cohero | Dick & Bruce PSL Open Post/Overflow/Inbox

From:

[The following things were sent in wrapped packages to the manor along with a card that Dick spent hours debating about picking and then even longer about sending, but went with it in the end, because why not be truthful. Inside there was a short note that read:

Bruce,

I am sure that you don't celebrate today, but I was thinking of you and hoping we'd be able to get together again soon. We could even go out, if you'd like. Enjoy the small tokens of my appreciation.

Happy Valentine's Day.
Dick.

The packages contained the following:

Gift 1 : (The perfect combination of sentimental and practical, these whiskey stones are a unique Valentine's Day gift for him. Made of stainless steel, they come in a set of six and are heart-shaped for the holiday. To use, he can simply pop them in the freezer for four hours and have a perfectly chilled drink, every time. }

Gift 2 : (Saint Laurent, motorcycle jacket in plunged lambskin ;

leather motorcycle jacket with epaulets, 3 zip pockets, snap closure flap pocket, waistband with belt loops and zip cuffs. silk lining, asymmetrical zip closure, 2 interior pockets, 100% Lambskin, STYLE ID 484284Y5YA21000, MADE IN Italy)

From:

batsymbol

( he doesn't celebrate today. he doesn't even really celebrate his birthday [anymore] which is a few days away from now. he doesn't see a reason to — would rather focus his time and efforts on gotham and what he can do to try and save it. even if, sometimes, he believes it to be beyond saving. but like always: i have to try.

maybe he should have expected this, but he doesn't expect much these days. it's probably why it still takes him by surprise to an extent when he finds the packages... when he reads the card, and it's a few hours after doing so, sitting there in a chair that is far too lavish to be just a chair that he finally takes his phone and sends a message off. )

Nothing very small about these tokens.

( that is to say, he received them. yes. )

From:

cohero

[It doesn't matter to Dick what's expected or what isn't. The feelings are there, and they are genuine. He likes spending time with Bruce, and it's been long enough now that he feels that drawing ache inside him that Dick knows he'll do most anything to pull the other man into his orbit for a little bit of his time.]

They aren't that big. A jacket and some stones that get cold. Enjoy them, say thank you. That's what normal people do with gifts. :)

From:

batsymbol

( hm. )

I'm not sure how you mistook me for someone normal.

( he's kidding. sort of. )

From:

cohero

I know you're not completely normal. We both run around in form fitting costumes at night and scare the fuck out of people who should know better. Still, manners. I know Alfred taught them to you.

Or forget them, and I'll just assume you love it, and adore me for sending them.

From:

batsymbol

Thank you. You didn't have to though.

From:

cohero

I know, but I wanted to and so I did. Don't worry, this doesn't mean anything beyond I was thinking about you unless you want it to.

Enjoy your day, Bruce.

From:

batsymbol

( it's a few days later — the 19th, to be exact, when he sends a reply to dick's last message. )

What's your night looking like?

From:

From:

cohero - Date: 2024-03-05 02:32 pm (UTC) - Expand

From:

batsymbol

from here.

( when dick arrives, bruce is sitting upright in bed and he looks... miserable. in every. single. way. of the word.

completely ignoring the fact that his expression is one that is unimpressed with his forced bedrest, he's covered in bruises and injuries to an extent that he doesn't usually wear. a busted lip, shoulder wrapped with arm in a sling, ribs bandaged. he's not usually this bad, but. clearly he got into it and alfred, being the one to see him in such a state upon his return, forced him here to bed immediately.

blue eyes fall to dick when the man makes his way in, eyeing in particular the things he seems to have brought with him. pillows there at his back, he shifts some, annoyed with his lack of two arms currently, and lolls his head to the side. even before anything's said, he just gets it out of the way. )

It's not as bad as it looks.

( that's obviously a lie, but. when have either of them ever not brushed off their injuries and nearly made alfred have an aneurysm because of doing so? )

From:

cohero

[My. There's a rather tight inhale when Dick walks in. He knows what Bruce is going to say, because it's what they say. They both move until they can't. It doesn't ever matter how bad they look or if they've got a broken wing or not. Dick has all but bled out and still tried to keep going. He might have fainted and ended up in the hospital -- damn those Titans. He would have gone on otherwise. There are many reasons he keeps stocked safehouses all over Gotham. He and Jason both do, and they also pilfer older ones, set up by their mentor.

