#Poor Alfred doesn’t deserves such a wild child

[glow-worms-are-believers]

Lost and Found (dp x dc)

Alfred sighed as he looked over the wide gymnasium, thinking to himself that he shouldn’t have listened to Leslie. Community service was all well and good as a way to connect with people, but overseeing an inter-school bakery-sale-and-science-fair combined event was proving to be more chaotic than anything else.

As another child dropped yet another just-bought desert on the floor, Alfred slunk into the shadows deciding to let the clean-up be someone else’s task for once. As he got further and further from the main hubbub, the ex(?)-butler arrived near a small exit door and snuck out quitely. As the fresh air hit his face, Alfred let out a breath. Seeing so many children around had him thinking of his charge and where he could possibly be.

The older man hadn’t brought a pack, since he’s been going to a school, but in the moment he wished he had. Sighing once again, Alfred shook off the craving as he took a few steps towards the communal school garden when the sight of a black-haired boy sitting with his back to him had him freezing. A second later his brain caught up to him, reminding him that this was not young master Bruce. The crushing disappointment he felt as he recognized the boy in front of him was much to small to be his little master Bruce surprised him by its intensity.

Alfred took a moment to compose himself before he cleared his throat. The noise had the figure flinching and turning their head towards the older man. Then, as the boy caught sight of the older man, he seemed to slump. Seeing that he was unlikely to speak up first, Alfred took it upon himself to start the conversation.

“Might I inquire what you are doing outside, young man?”

The boy’s shoulder slumped even more though he still answered. “Haven’t got any sweets to sell,” he mumbled.

“Oh?” Alfred sounded out. “Why is that?”

“My cookies ate my homework so I had to put them down,” said the boy as he finally raised his head, long-suffering

But Alfred could only breathe a faint “Indeed?” as the boy’s features were exposed. The resemblance with master Bruce was so uncanny that the butler had trouble looking away. But as he examined him more closely he could see some minute differences. The boy didn’t have the sharp jawline both mister Wayne and master Bruce had shared. His nose was smaller than master Bruce’s and his eyes were paler than the darker blue passed down through the Wayne line. The sight of a face so similar and yet not quite like master Bruce had his mind jumping to the portrait hung above the manor’s fireplace and the face of the toddler sitting on his mother’s lap as a slightly older child stood beside her with his father’s hand on his shoulder.

Everyone had bemoaned the two-fold tragedy of the Waynes. First to lose their youngest son at such a young age, only to be themselves brutally murdered only a few months later. All was left of the previously illustrious Waynes was a grief-stricken eight-year-old who had just lost his brother and parents in such a short period of time. Alfred sighed as he remembered how angry master Bruce was at his inability to find out to this day what had happened to his brother. The man half-suspected this was how the young man had developed such an obsession with solving mysteries.

Once again having to focus back on the boy in front of him, Alfred smiled at the boy. Then, the boy’s word registered and the man let out an amused huff. “You had no choice but to put an end to that, I suppose. Cookies as spirited as yours would sell poorly in any case.”

“Oh you’ve got no idea,” muttered the young man as he pushed himself to his feet only for his hand to slip on the wet wood surrounding the gardening plots and falling face-first onto the hard wooden surface.

“Oh dear!” exclaimed Alfred as he darted to assist the boy in straightening up. The boy groaned in pain as he held his nose and Alfred could see drops of red falling down.

“Here,” said the older man as he handed the boy a fabric handkerchief.

“Thanks,” the teen croaked as he accepted it.

“Put your head between your knees,” Alfred instructed. “Breathe through your mouth.”

The boy offered a thumbs-up as he complied. Alfred waited patiently by the teen as he kept the handkerchief held against his nose. After a moment, the boy held it away experimentally and when he felt no more blood flowing he turned towards Alfred.

“Thanks,” he said before he looked down at the red-stained white fabric. “I can wash it and return it if you give me a return address.”

“It’s alright,” Alfred refused. “I don’t mind washing it.”

“Thanks,” repeated the boy as he handed the older man the handkerchief back, as he got to his feet, this time more gingerly. “I best get back before my friends start looking for me.”

“Be careful on the way back,” Alfred couldn’t help saying.

The boy hummed and as he turned around for a final wave goodbye, their eyes connected and Alfred felt a jolt travel through his body. Though the pale blue of Danny’s eyes was not the distinctive shade of the Waynes, it was however identical to the color of the late Martha Wayne’s eyes. As the boy opened the exit door and disappeared in the crowd of people, Alfred looked down at the blood-stained handkerchief.

He knew there was a less than infinitesimal chance. Still. What would it hurt to make absolutely sure?

[scandalsavagefanfic]

DC Kink Meme Prompts List

Since the kink meme is getting a lot of attention and growing daily, I thought I’d post a convenient place where I can keep track of the prompts that I’d like to see filled again. I figure you’re all here because we share similar interests and this way, if you’re a writer with looking for a prompt, you don’t have to scroll through the almost 400 prompts that are currently posted. 

So here we go. Beware, this is a kink meme. These are nsfw and some may be triggering. 

JayDick Watersports -  Filled HERE

sub!Jason & Dom!Dick are in a consensual D/s relationship that has a heavy Master/slave dynamic (whether 24/7 or primarily during sex is up to you!). They're on a stakeout one night, and it's really cold, and, aw, fuck, Dick needs to piss, but he doesn't want his dick to freeze. Good thing he's got his bitch there with him, right? Dick pissing in Jay's ass preferred just to show the level of not caring about Jay's comfort [it's still cold!], but totally not gonna complain about piss drinking, either, if Dick's feeling a little more charitable. Is Jay surprised because it's the first time Dick has done this? Is this a normal, expected duty that he performs regularly? That's up to you!

Tim/Jason A/B/O - Filled

In an A/B/O world where omegas are in charge and alphas are treated like animals, or kept as pets, CEO Tim decides to treat himself to a new toy and buys Jason. Feel free to go as wild as you like with the kinks, I'm pretty unsquickable

Tim/Jason Stalker!Tim - Filled on the Meme by anon and HERE (by me)

Older Tim, younger Jason, where Tim's stalking gets a little obsessive once Jason takes over as Robin, and he starts stalking Jason out of costume as well as at night. A little judicious hacking later and he's able to keep an eye on Jason's internet activity too. Once he finds Jason looking at gay porn he knows he's got an in. And he starts blackmailing Jason, online at first, but escalating every time he gets Jason to go a little further, until he gets him to submit in person.

Slade/Dick/Jason - Filled amazingly HERE

Dick's been with Slade for a while, and now that he's stopped fighting and given into his training, Slade thinks he deserves a reward. Every good boy deserves a puppy, and Batman's new Robin looks like he could fit the role perfectly.

Jason Todd - Object Insertion - Filled on the meme (art)

Honestly, that's all I've got for you. I just want someone making Jason take things up his ass that have no business being there. Consensual or not are both fine! Any ship, though definitely a strong preference for Roy, Slade, Tim, Kyle, Dick, Roman or Ra's. Preferably not underage, but I'm not entirely opposed.

Ra's/Jason - Filled HERE

Ra's test drives an undunked Jason. The boy must be useful for something, after all, and he looks so pretty in chains. ABO welcome. 

Prompt- Pegging (Jason) - Filled HERE

Jason gets pegged by one (or more ;)) of the lovely ladies of the DC universe. And enjoys it thoroughly Pairing is dealer's choice. <3

Bruce/Jason 

Bruce takes in Jason off the streets, but more for use as a personal whore than to be Robin. Bonuses for Bruce still adopting Jason and getting off on fucking his son. EXTRA bonus points for Alfred's unfazed acceptance/support of it and perhaps even his participation.

