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( honey's ) awfully suspicious
Title: Awfully suspicious
Fandom: DC Comics + High School Musical crossover/fusion
Universe: Honey's Sweeter
Relationships: Sharpay Evans + Tim Drake, Sharpay Evans + Bruce Wayne, background Bruce Wayne + Tim Drake and background Tom Bronson/Sharpay Evans
Summary: After several years of refusing Sharpay's Hanukkah invitations, Bruce now wants to host his own gathering? Sharpay doesn't buy Bruce's excuses.
Notes: I sincerely couldn't tell you where this fic originated. Canonically, Bruce's maternal cousin Kate Kane is Jewish (and well, Bruce's creators were Jewish too). However, DC doesn't always write Bruce as Jewish, so I've taken liberties here. As for Tim's family, I do think Nathan Drake is a lapsed Catholic, while Elena doesn't seem to care enough beyond "we should go to church because that is what Christian families do." Faith isn't oft mentioned in either story, so I tried to incorporate it in a natural way here. If I succeeded, let me know!
This year, Bruce wanted to hold a Hanukkah party at Wayne Manor. Sharpay had to admit, the timing was awfully suspicious. While Wayne Enterprises held several charity galas a year, Bruce never fully mingled with the crowd. He kept a small, meaningful distance between him and everyone else. In such a large, controlled environment where money whispered and champagne flowed freely, few noticed the walls he created.
Hanukkah, though, was the exact opposite of his grand galas. The miracle of the menorah emphasized community as families across the world lit candles, one by one, by their windowsill. Over the years, Sharpay’s family gathering on the first night had become her favorite. As various family and friends walked through the door, laughter began to echo off the walls. Despite the entire foundation seeming to sink with the people crammed into one space, the brownstone was filled to the roof with love. The vibrant, joyous atmosphere far surpassed her parents house parties. (It always would, when everyone wanted to attend.)
The night began with a prayer. Darren led them now, as he lit the shammash candle before lighting one more on the menorah. While Tommy still gave a short sermon on the hope and miracle of the menorah, Liv and Darren now debated the merits of his sermon like proper Jewish kids. Some years, Tim would interrupt with questions, some more basic than others– and just about every time, Nate fell asleep halfway through the sermon.
(“Dad!” Tim would always hiss, shaking Nate's shoulders to absolutely no effect. “Come on, Dad! Get some coffee and get up!!”)
As soon as Elena, Peyton, and a sleepy Nate began to fry latkes, Sharpay and Maxine were once again relegated to present organizing and decoration hanging. Russell and Tim hung most of the streamers now that they were older, while young Kieran and Shelby clung close to Maxine. Sometimes Tim snuck up on Kieran and threw him into the air for pick-me-ups, all while Maxine snuck a few photos on her camera.
Tommy helped wherever people needed him most, after that initial prayer. Some years, he stirred up homemade applesauce for latkes; others, he fried them with Peyton. Liv and Tori continued to bake and decorate several dozen dreidel cookies– and those girls had an uncanny eye for detail.
Some years, Ted and Tommy’s Aunt Dinah showed up, bringing gifts and far too generous non-alcoholic beverages for the family to share. If Ryan was in town, he and his husband Chad popped in for the night– and sometimes, Sharpay had to marvel at just how far she had come since her high school days. One year, her parents were in town for the holidays when Darren was a toddler. They tried to help. They really, sincerely tried. They also made the night one of the most awkward for everyone involved.
In the spirit of community, Shar also invited Bruce every year, only for him to continually decline. He had an overseas flight the next morning, or he had plans, or he had this big charity fundraiser, or once, he somehow had to iron his dog Ace’s coat. (She was 99.9% sure the man was sleep deprived, because Darren made better excuses, and Darren was a terrible liar.)
As much as Shar loved Hanukkah and a good time, she had to wonder why Bruce wanted to throw a party now. What changed?
“You’re messing with me,” she had decided to say when she found out, folding her arms at him.
For some reason, Bruce had decided to tell her in person, right when she had protected time with her favorite godson at their favorite coffee shop. In New York! Far away from the weirdness of Gotham! The one city Bruce claimed he avoided like the plague!!
Worst part was, Tim didn’t seem to mind. If anything, Tim scooted over to make room for Bruce. His deference was far more than mere kindness. Tim – her loving, sweet, patient Timon – actually admired Bruce's sullen, imposing, childish mannerisms.
“I’m not joking.” Bruce gave her a stone cold look as he handed her a cup of coffee.
“Why now?” Shar accepted the cup, turning it over to see her usual order on the side. How he remembered after all these years, she would never know. “You’ve never showed up before.”
