Title: Rainbow’s Freedom (RobinSong Arc) (17/41)
Author: BradyGirl
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Clark/Bruce, Ollie/Dinah, Alfred, Dick, the Penguin
Series Notes: In the 23rd century, Earth is a technologically-advanced society that practices the ancient institution of slavery. As Bruce and Clark try and adjust to being lovers as well as Master and slave, on a warm spring night a new member of the Wayne Household is added: a little boy whom Bruce sadly identifies with. Dick Grayson further pushes Bruce along the path of Abolitionism as the child brings further Light into the Manor. The entire series can be found
here. Genres: Drama, AU
Rating: (this chapter): PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Dinah and Ollie come for a visit at Wayne Manor as she opens her new flower shop in Gotham. Night work is also on the itinerary.
Date Of Completion (First Draft): October 4, 2007
Date Of Posting: July 13, 2008
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1423
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
The Pretty Bird sings
Her Canary Cry,
The Pretty Bird brings
Her Canary Eye.
Marion Zimmer Grayson
“Tales of the Starchild”
2106 C.E.
XVII
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
(NOT QUITE)
Dinah appreciated the architecture of Gotham Union Station. She and Ollie carried small suitcases, their scheduled time in the city only two days.
Sunlight streamed in through the skylights, creating rainbow-colored patterns on the marble floor and walls. She smelled roasted coffee from the coffee shop and fresh pastries in a kiosk. Travelers flowed through the Art Deco building, and Dinah performed one of her favorite pastimes: people-watching.
In Dinah’s opinion, a crimefighter needed to understand more than just criminal psychology. Normal Human psychology was the key. It was all well and good to accentuate the abnormal, but in her experience, most crimes were committed by ordinary people driven by desperation, passion or greed.
“There’s Bruce,” Ollie said.
Dinah saw the handsome brunette standing by the entrance. Bruce Wayne was always regal, a man accustomed to being the center of attention, not to mention expectations of obedience, and not always just from his servants. Ollie had the same air about him, his family as old and monied as Bruce’s, but the Prince of Gotham was a far more brooding figure than her lover.
She had nothing against dark and broody, but she preferred Ollie’s lighter noblesse oblige. Bruce always struck her as carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Dinah, lovely to see you again,” Bruce said, taking her hand.
“Nice to see you, too, Bruce.” She lightly kissed his cheek.
Ollie and Bruce shook hands.
“You’ll have to come to Queens’ Castle soon. I seem to be always taking advantage of your hospitality.”
“Nonsense,” Bruce said with a smile. “I enjoy the company, especially of fellow nighthawks.”
All three grinned. Dinah said, “Ollie and I are eager to help.”
As they began walking to the limousine, Bruce said, “Just a note: Dick is unaware of my…nocturnal pursuits…right now, though my Prize is in the know.”
“Yes, Ollie told me.”
“And will you be joining me this evening?”
Dinah and Ollie grinned as they understood the nature of the invitation.
After settling into the limousine, they drove through Gotham, Dinah saying, “Look! There’s the shop!”
Sherwood Florist was a smart little shop, fresh paint applied and the windows sparkling. Pride shone in Dinah’s face, and Ollie squeezed her hand.
They stopped for a quick tour, Dinah pleased at the set-up, and she talked about her business plan as they headed onward to the Manor.
& & & & & &
Alfred greeted them with his usual impeccable hospitality, and Dinah was happy to be placed in the room opposite Bruce’s. She loved the elegant touches in this room, especially the rich, sapphire-blue drapes at the windows.
Once they were settled, she and Ollie joined Bruce in the library. Bruce’s Prize and Squire appeared minutes later.
“Dinah, Ollie, my Squire is here to serve you.”
The smiling boy acknowledged the guests, Dinah astonished at the intensity of his smile. The poor boy had been in the throes of grief when she had last seen him. Even now he was subdued with that fresh sorrow but his smile had been like the sun breaking out from behind the clouds.
“And so is Clark,” Bruce said.
Dinah immediately understood the honor given, being told Clark’s name, and her eyes sparkled. As Clark lowered his head, Dinah said, “I’m pleased, Bruce. Such beautiful, sparkling members of your Household.” She saw both slaves smile.
Bruce was also pleased. He said softly, “Refreshments, please.”
His slaves nodded and left the room.
“Exquisite, Bruce.”
“Thank you.”
Clark brought in the refreshments, shy around Dinah but smiling to answer her smile. She saw Bruce’s look of pride.
