When Bruce was a child, he tried to celebrate father's day with Alfred. He would bring him drawings or other crafts he made himself. One time he even baked cookies. Sometimes he would just give a hug.
It was always met with the same response.
"Master Bruce, I'm your caretaker, but not your father. Those gifts are unnecessary."
But Bruce still tried until his teenage years, when he finally stopped.
It was easier to pretend this day didn't exist than be met with disappointment again.
"Are you heading out, sir?" Alfred asked after Bruce hurriedly washed and dressed after a patrol.
He picked up a pair of black slacks and some white dress shirt, but kept the first two buttons open. He didn't want to look too stiff and formal.
"Yes," Bruce answered simply, fixing the sleeves of his shirt, then focused on his hair.
"It's Saturday," the butler reminded. "You don't have to go to the office."
"It's also father's day," Bruce replied quietly while trying to tame his hair a little.
In the mirror, Alfred raised an eyebrow at him. "Did you plan a father and son breakfast for us? Because I will have to-..."
"No, I'm waiting for Clark to pick me up," Bruce interrupted him. "He's taking me to Smallville to celebrate with his dad."
Bruce tensed when Alfred did so too.
Taking a deep breath, Bruce turned around to face the butler.
"Jonathan Kent invited me to spend father's day with him," he elaborated. "He called last month. Said he wanted to see both of his boys there."
Alfred was silent for a while, just staring with a perfectly blank face.
"He's not your father," he said eventually and it sounded... cold.
"No," Bruce agreed and went to the computer where a neatly wrapped package laid. "But he wants me there and that's enough."
Before Alfred could say anything else, Clark flew into the cave like a bullet - hair and civilian clothes ruffled from the wind - but his landing was graceful as his feet touched the ground.
Bruce was glad to notice he didn't overdress, and Clark picked a similar outfit.
"Mornin', B!" he greeted Bruce, walking up to him. "Alfred," he said to the butler with a nod.
"Welcome, Mr. Kent," Alfred replied politely. "Master Bruce just told me about your plans."
"Oh yeah, we gonna spend the entire day with my parents," Clark said proudly. "Pa couldn't stop talking about Bruce joining for a month! I think he loves him more than me!" he joked and wrapped his arm around Bruce's shoulder.
Bruce smiled shyly at his friend, but it disappeared when he looked at Alfred again.
"Don't wait up, Alfred," he informed the butler. "Unless there's an emergency, I'll be staying the night."
"Very well, sir," he said. "Enjoy your father's day with the Kents."
"He will, I'll make sure of that," Clark promised and picked Bruce up into his arms. "You sure you don't want to take a nap first? You haven't sleep all night. My parents won't mind if we come later."
"I can go without sleep for longer than this," Bruce assured him.
Clark rolled his eyes at him. "That's not what I asked," he pointed out with a chuckle and took off, flying much slower through the tunnel than when he was alone. "No matter, you'll fall asleep the moment Ma stuffs you with her roast."
As Clark happily rambled about previous father's days in his family, Bruce listened to them with a soft smile - actually excited to be part of Kents' celebration this year.
And maybe next year, he could celebrate mother's day with the Kents too.
I know you'll enjoy this.
@joekitsu @imsorrybruce @urk-m @occasionalauthoring
