The Penny Drops, The Penny Dreads Chapter 14
It was after 11pm, and Alfred Pennyworth would usually be in the cave by now, helping Batman prepare for patrol, making sure all equipment was stocked and ready. But tonight the cave was occupied, and Alfred hoped beyond almost anything he could think of that this would finally mean something good.
It had been hours now, which was...oh, he didnāt know. As much as the old gentleman was seen as wise and all knowing, he was just as in the dark as any other at times, and this ongoing mess often left him guessing. He truly wished they could come to an understanding after so many months of stilted conversations, not to mention being put in the awkward position of middleman.
He could only manage so much vague language before he pulled out what was left of his hair. At least Bruce seemed to have turned over some sort of new mental leaf. When he had discovered the end of Richardās short lived days at college Alfred was certain something would crack and shatter; that he would be treated to an evening long rant about responsibility and immaturity and thinking in the long term as an unwilling bystander, having heard it all before.
Despite his aloof manner, Alfred was not an unloving man. Nor was he unbothered by the situation, and while he held his own opinions on the matter, which he had more honestly imparted to Master Jason than any other up to this point, he had enough understanding of Bruceās position that it was difficult to condemn the man for his behavior. Wanting safety and a sure future for your children was only natural.
He only hoped this situation did not result in someone disappearing into thin air with no notice, no word to where they were going, and no way to contact them.
It was best not to think about it, really, always better to find something productive to focus on, Alfred thought, rather allow himself to wallow.
Thankfully, his work was never done, and there was always something to do in the manor. So instead of heading downstairs at the normal time, he came to the laundry room, getting ahead on things he had planned for the next day. If he managed to complete it all he might take the time to do something more interesting for dinner...or perhaps they could plan to go out, if Master Richard was still around.
The thought was a decent distraction, and he let his mind wander as he switched the clothes from one machine to the other, hanging up certain items that could not be dried as he went. They could try something new, or perhaps something more classic, like Monicelliās, on Third.
Yes, he thought, Monicelliās sounded quite nice, they hadnāt been there in agesāand Master Jason not at all. It was a pleasant idea, one that he allowed himself to ponder on, distracted enough that he didnāt catch the shadow hovering in the doorway quite as quickly as he should have.
He paused, leaned over a laundry basket, and turned his head to find Jason, half hiding behind the door frame with both hands wrapped around it, awkwardly waiting to be noticed.
āMaster Jason, what are you doing up?ā The question was more concerned than intended, though he was curious. With all of his school work, time spent training in the cave, and actual patrols, Jason was usually tired out early, asleep by ten on school nights if it wasnāt his selected patrol. If he was found awake late at night under normal circumstancesāit usually meant something was wrong.
And judging by the way he shrank slightly at the question, scraping short nails against the door frame, it seemed rather likely. āUh...Iām supposed to come find you,ā he admitted very quietly.
That was odd, Alfred thought, straightening up and turning to fully face the boy.
āIs everything alright? What on earth happened to your face?ā He noticed it as soon as he turned around, an angry red scratch, about the size of a silver dollar, wrapped midway down from his lip to the underside of his chin.
Jason ducked his head, and Alfred could see the tips of his ears pink even through his hair.
āYeah, itās all fine just... I fell, and... Bruce sent me up to find you.ā
āBruce sent you...ā he trailed off slowly, the meaning of that gradually registering in his mind. Of course Jason had said he was sent to find Alfred already, but it hadnāt quite sunk in that that meant he was in the cave. Where he was decidedly not meant to beāwhich he knew very well.
Alfred sighed, turning back to the laundry table and shifting two baskets around, stuffing down his irritation.
Well, come in then. You can help me fold for a bit, if youād like.ā
Jason slipped fully into the room finally, coming to stand next to him at the stainless steel table. It was a little high for him, coming to just below his chest, and Alfred scooted a small footstool across the floor from next to the washing machine. The boy scowled at it but pulled it in front of himself anyway, taking a single step up so he could reach things more easily.
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