Fic: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (2/22)
Title: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (2/22)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Bruce/Dick, Alfred Pennyworth
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Historical, Holiday, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): NC-17
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue on a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: Christmas merriment at Wayne Manor! :)
Date Of Completion: September 16, 2015
Date Of Posting: January 19, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1685
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
II
LETTERS
“Is there any more delicious sense of anticipation than receiving a letter?”
Elsinore Gentry
American Writer
1901 C.E.
Dick’s lips were warm as Bruce’s hands stroked up-and-down his bare back. Dick’s legs curled around Bruce as his tongue slipped into his lover’s mouth. With a moan, Bruce sucked on Dick’s tongue.
The dancer’s cock poked Bruce’s thigh, hard and hot. Bruce cupped Dick’s buttocks and squeezed, Dick’s moan guttural in his throat. Dick slid his hand down his companion’s chest and tweaked a nipple, Bruce squirming.
Dick grinned as he broke the kiss, hitching up the bed and grinding his cock against Bruce’s. Bruce growled and squeezed his cheeks again.
Dick ran kisses along Bruce’s broad shoulders, leaving little bite marks where he nipped the flesh. He rubbed against Bruce, both of them becoming more excited. Movements became more frenzied as blood pounded and pulses thrummed. They came almost simultaneously, cries of pleasure ripped from their throats. They collapsed in each other’s arms with smiles on their faces.
For several minutes they remained quiet, their breathing slowing as Bruce carded his fingers through Dick’s silky hair. Snow fell silently outside the bedroom windows.
“Wow,” Dick said.
Bruce smiled. “I agree.”
Dick’s head rested on Bruce’s chest. “Is Alfred planning another turkey for Christmas dinner?”
“I believe so, with plum pudding this time around.”
“Very English.”
“Oh, yes.” Bruce stroked Dick’s hip. “Well, Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Christmas is universal.”
“Mmm hmm.” Dick’s eyes were closing. “The tree’s beautiful.”
“We’ll decorate it tonight.”
& & & & & &
The fresh smell of spruce filled the parlor. The boxes from the attic had been taken down and were spread out around the room. Dick was fascinated by their contents.
“What beautiful ornaments.” He held up a delicate glass ball etched with snowflake designs.
“Mother got that in Hamburg.”
“And this?” Dick held u a tear-shaped glass ornament with brilliant rainbow colors.
“That’s from Metropolis.”
“The City of Tomorrow,” said Alfred jauntily.
“Do they have flying aircars there?” asked Dick cheekily.
“Yes, and moving sidewalks and robot workers,” Bruce said as he rummaged through a box.
Dick found a short piece of gold garland that was a remnant of an older piece discarded long ago. He put it around his neck like a feather boa and dug into the garland box.
“Shall we get started?” he asked, carefully tugging out a glittering golden garland.
“Let’s.” Bruce grasped one end of the garland and they began winding the sparkling stuff around the tree.
The decorating went well as snowflakes came down lightly. A fire crackled in the hearth as the room was warm and cozy.
Silver garland was added to the gold and then blue, then green. Next came the ornaments, mostly glass and handpainted but some were wooden. There were even a few hand-sewn cloth ornaments that Dick declared charming.
Finally it was time to put the star on top of the tree. Dick volunteered to do the honors and scrambled up the ladder, placing the glittery gold star on the top branch. Once he was down the ladder, Alfred switched on the lights.
It was a miracle of modern technology. Bruce could remember real candles and only putting up the tree a few days before Christmas. Burning candles and dry branches spelled disaster. Now the tree could be up longer, and no worries about burning candles, though they were still careful how long they put the lights on. Bruce was wary of overheating. Despite the refinements to electricity since the 1880s, he was still a nineteenth-century man at heart. All the newfangled inventions could be a bit disconcerting.
“A fine job,” Alfred said in satisfaction.
“Thanks, Alfred.” Dick looked up at the star.
“First-rate,” Bruce agreed, moving to stand next to Dick and put his arm around his shoulders. Dick looked at him with a smile. Hair fell into his sparkling blue eyes and Bruce pushed the strands back.
& & & & & &
Later that afternoon Bruce and Dick were in the study. Bruce worked at his desk while Dick perched on the windowseat and read a book. Alfred brought in the mail.
“It’s late today.” Bruce started sorting.
“The regular postman is on holiday this week.”
“Ah, all right then.”
Alfred departed and Bruce sorted most of his mail into one pile. His business mail was delivered to his office in town. Here were personal letters, invitations, estate business, and advertisements from everything from dyspepsia pills to hair restorers, all quackery, in Bruce’s opinion.
“Ah, we have a letter from Dinah.”
“How’s the Grand Tour going?”
