Fic: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (12/13)
Oct. 25th, 2009 06:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starsandseaTitle: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (12/13)
Rating: PG-13-R (for language)
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Lucius, Leslie, Harvey
Word Count: 2059
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Many thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mithen for the beta! *glomps*
The sound of the horses clattering into the courtyard was loud, when they finally returned home. But not as loud as the relieved cheers, or cries of despair from those who had been left behind.
Bruce stopped in front of the doors to the castle, the noise of the horns that had sounded in welcome still ringing in his ears. Barbara, Tim, Stephanie and Lucius were waiting there, Ace alert at their feet, Alfred in the background. Leslie had already gone off to see to the wounded.
Bruce dismounted, Barbara rushing up to him, eyes wide. "Dick! Is he...?"
He placed a reassuring hand on his sister's shoulder. "He is fine. He remained at the borders to patrol them."
Barbara sank in relief, and Bruce squeezed her shoulder again, before giving Ace a quick pet, his tail thumping against their legs happily. Stephanie was hugging Cass, Tim and Jason were nodding to each other. Kal stood beside him, smiling softly. There was a pleased look in his eyes, a satisfied look, as he removed his helmet.
Diana was standing near them, looking around curiously. "Barbara, Timothy, Stephanie, may I introduce you to Diana, Princess of Themyscira. She will be staying with us, for a time."
They bowed and curtsied, exchanging greetings in clear voices. Bruce took a deep breath. There was another duty he had to perform before he could go inside. He stepped around his brothers and sisters and Kal and Diana, removing his helmet, then cleared his throat, looking at his people. Slowly, the courtyard quietened, though there were still sobs, both from joy and grief.
Bruce looked at the people, looking at him. His people. He felt a surge of pride go through his chest, and silently renewed his vow to protect them. "Many good people of Gotham, Metropolis and Themyscira died, protecting our borders, our homes and lives. Our future." His gaze lingered on the children in the crowd, some clinging to returned parents, some with tears on their faces, some much too young, who nonetheless had now become the head of their families.
"We will never forget their great sacrifices, and we will be in constant debt to them. But, tonight, we shall feast in their name, for we are free, and their names will be remembered in great glory forevermore."
There were cheers, and Bruce found himself smiling again. His people. He would do everything in his power to protect them. He knew what it was like to grow up without one parent, and have the living one not really there anymore. No one should have to go through that.
He nodded at the crowd a final time, then turned and entered the castle properly.
*****
Bruce groaned as he slipped into the hot water of the bath. His body was aching, not used to spending all day in the saddle anymore, not to mention fighting. He closed his eyes in agony and bliss. The smell of the oils soothed him, settled his mind. It had been a draining and exhaustive time, both for his body and soul.
He was not sure how long he had been lying there, in the hot water, until he heard a soft noise. Bruce blearily opened his eyes, on the verge of falling asleep. Ace was just inside the door, he would not let anyone pass. There was only one person, save Alfred, that he would.
Bruce smiled. Kal slipped into the bath. It was not really big enough for them both, but... It had been a long time since they had been truly alone like this. He smiled against his lover's skin, his hands caressing, being caressed in return, their legs tangled together.
"Bruce..." Kal's eyes were glowing in the dim light. They kissed, soft candlelight flickering over their bodies, their skin slick with water as they made love.
*****
Bruce carefully smoothed down his ornate robe, catching his lover's smile. He could not help but smile back, but reminded himself of his duty. He had to attend the festival being held in honour of the dead. Just because he had been reunited with his lover did not mean that others were not suffering.
Smoothing down his robe down one last time, he stepped from his room and walked down the corridors, Kal just behind him, to the great hall. The festival would spill outside, later, with many bonfires being lit.
Lucius appeared just before he could enter the hall, and Bruce paused, Kal pausing as well, lingering by his side.
"Cobblepot has been put in the dungeons until it is decided what should be done with him."
Bruce nodded. "Thank you, Lucius. And you have my thanks for taking care of Gotham in my absence, as well."
