starsandsea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starsandsea) wrote2008-06-29 08:03 pm
starsandsea) wrote2008-06-29 08:03 pm
Entry tags:
Fic: The Beat of Bats Wings (10/10)
Title: The Beat of Bats Wings (10/10)
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, BatClan, Jor-El, Lara
Word Count: 2345
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Lots and lots of thanks to the amazing and awesome![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
jen_in_japan for the fantastic job with the betaing of all of this story, especially this chapter, and for all of her help and encouragement. *glomps*
Bruce woke to sunlight and warmth the next day. He and Kal were pressed together, curled into each others' warmth. Bruce rolled over to look at Kal, who was still sleeping, and brushed the curl that was always on his forehead away. He slipped an arm about Kal, moving even closer to him. Kal murmured something and his arms tightened about him. Bruce sighed, content.
He could hear voices in the other room, his brothers' and sisters' voices, and felt joy spreading throughout him.
"Good morning," Kal murmured against his forehead.
Bruce turned his head and saw brilliant blue eyes. He kissed Kal and soon had him groaning under him. He pulled away reluctantly, knowing that they couldn't linger here, had to go and speak with his siblings, with Kal's parents. And they would have to leave as soon as possible, before word of what happened the night before could reach his step-mother's ears.
Kal kissed him again, drawing him close once more. Well. A few more minutes wouldn't hurt...
*****
Bruce was sitting opposite Kal. Dick was sitting to his left, his other siblings were also seated around the table. They were having breakfast. Or they were supposed to be. The King and Queen didn't seem to know what to think about what had happened, about him. They seemed to have settled on sternness for now.
"We'll have to leave today, for Gotham." Kal eventually broke the silence.
Bruce was looking at his siblings. He had spoken to them all in an urgent whisper about what Kal had said last night, before they had been ushered into this room for breakfast. Stephanie was helping Tim with his food, the leathery wing standing out against the brightness of the room. Bruce's heart broke anew at the sight, and he cursed himself again for his failure. Well, he was going to make sure Tim wanted for nothing from now on, and there would be hell to pay if he heard someone speaking out of turn about him, or about any of his siblings. He had been gone, left them on their own for years now. It was time he truly acted like the brother he was meant to be.
"Gotham?" Jor-El repeated slowly, in a disbelieving voice.
"Yes, Father. Gotham."
"You can't go to Gotham, Kal. You are needed here."
"I'm going with Blaidd... with Bruce and his family."
"You can't..."
There was a flash of fire in Kal's eyes, blue and gold and somehow silver, all at once. But, to Bruce's surprise, it was Kal's mother who spoke next.
"Jor-El. He is going whether you approve of it or not. Kal, dear, try not to get angry with your father. He's only trying to do the best for you and I'm afraid the appearance of these young Princes and Princesses has taken him by surprise, as well as the knowledge of just who we have had under our roof all this time. And you know he hates surprises." Bruce found himself smiling as Lara admonished her husband. He wondered, briefly, if she and his mother would have gotten along.
"Don't say anything, Jor. If you really objected to this then you would never have entertained the notion of Kal and Bruce becoming betrothed before all this happened."
Kal smiled suddenly, his smile that was like the sun coming out. "Thank you, Mother."
At the other end of the table Jor-El was abashed. There were hidden smiles on his brothers' and sisters' faces. Bruce frowned, thinking of what they might find at home, while it was discussed what to do with Luthor. They could only wait and see.
"Bruce? What do you think?" There was silence at the table. Bruce looked up to see everyone looking at him after Dick's question.
"He must be punished. He tried to usurp the throne of Metropolis; who knows what else he would do if you did nothing. But I'm wary about what to actually do with him, for with a man like that any punishment you devise may only anger him further, and make him attempt to repeat his previous actions."
There were nods. Kal's foot brushed his under the table, causing Bruce to smile slightly.
"He should meet the fate he had planned for you?" Kal's eyes were dark, still glowing with a eerie light.
