The booms and cracks echoed through the city every now and then. Somewhere near the center of town, the main show was going on, a constant stream of fireworks playing for a crowd of spectators. In Wayne manor, it was somewhat quieter. Isolated from the main parts of town, the sounds weren’t so loud. Every now and then, though, one would go off that was too close or too loud, and echo through the manor.

Alfred saw how they reacted to those booms. The ones closer, less frequent, louder. He saw the way they flinched and tensed up. He was a very observant man, after all; and, he had known them a very long time.

Calmly, he decided to take it upon himself to try and help. He poured a warm cup of tea, placing it on a tray with a few biscuits. A weighted blanket draped over his arm, he knocked on the door before stepping in.

“Tea?” he asked in a soft tone.