Chapter Text
The air feels colder these days. Winter is waiting in front of the door, bringing cracked skins and chapped lips. But winter in Gotham is never so merciful. More than often winter comes with frozen bodies in the alleys. They usually curl into a ball as the cold air freezes them to death. Their skin is blue and black with necrosis. Body oh so stiff, Bruce feels like they'll break into pieces if not handled carefully.
That's the reason why he pours even more money every winter. Shelters, foods, medicine, clothes and blankets. But no matter how much he does, there's still death he can't stop. Gotham is a lost case. There's only death and darkness under the thick smog. Some people call him crazy, some people advise him to stop trying. Yet he's still standing there stubbornly. Because if there's something Bruce Wayne is good at, it's definitely his stubbornness.
He just never knows when to quit. Even if there's nothing good coming from Gotham, even if evil is still rooting so deeply, even if his children hate him.
Maybe the last part is not really necessary, but it's true.
Bruce knows he's not the best with words. He doesn't know how to say what is inside his head and not completely mess up. It's like he has a special talent to make everyone misunderstand what he meant. He hurts his children, his precious children with his incompetence. The worst part is he doesn't even know how to make it right. How to undo the damage that keeps chipping on their relationship.
It's always the same pattern. He'll do something wrong, his children are mad at him, he tries to apologize but he will mess it up and make everything worse. At the end his children will flee from home. Usually Alfred will always be there to comfort him. Say something about ‘they didn't mean it’. There'll be a hot cup of chamomile tea with honey. And whatever magic Alfred can do, he does feel better.
But now Alfred isn't here anymore. The empty space feels colder than any blizzard. Around the meticulously arranged kitchen that man spent so many times, Bruce stood silently. Everything left as it is after Alfred died. Nothing changed, yet something so crucial had been taken away.
And now that the glue who holds the family together is gone, everything starts to fall apart.
Dick yelled at him. Said that he'll never be good enough for Bruce.
Damian ran away next. Apparently he's never the dad he deserves. Dick is.
Jason never comes to the manor.
Tim went away after one rough fight. Bruce had tried to explain he just wants to help ease the younger man's burden. But of course he never does anything right.
Stephanie stayed at Barbara's place. Something about Batman never listens.
Cass stays out of the country. Not that he blames her.
And Duke… sweet boy Duke. He stays out too. Bruce never forced him to stay. He's not his parents, and that's fine. Bruce will still care about him.
No one comes for Christmas. No one bothers to answer his text or give him an update. In the big vast manor, it's just him and-
“Hey spooky! Stop brooding in front of the oven. The meat won't burn without you glare it down. “
The Justice League.
Bruce sighs before walking to the living room. There's a big tree with too much decorations and random items stuck to it. Under it various weird shaped wrapped gifts stay. It was Oliver's idea that they should do present exchange but the wrapped shape must be unconventional. The couches had been moved to make more room. The burgundy carpet that Bruce secretly despised layered the floor. Decorations stuck on the walls without much coordination or planning. His event coordinator definitely will pass out from the sight.
It's messy, chaotic. Definitely not what Christmas party Bruce would ever think. But it's also perfect. Warm light fills every corner. The crackle sound of fire in the fireplace mixed with the laughter of his friends. It's been quite some time since the manor feels alive. Hal, who is in the middle of a tackle with Barry, grins widely at him.
“Yo spooky! Finally grace us with your appearance huh? “
Bruce snorts. “I am the host. You will have plenty of time to see my graceful appearance tonight. “
“Well you keep brooding in the kitchen. Ollie there said you glare like those gargoyles you love. “
Oliver almost choked on his drink. “Liar! I said he was looking serious on the cooking! “
“Meh, the same. Potato potato. “
They bicker again. And honestly, Bruce doesn't feel like interfering. It's loud, it's familiar. It makes him warm. Someone sneaks behind him and holds his waist in a secure hug. Of course he knows who it is. There's no way he could have mistaken this presence. He's Batman afterall.
“Is the beef ready? “ he looks at his shoulder, where a head rests comfortably. Clark smiles at him. That same smile that always lights up the room.
“Yeah, it's ready love. “ he whispers. Steal kiss from Bruce's cheek.
Clark's eyes are so blue. So beautiful and filled with tenderness that makes Bruce melt. The arms around his waist are strong and unyielding. It feels safe, in his lover's embrace. Bruce looks at the glinting Christmas tree. His eyes reflect the colorful light.
In the past, christmas means he can see all his children sit around for a day or two. Three if he lucky. Dick would crack some jokes to ease the atmosphere, and Damian would threaten Tim for something. Cassandra just giggles quietly while Jason grumbles. It was fun in many ways.
