Beneath A Full Moon

[bought_the_bank]

The lakeside house has a deck he's used only a handful of times.  Most nights he's looking down from atop skyscrapers or situated underground in front of a host of computer screens.  Tonight he's lounging in a chair with his foot elevated, his gaze turned upwards toward the full moon.  It's a spectacular sight above the water through the trees.  He meant to retreat indoors hours ago but just hasn't gotten there yet.

A second chair sits empty beside him.

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[justlikeacircus]

As much as Gotham's most eligible bachelor had a reputation for liking to party, getting Bruce Wayne to actually take a holiday was like pulling teeth, which was why it felt like such a victory whenever he could be dragged to the lakehouse, far enough away from any crime that Dick could be sure he was actually going to take a break, and it didn't hurt that he enjoyed the peace and tranquillity of the place himself.

It's a little while since Bruce disappeared outside and Dick goes looking for him, wanting to make sure he isn't somehow working. In his hand he has a hot chocolate piled high with cream and marshmallows, because he's an adult damnit and that means he gets to decide how many marshmallows he has (read: Alfie isn't here to stop him going overboard)
He finally locates Bruce on the deck, noting the second chair with a faint smile and sitting down beside him.
"Hey dad" it feels like a dad kind of evening

[bought_the_bank]

The vacation house has been in the family for generations and in small ways, the hand of Martha Wayne can still be felt. Portraits, decorations, pieces of furniture. Some of his parents' correspondence is still tucked away in the master bedroom closet. It's one of the many reasons why he doesn't come very often.

He's always working. Even on vacation when he's supposed to be relaxing. But Dick won't see him pocket his cell phone before he joins him.

'Dad'. It sounds both completely right and utterly wrong all at the same time. He can only remember a handful of times when Dick has addressed him as such. Maybe someday he'll get used to it. Bruce glances sidelong at him as he takes a seat and a flash of amusement crosses his face.

"Having a little hot chocolate with your marshmallows?"

[justlikeacircus]

"I don't know what you're talking about," Dick retorts with an entirely straight face that is completely ruined by the fact he's already got a mustache of whipped cream on his upper lip "This is a perfectly reasonable ratio of chocolate to marshmallows. You're just jealous because you don't have one."

It's nice out here, with the stars above them - so many more visible than the light-polluted skies of Gotham, and Dick can't help but feel a sense of peace. He's always liked this place, probably for the exact reason Bruce often avoids it, there's a real sense of family here and he's always been a sucker for family.

[bought_the_bank]

The sound that escapes him is remarkably close to a laugh. It says a lot about just how relaxed he actually is despite keeping tabs on phone updates. Dick's straight faced delivery is identical to his own brand of humor, so rarely exhibited. They may not share a bloodline but Dick is most definitely his son. The quip deserves another.

"Why don't you put yourself to good use and get me one? Without the marshmallows."

[justlikeacircus]

Dick sighed with exaggerated annoyance, pushing himself up out of the chair "I get a hot chocolate and suddenly everyone wants one, it's a hard life being such a trendsetter." He shakes his head despairingly and heads back into the house.

When he returns five minutes later it's with a second mug in hand, complete with whipped cream but no marshmallows as requested. His own mug was looking a little fuller, suggesting he'd either topped up his own drink... or taken Bruce's marshmallows for himself.

[bought_the_bank]

He doesn't bother to hide his smile. Dick's over the top reaction is classic and partially put on for Bruce's benefit, he's sure. It also means Dick is in a good mood, something that pleases him.

The second mug exchanges hands not without Bruce noticing the changes made to the first. "We should have brought a third bag. Two may not last the trip," he teases, also with a straight face. "Marshmallow addiction. Should I schedule some counseling?"

[justlikeacircus]

"Well you're the richest man in the world, what kind of billionaire only brings two bags of marshmallows?" Dick tutted, settling himself down in the chair again.

"I don't have a problem, I can stop any time I want." He added, fighting to keep a straight face. He enjoyed it when Bruce was relaxed enough to make jokes, it was almost sad most people didn't realise how funny he could be. Clark usually picked up on the dry humour he employed most of the time, but everybody else tended to miss it.

[bought_the_bank]

He grips the mug in both hands, savoring the warmth. "The kind of billionaire who hates marshmallows?"

Not that he doesn't have a sweet tooth. He prefers donuts, which Alfred keeps away from him at all costs. Much like Alfred tries to regulate Dick's marshmallow intake.

"Recognizing you have an issue is the first step toward recovery." The response is completely deadpan.

[justlikeacircus]

"Philistine," Dick said dismissively, shaking his head. He didn't understand how Bruce could dislike marshmallows, they were so fluffy and satisfying. Of course he had that often, nobody in the world seemed to understand how much he enjoyed cereal, and he didn't get why they didn't enjoy it just as much.

"I don't see any issue with this many marshmallows, it's a perfectly reasonable amount because I am a perfectly well-adjusted young man."

[bought_the_bank]

It amazed Bruce as Dick was growing up how he managed to stay in one place long enough to finish his cereal. Which always seemed to consist of at least a double helping. That particular obsession silently drove Alfred to distraction.

He could drive a tour bus through the opening Dick just left him. Instead he simply comments about the family in general, "None of us are perfectly well-adjusted."

[justlikeacircus]

"I am," Dick said primly with an offended sniff "I definitely have no issues to speak of."

In truth he thought they were fairly well adjusted, or at least far more well adjusted than they probably should be, and as well as you could be when you spent your nights in spandex fighting crime.

"Seriously though," he said after a moment, voice softening "I like to think I turned out okay."

