Chapter Text
It has been snowing in Gotham, giving the rundown city a little glimpse of festive whimsy.
That whimsy is something Bruce Wayne hoped to bring in this year’s Christmas being the first time he was gonna spend it with his boyfriend, Clark Kent.
Bruce couldn’t help but smile to himself as he headed out of Wayne Tower to do some last minute Christmas shopping despite getting everything on Dick’s, Alfred’s, and Clark’s list. He and Clark have been dating since the end of October, though technically Clark likes to count their first interview on the 21st as the official day they started dating. Bruce wasn’t going to object to that though. All that matters was that he and his family will get to spend Christmas with the Midwestern man.
Wrapping his long black coat around his body as he got to his car, he felt his phone buzz and pulled it out of his pocket, smiling softly when he saw it was Clark calling him.
“Hey big guy.” Bruce greeted on the phone, leaning against his car.
“Hey Brucie! I just want to let you know I just boarded the train and am heading over to Gotham now.” Clark said through the line.
“That’s great, Clark! Unfortunately, Alfred is gonna pick you up. I’ve been swamped with work and doing some shopping as well.” Bruce explained.
“Oh could this be some Christmas shopping then?” Clark asked, Bruce could swear he could feel him smirking on the other side.
“And what if it is?” Bruce asked him, smirking himself.
“Then I have to ask what it is and is it for me?’ Clark told him.
Bruce rolled his eyes and told him “It’s a big fat nunya.”
The brunette chuckles loudly when he hears Clark dramatically sigh. “Then fine. I’m not telling you what I got you then.”
“And I’ve told you before, you don’t have to give me anything. You being here for Christmas is the best present anyone can ask for.” Bruce told him as he tried to pull his car keys out.
“Dammit.” Bruce hissed to himself as he dropped his wallet as well.
As he reached down to pick it up from the snow, it was swiped up in a flash by a little kid.
“Hey!!” Bruce snapped as the small child ran off with his wallet.
“Bruce?” he heard Clark call out on the phone.
“Sorry, big guy. Gotta go. Work emergency.” Bruce said as he hung up before Clark could ask further.
Pocketing his phone away Bruce went after the child. As he pushed through the crowd of pedestrians and festive shoppers, Bruce spotted the thief go through an alley way. He lightly smirked to himself as he went to the other alley way, knowing the passage thanks to his time as Batman.
Since no one was paying any attention to him as he made his way down the other alley way, the brunette climbed up onto the fire escape to easily navigate to the other side of the alley way.
Once he was at the other side, he watched and waited for the child to climb over the wall thinking he out ran Bruce. Smirking to himself a little, Bruce jumped down behind the boy, who turned to him in a fright. The vigilante at night couldn’t help but notice that the boy looked about the same age as his son, Dick, and that despite his winter clothes, it looked worn and patched up as the glove didn’t look like they matched. Even the hat was missing a string on one of the ear flaps.
Bruce put his hand out and motions the child to hand him back his wallet, which he reluctantly did. “Santa would be ashamed of you, stealing money from adults like that.” he lectured the boy.
“Bite me.” the boy said back bitterly which surprised Bruce.
“Hmmm big talk. Don’t think your parents would like it if I told them what you did.” Bruce told him, but now the kid just glared at him. Not budging or showing any remorse. “Or perhaps I’ll tell the police that we have a little thief in our midst then.” he suggested, getting the reaction from the boy.
“.....peasedon’tdothatsir.” he said quickly, now too scared to look up at Bruce.
Bruce let out a sigh and knelt down in front of the kid. “Tell you what, you give me the address where you live and I’ll drop you there with no trouble at all.” he suggested as he pulled his phone out to type in the address.
The kid bit the inside of his cheek and mumbles “39 Kane Street.”
The brunette paused typing when he realized where that was. “That’s….that’s an orphanage.”
“No duh.” the kid said back.
Bruce knew where exactly the orphanage was. It was the Martha Wayne Orphanage, the one he opened a few years ago after the floods. It was also a really pleasant place that helped homeless and runaway teens as well. Why would this kid run away from a place like that?
