Fic: Tale as old as Time (3/6)

[starsandsea]

Title: Tale as old as Time (3/6)
Rating: PG
Pairing/Characters: Clark/Bruce, Alfred, Dick
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: For bradygirl_12's birthday. Previous parts can be found Here. Unbetaed, so point and I shall correct.



It had been three days since Clark woke up in the amazing room and he was still getting used to it. Alfred said that his leg was healed enough for him to explore the castle, much to Dick's delight. The bright young child seemed like he should be out of place here, but he fit right in somehow, Clark mused, as Dick lead him around the castle. He hadn't seen much of Alfred, but he was brought delicious meals by him everyday. The 'master' the had not seen at all. However, there had been times when he had woken in the night and heard strange sounds; scratchings and shufflings, then great wing beats. But, maybe, the creature slept all day and was only awake at night, like real bats were.

Clark shivered. If that was the case it was fine with him. He frowned then. Alfred and Dick had said that the 'master' was a good man... creature. He had saved his life. But he was bound to want something in return. Alfred and Dick said that they stayed out of loyalty and love, but maybe the creature had cast a spell on them, making them think that. Clark didn't see why anyone would willingly stay in this place, especially seeing as who you had to share it with.

"Clark?" Dick was looking at him, concerned.

Clark started. "Oh. I'm sorry, Dick. My thoughts ran away with me."

Dick smiled. "Well, I think you'll like the next place!"

Clark smiled back, delighted at the boy. "I'm sure I will." He would be able to leave in a few days, a week at most. He'd convince Dick to come with him, if not Alfred too, and take them home. His Ma and Pa wouldn't mind. Dick shouldn't be here, all alone.

*****

Dick bounded into the library, Clark following. This was wonderful! A visitor! And maybe, just maybe, he could break the curse and Bruce could be human again! Dick wasn't sure how long they had been under the curse now. But it had been years, he knew. He missed the castle being bright and cheerful. And Bruce. He had become dark since he was turned into the Bat. Almost as if he was certain that no one would ever break the curse. But he and Alfred had to stay optimistic. They had to, and not only for Bruce.

"Wow..." Clark's voice broke into his thoughts. "This is amazing."

Dick grinned, spinning to look at him. "Isn't it?"

Clark was gazing around them, mouth open. "There's so many books..." Dick nodded, doing an impromptu cartwheel. "It's amazing," Clark repeated.

Dick was just about to say something, when he a caught sight of a shadow. He stopped his acrobatics and his eyes widened slightly. Bruce. "Uh..."

Clark turned to look at him, smiling. Dick kept looking at Bruce. He knew that Bruce hadn't shown himself to Clark since he had collapsed, afraid not only of his reaction to him, but what he might do with the knowledge of a monster in the forest, that people might come here and kill him, or take him and Alfred away. But, Dick felt he had come to know Clark in the few days he had been here, and he didn't think Clark would do that. Not on purpose at least. Clark was looking between him and the shadows, confused. Dick stepped forward, arm outstretched to Bruce, smiling encouragingly.

Bruce slowly emerged from the shadows, wary. Beside him, Clark gasped. He and Bruce just looked at each other. Then, Bruce turned to him.

"Dick. Go and help Alfred."

Dick nodded, disappointed, but went to do so anyway. He knew Bruce was just trying to protect him. He bit his lip slightly as he closed the door to the library behind him. He hoped everything would be all right.

*****

Clark swallowed as Dick closed the door, leaving him alone with the... creature. It was... looking at him.

"How is your leg?"

Clark jumped when it spoke, eyes wide. "It's much better," he said, cautiously. The creature... Bat... moved further into the light cast from the fire. Clark swallowed and tried to gather up his courage. "He shouldn't be here. Dick. Nor should Alfred."

The Bat was still just looking at him. "I know."

"I'll be taking Dick with me when I leave. Hopefully Alfred too." The Bat... smiled wryly. Or at least, that's what Clark had the impression of. It was difficult to translate a human expression to a bat. But, the Bat seemed to have a almost human... feel to him. Clark frowned to himself.

"I think you will find that more difficult than you imagine. They are both very stubborn."

Clark did frown now. "They shouldn't be here."

"I know." Bat repeated his earlier answer. "Now, what assurance do I have from you that you will not lead hunters here, looking for a beast to slay?" The Bat spread his wings; shadow covered Clark. He swallowed again.

"I wouldn't place Dick or Alfred's life in danger." Bat lowered his wings slowly, looking at him again. "I wouldn't," Clark repeated.

Bat nodded his head slightly. As he did so, there was a gentle chiming noise. "Dinner is ready," Bat said, melting into the shadows. Clark blinked, but the Bat was gone. He sighed softly, and tried to remember where the dining room was.

*****

Bat hadn't joined them for dinner. It had just been him and Dick, with Alfred serving them. That confused Clark. He had assumed that Dick was a servant too, but then Alfred had called him 'Master Dick'. Maybe the castle really belonged to Dick, but Bat had taken it away from him? But... he didn't think do. Not truly. After his short conversation with Bat, it had become clear that he wasn't really a monster, that he cared about Dick and Alfred, and even him to a point. He had, after all, saved his life. Clark frowned slightly.

They were in what Dick called the 'living room', where apparently the residents of the castle gathered after they had dined. A fire was crackling merrily, Alfred had brought out biscuits and Dick had pulled a book from a shelf. Clark sat down in a comfy chair before the fireplace, hearing a shuffling noise coming form a corner. Bat. He saw out the corner of his eye as Dick bounded over to the darkness in the shadows, carrying the book with him. Clark could just make out Bat spreading a wing out, which Dick immediately curled under, resting his head on Bat's chest. Dick then opened the book to an apparently bookmarked page, and Bat began reading aloud, softly, to Dick. Clark turned his head to watch, enthralled.

Alfred had quietly left the room at some point, leaving only him, Bat, and a sleepy Dick. There was almost a father-son bond between Bat and Dick, Clark realized. That was why Dick wouldn't leave. He never would. Clark smiled softly as Bat's voice quietened, then stopped. Dick was asleep, curled under Bat's wing. Bat looked at him.

"Would you carry him to bed, please?"

Clark nodded, slightly startled. "Of course." He realized why Bat could not do so himself as he drew closer. He had no arms, only wings. Clark gently picked Dick up, careful not to wake him.

Bat was gazing at the child fondly. "Thank you."

Clark nodded again. "You're welcome." He paused by the door, seeing Alfred waiting for him at the end of the corridor. "Thank you."

Bat looked at him. "For what?"

"Saving my life." Clark left the room before Bat could respond.

Comments

[ladybugkay.livejournal.com]

This story is so sweet. And I love Dick, here, with his irrepressible good spirits, his restless energy, and his love for and loyalty to Bruce.

[starsandsea.livejournal.com]

And I love Dick, here, with his irrepressible good spirits, his restless energy, and his love for and loyalty to Bruce.

I'm really happy you like Dick here! :D

And I'm really glad that you like this fic! :)