Fic: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (10/22)
Title: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (10/22)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Characters/Pairings: Russell Daystrom, Ezekiel Cannon. Bruce/Dick, Gareth Small, Roscoe Belknap, William Bradford, Patrick Mulroney
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Historical, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue during a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: Even the Raven has nightmares.
Date Of Completion: April 19, 2020
Date Of Posting: March 19, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 794
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
X
SHADOWS
Just when you think
Life is good,
Comes shadows
From the past,
Time to brood.
Andrew Macklin McPoe
“Every Silver Cloud
Has A Dark Lining”
1845 C.E.
“We can’t do the regular things,” Russell Daystrom protested.
“We shouldn’t be doing any of this,” Ezekiel Cannon grumbled.
“Gentlemen, we can just funnel appropriations money if you don’t want to go the public route,” said Bruce.
“Too many snoops,” Gareth Small said.
Bruce took a sip of water. “Then we’ll have to figure out private sources. Have you decided on a cover story?”
“We thought the medical research idea would work, and we actually do some to keep the money flowing,” Roscoe Belknap said. He puffed his cigar.
“What kind of medical research?”
“We’ll think of something,” said Cannon.
“I have contacts with the Gotham Ballet Company. We can raise money through a special performance.”
“Not a bad idea,” said William Bradford.
“In the meantime, we can get started with what Federal money we have.” Cannon lit a Cuban cigar. “Mr. Mulroney, walk us through the project.”
“Sure.”
Patrick used a pointer to illustrate his explanation on the blueprint he had settled on the easel.
“The lab out front is for public tours. The scientific research lab will be out of the public eye.”
Bruce liked the plan. He took another sip of water.
Wonder if Lionel has cozied up to all of these politicians? He fits right into this snake-oil town.
“Very good, Mr. Mulroney,” said Cannon.
“We can break ground next week.”
“Even better.”
The meeting continued for twenty more minutes, then Cannon adjourned them. The senators left while Patrick gathered up his things.
“Need some help?” Bruce asked.
“Thanks.”
As they walked through the Capitol, Bruce asked, “Has Lionel Luthor been around this august building?”
“As a matter of fact, he has. Why, do you know him?”
“I’m friends with his son.”
“Mr. Luthor is friends with Senator Cannon. Haven’t seen him lately, though.” Patrick re-adjusted his hold on his easel.
“Well, he’s probably busy in Metropolis.”
“Probably so.”
& & & & & &
Dick flopped onto the bed with a groan.
“What’s the matter, tuckered out?” Bruce asked in amusement.
“You try dancing a full ballet and see how you feel.”
“You’re always a ball of energy after a performance.”
Dick curled up under the covers in his yellow silk pajamas. “I happen to be tired tonight.”
“I guess you’re entitled.” Bruce pulled on his own pajamas. “How’s your Swan Lake?”
“Mmph, what?” Dick’s face was buried in his pillow.
“Swan Lake. You up on it?”
“Bruce, I wanna sleep.”
“Okay.” Bruce looked out the window. There were no pedestrians out this late, and only an occasional carriage clopped by with patient horses. He turned and saw that Dick was already asleep. “Ball of energy,” he said fondly.
Bruce shut off the bedside lamp and climbed into bed. Dick sensed his presence and automatically curled up against his lover. Bruce sighed contentedly and closed his eyes.
It was quiet in the Willard Hotel. Tonight no drunks were singing in the halls or parties going on in the ballroom downstairs.
Bruce remembered the day’s events, noting that he had to talk to Jean-Paul in the morning about the special performance. The choreographer would complain, but Bruce was an influential member of the company’s board. Jean-Paul would do what he was told.
Lionel was the wild card in all of this. If he was friends with Ezekiel Cannon, he had picked the right man. Cannon was the leader of the committee and if there was any skullduggery going on, he would be in the thick of it. Maybe it was time for the Raven and Nightingale to make an appearance. Bruce drifted off to sleep.
& & & & & &
“You can’t!”
“I can do what I want!”
“Not if it involves me!”
Bruce stared at shadows, panic clogging his mind. The room was familiar but unfamiliar. Sunlight streamed through a window. He reached out but grabbed only shadows.
“You can’t,” he whispered.
He was pushed hard, and he pushed back. The shadow swung an ax and Bruce felt pain. He screamed.
& & & & & &
“It’s all right, Bruce. It’s all right.”
Dick held his lover as Bruce shivered, still caught in the remnants of his dream.
“It’s just a dream. Shh, it’s all right.”
Bruce’s breathing was rapid and he tried to calm down. He squeezed Dick’s arm. “I’m all right.”
“Do you want a drink of water?”
“No, I just want to go back to sleep.”
“Okay.” Dick helped Bruce lie back and held him close. “Just relax.”
Bruce stared up at the ceiling. “Are you up to a little Raven and Nightingale business?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Good.” Bruce kissed Dick’s hair. He took a deep breath and hoped for peaceful sleep this time.
