Work Text:
Lost in time
Alfred entered the master bedroom with a heavy heart. For the past few months he has been coming here to do the basic cleaning, sometimes to let in some fresh air. The room still looked like its occupants lived there, like they were about to return at any moment. Today, for the first time Alfred was about to change something. He had talked this through with Bruce and the boy agreed that most of his parents' clothes should be given away to charity his mother had run, as long as Alfred promised not to touch his mother's jewellery and his father's medical equipment. Since he refused to partake, even as much as enter his parents' bedroom, Alfred set on the task alone.
He tried not to dwell on what he was doing, hard as it was. He packed shelf after shelf into bags, checking pockets for any forgotten items and occasionally putting away something stained or with missing buttons. There was one small pile he placed separately on the bed, mostly consisting of Thomas Wayne's belts, ties and bowties. Since they were all of excellent quality and also something that would not go easily out of fashion, Alfred intended to keep them for Bruce.
He was going through Thomas Wayne's jumpers and less formal clothes, when he found an elegant box with Bruce's initials on the lid. He had seen it before when he had collected it for master Wayne, but then its existence slipped his mind. He remembered Thomas Wayne saying it was supposed to be a birthday gift for his son.
Deciding he could use a bit of a break, Alfred took the box and went to check on Bruce. He knew the boy would unlikely look for him in here, even if he needed something.
"Master Bruce?" Alfred knocked on the wooden door frame, since the door was wide open. "I found something for you."
"I don't want it." The boy didn't even look up from his homework. From the way he was sitting, Alfred could tell he wasn’t really paying attention.
"It's something your father ordered well ahead of your birthday," Alfred said softly. He was stepping on thin ice there. "I'm sorry I forgot about-"
"I said I don't want it!" Bruce yelled and slammed his book shut. He was up in an instant, ready to flee. "Take it away! I don't- Just- go a-away-," his voice broke and he choked on his words.
Alfred didn't move. Most of the time he found himself helpless when faced with Bruce's grief, still so raw and boiling right under the surface of the subdued child, threatening to explode at the slightest opportunity. But walking away and leaving him to drown in his sorrows alone was never an option.
The boy didn't run. Just like on many days before this one, soon Alfred had his arms full of a sobbing child as Bruce clang to him. He placed the box on the desk and steered the boy to sit with him on a sofa. In moments like this, Bruce rarely opposed guidance, too lost in tears to really pay attention.
They sat like this for a while. Alfred kept his arm around the boy's shaking frame, allowing him to cry. It still happened a lot. Bruce rarely sought him out when he needed comfort, but never missed an opportunity when Alfred happened to be around.
"I just- just want them back," Bruce whispered and moved away to sit straight. He tried to wipe his eyes with his sleeve.
"I know, master Bruce. I know." Alfred gently rubbed his back and offered him a handkerchief. It was unlikely the boy would seek physical comfort again. "I'm sorry. I thought you'd want to see this."
"Okay." Bruce didn't really seem convinced, but nodded.
Alfred brought him the box and the boy stared at it for a long time before hesitantly opening the lid. There was a watch with engraved dedication on the back. Bruce took it out with great care, but when he saw the inscription, he promptly put it back and shut the box.
"I don't want it. Take it away."
"Very well, master Bruce, I will take it for now." Alfred took the box from him. "It will be waiting for you in a safe place, if you change your mind."
***
The Wayne Manor, or rather what was left of it, was a grim testimony that the recent events were not just a nightmare. The whole place had been secured by a fence to prevent curious trespassers from getting hurt, but it was hardly a suitable protection against potential thieves, should anyone try.
Bruce had taken a van from Wayne Enterprises, now full of plastic storage boxes. They intended to pack whatever smaller valuables they could salvage before the cleaning service would take larger things for renovation. As it turned out, there was a lot of stuff surprisingly alright under the ashes, so they set to work.
"Master Wayne! I think the safe here is quite intact under that," Alfred called from what once had been Thomas Wayne's office, one that Bruce never adapted as his.
Bruce came over and took a moment to examine half smouldered beams barring the way. Once he was sure removing them would not cause anything to collapse, he worked on clearing the way while Alfred brought one of the smaller storage boxes.
The safe was indeed untouched and soon Bruce was packing the contents almost without looking, until he suddenly paused with a black box in his hands.
"You kept it," he whispered, his voice thick with emotions. "I told you so many times to get rid of it, and you kept it anyway."
"Of course." Alfred immediately recognised the package. He came closer and placed his hand on Bruce's shoulder. During his teenage years, Bruce had almost always reacted violently to any suggestion of wearing anything that belonged to his father, this last birthday gift included. Alfred decided not to mention that he had placed the watch in the safe, as well as old family albums, so that they would not fall victim to the boy's angry outbursts.
Bruce opened the box and retrieved the watch. He turned it around and brushed the engraving with his thumb.
"Well. It won't fit me now," he commented, trying to keep his voice light, but he couldn't hide his remorse completely.
"Oh, it should. There are remaining parts underneath," Alfred pointed at the cushion in the box. The bracelet had been fitted for a ten year old, but it was a regular adult watch. "I kept it serviced every couple of years, so it should be working. I can have it fitted for you."
Bruce looked up." Yeah. I think I'd like that." He carefully packed the watch and placed it in the storage box along with the rest. "Alfred? Thank you."