Chapter Text
Lord Bruce Wayne frowned, perplexed.
What was his beloved winged cat doing with... this?
Eddie opted for his favorite form, half-way through human and Sphinx hybrid: a pair of strong ginger wings reminiscent of an akepa's on his back, fluffy cat ears on top of his silky hair and an equally pumpkin orange tail that prolonged his spine.
He maintained human limbs for the rest, these are often more practical than when his appearance involves feline paws in place of legs and arms. The Sphinx controlled his transformation enough to look fully human when he needs to, including retracting the massive wings to go unnoticed whenever he ventures into cities to blend in among the mass.
When he was home however, he wouldn't think of concealing the featherly appendage.
When he was home with his allies.
Allies that never implied... this.
The Vampire perched on the edge of the leather couch in that living room to watch his friend (boyfriend? Ed and Bruce nurture a rocky relationship for centuries, they still haven't found a correct label to categorize their bond) being all joyous and enthusiastic, whilst he assembled a complex puzzle with the... creature settled on a cushion facing him.
An unusual, terrifying creature.
Edward had sat on the huge carpet covering the old wooden flooring, where he disposed a nest of fluffy pillows all around his frame. This is habitual in itself: his cat reflexes seek for soft, mellow surfaces to knead and take quality naps after his throat released intense, vibrating purrs.
Bruce will never stop finding everything about his acolyte plainly adorable.
Over the year, Wayne Manor hosts various fellow 'monsters' as humans renamed them. Almost like an hotel though this had never been the gothic residence's official title or function. The alive mansion simply... opens its gates to those who travel in the area and could use benefitting from a safe place to stay. Like... well yes, like an hotel.
At present they were just the two of them plus Alfred, the Fae attached to Wayne property. The house is protected by repulsive charms to hide from humans on top of being rooted at a fringe location surrounded by a private forest. Dick and Barbara, a lovely couple of Sirens who took holidays on the shore, left last week, after promising to return soon: they enjoyed their time in Gotham and in the Manor. Bruce and Ed loved them, they bonded with the Sirens and Eddie had a great time playing tour guide at their demand.
Hence... no client in their 'hotel' today.
Just Bruce, Alfred somewhere in the alive household, Edward and... that small blonde thing.
The little girl gasped when she suddenly noticed the Vampire, crouched motionless like an ancient gargoyle on the armrest. He stared at her with piercing metallic blue eyes, inside which permanently shone a red, ruby-colored sparkle.
"How long since you've been there?" She inquired, her own Caribbean blue eyes opened wide.
Bruce detected curiosity only in her gaze and within her whole attitude. Not an ounce of fear.
That's... not ordinary, to say the least.
"Don't mind him, being quiet and sneaking up on people is Bruce's guilty pleasure for over seven centuries," the Sphinx jested in a complicit manner. "He still thinks it's funny."
"It is funny," the Vampire declared in a laconic tone of voice.
"Brucie, let me introduce Stephanie Brown!" Eddie went on, grinning smugly, what discovered all his sharp white teeth. "Stephie, this is Bruce Wayne. The owner of the place."
"Nice meeting you, sir!" The kid smirked as well, what appeared almost... cute.
How old could she be? Five? Six? Bruce had never been good with kids, even less human ones. Either ways she seems to rely on a bright cleverness, maybe she was a bit ahead of her age.
That still didn't explain why Edward brought an alive human to Bruce's property. Had the Sphinx lost his mind?!
"Eddie," the Bat blamed him right away. "We need to talk."
Bruce had a feeling today will be a long day.