bruce wayne x wife!reader ⸝⸝⸝ bruce is really, really in love w you <3 fluff, suggestive-ish (wc: 531)
bruce wayne has known you for a long time now. he’s memorized you in every light, every season, every quiet little state of being. still, sometimes, you hit him like something brand new.
one morning, you’re sitting at the kitchen island in one of his shirts, half awake, eating strawberries straight from the carton. bruce stops in the doorway.
you glance up eventually. “what?”
“nothing,” he says.
“you’ve been standing there forever.”
he walks over, bends down, and kisses your temple like that explains anything.
you watch him suspiciously as he pulls away to pour his coffee. “you’re being weird.”
“you’re very beautiful.”
the way he says it is so solemn that you nearly laugh. “you’re just now figuring that out?”
“no.” he looks at you again, softer this time. “but knowing and getting used to it are apparently two very different things.”
you have to look away before he catches your shy smile. which is ridiculous, really. you’re capable of facing gotham’s worst and keeping its best-kept secret, but one painfully sincere compliment from your husband is enough to crack your composure.
♡⸝⸝
at galas, he’s somehow worse.
he’s already seen you get ready. he was the one who zipped up the dress while you fastened your earrings in the mirror. yet halfway through the evening, without fail, he looks up from an important conversation and finds you across the room.
you’re laughing at something he can’t hear, and his attention drifts further from the person in front of him with every second he watches. then your eyes meet his, and he doesn’t stand a chance.
his expression betrays him just enough for you to catch the exact moment he loses the thread of what he’s saying. you give him a second to recover, but he never quite does. taking pity on him, you cross the floor to put him out of his misery.
when you reach him, you adjust his tie. “close your mouth, handsome.”
“it’s not—”
“it was a little,” you correct, entirely too pleased with yourself.
he lets it go, too distracted by your perfume and how close you’re standing to remember whatever excuse he was about to give anyway.
♡⸝⸝
but it’s in bed, with all of his attention fixed on you, that you undo him completely.
you’re tangled together, everything warm and unhurried, when bruce stops mid-breath, his hands going still against your skin.
you open your eyes. “what’s wrong?”
he doesn’t answer. instead, his thumb finds your jaw, tracing it slowly, and the question dies between you. your heart does something stupid because he’s forgotten to be careful with his face. he’s looking at you like he still can’t believe the world made someone like you and then, for reasons he may never understand, let him keep you.
his thumb lingers at the curve of your face before he leans down and presses his mouth to the place where your neck meets your shoulder. you breathe his name into the dark and pull him closer.
afterward, he stays there, his forehead resting against yours while you both catch your breath. when his eyes open again, he’s still looking at you with that same wonder.
💭 thinking about Husband!Bruce Wayne worrying over his grey hairs ᝰ.ᐟ
He’s been standing there for nearly fifteen whole minutes now— you can catch the slightest glimpse of him from where you’re already tucked in bed, reading, through the crack of the en-suite door that gives you just enough space to see him, all six feet, looming in front of the mirror with a displeased scowl.
“Bruce, my love, are you okay?” You call out softly, and in return you’re given a long… dramatic… suffering sigh. you purse your lips together to stop yourself from laughing.
His response, or rather the lack thereof, is enough cause for you to close your book and shuffle out of bed, your bare feet padding against the plush carpet as you slip into the en-suite bathroom, lingering by the doorway.
“It’s getting worse, all this damn grey.” He all but mutters, staring daggers at his own reflection. you step beside him, his eyes dropping down to meet yours through the mirror's reflection, still pouting.
“It’s natural, love.”
“I’m getting old.”
“Well… that’s life, I’m afraid.” your blunt reply earns a huff, and you reach a hand up to rub his back soothingly, a smile teetering at your lips before it breaks into uncontrollable giggling.
“Now you’re laughing at me.” He deadpans, glancing down at you as you clasp your hand over your mouth in a feeble attempt to stop your laughter.
“Because you’re acting silly, Bruce.” he shakes his head at you, turning back to the mirror to run his fingers through the silvery-grey that streaks through his black hair. “It’s sexy. You’re worrying over nothing, I promise.”
He feels his lips twitch when he meets your gaze reluctantly, something warm unfurling inside his chest. “Really? So you’re into the grey?”
“Yes, very much.” you run your fingers through his hair, and he leans into the warmth of your palm, shifting away from the mirror to turn to you instead. He brushes a kiss to your palm, then another to the inside of your wrist where your perfume from dinner still lingers.
There’s a certain smugness to him now, because you still found him attractive, so screw that one cheap, nasty gossip magazine that made that backhanded compliment about his ageing looks, his wife thought he was sexy, and that’s all that matters to him.
“So I shouldn’t dye it then and keep myself looking young?” He asks, fishing for more compliments.
“No, no, definitely not.” You huff, brows furrowing at the thought, and he chuckles against your wrist with a boyish sort of grin. “You’re ageing like fine wine, handsome, don’t ruin it.”
His smile deepens, and he reaches out to curl his arms around your waist, pulling you further into the warmth of his bare chest and settling a big palm against the small of your back before leaning in to kiss you, his lips slotting perfectly between yours.
“I think you’re biased.” He accuses playfully, in between slow pecks, his nose nudging yours as he presses one last kiss to the corner of your mouth. “But if it makes you happy, then I’ll keep it.”
“Good. Now come back to bed, you silly man.” You demand, practically dragging him back into the bedroom.
જ⁀➴ DC Masterlist જ⁀➴ General Masterlist
AN: kinda hate this… but I hate not posting even more so 🤷♀️
His lips trail down like a river of dulcet kisses filled with the utmost reverence. Then, he grasps your hand gently to raise it to his face — mouth grazing your inner wrist while he glances down to you.
"You are perfect." the mere whisper fans against your skin, sending a comfortable shiver down your spine.
Bruce smiles. The sight of you — so flustered despite the furrowed brows, so embarrassed by his intimacy. He relishes the way your gaze darts away to avoid his stare, enjoys the bottom of teasing you.
"Careful, or else others might think you are worshipping me." you breathe out.
He hums, voice low and rich — "they aren't wrong, my love."
The vibration of his voice right against your wrist makes you shudder — just like him looming over you. Your back is pressed against the soft mattress, amidst the luxurious sheets while having him slotted ideally between your thighs.
He lets his hand settle right beside your head and leans down, covering your skin with bites and smothering your neck with kisses.
"Please let me worship you." his thumb rubs little circles against your waist before sliding down further to your thigh, "it's the only way to love you right."
A shaky yet long exhale leaves your lips.
For him, it's a confirmation.
"Perfectly mine." it sounds like a thinly veiled promise, yet beneath his words — it's a vow, “I love you.”
In the past years, you have learnt that Bruce does not claim. Nothing, no one. Not even the mere thought shall cross his mind, he said himself. He doesn't.
author’s note — bruce reminds me of a raccoon , unironically bro idek , don’t even ask half of these words flew outta my ass even tho i gotta lock in and study for my chemistry exam ⸝⸝
this man would be so tired and drained after stopping another one of riddler’s riddles and preventing city hall from blowing up —again— that the first thing he needs to do when he comes back home is to immediately wrap you in his arms and not let you go
even when he was in the bathtub, his hands couldn’t learn to let you go.
