My entry for day 1 of @lonnie-machin-week.
Alfred walked the prepared meal to the Batcave with practiced ease. He’d long mastered the art of keeping a dinner tray steady while descending the long staircase. He’d had to since Master Bruce had never gotten around to installing a handrail. As was customary he found a lone figure sitting at the Batcomputer, its massive screen displaying both a tracer detailing the movements of the Batmobile and an open file on the latest case Master Bruce had been focused on. A normal night in Wayne Manor all told save for the individual sitting in front of the aforementioned computer.
“Keeping an eye on things, are we, master Lonnie?” Alfred said, announcing himself.
The young man turned to face him and Alfred had to keep himself from wincing. No fourteen year old should have that much intensity behind their gaze. “Alfred,” the boy began, "I asked you not to call me that.”
“So you have” Alfred said, bowing his head in acknowledgement. “Apolgies, young sir but old habits can be most difficult to break.” In his defense, Alfred was trying to avoid calling Lonnie master since the young man explained it went against his philosophy to assume a position of authority over another. But Alfred was a trained butler and a proper Englishman besides so he couldn’t resist a certain respectful deference.
“No harm done.” Lonnie replied. He opened his mouth to speak further but it seemed he had picked up the scent emanating from the train in Alfred’s arms. “Is that chicken I smell?”
“Close,” Alfred said, lifting the cloche “Roast Quail with a side of Fennel Panzanella. I thought since Batman had already set out for the evening, perhaps I could tempt you into eating something?”
He had to be sure to refer to him as Batman and not Bruce Wayne. Master Bruce wasn’t sure the lad was ready for that piece of information. Or more accurately he wasn’t sure if the revelation that he was working with Gotham’s most famous billionaire wouldn’t drive the lad away,
“Well I did tell my parents that I'd be at a friend’s house tonight.” Lonnie said “so i didn’t actually have dinner before i came here so…”
Alfred didn’t need to hear anymore as he set the tray in front of the young man who had enough manners to wait for him to arrange the silverware properly before picking up a piece of quail and taking a large bite out of it.
Lonnie swallowed and dabbed at his chin with his napkin before saying “I know it’s cliche but it actually does taste like chicken.”
Alfred chuckled slightly as he filled a drinking glass “There are indeed quite similar.” he said placing the now full glass to Lonnie’s left “Including going delightfully well with a cold glass of lemonade.”
Lonnie picked up his glass but paused before bringing it to his lips “If this is how you usually treat your employer, I can't imagine why he insists on leaving before dinner.”
Alfred allowed himself a smile that might have been ever so slightly unprofessional “That young sir, makes two of us.” Alfred stepped back and took another, longer look at the files that Lonnie had opened on the Batcomputer “So, are we making any progress?”
Between bites of Quail & salad, and the occasional sip of lemonade, Mr Machin detailed his various observations on the matter. Most of which had been made by Bruce already admittedly but to the lad’s credit he managed to build upon Bruce’s points in some areas and even provide a few alternative suggestions. While Bruce would of course have the final say, Alfred found himself more comfortable with the idea of Anarky becoming the new Robin.