Alfred Pennyworth

Will Bruce even notice the Christmas trees? No... probably not.

Another Christmas is looming over Wayne Manor. Alfred has managed to put up a few brightly lit Christmas trees in a numerous amount of rooms. He has a bit of a sore back now... but he believes that it was worth the effort.

Having had a rather busy year, Alfred has had next to no time to check his Twitter account. Immediately, he spots @TheJokeIsLife spouting his usual nonsense. Sighing, he scrolls past Joker’s inane babbling.

Alfred checks his Twitter timeline to see that @TheJokeIsLife has returned. “Oh joy...” After rolling his eyes, he exits the app to continue preparing for Christmas.

Silently decorates Wayne Manor with Christmas decorations...

—walking in on a crying butler would not be the best welcome. Hearing footsteps nearing closer to the parlour, Alfred straightened up in his seat. A warm smile stretched across his face at the sight of Bruce.

—He wished more than anything that he could bring Bruce’s parents back to life... but it just wasn’t possible. Unshed tears made Alfred’s sight blur. He took some calming breaths and wiped his tears away. Bruce would be here any minute... —

Photos of the Wayne Family in a happier time adorned the wall opposite the door. Smiling, happy... full of life. It made Alfred’s heart ache. The memories these photographs conjured in his mind were both wonderful and gut wrenchingly sad. —

—could have died by the time Alfred had finished stitching together a stab wound... Internally sighing, the greying butler moved to place a gentle hand on Bruce’s right shoulder. “Let me help you. Please.”

—letting out a small groan of pain as he lowered himself down onto the seat. It made Alfred wonder what injuries he was trying to hide from him this time... Patching up his wounds wasted more time than Bruce could bear. The people he’s trying to save —

Footsteps echoed throughout the vast space of The Batcave. Ears pricking up, the seemingly defenceless butler paused in his cleaning of the Bat Computer. Peering over his left shoulder, Alfred relaxed at the sight of Bruce. “Well don’t you look worse for wear?” —

Alfred knew as soon as it happened. Alarms went off at the Bat Computer, alerting the butler to the danger Dick was in. As soon as his vitals showed that he was unconscious, Alfred just knew. He knew from gut feeling that something had gone horribly wrong. #TheGraysonCase

— Alfred fiercely hoped so... but hope was a dangerous thing. It had the power to destroy one’s sanity. #TheGraysonCase

—the poster in place, Alfred closed his eyes. Images of violence clawed at Alfred’s mind as his imagination showed him the possible torture that Dick might be going through... at the hands of The Joker... Would he make it out of there alive? —

Dread gnawed away at Alfred’s insides. Where was @AFIyingGrayson ?

Alfred stood to one side as he watched Bruce play the part of the ‘Billionaire Playboy’... He rolled his eyes as Bruce fooled around with a particularly brainless blonde... Yes, she was very beautiful... but imagine trying to have a conversation with her? Good grief...

@AFIyingGrayson Pride swelled up in his heart as he saluted Dick back, a small smile on his wrinkled face.

@AFIyingGrayson “Maybe you should scratch that itch of yours... see if you can find out what Joker’s doing. Maybe that will help... And please... be careful.” Alfred’s face pinched up as he thought about all the times he’s had to stitch up Dick’s wounds...