Bruce slit the envelope open with a silver letter opener. “Hmm, let’s see.” He scanned the missive. “It appears they are having a grand time. They are staying in Heidelberg for the holidays. She says that the city is beautiful this time of year.”
“What, they’re not spending Christmas in Russia?” Dick asked with a grin.
“No, they’re not crazy people like us. Speaking of Russia…” Bruce held up a peach-colored envelope.
“Is that from Natasha?”
“For you.”
Dick set aside his book and hopped off the windowseat. He took the letter from Bruce and noted that the postmark was from St. Petersburg. He opened it and began reading.
& & & & & &
November 26, 1907
Dear Dickie,
How are you, dahlink? We are well here.
We have been snowed in for several days. I had a plan to get this letter out tomorrow but that will not work right now. Hopefully we will be dug out in time for me to reach Moscow by Christmas.
How, you may ask? Well, Cousin Nicholas asked for an audition for me. Of course there is talk of nepotism but of course I cannot win either way, so I embrace it. I am the Czar’s cousin and proud of it! I will be the star of the Bolshoi, work hard and enjoy every minute of it.
Clint is well. His archery improves every day. He claims he will enter the next Olympics and win a gold medal. I believe he can.
I am glad you are setting America on fire. Your talent is of the highest quality, tovarisch. Be strong and be happy.
Well, I have finally finished this letter and we are finally dug out, so I will send it off tomorrow on the 30th. I hope you enjoyed your first Thanksgiving in America. I have fond memories of our Russian Thanksgiving last year. And the Countess sends her regards. She still talks about it.
Your dear friend,
Natasha
& & & & & &
“What a charming letter,” Bruce said.
“That’s her personality: charmer.” Dick refolded the letter and slid it back into the envelope. “People and their relatives in high places.” He shook his head in mock chagrin.
Bruce smirked. “She’s all sweetness and light, all right.” He reached the bottom of the pile and delight showed on his face.
“It’s a letter from Diana.”
“Oh, that’s great!”
“It’s addressed to both of us.”
Dick sat on the desk and slowly swung one leg back-and-forth. Bruce tried to ignore the distraction as he opened the letter. It was written on pale yellow paper, matching the envelope.
“We’ll have another foreign stamp.” Dick examined the envelope.
“Let’s see what she has to say.”
“Seems to be the day for it.”
Bruce began to read.
& & & & & &
December 6, 1907
Mother and Steve send their greetings. We are all well here. My guide business is thriving. Many tourists are enamored of the Greek Islands.
Steve is learning about the Islands through working with me when he is off-duty, and through his own service as Army liaison to the Greek Navy. He loves his assignment here and we both hope it will be a long one.
We had an American Thanksgiving here as you did in Russia. No turkey or pumpkin pie, Steve laments, and something called cranberry sauce, but we used native fruits and berries and other goodies that Steve declared to be fine substitutes. Perhaps someday I will experience the authentic feast.
Dick, your presence is missed here. Your performance at the Parthenon is still talked about with great zeal. You should consider doing a repeat performance in the future. You would be given golden laurel leaves and the key to the city.
I enclose some information I thought you might find of interest. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Mother and Steve send their love.
Your Devoted Friend,
Diana
& & & & & &
“What did she send?” Dick asked curiously.
“Some brochures about historical places open to the public, and a list of books and magazine articles we’d discussed with her and Hippolyta.”
Dick took the list and grinned. “A good sampling of titles are about the Amazons.”
“An interesting subject.”
“And a favorite of Diana and Hippolyta.”
“She also included a study, The Hero In Greek Myth.”
“Admirable.” Bruce placed the personal letters in a decorative box atop his desk to remind him to write replies. Dick would reply to Natasha.
“Is that what we are?”
“What?”
“Heroes.”
“How so?” Bruce leaned back in his chair.
“As the Raven and the Nightingale, silly.”
Bruce smirked as he steepled his fingers. “Some people might think so. With our patrols, we’re beginning to establish a reputation.”
“Yes, though I think some might consider us a little nuts.”
“Most heroes are.”
“Well, these heroes had better dress warmly tonight. It’s going to be cold.” Dick hopped off the desk. “Are we going to explore the cave again?”
“Tomorrow. We can devote all day to it.”
“Great! Look over that list and if you’d like to get any of those books and articles, I can see if the library has them or ask Miss Gordon to get them for us.”
“All right.”
“I’ll go see if Alfred has a snack available.”
Dick headed for the kitchen while Bruce stared out the windows of the study. The snowy landscape was beautiful this time of year. Red berries stood out against the background of white and gray. A cardinal hopped around on the snow, a slash of red against white. Everything was so perfect.
Maybe that was why he felt an impending sense of doom.
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