Jason Todd Intercrural Sex - Filled on meme

This man deserves more thigh fucking and so do we! All ships welcome!

No Title - Bruce/Jason, Dick finds out Bruce has been sexually abusing Jason

One of the other prompts made me realize that while there are a lot of fics where Jason discovers Bruce has been abusing Dick, there are none the other way around and suddenly I have a craving. So I would like for Dick to find out (maybe right after Jason returns, Dick catches them and overhears Bruce say something to indicate it used to happen regularly) that Bruce had been sexually abusing Jason since the moment he found him and try to save him. And like, because of his background as a child prostitute, Jason kind of thinks it's normal or that it's the only way he could earn love? Maybe Bruce implies that Jason is useless otherwise and he'd end up back on the streets if he's not useful. Maybe Bruce is even happy to point out that the reason he never even considered touching the others is because they were too good for it, pure and wholesome, while Jason was ruined goods.

Dick/Jason fuck-or-die bottom!Jay 

I would absolutely kill to see a fic where Dick is forced to fuck Jason (for whatever reason but preferably not due to sex pollen/aphrodisiacs/drugs - I would prefer if they were both in their right minds please) Preferably they wouldn't be in a relationship or have secret feelings for each other and this would be mutual noncon/rape with a focus on how horrified they are that they're having to do this to each other. I would really, really like if it was bottom!Jason for this, but that there is acknowledgement that Dick is being raped here too!

Skeezy Ric Grayson

One specific fic I read has completely coloured my perception of Ric, and now I'm just desperate to see him being a total creep. Perving on his siblings and former friends. Would love to see him not take no for an answer, especially with someone who doesn't want to fight back because "it's still Dick in there somewhere, I can't hurt him" or something like that. Preference for Wally (HiC who?) or Jason, but Tim, Roy, Babs or Donna would be okay, too! A/B/O with Alpha!Ric would be a bonus but isn't necessary.

Cassie/Rose bondage spanking and D/s, semi-dubious consent

Cassie has had enough of Rose mouthing off and causing trouble, so she ties her up with her lasso and lectures her. Rose mockingly asks her if she’s going to spank her for being a bad girl, and much to her surprise, Cassie does. They both enjoy it much more than expected

Nyssa/Talia

Nyssa/Talia, set post-Death and the Maidens, Talia restrained while Nyssa gets her off, begging to be allowed to reciprocate. Bonus points for twisty fucked up Nyssa POV with all kinds of big global megalomaniacal justifications for what she's doing and how important it is to the greater good. (Reposted from old DC kinkmeme)

Jason Todd/Dick Grayson/Roy Harper/Koriand’r

Kori loves watching her subs play with each other and rewards them well for good behavior

JayTim hatesex

Jason and Tim having incestuous-sibling-rivalry-hate-sex against the memorial

Any Bats/???, Alfred has to clean up

Poor Alfred often gets stuck cleaning up the mess when any of the family bring partners over. The crackier the circumstances the better!

Slade/Jason identity porn

Slade and Jason fuck while in costume as and pretending to be Batman and Nightwing respectively

Kyle Rayner/any

Kyle winds up working as a stripper somehow. Some other heroes find out and pay him a visit

Batfam/Jason; non con or resigned-to-his-fate cumdumpster!Jason

Could also be Earth-3 Owlfam/Jason. A/B/O welcome but it doesn't have to be. Would appreciate any one or combination of the following: dehumanization/objectification, humiliation, public sex, breeding kink, restraints, fucking machines, cum enemas, lots of cum in general, size kink... I just want something unapologetically filthy. I'm pretty much good with everything but scat.

Dick/Tim non/dub-con, universe hopping

Dark Dick from a dark universe ends up in the main universe, where he is delighted to find a brand new Timmy to play with, who unconditionally trusts his brother and doesn't know he's been replaced. Cue Dick slowly luring him in so he can have his fun. Tim doesn't realize until it's too late, or doesn't realize at all and has no idea how his beloved older brother could do this to him. Main universe has fully platonic, familial relationships within in the batfam. Feel free to imply/state anything you like about the dark universe. Grooming/slowly warming Tim up to more and more touches, crying, overstimulation, bondage, or any combination thereof are all bonuses

Young Justice S3 Dick/Jason omegaverse

Alpha!Dick Grayson is stuck on a mission and somehow has to help the mysterious Red-Hooded omega through his heat. But they have to stay quiet in order to not wake the pup Damian sleeping right next to them. Preferably there's an identity reveal in there where Dick finds out the omega is Jason Todd under the mask.

Addict!Roy Harper Noncon

Noncon (or possibly dubcon, if the manipulation is clear enough to readers) with Snowbirds Don't Fly era!Roy Harper as the victim. Could be an OC, another Titan, a Leaguer, a canon villain... Dealer's choice! Looking for something that really focuses on how he's being taken advantage of, rather than just "can't technically consent because he's high, but is totally into it."

Woder Woman/Batman, Rough Sex

Bruce loves it when Diana is rough with him

Bane/Bruce, violent noncon

Something set during Knightfall, where Bane decides to take “breaking the Bat” even further by raping Bruce and possibly also his precious little Robin

Jay/Tim bdsm AU, sub Jay

What it says on the tin. Was thinking maybe also an arranged marriage of sub Jason to dom Tim Drake, to cement a business union but also because subs aren’t full citizens.

Robin!Jason/Bruce Somnophilia

Bruce drugs his new little Robin and slips into his room. He takes his time with him, enjoying Jason before carefully opening and fucking him. Would be great if Jason wakes up towards the end but can't do anything but take it- maybe because of the drugs, maybe because of the way Bruce is holding him down, or even because he likes it.

Sidekicks/Villains noncon glory wall

Any sidekicks you want—Speedy, the Robins and Batgirls, Kid Flash and Impulse, the Wonder girls, etc.—being displayed in a glory wall, leaving their holes open for fucking. Interested villains can pay to fuck any hole they desire, and they enjoy wrecking the sidekicks and filling them with come

Robin!Jason/Villains & Henchmen?

Robin Jason gets captured and tied up by the villain of the week, who decides to take advantage of the situation. Robin is blindfolded and groped/fucked by the villain and maybe some henchmen while waiting for Batman to rescue him. Batman finding a bound and blind Jay too tempting to resist is a bonus.

Dickjay daddy kink

Older! Dick and bottom! Jason. Jason came back years later and Dick is around 40.

OmegaJason/Batfam first heat, lactation

It's Jason's first heat and the alphas of the pack know that his milk is on its way soon. All it needs is a little encouragement. A few knots and some nipple play should do it. His milk tastes perfect as it starts to flow.

