starsandsea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
starsandsea) wrote2009-08-09 07:18 pm
starsandsea) wrote2009-08-09 07:18 pm
Entry tags:
The Cacophony of Bats Wings (1/13)
Title: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (1/13)
Rating: PGish
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Dick, Cass
Word Count: 2298
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: The third arc of the 'Bats Wings' universe, which can be found here. Lots of thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mithen for all her help and encouragement, and for the beta! *glomps*
Bruce signaled that the council session was over, and read the papers in front of him as everyone left, save for one person. He looked up to see Dick watching him, waiting. He raised an eyebrow at his brother and Dick relaxed slightly.
"When are you going to replace them?" Dick asked, gesturing at the closed doors to the hall.
Bruce sighed softly. "Lucius is making the final arrangements now."
Dick nodded slowly. "Good."
Bruce looked back at the papers. Things were better now, yes, but... still very hard. He could call on his brothers and sisters for aid, but they could only solve a small number of the problems that plagued Gotham. There were still so many things he needed to do, people to save. And... he was still adjusting to being a King.
"How are your hands?" Dick reached out and touched them gently. Bruce looked at them. They had healed, after the skin had gone hard and cracked. They just looked as they always would now, scarred and deformed.
"They are fine," he replied, swallowing another sigh.
"Good. I'm glad." Dick squeezed them carefully; there was regret and sorrow in his eyes. Bruce squeezed his hands in return and Dick smiled then. It was difficult for all of them, the ordeals they had each gone through, then returning home and finding their Father gone and Gotham nearly gone with him... But things were getting better. It was taking time, but things were healing, mending, becoming whole again. It would just take time.
There was a knock on the door. Bruce let go of Dick's hands, the weight of the lighter circlet in place of the heavy, ornate crown on his head a sudden presence. "Enter," he called out.
The door opened and Kal walked in, Ace by his side. Bruce relaxed again, a tiny smile lighting his lips, answered by Kal's own.
Dick gave them both a smirk. "I'll see you both later."
Bruce's smile widened as Ace and Kal came over to sit at his side.
Kal sat where Dick had been, clasping one of Bruce's hands and brushing his lips over his knuckles. Bruce squeezed his hand in return, looking into his eyes. Ace nudged at his legs, whining slightly, and Bruce broke eye contact with his lover to give his dog some attention, though Kal still held his right hand.
After Ace had settled down, content to lie at his feet and chew at his boot strings, Bruce looked back at Kal.
"How is it going?" Kal asked, their clasped hands resting on the papers.
Bruce sighed, not hiding it now, and Kal winced slightly. "I'm sorry. But at least you'll be able to replace them soon."
"I know, it is just..."
Kal shifted, so his body was angled more towards him. He did not say anything, and Bruce looked down unseeing at the papers on the table, at their hands, just resting for a moment, drawing strength from his lover, before he would have to get up and go back to work again.
"Bruce..." Kal started, and Bruce looked up, surprised at the uncertainty in his voice. His lover sighed, and brought his hand to his lips again, caressing it. Bruce moved his hand so it was cradling one side of Kal's face, his lover's hand over it still, feeling the soft skin and stands of hair on his fingers.
"I received a letter from my Father today," Kal said slowly, and Bruce felt his heart sink. He knew what he was going to say before he spoke. "He wants me to go home. Back to Metropolis. He says I stayed here longer than planned, and that he needs me there."
Bruce caressed his face, looking in his eyes, seeing the conflicting emotions in the brilliant blue. "What do you want to do?" He asked softly.
Kal closed his eyes and sighed, both of his hands now holding Bruce's one against his face, bringing it back to his lips so he was speaking against his fingers. "I don't want to leave you. But..."
"Your people need you. And, you can not deny their call, no matter what you might want."
Kal nodded, his eyes full and dark with sorrow and regret. Bruce moved so they were sitting close together, gently freeing his hand from Kal's and wrapping his arms about him in a hug, Kal's arms going about him in turn.
"You must do what you have to do."
He felt one of Kal's hands tangle in his hair. "I don't want to leave you," he said again, and Bruce embraced him harder.
"I know. But it will not be forever. We have been apart before."
Kal pulled away from him, and Bruce could see his eyes, darkened by an emotion he wasn't used to seeing: fear
"I can't... the last time I left you..." Tears glimmered in Kal's eyes now, and Bruce felt his heart tighten.
