starsandsea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starsandsea) wrote2009-10-18 07:00 pm
starsandsea) wrote2009-10-18 07:00 pm
Entry tags:
Fic: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (11/13)
Title: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (11/13)
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Diana, Dick, Jim
Word Count: 1420
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Betaed by the great![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mithen!
Bruce had led the funeral rites, as he was the highest ranking person present. He technically even outranked Kal and Princess Diana of Themyscira. But that did not give him leave to conduct their funeral services for them. Unfortunately, however, time was short. So both Kal and Diana had given him permission to do a funeral rite for everyone, regardless of which nation had held their allegiance. They did, however, both speak in their own languages, and to their own gods, at times. As they should.
There were too many dead to bury, and the ground was too hard from the long cold, so they had had to burn them. The smell was horrific, but at least the cold wind that was tearing at banners and tents, cloaks and hair, was sending it away from the healing tents. That was something. And, it had not snowed, though the wind was bitter. There were small signs of Spring, now.
Bruce, Kal and Diana, Dick, Jason, Cass and Captain Gordon, slowly made their way back to the main tents, each lost in their own thoughts. Kal was walking slightly behind him, since they were still in their official capacities. They stayed in the formal line until they reached the King of Gotham's tent and entered it. There, away from prying eyes, they relaxed a little.
"We need to discuss our ongoing strategy," Bruce announced, and everyone gathered around a table. There were chairs for himself, Kal and Diana, but everyone else had to stand. Dick stood just behind his shoulder. Jason prowled around the tent, while Cassandra stood just off to one side, watching everyone.
Gordon stood before the desk. "We have nearly three thousand soldiers - soldiers of Gotham - ready to fight. Over two hundred still lie injured." He reported.
"I have nearly five thousand soldiers ready to fight," said the Princess of Themyscira.
"Metropolis has nearly seven thousand ready to fight." Kal announced.
Bruce nodded. Fifteen thousand men ready to fight. That was good. "We thank you for your aid, Metropolis and Themyscira." He said, formally. He still had not been offically introduced to Diana yet, and he did not know her at all. It was best to stick with tradition. Kal seemed to get on with her well, though... He pushed those thoughts away.
"Are you willing to keep your people here?" He asked them both.
Diana considered for a moment. "We could keep half our solders here, if needed."
Kal nodded. "As could we."
"Then you have our thanks again."
There was silence for a moment, save for the winds curling around the tents, making the material snap. "Have the scouts reported any movements of the mercenaries?"
Gordon shook his head. "None, my Liege. Sometimes they find one or two men, and bring them in, but it seems as if most have scattered, and not yet regrouped."
Bruce nodded. Jason continued to prowl about the tent. Everyone else was still, looking at him, waiting. "We can not afford to go looking for all of them. We have their leader." He would have to come up with a fitting punishment for Cobblepot, and soon.
"I suggest we leave four thousand soldiers here to guard the border. They will be able to have reinforcements quickly, if needed." Everyone nodded, and Bruce felt a weight off his shoulders. Kal smiled a tiny smile at him, and Bruce returned it.
"Who would lead them, do you propose?" Diana asked.
Bruce considered for a moment. "You would, of course, be able to elect Captains of your own, but I suggest overall command goes to Richard." He felt his brother stand even taller behind him. Jason glared at them for a moment, while Cassandra remained impassive, as did Gordon. Diana looked at Dick assessingly before nodding. Kal cast a long look at Dick as well, before nodding also.
Bruce hid his sigh of relief. "Then I suggest the rest of us plan to break camp tomorrow."
Kal smiled. "I would like to see Gotham again." Bruce could not help but return his smile, now.
Diana nodded thoughtfully. "I would like to see Gotham also, if I may."
"Of course."
The Princess smiled teasingly. "Besides, I will need to be in Gotham in the Spring anyway, for a great celebration."
Kal smiled, a hint of a blush on his face. Bruce smiled slowly, not bothering to hide it. Everyone quietly left his tent, even Diana, leaving him and Kal alone.
*****
"Did you get my last letter?" Bruce asked later, trying to stop himself from running and demanding to see Harvey. He would not be allowed to see him, King of Gotham or not. His friend was simply too ill.
"I received one around three weeks ago. I sent one in reply and was composing another when we got your signal."
Bruce frowned. "I did not receive any after my last response."
Kal frowned now too. "I'm sorry." Bruce shook his head; the apology was needless. "How are your hands?" Kal caught them gently with his own, bringing them to his lips, caressing the light bandages with his lips.
"They are fine."
Kal looked at him a moment, his blue eyes intense, before nodding, a relived smile touching his lips. Bruce could feel the curve of it against his lips, even through the material of the bandages. He felt his heart swell, overcome with love. Even when he was not sure of anything else, he was always certain of this. That he loved Kal, and that Kal loved him in return.
