FIC: WFGE Sharing Traditions
Title: Sharing Traditions
Pairing/Characters: Clark/Bruce, Dick, Tim, Martha, Alfred
Rating: G
Warnings: None.
Words: 2,516
Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own any DC characters, otherwise i'd tell my boss he can get F*#%ed.
Notes: For WFGE prompt F14 Family traditions. Any traditions you want to explore along with the World's Finest.
I actually finished this two weeks ago, but unfortunately RL got in the road and I went home for a couple of days over christmas and left my computer behind and then I got sick, so I'm finally back and so it makes me happy that I can finally post this.
To ever requested this prompt I'm very sorry it's late, so i'm posting in the last few hours of the year before the new one begin.
Happy New Year! Enjoy.
Sharing Traditions
Looking out over the grounds of Wayne Manor, Bruce stood watching from his window, as the first flakes of snow fell in the early hours of a cold December morning. He had just returned from patrol and after coming into his room and seeing his lover sleeping peacefully in his bed, the sprinkling of white had drawn his attention. Moving over towards the balcony window, he watched in silence as the snow fell. It wasn’t until strong arms surrounded him, that he realised he was so focused on the falling snow, that he wasn’t paying attention to anything else. He must have been more tired than he thought.
“Come to bed,” Mumbled Clark, as he pressed his lips against his neck.
Leaning into Clark’s warmth, he closed his eyes enjoying the quiet. Clark’s hand moved down his arm and took his hand, gently pulling him towards the bed. Feeling tired, he went willingly and slid in between the warm sheets. Clark got into bed and pulled Bruce into his embrace, kissing him good night and then notice he had already fallen asleep. Probably a good thing, Clark mused to himself, tomorrow was going to be a big day.
*******
The next morning, Bruce awoke to the feel of something heavy sitting on him. Groaning to himself, he pulled the covers from his face, only to find a pair of blue eyes staring back at him.
Glaring up at Tim’s grinning face, he silently wondered why Tim had thought it was a good idea to wake him up like this, he had a feeling that Dick was probably behind it.
As a young boy, Dick would sneak into his room in the week leading up to Christmas and somehow managed sit on him. The first time he did it, it was cute, but by Christmas day it was starting to become an annoyance. Every year it was the same until the year Dick turned 13 and Bruce awoke by himself, slightly saddened by the fact his little boy was growing up.
Now it seemed Dick had passed that tradition down to Tim, he wondered how long this would last, especially considering the look on the 11 year olds face. Tim looked like he was thinking this wasn’t such a good idea, so Bruce decided to do what he had done with Dick so many years ago. Just as Tim was about to get off, Bruce grabbed him and the tickling began.
Soon Tim was giggling so hard he had tears in his eyes and Bruce decided that that was enough and let him up to calm down. The sound of Tim giggling had brought a sleepy look Dick, who looked like he couldn’t decide whether he was surprised his little brother had actually gone through with it or pleased with himself for suggesting it. Bruce just rolled his eyes.
Still breathing heavily, Tim managed to tell Bruce breakfast was ready and Clark was waiting downstairs. Getting off the bed, Tim threw a grin towards his brother and headed out, Dick following in his steps and leaving Bruce alone.
*******
Bruce had a board meeting to attend to at W.E, the last before the years end. Dick and Tim were hitting the mall for Christmas shopping and Clark was going to work at the Planet and then picking up his mother from the airport in Metropolis, then driving back to Gotham.
Clark had lost his father earlier in the year to a heart attack and Bruce had invited Clark’s mother to join them for Christmas and with it, a new tradition would be born.
Since Dick arrival at Wayne Manor, each new member of the family had suffered the tragedy of losing a parent/s and therefore it had become a tradition of including a few of the traditions held by their family at the manor.
With Dick, it was a tradition of his family’s to watch “It a wonderful life” on Christmas Eve. So on Christmas Eve just before going on patrol, Bruce and Dick would sit watching the movie with fresh popcorn and hot cocoa with marshmallows with the fire burning brightly with the occasional crackle.
