Fic: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (5/13)

[starsandsea]

Title: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (5/13)
Rating: PGish
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Harvey, Dick, Jason, Barbara
Word Count: 1553
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Betaed by the great mithen!



Dick was yelling, eyes wild, seeking blood. Jason was not much better. Cass was standing next to an confused Stephy, who was watching everyone with huge eyes. Barbara was sitting quietly, one side of her pale face slightly red, starting to turn purple, and Bruce felt his own anger rising at the sight of it.

Dick and Jason quietened when he entered his siblings' room, the one they all slept in, where he had used to sleep until he had been given his own space. The blankets were rolled up now, though, the floor was free from clutter for the day. Bruce walked over to where Barbara was sitting against a wall, then crouched down next to her, Ace sitting beside them. "Barbara. Are you hurt?"

Her blue eyes sparkled defiance, though her hand came up to cover her cheek. She shook her head.

Bruce nodded, then sat next to her, looking at their brothers and sisters. Tim had gone over to Cass and Stephy, and they were sitting also, against the opposite wall. Dick and Jason remained standing.

"What happened?" Bruce asked.

Dick started forward, but Jason beat him. "He hit Babs!"

Bruce took a deep breath. "Yes, I know. But I need to know what happened."

Jason opened his mouth again, eyes furious, and Dick started forward again, but this time Barbara beat both of them. "We were in the council. The other members had left. Only Dick and Lucius were still there." Bruce nodded. "We were talking about the harvest, about how we don't have enough crops to last through Winter."

Bruce nodded again, inwardly wincing, being reminded of another of his many failures to his people already. "Dick and Lucius were having another conversation, but I suggested to Harvey that we could seek aid from Metropolis."

Bruce nodded once more, his thoughts flashing to Kal, touching his ring and remembering reading his letter... was it only a few hours ago? "Harvey disagreed. At first he just shouted, but when I argued back..." She trailed off.

Bruce saw Dick flinch. He looked at his sister; her eyes were still defiant. "I am sorry I was not there." He hugged her carefully, then stood up, Barbara and Ace echoing him.

He looked over at Jason - Dick had already moved, and was standing next to Barbara. Bruce looked at them steadily. "Thank you for explaining, Barbara. I need to speak to Harvey before I-"

Jason cut him off. "You're not saying you don't believe her?"

"No. I am simply saying that I need to hear Harvey's viewpoint before I decide what should be done. However I will, temporarily at least, remove him from the council."

Jason muttered and glared, but Cass silently stood up and placed a hand on his arm. He quietened, and Bruce looked back at Dick and Barbara. His sister nodded at him. "Thank you."

Dick's eyes still blazed with anger, but there was a hint of sympathy for him, for his position. But it was enough. Bruce did not need to worry about Dick doing anything rash at least.

He nodded at them all before he left his old room, Ace close by his side, and went to find his friend.

*****

He found Harvey in the library, in the darkest section, where no light from the windows or the fire could reach. He leapt up when he saw Bruce, and guilt flooded his face.

Bruce stood before him, Ace at his side, but he was aware he was not truly Bruce right now. He was the King of Gotham. He could feel eyes upon him, watching him and Harvey, and he knew that Cassandra had followed him.

"My Lord." Harvey's eyes flickered away from his face, his head bowed. Was he shaking?

"Until this matter has been resolved, you are removed from the council."

Harvey looked up at him, his hands curled in fists. "I understand."

The King of Gotham fell away, and Bruce looked at his friend in open concern. This was not a conversation to be had here, where anyone could overhear. "Come with me," he beckoned, and walked out of the library, Harvey following him, Ace by his side.

He lead them to his study, then closed and locked the door before Cass could slip in. This was a conversation he had to have alone. He sat behind his desk, Harvey sitting opposite him, the desk between them. Ace stood at his side, tense.

There was a knock on the door, a moment after someone had tried to open it. Bruce resumed eating his lunch. He ignored the sounds from outside the room. Harvey half turned to face the door as the knocking grew insistent. "Shouldn't you-"

"Dick can deal with it." He pushed the plate aside after only one mouthful of food and leaned forward. "Harvey. What is going on? Why did you...?"

Shame and guilt flushed across his friends face. The knocking at the door stopped. "I'm sorry, Bruce, I'm so sorry..." Harvey covered his face with a hand. "Is Princess Barbara all right?" There was real concern in his eyes.

Bruce nodded, and Harvey's shoulders sagged. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me..." he continued.