Lucius smiled. "I hardly did anything, my Lord. Princess Barbara is a... formidable woman."
Bruce nodded again, feeling pride surge through him that he did not even bother to try and hide. "She is."
"And, it is good to see the Prince Kal-El again," Lucius commented.
Kal smiled. "It is good to be back in Gotham." His lover squeezed his hand. Bruce squeezed back, amazed, as ever, by the love in his eyes.
They were about the enter the great hall when someone called out his name. Bruce turned, and Leslie rushed up to him. "Bruce. Harvey has woken and is asking for you."
*****
Bruce had gone though the festival as solemnly as he could, until the true celebrations had begun. He had lingered for as long as he could bear, until he slipped away, unnoticed, as the mead started flowing freely. He had to see Harvey.
He walked down the corridor to the healing rooms. Ace was with Kal, and his brothers and sisters, still at the festival. He thought briefly about going to his room and removing the ornate robe and crown, but his impatience won out. He had not been allowed - no one had been allowed - to see Harvey since his terrible injury.
Bruce paused, just inside the door of one of Leslie's healing rooms, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Everything was quiet; Leslie was absent. He hesitated, not wanting to disturb his friend if he had fallen asleep, but desperately wanting to see him again, to make sure he was truly all right.
There was a small movement, and Bruce could not hold himself back any longer. "Harvey?" He whispered hoarsely.
"Bruce."
Bruce closed his eyes for a moment in relief, feeling a great weight rising from his shoulders. "Yes." He moved into the small room, just able to make out his friend's outline in the darkness. "How do you feel? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Harvey laughed, but it was not his normal laugh. It was darker, cruel, mocking, and Bruce felt a shiver go down his spine. "Don't you think you have done enough?" His voice was different too, rough and coarse, full of anger.
Despite himself, Bruce took a step back. "I do not-"
Harvey cut him off, laughing again. "Light a candle, Bruce. Light a candle and see what a great King you are, leading your people nowhere, only to pain and death while you have Metropolis pick up the pieces every time and fuck their Prince in payment."
Bruce stood, stunned, unable to think after Harvey's outburst. "I... I do not..."
"Just light the candle, damn you!" There was movement from the bed, as if Harvey was about to get up and find a candle himself. Bruce quickly moved to where he knew a candle would be and lit it, to try and prevent Harvey from hurting himself further.
"Look at me."
Bruce turned slowly, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the new light.
"Look at me! Look at me and see what you have done, your Majesty!" Harvey's voice spiraled upwards until he was almost screaming.
Bruce turned and could not hold back a gasp of horror, feeling his heart drop. He knew that Harvey had been horrifically injured, yes, he had seen it, but this... One side of his face was gone, the once pale skin pink and red and raw, the skin completely gone in places, revealing the muscle beneath...
Harvey laughed. Bruce flinched. His right eye was still blue, not cloudy like the left, and bitterness, anger, rage and... further back, all but smothered under the other emotions... Was that sorrow?
"This. This is the result of your actions, Bruce, and this is all you will ever bring Gotham! Ruin."
Bruce swallowed, then took a deep breath, while Harvey watched him, sneeringly. "The Harvey I know would never say things like that."
His friend's eyes glinted oddly in the darkness. "Harvey. Harvey is dead."
"You are not-" Bruce took a step forward.
"Harvey is DEAD!" He roared, spittle flying from his mouth.
Bruce took another deep breath, and tried not to flinch again. "You are tired, Harvey. Try to get some rest."
He walked away from the bed and blew the candle out. Harvey's mocking laughter followed him down the corridor as he left.
*****
Bruce returned to Leslie's healing rooms early the next morning. Everywhere was quiet; everyone was recovering from the night before, from drinking too much, and from reunions with loved ones. He had not gone back to the celebrations, too disturbed by his conversation with Harvey. Kal had come up to their room shortly after he had retired, anyway.
