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@the-bat-father
Debrief: I'm Batman
Batman, otherwise known as The Dark Knight.
I've dedicated my life to protecting Gotham City and now I find myself admiring the heroes who have come after me.
I'm now a middle aged father to multiple of the world's finest vigilantes who fight for a better world.
Be responsible with engagement but ask relevant questions.
So i'm gettin' groceries right? mindin' my own business. and i look up and see: there's a library in the Narrows with MY NAME on it. what the actual fuck. jesus christ B.
... did you go inside and get books?
oh, fuck off. you're such an asshole.
Excellent taste. No notes.
So i'm gettin' groceries right? mindin' my own business. and i look up and see: there's a library in the Narrows with MY NAME on it. what the actual fuck. jesus christ B.
... did you go inside and get books?
Nothing Stays the Same Part II
Link to Part 1 (note: part 1 got too long so a lot of the replies are in the notes.
Zatanna knew an empath when she saw one- it took one to know one. They had already known about Ezekiel's magical ability. But being a sorcerer was not synonymous with being a psychic. And, like herself, Zeke was both.
He held his own under both the barrage of probing questions and the onslaught of emotions from possibly the most chaotic and repressed family Zatanna knew. She was impressed with him to say the least. Though his politeness was practiced, it wasn't fake. And he was just as observant of them as they were of him. But more than that, the most important fact of all...
Was that thread between him and Jason, bright with pure love and raw magic. Perhaps others might consider it too soon to name. But it was there and it was true.
A soulmate bond. But not a typical one... if Zeke truly was from another universe... then it transcended time, space and perhaps reality itself. And that... gave her pause. Not just about this new arrival into their Nexus-verse but Jason himself.
And by extension, she looked to the man beside her...
Bruce.
It was always Bruce...
She wished more than anything for the guidance of Angelos. She would know what to do about something like this.
"We'll get to the demon subject in a moment. First let's talk about how you even got here," she told Zeke. "You said you 'awoke'. That isn't how most people come to this universe. This is a Nexus of universes. We even have cousin Multiverses, like Marvel, that intersect with our DC verses. Portals open up like doors and never leave. People tend to just come and go. What you're talking about almost sounds like Quantum Immortality except that doesn't make sense either."
Barbara straightened in her chair, "Quantum Immortality takes the consciousness of the person who dies to their next living counterpart."
The comment made Cass pause. She didn't prefer to speak as much but she had to admit she was invested. She actually missed Duke now and wished he wasnt sleeping. He would've loved this. "But he said Gotham doesn't exist in his world. Which means we don't exist. And if we don't exist there then he doesn't exist here. So the consciousness wouldn't have a counterpart to go to."
Steph elbowed her. "Look at you, Smarty Pants. And if there's no counterpart then that means that it's like Zeke is respawning but in other universes instead of his home verse- which is where you would normally expect a respawn to happen."
Bruce and Tim locked eyes as the conversation continued, Jason tightening his arm around Zeke protectively and sending a wary look their way.
Dick caught it, trying to smile reassuringly at Jason.
It was Damian who lost his patience.
"What is it?" He demanded.
"The Omniverse," they answered in unison.
Barbara sucked in a breath. "Oh," she breathed. It was theory... mostly. It was a big enough deal that a Nexus was an intersection of universes- from their multiverse and others like it. But this? And it was sitting right in front of them- with Jason wrapped around his finger.
Dick shook his head. "We can't know for sure."
"Can't we?" Tim countered. "He's like no one we have met, he has no version of us to compare anything to. How many? How many versions of ourselves have we met?"
Dick sighed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "Too many," he conceded.
Jason felt the unease in his chest spread through his veins, a knot in his throat building until he felt like he wanted to puke.
Zeke had already told him how he jumped verses, the memory of Zeke's tears making his heart ache.
He died.
His fear from before hadn't been unwarranted. If Zeke died here... it would be worse than death. Because he'd just come back to life somewhere Jason would never see him again, lost forever.
The Beast growled in his psyche.
Unacceptable.
He involuntarily pulled on their thread, anchoring his spirit deeper. If he could, he would merge souls with Zeke and follow him so he'd never wake up alone again.
Bruce noted the way Jason bodily curled himself around Zeke, like a protective shield.
Zatanna’s hands clenched the instant Jason's aura fanned out. The other's couldn't percieve it as well but the air shifted like static until...
Bruce's ice blue eyes seemed to glaze over with white film as he felt a voice stir awake in the back of his mind- one he had not heard in years- only stirred to life last after Jason- No.
Mine.
No. He is Jason's.
Yes. And Jason is ours. Like all the other children. Ours.
Bruce's hands clenched over his knees, causing Damian to make a soft noise of alarm.
"Baba, are you-"
Surely his father wasn't having another-
"Fine- I'm- I'm fine-"
It was the only time that voice acted up so violently... when it sensed loneliness, when grief created kinship.
He knew without needing to be told.
Zeke was like him- an orphan- one who didn't tend to like himself very much.
He could see them again now, the web of threads that tied each member of the family to him, one stretching toward the kitchen to where Alfred had gone to prepare more tea. Another toward the upstairs hall into Duke's room, where he slept soundly.
And a new one, slowly pulsed from his chest, reaching toward Zeke.
He hated these moments the most, because they caught him entirely by surprise and were beyond his control.
Desolation and Love always seemed to haunt him in equal measure. But he didn't know if Zeke wanted it. And currently, Bruce's heart was still liable to shatter, unable to handle a rejection.
The words should've come from Zatanna, not him. But they came of their own will, in multitudes- much like Jason had already demonstrated to Zeke.
"You have suffered. Death surrounds you, yet you escape it's permanence again and again."
"Dad..." Dick started, a nervous edge to his voice.
Everyone else immediately came to attention.
Jason started breathing heavily. What was happening? His eyes watered, visions blinking in and out. A low whine came from his throat.
"Jason, breathe," Zatanna told him, reaching for Bruce.
"I- can't," Jason whimpered, arms slowly releasing their hold on Zeke, eyelids fluttering.
"Woah," Tim gasped. "Jay, your eyes-"
They looked like a night full of stars, primordial.
Jay's breath came out as a sigh, song-like and aching, a faint melody echoing throughout the Cave as his body was peeled away from Zeke and began to float, levitating in the center of all of them. His brows were scrunched in distress even as brilliant light filled his chest, an invisible breeze flowing through his hair until it, too, brightened with a spectrum of light.
Everything was too much. His dad was hiding something from him- from everyone. Zatanna knew more than she was saying. Everyone was scrutinizing his apparent soulmate- who it turns out he might one day lose forever. And he doubted Zeke even knew why.
He couldn't handle it. He couldn't allow it.
His vision shifted again until the Cave faded away. All he saw were endless stars, planets and a dark vastness so wide it threatened to swallow him whole.
Visions flashed in his mind like a film montage, many figures, ancient ones- a sense that someone important was searching for him- had been searching for him for a long time. His life, his death, his resurrection. And one figure, a woman with rainbow wings that resembled stained glass- she saw him, standing immediately.
"You," she whispered gently.
Jason recoiled. He wasn't ready for that- whatever that was. But he couldn't look away.
"Don't-"
Don't what? Take him away? Tell him the truth?
"I'll come to you soon. All will be well. Be not afraid."
The Catholic in him settled.
Oh...
She was an Angel.
He cried.
His soft sobs filled the cosmos around him, tears crystallizing into precious stones the moment they fell into the vacuum of space.
Outside of his vision, the others called his name frantically which ultimately snapped Bruce out of the trance he'd been in.
All he saw was Jason.
Jason who had ink black tears running down his cheeks.
"Jaylad-"
Zatanna gasped beside him, having felt the familiar pulse of power for a brief moment. Looked like her job here wouldn't be so hard after all. And her suspicions were starting to seem less far-fetched.
Bruce stood abruptly, rushing across the room to grab Zeke's hands. "Help me help him. Please-"
Jason was floating in the stars.
He heard a voice calling him, many. But one stood out at first. "Jaylad? Sweetheart- it's me."
He blinked slowly, suddenly tired and sluggish.
"Dad?"
He saw Bruce's face, but it was different. Ancient but youthful simultaneously- like the Angel Lady. He had wings here, too. Did Jason have wings here? He was too tired to check. Bruce's were Black and Pink- how pretty. And they were still bat-shaped, because of course they were. And he wore black and silver robes. Was that ... was that normal to hallucinate? Was anything real? It was easier to focus on Angel Bruce than his own thoughts. He didn't wanna think anymore.
"Yes! It's me. I need you to come back. Zeke is waiting for you."
"Zeke?"
Oh god...
Zeke!
He tried to sit up or stand but he ended up flailing in space. He wasn't used to it at all.
"Zeke-"
"Zeke is fine. We're all worried for you," Bruce said, voice soft as he reached over and cradled Jason to his chest.
Jason instantly felt safe and at home. He wanted to go. He wanted to go back to Zeke. He felt a tug on his thread, his soul aching to return to the person on the other end. He almost thought he heard Zeke's voice. He missed Zeke's voice.
Zeke had been so polite and careful and had only barely gotten the chance to even speak and now Jason was the one ruining-
Stop your self pitying nonsense now, The Beast snapped. Our mate needs us! Return to him at once.
Jason internally flinched, already too sensitive to fight.
Don't yell at me...
He felt another tug- gentle and safe, the light in his chest flickering as he buried his face against Bruce, seeking his father's shelter.
"I wanna go home. I want Zeke, Dad- please. Take me home."
Take me home.
What he wished he could've said before...
Before he died the first time.
Except Jason was lucky. He'd gotten himself home somehow, stubborn soul that he was. And he had his family back.
But Zeke...
Zeke, I'm coming.
He blinked his eyes open, Bruce's strong arms still wrapped warmly around him. His face was wet and when he wiped his eyes his hands were stained black.
His voice rasped as he lifted his head, eyes searching and a shaky hand seeking- not needing to go far. He caught a slender arm in his grasp.
"Zeke?"
Zatanna watched the scene unfold, her own heart pounding in her chest. This was her extended family, and she would do anything for them. But Jason's power...
For one, it was fueled by all of his very big emotions- and Jason had so many interweaving layers of those. But there was something else. Zeke had made a distinction earlier about having demon pacts versus demon blood. And Jason's blood... it sang. In a way no one fully human's did. He wasn't homo-magi. He felt familiar in the way Bruce did. And she'd had many suspicions over the years about Bruce's sealed power. He had been so afraid of it. She didnt want that for Jason. But seeing Jason like this... she understood now why Bruce had freaked out so badly when they were teens and things just started... happening.
And Bruce... he hadn't been as lucky as Jason to have a soulmate to balance him. He had Hal now, but... that had been built brick by brick over many years. Not... this...
She watched Bruce slowly lift Jason who immediately crawled into Zeke's lap, wrapping around him and hiding his face in his neck, seeming to breathe him in, as if he needed Zeke like air. It was the exact way Death treated Angelos after a long time apart except these two were glued at the hip and in the same room and yet...
"Hmmm."
She decided to walk over to Bruce, who had Damian and Dick kneeling on either side of him to help him up.
Tim already had a data pad and scanner, testing the Cave for residual magic. Cass and Steph looked over his shoulder at the readings, the three muttering to each other.
Barbara was simply staring, taking everything in. Her mind was far away but active, absorbing every bit of information to review later. The sound of footsteps caught her attention and she turned to find a freshly awake Duke rubbing his eyes. He took a few moments to look around, and Barbara realized he was using his powers.
"Seems like I missed a lot," Duke said. "And it's a good thing I wasn't here or Jason might've blasted off into Space. I see most of what happened but maybe you can fill me in on some of the blanks I'm missing?"
She sighed. "Have a seat. It's a lot. And we haven't even gotten through everything. Also you took the shortest nap... ever?"
He arched a brow. "We're Bats. And I felt a disturbance in the Force. Now spill."
Sh sighed. "Alright so-"
Zatanna helped the others settle back into some sense of normal. Or normal for them at least.
Bruce was sitting with Dick and Damian on either side of him. Tim, Steph and Cass were on the floor together with Tim between the girls who were whispering commentary on his readings. He nodded along to what they said as it helped him think about things differently. Barbara was still sitting with Duke who had pulled up a chair and wrapped up her rundown of what happened. Jason was still on the floor with Zeke and Zatanna slowly walked over to them.
This had to be a lot for them. For Jason it was so new and Zeke had only just got here. And the family was used to a lot, but not this. This sort of thing was more her normal. Magic was one thing... cosmic forces were another. And for those who embodied both... she felt a great deal of sympathy.
"Why don't you two go sit on that sofa over there? It's much more comfortable. And no one here wants to separate you, just so you know, Zeke. Your presence is helping things, I promise. In ways you may not even realize. I know this has been a lot so quickly. And I'm sure you want to get a lot of it over with. I can see clear as day, as can everyone else, that you'd rather tear your own skin off than hurt Jason. It's going to be okay."
Jason didn't seem to want to move or change positions. He wanted to stay in Zeke's lap like when they were in the kitchen at his apartment. He wanted Zeke to keep touching him and holding him and saying sweet things to him. He didn't want to be some cosmic interdimensional whatever the fuck right now. He was just... he lifted his head slowly, glassy red-rimmed eyes- green once more- finding Zeke's, his hands felt every inch of Zeke's arms and chest until they cupped his cheeks, cradling his face.
"If you die and don't come back to me, I will not survive. That is a threat, Ezekiel."
Zatanna let out a little laugh, caught off guard.
"Yeah please don't go dying any time soon. But given the drastic turn of events just now, it actually might be a good time for Zeke to explain the nature of his demonic power. It seems more relevant now than when we started."
She gave Zeke a pointed look. "You can move or be moved."
"I'm not moving," Jason said defiantly. "So someone's gonna have to move me. I am quite comfortable, thank you very much."
She arched a brow. "Fine. Taolf"
"Pord."
Jason yelped as they were both levitated and plopped onto the couch. It only made him cling to Zeke even more.
There was a collective sigh and even a teasing whistle that made Jason blush furiously. "I'm so sorry," he whispered to Zeke, dropping his forehead to his shoulder.
Normally, everything about this position and their proximity would've made Jason so horny he couldn't think straight but right now, with everyone watching them, it was just comforting- and safe. Zeke had said he wanted to be able to touch him and Jay definitely wanted Zeke to touch him. It grounded him and he didn't much care what anyone thought of it.
"Awwww," Steph cooed, "they're so adorable."
"Yes," Tim agreed. "It's sickening. Ow!"
He glared at Cass, who had pinched him and smiled unapologetically about it.
Bruce cleared his throat wrapping his arms around Dick and Damian, who appeared to be the most concerned about everything but for very different reasons.
"Zatanna’s right," he said, ,"we should get everything over with."
"I'm just happy not to miss out again," Duke shrugged.
Barbara elbowed him.
"What? I'm nosy, too. At least I admit it."
Dick side-eyed Bruce, and Bruce made sure not to wince at the look on his eldest's face.
"You aren't getting out of explaining yourself either, B"
Damian frowned. "Fafher is not the one who needed to prove anything today and he's still under my care so mind your words, Richard."
Dick tensed. "I didn't mean-"
Damian shook his head, holding a hand up to silence him. "I know what you meant. Father hides things about himself. What else is new under the sun? Nothing. I'm as concerned about it as anyone else. But he's our father and he tries. So let's prioritize the discussion at hand. You all wanted to know about Zeke, not question the man you already know."
Dick sighed, leaning his head back on Bruce's shoulder in silent apology. "Fine." Bruce gave his shoulder a squeeze.
"I'll tell you, Chum. I promise. Just... not right this second."
"M'kay."
Alfred stood toward the back, looking rather unimpressed about everything.
It was always something.
Zatanna clapped her hands. "Okay! Let's begin. Zeke, you have the floor. Everyone else," she gritted glaring around the room, "Interrupt him and I will spell your mouths shut."
They knew she meant it, too.
They all sat up a little straighter after that, giving Zeke their undivided attention.
@zeke-in-gotham
Dottie's apartment wasn't far, and Red Hood silently slid her window open, booted feet landing softly on a plush faux fur carpet. He made sure to offer Zeke a hand as he climbed in after him, whether he needed it or not.
The apartment was like a princess studio in the seventh circle of hell, pink and white with glitter accents. Very… Dottie.
"Dot?" Jason hissed.
In the center of a round bed, a bombshell blonde lay half awake in a satin pink robe.
She blinked, lifting her head at the familiar voice, green eyes red-rimmed and sad. She sniffled, whining when it made her nose hurt. Thankfully it wasn't broken. But she had a nasty bruise on her cheek and more finger-shaped ones on her neck.
"Hoodie?" She croaked pitifully.
Jason's chest felt tight, jaw clenching at the sight of her. Dottie was the softest girl in the brothel.
He rushed to her bedside, sitting on the edge of the bed like it was habit.
It was habit.
Jason spent free time (that he wasnt vigilanting) fixing things for people, running his club, cooking which- meant eating, and spending time with the girls. Mainly because it was also all the time he got to spend with Gloria.
He had sat there through many late night gossip sessions with her and Gloria and the others. He'd sat through her trying and failing to dye his white lock a variety of colors. He'd had his nails painted more times than he could count on that very bed. And now he was looking at her sad face, bruised up by some brute- the worst kind of scum, too.
He cupped her cheek, exhaling harshly when his thumb traced the bruise.
"Oh, Dot…"
"I-Im okay," she said, offering a wobbly smile, not protesting when he scooped her up gently, holding her to his chest. Her hands fisted into his jacket, the barrier of the sheer size of him providing shelter.
Her mask cracked and slowly, her shoulders shook, and soft heartbreaking sobs were smothered against Jason's large frame. He pet her hair, shushing her gently. "I'm gonna make them pay, Dot. I promise. They won't hurt you again."
She shook her head. "It- I can usually handle myself but- he was so- he wouldn't- s-stooop," she whimpered, eyes haunted as she recounted what happened. "I told him no to ch-choking me and he started hitting me and throwing me around and then did it anyway. He knew I didn't do choking when he picked me. I told him to wait for Stacy to be available if he wanted to be rough but he said I would do," she croaked, her voice still sweet despite her sour tone. "I had to scream for help and use my safe word and that's when Johnny and Jaime kicked in the door and got him off me. It was a whole thing."
Jason nodded. "What he look like, Polka Dot?"
She wiped her eyes, thinking for a moment.
"Light brown hair, blue eyes, early 30s at the oldest, shorter than you- kinda stocky. Umm…" she squeezed her eyes shut. "Think, Dorothea, think! Oh-" her eyes flew open as she gasped. "He had a tattoo on the side of his neck. Some kind of snake but it was cut in half. Weird right?"
"Weird, but specific. We'll find him."
He kissed her forehead and slowly detangled himself from her, but she grabbed his wrist as he stood.
"Wait-"
"Hmm?"
She finally noticed Zeke, but she didn't know him enough to trust. Jasom caught her expression.
"He's… He's my…"
She blinked. "Oh."
Slowly, her lips bloomed into a pleased grin. "It's about time, Hoodie."
Then she sobered, shaking her head comically. Everything about Dottie was always so dramatic.
"Did Gloria tell you about Sta-"
"Yes we have the address."
She sighed in relief, falling back into her bed.
"Good. Please go get her crazy ass before she gets herself killed."
Jason frowned, sharing a look with Zeke before turning back to Dottie. "Stacy said no."
Dottie rolled her eyes. "Duh. Stacy doesn't have the balls to take that risk, thats why Gloria went instead and- oh."
What followed was a pin-drop silence.
"Dottie," Jason said slowly, "are you saying my fucking cousin went undercover and neglected to tell me?"
She swallowed. "Well, you have the address-"
"Because she knew I would come," he finished for her, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Now he understood why he and his siblings were driving Bruce to an early grave.
He sighed again.
"I'll be back to check on you again soon. First I have to go save my stupid cousin before these assholes figure her out."
He turned to Zeke, expression grave.
"Well, Shadow Dancer, looks like we're up."
Even if Zeke didn't need help, he still took Jason's hand as he practically flowed into the room with a practiced grace, feet landing silently. Far from the first time he had entered a location through a window. Honestly he didn't even need to use the window, but he didn't want to scare the occupant. That was also why he remained standing by the window, splitting his attention between his beloved, the room, the girl, and everything outside the window.
The room looked like a Barbie fever dream to him, but he couldn't judge. Asmodeus had a far more obnoxious room and he'd spent plenty of time in there.
Hoodie?
Adorable.
Zeke suppressed a smirk at the somewhat cutesy nickname. He made note of how comfortably, familiarly, that Jason sat on the woman's bed. It was apparent how close his darling was to these working girls as he watched from his peripheral vision the way Jason so delicately caressed her check before scooping her up to hold her while she sobbed against his beloved's chest.
He kept his focus out the window, lips pressed in a thin line. Listening to someone innocent cry was never easy, and watching was even worse.
More than that, Zeke had to wrestle with that jealous, possessive pit in his stomach as it rose irrationally at someone being in his spot. He should be curled up against his lover's chest. His jaw ticked as he clenched his teeth and forced it down. She was someone Jason cared about, she was hurt and upset and deserved to be comforted.
Taking the frustration and redirecting it towards the vermin that had caused this was far more productive. They would be an acceptable outlet for his negative feelings.
Polka Dot?
Another cutesy nickname.
Zeke absorbed the description of the man even as his shadows whispered in his ears, still creeping towards the address Gloria had given him. His fingers flexed when Jason gave the woman a kiss on the forehead. Now was not the time to get childish about how he wanted a forehead kiss. Or any kiss.
Later.
Focus.
For the first time he turned his head fully towards the bed as Dottie finally noticed him, although his body was still angled towards the window, ready to slide back into the night at any moment. His smile wasn't forced as he watched his beloved try and fail to name what he was, although the woman seemed to understand anyway.
Good.
All the other thoughts were swept away when Dottie mentioned that Gloria had decided to go undercover and had failed to mention that when they'd so very recently spoken to her. That had him immediately tense. His darling's cousin was in danger? If anything happened to her Jason would be very upset, and that was unacceptable.
Zeke's gaze was hard, eyes shimmering with specks of blue like ice chips when his beloved finally turned back to him.
"So it would seem." He turned to Dottie and gave her a polite nod, "It was nice to meet you, though I wish it were under better circumstances."
Since he was still beside the window he vanished back out it in a swirl of shadow and did not hesitate as he sped towards the location they had been given. His ability to jump from shadow to shadow allowed him to cover ground quickly as he shifted from rooftop to rooftop. Red Hood might fall behind even with the help of his grapple. Zeke didn't like that idea, and doubted that Jason would like him running ahead, but with the added factor of Gloria being involved he decided that his beloved might forgive him.
"I will send shadows ahead to get eyes on Gloria, by the time we reach the warehouse I should have a rough layout and placement for guards and victims." It was strange to announce his plans into a comm device, so used to simply thinking and acting without sparing a thought to someone else.
"Once I finish reconnaissance we can make a plan. I won't act without you unless there is imminent danger to civilians." Even as he spoke that, his shadows had reached the perimeter of the location and began rapidly infiltrating, not moving when they could be seen, infecting the natural shadows to watch as many corners as he could find.
When he physically caught up he slowed and approached stealthily, low to the rooftop and hidden in shadow as he filtered through all the visual feeds being fed to him by his shadows.