With a sigh that's kept to himself as much as it can be, Dick moves around the bed and to the side where Bruce looks least banged up, the one that doesn't have the broken arm. He sets the stuff out of reach for now, and leans in. He pushes his nose against Bruce's as a means to say hello, and all the other things it says. Let it be annoying. It's what he has to be saying for now. ]

Who do I need to go out and set up against for doing this to you.

[There are darkly serious eyes as they look towards Bruce. He has a feeling that if Bruce didn't finish them off, he won't tell-- but that doesn't stop Dick from trying and it won't stop him from snooping around and finding out someway, somehow later if Bruce doesn't eventually cough it up. Dick can ask for help if he wants it, and considering what Bruce looks like, he might just. It all depends.]

I don't care if you're not hurt, I feel like kicking someone's ass for you.

From:

batsymbol

( the gentle nosing is enough. eyes falling shut. a breath just barely there on his lips. it's... nice. to have. to feel. to have and feel dick here with him. )

I've had worse.

( a beat, letting eyes flutter open slowly. )

So have you.

( it's a guess, in hindsight, but. one which he feels is too close to being the truth that he doesn't think dick will tell him otherwise. also... he's the one who died between them, so. there's that.

he leans back against the pillows he's resting against, a slight shift of his arm there in the sling. he reaches out with his other hand, the one that wears a few nicks on it and cradles dick's face with it. silent. simply taking a moment to stare at the other man. gestures like these speak more than words ever could for bruce and he hopes dick knows that. knows this means he cares. that he's... that it's nice to have him here. )

Don't suppose you could convince Alfred to let me out of bed come morning.

From:

cohero

That doesn't mean that I didn't need the rest as much as I hated it, or mean that someone didn't need their ass beat.

[He's been there the same, and worse in some situations. Dick doesn't know how many times he's been in an actual hospital, because his mentor always frowned on those, but there were times with the Titans he had to go in. It's always difficult to explain away all the damage done to his body to all the do gooders in a hospital that always wanted to report everything to people who probably should know, but really didn't need to. It got so complicated at times.

There was also the death. That doesn't mean that Dick's not concerned when there's only injuries. He's always been like that.

Feeling Bruce's hand on his face does a lot to alleviate the unsettled feeling in his gut. It's all a part of their job. It's an easy thing to say, and watching one another get hurt is one thing, but not being there immediately on the other side of it is more difficult. It would have felt better if Dick had been the one cleaning up some of these wounds, and putting Bruce to bed himself.

Moving his head slightly, he kisses the roughened palm and holds it there for a few seconds. The bed is big, and Bruce slides in gently on the side, careful not to nudge any bruised or broken ribs knowing how much those hurt when there's nothing to be done for them. He just needs to be close, to know for a while Bruce is alright, to feel his body heat, to smell his smell, to watch those eyes as they consider, frown and soften.]

How many days did he give you in confinement or is he not telling you? I might be able to lessen your sentence, but I don't think he'll let you out tomorrow. Some of these bruises will have to green up a little, and you'll have to gain a little more working in the arm. I might be able to spring you for a trip to the coffee shop in two days?

From:

batsymbol

( it's best he didn't. patch him up, that is. bruce makes for a difficult patient as dick may or may not know.

the possible compromise of sorts has bruce giving a grunt of dissatisfaction, one dick is likely familiar with from his own mentor and while he doesn't pull away from the other man, it's clear he's a little frustrated with the option given to him. two days? he's been in here long enough as far as he's concerned. bruce hates to be doing nothing. it drives him... batty. up the wall, really. to think how much time is wasted and slips away from him while he lays here in bed when he's quite capable of still moving... it annoys him and he knows dick can see it all over his face.

a sigh on his lips, he gives a brief shake of his head. gazing off ahead. slowly licking over his lips. )

I can still walk.

( as if that might help his case any in being let out of here. )

It's just an overreaction.