Bruce sighed, but nodded. "I can not see what other course of action can be taken."
There were reluctant nods and noises of agreement around the table. Bruce sighed again, and Kal's foot brushed his once more, under the table. Bruce looked up and caught Kal's sad smile. He smiled wanly back.
*****
They had set out for Gotham a few days ago, and with each step, Bruce felt the dread growing. He was trying to not let it show, but Kal could tell, he knew. He was trying to spend time with each of his siblings, but... he saw the way they acted, saw their silent communication, and he feared they had been separated too long, that the bonds he had shared with each of them had been severed. He saw them all looking to Dick for guidance now.
He tried not to let his hurt show; it wasn't as if he had been through what they had. They hadn't spoken about it, but you only needed to look in their eyes to see. Bruce worried that they hated him, that they blamed him for what happened, that he had been free while they had been cursed... and it had been his fault, really.
Ace came up and licked his face, startling Bruce out of his thoughts. He could see his siblings on the other side of the fire, in their campsite for the night. They were all sitting together, not talking, but sharing a thousand words. He should get up and join them, he knew, but... did they want the rift healed? Did they even realise that it was there? They were all younger than him, so maybe they had forgotten what their bond used to be like. Maybe it would be best if things stayed as they were. It was an unspoken understanding that he would return to Metropolis with Kal after they had seen their father, go back there forever. The two kingdoms would be merged, under tradition, once Bruce inherited the throne of Gotham.
But... Bruce took a deep breath, considering. He would ask his father if Dick could take his place. He would make a fine leader, already was. Yes. Bruce would abdicate to Dick. If he was truthful then from the moment he had discovered that Gotham and Metropolis were starting negotiations for him to become betrothed to Kal, he knew he was going to have to.
Bruce sighed, and Ace licked his face again, jolting him out of his thoughts once more. Bruce petted him, then turned slightly as Kal sat down next to him. Kal draped his rich red cloak about his shoulders, along with his arm. Bruce leaned into him, Kal gently pulling him close. He entwined their fingers as Ace lay down in front of them.
*****
Gotham looked different. Much different. Bruce could feel rage building inside him, could see it mirrored in his siblings' faces. What had happened while they had been gone?
He stopped his horse as he realized that they were next to his mother's grave. It looked unrecognisable. The marker stone was broken, weeds and brambles and... He almost laughed at the irony. Nettles and Starwart. He felt tears prickling his eyes, felt the rage growing even stronger. He dismounted, seeing his siblings echoing his movements, and started pulling at the weeds, at the Nettles and Starwart. Kal worked next to him, though there was confusion in his eyes. Dick and Jason propped the broken marker up. Stephanie was crying. Bruce started toward her when he saw Tim was already comforting her.
He paused, then felt Kal touching his arm. "What is it?"
Bruce swallowed, blinking back his own tears, the grief rolling inside him. "Our mother..." he whispered, still not used to talking. Kal gently drew him close and kissed his forehead. Bruce leaned against him for a moment, then took a deep breath, locking every emotion except his rage and anger away. His step-mother was going to pay.
*****
The castle looked like a shadow of its former self. Walls were crumbling; rubble scattered the grounds, weeds were growing freely in the courtyard. Bruce swallowed, fear blossoming inside his chest.
For the first time he really began to realize that his Father could be dead.
Bruce swallowed again. His brothers and sisters had dismounted from their horses, and Barbara was rushing toward the rotting wooden door with a cry, everyone else close behind. Bruce slowly dismounted, feeling out of place, like he was intruding on something personal. Kal's warmth was beside him and Bruce was surprised to see anxiety in his lover's eyes. He reached for his hand, and Kal caught it, squeezing it.
Ace was growling, facing away from the castle door and toward the gardens. Had his step-mother, if she was here, seen them approaching and was attempting to flee through the gardens? Bruce stepped closer to Kal. He wasn't going to let her take away anyone else he loved!