“god, i needed this” he groaned on your lips, cock buried deep in your pussy and hands on your waist to hold you in place while you straddled him. the air smelt of lavender from the bath salts and jasmine from the candle you lit, along with the faint aroma of soap enveloping it altogether. this was different than the sex you two would often have. this time, it was slow. you were taking your time with him, not with lust, but with love. the thrusts were slow— deep, but slow
you let out a soft moan, feeling his lips swallow your sound and trail his lips down to bury his face in your neck. your arms around his neck buried his face more to your body, something that bruce would gladly take up on
the water would slightly swish from each movement of your hips. bruce would feel his body absorb the warmth from the water and the warmth of your walls around his cock, his pants on your neck now turning into love bites.
“i love you” he whispered on your skin, his mouth now pressing a kiss down your throat. “so much” on your collarbone. “so so fucking much” and on your chest, right where your heart was
you felt one of the veins slowly brush on your walls just right, right enough for you to softly gasp and clench on him for just a second, making both of you moan at the same time. god, if bruce wasn’t tired, he would have you bent over the damn tub to fuck you properly
he lifted his head from your body to whisper on your lips without touching them, a smile on his face as his eyes met with yours. “takin’ me so well, sweetheart” bruce cooed. “feelin’ so much better already”
your hands went to push his wet hair back and to get a good look at him. the tiredness and fatigue in his face were a contrast to the slightly bleary yet blown look in his eyes—even then, he still looked gorgeous and still the man you fell in love with.
from there, you pull him into a kiss and move your hips deeper to swallow a groan from his lips, meeting them with a soft, deep and slow kiss. the type of kiss that bruce definitely needed tonight, the type of kiss only you could give him
god, did this man love you
—————————————————————————
masterlist!
(a/n: guys it literally swings.... im not even joking it LITERALLY swings good fucking lord i am not okay for this man i want him so bad)
Big boys. I’m not saying just tall men. No, men that are big. Over six feet (1.82m). Closer to 200 pounds (90kg). They have those big, wide shoulders, a little rounded on the end. Biceps that look huge without flexing. We all know the muscle is there, we see it. Thick forearms with some protruding veins. Big palms with long fingers. Doesn't matter your height or weight they will always be bigger, towering over you, hands shrinking yours in comparison and can and WILL pick you up at any given moment. BROAD chest. Pecs that demonstrate a little too many chest days (ZERO complaints). Abs that aren't sharp but are there. A tad hiden by a nice healthy layer. Perfect spot for nap taking. Defined back muscle. Fat ass from working out, all muscle but still jiggles a little when you slap it. Beefy thighs. The kind you salivate over thinking how they would be wrapped around your head. Built calves.
Big boys. The kind that make a joke and you respond with "Ok. Sure thing, big guy." and they LOVE it. They show off their big toothy grin. He knows he's big (EVERYWHERE).
Mrs. Wayne goes missing, and the media and family are both in shambles. Bruce grows colder as the family tries their best to find her. To try and cheer him up, they find old video diaries from the couple’s early dating lives and witness a new side of Bruce.
W/C: 8.1k
Tags/Warnings: Angst with a happy ending, kidnapping, tense family dynamics, established relationship (married), violence, drugged but not graphic, stalking, nothing overly graphic or detailed
Notes: omg!! tysm for all the love on the sneek peek!! i hope you all enjoy this because this has been my favorite story so far!! dividers by @cafekitsune
This just in, Y/N Wayne has gone missing.
It was released today by the Gotham Police Department that yesterday at 1:42 P.M., Mrs. Wayne left Wayne Enterprises before getting into a blacked-out vehicle.
She hasn’t been seen since.
Commissioner Gordon has stated that the matter she was found in should have been grounds for somebody to step in and comment on.
The typically put-together and clean Mrs. Wayne was found stumbling out of the building with her hair out of place.
They could only describe her as looking visibly intoxicated.
We warn you, the footage you’re about to see may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised.
• ───────────────── •
CCTV Security Footage
Robin Rd. Street Camera
1:40 P.M.
Mrs. Wayne stumbles out of the Wayne Enterprise building.
An unnamed intern is by her side.
1:42 P.M.
Mrs. Wayne looks around before getting into a black-out sedan.
The unnamed intern follows suit.
1:43 P.M.
The sedan drives off with Mrs. Wayne.
• ───────────────── •
The beloved wife of billionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne has had an immense positive impact on Gotham as a whole.
From her non-profits supporting foster kids in Gotham further their education to her monthly visits to the local elementary and middle schools.
Gotham could not be more grateful for a woman like her.
Bruce Wayne has planned to make a public announcement later today on the matter.
The city is devastated by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Wayne family in these moments.
• ───────────────── •
Bruce squints his eyes at the continuous flash from the paparazzi who surround the front steps of the manor. There’s not a single clue of despair in his appearance, with his gelled black hair and perfectly ironed clothes.
“Mr. Wayne, where has Mrs. Wayne gone?”
He clears his throat, yet it still comes out rough, “I’m not sure. I’m sorry. I have people right now on the case, but as of now, I am not sure.”
“Mr. Wayne, do you think she’s been kidnapped?”
He takes a deep breath, but the questions come faster than he can speak.
“Mr. Wayne, do you think the Joker has her?”
“Mr Wayne, what are you doing to find her?”
“Bruce Wayne, is this to cover up a divorce?”
Bruce reaches his breaking point and silences them all with a stern message: “At this moment, this is an issue between my family and the Gotham police. I will be answering no further questions.”
The camera shutters grow more rapid, and reporters yell to see if Bruce will turn and answer one last question. However, he turns towards the manor doors where Alfred is waiting for him expectantly.
Bruce closes his eyes and lets out a deep sigh.
Alfred stares at his state and sighs softly, “I know this is hard, Master Bruce. But you and I know that paparazzi are nothing to be bothered by.”
Bruce simply nods as he shucks off his coat; Alfred takes the hint and grabs it from him, and he watches as Bruce disappears down the hall.
Bruce’s feet drag on the floor, each step weighing him down.
Bruce is no stranger to a bad sleep schedule. It’s a miracle that he’s survived past his mid-20s. However, even after everything he’s been through, this has been some of the worst sleep of his life.
He makes his way to the Batcave; his phone rings, but he ignores it for now.
He sits down in front of the computer and just stares.
It’s been a week already, and they’ve made no progress.
There are no leads, hardly any evidence, nothing.
He drags his hand slowly down his face; the computer light highlights how dark his eye bags have truly gotten.
He mutters lowly to himself, frustrated, “Fuck.”
He roughly hits his fist to the desk, not enough to be considered a slam, but loud enough to echo throughout the cave.
His mind reels with what he should have done.
He should have had heightened security at her office when he was not around.
He knows she didn’t want to, but he should’ve placed a tracker somewhere on her. Her bag, her shoe, her bra, who cares, just something.
He should have been there that day.
