Chapter Text
Silence followed as the four brothers advanced through the space, with a dark and heavy layer covering their every move. They knew the implication of the mission and what was on the line, what they could be losing by taking the risk of attacking this angle. The plan was simple on paper: lure the target into the specific room and prevent his escape until they could go through the main mission. However, everything was harder in real life, and the objective was one of the most dangerous enemies they had encountered.
They had only one chance, and it began as the target walked into the room.
“The target is on his way,” Dick said through comms. “Tim, he is heading your way.”
“Copy that. Damian?”
“On position. Todd, is the weapon prepared?”
“Ready to go on Wing’s signal.”
“Wait, he's changing paths. We are losing him.”
“No if I can help it,” Jason said. “Releasing the secret weapon. I repeat, the secret weapon has been released.”
As the target turned to the left, trying to reach for the only exit, a door was opened behind him.
“Master Bruce, would you be so kind as to help me with something in the kitchen?”
Bruce stopped in his tracks, turning his attention to the man standing in front of him with a calm smile.
“Sorry, Alfred, but I’m trying to find the boys before they do something that would make me regret having them,” he said as he reached for his coat. “Actually, have you seen them?”
(“Deny everything,” Jason said in Alfred’s comms.)
“Why don’t we go to the kitchen and you share what worries you about the boys while you give me a hand with dinner?”
“Can we do this later? I still need to get everything ready for patrol, and I can already feel them creeping into the walls with a new plan in mind.”
The four brothers stood still, holding their breaths as if a single movement would attract their dad’s attention to them. Alfred needed to do something before he realized he was being played, or it would be everyone’s funeral.
As if on cue, the man crossed his arms and met Bruce with a single but steady glare; one that could compete with the Bat-Stare any day.
“Agggggg. Going,” Bruce said, defeated.
“Delightful. Now why don’t you tell me what is on your mind while we prepare the table?”
“Do you remember the rumour game last week?.......”
The conversation became quieter as both men disappeared behind the kitchen door.
“Bruce has fallen into the trap,” Tim said through the comms.
“I kinda feel bad for B, nobody deserves an Alfred’s glare.”
“Some people will fall during a war, it’s part of the job. Don’t forget why we are doing this.”
“Todd is right, we have to focus on the reason for Father’s sacrifice.”
“Boo hoo, Bruce will have to make dinner tonight. Can we move to the important things? See you at the cave in five minutes. Tim out.”
It had been six days since Jason was declared the loser of the rumour game, and Dick decided to bet everything into a double or nothing. Naturally, they had all agreed to the new match.
The game, as before, consisted of having to face three rumours created by the others about themselves. The rules would be similar but not quite the same, deciding to change some for the sake of it. They needed to make things a little bit more interesting, right?
The main change in the game being: the rumours should be about their vigilante identities.
“I estimate Alfred will be able to withhold Father for thirty minutes. We should start the meeting at this moment if we don’t want to be caught,” Damian said as Dick entered the cave and sat next to the rest of his brothers.
“Chill out, brat, we just need to go through the rules once before patrol to make sure you don’t cheat.”
“I would never lower myself to that behavior. I will be the winner once again due to my knowledge and ability in the game, contrary to you and your losing tendencies.”
“Hypothetically, if I kill someone before the game and they can’t answer the press questions, does that mean they automatically lose for avoiding the rumours?”
“We didn’t make a rule for that scenario, but I would guess so since they are not confronting the rumour, which would lead to an automatic disqualification,” Tim said, pulling his tablet to write down the new rule.
“Good thing it’s just a hypothetical question, right, Jay?”
“Sure, Dickface. Just making sure we all know the rules.”
“Oookay! Tim, why don’t you start?”
“This time, because we are doing our vigilante personas, the rumours can’t put our real identities at risk. No damage to a third person’s reputation, except Bruce’s, of course. No denying or avoiding, plus due to some complaints, we have to demonstrate the rumour is real by showing or saying it. No exceptions.”
“So if the rumour says that I fall on my face while skating, do I have to fall on my face in front of the camera to prove it true?”
“Yes, Jason.”
“Just confirming I understood well.”
“Soooooooo. You are free to spread the rumours, any means you prefer, but it has to be out before we start patrol. Now, everyone go get ready, Bruce should be coming down soon with the pairings for tonight. As always, what B says is optional, so if you want to leave your partner to check how your rumour is doing, you can sneak out. Without compromising the civilians’ safety. Any questions?” Dick said.
“Shouldn’t we check on Father’s welfare before starting?”
“Naa, if the old man finds out it would give him a heart attack. Actually, thinking about it again…”
“Jaaay! So everyone in?”
The same mischievous smile appeared on the four brothers' faces, agreeing to start the game, knowing the chaos they were about to unfold, not only on each other but on Gotham itself.
….
The air changed as a silent agreement happened down in the cave.
A tea cup, one that was being held just a second ago, was now shattered in a million pieces across the kitchen floor.
“What happened, Master Bruce? Is everything alright?”
“I’m too late, Alfred. It already began.”