Once Upon a Dream- DP X DC AU
Bruce had fond memories of a friend from his childhood. He had been little older than Bruce, clearly reluctant to be at the extravagant galas hosted by Gotham Elites. He remembered eyes that glittered with rebellion, a chilling-blazing blue, pale hands that clenched into fists, but the teen waited for the perfect time to strike. He had been mesmerized. Admittedly, he thinks his fascination and semi-easy friendship with Clark was due to Danny's influence from his childhood. He could remember a time or two (or more) when they had evaded their chaperones, Danny from his psychotic godfather and Bruce from his worried strict father butler. He remembered nights filled with laughter and rebellion, could remember Danny getting into tussles and Bruce eager to help his friend; he could remember climbing up crumbling buildings from the midwesterner's insistence that they could find amazing views up there (views he now showed each of his kids and closest allies). Danny had been a welcome balm to his fragile heart, an easy person to converse with when Harvey got a little too passionate about things. He could spend, and had spent, hours listening to the other speak about the stars and the universe and death. When he began his training, Danny had been the only one to truly know what he was about to do. A kiss, a single one, was shared, but the pair parted as best friends. When Bruce returned to begin as a protector for Gotham, he no longer had a friend to speak to. He had never been able to find Danny again, even when he had probed his godfather. It had been, fuck, it had been a little over twenty years since he saw Danny, felt his embrace, listen to him ramble, felt the cold-prickle of too-cold skin. Even when he had been in love with Selina, Talia, Andrea, and even small moments with Clark, he had longed for blazing blue eyes and a cheshire grin. None of his kids knew of him, Alfred probably only knew because he was- well- Alfred, but they knew Bruce would sometimes have certain mornings. Mornings where he would hum softly to himself, a song faintly familiar in the early rays of morning and sleep was barely had, making his coffee or even making a quick dish for himself (he wasn't a complete loss in the kitchen). A sway to his movements, faint smile on his lips, as the dream slowly faded back to the memories they should remain in. Even entering his forties, Bruce still dreamed of Danny. He just wonders why the dreams are coming more often. They used to be just every now and again, but they had been near weekly now... And with a new case coming forward, he'd need to focus, apparently Zatanna and the JLD had found something of importance.