Fic: Please Take Me Home
Dec. 22nd, 2010 07:05 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starsandseaTitle: Please Take Me Home
Rating: PG
Characters: Bruce, Tim, Alfred, Ace
Word Count: 2140
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: For![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
hitokaji! Because she is awesome. :D Inspired by this pic of hers. Unbetaed, so point and I shall correct.
(To everyone else, I'm really sorry I'm so behind! I hope to get caught up on things soon.)
The little puppy looked up at him, eyes wide, a pathetic look upon its face. It was even in a box marked: 'please take me home'. Batman shook his head. Poor little thing. He wondered how long it had been here, if it had had any siblings that had been taken away, or if it had been alone, anyway. If it had had siblings, in this part of town...He could think of several things that would have happened to them.
The little puppy whined now, raising itself so its front paws were on the edge of the box, still looking up at him with those big blue eyes.
Batman sighed. "It's too late for a shelter to be open. I suppose that I can take you back to the Cave for one night."
The little puppy gave a bark, then tumbled forward, the box falling on top of him, muffling his little yips. Batman shook his head again, as the box started the move, but could not quite resist a smile. He knelt, turning the box over, gently capturing the puppy, and placed it back inside. It barked again, then looked at his gloved fingers. When was the last time that it ate? Well, Alfred could sort something out, he was sure.
Making sure that the puppy was safely within the box, Batman picked it up and headed to the Batmobile.
*****
Batman parked the car carefully, the little puppy standing on the edge of its box again, tongue hanging out, as he looked out the tinted windows. Batman shook his head, then gently pushed the puppy back into the box. It licked his fingers again.
He supposed he should be thankful that it wasn't like Krypto must have been as a puppy. If it had been, he doubted that they both would have survived the drive back. He opened the door and picked up the box, then stepped out of the car.
The puppy whimpered a little at the sound of the car door closing. It was huddled down in the corner of the box now. Batman sighed, wondering if that was a reaction to the Cave, or that if it might have been abused, in its already far too short life. He walked over to the computer, where Alfred was waiting for him.
"A productive night, sir?"
He placed the box down on his chair, and the little puppy sat up and looked around. He ignored Alfred's raised eyebrow as he took off his cowl. "Yes. I found where the drugs are coming in."
"Well done, sir. Was the puppy part of this procedure?"
Bruce snorted, running a hand through his hair. "No. That was after."
"I see, sir."
"All the animal shelters are closed for the night," Bruce added.
"So they are, sir. Shall I take the young one upstairs for some supper, then?"
"Yes. But make sure it says in its box."
Alfred gave him a look at that, and Bruce suppressed a smile. To suggest that Alfred would let a puppy roam around the manor... He still hadn't recovered from what Krypto had done. But he picked up the box and carried the puppy upstairs, little yips coming from the box. " 'Please take me home'? Good grief."
Bruce smiled openly now as he heard Alfred's muttered comment. He sat down in his chair and started his report for the night.
*****
Bruce walked into the kitchen the next morning, yawning, still half-asleep. At least it was overcast today, and not too bright. Alfred had brunch ready for him, but most welcome was the cup of steaming coffee. Bruce smiled and sat at the breakfast counter, watching Alfred tidy the kitchen - not that it wasn't already spotless, of course.
"What would you like me to do with the puppy, sir?"
Puppy? Bruce blinked, then remembered. The puppy from last night. He blinked again, then looked around, and saw a box - not the box the puppy had been in, but one of the boxes that Alfred's tea various tea stocks came in - in a corner of the kitchen, with the Daily Planet spread underneath it. "Oh. Well. It's Sunday. We wouldn't want to bother people on a Sunday."
Alfred merely nodded. "Of course not, sir."
As if the puppy knew they were talking about it - and maybe it did - it looked over the edge of the tall box, then yipped excitedly as it saw Bruce, and started trying to scramble out.
"Well, he seems to have taken a shine to you, sir." Alfred was once more rubbing at a gleaming counter top.
Bruce was about to speak - what would he do with a dog? He couldn't give it a cape and cowl and take it out on walkies on patrol, could he? - when Tim walked in, yawning hugely, eyes blearily.
"Ugh. Morning."