From:

cohero

[It doesn't matter if he did or didn't patch him up, it's the desire that's important. Dick is also a terrible patient and would rather take care of himself than have anyone else touch him, unless it's a wound in his back that has to be repaired, then he usually hands over the glue or at worst the stapler and lets someone have at it. The last time he was shot through the shoulder it cost him time at home, but no one was keeping him locked to a bed.

He leans over and kisses Bruce on the cheek, nosing against the bruising there. He knows that it's sore, but they tend to make themselves more sore whenever they have sex. Bruises are nothing in the grand world of Dick, Bruce, Nightwing or The Batman. Dick knows that Bruce can handle that everything that comes at him, even when he's worrying.

Rolling back out of bed, Dick grabs his bag and the cases in it, along with his laptop and spreads them all across the bed, closing the door and putting up a do not disturbed sign he brought with him. Let Alfred think he wants to come in on them now. The man may be some things, but dumb has never been one of them. Hand jobs do not require health or much movement on the part of the one receiving. ]

You can still walk, and I wouldn't make you sit in this bed. I'd go nuts. Now, walk if you want, if you start to pant over your rib, sit for a little bit and look at these cases with me. There are several murders and while they have a prospect, it doesn't sit right with me. It's far too easy and clean, and this doesn't feel like that. These women didn't have anything for a mugging, and they weren't all out at any one time or place. This guy confessed, but he seems bored, like he'd confess just to get out of doing the laundry.

From:

batsymbol

( the way he eyes dick as the other man moves about after the kiss to his cheek... it's with slight suspicion, but. that's expected of bruce. especially when he doesn't wish to play the role of bedridden patient. he understands. he does. alfred is merely concerned about him and doesn't wish to see him push himself to the point of death. but he also doesn't care if he dies. granted, he's gotten a little better at not being as reckless nor impulsive as he can be when out on the field, but. still. there are moments. especially regarding his own limits.

so when dick goes and brings the files over, he's shifting there on the bed. slow. letting legs slip out from under the sheets and feet gently touch the floor. he rises. still slow. slight wince. begins to make his way across his room for a bar cart there. clearly, someone is in need of a drink and it's not water. )

Been busy, have you?

( in regards to what he's brought over for him, hand reaching out and taking the decanter in hand, pouring himself a shot of whiskey. )

From:

cohero

[There's a smile in Dick's eyes as he watches Bruce and his suspicions, then the way he moves as he gets out of bed and shuffles over to the drinking cart. It was obviously the most logical place for Bruce to go after being forced to stay in bed. It would have certainly driven Dick to drink and he wouldn't have been nearly so civilized about it. There wouldn't have been a glass, merely a long sip from the bottle that would have burned his throat and warmed his stomach most perfectly.

Tapping the papers in front of him, Dick shrugs. It's nothing more than the usual. It's only one small bid, and he really doesn't have any proper leads on it, more of a gut feeling and that's why it's annoying. He brought it for Bruce to look at the evidence and see if his gut fettered out the same feeling. That was the only thing Dick missed about working with people. He trusted himself implicitly, but sometimes it never hurt to have two sets of eyes.

That's one thing this Bruce has yet to learn to enjoy. There are things that two people can do that make life and work easier. ]

I work nights, keep busy during the day. You know how it goes.

[A small wink and a slight laugh.]

Tell me about what you were working on before this. I promise not to steal the case. I'm merely interested.

(no subject)

From:

batsymbol - Date: 2024-03-24 12:12 am (UTC) - Expand

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From:

cohero - Date: 2024-03-26 03:05 pm (UTC) - Expand

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From:

batsymbol - Date: 2024-04-03 09:12 pm (UTC) - Expand

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From:

cohero - Date: 2024-04-03 10:05 pm (UTC) - Expand

From:

cohero

Thread here.

From:

batsymbol

( he more or less tells dick he can come over whenever. today, that is, and much like in the message he’d provided, he’s there in his bedroom. in bed. slipping in and out of sleep.

he could get up. he could tinker around with something or look into a case file he’s been meaning to after some rest, but. he chooses to rest for the moment. muscles tired. exhaustion having gently won for the time being. just a couple hours. that’s really all he needs. so he lays there. in bed. shirtless but still with pants- joggers, that is. laying on his side with arms wrapped around the pillow there at his head. blue eyes just barely open, listening to the distant sounds of gotham outside. too far to be city noise, but close enough to still provide some white noise as a means to lull him to sleep.

just another hour. then he’ll get up. see if dick decides to stop by or not. )

From:

cohero

[It's been a little bit since they've seen one another. Dick knew climbing into this relationship that it would be like this and so he's done his best to be as sensitive to Bruce's habits as he can. When the opportunity to slow down and climb into bed next to him to sleep or merely spend time together presents itself, he knows there's no way he can do any other but shut down what he's doing for the day.