"I'm on the rooftop across from the warehouse now. There's an old sign that provides clear cover with a good line of sight on the building. The level of security is either good or bad depending on how you want to look at it - bad because it's definitely much heavier than at the previous warehouse and good because this level of security indicates a key location, possibly even the heart of the entire operation." Something in the back of his mind curled and twisted with a desire to rip the figurative heart out of this insect - maybe the literal one too.
"Still looking for Gloria."
Jason frowned as soon as Zeke disappeared. He immediately felt his absence bone-deep.
Dottie caught it, patting his shoulder with a smile sweeter than molasses.
"Go, Hoodie."
He nodded, giving her one last hug.
"I gotchu, Dot."
She snuggle back into bed with a sigh. "I know."
He was crawling back out of her window and onto the fire escape when he heard a low growl in the back of his mind- just as Zeke's voice vibrated in his ear.
"Got it," he ground out, trying to stamp down his - was it anger?
He disappeared on us! He just left-
The mission! he reminded The Beast.
Hmph. Now you sound like Bruce.
How would you know? You just got here.
Lies. I have always been here. You just weren't listening.
Well, tough. There are lives on the line.
Yes. Like our mate's.
He can handle himself-
Besides the point. But we need to get to him now.
I'm trying.
… Do you trust me?…
Do I have a choice?
Right then, he could almost feel The Beast smile before his bones started to break, shifting with something not quite like pain but too intense to be compared to anything else.
"Argh!"
His body moved on it's own, perhaps because The Beast now had full command. A dark jaguar zipped through the Gotham streets, hot on Zeke's scent- which Jason now knew was laced with magic. He wanted to take them straight to him.
The feline finally slowed it's steps, glowing crimson eyes gleaming in the dark when it spotted Zeke, letting out a low growl.
Mate.
They crawled on all fours, slowly shifting back until Zeke's back was pressed against their chest, claws still extended and teeth elongated, rounded jaguar markings seemingly painted along his cheekbones. One hand reached around to wrap around Zeke's throat, tipping his head back to whisper in his ear.
"Regardless of your good intentions, do not intend to make a habit of disappearing on us, little mate. The consequences will be pleasurable, but not kind."
They licked the shell of his ear before playfully nipping Zeke's neck.
"Now, we will draw their fire and make quick work of them."
He spun Zeke around, pressing him up against the wall, tenderly hooking a clawed finger under Zeke's chin, lips so close only a slip of paper could fit between them, red eyes boring into Zeke's.
"Now, I expect that our beautiful, competent mate can infiltrate the warehouse and extract the hostages, yes?" was whispered into the night air- before their hands vanished.
Along with the rest of them.
Before long, the sounds of shouting and bulletfire sounded from afar.
Jason moved like a predator playing with it's food- and somehow he still didn't take it easy on the small army of scum.
Claws ripped throats out and tore through guts before bullets could be fired.
When they did fire he vanished in time to let the goon infront of him take the bulk of the bullets.
Many times, The Beast swept someone's feet from under them or threw one body into another before Jason ever had the chance to draw his gun.
This went on until Jason's eyes caught a head of light brown hair walking into his sight.
"Hood!"
Jason's eyes traced the split snake tattoo on the side of his neck.
Jason straightened, head tilting curiously.
"What's your name?"
The other man raised his gun, as if that would do him any good, responding quite arrogantly - chest all puffed out- for someone who was sure to die.
"Lewis."
Bang!
Jason disappeared and reappeared, Lewis' wrist caught in his grip as he got in the man's face, his hold tightening until the other man howled to the sickening sound of his wrist snapping.
"Well, Lewis… I'm a friend of Dottie's."
Lewis scowled, "That whor-"
He choked on his words as a clawed hand abruptly plunged through his chest and tore out his heart, blood splattering and painting the ground with the rest of his broken and bloody associates.
Jason released him, letting his body hit the ground, crushing the heart in his fist, flames dancing on his skin to burn the blood away.
He sniffed the air, following Zeke's scent into the warehouse.
He heard a woman's voice cry out in distress, heart jumping in his chest and blood turning to ice in his veins.
Gloria!
Even focused on the hunt as he was, Zeke couldn't possibly miss the approach of his beloved, the shadows both whispering in his ear and filtering flashes of images of the huge feline stalking closer.
That's new.
His shadows kept him from jumping at the warmth of Jason's chest suddenly being pressed against his back, although he did resist the urge to lean back into his beloved. This was hardly the time to be allowing himself to be distracted from the task at hand. Of course that was near impossible when he felt a clawed hand wrap around his throat and tip his head back so he could see the way those red eyes gleamed in the dark.
Fuck.
It was terribly unfair just how sexy his darling could be, the way his voice curled around his brain - low and threatening - was stupidly hot in a way that sent a shiver down his spine. Zeke had to bite his lip to resist pointing out that Jason was just threatening him with a good time.
His breath hitched involuntarily as he felt those teeth nip at his neck. It reminded him of the way those teeth had dug into his skin earlier and he felt himself shudder slightly. Zeke couldn't even wrap his head around the fact that he should be very annoyed at being told what to do - as if this Beast could tell him how and when he could come and go. All he wanted to do was melt and have his beloved's hands all over him.
It was bad enough he almost missed what The Beast had actually said, he blinked as he was suddenly spun and crowded against the wall, his lover practically caging him in - damnit that was hot too. Zeke swallowed thickly as his chin was tilted up tenderly, despite the claws still adorning his darling's hands. A flush crept over his cheeks and down his neck. Zeke loved when Jason complimented the way he looked, but being called competent hit different, made him want to swoon even harder than ever. That wasn't even taking into account how the most minuscule movement would have brought their lips together…
Then The Beast vanished and Zeke was left leaning against the wall feeling absurd and horny and annoyed. They were supposed to be hunting. He would have to get the beast back later for riling him up and leaving him without even a proper kiss.
Focus.
"Fucking hell," he huffed, recomposing himself and jerking his focus back to the task at hand.
An eerie sense of deja vu hit him. Wasn't this so very like another recent hunt? Even the energy felt vaguely familiar. No time to ponder it, he heard the first screams and gunfire as Jason began drawing attention.
Zeke dashed from behind cover and didn't hesitate to leap from the edge, a pair of shadows forming into giant wings, feathers pitch black with an almost iridescent sheen. Two beats was enough to send him rocketing across the distance between the roof he'd just been on and a second story window. The wings stretched forward and folded to form a shield as he burst through the glass and rolled into the room, dark daggers already in his hands as he launched back to his feet and straight into a guard before the man had time to process what had happened or raise his gun. Blood splattered across the floor as a dagger arched upwards, piercing under the chin and straight through the roof of the guard's mouth to dig deep into the soft gray brain matter.
Dead before his body even hit the floor.
The second guard opened fire, bullets connecting with the shadow wings and being swallow in the shifting dark feathers until the gun clicked empty, a simple flick of Zeke's wings sent the bullets spraying back towards the guard as he frantically reached for a spare magazine. As the second body fell, the wings folded back and dissolved. He could still hear the muffled carnage taking place outside, but he also heard footsteps thundering in his direction - the guards that hadn't gone to confront Red Hood.
Could he have come in more stealthily? Most certainly, and had he been alone he certainly would have, but he had absolute faith that the majority of any opposition would be drawn to his beloved's deadly rampage, and he could more than handle what remained. Although he still kept a close eye on his darling through the shadows.
His shadows had located the captives, even as the door burst open with more guards, Zeke vanished in a swirl of shadows and reappeared in a locked room. There had to be more than a dozen people - mostly women and children - huddled in the darkness, clinging to one another in terror as the sounds of gunfire and screams reached even here. Several of them cried out when he materialized from the shadows, and he was quick to put up empty hands.
"Shh. It's alright, I'm Shadow Dancer and I'm here to get you out. Red Hood is drawing attention." Zeke knew it was the right thing to say, because while some of them still seemed wary of an unknown meta more of them seemed relieved at the mention of one of the vigilantes they were familiar with.
"Everyone gather around, hold on to each other. This might be a little strange, and it will be very dark, but you're safe. I promise." Zeke could hear shouting and rapid footsteps approaching. He'd drawn the guards away from this room when he entered, but they were coming back now that they knew they'd been tricked.
The shadows swallowed them all.
Zeke stepped through the darkness, holding to each of the hostages, and brought them safely to the grounds of the nearest hospital. They would be safe and could get medical attention. It seemed the most logical place for them to be for now. Police would be called, they could all be assisted to getting home through the proper legal channels.
"Everyone go inside, get help and wait for the police." He didn't give them time to argue or question him, immediately jumping back through the shadows. Jason was certainly capable, but he did not want to leave him there alone. The room that they'd kept the hostages in was now open, with several cursing guards trying to figure out how their captives had managed to escape from a locked room while more had begun searching the warehouse on a warpath.
Without even leaving the shadows he coalesced the shadows in the room, making them writhe along the floor, the ceiling, the walls. They danced in macabre shapes, causing the men to shout in terror - Zeke could feel it swallowing them. When the guards tried to make for the door to flee, a thin shadow line formed at neck height before sweeping through the room, slicing clean through muscle and sinew and bone, a razor wire, the shadow dissolved as heads rolled to the floor with wet thuds as blood gushed from stumps - it took a few seconds for the rest of the bodies to realize they were dead and fall.
It was a shadow, writhing and wispy that stepped through the doorway into the hall, indistinguishable save for a pair of glowing acid green eyes. The echo of his boots against the metal grating of the suspended walkways were a steady death knell, unhurried and inevitable. Shadows broke off and splashed along the walls, spreading like spilled ink ahead of this cryptic monstrosity.
No one was brave enough to stand against him. Guards screamed, some ran immediately, some tried to empty their guns first only to find their bullets swallowed by the darkness. Shadows shot upwards from the floor or outward from the walls like spikes, impaling those that did not move fast enough, while those that ran would find themselves ensnared by tendrils that dragged them screaming into the darkness, the wails of terror abruptly cut off as they were devoured.
The warehouse was steadily growing quieter.
One scream stood out, a woman's, and the living shadow halted its advance, the eyes narrowed as Zeke was reminded suddenly that he hadn't found Gloria yet. The rage and bloodlust cooled and the living shadows dispersed as he stepped through darkness again, reappearing as close to the sound of the scream as he could estimate.
If anything happened to her…
A black gloved hand held Gloria by the hair, the offenders other hand smacking her across the face so hard it drew blood before she was thrown onto the floor.
"You lying whore. You lead them straight to us didn't you?" A male voice snarled accusingly.
She let out a breathless laugh, pushing herself up shakily with hands braced against the floor. Her dress was partially torn on the side. Brown eyes glared up at him from behind disheveled strands of hair, lipstick smeared from where his partner had forced a kiss on her before she had kneed him in the groin.
"Go fuck yourself," she hissed, knowing she wasn't doing herself any favors. But if Roman was too busy with her, then it gave Jacinto and his boyfriend time to get to everyone else.
She was no vigilante.
But she wasn't a coward who would stand by and let them get away with poisoning the community. Still, she hoped her cousin would forgive her.
And besides…
Men really were just too easy.
She cried out as she was kicked in the stomach.
That's what Jason ran into when he saw fucking Black Mask standing over his cousin.
He didn't think.
He shot at him, knowing the bastard would just dodge. But it at least got him away from Gloria.
His head snapped toward Jason.
"Red Hood," he said slowly. "You always did have a bleeding heart didn't you? No matter how many heads you made roll you could never resist a damsel in distress."
Gloria growled under her breath. One would have thought it was she housing the spirit of a beast and not Jason.
"I ain't a fucking damsel but you're about to be in distress," she retorted.
Before he could pull a gun on her and shoot, Jason was between them with his gun aimed and ready. Thankfully, it was then that he felt Zeke's presence.
He didn't take his eyes off of Black Mask, but addressed Zeke just as another figure entered the room. From his peripheral he briefly recognized Penguin.
Great.
"Shadow Dancer, get her out."
These two cockroaches wouldn't be stupid enough to take them on alone, he realized- the exact moment more gunmen rushed in.
"Who's your girlfriend, Hood? Or is it a boyfriend?" Oswald taunted him.
"Of course you two low lifes are working together," Jason grunted, over it already.
He loved his city- but sometimes… he hated it there.
He launched himself at Black Mask first, blocking the responding blow and uppercutting him. The other man flew in the air and hit the ground, rolling to a stop with a grunt.
Then all hell broke loose.
He shot Oswald in the leg just as he tried to make one of his funny little exits, barely able to enjoy the shriek of pain before he was thrown into a shoot out.
He had just literally dodged a bullet and shot three more goons when Roman's fist rammed into his side, knocking the wind out of him.
He snarled, using the momentum to flip the other man and throw him down on the ground, shooting him in the shoulder just as a leg kicked out and tripped him.
It wasn't him and the Beast right now, just Jason and a history that was all too personal.
Beyond the general fuck shit the motherfucker pulled in Gotham on the regular and the enimity between them was one late night Steph spent at his house after one bad day, recounting how Black Mask had tortured her. Leslie's additional fuckery aside, he had been a thorn Jason really wanted out of his family's side for ages.
"I'm gonna fucking kill you," he spat at him, shooting another goon without looking. He just had to hold on until Zeke got back to handle the rest.
Cobblepot was still trying to crawl away, leaving a long red streak of blood across the floor. Irritating as keeping him alive was, this was Zeke's bust too. He should leave one for him at least.
But Roman- he was too personal. This was Jason's kill.
Roman had the audacity to laugh.
"Please. You try and fail so often I almost think you want me around."
Jason fired another three shots, bodies falling around them.
Were the bullets they were firing at him... bending around his body?
Huh... talk about plot armor.
You're welcome, a bright voice chimed.
The Beast growled, clearly irritated.
Enough talk. Kill him. We shall address her later.
So it was a woman...
Oookay.
Roman kept blabbing, "In fact- If you had such a crush on me I would've gladly let you suck my-"
Bang!
He blinked, stunned eyes glazing over from the bullet Jason had put in his head.
But Jason's rage was deeper than than that.
I can fry his soul!
Seriously who are you?
No one important-
Rude.
Jason felt himself lose control of his body yet again, only this time- this time there was pain, searing and unbearable, coming from his back.
He whimpered, falling to his knees as bright wings ripped out of his shoulder blades, eyes glowing in a kaleidoscope of color .
He couldn't help it.
He screamed in agony.
If anyone were to see it, they would have seen someone who looked like an avenging angel consumed by his own flames, the inferno burning many of those around him and reducing them to ash, just like before. The fire receded, Black Mask well and truly gone, not only in body but in soul.
Jason lay in the middle of the warehouse with only an injured Penguin who had been far enough away to escape with his life, staring stunned at him.
"What are you?"
His question went unanswered.
Jason was shivering in the fetal position, soft sobs wracking his body. His- god his wings? They were so heavy. and his back still ached with excruciating pain.
"H-Hurts-"
He tried to move, and it was then that Penguin managed to use the last of his strength in his only remaining arm to whip out a gun and shoot at him, hitting his shoulder, Jason's own blood joining the rest.
"Ah!"
He collapsed, tears falling onto the bloodsoaked floor.
Was he dying again? He wanted-
"Dad- help-" he whispered, too in pain to feel pathetic for how needy it sounded.
Bruce's voice in his ear was immediate and panicked.
"Red Hood! Come in- Hood! Jaylad- son, please-"
He faintly heard his siblings voices but he couldn't make any of it out.
"...M'sorry, Ze-"
His vision swam, blurring until everything went black.
There was only a split second to process the situation as Zeke stepped from the shadows. Black Mask, he had heard things about him, among other rogues like Penguin who also seemed to be present, was pointing a gun at Jason, who was standing in front of Gloria like a shield. His beloved shouted an order at him. He wanted to protest, to refuse to leave his darling alone, as more goons rushed in, but his body reacted before his mind could decide to disobey.
"Hold on to me." Zeke appeared at Gloria's side, putting a steadying arm around her while throwing one last fleeting glance to his lover before shadows swirled and pulled them both through the darkness. He stepped into a madhouse. There were police and flashing lights, medical personnel evaluating who needed to be treated first and who could give police statements.
"Go get checked. We'll take it from here." People started rushing towards them and he vanished back into the shadows before they could try to distract him. Zeke had been listening in to everything still going on at the warehouse and he was most anxious to get back to his beloved.
That was the moment that Jason screamed.
It felt like a battering ram had been slammed against his chest when he heard that sound of agony, knocking the wind from him. That was swiftly followed by a white-hot lance of pain scattering his thoughts and his control. Shadows that had been swirling in the room around his beloved were forced to retreat into further, darker crevices to escape the holy light burning through the room.
Suddenly frantic, he tried to move from the shadows, but couldn't push through the radiance. A wave of frustration and rage built underneath his skin. His darling was hurting and he couldn't get to him! When the final gunshot rang out, followed by another scream of pain, Zeke felt his control shatter. Unable to hold back the darkness inside him, black horns grew from behind his ears in a backwards sweep, his nails elongated and sharpened into razor-like talons, his canine teeth became fangs, and his sclera turned to an inky void while his irises burned a toxic green, and a long thin tail with a flowing black tuft dragged behind him as he practically exploded from the shadows once the light was dim enough.
This thing was feral as it launched itself at the only suitable target, pouncing on Penguin in a blind rage with one simple goal - tear out his throat. His fangs sank deep, cutting off the terrified scream as he ripped out the vocal cords and windpipe, severed the carotid arteries, and left the one that had dared harm his mate to choke on his own blood.
He could still hear the frantic voices of his beloved's family buzzing in his ears as he rushed to Jason's side, reaching for his lover with surprising tenderness considering the carnage Zeke had just orchestrated. Even when consumed in his own violence, he took such great care to lift his darling into his arms, cradling him protectively. The wings added weight, but in this form it hardly mattered. His first instinct was to spirit Jason away to the safest place he knew so that he could heal and protect his mate, but even in his distraught state he had heard who his sweet boy really wanted in his distress.
"Cave." A singular word growled into the comms with an inhuman rasp.
The shadows swarmed every inch of the warehouse, devouring corpses and blood, shell casings and fallen weapons, any evidence that would annoy him as he stepped through shadows to take his dear one to his family. Zeke must of looked quite the site as he materialized in the cave, blood drenched, horns out, tail flicking in both agitation and distress, face twisted in pain as his chest ached horrendously.
Bruce’s heart was in his throat.
His cowl and gloves were off and he reached for Jason as soon as Zeke brought him into the Cave.
The others were scattered around. Dick pacing, Stephanie biting her nails, Damian preparing medical supplies with Alfred, Cass and Tim on video call with Barbara reviewing the warehouse footage to keep themselves from spiraling entirely.
His head count upon arrival included Duke sound asleep upstairs and God knew how long that would last. He briefly heard Zatanna’s name thrown around but he didn't care about the plans or magic or anything in that moment.
Just his boy.
"Jaylad!"
He instantly gathered Jason into his arms as best he could, the wings making it slightly difficult. He was older now and weaker due to his condition. But for Jason he could move mountains.
"Follow me," he told Zeke, leading him toward the medbay.
"Theres another bed right here," he said, gesturing to the empty one beside him as he gently set Jason down, a hand gently brushing his hair back, thumb smoothing the distressed crease between his brows.
He turned to Zeke, a firm and paternal look in his ice blue eyes.
"I don't care how okay you think you are- and don't growl at me, son. You will allow Alfred to check you over for injuries and Damian to provide treatment if needed."
He didn't give Zeke time to argue as Alfred began the process.
"Remove your shirt please, Master Zeke. This won't be too invasive, I promise. Are you lightheaded at all? Are you in pain?" He asked politely, as if Zeke wasn't a demon in the flesh. They had experience with various things over the years, they could handle this much. He didn't comment on any of the pacts, only asking if they were functioning as normal.
Damian sighed, "I can extract the bullet but I can't account for painful transformations. He'll live. But I don't know how Lazarus water would interfere with his new powers."
Just then, a tiny black blur clawed up his leg.
"Ow! Hamza!" he scolded.
The little kitten made it up to the bed, mewing pitifully when he saw his human's state. Damian tried to pick him up only for the kitten to hiss at him, a clawed little paw swiping at his hand.
Tim had approached slowly with the others. "Did that cat just… hiss at Dami?"
"The world is ending," Cass remarked.
"Unheard of, I know," Dick said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What did you do to piss it off, Dami?" Steph questioned.
"Nothing!" he snapped. "Hamza and I were perfect friends thusfar." He ran a hand through his hair, stilling when the kitten seemed to huff and curl itself on top of Jason's chest, his little green eyes glowing. "Um…"
"Is… it supposed to do that?" Tim asked nervously.
Then, Damian did something unexpected.
He laughed. "Of course!"
Jason's body responded, a low and vibrating hum filling the medbay, his chest glowing faintly with a heart shaped light. The bullet slowly slid out of his shoulder, the wound sealing, all the blood that lingered on him vanished as if it had never been there, and his face went lax into a more peaceful expression.
"It healed him," Cass whispered in awe.
Hamza swished his tail, blinking at them as if to say "I have to do everything around here."
He finally allowed Damian to pet him, pushing his little face into his hand and allowing him to praise his efforts.
"Good job, habibi."
He turned to the others. "Jason will be just fine. Hamza is clearly no ordinary cat. I have heard legends of such things but it was truly an honor to witness in person."
Bruce sagged in relief, sitting down on the empty spot next to Zeke as Alfred wrapped up, declaring that "Master Zeke appears physically fine, sir."
He nodded, smiling softly when Dick reached over and gave Zeke a brief side hug, patting his shoulder. "Thanks for bringing him home to us," he said, voice thick with emotion. As quickly as it happened he was gone and crossing the room toward Tim, collapsing into him as the younger man held him. "I thought-"
"Shh," Tim whispered. "He's okay."
Bruce was, himself, overwhelmed with sentiment.
"Whatever you might think, I owe you a great debt. I-" he sucked in a breath, exhaling shakily, eye red-rimmed as he offered Zeke a shattered smile.
"I don't think I could have done it a second time- finding my boy like that in a burning warehouse. The last time, I brought Jason back cold- and had to bury him. If you knew how small he- Obviously, things didn't stay that way but even after-" he swallowed down the words he couldn't say and instead opted for "I spent a lot of time grieving him even when he was more alive than ever- bright as ever- even burning with rage. But Jason- he's all heart all the time. He won't blame you. So you shouldn't blame yourself," he said, patting Zeke's hand, eyes gently tracing the shape of his horns, unafraid and without judgement, only sweet curiosity.
"And sometimes, Zeke- there is no blame. Only what is and how we endure the things that are."
With that, he pushed himself off the bed and went to Jason's bed side.
Before Zeke could do anything else, Steph was on him, looping her arms with his. "Hey ,Tater Tot! You stink," she joked, though her own eyes were wet. "I am trading your old nickname for new ones. Deal with it," she shrugged, perking up again, her attention scattered, "But hey, I told Dickie and Timberly that Jason needs a sponge bath at least. And I don't think you want him to wake up to you looking and smellling like a bucher shop."
She dragged him up with surprising strength, making him walk with her. Though he likely could've stopped her.