He had still been snoring when Bruce had woken. He had meant to stay, and just watch him sleep, but had found himself restless, so he had dressed, and worked on the paperwork that had piled up in his absence. It was not as much as he had feared - Barbara had done an extremely good job in looking after things. He would have to thank his sister properly. But she was probably asleep now, so instead he had had a breakfast tray sent up, and was taking it to Harvey. Hopefully his friend would be feeling better today.
"Harvey?" He called out softly. His friend lay still on his bed. Bruce gently put the tray down, then closed the door, so Harvey would not be woken by anyone passing by. He sat in a wooden chair, next to the bed, waiting for him to wake.
After a while, Harvey's eyes began to flicker, and opened, the blue settling on him almost immediately. Bruce smiled slightly. "Good morning, Harvey."
Harvey grunted, sitting himself up in the bed, a grimace touching the unscarred side of his face as he moved.
"I brought you some breakfast," Bruce gestured at the tray. Harvey looked from him, to the tray, then back to him again.
"I thought you would have gone after last night. Gone crying to your Prince."
Bruce held back a sigh, feeling his emotions plummet again. "Then perhaps you do not know me as well as you think." He knew it had been the wrong thing to say as soon as the words had left his lips. But it was too late to call them back.
Harvey's hands curled into fists. "Oh?" His voice was mocking, but his clear eye contained only sadness.
"How do you feel, Harvey?" Bruce asked, trying to change the subject.
There was a humourless laugh. "How do you think I feel?"
"You seem... agitated."
Harvey cast him a long look now, but did not respond further.
"Are you hungry?" Bruce asked, after a few minutes of silence.
Harvey's eyes shifted to the food. "I can't reach." His voice, for the first time, was more like it once had been, and Bruce felt a leap of hope in his chest.
He stood, and moved the tray to rest carefully on the bed. And was completely unprepared for what came next.
Harvey grabbed the tray before he could set it down properly, pulled it from his scarred hands, the breakfast falling from it to crash to the floor, then hit him over the head.
Bruce felt himself slump over the bed, darkness creeping in around him. The last thing he heard was Harvey's wrong laughter.
Rating: PG-13-R (for language)
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Lucius, Leslie, Harvey
Word Count: 2059
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Many thanks to
mithen for the beta! *glomps*The sound of the horses clattering into the courtyard was loud, when they finally returned home. But not as loud as the relieved cheers, or cries of despair from those who had been left behind.
Bruce stopped in front of the doors to the castle, the noise of the horns that had sounded in welcome still ringing in his ears. Barbara, Tim, Stephanie and Lucius were waiting there, Ace alert at their feet, Alfred in the background. Leslie had already gone off to see to the wounded.
Bruce dismounted, Barbara rushing up to him, eyes wide. "Dick! Is he...?"
He placed a reassuring hand on his sister's shoulder. "He is fine. He remained at the borders to patrol them."
Barbara sank in relief, and Bruce squeezed her shoulder again, before giving Ace a quick pet, his tail thumping against their legs happily. Stephanie was hugging Cass, Tim and Jason were nodding to each other. Kal stood beside him, smiling softly. There was a pleased look in his eyes, a satisfied look, as he removed his helmet.
Diana was standing near them, looking around curiously. "Barbara, Timothy, Stephanie, may I introduce you to Diana, Princess of Themyscira. She will be staying with us, for a time."
They bowed and curtsied, exchanging greetings in clear voices. Bruce took a deep breath. There was another duty he had to perform before he could go inside. He stepped around his brothers and sisters and Kal and Diana, removing his helmet, then cleared his throat, looking at his people. Slowly, the courtyard quietened, though there were still sobs, both from joy and grief.
Bruce looked at the people, looking at him. His people. He felt a surge of pride go through his chest, and silently renewed his vow to protect them. "Many good people of Gotham, Metropolis and Themyscira died, protecting our borders, our homes and lives. Our future." His gaze lingered on the children in the crowd, some clinging to returned parents, some with tears on their faces, some much too young, who nonetheless had now become the head of their families.