He moved closer to his lover, curling a hand in his hair, Kal's smile turning fond and loving, the smile only he got to see. Bruce reached for his hand with his ring on, brought it to his lips. "I see you did not wear the band through, then."
Kal laughed, softly squeezing his hand, looping his free arm about him, drawing him close. "Not quite," he whispered, before kissing him deeply.
*****
Bruce watched everyone getting ready to depart the next day, keeping an eye on the healing tents. Harvey was still unconscious - it was, the healers said, amazing he was still alive. But they also said he could return home with them, provided he was well cared for.
It was going to be a slow journey anyway, given the wounded in all. But they still had not let him see his friend. While Bruce knew that no one had been allowed to see Harvey, he could not help feeling... restless. Annoyed. Anxious. Worried. He was doing as well as could be expected, everyone said, but just how well could someone be expected to do after... that. Bruce remembered the sight of his friend's face and shuddered, feeling bile rise in his throat.
"Bruce." His lover's warm voice behind him. Bruce turned. They were both clad in their armour again, for traveling, but neither of them were wearing their helmets, yet.
Kal was smiling, and Bruce saw Diana just behind him. "I thought if you did not get formally introduced to Diana now, you never would."
Diana smiled, a touch teasingly, and Bruce felt himself smiling in return. It was nice to have another person who he could relax around a bit, who was his equal. He had his brothers and sisters, of course, but he could never forget that he was their elder brother, not to mention their King, now.
"Your Majesty, may I introduce you to Diana, Princess of Themyscira. Your Highness, may I introduce you to Bruce Wayne, the King of Gotham."
Diana inclined her head, as did Bruce. "It is an honor to meet you, Princess."
"The honor is all mine, your Majesty. I have heard many tales about you. But please, call me Diana."
"If you will call me Bruce."
She nodded, smiling again, Kal smiling at the both of them.
*****
They were finally ready to depart. Dick, along with some of Kal and Diana's most trusted lieutenants were remaining to patrol the borders.
"Take care." Bruce put his hand on his brother's shoulder, as he had when all this had started.
Dick nodded. "I will." Bruce nodded in return. "Bruce. Take care of yourself."
Bruce nodded again, letting his hand fall, and turned to mount his horse, missing the look Dick shot Jason and Cassandra. He made sure his helmet was on securely, and that everything was in order, before looking at Kal, and nodding.
They slowly set off, returning home at last.
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Diana, Dick, Jim
Word Count: 1420
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Betaed by the great
mithen! Bruce had led the funeral rites, as he was the highest ranking person present. He technically even outranked Kal and Princess Diana of Themyscira. But that did not give him leave to conduct their funeral services for them. Unfortunately, however, time was short. So both Kal and Diana had given him permission to do a funeral rite for everyone, regardless of which nation had held their allegiance. They did, however, both speak in their own languages, and to their own gods, at times. As they should.
There were too many dead to bury, and the ground was too hard from the long cold, so they had had to burn them. The smell was horrific, but at least the cold wind that was tearing at banners and tents, cloaks and hair, was sending it away from the healing tents. That was something. And, it had not snowed, though the wind was bitter. There were small signs of Spring, now.
Bruce, Kal and Diana, Dick, Jason, Cass and Captain Gordon, slowly made their way back to the main tents, each lost in their own thoughts. Kal was walking slightly behind him, since they were still in their official capacities. They stayed in the formal line until they reached the King of Gotham's tent and entered it. There, away from prying eyes, they relaxed a little.
"We need to discuss our ongoing strategy," Bruce announced, and everyone gathered around a table. There were chairs for himself, Kal and Diana, but everyone else had to stand. Dick stood just behind his shoulder. Jason prowled around the tent, while Cassandra stood just off to one side, watching everyone.
Gordon stood before the desk. "We have nearly three thousand soldiers - soldiers of Gotham - ready to fight. Over two hundred still lie injured." He reported.
"I have nearly five thousand soldiers ready to fight," said the Princess of Themyscira.
"Metropolis has nearly seven thousand ready to fight." Kal announced.
Bruce nodded. Fifteen thousand men ready to fight. That was good. "We thank you for your aid, Metropolis and Themyscira." He said, formally. He still had not been offically introduced to Diana yet, and he did not know her at all. It was best to stick with tradition. Kal seemed to get on with her well, though... He pushed those thoughts away.
"Are you willing to keep your people here?" He asked them both.
Diana considered for a moment. "We could keep half our solders here, if needed."
Kal nodded. "As could we."
"Then you have our thanks again."
There was silence for a moment, save for the winds curling around the tents, making the material snap. "Have the scouts reported any movements of the mercenaries?"
