Fic: You Can Find a Lot in a Closet 1/3. Bernard/Tim. PG-13.

[museofspeed]

Title: You Can Find a Lot in a Closet 1/3
Author: shananagin
Claim: Supporting characters
Characters/Pairing: unrequited Bernard Dowd/Alvin Draper
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 770
Prompt: dcu_freeforall: 22. Weather/temperature control. wtf27: 14. Pornstars.
Summary: A thirteen year old Bernard accidentally wanders into a strip club in a snow storm. A young stripper who calls himself Alvin Draper helps him home.
Disclaimer: If I owned, would I really be writing fanfics? Really?
Author's Notes: I know I said I wouldn't start anymore WIPs. But I've written almost all of this. I'll post the second part tomorrow and the third the next day, probably.


Like many thirteen year olds, Bernard Dowd took a long time to fully wake up. Approximately ten minutes, in fact.

Bernard could do a lot during those ten minutes, though. Like open the window, go down the fire escape and wander down the street completely naked. In a snow storm.

Bernard swore and ducked into a door that was slightly ajar. Now he just needed to find pants and someone who could help him home. He looked around, squinting against the dim light.

There were racks of clothes along the wall. It seemed like it was some sort of show. He hoped he wouldn't get into too much trouble for being backstage.

And the only clothes he could find were tights and some sort of sparkly taffeta shirt. Bernard pulled it on anyway. It was better than being naked.

" – wing have done this?" he heard someone saying in the other room. "I mean, I'm hardly the right – I know, I know, but still –"

"Hello?" Bernard said, walking into the brighter back room.

The boy who had been talking jumped and dropped his cell phone. He was wearing a glittery gold muscle shirt with leather pants that clung to his hips in a way – Bernard quickly looked up at the boy's face. He didn't look much older than Bernard, though it was hard to tell under all the make-up.

"Oh, hiya, honey, didn't see you there," he said. He sounded different than he had when talking on the phone.

Bernard tried a slight smile. "Er, I'm a bit lost," he said. "I don't actually know where I am."

"I take it you're not a stripper, honey," the boy said.

"Um, no, I'm not. Is this a strip club?"

"Did you see what I'm wearing?"

"Um, yes," Bernard said.

The boy smiled. "I'm Alvin Draper."

"Bernard Dowd," Bernard said. "Do you know how to get to 33rd street?"

"Sure," Alvin said. He glanced at his watch. "I'm not going on for half an hour. I can walk you home."

"Thanks, I'd appreciate it," Bernard said.

"Not a problem," Alvin said. "Just let me get my coat."

He vanished into a back room and came back carrying a fluffy white faux-fur coat and a black and yellow blanket.

"Here, honey, you can borrow this for the walk home. It's cold outside, and that costume won't keep you very warm." Alvin gave an amused glance at Bernard's outfit. "You gotta return that, by the way."

"Trust me, I'd have too much trouble explaining where I got it," Bernard said. He pulled the blanket around his shoulders. "Thanks."

"Sure thing," Alvin said. "Come on."

"Hey, can I ask you a question?" Bernard asked as they walked.

"You just did," Alvin said. "But you can ask another one too, if you'd like."

"Uh, thanks. How old are you?"

"Trade secret, dear," Alvin said, winking. "But you're too young for this job, if that's what you're thinking."

"No!" Bernard said. "I mean, I'm sure it's a great job, but it's not quite what I'm planning on doing with my life."

Alvin flashed a grins. "Same here, kid. Soon as I've got the money, I'm out of here."

"Oh? Good for you," Bernard said.

"Mmhmm," Alvin said. "We're on 33rd. Which is your apartment?"

"One with the open window," Bernard said. "Probably best if I take the fire escape up again."

"I'll come," Alvin said. "Gotta get those clothes back, after all."

They climbed the fire escape in silence. Bernard ducked into his room and changed into his robe. Then he went back to the window and handed out the blanket and the costume.

"Here," Bernard said, "Thanks."

"Not a problem, honey," Alvin said.

Bernard smiled. "Hey, I don't suppose they'd let me go see your show, would they? I mean, just out of curiosity."

"Probably not," Alvin said. "Sorry."

Bernard shrugged. "It's alright. Thanks."

Alvin smiled again and shut the window.

Bernard fell back asleep and dreamt about Alvin.

He woke up, heart pounding.

He...he wasn't gay.

Or was he? Bernard wasn't interested in any of the girls at school. None of the boys, either, but Alvin...

Bernard had to find him again.

He found the strip club's website, but there was no mention of anyone named Alvin at all.

He would have thought the entire night had been a dream if he hadn't woken up with glitter on his chest from the shirt he'd borrowed.

Then his mother came home from the hospital after one of her archaeological digs and, well, it was admit to himself that he was gay or develop an oedipal complex.

That didn't mean anyone else had to know.

Part 2.

Comments

[museofspeed.livejournal.com]

Bernard is Tim's friend. He appeared in a bunch of issues right before Steph became Robin and once after she died.

He's the one making eyes at Tim in the icon.

[museofspeed.livejournal.com]

Tons of stories on Tim. In fact, most of my stories are about Tim.

I recommend all of them, so I'd have to know more about what you're looking for if you want more specific than that. Otherwise, check the Tim Drake (http://shananagin.livejournal.com/tag/tim+drake) tag.

[saavikam77.livejournal.com]

Hehe, this is cute! :p The thought of Tim in a gold sparkling muscle shirt and leather pants is too hilarious, yet irresistable! XD

[museofspeed.livejournal.com]

He is the man responsible for Mr. Sarcastic.

[amarin-rose.livejournal.com]

I think you mean Nina Dowd came home from an 'archeological' dig. But mmm, Tim in a gold muscle shirt - that sounds yummy!

[museofspeed.livejournal.com]

*facepalm* Yes, yes I did. *fixes!*

And I know! Timmy in stripper clothes...can you blame Bernard?