Ace was still growling, then it changed to an almost inquiring sound. He darted into the gardens, Bruce's hand raised in an abortive gesture to stop him. He and Kal exchanged a look, then slowly edged forward, following Ace warily into the gardens. They rounded a corner and Bruce froze.
Ace was woofing happily at an old man. Bruce would recognize him anywhere. "Alfred...?"
The man looked up. "Master... Master Bruce...?"
Bruce felt like weeping again. He nodded. Ace trotted over to his side to jump up and lick his face enthusiastically. "Alfred..." He pressed Ace down, then moved forward, Kal still holding his hand.
"My word, sir. Is it really you?" Bruce could only nod again. Alfred smiled again, suddenly looking much younger. "It is... very good to have you back, sir."
"It's good to be back, Alfred." Kal was watching them both, confused. Bruce blinked back his tears again. "Kal, this is Alfred. He... he helped raise me, and my brothers and sisters. Alfred, this is Kal-El, the Prince of Metropolis."
He watched as Alfred and Kal murmured greetings to each other. "Does this mean that the other young lords and ladies have returned also, sir?"
Bruce nodded, seeing Alfred's eyes filling with relief. "Alfred... my Father, is he...?"
Alfred bowed his head, and Bruce knew. "I am... terribly sorry, sir. He died only a few days ago."
Bruce closed his eyes. Kal wrapped him in a embrace, holding him close; he could feel him stroking his hair and murmuring softly in his ear.
"Alfred!" Jason's voice. Bruce pulled away from Kal to look toward the sound, saw all his brothers and sisters there. Saw them come to an abrupt halt when they saw him. Saw the realization dawn on their faces, the shock followed by tears, the anger. They pulled one another close, their sobs echoing through the courtyard.
Bruce stood before them, with Kal at his side, and stubbornly refused to cry.
Ace started barking suddenly. Bruce turned to see a figure moving through the gardens, a rich blue cloak moving quickly. Ace growled, then ran forward, preparing to strike. The person came to an abrupt halt as Ace approached, stopping so suddenly that the hood of the cloak fell, revealing the face of their step-mother.
Bruce heard Jason yell, saw him out the corner of his eye as he separated himself from their siblings and followed Ace, drawing the knife from his belt.
Their step-mother raised her hands and Bruce could hear her start to chant something, before he started to move himself. He moved forward quickly, the chanting growing louder, pushing Jason back, hearing Ace's barks over the words. He drew his own sword, and slashed it across the witch's throat.
The chanting stopped immediately, replaced with a shattering sound. No blood stained his sword, the woman just seemed to... crumple, falling into herself, until all that remained was a small pile of what looked like many pieces of shattered glass.
Bruce swallowed and sheathed his sword, turning to look back at his siblings, Alfred and Kal, seeing the remains of the castle, his home behind them.
"Avenged."
*****
It was several days later. Bruce was in bed in his old room with Kal, Ace lying next to the bed, Kal holding him close.
They had held the funeral today for his Father today.
Kal pressed a kiss into his hair. Bruce listened to the heavy rain that was falling, that had fallen all day. He pressed closer to Kal's warmth. "I'm going to abdicate to Dick," he said abruptly.
"What?" He felt Kal move, saw him looking at him in shock.
"I can't... We can't both be kings."
"You don't have to-"
"There's no one for you to abdicate too."
"But..."
Bruce sighed. They lay in silence for a while.
"You don't have to. Not right away. I'm not a king yet." Bruce looked at him. "Don't. Don't give up the thing you were born to do, Bruce."
"But-"
"No. I've seen you and I know you, Bruce. You're a born leader. And an extremely good one. Don't just... throw it away."
"But-"
"Your people need you, Bruce. Dick isn't ready for this responsibility. They need you."
Bruce was silent for some time. "How will we...?"
Kal smiled. "We'll work something out. But don't give up on yourself. You are the most stubborn, courageous, determined person I know. Ma told me how you held your head up high - I saw you - when they almost... the night your brothers and sisters came back. Don't just.... give up."
