FanFiction.Net - unleash your imagination
| FanFiction.Net - unleash your imagination |
|
| Home Just In Communities Forums Beta Readers Dictionary Search | Login Register Extras |
Messages Messages Help Reply Forward View Source Unwrap Lines Delete --> Message 10735 of 10764 Previous Next Up Thread Message Index Msg # From: cponj...
Date: Fri Mar 23, 2001 10:14pm
Subject: Fic: A Difference of Opinion
Title:A Difference of Opinion Author: Arlene Rating: G Disclaimer: Not mine. Never will be. sniff Summary: Alfred plays peacemaker. Inspired by recent events. Dedicated to Kat for willingly putting up with all us nutcases.) A Difference of Opinion As Alfred entered the Manor with the last bag of groceries, something about the atmosphere of the old house seemed disturbing, tense. SLAM! Oh dear. He recognized the sound. Master Dick's bedroom. How many times must he tell that boy . . . SLAM! Ah, the study door. They had yet another fight. He directed his thoughts towards his "eldest." How many times must he tell that boy . . . As he transported the groceries to the kitchen, he shook his head sadly. They were so close when they were younger. Both so trusting, so open. He sighed. As charming as they used to be together, the fighting was inevitable, really. Cut from the same cloth, they were. He was reminded of the old song: "When an irresistible force meets an unmovable object . . ." Alfred mentally shook himself. Young Master Dick was his own man now, with his own home, his own life. His visits had become so infrequent that Alfred needed to at least attempt to solve this new problem, so that the visit would last longer and end better than the previous one had. Finished with his unpacking and organizing, he checked his watch to make sure enough time had elapsed before approaching the irresistible force's bedroom. After knocking, a muffled "Come in," greeted him. He opened the door and directed his gaze towards the bed. Although he knew what he would see, the sight still filled him with a bit of nostalgia. Master Dick lay on his back upon his bed, pillow over his face, limbs spread out. Just as he had when he was an adolescent. The elderly man sat on the edge of the bed, carefully so as not to jostle the younger man. "Master Dick?" he inquired softly. The pillow replied something unintelligible. "Master Dick," he chided gently, "You know full well I cannot speak the language of Pillows. I believe I have made the point before." Mercifully, the offending piece of bedding was removed to reveal a smiling face. "I'm sorry, Alfred. I keep forgetting to hire a translator for you." Alfred returned the smile. "Quite alright, young sir. I shall endeavor to learn the foreign tongue when I retire." Back to business. "Now, about the door . . . ?" A raised eyebrow prompted Dick to speak. "Uh, well, it's stupid, really. I rented a movie, y'know, two guys trying to bond. I mean, we were both free, no cases going on and we're family an' all, so I thought this'd be kinda fun. Well, Bruce turns it into a character study --it was supposed to be fun fer cryin' out loud!-- then compares it to the original written version, which he likes better. Now, I actually read the original version before, so I knew what he was talking about, but that ending was just so depressing. I mean, c'mon, she dies at the end! So I tell him my opinion, and, if you can believe it, things actually get worse from there. Ugh! I'm an adult now and he still makes me so mad!" The pillow returned to cover the face, which had lost the smile during the ramble. Alfred had tried hard not to roll his eyes during the discourse. Aside from being quite ungentlemanly, it achieved nothing. Instead, he stood up. "Dinner in fifty-five minutes, young sir. Do not forget to wash under the nails," he inform the young man crisply." He gently closed the door on the muffled "Yes, Alfred" on his way out. Making his way to the study, and subsequently down to the Master's favorite sulking place, he pondered upon resolving the seemingly small conflict. He allowed the soles of his shoes to tap lightly on the stone steps leading to the lowest level of the Manor. He knew his presence would be noted as soon as he opened the clock, but he wanted Master Bruce to know that he meant business this time. A few steps away from the chair facing the vast computer display, he cleared his throat. "Sir?" he addressed to the back of the chair. The Batman grunted. "Master Dick seemed rather upset when I talked to him." The Batman grunted yet again. Like squeezing water from a stone. Unmovable object, indeed. He straightened his posture. "Dinner in fifty minutes, young sir. Do not forget to wash under the nails." "Yes, Alfred," Bruce mumbled. Satisfied, Alfred made a smart about-face and left to prepare the meal. At a few minutes before the appointed time, both Bruce and Dick entered the dining room, both still peeved with one another. As they silently sat down at their place settings, Alfred emerged from the kitchen. "Sirs, dinner shall be slightly delayed." Both men gaped. This was an extremely rare occurrence. Either the meal was still not ready (unheard of!) or something was up. "It has come to my attention that there has been a difference of opinion which has resulted in mounting tensions and the . . slamming . . of . . doors." He was careful to enunciate the last part, reminding them of the house rules during their upbringing and hoping to shame them a bit. Then he pulled out his trump card. "Sirs, I realize that I am only a humble servant," he noted with satisfaction that they guiltily looked down at the tablecloth, "and that it is not my place to say, but I feel compelled to state that I care about your mental as well as your physical well-beings. Now, it would do this old heart some good if the meal I have so pain- stakingly prepared can be fully enjoyed as intended. Sirs, for my sake, would you please resolve your differences?" Careful with the guilt, old man, he reminded himself, too much would be overdoing it. Irresistible force met unmovable object. Something's got to give. "He's right, Dick," Bruce sighed. "I liked the original story better, and I was a little disappointed that you didn't." Alfred noted that he did not actually say "I'm sorry." Well, at least he made the first move. The fact was not lost on Dick. "Yeah, I'm sorry too, Bruce. I just wanted to relax with you and do something fun. I shouldn't have bitten your head off like I did." "Okay, I admit it was a fun movie. And thanks for bringing it." As the conversation continued, Alfred quietly left to begin the first course. When he returned with the salad, he was glad to hear their playful banter. Bruce was sitting back in his chair, slightly slouching, wearing his half smile. "She's an airhead!" "Yeah, like your dates!" Dick's elbows were on the table, body leaning forward, giving as good as he got. "At least they know what a fork's for!" "Low blow, Bruce," he grinned. "Don't you dare compare her naïveté to your dates' low IQ's." "Ahem." Both younger men immediately straightened their postures and sat up properly. Seeing that it was safe now, Alfred served his boys and attempted to satisfy his piqued curiosity. "May one inquire as to the program which was viewed?" Dick answered. "The Little Mermaid." "Ah." All this ill will begun over a cartoon? Although he loathed the violence his boys faced every night, he had the urge to smack them upside the head with one of his crepe pans. Bruce spoke up. "Alfred? What are we having for dinner?" "Fish, Master Bruce." As the old gentleman made his way back to the kitchen, he failed to understand what could have prompted the laughing at the dining table. End
Replies Author Date 10736 Re: Fic: A Difference of Opinion vandaliav... Fri 3/23/2001 10742 Re: Fic: A Difference of Opinion Chicago Sat 3/24/2001 10761 Free Lunch (was RE: Fic: A Difference of Opinion) Robin Sat 3/24/2001 10740 Re: Fic: A Difference of Opinion SKHwritea... Sat 3/24/2001 10741 Re: Fic: A Difference of Opinion efrancise... Sat 3/24/2001 10758 FB: A Difference of Opinion Robin Sat 3/24/2001
--> Message 10735 of 10764 Previous Next Up Thread Message Index Msg # Reply Forward View Source Unwrap Lines DeleteCopyright © 2001 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Guidelines - Help