"Things are different now. That will not happen again this time," he said, remembering the heat from the flames, feeling them licking at his body as he tried desperately to free his brothers and sisters from the curse at last. He kissed his lover softly, feeling Kal's hand tightening in his hair, almost painfully. "It will not," he whispered against his lips, feeling Kal's arms tightening about him even more.
*****
Bruce curled around Kal, huddling into his warmth. The nights were much colder now and snow was expected any day. Winter had taken hold of the land. He listened to Kal's breathing, calm now, after their lovemaking of before. To know that soon Kal would have to leave, that he would be alone... it was unsettling. But they had no choice. Kal could not abandon his people any more than Bruce could abandon Gotham now.
Kal would have to leave, go back to Metropolis. He would return, but with Winter now here... The roads between Gotham and Metropolis would likely be blocked by snow, only traversable again in Spring, months away now. They had been separated before, of course, but never for this long. Never this long.
Bruce sighed. And the truth of the matter was Kal would have to leave within days to be in Metropolis before Winter set in in earnest. Indeed, the guards that had delivered Jor-El's letter were to escort Kal to Metropolis with them. They would not leave without their Prince. Kal had already stayed longer than he said he would, to be with him after his Father's death, everything with his brothers and sisters, his crowning...
It seemed Jor-El's patience had finally reached an end.
Bruce sighed again, stroking Kal's hair, feeling his heart aching with Kal's absence already, though his lover was lying in his arms. A hand captured his, and Bruce looked down, startled. He had thought Kal asleep, but he was apparently wrong.
"I don't want to go. But I have to." Kal's voice was low, and Bruce tightened his hold on him.
"I know," was all he said, unable to say anymore.
Kal sighed deeply, his entire body heaving. Bruce stroked his hair again, hoping to soothe him. They lay in silence for many moments, the only sound their breathing and the popping of the fire. Kal shifted in his arms and Bruce looked down again, about to tell him to try and get some sleep. But Kal moved until he was on his elbows, looking at him. Bruce gazed up at his beloved's face, limned with firelight, his eyes shocks of blue.
Their lips touched very softly, then Kal pulled away, until he was sitting, reaching into a drawer in the little wooden stand next to the bed.
Bruce shivered at the loss of warmth, and he looked at his lover curiously. Kal turned back to him, his hand clenched, and Bruce looked at him in question.
"I..." Kal halted, as if at a loss for words. Bruce moved so he was close to him, trying to offer his support. "I had these made. For us." Kal slowly opened his hands to reveal two circles of silver, gleaming in the firelight, golden wire-work and gems glowing.
"Bruce. I know I have already asked you. But officially now. Will you marry me?"
Kal looked adorably nervous, and Bruce felt his heart melt. He sat up fully and put his arms about him, their arms about each other. He could feel Kal's smile, the one only he got to see. He pulled away and kissed him, telling him his answer in a way words could never convey, never do justice.
They rested their foreheads together, after they had pulled apart, and Kal slipped the ring on Bruce's finger. Bruce felt the weight of it, and smiled. He took the other ring, and placed it on Kal's finger, then entwined their hands together, the metal bands clinking lightly. Their hearts still ached with sadness at their soon to be parting, but... not so sad as before.
"I promise," Kal said, his eyes fervent. "I promise when Spring comes, I will return and marry you."
Bruce caressed his face. "I will be here, waiting," he promised in return, holding his love tightly in his arms.
*****
Bruce walked down to breakfast two days later, Kal at his side. It was the day of his leaving. They had tried to spend as much time together as they could, but, as ever, duty tore them apart. He sighed softly. Beside him, Kal paused, and Bruce stopped also, thankful they were in a quiet corridor.
Kal clasped his hand, his hand with his ring upon it, and raised it to his mouth, kissing it. Bruce stepped closer to him and rested their foreheads together, Kal's free arm going about him, Bruce echoing his movements.
They looked in each others' eyes, drawing strength from one another, then reluctantly separated and went to breakfast.
*****
Mid-morning. Why did time move so fast? Bruce stood tall, trying to be as King-like as possible, for his people, for himself. He was merely saying goodbye to a foreign dignitary, not saying goodbye to his lover for months.
Bruce stood in the castle's courtyard, people all around him, but all he could see was Kal. The Prince of Metropolis stepped before him. Bruce straightened his back even more. "Farewell," was all he said. But Kal, his beloved Kal, as ever, understood everything he was not saying with words.
"Farewell. I will return in the Spring, as soon as the paths are cleared."