He had only stayed back because he got home late the night before. It’s not like he was injured badly or anything, just tired.
That’s not a good excuse; he’s always tired.
He brings up the file that he’s been personally building over the past week. He trusts Gotham PD, but he’s selfish and needs to be the one who finds her.
• ───────────────── •
9:42 A.M.
Four hours before Mrs. Wayne’s disappearance
Bruce stares sleepily at her as she gets ready for the day. He watches from his lax position on the bed as she fixes her hair and places her makeup on with precision.
She notices him through the mirror and smirks, “Bruce.”
She turns to face him, and there’s a faint smirk on his face. He turns over to lie on his back and dramatically drapes his forearm over his eyes.
She walks over and offers a soft peck to his forehead, “Go back to sleep, my love.”
Bruce grumbles, but willingly succumbs to the comfort of his overly expensive comforter. A smile forms on her face as she brushes his hair back and endearingly stares at him.
She slowly makes her way down the stairs to the sweet aroma of Alfred’s famous homemade crepes.
She walks into the family kitchen to find Duke, Tim, Damian, and Cass sitting at the kitchen island while Alfred prepares their food.
Her voice comes out cheerier than the kids wanted, “Good morning to you all.”
They all grumble out a tired “good morning,” except Alfred, who truly responds, “Good morning, Mrs. Wayne. How was Bruce?”
A small laugh escapes her, “Tired.”
Alfred smiles at that.
She makes her way to the coffee maker because, unlike Bruce, she doesn’t need to be monitored in the kitchen.
Alfred walks over to her as she makes herself a cup of coffee. “Mrs. Wayne, are you going into the office today? I thought Master Bruce was supposed to.”
She just shrugs, “It’s nothing much today, just catching up on some emails and whatnot. I’ll let him sleep for that.”
From the kitchen island, Damian grumbles out, “Father is just being lazy because he got home past his bedtime.”
Everyone lets out their own version of a snort at that.
She rounds the island and ruffles Damian’s hair, which he outwardly detests.
She bids each of them one last goodbye before making her way out of the manor, and she doesn’t forget about Bruce.
10:01 A.M.
Mrs. Wayne To Mr. Wayne
I’ll be home at about 1:30 ish. I love you, old man lol
Mrs. Wayne left Wayne Manor at 10:04 A.M.
• ───────────────── •
Bruce’s brooding is interrupted by the sound of the boys entering the cave. He turns in the chair to see Dick in the driver’s seat of the Batmobile (against Bruce’s permission).
Bruce turns back around, not paying any mind to it.
The boys exit the vehicle and cautiously make their way towards Bruce. No one says a word, only quick glances towards each other.
They stand by his side and stare at the screen with him. The four of them remain silent until Dick clears his throat. His voice comes out quiet and unconfident, “We may have found some more evidence.”
Bruce’s head whips towards him, but Dick feigns eye contact.
Bruce rises from his seat and faces Dick. His figure looms over him as he waits for an answer. He sighs and shakes his head when he realizes how intense he’s being.
He speaks lowly, “Dick. What did you find?”
Dick sighs heavily and grabs the object from his utility belt, “Just a hard drive. We opened it already, and it’s just the spreadsheets for the day.”
Bruce takes it without a word and immediately connects it to the computer.
A file opens up, and as Dick stated, it’s the spreadsheets she was working on that day. Bruce doesn’t take that as an answer and scrolls through the spreadsheets.
The boys lean in closer to see if he finds something, and sure enough, he does.
“Right here, master detectives.” He delivers in a low, mocking tone.
He checks the history of the document and notices that she last opened it at 1:15 P.M., with half of the spreadsheet not being filled out. He clicks out of history and notices that, as of now, it’s still not finished.
“Dick, or any of you, what’s something your mother does better than I do?”
Tim speaks up almost immediately, “Emotional vulnerability?”
Damian continues, “Spreadsheets.”
Tim quickly snickers at that, but cuts himself off.
Bruce sighs, “No- yes- not the first one.”
Tim raises his brow, “You’re emotionally vulnerable?”
Bruce ignores him, “She’s better at spreadsheets than I am.” He scrolls while speaking, “She would usually have this done by 12:30 so she can leave early and have some personal time.”
He mutters to himself as he removes the hard drive, “It doesn’t make sense.”
Dick’s eyes soften, and he places his hand on Bruce’s shoulder, “It won’t for a little while.” He takes a breath and forces Bruce to face him.
The boys watch their tender moment. Dick speaks softly, “We’re gonna find her, Dad. I promise.”
Bruce’s jaw tenses as he stares at Dick.
He releases a deep sigh and turns back towards the computer.
He shakes his head slowly, “I hope so.”
• ───────────────── •
10:35 A.M.
Three Hours and 7 minutes before Mrs. Wayne’s disappearance.
CCTV Security Footage
Wayne Enterprises Building 2
Lobby Area and Elevator
10:36 A.M.
Mrs. Wayne is seen walking through the lobby and making small talk with some interns.
10:42 A.M.
Mrs. Wayne is seen entering the elevator with an unnamed intern.
10:43 A.M.
Mrs. Wayne exits the elevator with the unnamed intern.
10:45 A.M.
Mrs. Wayne makes conversation with the intern, but there’s no response.
10:45 A.M.
The intern goes to office 9J, and Mrs. Wayne goes to office 9A.
10:46 A.M.
Mrs. Wayne enters her office alone.
CCTV Security Footage
Wayne Enterprises Building 2
Office 9A
10:47 A.M.
Mrs. Wayne sets up her office and begins working.
11:23 A.M.
The unnamed intern enters Mrs. Wayne’s office.
11:24 - 12:05 P.M.
ERROR FOOTAGE NOT FOUND
12:06 P.M.
Mrs. Wayne is working at her desk.
12:07 - 12:09 P.M.
ERROR
FOOTAGE NOT FOUND
12:10 P.M.
Mrs. Wayne is face down on her desk.
12:13 P.M.
ERROR
FOOTAGE NOT FOUND
• ───────────────── •
Bruce sits side by side with Jason in the Batmobile, exacerbating an already tense situation.
Jason mentions off-handedly, “B, you should try to find that intern.”
Bruce answers quickly, “I know.”
They both shift awkwardly in their seats.
Bruce clears his throat and restates, but softer, “I know. I don’t even know why anyone let him through.”
Jason nods in agreement, “Have you visited the building yet?”
Bruce shakes his head no, he lowly speaks, “They won’t let me since it’s an active crimescene.”
Jason scrunches his eyebrows at this, “A week for an active crimescene?”
A heavy sigh escapes Bruce, “I don’t know. It’s…I can only control so much.”
Jason turns his body towards him with a look of confusion, “Bruce. You’re Batman. We could just sneak in right now.”
Bruce goes quiet at that.
That’s genius.
Why didn’t he think of that first?
• ───────────────── •
Bruce and Jason stand side-by-side in the alley behind the Wayne Enterprises building. Bruce takes deep breaths, and unlike his usual self, he’s nervous to enter.
Jason playfully punches his arms, “C’mon, B. She’d make fun of you for not being able to go in.”