"Good Morning, Master Timothy."
"Ugh." Tim sat next to him and eyed his coffee. Bruce wrapped his hands about his cup and drew it closer. Tim was just about to steal a slice of his toast when Alfred placed his own full plate and cup of coffee before him. "Thanks Alfie."
"Master Timothy!" Bruce couldn't restrain a smile, and nor could Tim. Alfred hated being called 'Alfie'.
"Oh, wow, when did we get a puppy?" Tim had hastily swallowed his mouthful of coffee, and was looking into the corner. Where the puppy had succeeded in toppling the box over, and was trying to make his way over to them, little paws sliding on the tiled floor. Alfred sighed and captured the little grey creature, rightened the box, and placed it back inside, making it start whining.
"We're not keeping it, Tim. Just looking after it until a shelter is open tomorrow." Bruce repeated himself with a sigh. He knew the look on Tim's face well. It was one that Dick had often had, whenever they had found a stray animal.
"Oh," and just like Dick had, Tim looked disappointed. But suddenly brightened up. "Well, we've still got today. What are we going to call it?"
Bruce cast Tim a look. He was rapidly revising his assessment that Tim would be more sensible about this than Dick had been. "We're not going to name it anything."
"Oh, come on, Bruce. We can't just call it 'puppy'."
"It's only going to be here for a day, Tim."
"So?" Tim had already crossed the room, and was crouched next to the box.
"Breakfast first, Master Timothy."
Tim sighed, but returned to his breakfast. They ate in silence, save for the puppy's soft whines, until Bruce left for the cave.
*****
Bruce yawned as he moved another piece of paper aside. Paperwork was so very dull. But it needed to be done. He sighed. He had spent the rest of the morning in the Cave, doing research and working out, then come upstairs for lunch, and had been in his study ever since. Which meant that he had been at this for three hours.
He closed his eyes and groaned, then stretched, hearing his neck click. No wonder he was so tired. He yawned again, then stood up. Maybe he could have a nap. He glanced at the antique clock on the wall, then back at the paperwork. He had done enough for today. He would have a nap, then read until dinner, then go down to the Cave again, and get himself ready for patrol.
Bruce nodded, then left his study and made his way upstairs. The door to Tim's room was open, and he looked in as he passed. Tim kept his room far more tidy than Dick had. And Jason...He took a deep breath. He was still surprised at how much it hurt.
Tim had his earphones in; was probably multi-tasking in doing homework and talking to one, or more, of the Titans. His head was nodding with the music, and Bruce smiled, letting the sight soothe him. His youngest was content.
He continued past his room, and entered his own, softly shutting the door behind him. He undid his shoes, then, after considering - Alfred would not be happy if he slept in his clothes - stripped and put on his pajamas. He lifted the sheets and slid under them, sighing, and... He paused.
Curled up, sleeping, obviously worn out from play, was the puppy. Bruce stared at it. What was it doing up here? Had Tim brought it up? Bruce scowled. He couldn't really fault the puppy for having the same idea that he had, but... This was his bed. The puppy made a little noise, no doubt disturbed by him, but just ended up curling up close to him.
Bruce sighed again. He supposed the puppy was 'cute'. He didn't even know what breed it was. He would have to check, later. He yawned and closed his eyes. He was too tired to do anything about it. Besides, it would be gone tomorrow.
Bruce fell asleep, the puppy curled close.
*****
The little puppy had woken him with licks to his face. Bruce groaned and placed it on the floor. It whined, but somehow, after several attempts, managed to jump back onto the bed and start licking his face again. Bruce groaned once more and rolled over. The puppy just scrambled over him, and licked his face once, then stared up at him with big blue eyes.
"Ace! C'here, boy. Ace!" That was Tim's voice.
The puppy looked in the direction of the door and woofed softly. Bruce covered his face with his hand. He had known that this was a bad idea. Why hadn't he listened to himself? Tim continued calling for the puppy. Bruce sighed again, then got up, capturing the little puppy, and walked to the door. He opened it to see Tim just outside, who started a little at the sudden movement.
"It think you are looking for this?" He handed Tim the puppy, who whined, and reached out to him.