Bruce nodded again, remembering Barbara's explanation, about her plan to ask Metropolis for aid. For once, Bruce restrained himself from touching Kal's ring. He could not help but think he was partly responsible for this. If Harvey's feelings for him were as deep as he suspected, then, maybe, any mention of Metropolis was going to set him off. He had not broken the news very gently to Harvey, after all, and had then immediately set him to work for the council, after he had been away for over four years...

It was his fault, he should have given Harvey more time to adjust to everything, to all the changes that had happened while he had been gone.

"I just..." Harvey's voice faltered. "I'm so sorry, Bruce." He looked at him directly now, and Bruce could see the pain and guilt in his eyes. Ace was still tense at his side, and he reached over and petted him, stroking his soft ears, until his body very slowly relaxed, and he sat, before licking his hands.

Someone knocked on the door, much more forcefully. No doubt his brothers and sisters were not happy at his actions. Bruce sighed, and leaned forward in his chair again. "Harvey," he began, not totally sure what he was going to say next. "I am going to give you a few days off the council. You will apologise to Barbara." Harvey nodded. "Before we speak again."

Harvey nodded again, eyes downcast. The pounding on the door continued; Ace whined, confused, until Harvey reached forward and very carefully touched his scarred hand that was resting on his desk. Ace stood then and growled loudly, baring his teeth, until Harvey moved his hand away. Bruce petted his dog again.

"I'm sorry, Bruce," he apologised again. "For putting you in this position." Bruce nodded. Harvey paused. "I just... I want to help, Bruce. In any way I can. And sometimes, I just... don't agree with what other people say and I just can't seem to stop myself..." Harvey covered his face with his hand again.

"Harvey." Harvey looked at him, lowering his hand slightly. Bruce tried to smile. "I know I have not been at as many council sessions as I should. But Dick, Barbara and Lucius have been telling me about them, and all the things you have already done for Gotham, my friend. All the things you did while I was not here, all you sacrificed. I thank you for it. But, you deserve to have a rest, Harvey. Even if just for a week. I think it would help you."

His voice was hoarse after his finished speaking, his throat dry. He was sure that apart from his crowning, that was the longest thing he had uttered since the curse was laid upon his siblings.

Harvey looked relived. "Thank you, Bruce. I... thank you."

Bruce nodded and stood, Ace close by his side. Harvey stood also, as Bruce moved around the desk to the door. He paused before unlocking it, and looked at his friend. "I am glad you are here, Harvey."

Harvey smiled at him, a smile tinged with sadness. "I'm glad I'm here too."

Bruce nodded, unlocked the door, and opened it, Dick nearly falling into him. Bruce righted him and glanced at his friend, then at his siblings.

Harvey nodded, then turned to face Barbara. "Your Highness. Please, accept my deepest apologies and regrets for my actions of today." He bowed low.

Barbara nodded at him, silently accepting his apology. Jason seemed torn between glaring at him and Bruce. Harvey looked back at him, and Bruce nodded. Harvey nodded again, at them all, before leaving, walking down the corridor. Jason and Dick cast him one last dark look.

Bruce found himself faced with six pairs of eyes. He sighed to himself and raised a hand before they could speak. "Later," was all he said, before quickly closing the door and locking it again.

Comments

[fictionalknight.livejournal.com]

Harvey is really starting to crack, isn't he... I'm almost afraid to think what'll happen when he does...

Great part - I'm looking forward to the next one. :D

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

Harvey is really not doing well! *pets him carefully* It's not going to be pretty when he does crack...

Thank you for commenting! I'm really glad you liked this chapter! :)

[eve-k.livejournal.com]

I feel so bad for Harvey, he tries so hard! What a tragedy.
And it seems like Jason isn´t that much different from Harvey, he has a hard time keeping his temper in check too!
And in the middle of it all poor Bruce, always feeling responsible for everything - even the bad harvest! But that´s totally and completely him, isn´t it?

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

And it seems like Jason isn´t that much different from Harvey, he has a hard time keeping his temper in check too!

Jason can be quite hot headed! Especially where his siblings are concerned...

And in the middle of it all poor Bruce, always feeling responsible for everything - even the bad harvest! But that´s totally and completely him, isn´t it?

*huggles Bruce* He just tries to take the blame for everything upon himself, doesn't he? *sighs a little*

Thank you for commenting, Eve! I'm glad you liked it! :)

[bradygirl_12]

Wow! Excellent chapter, Star!

