Fic: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (3/22)
Title: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (3/22)
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: A special invitation sets Bruce to manipulating events.
Date Of Completion: October 11, 2015
Date Of Posting: January 22, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 912
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.
III
MANIPULATIONS
“Some people think that coincidence is random chance. I think it’s people rigging the game.”
Andrew Jackson Simon
American Actor
1899 C.E.
After the holidays, winter settled into Gotham City and its environs, which included Wayne Manor. Sightings of the Raven and the Nightingale were reported periodically in the press and by word-of-mouth. It was great conversation during the Season, as the upper classes termed their round of balls, teas, luncheons and concerts on their social calendar from September to May.
Other venues besides the mansions of the Gold Coast buzzed with talk about the gentlemen crimefighters. Bars, tenements, and houses of ill repute spoke about the mysterious figures with varying degrees of opinions. The working girls speculated on the sexual prowess of the reputedly-dashing mystery men, but in the dives and saloons, the criminal element were spooked.
The Raven and the Nightingale broke up muggings, robberies, and more serious forms of violence. Criminals caught by the duo were usually delivered to the local precinct while bound, or tied to a lamppost by a police callbox.
It was a busy season for Bruce and Dick with their social obligations and Dick’s full schedule at the Savoy Theater. The addition of Raven and Nightingale duties were an extra layer of activity as the winter continued.
By early March, the end of the season was in sight. On a day when the sun glinted off the snow, Bruce went through his mail at his desk in the study. A letter with a return address caught his eye. He slit it open with his silver letter opener and read the missive.
Putting it down, he pondered for several minutes, then rose and picked up the letter. He went into the kitchen.
“What have you got there?” Alfred asked.
“Take a look.” Bruce waved the envelope.
“Ah, from the President’s House.”
“Yes, sir.” Bruce brandished the letter. “Our President wishes me to come to Washington City.”
Alfred paused in the act of chopping onions. “Really? What for?”
“He wants me to serve on a committee that will advise on finances for a special project.”
“And how long will this committee work be?”
“He says about a month.”
“That means two months.”
“You’re such a cynic.” Bruce’s voice was amused.
“With good reason, I suspect.” Alfred put the diced onions into a sandwich. “Are you going?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to leave Gotham that long.”
“Or Master Dick.”
Bruce smiled wryly. “No.”
“Well, sir, Master Dick may need to leave now and then for his career.”
Bruce felt a knot in his stomach. “I don’t…”
“Now, lunch will be ready in five minutes.”
Bruce gave up. Alfred was an expert fencer, verbally and physically. He walked back to his study, very aware of the letter in his hand. Alfred’s words burned in his mind.
I have to find a way to keep Dick close if I accept Teddy’s offer.
He tapped his cheek with the letter.
& & & & & &
“Bruce!”
“Yes?” Bruce put down his pipe as Dick entered the parlor.
“The company’s going to Washington!”
“When?”
“Next month!” Dick’s eyes sparkled. “It’s a two-month engagement.”
“Splendid! The company will get much valuable publicity from their excursion.”
“You’re coming, of course.”
Bruce was warmed by Dick asking so quickly. “Of course. And I have business there as well.”
Dick perched on the arm of Bruce’s chair. “What kind of business?”
“I’ve been offered some committee work by Uncle Teddy.”
“Uncle…?” Dick’s eyes grew wide. “Teddy Roosevelt is your uncle?”
“That’s right.” Bruce rubbed Dick’s thigh. “Mother’s people were connected to the Oyster Bay clan. Father’s was connected to the Hyde Park branch.”
“Such a spreading chestnut tree.”
“Cousin Franklin and I graduated together from Harvard. He married Cousin Eleanor in ’04.”
“His cousin?”
“Fifth cousin.”
Dick placed Bruce’s hand between his legs. “Such quaint customs you rich folks have.” He moaned as Bruce massaged his groin.
“Upstairs,” breathed Bruce.
Dick jumped into Bruce’s lap and was carried upstairs by a willing Bruce, who dropped his lover onto the bed. Dick smiled saucily and bent his knees. Bruce pulled off his pants and underdrawers and tossed them aside, licking his lips at the sight of his lover’s erect organ.
“You primed the pump,” teased Dick. He thrust his hips up. “Now milk it!”
Discarded clothes and quick preparations later, Bruce was pounding into Dick while the younger man moaned. Bruce gripped Dick’s hips tightly, leaving livid bruises on pale flesh.
“Harder!” Dick demanded.
Bruce happily complied, feeling hot flesh enclose his cock before he pulled out and rammed back in again. Dick’s fingers were dug into the sheets as he shouted encouragement, his own cock painfully rigid. He yelled as he started to come, spattering Bruce’s belly as Bruce continued to pound. With one final thrust he grunted and poured his seed into Dick’s body. Collapsing, he and Dick panted heavily as the grandmother clock in the hall struck the hour.
“Whew,” Dick breathed as he stroked Bruce’s sweaty hair.
“I agree.” Bruce felt boneless as he clung to Dick.
“Life is funny, huh?”
“Hmmm?”
“Well, I am heading to Washington with the company right when the President requests you come down, too.”
Bruce felt his insides knot. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, funny how coincidences occur.” Dick’s fingers continued to card through his companion’s hair.
Bruce forced himself to relax. Dick was not suspicious, merely noting the oddities of life.
It would be all right.
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