What if Robin stays Slade's apprentice? What if the Titans don't find the nano-bugs?
Robin is alone. No one can save him from the situation he's in. It's up to him to somehow make contact with the Titans, or better still... Batman.
The sounds of chopping fill the kitchen. Old and experienced hands lift each cucumber slice delicately, and arrange them evenly on a piece of toast with a drizzle of honey. Alfred sighs happily.
It will be so nice to have Master Richard home again, even if only temporarily, he thinks to himself, picking crumbs off his pressed suit. He knows that cucumber sandwiches were Richard's favorite before he left to gain independence in Jump City. I hope he's been eating well there...
The butler chuckles at himself and his trivial worries, carrying the plate over to the grandfather clock that conceals the long stairway to the cave. There is an elevator now, behind the fireplace, but Alfred wants to take the stairs today. He enjoys the exercise, and that staircase is infused with so manymemories of when Master Bruce first started his journey as Batman, almost seven years ago. Alfred smiles, warmed by the memory. He wouldn't change a thing.
Alfred breathes harder than he'd like to admit once he makes it to the bottom of the staircase. His old age is catching up to him, but he'll keep on running for years to come, no doubt. He walks towards the main platform, hoping to check Master Bruce's estimated arrival time based on his current location. Before he reaches the computer, however, the roar of the jet's engine rattles his bones. It's a powerful, almost threatening sound, useful for intimidating both enemies and allies. In this case, it is a very welcome sound. They're back so soon!
The plane slows to a stop, and he can see the young master's head on the pilot's side. How heartwarming it is that Master Bruce is trusting him with the controls so soon. He gingerly carries over the plate, trying to school his expression into something more neutral. He must remain composed, dignified, like the perfect butler he is. Despite his professional role in the Wayne household, he can't help but feel like he is greeting family.
As he approaches the Batplane, he catches the teenager shout something in an argumentative tone.
"I told you, I don't know where it is!"
"W-welcome back!" Alfred stumbles over his pre-determined sentence, now feeling out of place. They've only just landed, and already he and Master Bruce are arguing. Alfred isn't all that surprised, Master Richard spent a year living with teenagers unsupervised after all, it's only natural that he's become a little rough around the edges. Why, when Alfred was Richard's age—
Alfred meets Dick's gaze for a moment, and the boy's eyes widen to the size of his plate of cucumber sandwiches. Dick ducks, his head disappearing from view.
"Young Master?" Alfred enquires, reaching up to open the pilot-side door. The butler inspects the scrunched-up boy curiously, an amused smile tugging at his lips. He finally notices Master Bruce is not in the jet at all.
"Ah, why are you alone?"
"Hh..." Richard wheezes hoarsely, sitting up. "Br- Batman stayed behind... to talk to Superman."
The boy winces, as though he'd suddenly heard a loud noise, and the color drains from his face.
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(Photo credit: PixieHobbit. Links to her socials at the end!)
"I see." The butler sighs, then holds up the plate. "I prepared your favorite snack! Are cucumber sandwiches still your favorite? You'll have to catch me up on all that's been going on once you're settled again, I want to know what you like to eat these days."
Dick drifts out of the plane like a ghost, appearing to have temporarily lost touch with reality. He must be tired, it is quite early, after all. The butler holds the sandwich out to him, and the boy's fingers twitch towards it when he winces again and stops, his arm settling once again by his side. He isn't making eye contact with the old butler, staring straight through his chest mechanically.
"Where is the... mask removal spray?" The boy asks in a hushed voice.
"Oh? Of course, let me retrieve it for you. You stay here and enjoy your breakfast. I swear, you're just as bad as Master Bru..." His sentence trails off when he notices that the young master looks as though he's going to be sick.
"Master Dick?" He starts, but his words just seem to be making it worse. "I... I'll be right back. You sit down now, alright?"
Richard doesn't move or speak. His hands are trembling. Alfred forces himself to turn and walk towards the secondary tool platform of the Batcave. Richard's uneasiness seems to have settled into the old man's bones, and he takes the time to control his breathing. He learned, while serving as medic for the US and British army, that an emotion lasts six breaths.
He takes seven breaths.
Thank you so much PixieHobbit for your art!
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