Jason/Dick, Jason/RomanSionis, Hooker!Jason & Officer Grayson

So this is based off a discussion from AGES ago in the jayroman discord server that I still think about to this day XD A no capes au in which Jason never gets picked up by Bruce and ends up a crime alley prostitute who somehow along the way caught the eye of Black Mask and winds up working for him. And Black Mask has basically the whole city in his pocket, including the police force, which is why it’s so annoying when this little upstart, Officer Dick Grayson, starts to try to challenge his hold on the city, the little goody two-shoes denying any and all bribes and refusing to back down in the face of threats. And it should be easy to squash one annoying little bug, but somehow all attempts have failed and he can’t openly go after him without risking his reputation as a clean, law-abiding businessman, a reputation that’s slowly starting to unravel thanks to the dogged efforts of Officer Grayson, because the little shit is annoyingly not as stupid as his attempts to go after Roman would make him seem and despite all of Roman’s power and having basically the entire police force and the various other government officials Roman has in his pocket against him, he has made far too much headway in his endeavors So Roman gives Jason the job of seducing Dick, because if bribery and threats don’t work, video evidence of an officer fucking an underage hooker makes excellent blackmail material, and should be enough to take him down for good if he ever steps a toe out of line again Except no matter how Jason tries to seduce him, Dick is just too decent a guy to take advantage (Ex: Jason: *shows up wearing even more revealing clothes than the night before.* Dick: “You must be cold, here, take my jacket.” etc.) And before he knows it, Jason finds himself growing weirdly fond of the infuriating idiot with his stupid puns and painful sincerity

Roman Sionis/Jason Todd, AOB noncon impregnation gang rape

Intersex AOB verse. Roman wants to punish and claim the upstart omega, so he plugs Jason’s cunt and lets his men anally rape Jason until the omega begs Roman to breed his pussy

TimKon, a/b/o, alpha!Tim, bottom Conner

Humans have a/b/o. Kryptonians do not. Alpha!Tim thinks that he shouldn't bother Kon about Tim's rut. Kon thinks otherwise. Whether Kon can keep up with Tim (superpowers got to be good for something, right?) or is overwhelmed is up to anon :) I am absolutely unsquickable so whatever extra kinks are fine with me. Just please top!Tim only. Please, my crops are dying.

past romanjay now mobJay, gangbang

After getting tired with his new toy, Roman decided to just give his subordinates a chance to have fun with it. But mostly he just want to see the red hood to get more humiliated after destroying his empire.

Damian Wayne/Jason Todd, bestiality

It's time for Damian to introduce his new acquired pet to the pack, Titus and Ace.

Tim gags and spanks Damian

Red Robin has to take Robin out on patrol because Batman is away, Damian is reckless and keeps disobeying orders so Tim punishes him while having him gagged for being mouthy. can progress to something more sexual but doesn't have to be. Damian secretly enjoying it is a bonus.

Deathstroke/All the Robins

Slade really has a thing for fighting and chasing after Batbrats…

Rose/Jason mommy kink edging and pegging

Jason wants to be a good boy for mommy, Rose rewards his good behavior

Jason Todd/Kyle Rayner hatesex - Filled

I’d love some rough, angry, violent hatesex between these two. Bonus points for snarky asshole bottom!jason and kyle using his ring to make restraints/other kinky constructs ;)

Flashpoint!Father Todd/Incubus!Dick

Incubus!Dick seduces Father Todd. Jason holds out longer than most but Dick prides himself on being irresistible. He’s never failed before and he doesn’t plan to start now. But maybe, instead of his usual dine-and-ditch MO, Dick think’s he might like to savor this meal for long. Jason falls so beautifully. (bottom Jason please) Catholic aesthetics, blasphemy as kink, church sex (altar, confessional, pews, etc)

Flashpoint Thomas Wayne/Father Todd

Thomas Wayne as Batman bends Father Todd over the altar. In uniform. (At least for Thomas. It would be super hot if he strips Father Todd out of his robes first. Maybe everything except his rosary?)

Jason/Tim rape

Tim ties down Jason and rides(rapes) him. Pls let Tim use Jason as nothing but a mere meat dildo.

Titans/Dick, Titans/Jason, Titans/Tim consensual gangbang - Filled

The not-so-secret tradition of team bonding by fucking the current Bat on the Teen Titans is well-adhered to, especially given the enthusiastic consent of all participants Feel free to include any or all: garden sex, pool sex, power use, DP, riding, pegging, toy use, CBT, nipple play, cockwarming, CFNM/CMNM, and consensual somno All other kinks welcome excluding scat, watersports, emeto, ageplay, vore, and anything else bloody

Thomas Elliot/Bruce Wayne (Rape/Non-con)

Bruce doesn't realise how obsessed Thomas really is with him. Leads to Hush raping Bruce. Can be when Bruce knows who Hush is or when he still doesn't know.

Evil!Dick and Jason, noncon or dubcon

Jason comes back to his safehouse and is surprised to find Dick already there. After the initial surprise, Jason is quick to find out that there's something... off, about this Dick. He's not acting like his usual self. It turns out this isn't the usual Dick that Jason is familiar with, instead, he is a darker version of him (drugged? Talon from Earth-3 that somehow ends up in the main universe? other possibilities? all welcome options!), and this Dark!Dick is obsessed with Jason and wants to fuck him... and he doesn't take no for an answer. So there's a setup for a non-con or dub-con(in case Jason also has a crush on main Dick) for you. Restraints (gags, ropes, tapes etc.) are also welcome but doesn't have to be present.

Kon-El/Lex Luthor Daddy Kink DubCon

Lex genetically programmed Kon to need his daddy to fill him up when he created him. Lex made Kon to check all his boxes (ie Superman, something he made, a gifted teenager). Kon can’t actually consent because of programming, and he doesn’t want it until he’s getting it. Can be simple daddy kink or full of abdl. Bonus points for trans!Kon

Guy Gardner/Bunch of Aliens possible Dubcon/Noncon

Macho, hotheaded, shit-talking Guy is the embodiment of hyper-masculinity, and that arrogance of his gets him into a lot more than just a bar fight. All of Guy's enemies seem to be of the huge, muscular variety, so let's see the most stocky lantern get put in his place. Does he secretly love it? Does he outright hate it? Maybe all that shit-talking was just a ploy to finally get someone to "punish" him right. The choice is up to you. Maybe it's a bunch of random aliens Guy's ticked off in a bar. Maybe all that showboating's pissed off Kilowog or Arkillo. Maybe Lobo's still put out after being tricked one too many times by Guy. Perhaps, Atrocitus's still kinda harboring a grudge for Guy kicking him out of the Red Lanterns. Then there's always the way too touchy Dementor with his Vuldarian kin. I'm all for any other kinks or situations, I just would prefer no bathroom stuff. Go absolutely wild.

Black Mask/anyone, bathroom control, omorashi - Filled on meme

I'm a simple person with simple needs: Roman controlling whether or not someone's allowed to piss. can be consensual or noncon torture, the victim can end up pissing themselves or make it to the bathroom safely. just as long as Roman's in total control of the situation, and smug about it. bonus points: tears, begging, banter, degradation, embarrassment, additional torture, anything else along those lines. watersports only, please, no scat!

Roy Clones/Dick gangbang omegaverse

YJ season 3 episode 4 has excellent gangbang material just so you know Add omegaverse to it and its perfect Noncon/dubcon is accepted also

Titans/Jason Gangbang

Prefer comics based more than the show but either is fine. Dick and his friends welcome the new Robin the Titans way, by breaking in that hole. New kid is always the team toy, and it's even more fun now that it's Nightwing's bratty kid brother. Consensual or non con, dealer's choice. Double (or triple) penetration, dirty talk, and powers used for sex are favorite kinks but I'm good with pretty much anything.

Willis Todd/Jason Todd, Mob/Jason; Incest and forced underage prostitution

Willis pimps out his kid for cash and drugs. Catherine either pretends she doesn't know or knows and helps/doesn't care. And like any good salesman, he makes sure to test out his product to make sure it's up to snuff. 

