Sunlight streamed through the window causing Bruce’s eyes to slowly blink open. He sat up just as the butler walked in with a plate of breakfast and the local paper, “Ah, good morning, Master Bruce, you are awake I see.” Bruce raised an eyebrow, “Thank you, Alfred, but what is with the breakfast in bed?” “Surely, you did not forget your own birthday, sir?” Bruce rubbed his eyes and looked at the paper and sure enough, it was November second. A soft smile appeared on his face, “I have not celebrated my date of birth since…well, I suppose I have always been busy.” Upon turning to face Alfred, the man had produced a single cupcake with a candle and smiled warmly, “Happy eighthteenth Birthday, Master Bruce.” Bruce blew out the candle and returned the man’s warm smile, “Thank you, Alfred.” “If I may be so bold, sir. Perhaps you should call on one of the young ladies you danced with the previous night, share this special day with her.” Bruce raised an eyebrow, "Call? Please enlighten me, Alfred, it has been a while since I was last in London during a social season. “Sir, calling is when a gentleman visits a lady’s house to learn more about her if she caught his attention at the dance. The Lady’s parents or guardian is usually there to chaperone and advise the lady on her prospects.” “There is more to this ‘courting’?!” Perhaps he should not have been so surprised, but Bruce had never experienced this before and thus thought the one dance was a way to merely get acquainted, not a prelude to grander affairs. “You should get ready sir, I took the liberty of having your ‘Sunday best’, as it were, cleaned and ready to impress.” "I’m not sure fancy clothes is going to make up for the past, Alfred…
After the morning’s events, Bruce had found himself at the home of the Brantleys. He walked up to the door with a bouquet of flowers and knocked. Just calm down. Bruce started adjusting his bowtie while he awaited an answer. Quit it, Alfred said you look great. He had now started pacing nervously. Wait, what if she’s allergic to these flowers, I did read the most fascinating medical discovery. That could be bad. Bruce had finally turned around to head home. This is a bad idea, I should just go home. Suddenly the door opened, causing Bruce to turn around, “Happy birthday.” He said holding out the flowers. Way to go genius
@LunaticLeviTheSecond ~ Abigail