"We will never forget their great sacrifices, and we will be in constant debt to them. But, tonight, we shall feast in their name, for we are free, and their names will be remembered in great glory forevermore."
There were cheers, and Bruce found himself smiling again. His people. He would do everything in his power to protect them. He knew what it was like to grow up without one parent, and have the living one not really there anymore. No one should have to go through that.
He nodded at the crowd a final time, then turned and entered the castle properly.
*****
Bruce groaned as he slipped into the hot water of the bath. His body was aching, not used to spending all day in the saddle anymore, not to mention fighting. He closed his eyes in agony and bliss. The smell of the oils soothed him, settled his mind. It had been a draining and exhaustive time, both for his body and soul.
He was not sure how long he had been lying there, in the hot water, until he heard a soft noise. Bruce blearily opened his eyes, on the verge of falling asleep. Ace was just inside the door, he would not let anyone pass. There was only one person, save Alfred, that he would.
Bruce smiled. Kal slipped into the bath. It was not really big enough for them both, but... It had been a long time since they had been truly alone like this. He smiled against his lover's skin, his hands caressing, being caressed in return, their legs tangled together.
"Bruce..." Kal's eyes were glowing in the dim light. They kissed, soft candlelight flickering over their bodies, their skin slick with water as they made love.
*****
Bruce carefully smoothed down his ornate robe, catching his lover's smile. He could not help but smile back, but reminded himself of his duty. He had to attend the festival being held in honour of the dead. Just because he had been reunited with his lover did not mean that others were not suffering.
Smoothing down his robe down one last time, he stepped from his room and walked down the corridors, Kal just behind him, to the great hall. The festival would spill outside, later, with many bonfires being lit.
Lucius appeared just before he could enter the hall, and Bruce paused, Kal pausing as well, lingering by his side.
"Cobblepot has been put in the dungeons until it is decided what should be done with him."
Bruce nodded. "Thank you, Lucius. And you have my thanks for taking care of Gotham in my absence, as well."
Lucius smiled. "I hardly did anything, my Lord. Princess Barbara is a... formidable woman."
Bruce nodded again, feeling pride surge through him that he did not even bother to try and hide. "She is."
"And, it is good to see the Prince Kal-El again," Lucius commented.
Kal smiled. "It is good to be back in Gotham." His lover squeezed his hand. Bruce squeezed back, amazed, as ever, by the love in his eyes.
They were about the enter the great hall when someone called out his name. Bruce turned, and Leslie rushed up to him. "Bruce. Harvey has woken and is asking for you."
*****
Bruce had gone though the festival as solemnly as he could, until the true celebrations had begun. He had lingered for as long as he could bear, until he slipped away, unnoticed, as the mead started flowing freely. He had to see Harvey.
He walked down the corridor to the healing rooms. Ace was with Kal, and his brothers and sisters, still at the festival. He thought briefly about going to his room and removing the ornate robe and crown, but his impatience won out. He had not been allowed - no one had been allowed - to see Harvey since his terrible injury.
Bruce paused, just inside the door of one of Leslie's healing rooms, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Everything was quiet; Leslie was absent. He hesitated, not wanting to disturb his friend if he had fallen asleep, but desperately wanting to see him again, to make sure he was truly all right.
There was a small movement, and Bruce could not hold himself back any longer. "Harvey?" He whispered hoarsely.
"Bruce."
Bruce closed his eyes for a moment in relief, feeling a great weight rising from his shoulders. "Yes." He moved into the small room, just able to make out his friend's outline in the darkness. "How do you feel? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Harvey laughed, but it was not his normal laugh. It was darker, cruel, mocking, and Bruce felt a shiver go down his spine. "Don't you think you have done enough?" His voice was different too, rough and coarse, full of anger.
Despite himself, Bruce took a step back. "I do not-"
Harvey cut him off, laughing again. "Light a candle, Bruce. Light a candle and see what a great King you are, leading your people nowhere, only to pain and death while you have Metropolis pick up the pieces every time and fuck their Prince in payment."