In the beginning, Dick would fall asleep just as the movie ended and Bruce would carry him up to bed and then leave for patrol. As Dick became older, after the movie finished he would join Batman out on the streets of Gotham.
When Tim had arrived, it had been a tradition for Tim and his father to read “The Night Before Christmas” together at least one during the week leading up to Christmas and then hang a newly purchased ornaments on the tree and then Tim would go to bed.
Now Bruce, Dick and Tim would gather in the den and take turns reading out loud and then three new ornaments would be hung on the family Christmas tree.
Tonight was that night, except this year Clark would be joining them as well as his mother. Six new ornaments had been brought, each one brought by someone else for someone else, a new twist on an old tradition.
With this being Clark’s first Christmas at the Manor, since his relationship with Bruce had become intimate, Clark had told Bruce and the boys it had been a tradition in his family to have breakfast together and then opening presents. At this the boys were happy to hear this as they usually had to wait til after lunch to open presents, when all they felt like doing was falling asleep from eating too much good food. Usually Christmas morning was spent resting and relaxing as a family and then sitting down for lunch. But for Clark, Bruce was willing to do anything to make this Christmas special.
*******
“Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse,” read Tim.
As was tradition, everyone was gathered in the den for the reading of “The night before Christmas”. Bruce, Clark and Martha were seated on the couch, Tim was sitting on Bruce’s lap and Dick was sitting on the floor between Bruce and Clark.
Alfred had just entered with silver tray of mugs of hot chocolate and mini marshmallows and mince tarts and placed them on the coffee table, and was now sitting in the armchair by the fire.
Taking a mince tart from Clark, Bruce read the next part and then passed the book on to Clark and Martha to read the next part.
Once Martha had finished her section, she passed it on to Dick, who had Tim laughing at his Brothers antics.
They continued to pass the book around until just before the end when the book was handed to Alfred to read. The first time they had read the story, to keep the peace between the boys, it was decided upon that Alfred would always read the ending.
So it was Alfred that read the last part “... A Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”
With the book finished, the next tradition could begin, as they made their way over to the Christmas tree. Six small boxes sat on the side table by the tree, each a different colour and containing a new Christmas bauble.
Martha being a guest went first, picking a silver box and pulled out a clear glass bauble with a snowflake pattern with gold accents and placed it on the tree.
Tim was the next to go, picking up a green box and opened it up to reveal an emerald green bauble with hand painted Christmas tree outlined in glittering silver. Taking his time, he finally decided on a spot and hung it on the tree, much to everyone else’s amusement.
Bruce and Clark went together, each picking up a dark blue and bright red box respectively. Bruce’s box contained a blue and black bauble with silver lines surrounding the ball and connecting to his partners symbol which was also silver and Clark’s was blue and red with gold lines surrounding the ball, broken up with little gold bats. Both decorations were to symbolise their first Christmas together. They held hands as they hung up their baubles on the tree and then picked up a white box and handed it to Alfred.
Nodding his head at the Bruce and Clark, Alfred accepted the box and opened the box to reveal a snow white bauble, patterned with flowing red flowers. With the greatest care, Alfred placed it on the tree and stepped back thinking of memories past.
Dick was the last to go, picking up the remaining bright blue box and pulled out a glittering blue bird with a green, red and blue feather as its tail. With a cheeky grin aimed at Bruce, he clipped the bird to the tree as Bruce shook his head in amusement, knowing his eldest just had to be different.
They all stood together for a while admiring the tree and remembering Christmas’ past and what the tree symbolised to those gather here tonight. After a few minutes had passed, they all moved out of the room and went their separate ways.
Clark escorted his mother to her room and bid her good night, Alfred cleared the empty mugs from the room and Bruce and the boys made their way down the cave for Patrol.
*******
Christmas Eve brought a snow storm to Gotham, blanketing the city and the surrounding areas with a thick layer of snow. Meaning for a Bat and his two birds, it looks like they were grounded for the night, much to the relief of Clark, Martha and Alfred.
For Dick, it just meant they could enjoy a night watching “It’s A Wonderful Life”, surrounded by family, eating freshly made popcorn and Alfred’s special hot chocolate.
