Cute story.

very nice _

This was beautifully written and yet, truly heart wrenching to read. You did a magnificent job of capturing Bruce’s inner hell, and Alfred’s calm presence and his unvoiced fears regarding his young charge. You have such wonderful insights into these characters.

The following two passages really stood out and were superbly done:

-He had always suspected that the young heir of the Wayne dynasty was capable of such violent feelings and actions, and he regretted deeply that his speculations had been correct. He had seen it deep within those innocent hazel eyes which, until recently, had looked into the world with wonderment and joy.

-Yet he didn't dare draw the boy into a comforting hug. Bruce, who had always loved to be cuddled and happily enjoyed long hours curled up on the sofa, leaning against Alfred or his parents, had recently become closed up and very distant. He allowed Alfred to touch him once in a while, small gestures such as a comforting hand on the back, such as the one he had allowed tonight, but ever since his breakdown after the funeral, he hadn't hugged his mentor or reached out to take his hand again.

All the more heartbreaking was the very end, when Bruce took Alfred’s hand and the butler sensed a glimmer of hope. You had me teary-eyed again. Do you have any more Bruce and Alfred stories planned?

OFFICER. OFFICER GORDON.

Otherwise, I wuv it. It makes me want to hug poor little Bruce forever, even if he hates it. xD

Good job!

Very realistic...love it!

I really like this story, sad but sweet.

And I love Alfred ...

Great work ... congratulations! :D

This is really cool, a good missing scene from the movie. I especially like how you portrayed Alfred. He's neither a father to Bruce exactly, nor is he a servant, but he's something between the two, which is a difficult balance to strike. He respects Bruce's new boundaries of no contact, and yet persistently reaches out in what ways he can, even if it's just filling the kid with sweets.

Bruce's brooding also strikes me as the proper reaction. No grief, no tears, just internalized emotion and then an outburst of anger. Very canon, not only for the movies, but also for the comics. Well done all around!

Nice! I love eight year old Bruce right before or right after the murder. It's fun to explore both sides because the comparison is really great. I always thought Bruce wouldn't be the big crier, just seeing the pain in his eyes would be enough. He'd of course keep composed for the public, but this little outburst you portrayed seemed like exactly something he would do. It'd only be for Alfred's eyes of course. Glad you had the whole almost family father figure Alfred is. Bruce would never really outright admit it, but he is like a father to him. The seventh passage, the big one was really the angsty part without really trying 'cause we all know he isn't really going to change all because of that big event in his life. The little touches in this like how he's become withdrawn and distant and the fact that he isn't into hugs as much are cool too. Imagining an eight year old pulling from a hug is almost the same as thinking of Batman hugging a teddy bear. Haha. Nice imagery to think about. Great job! This is a one-shot, but I think it'd be cool if it continued maybe in different POV or when Bruce is older. I pictured him as kind of rebellious, i-don't-care-ish, and arrogant as a teen. Don't know, but please write more!