Once they made it out of the room, she stopped. "I know, I know. You don't want to be away from him. That's why we arent't going up into the main house. We have communal showers down here, spare clothes if you need it and toiletries too. And," she paused, shifting nervously from side to side, "Showers can help calm the nerves, relax the body and mind and all that. That way you can walk back in here refreshed, you know?" she offered, voice going softer as she spoke, her smile wobbly.
"Anyway it's this way," she said, spinning on her heel and marching to the bathroom, showing him around the state-of-the-art room that looked almost like a spa retreat with natural wood stone, sleek glass and bamboo. everything else was white and there were potted green plants as well as a diffuser that released a eucalytpus scent. "I know I said it's communal but you'll find each stall is very private, clean and fully stocked with the good shit. Bruce isn't cheap. You can grab some wash cloths- the shampoo, body wash and conditioner is in the stalls. Drying towels will be in the cabinets next to each stall as well as extra clothes. just find your size if you need it. The vanities on that wall over there also have unused brushes, combs, lotion, toothbrushes and paste- you get the idea. "
She treated the tour of the bathroom like a full time job- likely to distract herself from the storm of emotions she didn't know where to land.
She was awkwardly silent for a moment before she couldn't take it anymore.
"Bruce wasn't always nice to me you know?" she blurted out, wincing at her own words. "I mean- I didn't know what I did wrong. Or maybe I did but I still wished-" she shook her head-"anyway, it wasn't until after- I mean I told Jason about this last year. But Black Mask- he tortured me. He almost killed me and I had to fake my own death for a while. I think I always reminded Bruce too much of Jason- of how he lost him. It doesn't make it right, even now that me and Bruce are- fine. Good, even. I might even say great now. But... I get it, you know?" her voice trembled. Her fingers fidgeted with her hair, the blonde ends splitting. She needed a haircut, she mused absently. "I heard what Jason said on the comms- to him- I- Black Mask."
She opened the stall for Zeke, stepping away and making to leave, pausing by the door to the hall, voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm glad he's gone."
Then Zeke was left alone to his own devices, with new information and possibly…
A new family.
Bruce was still petting Jason's hair, watching his face when he felt someone curl into his side. He instinctively wrapped an arm around them without looking, knowing from the build who it was.
"Steph?"
Her arms squeezed him, prompting his eyes to flick down expecting to see the top of a blonde head but his chest ached when he met her eyes peering up at him instead. They were full of tears and in an instant he understood.
"Oh, Steph, " he whispered, wrapping her in a hug.
A thousand apologies would never be enough. And he didn't have it in him to perform Red Hood's brand of justice. But...
"Are you alright?" he asked tentatively.
"I think I will be," she mumbled.
They stayed like that for a while, together at the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Nothing Stays the Same
Bruce looked at his phone, typing a response to Jason and then putting it down with a sigh.
He still remembered his strange dream from the night before and had the sinking feeling that it wasn't a normal dream. Nothing about his life had ever been normal but this...
Jason had these new and frankly unpredictable powers. And at the center of it...
This... Zeke.
He had to meet the man his son had become wrapped up with. He had to know if this was dangerous or not.
"B."
His head snapped toward the voice abruptly, eyes landing on Dick. The family was all home, still dressed in civvies, but they had convened in the Cave for the time being.
"I'm fine," he grunted, before anyone could ask, only serving to make them all less convinced.
Stephanie rolled her eyes from behind Dick. "Yeah sure. Look, Im sure Tango Twink is good people."
"We don't know that," Bruce gritted, hands clenching his knees.
"I'm doing a background check as we speak," Tim said, trying his best to reassure Bruce. "With my help-" Barbara cut in sharply.
Damian and Duke exchanged a look, Duke nodding for Damian to interject.
Damian sighed, stepping forward.
"Father, if I may? I did meet Zeke briefly. He didn't give the impression of wanting to hurt Jason. And Jason did seem to soften around him. Additionally, he can be subdued despite his magic... he isn't infallible. That is, if you must risk Jason's wrath to concoct one of your contingencies-"
"He has contingencies for us, too," Cass finally said, after having heard enough. "Zeke is not a special case. We must be prepared for anything at all times. Or we aren't bats."
There was a collective hum of agreement.
Alfred set tea down for all of them, having listened quietly. "Perhaps the young Zeke may surprise us. In fact, for Master Jason's sake, I hope he will."
Bruce sagged into his chair at the Bat Computer, taking in everything, the footage of Jason and Zeke's fight at the warehouse playing again.
"I just worry. Jason... for all his posturing, is the one among us who most wears his heart on his sleeve and after the last few disasters and with what my sources have told me about how he coped... I just don't..." he swallowed, ice blue eyes watching the way Zeke's powers shielded Jason at his own expense, the sorcerer taking a bullet to the shoulder- only for Jason to lose control entirely.
Dick rested a hand on his shoulder. "I know, Dad. I don't want Little Wing to get hurt again either," he told him, eyes darkening when he thought about the conversation he'd had with his best friend. Roy had been lucky Dick hadn't castrated him.
"Huh," Tim said, scanning his datapad with narrowed eyes. "Weird. His background check came back clean..."
Bruce arched a brow, "But?"
Tim raised his head. "But its like he popped up put of nowhere a couple months ago. Like he didn't exist anywhere before that. And even facial recognition pulls up no photos at all prior to that not even a yearbook photo. Nothing."
"Let's not jump to conclusions," Duke reminded them. "We've all seen a lot. This doesn't have to mean anything nefarious. Maybe he was running from something and had to change his identity. Or maybe-"
Bruce thought back to recent anomalies- the other Bruce he had met recently so different from himself, suspicion already rising.
"Or maybe he's not from here," Bruce finished for him.
Steph blinked. "Like Earth?"
Barbara stared at Bruce before it clicked. "Our Earth."
Bruce watched the screens again.
"Hn."
@zeke-in-gotham
Jason took deep, grounding breaths as he folded their clothes, taking his time to fold Zeke's with extra care, fingers tracing the hem of his coat with reverence. He loved seeing Zeke in it... and out of it.
He shook the lustful thought from his mind...
He couldn't focus around the man- or.... well, he could.
But only on Zeke.
He needed to...
He was nervous, too.
Today would give everyone something to prove. The thought alone made his heart race and palms sweat, brows scrunched as he worried his lip.
Would they like Zeke?
Would Zeke like them?
And that wasnt even the top of the list...
These new powers of his... they were getting more unpredictable and intense. So of course it would affect patrols. And Jason still didn't even know the source of his... magic?
There's also the subject of our little mate working our turf without permission. If he had been anyone else...
Jason might've killed him.
But he wasn't someone else. He was Zeke. And Zeke was Jason's.
Still.
What if it hadn't been Jason at the warehouse? Sure, Zeke could mostly take care of himself but...
He shook his head in frustration.
Something terrible could've happened to Zeke and Jason would never have known and he would never have seen him again and then he wouldn't feel all the amazing things he felt around Zeke that he'd never felt before.
What if Zeke got himself killed and then got spirited away to some other reality Jason couldn't reach?
He shivered, dreading that possibility.
He wanted Zeke... and he was starting to think he even needed him.
So he really hoped the family wouldn't fuck this up for him.
He decided to change in the laundry room, wearing his shirt with the red bat symbol and cargo pants. He laced up his boots and remembered he had a half mask in his room to pack in his duffle with a couple other things. He grabbed Zeke's clothes, walking to his room and finding him there still in just his robe. Jason's robe.
His mouth went dry. "You're so pretty," his voice cracked, handing him his clothes and picking his jacket off the top of his reading chair, shrugging into it before shoving a few things into his duffel.
"We'll head out in a few- woah," he breathed, watching Zeke conjure a new outfit onto himself. "You have got to teach me that."
He meant it, too. He wanted to learn more magic and to control his powers.
Just then he felt a soft little body rub against his leg with a purr. He looked down to see Hamza blinking slowly at him, making Jason smile and scoop him into his arms like a baby.
"Hey buddy. Uncle Dami has stuff for you at Grandpa B's house. You're gonna ride with Zeke today," he cooed, booping his nose and gently placing him in Zeke's arms.
"Alright, gorgeous, lets go."
He walked down to the garage where Jason's car sat waiting, the body painted a brilliant red. He pressed a button on the key fob and it turned on by itself. He didn't let Zeke touch the passenger's side door, opening it for him.
Never one to waste an opportunity, Zeke let his eyes close as he fell into controlled breathing as he let a barrage of filtered information wash over him. His scattered shadows around the alley and within his sanctum gave concise reports - the comings and goings of Ant and Maeve, the cleanup at the warehouse, petty crimes like muggings. Nothing of interest, of course not, his shadows would have alerted him immediately if anything truly concerning had come up.
It was strange. Even just having Jason in another room allowed him to refocus his mind to some extent, but instead of being consumed with his darling's presence, he felt his mind drifting in distraction with the yearning to be closer to his treasure.
My obsession doesn't falter in his absence, only changes shape.
Normally Zeke would find something that could distract and interrupt his thoughts so wholly unbearably annoying, such a distraction would need removed in any other case. With Jason he found his thoughts flow around and through this fixation on his beloved, accommodating and adapting. Devoting a string of conscious thought exclusively to his beloved seemed as natural as breathing.
If the others could see me now…
That line of thought was shut down and pushed away.
Irrelevant.
Focus.
Zeke let his eyes flutter open when he heard the sound of Jason's boots entering the room. His eyes raked up and down the vigilante's form and subconsciously bit his lip. Hearing the breathy way his treasure's voice cracked had him flushing faintly at the compliment, but his lips tugged in a smug little smirk.
"So are you, mi alma." He took the clothes offered to him, the ones he had conjured into a costume the previous night. Zeke stood up, but instead of dressing normally, he let the shadows rise and swirl around him. The costume disappeared from his hands as he conjured what he hoped would be a suitable enough outfit to meet Jason's family. A dark purple turtleneck, with black cargo pants, and military boots. Presentable but not too formal. The borrowed robe was now sitting neatly on the bed.
A soft, delighted laugh left him at his darling's reaction. Jason had seen him perform a similar feat the night before, but he supposed his beloved had been rather distracted at the time.
"I will gladly teach you anything I am able to, mi tesoro." Zeke wasn't quite sure if magic worked the exact same way in this universe as it did in his original one, but considering how little he'd had to adjust to using magic as he always had he couldn't imagine it could be fundamentally different systems.
Zeke felt his heart do a little pitter patter as he watched Jason hold the little black kitten like a baby, speaking to it so sweetly. His mind couldn't help but picture his lover cradling an actual baby.
Shaking the thought away - too soon - he smiled as Hamza was handed over to him, carefully holding the kitten against his chest while giving gentle scratches behind the ears and under the chin. He did so love cats, and this one belonged to his beloved, all the more reason to adore Hamza.
"Lead the way, handsome." He smirked, nerves about meeting the Batman and company mostly settled for the moment. Zeke felt more of those butterflies in his belly when they reached the garage and Jason opened the car door for him. It was such a simple gesture, but it was such a sweet, gentlemanly thing that was very Jason. He slid into the passenger seat, settling Hamza in his lap and buckling his seatbelt.
As soon as his treasure was settled in the driver's seat he reached for him, wanting the contact, needing to be touching him in some way. Jason would need his hands for driving, so keeping a hand on resting on his thigh on the drive seemed like a fine idea to Zeke.
Jason closed Zeke's door, walking around to the driver's side and sliding in beside Zeke. He had just put his seat belt on when he felt searing heat on his thigh.
His hands gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white.
"Baby," he breathed, reaching for the gearshift. "You're gonna kill me."
And it wasn't anything Jason himself wouldn't have done but when every little thing Zeke did made him ache with want-
They were about to go to his dad's house, he reminded himself.
He shook his head, swallowing the saliva pooling in his mouth before backing out of the open garage.
He drove them calmly into the city, occasionally turning to look at Zeke and Hamza. The kitten was sleeping in Zeke's arms, sleepy little purrs drowned out by the car's engine yet somehow Jason could hear it clearly.
He blinked...
Huh.
Now that they left the house he found he could see little details in Hamza's fur that weren't usually visible to the naked eye, almost like sparkles. Even Zeke looked clearer and-
Badump.
Badump.
Badump.
Badump.
It wasn't his own heartbeat. He normally heard it anyway. And it wasn't Hamza. The kitten slept with him often enough Jason knew it was slower.
He let out a shuddering breath, forcing his eyes on the road. His senses had enhanced somehow.
It meant he could hear Zeke's heartbeat.
What the fuck....
Cool!
But what the fuck...
At least it was steady for now which was the best he could hope for. He briefly wondered if it was because of The Beast's influence-
You would be correct. You're welcome.
He huffed, ignoring him.
Too soon, he was pulling into the entrance of the Bat Cave, parking close to the Batmobile and other bikes that belonged to his siblings.
He could see Damian was in scrubs likely returning from work since Brucs seemed to be doing much better these days.
Everyone else was suited up for patrol, Bruce sitting at the Bat Computer and Dick leaning in against the console next to him wrapped in some sort of discussion. Everyone else was scattered about. He could see that Stephanie jumped up first, pumping her fist in the air in excitement.
"They're here!"
Barbara looked in their direction with a smirk.
There was an unexpected addition and he almost groaned out loud when he saw Alfred serving her tea.
Zatanna...
He sighed, slowly getting out and walking around to open Zeke's door, offering him a hand to help him out of the car until the other man stood beside him with Hamza in his arms.
He threw the door shut, immediately wrapping an arm around Zeke and walking them futher into the Cave.
Damian greeted them first.
"Brother... Zeke. It is good to see you up and about," he told Zeke kindly, referring to his previous injuries.
"Sorry, just better when I can feel you." It was the truth, but also Zeke didn't sound that sorry about it, because why would he? They'd both demonstrated consistently that physical contact with each other provided a net positive effect on social and psychological well-being. If he had been the one driving instead he imagined that Jason's hand would likely have been very similarly placed.
It was completely logical and rational that he would seek out the contact. Did the justifications seem flimsy inside his own head? Possibly, but did he really need to justify the action?
Allowing his brain to spiral and circle around that in the relative quiet of the car as they made their way towards their destination helped keep him distracted and calm. Hamza's sleepy purrs certainly didn't hurt either. It wasn't until they entered the cave that Zeke could no longer keep his nervous about this meeting fully suppressed.
By the time the car pulled in next to what could only be the batmobile he'd heard about, plus some bikes that clearly belonged to the other vigilantes, Zeke felt the heaviness of everything. This introduction carried weight, but beyond that his mental barriers that shielded him from the worst of outside emotions were under considerable strain. The location was so saturated with pent up emotions and history that he felt almost that the air was too thick to comfortably breathe.
The person in scrubs was the only one he recognized from an actual meeting - most of the rest he had noticed splashed across news articles, magazine ads, or TV interviews. The blonde waving and redhead smirking were huge blanks in his superficial observations of Gotham so far.
His eyes were inevitably drawn to the figure that held the most overt magic in the cave - not including Jason or himself, of course. She was unknown too, and someone he immediately recognized as one not to cross. It was rare that he encountered someone he genuinely felt he should be wary of on principle. His darling seemed to not have expected her either, as he could feel the barely held back groan.
Interesting.
Zeke was temporarily distracted from his observations and assessments when Jason exited the vehicle and opened his door to offer a hand getting out of the car. His heart and stomach did little flips once more at the gentlemanly gesture and he was once again reminded that this was probably something he would need to get used to. With a faint pink tint to his cheeks he took Jason's hand and stepped from the relative safety of the car into the unknown of the bat cave.
It was comforting to have his beloved's arm almost immediately wrapped around him, Zeke was still a bit nervous, but the contact did settle something warm in his chest as he was guided towards the awaiting people. Having Damian be the first to approach and great them was also something of a relief.
"I'm a hard person to keep down for long, but without your help I definitely don't think I'd be this chipper today." Zeke replied goodheartedly as he shifted Hamza to be cradled by his left arm while he extended his right hand. "It's nice to formally meet you, Damian. I apologize for being too indisposed last night for a proper introduction. Also memory is a bit fuzzy but I believe I passed out before I could thank you. Genuinely, I truly appreciate the assistance."
Bruce watched as Jason got out of his car and promptly walked around to open the passenger side door, guiding Zeke out. The sorcerer had a kitten in his arms- Hamza, Damian had informed him about before.
He observed the exchange between Damian and Zeke, arching a brow and hearing Dick whisper beside him.
"He's trying too hard."
"Hn."
Ice blue eyes shifted, finding Zatanna’s watchful gaze.
She winked at him- a good sign- and he instantly felt the tension bleed out of his shoulders.
Zeke wasn't being manipulative- he was nervous.
Good.
Bruce stood walking toward them with Dick not too far behind.
He remembered the file Tim had compiled, holding a hand out to Zeke.
"You must be Ezekiel. I'll be honest, I'm surprised Jason agreed to allow us to meet. But I'm grateful you're here."
Willingly, at least.
The others slowly gathered behind Bruce, and he didn't have to look to know they were assessing in their own way.
At least until a blonde blur sped past him to stand in front of Zeke with a delighted squeal. She was no speedster but she could get around him when she wanted.
"TANGO TWINK- You're finally here! I've been dying to meet you," she said, beaming at him. "Oh," she told Jason, "your boyfriend is even prettier in person. And he's so proper. Where did you find him?"
Jason shook his head nervously. "Stop... calling him that- he doesn't like it. I know he's pretty- I-," he stammered, overwhelmed himself, "Cat Cafe. Where I got Hamza. Also I haven't asked him yet so can you not-"
Steph squinted at him, making the words die in his throat. They sounded weak even to him. He and Zeke likely looked close to eloping Vegas style as far as the bats were concerned.
"Are you telling me you had a meet-cute at a Cat Cafe that inspired you to adopt the cat? The cat he's holding right now?" She asked quietly, with eyes that said, 'you're basically married, dumbass'.
His arm tightened around Zeke. "It's no rush and no pressure. I'm not going anywhere. But I won't let any of you make him uncomfortable either. Can you not ruin this for me, please-"
She held her hands up in surrender. "Fine. Zeke, welcome to the madhouse." She stepped out of the way and Bruce took it upon himself to help introduce everyone.
"These are the rest of the family. My other adopted children, Dick, Tim and Cass," he began gesturing for the others to greet him.
Dick shook his hand, "I'm the oldest. It hasn't escaped my notice that Little Wing here seems to be happier lately since you came along. Let's hope it stays that way," he said, smiling sharply- a little too sunny. He didn't know Zeke. And he wanted to trust him. But this was Jason and Jason had a bat habit of loving the wrong people. For Jason's sake- he hoped Zeke wasn't the wrong person.
Cass waved, already sussing out Zeke's vibe- and she didnt need magic to do it. She smiled warmly, waving at Zeke. "Hi! I think you are good," she said bluntly, hoping it would put him at ease. And usually, her judgment affected how the others moved.
Duke in particular noticed and also waved at him. "Names Duke. Good luck man. And welcome. Can I go take a nap now? It's past my bed time and I don't feeling like making the trip back." He asked Bruce.
Bruce nodded, concern clear on his face.
"Yes, I'm sorry if we kept you up longer. Go upstairs and rest."
Duke nodded, yawning and rubbing his eyes, letting Bruce pull him into a quick hug before heading upstairs.
"Duke works the day shift. I fostered him and he doesnt live here full time anymore but he's still family and welcome to stay here," Bruce explained, unsure why he felt like Zeke needed to know that. "There are others like that in our lives who aren't present right now. You will eventually meet them as well." He also wasn't sure why he sounded certain about that. Bruce had felt strange as of late. Knowing things he shouldn't. Another reason he'd called on Zatanna.
Tim stepped forward next to Bruce. He didn't offer Zeke a handshake. But he did stare at him for a long time.
"What are you hiding?" He said at last.
"Tim!" Jason snapped.
Tim appeared unmoved.
"He appeared only within the last month give or take. His file shows he didn't have a real life anywhere before that. Do you even know-"
"I know why you little-"
"Then it's a simple question. Why are you mad at me?"
Jason breathed harshly through his nose, trying to anchor himself to Zeke so he wouldnt reach over and throttle Tim.
"I'm- it's not my place to tell you. It's the entire reason we're here. He wasn't against explaining it. And have you considered, knowing what kind of family this is that maybe his past isnt any better than anyone's here?"
"That's fine. He can explain-"
"Tim."
Hearing the warning in his voice, the younger man softened. "I just don't want you to get hurt. None of us do."
Jason felt the fight die in his chest. "I appreciate that but you can't protect me from everything. None of us can do that. Just be there for me."
Tim smirked, sending Zeke an apologetic glance. "Unfortunately, that's not how this family works. Investigate first, and apologize for crossing boundaries later. You'll get used to it. You might even fit in. I look forward to hearing the full story," he said pointedly.
Barbara wheeled herself over. "Stop trying to scare him. You're not scary. Besides?" She said, "We have ways of finding out even if he doesn't say a peep. This is more courtesy than anything." She turned her attention to Zeke. "I'm Barbara."
Her eyes were kind, but penetrating, like the rest of them. There was always something they weren't saying, calculations simmering under every statement, observations being filed away for later. She wouldn't have been surprised if he felt like a bug under a microscope. "Thank you for the show by the way. We didn't know Jason could pull a dancer who could actually keep up with him." She hoped he took it for the compliment it was. Even if she had invaded their privacy on their first date. Whoops.
What could she say? She didnt want Jason to hurt again either.
None understood this better than Damian, who had been vocal about every heartbreak Jason had over the last several months.
So he put an end to Zeke's misery.
"Alright, everyone- enough. Jason is not a child. He's our brother. Give him some credit." He also turned to Zeke, smiling kindly. "Forgive us. It is true that we don't want him to suffer. But I can say that just watching the two of you in person, regardless of the circumstances- I saw enough. And I know you wouldn't dare. You took a bullet for him. And I'm grateful to you."
"As am I," Bruce said genuinely. "Thank you for watching his back and making sure he was safe and came home to us." The words were loaded with meaning, the words of a man who had lost a son. Of a man who still felt the loss even as that same son now stood in front of him. But he meant it. And when he looked at Zeke, he almost saw the ghost of the way Jason had been, once. The way he could still be at times.
So eager to please...
To be loved.
Usually, the reason for that... wasn't because someone had a very good life.
"Alfred, looks like we're chopped liver," Zatanna sighed dramatically, having practically materialized beside Bruce.
"Hardly, Madame," the Butler drawled. "I do the chopping around here." He inclined his head anyway. "Alfred Pennyworth, at your service. I am the Butler-"
"And the man who raised me after I lost my parents," Bruce finished for him. He hated when Alfred downplayed it and the old man knew it but said nothing. "You'll find this family is not like most. Many of us have a past. And that's okay," he told Zeke.
He felt Zatanna hook her arm over his shoulder, leaning on him casually. He was used to it by now.
"Does this make us siblings or cousins?"
Bruce's lips twiched. "Yes "
She nodded, "Yes, you know I like that ambiguity. It builds character," she clapped him on the chest, a motion that made Damian let out a wounded sound but she had pulsed a bit of healing magic into her palm. Bruce wasn't hurt, and everyone knew better than to think Zatanna would ever play with his life. She loved him in ways that weren't easy to define and perhaps only the first three Robins could even come close to understanding.
So of course.
Of course she came when he called, especially when he explained why.