Bruce felt pain lance at his heart, saw it echoed in Kal's eyes. He nodded, and Kal paused, as if he was not sure what to do, long enough for Bruce to tilt his head at him in question. Kal moved quickly, barely giving Bruce time to think, and then he was kissing him. Kissing him, in front of everyone.
Bruce kissed him back, uncaring of the eyes upon them, holding his lover tight.
They drew apart only when they were both gasping for breath, looking deeply in each others' eyes. "I promise," Kal whispered, for his ears alone.
Bruce kissed him again, lingeringly, before reluctantly stepping away from him. He looked to his side, saw his brothers and sisters, bittersweet smiles on their faces, Tim half cloaked in shadow. They nodded at Kal, and his lover nodded back, before mounting his horse.
Bruce looked up at him, and Kal reached down, clasping his hand, their rings touching. "I promise, my love."
Bruce nodded, slowly let go of his hand, and stepped away to stand by his brothers' and sisters' sides, and watched his lover ride away.
*****
Bruce signed the last paper with a flourish. The joy he would have felt at finally completing the paperwork was muted as he remembered that Kal was gone. He sighed. Ace pushed his head onto his lap, whining, asking for attention. He smiled slightly, and made a show of petting him, culminating in bending down low from his chair to rub at Ace's belly, to the dog's delight.
There was a knock on the door. Bruce straightened slowly, and Ace rolled over. But the dog had not barked, so that meant it was someone he knew, trusted. "Come in," he called, and Cass stood in the doorway.
"Dinner," was all she said, and Bruce smiled.
"Thank you, Cass."
Ace left his side to beg attention from his sister, and she obliged, a small smile on her face. Bruce stood. He would use this time, this Winter, to truly re-connect with his brothers and sisters, get to know them again, so that the misunderstandings of the past would never happen again. He would talk with them, gather their input for ideas to help Gotham, and then implement them.
He would miss Kal terribly, but... it was only until Spring. Kal would come back, and they would finally be married. Bruce smiled, and Cass looked up at him, Ace quiet at her side now.
"He told us to look after you," she said, and Bruce felt his smile turn wry. Kal...
"Let's go to dinner before Alfred has to wait any longer," was all he replied, moving to the door; then the two of them walked down to the great hall, Ace padding along at their side.
The silence was broken, however, by someone calling his name. "Bruce?"
Bruce stopped and turned, shock flooding through his body as he saw who had said his name. "Harvey?"
Rating: PGish
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Dick, Cass
Word Count: 2298
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: The third arc of the 'Bats Wings' universe, which can be found here. Lots of thanks to
mithen for all her help and encouragement, and for the beta! *glomps*Bruce signaled that the council session was over, and read the papers in front of him as everyone left, save for one person. He looked up to see Dick watching him, waiting. He raised an eyebrow at his brother and Dick relaxed slightly.
"When are you going to replace them?" Dick asked, gesturing at the closed doors to the hall.
Bruce sighed softly. "Lucius is making the final arrangements now."
Dick nodded slowly. "Good."
Bruce looked back at the papers. Things were better now, yes, but... still very hard. He could call on his brothers and sisters for aid, but they could only solve a small number of the problems that plagued Gotham. There were still so many things he needed to do, people to save. And... he was still adjusting to being a King.
"How are your hands?" Dick reached out and touched them gently. Bruce looked at them. They had healed, after the skin had gone hard and cracked. They just looked as they always would now, scarred and deformed.
"They are fine," he replied, swallowing another sigh.
"Good. I'm glad." Dick squeezed them carefully; there was regret and sorrow in his eyes. Bruce squeezed his hands in return and Dick smiled then. It was difficult for all of them, the ordeals they had each gone through, then returning home and finding their Father gone and Gotham nearly gone with him... But things were getting better. It was taking time, but things were healing, mending, becoming whole again. It would just take time.
There was a knock on the door. Bruce let go of Dick's hands, the weight of the lighter circlet in place of the heavy, ornate crown on his head a sudden presence. "Enter," he called out.
The door opened and Kal walked in, Ace by his side. Bruce relaxed again, a tiny smile lighting his lips, answered by Kal's own.
Dick gave them both a smirk. "I'll see you both later."
Bruce's smile widened as Ace and Kal came over to sit at his side.
Kal sat where Dick had been, clasping one of Bruce's hands and brushing his lips over his knuckles. Bruce squeezed his hand in return, looking into his eyes. Ace nudged at his legs, whining slightly, and Bruce broke eye contact with his lover to give his dog some attention, though Kal still held his right hand.
