Spell and Shadow
Chapter XXII
In Which The Compass Points North
There was a gasp at the door, making her snap her attention in that direction. It was only Seda, a blanket in her arms.
“Miss Shalazar,” Seda said. She quickly got to Katherine’s side and felt her forehead and cheeks. “I’m glad to see you awake, but you should still be in bed. You had quite the adventure the other night.”
“How long,” Katherine said, her voice scraping against her throat. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Since we all went to bed last night. Why?”
“Last night?”
“Yesterday was rather busy with many of your aunts and uncles and cousins leaving. You were rather exhausted after all the excitement. Mister Saint North escorted you back up to your room.”
That didn’t seem right. Her trip to Cockaigne had lasted several days.
“Miss Shalazar, you look pale. Come here, let me help you back into bed.”
Katherine allowed herself to be led back to her bed and tucked in. Seda fluffed the pillows and felt Katherine’s forehead again.
“No fever,” the housekeeper said, her face pinched with worry. “I’ll send for Doctor Wendelstern. There might be a head injury he didn’t notice last time he was here.”
Seda dismissed herself, closing the door softly behind her.
Katherine waited a moment before climbing out of bed and snatching up her dressing gown. She quickly tied the sash around her waist. She found her slippers and headed out, eyes scanning the hall for anyone.
Nicholas. She needed to see him. He would know how she got back to this world.
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Title: milk and honey
Summary: Some nights, the really rough ones, Bruce just needs a little mothering.
Pairing: Edward Nygma/Bruce Wayne
Fandom: The Batman (2022), Batman - All media Types
Relevant Tags:
Read on Ao3 or below the cut
The first time it happens, it’s all Scarecrow’s fault.
Bruce had come home from patrol reeking of fear after he had been dosed with fear toxin. Bruce had been erratic and angry, his eyes had wildly darted around as he searched the room for whoever was terrifying him so.
When he had set eyes on Edward, standing there in his night gown with a nervous expression spread across his face, he had relaxed a little. “Mama?” He asked, and before Edward could process that he reached forward and buried his face in Edward’s chest.
The only thing that Edward could really do was run his fingers through Bruce’s hair and murmur, “It’s okay, Bruce, Mama loves you. Mama is here.” as Bruce led him back to bed. The alpha had kept Edward bound to the bed with his body that whole night, gently suckling on the omega’s breasts to coax milk from them while Edward cooed at him and told him how much he loved him.
Edward had no idea what was going through Bruce’s head, other than the fact that it must have something to do with his parents murder. He’s not really sure if he’s doing the right thing, but Bruce seems comforted by laying at Edward’s breast and drinking up his milk like a particularly needy pup.
The thing is, Bruce is rarely ever vulnerable like this. He’s usually the picture of a perfectly dependable, strong alpha. He’s tough as nails and spends his nights patrolling Gotham to keep the city safe. He’s always there for Edward to lean on when he needs him and he’s always so reserved that it’s easy for Edward to forget that he gets vulnerable too. That sometimes he needs someone too.
And Bruce is always taking care of Edward. He’s always there to make him feel safe and secure. Bruce is so very good to him, better than he has to be. After the toxin finally wears off and Bruce is back to his normal self again, Edward promises himself that he’s going to be there for Bruce whenever he needs him like this again. He’s going to be a good mate, someone that Bruce can depend on just like he depends on Bruce so often.
They don’t really talk about what happened. Neither of them really knows how to broach the subject, so they just leave it as one of those things that gets implied but never spoken about. But it does happen again. Only this time, neither of them have the excuse of Bruce being dosed by fear toxin.
****
Edward lay in bed, sleeping fitfully. He had his nightie rucked up over his legs and his thighs spread wide to compensate for the lack of another warm body laying beside him. He was having such trouble sleeping that night that all it took was the gentle sound of a door opening for his eyes to shoot open.
He slowly leaned forward, moving into a sitting position as he looked towards the source of the noise. His alpha stood nervously, which was an expression that he Edward did not often see on him. “Mama?” He asked tentatively.
Edward’s expression immediately gentled, tender with affection for his alpha in such a vulnerable state. “Yes, baby, mama’s here.” He says sweetly and holds his arms out. “Come here, baby.” He beckons and that’s all the permission that Bruce needs to move onto the bed and crawl into Edward’s arms.
Bruce’s hands slide over his shoulders and move to pull down the spaghetti thin straps of his night gown. Edward gasps as his tits fall out of the flimsy confines of the gown and, his body sensing that it was in need of it, a bit of milk dribbles out of his nipples.
He had always had over-productive milking glands and for the longest time it had been the bane of his existence. It was embarrassing, the way his tits would start leaking at the slightest provocation. Even as he had grown, he had never gotten a good handle on controlling it. He had hated it, felt like it was something wrong with him.
