Pay close attention to what the fathers call their children.

Bruce is 5, Ollie is 3, and Lex is 8.

Chapter 2: Friends In High Places

Alfred's POV

"Alfred?"

I looked back in the mirror to see the young master staring at me with big eyes as he fidgeted nervously in his school uniform.

"Do I havta go?"

"I'm afraid so, Master Bruce."

"I don't wanna." He whined.

"Come now. You'll make a great deal of friends-"

"The only friend I need is you!"

"You need friends your own age." I replied as he dropped his gaze to the floor.

We eventually arrived at the school.

"Ready?" I asked as he shook his head.

"I'm scared, Alfred. I don't wanna go by myself." He whispered as I pulled into a parking spot.

"What if I walk you in?"

"Okay."

I got out and helped him out of the car. He held tightly to my hand as I led him towards the building.

"Don't worry, lad. You'll make friends."

********Break********

When I picked the boy up, he kept his gaze on the floor.

"How was your first day?" I asked as he shrugged.

"They don't like me."

"Come now, young sir. They're only jealous of how special you are."

He shrugged and turned to look out the window. We drove in silence the rest of the trip. After we had arrived at the manor, the lad refused his afternoon snack and went to be consoled by his mother.

********Break********

"More tea, Sir?" I asked as Master Thomas sighed.

"No thank you, Alfred."

I turned to leave before he called out, "Does Bruce seem a little down to you?"

"I believe he's having trouble making friends in school."

"What should I do?"

"He needs to interact with others his own age."

"Well… Martha and I were planning on attending the Queens' next charity party in Star City. Should we bring Bruce? They do have a little boy about his age."

"And just where are we taking Bruce?" Mrs. Wayne asked as she entered her husband's study.

"To the next charity event, Darling. Robert and Moira Queen have a boy about his age… As do Lionel and Letitia Luthor."

********Break********

Bruce's POV

"Come on, Chum." Daddy said as I followed him and Mommy into the Queens' mansion.

They approached a blonde couple arguing about something. The woman looked close to tears. Daddy cleared his throat as we approached them. He put his hand on my shoulder and prodded me forward.

"Robert, Moira, this is our son, Bruce."

"Nice to meet you." The lady replied before smiling down at me as I gripped Mommy's hand. "How old are you, Bruce?"

"Five."

"Our Oliver's around your age. He's up in his room if you'd like to play with him."

"Go on, Chum." Daddy prodded as Mommy pushed me forward.

I nodded before following their directions to Oliver's bedroom. When I opened the door, I was nearly hit with a plastic flying arrow. A blonde boy padded over to me, carrying a toy bow.

"Sowwy." He said before looking up at me. "Whooah you?"

"Bruce… I take it you're Oliver?" I asked as he nodded.

"I'm twee!" he shouted as he held up four fingers instead of three.

"I'm five."

"Wanna pway Robin Hood?" he asked as I shrugged.

"I'd rather play Zorro, but whatever."

"Kay, we gots to find the shewiff."

"Who?" I asked as he turned and ran from the room and out in the hallway.

I blinked before following him. I peered down the hallway as I heard someone scream. I ran towards the noise and found Oliver on the floor crying with an older kid with red hair standing over him and laughing.

"Hey!" I yelled as the older boy turned to me.

"And you must be Bruce Thomas Wayne. I am Alexander Joseph Luthor." He replied, holding out his hand.

I ignored the gesture and asked, "What did you do to him?"

"H-he p-pushed m-me!" The blonde screamed.

"Why'd you push him?" I growled as the older boy rolled his eyes and ignored me. "I asked you a question."

"I wouldn't take that tone with me, Wayne." He threatened.

"And I wouldn't go around pushing others around, Luthor." I growled back at him as he glared down at me. "Why did you push him?"

"Because, I am the Sheriff of Nottingham."

"That doesn't mean you had to push him down."

"No, it means you have to eliminate those standing in your way." He replied as footsteps approached.

All of our parents came. Oliver's mother picked him up as he continued to cry. His father patted his back before asking, "What's wrong, Speedy?"

Speedy?

Daddy placed his hand on my shoulder and asked, "What happened, Chum?"

"He pushed Oliver."

"Children will be children." Luthor's father sighed before patting his son's hair. "Come along, Lex."

The Luthors left without an apology or nothing.

********Break********

Alfred's POV

"How was the event?" I asked as the Waynes returned from their evening out.

"Eventful." Master Thomas sighed before handing Master Bruce over to me. "See that he has a bath before bed, Alfred. Thank you. We're going to bed."

I climbed the stairs after them carrying the young master. I helped him get undressed as I waited for the tub to fill. He yawned and rubbed his eyes as I placed him in the water.

"Did you have fun tonight?" I asked as he shrugged and reached for his action figures. "Did you make any friends tonight?"

"You're the only friend I need, Alfred… Besides, Lex is a butthole and Ollie's a crybaby."