Dangerous Territory

submission dated 5-10-05
author: FireCracker
(Italic copy bordered by_underscore_)
Archive? You'd better.
Warnings: A potentially freaky situation. m/m

Pairing: Bruce Wayne/Dick Grayson
Mixture of Canon, mostly recent. Dickie is around 24, Brucie 36. And oh yeah, Tim is 17. An unusual and controversial topic comes up.

Dangerous Territory

Dick yawned, stretching blearily under orange satin sheets. Sated and exhausted, he stroked the warm and sticky body next to his own. Golden skin glazed with sheen from last night's wild passion.

Edging up against the ornate bedpost, Dick watched his lover sleep peacefully. It was a rare sight, Bruce resting soundly without the nightmares. Their relationship had done that, kept the dark knight safe and sane. Love was a haven, an escape from the madness and obsession.

_Such a large, powerful man._ Dick held Bruce absently, appreciating the masculine beauty of his features. He traced a finger across dark brows, down the fine nose and across chiseled cheekbones.

_Interesting._

Dick tilted his head, thinking about an earlier conversation with Tim in the kitchen...

"But didn't you get that all the time, Dick?"

"Well yeah, but I never thought much about it. At least not for any length of time."

"Hell, people even asked me, even before Bruce adopted me. And I hear the whispers at those parties, you know? They make it sound like Bruce just ran around dropping his pants."

"The playboy image, Tim. You know he does it to disarm people."

"But come on! I mean, bastard kids all over the place? It's stupid."

"Very. Bruce still deals with paternity suits. But I got used to the attention after awhile."

"But don't you think it's funny how we all have black hair and blue eyes?"

"So? And you call yourself a detective! What's that prove?"

"I...dunno. Just weird how both our history ties in with the circus."

"You've got an overactive imagination, kiddo."

"Maybe. I remember at my 'coming out' party some stuck up reporter jammed a camera in my face. He asked me a really weird question."

"When was this? I just remember the usual snobs gossiping-"

"I excused myself to get some air in the garden. A woman in a green dress looked at me and mumbled 'another one' to a friend. And then the reporter asked if I was a misadventure. I didn't get it at the time."

"Oh-"

"And when it came to me what they meant I was pretty mad."

"I've been there, Tim. Just ignore them."

"They even said my background was forged! Can you believe that bullshit?"

"Yeah. One day I'll trade some horror stories, okay?"

"Oh. Yeah. I mean, we both had our parents, and, and-"

"Stop thinking so much. What did Bruce say?"

"It was really kinda strange. He got this weird expression on his face and asked me who said those things. Half an hour after I told him, all three of those people had left the party."

"Good riddance, little bro. This family carries some baggage, though. But you're tough, you can handle it."

"Right. But seriously, do you think I look like Bruce?"

"Not really.You look more like your mother to me, except for the coloring."

"Maybe, but I saw some old pictures of Bruce when he was a kid."

"Alfred let you rummage through the old trunks?"

"Heh."

"Some good stuff there, as I recall."

"I told Alfred the pictures of Bruce were pretty surprising. And Dick...I think you should see the ones I saw."

"I've seen most all of them, Tim-"

"You sure? The baby pics, and the ones when he was only five?"

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Even saw Alfred back in the day. He was kind of cool, like the Green Hornet or something."

"I'm surprised he let you go through all that stuff. It's pretty dusty, and he hates a mess."

"Yeah, well...I found the trunks on my own. I thought Alfred was gonna have a heart attack when he saw me go through the pictures. Dude went white as paper."

"Why? What was the big deal?"

"That's what I'm wondering. He gave me a look that would freeze beer. Weird, huh?"

"Very."

"Dick, there's one picture I swear...you've gotta see it."

"If it'll make you happy. I still don't know where you're going with this."

A pause. "Bruce looked like you, Dick-"

"Tim, you're driving me crazy. There are only so many combinations of genetics. Sooner or later everybody resembles somebody somewhere. Blood relations have nothing to do with it. Some kids don't even look like their mothers!"

"You know what they say, bro..."

"What, you goofball?"

"Mama's baby, papas maybe."

****

Absently, Dick returned to the present. He stroked the square jaw before touching his own chin. Tapped his own nose and cheeks before tracing those same lines along Bruce.

Searing blue eyes opened suddenly. "Good morning." the deep voice rumbled in the early quiet.

Dick kissed that roman nose softly. "Good morning."

"Hmm." Bruce closed his eyes briefly. "Mind telling me what you're doing?"

Dick blinked innocently. "Doing?"

"Doing." Bruce lurched up and kissed him senseless. Dick clutched the big body close, sucking tongue.

"Gllfpf-"

Gasping, they finally pulled up for air.

"Now tell me." Bruce insisted when they could breathe again.

"I love watching you sleep in my arms."

Bruce licked, crooking his face into Dick's smooth neck. "Well I'm awake now, beautiful. Last night was nasty."