“Aunt Shar invited you?!” Tim blinked, swerving his entire body to look at Bruce. “Since when?”
“Since before you were born, Timmy.” Shar’s glare could have burned a hole through Bruce’s Hermès suit. “Every single year, too.”
She didn’t trust his newfound desire to socialize. Bruce rarely extended himself the same kindness he gave towards others, much less involve himself in community affairs. If he wanted to embrace his Jewish heritage now, something else must’ve prompted that attempt at reconciliation.
(“I don’t think he likes getting close to people,” Tommy had told her once many years ago, after one too many declined invites. He took a swish of his cigarette, as if that would solve his incoming headache, “That doesn’t mean we stop trying.”)
They held a staring contest for what felt like a few minutes before Bruce sighed, taking a seat opposite Sharpay. “It never felt right before. I’m pretty sure you know, Shar, but my mother was Jewish. After she passed away, I... well, faith became a lot of hard conversations.”
“Really?” Tim took a sip of his drink, peering at Bruce with newfound understanding. “Does that mean you had a bar mitzvah?”
Bruce bit on his lower lip. “Yes,” he said after a moment of deliberation. “Alfred insisted that’s what she would’ve wanted.”
“And a bris?”
Bruce shot Tim a befuddled look. “Wait, how do you know about that?”
“He is my godson,” Sharpay felt the need to point out. Not only was Bruce interrupting precious family time, but he was also treating Timmy like his own nephew. An odd choice, considering that Tim was a mere intern at Wayne Tech. “He’s picked up a few things over the years.”
“Plus I’ve seen the pictures from Darren’s.” Tim shrugged. His grin betrayed his effort at nonchalance. “You pick up on those sorts of traditions after a while.”
“Hn.” Bruce grew quiet, taking a sip of his earl grey latte.
“I will say, though, Hanukkah is my favorite holiday.” Tim leaned back in his seat, looking out at the window nearby. “All of us together in one house, making all those latkes and just getting to hang out like that? How often does that happen?”
Bruce’s expression softened at Tim’s words. His entire demeanor changed, really– Bruce’s normally stiff shoulders released the weight of the world, and even his eyes seemed to sparkle with real light. Bruce was happy just soaking in Timmy’s presence.
That’s when everything clicked for Sharpay.
“So instead of throwing one of your well-meaning but giant galas, come over to our place this year.” Shar leaned forward, confident in her assessment of the situation. “Save Alfred the trouble of frying all those latkes himself.”
“I don’t know.” Bruce hesitated, gripping his drink a little tighter. Something heavier than the weather seemed to weigh on his shoulders. “I stopped going to Hebrew school years ago. Tom gives lectures before you light the shammash candle, right?”
“Bruce.” Timmy held a hand over his heart as he held Bruce’s shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. My whole family’s Catholic, remember? And Russ is Muslim. We knew nothing going into this.”
“I knew nothing before I started dating Tommy,” Shar added, resisting the urge to preen. “You’re fine. We want you there, no matter how much you know.”
“Yeah, you’re family.” Tim paused, glancing back at his godmother with an odd, uncertain look. “I mean, you’re really close to Uncle Tom and Aunt Shar, aren’t you? That just means you should’ve come over years ago.”
Bruce drew in a breath as he fell silent– as if a long, heavy pause would free him from any sort of communal responsibility.
“Hey, look. I'm absolutely certain about this, B. Tom's wanted you over for like, forever.” Shar rested her hand on top of Bruce’s. She waited for him to squirm, or at least to flick her hand off like he always did. He turned his hand over instead, squeezing hers tight.
G-d, he was really afraid of being an outsider. She couldn’t believe it. Her sullen, brooding Bruce was actually nervous about something.
“I’ll think about it.” His voice sounded hopeful, and yet also afraid of having that same hope. His eyes flicked towards Tim. “I’ve taken up enough of your time, so I should get back to–”
Sharpay squeezed his hand tighter. “Absolutely not. You don’t get to swoop in and leave. You’re staying.”
Tim’s face lost all its color as sudden understanding hit him like a freight truck, “You wouldn’t.”
“I would, and I will.” Sharpay finished her drink with her free hand. “Now come on, boys. We’ve got some Hanukkah shopping to do.”
Bruce furrowed his brows, peering down at their hands. “Hanukkah shopping?”
“One word of advice, Bruce?” Tim swallowed, already sounding defeated. The kid really needed to work on his willpower. “The more we try to fight it, the worse off we'll be.”
“Hn.” Bruce gave his cup one last, lingering look before he swallowed it all down in one quick gulp. The man might as well have been mourning his own funeral, from how quickly his forehead wrinkled– “I should’ve just let you both be and hosted my own damn thing.”
