Fic: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (13/13)
Nov. 1st, 2009 06:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starsandseaTitle: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (13/13)
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Harvey
Word Count: 1405
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Many thanks to the wonderful![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mithen for the beta and for all her help and encouragement! *glomps*
Bruce learned later what happened. How Kal, with his brothers and sisters and Alfred, had been in the courtyard, with his people, helping to tidy up after the celebrations last night. How they had looked up, startled, to find Harvey holding his unconscious form hostage, a knife stolen from the healing rooms under his throat, drawing blood.
Harvey had made no demands, just yelled at them, incoherent and swearing. They had tried to talk to him, but their desperate pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Finally, Harvey had demanded a horse, and, reluctantly, one was provided for him.
They had tried to fight him, then, but Harvey had cut him deeper, to show that he was serious. Not even an unexpected appearance from the Princess of Themyscira had stopped him.
Then Harvey, still using Bruce as his hostage, had ridden away, unchallenged, to Jason's echoing yells. Kal had immediately ridden after them, his brothers and sisters and Captain Gordon not far behind, with Diana organizing further troops to follow.
None of them learned until later that Cobblepot used the confusion to escape, to flee back to the borders and the mercenaries.
Eventually, when Harvey realized he could not outrun his pursuers, he dumped Bruce, still unconscious, then made his escape, simply disappearing into the mists rolling down from the hills as everyone made sure he was all right, and brought him back to the castle, to Leslie, to be healed.
Kal had sat by his bedside, holding one of his hands, Ace standing guard with Jason and Cassandra at the door.
They looked for Harvey, groups of them led by Diana herself, but they never found any trace of him, finally concluding that he must be dead, must have fallen down a ravine hidden in the mists. And, by then, they had learned of Cobblepot's escape. But he had fled long before anyone noticed, and they could not find him.
Bruce lay in bed, unconscious, throughout it all.
****
The first thing Bruce was aware of was the pain in his head. He bit his lip to stop himself from moaning, confused. Where was he? When was he? Was he able to speak now, and not forever curse his brothers and sisters if he did? Were they still Bats, while he laboured on shirts, every stitch causing him pain?
Slowly, wincing at the seemingly very bright light, he opened his eyes.
"Bruce?" Someone spoke his name, his true name, a voice so familiar. He felt his heart ease, just by knowing he was there. Kal's hand squeezed his carefully, his eyes, the eyes Bruce loved so much were dark with worry and fear. Bruce squeezed his hand hand in return, carefully freeing his other hand from under the blankets and touching his lover's face, speaking his name without words.
Kal's eyes lightened, relief and love taking the place of fear and worry, though they still lingered as Kal sighed deeply, bowing his head slightly, like the weight of it was too much for him to bear any longer. Bruce could remember a little now. The battle. Harvey's injury. Going to him with breakfast. Then nothing. He frowned.
"How do you feel?" Kal asked, brushing some hair away from his face, then tracing his eyes, his nose, his lips.
Bruce closed his eyes for a brief moment, sighing into his touch. "Confused," he barely whispered. He knew that his brothers and sisters were free now, but he was still wary. It had taken him so long to free them from the curse... Just before Kal kissed him, Bruce caught sight of movement in the shadows of the room, a gleam of eyes, a patch of a dark leathery wing, and saw Tim there.
Kal kissed him slowly, and Bruce closed his eyes again, curling one hand around Kal's head, tangling his fingers in his hair, the fingers of their clasped hand entwining. His lover moved so he was lying next to him after their kiss broke, still stroking his face.
Bruce sighed, feeling his head throbbing. Sleep was curling around him, wrapping him in wings. Bats wings, he thought, confused. "Is everyone all right?" He whispered low, not sure if he was talking to Kal or Tim.
Kal's hand squeezed his. "Everyone is fine, now you have woken up."
Bruce thought he felt him brush a kiss against his forehead, but sleep wrapped him in its embrace before he could be sure.
