𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒂 | 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 (𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙢)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭

"I can still come with you, if you want me to." Alfred was obviously worried.

"No. Wouldn't be right. Besides, I have Lara with me. She's practically a pro at surviving." Bruce smiled at Eularia, who was triple-checking their backpacks. "Lara, stop doing that. You're starting to stress me out."

"Sorry, sorry!" She squeaked, backing away. "I just wanna be sure that we have everything needed to survive the night."

"Why do you need belts?" Bruce rolled his eyes.

"To make a splint," She replied in a duh tone. "You know, if you twist your ankle or something? Accidents are bound to happen. I even left a survivor's manual guide I found in there if your dense self can not seem to comprehend the basic logic of how they work."

"Gee, thanks, Lara. What happened to that girl I met a few days ago?" Bruce asked rhetorically. "Anyways, we'll be fine, Alfred. You don't have to worry."

"Who said I was worried?"
"I'll be back before dark. I've been on this hike before, you know?" He insisted, noticing how Lara was yet again checking their bags.

"Not without your father. He would have approved, you know." Alfred turned to Eularia. "Please do take care of Master Bruce for me, will you?"
Eularia beamed, glad to be entrusted with such an important task. "With my life," She vowed.

"He would've approved, you know, carrying on the tradition like this." Alfred nodded proudly.

"My father and I stayed overnight. We woke up early to watch the sunrise." Bruce explained to Eularia, who paused on the repacking to listen to him intently. "It's not the same."

"Well, maybe next year, then." Alfred said. "Well, off you go, then."

"Argh!" Bruce threw the rock, storming across it angrily. Eularia stood to the side, silent. Unlike the last time he'd lost his temper, he was sure not to lay a finger on his friend. He kicked the pebbles everywhere, before falling to his knees. She gently wrapped an arm around his shoulders, whispering quite reassurances into his ears.

"Yeah. That was good. You let it all out. Good. Good boy." She petted his head awkwardly, like she would do so to the alley cat. "Take all the time you need, Bruce. I won't be going anywhere."

"I-I'm okay now." He stood, stepping forwards. "I'm–" He wasn't able to finish his sentence, as Bruce lost footing of the hill, tumbling all the way down, dragging Eularia with him. They finally reached the bottom.

"Ugh... Lara? L– ah!" Bruce fell over, his leg getting out. He flinched in pain. Ah... Sprained, probably. As if to add salt to the wound, thunder rumbled in the distance, like even the gods were laughing at him. "Lara?" He looked over to his side. She wasn't moving, her hand crushed under the weight of her body. "No... Lara! Lara, c'mon!" Bruce shook her carefully. "You have to wake up!" He clenched his fist when nothing happened. It was his fault, again. Everything he did was hurting her. Bruce would have to learn to control his temper, and soon. But first, he had to deal with his leg. He dug through his backpack, grateful that Eularia had overpacked. Bruce took out the belts and a cloth, wrapping them tightly around his leg, to keep it stiff. He bent down, throwing Eularia's uninjured arm over himself, using whatever strength he had on him to hoist her partially onto him. He glanced up the hill. It seemed so tall from the bottom. Groaning, Bruce began the long journey back up, hobbling and crawling to the top. He was met with a warm crackling fire and a tent, with Alfred staring back at him.

"Hello there, Master Bruce. Well, you certainly took your time." Alfred said the obvious, to Bruce's incredulous expression. "What, you stop off for a pie and a pint on the way out, did you?"

"How long have you been there?" Was the only thing Bruce thought of to ask. Did Alfred just sit there instead of helping him?

"I don't know, about an hour. Just when you were started climbing up that really nasty hill."

"Well, thanks for your help. Lara needs some medical attention, and I have no clue how to give it. Alfred, tell me you know something."
"Of course I know something, Master Bruce." Alfred picked Eularia off of Bruce's back like she weighed nothing. It did feel like that. She was much lighter than a healthy person should be, after living on the street for years. That's not just something that could be solved by a week of overeating.

"Looks like a distal radius fracture," Alfred noted, examining her wrist carefully. "She's been getting injured around you a lot, Master Bruce."

"I know." Bruce replied guiltily, staring at her sleeping face. She looked peaceful, like she wasn't in any pain, but he knew the truth. "I'm cold, I'm tired and my ankle's sprained."

"Oh." Alfred set Eularia by the log, reaching over to help Bruce sit.

"I just wanna go home." Bruce sniffled.

"You wanna go home, or do you wanna wait and watch the sunrise?" Alfred looked at the navy blue sky. "Like you did with your dad?"
"Well, Alfred, you can only stay if you think you can handle it." Bruce responded, running a hand through Eularia's hair as Alfred prepared a splint for her wrist. He wrapped two sticks around her arm, wrapping it tightly. "She'll be alright?"

"Yes." Alfred confirmed, allowing Bruce to finally feel some sense of relief. "It doesn't seem like she has a concussion. There isn't a large bump anywhere signifying that she suffered severe brain damage. And I can definitely handle it. Mate, this place is positively cushy compared to some of the places I've slept at. Cup of tea, you cheeky monkey?" He offered. Bruce nodded, taking it. Eularia stirred slightly next to him, reaching up to rub her eyes.

"Lara! You're okay!" He exclaimed, a little too excited, jostling her.

"Sheesh, pipe it down! I was getting my much needed–" She was interrupted when Bruce pulled her into him, ignoring how some of her hair flapped onto his face.

"You're okay..." He repeated.

"Yep, I am!" Eularia grinned. "I– owww!" She'd moved her hand too much, making it sting. "Yeah, I'm okay. But did you seriously have to use me as your fall cusion?"

"I already said I was sorry!" Bruce grinned. "It's not like I did it intentionally!"

She humphed, crossing her arms. "For that, you'll have to be my pillow." Eularia let her head drop onto his shoulder, snuggling into him for warmth.

"That doesn't sound like much of a punishment at all." He muttered.