Bruce disagreed. He remembered how Bruce had pulled his top down and kneaded his tits until they were dribbling with milk. “Do you know why your body does this?” He had asked, as he licked it up. Edward had shaken his head, he had no idea. “It’s because your so giving. You’re so giving and good that your body naturally provides for the pups and alphas around you. You’re such a good little omega, Edward.”
Edward’s heart had soared when Bruce told him that, that he believed he was good and giving and kind despite all the things that he had done and everything that he had been through. Suddenly he hated the way his body reacted a lot less.
His attention turned back towards Bruce, who was lapping at his leaking tits. He looked almost innocent like this. Much more innocent than he knew Bruce to be, anyways. “I missed you, mama.” He mumbled into Edward’s breasts. Edward didn’t know exactly what he meant by that. He didn’t care to ask, he just ran his fingers through Bruce’s hair and gently hummed. “Missed you so much. Love you.”
Declarations of love from Bruce didn’t often come so easy – he usually expressed his love with actions, by showing Edward how much he cared about him and that was more than good enough for him. But hearing him say it out loud made butterflies fly around in his tummy. Bruce was… more open when he was like this. Edward tried to savor it when he could.
Bruce continued to suckle on his tit, drinking every drop of milk that spilled from it. The alphas hand moved in between his thighs, he couldn’t stop himself from letting out a little surprised squeak as Bruce parted the lips of his cunt with an almost child-like curiosity. “You’re so warm, mama.” then his disposition got a little nervous. “Can I touch you, mama? Please?” He asked with a boyish sort of tenderness, as if Bruce couldn’t just take what he wanted. No, right now he had to ask nicely.
Sometimes when Bruce got like this, he was forceful. He would push his way between Edward’s thighs and rut into him with boyish enthusiasm and if Edward tried to guide him at all he would push him down and take what he wanted. But sometimes he was sweet and almost shy. Tonight was shaping up to be one of the nights where Bruce was sweet.
Edward let out a soft giggle, “You’re already touching me, honey.” He reminded, not unkindly. Bruce didn’t usually bother to ask, so much as grab Edward and position him just how he liked him. Not that Edward minded, it gave him a little thrill knowing he had such a strong and capable alpha. It satisfied some primal thing inside of him, the way that Bruce could easily manhandle even though he wasn’t the stereotypical petite omega. He was tall and plump, but Bruce could handle him as though he was tiny and breakable.
“Inside.” Bruce replied, sounding just the tad bit frustrated. “I want to touch inside.” He stressed.
In response to that, Edward spread his legs a little wider. He didn’t want to be mean to his alpha, not when he was so vulnerable and needy. “Okay.” Edward said in a small voice as he spread his thighs wide, almost in a spread eagle position. He was sitting up now, leaning back casually. “You can touch, baby. You can touch all you like. You can do whatever you want with mama, because you’re such a good boy.” He hummed sweetly.
That was all the permission that Bruce needed to dive forward and stuff his fingers in Edward’s cunt. Edward let out a little gasp at the sudden rough treatment, shivering in delight as Bruce’s fingers brushed over his swollen clit. “So wet and warm, mama.” The alpha marveled in a low voice before leaning in to kiss him.
They kissed and kissed, as Bruce’s fingers thrust inside of Edward’s cunt at a rough pace. They were fucking into him frantically, with clumsy and imprecise movements – but Edward found he liked it, he liked the desperation of it all.
It didn’t take long for Edward to cum with a little whine. “That’s good, baby, so good. Mama loves you so much.” He says breathlessly. The next thing he knows, he’s being flipped over onto his hands and knees.
“Gonna put a baby in you, Mama.” Bruce grunted in his ear as his cock slowly slid inside of him. Edward’s pussy clenched down on nothing in response to the words, slick dripping out of him. Bruce’s hand moved to cup the spot where his womb. “Gonna fill you up.”
“Y-yeah?” Edward replied as Bruce’s cock breached his cunt, filling him right up. “You want a little brother or sister to spend time with?” He asked breathlessly. Bruce slammed into him and he moaned desperately, throwing his head back. “I can- fuck! - I can give that to you, I will. B-because… because I love you so much.”
Bruce fucked him at a rough, almost punishing pace. The hand that wasn’t cradling Edward’s womb had a grip on his hair and pulled it hard enough so that Edward had to keep his head thrown back. Moans tumbled from the omegas mouth as he was fucked good and hard.
“Fuck, fuckfuckfuck, so good.” He babbled drunkenly. “So good, keep going baby. Just- ah! - just like that.” He let out a little whine as Bruce’s hips snapped deep, deep inside of him. The alpha gripped him so hard by the hair that he was pulled up. Then he bit down on his bonding gland and Edward was flooded with a well of happy chemicals as the bond was reinforced.
