open to it, Miss Gordon. It's just the matter of Bruce," Alfred said.
"Either way, the child would be in good hands."
"Or perhaps will see the chaos this family could bring and revel in it by giving us a massive headache. Just imagine Miss Cain and master Parker's child."
Barbara felt herself groan, "That would be more of a nightmare and I wouldn't have them near my home. Or better yet, if Dick has his own child with Koriand'r."
"Dear lord, you'll have the most normal child out of the bunch."
"Maybe, there's always Tim and Stephanie."
The pair couldn't help but share a chuckle of the prospect of what the new generations would like in the future, full of hope, wonders, and mischievousness all wrapped in one.
Cassandra's batmobile made it to the cave. She quickly took off her costume, its own technology making it easier to come off, but she also left it standing as a statue in chase she needs to hope back in if the city needed her.
As she knew from years of her time in the batcave, Bruce made sure to have multiple entrances to the batcave itself. Instead of the clock that led into the living room, she would head to a back entrance that had either a stare or an elevator. The elevator would've led to a wine cellar Bruce had for special occasions if he hosted parties in the past, but the other stairwell would lead to one of the spare upstairs.
Rushing as fast as she could, making sure the system recognizes her as she padded her feet impatiently, she was late, and she needed a quick shower. The door slid open, and she ran to the shower, the shirt and pants she had on were already being taken off when running there. But oddly enough.
She bumps into Peter, who just like her, had the previous clothes under his costume in hand covering up themselves. They stared at each other, for seconds, maybe even a minute, they hadn't had this amount of alone time since the argument. They've been avoiding each other, both letting the other get their own space, but also needing to contemplate what to see to the other.
For Cassandra, she wanted to figure out a way to say sorry, to tell Peter she doesn't want to die in itself, but she can't afford to be the person she wants to be, not until Gotham was safe.
For Peter, he wants to tell her that he was sorry for pressing on her, far too soon then he should've. But he also wants to make note that he is there for, always will and always will be.
"Uh.
"Um."
"I can go later," Peter said first.
Cassandra shook her head, her hair getting longer, lacking in a ponytail as it waved back and forth, "No, you."
"No seriously, I can wait," Peter would again be adamant of being a gentleman.
Cassandra again shook her head, "I insist."
They weren't gonna win this, and it was awkward as is, but they needed to get to the dinner. Peter held his hand out, "Together?"
Cassandra looked at it, then looked at him, he was always the one to take the first step, to do what's necessary first, and…Deep down she hated that she didn't have the confidence to be like that. To be able to choose first for both of them, for their relationship, for their love.
It was always Peter doing it, and she followed through. Breathing in and out, she took his hands and nodded, "Together."
They went to the bathroom, putting their old clothes in a bin with others that needed washing, and took a shower in the cold water, and even though it was quite between them, they still did what they always do, taking care of each other. It didn't take long for them to finish showering, yet unexpectedly, Cassandra didn't dry her skin as Peter did but instead grabbed a shaver, and shaving cream. Peter looked at her his eyebrow raised, "Cass.."
"Late as always, need to look good," she motioned Peter to sit on the toilet seat, he eye roll, sighed, and followed through it while placing his towel to cover up his private section. She applied the shaving cream with ease, then began shaving Peter's beard.
Peter watched her, watched how focused she was to get this right, to make Peter look good, not only for himself, but for her too. It was a family dinner and she wanted him to take more appreciation of looking good as the others probably did for themselves. And furthermore, it was about time, because she hated him with a beard plastered under his face.
He didn't move, nor did she make any mistakes when clearing out his beard. By Peter's count, it took her no less than two minutes to shave away his beard, and it had to be the usefulness of her years with experience of using weapons with precise precision. Peter didn't need to look in the mirror to know it was good, in fact, he trusted her abilities that she made it good.
And so it was his turn, "Nah ah," Peter patted the toilet seat, making her tilt her head with confusion written all over her expression, "Your hair is getting longer, gonna need taking care of."
