Reminiscence - A Dick Grayson Fanfiction

Chapter 17 - No Choice

AN:
I’m sorry for not updating sooner. I just started university and there’s a lot of stuff going on. Anyways, enjoy the new chapter. ^w^

פ×Oפ×

Wayne Manor
July 17
13:05 EDT

„Is it always like this?” Reaper asked, looking at the empty seat across from him at the very end of a long dining table.

Alfred glanced at the boy when he placed a steaming bowl of potatoes and some meat in front of him.
“Master Bruce is a very busy man,” he said.

“I bet,” came the scoff in return.

Reaper closed his eyes and massaged at his temples. He’d spent almost a day and a half sleeping between soft and expensive sheets. It was strange to leave himself vulnerable like that in unfamiliar surroundings. He couldn’t do anything about it really. Those pillows were just so very, very soft. Of course, this wasn’t the first time he’s fallen asleep like that and not even the longest period of time he’s spent basically unconscious. Maybe he was partially narcoleptic or something. Was that a thing? Partial narcolepsy… Still, he felt highly uncomfortable that this had happened on ‘enemy’ territory. The result of it was all the same though – a splitting headache. Alfred couldn’t blame him for being grumpy.
When he opened his eyes again, Alfred looked at him expectantly, making him look down at his now loaded plate. He really had to stop spacing out so much.

He experimentally poked a potato with his fork. It all smelled delicious. He dug in.

“So, Alfred,” he started with a mouth full of food. It tasted heavenly. “Are you a superhero too, or is it just Wayne wearing the skin-tight suit?” He propped his leg up on the chair closest to him.

Alfred looked at him with slight distaste. “Master Bruce’s free time activities tend to differ from mine. However, I am eager to help where I can. Now, young master, if you could kindly remove your feet from the furniture.”

Reaper glared. The butler stared right back. There was something about Alfred Pennyworth that made Reaper want to behave. As frustrating as that fact was, the eerie calmness of the man made him slowly slip his feet from the chair.

After he finished his lunch in relative silence and Alfred started clearing the table, Reaper looked up at the ceiling with a bored expression. „So, what’s the plan for today? Gonna lock me away somewhere nice and cosy until Wayne gets back from whatever it is that he’s doing? Just to let you know, my handcuff size is XS.”

Alfred stopped cleaning off the table. “Young master... I thought it was obvious that you’re not a prisoner here. Or have my actions so far indicated otherwise?”

“Oh, so I am allowed to go as I please?”

“Within the mansion, yes.” Alfred nodded. “There are some rooms that I ask of you not to disturb though. Master Bruce’s study is one of them.”
Reaper scoffed. “Within the mansion... Do you even hear yourself, old man?” He felt his heartbeat pick up a little. “I’m stuck here. You can make it seem as nice as you want to, but I’m still a prisoner. For all I know, this freaking mansion is full of traps and whatnot, it’s Batman we’re talking about, so even just trying to make an escape plan is pointless! He’ll just hunt me down again. To top it off, he has absolutely no understanding of privacy. Don’t think I didn’t see the cameras in the bedroom, or the damned bathroom, OR behind that vase right over there!” he pointed to an elegant white vase just across from where he was sitting.