Make it cruel and awful and hopeless. Dehumanizing and degrading. Jason is just a hole to sell and use. belting in sensitive areas, beatings, violent sex, cum play, blood play... I just want something dark and nasty. 

____________________________________________________

Woo! Ok. I’ll try to keep this up the best I can. I’ll link/mark when prompts are filled so that you guys can check it out if you want (all filled prompts can be reached by the link in the title, but some have ao3 links that I put on the “Filled” note). 

I’ll also reblog this with any new prompts that come up or if I find I’ve forgotten one. 

[memorydragon]

So this went over well in the swb server when I held an impromptu 2 hour story hour at 2 am.  I figured I’d clean it up a little and spread the angst.

Warning: Suicide mentions.  Also, Major Character death who haunts people after he’s dead because Always a Ghost.

So Bruce was a lonely child, with a big manor and both his parents loving him, but also being very busy with being a doctor/running a company/so forth.  So Bruce takes a shine to one of the butlers who likes looking after him.  Alfred always has time to talk to him, and listens to Bruce's wild ideas and stories. And Bruce will talk to his parents about Alfred.

Martha and Thomas try to remember if there's someone on the staff named Alfred, because obviously he deserves a raise, but they find no one.  So they assume Alfred is an imaginary friend and go along with it because the boy is lonely and they need to take him out more often.

Then they get shot.  Or Wayned in the terms of the swb server.

And suddenly, all Bruce has is Alfred.  And Alfred is going to take care of Bruce.

So when talk of what to do with Bruce Wayne comes about, the notion is put into everyone's head that he has a legal guardian.  There may have even been some forged papers.  The rest of the staff slowly leave as they find new jobs That Alfred finds for them so it's only him and Bruce left, and no one questions that. Bruce takes a bus down to the city when he needs to go somewhere, and a lot of things are just... taken care of.  

Then Bruce leaves to go training, and Alfred can't leave the manor.  He drifts for a while, wondering if he should just fade away after all this time, but then Bruce comes back and things go back to normal.  Except for there's a Bat under the manor now, but Alfred can manage that.

Then Dick comes in.

Dick has no idea who this Alfred is that Bruce keeps talking about.  But he also doesn't want to say anything because this is also Batman, who is tracking down the guy who murdered his parents.  Also, billionaires are supposed to be eccentric.  Maybe it’s just a rich thing.

After being shocked for a while about it, he mostly just rolls with it.  And he starts to notice that things just get done  Like, tea gets made.  Bruce talks to walls, but he's on the other side of the room when the door opens.  Dick has never actually found the washing machine to do laundry, but his clothes are cleaned and folded.

Dick grew up in the circus, and performers tend to be a superstitious lot, so he automatically thinks DON'T BE MEAN TO THE GHOST and is then on his best behavior whenever he thinks the ghost is around.  He tries to appease it so it won't haunt him, but really, the ghost is pretty nice all things considered. 

Slowly, he starts to not quite see him like Bruce does, but he senses Alfred.  And sometimes he can hear him scolding him when Dick is hanging from the chandlers.  

Dick sets the rules for the children who follow him.  He may have been on the outs with Bruce at the time, but the moment Bruce brought Jason home, he had a serious talk about Being Nice to the Ghost outside of Bruce’s hearing.  And how you just Don’t Mention the ghost to Bruce in any terms but calling it Alfred.

It becomes a thing, that the Batfam all warns each other to just not mention anything to Bruce.  Like, they assume he knows that he talks to a ghost and just doesn’t give a flip what anyone else thinks.  That’s just always been Bruce’s way and the poor guy saw his parents shot in front of him when he was eight, so they’re not going to judge.  Or let anyone else judge him.   They're not gonna let anyone make fun of him for that, even if it's fam.

Plus the ghost bakes fantastic cookies and will let you have some for playing along.  This ghost, if you treat him right, takes care of you like he does Bruce.

Tim is the first one who sees Alfred like Bruce does.

(As a side note, I was asked about Jason being Dead, and my response was that Jason's not tied to the manor and is Al Gul'ed)

Tim has always had the ability to see ghosts.  He's seen them all the time.  So when he sees Bruce talking to a ghost, he's relieved that someone else can too.   But he starts to realize that Bruce doesn't know he's talking to a ghost.

Bruce has always seen Alfred.  He's never known Alfred was dead.

And Tim doesn't know what to do about it.  He's just a kid who wanted to be Robin and stalked his heroes.  Alfred finally takes him aside and asks if he really needs to do anything.  And so Tim just sort of rolls with it, even waves Dick off when Dick comes with the Treat the Ghost Right convo.

And the rest of the fam trickle in.  Cass can hear Alfred, but can't see him.  He’s always there to help her when she’s having trouble talking.  Jason feels ripped off that he was dead and still can't see Alfred now that he's alive again, but he accepts it and is mollified by Alfred's cookies.  Stephanie never quite knows if she's spooked or not that the manor is haunted.  Kate's always known her cousin had... peculiarities, but she rolled with it and occasionally came by for ghost hugs when she had a fight with her girlfriend

Barbara gets messages all the time from Alfred, and she also never realized Alfred was a ghost because he's just... always talking through messages.  She respects that, especially after she becomes Oracle and more or less does the same for all of her fam.

Then the League happens, and everyone is on edge of what to do with the situation.  But then Batman lets it known that the others aren't welcome in Gotham without permission because Gotham is an Eldritch God in terms of driving people insane, so they just let it go.

But then Diana and Clark run into Kryptonite and Diana drags Clark to Bruce's door because he's closest and they need help now and Bruce, of course, lets them in and gets to work on getting the kryptonite out of Clark's body.  Because staying out of Gotham doesn’t mean people can’t come to his door and ask for help and seeing Clark in Pain and Diana worried is a terrible thing that twists like a knife in his own gut.

And the fam is all scattered about, they don't even know anyone else is at the manor.  It was just a random night Bruce decided to stay in and chat with Alfred, trusting the fam to have Gotham handled for one night.  So nobody was there to warn Clark and Diana to Not Say Anything about the ghost.

Bruce keeps talking to Alfred, and Diana is stressed and Clark is in pain and one of them just says "Bruce, no one is there."

Bruce doesn't understand.  Because Alfred is right there next to him.  He's completely solid (though he's British so he doesn't touch Bruce often, only on special occasions), talks to him like normal.

Finally, he's just like, whatever, kryptonite needs to go now so shut up and help him.  But they get through that and once Clark is healed, Diana and Clark are concerned because Bruce is talking to a wall and only people who have been there long enough can actually sense Alfred.

Alfred messages Barbara, who messages Dick, who then rides like a bat out of hell to get to the manor because it's Alfred.  Even when Bruce was dead and he was saddled with Damian who didn't believe in ghosts, Alfred was always there.  

(Damian came around eventually.  He even named his cat Alfred.  Duke, who comes around even later, also likes ghost hugs when he's down.)  

And by that point, Clark, the investigative journalist has called Lois and they're trying to prove to Bruce that this "Alfred" isn't in any of the records, and what the fuck did the Gotham Police do that left a child in a manor all by themselves.

(Commissioner Gordon resents that, because he's one of the few Alfred Made An Effort into actually being seen due to having to convince him to let him take custody of Bruce.  He was exhausted for a month after and could barely look after Bruce the way he needed to.)

And Dick, kind of panicking at this point, just races in, not seeing Bruce in the room but seeing both Clark and Diana there and he's just like DON'T MENTION THE GHOST.

