Avoiding Past And Future

(103) Intermediate

December 1st

Hearing the roar of the Batmobile echo through the surprisingly quiet night, Phantom pushed the proverbial pedal to the metal as he gave it his all to beat the tank on wheels in their little race. Flighting straight through buildings, ignoring bends and turns in the road, it felt a lot smoother than the first time he raced Robin through the streets. Now the pair of them were working together to win.

Phasing through the cave walls, they wooped gleefully as the Batmobile came to a stop next to them a few seconds later. "Ooh, looks like your years are catching up to you, old...man?" Dick's smug gloating turned to confusion as the cockpit opened to reveal only Selina inside. Blinking hard he looked around, finding Bruce sans cowl lounging in the Batcomputer chair with a half-finished cup of tea. Mouth agape, he looked around to find how Bruce had managed to be faster than a literal ghost. From the corner of his eye he could see the Zeta being active, his cheeks puffed out as he realized. "You, you cheated!"

Bruce's smirk only deepened at the look of betrayal on his boys' faces. "Did I now? I don't remember setting any rules on how to get home, only having to be the first to do so." He soaked in the chaos brought from outplaying them. Even using Selina in the Batmobile to distract them from the fact they had just fixed the zetas. It wasn't easy, but it had to be done.

He let them work out whatever excess energy they had, soaking up their post-patrol smoothie before sobering up. "Boys," he called out to them, "we need to talk about something." He breathed out hard, trying to still his racing heart as he found it near impossible to look them in the eye.

"Bruce," Selina warned, eyes narrowing. "Let them rest up first." Her interjection did nothing but add to the unease on the man's face.

The feeling was mutual as both boys' breaths found itself stuck in their throats. The unusually pressed tone of Bruce's voice raising more flags as he turned from them. Danny stepped forward, just enough to try to block Dick from whatever was coming. He had his suspicions. It would be foolish not to with everything they already went through.

It wouldn't be the first time an adult lied, or went back on promises after all.

Thinking everything would be just fine and dandy when a good chunk of the League was still breathing down Bruce's neck was idiotic. The team barely worked together as it should have. Both from the lack of trust and lack of respecting boundaries and seniority. But what else would they have expected when throwing a bunch of teens in a group without giving them any guidelines to follow.

But even without that, he remained prepared for the day this fairytale life would come crumbling down.

No matter how you'd twist and turn it, he was still nothing more than a Belle Rêve escapee. An ex-con. Death followed him wherever he went, be it the loss of life or friendships that crumbled to dust. He was a bad omen if such a thing even existed.

It didn't help that Dick wasn't even trying to hide the worry oozing out. His heart crumbling at the sight he swore to prevent. So much for an older brother he was. One of them had to be strong, had to take the brunt, and he would not let Dick be hurt by his lingering presence in his life if that's what it took. He made his peace with it ages ago, his borrowed time running out as they waited for the man before them to find his words.

No matter, he would not break, would not back down. He had to stay strong for Dick.

"Listen," Bruce finally managed to force out, his face twisting as if getting stabbed between the ribs would have been a more pleasant experience. "I know, I mean, I understand that a lot of things have happened recently and that maybe taking a break would be more applicable." Turning on the chair, he faced the Batcomputer. Leather creaking under his weight as he leaned forward.