After Ace had settled down, content to lie at his feet and chew at his boot strings, Bruce looked back at Kal.
"How is it going?" Kal asked, their clasped hands resting on the papers.
Bruce sighed, not hiding it now, and Kal winced slightly. "I'm sorry. But at least you'll be able to replace them soon."
"I know, it is just..."
Kal shifted, so his body was angled more towards him. He did not say anything, and Bruce looked down unseeing at the papers on the table, at their hands, just resting for a moment, drawing strength from his lover, before he would have to get up and go back to work again.
"Bruce..." Kal started, and Bruce looked up, surprised at the uncertainty in his voice. His lover sighed, and brought his hand to his lips again, caressing it. Bruce moved his hand so it was cradling one side of Kal's face, his lover's hand over it still, feeling the soft skin and stands of hair on his fingers.
"I received a letter from my Father today," Kal said slowly, and Bruce felt his heart sink. He knew what he was going to say before he spoke. "He wants me to go home. Back to Metropolis. He says I stayed here longer than planned, and that he needs me there."
Bruce caressed his face, looking in his eyes, seeing the conflicting emotions in the brilliant blue. "What do you want to do?" He asked softly.
Kal closed his eyes and sighed, both of his hands now holding Bruce's one against his face, bringing it back to his lips so he was speaking against his fingers. "I don't want to leave you. But..."
"Your people need you. And, you can not deny their call, no matter what you might want."
Kal nodded, his eyes full and dark with sorrow and regret. Bruce moved so they were sitting close together, gently freeing his hand from Kal's and wrapping his arms about him in a hug, Kal's arms going about him in turn.
"You must do what you have to do."
He felt one of Kal's hands tangle in his hair. "I don't want to leave you," he said again, and Bruce embraced him harder.
"I know. But it will not be forever. We have been apart before."
Kal pulled away from him, and Bruce could see his eyes, darkened by an emotion he wasn't used to seeing: fear
"I can't... the last time I left you..." Tears glimmered in Kal's eyes now, and Bruce felt his heart tighten.
"Things are different now. That will not happen again this time," he said, remembering the heat from the flames, feeling them licking at his body as he tried desperately to free his brothers and sisters from the curse at last. He kissed his lover softly, feeling Kal's hand tightening in his hair, almost painfully. "It will not," he whispered against his lips, feeling Kal's arms tightening about him even more.
*****
Bruce curled around Kal, huddling into his warmth. The nights were much colder now and snow was expected any day. Winter had taken hold of the land. He listened to Kal's breathing, calm now, after their lovemaking of before. To know that soon Kal would have to leave, that he would be alone... it was unsettling. But they had no choice. Kal could not abandon his people any more than Bruce could abandon Gotham now.
Kal would have to leave, go back to Metropolis. He would return, but with Winter now here... The roads between Gotham and Metropolis would likely be blocked by snow, only traversable again in Spring, months away now. They had been separated before, of course, but never for this long. Never this long.
Bruce sighed. And the truth of the matter was Kal would have to leave within days to be in Metropolis before Winter set in in earnest. Indeed, the guards that had delivered Jor-El's letter were to escort Kal to Metropolis with them. They would not leave without their Prince. Kal had already stayed longer than he said he would, to be with him after his Father's death, everything with his brothers and sisters, his crowning...
It seemed Jor-El's patience had finally reached an end.
Bruce sighed again, stroking Kal's hair, feeling his heart aching with Kal's absence already, though his lover was lying in his arms. A hand captured his, and Bruce looked down, startled. He had thought Kal asleep, but he was apparently wrong.
"I don't want to go. But I have to." Kal's voice was low, and Bruce tightened his hold on him.
"I know," was all he said, unable to say anymore.
Kal sighed deeply, his entire body heaving. Bruce stroked his hair again, hoping to soothe him. They lay in silence for many moments, the only sound their breathing and the popping of the fire. Kal shifted in his arms and Bruce looked down again, about to tell him to try and get some sleep. But Kal moved until he was on his elbows, looking at him. Bruce gazed up at his beloved's face, limned with firelight, his eyes shocks of blue.
Their lips touched very softly, then Kal pulled away, until he was sitting, reaching into a drawer in the little wooden stand next to the bed.
Bruce shivered at the loss of warmth, and he looked at his lover curiously. Kal turned back to him, his hand clenched, and Bruce looked at him in question.