Alfred, at this point, face palms.  

Bruce, at this point, is Very Confused and Very Concerned.  So Alfred nudges Dick to take care of Diana and Clark as he takes Bruce aside to explain.

Alfred was a butler to the Waynes years ago, long before Thomas and Martha were there.  He was also utterly miserable with his life.  No matter what he did, everything just got worse.  Finally, he couldn't take it any more.  He hung himself in the kitchen of the manor, being found by the family like that the next day.  But instead of oblivion, he found himself still at the manor.  And he couldn't leave. 

So for years he just sort of... drifted.  No one could see him, and he was still utterly miserable, but he couldn't go anywhere.  But now he could fade in and out, reaching a sort of oblivion that dulled the ache.  Years passed, the manor changed and upgraded, and he barely noticed.

Then Bruce was born.  And Bruce, being Bruce, was a demanding baby who wanted to be born RIGHT THERE AND THEN, DAMN IT, not even letting Martha get to the hospital.  Good thing she married a doctor, because Bruce was born in the manor.

Alfred was more cognizant that night for whatever random happenstance/fate, and when he looked in to see what all the fuss was about, baby Bruce stopped crying.  At that point, Bruce couldn't actually see ghosts or sense them, because it's not in his blood or anything, but he grew calm when Alfred drew nearer and Alfred...  It was just a baby.  It was alive, and he wasn't.  He went back to his non-life of suffering.

Soon he realized though, that though Martha and Thomas tried to be good parents and loved Bruce unconditionally, they were often just not there.  They were busy af, and only had so much time for a baby.  So when Bruce started walking, Alfred had to become substantial to stop the baby from running into things and killing himself.  For some reason, he just sort of... started looking after Bruce.  

It wasn't long before he really became attached to the toddler, and he started using his ghostly powers to mold the baby's mind into being receptive to ghosts so that Bruce wouldn't be so lonely all the time.  Because nannies weren't the most attentive sometimes, and occasionally they had to be changed when the nannies spoke to the tabloids and so forth.  Alfred wasn’t sure when the hired help became so utterly useless in Gotham, but damn it, he was actually going to fulfill his duty to the Waynes and look after the child.

The child was so smart and quiet, but often shy.  Alfred had never intended to keep the fact that he was a ghost from Bruce, but at the same time, how do you explain to a five year old that you were hanging in the very kitchen Bruce always found him in?  In the words of Edna St. Vincent Millay, Childhood is a Kingdom Where Nobody Dies.  Children don't understand death like adults do, and Alfred didn't want to confuse him.  He'd always meant to tell Bruce one day.

But then Martha and Thomas Got Wayned.

Finding out that Alfred was already dead would just make things so much worse for Bruce.  Not to mention Alfred had no intention of letting Bruce be foisted off to unknown relatives while his money was spent before he was old enough to use it.  So Alfred "arranged" certain things, made a few appearances in dreams, slipped a few papers in the right places, and generally convinced everyone that he was going to take charge of raising Bruce, even though he'd been dead for a century.  

And it just... never got mentioned after that.  Dick coming into their lives surprisingly didn't change the status quo.  It just went on like that, until Diana and Clark happened.

And Bruce, he has no idea what to make of all of that.  He'd never even considered he was the only one who could really see Alfred aside from Tim.  It hits him really hard that he'd technically lost Alfred before he'd ever been born.  And of course, if Alfred was a ghost, why didn't his parents also come to see him?  

Bruce just needs time to process.  He goes to his parent's graves, trying to get a handle on his feelings and wondering where Alfred was buried.  Had he even been buried in a proper graveyard?  Considering suicide was thought to be a terrible thing and well, you know how that goes.

Diana and Clark kind of follow him/hang back, because after things have been explained to them they feel terrible about all of this.  They convince Bruce to go back to the manor, where Alfred is waiting, same as always.  Though now Bruce notices if he concentrates, he can start to see through Alfred, and things he had always taken for granted as Alfred's quirks were suddenly seen in a new light.

Alfred though, he tells Bruce he'll always be there, just like he has been all these years.  It isn't like he can actually leave, after all.  And Bruce comes to terms with this, especially after Alfred gives him a hug.

Things go back to normal after that, as normal as it can be when your butler is a ghost at any rate.  The superhero community accepted this fairly easily, because superheroes come up against weird shit every other Tuesday, so it’s fairly on par. You just learned fairly early on that ghost or no ghost, you did not mess with Wayne manor.  Diana and Clark even started to sense Alfred because they hung around enough, and they always were respectful to the ghost that raised Batman.

But as the years go by, Alfred's ghostly powers are getting weaker and weaker. He used so much of his powers looking after Bruce and fam, that it’s started to take its toll on his soul.   And Bruce has always had this nagging feeling, that Alfred deserved to go to wherever good people go to rest after dead, whatever religion you believe in.  Alfred deserved to rest.  He should be at peace, rather than suffering through what Gotham threw at them every day.

So he talks to the magic parts of the League, seeing if there's anyway to help spirits move on.  Alfred is really upset when he hears about this, but Bruce is Determined.  He wants to save what’s left of Alfred and give him the peace he’s long been owed.

He tells Alfred that he's okay.  He still loves Alfred very much and always will, but he can get by without him now.  Bruce became who he was today because of Alfred and he's never been prouder of that.  Alfred doesn't have to worry any more, because he was going to be okay.  Alfred could move on.  He could rest.

And Bruce is crying as he says this, but Alfred deserves to finally be happy.  So he lets Alfred go.  And Alfred, surrounded by the family he created, finally goes to rest.  It’s the hardest thing Bruce has ever done, but he knows that Alfred isn’t alone any more, and that one day, maybe sooner or maybe later, Bruce will see him again in the place where no shadows fall.

[satire-please]

Take a Sad Song and Make it Better - Part 6

Day 6 - Best Rescue = A dire moment where someone comes through.

What would Bruce do without his boys?

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

It’s a den of wolves, a collection of monsters of the vilest kind.

Hungry, persistent thugs with the shiniest of teeth.  

It’s not a fight Bruce can punch his way out of.

In fact, he’s not allowed to punch anyone. Not with the saccharine smile he has to, needs to keep on his face.

“Mr. Wayne, Mr. Wayne can we get a statement for the Gotham Gazette?”

“Mr. Wayne, is it true today marks the thirtieth anniversary of your parents’ death?”

“Mr. Wayne, Do you think the Wayne legacy is still going strong? Or is it decaying each year?”

“Mr. Wayne–”

“Mr. Wayne–”

They’re worse than vultures. At least birds of prey stop picking at the bones once there’s no meat. But reporters keep unburying his dead, to check for marrow, to check over and over how Bruce Wayne feels. They want the story. They want to hear the story. It doesn’t matter how many times they’ve had it, they want it again. Bruce would rather be strapped to a chair by Joker than stay here another minute.

“Mr. Wayne, how do you think the late Mrs. Wayne would feel about your perpetual state of bachelorhood?”

At least then he could growl at his tormentors.

This was supposed to be a simple charity event, yes at an orphanage, which may have been his mistake. Like blood in the water, once a hint of the date got out, once they connected the dots…

Instead of one or two journalists to report the event, there’s fifteen.

Bruce hates them.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” He cajoles with a laugh, “You already know all this. What’s the point of investigating this old playboy?  The event of the night is over there! After all isn’t that why we’re all here? To sponsor and support those poor children in need?”

