Fic: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (11/22)

[bradygirl_12]

Title: The Raven And The Nightingale Book III: Cherry Blossoms (11/22)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters (this chapter): Bruce/Dick, Ezekiel Cannon, Lionel Luthor
Genres: Angst, AU, Drama, Historical, Mystery, Romance
Rating (this chapter): NC-17
Warnings (this chapter): None
Spoilers: None
General Summary: Bruce and Dick get caught up in political intrigue during a business trip to Washington City.
Chapter Summary: The Raven and Nightingale’s investigation turns up something important.
Date Of Completion: April 20, 2020
Date Of Posting: March 23, 2022
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, DC does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1422
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Note: The entire series can be found here.

XI

THE CODE

“Washington is a den of thievery and skullduggery.”

Mack Twist
American Humorist
1872 C.E.

Bruce decided that the appearance of the Raven and the Nightingale in the nation’s capital was not a good idea. A sharp observer could connect the heroes with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson by realizing they had suddenly turned up in Washington with the arrival of those worthies, so he suggested a different look.

The costume department of the ballet company was a helpful resource, and Dick brought home two sets of black pants and turtleneck sweaters.

"These were used in the production of Philippe And Karina, that modern ballet by Albrecht.”

“Good, good. And we’ve got boots and caps we can use plus our domino masks.”

“Cat burglars.”

“Pretty much. You set for tonight?”

Dick nodded. “We’re staking out Cannon’s place, right?”

“Right.” Bruce opened his address book. “He lives in Georgetown.”

“Okay.” Dick stretched in a classic dancer’s move. “Should we bring our canes?”

“Some protection wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Good.” Dick smiled. “Good to have the Raven and Nightingale in action again.”

“We’ve done some of our best work as the birds.”

Dick laughed. “Good thing you didn’t choose the bald eagle.”

Bruce ruffled his own thick hair. “Bite your tongue!”

“I’d rather bite something else.” Dick leered.

Bruce grabbed his arm and pulled him close. “Take your pick.”

Dick smiled and nibbled Bruce’s left ear. Bruce cupped a round buttock and squeezed. Dick kissed him, his tongue sliding into Bruce’s mouth. Bruce ground their groins together.

Dick slipped sinuously to his knees as he pressed his face in Bruce’s crotch. Bruce’s breathing became more rapid as Dick pulled down his pants and underwear, freeing a cock ready for more stimulation.

Dick stroked the warm skin, his tongue darting out and tasting the silken goodness. He licked up and down Bruce’s cock while the older man moaned and rocked his hips. Bruce grabbed Dick’s hair and Dick took his lover’s cock into his mouth.

Moans and heavy breathing filled the room as Dick sucked hard, his head bobbing as Bruce tugged harder on his hair. He let out a cry as he came and Dick eagerly swallowed his cum. Bruce’s knees buckled and Dick let his softening cock clip out of his mouth.

“Mmm, you taste so good,” Dick purred, licking his lips with a Cheshire Cat smile.

Bruce staggered over to the bed and collapsed. “This isn’t fair play. We have to go out tonight.”

Dick stood up, undressed and danced over, his cock dripping with pre-cum. “We aren’t finished yet.”

“Climb aboard.”

Dick stepped up onto the bed and straddled his partner, his cock waving over Bruce’s face. Bruce grasped his lover’s thighs and urged him closer. Dick wiggled his hips and brushed the tip of his cock over Bruce’s lips. Bruce opened his mouth and took his partner in.

Dick pumped and Bruce sucked, captivated by the sight of the naked man gyrating above him. His fingers dug into Dick’s thighs and Dick hissed in pain but kept thrusting. He grunted and climaxed into Bruce’s mouth. As he slid out, it was Bruce’s turn to lick his lips. Dick flopped down next to him.

“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” Dick admitted. “All I want to do is sleep.”

“We can take a nap.”

“Great idea.” Dick yawned and almost instantly fell asleep.

Bruce grinned and followed his lead.

& & & & & &

The duo awoke as dusk was falling. They dressed in their outfits and took a rented carriage to the outskirts of Georgetown, going on foot to the street where Ezekiel Cannon and his wife Alberta lived.

The Raven and Nightingale skirted the edges of backyards, using hedges and trees to conceal their passage. They reached the Cannon house and chose a spot behind the boxwood hedge with a view of the study. The house was a handsome brick two-story with immaculate grounds.