Fandom: DC Comics + High School Musical crossover/fusion
Universe: Honey's Sweeter
Relationships: Sharpay Evans + Tim Drake, Sharpay Evans + Bruce Wayne, background Bruce Wayne + Tim Drake and background Tom Bronson/Sharpay Evans
Summary: After several years of refusing Sharpay's Hanukkah invitations, Bruce now wants to host his own gathering? Sharpay doesn't buy Bruce's excuses.
Notes: I sincerely couldn't tell you where this fic originated. Canonically, Bruce's maternal cousin Kate Kane is Jewish (and well, Bruce's creators were Jewish too). However, DC doesn't always write Bruce as Jewish, so I've taken liberties here. As for Tim's family, I do think Nathan Drake is a lapsed Catholic, while Elena doesn't seem to care enough beyond "we should go to church because that is what Christian families do." Faith isn't oft mentioned in either story, so I tried to incorporate it in a natural way here. If I succeeded, let me know!
This year, Bruce wanted to hold a Hanukkah party at Wayne Manor. Sharpay had to admit, the timing was awfully suspicious. While Wayne Enterprises held several charity galas a year, Bruce never fully mingled with the crowd. He kept a small, meaningful distance between him and everyone else. In such a large, controlled environment where money whispered and champagne flowed freely, few noticed the walls he created.
Hanukkah, though, was the exact opposite of his grand galas. The miracle of the menorah emphasized community as families across the world lit candles, one by one, by their windowsill. Over the years, Sharpay’s family gathering on the first night had become her favorite. As various family and friends walked through the door, laughter began to echo off the walls. Despite the entire foundation seeming to sink with the people crammed into one space, the brownstone was filled to the roof with love. The vibrant, joyous atmosphere far surpassed her parents house parties. (It always would, when everyone wanted to attend.)
The night began with a prayer. Darren led them now, as he lit the shammash candle before lighting one more on the menorah. While Tommy still gave a short sermon on the hope and miracle of the menorah, Liv and Darren now debated the merits of his sermon like proper Jewish kids. Some years, Tim would interrupt with questions, some more basic than others– and just about every time, Nate fell asleep halfway through the sermon.
(“Dad!” Tim would always hiss, shaking Nate's shoulders to absolutely no effect. “Come on, Dad! Get some coffee and get up!!”)
As soon as Elena, Peyton, and a sleepy Nate began to fry latkes, Sharpay and Maxine were once again relegated to present organizing and decoration hanging. Russell and Tim hung most of the streamers now that they were older, while young Kieran and Shelby clung close to Maxine. Sometimes Tim snuck up on Kieran and threw him into the air for pick-me-ups, all while Maxine snuck a few photos on her camera.
Tommy helped wherever people needed him most, after that initial prayer. Some years, he stirred up homemade applesauce for latkes; others, he fried them with Peyton. Liv and Tori continued to bake and decorate several dozen dreidel cookies– and those girls had an uncanny eye for detail.
Some years, Ted and Tommy’s Aunt Dinah showed up, bringing gifts and far too generous non-alcoholic beverages for the family to share. If Ryan was in town, he and his husband Chad popped in for the night– and sometimes, Sharpay had to marvel at just how far she had come since her high school days. One year, her parents were in town for the holidays when Darren was a toddler. They tried to help. They really, sincerely tried. They also made the night one of the most awkward for everyone involved.
In the spirit of community, Shar also invited Bruce every year, only for him to continually decline. He had an overseas flight the next morning, or he had plans, or he had this big charity fundraiser, or once, he somehow had to iron his dog Ace’s coat. (She was 99.9% sure the man was sleep deprived, because Darren made better excuses, and Darren was a terrible liar.)
As much as Shar loved Hanukkah and a good time, she had to wonder why Bruce wanted to throw a party now. What changed?
“You’re messing with me,” she had decided to say when she found out, folding her arms at him.
For some reason, Bruce had decided to tell her in person, right when she had protected time with her favorite godson at their favorite coffee shop. In New York! Far away from the weirdness of Gotham! The one city Bruce claimed he avoided like the plague!!
Worst part was, Tim didn’t seem to mind. If anything, Tim scooted over to make room for Bruce. His deference was far more than mere kindness. Tim – her loving, sweet, patient Timon – actually admired Bruce's sullen, imposing, childish mannerisms.
“I’m not joking.” Bruce gave her a stone cold look as he handed her a cup of coffee.
“Why now?” Shar accepted the cup, turning it over to see her usual order on the side. How he remembered after all these years, she would never know. “You’ve never showed up before.”
“Aunt Shar invited you?!” Tim blinked, swerving his entire body to look at Bruce. “Since when?”