They can smell the unease, they shift gears and attack.

“Does that mean you plan to adopt a new ward?”

“Do you have a preference, Mr. Wayne? All your kids are black-haired boys.”

“What about a girl, Mr. Wayne!”

He’s never going to introduce them to Cass. Never. Bruce looks around, but the gang armed with microphones and cameras has firmly cornered him. His back pressed to the wall, and the fist in his coat pocket tightens. He clings to Brucie’s persona like a well-worn suit of armor.

“Come on now, don’t you think four kids is enough? You sound like child-hungry grannies.” Brucie smirks at them.

“But one of them is dead!”

The smirk drops.

The cameras zoom in to catch the flash in his eyes. The mob presses closer. Gluttonous men and women in Sunday best lick their lips at the crack of unknown emotion. “Oh, what happened to the circus kid? Why don’t we see him much anymore?”

Bruce evades with the best of them, “Maybe he’s outgrown Gotham, ever think about that? After all, I didn’t stay in Gotham when I was his age. I wanted to see the world. Dickie’s just following in his old man’s steps.”

They aren’t going to beat him at this game.

“But what of your third ward? Timothy Drake is–”

“Timothy Drake Wayne,” Bruce emphasizes strongly.

“What would your father think? Wouldn’t he think he’s running Wayne Enterprises into the ground? Last week, stocks dropped three points–”

“Three points in sales after raising fifteen points just last month.” A well-dressed man worms himself between Bruce’s chest and the crowd, “Honestly Mr. Colblair, I don’t know what you want more from me. If we compare stock prices from thirty years ago to now, the overall value of the company has gone up forty percent.”

Tim. Bruce feels his muscles slack. CEO of Wayne Enterprises grins boyishly on crunches before them. His hair rakishly falls in front of his face and a bunch of cameras go off immediately.

“Mr. Drake!”

“Mr. Drake Wayne, please.” Tim wobbles slightly forward on the crutches, putting himself directly in the middle of the mass. Slowly breaking it up. Genius really. “Or Tiny Tim, don’t I play the part?”

There is a round of polite laughter. Tim nudges the side of Bruce’s shoe with his. A hidden signal of ‘follow me.’

“But really, if you want a real interview I have some wonderful kids for you to meet! Please, the more positive publicity these orphans get, the more likely they’ll find stable homes of their own.”

Some of the new anchors twitch uncomfortably. Tim balances on one arm brace, Bruce grabbing his shoulder to stead him, the act is fake but the look of gratitude on Tim’s face is real.

It’s a good photo opp. Wow, his former Robin is good.

“Ms. Carol, Journalist of a Taste of Home, correct?”

“Y-Yes, Mr. Drake Wayne?”

He points to a little girl at the refreshments table, “Darling Natasha over there, baked many of the sugary delights for tonight’s event! One of her recipes would give your readers all the puff and fluff they need.”

Shamefaced the woman leaves. That makes fourteen left.

“Dr. Raymond, I thought your focus was collecting tidbits for SciShow? I’d like you to meet Eric...” Tim rambles off and directs another journalist away.

Steadily, Tim carves a path through the crowd. Cheerfully chirping suggestions and sassy commentary with Bruce trailing behind him. He can’t get rid of all of them, but the two get to the edge of the horde unscathed.

Bruce is so grateful, he might give the cameras the hug they’re always dying to see.

Instead, another form taps his foot impatiently, “Father, I demand your presence immediately.”

Damian Wayne is dubbed Gotham’s Spoiled Little Prince for a reason. Arms crossed under his red bow tie, half their audience coos, and chuckles at his scowl. It’s Gotham, so there’s nothing the people like more than a character.

And Damian’s stuffed to the brim with it.

“Yes, Dami? How can I help you, my boy?” Bruce reluctantly lets Tim go, lets him readjust the crutches for an injury he doesn’t have. A redhead woman eagerly leans to take in the scene. It makes Bruce need to duck his head. Anything to hide his disdain. Brucie is a mask he developed over the years for survival, but the act Tim has to put on is all because of one Vicki Vale.

“You can help me by keeping your promises. You were supposed to start assisting me with my research project an hour ago.”

Tim covers his mouth as Bruce gives Damian a guilty frown, “Sorry sport, I didn’t mean to get tied down.”

“Apologies mean nothing.” The preteen sniffs haughtily. “Walk me down to the car now.”

“You better go,” Tim says demurely. He leans in with a mock whisper. “Before he gets fussy.”

Damian clicks his tongue in a show of displeasure. He plops his hands on his hips and the cameras go wild.

Bruce is this close to cracking.

Dick has always been a media darling, but Tim and Damian can run circles around this crowd all night.  

“Don’t worry, I handle things here,” Tim says with a wink. He turns and puts Bruce at his back, facing the army of sharks on his own. “Now what was I saying again, Ms. Vale?”

They leave the orphanage, leave Tim behind to dazzle and direct the event the way it should be. Bruce makes a note to send Alfred in an hour and a half, he noticed the dark circles under the makeup. Tim’s running on fumes again. He needs a sleep day.

Alfred’s the best one to convince him to take it.

Tim deserves it.

Especially after a rescue like that.

But for now Bruce, no the Bat focuses on his other savior, “So what’s this ‘research project’ you need me for?”

Damian’s teeth are shiny and sharp in the dark. He’s sure his son could tear out throats with them. When they get in the car and he just hands him the cowl.

“Oh just blood spatter analysis on 123rd street, I’ve been practicing my identification.”

“Just like I taught you?”

“Of course, Batman.”

“Good, Robin.”

Bruce takes off Brucie and puts on the Bat. He’s got the best toys and the best boys.

“Now let’s go.”

[gallifreyanlibertea]

Love You Like That

a/n: this was inspired by a song of the same name. I just watched a sappy movie and I feel sappy so this is sappy. This is also a fill for a request that I’ve posted at the very end

“I’m free this week, finally.”

Arthur hummed in agreement, spoon hovering by his lips, “There’s that New Year’s Ball you have to prepare for though, remember?”

Alfred groaned and Arthur took a smiling sip of his soup.

See, Arthur had discovered that his fiancé was impatient. Well, there was nothing quite new about that fact if one really knew him, but seeing as Arthur had barely met the man before they’d been engaged, any bit of information was new to him.

Alfred was a sweetheart, and there was no doubt about it. His kingdom loved him, and he loved it. He loved every citizen, he loved every law enough to enforce it, he loved everything about his country so dearly in order to rule it as well as he did.

There was only one problem. Alfred, with his big, boyish heart, seemed to love everything except for Arthur.

“You like the soup?” Alfred shovelled in his pasta. “I had it made specially for you, since you loved it so much at that party in the Clubs Kingdom.”

“That’s kind of you,” Arthur said, and he dabbed his lips with his napkin, watching as Alfred inhaled his bread.

He would be a great husband. He was a great king.

Why wouldn’t he be? A king who single-handedly expanded the kingdom without a war or a conflict deserved some sort of praise, even if Arthur had been angry in the beginning.

And he’d had every right to be angry. To watch through the crack of his bedroom door as an arrogant child of a king told Arthur’s father he would make him rich upon merging kingdoms, something Arthur’s father agreed upon almost instantaneously due to the fact that he just wasn’t fit for rule.

The alpha was silver-tongued. He could convince anyone to do his bidding, it seemed. The talent of a true king. 

