Fic: Castle In The Clouds I: The Heir (4/6)
Title: Castle In The Clouds I: The Heir (4/6)
Pairings/Characters: Bruce/Dick
Rating (this chapter): R
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Robin is the heir to the mantle of the Bat, but Dick is also the heir to the
Wayne legacy.
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Date Of Completion: February 22, 2007
Date Of Posting: February 26, 2007
Word Count: 958
IV
THE GLASS SLIPPER (OR IS THAT A PIXIE BOOT)?
Dick busied himself with school and work, enjoying the unique ‘work’ that he couldn’t
exactly put on a resume. As the days passed, he briefly thought of whom Bruce might
have asked to the Winter Ball, but he knew he would find out when he needed to do so.
Four days before the Ball he found Bruce in the library, reading and sitting by the
fire. Dick curled up in a chair on the other side of the fireplace, his shoes off and
feet tucked away as he gazed into the flames. He was thinking of a string of robberies
from the past week when Bruce said, “I’ve got you a date for the Ball.”
Dick looked over at his companion and wondered if it would be Silver’s niece. She was
a pretty and intelligent girl, and would make it easy to be attentive to her for the
night.
“Who is it?”
Bruce smiled. “Me.”
Dick’s jaw dropped. For several seconds, he sat, frozen and numb, then blurted, “What?!”
“Actually, ‘who’, but that’s all right.”
Dick blinked. “Bruce, stop kidding me!” A flicker of anger went through him. Damn
Bat-humor, anyway. “Now, whom am I really going with?” He was feeling snarky.
Bruce’s smile was gentle. “I’m not kidding.”
Emotions whirled and Dick tried to hold onto what his mind was gibbering about. “You
mean…no women this year? Just you and me?”
“Isn’t it always?”
A big smile graced Dick’s face. “Always!” Suddenly the smile faded. “But…Bruce…have you
thought this out?” Dumb question. I’m asking this of the Batman, for cryin’ out loud!
“This is going to affect the company, the Foundation, your reputation!”
“I know.” Bruce set aside his book. He looked very good indeed in his dark-blue ski
sweater and dark pants. “But it’s time.” His blue eyes looked directly at Dick. “As long
as you agree.”
Dick’s heart pounded as he stared back. “Are you sure about this? Your family goes
back a long way in this town. I’m just a circus kid…”
“Don’t.” Bruce held up a hand and for a second, his face was stormy. “You’re not some
ragamuffin I picked up off the street, Dick. Just because your family doesn’t go back
generations in blue blood doesn’t mean it’s worth less.” The anger faded. “My family has
survived here for generations and I’m sure we’ll continue to do so. What I need to know is,
will you be comfortable with letting everyone know? You could have a hard time in
college.”
Dick grinned. “As long as I avoid the Crusaders for Christ on campus, I think I’ll be
all right.” The grin turned into a serious expression. “Bruce, this is a big step.
Every media outlet in this country and in the world is going to report this. There are
some people who aren’t going to like it.” He thought of the comments he had overheard
at Pierre’s, though he supposed those particular speakers might find the situation more
amusing than disgusting. Still, if he thought he’d heard crude comments before…
“Are we going to live our lives for them?”
Dick shook his head. “But your privacy will be shot.”
An eyebrow lifted. “I have privacy now?”
Dick had to laugh. “Okay, good point. Every time you step out with a woman it’s all
over the news. But this will be ugly at times.”
“I know.” A small smile lurked around Bruce’s lips. “But it’s worth it.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” Bruce stood up. “I won’t have to hide anymore. Not about this, about the man I
love, who completes me.”
Dick felt astonishment. He knew that Bruce had gotten better with expressing his
feelings since they’d become lovers, but he was actually getting flowery here! An
impish grin lit his face. “Careful, Bruce, your reputation as the dread Batman will be
tarnished.”
Bruce took his hands and lifted him up, Dick scrambling to untangle his legs. “Well,
most of the superhero community will know about Batman and Robin once they learn about
Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.” Worry flit across his face. “Will that compromise you as
leader of the Titans?”
Dick smiled. “Donna will kick anyone’s butt who gives me a hard time.” He laughed.
“Really, I don’t think so. Wally might be a little uncomfortable but Roy’ll be fine.
He already knows, anyway. And I suspect that Donna does, too.” He drew himself close
to Bruce. “Kory thinks all humans are prudes and her people are very liberal sexually,
so she won’t care, Raven won’t, and Lilith and Victor will think it’s cool.” He tilted
his head up. “I guess what I’m saying is, we’ll have a lot of people who won’t think
differently of us, or object, and who might even be happy for us. I’m sure there’ll
be rough spots, but you’ve convinced me, Bruce. It’s time.”
Bruce caressed his hair, then leaned down into a kiss.
Dick was still reeling with all the events of the last few minutes. He wants us to
come out! He wanted the kiss and more as he felt a joy spread through him. They were
going to be a real couple, no longer hiding as they had to hide so much of their lives,
and come what may, they’d face it together.
They grew more passionate and Bruce whispered, “Upstairs.” Dick willingly followed
along, face flushed and excitement brightening his eyes.
Up in their bedroom, Bruce kicked the door shut and he grabbed Dick’s shoulders, then
pressed him down onto the bed. Laughing, Dick pulled Bruce’s sweater up and off over
his head, tossing it cavalierly onto the floor.
More clothes followed, limbs entwined, tongues met and dueled, and Dick felt his heart
soar. He tasted flesh, blood thrumming through limbs, and as he slid down Bruce’s body,
kissing every inch, he knew that he would always be
happy with this man and this love.