"I..." Kal halted, as if at a loss for words. Bruce moved so he was close to him, trying to offer his support. "I had these made. For us." Kal slowly opened his hands to reveal two circles of silver, gleaming in the firelight, golden wire-work and gems glowing.
"Bruce. I know I have already asked you. But officially now. Will you marry me?"
Kal looked adorably nervous, and Bruce felt his heart melt. He sat up fully and put his arms about him, their arms about each other. He could feel Kal's smile, the one only he got to see. He pulled away and kissed him, telling him his answer in a way words could never convey, never do justice.
They rested their foreheads together, after they had pulled apart, and Kal slipped the ring on Bruce's finger. Bruce felt the weight of it, and smiled. He took the other ring, and placed it on Kal's finger, then entwined their hands together, the metal bands clinking lightly. Their hearts still ached with sadness at their soon to be parting, but... not so sad as before.
"I promise," Kal said, his eyes fervent. "I promise when Spring comes, I will return and marry you."
Bruce caressed his face. "I will be here, waiting," he promised in return, holding his love tightly in his arms.
*****
Bruce walked down to breakfast two days later, Kal at his side. It was the day of his leaving. They had tried to spend as much time together as they could, but, as ever, duty tore them apart. He sighed softly. Beside him, Kal paused, and Bruce stopped also, thankful they were in a quiet corridor.
Kal clasped his hand, his hand with his ring upon it, and raised it to his mouth, kissing it. Bruce stepped closer to him and rested their foreheads together, Kal's free arm going about him, Bruce echoing his movements.
They looked in each others' eyes, drawing strength from one another, then reluctantly separated and went to breakfast.
*****
Mid-morning. Why did time move so fast? Bruce stood tall, trying to be as King-like as possible, for his people, for himself. He was merely saying goodbye to a foreign dignitary, not saying goodbye to his lover for months.
Bruce stood in the castle's courtyard, people all around him, but all he could see was Kal. The Prince of Metropolis stepped before him. Bruce straightened his back even more. "Farewell," was all he said. But Kal, his beloved Kal, as ever, understood everything he was not saying with words.
"Farewell. I will return in the Spring, as soon as the paths are cleared."
Bruce felt pain lance at his heart, saw it echoed in Kal's eyes. He nodded, and Kal paused, as if he was not sure what to do, long enough for Bruce to tilt his head at him in question. Kal moved quickly, barely giving Bruce time to think, and then he was kissing him. Kissing him, in front of everyone.
Bruce kissed him back, uncaring of the eyes upon them, holding his lover tight.
They drew apart only when they were both gasping for breath, looking deeply in each others' eyes. "I promise," Kal whispered, for his ears alone.
Bruce kissed him again, lingeringly, before reluctantly stepping away from him. He looked to his side, saw his brothers and sisters, bittersweet smiles on their faces, Tim half cloaked in shadow. They nodded at Kal, and his lover nodded back, before mounting his horse.
Bruce looked up at him, and Kal reached down, clasping his hand, their rings touching. "I promise, my love."
Bruce nodded, slowly let go of his hand, and stepped away to stand by his brothers' and sisters' sides, and watched his lover ride away.
*****
Bruce signed the last paper with a flourish. The joy he would have felt at finally completing the paperwork was muted as he remembered that Kal was gone. He sighed. Ace pushed his head onto his lap, whining, asking for attention. He smiled slightly, and made a show of petting him, culminating in bending down low from his chair to rub at Ace's belly, to the dog's delight.
There was a knock on the door. Bruce straightened slowly, and Ace rolled over. But the dog had not barked, so that meant it was someone he knew, trusted. "Come in," he called, and Cass stood in the doorway.
"Dinner," was all she said, and Bruce smiled.
"Thank you, Cass."
Ace left his side to beg attention from his sister, and she obliged, a small smile on her face. Bruce stood. He would use this time, this Winter, to truly re-connect with his brothers and sisters, get to know them again, so that the misunderstandings of the past would never happen again. He would talk with them, gather their input for ideas to help Gotham, and then implement them.
He would miss Kal terribly, but... it was only until Spring. Kal would come back, and they would finally be married. Bruce smiled, and Cass looked up at him, Ace quiet at her side now.
"He told us to look after you," she said, and Bruce felt his smile turn wry. Kal...
"Let's go to dinner before Alfred has to wait any longer," was all he replied, moving to the door; then the two of them walked down to the great hall, Ace padding along at their side.
The silence was broken, however, by someone calling his name. "Bruce?"
Bruce stopped and turned, shock flooding through his body as he saw who had said his name. "Harvey?"