She looked Zeke up and down, humming to herself. Between her and John, they'd seen just about everything. She almost wished he was there with her to see this.
"So... Demons, huh?"
Bruce blinked, looking back and forth between them. "I beg your pardon?"
He finally settled on Zeke, ignoring Jason's groan of misery.
She turned to Jason as well. "And you-"
"Titi, please-"
Bruce held up a hand.
"Enough. Everyone sit down." He waited until everyone was settled, noting that Jason didn't let go of Zeke- and sat back down himself, leveling the couple with a heavy look.
"Explain. Now."
It's a quiet night in Gotham, for once in the city's history. Birds coo softly as they fly overhead, the beating of their wings cutting through the silent breeze.
Batman hides in the shadows, sliding past alleyways like a wisp in the air. Just because it's a quiet night doesn't mean he could rest. What did the night hold for him this time?
@ace-the-bat-hound
123 chuckled.
"Relax. It's just a couch."
He looked around fondly.
"This is where we watch movies and play games. This is where we laugh and bicker and make noise outside of the capes. And sometimes, this is where we come to nap and read and sit in silence and stare at the walls after a long patrol."
He pointed at the books coffee table. "One of my sons is an avid reader so he keeps a stack there for the days he needs to unwind."
Then at a crochet blanket. "I took up crochet a while back and made that blanket. It's big enough that several of us can fit under it without fighting. That doesn't stop my third son from bundling into it like, as he says, a burrito."
Then to a desk with what appeared to be art supplies. "My youngest sometimes needs a break from his medical studies. Before it used to be from being in the field. But he draws. And he doesn't always want to be away from everyone. That portrait in the wall of the entire family was actually drawn and painted by him."
The vast movie collection at the entertainment center, "My eldest and I spent years putting that collection together. It helps for family movie night but some days he just pulls me in here to watch a movie just us two like it was when he was a kid."
His eyes fell to a pair of well-loved dance shoes. "My daughter likes to dance. We have a dance studio and music room, but some days the kids like to dance battle in here."
"One of my kids likes to do puzzles," he said, gesturing to a stack of them on the other side of the room. "Well, all the kids do but he's especially good at it."
The karaoke machine..." And one of my bonus kids is a rather good singer so we make sure to do karaoke night."
"I have another bonus child who leaves everyone in the dust when it comes to video games so we have consoles for everyone to play. We are all convinced she cheats but we can't prove it," Bruce laughed, shaking his head.
"They like to bring their friends around. And my... my partner has been joining in the chaos," Bruce smiled fondly. "He wouldn't admit it at first but he's good at building things," Bruce said cryptically. "Those Lego planes over there are his. Anyone at any age should be able to nurture their creativity. And I love his mind. The planes are fitting though. He's a pilot," he told B Alpha proudly. "The best in the universe."
He looked around. "This room is full of so much love. And that's the entire point I've been trying to make. Love is the most important thing in the world."
Relax, he says. It's just a couch, he says. As if Bruce doesn't feel like he's gonna sink into the cushions and never resurface again.
"You have an assortment of kids, don't you? Do you ever find peace in this house?" He says it jokingly, already realising that B123's kids were probably his peace.
His eyes roam over the various things pointed out, pausing to look at the books and the movie collection. He thinks he sees some recognizable titles on those tapes, but can't be too sure.
Bruce seems curious at the mention of a partner, especially since earlier B123 had seemed a little morose while talking about the person who's shirt he is wearing right now. But he doesn't pry, seeing the joy in B123's eyes as he talks about his pilot boyfriend. "You're dating a proper flyboy then? That's cool."
Bruce nods at the last of what B123 says, he never really disagreed. Bruce wouldn't be doing everything he is for Gotham if he didn't love the city and its people to his core.
Bruce laughed, a bright and open belly laugh- not common for him.
"I do," he cackled, wiping a tear from his eye. "And no- never. My children take great pleasure in bringing chaos to my life. But I wouldn't have it any other way," he said genuinely.
His smile turns strange at the subject of Hal.
"It is- He is..." he trailed off awkwardly at the thought of calling Hal cool. He was- Hal was the coolest.
"We've beem friends a long time, colleagues even longer. So this... this is very new territory for us. Its so new still. And he came at a time when I was healing from a previous heartbreak. Not all your friends will love you the same way," he admitted, bittersweet gaze lingering on Bruce Alpha's borrowed shirt.
"And I've never been the type to just... stop loving people entirely. I just..." he paused, searching for the right words, "my heart just makes space for new people and I've learned to be okay with that. But Hal... he's so good to me. I can only hope that I'm good to him as well. It's usually hard for me to tell. I play the part of an airhead billionaire in public specifically because I'm typically bad with social cues. But within these walls, around family- when I'm myself- things usually didn't used to translate the way I wanted. I had to really work on that. If I hadnt, I'd be very lonely indeed."
He cleared his throat, rubbing his hands on his knees.
"Sorry if all of that is too much. I can be sometimes- too much, I mean- or so I've heard," he laughed somewhat nervously. But his expression was earnest and he truly meant what he said. He hoped it was enough to...
"Things always get better. Even when they seem like they won't," he told his counterpart.
Bruce allows the older man to speak without interrupting, it seems like the other needed to vent these thoughts out for a while. The subject of this mystery 'friend' still nagged at him, but he didn't pry.
"Have you been tested for autism? It sounds like you might be neurodivergent." The bit about social cues clued him in on the possibility that B123 might be neurodivergent, maybe the man already knew? "Your loved ones should be making more of an effort to understand you if so." It pays off to listen to your mother's talks about what she sees around Gotham. God Bless social workers.
"I don't think you're too much." Maybe it's because B123 is technically Bruce, but it really didn't feel like an ordeal, the way B123 was making it seem.
B123 blinked at him for a long moment, letting the question sit.
Then he threw his head back, his laugh bouncing off the walls as he clutched his stomach.
Wheezing and wiping tears from his eyes, he told him, "I can't believe you just asked me that!"
Eventually he settled, eyes still clinking at the corners from amusement. "You wouldn't be wrong though. It's... complicated," he explained. "Therapy wasnt safe for me as a kid. I had psychs try to manipulate me and some even sold my information to the press. We did get them for HIPAA violations and they can't work in that field anymore. But the damage was done. My needs weren't met and the effects of that were what they were. I was diagnosed as an adult. Actually... quite recently. I'm lucky now to have people I can trust. Once I was able to explain it to my family things did get significantly better. But being diagnosed in your forties doesn't undo decades of misunderstanding. I don't hold it against them and these days... they dont hold it against me as much either."
123 offered him a warm smile. He really was mostly okay on that front. It was other things he still had to reckon with. But they weren't anything insurmountable. He just wanted to pass on what he could to someone much younger. If he could prevent harm he would.
"And I really appreciate that, truly," he told him genuinely.
After a moment he sobered, heart clenching.
"Bruce there's something I need to tell you. I'm sure we'll meet again but I dont know when that will be."
He took a deep breath.
"The Robins. When you acquire them, protect them at all costs. They will need you. But you will also need them. And look out for Kal-El and Diana. The Speedsters too when you meet them. You won't know it yet but these people will all become like your family. And make sure you learn to understand the Lanterns. The worlds we come from are full of magic. Some magic users on your side also wont hurt. Just... if there is one constant in the multiverse its that certain bonds existing can make or break reality as we know it. I need you to be prepared. I cant say too much more than that. But when you're out there saving Gotham and the World, you'll need a team. A damned good one, too. It will be intimidating. You'll be a human among what seems like a group of gods. But they'll need you, too."
He rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Now what do you say we go for a drive?"
OOC//
Aaaand the moral of the story kids, is that if you actually ask questions, interrogate evidence and talk shit out like adults, none of this shit would've happened.
It's a quiet night in Gotham, for once in the city's history. Birds coo softly as they fly overhead, the beating of their wings cutting through the silent breeze.
Batman hides in the shadows, sliding past alleyways like a wisp in the air. Just because it's a quiet night doesn't mean he could rest. What did the night hold for him this time?
@ace-the-bat-hound
123 chuckled.
"Relax. It's just a couch."
He looked around fondly.
"This is where we watch movies and play games. This is where we laugh and bicker and make noise outside of the capes. And sometimes, this is where we come to nap and read and sit in silence and stare at the walls after a long patrol."
He pointed at the books coffee table. "One of my sons is an avid reader so he keeps a stack there for the days he needs to unwind."
Then at a crochet blanket. "I took up crochet a while back and made that blanket. It's big enough that several of us can fit under it without fighting. That doesn't stop my third son from bundling into it like, as he says, a burrito."
Then to a desk with what appeared to be art supplies. "My youngest sometimes needs a break from his medical studies. Before it used to be from being in the field. But he draws. And he doesn't always want to be away from everyone. That portrait in the wall of the entire family was actually drawn and painted by him."
The vast movie collection at the entertainment center, "My eldest and I spent years putting that collection together. It helps for family movie night but some days he just pulls me in here to watch a movie just us two like it was when he was a kid."
His eyes fell to a pair of well-loved dance shoes. "My daughter likes to dance. We have a dance studio and music room, but some days the kids like to dance battle in here."
"One of my kids likes to do puzzles," he said, gesturing to a stack of them on the other side of the room. "Well, all the kids do but he's especially good at it."
The karaoke machine..." And one of my bonus kids is a rather good singer so we make sure to do karaoke night."
"I have another bonus child who leaves everyone in the dust when it comes to video games so we have consoles for everyone to play. We are all convinced she cheats but we can't prove it," Bruce laughed, shaking his head.
"They like to bring their friends around. And my... my partner has been joining in the chaos," Bruce smiled fondly. "He wouldn't admit it at first but he's good at building things," Bruce said cryptically. "Those Lego planes over there are his. Anyone at any age should be able to nurture their creativity. And I love his mind. The planes are fitting though. He's a pilot," he told B Alpha proudly. "The best in the universe."
He looked around. "This room is full of so much love. And that's the entire point I've been trying to make. Love is the most important thing in the world."
Relax, he says. It's just a couch, he says. As if Bruce doesn't feel like he's gonna sink into the cushions and never resurface again.
"You have an assortment of kids, don't you? Do you ever find peace in this house?" He says it jokingly, already realising that B123's kids were probably his peace.
His eyes roam over the various things pointed out, pausing to look at the books and the movie collection. He thinks he sees some recognizable titles on those tapes, but can't be too sure.
Bruce seems curious at the mention of a partner, especially since earlier B123 had seemed a little morose while talking about the person who's shirt he is wearing right now. But he doesn't pry, seeing the joy in B123's eyes as he talks about his pilot boyfriend. "You're dating a proper flyboy then? That's cool."
Bruce nods at the last of what B123 says, he never really disagreed. Bruce wouldn't be doing everything he is for Gotham if he didn't love the city and its people to his core.
Bruce laughed, a bright and open belly laugh- not common for him.
"I do," he cackled, wiping a tear from his eye. "And no- never. My children take great pleasure in bringing chaos to my life. But I wouldn't have it any other way," he said genuinely.
His smile turns strange at the subject of Hal.
"It is- He is..." he trailed off awkwardly at the thought of calling Hal cool. He was- Hal was the coolest.
"We've beem friends a long time, colleagues even longer. So this... this is very new territory for us. Its so new still. And he came at a time when I was healing from a previous heartbreak. Not all your friends will love you the same way," he admitted, bittersweet gaze lingering on Bruce Alpha's borrowed shirt.
"And I've never been the type to just... stop loving people entirely. I just..." he paused, searching for the right words, "my heart just makes space for new people and I've learned to be okay with that. But Hal... he's so good to me. I can only hope that I'm good to him as well. It's usually hard for me to tell. I play the part of an airhead billionaire in public specifically because I'm typically bad with social cues. But within these walls, around family- when I'm myself- things usually didn't used to translate the way I wanted. I had to really work on that. If I hadnt, I'd be very lonely indeed."
He cleared his throat, rubbing his hands on his knees.
"Sorry if all of that is too much. I can be sometimes- too much, I mean- or so I've heard," he laughed somewhat nervously. But his expression was earnest and he truly meant what he said. He hoped it was enough to...
"Things always get better. Even when they seem like they won't," he told his counterpart.
OOC// PSA
This feels necessary to do even though I genuinely feel too old and employed for the terminally online shit but here we go. Im not naming names because it makes no difference WHO is doing this imo.
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BatLantern Smut: Everything With You Feels More Alive
What happened after the pizza date. @local-flyboy
It's a quiet night in Gotham, for once in the city's history. Birds coo softly as they fly overhead, the beating of their wings cutting through the silent breeze.
Batman hides in the shadows, sliding past alleyways like a wisp in the air. Just because it's a quiet night doesn't mean he could rest. What did the night hold for him this time?
@ace-the-bat-hound
123 chuckled.
"Relax. It's just a couch."
He looked around fondly.
"This is where we watch movies and play games. This is where we laugh and bicker and make noise outside of the capes. And sometimes, this is where we come to nap and read and sit in silence and stare at the walls after a long patrol."
He pointed at the books coffee table. "One of my sons is an avid reader so he keeps a stack there for the days he needs to unwind."
Then at a crochet blanket. "I took up crochet a while back and made that blanket. It's big enough that several of us can fit under it without fighting. That doesn't stop my third son from bundling into it like, as he says, a burrito."
Then to a desk with what appeared to be art supplies. "My youngest sometimes needs a break from his medical studies. Before it used to be from being in the field. But he draws. And he doesn't always want to be away from everyone. That portrait in the wall of the entire family was actually drawn and painted by him."
The vast movie collection at the entertainment center, "My eldest and I spent years putting that collection together. It helps for family movie night but some days he just pulls me in here to watch a movie just us two like it was when he was a kid."
His eyes fell to a pair of well-loved dance shoes. "My daughter likes to dance. We have a dance studio and music room, but some days the kids like to dance battle in here."
"One of my kids likes to do puzzles," he said, gesturing to a stack of them on the other side of the room. "Well, all the kids do but he's especially good at it."
The karaoke machine..." And one of my bonus kids is a rather good singer so we make sure to do karaoke night."
"I have another bonus child who leaves everyone in the dust when it comes to video games so we have consoles for everyone to play. We are all convinced she cheats but we can't prove it," Bruce laughed, shaking his head.
"They like to bring their friends around. And my... my partner has been joining in the chaos," Bruce smiled fondly. "He wouldn't admit it at first but he's good at building things," Bruce said cryptically. "Those Lego planes over there are his. Anyone at any age should be able to nurture their creativity. And I love his mind. The planes are fitting though. He's a pilot," he told B Alpha proudly. "The best in the universe."
He looked around. "This room is full of so much love. And that's the entire point I've been trying to make. Love is the most important thing in the world."
Which Could Mean Nothing
Bruce was at Vinny's Pizza Parlor at 6:45, 15 minutes before their agreed time.
He had showered and fixed his hair with a nice smelling pomade. He hadn't wanted to wear a suit- that would've been too much- although he could've passed it off as him coming straight from W.E. Instead, he had on a simpler dark blue turtleneck and black slacks paired with black dress shoes. He'd also put on his favorite cologne- which he would have worn regardless. It wasn't for any other reason at all.
He checked his watch, deciding to order ahead. He knew from previous Justice League parties what Hal's favorite order was and figured the food could be nearly done by the time the other man arrived. He placed his own order as well and asked for a few extra things like wings and garlic knots and a two liter of soda.
He chatted with the owner, not seeming out of place at all despite being Bruce Wayne, Prince of Gotham, in a little hole in the wall pizza joint. Thomas had used to bring him there when he was a child. And Bruce had simply never stopped going. Had even helped the Italian American family out when a pandemic had hit and nearly made them close down. He wouldn't have allowed it.
As it was nearing 7 he excused himself to wait for Hal, setting up the table for them .
@local-flyboy
Hal rolls up on his motorcycle at exactly 6:55. He isn't always late, thank-you. Especially not when it's to something this important. He finally has a date with Bruce.
Batman.
The sexiest person he knows.
He's also the most genuine and caring person he knows, too. Hal may have a habit of flicking him shit and giving him a hard time about being a hard-ass, but Hal knows he's only that way because of how much he cares.
And well... Hal likes that about him. That Bruce can both be so soft but firm and unyielding. Unafraid to do whatever it takes, even if it makes the world hate him as long as it's safe.
It also doesn't hurt that the Waynes are publicly known to be Jewish and well, his mama has always said she doesn't care if he'd rather bring home a boy as long as he's a good Jewish boy. So she'd obviously approve. Hal smiles from under his helmet as he sees Bruce waiting. The taller man is wearing trousers that look downright sinful, and showcase just how thin his waist is and how thin his ass is absolutely not... He hops off his bike and takes off his helmet, running his hands through his hair and praying that his pomade and a quick finger-comb is good enough to not have helmet hair. "Hey there, Bruce." Hal grins. "You look stunning tonight, if I'd known I'd have dressed better." He laughs softly, gesturing to his own jeans and t-shirt, under his bomber jacket he wears as always. "So... How are you? Nice weather today, yeah?" He asks as he walks over, looking up at Bruce with an easy smile and bright eyes. God, he feels like a school kid all over again trying to talk to Miriam Holt on his first (and last) date with her... c'mon, pull it together Jordan!
Bruce stood when Hal arrived, the table set and ready for the fresh pizzaas that were sure to be arriving soon.
He flushed at the words, cursing internally that his pale skin probably made it so obvious.
"I'm fine - this is casual for me," he defended weakly, glancing off to the side briefly to collect himself. "I think you look fine. Besides, if you showed up without your jacket I'd worry you'd been replaced by a clone," he joked, smirking in amusement. And he was telling the truth. That Hal really did look fine. Hal was Hal. And Bruce wouldn't change him. Not after knowing him this long.
He couldn't help himself, however, when he noticed a thick lock of hair that had been smooshed likely by his helmet on the bike ride over.
His hand moved before he thought better of it, a habit he'd never kicked from when any of the family had shown up in the Cave in a similar state. He smoothed it over, arranging it to his liking, too caught up in the task to gauge Hal's reaction. Once satisfied he graced the other man with a soft, painfully fond smile.
"Please," he said, gesturing to the empty chair at the table, "Sit. I ordered already. Hawaiian for you, right? At least I hope I remembered right."
He had ordered a normal pepperoni pizza for himself but on cauliflower crust. Damian would have his head if he wasn't at least trying to take care of himself, certain that his youngest son must have some sort of telepathy that told him when Bruce was being careless.
"I'm grateful for the weather. It's nice to get a break from the rain. How have you been? We missed you at the last League meeting," he said openly, finding himself less willing to hold his words back after his recent heart attack. Something about truly coming face to face with his own mortality made Bruce more liberal with his words as of late. The children had been grateful for the change. But would Hal?
"I missed your presence," he clarified. "It was boring without you."
Hal flushes as Bruce fixes his hair, frozen in slight awe at the casual contact. He is aware of course that Bruce is capable of expressing care for others, he's seen it a number of times over the years with various Robins and kids, but... He wouldn't have expected that same softness directed towards him. He sits when Bruce gestures for him to, still slightly caught off-guard. "I. Yeah, Hawaiian is good. Unless it's a Friday or mama is around. She's a stickler about keeping kosher." He chuckles. "Thankyou."
He smiles softly at Bruce, listening as he speaks and nodding along at the weather.
He's shocked again though, when Bruce mentions missing him at the last meeting. Bruce loves all of his friends, and his family, anyone with eyes can see that. But he's never been so... free with his words before. Is it because they're on a date? If he'd known that finally manning up and asking Bruce out was all it would take to get him to open up a little more... He would have listened to his own feelings for the gorgeous man in front of him years ago. Over a decade ago, even. "I- really? I... Always thought you seemed annoyed by how I tend to get during meetings... I hate missing them though, too. I hate missing a chance to spend time with you. You're really nice to be around, Bruce. I've missed you too." he says with a soft smile, reaching out and gently holding Bruce's hand.
Bruce blinked at him, taken aback.
"I mean- I- it's been many years since I stopped feeling annoyed. It's just how you are? And I appreciate who you are. Truth be told," his smile turned self-deprecating, "I started to think that maybe you had a point. That maybe I shouldn't be so-" he shook his head, insecurity quickly disappearing behind a 1000 watt smile. "If you think I'm nice you must be a clone. Who sent you?" He asked, arching a brow playfully.
All the amusement vanished, however, the moment Hal reached forward and grabbed his hand, lighting his entire body up with vibrating energy, breath catching and words dying in his throat.
Um... what?
From this proximity he could smell Hal's cologne, doing his best not to sniff the air like a damned dog. When he'd felt Hal's hair earlier it was clear he'd put product in it, indicating an effort that would best be reserved for-
But the way Hal looked at him was new, as if seeing Bruce for the first time. Or maybe he'd always looked at Bruce like that and Bruce had simply never noticed what it could mean.
"Hal?" He asked slowly. "What are we doing? I- is this-"
He bit his lip, blinking rapidly.
"Is this a... date?" He asked, trying to keep the hope out of his voice, though his ice blue eyes shone bright with it anyway, fragile and longing, brows scrunched as he waited for Hal's response. He squeezed Hal's hand subconsciously, hoping he wasn't reading this wrong and hoping to feel more of him in case he decided to let Bruce go.
Hal tenses up when Bruce asks him what's happening. Hal thought Bruce already agreed to a date, so-
Oh.
Bruce... This must be one of those things where Bruce hadn't realized the extent of Hal's asking him to go out. That's okay. It's okay. This is fine. Bruce's baby blues stare at Hal with an expression Hal has only ever seen when the man before him was fearing the life of one of his children. He's scared.
Bruce. Is scared.
But Bruce's hand tightens and Hal relaxes, and gently pulls Bruce's hand closer and he leans forward to kiss the back of Bruce's knuckles, then gently rubs his thumb over them. "That's what I was meaning, when I asked you to dinner... I'm sorry I hadn't made that very clear."
Bruce nearly stopped breathing all together when Hal's lips brushed his knuckles, almost in slow motion as Bruce was rendered frozen. He followed the movement of his thumb stroking his hand with sharp eyes darting back up to Hal's face as soon as his brains started working again, committing the moment to memory.
"Oh," he whispered a bit breathlessly.
He looked at Hal for a long moment, finally exhaling with a small shudder as the touch sent tingles spreading right to his chest- into his weakened heart.
"Hal I-"
He looked into his eyes, feeling his earnestness, shoulders dropping the tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying.
"I didn't realize you felt that way about me," he confessed at last. It was mostly true. He'd never entertained Hal being serious about him like this.
Most people weren't.
"I would also like for this to be a date," he decided with a small nod, offering a pleased smile just as the pizzas arrived, the owner setting them on the table. Bruce thanked him, nodding toward Hal.
"I hope you like it," he said, voice soft and eyes shining with fondness and something else, simmering and warm.
I hope you keeping liking me.
"I do, I... I think I've like you for a while, really..." He trails off, and looks into Bruce's eyes.
"But any time with you, is time well spent. Bruce, you are so kind. You love your family above all else. You also work so hard to protect the universe as we know it and your city and its people, even the rogues and those who have done wrong. I... If anyone says there isn't at least something about you they like, they are a fool."
He leans back, smiling at Bruce and grabbing his glass, taking a sip of water.
