Whole (Batman; Bruce/Alfred; PG; #275 - Clean)

[orlidepp.livejournal.com]

Working Title: Whole
Author: Pirate Turner
Rating: PG -- maybe slightly PG-13
Fandom: Batman
Pairing: Bruce/Alfred
Warnings: Slash, Established Relationship, Odd Pairing
Word Count: 500
Disclaimer: All characters belong to DC comics, not me.  I'm only borrowing them for a little loving and fun and make no monetary profit off of this "work".

He dragged his tired muscles every step of the last way through his headquarters, up his winding stairs, and into the privacy of his bedchamber.  His bruised lips curved up into his first real smile all night at the sight of the King bed that awaited him, and he noted, with quiet delight, the way the covers were tucked in just so around the edges of his bed.

It was laundry day, but then with his Alfred, every day was laundry day.  He never had to worry about not having the right outfit for the job and knew he would always be greeted with a clean, fresh, and warm bed at the end of his hard night's dutiful work.  The sweet scent of the detergent and softener his butler used delighted his nose as Bruce pulled back the covers and slipped into bed.

Dropping the silk sheet and soft yet thick blankets back into place around him, Bruce let his eyes drift closed in ecstasy and gave a sigh of contentment.  Could anything be better than coming home to this welcoming warmth? he thought, and then he felt, far more than heard, movement in the room.  His blue eyes opened, and he watched as he lover crossed the distance between his closet and his bed, picked up the covers, and slid into bed beside him.

Bruce turned to greet the arms that wrapped around him, and the two men nuzzled each other in delighted welcome.  Every day was laundry day with his beloved Alfred, Bruce thought again, and every night was far more than worth coming home.  Every battle had its reason, and every night its delight.  His life had more purpose than any one would know, and that, and everything that made his life worth the real living of it, was what his beloved Alfred gave him every day and night.

Bruce sighed happily, his lips brushing Alfred's thinning hair.  Alfred beamed up at him.  "Welcome home, Master Bruce," he whispered, careful to keep his voice low should their young ward overhear them.

"It always is so welcoming with you here, Alfred," Bruce whispered in turn, kissing his forehead.  "I had a rough night," he admitted, "but coming home to you always makes it all worthwhile.  I love you, and this is perfect," he whispered and kissed his sweet, tender lips.

It was more than perfect.  There was no single word that could describe everything that Alfred and their shared moments meant to him.  This was why he fought.  This was why he struggled to survive.  This was why he lived, and one of the countless reasons why he loved his butler and best friend, his own personal hero, whose loyalty, sweet love, and gentle, caring ways always kept him going when nothing else could.  This was what kept his world going around and gave him faith in a better tomorrow, in a day when all people could be safe, loved, and whole.  This was what made him complete.

The End