[ nineteen; ]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ Bruce has, somewhat predictably, been hiding out in his room all day today. Towards the evening, though, he ventures into town. He doesn't do any window shopping and in fact he looks a little peeved as he makes a bee-line for a flower shop, purchases something and then heads back to the castle.

From there he goes right up to the roof to sit on the ledge and watch the sun setting over the horizon. He doesn't move for a very long time, instead just sitting there and thinking, gently cradling two white roses in his hands.

Bother him if you like, but saying he's not one for conversation at the moment would be an understatement. ]

Comments

[batfail.livejournal.com]

[Have one totally oblivious Stephanie Brown trying to creep up behind you!]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ He's letting her. Since he's not in the mood to talk. ]

[batfail.livejournal.com]

[... well, that's not right. She gives it up and hops onto the ledge.]

Are we brooding?

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ He glances over at her. Does she not know...? ]

Considering the date, I think it's allowed.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

[Enjoy this look of "oh shit did I forget something important?"]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ There's a faint hint of amusement at that look before he turns back to the sunset. And then there is more angst. ]

Today, I turned thirty-nine.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

[OH... SHIT. Quick, Brown, cover it up.]

You're getting oooold.

[... sob.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

I'm not even middle-aged yet.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

Riiiight on the edge.

But anyway, happy birthday. If I'd have known I'd have gotten you another mug or something.

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you didn't. Get me anything, that is.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

Why?

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

I typically don't celebrate today.

[ He holds up the roses and twirls them in his fingers for a moment. ]

Though the traditions I did have are... hard to keep up with, here.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

[Frowns. Never really talked to Bruce about his dead parent angst before... this is strange territory.]

What did you do today?

[She makes herself more comfortable and sits cross-legged.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

Visited their graves and the alley. Remembered. Reminded myself why I became Batman in the first place.

[ She's easy to talk to and he has no Alfred to sit silently with. So she gets strange territory. ]

[batfail.livejournal.com]

Is that what you're doing now?

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ He nods. ]

That's part of it, at least.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

But still, it's your birthday... soooo...

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

Don't push it, Stephanie. Not this.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

I know, I know! But turning thirty-nine is important. Before you know it, you'll be forty and wearing weird costumes and driving crazy, expensive cars...

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ She just gets a look. This better be going somewhere... ]

[batfail.livejournal.com]

... I was going to suggest coffee.

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ He studies her for a moment before standing and moving to gently place the two roses on the corner of the roof. It's another moment before he turns back to Stephanie. ]

There's coffee and a coffee maker in the tower.

[batfail.livejournal.com]

Who needs giant computers when you have those two things? [Stands and gives him a little smile, subdued only because he's extra broody today.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ Lets out a small little noise, almost amused, before heading for the Batcaveroom. And, hay, the giant computer is a lot closer to being finished. ]

OH GOD THAT ICON MOVES

[batfail.livejournal.com]

[Following! As soon as they get there, she's looking for the coffee machine. B( ]