[ BRUCE WAYNE ] : ‘ some days, the world is way too loud. ’ / @batsie
ㅤhe's never been fond of parties, but they've become surprisingly commonplace in recent weeks. growing up, he'd hated being led by the hand to meet folks thrice his age, whose hands he'd shake and whose names he'd inevitably forget. unfortunately, for his current host, they were a necessity — investors and generous benefactors for various charities around gotham, and nothing brought out the city's social elite like an elaborate mixer.
ㅤso why, then, was he here amidst gotham's most esteemed faces? did he have something to offer? money to throw at those in need? no, his invitation had come from the big man himself, the man of the house. what interest bruce had in him, what potential he saw, edward would never know.
ㅤit hadn't taken a genius to sense bruce's boredom beneath that award - winning smile, and eddie had found himself approaching the man of the hour, feeling awfully out of place in his ill - fitting dress shirt and tie next to bruce's finely - tailored tuxedo. one hand clutched tightly, anxiously, at the handle of his cane, the other loosely holding a chaser. the telltale bite of whiskey wafted from the rim as he'd held it out to bruce and almost cheekily asked if he wanted a break from it all. the almost relieved yes that followed didn't surprise him, but the invitation to tag along certainly did.
ㅤminutes later, he finds himself up on a balcony, far above the boisterous laughter and conversation in the main hall below. it's here that he finally gets a glimpse of a smile from bruce — full - lipped, none of the half - cocked, picture - poised bullshit. a genuine smile for the guy who looks like his are in short supply. he finds that he has to force himself to look away and hope it's dark enough to hide the reddish tint that's cropped up on his cheeks.
ㅤhe looks out over the expansive property, across the beginnings of a vast ocean, at a stunning view of gotham city and its array of multicolored lights. from this distance, the bustling sounds of the city streets are too far to carry to their ears, and were he not aware of its true nature, it would seem almost... normal. calm.
ㅤsome days, the world is way too loud.
ㅤbruce's voice shakes him out of his thoughts, and he clears his throat before offering a reply. ❛ and that's... why you come up here? to get away from it all. ❜ that's something he could understand. he's spent his whole life running away.