*****
Bruce sat in front of the fire in his and Kal's room a few days later, Ace lying at his feet. His head still plagued him, giving him intense headaches. But he was healing. His brothers and sisters and Alfred and Lucius were looking after things for him, with input from Kal and Diana.
He wrapped the blanket a little more securely about himself. It had been cold these last few nights; light snow had fallen, and they were running out of firewood. Fires in individual rooms were a luxury they might not be able to afford, soon. Ace raised his head, nudged his knees, and whined. Bruce freed a hand, and petted him, stroking his ears and muzzle. The dog's tail thumped against the floor. Bruce smiled.
Ace whined again, and Kal entered the room, smiling at them. He closed and latched the door, then stroked Ace's ears before kissing Bruce gently. "How do you feel?"
Bruce sighed, trying not to roll his eyes. "I am fine."
Kal hummed, but did not say anything else. He sat in his own seat, before the fire, and Bruce remembered Harvey sitting there, the unsettling feeling he had had, and hid a sigh. But Kal, of course, knew what he was thinking.
"I am sorry we still have not found him. Or Cobblepot."
Bruce nodded, and was stunned to find his eyes prickling with tears. He blinked rapidly, swallowing. Ace nudged his legs again, big eyes looking up at him in concern. Bruce petted him, stroking the soft fur.
"We will find him, Bruce, I promise." Kal had moved, got up from his chair so he could kneel at his side. "I know he was your friend..."
Bruce looked away from his dog, to see Kal, caught his hand with his ring and brought it to his lips. "He loved me," he whispered miserably against his lover's fingers.
Kal moved his hold so he could squeeze his hand. "I know."
He looked at his lover in surprise, and Kal smiled slightly. He had never told Kal, never told anyone. How did he...?
"I gathered it from what people said. Did you love him?" There was no anger in his eyes, only curiosity, pain at seeing him in pain, concern and love.
"Not in the way he wanted," Bruce whispered at last, and Kal squeezed his hand again. They sat for a while, like that, before Kal stirred, and stood, gently bringing him into a stand with him, and then walked them over to the bed. Bruce fell into it, his head aching again. Kal lay next to him, wrapping the blankets securely about them both, while Ace settled on the floor.
"I got a letter from my Mother, today," Kal whispered. Bruce found his hand and squeezed it. "She said they would leave in two months, near Ostara, for our wedding." He could feel Kal's smile, and smiled himself, squeezing his hand again. "I might ask for Martha and a few others to come before then, though. To bring Krypto. I miss him."
Bruce caressed his hand. "Then we can see if he and Ace will like each other."
Kal laughed softly. "Yes." He tangled a hand in his hair, and Bruce sighed, leaning into his touch, feeling the pain in his head lessen slightly. "Are you all right?" His lover asked again.
"Yes," he whispered, not sure if it was the truth. Kal settled more closely next to him, and Bruce knew he had heard the uncertainty in his voice.
"I love you."
Bruce closed his eyes. His head hurt. His heart hurt. He missed Harvey, wanted desperately to have the chance to tell him how sorry he was. For everything. He moved to be able to see Kal's face, opened his eyes and whispered the only words he was sure of, would always be sure of. "I love you too, Kal."
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Harvey
Word Count: 1405
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Many thanks to the wonderful
mithen for the beta and for all her help and encouragement! *glomps*Bruce learned later what happened. How Kal, with his brothers and sisters and Alfred, had been in the courtyard, with his people, helping to tidy up after the celebrations last night. How they had looked up, startled, to find Harvey holding his unconscious form hostage, a knife stolen from the healing rooms under his throat, drawing blood.
Harvey had made no demands, just yelled at them, incoherent and swearing. They had tried to talk to him, but their desperate pleas had fallen on deaf ears. Finally, Harvey had demanded a horse, and, reluctantly, one was provided for him.
They had tried to fight him, then, but Harvey had cut him deeper, to show that he was serious. Not even an unexpected appearance from the Princess of Themyscira had stopped him.
