( open ) and what's the worst you take

[batsymbol]

Who: Bruce Wayne/Batman batsymbol
What: July Catch-all, Bruce assimilating to things, Batman being Batman
When: Throughout July, some August things too
Where: Primarily Central City, will mention otherwise
Content Warnings: TBD but let's just say Bruce being Bruce and Batman being Batman.



BRUCE or BATMAN

open to both [brackets] and prose, i'll follow your lead if you have a preference. if you want something else with bruce or bats, shoot me a PM or PP at telekinetics to discuss. otherwise things we've planned/discussed can be dropped in here as well. starters in comments.

Comments

[forceforlight]

That gets a snort as Dick puts the car in park, giving Bruce an amused half grin. "Yeah, no. That's not how it works, Bruce. People are going to worry about you no matter what, no matter how competent you are at what you do." He shakes his head. "That's one thing I've learned over the years. You don't get to decide who worries about you or not. It's just a thing that happens because they care."

[batsymbol]

It's just a thing that happens because they care.

Those words have Bruce think back to that moment in his under construction 'Batcave' here. After twisted versions of Thomas and Martha Wayne had come for him and he'd taken Jason back there to patch up... to just get away and collect himself for a couple moments... when he'd found himself holding a sobbing Jason there against him on the stool after telling him how he wouldn't give up on him. The things he felt in that moment as he gently held him... as Jason gently broke down... he keeps that to himself - doesn't even think to bring it up to Dick, but. It makes sense, he thinks. What Dick says about it just happening and Bruce's expression shows that he understands.

With the Batmobile parked, he pops the door open and slips out the passenger side, looking at the way his makeshift shorts dangle there around his smaller legs.

"I just need a pair of pants and shirt... mostly."

[forceforlight]

"And some shoes. And underwear." It's warm enough that they can probably get away without socks, depending on the shoes. "I'm not going to go overboard, promise. You could end up an adult again tomorrow. But you're going to be properly dressed for today, at least."

[batsymbol]

"You sound like Alfred..." He says that a little softly, but. It's true enough and he makes his way around the Batmobile before he stops — glances over to it, and watches the way it slowly disappears into the shadows of the alley. Comes in handy when he needs to be discreet with it. Or have it nearby for a quick getaway.

[forceforlight]

"That is so weird." Dick's had time to get used to his own powers. And Tim's. But the rest of the family having powers is still taking a bit. "And I should sound like Alfred. You aren't the only one he raised, though he was more helping with the rest of us."

[batsymbol]

There's a lot more to his powers that Bruce hasn't even tapped into yet. Being as emotional as he can be — despite coming off as not being such a good chunk of the time — he's maybe found some things out about what he can do here and there. Also, he tries to work with it when he's out of sight from the others. Not at all mastered and it always makes him tired, but. He's trying to figure it out. On top of everything else here.

He and Jason seem to share the same sort of power. Funny, given how alike they are in various other ways. At least from what he's seen.

"Is he still raising some of you where you're from?"

[forceforlight]

Dick forces himself to breathe normally, to not give anything away as he turns the question over in his mind and replays their earlier conversation about Alfred in his mind. Has he already given it away, then? Or is Bruce just wondering, thanks to Dick's own age, whether Alfred was still alive in his own world?

Of course, by waiting so long, he's probably saying enough.

"Damian's been raising himself since before he came to Gotham," he manages, voice a little tight, then takes a deep breath. "But, no. Alfred left us about a year ago."

He will NOT say how. Or why. To a Bruce Wayne this young, knowing some version of his father was responsible? No. He's not going to be put that on him.

[batsymbol]

Steps begin to slow as they go and, eventually, he comes to stop. Dick doesn't need to elaborate, he knows what he means when he phrases it like that — he maybe even knew from the hesitation in answering him, but. Hearing it — especially with his own uncertainty with Alfred back in his own Gotham, it makes him slow down a little.

"How did he... leave?" Because he doesn't want to say it.

[forceforlight]

"Just his time." Which is what Alfred would have said. It was his turn to save his family. Despite the fact that he'd saved them all so many times just by being in their lives. By loving all of them unconditionally. "We always knew it would happen. Didn't make it easier when it happened."

[batsymbol]

Slowly, his gaze drops and he stares to the ground there.

"Yeah..." He knows one day Alfred will... leave, he just... doesn't want to think about that — doesn't want it to be anytime soon. He still needs him. So much more than he's maybe ever conveyed to the other man, though he hopes he knows... but it's not enough to just hope he does.

He needs to fix things — let him know, if he goes back to his Gotham. If he's still able to let him know.

[forceforlight]

"It won't be any time soon for you." Dick can't actually read minds. He just knows Bruce that well. "I told you before, he's stronger than all of us. But there just came a time when he couldn't fight his own body." Or Bane. "He'll be fine. You'll go home and he'll recover and you'll apologize for whatever stupid thing you said. Because we've all said something stupid to him."