& & & & & &
Lunch was fresh turkey sandwiches with a side dish of garden salad, the baby corn, carrots and tomatoes crunchy and flavorful. Dinah spoke with her business representative in town via cellphone after the meal, looking forward to the meeting tomorrow.
Tonight was a different kind of business.
& & & & & &
Dinah loved pulling on her fishnets, ready for a night’s work. She adjusted her blond wig, Ollie applying his goatee and his own wig. He smiled at her.
“Ready to go hunting, Pretty Bird?”
“Ready, Archer.”
Ollie smiled.
& & & & & &
Dinah loved everything about the Batcave. While Bruce and Ollie plotted out the night’s itinerary, Clark gave Dinah the grand tour.
“Oh, man, this is quite the set-up.”
“Master Bruce and Alfred did a great job.”
“Yes, Alfred would have been a big part of this.”
“He’s amazing.”
She heard the affection in his voice and smiled.
“Bruce is pretty amazing, too. He’s pretty dedicated to the crimefighting thing. I always knew he was deep, but this deep?”
“The Master indeed has many depths.”
Clark’s voice was once again laced with affection…and something more.
Dinah looked at him closely. His attention was on Bruce. His eyes were hidden, but his body posture and the curve of his lips…
Amused, she touched her black velvet choker, caressing the small ceramic canary she liked to wear as a good luck talisman.
& & & & & &
Gotham was very different from Star City. Then again, it was different from any other city, she thought wryly.
The cities were approximately the same age, but Gotham was far grittier and grimmer. While both cities sported very old architecture, Gotham specialized in gargoyles.
Also in psychos.
They crashed in on the Penguin in the middle of a robbery. The portly little man used his umbrella like a deadly weapon, and his henchmen held out for awhile, but talent usually won out in these matters.
“You’re done, Penguin!” Canary said, kicking the last of the hired hands into submission.
“Squawk, squawk! How can you cage a fellow bird, Canary?”
Black Canary laughed. “We’re not exactly birds of a feather, Penguin.”
The little man grunted. “You look good in the fishnets.”
“Thank you, Pengy,” Canary said brightly.
Penguin snorted. Green Arrow appeared. “Everything all right here?”
“Perfectly, G.A.”
Green Arrow nodded. He trusted his partner to tell him the truth.
The Batman appeared next, all swirling cape and grim visage. “Time for your birdcage, Penguin.”
“Bah! You’re no fun, Bat-brain! Not like the Pretty Bird, here.”
Black Canary smiled charmingly while Batman snapped the cuffs on the Penguin. As the police arrived and Batman talked with them, Green Arrow murmured, “What, you like short and fat now?”
Black Canary grinned. “Don’t get your feathers ruffled, dear,” she purred, stroking his arm.
Green Arrow smirked.
As the police left with the captured criminals, Green Arrow snaked an arm around his partner’s waist and drew her to him.
“It’s all teamwork, baby.”
Black Canary laughed and kissed her partner.
“If you’re done necking…”
“Oh, lighten up, Bats,” Canary said cheerfully.
Batman snorted. He walked away with a grand sweep of cape, but Canary swore she saw a slight smile on his face.
& & & & & &
Dinah felt very comfortable as she snuggled on Ollie’s lap. The Batmobile only seated two comfortably, so Dinah had cheerfully volunteered to occupy her lover’s lap.
Ollie was happy with the arrangement, nuzzling his Pretty Bird as Bruce drove. The happy couple cooed and laughed and kissed until Bruce finally blurted, “Can’t you two wait until we get back?”
“Aw, c’mon, Bruce, just because your main squeeze is back at the Manor doesn’t mean we have to wait,” Ollie snickered.
Bruce gritted his teeth and speeded up the Batmobile, muttering, “Get a room.”
& & & & & &
Clark was pushing his chair away from the computer as the Batmobile roared into the cave. Bruce had asked him to do some research and Clark was ready to report.
As Dinah and Ollie giggled their way out of the Batmobile, Bruce swept out of the driver’s side and strode toward Clark.
“Master, I finished…mmph!”
Bruce swept Clark up into a deep kiss, Ollie wolf-whistling.
When they broke apart, Bruce growled, “Upstairs. Bed. Now!”
Breathless, Clark pulled his robe around himself tighter and nodded, hurrying up the stone steps.
“Looks like you got a room,” quipped Ollie.
Bruce said nothing as he headed for the showers in a swirl of cape.
Ollie’s hand slipped up one fishnet-clad thigh of his partner. “When Bats is gone, how about we christen the hood of the Batmobile?” he whispered.
Dinah’s blue eyes sparkled.