Her eyes rolled, Peter had a funny way of getting his tick for tack revenge. She replaced him where he once sat while he got scissors behind the mirror. He too made sure to put the shaver and shaving cream away before he got to trimming a bit of Cassandra's hair. Unlike Peter, Cassandra would've taken a little longer as Peter had to go from side to side, back and front to make sure the levels were adjusted right.
Just like Peter, Cassandra trusts in Peter and his abilities to take care of her, and she watched him as he was so focused on getting it right, getting her to look, well, beautiful.
And so he was done, smiling at the prospect of workmanship, "There. You know we're super late right?" Cassandra found herself giggling as she nodded, "Don't laugh, this is your fault."
"My fault? You wanted revenge!"
He gawked, making himself offended by that notion, "Revenge? Please! You're the one with the whole vengeance thing."
Again, they share a laugh with one another, as if nothing bad happened to them and they're boyfriends and girlfriends once again, "But come on! We gotta go now!" Peter puts away the scissor, and he and Cassandra dash into their rooms.
Peter didn't forget to dry off Cassandra before they put on some clothes. The woman was so focused on him that she got to take care of herself, and luckily, Peter was always there to make sure she's taking care of.
They slap some casual clothes on, Peter with a simple long sleeve shirt and pants, while Cassandra wore short sleeves and shorter pants compared to Peter. They were both rushing downstairs, with Peter carrying a few bottle of wines. The bat and the spider made it to the kitchen, with everyone there.
Waiting for them, "Sorry!" Cassandra made it a note to come out with an apology first.
"Bad guys were at play today," Peter brought out an excuse, something he's too familiar making one for himself with why he's late to things.
Everyone wasn't surprised, but Selina wore a smirk when watching the two, "That, or you tow must've had some fun without us noticing."
"H-hey we did not do anything you think we did Selina!" Peter said while Cassandra stood idly blushing.
"Cassandra's face said it all!"
"We just shower!"
"AND FUCKED!"
Dick face palmed at the situation at hand, "Selina pleaseeee! Obviously Peter shaved and Cassandra got her hair recently cut."
"Dick. Hush. No one bat an eye when you were having sex with Koriand'r in the morning before our breakfast."
"IT WAS ONE TIME!"
And so, the dinner was off to a great start
Dinner was going by, it wasn't too lively with the people around the dinner table, but it wasn't too silent. Dick and Selina did more of carrying out the conversation around the table, with the few like Peter, Barbara and Alfred commenting on whatever the topic was.
Similarly, Bruce and Cassandra would stay the most silent as they ate, and they sit far from each other while close to their significant other, "And there's this really great waterfall they had that actually doesn't affect my skin, the tree's are lust, animals are actually wild, but a good portion of them are friendly. I'm still amazed Kory was ruling over the new Tamaran plane with this much profound respect and kindness that it desperately needed," Dick said, talking about his time recovering in new Tamaran.
"And how was the recovery there?" Alfred asked.
Dick took a sip of his wine before answering, "Relaxing, rejuvenating, the technology they had there was very resourceful in my recovery. Sadly, Komand'r wouldn't share tech with us, she feel's I'm the only decent human bean that she can tolerate."
"Wait just you?" Selina spoke, "Didn't she have a thing for Peter once upon time?"
"Ah god.." Peter did not want to remember his time with Koriand'r sister. He couldn't exactly bury himself to avoid this particular topic, then again, he doesn't want to be buried alive again since that experience wasn't a very good one, "It was more of a fling then a thing Selina."
Cassandra while silent felt her eyebrow raised when looking at Peter. It didn't go unnoticed that she was looking at him with curiosity above all else, "Fling? That's what you..Called it?" She asked, with a little edge in her tone.
"Well it was, we weren't really seeing each other and we were just in it for the um… Sex," Peter bit down more of his food, "Either way… I was dealing with a lot back then so when she left and ended our fling, that was it, end of story. Not much to write about or say about."
