[ This is nothing new, but Bruce Wayne is in the news again.
What is new about the story? His face is no where to be seen. The headline is big and bold: BAT BRAND OF JUSTICE? And underneath the image of a man, bloodied and bruised and branded with symbol Bruce wears on the chest of his costume. In the picture, the mark is stark – bright red and angry and fresh against the dull colors of the police holding the man upright. People were learning what that symbol meant. What fear really felt like when the Bat got his hands on you.
It meant when the guards walked you into the prison, they'd wheel you out in a body bag. It meant he didn't think you were a life worth saving.
Alfred didn't like it. Made it clear in the way he drops the paper in front of Bruce instead of his breakfast. He doesn't speak, just gives the master of the house a look then carries on with his work. Whatever he had to say, he knew Bruce wouldn't listen. Two years of killing and this is just the latest way Batman has decided to tighten the reigns. Would it end? Would it ever be enough?
No. Not until Bruce is satisfied. So far? He's not satisfied.
The days all run together and there's another article detailing a murder in the prison. Another Bat brand losing his life in the yard. Bruce doesn't react when he reads about it. He doesn't know when Alfred reached out to Dick. Bruce stayed out of his private correspondence for the most part. But when Bruce sees him sitting at his table, Bruce knows Alfred is the culprit. He crosses the kitchen to the coffee maker and pours himself a cup then takes a sip without adding anything to it. ]
Didn't realize I needed to notify you when I decided to stop by, Bruce. [He's sitting at the table, hands wrapped around a cup that he's about half done with. Yes, Alfred had contacted him but he'd already been aware of the shift.]
So why don't you tell me what's going on with you lately? Because last time I checked, you didn't cross certain lines.
[ He doesn't mean for it to be as rude as it sounds, but he's also not going to mince words. He takes another sip of his coffee then sets the mug aside. ]
Didn't realize moving out meant I wasn't allowed to come back whenever I wanted to. [He eyes Bruce for a long moment, one eyebrow rising.]
Bruce, that's bullshit and we both know it. You know there were rules you agreed to follow when you took on this role and Gordon isn't going to sit by and let you keep going like this.
[ It's enough to get Bruce to pause. Not because he is considering anything Dick is saying - he's been gone too long. He doesn't know anything now. But because he thinks he can just slip back into place here. Seamlessly. Like he'd never left. Like nothing ever broke between them. ]
I didn't know you were an expert on how I do things.
You think I'd forget how you're supposed to be doing things that quickly? [They both know that he's the only one who does, really, even if they've been at odds. ]
So I'm asking again. What do you think you're doing?
Except you're not. You're crossing lines, Bruce and it needs to stop. You've lost sight of what you're supposed to be doing. [The frustration is clear in his voice, Dick staring him down. ]
You have a code. You lose that and you lose Gordon's backing.
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for his_own_wings
What is new about the story? His face is no where to be seen. The headline is big and bold: BAT BRAND OF JUSTICE? And underneath the image of a man, bloodied and bruised and branded with symbol Bruce wears on the chest of his costume. In the picture, the mark is stark – bright red and angry and fresh against the dull colors of the police holding the man upright. People were learning what that symbol meant. What fear really felt like when the Bat got his hands on you.
It meant when the guards walked you into the prison, they'd wheel you out in a body bag. It meant he didn't think you were a life worth saving.
Alfred didn't like it. Made it clear in the way he drops the paper in front of Bruce instead of his breakfast. He doesn't speak, just gives the master of the house a look then carries on with his work. Whatever he had to say, he knew Bruce wouldn't listen. Two years of killing and this is just the latest way Batman has decided to tighten the reigns. Would it end? Would it ever be enough?
No. Not until Bruce is satisfied. So far? He's not satisfied.
The days all run together and there's another article detailing a murder in the prison. Another Bat brand losing his life in the yard. Bruce doesn't react when he reads about it. He doesn't know when Alfred reached out to Dick. Bruce stayed out of his private correspondence for the most part. But when Bruce sees him sitting at his table, Bruce knows Alfred is the culprit. He crosses the kitchen to the coffee maker and pours himself a cup then takes a sip without adding anything to it. ]
You didn't tell me you were coming.
Re: for his_own_wings
So why don't you tell me what's going on with you lately? Because last time I checked, you didn't cross certain lines.
no subject
[ He doesn't mean for it to be as rude as it sounds, but he's also not going to mince words. He takes another sip of his coffee then sets the mug aside. ]
There's nothing to talk about.
no subject
Bruce, that's bullshit and we both know it. You know there were rules you agreed to follow when you took on this role and Gordon isn't going to sit by and let you keep going like this.
no subject
[ in the same way Carmine Falcone never did anything when he ordered hits on his enemies. ]
Gordon has no reason to accuse me. Neither do you.
no subject
Not about this. [Not about anything but it's not like he hasn't been checking things out before he approached Bruce either.]
It stops now. This isn't how you do things.
no subject
I didn't know you were an expert on how I do things.
Sorry got sick for a bit
So I'm asking again. What do you think you're doing?
No worries! Hope you're feeling better
What needs to be done.
Re: No worries! Hope you're feeling better
You have a code. You lose that and you lose Gordon's backing.
no subject
[ In fact, Gordon hasn't said a word. The light is still on gcpd's roof. ]
I don't need your permission either.
no subject
This isn't acceptable. You're not going to retain your power by breaking your own rules whether they can trace it back to you or not. I can.
no subject
[ For years and years. ]
Things change.