Typical Bruce feeling guilty about Harvey, and Harvey truly is sorry, but the other side of him is just too strong. :(

I like the way Bruce's siblings were outside the door and so protective. :)

*eager for more*

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

Typical Bruce feeling guilty about Harvey, and Harvey truly is sorry, but the other side of him is just too strong. :(

It's such a tragic situation... *pets Harvey and Bruce*

I like the way Bruce's siblings were outside the door and so protective. :)

That was one of my favorite parts too! :)

Thank you for commenting, Brady! There will be more soon! :)

[mithen.livejournal.com]

You've painted poor Bruce into a very believable corner here--the audience knows where Harvey is going, but he's so remorseful and repentant that it makes sense Bruce would try to write things off to a fit of temper that he can get control of eventually. He wants so much to have someone he can trust as an equal, and can't see how Harvey has changed... you really leave us biting our nails for him!

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

*huggles Bruce* That's exactly it! He just thinks that Harvey's working too hard and needs a break... And he does desperately need a friend who is his equal! *huggles him more*

Thank you for commenting! I'm glad you liked it! :)

[ilovetobefree.livejournal.com]

Barbara was sitting quietly, one side of her pale face slightly red, starting to turn purple, and Bruce felt his own anger rising at the sight of it.
Poor Barbara.

Bruce nodded again, inwardly wincing, being reminded of another of his many failures to his people already. "Dick and Lucius were having another conversation, but I suggested to Harvey that we could seek aid from Metropolis."
Oh, I think that was it – the mention of Metropolis – that was the reason Harvey reacted so fiercely, IMO. And I could see Bruce was exactly the same opinion.

Dick's eyes still blazed with anger, but there was a hint of sympathy for him, for his position. But it was enough. Bruce did not need to worry about Dick doing anything rash at least.
I was glad, Dick was still supportive of Bruce. I think Bruce needs it.

For once, Bruce restrained himself from touching Kal's ring. He could not help but think he was partly responsible for this.
I was afraid Bruce would blame himself for what happens. Anyway, I don’t think more time given to Harwey would help. I felt for Bruce so much. He tried his best to make it all right and calm the situation. Regrettably, he’s not been aware, Harvey’s fate is inevitable. *Sigh*

Bruce found himself faced with six pairs of eyes. He sighed to himself and raised a hand before they could speak. "Later," was all he said, before quickly closing the door and locking it again.
Oh well. *Hugs Bruce*

I loved this chapter. I liked the determination and faith of Bruce to resolve this situation, trying even to forget about Kal for a while and help his friend. You captured his feelings and action so well! And Ace was with him again and I loved his part in this update.

Excellently written!
Thanks for sharing. :)
LS.

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

Oh, I think that was it – the mention of Metropolis – that was the reason Harvey reacted so fiercely, IMO. And I could see Bruce was exactly the same opinion.

Yep, it was the mention of Metropolis, and thus Kal, that set Harvey off. *pets him carefully*

I was glad, Dick was still supportive of Bruce. I think Bruce needs it.

He does! He really does need his siblings support...

I was afraid Bruce would blame himself for what happens. Anyway, I don’t think more time given to Harwey would help. I felt for Bruce so much. He tried his best to make it all right and calm the situation. Regrettably, he’s not been aware, Harvey’s fate is inevitable. *Sigh*

Yes, Bruce blames himself! He doesn't even know how deep Harvey's problems are... It's just a really tragic situation.

Ace was with him again and I loved his part in this update.

*grins* I have such fun writing in all the Ace moments! He's such a great dog... :)

Thank you for commenting! I'm so glad you liked it! :D

[ladyblkrose.livejournal.com]

It's so sad and so hard to watch Harvey break asunder and the position Bruce is in. He had a relationship w/ Harvey that was close and could have been more if circumstances were different. We can see Harvey's feelings of entitlement and his resentments fueling whatever is eating him up inside.When he finally breaks it's going to do more than a number on Bruce who feels responsible for this already

Good Job making us understand and care for your characters right from the bat.

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

*pets Harvey carefully*

He's really not doing well, and it was heartbreaking to write it all... And yes, Bruce is never going to be the same when Harvey does fall apart. *hugs him*

I'm so glad I've made Harvey (and Bruce's reactions to him) understandable! I was a little worried about that. :)

Thank you for commenting! I'm so glad you like it! :)

[skund.livejournal.com]

Ohh, poor Babs and poor Harvey and poor Bruce! I like how tenuous everything feels now that Kal's gone. Great chapter. :)

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

*pets them all*

Yep, Kal being gone has certainly upset things a lot...

Thank you for commenting! :)