Bruce stood, stunned, unable to think after Harvey's outburst. "I... I do not..."
"Just light the candle, damn you!" There was movement from the bed, as if Harvey was about to get up and find a candle himself. Bruce quickly moved to where he knew a candle would be and lit it, to try and prevent Harvey from hurting himself further.
"Look at me."
Bruce turned slowly, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the new light.
"Look at me! Look at me and see what you have done, your Majesty!" Harvey's voice spiraled upwards until he was almost screaming.
Bruce turned and could not hold back a gasp of horror, feeling his heart drop. He knew that Harvey had been horrifically injured, yes, he had seen it, but this... One side of his face was gone, the once pale skin pink and red and raw, the skin completely gone in places, revealing the muscle beneath...
Harvey laughed. Bruce flinched. His right eye was still blue, not cloudy like the left, and bitterness, anger, rage and... further back, all but smothered under the other emotions... Was that sorrow?
"This. This is the result of your actions, Bruce, and this is all you will ever bring Gotham! Ruin."
Bruce swallowed, then took a deep breath, while Harvey watched him, sneeringly. "The Harvey I know would never say things like that."
His friend's eyes glinted oddly in the darkness. "Harvey. Harvey is dead."
"You are not-" Bruce took a step forward.
"Harvey is DEAD!" He roared, spittle flying from his mouth.
Bruce took another deep breath, and tried not to flinch again. "You are tired, Harvey. Try to get some rest."
He walked away from the bed and blew the candle out. Harvey's mocking laughter followed him down the corridor as he left.
*****
Bruce returned to Leslie's healing rooms early the next morning. Everywhere was quiet; everyone was recovering from the night before, from drinking too much, and from reunions with loved ones. He had not gone back to the celebrations, too disturbed by his conversation with Harvey. Kal had come up to their room shortly after he had retired, anyway.
He had still been snoring when Bruce had woken. He had meant to stay, and just watch him sleep, but had found himself restless, so he had dressed, and worked on the paperwork that had piled up in his absence. It was not as much as he had feared - Barbara had done an extremely good job in looking after things. He would have to thank his sister properly. But she was probably asleep now, so instead he had had a breakfast tray sent up, and was taking it to Harvey. Hopefully his friend would be feeling better today.
"Harvey?" He called out softly. His friend lay still on his bed. Bruce gently put the tray down, then closed the door, so Harvey would not be woken by anyone passing by. He sat in a wooden chair, next to the bed, waiting for him to wake.
After a while, Harvey's eyes began to flicker, and opened, the blue settling on him almost immediately. Bruce smiled slightly. "Good morning, Harvey."
Harvey grunted, sitting himself up in the bed, a grimace touching the unscarred side of his face as he moved.
"I brought you some breakfast," Bruce gestured at the tray. Harvey looked from him, to the tray, then back to him again.
"I thought you would have gone after last night. Gone crying to your Prince."
Bruce held back a sigh, feeling his emotions plummet again. "Then perhaps you do not know me as well as you think." He knew it had been the wrong thing to say as soon as the words had left his lips. But it was too late to call them back.
Harvey's hands curled into fists. "Oh?" His voice was mocking, but his clear eye contained only sadness.
"How do you feel, Harvey?" Bruce asked, trying to change the subject.
There was a humourless laugh. "How do you think I feel?"
"You seem... agitated."
Harvey cast him a long look now, but did not respond further.
"Are you hungry?" Bruce asked, after a few minutes of silence.
Harvey's eyes shifted to the food. "I can't reach." His voice, for the first time, was more like it once had been, and Bruce felt a leap of hope in his chest.
He stood, and moved the tray to rest carefully on the bed. And was completely unprepared for what came next.
Harvey grabbed the tray before he could set it down properly, pulled it from his scarred hands, the breakfast falling from it to crash to the floor, then hit him over the head.
Bruce felt himself slump over the bed, darkness creeping in around him. The last thing he heard was Harvey's wrong laughter.
