𝜗ৎ tags/tw: reader gets followed by some random creep, mentions of potentially being stalked, not proofread
ও˖ ࣪⊹ pairing: vamp!bruce wayne x f!reader
𝜗ৎ a/n: this is the first part to my new vampire bruce au!! this part might seem a bit slow, but that's because I'm planning this to be a slowburn! also, it'll get a bit dark since you knowwww vampires and all that stuff, so you can expect a lot of angst, with fluff too ofc (and maybe smut at the end who knowsss).
The few months you've spent in this new neighbourhood have been really enjoyabe. So far, you really liked your neighbours and the community feel of the whole block, there were little stores scattered everywhere but you hadn't really entered most of them, since the majority were convenience stores and bakeries.
You were drinking some tea while people-watching when you noticed the antique shop. At first, you thought it was a new store but after asking around, it seemed like it had been here for centuries. Your neighbours explained it was passed down from generation to generation, but people rarely saw the owners.
Curiosity won the best of you, so you decided to look for some vintage furniture, the antique stores you were used to usually weren't very expensive and left you wondering how authentic most of the items were, but this one… It felt as if you'd entered a time capsule. Everything was authentic, you could tell, it looked like the items on display belonged in a museum and not in a random shop around the corner. It was like no other you'd ever seen, how had you never noticed it?
The deep voice behind you made you startle. You had not heard any steps, but your scare was quickly forgotten as soon as you turned to see the most beautiful man you had ever laid eyes upon. He was so tall you had to crone your neck up to meet his eyes, and those eyes… They were dark and intense. It felt like he was looking at your very soul.
“I was just looking around for some furniture,” You let out a small nervous giggle. “You startled me, I didn't hear you coming.”
He laid his gloved hand on his heart. “Apologies, I am quite silent, it was not my intention to startle you. What kind of furniture are you looking for?”
“You know those lamps that look like flowers? I really wanted to find an authentic one for my bedroom.”
“Ah, I see. Yes, we have those. Follow me, please.”
He led you to the back of the store where there was a room filled with a variety of vintage flower lamps. Your jaw dropped, what were the chances of this happening?
As if on command, your feet led you to a specific tulip lamp that was stunning. “These are all so beautiful,” Your fingers delicately touched the glass flower. “I'll sound crazy but I feel like I've dreamt about this specific lamp before.”
The mysterious man was looking at you triumphantly, like he already knew you'd go to that one in specific. Maybe it was the most expensive. Or the most wanted. You tried to ignore how bizarre this all was.
“Why does the store keep such a big collection? If you don't mind me asking.”
“There used to be someone very dear to me who loved everything flower themed,” He looked around the room fondly. “She was fascinated by the glass work… But she especially loved those tulip lamps.” His eyes remained fixed on yours as he said those words. “I have been collecting every single one I've found, ever since she…” His face hardened momentarily, but that wasn't what caught your attention.
“Wait, are you the owner?” He nodded once. “Oh wow! My neighbours told me it was rare to see the owners of this shop. This has been in your family's hands for centuries right?” He nodded once more.
“I fear your neighbours are right. I've never found it particularly interesting to mingle with people in general. And uh– my ancestors were the same… Of course.”
Your gaze strayed down to where he was adjusting his gloves. It wasn't particularly hot outside, but it also wasn't cold enough to justify wearing gloves. He was certainly something…
“I understand. It's exhausting talking to people sometimes. I sure hope I'm not boring you already um…”
“Bruce. Bruce Wayne. And no, I'm very pleased with our conversation so far, miss…”
You told him your name and once again he looked at you like he already knew what it was, and now you were wondering if you two did meet before. His face… No, not his face, there was something about him that felt familiar.
“Have we met before? I'm sorry, it's just that you look familiar. I feel as if… this is not the first time we're talking..”
Something akin to sorrow crossed his face before it quickly disappeared, being replaced by a charming smile. “I don't believe we have. I would never forget a face as beautiful as yours.”
You blushed and tried to look away, your heart suddenly started beating really fast. What you didn't notice was how his gaze was fixed on the pulsing point on your neck or how his nostrils flared as soon as your heart started rushing.
“I would uhm, like to take this one.” You pointed at the tulip lamp, trying to ignore the spark you'd just felt between the two of you.
