Fic: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (3/13)

[starsandsea]

Title: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (3/13)
Rating: PGish
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Clark, Lucius, Alfred, Dick, Babs
Word Count: 2110
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Betaed by the awesome mithen!




Bruce was preparing for the council the next morning when Dick approached him. He had not slept well, conscious of Kal's absence, of cold where warmth should have been. Even the warmth of Ace sleeping on the bed had not been enough. He had been on the verge of getting up and going to his siblings' room, to sleep with them, as they had done when they were younger when dawn at last broke. Well. At least he had got paperwork done, as Ace slumbered at his feet.

Dick had come in with breakfast then, and Bruce felt some of his restlessness ease. He was relieved his relationship with Dick had healed after their long absence from each other, followed by misunderstanding.

Dick was now his heir, the Crown Prince of Gotham. Of course, if Bruce ever had any children, then the throne would go to them... but he knew that Dick, and his other siblings, would be delighted at having nephews or nieces.

Which made Bruce think about something he had long put to the back of his mind. Kal was an only child. If the royal line of Metropolis was to continue Kal would have to have a child. The one thing Bruce could not give him. Jor-El and Lara would know that as well. While he didn't think they would try and break his and Kal's betrothal - even though she was terribly weakened, they would not want Gotham as an enemy - they were bound to point it out to Kal. He touched Kal's ring again, as had already become habit with him.

"Bruce." Dick's voice.

Bruce blinked, slightly startled. He must be more tired than he had thought, since the look on his brother's face made it clear it was not the first time he had said his name.

"Jason said that Cass can see something wrong with Harvey." Dick's tone was slightly wary.

Bruce sighed. "Dick..." He paused, searching for the right words. "She told me the same. I am sure he is only tired after traveling for so long. And, he is adjusting to all the changes here, as well."

Dick eyed him, then nodded slowly, but his eyes were still watchful. "If you're sure..."

"I know Harvey," was all Bruce said in response.

The bell tolled, signaling the start of the council, startling them both, and they quickly left the room for the council chamber.

*****

The councilors were waiting for them. Bruce and Dick paused in the doorway, where Lucius was waiting for them. Bruce looked at him in question, and Lucius nodded, handing him some papers. Bruce nodded back, then moved to his place at the head of the table. Some of the councilors were muttering to each other, casting him glances, and Bruce pushed down a smile with the ease of long practice.

Dick was standing just behind his right shoulder. Lucius stood near his left. Bruce looked at the councilors who were still talking, perhaps because he had not yet sat down. Perhaps. He felt the weight of the heavy crown upon his head - he had felt this situation had warranted the use of the heavier crown - and the men fell silent, looking slightly startled. Good.

Bruce nodded at Lucius to begin, but did not sit down. As Lucius said the opening words, then moved onto the small speech he had prepared, Bruce eyed each of the council members.

"And so, we regret to inform you that your services as council members are no longer required."

Pandemonium. Most of the men jumped up, but all of them were yelling. Bruce looked at them calmly still, feeling Dick stepping slightly closer to him; a protective move. Had they really not expected this?

The shouting continued, and Bruce raised a hand. Silence instantly fell. "I thank you for your years of service, however I know well that each of you have been exploiting your positions."

Surprise replaced shock. He could feel them each readying arguments of their innocence. "I will not tolerate this, not when Gotham needs our help more than ever. You are all free to go."

Some opened their mouths as if to say... something, but looked at him, then closed them again. Some muttered, throwing him dark looks - one of them, the worst of them, a fat man with an extremely long nose - said something that Bruce did not catch, but he had some sense of foreboding...

"The King has spoken." Dick stated, from his side, and the former council members started to leave. Bruce, Dick and Lucius remained standing until the last one had left. Only then did Bruce sit down, Dick echoing him.

"Lucius, would you get the new councilors, please?"

Lucius smiled. "It would be my pleasure, sir."

Dick looked at him as Lucius left. Bruce looked blandly back. Inwardly he felt only relief and hope. Finally, he had got rid of those leeches.

Lucius entered the room again, Barbara and Harvey and many others behind him. They slowly sat, and looked at the King. Bruce smiled now. "I welcome you, council of Gotham."

Their voices echoed back at him. "Welcome."

As the council session started, Bruce saw Dick looking at Harvey warily, and stifled a sigh.

*****

It was a week later, and the new council, led jointly by Barbara and Lucius, was beginning to flourish. Bruce was pleased to find that Harvey had settled in well, though he had not really seen him since the night of his arrival, save for passing him in a corridor.

But, with the council now sorted out, Bruce could turn his attention to other things. Like the soldiers. He was working with the Captain of the forces, James Gordon, and Jason and Cassandra, with input from Tim, were training them up, or completely retraining them in some cases. But changes, big changes, were being made at last.

Gotham could now start to raise her head a little, at last. It would still be a very hard Winter, but they would endure. There was hope here, a great hope for the future.