“Come on, I’ll take you back and explain everything to them, leaving out the attempt at thievery.” Bruce offers, leaning him a hand.
The boy looks at him for a moment and carefully took his hand.
“So, what’s your name?” Bruce asked as he led him out the alley way and back to his car..
“Jason Todd, sir.”
“Nice to meet you Jason. I’m Bruce Wayne.”
Clark was confused when Bruce unexpectedly hung up the phone as he arrived at Gotham.
Though he guest he must have been neck deep in so many charity and fundraising sponsors that it was too long of a list to count who’s the billionaire is helping during the festive time of the year.
Pocketing his phone away, Clark couldn’t help but smile to himself at the idea of spending his first Christmas with Bruce and his family. It has just been two months since they met and started dating and last month where they spent Thanksgiving with him and his family. He still couldn’t believe after one interview and a few coffee dates, he’s now boyfriends with Bruce Wayne, the Prince of Gotham.
So here he was now. On the train to Gotham with his bag of clothes for the few days he has off of work and a box full of gifts for Bruce and his family. He even brought Krypto with him knowing the pup wanted to see Dick again. His cousin Kara wasn’t too keen at the fact their dog now has a favorite human being but is willingly (and reluctantly) to share.
Once the train stopped at Gotham Station, Clark grabbed his things and got up as he and Krypto headed out.
He’s supposed to meet with Alfred since Bruce is busy with work and last minute Christmas shopping and Dick was having a playdate with Barbara. So the butler was gonna take him back to the Manor in the meantime.
“Alfred! How’ve you been?” Clark greeted him, going over to shake his hand.
“Been good, though been busy. Holidays and all. How about yourself?” Alfred asked, helping him with the boxes of presents as they made their way to the car.
Clark pulled back when he felt Krypto stop on his track, staring off at the sidewalk.
“Krypto? You okay there, bub?” Clark asked, wondering what got his attention.
Just then, Krypto pulled away from Clark as he started to sprint away.
“KRYPTO!” the Midwestern man shouted, dropping his suitcase as he ran after his dog.
He chased after the super dog away from the train station and around the corner of a chained fence. When he got to Krypto, he was met with a sight that broke his heart.
Krypto was looking at a german shepherd puppy who was leashed up to the fence with a food and water dish both emptied. He was laying down looking sad and shivering from the snowy cold weather. When Clark got closer, he saw a soaked crumbled up sign with the words “Free Puppy” smudged on it.
“Oh you poor baby.” Clark whispers quietly, going over to carefully unhook the lease from the fence. The puppy then whined and cowardly when Clark started to take his coat off.
“Shh it’s okay, sweet baby. I’m gonna help you out.” Clark assures the scared pup as he gently and carefully lifts him up and wraps the coat around him like a blanket. That was when Clark noticed not only the puppy didn’t have a tag on the collar but the poor thing was thin and wet from the snow.
“Who would do this to you?” Clark wonders as he and Krypto return to where Alfred was at. Krypto looked up at the shivering puppy, whining quietly in concern.
Alfred was waiting for the two but when he spotted the two, he was surprised at what Clark had in his arms.
“What on earth?” he said out loud, looking back at Clark.
“I know it’s sudden, but can we take a quick stop at the vet please?” Clark asked him, holding the puppy close for warmth.
Alfred looks back to the puppy, seeing the heart break in the poor things eyes and sighs with a nod. “I’ll warm the car up for him.” he said as he got to the driver’s seat.
Clark smiled and thanked him as he and Krypto got in the back, grabbing and putting his suitcase down as he sat.
“It’s okay, little buddy. We just need to get you some food and a quick check up.” Clark assures the puppy when he hears him whine, gently petting him as Alfred takes them to the nearest veterinary hospital.
As they got to the orphanage shelter, Bruce got out of his car and helped Jason out as well, leading the six year old into the building.
As they entered inside, Bruce took notice of all the decorations adorned around them. The red and green garland were hand crafted with construction paper while the walls were covered with cotton ball snowmen and construction paper reindeers made by the kids in the shelter. It made Bruce somewhat nostalgic for when he was in elementary school making Christmas craft projects for his parents and Alfred.