Besides, to Arthur’s father, it was killing two birds with one stone. One, to give away the kingdom that caused him so much stress; and two, to give a well-known, powerful king his omega son’s hand in marriage, securing a seat in the Spades Kingdom.

“I can just skip the practice for the ball,” Alfred concluded upon minutes of furrowed-brow pondering. “It wouldn’t be bad, it’s just one time, right?”

Alfred left no room for a response. “Besides, it’s not like anyone would protest me wanting to spend more time with my fiancé, now, would they?”

Arthur’s smile wavered. He gripped his spoon tighter in his hand. “No, I would think not.”

Arthur Kirkland, a man that used to be a prince, was reduced to an excuse.

That’s where the problem lied. See, he was regarded as goods to be traded. Arthur always knew his marriage would lie in politics, and he supposed he should be glad he was given to a younger king rather than one with a snowy beard like the ones he’d feared he’d have to call a husband when he was a child.

Despite this, Arthur also supposed it was his fault for expecting a fairy-tale romance to unfold, like the ones in the novels.

He supposed it was his fault for agreeing to meet his betrothed rather than be locked away in his room until the marriage.

“King Alfred wants to get to know you.” Arthur’s brothers had taunted, and it was his fault for stepping out, red-faced, to greet the alpha he’d wanted to strangle up until then-

And for looking into those beautiful blue eyes as the king brought Arthur’s hand up to place a kiss on its knuckles.

Arthur would’ve been better off convincing himself there would be nothing there. Instead, he’d signed himself up to suffer as he was dragged about the castle at the alpha’s convenience- so Alfred could get out of practices, so he could get out of work, so he could take a break.

An excuse. An item. A trade.

“Do you have to be home a certain time?”

“I don’t do much after dinner, so no,” Arthur muttered absent-mindedly, fingers tapping at the petals of the plump roses lined around the castle walls.

It warmed his heart, just a little bit.

He remembered telling Alfred, no- he remembered snapping, back when he was still in denial, back when he’d first trodden on the garden grass, after Alfred had made yet another smug comment about his vast kingdom.

“For an alpha so powerful, your castle looks awfully plain.”

Alfred had baulked, that arrogant expression on his face had slipped for just a moment before a smirk spread back onto his features, “And what would you have me do about that?”

Arthur had crossed his arms. “You could take a few lessons from my kingdom.”

Arthur had single-handedly planted every rose that dotted the grounds of his own palace, and he was proud of it too. He loved them- such regal flowers they were- so strikingly beautiful with a scent so fresh and faint.

“You could’ve picked any other flower, you know.” He had said, lips parted in silent awe as Alfred had led him into his garden for the second time, a garden newly teeming with roses of seemingly every colour that ever existed.

“They remind me of you.” Alfred had said with a grin. “Your scent… it’s of roses.”

Cheesy. Alfred was one for grandness, whether it meant parties or, in Arthur’s sorry case, courting.

A king with a reputation like his? An alpha with an ego like his? Arthur shouldn’t have expected less than a gift per day.

He wondered what today’s would be.

“You were right, you know? These roses make the castle look better.” Alfred said, breath coming out in puffs. Arthur shrugged into his clothing. It was chilly out. “And you seem to like them too, you’ve been looking at them for ages.”

Alfred chuckled and Arthur blinked. “Oh, I- they’re beautiful.”

Arthur liked the way his hands looked beside them. He’d always been a pale fellow but that didn’t seem too bad when it was beside a blood red rose. Long, creamy fingers, with a diamond ring glinting alongside silken petals.

It was picture perfect.

“I’m afraid I don’t make good company, Alfred, you would’ve been better off at that practice tonight,” Arthur said with a clear of his throat, turning to find Alfred’s gaze turned to the stars.

“And miss all of this? You know-”

Alfred bore his blue-eyed gaze into Arthur’s eyes, and Arthur couldn’t look away. “I don’t get to see the stars, or do anything remotely enjoyable when I’m not with you.”

“I suppose that’ll change when we’re married,” Arthur said.

It would, wouldn’t it? Alfred would have no more excuses when Arthur was already his. No more surprises, Arthur would be the silent husband, the silent queen, and they would meet every month to satisfy Arthur’s heats, and Arthur would bear Alfred a child, and on they would go living a mundane married life.

Arthur knew how royal-couples were. He’d grown up with his parents, who’d sported not one ounce of love for each other.

Respect, yes. Not love. And Arthur would have to settle for that.

“Maybe.” Alfred said, and he shrugged, “Things are bound to change, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it, eh? I can only hope you don’t get bored of me.”

Arthur rolled his eyes, “One can hardly call themselves bored in your company.”

Alfred pressed his palm onto his chest in a mock gesture, as if he’d been touched. Arthur wasn’t quite one for compliments. “I for one know if there’s one thing I’ll never tire of, it’s that accent of yours.”  

“M- my accent?”

“And the way you smell.” Alfred continued. He came closer and Arthur could say the same- Alfred’s scent was something Arthur would never get used to. It was nothing new either, seeing as His Highness had been so kind as to lend Arthur articles of his clothing to keep Arthur satisfied during his heats.

“It doesn’t really help, though, does it? With your heats?” Arthur’s brother, Allistair, had said to him.

In fact, it served to make his heats worse. The scent of an alpha that wasn’t there in person- it drove Arthur wild with want, clutching and tearing at Alfred’s poor coat.

“That’s what he really wants.” Allistair had said. “He’s got you craving his scent at your weakest moment. Cunning fellow.”

Alfred certainly didn’t seem so cunning in this light, Arthur noted. The soft yellow of the torches that lit the castle made him look, if it were possible, more handsome than he usually was. Arthur found it hard to swallow.

“Your scent isn’t too bad either.”

“Thank you.” Alfred laughed. Just a little. “Although, I can say, I’d like your scent a lot better mixed with mine.”

Whatever faint smile had been on Arthur’s lips before dropped.

“When I’d have marked you.” He said, tapping at Arthur’s neck as if Arthur hadn’t spent countless days in heat, thinking about the same thing, scratching at the same place in a feeble attempt to mimic what it would feel like. “Mated you.”

Alfred leaned in to kiss him and Arthur’s father would have been proud of how fast Arthur had ducked away.

He’d never been so quick with his reflexes when he’d been taught how to wield a sword, but Arthur found this situation to be more needing.

Alfred turned around to find Arthur practically cowering behind a tree. Alfred sputtered, “Wh- I… jeez, did you not want me to-?”

Arthur hoped the cold air would cool his cheeks. “You can’t just do that!”

“I’m sorry, I thought you wouldn’t mind!” Was Alfred’s response.

“I… I don’t.”

Arthur cleared his throat.

“Then I don’t see the problem,” Alfred replied with a crossing of his arms. He then sighed, lips spreading into a small smile, “Did you want me to wait until marriage?”

“No.”

“Then enlighten me as to what this just was?”

“I’m not your property to do with what you wish.” Arthur found himself snapping, and Alfred seemed taken aback by the accusation. He seemed a bit angry. Arthur could tell by the hint of lemon in his scent.

“I don’t think it’s fair to blame me for something I haven’t done, it was a simple kiss, I-”

“It might’ve been simple to you, but it would’ve been my first.” Years of Arthur being saved away for whoever would be his future husband lead to this. Arthur hadn’t felt the touch of another on his lips- he’d never even known what to imagine of it. “Granted, it would’ve been as romantic as they are in the novels, I don’t think it’s fair for you to take it whenever you please, without my permission. It makes me feel worse than I already do.”