This chapter can also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Characters/Pairings: Russell Daystrom, Ezekiel Cannon. Bruce/Dick, Gareth Small, Roscoe Belknap, William Bradford, Patrick Mulroney
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Historical, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): G
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue during a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: Even the Raven has nightmares.
Date Of Completion: April 19, 2020
Date Of Posting: March 19, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 794
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
X
SHADOWS
Just when you think
Life is good,
Comes shadows
From the past,
Time to brood.
Andrew Macklin McPoe
“Every Silver Cloud
Has A Dark Lining”
1845 C.E.
“We can’t do the regular things,” Russell Daystrom protested.
“We shouldn’t be doing any of this,” Ezekiel Cannon grumbled.
“Gentlemen, we can just funnel appropriations money if you don’t want to go the public route,” said Bruce.
“Too many snoops,” Gareth Small said.
Bruce took a sip of water. “Then we’ll have to figure out private sources. Have you decided on a cover story?”
“We thought the medical research idea would work, and we actually do some to keep the money flowing,” Roscoe Belknap said. He puffed his cigar.
“What kind of medical research?”
“We’ll think of something,” said Cannon.
“I have contacts with the Gotham Ballet Company. We can raise money through a special performance.”
“Not a bad idea,” said William Bradford.
“In the meantime, we can get started with what Federal money we have.” Cannon lit a Cuban cigar. “Mr. Mulroney, walk us through the project.”
“Sure.”
Patrick used a pointer to illustrate his explanation on the blueprint he had settled on the easel.
“The lab out front is for public tours. The scientific research lab will be out of the public eye.”
Bruce liked the plan. He took another sip of water.
Wonder if Lionel has cozied up to all of these politicians? He fits right into this snake-oil town.
“Very good, Mr. Mulroney,” said Cannon.
“We can break ground next week.”
“Even better.”
The meeting continued for twenty more minutes, then Cannon adjourned them. The senators left while Patrick gathered up his things.
“Need some help?” Bruce asked.
“Thanks.”
As they walked through the Capitol, Bruce asked, “Has Lionel Luthor been around this august building?”
“As a matter of fact, he has. Why, do you know him?”
“I’m friends with his son.”
“Mr. Luthor is friends with Senator Cannon. Haven’t seen him lately, though.” Patrick re-adjusted his hold on his easel.
“Well, he’s probably busy in Metropolis.”
“Probably so.”
& & & & & &
Dick flopped onto the bed with a groan.
“What’s the matter, tuckered out?” Bruce asked in amusement.
“You try dancing a full ballet and see how you feel.”
“You’re always a ball of energy after a performance.”
Dick curled up under the covers in his yellow silk pajamas. “I happen to be tired tonight.”
“I guess you’re entitled.” Bruce pulled on his own pajamas. “How’s your Swan Lake?”
“Mmph, what?” Dick’s face was buried in his pillow.
“Swan Lake. You up on it?”
“Bruce, I wanna sleep.”
“Okay.” Bruce looked out the window. There were no pedestrians out this late, and only an occasional carriage clopped by with patient horses. He turned and saw that Dick was already asleep. “Ball of energy,” he said fondly.
Bruce shut off the bedside lamp and climbed into bed. Dick sensed his presence and automatically curled up against his lover. Bruce sighed contentedly and closed his eyes.
It was quiet in the Willard Hotel. Tonight no drunks were singing in the halls or parties going on in the ballroom downstairs.
Bruce remembered the day’s events, noting that he had to talk to Jean-Paul in the morning about the special performance. The choreographer would complain, but Bruce was an influential member of the company’s board. Jean-Paul would do what he was told.
Lionel was the wild card in all of this. If he was friends with Ezekiel Cannon, he had picked the right man. Cannon was the leader of the committee and if there was any skullduggery going on, he would be in the thick of it. Maybe it was time for the Raven and Nightingale to make an appearance. Bruce drifted off to sleep.
& & & & & &
“You can’t!”
“I can do what I want!”
“Not if it involves me!”
Bruce stared at shadows, panic clogging his mind. The room was familiar but unfamiliar. Sunlight streamed through a window. He reached out but grabbed only shadows.
“You can’t,” he whispered.
He was pushed hard, and he pushed back. The shadow swung an ax and Bruce felt pain. He screamed.
& & & & & &
“It’s all right, Bruce. It’s all right.”
Dick held his lover as Bruce shivered, still caught in the remnants of his dream.
“It’s just a dream. Shh, it’s all right.”
Bruce’s breathing was rapid and he tried to calm down. He squeezed Dick’s arm. “I’m all right.”
“Do you want a drink of water?”
“No, I just want to go back to sleep.”
“Okay.” Dick helped Bruce lie back and held him close. “Just relax.”
Bruce stared up at the ceiling. “Are you up to a little Raven and Nightingale business?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Good.” Bruce kissed Dick’s hair. He took a deep breath and hoped for peaceful sleep this time.
This chapter can also be read on AO3.
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)