He breathes out what could be interpreted as a laugh, “Yeah…”
He walks towards the door, “You’re right.”
The two men enter the building, and an eerie aura surrounds them. They know they’re here alone, but there’s a feeling of being watched.
They walk more slowly than average through the backrooms of the building. They both check every corner more often than they would on a regular mission.
Jason whispers, “I’m more nervous than usual. Are you feeling that too?” He looks over at Bruce for a reaction.
Bruce doesn’t answer and instead changes topics.
He speaks in the same hushed tone, “If it’s an active crime zone, why isn’t there security?”
CRaCK
The two whip around at the sound of glass shattering, and they notice a phone lying on the floor. There’s a video playing, but the sound is muffled.
Jason races to find out where the phone came from while Bruce carefully walks up to it.
He picks it up with his gloved hand and inspects it. There’s no video playing due to the broken screen, but the audio continues:
Br- Batman!
Please Batman!
Robin, any of you!
Please, help me! I’m sorry!
Please! I’m sorry! I should’ve stayed home!
Batman, please!
The audio suddenly cuts off as the phone screen turns on and displays three unknown symbols in a row.
Bruce attempts to inspect them, but the phone suddenly heats up, and he’s forced to drop it.
CRaCK
The phone screen turns black as it finally dies.
Fuck.
• ───────────────── •
12:07 P.M.
An hour and 35 minutes before Mrs. Wayne went missing.
Mrs. Wayne to Mr. Wayne
11:01 A.M. to 12:07 P.M.
3 unsent messages [No Service]
11:01 Hey B, do you want me to pick up food when I come home?
A little treat for everyone!
11:13 I love you, but omg! You are awful at spreadsheets!
11:21 Can you please call Dick or Jay to come down?
I don’t want to be rude, but there’s this intern who’s kind of creeping me out
Lol
2 missed calls [No Service]
11:32: Bruce, please call Dick or Jason. I don’t know what this guy wants, but he came into my office and just started throwing stuff and yelling at me. Please, I’m getting scared. He just left and said he’d be back with something to help me. Bruce, please help me.
12:07 He just left again. He gave me tea and was yelling at me to drink it. I drank it, and I don’t know what’s going to happen to me. The emergency button wasn’t working. I’m so sorry. I love you so much. Please tell the boys and Cass I love them so much. Please get this message.
• ───────────────── •
Bruce hurriedly paces back and forth in the Batcave. He’s muttering to himself and fidgeting with his sleeves.
“I just don’t get it. There has to be more. Whose phone was that? Who would want her? Where’s her phone? Why didn’t she text me? Did she text me, and they didn’t send?”
His pacing quickens as he begins spiraling, “She had to have texted me. If she did, then why didn’t it go through?”
He runs his hands through his hair as he sinks into the chair.
He sits there for a moment, his head in his hands. If an outsider came in, it would look like he’s just sulking.
If it just so happened for his kids to come in, they would know he’s been crying.
• ───────────────── •
Upstairs, while Bruce was spiraling
Tim scrolls aimlessly on Bruce’s personal laptop. He doesn’t want to find anything he can never unsee (it’s already happened), but he also wants to find some type of evidence.
The others sit in the library trying to help in their own ways.
Cass and Damian scour social media to see if somebody has posted something about those symbols.
Jason and Duke are out patrolling during the day to see if anything strange occurs near the building.
Dick thoroughly looks through the books in the library to see if there’s anything that resembles what Bruce saw.
Tim finds a file full of videos, and he cautiously opens it. He opened another file similar to this earlier in the day, and let’s just say…
He has some words to say to Bruce.
He clicks on a video and comes to realize that this isn’t something he should be scared of.
He waves the others over to the laptop as they all watch the home video.
It’s a video of their mom in her and Bruce’s shared bathroom. She speaks in an overly excited tone.
My_New_Life_01
07/12/04
11:18 P.M.
“Hello there! It is me…Mrs Wayne!” She fangirls out as she points the camera at her face.
“I am freaking out! Okay, so,” she places the camera down on the counter, “today, Bruce came into our room and was like,” she forces her voice to go lower, “come with me, I have a surprise for you.”
She flails her hands, “Uh, duh, I’m coming with you for a surprise!”
She laughs with an awed look, “So okay, he lays out this beautiful dress, heels, and tells me that I’ll want to wear this, so I do!”
She calms down and begins to fidget slightly, “What I didn’t expect was this beautiful dinner Alfred laid out for the two of us in the formal dining room.” She illustrates her thoughts with her hands.
“He was a little gentleman. He did everything he usually does on our dates, except!” She shoves her left hand into the camera to showcase her new engagement ring.
It’s simple, but it shimmers in the light and showcases Bruce’s wealth in both money and love.
She jumps up and down while she yells, “He proposed!!”
She excitedly laughs as she jumps up and down, “He’s such an asshole! He made me cry in front of Alfred!”
She laughs, but calms down again.
She addresses the camera, “I’ll keep up with these vlogs, I dunno for how long, but y’know. Wow, this is just so incredible. I really do love him.”
She giggles to herself and then reaches out for the camera to end the video.
No one speaks; they just stare at the video in awe and admiration.
Dick speaks quietly, “I remember these.” A small smile appears on his face, “She used to make these video diaries when Jay and I were younger. She stopped making them after, well y’know.”
He clicks on the next one that features both of the Waynes.
My_New_Life_02
07/23/04
12:38 P.M.
She stares into the viewfinder as she fixes her hair and then addresses the camera. She whispers as she brings the camera closer to her face, “So right now I have to speak kinda low because I’m out looking for dresses right now with Bruce.”
She squeals quietly, but collects herself, “I know it’s kind of weird for your fiancé to come with, I’m aware! But, I dunno, I just felt comfortable with him being here. I dunno.”
She mumbles out the ending and blushes slightly.
She then takes the camera and places it on a chair to show off the dress she’s trying on.
“So I told them I want something old Hollywood glamour kind of thing, and they pulled this out, and I think,” she gets close to the camera, “a certain mister is going to love this.”
She giggles, then the video pauses.
It reconvenes and shows her with Bruce walking down the street side-by-side.
She giggles as Bruce attempts to hide his small smile, “So that place was a bust!”
She begins to laugh harder as Bruce rolls his eyes and wraps his arm around her waist.
She speaks through her laughing, “I came out in the dress, and Bruce wasn’t there since he had gone with the lady to look at other dresses.”
She tries to control her laughter, “So I came out, and I’m confused on where they were, and this nice lady,” she stares at Bruce, who looks away, “walks up to me and goes ‘Oh, I’m sorry miss, did you mean to try on that dress? I don’t want you to buy something out of your budget!”
She laughs harder, “At that moment, Bruce comes around and goes,” she deepens her voice, and Bruce rolls his eyes again, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but this dress may actually be too cheap for her.”
She hides her face into his neck, and her hand holding the camera drops to her side.
She drags her hand back up to show her face. Her laughs turn to giggles, “So we left, ‘cause I was embarrassed!”
Bruce finally speaks up, his voice low, “You shouldn’t have been.”