"Really it's more me,thatshould be worried about you enjoying our evening. I'm... noy very good at dates, usually, according to my many exes..."
The longer Hal rambled, the more Bruce’s cheeks burned, telltale pink spreading down to his chest, hidden under the turtleneck he was wearing.
"I- I see-," he managed to say, clearing his throat and quickly taking a sip of water.
Hal was... bold... to say the least. That is to say, he was Hal Jordan. So Bruce expected nothing less. It was just... Bruce was Bruce. And people didn't normally act this way about him. He didn't know what Hal expected- and he was almost too afraid to ask, for fear of ruining the moment.
"Thank you," he said, his eyes earnest as he finally met Hal's gaze. He couldn't help but stare, now that he apparently was allowed. Hal's eyes were a warm brown, and the way he looked at Bruce was totally disarming in a way Bruce simply wasn't used to.
It should have scared him.
But instead it...
It simply captivated him. He found that he wanted to keep looking at Hal and for Hal to keep looking at him.
"I think you're doing just fine. I'm enjoying your company- and your transparency," Bruce assured him, a persistent and soft smile on his lips. "Besides," he shrugged, "your track record can't be any worse than mine. I'm not judging your past. But I suppose I-"
He worried his lip between his teeth before continuing his thought... "I'm not good at this either."
Hal smiles softly. “Give yourself some credit, spooks. This place smells amazing, so clearly you have good taste in pizza. And I already know you’re good company… so I feel like barring a rogue attack this should be a good evening.” He raps his knuckles twice on the wooden table top.
“Hopefully I didn’t just jinx us.” He laughs.
His eyes are crinkled at the corners, and bright and alive. He leans in towards Bruce, lightly crossing his arms and leaning against the table. It’s probably horrible table manners, but he doesn’t care much for those anyways outside of holidays or galas where he’s ultimately representing something, someone, other than himself anyways.
“So… how have you been? What have you been up to?” Hal asks, sipping on his water. “Any fun adventures lately?”
Bruce paused at the question, gaze flickering away for a moment. He bit his lip without thinking.
How much could he tell Hal? Especially on a date...
"I wouldn't say adventures..."
Taking a deep breath, he sighed.
"I've been alright, all things considered. And by all things- I mean that I've been slowly recovering from a recent medical emergency and dealing with some new developments with my family- nothing terrible on that front, just unexpected. Damian moved back in to look after me for a while so I actually haven't been patrolling and won't be for another week or two. But aside from that... I've taken this time that I've been on hiatus to simply... be," he said, smiling with newfound peace in his expression. "I- I've been considering... retirement... in the next few years," he admitted carefully avoiding mentioning Batman outright in public.
"I think it's time to prepare for it. And this forced vacation has given me time to actually find hobbies. Or even pick old ones back up. I started playing piano again and that brings me peace. The kods come around more than before. And I spend a lot of time with my dog, Ace."
Speaking of Ace... he'd had a hard time admitting to people the truth about his Bat Hound. But here- now- with Hal...
"He's the best service dog a man could ask for. My best friend. But don't tell Zatanna," he said with a wink, "she gets jealous about that title."
Leaning forward himself, he asked, "What about you, Hal? Tell me what's new with you."
“Medical emergency? You? Are you okay, Bruce? Should you be out right now? If I’d known I would’ve asked if you needed any help at all here, I know you have a team, but…” he frowns worriedly. “There’s others who’d happily help you too, Bruce.” He says softly.
“But… god, retirement… wouldn’t that be a dream… some day It’d be nice to fly across the world… just for fun. In a little one or two man plane with nothing more than a carry on… not needing to work would be a dream…” he sighs.
He thinks about what he’s been up to, but… there’s really not much to say. Just the usual up in space for weeks and back on earth for a few days cycle.
“Ehh… I haven’t been up to much though. Mostly up in space. I have a job with a company out here for the next 8-10 weeks, so I actually told the guardians I am not to be interrupted for the next three months unless I’m literally the last lantern standing. I’m looking forward to focusing on test flights and having a good time relaxing…”
Bruce smiled softly, head tilting in a slight nod. "I'm okay for the most part. It's been roughly two months since the incident. And it wasn't a serious wound. More of a sudden health issue that needed treatment and for me to start taking it easy. Damian benched me and moved back in to take care of me. Though, he's a little dictator," he chuckled. "Won't let me exercise past a certain limit, monitors my meals- Won't let me out of his sight normally. Except today I managed to convince him that since this was a social visit with a friend, that it would be good for my stress levels. It must be so hard for him to parent his parent," he sighed dramatically, resting his chin in his hand and smirking at Hal. "So I guess you better have me home at a decent hour."
Then he bit his lip, eyes softening. "I have a plane... and- don't look at me like that- not one of those. I mean- I do have those, yes. But no, not the jet. The small planes that you're talking about. I have a few. You're welcome to use one any time. And you never know, Hal. Retirement wasn't an overnight or spur of the moment decision. It crept up on me. But I can't be Batman forever... not unless I don't value my life. And these days... I do. I really do. I have so much I want to stick around for, you know?" He said, something deeply fragile in his voice. And suddenly, as if remembering himself, he shook his head.
"But anyway... I am curious about your test flights. What are they usually like?" He asked, biting into his pizza, humming happily at the taste. It really was so good.
Hal laughs softly as Bruce talks about his son. His eyes have always seemed the most alive, talking about his children. Right now, it’s a good thing. Bright and twinkling. Filled with Pride and joy. He smiles, though it turns into a bit of a smirk. An almost boyish look, if he’d been some 20 years younger.
“Well, I will do my best, Mr. Wayne, I’d hate to worry your family about your health, or have them think I have besmirched your honor.” He chuckles and relaxes into his seat.
“I… wow… I… may take you up on that while I’m out this way? I have a Cessna 195 at home, that Carol gave me as a gift about 8 years ago… a thank you for being with the company so long. It was really well restored, too… she’s beautiful and flys like a dream… but I have a couple younger guys at Ferris I trust to keep an eye on her hanger, keep her clean, and I don’t need to pay storage fees, there. I asked around places near Gotham and it was going to be almost half of my contract for how long I’d be here.” He shrugs.
“It… would be nice to fly though, while I’m here. Could even take you up with me if you’d like?” He offers. “It could be a date. I could take you anywhere you want on the eastern seaboard.” He grins.
At Bruce’s next question, Hal hums.
“Honestly… pretty boring these days. Ferris has switched entirely to unmanned crafts, so what we do is get into these little escape pod looking things, the inside is set up like an f-18 cockpit for testing purposes. It’s fun, and a lot lower risk… when we were still testing manned crafts I never wore my ring. It felt wrong to, when no one else had the option… at most it was in my pocket in case I got an urgent call if I was involved with ongoing investigations… and don’t give me that look! Barry gave me shit for it all the time. Ollie, too…” he sighs.
“I am excited though, this contract is for manned craft testing. It’s been a while since I’ve flown manned earth craft like this, but I’ve been sent the specs already and it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen… I don’t know how much I’m allowed to talk about in public, though.” His eyes are bright with his excitement.
“You may have seen the specs yourself, though. The company I’m testing for is a subsidiary of WE. It is like nothing I have seen here on Earth. It’s impressive.”
Bruce couldn't have helped himself and even if he could he wouldn't have wanted to. He had a handsome man sitting across from him, one who- apparently- wanted Bruce.
"You can take me anywhere you want," he breathed, electric blue eyes half-lidded in the way he regarded Hal. And damn if Hal's mere presence in the moment didn't make something settle in his chest, warm and inviting.
Invitation was the word, wasn't it?
Bruce’s eyes did flash in recognition. He... he was scheduled to attend a test flight for a subsidiary.
Huh... funny how the world works.
He didn't say that though. Not yet.
"I may have heard something."
He wasn't trying to keep it a secret from Hal that he was scheduled to be there and he knew they were colleagues in the League but... they weren't outside of the capes and they were stepping into this tentative new thing.
He didn't want Hal to feel crowded by him at work. Besides...
He wanted to watch the man fly in peace. Without all the fuss his presence usually brought as Bruce Wayne.
He found that... he wanted Hal to stay.
He plucked a chicken wing from the basket and dipped it in ranch, somehow still managing to chew on it like he had, in fact, been raised by a British butler. Still, he hummed in pleasure, eyes lighting up at the taste.
He rarely got to have this. And he got to do it with Hal, who was such a welcome presence.
He swallowed before he spoke again.
"Sorry, I really love this place. I forgot how much since I've been so busy. I used to come here with my dad when I was little. On the way from W.E... He would take me to work sometimes and the secretaries were so sweet they would hand me hot chocolate in a coffee cup so I could pretend I was having coffee with my dad. And then once his meetings were done he would bring me here sometimes on days he could get away with us sneaking junk food. One time, my mom caught us red handed on her way from the beauty salon. She was so mad- because we didn't invite her," he chuckled, looking around nostalgically, "This place is generational. And I'm glad it's still standing. Best pizza in Gotham if you ask me," he grinned, biting another slice for good measure. He didn't mention his part in keeping it afloat. It didn't matter. Only that it was still there.
He didn't know why he said all that. Usually, his parents were a sore spot even after so much time. Especially when all the good memories they had yet to make were cut so short so soon. But these happy little moments were preserved in the walls of a humble family owned pizza parlor. And Bruce could finally cherish it properly. What he didn't understand was why the stories just flowed out of him with Hal there. He imagined it wasn't first date kind of talk. And well, when Bruce well and truly meant it, he didn't know what first date talk was supposed to be like. But the comfort of it was why he'd felt safe to meet Hal there and not another place. It mattered- to Bruce.
Hal mattered, too.
Maybe that was the truth he hadn't admitted to himself so easily. These things- the things that mattered- always hovered right under his nose.
But with Hal, he felt compelled to stop and smell the roses.
And that had to count for something.
Didn't it?
His cheeks flushed as he flashed Hal a shy smile. "Hard to believe, huh? Me as a kid. That I didn't come out of the womb fully grown and brooding. But it's true. Every day used to feel like an adventure."
He looked at Hal with a sudden clarity, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Would you... fancy going on an adventure with me?"
Hal listens contently, enraptured by the beautiful man in front of him. As he listens to Bruce talk about his family, about his dad, he gently reaches out for Bruce’s free hand again, squeezing it lightly.
Bruce doesn’t speak about any of his family often, least of all his parents. Sure there’s occasional stories of his kids, or his kids visiting and crashing JL meetings and telling stories about Bruce and the family, poking fun and teasing, that Bruce always looks so tired of hearing in the middle of meetings. But from Hal’s seat to the side he can usually see the faint smile on Bruce’s face when his head is in his hands.
But his parents are different. When they are brought up, it is usually a more somber conversation. Not always sad, per se, but a reminder of the tragedy that lead him down his path. Not something happy and bright like this, not a childhood story from before it all.
Then, Bruce mentions an adventure and Hal is all ears.
Hal loves a good adventure, and his smile widens into his signature smirk.
“I can believe it. You may be Mr. Doom and Gloom but when you think no one’s watching or listening, or when people know what to look for, it’s obvious you’re just another adrenaline junkie like the rest of us. So… I’d love to go on an adventure. I love adventures… and I think a good adventure with you would be the best I’ve been on in a long time.”
Bruce’s eyes lit up.
"Oh, good. I have more free time than I know what to do with lately. So just let me know when you're free so we- so we can-"
His breath caught at the look on Hal's face, sweetness and devotion so solid- as if Bruce could lean into it and trust Hal to catch him and hold him steady.
Stupidly, he had to point it out.
"You keep looking at me like that," he whispered, pink dusting his cheeks as he glanced down at their joint hands, unable to stop himself from pulling Hal's hand closer even by half an inch.
Closer.
"I want- closer," he demanded, the pout on his lips betraying the trademark Batman bossiness in his voice. "Hal- come here- come over here- next to me."
Hal grins, and stands up, offering Bruce his hand.
“Well… all of our food is gone. How about we go find somewhere a little more quiet?” He suggests. “Or go for a walk, or something.”
He wants nothing more than to be as close to Bruce as possible, as close as Bruce will allow.
He hopes he isn’t too terribly overstepping.
But.
If there’s even a chance…
He may as well take the leap.
He may as well since he’s already been falling for as long as he can remember.
Bruce didn't even have time to envy Hal's boldness. He simply looked up at him with open admiration and, dare he say it, hope.
Bruce stood, clasping Hal's hand with his own.
"I already told you. You can take me anywhere you want," he said, voice barely above a whisper. And he found that he truly meant it. And if the undercurrent of neediness was audible...
Sue him.
"Lead the way."
Hal grins, and kisses his knuckles, before pulling him closer. He leans in, his lips brushing Bruce’s cheek as he speaks.
“Your place or mine?” He asks, and pulls back just enough to lead Bruce to his bike. He retrieves a spare helmet, that only covers his head, and offers Bruce his full face. He has a ring, after all. He’ll be fine if Gothams insane drivers try an take him out again.
Bruce… he wants to make sure has a little extra protection.
“Anywhere you’d like to go, Spooks.” He smiles, wide and bright.
Everywhere Hal's lips touched his skin burned. His breath tickled as his voice vibrated on his skin.
Bruce shivered as he was pulled in closer, holding back a low moan. His eyelids drooped, eyes half-lidded by the time Hal regrettably pulled away. He swallowed, letting himself be lead to Hal's bike, and be handed Hal's helmet, and sit on the back of the seat and wrap his arms around Hal's waist. And he found that he didn't mind the sudden turn of his thoughts being consumed by everything Hal. It felt right.
More importantly, it felt safe.
And not in the way ordering the same food or wearing the same shoes was "safe". Not in the way going to medical school and becoming a doctor would've been safe.
But safe in the way that getting it wrong and it wasn't the end of the world felt safe.
Safe in the way that so many of the things Bruce knew were wrong with him and made him hard to be around, Hal saw and sat in it with him anyway, felt safe.
He tilted his head, tightening his hold on the other man subconsciously.
"Hmm... "
He pressed a couple buttons on his watch and his car purred to life, driving itself to W.E. He opted out of sending it to the Manor in case they needed a quicker ride later.
"Don't," he warned Hal half-heartedly, already anticipating a comment about it.
"Take me to yours."
Hal gently takes his hands and pulls his arms around him tighter.
“Sounds like a plan, Spooky.” He starts up his engine, turns on his blinker, and then he’s taking off through the late evening hustle and bustle of Gotham.
It’s only as he leaves the old Gotham district and starts heading towards the outskirts of the Bowery that he gets nervous about how Bruce will feel about his hotel.
It IS close to the airfield, but… he also needed somewhere cheap that he could actually afford while still paying his rent back home.
He pulls into a parking spot, and kills the engine before hopping off.
“I’m sorry this isn’t exactly a five star hotel, but… it’s got a bed and it’s reasonably clean. I checked.”
Bruce wished the helmet wasn't in the way for the ride. He wanted to nuzzle his nose into Hal's neck, a pleased rumble in his chest almost matching the purr of the bike.
He only made sure to shift his body weight with the bike like second nature but otherwise relaxed and just enjoyed the ride. Well, more like he enjoyed being pressed bodily against Hal. And he wished that would continue except the bike slowed to a stop too soon.
He took the helmet off and looked around.
It was kind of a dump by most standards.
And truthfully, Bruce had been bent over and turned inside out in worse places under worse circumstances without blinking.
But this was different, wasn't it?
Because this wasn't a casual nameless hook-up for either of them. It mattered. It would be remembered.
And Hal- poor, sweet Hal... he seemed nervous, as if he actually cared what Bruce thought about it.
His eyes softened. He didn't need Hal to spoil him. Not like that...
But maybe...
Maybe he could spoil Hal.
Bruce kissed his cheek sweetly, turning his own tactics against him and leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Go get your stuff. You're staying with me now," he said, as if it had already been decided.
And... truthfully, it had been. Even before Bruce knew their pizza outing was, in fact a date. He had wanted Hal to stay with him at the Manor since he'd known he was coming to town. They were just speeding things along now. He made a mental note to have the subsidiary reimburse Hal for the accommodations. In fact, some part of him bristled in anger for the gross oversight.
W.E. was known for paying top dollar for travel and board accommodations in safe and luxurious hotels as well as hefty food stipends. Even for its subsidiaries. And Hal wasn't some nobody pilot. Why hadn't he been extended that courtesy? He would find out and raise hell.
Never again.
Hmph.
He pressed a sequence into his watch, summoning the car again to their location. That way Hal could just throw his stuff inside and follow the car back to the Manor.
"I'll wait here. I have to check some emails that can't wait," he said, smiling apologetically.
The car didn't take long at all to arrive and by the time Hal got back, Bruce had already CCed several employees with a strongly worded email sent to the correct department about one pilot's lack of proper accommodation.
People could say what they wanted about Bruce, but he got things done- with or without the cape.
He smiled at Hal, still seated on the bike like he belonged there, waiting patiently with the helmet cradled in his lap. Looking and playing the part of the perfect rich himbo. They were still in public, after all.
He batted his lashes innocently, unsure where or when a random paparazzi might snap a photo. Another unfortunate aspect of what Hal might have to deal with by being involved with Bruce. He would try to shield Hal as best he could.
"Ready? I called the car so you could put your stuff and also follow it to... our secondary location," he said carefully.
Hal comes back down and blinks. "Oh, uh. Bruce you didn't need to do all that." Hal says, carrying just one bag with him. "It fits on my bike, right behind you. I suppose it would have us a bit more squished together, but... That's fine by me..." He shrugs though, and puts his bag in the car, as he was told, and he walks back to Bruce.
"Ready, sweetheart?" He asks, putting his half helmet back on.
"Ready."
If his heart did a funny little flip at the endearment, that was his business.
He pressed the sequence for the car to drive home and let himself wrap around Hal again.
As if he needed an excuse or to compete with a bag for space to do it. Ha!
He did, however breathe a sigh of relief when the Manor finally came into view. They pulled in next to where the car stopped. And he sadly untangled himself from Hal to get off the bike and stretch his legs. He handed Hal the helmet so he could grab Hal's bag from the car.
He walked back and, when Hal was close enough, linked their arms together as they walked. Jason would've laughed if he was there to see it.
"I wanted you to come straight here when you told me you were coming to town," he disclosed, ducking his head with a telltale blush. "I hope, in the future, you know it's an open invitation and that you never need to worry about anything. Even if you weren't- if you and I weren't- I mean if this had been platonic from the start, I would've said the same thing and still offered-" he managed, despite stumbling over his words.
Why was he suddenly so nervous?
"If you don't mind my army of kids and their friends coming in and out and my butler parent who knows way too much and my service dog- and Zatanna who never even comes through the front door - then I hope you feel comfortable enough to just... show up."
He lead them up the front steps and opened the door, next words dying on his tongue when he saw Alfred and Damian standing there in the foyer together.
Damian turned around with his arms crossed.
"About time, Father. I was about to send a search party."
A search party that would've consisted of Dick, Jason, Tim and Cass. And probably Stephanie just for fun.
Bruce shivered at the thought of them finding him in a compromising position with Hal.
"As you can see I am safe. And so is Hal."
Damian's eyes narrowed. "Hmm. Did you... enjoy... your outing?"
Alfred looked between them. He was getting way too old for this crap.
"Master Damian. Perhaps I shall lead Master Harold to his guest room. Master Bruce seems calmer in his presence," he said pointedly.
The twenty year old deflated visibly. It had been what he wanted, hadn't it? But he saw how they leaned into each other... and his father had been hurt before.
"Is that true, Baba?"
Bruce nodded, his eyes lighter and brighter than they'd been before he had left the house earlier in the evening.
Damian huffed, resigned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Very well. If it doesn't agitate your condition then... fine. I won't protest."
Bruce smiled more easily and it made his son ache at how young it made him look. How a single smile lifted years of burdens from his face.
"Come on Hal. Let's go see the guest room that you will definitely use...'
Damian went rigid, glaring after him when another pointed look from Alfred shut him up. A look that said 'they are grown men. Leave them be", before he walked up, knowing the pair was following .
Damian sighed. He imagined he would be doing a lot more of it in the future.
Bruce leaned against Hal, biting back laughter like a sneaky teenager. "You would think I was the child and he the parent," he chuckled.
"Just be sure to use discretion if you plan to have any... slumber parties," Alfred advised primly, opening a door just at the beginning of the hall leading to Bruce’s bedroom. "There are other guest quarters of course, but this is the room reserved for special guests. It is kept clean at all times. Please make yourself at home, sir." Alfred quickly left them too it.
"We will not be christening this room, just so you know." He immediately tugged Hal's hand down the hall. "My room is this way."
Which Could Mean Nothing
Bruce was at Vinny's Pizza Parlor at 6:45, 15 minutes before their agreed time.
He had showered and fixed his hair with a nice smelling pomade. He hadn't wanted to wear a suit- that would've been too much- although he could've passed it off as him coming straight from W.E. Instead, he had on a simpler dark blue turtleneck and black slacks paired with black dress shoes. He'd also put on his favorite cologne- which he would have worn regardless. It wasn't for any other reason at all.
He checked his watch, deciding to order ahead. He knew from previous Justice League parties what Hal's favorite order was and figured the food could be nearly done by the time the other man arrived. He placed his own order as well and asked for a few extra things like wings and garlic knots and a two liter of soda.
He chatted with the owner, not seeming out of place at all despite being Bruce Wayne, Prince of Gotham, in a little hole in the wall pizza joint. Thomas had used to bring him there when he was a child. And Bruce had simply never stopped going. Had even helped the Italian American family out when a pandemic had hit and nearly made them close down. He wouldn't have allowed it.
As it was nearing 7 he excused himself to wait for Hal, setting up the table for them .
@local-flyboy
Hal rolls up on his motorcycle at exactly 6:55. He isn't always late, thank-you. Especially not when it's to something this important. He finally has a date with Bruce.
Batman.
The sexiest person he knows.
He's also the most genuine and caring person he knows, too. Hal may have a habit of flicking him shit and giving him a hard time about being a hard-ass, but Hal knows he's only that way because of how much he cares.
And well... Hal likes that about him. That Bruce can both be so soft but firm and unyielding. Unafraid to do whatever it takes, even if it makes the world hate him as long as it's safe.
It also doesn't hurt that the Waynes are publicly known to be Jewish and well, his mama has always said she doesn't care if he'd rather bring home a boy as long as he's a good Jewish boy. So she'd obviously approve. Hal smiles from under his helmet as he sees Bruce waiting. The taller man is wearing trousers that look downright sinful, and showcase just how thin his waist is and how thin his ass is absolutely not... He hops off his bike and takes off his helmet, running his hands through his hair and praying that his pomade and a quick finger-comb is good enough to not have helmet hair. "Hey there, Bruce." Hal grins. "You look stunning tonight, if I'd known I'd have dressed better." He laughs softly, gesturing to his own jeans and t-shirt, under his bomber jacket he wears as always. "So... How are you? Nice weather today, yeah?" He asks as he walks over, looking up at Bruce with an easy smile and bright eyes. God, he feels like a school kid all over again trying to talk to Miriam Holt on his first (and last) date with her... c'mon, pull it together Jordan!
Bruce stood when Hal arrived, the table set and ready for the fresh pizzaas that were sure to be arriving soon.
He flushed at the words, cursing internally that his pale skin probably made it so obvious.