Edward let out a litany of mindless noises, too fucked out to speak as Bruce’s rhythm sped up and became erratic. He was close and Edward was close too. It was only natural that they came at the same time. The two of them collapsed on each other, exhausted by everything that they had done. Bruce held Edward tight as his knot filled up and locked them together. He pressed kisses all over Edward’s shoulders as the omega drifted off to sleep.
*****
The next morning, Edward is woken up to light streaming in from the lovely skylight that framed his and Bruce’s bedroom. He whined and squinted his eyes before he burrowed his face into Bruce’s chest. Bruce was holding him securely in his strong arms, he felt so safe in those arms that he couldn’t help but let out an omegan purr at the feeling of being held so securely by his alpha.
He heard a soft grunt as Bruce stirred, his eyes slowly opening as he woke. “Mm, morning.” He murmured as he pressed a kiss to Edward’s cheek. Edward smiled up at him and reached up for a kiss that the two of them shared. It was slow and sweet as they savored the taste of one another.
“Morning.” Edward chirped back and then he grimaced as he looked down. “We never cleaned up. Gross.” He said and wrinkled his nose.
“We should wash up.” Bruce agreed, “Alfred will change the sheets while we bathe.” He says and gently encourages Edward to his feet. Edward huffed a little at that, he was still getting used to having someone like Alfred around. He was used to cleaning up his own messes and even though both Alfred and Bruce were clear about the fact that Alfred didn’t mind doing his job he still worried that he would make a nuisance of himself.
“Okay.” Edward said in a tiny little voice, allowing Bruce to help him to his feet. He always felt a little weary and lightheaded in the mornings, luckily Bruce was prepared to deal with that. He gently led Edward to their bathroom and had him sit on the toilet as he drew the bath.
Their bathtub was huge, the first time that Edward had bathed in it he thought he would get lost in it. It comfortably seated the both of them and could probably house another without any trouble. “Can you add bubbles? Oh! And that lavender oil…” Edward suggested hopefully.
Bruce chuckled at that, “Any other requests?” He asked in a somewhat joking manner.
Edward hummed in thought, “Can I have another kiss?” He asked sweetly. Bruce was happy to oblige him that. The two of them settled in the bath when it was ready, joined by an over generous amount of bubble bath and soft bath oils that relaxed them both even more.
Edward sat in Bruce’s lap as he gently washed Bruce’s hair, his fingers slowly brushing out the dark locks before lathering up his hands with Bruce’s shampoo and massaging them against his alphas scalp. Bruce hummed in pleasure at the feeling of being doted upon.
The scent of neutrally scented soap filled the room, aided by the steam that was floating in the air around them. “I’ve been meaning to ask,” Edward started nervously, because he wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to bring this up. “Did something happen last night? Do you want to talk about it?” He asked as he gently poured water over Bruce’s head to rinse away the shampoo.
“What do you mean?” Bruce asked, allowing the omega to touch and coddle him all he liked.
“Well, it’s just… you know sometimes you need a little… mothering.” Edward replied awkwardly, “Which is totally fine! I’m happy to do that for you when you need it and honestly it makes me feel so good that you trust me enough to be vulnerable like that.” He rambled, seemingly unable to get himself to shut up. “I just, usually when you are… it’s because you need it and you know I usually don’t ask but I was just wondering if something triggered it? It didn’t seem like you had any issues with the usual rogues. Did something happen?”
Bruce let out a sigh, “Well, you could say that. It was um, the anniversary of my parents death.” He explained. Edward’s shoulders sagged in response to that and he threw his arms around Bruce in a loose hug. The alpha let out an amused snort and hugged Edward back. The omega could be so dramatic sometimes.
“Oh Bruce.” He mumbled into the alphas skin.
“It’s alright. I’m fine now.”
“I’m so sorry. I totally forgot!”
“It’s okay.”
“I should have remembered though, its a significant date.” Edward argued, obviously feeling not up to par as an omega.
“I didn’t want you to remember. I didn’t want to remember it myself.” Bruce explained quietly. “I thought I could get over it. Move past it, at least the day.” He would never truly get over his parents death, it would always be something that haunted him. He coped with his vigilantism, with his work on improving Gotham, but he knew he would never truly move past their murder. He thought he could at least not acknowledge the anniversary though, he didn’t even want to. He’d rather cast the whole day from his memory, all it did was make him feel miserable.
Edward smiled at Bruce sadly, “Bruce, you know that’s not how trauma works.” He gently chided as he stroked the alphas cheek. “How many times have you told me that? More than once, I’d wager.”
“I know.” Bruce murmured. “I was being stupid. I thought I could just compartmentalize it, I don’t know, put everything into my patrol but once the night ended…”
“You needed me.” Edward replied understandingly. They didn’t usually talk about this sort of thing, it usually went unsaid. The two of them gently washed each other, alpha and omega pampering each other with kisses and soft touches the whole time.
It was nice to be needed, Edward thought as they dried each other off. It was nice knowing that Bruce needed him just as he needed Bruce.
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