At the end of the film both boys were asleep, While Tim was carefully lifted by Bruce to take up to bed, Clark carefully awoke Dick and suggested he do the same, he was far too old to be carried up the stairs.
Later, after everyone had gone to bed, Clark was enjoying the quiet as he lay in bed with Bruce resting on his chest. Pressing his lips to the top of Bruce’s head, he whispered a thank you, knowing his lover would understand what he meant.
Tilting his head back, Bruce leaned up for a kiss, “There’s still more to come tomorrow.” He whispered against Clark’s lips and then settled back down on his chest.
As they settled down to sleep, Clark couldn’t help feeling a little excited about tomorrow, he just wished his father was still around to help celebrate the season with his new family.
******
Christmas morning dawned a bright day, the sun making the snow and icicles on the trees glisten in the early hours of the morning. A very excited 11 year old had woken up early and had decided that everyone else should be awake too.
He had bounced on top of his older brother, much to his pained groans, until he had all but been thrown out of the room. Then he ran to Bruce’s room and due to his excitement could keep quiet and woke both men in the bed, one to a look of amusement and the other glaring harshly at being woken up so early.
Alfred and Martha had woken up from the squeals of delight echoing throughout the manor and had decided to start on breakfast.
Soon everyone was up and eating Alfred’s blueberry pancakes and Martha’s pecan maple Danishes with orange juice, tea and coffee.
Once breakfast had been finished and cleared away, they moved to the den. At this Tim’s eyes lit up us he saw the presents under the tree, even though he no longer believed in Santa, he still hoped to receive something from him nether the less and he wasn’t disappointed.
A large box wrapped in red and green striped paper, was sitting under the tree labelled “To Tim, From Santa”, looking up and meeting Bruce’s eye’s he was given a nod and before long the wrapping paper lay in ribbons on the floor and Tim was eyeing off his prize, an Xbox Kinect with three new games.
Knowing they probably wouldn’t see Tim til at least lunch, they quickly passed out everyone’s presents and soon the floor was littered with brightly coloured paper, ribbons and bows.
Tim had received a new handmade jumper from Martha, Dick got him a Lego set, from Alfred he got a model plane set, which Clark said he would help build and from Bruce and Clark he got a new IPhone, with the promise it was for emergencies only.
Martha had made a jumper from everyone accept Alfred, who had been given a handmade quilt.
Bruce and Clark had given Martha white gold and ruby pendent, Dick had also given a new IPhone and Alfred a return ticket to England.
Bruce had given Clark a watch with a special message engraved on the back and Clark had given Bruce in return a new set of cuff links.
The boys had given Bruce and Clark Superman and Batman Mugs and boxer shorts, giggling at their expressions.
Alfred had given Dick a couple of classic novels, and to Martha a selection of homemade preserves and jams and mustards and to the boys, a photo album filled with photos of their first year together.
Dick had given Martha a recipe book filled with all sorts of dishes and to Alfred he had gifted him with a range of different seeds for his kitchen garden.
As soon as the last present had been opened and the person thanked, Tim was off to his room with a stash of gifts, while everyone stayed to clean up the mess. Alfred and Martha went to the kitchen to continue on the Christmas feast, while Dick was content to play with his new phone. As for Bruce and Clark, they were sitting together on the couch relaxing in each other’s embrace.
*******
With everyone pleasantly stuff from all the good food from lunch and dinner, everyone had gone to bed rather early for once. Bruce was just coming back to his room from looking in on his boys as they fell asleep. As he entered his bedroom, he was left breathless to see his lover standing by balcony window, the moonlight reflecting on bare skin. He hadn’t even realised he had moved until he was close enough to touch silken skin, slipping his arms around Clark he rested his chin on his shoulder and remembering being in a similar position but reversed a week ago, he whispered in his ear “Come to bed”. And as before they joined hands and made their way to the bed, Clark slide in between fresh sheets and watched as Bruce got undressed and then pulled him into bed and settled in for the night.
“Merry Christmas Clark”
“Merry Christmas Bruce”
And with that they fell asleep, curled around each in comfort and warmth.
The end.