"I'm fine - this is casual for me," he defended weakly, glancing off to the side briefly to collect himself. "I think you look fine. Besides, if you showed up without your jacket I'd worry you'd been replaced by a clone," he joked, smirking in amusement. And he was telling the truth. That Hal really did look fine. Hal was Hal. And Bruce wouldn't change him. Not after knowing him this long.
He couldn't help himself, however, when he noticed a thick lock of hair that had been smooshed likely by his helmet on the bike ride over.
His hand moved before he thought better of it, a habit he'd never kicked from when any of the family had shown up in the Cave in a similar state. He smoothed it over, arranging it to his liking, too caught up in the task to gauge Hal's reaction. Once satisfied he graced the other man with a soft, painfully fond smile.
"Please," he said, gesturing to the empty chair at the table, "Sit. I ordered already. Hawaiian for you, right? At least I hope I remembered right."
He had ordered a normal pepperoni pizza for himself but on cauliflower crust. Damian would have his head if he wasn't at least trying to take care of himself, certain that his youngest son must have some sort of telepathy that told him when Bruce was being careless.
"I'm grateful for the weather. It's nice to get a break from the rain. How have you been? We missed you at the last League meeting," he said openly, finding himself less willing to hold his words back after his recent heart attack. Something about truly coming face to face with his own mortality made Bruce more liberal with his words as of late. The children had been grateful for the change. But would Hal?
"I missed your presence," he clarified. "It was boring without you."
Hal flushes as Bruce fixes his hair, frozen in slight awe at the casual contact. He is aware of course that Bruce is capable of expressing care for others, he's seen it a number of times over the years with various Robins and kids, but... He wouldn't have expected that same softness directed towards him. He sits when Bruce gestures for him to, still slightly caught off-guard. "I. Yeah, Hawaiian is good. Unless it's a Friday or mama is around. She's a stickler about keeping kosher." He chuckles. "Thankyou."
He smiles softly at Bruce, listening as he speaks and nodding along at the weather.
He's shocked again though, when Bruce mentions missing him at the last meeting. Bruce loves all of his friends, and his family, anyone with eyes can see that. But he's never been so... free with his words before. Is it because they're on a date? If he'd known that finally manning up and asking Bruce out was all it would take to get him to open up a little more... He would have listened to his own feelings for the gorgeous man in front of him years ago. Over a decade ago, even. "I- really? I... Always thought you seemed annoyed by how I tend to get during meetings... I hate missing them though, too. I hate missing a chance to spend time with you. You're really nice to be around, Bruce. I've missed you too." he says with a soft smile, reaching out and gently holding Bruce's hand.
Bruce blinked at him, taken aback.
"I mean- I- it's been many years since I stopped feeling annoyed. It's just how you are? And I appreciate who you are. Truth be told," his smile turned self-deprecating, "I started to think that maybe you had a point. That maybe I shouldn't be so-" he shook his head, insecurity quickly disappearing behind a 1000 watt smile. "If you think I'm nice you must be a clone. Who sent you?" He asked, arching a brow playfully.
All the amusement vanished, however, the moment Hal reached forward and grabbed his hand, lighting his entire body up with vibrating energy, breath catching and words dying in his throat.
Um... what?
From this proximity he could smell Hal's cologne, doing his best not to sniff the air like a damned dog. When he'd felt Hal's hair earlier it was clear he'd put product in it, indicating an effort that would best be reserved for-
But the way Hal looked at him was new, as if seeing Bruce for the first time. Or maybe he'd always looked at Bruce like that and Bruce had simply never noticed what it could mean.
"Hal?" He asked slowly. "What are we doing? I- is this-"
He bit his lip, blinking rapidly.
"Is this a... date?" He asked, trying to keep the hope out of his voice, though his ice blue eyes shone bright with it anyway, fragile and longing, brows scrunched as he waited for Hal's response. He squeezed Hal's hand subconsciously, hoping he wasn't reading this wrong and hoping to feel more of him in case he decided to let Bruce go.
Hal tenses up when Bruce asks him what's happening. Hal thought Bruce already agreed to a date, so-
Oh.
Bruce... This must be one of those things where Bruce hadn't realized the extent of Hal's asking him to go out. That's okay. It's okay. This is fine. Bruce's baby blues stare at Hal with an expression Hal has only ever seen when the man before him was fearing the life of one of his children. He's scared.
Bruce. Is scared.
But Bruce's hand tightens and Hal relaxes, and gently pulls Bruce's hand closer and he leans forward to kiss the back of Bruce's knuckles, then gently rubs his thumb over them. "That's what I was meaning, when I asked you to dinner... I'm sorry I hadn't made that very clear."
Bruce nearly stopped breathing all together when Hal's lips brushed his knuckles, almost in slow motion as Bruce was rendered frozen. He followed the movement of his thumb stroking his hand with sharp eyes darting back up to Hal's face as soon as his brains started working again, committing the moment to memory.
"Oh," he whispered a bit breathlessly.
He looked at Hal for a long moment, finally exhaling with a small shudder as the touch sent tingles spreading right to his chest- into his weakened heart.
"Hal I-"
He looked into his eyes, feeling his earnestness, shoulders dropping the tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying.
"I didn't realize you felt that way about me," he confessed at last. It was mostly true. He'd never entertained Hal being serious about him like this.
Most people weren't.
"I would also like for this to be a date," he decided with a small nod, offering a pleased smile just as the pizzas arrived, the owner setting them on the table. Bruce thanked him, nodding toward Hal.
"I hope you like it," he said, voice soft and eyes shining with fondness and something else, simmering and warm.
I hope you keeping liking me.
"I do, I... I think I've like you for a while, really..." He trails off, and looks into Bruce's eyes.
"But any time with you, is time well spent. Bruce, you are so kind. You love your family above all else. You also work so hard to protect the universe as we know it and your city and its people, even the rogues and those who have done wrong. I... If anyone says there isn't at least something about you they like, they are a fool."
He leans back, smiling at Bruce and grabbing his glass, taking a sip of water.
"Really it's more me,thatshould be worried about you enjoying our evening. I'm... noy very good at dates, usually, according to my many exes..."
The longer Hal rambled, the more Bruce’s cheeks burned, telltale pink spreading down to his chest, hidden under the turtleneck he was wearing.
"I- I see-," he managed to say, clearing his throat and quickly taking a sip of water.
Hal was... bold... to say the least. That is to say, he was Hal Jordan. So Bruce expected nothing less. It was just... Bruce was Bruce. And people didn't normally act this way about him. He didn't know what Hal expected- and he was almost too afraid to ask, for fear of ruining the moment.
"Thank you," he said, his eyes earnest as he finally met Hal's gaze. He couldn't help but stare, now that he apparently was allowed. Hal's eyes were a warm brown, and the way he looked at Bruce was totally disarming in a way Bruce simply wasn't used to.
It should have scared him.
But instead it...
It simply captivated him. He found that he wanted to keep looking at Hal and for Hal to keep looking at him.
"I think you're doing just fine. I'm enjoying your company- and your transparency," Bruce assured him, a persistent and soft smile on his lips. "Besides," he shrugged, "your track record can't be any worse than mine. I'm not judging your past. But I suppose I-"
He worried his lip between his teeth before continuing his thought... "I'm not good at this either."
Hal smiles softly. “Give yourself some credit, spooks. This place smells amazing, so clearly you have good taste in pizza. And I already know you’re good company… so I feel like barring a rogue attack this should be a good evening.” He raps his knuckles twice on the wooden table top.
“Hopefully I didn’t just jinx us.” He laughs.
His eyes are crinkled at the corners, and bright and alive. He leans in towards Bruce, lightly crossing his arms and leaning against the table. It’s probably horrible table manners, but he doesn’t care much for those anyways outside of holidays or galas where he’s ultimately representing something, someone, other than himself anyways.
“So… how have you been? What have you been up to?” Hal asks, sipping on his water. “Any fun adventures lately?”
Bruce paused at the question, gaze flickering away for a moment. He bit his lip without thinking.
How much could he tell Hal? Especially on a date...
"I wouldn't say adventures..."
Taking a deep breath, he sighed.
"I've been alright, all things considered. And by all things- I mean that I've been slowly recovering from a recent medical emergency and dealing with some new developments with my family- nothing terrible on that front, just unexpected. Damian moved back in to look after me for a while so I actually haven't been patrolling and won't be for another week or two. But aside from that... I've taken this time that I've been on hiatus to simply... be," he said, smiling with newfound peace in his expression. "I- I've been considering... retirement... in the next few years," he admitted carefully avoiding mentioning Batman outright in public.
"I think it's time to prepare for it. And this forced vacation has given me time to actually find hobbies. Or even pick old ones back up. I started playing piano again and that brings me peace. The kods come around more than before. And I spend a lot of time with my dog, Ace."
Speaking of Ace... he'd had a hard time admitting to people the truth about his Bat Hound. But here- now- with Hal...
"He's the best service dog a man could ask for. My best friend. But don't tell Zatanna," he said with a wink, "she gets jealous about that title."
Leaning forward himself, he asked, "What about you, Hal? Tell me what's new with you."
“Medical emergency? You? Are you okay, Bruce? Should you be out right now? If I’d known I would’ve asked if you needed any help at all here, I know you have a team, but…” he frowns worriedly. “There’s others who’d happily help you too, Bruce.” He says softly.
“But… god, retirement… wouldn’t that be a dream… some day It’d be nice to fly across the world… just for fun. In a little one or two man plane with nothing more than a carry on… not needing to work would be a dream…” he sighs.
He thinks about what he’s been up to, but… there’s really not much to say. Just the usual up in space for weeks and back on earth for a few days cycle.
“Ehh… I haven’t been up to much though. Mostly up in space. I have a job with a company out here for the next 8-10 weeks, so I actually told the guardians I am not to be interrupted for the next three months unless I’m literally the last lantern standing. I’m looking forward to focusing on test flights and having a good time relaxing…”
Bruce smiled softly, head tilting in a slight nod. "I'm okay for the most part. It's been roughly two months since the incident. And it wasn't a serious wound. More of a sudden health issue that needed treatment and for me to start taking it easy. Damian benched me and moved back in to take care of me. Though, he's a little dictator," he chuckled. "Won't let me exercise past a certain limit, monitors my meals- Won't let me out of his sight normally. Except today I managed to convince him that since this was a social visit with a friend, that it would be good for my stress levels. It must be so hard for him to parent his parent," he sighed dramatically, resting his chin in his hand and smirking at Hal. "So I guess you better have me home at a decent hour."
Then he bit his lip, eyes softening. "I have a plane... and- don't look at me like that- not one of those. I mean- I do have those, yes. But no, not the jet. The small planes that you're talking about. I have a few. You're welcome to use one any time. And you never know, Hal. Retirement wasn't an overnight or spur of the moment decision. It crept up on me. But I can't be Batman forever... not unless I don't value my life. And these days... I do. I really do. I have so much I want to stick around for, you know?" He said, something deeply fragile in his voice. And suddenly, as if remembering himself, he shook his head.
"But anyway... I am curious about your test flights. What are they usually like?" He asked, biting into his pizza, humming happily at the taste. It really was so good.
Hal laughs softly as Bruce talks about his son. His eyes have always seemed the most alive, talking about his children. Right now, it’s a good thing. Bright and twinkling. Filled with Pride and joy. He smiles, though it turns into a bit of a smirk. An almost boyish look, if he’d been some 20 years younger.
“Well, I will do my best, Mr. Wayne, I’d hate to worry your family about your health, or have them think I have besmirched your honor.” He chuckles and relaxes into his seat.
“I… wow… I… may take you up on that while I’m out this way? I have a Cessna 195 at home, that Carol gave me as a gift about 8 years ago… a thank you for being with the company so long. It was really well restored, too… she’s beautiful and flys like a dream… but I have a couple younger guys at Ferris I trust to keep an eye on her hanger, keep her clean, and I don’t need to pay storage fees, there. I asked around places near Gotham and it was going to be almost half of my contract for how long I’d be here.” He shrugs.
“It… would be nice to fly though, while I’m here. Could even take you up with me if you’d like?” He offers. “It could be a date. I could take you anywhere you want on the eastern seaboard.” He grins.
At Bruce’s next question, Hal hums.
“Honestly… pretty boring these days. Ferris has switched entirely to unmanned crafts, so what we do is get into these little escape pod looking things, the inside is set up like an f-18 cockpit for testing purposes. It’s fun, and a lot lower risk… when we were still testing manned crafts I never wore my ring. It felt wrong to, when no one else had the option… at most it was in my pocket in case I got an urgent call if I was involved with ongoing investigations… and don’t give me that look! Barry gave me shit for it all the time. Ollie, too…” he sighs.
“I am excited though, this contract is for manned craft testing. It’s been a while since I’ve flown manned earth craft like this, but I’ve been sent the specs already and it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen… I don’t know how much I’m allowed to talk about in public, though.” His eyes are bright with his excitement.
“You may have seen the specs yourself, though. The company I’m testing for is a subsidiary of WE. It is like nothing I have seen here on Earth. It’s impressive.”
Bruce couldn't have helped himself and even if he could he wouldn't have wanted to. He had a handsome man sitting across from him, one who- apparently- wanted Bruce.
"You can take me anywhere you want," he breathed, electric blue eyes half-lidded in the way he regarded Hal. And damn if Hal's mere presence in the moment didn't make something settle in his chest, warm and inviting.
Invitation was the word, wasn't it?
Bruce’s eyes did flash in recognition. He... he was scheduled to attend a test flight for a subsidiary.
Huh... funny how the world works.
He didn't say that though. Not yet.
"I may have heard something."
He wasn't trying to keep it a secret from Hal that he was scheduled to be there and he knew they were colleagues in the League but... they weren't outside of the capes and they were stepping into this tentative new thing.
He didn't want Hal to feel crowded by him at work. Besides...
He wanted to watch the man fly in peace. Without all the fuss his presence usually brought as Bruce Wayne.
He found that... he wanted Hal to stay.
He plucked a chicken wing from the basket and dipped it in ranch, somehow still managing to chew on it like he had, in fact, been raised by a British butler. Still, he hummed in pleasure, eyes lighting up at the taste.
He rarely got to have this. And he got to do it with Hal, who was such a welcome presence.
He swallowed before he spoke again.
"Sorry, I really love this place. I forgot how much since I've been so busy. I used to come here with my dad when I was little. On the way from W.E... He would take me to work sometimes and the secretaries were so sweet they would hand me hot chocolate in a coffee cup so I could pretend I was having coffee with my dad. And then once his meetings were done he would bring me here sometimes on days he could get away with us sneaking junk food. One time, my mom caught us red handed on her way from the beauty salon. She was so mad- because we didn't invite her," he chuckled, looking around nostalgically, "This place is generational. And I'm glad it's still standing. Best pizza in Gotham if you ask me," he grinned, biting another slice for good measure. He didn't mention his part in keeping it afloat. It didn't matter. Only that it was still there.
He didn't know why he said all that. Usually, his parents were a sore spot even after so much time. Especially when all the good memories they had yet to make were cut so short so soon. But these happy little moments were preserved in the walls of a humble family owned pizza parlor. And Bruce could finally cherish it properly. What he didn't understand was why the stories just flowed out of him with Hal there. He imagined it wasn't first date kind of talk. And well, when Bruce well and truly meant it, he didn't know what first date talk was supposed to be like. But the comfort of it was why he'd felt safe to meet Hal there and not another place. It mattered- to Bruce.
Hal mattered, too.
Maybe that was the truth he hadn't admitted to himself so easily. These things- the things that mattered- always hovered right under his nose.
But with Hal, he felt compelled to stop and smell the roses.
And that had to count for something.
Didn't it?
His cheeks flushed as he flashed Hal a shy smile. "Hard to believe, huh? Me as a kid. That I didn't come out of the womb fully grown and brooding. But it's true. Every day used to feel like an adventure."
He looked at Hal with a sudden clarity, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Would you... fancy going on an adventure with me?"
Hal listens contently, enraptured by the beautiful man in front of him. As he listens to Bruce talk about his family, about his dad, he gently reaches out for Bruce’s free hand again, squeezing it lightly.
Bruce doesn’t speak about any of his family often, least of all his parents. Sure there’s occasional stories of his kids, or his kids visiting and crashing JL meetings and telling stories about Bruce and the family, poking fun and teasing, that Bruce always looks so tired of hearing in the middle of meetings. But from Hal’s seat to the side he can usually see the faint smile on Bruce’s face when his head is in his hands.
But his parents are different. When they are brought up, it is usually a more somber conversation. Not always sad, per se, but a reminder of the tragedy that lead him down his path. Not something happy and bright like this, not a childhood story from before it all.
Then, Bruce mentions an adventure and Hal is all ears.
Hal loves a good adventure, and his smile widens into his signature smirk.
“I can believe it. You may be Mr. Doom and Gloom but when you think no one’s watching or listening, or when people know what to look for, it’s obvious you’re just another adrenaline junkie like the rest of us. So… I’d love to go on an adventure. I love adventures… and I think a good adventure with you would be the best I’ve been on in a long time.”
Bruce’s eyes lit up.
"Oh, good. I have more free time than I know what to do with lately. So just let me know when you're free so we- so we can-"
His breath caught at the look on Hal's face, sweetness and devotion so solid- as if Bruce could lean into it and trust Hal to catch him and hold him steady.
Stupidly, he had to point it out.
"You keep looking at me like that," he whispered, pink dusting his cheeks as he glanced down at their joint hands, unable to stop himself from pulling Hal's hand closer even by half an inch.
Closer.
"I want- closer," he demanded, the pout on his lips betraying the trademark Batman bossiness in his voice. "Hal- come here- come over here- next to me."
Hal grins, and stands up, offering Bruce his hand.
“Well… all of our food is gone. How about we go find somewhere a little more quiet?” He suggests. “Or go for a walk, or something.”
He wants nothing more than to be as close to Bruce as possible, as close as Bruce will allow.
He hopes he isn’t too terribly overstepping.
But.
If there’s even a chance…
He may as well take the leap.
He may as well since he’s already been falling for as long as he can remember.
Bruce didn't even have time to envy Hal's boldness. He simply looked up at him with open admiration and, dare he say it, hope.
Bruce stood, clasping Hal's hand with his own.
"I already told you. You can take me anywhere you want," he said, voice barely above a whisper. And he found that he truly meant it. And if the undercurrent of neediness was audible...
Sue him.
"Lead the way."
Hal grins, and kisses his knuckles, before pulling him closer. He leans in, his lips brushing Bruce’s cheek as he speaks.
“Your place or mine?” He asks, and pulls back just enough to lead Bruce to his bike. He retrieves a spare helmet, that only covers his head, and offers Bruce his full face. He has a ring, after all. He’ll be fine if Gothams insane drivers try an take him out again.
Bruce… he wants to make sure has a little extra protection.
“Anywhere you’d like to go, Spooks.” He smiles, wide and bright.
Everywhere Hal's lips touched his skin burned. His breath tickled as his voice vibrated on his skin.
Bruce shivered as he was pulled in closer, holding back a low moan. His eyelids drooped, eyes half-lidded by the time Hal regrettably pulled away. He swallowed, letting himself be lead to Hal's bike, and be handed Hal's helmet, and sit on the back of the seat and wrap his arms around Hal's waist. And he found that he didn't mind the sudden turn of his thoughts being consumed by everything Hal. It felt right.
More importantly, it felt safe.
And not in the way ordering the same food or wearing the same shoes was "safe". Not in the way going to medical school and becoming a doctor would've been safe.
But safe in the way that getting it wrong and it wasn't the end of the world felt safe.
Safe in the way that so many of the things Bruce knew were wrong with him and made him hard to be around, Hal saw and sat in it with him anyway, felt safe.
He tilted his head, tightening his hold on the other man subconsciously.
"Hmm... "
He pressed a couple buttons on his watch and his car purred to life, driving itself to W.E. He opted out of sending it to the Manor in case they needed a quicker ride later.
"Don't," he warned Hal half-heartedly, already anticipating a comment about it.
"Take me to yours."
Hal gently takes his hands and pulls his arms around him tighter.
“Sounds like a plan, Spooky.” He starts up his engine, turns on his blinker, and then he’s taking off through the late evening hustle and bustle of Gotham.
It’s only as he leaves the old Gotham district and starts heading towards the outskirts of the Bowery that he gets nervous about how Bruce will feel about his hotel.
It IS close to the airfield, but… he also needed somewhere cheap that he could actually afford while still paying his rent back home.
He pulls into a parking spot, and kills the engine before hopping off.
“I’m sorry this isn’t exactly a five star hotel, but… it’s got a bed and it’s reasonably clean. I checked.”
Bruce wished the helmet wasn't in the way for the ride. He wanted to nuzzle his nose into Hal's neck, a pleased rumble in his chest almost matching the purr of the bike.
He only made sure to shift his body weight with the bike like second nature but otherwise relaxed and just enjoyed the ride. Well, more like he enjoyed being pressed bodily against Hal. And he wished that would continue except the bike slowed to a stop too soon.
He took the helmet off and looked around.
It was kind of a dump by most standards.
And truthfully, Bruce had been bent over and turned inside out in worse places under worse circumstances without blinking.
But this was different, wasn't it?
Because this wasn't a casual nameless hook-up for either of them. It mattered. It would be remembered.
And Hal- poor, sweet Hal... he seemed nervous, as if he actually cared what Bruce thought about it.
His eyes softened. He didn't need Hal to spoil him. Not like that...
But maybe...
Maybe he could spoil Hal.
Bruce kissed his cheek sweetly, turning his own tactics against him and leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Go get your stuff. You're staying with me now," he said, as if it had already been decided.
And... truthfully, it had been. Even before Bruce knew their pizza outing was, in fact a date. He had wanted Hal to stay with him at the Manor since he'd known he was coming to town. They were just speeding things along now. He made a mental note to have the subsidiary reimburse Hal for the accommodations. In fact, some part of him bristled in anger for the gross oversight.
W.E. was known for paying top dollar for travel and board accommodations in safe and luxurious hotels as well as hefty food stipends. Even for its subsidiaries. And Hal wasn't some nobody pilot. Why hadn't he been extended that courtesy? He would find out and raise hell.
Never again.
Hmph.
He pressed a sequence into his watch, summoning the car again to their location. That way Hal could just throw his stuff inside and follow the car back to the Manor.
"I'll wait here. I have to check some emails that can't wait," he said, smiling apologetically.
The car didn't take long at all to arrive and by the time Hal got back, Bruce had already CCed several employees with a strongly worded email sent to the correct department about one pilot's lack of proper accommodation.
People could say what they wanted about Bruce, but he got things done- with or without the cape.
He smiled at Hal, still seated on the bike like he belonged there, waiting patiently with the helmet cradled in his lap. Looking and playing the part of the perfect rich himbo. They were still in public, after all.
He batted his lashes innocently, unsure where or when a random paparazzi might snap a photo. Another unfortunate aspect of what Hal might have to deal with by being involved with Bruce. He would try to shield Hal as best he could.
"Ready? I called the car so you could put your stuff and also follow it to... our secondary location," he said carefully.
Which Could Mean Nothing
Bruce was at Vinny's Pizza Parlor at 6:45, 15 minutes before their agreed time.