"It was more than that. You… Had something more with her…Why put it down?" Cassandra inquired as to why Peter doesn't acknowledge the fact it was something more than he presumed. Was it because it hurt him? That he wanted something more than what he got? She wanted to know why he was putting that relationship down specifically compare to other women he been involved with.
She wants to understand why this relationship in particular he doesn't want to remember as much as the others he had, others that were either worse or not so bad.
Peter felt his mouth twitch, why was she digging? Had he not been honest enough as is, "Cass there was nothing there and I rather we leave it at that."
Cassandra would simply nod, respecting his wishes and not wanting to cause anymore trouble between them. She placed her feet on top of his under the table, and lucky for her, her affection was left there so he took in her apologeticness.
"Miss Cain," Cassandra head pop up and look to Alfred in question, "How has your drawing been?"
She smiled, "Good! Wanna see?"
Peter eyes widen, knowing her last drawing of him, half naked and all, "Uhhhhhhhhhhh, don't think its a good idea."
Cassandra frowned at Peter, "But it's you! Everyone loves you."
"Except for those who don't like his chatter."
"Hey! People love my chatters," Dick held back his laughter at the falsehood of that.
"What was this drawing firecracker?"
"Peter sleeping!"
Selina grin mischievously, "Naked perhaps?"
Peter could only keep his head down, blushing at the prospect of himself being the talk of the table now, "He was covered! Said it was really…Good!"
Alfred, feeling his pain, decided that he would try to save him from the embarrassment, "You really want him to die that fast Ms Wayne? It seems that I'll just have to believe it's really good as he says Cassandra." Alfred said
"Almost sounds like she's not far from being drunk," Barbara mentioned.
"I am not!"
"It would be a shame to find out your lightweight honey," Bruce's voice spoke out, annihilating his quietness.
Selina's eyes sent daggers to her husband, who now took in the satisfaction of being just a bit smug from his comment, "You did not just call me out!"
"No, but still it would be a shame if you're just a bit tipsy," he took a sip of the little whine he had compared to his wife.
"Oooooo! Are we hearing a drinking contest here?" Dick said, instigating the situation.
Selina scoffed, chowing down on her food before she could respond, "I would so win and we all know it."
"Peter would," Cassandra said, easily and sharply.
Peter accidentally swallowed his drink wrong, ended up coughing in the process, "..Whoa.. I'm a lightweight here, not even a drinker Cass!"
"Technically, you're the only one here who's body is subjected to both superhuman capabilities," Barbara pointed out.
Peter stared at Barbara with a plea in his eyes, "Babs!"
"I'm just saying," she said with her hands up.
"PETER! DRINK WITH ME!" Selina shouted, raising the bottle of wine near her that Peter got. Peter shook his head, "CASSANDRA!" Holding the bottle in both hands, it looked like she was praying to god to bless with her chances here, "YOUR MY ONLY HOPE!"
In turn, Cassandra had a small smile on her face before reaching Peter ears, "Sex."
Playing like nothing happened, Cassandra went back to eating, and Peter had to think about the options of all that is happening, all that will happen when he starts drinking.
But, when was the last time he allowed himself to have fun? Around friends, family, people that care about him? People that love and appreciate his existence? "Oh what the hell."
"YES!"
It was utter small chaos between Selina and Peter. Each drinking tons and tons of whine, the good kind, and the great kind to get them drunk, "IT'S THERE 15TH BOTTLE AND THERE STILL GOING FOLKS!" Dick said like a commenter. While Peter tried to downplay himself, he was fairing way better than Selina would look to be more buzzed, and going slower and slower to drink her share. Peter wasn't struggling as much as, "WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS BABS?!" Dick asked her, using the cup as a mic when popping the question.
"Peter is winning, no chance," She commented, finding the situation in front of her entertaining.
"AND CASSANDRA! WHO YOU GOT WIN-"
"Peter!"
"ALFRED! WE NEED AN ANSWER HERE TO WHO WOU-"
"Peter," Alfred answered in the back when washing the plates.