Bruce looked at him. Kal looked back. Bruce nodded slowly, then kissed him gently. Outside, the rain stopped as the clouds began to clear and the stars shone.
Rating: PG-13
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, BatClan, Jor-El, Lara
Word Count: 2345
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Lots and lots of thanks to the amazing and awesome
jen_in_japan for the fantastic job with the betaing of all of this story, especially this chapter, and for all of her help and encouragement. *glomps* Bruce woke to sunlight and warmth the next day. He and Kal were pressed together, curled into each others' warmth. Bruce rolled over to look at Kal, who was still sleeping, and brushed the curl that was always on his forehead away. He slipped an arm about Kal, moving even closer to him. Kal murmured something and his arms tightened about him. Bruce sighed, content.
He could hear voices in the other room, his brothers' and sisters' voices, and felt joy spreading throughout him.
"Good morning," Kal murmured against his forehead.
Bruce turned his head and saw brilliant blue eyes. He kissed Kal and soon had him groaning under him. He pulled away reluctantly, knowing that they couldn't linger here, had to go and speak with his siblings, with Kal's parents. And they would have to leave as soon as possible, before word of what happened the night before could reach his step-mother's ears.
Kal kissed him again, drawing him close once more. Well. A few more minutes wouldn't hurt...
*****
Bruce was sitting opposite Kal. Dick was sitting to his left, his other siblings were also seated around the table. They were having breakfast. Or they were supposed to be. The King and Queen didn't seem to know what to think about what had happened, about him. They seemed to have settled on sternness for now.
"We'll have to leave today, for Gotham." Kal eventually broke the silence.
Bruce was looking at his siblings. He had spoken to them all in an urgent whisper about what Kal had said last night, before they had been ushered into this room for breakfast. Stephanie was helping Tim with his food, the leathery wing standing out against the brightness of the room. Bruce's heart broke anew at the sight, and he cursed himself again for his failure. Well, he was going to make sure Tim wanted for nothing from now on, and there would be hell to pay if he heard someone speaking out of turn about him, or about any of his siblings. He had been gone, left them on their own for years now. It was time he truly acted like the brother he was meant to be.
"Gotham?" Jor-El repeated slowly, in a disbelieving voice.
"Yes, Father. Gotham."
"You can't go to Gotham, Kal. You are needed here."
"I'm going with Blaidd... with Bruce and his family."
"You can't..."
There was a flash of fire in Kal's eyes, blue and gold and somehow silver, all at once. But, to Bruce's surprise, it was Kal's mother who spoke next.
"Jor-El. He is going whether you approve of it or not. Kal, dear, try not to get angry with your father. He's only trying to do the best for you and I'm afraid the appearance of these young Princes and Princesses has taken him by surprise, as well as the knowledge of just who we have had under our roof all this time. And you know he hates surprises." Bruce found himself smiling as Lara admonished her husband. He wondered, briefly, if she and his mother would have gotten along.
"Don't say anything, Jor. If you really objected to this then you would never have entertained the notion of Kal and Bruce becoming betrothed before all this happened."
Kal smiled suddenly, his smile that was like the sun coming out. "Thank you, Mother."
At the other end of the table Jor-El was abashed. There were hidden smiles on his brothers' and sisters' faces. Bruce frowned, thinking of what they might find at home, while it was discussed what to do with Luthor. They could only wait and see.
"Bruce? What do you think?" There was silence at the table. Bruce looked up to see everyone looking at him after Dick's question.
"He must be punished. He tried to usurp the throne of Metropolis; who knows what else he would do if you did nothing. But I'm wary about what to actually do with him, for with a man like that any punishment you devise may only anger him further, and make him attempt to repeat his previous actions."
There were nods. Kal's foot brushed his under the table, causing Bruce to smile slightly.
"He should meet the fate he had planned for you?" Kal's eyes were dark, still glowing with a eerie light.
Bruce sighed, but nodded. "I can not see what other course of action can be taken."