She playfully rolls her eyes, “Oh, please.”
She turns to look at him, and they stare lovingly into each other’s eyes before moving in for a small peck on the lips.
The video ends on a still of them smiling at each other.
Tim sighs heavily, “Should we show him these?”
Damian hits him in the back of his head, “Of course, we should, dipshit. It’ll make father happy!”
Tim scrunches his eyebrows in offense and confusion, “Since when did you care if he was happy or not? Also, I’m telling him you swore ‘cause you were banned this week from swearing, dipshit.”
Dick rolls his eyes at their bickering, “Okay, okay, enough. Damian’s right, we should curate some of these and show him. It’ll boost his motivation. Hopefully.”
• ───────────────── •
Bruce wipes his eyes and sits up in his chair. He pushes himself towards the desk and checks her case file for the nth time.
The sound of cautious steps from behind alerts Bruce. He whips his head around, but then releases a breath when he realizes it’s just his kids.
He lets out a low and monotonous, “Good afternoon.”
His eyes zero in on a hard drive in Tim’s hand, and questions run through his head, “Is that more evidence? Where’d you get that?”
Tim grips the hard drive, “It’s not evidence, Bruce.”
Bruce heaves out a sigh and turns his body from them, but they continue.
Dick speaks out, “It’s not evidence, but trust us when we say that you need this.”
Bruce turns slightly towards them as a silent invitation to keep going. Dick nods to himself and continues speaking, “We were looking to see if we could find more evidence, and we do think we found something!”
Bruce’s eyebrows crease together. He speaks in a questioning tone, “But?”
Dick sighs, “But…we just think you need a pick-me-up for right now. It’ll be good for you, just trust us.”
Bruce stares at them, but doesn’t stop them from inserting the hard drive. His eyes dart up to the screen to see a video they handpicked for him.
He mutters to no one in particular, “I forgot about these.”
The kids look at each other, Tim nods, and Dick presses play on the first video.
My_New_Life_36
03/01/08
8:31 A.M.
The video displays Mrs. Wayne and a young Dick, who’s sporting his favorite Superman pajamas.
She wraps her arms around his shoulders and rocks him back and forth, causing him to giggle.
She gives him an exaggerated kiss on the cheek before turning to the camera.
“I’m here with my little boy, and what are we doing, buddy?”
He smiles widely before pumping his fist in the air and nearly shouting, “We’re making chocolate chip pancakes!”
—
Bruce breathes out a subtle laugh at that, which causes Dick to look over and mirror him.
—
She mimics him in a calmer, “Heck yeah!”
Dick rocks back and forth in his seat as she turns to gather the ingredients.
“How many chocolate chips do you want, buddy?”
Dick throws his head and arms back as he dramatically states, “All of them!”
She giggles as she turns back with the chocolate chips in hand, “I’ll tell you what, you can have this many in your pancakes.” She shows him a small bowl that has enough chocolate chips for two pancakes.
“And while we’re making it,” she brings over the bag of chocolate chips, “we can have a little snack.”
They both giggle as Dick agrees to the arrangement.
She begins to show Dick how to make pancake batter from scratch, and he accidentally knocks the flour everywhere.
He looks at her with fear in his eyes, but she just laughs.
“I didn’t know Gotham got snow this late in winter!”
She laughs as he giggles nervously. She kisses him on the side of his head, “It’s okay, let’s clean up and keep going, okay?”
The video cuts and then resumes to show the two of them pouring in the chocolate chips.
She holds the bag of chocolate chips over the bowl, “Okay, now, be very careful…”
Dick concentrates and doesn’t notice how she smiles at the camera before purposefully spilling nearly half the bag.
They both gasp, and she looks to gauge his reaction.
He begins laughing, “You said you had to be careful!”
They laugh harder together, and she reaches out for the camera.
The video resumes with them at the kitchen island, eating their pancakes.
Dick addresses the camera as Mrs. Wayne stares at him lovingly, “These are the best pancakes ever in the whole world!”
She scrunches her nose and reaches out to pinch his cheek. He giggles, and they continue having a casual conversation over their pancakes.
The video ends with them waving bye to the camera.
The cave is silent.
No one dares to say a word.
They wait until Bruce does or says anything.
He clears his throat and rubs his eyes, but none of them look in his direction. He mutters hoarsely, “Thank you for that.”
He sits up straight, his eyes red, but again, no one mentions it. He turns to Tim, “What’s the evidence you found?”
Tim comes up to the computer and exits the video. He hands the hard drive to Bruce, and Bruce takes it without a word. He then pulls up something that he believes could help their investigation.
“So, you were wondering why she didn’t text or call, which honestly, yeah. She’s always updating us, so why didn’t she tell us?”
Bruce nods as Tim pulls up their phone bill, “I got confused as to why, because at those times, my phone was working and so was everyone else’s.”
Bruce stands up next to him and looks closer at the bill. He finishes Tim’s thoughts, “Her internet service was paused.”
Tim immediately responds, “Exactly! I asked Alfred if he had paused it or something, but he didn’t even know how to do that.”
Dick interjects, “Isn’t there a way to check her texts and calls? Like, through the wifi or something, I saw it online once.”
Damian rolls his eyes, but Cass nods and simply taps away on the keyboard. She begins accessing files they hadn’t considered and eventually pulls up Mrs. Wayne’s latest texts.
Bruce covers his mouth as he reads the texts. He runs his hand through his hair as he walks away from the computer. He shakes his head no and then returns to the desk.
“This is just…I don’t know.” He shakes his head, “I don’t know.”
He turns to Cass, “Did she call me? Are you able to access that?”
She nods and begins to try to find out if she can access her calls.
She finds it, and they all listen to it together. They all listen in, visibly distraught, Bruce especially. His head hangs in his hands, and he grips the roots of his hair.
Cass is about to exit, but a new call comes through. Bruce shoots his head up at this and immediately asks her to open it.
A disgruntled and modified voice begins speaking.
Unknown Caller
6:08 P.M.
1 missed call
6:08 It’s nice to see you, Bruce. I’ve noticed you snooping around. I don’t appreciate you thinking you own whatever your eyes fall on. You don’t deserve anything. Who says you deserve her? After everything you’ve put her through, you think she still loves you? She wanted a family and a normal life; she didn’t want to be a pawn in your schemes. Don’t bother finding her. She’s right where she belongs. But don’t worry, she’s in her own haven now.
The call ends, and Bruce remains silent, but he begins to suit up. As he begins, Jason and Duke enter the cave from their patrol.
The two exchange confused looks as Dick calls out to Bruce, “Where are you going?”
Bruce responds curtly, “She’s in Bludhaven.” He turns to Dick, “You’re coming with me.”
Dick looks around, confused, but the others just look away, cluelessly. He throws his hands in the air and groans, but reluctantly follows Bruce.
• ───────────────── •
“How do you even know she’s in Bludhaven?” Dick asks as he plays with the car window.
Bruce sighs, “Well, it doesn’t take a genius to assume that ‘her own haven’ means ‘find me in Bludhaven.’ He’s a stalker, not a genius.”