Then Harvey, still using Bruce as his hostage, had ridden away, unchallenged, to Jason's echoing yells. Kal had immediately ridden after them, his brothers and sisters and Captain Gordon not far behind, with Diana organizing further troops to follow.
None of them learned until later that Cobblepot used the confusion to escape, to flee back to the borders and the mercenaries.
Eventually, when Harvey realized he could not outrun his pursuers, he dumped Bruce, still unconscious, then made his escape, simply disappearing into the mists rolling down from the hills as everyone made sure he was all right, and brought him back to the castle, to Leslie, to be healed.
Kal had sat by his bedside, holding one of his hands, Ace standing guard with Jason and Cassandra at the door.
They looked for Harvey, groups of them led by Diana herself, but they never found any trace of him, finally concluding that he must be dead, must have fallen down a ravine hidden in the mists. And, by then, they had learned of Cobblepot's escape. But he had fled long before anyone noticed, and they could not find him.
Bruce lay in bed, unconscious, throughout it all.
****
The first thing Bruce was aware of was the pain in his head. He bit his lip to stop himself from moaning, confused. Where was he? When was he? Was he able to speak now, and not forever curse his brothers and sisters if he did? Were they still Bats, while he laboured on shirts, every stitch causing him pain?
Slowly, wincing at the seemingly very bright light, he opened his eyes.
"Bruce?" Someone spoke his name, his true name, a voice so familiar. He felt his heart ease, just by knowing he was there. Kal's hand squeezed his carefully, his eyes, the eyes Bruce loved so much were dark with worry and fear. Bruce squeezed his hand hand in return, carefully freeing his other hand from under the blankets and touching his lover's face, speaking his name without words.
Kal's eyes lightened, relief and love taking the place of fear and worry, though they still lingered as Kal sighed deeply, bowing his head slightly, like the weight of it was too much for him to bear any longer. Bruce could remember a little now. The battle. Harvey's injury. Going to him with breakfast. Then nothing. He frowned.
"How do you feel?" Kal asked, brushing some hair away from his face, then tracing his eyes, his nose, his lips.
Bruce closed his eyes for a brief moment, sighing into his touch. "Confused," he barely whispered. He knew that his brothers and sisters were free now, but he was still wary. It had taken him so long to free them from the curse... Just before Kal kissed him, Bruce caught sight of movement in the shadows of the room, a gleam of eyes, a patch of a dark leathery wing, and saw Tim there.
Kal kissed him slowly, and Bruce closed his eyes again, curling one hand around Kal's head, tangling his fingers in his hair, the fingers of their clasped hand entwining. His lover moved so he was lying next to him after their kiss broke, still stroking his face.
Bruce sighed, feeling his head throbbing. Sleep was curling around him, wrapping him in wings. Bats wings, he thought, confused. "Is everyone all right?" He whispered low, not sure if he was talking to Kal or Tim.
Kal's hand squeezed his. "Everyone is fine, now you have woken up."
Bruce thought he felt him brush a kiss against his forehead, but sleep wrapped him in its embrace before he could be sure.
*****
Bruce sat in front of the fire in his and Kal's room a few days later, Ace lying at his feet. His head still plagued him, giving him intense headaches. But he was healing. His brothers and sisters and Alfred and Lucius were looking after things for him, with input from Kal and Diana.
He wrapped the blanket a little more securely about himself. It had been cold these last few nights; light snow had fallen, and they were running out of firewood. Fires in individual rooms were a luxury they might not be able to afford, soon. Ace raised his head, nudged his knees, and whined. Bruce freed a hand, and petted him, stroking his ears and muzzle. The dog's tail thumped against the floor. Bruce smiled.
Ace whined again, and Kal entered the room, smiling at them. He closed and latched the door, then stroked Ace's ears before kissing Bruce gently. "How do you feel?"