[batsymbol]

He contemplates — hesitates.

"I told him he wasn't my father," they'd spoken after that, sure, but. He looks down, sigh soft on his lips. "I shouldn't have said that."

[forceforlight]

"No, you shouldn't have," Dick agrees. Because Bruce already knows that. Before he relents a bit. "But I find that it's kinda common among adopted kids to say that at some point. I'm pretty sure we all told our Bruce that at some point or another."

[batsymbol]

"I'd believe it." About all of them saying such a thing to him— a version of him, given how they all seem to feel about that version.

Still, he gives another sigh and shoves his hands into his pockets, trying to keep his makeshift shorts from falling down as he does. He's wrapped a belt around it a couple times, but. They're still a little loose and baggy.

"I just hope I get to tell him I'm sorry."

[forceforlight]

Dick lays his hand on Bruce's shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze. "You will. I believe that, too."

It's not that far to find a store that they can get clothes in. One that isn't too pricey, either, so Bruce doesn't have to feel bad about Dick buying a few things for him. He does keep to his promise and doesn't go overboard. He does get an extra shirt, though. Just to be safe.

[batsymbol]

He follows Dick around the store, glancing at this and that, not needing much since he's holding out on this not lasting too long. Maybe he just needs to come to terms with had happened — with having dealt with twisted versions of his parents trying to kill him and the survivor's guilt he still seems to carry with him concerning their deaths.

With the few things they need picked, he also holds up a cap to Dick, a silent way of asking if it's ok to purchase this as well.

[forceforlight]

Dick glances at the cap, then takes it from Bruce to look over. Opens it up, then drops it on Bruce's head and taps his finger against the bill so that it drops very slightly in front of Bruce's eyes. And grins.

That's a yes, if Bruce isn't that well versed in Dick speak. And he's probably not.

[batsymbol]

He's absolutely not and Bruce gives him a bit of a scrunched up face as he goes and does that. Ultimately, he gets what he means and he pulls the cap off a moment later so that they can at least pay for it before he just goes and wears it out.

"Did you really mean what you said earlier?" He suddenly asks then, looking up to Dick for just a moment before he makes his way to the checkout, cap in hand. "About you and Tim staying with me maybe?"

[forceforlight]

"If you need a hand and if you want us there, then yes." Dick pauses. "Obviously, I can't entirely speak for Tim. But he's on summer break from school and could actually live anywhere because the school transports him. I don't think he'd have a problem with it? But I should ask for certain before volunteering him."

[batsymbol]

Looking down, he gives a brief nod, setting his cap up with their other purchases. "Makes sense." This is not, under any circumstances, his perhaps admitting some that without Alfred here, it's somewhat lonely for him, but. It's fine. He'll figure it out— adapt. He just needs to make it through this whole being ten years old thing again.

"Thanks," he says then, looking up to Dick. "For getting me this stuff." Clothes that actually fit.

[forceforlight]

"Consider this as me paying it forward." Because his Bruce had done it for him, once upon a time. And more. "And Bruce. You understand that it's okay to say that you'd like to have people around."

[batsymbol]

It's funny. From what he can tell, he and Jason are the most alike and yet, Dick seems to be the one who knows him best. Maybe that was why Kyle suggested he go with Dick when he found himself this age — that Dick would have an easier time (somewhat) in knowing how to handle him... how to talk to him, maybe.

He doesn't look up to Dick, which is enough to tell that it's been on his mind, but. After a moment, he nods, taking his bag after his things have been paid for. "Yeah," it's soft and small, much like he is now. "Thanks."

[forceforlight]

Dick had been working with Bruce for half of his life when Jason came into the picture. It's one reason why he knows Bruce so well, after all. Not that he's going to tell Bruce that right now.

He waits until they're outside and walking back to the car before saying more. "I've been looking for something similar in Central, actually. A place the family can fall back to when the heat turns up. A place where they each have a room of their own, some place they can come without questions asked."

[batsymbol]

Holding his bag of purchases there at his side, he listens as Dick talks, rolling those words around in his ten year old head before he looks up and over to the man. "It's a good idea," he says. "Especially if lockdowns happen or someone needs to be away on their own for a bit."

When they approach the Batmobile, he stares at it and the shadows gently drop away from it again, revealing itself to them.

"I thought of maybe fixing the place up for Starfallen," he adds, in regards to the abandoned dorm Dick found him at. "If people need a place to stay that isn't the hotel. Some place to lay low and feel safe." Maybe it's a little more Bruce Wayne to do than he'd like to admit, but. It's something for him to do at least.

[forceforlight]

Dick smiles at that. "That sounds like a really good idea, honestly. There are a lot of people who don't feel comfortable with the hotel. If they had another option, they'd probably take it. And finding places to live when you don't have ID is difficult here, I've found."