He had showered and fixed his hair with a nice smelling pomade. He hadn't wanted to wear a suit- that would've been too much- although he could've passed it off as him coming straight from W.E. Instead, he had on a simpler dark blue turtleneck and black slacks paired with black dress shoes. He'd also put on his favorite cologne- which he would have worn regardless. It wasn't for any other reason at all.
He checked his watch, deciding to order ahead. He knew from previous Justice League parties what Hal's favorite order was and figured the food could be nearly done by the time the other man arrived. He placed his own order as well and asked for a few extra things like wings and garlic knots and a two liter of soda.
He chatted with the owner, not seeming out of place at all despite being Bruce Wayne, Prince of Gotham, in a little hole in the wall pizza joint. Thomas had used to bring him there when he was a child. And Bruce had simply never stopped going. Had even helped the Italian American family out when a pandemic had hit and nearly made them close down. He wouldn't have allowed it.
As it was nearing 7 he excused himself to wait for Hal, setting up the table for them .
@local-flyboy
Hal rolls up on his motorcycle at exactly 6:55. He isn't always late, thank-you. Especially not when it's to something this important. He finally has a date with Bruce.
Batman.
The sexiest person he knows.
He's also the most genuine and caring person he knows, too. Hal may have a habit of flicking him shit and giving him a hard time about being a hard-ass, but Hal knows he's only that way because of how much he cares.
And well... Hal likes that about him. That Bruce can both be so soft but firm and unyielding. Unafraid to do whatever it takes, even if it makes the world hate him as long as it's safe.
It also doesn't hurt that the Waynes are publicly known to be Jewish and well, his mama has always said she doesn't care if he'd rather bring home a boy as long as he's a good Jewish boy. So she'd obviously approve. Hal smiles from under his helmet as he sees Bruce waiting. The taller man is wearing trousers that look downright sinful, and showcase just how thin his waist is and how thin his ass is absolutely not... He hops off his bike and takes off his helmet, running his hands through his hair and praying that his pomade and a quick finger-comb is good enough to not have helmet hair. "Hey there, Bruce." Hal grins. "You look stunning tonight, if I'd known I'd have dressed better." He laughs softly, gesturing to his own jeans and t-shirt, under his bomber jacket he wears as always. "So... How are you? Nice weather today, yeah?" He asks as he walks over, looking up at Bruce with an easy smile and bright eyes. God, he feels like a school kid all over again trying to talk to Miriam Holt on his first (and last) date with her... c'mon, pull it together Jordan!
Bruce stood when Hal arrived, the table set and ready for the fresh pizzaas that were sure to be arriving soon.
He flushed at the words, cursing internally that his pale skin probably made it so obvious.
"I'm fine - this is casual for me," he defended weakly, glancing off to the side briefly to collect himself. "I think you look fine. Besides, if you showed up without your jacket I'd worry you'd been replaced by a clone," he joked, smirking in amusement. And he was telling the truth. That Hal really did look fine. Hal was Hal. And Bruce wouldn't change him. Not after knowing him this long.
He couldn't help himself, however, when he noticed a thick lock of hair that had been smooshed likely by his helmet on the bike ride over.
His hand moved before he thought better of it, a habit he'd never kicked from when any of the family had shown up in the Cave in a similar state. He smoothed it over, arranging it to his liking, too caught up in the task to gauge Hal's reaction. Once satisfied he graced the other man with a soft, painfully fond smile.
"Please," he said, gesturing to the empty chair at the table, "Sit. I ordered already. Hawaiian for you, right? At least I hope I remembered right."
He had ordered a normal pepperoni pizza for himself but on cauliflower crust. Damian would have his head if he wasn't at least trying to take care of himself, certain that his youngest son must have some sort of telepathy that told him when Bruce was being careless.
"I'm grateful for the weather. It's nice to get a break from the rain. How have you been? We missed you at the last League meeting," he said openly, finding himself less willing to hold his words back after his recent heart attack. Something about truly coming face to face with his own mortality made Bruce more liberal with his words as of late. The children had been grateful for the change. But would Hal?
"I missed your presence," he clarified. "It was boring without you."
Hal flushes as Bruce fixes his hair, frozen in slight awe at the casual contact. He is aware of course that Bruce is capable of expressing care for others, he's seen it a number of times over the years with various Robins and kids, but... He wouldn't have expected that same softness directed towards him. He sits when Bruce gestures for him to, still slightly caught off-guard. "I. Yeah, Hawaiian is good. Unless it's a Friday or mama is around. She's a stickler about keeping kosher." He chuckles. "Thankyou."
He smiles softly at Bruce, listening as he speaks and nodding along at the weather.
He's shocked again though, when Bruce mentions missing him at the last meeting. Bruce loves all of his friends, and his family, anyone with eyes can see that. But he's never been so... free with his words before. Is it because they're on a date? If he'd known that finally manning up and asking Bruce out was all it would take to get him to open up a little more... He would have listened to his own feelings for the gorgeous man in front of him years ago. Over a decade ago, even. "I- really? I... Always thought you seemed annoyed by how I tend to get during meetings... I hate missing them though, too. I hate missing a chance to spend time with you. You're really nice to be around, Bruce. I've missed you too." he says with a soft smile, reaching out and gently holding Bruce's hand.
Bruce blinked at him, taken aback.
"I mean- I- it's been many years since I stopped feeling annoyed. It's just how you are? And I appreciate who you are. Truth be told," his smile turned self-deprecating, "I started to think that maybe you had a point. That maybe I shouldn't be so-" he shook his head, insecurity quickly disappearing behind a 1000 watt smile. "If you think I'm nice you must be a clone. Who sent you?" He asked, arching a brow playfully.
All the amusement vanished, however, the moment Hal reached forward and grabbed his hand, lighting his entire body up with vibrating energy, breath catching and words dying in his throat.
Um... what?
From this proximity he could smell Hal's cologne, doing his best not to sniff the air like a damned dog. When he'd felt Hal's hair earlier it was clear he'd put product in it, indicating an effort that would best be reserved for-
But the way Hal looked at him was new, as if seeing Bruce for the first time. Or maybe he'd always looked at Bruce like that and Bruce had simply never noticed what it could mean.
"Hal?" He asked slowly. "What are we doing? I- is this-"
He bit his lip, blinking rapidly.
"Is this a... date?" He asked, trying to keep the hope out of his voice, though his ice blue eyes shone bright with it anyway, fragile and longing, brows scrunched as he waited for Hal's response. He squeezed Hal's hand subconsciously, hoping he wasn't reading this wrong and hoping to feel more of him in case he decided to let Bruce go.
Hal tenses up when Bruce asks him what's happening. Hal thought Bruce already agreed to a date, so-
Oh.
Bruce... This must be one of those things where Bruce hadn't realized the extent of Hal's asking him to go out. That's okay. It's okay. This is fine. Bruce's baby blues stare at Hal with an expression Hal has only ever seen when the man before him was fearing the life of one of his children. He's scared.
Bruce. Is scared.
But Bruce's hand tightens and Hal relaxes, and gently pulls Bruce's hand closer and he leans forward to kiss the back of Bruce's knuckles, then gently rubs his thumb over them. "That's what I was meaning, when I asked you to dinner... I'm sorry I hadn't made that very clear."
Bruce nearly stopped breathing all together when Hal's lips brushed his knuckles, almost in slow motion as Bruce was rendered frozen. He followed the movement of his thumb stroking his hand with sharp eyes darting back up to Hal's face as soon as his brains started working again, committing the moment to memory.
"Oh," he whispered a bit breathlessly.
He looked at Hal for a long moment, finally exhaling with a small shudder as the touch sent tingles spreading right to his chest- into his weakened heart.
"Hal I-"
He looked into his eyes, feeling his earnestness, shoulders dropping the tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying.
"I didn't realize you felt that way about me," he confessed at last. It was mostly true. He'd never entertained Hal being serious about him like this.
Most people weren't.
"I would also like for this to be a date," he decided with a small nod, offering a pleased smile just as the pizzas arrived, the owner setting them on the table. Bruce thanked him, nodding toward Hal.
"I hope you like it," he said, voice soft and eyes shining with fondness and something else, simmering and warm.
I hope you keeping liking me.
"I do, I... I think I've like you for a while, really..." He trails off, and looks into Bruce's eyes.
"But any time with you, is time well spent. Bruce, you are so kind. You love your family above all else. You also work so hard to protect the universe as we know it and your city and its people, even the rogues and those who have done wrong. I... If anyone says there isn't at least something about you they like, they are a fool."
He leans back, smiling at Bruce and grabbing his glass, taking a sip of water.
"Really it's more me,thatshould be worried about you enjoying our evening. I'm... noy very good at dates, usually, according to my many exes..."
The longer Hal rambled, the more Bruce’s cheeks burned, telltale pink spreading down to his chest, hidden under the turtleneck he was wearing.
"I- I see-," he managed to say, clearing his throat and quickly taking a sip of water.
Hal was... bold... to say the least. That is to say, he was Hal Jordan. So Bruce expected nothing less. It was just... Bruce was Bruce. And people didn't normally act this way about him. He didn't know what Hal expected- and he was almost too afraid to ask, for fear of ruining the moment.
"Thank you," he said, his eyes earnest as he finally met Hal's gaze. He couldn't help but stare, now that he apparently was allowed. Hal's eyes were a warm brown, and the way he looked at Bruce was totally disarming in a way Bruce simply wasn't used to.
It should have scared him.
But instead it...
It simply captivated him. He found that he wanted to keep looking at Hal and for Hal to keep looking at him.
"I think you're doing just fine. I'm enjoying your company- and your transparency," Bruce assured him, a persistent and soft smile on his lips. "Besides," he shrugged, "your track record can't be any worse than mine. I'm not judging your past. But I suppose I-"
He worried his lip between his teeth before continuing his thought... "I'm not good at this either."
Hal smiles softly. “Give yourself some credit, spooks. This place smells amazing, so clearly you have good taste in pizza. And I already know you’re good company… so I feel like barring a rogue attack this should be a good evening.” He raps his knuckles twice on the wooden table top.
“Hopefully I didn’t just jinx us.” He laughs.
His eyes are crinkled at the corners, and bright and alive. He leans in towards Bruce, lightly crossing his arms and leaning against the table. It’s probably horrible table manners, but he doesn’t care much for those anyways outside of holidays or galas where he’s ultimately representing something, someone, other than himself anyways.
“So… how have you been? What have you been up to?” Hal asks, sipping on his water. “Any fun adventures lately?”
Bruce paused at the question, gaze flickering away for a moment. He bit his lip without thinking.
How much could he tell Hal? Especially on a date...
"I wouldn't say adventures..."
Taking a deep breath, he sighed.
"I've been alright, all things considered. And by all things- I mean that I've been slowly recovering from a recent medical emergency and dealing with some new developments with my family- nothing terrible on that front, just unexpected. Damian moved back in to look after me for a while so I actually haven't been patrolling and won't be for another week or two. But aside from that... I've taken this time that I've been on hiatus to simply... be," he said, smiling with newfound peace in his expression. "I- I've been considering... retirement... in the next few years," he admitted carefully avoiding mentioning Batman outright in public.
"I think it's time to prepare for it. And this forced vacation has given me time to actually find hobbies. Or even pick old ones back up. I started playing piano again and that brings me peace. The kods come around more than before. And I spend a lot of time with my dog, Ace."
Speaking of Ace... he'd had a hard time admitting to people the truth about his Bat Hound. But here- now- with Hal...
"He's the best service dog a man could ask for. My best friend. But don't tell Zatanna," he said with a wink, "she gets jealous about that title."
Leaning forward himself, he asked, "What about you, Hal? Tell me what's new with you."
“Medical emergency? You? Are you okay, Bruce? Should you be out right now? If I’d known I would’ve asked if you needed any help at all here, I know you have a team, but…” he frowns worriedly. “There’s others who’d happily help you too, Bruce.” He says softly.
“But… god, retirement… wouldn’t that be a dream… some day It’d be nice to fly across the world… just for fun. In a little one or two man plane with nothing more than a carry on… not needing to work would be a dream…” he sighs.
He thinks about what he’s been up to, but… there’s really not much to say. Just the usual up in space for weeks and back on earth for a few days cycle.
“Ehh… I haven’t been up to much though. Mostly up in space. I have a job with a company out here for the next 8-10 weeks, so I actually told the guardians I am not to be interrupted for the next three months unless I’m literally the last lantern standing. I’m looking forward to focusing on test flights and having a good time relaxing…”
Bruce smiled softly, head tilting in a slight nod. "I'm okay for the most part. It's been roughly two months since the incident. And it wasn't a serious wound. More of a sudden health issue that needed treatment and for me to start taking it easy. Damian benched me and moved back in to take care of me. Though, he's a little dictator," he chuckled. "Won't let me exercise past a certain limit, monitors my meals- Won't let me out of his sight normally. Except today I managed to convince him that since this was a social visit with a friend, that it would be good for my stress levels. It must be so hard for him to parent his parent," he sighed dramatically, resting his chin in his hand and smirking at Hal. "So I guess you better have me home at a decent hour."
Then he bit his lip, eyes softening. "I have a plane... and- don't look at me like that- not one of those. I mean- I do have those, yes. But no, not the jet. The small planes that you're talking about. I have a few. You're welcome to use one any time. And you never know, Hal. Retirement wasn't an overnight or spur of the moment decision. It crept up on me. But I can't be Batman forever... not unless I don't value my life. And these days... I do. I really do. I have so much I want to stick around for, you know?" He said, something deeply fragile in his voice. And suddenly, as if remembering himself, he shook his head.
"But anyway... I am curious about your test flights. What are they usually like?" He asked, biting into his pizza, humming happily at the taste. It really was so good.
Hal laughs softly as Bruce talks about his son. His eyes have always seemed the most alive, talking about his children. Right now, it’s a good thing. Bright and twinkling. Filled with Pride and joy. He smiles, though it turns into a bit of a smirk. An almost boyish look, if he’d been some 20 years younger.
“Well, I will do my best, Mr. Wayne, I’d hate to worry your family about your health, or have them think I have besmirched your honor.” He chuckles and relaxes into his seat.
“I… wow… I… may take you up on that while I’m out this way? I have a Cessna 195 at home, that Carol gave me as a gift about 8 years ago… a thank you for being with the company so long. It was really well restored, too… she’s beautiful and flys like a dream… but I have a couple younger guys at Ferris I trust to keep an eye on her hanger, keep her clean, and I don’t need to pay storage fees, there. I asked around places near Gotham and it was going to be almost half of my contract for how long I’d be here.” He shrugs.
“It… would be nice to fly though, while I’m here. Could even take you up with me if you’d like?” He offers. “It could be a date. I could take you anywhere you want on the eastern seaboard.” He grins.
At Bruce’s next question, Hal hums.
“Honestly… pretty boring these days. Ferris has switched entirely to unmanned crafts, so what we do is get into these little escape pod looking things, the inside is set up like an f-18 cockpit for testing purposes. It’s fun, and a lot lower risk… when we were still testing manned crafts I never wore my ring. It felt wrong to, when no one else had the option… at most it was in my pocket in case I got an urgent call if I was involved with ongoing investigations… and don’t give me that look! Barry gave me shit for it all the time. Ollie, too…” he sighs.
“I am excited though, this contract is for manned craft testing. It’s been a while since I’ve flown manned earth craft like this, but I’ve been sent the specs already and it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen… I don’t know how much I’m allowed to talk about in public, though.” His eyes are bright with his excitement.
“You may have seen the specs yourself, though. The company I’m testing for is a subsidiary of WE. It is like nothing I have seen here on Earth. It’s impressive.”
Bruce couldn't have helped himself and even if he could he wouldn't have wanted to. He had a handsome man sitting across from him, one who- apparently- wanted Bruce.
"You can take me anywhere you want," he breathed, electric blue eyes half-lidded in the way he regarded Hal. And damn if Hal's mere presence in the moment didn't make something settle in his chest, warm and inviting.
Invitation was the word, wasn't it?
Bruce’s eyes did flash in recognition. He... he was scheduled to attend a test flight for a subsidiary.
Huh... funny how the world works.
He didn't say that though. Not yet.
"I may have heard something."
He wasn't trying to keep it a secret from Hal that he was scheduled to be there and he knew they were colleagues in the League but... they weren't outside of the capes and they were stepping into this tentative new thing.
He didn't want Hal to feel crowded by him at work. Besides...
He wanted to watch the man fly in peace. Without all the fuss his presence usually brought as Bruce Wayne.
He found that... he wanted Hal to stay.
He plucked a chicken wing from the basket and dipped it in ranch, somehow still managing to chew on it like he had, in fact, been raised by a British butler. Still, he hummed in pleasure, eyes lighting up at the taste.
He rarely got to have this. And he got to do it with Hal, who was such a welcome presence.
He swallowed before he spoke again.
"Sorry, I really love this place. I forgot how much since I've been so busy. I used to come here with my dad when I was little. On the way from W.E... He would take me to work sometimes and the secretaries were so sweet they would hand me hot chocolate in a coffee cup so I could pretend I was having coffee with my dad. And then once his meetings were done he would bring me here sometimes on days he could get away with us sneaking junk food. One time, my mom caught us red handed on her way from the beauty salon. She was so mad- because we didn't invite her," he chuckled, looking around nostalgically, "This place is generational. And I'm glad it's still standing. Best pizza in Gotham if you ask me," he grinned, biting another slice for good measure. He didn't mention his part in keeping it afloat. It didn't matter. Only that it was still there.
He didn't know why he said all that. Usually, his parents were a sore spot even after so much time. Especially when all the good memories they had yet to make were cut so short so soon. But these happy little moments were preserved in the walls of a humble family owned pizza parlor. And Bruce could finally cherish it properly. What he didn't understand was why the stories just flowed out of him with Hal there. He imagined it wasn't first date kind of talk. And well, when Bruce well and truly meant it, he didn't know what first date talk was supposed to be like. But the comfort of it was why he'd felt safe to meet Hal there and not another place. It mattered- to Bruce.
Hal mattered, too.
Maybe that was the truth he hadn't admitted to himself so easily. These things- the things that mattered- always hovered right under his nose.
But with Hal, he felt compelled to stop and smell the roses.
And that had to count for something.
Didn't it?
His cheeks flushed as he flashed Hal a shy smile. "Hard to believe, huh? Me as a kid. That I didn't come out of the womb fully grown and brooding. But it's true. Every day used to feel like an adventure."
He looked at Hal with a sudden clarity, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Would you... fancy going on an adventure with me?"
Hal listens contently, enraptured by the beautiful man in front of him. As he listens to Bruce talk about his family, about his dad, he gently reaches out for Bruce’s free hand again, squeezing it lightly.
Bruce doesn’t speak about any of his family often, least of all his parents. Sure there’s occasional stories of his kids, or his kids visiting and crashing JL meetings and telling stories about Bruce and the family, poking fun and teasing, that Bruce always looks so tired of hearing in the middle of meetings. But from Hal’s seat to the side he can usually see the faint smile on Bruce’s face when his head is in his hands.
But his parents are different. When they are brought up, it is usually a more somber conversation. Not always sad, per se, but a reminder of the tragedy that lead him down his path. Not something happy and bright like this, not a childhood story from before it all.
Then, Bruce mentions an adventure and Hal is all ears.
Hal loves a good adventure, and his smile widens into his signature smirk.
“I can believe it. You may be Mr. Doom and Gloom but when you think no one’s watching or listening, or when people know what to look for, it’s obvious you’re just another adrenaline junkie like the rest of us. So… I’d love to go on an adventure. I love adventures… and I think a good adventure with you would be the best I’ve been on in a long time.”
Bruce’s eyes lit up.
"Oh, good. I have more free time than I know what to do with lately. So just let me know when you're free so we- so we can-"
His breath caught at the look on Hal's face, sweetness and devotion so solid- as if Bruce could lean into it and trust Hal to catch him and hold him steady.
Stupidly, he had to point it out.
"You keep looking at me like that," he whispered, pink dusting his cheeks as he glanced down at their joint hands, unable to stop himself from pulling Hal's hand closer even by half an inch.
Closer.
"I want- closer," he demanded, the pout on his lips betraying the trademark Batman bossiness in his voice. "Hal- come here- come over here- next to me."
Hal grins, and stands up, offering Bruce his hand.
“Well… all of our food is gone. How about we go find somewhere a little more quiet?” He suggests. “Or go for a walk, or something.”
He wants nothing more than to be as close to Bruce as possible, as close as Bruce will allow.
He hopes he isn’t too terribly overstepping.
But.
If there’s even a chance…
He may as well take the leap.
He may as well since he’s already been falling for as long as he can remember.
Bruce didn't even have time to envy Hal's boldness. He simply looked up at him with open admiration and, dare he say it, hope.
Bruce stood, clasping Hal's hand with his own.
"I already told you. You can take me anywhere you want," he said, voice barely above a whisper. And he found that he truly meant it. And if the undercurrent of neediness was audible...
Sue him.
"Lead the way."
Hal grins, and kisses his knuckles, before pulling him closer. He leans in, his lips brushing Bruce’s cheek as he speaks.
“Your place or mine?” He asks, and pulls back just enough to lead Bruce to his bike. He retrieves a spare helmet, that only covers his head, and offers Bruce his full face. He has a ring, after all. He’ll be fine if Gothams insane drivers try an take him out again.
Bruce… he wants to make sure has a little extra protection.
“Anywhere you’d like to go, Spooks.” He smiles, wide and bright.
Everywhere Hal's lips touched his skin burned. His breath tickled as his voice vibrated on his skin.
Bruce shivered as he was pulled in closer, holding back a low moan. His eyelids drooped, eyes half-lidded by the time Hal regrettably pulled away. He swallowed, letting himself be lead to Hal's bike, and be handed Hal's helmet, and sit on the back of the seat and wrap his arms around Hal's waist. And he found that he didn't mind the sudden turn of his thoughts being consumed by everything Hal. It felt right.
More importantly, it felt safe.
And not in the way ordering the same food or wearing the same shoes was "safe". Not in the way going to medical school and becoming a doctor would've been safe.
But safe in the way that getting it wrong and it wasn't the end of the world felt safe.
Safe in the way that so many of the things Bruce knew were wrong with him and made him hard to be around, Hal saw and sat in it with him anyway, felt safe.
He tilted his head, tightening his hold on the other man subconsciously.
"Hmm... "
He pressed a couple buttons on his watch and his car purred to life, driving itself to W.E. He opted out of sending it to the Manor in case they needed a quicker ride later.
"Don't," he warned Hal half-heartedly, already anticipating a comment about it.
"Take me to yours."
Which Could Mean Nothing
Bruce was at Vinny's Pizza Parlor at 6:45, 15 minutes before their agreed time.
He had showered and fixed his hair with a nice smelling pomade. He hadn't wanted to wear a suit- that would've been too much- although he could've passed it off as him coming straight from W.E. Instead, he had on a simpler dark blue turtleneck and black slacks paired with black dress shoes. He'd also put on his favorite cologne- which he would have worn regardless. It wasn't for any other reason at all.
He checked his watch, deciding to order ahead. He knew from previous Justice League parties what Hal's favorite order was and figured the food could be nearly done by the time the other man arrived. He placed his own order as well and asked for a few extra things like wings and garlic knots and a two liter of soda.