All was that left was Bruce, "MISTER WAYNE-"
"No comment."
"BUT MISTER WAYNE! THE PEOPLE WANT THE IMPORTANT ANSWER NOW!"
"The answer will kill me."
Just when he did answer, Selina simply stopped drinking, letting back relax in the chair behind her, "...Liar."
"AND WE HAVE A WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNER! LET'S GET AROUND OF APPLAUSE TO THE UNDERDOG THAT IS PETER PARKER!"
There was a small round of applause as Peter stood on top of his chair, bowing from his victory. The likes of Cassandra added the wooing too, "You… Said you..r…. Lightweight!" Selina babble out while hiccuping. She lay herself more on Bruce's leg for added comfort.
"This is just regular wine Selina," Peter sat down, "Not like it's anything like vodka or rum. Multiple of those probably could leave me wasted."
"But wait a second! This proves Selina is a lightweight!" Dick said.
Selina raised her head, glaring at Dick but couldn't say anything back at him this time. But then, Bruce laughed, actually laughed. Not hysterically, not with tears, not those force laughter's he would tend to do for public sake, and not with any sort malicious to it.
Bruce laughed, enough where everyone had their eyes on him with curiosity. Once he stopped, he noticed everyone was looking at him including his wife underneath him, "...Sorry…." He let his hands rub his eyes, "Sorry… I… Don't deserve any of you that are here… Any of you that in some semblance… Still care about me…" He then let out a stressful sigh, but with the comfort of Selina holding his hands under him, he knew he had the will to say what he needed to say, "... I know I still have so much to make up for you, to all of you, and to those that aren't here… But I'm glad we had this dinner… I'm glad for everyone being here."
"..We're glad you're here," Selina was the first to respond.
"It's.. Complicated as ever, but come on Bruce, we won't abandon you," Dick next said.
"We'll always be here for you, Jason, Tim, and Stephanie would say the same, especially in their own ways," Barbara said.
Alfred didn't say much, his small smile and nod said everything.
"Of course Bruce. For how much you did, for everyone and anyone, we'll always be here," Peter said.
"...Family. All Family. Family sticks together," Cassandra was the last person to say.
There was a brief silence before anyone said anything, letting the dinner, the conversation, the drinking, and what Bruce said being taken in. They all needed this, every single one of them needed this.
To reassure them that this family, with all its problems, is still here and not broken.
"Can I stay here for the night?" Barbara asked.
"Sure."
"Why…Not!"
"Always."
"YES!"
"Of course!
"Who even owns the place anymore?" Dick brought up. With how Peter and Cassandra were the one's doing the living more than anyone else. Bruce ended up pointing to Cassandra, "Hey wait a minute, as your first adoptive so-"
"No! Mine!" Cassandra shouted with a smirk plaster over face.
"So not fair! Peter back me up here?!"
"Can't do," with how easy the response was, Cassandra leaned more towards Peter, "I will get gang up by not the bat's here, but also a cat there," he pointed to Selina who was still laying on Bruce's legs.
Dick groaned and shook his head, "So whipped."
"Dick, everyone here besides Babs, Selina, and Alfred, is whipped, including you."
This, is what Dick couldn't deny and so lost the battle of being able to own the mansion.
And yet, ever so slowly, Alfred smile at seeing his family being at the very least, happy.
Honestly, this was by far the hardest chapter to right in this story particular. But I made it to my 10th chapter, first 10th chapter. I know some of you probably think I should've broke up into another chapter, but I felt like I had to keep everything here. It was an important chapter for everyone, explain some stuff of what's going with most characters, but also dive deep into the other characters that needs there own layer of time to be showcased. There was somethings cut from the chapter, and others that I've shorten to make the chapter flow without too much crap happening.
I felt the bat family focus was better then adding more stuff involving anything other then them.
Anyways, let's hope the next chapter doesn't take me another 4 weeks! See ya whenever.