A lamp lit the interior with a soft glow, revealing dark, heavy furniture and crammed bookshelves. There was movement and Ezekiel Cannon went behind his desk, his back to the window. He searched his desk for something as a night owl hooted in the trees.

Dick lightly touched Bruce’s arm as another man came into view. Bruce whispered, “Lionel Luthor.”

Dick studied the man. Possessing a leonine head of hair, Lionel’s beard and mustache were neatly trimmed and he wore a tailored suit that appeared expensive. His hands were in his pockets and he looked relaxed, but Dick sensed that Lionel was anything but relaxed.

Cannon found what he was looking for and handed a notebook to Lionel, who took it and flipped it open. Cannon was talking while Lionel turned pages. He made a few comments and Cannon took the notebook back, sticking it in the right-hand bottom desk drawer and locking it, tossing the key into a small vase on the desk. Cannon shut off the lamp and both men left the study.

“We’ll wait until Lionel leaves and Cannon goes to bed,” Bruce said.

Dick nodded and settled down to wait.

& & & & & &

Half an hour later Lionel departed, and fifteen minutes after that all the lights in the house went off. Bruce and Dick waited a little longer, then silently crossed the yard to the house. They tried the back door. Locked. Bruce took out lock picking tools and they were inside in less than five minutes.

They crept through the kitchen and found the study quickly. Dick went over to the desk and crouched by the bottom drawer after shaking the key out of the vase. He unlocked the drawer and took out the notebook they had seen earlier.

Bruce turned the lamp on and they opened the notebook. Pages were flipped as they read.

“Damnit,” Bruce hissed. “It’s in code! Keep watch.”

He tore a piece of paper off a pad on the desk and sat down, furiously copying what he could with a pen from the desk set. Dick stood at the door, listening intently. Bruce continued his hasty copying and half an hour later, Dick said, ”Someone’s coming.”

Bruce stuck the notebook in the drawer and shut it quietly. He replaced the pen and key after locking the drawer. He and Dick went out the way they had come in, exiting through the kitchen door. They dashed to the hedge and saw a light go on in the kitchen, but no one came out after them.

“Late-night snack?” Dick whispered.

“Probably. Let’s go.”

They returned to their carriage and left Georgetown.

& & & & & &

Back at the hotel, Bruce and Dick changed into comfortable pajamas and puzzled over the notes Bruce had made.

“They make no sense,” Dick said.

“Code doesn’t if you don’t know the key.”

“We’re not codebreakers.”

“I can pass this along to Teddy. Some bright boy in the War Department will figure it out. And I know just how I’ll pass it.”

“How?”

“When he and Aunt Edith come to watch you dance tonight, my Nightingale.”

Dick laughed. “Sounds good.” He rested his chin on his hand as he sat cross-legged on the bed. “I wonder what plot they have going on?”

“Nothing good, especially with Lionel involved.”

“Sounds like Lionel Luthor is quite the prize.”

“Oh, he is. He’s a master manipulator and made life for his wife and children hell.”

“Did he hit them?”

“Sometimes, but mostly it was emotional abuse.” Bruce slumped tiredly in his chair. “He messed up Lex quite a bit, and Lena, too. Lillian, his wife, did her best, but Lionel ruled the family with an iron fist. Many people find that admirable, but a tyrannical father and husband takes a toll. Why are there so many cases of hysteria among women, or dyspepsia and other ailments among men? Cases of nervous exhaustion?”

“Do you know much about Freud and all that study of the mind?”

“I do. It’s good to know for purposes of criminal investigation. I have several books at home that you can read. It’s fascinating stuff.”

“Thanks, I will.”

“I’d get in touch with Lex, but Lionel rarely takes him into his confidence.”

“Where is Lex now?”

“Last I heard, he’d been banished to Kansas.”

“Banished?”

“Yes, tyrannical fathers enjoy banishing disobedient sons.”

Dick remembered the easy relationship he had enjoyed with his parents and felt sorry for Lex.

Bruce yawned and said, “Ready for bed?”

“Is that a proposition?” Dick smirked.

“No, too tired.”

“Okay, old man.”

Bruce smiled and joined Dick in bed.

Sleep first, play later.

 

This chapter can also be read on AO3.

This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth. Comment on either entry as you wish. :)

This chapter can also be read on AO3.

Crossposts: https://bradygirl-12.livejournal.com/1521611.html