Bruce smiled. There was a knock on the door. He looked up from the desk in his study and called out 'Enter'. It opened, and Alfred walked in, many letters in his hands. Bruce nodded in thanks as Alfred placed them on the desk in front of him. Before he could start to look at them, Alfred cleared his throat.

"I believe you will find this letter to be of greatest importance, sir." He withdrew a thick letter, on creamy paper.

Bruce took it from him and felt his heart leap as he saw the familiar handwriting. Kal. He looked up at Alfred. "Thank you."

Alfred nodded, and left the room, leaving Bruce alone with his lover's letter. He nearly tore it open in his haste to read Kal's words, forgetting everything in that moment, all the work he had to do, that he was a King. All he cared about was reading Kal's letter.

My dear Bruce,

I miss you. I know we have been apart before, but never like this. I wish I could be there, with you. I hope you are well, love, and looking after yourself, and your hands. I hope your brothers and sisters and well, also.

We arrived here without incident, and my parents and Martha send their regards. Perhaps we can all come back in the Spring. I think Martha, Alfred and Leslie would get on very well.

My parents are... happy with the news of our betrothal; my Mother has started preparations for our wedding already. I look forward to the day as well, when we will hopefully never be separated for long again.

I think of you constantly. I miss you so much, love. I keep wishing you were here with me again. I can hardly look anywhere and not be reminded of some memory of you. You, and your brothers and sisters have become legend here, what happened to you, what you did. I do not think we will have to worry about what the people will think of our union.

I wish there were some way to talk to you! To hear your voice, to see your face, love. So I can be sure you are all right, and well. Hopefully this letter, and other, future ones, will be able to get through the snows to you. It has already started snowing here and I fear we are in for a hard Winter.

I hope your brothers and sisters are looking after you, and each other. And that Ace is constantly by your side too; his loyalty and devotion to you ease my heart.

I know we spoke of this before I left, but... I am scared, Bruce. That I will come back and find you hurt, or... I dare not even think about anything worse.

I love you. I keep touching my ring, thinking about you. I fear it will need repair by Spring, for I will have worn the metal through. I miss you. Just having you near, having someone who understands me so well... my love. My Bruce. My Blaidd. I love you. I dream of you each night, of holding you, kissing you, making love to you... your hair, your eyes...

I swear, I will return in as soon as I can in Spring, when we will at last be married. My love.

I shall stop here, before I can no longer continue. I hope I will hear from you soon, hope the snow is light, so our letters may still get through.

I am thinking of you constantly, my Bruce.

I love you.

Kal.

Bruce touched the last words carefully, caressing Kal's name with his fingertips, feeling tears prickling his eyes. A great wave of loneliness, sadness and despair crashed over him.

*****

Bruce was just finishing his letter in reply to Kal, telling him about the new council and Harvey, when Barbara knocked on the slightly open door. Bruce waved her in, her flame red hair catching the light from the fire and glowing dramatically. She sat in front of his desk, and Ace padded over her, greeting her, receiving pets in return, before he returned to Bruce's side to curl up by his feet.

"The council continues to progress well." There was a satisfied smile on her face. Bruce nodded, pleased, but not surprised that it was going so well, under his sister's guidance.

"However..." Barbara paused, tilting her head slightly, causing her hair to tumble over her shoulder like a river of fire. Bruce looked at her, concerned now.

"It's Harvey," she sighed, and Bruce frowned. "He... doesn't have the best control of his temper. He has some ingenious ideas, yes, and the council would be much poorer without his aid, but... everyone else, they're scared of him, Bruce." Her blue eyes were glowing with concern, some anger, and, though she would never admit it, just a hint of fear.

Bruce's frown deepened - why was everyone saying things like this about Harvey? - but he nodded. "I will talk to him, if you would like."

Barbara nodded, and started to talk about other matters the council was working on, until Ace raised his head just before Dick walked in.

"Bruce. Babs." He perched himself on the edge of Bruce's desk, facing their sister. Bruce suppressed a sigh, and carefully put his unfinished letter to Kal away.

They continued to talk about the council for a while, Bruce mainly watching Dick and Babs talking, thinking out ideas, adding input when he thought it was necessary. There was a pause in the conversation, and Dick turned to look at him.

"I've heard reports..." He paused, and both Bruce and Barbara tilted their heads at him. "I don't even know if I should bring this up; they are only rumours, and not very substantial ones..."

"Tell us," Barbara said, her tone commanding.

Dick shrugged. "They say that there are several bands of mercenaries near the borders."

Bruce frowned again. "But it's Winter," Barbara pointed out.

"I know. That's why I hesitated to bring it up. They are probably just on their way home..."

"We will keep it in mind." Bruce decided. "Tell me if you hear anything more."

Dick nodded. "Of course."

Bruce sat back in his chair. "We might need to send some soldiers down there, just in case."

Dick and Barbara nodded, their eyes serious, but gleaming with the prospect of a fight.