Bruce looks at his surroundings. His friends are here. The manor is warm and loud and perfect. It's still different, of course. No one can remake what his children ever gave him. But it's also nice in its own way.
“Hey, Bruce. Where should I put this? “ Mera stands at the door, bringing buckets with piled up bread. It's a very reasonable portion considering the amount of meta human and aliens here, also the speedster. Bruce notices the new earrings she wears. It suits her.
He points at a big table filled with various foods from everyone. Each one of them brings something. It feels more like a potluck than Christmas dinner, but hey, Justice League is full of weird people. So normal doesn't really apply to them. “Can you get the roast here? “ He asks Clark, “I'll get some wine. “
Clark kisses his cheek softly. “Of course, hon. Be right back. “ He smiles so brightly. It makes Bruce smile too. They both walk to their own assigned places, ignore Hal shouts, “Get a room! “
Contrary to some opinions, Bruce does like alcohol. It's an easy way to release some stress, just like sex. But his double job as Batman can't be done when his head is not straight. So he rarely touches any bottle. But in his teenage years, he and Oliver were as drunk as a skunk. Well, he was angsty and tried to run from life. Also more suicidal than now.
He takes a few bottles of different types. After all, everyone will have different taste buds. It'll be nice to compare the taste too, despite his worry that Arthur will chug them all.
It's funny how he has grown to love all his friends this much. With how many times they fight together, it's honestly not that weird. Not at all. His love for the Justice League is different from his love for his children. It's not unconditional like his love for Alfred, or God forbid, for Gotham.
Justice League in the beginning is just another work place. One more thing he should do to keep Gotham safe. Because it'll be impossible to do with the world burning. Gotham is already a handful from the start, so adding more to his plate is nothing. He indeed helps to fund the league, and may be one of its founders. But that doesn't mean he trusts anyone there. Humans are very delicate. Bruce knows it very well. He's squishy compared to the aliens, gods and meta humans. His strength is nothing. His fight might only be a naught of a kitten in the eyes of those people. If they want, humanity will collapse.
So at first it was all distrust and carefully maintained plans. How to take them down if suddenly the Justice League walk away from their righteous path. Bruce can't afford to fail, he has too much to protect. Batman is a leash. He'll do what he must to keep what is important to him.
And then, he has proven wrong.
The road is not smooth at all. They fight, bicker, trust shatter and mend again. Lots of miscommunication and a lot more attempts to make it right. He learned to trust, to love, to understand while the league tried to be patient, to understand his actions. It was hard. After all, distrust is not something to be erased easily. But they manage it somehow. With time, with love.
Looking at the room full with his friends, Bruce couldn't be more grateful. They're not family, but indeed feel like one. All odds and differences knit them tighter. Their laugh and voices bring a wave of comfort. Oh, how Bruce loves them.
And then there's Clark.
Superman, Kal - El, Clark Kent.
His lover.
Clark who always tries to be understanding. Who has a smile as bright as the sun. Who apparently, loves Bruce. Bruce doesn't understand what that personification of everything good sees in him. He loves Clark, and his love is answered. That's what matters.
“I bring wine. “ he says as he walks down the room. Smile graces his lips and they smile back at him.
It really is perfect.
“If it's not enough I still have more inside. “
Diana grins, “well, I don't think you'll want drunk superpowered people wrecking havoc, my friend. “
At that Barry laughs. “Oh, don't worry! Super metabolism see? And besides, Clark can't even get drunk! “
“That's not really reassuring Barry… “
“Ah enough enough! “ Hal chimes. “What kind of party doesn't have alcohol? We are all adults here! “
“Very responsible for an adult. “ Victor deadpans.
Just a second later Hal launches himself to the Cyborg. There's brawl again for–Bruce doesn't even know how much today. He chooses to ignore them and let Dinah try to separate the two. After all, his lover smiles at him from the food table.
“B! “
Clark's smile sends a wave of warmth to his chest. There's a few crumbs on the edge of his lips. Bruce really wants to lick them clean but he reminds himself that they're not alone.
“The cookies are incredible. You should try ‘em. “
“Is it Ma's recipe? “ Bruce takes one chocolate chip cookie and takes a bite. It really is incredible.
“Yeah! Ma sent me the recipe after she saw how much you like it the other day. “
“We should visit them for new year. “
Clark kisses his cheek, makes a few crumbs stick. Bruce pushes him playfully. With a lazy grin, he scolds, “you're insufferable. “
Clark turns his grin. “Well, you love me. And no return policy here. Unfortunately you'll be stuck with me. “
“unfortunately.”
Bruce can't feel happier right now.