Dick shivered, curling his tongue. "Oh yeah." practiced fingers massaged the broad back. Orange satin shifted, hugging male curves everywhere. Thighs wrapped as desire spiked by heat and scent raged.

Teeth caught an ear. "Gonna...come-" Bruce growled low, grinding their leaking erections hard. Powerful hips jerked crazily, seeking pressure and release. Dick matched the wild thrusts, his own groans roaring in his ears. Toes curled from tension even as he seized from each stroke of friction.

It was over too soon. With a shout they came, clutching and bucking crazily, banging the bed. Bruce moaned in his ear, still rubbing that fabulous body against his lover in the afterglow. Dick blinked at the ceiling, trying to clear colored dots from his eyes.

"Freaking...jackrabbit." he murmured against the thick neck. "Couldn't even wait to get inside. And you made a mess all over me!"

Bruce chuckled against wet skin. "Your own damn fault for being so sexy." he lifted his head and looked into Dick's eyes, smug.

Strong hands held those cheekbones. "You need lessons in control, Bruce. I think a month of abstinence might do."

"I'd break all the doors down."

Dick shook his head, grinning. "I can almost believe that."

Bruce looked him over slowly. "Hnn. You look great first thing. I'm always a mess."

Sky bright blues drank in the rich features. Hooded blues much deeper in color returned the stare. Dick absently scrubbed fingers through inky black hair. It stuck everywhere rakishly.

"You're really hot with your hair like this, Bruce. I wish you'd stop pasting it down all the time."

Bruce leaned up again for a kiss. "So I like to be neat. Sue me!"

"Neat is for church. I want you sloppy and sticky in bed."

Bruce glanced down briefly. "I think we've got that covered. Or ourselves!"

"Mmm." Dick captured his mouth, suckling a plump lower lip.

"Ahm still a mess." Bruce murmured, unable to pull free.

"Best looking mess I ever saw. Maybe I'll just keep you in bed for a year."

"Wayne Enterprises would suffer. Alfred would send out a search party."

Dick rubbed thick muscles everywhere. "So? What's your point?" a wicked grin.

"Pervy. Is sex all you think about?"

"Look who's talking. Mr. Grab and Go himself!"

"I'm not-"

"What about last Thursday? The kitchen table. At the fireplace. On the stairway. In the shower. Across the sofa. Over the Batmobile. On the rooftop of that Carwash in east Gotham-"

"I knew you'd mention that!"

"Horny bastard. It's a miracle we weren't dehydrated!"

"Huh...I didn't hear too much complaining over the screams."

"I didn't scream...that loud. You weren't exactly quiet, either. The book shelf rattled in the library. I hope Tim never heard."

Bruce opened his mouth and paused, thinking. Dick watched a series of expressions flash across handsome features.

"You did it again."

Another innocent face. "Did what?"

Bruce flopped to his side, leaning on an elbow. "Got me distracted from the main topic."

A shrug. "Which is?"

Square fingers held Dick's chin firmly. "Why were you touching our faces in comparison?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Detective." Bruce smirked.

Dick pulled tangled hair from his eyes. "It's a mellow morning. You've worn me out, and I feel good." he stretched against Bruce to emphasize the point.

The big man purred, eyes slitted. "I feel good too." He stroked a muscled bicep. "Now answer the question."

"I was remembering part of a conversation I had with Tim earlier."

"Doesn't sound too ominous. So what's the connection?"

"It involved the party you gave a few months ago. The one celebrating Tim's official adoption."

"Okay. And?"

"Some people were razzing him about...his parentage."

Bruce flopped on his back, eyes darkening. "I remember. A reporter from the Gotham Buzz-"

"That rag? Sheesh. Tim mentioned a woman in a green dress, too. She inferred he was 'another' bastard of yours."

"Gloria Ingersol. Her husband sells microchips."

Dick sniffed. "Even some snobs are worse than others. We could write a novel about wagging tongues."

Bruce lay his head on Dick's chest. "That's why I gave them ten minutes to leave."

Dick glanced down at the tousled head. "I'm sure Tim appreciated the thought, but don't you think it a little extreme?"

"Not to rude people who insult my sons."

Dick held Bruce tightly, feeling a surge of warmth and love.

Bruce snuffed against warm skin. "And I'll always protect my own, regardless of what stupid socialites say."

Quick kiss in damp hair. "You're something else, Bruce."

"When the child authorities wanted to take you away, I wouldn't let them. I couldn't, Dick. From the day I saw you in that circus after the accident...I knew you had to be mine. And no legal system would stand in my way."

Dick was quiet a moment. "And Tim?"

"Those same bright eyes I remembered. He challenged me with his mind. And when his parents were gone and he was all alone, I couldn't...leave him."

"Leave him? What are you talking about? Surely he has other relatives-"

"None close enough to care, I already researched. In any case it doesn't matter. He's here where he belongs. And I'm glad you two seemed to hit it off so well."