There were reluctant nods and noises of agreement around the table. Bruce sighed again, and Kal's foot brushed his once more, under the table. Bruce looked up and caught Kal's sad smile. He smiled wanly back.
*****
They had set out for Gotham a few days ago, and with each step, Bruce felt the dread growing. He was trying to not let it show, but Kal could tell, he knew. He was trying to spend time with each of his siblings, but... he saw the way they acted, saw their silent communication, and he feared they had been separated too long, that the bonds he had shared with each of them had been severed. He saw them all looking to Dick for guidance now.
He tried not to let his hurt show; it wasn't as if he had been through what they had. They hadn't spoken about it, but you only needed to look in their eyes to see. Bruce worried that they hated him, that they blamed him for what happened, that he had been free while they had been cursed... and it had been his fault, really.
Ace came up and licked his face, startling Bruce out of his thoughts. He could see his siblings on the other side of the fire, in their campsite for the night. They were all sitting together, not talking, but sharing a thousand words. He should get up and join them, he knew, but... did they want the rift healed? Did they even realise that it was there? They were all younger than him, so maybe they had forgotten what their bond used to be like. Maybe it would be best if things stayed as they were. It was an unspoken understanding that he would return to Metropolis with Kal after they had seen their father, go back there forever. The two kingdoms would be merged, under tradition, once Bruce inherited the throne of Gotham.
But... Bruce took a deep breath, considering. He would ask his father if Dick could take his place. He would make a fine leader, already was. Yes. Bruce would abdicate to Dick. If he was truthful then from the moment he had discovered that Gotham and Metropolis were starting negotiations for him to become betrothed to Kal, he knew he was going to have to.
Bruce sighed, and Ace licked his face again, jolting him out of his thoughts once more. Bruce petted him, then turned slightly as Kal sat down next to him. Kal draped his rich red cloak about his shoulders, along with his arm. Bruce leaned into him, Kal gently pulling him close. He entwined their fingers as Ace lay down in front of them.
*****
Gotham looked different. Much different. Bruce could feel rage building inside him, could see it mirrored in his siblings' faces. What had happened while they had been gone?
He stopped his horse as he realized that they were next to his mother's grave. It looked unrecognisable. The marker stone was broken, weeds and brambles and... He almost laughed at the irony. Nettles and Starwart. He felt tears prickling his eyes, felt the rage growing even stronger. He dismounted, seeing his siblings echoing his movements, and started pulling at the weeds, at the Nettles and Starwart. Kal worked next to him, though there was confusion in his eyes. Dick and Jason propped the broken marker up. Stephanie was crying. Bruce started toward her when he saw Tim was already comforting her.
He paused, then felt Kal touching his arm. "What is it?"
Bruce swallowed, blinking back his own tears, the grief rolling inside him. "Our mother..." he whispered, still not used to talking. Kal gently drew him close and kissed his forehead. Bruce leaned against him for a moment, then took a deep breath, locking every emotion except his rage and anger away. His step-mother was going to pay.
*****
The castle looked like a shadow of its former self. Walls were crumbling; rubble scattered the grounds, weeds were growing freely in the courtyard. Bruce swallowed, fear blossoming inside his chest.
For the first time he really began to realize that his Father could be dead.
Bruce swallowed again. His brothers and sisters had dismounted from their horses, and Barbara was rushing toward the rotting wooden door with a cry, everyone else close behind. Bruce slowly dismounted, feeling out of place, like he was intruding on something personal. Kal's warmth was beside him and Bruce was surprised to see anxiety in his lover's eyes. He reached for his hand, and Kal caught it, squeezing it.
Ace was growling, facing away from the castle door and toward the gardens. Had his step-mother, if she was here, seen them approaching and was attempting to flee through the gardens? Bruce stepped closer to Kal. He wasn't going to let her take away anyone else he loved!
Ace was still growling, then it changed to an almost inquiring sound. He darted into the gardens, Bruce's hand raised in an abortive gesture to stop him. He and Kal exchanged a look, then slowly edged forward, following Ace warily into the gardens. They rounded a corner and Bruce froze.