He nodded silently and proceeded to take it out of its stand. While the two of you were walking to the register he pointed at multiple trinkets and odd decorations while explaining their story to you.
“Would you like to buy something else?”
“Hm, I was also looking for some mirrors–”
“We don't have those. Too fragile.” He interrupted you before you could even finish your sentence. Weird.
At the register, he remained quiet, but… Your mind went to your earlier conversation, a part of you wanted to know more about the woman with a profound love for flowers, just like yours.
“Excuse me if I'm prying, but what happened to the woman you were telling me about earlier?”
His eyes once again fixated on yours and you felt something deep in your chest, you just weren't sure if it was attraction or your fight-or-flight being activated.
“She was taken from me. And I've felt empty ever since.” The words were almost whispered.
“Oh… I'm sorry to hear that.”
Bruce shook his head. “No need. It was a long time ago, who knows what the future might bring me.”
You tried to plaster on a comforting smile but, god this clearly emotionally unavailable man was making you feel things you couldn't even explain. “Yeah… There's always a bright side to stuff.”
“You always did say that.” He murmured so lowly you couldn't understand.
“No, no. Just counting out loud.”
The two of you pretended that was a good lie. After paying you bid your goodbyes and returned home. You felt so weird, your brain couldn't decide if Bruce was just an eccentric lonely man or, well, an eccentric creepy lonely man. It didn't matter anyways, as your neighbours had said previously, no one ever saw him.
It's not like you were special.
Maybe Bruce was like his shop because as soon as you met him, it was like he was everywhere. Genuinely, you didn't know how your neighbours told you no one ever saw him. You went to the corner shop? Oh, there was Bruce! The laundromat? What a coincidence, there was Bruce! Buying some flowers for your mom? Wow, Bruce just happened to be buying your favourite flowers, in your favourite colour.
Just coincidences. Right. Technically he wasn't doing anything wrong, actually, you loved talking to him! It was just so easy, your personalities really fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. You also started visiting the antique shop more and more, you never saw any other workers there, it was always… Bruce. And somewhere along those visits you two developed a friendship, he didn't seem like a creep to you, not anymore. But something weird did start happening besides that. You felt like… You were always being watched? Maybe you were just being paranoid. Yeah… Yeah, that made sense. Probably nothing to worry about.
Clearly there was something to worry about. Walking alone at night was definitely a poor idea on your part, but dammit, can't a girl enjoy a walk alongside the park's pond while stargazing? Clearly not. Because now you were pretty sure you were being followed. And obviously you were panicking, there was nobody you could call right now, and whoever was following you was probably the reason as to why you felt like you were being watched lately. Great. You were going to die and probably be featured in one of those disrespectful true crime youtube channels. What a good way to go.
You started walking faster and heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps behind you grow louder. Fuck. You started running, and whoever was behind you started running too. Your lungs were hurting, and you barely felt your legs but you couldn't stop.
The person behind you was getting closer and you were losing hope. But then… You saw a figure walking quickly in your direction. Tall man with a coat…
“Bruce!” You almost screamed and then the person walking towards you started running too. For a few moments you were scared it wasn't Bruce, but as soon as he got closer to you, you could tell it was him.
“Hey!” You ran straight into his arms.
“I'm being followed– I'm– Someone is– Oh god, we need to get out of here, we–”
“Hey, hey, shhh. It's okay. You are safe now.” He hugged you. “Whoever that was, they gave up as soon as they saw me.”
You were hugging him like your life depended on it, and he could feel your heartbeat against his chest.
“Thank you so much. I think I'd probably be dead by now if you didn't show up.” You tried to joke, but his grip on you only tightened.
“I will never let anyone hurt you ever again.” His tone sent shivers down your spine. It was intense, the way he was looking at you was too. The panic in his face didn't seem normal for the situation, after all, you two didn't know eachother for that long, and you were just chased, sure it could've ended really badly, but it didn't.
“Well, I'm not technically hurt, just scared, is all.” You let go of him and rubbed your arms. “What're you doing walking out this late?”
Bruce raised one of his brows. “I can ask you the same exact thing. Not necessarily a good choice to be walking out alone this late. But well, to answer your question I came to see the moon. I am very fond of the night,” He cleared his throat and took a step closer to you, closing the gap you had put between the two of you. “However, I must say I was considering not coming for a walk. Something… urged me to come.”
