[ 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

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

Just how much did Alfred teach you?

[ Because if someone knows how to make some of Alfred's stuff, well. It's been six months. Bruce misses his cooking and drinks and such.

Jason may end up becoming that Batfam's new cook. ]

[toughest.livejournal.com]

Oh, just some simple things. Like the sandwiches, soup and- [He nods to his mug of hot chocolate.] Coffee and tea too. Stuff like that.

[Mostly learned it by simply watching Alfred and occasionally helping out when he could.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

Mmn. I think that's more than the rest of us know combined.

[ Sandwiches are going to end up on Jason's list of teen vigilante duties. ]

[toughest.livejournal.com]

... Seriously? Is everyone else that bad too?

[Is definitely not going to mention the fact that Uru and Steph have gotten him to join the baking club too...]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

No, but I'm fairly certain no one knows how to cook anything of Alfred's.

[ But Jason! You don't want to bake cookies, cakes and brownies for every Batmeeting? ]

[toughest.livejournal.com]

Well, it's not that hard...

[No. No way. B| He's not going to be the new Bat butler.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ Jason just gets a pointed look. The Batman can't cook, so obviously some of it is hard.

Butbut... they need a Bat butler! And if Jason isn't sure he can still wear the Robin mantle, he can wear the butler mantle! ]

[toughest.livejournal.com]

I could... teach you? It's really simple stuff, I promise.

[Although the great Batman would probably find a way to burn the water or something.

And he's not going to take up the butler mantle, he still prefers kicking butt.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

Jason, if Alfred couldn't teach me, I doubt anything that happens here is going to make much of a difference in regards to my cooking skills.

[toughest.livejournal.com]

Alfred tried? [....]

Okay, then you're really hopeless. [Have a pat on the arm to show that IT'S OKAY, YOU'RE STILL PRETTY AWESOME.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

It was a long time ago.

[ The arm pat is nice, mostly because it means things aren't quite as awkward between him and Jason, but Bruce can't help a dry: ] Thanks.

[toughest.livejournal.com]

You could always give it a try again.

[It's just... too easy for Jason to feel comfortable around Bruce because, his or not, it's still Bruce.] You're welcome, old man.

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

Maybe someday.

And I'm not that old.

[toughest.livejournal.com]

Let me know when that day is.

And you are, compared to me.

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

You're sixteen. Everyone twenty and up is old compared to you.

[toughest.livejournal.com]

Exactly! So old man it is.

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ SCOWLS. ]

[toughest.livejournal.com]

[You get such an innocent look, Bruce.] Unless you prefer old chum?

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ He is not fooled by that innocent look. ] I would prefer neither of them.

[toughest.livejournal.com]

You're such a party pooper. [POUT.]

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

I don't party unless absolutely necessary. [ But he looks less scowly now than he did before. ]

[toughest.livejournal.com]

[He snorts, amused.] I know.

But really, nicknames aren't that terrible.

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

They are when they have the word 'old' in them.

[toughest.livejournal.com]

Got any better suggestions then?

[isthenight.livejournal.com]

[ ... silence. He's got nothin'. ]