Dick snorts at that.
He continues driving, and the two fall into a comfortable silence. The only sound was the rev of the engine and the occasional generic sounds of the city.
Bruce breaks the silence. He speaks lowly, almost awkwardly, “Thank you…for that video. I think I needed to see that, ‘cause of,” he sighs heavily, “everything.”
Dick smiles, “No problem.” He then laughs to himself, “Oh, by the way…”
Bruce raises his brow, urging him to continue.
Dick laughs harder, “Damian said dipshit earlier, and I thought you should know.”
Bruce sighs heavily and doesn’t respond, causing Dick to laugh harder.
• ───────────────── •
Bruce stands outside one of Dick and Jason’s safehouses. It’s a rundown, abandoned apartment situated on the outskirts of Bludhaven.
Dick’s familiar with this area, and it’s clear to him why a freaked-out stalker would want to meet here.
He mutters to Bruce, “Keep your comms on, I’m gonna go in.”
Bruce grabs his shoulder, “No, you’re not. Not yet.”
Dick turns towards Bruce, “It’s okay. I’m okay. I know what I’m doing.”
Bruce takes a deep breath and lets him go.
Dick carefully glides into the building, checking every corner and sound.
He freezes in his steps when he hears footsteps scamper from behind him. He turns around, but notices nothing.
When he turns back, he notices a note on the window in front of him. He looks around him as he walks towards it. He remains ready in case anyone pops out from anywhere.
He grabs the note and debates reading it, but decides against it. He shoves it into his utility belt. He takes that as his sign to retreat.
He slowly retraces his steps, and when he makes it to the door, he hears a voice from behind him.
“Dick, what are you doing here? We’re having our family dinner tonight!”
His body rapidly turns around, and he holds his eskrima sticks tighter.
He calls out, “Who are you? What do you want with my mother?”
The voice scoffs playfully, “Dick, silly! You need to get home, you’re not making any sense.”
He feels a strong breeze from beside him, and he whips his eskrima stick towards it. He notices it’s another note:
OPEN ME
He presses his comms button and whispers, “Bruce, bring the Bamobile in front now.”
He looks around and quickly opens the note. When he sees what’s in it, he rushes out of the building.
The voice calls out to him, “Dick! Come back! Help me!” He continues running out and refuses to look behind him.
He calls out for Bruce, “Open the door! Bruce!”
The door opens, and he rushes into the Batmobile. Bruce immediately begins driving and doesn’t ask what’s wrong yet.
Dick sits in the passenger seat with his head against the window. He’s attempting to calm himself down by taking deep breaths.
He takes a deep breath and looks up at the car roof. Bruce finally asks, “What happened in there?”
Dick just shakes his head, unshed tears in his eyes, “Just take me home, please.”
• ───────────────── •
OPEN ME
It’s a personal photo of a young Dick and Mrs. Wayne hugging each other. The original photo is of the two of them on the Gotham boardwalk with big smiles on their face.
However, the photo’s been altered. Dick’s typical wide smile and scrunched-up eyes are replaced with a look of horror.
The background has been blacked out, as well as Mrs.Wayne, the only thing present being an altered Dick Grayson and five simple words:
She’ll be gone soon, too.
• ───────────────── •
Dick sits in the family room, his body language mirroring Bruce’s as of recently. Depressed, lost, and scared.
Jason attempts to cheer him up, “Did you tell him about Damian? I bet he was pissed.” He laughs, but loses steam when he realizes Dick isn’t laughing with him.
Dick rubs his eyes and looks down, “She needs to come back. I don’t know where she is. I feel so lost in this. Everything is just a dead-end.”
Jason slowly nods in agreement, but quickly scrunches his brows, “No, it’s not.”
Dick looks at him quizically, “What do you mean?”
Jason places his arms on his knees, “Didn’t you say you found another note there? One that was meant for Bruce?”
Dick’s eyes grow wide as he jumps up from his seat to go find his suit. Jason follows and attempts to catch up with Dick’s quickness.
He finds his suit and rummages through the pockets of the utility belt. He releases a large breath when he finds the note. He laughs out of astonishment.
He excitedly turns towards Jason, “Little wing! You are a genius! I almost forgot about this, holy shit!”
He quickly hugs Jason, then runs off to find Bruce. Jason stands there, stunned by the entire exchange.
Dick rushes up to Bruce’s office, but slows down when he hears what’s coming from his office.
He slows down and presses his ear up to the door. What he hears makes him smile widely.
• ───────────────── •
My_New_Life_08
05/28/05
5:48 P.M.
The two of their smiles take up the entire screen, and the camera bounces with the limo’s uneven path.
She holds Bruce’s head in her left hand as they both laugh. She exclaims loudly, “We got married!”
Bruce smiles and turns his head to kiss the inside of her hand.
They turn their heads towards each other and giggle into a kiss.
Bruce takes the camera out of her hand and moves away from the kiss to film her face.
She backs off, suddenly becoming bashful at his rare outward showcase of love.
He speaks to the camera as he records her, “This right here is not only Mrs. Wayne, but the love of my life.”
She pushes his shoulder and laughs, “You’re so annoying!”
He laughs, but continues, “She’s going to change the world, more than I ever could.”
She smiles and gazes deeply into his eyes from behind the camera.
She mouths I love you.
The video cuts off.
• ───────────────── •
Dick slowly enters the room, and Bruce pauses the video to turn and greet him. He smiles faintly at Dick, then turns back towards the computer.
He speaks lowly, “I remember when she would make all of these videos. You absolutely loved them, Jason not so much. At first, at least.”
He sighs heavily and turns towards Dick, but his head remains low. His voice can be barely heard in the silent room, “Why her?”
Dick sighs, “I don’t know, I’m sorry.”
Bruce shakes his head, “You don’t have to know, but I should.” He drags his hand through his hair, “I should’ve gone with her or something. I just…I don’t know.”
A bittersweet smile forms on Dick’s face, “You’re not used to not knowing.”
Bruce sighs in agreement and looks to see Dick passing him a note. “I found this last night at the safehouse. I haven’t opened it. I feel you should be the first to see it.”
Bruce gently grabs it out of his hand and cautiously opens it. He doesn’t openly react while reading; his eyes just quickly dart back and forth.
He drops the letter into his lap and hangs his head. Dick stares at him with worry, but doesn’t question.
Bruce’s face is visibly disturbed as he looks at Dick and asks, “What was in that letter that freaked you out?”
Dick describes it, and Bruce simply nods.
He gets up from his chair and just stands there with his hands on his hips. Dick would typically make a joke about how much he looks like a dad in this position, but now’s not the time.
Bruce stands there, muttering all of his thoughts to himself. He takes a deep breath, “We have to interrogate the enterprise workers again. The police didn’t do it right or something because why would they let her leave like that?”
Dick nods and follows as Bruce exits the office. Bruce’s voice carries through the halls, “They’ll have what I need, I know it.”
• ───────────────── •
Dear Mr Batman Wayne,
Oh goodness
You’re so close!
Sooooooooooooooooo close
If only someone knew
Who knows?