“Since before you were born, Timmy.” Shar’s glare could have burned a hole through Bruce’s Hermès suit. “Every single year, too.”
She didn’t trust his newfound desire to socialize. Bruce rarely extended himself the same kindness he gave towards others, much less involve himself in community affairs. If he wanted to embrace his Jewish heritage now, something else must’ve prompted that attempt at reconciliation.
(“I don’t think he likes getting close to people,” Tommy had told her once many years ago, after one too many declined invites. He took a swish of his cigarette, as if that would solve his incoming headache, “That doesn’t mean we stop trying.”)
They held a staring contest for what felt like a few minutes before Bruce sighed, taking a seat opposite Sharpay. “It never felt right before. I’m pretty sure you know, Shar, but my mother was Jewish. After she passed away, I... well, faith became a lot of hard conversations.”
“Really?” Tim took a sip of his drink, peering at Bruce with newfound understanding. “Does that mean you had a bar mitzvah?”
Bruce bit on his lower lip. “Yes,” he said after a moment of deliberation. “Alfred insisted that’s what she would’ve wanted.”
“And a bris?”
Bruce shot Tim a befuddled look. “Wait, how do you know about that?”
“He is my godson,” Sharpay felt the need to point out. Not only was Bruce interrupting precious family time, but he was also treating Timmy like his own nephew. An odd choice, considering that Tim was a mere intern at Wayne Tech. “He’s picked up a few things over the years.”
“Plus I’ve seen the pictures from Darren’s.” Tim shrugged. His grin betrayed his effort at nonchalance. “You pick up on those sorts of traditions after a while.”
“Hn.” Bruce grew quiet, taking a sip of his earl grey latte.
“I will say, though, Hanukkah is my favorite holiday.” Tim leaned back in his seat, looking out at the window nearby. “All of us together in one house, making all those latkes and just getting to hang out like that? How often does that happen?”
Bruce’s expression softened at Tim’s words. His entire demeanor changed, really– Bruce’s normally stiff shoulders released the weight of the world, and even his eyes seemed to sparkle with real light. Bruce was happy just soaking in Timmy’s presence.
That’s when everything clicked for Sharpay.
“So instead of throwing one of your well-meaning but giant galas, come over to our place this year.” Shar leaned forward, confident in her assessment of the situation. “Save Alfred the trouble of frying all those latkes himself.”
“I don’t know.” Bruce hesitated, gripping his drink a little tighter. Something heavier than the weather seemed to weigh on his shoulders. “I stopped going to Hebrew school years ago. Tom gives lectures before you light the shammash candle, right?”
“Bruce.” Timmy held a hand over his heart as he held Bruce’s shoulder. “It’s going to be fine. My whole family’s Catholic, remember? And Russ is Muslim. We knew nothing going into this.”
“I knew nothing before I started dating Tommy,” Shar added, resisting the urge to preen. “You’re fine. We want you there, no matter how much you know.”
“Yeah, you’re family.” Tim paused, glancing back at his godmother with an odd, uncertain look. “I mean, you’re really close to Uncle Tom and Aunt Shar, aren’t you? That just means you should’ve come over years ago.”
Bruce drew in a breath as he fell silent– as if a long, heavy pause would free him from any sort of communal responsibility.
“Hey, look. I'm absolutely certain about this, B. Tom's wanted you over for like, forever.” Shar rested her hand on top of Bruce’s. She waited for him to squirm, or at least to flick her hand off like he always did. He turned his hand over instead, squeezing hers tight.
G-d, he was really afraid of being an outsider. She couldn’t believe it. Her sullen, brooding Bruce was actually nervous about something.
“I’ll think about it.” His voice sounded hopeful, and yet also afraid of having that same hope. His eyes flicked towards Tim. “I’ve taken up enough of your time, so I should get back to–”
Sharpay squeezed his hand tighter. “Absolutely not. You don’t get to swoop in and leave. You’re staying.”
Tim’s face lost all its color as sudden understanding hit him like a freight truck, “You wouldn’t.”
“I would, and I will.” Sharpay finished her drink with her free hand. “Now come on, boys. We’ve got some Hanukkah shopping to do.”
Bruce furrowed his brows, peering down at their hands. “Hanukkah shopping?”
“One word of advice, Bruce?” Tim swallowed, already sounding defeated. The kid really needed to work on his willpower. “The more we try to fight it, the worse off we'll be.”
“Hn.” Bruce gave his cup one last, lingering look before he swallowed it all down in one quick gulp. The man might as well have been mourning his own funeral, from how quickly his forehead wrinkled– “I should’ve just let you both be and hosted my own damn thing.”