He walked Jason over to the front desk where a receptionist wearing a red and white candy cane vest and a Santa hat was working on the computer and making a few calls.
She excuses the person on the other line when she notices Bruce. “May I help you sir?” she asked as she adjusted her glasses.
“Yes, I don’t know if you guys are missing a child but I have a boy named Jason Todd here with me.” Bruce explains as he gently squeezed Jason’s hand, comforting the boy.
The receptionist’s eyes widened and got up from her chair. “Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! Just give me one second to call one of our caregivers over here.” she said as she went back to her phone to make another call.
As they waited, Bruce looks down and notices Jason fidgeting in his coat starting to feel hot with the layers he was wearing.
“Here let me help you.” Bruce offers, gently taking his hat and gloves off while Jason unzips his jacket. As he took his jacket off, a woman in her 30’s or 40’s with red hair who was wearing a reindeer head band and also a candy cane vest.
“Jason Todd. We’ve been looking all over for you, little mister?” she lightly scolded, kneeling down to Jason’s height as Bruce held onto his coat and winter accessories. “You know you’re not allowed to step outside without an adult. You could have gotten hurt.” she told the young boy.
“But I didn’t.” Jason said back with a huff.
The woman shook her head but smiled softly. “Why don’t you join the others in the playroom for the festivities.” she suggested as she stood up.
As Jason headed down the hallway, the red-haired woman turned to Bruce and then gasped loudly. “Oh!...Oh I’m sorry I shouldn’t just…I didn’t realize you’re…well-”
Bruce chuckles from that and assures her “It’s quite alright ma’am. I was at the right moment and the right time and thought I would get Jason a ride back home.”
“And I can’t thank you enough for that, Mr. Wayne. I’m Mrs. Sandra by the way. Christine Sandra.” She introduced herself as she offered to take Jason’s things from his hands.
“It’s a pleasure ma’am.” Bruce said back with a nod. He didn’t know what else to say or do in a situation like this. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had ever stepped foot in an orphanage. He said “Merry Christmas” to the two ladies and was about to turn to leave until the receptionist spoke up.
“Mrs. Sandra. We have a problem.” she said as Mrs. Sandra went over to her desk.
“What’s wrong, Joyce?” Mrs. Sandra asked her.
“It’s Mimi. Apparently she slipped on the ice off of her driveway and broke her ankle. She’s fine now but she can’t make it over today.” Joyce explained, causing Mrs Snadra to sigh quietly in frustration.
“We’re already short staffed today for the holiday feast. Do you have the list of volunteer contacts?” Mrs Sandra asked Joyce.
As the two try to figure out what to do, Bruce bites the inside of his cheek and debates with himself if he should offer to help or not. He’s already running late on his last minute shopping and he has to meet up with Clark later while Alfred heads out to pick up Dick from the Gordon’s.
But it is the season and he wanted to help out anyone in need, especially for children without a home. Plus, Clark and Alfred would understand, heck Clark would be smitten all over again at his generosity and consideration. His boyfriend is a perfect influence on him after all.
“Excuse me.” he called out, getting Mrs. Sandra’s attention. “If it’s okay with you, I can help you guys out today.” he offered.
Mrs. Sandra was surprised by this and said "Oh no, you really don’t have to, Mr. Wayne. We don’t want to keep you from your busy schedule.”
“No, it's no problem at all. I’m already done with work stuff and plus I should give back to the community I help fund and make buildings for.” Bruce tells her, wanting to help her and her staff.
Mrs. Sandra smiles softly from that and said as she went to get things ready “You are a blessing in disguise, Mr. Wayne. We just need to get you a candy cane vest, a name tag, and a holiday hat. Do you want a Santa hat or an elf head band?”
“Ummmmm surprise me. Let me make a quick text and I’ll start work.” Bruce said as he took his coat and scarf off while pulling his phone out to send both Clark and Alfred a text.
[Change of plans, I’m actually gonna be helping out at an orphanage holiday lunch event so I won’t be at the manor. I’ll text you both when I’m done. Happy Holidays!]