Dick had to smile. "Yeah, it's nice having a little brother even if he is a pain."

Bruce managed a grin.

"The poor birdbrain...he's fantasizing so much about family he's seeing things."

"You lost me."

A snicker. "Tim told me he'd done some looking at old pictures."

A frown. "Tim went through the trunks in the attic?"

"I think so. He seemed pretty interested in finding more secrets."

Bruce sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Ever the detective. Alfred was in on this?"

"Funny you should mention that. Tim said he nearly had a stroke at all the opened envelopes on the floor."

Bruce fell silent. "There's no harm...in looking at pictures."

"No, but Tim's pretty fixated on the idea."

"What idea?!"

Dick watched his lover carefully. "That you're his father. And mine."

Bruce shook his head slowly. "That simply isn't possible. Where's all this coming from?"

"I don't know, really. Tim's going through a lot right now with Steph, and trying to deal with his parent's death."

"I've tried to make his transition as smooth as possible."

"I agree, prepatory science school will only hone his detective skills and give focus. You'd better hope he doesn't get too good too soon."

Bruce sat up abruptly at that. "Meaning?!"

Dick stared. "Amp down the intensity, Bruce...I didn't mean anything."

Razor blue eyes flashed in the morning twilight. "You make it sound as if I have something to hide."

"Stop putting words in my mouth." Dick was annoyed, losing the mood. "This was a perfectly good morning, okay? Let's not ruin it with a dumb argument."

"We aren't arguing." Bruce snapped. "You were telling me about Tim."

Dick watched the broad shoulders tense and bunch. "You're tighter than an ass tick, Bruce."

The big man slid out of bed, wrapping a robe on from a nearby chair. "I'm going to get some hot chocolate. You want any?"

Dick sat upright, gawking. Bruce had bizarre moods at times, but rarely so sudden.

"Are you all right? What's going on here-"

A wave and smile, not entirely sincere. "Just early morning jitters. Have a big corporate meeting today."

"Bruce!!"

"I'll get the chocolate." was the quick response before Bruce all but bolted from the bedroom.

Dick turned his legs over the side of their bed, sliding up. He wrapped a sheet around his middle, frowning.

/I don't know what the hell's going on, but I intend to find out./

He slipped between heavy oak doors on the way out.

****

Tim opened an eye at a shadowy shape moving at him. He peered over his coverlet, hair askew.

"Dick?" he croaked. "What're you doing here?"

"I won't keep you long, Tim. But our little talk earlier has me curious."

Tim blinked, clearing his head. "Talk?"

"In the kitchen. About Bruce."

Bright blue eyes widened to alertness. "Yeah! I-"

Dick clamped a hand over his mouth. "Keep it down, will you? I slipped out on Bruce. He doesn't know I'm in here."

Tim glanced down at his brother. "Hell, you been having sex again? You guys are worse than rabbits. Besides-"

"Will you be quiet?!"

A snicker. "Well stop stumbling around in orange satin stinking up the place."

Dick made a fist. "Keep going and you won't have a nose to smell with. Now listen...Bruce is acting _really_ strange."

"You talked to him about the pictures?"

"Sort of. His reaction was bizarre to say the least. He jumped up and went to get hot chocolate."

"That makes no sense. Did he react at all?"

Dick glanced at the door, thinking. "He nearly jumped out of his skin."

Tim sat up now, fully awake. A mystery always sharpened ideas. "So." he gave a sly smile. "You think Bruce is hiding something?"

"Maybe. But whatever it is, we're gonna find out."

Tim grinned in conspiracy. "Sounds like a challenge!"

Dick smirked. "Time to put on our detective caps."

Tim nodded. "So when do we start?"

"Tomorrow morning. We hit those trunks again and sift through what we know."

"Which isn't a lot a this point."

"No, but it's a start-"

The door abruptly swung open. Bruce stared into the room, holding two mugs.

"What's going on here?"

Dick shrugged. "Nothing. Tim heard a noise."

Bruce curled a lip in disbelief. "Say what?"

Tim popped up. "Yeah, right! Must be a mouse or something."

Bruce blinked at him. "Is everyone insane?"

Dick smiled, moving his way. "I see you've got the chocolate. It looks good."

The older man knew he was being gulled. "Dick-"

"Come on." Dick hooked a thick arm and turned him. "Back to bed."

"What's going on around here?!" Bruce protested, annoyed. He tossed a look over his shoulder at Tim.

"We're going to have a little talk, Tim-"

"Sounds good, Bruce!" Tim waved. "I'll bet that mouse is gone now."

"Something is gone, that's for sure." Bruce glowered as he was all but pushed out. Dick mouthed 'first thing' at Tim before shutting the door.

Tim broke into a huge smile as he clambered back into bed. /Yeah, I'm a detective. And a damned good one. If you've got another secret we're going to find it./

Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

The End?????