“You-” Alfred furrowed his brows, “You don’t like this marriage?”

“I never said that,” Arthur said, yet the look in those blue eyes softened his words to follow. Words he’d bit back since he’d first met Alfred, ones his father had told him not to say, ones that people all his life had told him not to think about. “I just don’t think I can do it. I can’t be married when my own husband doesn’t… love me.”

Alfred’s reaction wasn’t something Arthur had expected, and he’d thought of everything. Arthur had dreamt up every reaction imaginable to the words he’d said- Alfred scooping him into his arms to profess his love to him with a kiss under the moonlight, or Alfred telling him that’s how it is with a scoff, laughing at Arthur’s naivety.

He had not, however, imagined Alfred’s expression to smooth back out into one of nonchalance, “You read a lot of romance novels, don’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“You read a lot, right?” Alfred crossed his arms, “So you must know what love really is. Tell me.”

Now was definitely not the time to be condescending, but Alfred was doing it anyway, and Arthur parted his lips to tell him off. He had no tolerance for childish behaviour, and those smug eyes, as if Arthur couldn’t have his own definition of love, it was insulting, it was-!

“Because if it isn’t breaking my neck to get these roses in the dead winter, and planting half of them myself, scouring the markets for hours for spices indigenous to the Clubs Kingdom for a soup you’ll take minutes to eat, skipping practices upon practices and letting work pile up on my desk just to spend an hour with you, please tell me Arthur, what exactly is love?”

Arthur was going to punch him.

Not even the cold could save his reddening cheeks, and those were most definitely tears swimming in his eyes, and he’d never gotten so much attention in his life, it was embarrassing.

It was embarrassing and relieving at once, and Arthur wanted to bruise Alfred’s face with a punch. He wanted to bruise Alfred’s lips with a kiss.

“You could just bloody say it, you know?” Arthur found himself saying, lips bordering on wobbly, and Alfred smiled.

“I- I know I’m not always clever with the words I use.”

Alfred was holding him now, and Arthur wasn’t quite sure how he got there, but he frowned, “You’re damn right you aren’t.”

“But those novels you like to read-” Alfred’s shoulders sank, as if he was sighing, just as Arthur was sighing in relief at the words that followed. “I love you like that.”

“I do too,” Arthur said, barely a whisper, and if Alfred wasn’t listening for it, he wouldn’t have heard it.

He apparently was, because he grinned. “Can I kiss you now?”

Arthur didn’t know him, not yet, not completely. But what he did know was that Alfred was impatient, he was an idiot who couldn’t express his feelings, and Arthur was going to marry him. He was going to discover the bad as well as the good, and as long as Alfred kept looking at him the way he was doing just then, Arthur would be fine. 

Even if he didn’t say the words.

Although, that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to say them until Alfred didn’t even have to think about replying.

“Yes.”

[batfamdannyphantomsstuff]

I'm going to add a twist to the guys who added all the tags in the previous reblog.

Jack Fenton is the lost Baby Wayne. Danny is the nefew of Bruce's.

Lost and Found (dp x dc)

Alfred sighed as he looked over the wide gymnasium, thinking to himself that he shouldn’t have listened to Leslie. Community service was all well and good as a way to connect with people, but overseeing an inter-school bakery-sale-and-science-fair combined event was proving to be more chaotic than anything else.

As another child dropped yet another just-bought desert on the floor, Alfred slunk into the shadows deciding to let the clean-up be someone else’s task for once. As he got further and further from the main hubbub, the ex(?)-butler arrived near a small exit door and snuck out quitely. As the fresh air hit his face, Alfred let out a breath. Seeing so many children around had him thinking of his charge and where he could possibly be.

The older man hadn’t brought a pack, since he’s been going to a school, but in the moment he wished he had. Sighing once again, Alfred shook off the craving as he took a few steps towards the communal school garden when the sight of a black-haired boy sitting with his back to him had him freezing. A second later his brain caught up to him, reminding him that this was not young master Bruce. The crushing disappointment he felt as he recognized the boy in front of him was much to small to be his little master Bruce surprised him by its intensity.

Alfred took a moment to compose himself before he cleared his throat. The noise had the figure flinching and turning their head towards the older man. Then, as the boy caught sight of the older man, he seemed to slump. Seeing that he was unlikely to speak up first, Alfred took it upon himself to start the conversation.

“Might I inquire what you are doing outside, young man?”

The boy’s shoulder slumped even more though he still answered. “Haven’t got any sweets to sell,” he mumbled.

“Oh?” Alfred sounded out. “Why is that?”

“My cookies ate my homework so I had to put them down,” said the boy as he finally raised his head, long-suffering

But Alfred could only breathe a faint “Indeed?” as the boy’s features were exposed. The resemblance with master Bruce was so uncanny that the butler had trouble looking away. But as he examined him more closely he could see some minute differences. The boy didn’t have the sharp jawline both mister Wayne and master Bruce had shared. His nose was smaller than master Bruce’s and his eyes were paler than the darker blue passed down through the Wayne line. The sight of a face so similar and yet not quite like master Bruce had his mind jumping to the portrait hung above the manor’s fireplace and the face of the toddler sitting on his mother’s lap as a slightly older child stood beside her with his father’s hand on his shoulder.

Everyone had bemoaned the two-fold tragedy of the Waynes. First to lose their youngest son at such a young age, only to be themselves brutally murdered only a few months later. All was left of the previously illustrious Waynes was a grief-stricken eight-year-old who had just lost his brother and parents in such a short period of time. Alfred sighed as he remembered how angry master Bruce was at his inability to find out to this day what had happened to his brother. The man half-suspected this was how the young man had developed such an obsession with solving mysteries.

Once again having to focus back on the boy in front of him, Alfred smiled at the boy. Then, the boy’s word registered and the man let out an amused huff. “You had no choice but to put an end to that, I suppose. Cookies as spirited as yours would sell poorly in any case.”

“Oh you’ve got no idea,” muttered the young man as he pushed himself to his feet only for his hand to slip on the wet wood surrounding the gardening plots and falling face-first onto the hard wooden surface.

“Oh dear!” exclaimed Alfred as he darted to assist the boy in straightening up. The boy groaned in pain as he held his nose and Alfred could see drops of red falling down.

“Here,” said the older man as he handed the boy a fabric handkerchief.

“Thanks,” the teen croaked as he accepted it.

“Put your head between your knees,” Alfred instructed. “Breathe through your mouth.”

The boy offered a thumbs-up as he complied. Alfred waited patiently by the teen as he kept the handkerchief held against his nose. After a moment, the boy held it away experimentally and when he felt no more blood flowing he turned towards Alfred.

“Thanks,” he said before he looked down at the red-stained white fabric. “I can wash it and return it if you give me a return address.”

“It’s alright,” Alfred refused. “I don’t mind washing it.”

“Thanks,” repeated the boy as he handed the older man the handkerchief back, as he got to his feet, this time more gingerly. “I best get back before my friends start looking for me.”

“Be careful on the way back,” Alfred couldn’t help saying.

The boy hummed and as he turned around for a final wave goodbye, their eyes connected and Alfred felt a jolt travel through his body. Though the pale blue of Danny’s eyes was not the distinctive shade of the Waynes, it was however identical to the color of the late Martha Wayne’s eyes. As the boy opened the exit door and disappeared in the crowd of people, Alfred looked down at the blood-stained handkerchief.

He knew there was a less than infinitesimal chance. Still. What would it hurt to make absolutely sure?