Bruce sighed, trying not to roll his eyes. "I am fine."
Kal hummed, but did not say anything else. He sat in his own seat, before the fire, and Bruce remembered Harvey sitting there, the unsettling feeling he had had, and hid a sigh. But Kal, of course, knew what he was thinking.
"I am sorry we still have not found him. Or Cobblepot."
Bruce nodded, and was stunned to find his eyes prickling with tears. He blinked rapidly, swallowing. Ace nudged his legs again, big eyes looking up at him in concern. Bruce petted him, stroking the soft fur.
"We will find him, Bruce, I promise." Kal had moved, got up from his chair so he could kneel at his side. "I know he was your friend..."
Bruce looked away from his dog, to see Kal, caught his hand with his ring and brought it to his lips. "He loved me," he whispered miserably against his lover's fingers.
Kal moved his hold so he could squeeze his hand. "I know."
He looked at his lover in surprise, and Kal smiled slightly. He had never told Kal, never told anyone. How did he...?
"I gathered it from what people said. Did you love him?" There was no anger in his eyes, only curiosity, pain at seeing him in pain, concern and love.
"Not in the way he wanted," Bruce whispered at last, and Kal squeezed his hand again. They sat for a while, like that, before Kal stirred, and stood, gently bringing him into a stand with him, and then walked them over to the bed. Bruce fell into it, his head aching again. Kal lay next to him, wrapping the blankets securely about them both, while Ace settled on the floor.
"I got a letter from my Mother, today," Kal whispered. Bruce found his hand and squeezed it. "She said they would leave in two months, near Ostara, for our wedding." He could feel Kal's smile, and smiled himself, squeezing his hand again. "I might ask for Martha and a few others to come before then, though. To bring Krypto. I miss him."
Bruce caressed his hand. "Then we can see if he and Ace will like each other."
Kal laughed softly. "Yes." He tangled a hand in his hair, and Bruce sighed, leaning into his touch, feeling the pain in his head lessen slightly. "Are you all right?" His lover asked again.
"Yes," he whispered, not sure if it was the truth. Kal settled more closely next to him, and Bruce knew he had heard the uncertainty in his voice.
"I love you."
Bruce closed his eyes. His head hurt. His heart hurt. He missed Harvey, wanted desperately to have the chance to tell him how sorry he was. For everything. He moved to be able to see Kal's face, opened his eyes and whispered the only words he was sure of, would always be sure of. "I love you too, Kal."
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-01 08:18 pm (UTC)I look forward to more in this series. And we know that Cobblepot and Harvey are still out there to make trouble! :)
Though I suppose Lara might sweep in with a gust of trouble herself with all the wedding preparations! ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-03 07:07 pm (UTC)Hee, you might just be right! On both accounts! :)
I'm so glad you liked this arc, Brady! Thank for all of your lovely comments! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-01 09:51 pm (UTC)OMG! That looked terrible dangerous! Poor Kal and Bruce’s siblings. They must have been so worried about him!
None of them learned until later that Cobblepot used the confusion to escape, to flee back to the borders and the mercenaries.
Cobblepot escaped?! Oh NO! But that was well done! I can see there will be more about him in the next Arc (I sure hope there is another Arc – Pretty please. :))
Kal had sat by his bedside, holding one of his hands, Ace standing guard with Jason and Cassandra at the door.
Kal, Ace, Jason and Cassandra – that was beautiful image! So much love!
Was he able to speak now, and not forever curse his brothers and sisters if he did? Were they still Bats, while he laboured on shirts, every stitch causing him pain?
Poor Bruce! He was so confused! *Hugs him*
That was excellently written!
Kal's hand squeezed his carefully, his eyes, the eyes Bruce loved so much were dark with worry and fear.
Awwwww! I loved so much seeing Kal taking care about Bruce in this chapter! They two were so amazing together! That was wonderful!
His lover moved so he was lying next to him after their kiss broke, still stroking his face.