Ace was woofing happily at an old man. Bruce would recognize him anywhere. "Alfred...?"
The man looked up. "Master... Master Bruce...?"
Bruce felt like weeping again. He nodded. Ace trotted over to his side to jump up and lick his face enthusiastically. "Alfred..." He pressed Ace down, then moved forward, Kal still holding his hand.
"My word, sir. Is it really you?" Bruce could only nod again. Alfred smiled again, suddenly looking much younger. "It is... very good to have you back, sir."
"It's good to be back, Alfred." Kal was watching them both, confused. Bruce blinked back his tears again. "Kal, this is Alfred. He... he helped raise me, and my brothers and sisters. Alfred, this is Kal-El, the Prince of Metropolis."
He watched as Alfred and Kal murmured greetings to each other. "Does this mean that the other young lords and ladies have returned also, sir?"
Bruce nodded, seeing Alfred's eyes filling with relief. "Alfred... my Father, is he...?"
Alfred bowed his head, and Bruce knew. "I am... terribly sorry, sir. He died only a few days ago."
Bruce closed his eyes. Kal wrapped him in a embrace, holding him close; he could feel him stroking his hair and murmuring softly in his ear.
"Alfred!" Jason's voice. Bruce pulled away from Kal to look toward the sound, saw all his brothers and sisters there. Saw them come to an abrupt halt when they saw him. Saw the realization dawn on their faces, the shock followed by tears, the anger. They pulled one another close, their sobs echoing through the courtyard.
Bruce stood before them, with Kal at his side, and stubbornly refused to cry.
Ace started barking suddenly. Bruce turned to see a figure moving through the gardens, a rich blue cloak moving quickly. Ace growled, then ran forward, preparing to strike. The person came to an abrupt halt as Ace approached, stopping so suddenly that the hood of the cloak fell, revealing the face of their step-mother.
Bruce heard Jason yell, saw him out the corner of his eye as he separated himself from their siblings and followed Ace, drawing the knife from his belt.
Their step-mother raised her hands and Bruce could hear her start to chant something, before he started to move himself. He moved forward quickly, the chanting growing louder, pushing Jason back, hearing Ace's barks over the words. He drew his own sword, and slashed it across the witch's throat.
The chanting stopped immediately, replaced with a shattering sound. No blood stained his sword, the woman just seemed to... crumple, falling into herself, until all that remained was a small pile of what looked like many pieces of shattered glass.
Bruce swallowed and sheathed his sword, turning to look back at his siblings, Alfred and Kal, seeing the remains of the castle, his home behind them.
"Avenged."
*****
It was several days later. Bruce was in bed in his old room with Kal, Ace lying next to the bed, Kal holding him close.
They had held the funeral today for his Father today.
Kal pressed a kiss into his hair. Bruce listened to the heavy rain that was falling, that had fallen all day. He pressed closer to Kal's warmth. "I'm going to abdicate to Dick," he said abruptly.
"What?" He felt Kal move, saw him looking at him in shock.
"I can't... We can't both be kings."
"You don't have to-"
"There's no one for you to abdicate too."
"But..."
Bruce sighed. They lay in silence for a while.
"You don't have to. Not right away. I'm not a king yet." Bruce looked at him. "Don't. Don't give up the thing you were born to do, Bruce."
"But-"
"No. I've seen you and I know you, Bruce. You're a born leader. And an extremely good one. Don't just... throw it away."
"But-"
"Your people need you, Bruce. Dick isn't ready for this responsibility. They need you."
Bruce was silent for some time. "How will we...?"
Kal smiled. "We'll work something out. But don't give up on yourself. You are the most stubborn, courageous, determined person I know. Ma told me how you held your head up high - I saw you - when they almost... the night your brothers and sisters came back. Don't just.... give up."
Bruce looked at him. Kal looked back. Bruce nodded slowly, then kissed him gently. Outside, the rain stopped as the clouds began to clear and the stars shone.