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Bruce thanked Alfred as he handed him a cup of piping hot coffee in his favourite mug. A wide, but simple white thing with ‘WORLD’S OKAYEST DAD’ printed in bold black letters. It was a collective Father’s Day gift from his children; one he cherished greatly as he remembered how Jason himself had presented the gift like he was holding the world's most precious diamond in his hands, the others watching him expectantly with grins on their faces.
He was pulled out of the memory by a groan to his left. His cape was tugged gently as Tim tried to balance his staff and create a makeshift shelter to cover him and his brothers as they huddled over Dicks’ phone on the floor. They were playing Wordle -a recent obsession of Dick’s- on the last line with only the first letter to guess, a five letter word ending in O-D-E-L.
“Can’t we do this over breakfast?”
“No Tim.” Dick said firmly, shifting where he sat leaning against Bruce’s leg. “No one leaves until I solve this Wordle.” He craned his head up towards Bruce, “That goes double for you.”
Bruce looked pointedly back at him and took another sip of his coffee. His own little way of saying Alright fine, but only because I love you. He felt a little sorry for Tim, especially in the way the boy looked between the phone and the plate of pancakes and eggs Damian was currently stuffing himself with. He was the smart one for rushing out the cave before Dick had pulled out his phone and anchored everyone to the floor, especially Bruce.
“Dude, I’m telling you, it’s YODEL.” Jason pointed at the phone from where he was squatting between Dick and Tim. His face was one of pure concentration.
“Hey, Damian, can I get a piece of that…” Tim whispered, tilting his chin towards the pancakes. Damian, mouth full, turned his body and plate away from him. Tim tsked.
“But what if it’s MODEL…” Dick tilted his head and squinted. Like if he squinted hard enough the screen would simply give him the answer.
“Nah, YODEL for sure, trust me.”
Dick paused, “...Are you willing to bet your slices of bacon for that?” He looked over to Jason with an arched brow and a wide smile full of sly glee.
Jason blinked. “What.” Bit his lip, then nodded furiously; brows furrowed and smirking like the devil. “Yeah, yeah I’ll bet, and if I’m right, I’m taking yours, and the eggs.” He said with a pointed finger in his direction. “Deal.” said Dick, the two shaking on it.
“YODEL, MODEL, whatever, can you please just pick one? I’m starving over here!” Tim shook his staff to jostle the kevlar. The two eldest looked from their makeshift cape shelter to their brother then the phone. Point made. “Fine, I’ll try YODEL.” Dick punched in the letters.
Everyone stilled as the letters loaded, even Bruce stopped in anticipation to watch the letters flip.
All green.
There was a “WOO!” and a “Damnnit!” and a “GOD. FINALLY!” all rolled into one and echoing off the cave walls.
Bruce exhaled a sigh through his nose, rolling his shoulders and straightening his spine as he was finally free of his Nightwing sized prison. Dick and Jason were already rising to get changed, if not fighting a little against the black cape to get to their feet. Damian rose, still chewing and working on his now half eaten pancake and headed to the changerooms to get dressed down as well.
Tim sheathed his staff away as Bruce took a step towards him. He held out his mug and Tim took it with a small smile. “Thanks,” he said, his voice a muffled echo inside the cup. Bruce nodded, “Hopefully that’ll sate you long enough to get dressed and seated.” Tim took another gulp before handing the cup back to Bruce, he gave him another word of thanks and a “See you upstairs,” before leaving Bruce to get changed as well.
Bruce looked down at his cup, just enough left for one more sip. He couldn’t help the little chuckle in his chest as he brought the cup to his lips to down the rest of the cup.
—
At the dining table, Jason was the proud owner of two sunny sides, two over easys and six slices of bacon as well as his own serving of three stacks of pancakes and sausages, all of which he ate heartily.
Next to him Tim poured Bruce a refill. He took a sip with a smile.