What Keeps Us Sane

Teaser Chapter

Bruce stepped into the family room and was surprised by what he saw.  All four of his sons were cuddling (yes they were cuddling!) on the couch without any resistance or fighting.  Tim, Jason, and Dick were fast asleep in each other's arms while Damian smiled contently, fighting his own sleepiness. 

"-Tt-  Look at them.  So weak and peaceful."  Damian whispered sleepily, rolling his eyes.  Bruce focused his attention on his sleeping boys. 

"Yes they are.  But do you know what would be cuter?"  Bruce asked his eldest son.

"What do you mean by that father?"  Damian replied.

"Well, what if another bat boy, I don't know, falls asleep?"  Bruce nudged Damian slightly, cocking one eybrow.

"-Tt-  It would, ugh I can't believe I'm saying this, be even cuter," Damian gagged as the word came out," if a certain bat perhaps fell asleep with his sons."  Damian gave his father a bat-worthy glare, his eyes warning him never to mention that this ever happened, but in a blink of an eye, he was out like a light.  His head rolled forward and faint snores could be heard.  Bruce smirked, settling down next to his sons, putting his arms around all of them. 

"Sir, you should really stop fighting sleep and just relax.  Look at your sons and how calm they look."  Bruce jumped up in surpise, awed (and a little scared) how Alfred could sneak up on him.  The Batman.  World's Greatest Detective.

"Alfred!  One of these days, you will give me a heart attack!"  Bruce sassily exclaimed.  Alfred cracked a smile, which held a hint of mischief.

"Ah Master Bruce, it would be nice," Alfred implied. 

"Okay Alfred.  Only because you are my friend."  Bruce shook his head and gave in.  He rested his head on Damian's shoulder, slowly nodding off into a dreamless slumber.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Time skip to the next morning!!!!!  (cuz I want to continue so this makes sense to the story)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first person to wake up - besides Alfred - was Dick.  He gently squrimed out of his brothers' grasp, smiling at the sight of his brothers and father sleeping quietly.  Dick silently made his way to the kitchen to help Alfred make breakfast. 

"I see you have joined me in this kitchen Master Richard.  I presume you want to help with breakfast."  Alfred nonchalantly said.

"Yep!  I'm ready to help!"  Dick bounced up and down, a grin stuck on his face. 

"Alright Master Richard, let's get started."  Alfred swiftly gathered the ingredients for his world famous pancakes and omlets while Dick jumped around the kitchen, doing nothing very useful.  "Master Richard, if you want to help with breakfast, you should really start helping," Alfred gently scolded.

"Okie-dokie!  What should I do?"  Dick implored, still bouncing in place. 

"Well you can go and gather these supplies."  Alfred instructed, showing Dick to the cabinets and drawers that held the necessary materials.

After an hour of fun cooking, breakfast was ready to be served.  While Alfred set the table and displayed the food in an appealing manor, Dick respectfully and gently woke up his family.  After a whole lot of bribing and light threats, he got his family to move from the couch to the dining table. 

"This looks delicious!  Alfred I can't believe you made all of this!"  Tim complimented.

"Thank you Master Tim, but I wasn't the only one who helped make this meal."  Alfred casually relpied.