"Oh, uh, sorry, Bruce. He was in my room, and-"
"Make sure it doesn't happen again."
Tim nodded. Bruce shut the door and went back to bed.
*****
Monday had come and gone. Tuesday morning, Bruce woke up with a puppy licking his face. He groaned. Why couldn't the puppy follow Alfred? He was always saying that he needed help. He could train the puppy to be his assistant. Bruce snorted softly, and the puppy yipped softly, tumbling over him and sprawling on the bed. Well... at least it was calmer than Krypto. And Tim seemed to like it.
He supposed that he did enjoy the - mostly - silent company of it. It had already tried to follow him down to the Cave. He really did need to find out what breed it was.
*****
Each day he came home from work - or up from the Cave - and was greeted by the puppy, who acted as if it was years since he had last seen him.
Alfred commented, one evening, that a vet had been up to check the horses and had given the puppy a once over, including a few injections. Bruce had nodded and said that that would be one less thing for the shelter to do, once the puppy was taken there.
He was almost amused at how quickly the subject was dropped, then.
Meanwhile, the puppy continued to grow. And grow. It was going to be a Great Dane, Bruce had decided. At least its ears would be right. It had taken to following him everywhere, as if it were glued to his legs. Each morning he woke to it licking his face. At least that was one thing he and Alfred agreed upon. Neither of them liked the dog on the his bed. But, it was clear that Alfred did approve of the puppy. And Tim would spend hours playing with it, obviously enjoying it.
Six weeks after he had brought the puppy home, he came back from work to the puppy greeting him, as normal, woofing softly, licking his hands. Alfred was out and Tim was still at school. Bruce walked into the main living room, setting his briefcase down on the table, sitting on a settee. The puppy - who was much, much bigger now - came to sit at his feet.
Bruce looked down at it for a moment, then nodded, and opened his briefcase, then withdrew a bag, making the puppy look up. "This," Bruce said, catching the puppy's eye, "is for you."
He removed the item from the bag, and put the dark brown leather collar around the puppy's neck. It woofed, very gently, and nodded. Bruce smiled, making sure the tag was in the right place. A bat shaped tag, the name 'Ace' engraved upon it.
"Good boy, Ace."
Rating: PG
Characters: Bruce, Tim, Alfred, Ace
Word Count: 2140
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: For
hitokaji! Because she is awesome. :D Inspired by this pic of hers. Unbetaed, so point and I shall correct.(To everyone else, I'm really sorry I'm so behind! I hope to get caught up on things soon.)
The little puppy looked up at him, eyes wide, a pathetic look upon its face. It was even in a box marked: 'please take me home'. Batman shook his head. Poor little thing. He wondered how long it had been here, if it had had any siblings that had been taken away, or if it had been alone, anyway. If it had had siblings, in this part of town...He could think of several things that would have happened to them.
The little puppy whined now, raising itself so its front paws were on the edge of the box, still looking up at him with those big blue eyes.
Batman sighed. "It's too late for a shelter to be open. I suppose that I can take you back to the Cave for one night."
The little puppy gave a bark, then tumbled forward, the box falling on top of him, muffling his little yips. Batman shook his head again, as the box started the move, but could not quite resist a smile. He knelt, turning the box over, gently capturing the puppy, and placed it back inside. It barked again, then looked at his gloved fingers. When was the last time that it ate? Well, Alfred could sort something out, he was sure.
Making sure that the puppy was safely within the box, Batman picked it up and headed to the Batmobile.
*****
Batman parked the car carefully, the little puppy standing on the edge of its box again, tongue hanging out, as he looked out the tinted windows. Batman shook his head, then gently pushed the puppy back into the box. It licked his fingers again.
He supposed he should be thankful that it wasn't like Krypto must have been as a puppy. If it had been, he doubted that they both would have survived the drive back. He opened the door and picked up the box, then stepped out of the car.
The puppy whimpered a little at the sound of the car door closing. It was huddled down in the corner of the box now. Batman sighed, wondering if that was a reaction to the Cave, or that if it might have been abused, in its already far too short life. He walked over to the computer, where Alfred was waiting for him.
"A productive night, sir?"
