Archive of Our Own ^beta

Bruce typed on the keyboard, his eyes fixed on the batcomputer. It had been a long, stressful day for him. He was ill-looking and sleep deprived, though he didn’t feel like resting.

So much things are happening in his life, and it’s tiring. He tends to wonder if his parents are proud of what he had become, though he doubted it.

He thought about everyone that’s been involved in his life, the people that he met. There’s just....so many of them.

“Master Bruce, shouldn’t you be asleep?” He heard an old familiar voice. “It’s fine, Alfred.” He replied hoarsely.

The butler sighed heavily, his eyebrows furrowing. “Okay, sir. Just make sure to get rest after whatever this is.” With that, he left, leaving the vigilante alone. That was surprisingly easy. Normally, Alfred kept pressing to the point Bruce actually obliges, but now, he just…gave up?

Bruce sighed softly as his hands stilled from typing. Poor Alfred, he thought. He didn’t deserve to serve someone like him. Alfred had done so much, it scares Bruce even thinking about what he’d do without the old man. Alfred was there at the beginning when his parents died, and he raised him. Alfred didn’t deserve this treatment.

Thinking about the butler made him think about the other members of the batclan. Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian, Barbara, Cassandra, Stephanie, Duke….and so on. And even the Justice league, he had mistreated them too. He regrets everything, but he doesn’t even know what to do. Bruce closed his eyes and heaved a sigh, crossing his arms.

He didn’t know why, but he felt...sad. He wanted to lay down on the floor. Again, he had no clue why. Everything in his head is going haywire.

No, Bruce is strong, Bruce is a strong man. He isn’t supposed to be weak, he is the protector of Gotham, he’s the almighty dark knight whom everyone should fear.

But hell, he’s fucking exhausted.

He’s tired of everything.

Sometimes he wondered what everyone would do if he perished. Will they even care?

Bruce pressed his hand on his forehead. These….negative thoughts, what is happening? He should’ve been invincible to these types of things already when he lost his parents. Well, at least that’s what he thought.

“Hey, how come you don’t smile?”

“Aww, cheer up a little!”

“Classic grumpy bats.”

“Geez, kid. I’m way older than you, how come you’re even more stubborn and grumpier? Live a little, will you?”

“Face it, guys. Let’s just leave him be, there’s no way he’ll ever hang out with us. He’s too paranoid.”

Bruce leaned back on his chair as he inhaled sharply. He's a letdown, isn't he? always has been ever since the start of his life.

He’d grunt, opening his eyes, finding a floating and glowing, green box. Bruce squinted, wondering if he’s hallucinating.

“Spooky.”

He jolted, spinning his chair to see none other than Hal Jordan, Green lantern. The brunet smiled as Bruce gawked at him. “Jordan, what are you doing here so late?” Bruce shakily got up. Better question is, what is he doing here?

Hal’s eyebrows furrowed, looking at the other up and down, his eyes had a hint of worry. “Wow, you look…miserable.” He said. Yeah, no shit. Bruce grunted. “Why are you here? And why is there a box?”

The brunet smiled as the floating box went in his hands, opening it up with his ring. Bruce tilted his head a little as he stepped closer, trying to get a good look of what’s inside. It was…a flower, a middlemist red. Bruce blinked, staring at it. He expected a type of prank, like there’ll be water coming at him from the flora, but it was nothing, it was simply just….a majestic middlemist red.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Hal spoke up, gazing at the bat. Bruce could only nod. He didn’t expect this at all from Hal, of all people. It could’ve been Clark, Diana, and maybe J’onn, but Hal?

Bruce sighed and looked up at him. “Why..?”

The lantern seemed baffled. “..What?”

Bruce glanced in all directions, before settling his eyes on the floor, avoiding eye-contact. “W-Why are you…giving me this?”

“I uh…” Hal scratched the back of his neck, chuckling softly. “..You seemed depressed lately, so I decided to give you this flower to maybe make you feel a bit better?” Wow, Bruce thought. “You…actually cared…” He murmured.

Hal raised a brow. “You thought I wouldn’t?”

“No, you hated me.”

The brunet looked thoughtful for a moment, before moving closer all of the sudden, catching Bruce off guard. “I don’t hate you. I never did.” Bruce’s eyes widened, “What…I…” Bruce didn’t know what to say, this is just too overwhelming for him to take in, “After…all I did?”

Hal let out a quick, strong sigh, “You didn’t do anything, spooky. I-…I know you tend to be a pain in the ass, but you are a good person. I know you don’t get that a lot from others.” He placed his hands on Bruce’s shoulders, giving them a comforting squeeze. “I’m- I’m here if you need me.” He smiled at the caped crusader.

Bruce let out a noise, before giving Hal an uplifting smile.

“Thank you…”

“No problem, bud.” Hal smiled back as his hands slid from his shoulders to his arms.

They both stood in comfortable silence, just enjoying each other’s presence, when Bruce spoke up, “C-Can I…” Hal tilted his head, “Yeah?” He responded gently. “Hug..?”

Hal chuckled, wrapping his arms around his waist, pulling him in. “Of course.”

Bruce choked a sob, resting his head on the brunet’s shoulder, closing his eyes. He’s so exhausted, he might as well fall asleep in the lantern’s arms, but he didn’t want to bother him. He’d open his eyes, but jolted when he felt him patting his back. Bruce groaned, “Hal…”

“Rest for me, B.” He hummed, making soothing motions on the other’s back. Bruce could only oblige. God, he’s so vulnerable and he hates it. He closed his eyes once again as he listened to Hal’s soft humming.

Before he knew it, he was asleep, in Hal’s embrace.

“Hey, hey…wake up.”

Bruce flinched, opening his eyes to meet Hal’s gaze.

“J-Jordan.” He’d mutter. He felt as if he’s…laying on something, or someone, definitely not his bed. His bed is far more cozy and soft than this.

His face reddened when he realized, they were cuddling. Bruce was snuggled up to Hal, and they were in the corner of the room. “Um.” He tried pulling away, but Hal quickly wrapped his arms tightly around him. Bruce grunted and punched him gently, earning a cheeky laugh from the other man. “D’aw, stop resisting. You love cuddles.”

“I don’t! Who says that!?” Bruce whisper-yelled at him, kicking at his feet, “Let go!“

“How about no.” Hal stuck out his tongue, pulling Bruce to his neck, “I like this.”

“Someone is going to walk in on us.”

“I don’t care.”

Bruce’s blush deepened, gripping Hal’s shoulders. “This is ridiculous…”

“Oh come on, it’s not that bad.” The brunet huffed out a laugh, caressing Bruce’s back. Bruce has to admit, he felt safe. Being cradled like this reminded him of the old times, where his mother tends to pick him up and sing him lullabies.

Bruce sighed, his eyes half closed. “..How long are we going to stay like this…” He’d whisper.

“As long as I want.”

“You have to be kidding me.”

“Nah.”

“Oh fuck you.” Bruce buried his head in Hal’s shoulder. “I know, I know. I’m pretty great.” Hal huffed out a laugh.

Bruce let out a heavy grunt, there was no going back at this point.

"Hey, Spooky? can you do me a favor?" Hal suddenly continued. Bruce's brow cocked, raising his head up a bit, "Yea?" He replied coyly.

"Can you always put that frown upside down? Your smile's really cute."

Bruce's nose crinkled, burying his crimson face into the crook of the lantern's neck, "Shut up."