You looked up into his eyes, wide eyed. Why did he seem to glow in the moonlight? It was like he was made to be admired as one of the stars in the sky. This was all too much. You rubbed your arms again, it felt like cold was seeping into your veins. “I uhm… I know it was a dumb choice, I just really like the moon too. I guess you could feel I was in imminent danger.” It was a poor attempt at a joke once again, he didn't seem to find this one funny either. Only a few seconds passed, you knew that, but it felt like an eternity spent looking into each other's eyes.
He shrugged off his coat silently and placed it around your shoulders. “Oh, you don't need to–”
“You're cold.” He offered you your arm. “I will walk you home.”
You took his arm and then walked silently to your home. The two of you were surrounded by comfortable silence, and you couldn't shake the feeling that this was not the first time you walked at night with him. His presence felt so familiar. Were you going crazy?
When you arrived at your doorstep, you tried to return his coat to him, but he stopped you.
“Please, I insist. I own many more.” He was wearing a tight long sleeved black turtle neck, and you could clearly see the ridges of all his muscles for the first time ever. Why would a reserved antique shop owner be so muscular? And the gloves. He always wore gloves, be it hot or cold. Why? God, you had so many questions, he was so… He was an enigma. Even though you considered yourself friends now, you had a feeling there was still a lot to be learned about him.
“Okay, then.” You smiled at him softly. “Thank you, Bruce. I probably owe you my life now.”
He shook his head once. “I would never hold my protection over your head. Please, the next time you want to take a stroll at night, call me. I would be more than honoured to spend time next to you.”
Your heart did a flip and you blushed despite yourself. “I will, thank you. Good night, Bruce.”
He smiled at you warmly. “Good night, beautiful.” The pet name was murmured like an old lover's caress, and you tried to pretend the tension between the two of you didn't exist.
The next day you found Mrs. Olive at the corner store. She was an elderly neighbour of yours whom you loved. You were still quite shaken from last night's events, but you wouldn't live in fear obviously.
“Good morning, Mrs. Olive! How are you?”
“Hello, dear! My knees have been feeling worse and worse everyday. I need to go to the doctor's again.”
“Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Have you been using that pain cream I told you about?”
“Yes, dear, but it doesn't work that well. Enough about me, how are you? You look quite tired.”
You pondered whether or not you should tell her what happened the previous night, but maybe even for her safety it would be important.
“Well, last night I decided to take a stroll in the park at night but I was followed. Thankfully Bruce showed up and whoever was following me left.”
“Dear God! I'm so glad you're all safe, sweetie. But…” She furrowed her brows. “Who's Bruce?”
“Oh! He's the owner of the antique shop. You've seen us together, he's that really tall man that's always wearing gloves.”
Mrs. Olive shook her head. “I've never seen you with a man around here, dear. Not after your dad helped you on your moving day here.”
What? You literally bumped into her in this very shop with Bruce multiple times. The cashier girl was next to the two of you replacing some items on the shelves.
“Hey, Clarissa. You saw me with Bruce the other day right?”
Clarissa looked at you confusedly. “Bruce? Who's that?” They were looking at you like you were insane. Were you? “I haven’t seen you with a man in like forever, remember I even tried to set you up with my brother?”
You were nodding but you weren't really listening. Clarissa, who told you that Bruce was the hottest man she'd ever seen and that you should shoot your shot, was now saying she's never seen him.
Okay. Okay, this was fine. Maybe they were just playing a prank on you.
Mrs. Olive put her hand reassuringly on your arm. “Are you okay, sweetie? Maybe you hit your head last night.”
You chuckled nervously and nodded. “Yeah uhm… I should– I should go home. Have a nice day.”
What the hell was happening? You left the store in a hurry while the two women looked at you like they were genuinely concerned you went crazy.
As soon as you arrived home, you looked for his coat. Was he not real? That made no sense. He had to be real. But then why did the women who saw you with him suddenly don't even remember his name?
You found his coat in your room. It was real. Bruce was real. Then why the hell did no one else remember him? It didn't make sense, right? Clarissa wouldn't just forget about him like that, and neither would Mrs. Olive, despite being old, she had a sharp memory.
You didn't know what to do. You felt something for Bruce, maybe ever since the moment you've met him. There was always this weird pull between the two of you. But weird things have been happening to you ever since you two met.
God, you felt like you were going insane…
And maybe you really were.