He placed the box down on his chair, and the little puppy sat up and looked around. He ignored Alfred's raised eyebrow as he took off his cowl. "Yes. I found where the drugs are coming in."
"Well done, sir. Was the puppy part of this procedure?"
Bruce snorted, running a hand through his hair. "No. That was after."
"I see, sir."
"All the animal shelters are closed for the night," Bruce added.
"So they are, sir. Shall I take the young one upstairs for some supper, then?"
"Yes. But make sure it says in its box."
Alfred gave him a look at that, and Bruce suppressed a smile. To suggest that Alfred would let a puppy roam around the manor... He still hadn't recovered from what Krypto had done. But he picked up the box and carried the puppy upstairs, little yips coming from the box. " 'Please take me home'? Good grief."
Bruce smiled openly now as he heard Alfred's muttered comment. He sat down in his chair and started his report for the night.
*****
Bruce walked into the kitchen the next morning, yawning, still half-asleep. At least it was overcast today, and not too bright. Alfred had brunch ready for him, but most welcome was the cup of steaming coffee. Bruce smiled and sat at the breakfast counter, watching Alfred tidy the kitchen - not that it wasn't already spotless, of course.
"What would you like me to do with the puppy, sir?"
Puppy? Bruce blinked, then remembered. The puppy from last night. He blinked again, then looked around, and saw a box - not the box the puppy had been in, but one of the boxes that Alfred's tea various tea stocks came in - in a corner of the kitchen, with the Daily Planet spread underneath it. "Oh. Well. It's Sunday. We wouldn't want to bother people on a Sunday."
Alfred merely nodded. "Of course not, sir."
As if the puppy knew they were talking about it - and maybe it did - it looked over the edge of the tall box, then yipped excitedly as it saw Bruce, and started trying to scramble out.
"Well, he seems to have taken a shine to you, sir." Alfred was once more rubbing at a gleaming counter top.
Bruce was about to speak - what would he do with a dog? He couldn't give it a cape and cowl and take it out on walkies on patrol, could he? - when Tim walked in, yawning hugely, eyes blearily.
"Ugh. Morning."
"Good Morning, Master Timothy."
"Ugh." Tim sat next to him and eyed his coffee. Bruce wrapped his hands about his cup and drew it closer. Tim was just about to steal a slice of his toast when Alfred placed his own full plate and cup of coffee before him. "Thanks Alfie."
"Master Timothy!" Bruce couldn't restrain a smile, and nor could Tim. Alfred hated being called 'Alfie'.
"Oh, wow, when did we get a puppy?" Tim had hastily swallowed his mouthful of coffee, and was looking into the corner. Where the puppy had succeeded in toppling the box over, and was trying to make his way over to them, little paws sliding on the tiled floor. Alfred sighed and captured the little grey creature, rightened the box, and placed it back inside, making it start whining.
"We're not keeping it, Tim. Just looking after it until a shelter is open tomorrow." Bruce repeated himself with a sigh. He knew the look on Tim's face well. It was one that Dick had often had, whenever they had found a stray animal.
"Oh," and just like Dick had, Tim looked disappointed. But suddenly brightened up. "Well, we've still got today. What are we going to call it?"
Bruce cast Tim a look. He was rapidly revising his assessment that Tim would be more sensible about this than Dick had been. "We're not going to name it anything."
"Oh, come on, Bruce. We can't just call it 'puppy'."
"It's only going to be here for a day, Tim."
"So?" Tim had already crossed the room, and was crouched next to the box.
"Breakfast first, Master Timothy."
Tim sighed, but returned to his breakfast. They ate in silence, save for the puppy's soft whines, until Bruce left for the cave.
*****
Bruce yawned as he moved another piece of paper aside. Paperwork was so very dull. But it needed to be done. He sighed. He had spent the rest of the morning in the Cave, doing research and working out, then come upstairs for lunch, and had been in his study ever since. Which meant that he had been at this for three hours.
He closed his eyes and groaned, then stretched, hearing his neck click. No wonder he was so tired. He yawned again, then stood up. Maybe he could have a nap. He glanced at the antique clock on the wall, then back at the paperwork. He had done enough for today. He would have a nap, then read until dinner, then go down to the Cave again, and get himself ready for patrol.