Another lovely moment. :)
Bats wings, he thought, confused. "Is everyone all right?" He whispered low, not sure if he was talking to Kal or Tim.
Nice mention of Bats wings. And I loved Bruce’s concern about the others. And Kal’s answer.
"I gathered it from what people said. Did you love him?" There was no anger in his eyes, only curiosity, pain at seeing him in pain, concern and love.
That was perfectly written! Ka’s concern about Bruce, his intuition and understanding about Harvey and Bruce – I loved it!
"I might ask for Martha and a few others to come before then, though. To bring Krypto. I miss him."
YAY, you mentioned Martha and Krypto! I’m soooo happy! :D
Bruce caressed his hand. "Then we can see if he and Ace will like each other."
I’m looking forward to seeing this, :)
"I love you."
"I love you too, Kal."
Such a lovely ending!
Brilliantly written chapter! I loved Bruce and Kal in this update so much! And it seems, everything is set up for another Arc. *crossing fingers*:)
I really enjoyed this chapter and it totally made my day!
Thank you very much for sharing this. :)
LS.
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-03 07:11 pm (UTC)There will be another arc! I'm not sure when - it probably won't be until Spring or early Summer. Have to see what happens! :)
Nice mention of Bats wings. And I loved Bruce’s concern about the others. And Kal’s answer.
I had to add the mention of Bat's Wings! :P *pets Bruce and Kal*
That was perfectly written! Ka’s concern about Bruce, his intuition and understanding about Harvey and Bruce – I loved it!
Kal was good, being so supportive and understanding for Bruce... *hearts him* And you will see in the next arc, Ace and Krypto meeting! LOL.
Thank you so much for your comment - for all of your wonderful comments on this story! They make my day. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-01 10:29 pm (UTC)I was so worried for Bruce at the end of the last chapter, so it was such a relief to have a happy ending in this one even though it ended badly for Harvey and Cobblepot got away. But then again, without active bad guys, there won't be much action I suppose. :)
I hope you'll continue this series, it's so much fun :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-03 07:13 pm (UTC)I had to have a happy ending, lol! But it's true, I do need active bad guys! :p
I will continue this series, I have an idea for another arc, at least. :)
Thank you for commenting! I'm so glad you liked this story! :)
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-02 01:58 am (UTC)I love the bittersweet ending here, with Bruce hurting and sad and Clark just there for him and understanding. They've been through so much together and it's a relief for us, like it is for Bruce, to know they're there for each other. *hugs* Thank you for bringing them to that moment through it all!
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-03 07:15 pm (UTC)It's a really horrible feeling when you wake up and you don't know where you are, or what happened! Poor Bruce... *huggles him*
*hearts Kal* He was so good for Bruce here, just understanding and loving Bruce, just... accepting it all. *glomps them*
Thank you for all your beta work on this series, Jen, and for all your comments! *glomps* <3
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-03 05:42 am (UTC)I see you've left Penguin and Two-Face somewhere out there, so there's a possibility for more in this verse still, and I really like the idea that you might come back and tie loose ends eventually. :) This is such a fun AU, and I really love how you've written the characters so far, so more of it would be a really wonderful treat! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-03 07:17 pm (UTC)Yep, there is going to be another arc, at least! I love this verse too much to finish it here. :) Harvey and Penguin will feature in future stories, I think, and I'm mulling over what other characters to introduce. :)
Thank you for all your comments on this story! I'm so glad you like this verse. :D
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-06 11:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-08 06:54 pm (UTC)And Kal, wonderful loving Kal who stayed by Bruce's side and who understood the reality that Bruce may have been in a relationship with someone else before him (how I wish more folks would understand that one's life did not start when they met you).
*pets Kal* He was so very very wonderful here. Just understanding and being there for Bruce... *pets him again*
Thank you for commenting! I'm so glad you like this series! :D
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-06 11:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-08 06:55 pm (UTC)Thank you for commenting! I'm so glad you've liked this series! :D