• ───────────────── •
Bruce, Dick, and Jason hide in an alleyway next to each other. Bruce has his eyes trained on an apartment window.
The TV is the only light source as the man sits on his couch, alone. He’s eating a bowl of chips, and Dick chuckles to himself.
He leans over and whispers to Jason, “I bet that’s what you look like when you’re alone.”
Jason hits him in the back of his head, and Dick’s eyes grow wide in shock. Dick retaliates by hitting him in the back of his head.
The boys begin hitting each other while whispering expletives:
You’re such a fucking idiot!
Why would you do that, dumbass?
You’re the one who sits alone at home!
Nuh-uh, I have people over all the time!
No, you don’t! Damian is the only one who keeps you company.
Not true! You-
Bruce snaps his head at them. He sneers through his teeth, “Boys.”
That shocks them into place, and they both go silent. Bruce shakes his head in annoyance, “We need to get in there. He was working the desk when she left. I need to know why he didn’t stop her.”
The three, nearly gracefully, cross the road and non-gracefully enter the apartment building,
They make their way up to the man’s apartment, but Bruce motions for them to stay silent. He cautiously walks to the front door and knocks.
There’s scrambling from inside, and Bruce takes this as his cue to barge in.
The door comes down with a large bang, and the man is caught in the midst of gathering his stuff. Bruce rushes towards him, grabs him by the collar, and throws him into the nearest chair.
He gruffly asks him, “Why didn’t you do anything?”
Dick and Jason move to either side of the man and hold him down by his shoulders. Not roughly, but more of a warning.
The man gulps and meekly pushes out, “I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to!” He begins to hyperventilate, “I didn’t mean for her to go missing! He said they knew each other! He said they were close friends! He knew everything about her!”
Bruce paces back and forth, “What do you mean ‘he knew everything about her?’ You didn’t think to check with her, her assistant, or even Bruce Wayne to see if she was supposed to have company?”
The man grows more worried, “I’m sorry! It looked like they were old friends! They were laughing!”
He grows quieter as he begins to think, “Well, actually…” he takes a deep breath, “she- she looked out of it. She was laughing as if she were drunk, not happy.”
He takes a breath of realization before staring at Bruce. He pleads with him, “I’m sorry! I truly am!”
Bruce shakes his head and pinches his nose in annoyance, “What did he look like? Did you see?”
The man quivers, “Yes, b-but I can’t tell-”
Bruce slams his fist onto the man’s sad excuse for a kitchen table. His voice remains leveled, “Tell me.”
The man tucks his face to the side. He stutters out an answer, “He had brown hair, he was wearing glasses, so I couldn’t see his face fully, I’m sorry!”
Bruce just stares at him, and the man continues, “He had an all-black suit on, but it wasn’t up to Wayne Enterprise code for the level he said he was on. I don’t know why I didn’t say anything!”
He takes a deep breath, “He waved at me and told me, ‘It’s only up from here.’ I didn’t know what that meant, so I just waved back and let him go.”
Bruce heaves out a sigh and motions for the boys to let him go. He turns to him, “Thank you. That was… sufficient.”
The man nods and shakily asks, “Will I…Will I lose my job?”
Bruce doesn’t give him an answer before motioning for the three of them to leave. The man watches them leave in disbelief.
When they make it back to the Batmobile, Jason asks, “Will he lose his job?”
The two boys stare at Bruce, and he offers a simple answer, “No shit.”
• ───────────────── •
When the three of them enter, Tim immediately races towards them, shouting, “I found it, Bruce! I found it!”
Bruce removes his cowl and meets Tim in the middle, “What did you find?”
He looks down at the tablet in Tim’s hands, and Tim excitedly swipes through his findings, “Okay, so. I was zooming in on the footage, and I was trying so hard to find out what this guy looked like!”
Bruce nods, which urges Tim to continue, “Until! I found this frame where he took his glasses off for a single second!”
Tim rushes to the computer and pulls up a criminal file, “I reverse searched his face and didn’t find anything, but then! I was looking through some police reports, and look!”
He points to the criminal file pulled up on the screen, “He looks exactly like the guy in the footage!”
Jacob Morse
Sentenced to 15 months in Gotham County Jail for:
Plead Guilty to
Vandalism
Residential Theft
Plead Not Guilty to
Conspiracy to commit a class 4 felony: stalking
Conspiracy to commit kidnapping
Despite the information presented in front of them, Tim remains excited, “Do you remember?”
He turns to look at Bruce, whose eyebrows are scrunched together. Tim looks between him and the computer screen, “That’s the guy from like 2 years ago who attacked mom at the end-of-year gala!”
Bruce straightens out and mutters to himself, “It’s only up from here.”
Tim stares expectantly at Bruce, and Bruce begins searching through the file.
He finds where the guy lives and clasps his hands together, “She’s in those apartment buildings down the street from the enterprise.”
From behind him, Dick and Jason look quizically at each other, then Tim, then Bruce. Dick speaks, “Where’d you get that from?”
Bruce begins his pacing, “He said, ‘it’s only up from here,’ and the footage showed the vehicle going up the street, but it never turned. He meant that it’s only up the street. Fuck, of course it was that easy.”
He drops into the seat, his voice muffled, “It was that easy, shit. We have to go. I don’t know how much longer I can take this. All of you, now.”
• ───────────────── •
Bruce’s mouth is pressed into a thin line as he speeds through Gotham. None of the boys even attempts to start a conversation with him in this state.
The car skids to a stop right outside the apartment building. He knows it isn’t professional of him to be so out in the open during a patrol like this, but he can’t help it. He’s become overly impatient.
He rushes out of the car and races to the side of the building. He mutters to Dick, “She’s on the seventh floor. That one.”
He points to the first window, “I need you and Tim to climb up there, slowly and quietly. Jason will come with me inside the building. This is an ambush.”
He turns to the boys, “If any of you mess this up…you have to live with Jason for a week.”
Tim covers up his laugh with a cough.
Bruce motions for them to begin.
Dick and Tim stealthily climb up the wall, waiting for Bruce’s cue to enter the apartment. They (literally) hang outside the window.
They hear slight shuffling, and both hope that Bruce’ll give them the go-ahead soon.
Bruce and Jason are to the side of the door, waiting until the right moment.
Bruce takes calming breaths before looking at Jason and then back at the door.
“Now.”
All four of them ambush the apartment at the same time, and chaos ensues.
Dick and Tim crash through the window while Bruce and Jason break down the door.
They’re met with men who retaliate. Based on the fighting and the looks of the men, he knows the boys have it under control.
Due to that, he begins to make a beeline for the rest of the apartment. He pushes in every door and thoroughly searches the rooms.
He goes to bash in the next door until he hears muffled yelling coming from the room behind him.
He whips around and bashes in the door; he’s immediately met with his wife tied up in the corner of the room.
He rushes towards her and rips the tape from her wrists and ankles. He carefully takes the tape off her mouth, trying to avoid hurting her too much.
When the tape comes off, she lunges for him and sobs into his shoulder. He grasps her tightly, afraid she’ll disappear again.
He tucks her head into his neck and nearly wraps his entire body around her. He rocks her and pats her hair down.