Bruce nodded, then left his study and made his way upstairs. The door to Tim's room was open, and he looked in as he passed. Tim kept his room far more tidy than Dick had. And Jason...He took a deep breath. He was still surprised at how much it hurt.
Tim had his earphones in; was probably multi-tasking in doing homework and talking to one, or more, of the Titans. His head was nodding with the music, and Bruce smiled, letting the sight soothe him. His youngest was content.
He continued past his room, and entered his own, softly shutting the door behind him. He undid his shoes, then, after considering - Alfred would not be happy if he slept in his clothes - stripped and put on his pajamas. He lifted the sheets and slid under them, sighing, and... He paused.
Curled up, sleeping, obviously worn out from play, was the puppy. Bruce stared at it. What was it doing up here? Had Tim brought it up? Bruce scowled. He couldn't really fault the puppy for having the same idea that he had, but... This was his bed. The puppy made a little noise, no doubt disturbed by him, but just ended up curling up close to him.
Bruce sighed again. He supposed the puppy was 'cute'. He didn't even know what breed it was. He would have to check, later. He yawned and closed his eyes. He was too tired to do anything about it. Besides, it would be gone tomorrow.
Bruce fell asleep, the puppy curled close.
*****
The little puppy had woken him with licks to his face. Bruce groaned and placed it on the floor. It whined, but somehow, after several attempts, managed to jump back onto the bed and start licking his face again. Bruce groaned once more and rolled over. The puppy just scrambled over him, and licked his face once, then stared up at him with big blue eyes.
"Ace! C'here, boy. Ace!" That was Tim's voice.
The puppy looked in the direction of the door and woofed softly. Bruce covered his face with his hand. He had known that this was a bad idea. Why hadn't he listened to himself? Tim continued calling for the puppy. Bruce sighed again, then got up, capturing the little puppy, and walked to the door. He opened it to see Tim just outside, who started a little at the sudden movement.
"It think you are looking for this?" He handed Tim the puppy, who whined, and reached out to him.
"Oh, uh, sorry, Bruce. He was in my room, and-"
"Make sure it doesn't happen again."
Tim nodded. Bruce shut the door and went back to bed.
*****
Monday had come and gone. Tuesday morning, Bruce woke up with a puppy licking his face. He groaned. Why couldn't the puppy follow Alfred? He was always saying that he needed help. He could train the puppy to be his assistant. Bruce snorted softly, and the puppy yipped softly, tumbling over him and sprawling on the bed. Well... at least it was calmer than Krypto. And Tim seemed to like it.
He supposed that he did enjoy the - mostly - silent company of it. It had already tried to follow him down to the Cave. He really did need to find out what breed it was.
*****
Each day he came home from work - or up from the Cave - and was greeted by the puppy, who acted as if it was years since he had last seen him.
Alfred commented, one evening, that a vet had been up to check the horses and had given the puppy a once over, including a few injections. Bruce had nodded and said that that would be one less thing for the shelter to do, once the puppy was taken there.
He was almost amused at how quickly the subject was dropped, then.
Meanwhile, the puppy continued to grow. And grow. It was going to be a Great Dane, Bruce had decided. At least its ears would be right. It had taken to following him everywhere, as if it were glued to his legs. Each morning he woke to it licking his face. At least that was one thing he and Alfred agreed upon. Neither of them liked the dog on the his bed. But, it was clear that Alfred did approve of the puppy. And Tim would spend hours playing with it, obviously enjoying it.
Six weeks after he had brought the puppy home, he came back from work to the puppy greeting him, as normal, woofing softly, licking his hands. Alfred was out and Tim was still at school. Bruce walked into the main living room, setting his briefcase down on the table, sitting on a settee. The puppy - who was much, much bigger now - came to sit at his feet.
Bruce looked down at it for a moment, then nodded, and opened his briefcase, then withdrew a bag, making the puppy look up. "This," Bruce said, catching the puppy's eye, "is for you."
He removed the item from the bag, and put the dark brown leather collar around the puppy's neck. It woofed, very gently, and nodded. Bruce smiled, making sure the tag was in the right place. A bat shaped tag, the name 'Ace' engraved upon it.
"Good boy, Ace."