Gordon shook his head. "None, my Liege. Sometimes they find one or two men, and bring them in, but it seems as if most have scattered, and not yet regrouped."
Bruce nodded. Jason continued to prowl about the tent. Everyone else was still, looking at him, waiting. "We can not afford to go looking for all of them. We have their leader." He would have to come up with a fitting punishment for Cobblepot, and soon.
"I suggest we leave four thousand soldiers here to guard the border. They will be able to have reinforcements quickly, if needed." Everyone nodded, and Bruce felt a weight off his shoulders. Kal smiled a tiny smile at him, and Bruce returned it.
"Who would lead them, do you propose?" Diana asked.
Bruce considered for a moment. "You would, of course, be able to elect Captains of your own, but I suggest overall command goes to Richard." He felt his brother stand even taller behind him. Jason glared at them for a moment, while Cassandra remained impassive, as did Gordon. Diana looked at Dick assessingly before nodding. Kal cast a long look at Dick as well, before nodding also.
Bruce hid his sigh of relief. "Then I suggest the rest of us plan to break camp tomorrow."
Kal smiled. "I would like to see Gotham again." Bruce could not help but return his smile, now.
Diana nodded thoughtfully. "I would like to see Gotham also, if I may."
"Of course."
The Princess smiled teasingly. "Besides, I will need to be in Gotham in the Spring anyway, for a great celebration."
Kal smiled, a hint of a blush on his face. Bruce smiled slowly, not bothering to hide it. Everyone quietly left his tent, even Diana, leaving him and Kal alone.
*****
"Did you get my last letter?" Bruce asked later, trying to stop himself from running and demanding to see Harvey. He would not be allowed to see him, King of Gotham or not. His friend was simply too ill.
"I received one around three weeks ago. I sent one in reply and was composing another when we got your signal."
Bruce frowned. "I did not receive any after my last response."
Kal frowned now too. "I'm sorry." Bruce shook his head; the apology was needless. "How are your hands?" Kal caught them gently with his own, bringing them to his lips, caressing the light bandages with his lips.
"They are fine."
Kal looked at him a moment, his blue eyes intense, before nodding, a relived smile touching his lips. Bruce could feel the curve of it against his lips, even through the material of the bandages. He felt his heart swell, overcome with love. Even when he was not sure of anything else, he was always certain of this. That he loved Kal, and that Kal loved him in return.
He moved closer to his lover, curling a hand in his hair, Kal's smile turning fond and loving, the smile only he got to see. Bruce reached for his hand with his ring on, brought it to his lips. "I see you did not wear the band through, then."
Kal laughed, softly squeezing his hand, looping his free arm about him, drawing him close. "Not quite," he whispered, before kissing him deeply.
*****
Bruce watched everyone getting ready to depart the next day, keeping an eye on the healing tents. Harvey was still unconscious - it was, the healers said, amazing he was still alive. But they also said he could return home with them, provided he was well cared for.
It was going to be a slow journey anyway, given the wounded in all. But they still had not let him see his friend. While Bruce knew that no one had been allowed to see Harvey, he could not help feeling... restless. Annoyed. Anxious. Worried. He was doing as well as could be expected, everyone said, but just how well could someone be expected to do after... that. Bruce remembered the sight of his friend's face and shuddered, feeling bile rise in his throat.
"Bruce." His lover's warm voice behind him. Bruce turned. They were both clad in their armour again, for traveling, but neither of them were wearing their helmets, yet.
Kal was smiling, and Bruce saw Diana just behind him. "I thought if you did not get formally introduced to Diana now, you never would."
Diana smiled, a touch teasingly, and Bruce felt himself smiling in return. It was nice to have another person who he could relax around a bit, who was his equal. He had his brothers and sisters, of course, but he could never forget that he was their elder brother, not to mention their King, now.
"Your Majesty, may I introduce you to Diana, Princess of Themyscira. Your Highness, may I introduce you to Bruce Wayne, the King of Gotham."
Diana inclined her head, as did Bruce. "It is an honor to meet you, Princess."
"The honor is all mine, your Majesty. I have heard many tales about you. But please, call me Diana."
"If you will call me Bruce."
She nodded, smiling again, Kal smiling at the both of them.
*****
They were finally ready to depart. Dick, along with some of Kal and Diana's most trusted lieutenants were remaining to patrol the borders.
"Take care." Bruce put his hand on his brother's shoulder, as he had when all this had started.
Dick nodded. "I will." Bruce nodded in return. "Bruce. Take care of yourself."
Bruce nodded again, letting his hand fall, and turned to mount his horse, missing the look Dick shot Jason and Cassandra. He made sure his helmet was on securely, and that everything was in order, before looking at Kal, and nodding.
They slowly set off, returning home at last.