[bought_the_bank]

He hears Alfred in that affronted sniff. The older man's influence is keenly felt despite his absence during this particular trip.

Casting his gaze once again out over the water, he admits honestly with an undertone of pride that befits only a father, "You did turn out okay."

It's about as close to being completely open as he gets.

[justlikeacircus]

Dick allows himself a small, pleased grin into his hot chocolate, it isn't often that Bruce can be coaxed into saying things like that, and while he knows how his father feels about him, it's still nice to hear it every now and again.

"Tim, on the other hand..." he turned not-serious again, laughing before he could even finish the sentence.

[bought_the_bank]

"Last of the great trouble makers," Bruce finishes for him. There's a hint of pride there as well.

He settles the mug on a thigh. The patio side table where he'd normally place it has been repurposed as an ottoman, his left foot up and resting. The ankle has finally stopped throbbing. He's glad it wasn't the right or it would have made the drive up here miserable.

[justlikeacircus]

"Yea," Dick agrees, and his smile is fond - He's pretty proud of what Tim can do himself, and he'd always wanted to be a big brother. Having a brother who had started out with such a hero worship of him had been nice too, admittedly, but he genuinely cared for Tim.

"How's it feeling?" He asks, nodding at the ankle. Privately he's grateful for it, he thinks it might be the only reason they actually managed to make it out here, although he feels guilty for that, it's not like he actually wants to see his father hurt.

[bought_the_bank]

"Fine."

It's his standard abbreviated response to any injury or wound related inquiry. He could be in a world of hurt and still answer with that same single word. It's his way of aborting a conversation before it has a chance to begin. Showing pain is showing weakness. That's what he's always believed, regardless of the irritation it seems to cause those closest to him.

He refused the x-ray two days previous. In retrospect, it wasn't the wisest choice.

[justlikeacircus]

Ah yes, fine, the only word in Bruce Wayne's injury vocabulary - at least, when it came to his own injuries, he could be quite vocal when any of his children got hurt in the line of duty, Dick was pretty sure his last sprained ankle had resulted in a lecture lasting at least half an hour. Tim had tried to time it but he couldn't do it without Bruce noticing.

"The bruising is still pretty bad..."

[bought_the_bank]

Bruce expresses his worry for their wellbeing in odd ways. Most of the time it manifests itself as anger. He may have elongated that particular lecture though on purpose out of irritation. Tim isn't as surreptitious as he thinks he is and Bruce takes their health very seriously. Unlike his own.

"It's fine," he flatly insists, taking another sip of hot chocolate.

[justlikeacircus]

"I'm just saying it looks a lot like the bruising that time my ankle turned out to be broken..." and it's with some reluctance that he brings that time up, given that it didn't happen in a fight or even during a particularly dangerous stunt, he'd just been flipping around in his usually nonchalant way and he'd messed up the landing. It's probably his most embarrassing injury to date.

[bought_the_bank]

"... After you missed the landing on that back flip you did in the kitchen?" That slight twinkle in his eye is back as he redirects the conversation away from himself. He didn't find it very amusing back then. There was only so long he allowed Dick to limp along on it before insisting they check it out. Alfred handled the x-ray but Leslie ended up doing the cast.

[justlikeacircus]

Dick scowls, he should have known that bringing it up would give Bruce an out - not that he intends to allow him one - and he'd rather not dwell on the incident any longer than necessary. It was the reason for Alfred's "no gymnastics in the kitchen" rule and he'd been grumpy about it ever since.

"Yes, that time," he says a little testily "and remember how you forced me to get it looked at? Properly looked at?"

[bought_the_bank]

The emphasis Dick purposefully places warps his amusement into mild irritation. He's never responded well to having the double standard pointed out, either directly or indirectly. If Dick was willing to bring up the kitchen incident though, Bruce knows he's definitely concerned. Given the state of the ankle, legitimately concerned. The scenery isn't the only thing that's kept him in the patio chair but he'll never admit it.

"If it's not marginally better by tomorrow, I'll have it looked at when we get back." All told after driving, that's three days away. If he's looking to appease Dick, it's a poor attempt.

[justlikeacircus]

Dick's expression is unimpressed, it's close to agreeing to actually do something about the injury, but it's not exactly the option he was looking for, and while getting any headway at all with Bruce was practically a victory, it wasn't one he was going to be satisfied with today.

"I was thinking Leslie could take a look at it. A proper look, I mean. And if she says it needs X-rays or a cast or anything, you have to do what she says." he says sternly - it's not that impressive a tone coming from him, he doesn't quite have Bruce's gravitas, but it's obvious he's serious "which is why I asked her to come down here for the day tomorrow."

[bought_the_bank]

His irritation ramps right up into anger, which he turns on Dick in the form of a hardened glare. Only he can roll a name, a curse, and a warning all into one utterance. "Dick."

He doesn't appreciate being outmaneuvered, especially by his own son. Alfred and Leslie fall into a truly unique group of two, able to direct Bruce as long suffering parents would an uncooperative child. They always have his best interests at heart and without fail, get their way. To call Leslie now and tell her not to come would be rude. He wouldn't do that to her.

[justlikeacircus]

Dick can see the anger in the glare, but while it made criminals flee in terror, it crashed around him harmlessly and he tried his very best not to look as smug as he felt - it wasn't often he got one over on Bruce after all. He didn't want Bruce to be angry at him, but he'd gladly take it if it meant his father would get the medical attention he obviously needed.

Although he knew he didn't have enough influence to make him do too much, that was why he'd called in the big guns.