Making sure everything is taken care of, Dick dresses down into his own pair of joggers and a t-shirt before heading over. He's greeted by Alfred as he slips inside. They have a short conversation, and he's allowed back with the strict instructions not to wake Master Wayne. Dick smiles.

He's silent as he moves into the room, but he's certain that if Bruce is awake, he knows Dick is there. Slipping off his shirt, he climbs under the covers and moves to lay next to the other male, arm slowly placed around his waist with a sigh that moves through his entire body, relaxing every strained muscle, every stressed plane and thought.]

From:

batsymbol

( he knows the moment dick slips into the room but doesn’t bother to show that he does. mind still lazy along with every muscle in his body, he lays there as he feels the slight dip in the bed and the arm to gently come around him. he gives the faintest of hums as a means to show he’s aware of his being here, not even bothering to shift any. head still pressed to the pillow, he lets his eyes fall shut a little more comfortably. )

You didn’t cancel your day for this, did you?

( a lazy murmur of a question he asks. )

Edited Date: 2024-05-15 12:37 pm (UTC)

From:

cohero

[Time passes between question asked and answered. Dick takes his time to settle into the warmth of being near Bruce. He takes his time to inhale pillows, sheets and the man himself. It's a process of imprinting memories, of digging nails into his own mind so that he doesn't forget-- doesn't remember incorrectly when he's at home alone trying to recreate this exact situation so he might fall asleep with too many thoughts on his mind.

Curling in a lazy spoon, Dick makes a sound that's akin to a laugh but without any energy behind it.]

There wasn't much of a day to cancel. I wouldn't have asked to come by if there was.

[The words are barely above a whisper, soft, pliant to the ears.]

From:

batsymbol

( another hum, an acknowledgment of his listening. there’s only the slightest shift from him beneath the sheets, back pressed against dick’s chest. it’s a little unusual for him to be like this with someone else but… it’s not bad. nothing he shies away from.

he lays there with him. quiet. contemplative. listening to both the distant sounds of gotham and those from dick himself. his breathing, the gentle beats of his heart. all things that gently lull him into a state of calm. it’s strange to feel, yet something he’s coming to feel the more he’s with dick. a good thing, he’s sure alfred would think.

a slight shift, he comes to lay on his back then, arm lifting to drape around dick’s shoulder as he looks to him there beside him. )

Things are ok?

From:

cohero

[The only person that Dick's allowed himself to be like this with in what feels like ages is Bruce. Thinking back, the last time was right before things fell through with Kory and he left Bludhaven. He knew they were never going to be right. It never felt solid, he could never relax like this with her. She never quieted his mind or stilled his muscles. Holding her never made him want to recall--

The echoing pull of one breath after another, and the brush of skin against Dick's when Bruce rolls over brings a slow twitch of lip upward. When those blue eyes find his, Dick swears for not the first time that he'll forever lose himself in them.

There's a small nod in answer.]

They're alright. I'm still growing used to doing it all by myself. The titans are good in their lives, and that makes me happy for them. This, here, makes it better than okay. You?

[A tipped head dusts lips across the forehead across from him, tender and caring. Dick's heart kicks upward when his emotions swell inside him. ]

From:

batsymbol

( the gentle touch has his eyes fall shut. slow and soft. again, with a hum to show his acknowledgment to the other's words. the tips of his fingers gently tap against dick's shoulder, not set to any particular sort of rhythm or pattern. )

Keeping busy. Or trying to.

( licking over his lips, his head tilts some. eyes slowly coming to open. fingers keeping with their gentle tapping. )

It's a little quiet right now. At least in terms of the big names.

( joker, riddler, penguin... they're all quiet, even if behind bars. he knows it's only a matter of time before something happens. )

There's a little bit of somethin' me in everything you

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