for mithen!
Title: History Repeats
Characters: Alfred Pennyworth/Leslie Thompkins, Bruce Wayne/Selina Kyle
Rating: PG
Word Count: 705
Disclaimer: DC owns.
AN: For mithen! Happy belated Birthday!
AN2: End dialogue from Batman: Hush
Down in the cave, Alfred watched Bruce with tired eyes. He tried to remind the man he had known from birth that living a life of solitude was unwise, especially for someone like him. But Bruce chose to ignore the third, and probably last, phone call from his New Year's date to focus on the reports he felt could not wait.
Alfred hung up the phone, but not before giving the usual excuse. By the sound of the lady’s voice, he knew she wasn’t waiting around much longer. Alfred only wished he could have led by a better example, but when he had his chance, frankly, he blew it.
…
Bruce was ten. As it was to be expected after such a horrible ordeal, he was quite a changed child. Gone were the days of indulgence and laughter. The ever-present quiet brooding didn’t seem like it would cease anytime soon. The young boy had always had a difficulty making friends, but it had become much worse. A family friend, Leslie Thompkins, and the family butler, Alfred, were the only two people the boy would speak to.
The three of them dealt with the loss in their own way. They formed a closely kit unit, which helped them all. And, things were going as well as could be expected until a suggested change to their dynamic was brought forth.
“We can make a home for him,” she said, her voice quiet. “We can never replace what he has lost, but we can give him the stability he desperately needs.”
Alfred was... tempted would be putting it mildly. He looked at the woman sitting across from him, the hope in her eyes, the sincerity in her smile… She truly believed their lives would be better for it. But Alfred knew it could never.
He had had a conversation with the young boy about the very topic. The boy was vehemently against anyone trying to take his parents place. Alfred knew he and Leslie would never attempt such a dishonor to the late Thomas and Martha Wayne, but he could not find it in himself to put the boy through anymore difficulties after all he had endured. He never brought up the subject again.
“It wouldn’t work,” Alfred said simply. He did not explain, nor give any other reason. He did not want to hurt Leslie, he had developed great affection for her, but Bruce would always come first. With great regret, he moved his hand away from the warmth of her touch.
“I see,” Leslie replied. Alfred watched her stand. Something twisted inside him, snapped, shattered into a thousand pieces, but still, he did not speak. She smiled at him once more before she left, “I will stop by tomorrow to check on Bruce. Good night…Mr. Pennyworth.”
…
The years did not assuage the pain by much, but Alfred endured, eventually, even reestablishing his close friendship with Leslie. But it was too late to influence the stubborn youth he had seen grow into a stubborn man.
So when the time came that an unexpected guest joined Alfred and Bruce down in the cave asking, “What can I do to help?” Alfred knew exactly what to say to her. Though, not before she managed to sneak in some playful banter and steal a kiss from the Dark Knight. Alfred was surprised by her inclusion because in many ways, the cave was Bruce’s most private space. Very few individuals had ever been allowed in.
After he exchanged a few choice words with Catwoman, she asked, “You don’t think much of me, do you?”
Alfred replied in all honesty, “Quite the contrary. I think the world of you. And while he may not say it…so does he.” The former thief turned from him to watch Batman walk away and up to the computers. “You began this evening asking what you could do to help,” Alfred continued and her gaze returned to him once more. “You are doing it, Miss Kyle. And please continue to do so.”
She smiled and left towards the computers as well. Alfred did not smile in response, but he was glad. He could not undo the mistakes of the past, but he was determined not to have them occur again.