He tries to help her up, but ultimately picks her up bridal style. He can’t risk losing her again.
The chaos from outside has died down, and when he comes out, he sees the guy and his supporters in the center of the room. All tied up, with their leader sitting in front of them.
Jason looks at Bruce, “It’s like you said, he’s a stalker, not a genius.”
• ───────────────── •
She sits on the steps of the apartment building with an emergency blanket wrapped around her.
Both Dick and Jason (now in civilian clothes) sit by either side of her, with each having an arm wrapped around her.
Ambulances and cop cars surround the building, but she just sits in silence. With the occasional “thank you” or “I love you” softly muttered to the boys.
Bruce rushes onto the scene with clothes that she can tell he had shoved in the back of the Batmobile due to their unironed state.
She laughs despite herself as he rushes up to her. She stands up with the blanket wrapped around her and lets Bruce engulf her in a tight hug.
He grasps the back of her head and holds her as if his life depends on it.
“I love you. I’m so sorry. I love you so much.”
She just melts into the hug and allows him to take in this moment.
She smiles for the first time in days.
• ───────────────── •
She laughs wholeheartedly as the everyone sits around the fire in the family room. She leans into Bruce as she laughs.
She giggles, “You guys found those videos? Did you see how adorable Dick and Jay were when they were little babies?”
Jason’s face reddens, and Dick smiles widely.
She sighs dreamily, “I loved making those videos; they helped me wrap my mind around this crazy life.”
Bruce breathes out a laugh as she laughs, “I wouldn’t mind making them again. Maybe Dami will like them, you think?”
She looks at Bruce and laughs when he rolls his eyes. Damian interjects, “I wouldn’t mind, but I have to have a say in the creative process.”
Everyone laughs at that and begins discussing how they would go about making their video diaries.
She snuggles into Bruce’s side as she watches them. She smiles gently and looks up at Bruce.
She gently speaks, “I’m okay, okay?”
Bruce takes a deep breath and nods.
He doesn’t dare say a word, but she knows that means more than words themselves.
Notes: Woah!! Thank you for reading to the end this was a rollercoaster and I hope you thought so too teehee!!! i felt like charlie during this scene while i was writing this so im sorry if there’s like plotholes or anything cause wow, i didn’t realize how difficult it is to write a mystery LOL
{summary} He thinks he’s slipping. You think he’s hotter. Obviously, you’re right.
{content} bruce wayne x reader, established relationship, fluff, soft intimacy, domestic moment, body image insecurity
You weren’t even supposed to be in the bedroom yet.
You were looking for your phone.
Instead, you stop dead in the doorway.
Bruce is standing in front of the mirror, shirtless, hair still slightly damp like he just got out of the shower. One hand is braced on the dresser, the other… hovering over his stomach, pressing lightly, then pulling away like he doesn’t like what he feels.
His expression?
Critical. Focused. Annoyed.
“…Great,” he mutters.
You raise a brow, leaning against the frame. “Wow. Who pissed you off this time?”
He doesn’t turn around immediately.
“…Me,” he says flatly.
That gets your attention.
You step inside, slower now. “That sounds dramatic. Should I be concerned?”
Now he glances at you through the mirror.
“Probably not,” he says. “Unless you’ve developed strong opinions about poor discipline.”
You snort. “Oh, I have plenty of those. Just not about you.”
He gestures vaguely at himself, like the answer should be obvious.
“This,” he says.
You look.
And look a little longer than necessary, just to make a point.
“…Yeah,” you say.
His jaw tightens. “Yeah.”
You hum, walking closer, circling slightly so you’re not just another reflection behind him.
“Yeah,” you repeat, “you look good.”
He exhales sharply through his nose. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t do that thing where you pretend—”
You reach out and poke his side.
He stops mid-sentence.
“First of all,” you say, completely ignoring his complaint, “rude. Second—what ‘thing’?”
“That,” he gestures again, more annoyed now, “where you act like there’s no difference.”
You tilt your head, considering him.
“There is a difference.”
He nods once, like finally, finally—
“Yeah,” you continue, “you’re hotter.”
Silence.
He turns his head, actually looking at you now.
“…You’re unbelievable.”
“I’ve been told.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
You step right into his space now, no hesitation, your hand sliding lightly across his stomach—not critical, not analyzing, just there.
His breath catches, subtle but there.
“You feel nice,” you say casually.
“…Nice,” he repeats, like the word personally offended him.
“Mhm.” You nod. “Very. Ten out of ten. Would absolutely ignore responsibilities to touch again.”
He lets out a quiet, disbelieving huff. “That’s not helping.”
“It is,” you argue. “You just don’t like the method.”
He shakes his head, stepping back half a pace—until his back nearly hits the dresser.
“I’ve lost definition,” he says. “I’m slower. I should’ve noticed sooner.”
There it is.
You soften—but only a little.
Instead of arguing, you step closer again, closing that half-step distance like it never existed.
“Bruce.”
He doesn’t answer.
Your hand slides up his chest, steady, grounding.
“You know what I see?”
He gives you a look. “Apparently something fictional.”
You roll your eyes and—without warning—lean in and press a kiss to his collarbone.
He freezes.
Another one, just above it.
“I see someone who hasn’t slept properly in weeks,” you murmur.
A kiss to his shoulder.
“Someone who’s been carrying half the city on his back.”
Your fingers curl lightly against his side.
“And someone who still looks—unfairly—good doing it.”
He exhales, slower this time.
You pull back just enough to meet his eyes.
“You’re allowed to change,” you say. “You’re not a statue.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?”
He hesitates.
And that hesitation says everything.
You sigh softly, but there’s no frustration in it—just understanding.
“C’mere.”
You don’t wait for permission. You take his hand and guide it—gently—back to his own stomach where he was just criticizing himself.
He tenses at first.
“Feel that?” you ask.
“I know what it feels like.”
“Yeah,” you say, your hand covering his, pressing it there just a little more firmly, “but you’re feeling it like it’s a problem.”
You shift closer, your other arm sliding around his waist.
“I’m feeling it like it’s you.”
He goes quiet.
Your thumb brushes lightly over his knuckles.
“And I like you,” you add, softer now.
He watches you for a second—really watches you this time, like he’s trying to decide if he believes you.
“…You’re biased,” he says.
You grin. “Hopelessly.”
That finally cracks something.
A small smile. Barely there, but real.
You take advantage of it immediately, leaning up to press a quick kiss to his lips—light, teasing.
“Also,” you add, not moving far, “for the record?”
He hums faintly.
“You’re hot.”
He shakes his head, but there’s no heat in it anymore.
“…You’re ridiculous.”
“And yet,” you say, backing him lightly against the dresser now, hands still on him, “you’re smiling.”
He pauses.
Realizes.
And—yeah.
He is.
You soften again, just a little, your forehead brushing his.
“Stop picking fights with yourself,” you murmur. “You’re on my team.”
His hand comes up then, settling at your waist, grounding himself there.
“…Stay?” he asks quietly.
You huff a small laugh. “Wasn’t planning on leaving.”