He chatted with the owner, not seeming out of place at all despite being Bruce Wayne, Prince of Gotham, in a little hole in the wall pizza joint. Thomas had used to bring him there when he was a child. And Bruce had simply never stopped going. Had even helped the Italian American family out when a pandemic had hit and nearly made them close down. He wouldn't have allowed it.
As it was nearing 7 he excused himself to wait for Hal, setting up the table for them .
@local-flyboy
Hal rolls up on his motorcycle at exactly 6:55. He isn't always late, thank-you. Especially not when it's to something this important. He finally has a date with Bruce.
Batman.
The sexiest person he knows.
He's also the most genuine and caring person he knows, too. Hal may have a habit of flicking him shit and giving him a hard time about being a hard-ass, but Hal knows he's only that way because of how much he cares.
And well... Hal likes that about him. That Bruce can both be so soft but firm and unyielding. Unafraid to do whatever it takes, even if it makes the world hate him as long as it's safe.
It also doesn't hurt that the Waynes are publicly known to be Jewish and well, his mama has always said she doesn't care if he'd rather bring home a boy as long as he's a good Jewish boy. So she'd obviously approve. Hal smiles from under his helmet as he sees Bruce waiting. The taller man is wearing trousers that look downright sinful, and showcase just how thin his waist is and how thin his ass is absolutely not... He hops off his bike and takes off his helmet, running his hands through his hair and praying that his pomade and a quick finger-comb is good enough to not have helmet hair. "Hey there, Bruce." Hal grins. "You look stunning tonight, if I'd known I'd have dressed better." He laughs softly, gesturing to his own jeans and t-shirt, under his bomber jacket he wears as always. "So... How are you? Nice weather today, yeah?" He asks as he walks over, looking up at Bruce with an easy smile and bright eyes. God, he feels like a school kid all over again trying to talk to Miriam Holt on his first (and last) date with her... c'mon, pull it together Jordan!
Bruce stood when Hal arrived, the table set and ready for the fresh pizzaas that were sure to be arriving soon.
He flushed at the words, cursing internally that his pale skin probably made it so obvious.
"I'm fine - this is casual for me," he defended weakly, glancing off to the side briefly to collect himself. "I think you look fine. Besides, if you showed up without your jacket I'd worry you'd been replaced by a clone," he joked, smirking in amusement. And he was telling the truth. That Hal really did look fine. Hal was Hal. And Bruce wouldn't change him. Not after knowing him this long.
He couldn't help himself, however, when he noticed a thick lock of hair that had been smooshed likely by his helmet on the bike ride over.
His hand moved before he thought better of it, a habit he'd never kicked from when any of the family had shown up in the Cave in a similar state. He smoothed it over, arranging it to his liking, too caught up in the task to gauge Hal's reaction. Once satisfied he graced the other man with a soft, painfully fond smile.
"Please," he said, gesturing to the empty chair at the table, "Sit. I ordered already. Hawaiian for you, right? At least I hope I remembered right."
He had ordered a normal pepperoni pizza for himself but on cauliflower crust. Damian would have his head if he wasn't at least trying to take care of himself, certain that his youngest son must have some sort of telepathy that told him when Bruce was being careless.
"I'm grateful for the weather. It's nice to get a break from the rain. How have you been? We missed you at the last League meeting," he said openly, finding himself less willing to hold his words back after his recent heart attack. Something about truly coming face to face with his own mortality made Bruce more liberal with his words as of late. The children had been grateful for the change. But would Hal?
"I missed your presence," he clarified. "It was boring without you."
Hal flushes as Bruce fixes his hair, frozen in slight awe at the casual contact. He is aware of course that Bruce is capable of expressing care for others, he's seen it a number of times over the years with various Robins and kids, but... He wouldn't have expected that same softness directed towards him. He sits when Bruce gestures for him to, still slightly caught off-guard. "I. Yeah, Hawaiian is good. Unless it's a Friday or mama is around. She's a stickler about keeping kosher." He chuckles. "Thankyou."
He smiles softly at Bruce, listening as he speaks and nodding along at the weather.
He's shocked again though, when Bruce mentions missing him at the last meeting. Bruce loves all of his friends, and his family, anyone with eyes can see that. But he's never been so... free with his words before. Is it because they're on a date? If he'd known that finally manning up and asking Bruce out was all it would take to get him to open up a little more... He would have listened to his own feelings for the gorgeous man in front of him years ago. Over a decade ago, even. "I- really? I... Always thought you seemed annoyed by how I tend to get during meetings... I hate missing them though, too. I hate missing a chance to spend time with you. You're really nice to be around, Bruce. I've missed you too." he says with a soft smile, reaching out and gently holding Bruce's hand.
Bruce blinked at him, taken aback.
"I mean- I- it's been many years since I stopped feeling annoyed. It's just how you are? And I appreciate who you are. Truth be told," his smile turned self-deprecating, "I started to think that maybe you had a point. That maybe I shouldn't be so-" he shook his head, insecurity quickly disappearing behind a 1000 watt smile. "If you think I'm nice you must be a clone. Who sent you?" He asked, arching a brow playfully.
All the amusement vanished, however, the moment Hal reached forward and grabbed his hand, lighting his entire body up with vibrating energy, breath catching and words dying in his throat.
Um... what?
From this proximity he could smell Hal's cologne, doing his best not to sniff the air like a damned dog. When he'd felt Hal's hair earlier it was clear he'd put product in it, indicating an effort that would best be reserved for-
But the way Hal looked at him was new, as if seeing Bruce for the first time. Or maybe he'd always looked at Bruce like that and Bruce had simply never noticed what it could mean.
"Hal?" He asked slowly. "What are we doing? I- is this-"
He bit his lip, blinking rapidly.
"Is this a... date?" He asked, trying to keep the hope out of his voice, though his ice blue eyes shone bright with it anyway, fragile and longing, brows scrunched as he waited for Hal's response. He squeezed Hal's hand subconsciously, hoping he wasn't reading this wrong and hoping to feel more of him in case he decided to let Bruce go.
Hal tenses up when Bruce asks him what's happening. Hal thought Bruce already agreed to a date, so-
Oh.
Bruce... This must be one of those things where Bruce hadn't realized the extent of Hal's asking him to go out. That's okay. It's okay. This is fine. Bruce's baby blues stare at Hal with an expression Hal has only ever seen when the man before him was fearing the life of one of his children. He's scared.
Bruce. Is scared.
But Bruce's hand tightens and Hal relaxes, and gently pulls Bruce's hand closer and he leans forward to kiss the back of Bruce's knuckles, then gently rubs his thumb over them. "That's what I was meaning, when I asked you to dinner... I'm sorry I hadn't made that very clear."
Bruce nearly stopped breathing all together when Hal's lips brushed his knuckles, almost in slow motion as Bruce was rendered frozen. He followed the movement of his thumb stroking his hand with sharp eyes darting back up to Hal's face as soon as his brains started working again, committing the moment to memory.
"Oh," he whispered a bit breathlessly.
He looked at Hal for a long moment, finally exhaling with a small shudder as the touch sent tingles spreading right to his chest- into his weakened heart.
"Hal I-"
He looked into his eyes, feeling his earnestness, shoulders dropping the tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying.
"I didn't realize you felt that way about me," he confessed at last. It was mostly true. He'd never entertained Hal being serious about him like this.
Most people weren't.
"I would also like for this to be a date," he decided with a small nod, offering a pleased smile just as the pizzas arrived, the owner setting them on the table. Bruce thanked him, nodding toward Hal.
"I hope you like it," he said, voice soft and eyes shining with fondness and something else, simmering and warm.
I hope you keeping liking me.
"I do, I... I think I've like you for a while, really..." He trails off, and looks into Bruce's eyes.
"But any time with you, is time well spent. Bruce, you are so kind. You love your family above all else. You also work so hard to protect the universe as we know it and your city and its people, even the rogues and those who have done wrong. I... If anyone says there isn't at least something about you they like, they are a fool."
He leans back, smiling at Bruce and grabbing his glass, taking a sip of water.
"Really it's more me,thatshould be worried about you enjoying our evening. I'm... noy very good at dates, usually, according to my many exes..."
The longer Hal rambled, the more Bruce’s cheeks burned, telltale pink spreading down to his chest, hidden under the turtleneck he was wearing.
"I- I see-," he managed to say, clearing his throat and quickly taking a sip of water.
Hal was... bold... to say the least. That is to say, he was Hal Jordan. So Bruce expected nothing less. It was just... Bruce was Bruce. And people didn't normally act this way about him. He didn't know what Hal expected- and he was almost too afraid to ask, for fear of ruining the moment.
"Thank you," he said, his eyes earnest as he finally met Hal's gaze. He couldn't help but stare, now that he apparently was allowed. Hal's eyes were a warm brown, and the way he looked at Bruce was totally disarming in a way Bruce simply wasn't used to.
It should have scared him.
But instead it...
It simply captivated him. He found that he wanted to keep looking at Hal and for Hal to keep looking at him.
"I think you're doing just fine. I'm enjoying your company- and your transparency," Bruce assured him, a persistent and soft smile on his lips. "Besides," he shrugged, "your track record can't be any worse than mine. I'm not judging your past. But I suppose I-"
He worried his lip between his teeth before continuing his thought... "I'm not good at this either."
Hal smiles softly. “Give yourself some credit, spooks. This place smells amazing, so clearly you have good taste in pizza. And I already know you’re good company… so I feel like barring a rogue attack this should be a good evening.” He raps his knuckles twice on the wooden table top.
“Hopefully I didn’t just jinx us.” He laughs.
His eyes are crinkled at the corners, and bright and alive. He leans in towards Bruce, lightly crossing his arms and leaning against the table. It’s probably horrible table manners, but he doesn’t care much for those anyways outside of holidays or galas where he’s ultimately representing something, someone, other than himself anyways.
“So… how have you been? What have you been up to?” Hal asks, sipping on his water. “Any fun adventures lately?”
Bruce paused at the question, gaze flickering away for a moment. He bit his lip without thinking.
How much could he tell Hal? Especially on a date...
"I wouldn't say adventures..."
Taking a deep breath, he sighed.
"I've been alright, all things considered. And by all things- I mean that I've been slowly recovering from a recent medical emergency and dealing with some new developments with my family- nothing terrible on that front, just unexpected. Damian moved back in to look after me for a while so I actually haven't been patrolling and won't be for another week or two. But aside from that... I've taken this time that I've been on hiatus to simply... be," he said, smiling with newfound peace in his expression. "I- I've been considering... retirement... in the next few years," he admitted carefully avoiding mentioning Batman outright in public.
"I think it's time to prepare for it. And this forced vacation has given me time to actually find hobbies. Or even pick old ones back up. I started playing piano again and that brings me peace. The kods come around more than before. And I spend a lot of time with my dog, Ace."
Speaking of Ace... he'd had a hard time admitting to people the truth about his Bat Hound. But here- now- with Hal...
"He's the best service dog a man could ask for. My best friend. But don't tell Zatanna," he said with a wink, "she gets jealous about that title."
Leaning forward himself, he asked, "What about you, Hal? Tell me what's new with you."
“Medical emergency? You? Are you okay, Bruce? Should you be out right now? If I’d known I would’ve asked if you needed any help at all here, I know you have a team, but…” he frowns worriedly. “There’s others who’d happily help you too, Bruce.” He says softly.
“But… god, retirement… wouldn’t that be a dream… some day It’d be nice to fly across the world… just for fun. In a little one or two man plane with nothing more than a carry on… not needing to work would be a dream…” he sighs.
He thinks about what he’s been up to, but… there’s really not much to say. Just the usual up in space for weeks and back on earth for a few days cycle.
“Ehh… I haven’t been up to much though. Mostly up in space. I have a job with a company out here for the next 8-10 weeks, so I actually told the guardians I am not to be interrupted for the next three months unless I’m literally the last lantern standing. I’m looking forward to focusing on test flights and having a good time relaxing…”
Bruce smiled softly, head tilting in a slight nod. "I'm okay for the most part. It's been roughly two months since the incident. And it wasn't a serious wound. More of a sudden health issue that needed treatment and for me to start taking it easy. Damian benched me and moved back in to take care of me. Though, he's a little dictator," he chuckled. "Won't let me exercise past a certain limit, monitors my meals- Won't let me out of his sight normally. Except today I managed to convince him that since this was a social visit with a friend, that it would be good for my stress levels. It must be so hard for him to parent his parent," he sighed dramatically, resting his chin in his hand and smirking at Hal. "So I guess you better have me home at a decent hour."
Then he bit his lip, eyes softening. "I have a plane... and- don't look at me like that- not one of those. I mean- I do have those, yes. But no, not the jet. The small planes that you're talking about. I have a few. You're welcome to use one any time. And you never know, Hal. Retirement wasn't an overnight or spur of the moment decision. It crept up on me. But I can't be Batman forever... not unless I don't value my life. And these days... I do. I really do. I have so much I want to stick around for, you know?" He said, something deeply fragile in his voice. And suddenly, as if remembering himself, he shook his head.
"But anyway... I am curious about your test flights. What are they usually like?" He asked, biting into his pizza, humming happily at the taste. It really was so good.
Hal laughs softly as Bruce talks about his son. His eyes have always seemed the most alive, talking about his children. Right now, it’s a good thing. Bright and twinkling. Filled with Pride and joy. He smiles, though it turns into a bit of a smirk. An almost boyish look, if he’d been some 20 years younger.
“Well, I will do my best, Mr. Wayne, I’d hate to worry your family about your health, or have them think I have besmirched your honor.” He chuckles and relaxes into his seat.
“I… wow… I… may take you up on that while I’m out this way? I have a Cessna 195 at home, that Carol gave me as a gift about 8 years ago… a thank you for being with the company so long. It was really well restored, too… she’s beautiful and flys like a dream… but I have a couple younger guys at Ferris I trust to keep an eye on her hanger, keep her clean, and I don’t need to pay storage fees, there. I asked around places near Gotham and it was going to be almost half of my contract for how long I’d be here.” He shrugs.
“It… would be nice to fly though, while I’m here. Could even take you up with me if you’d like?” He offers. “It could be a date. I could take you anywhere you want on the eastern seaboard.” He grins.
At Bruce’s next question, Hal hums.
“Honestly… pretty boring these days. Ferris has switched entirely to unmanned crafts, so what we do is get into these little escape pod looking things, the inside is set up like an f-18 cockpit for testing purposes. It’s fun, and a lot lower risk… when we were still testing manned crafts I never wore my ring. It felt wrong to, when no one else had the option… at most it was in my pocket in case I got an urgent call if I was involved with ongoing investigations… and don’t give me that look! Barry gave me shit for it all the time. Ollie, too…” he sighs.
“I am excited though, this contract is for manned craft testing. It’s been a while since I’ve flown manned earth craft like this, but I’ve been sent the specs already and it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen… I don’t know how much I’m allowed to talk about in public, though.” His eyes are bright with his excitement.
“You may have seen the specs yourself, though. The company I’m testing for is a subsidiary of WE. It is like nothing I have seen here on Earth. It’s impressive.”
Bruce couldn't have helped himself and even if he could he wouldn't have wanted to. He had a handsome man sitting across from him, one who- apparently- wanted Bruce.
"You can take me anywhere you want," he breathed, electric blue eyes half-lidded in the way he regarded Hal. And damn if Hal's mere presence in the moment didn't make something settle in his chest, warm and inviting.
Invitation was the word, wasn't it?
Bruce’s eyes did flash in recognition. He... he was scheduled to attend a test flight for a subsidiary.
Huh... funny how the world works.
He didn't say that though. Not yet.
"I may have heard something."
He wasn't trying to keep it a secret from Hal that he was scheduled to be there and he knew they were colleagues in the League but... they weren't outside of the capes and they were stepping into this tentative new thing.
He didn't want Hal to feel crowded by him at work. Besides...
He wanted to watch the man fly in peace. Without all the fuss his presence usually brought as Bruce Wayne.
He found that... he wanted Hal to stay.
He plucked a chicken wing from the basket and dipped it in ranch, somehow still managing to chew on it like he had, in fact, been raised by a British butler. Still, he hummed in pleasure, eyes lighting up at the taste.
He rarely got to have this. And he got to do it with Hal, who was such a welcome presence.
He swallowed before he spoke again.
"Sorry, I really love this place. I forgot how much since I've been so busy. I used to come here with my dad when I was little. On the way from W.E... He would take me to work sometimes and the secretaries were so sweet they would hand me hot chocolate in a coffee cup so I could pretend I was having coffee with my dad. And then once his meetings were done he would bring me here sometimes on days he could get away with us sneaking junk food. One time, my mom caught us red handed on her way from the beauty salon. She was so mad- because we didn't invite her," he chuckled, looking around nostalgically, "This place is generational. And I'm glad it's still standing. Best pizza in Gotham if you ask me," he grinned, biting another slice for good measure. He didn't mention his part in keeping it afloat. It didn't matter. Only that it was still there.
He didn't know why he said all that. Usually, his parents were a sore spot even after so much time. Especially when all the good memories they had yet to make were cut so short so soon. But these happy little moments were preserved in the walls of a humble family owned pizza parlor. And Bruce could finally cherish it properly. What he didn't understand was why the stories just flowed out of him with Hal there. He imagined it wasn't first date kind of talk. And well, when Bruce well and truly meant it, he didn't know what first date talk was supposed to be like. But the comfort of it was why he'd felt safe to meet Hal there and not another place. It mattered- to Bruce.
Hal mattered, too.
Maybe that was the truth he hadn't admitted to himself so easily. These things- the things that mattered- always hovered right under his nose.
But with Hal, he felt compelled to stop and smell the roses.
And that had to count for something.
Didn't it?
His cheeks flushed as he flashed Hal a shy smile. "Hard to believe, huh? Me as a kid. That I didn't come out of the womb fully grown and brooding. But it's true. Every day used to feel like an adventure."
He looked at Hal with a sudden clarity, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Would you... fancy going on an adventure with me?"
Hal listens contently, enraptured by the beautiful man in front of him. As he listens to Bruce talk about his family, about his dad, he gently reaches out for Bruce’s free hand again, squeezing it lightly.
Bruce doesn’t speak about any of his family often, least of all his parents. Sure there’s occasional stories of his kids, or his kids visiting and crashing JL meetings and telling stories about Bruce and the family, poking fun and teasing, that Bruce always looks so tired of hearing in the middle of meetings. But from Hal’s seat to the side he can usually see the faint smile on Bruce’s face when his head is in his hands.
But his parents are different. When they are brought up, it is usually a more somber conversation. Not always sad, per se, but a reminder of the tragedy that lead him down his path. Not something happy and bright like this, not a childhood story from before it all.
Then, Bruce mentions an adventure and Hal is all ears.
Hal loves a good adventure, and his smile widens into his signature smirk.
“I can believe it. You may be Mr. Doom and Gloom but when you think no one’s watching or listening, or when people know what to look for, it’s obvious you’re just another adrenaline junkie like the rest of us. So… I’d love to go on an adventure. I love adventures… and I think a good adventure with you would be the best I’ve been on in a long time.”
Bruce’s eyes lit up.
"Oh, good. I have more free time than I know what to do with lately. So just let me know when you're free so we- so we can-"
His breath caught at the look on Hal's face, sweetness and devotion so solid- as if Bruce could lean into it and trust Hal to catch him and hold him steady.
Stupidly, he had to point it out.
"You keep looking at me like that," he whispered, pink dusting his cheeks as he glanced down at their joint hands, unable to stop himself from pulling Hal's hand closer even by half an inch.
Closer.
"I want- closer," he demanded, the pout on his lips betraying the trademark Batman bossiness in his voice. "Hal- come here- come over here- next to me."
Hal grins, and stands up, offering Bruce his hand.
“Well… all of our food is gone. How about we go find somewhere a little more quiet?” He suggests. “Or go for a walk, or something.”
He wants nothing more than to be as close to Bruce as possible, as close as Bruce will allow.
He hopes he isn’t too terribly overstepping.
But.
If there’s even a chance…
He may as well take the leap.
He may as well since he’s already been falling for as long as he can remember.
Bruce didn't even have time to envy Hal's boldness. He simply looked up at him with open admiration and, dare he say it, hope.
Bruce stood, clasping Hal's hand with his own.
"I already told you. You can take me anywhere you want," he said, voice barely above a whisper. And he found that he truly meant it. And if the undercurrent of neediness was audible...
Sue him.
"Lead the way."
Hal grins, and kisses his knuckles, before pulling him closer. He leans in, his lips brushing Bruce’s cheek as he speaks.
“Your place or mine?” He asks, and pulls back just enough to lead Bruce to his bike. He retrieves a spare helmet, that only covers his head, and offers Bruce his full face. He has a ring, after all. He’ll be fine if Gothams insane drivers try an take him out again.
Bruce… he wants to make sure has a little extra protection.
“Anywhere you’d like to go, Spooks.” He smiles, wide and bright.
Everywhere Hal's lips touched his skin burned. His breath tickled as his voice vibrated on his skin.
Bruce shivered as he was pulled in closer, holding back a low moan. His eyelids drooped, eyes half-lidded by the time Hal regrettably pulled away. He swallowed, letting himself be lead to Hal's bike, and be handed Hal's helmet, and sit on the back of the seat and wrap his arms around Hal's waist. And he found that he didn't mind the sudden turn of his thoughts being consumed by everything Hal. It felt right.
More importantly, it felt safe.
And not in the way ordering the same food or wearing the same shoes was "safe". Not in the way going to medical school and becoming a doctor would've been safe.
But safe in the way that getting it wrong and it wasn't the end of the world felt safe.
Safe in the way that so many of the things Bruce knew were wrong with him and made him hard to be around, Hal saw and sat in it with him anyway, felt safe.
He tilted his head, tightening his hold on the other man subconsciously.
"Hmm... "
He pressed a couple buttons on his watch and his car purred to life, driving itself to W.E. He opted out of sending it to the Manor in case they needed a quicker ride later.
"Don't," he warned Hal half-heartedly, already anticipating a comment about it.
"Take me to yours."
Which Could Mean Nothing
Bruce was at Vinny's Pizza Parlor at 6:45, 15 minutes before their agreed time.
He had showered and fixed his hair with a nice smelling pomade. He hadn't wanted to wear a suit- that would've been too much- although he could've passed it off as him coming straight from W.E. Instead, he had on a simpler dark blue turtleneck and black slacks paired with black dress shoes. He'd also put on his favorite cologne- which he would have worn regardless. It wasn't for any other reason at all.
He checked his watch, deciding to order ahead. He knew from previous Justice League parties what Hal's favorite order was and figured the food could be nearly done by the time the other man arrived. He placed his own order as well and asked for a few extra things like wings and garlic knots and a two liter of soda.
He chatted with the owner, not seeming out of place at all despite being Bruce Wayne, Prince of Gotham, in a little hole in the wall pizza joint. Thomas had used to bring him there when he was a child. And Bruce had simply never stopped going. Had even helped the Italian American family out when a pandemic had hit and nearly made them close down. He wouldn't have allowed it.
As it was nearing 7 he excused himself to wait for Hal, setting up the table for them .
@local-flyboy
Hal rolls up on his motorcycle at exactly 6:55. He isn't always late, thank-you. Especially not when it's to something this important. He finally has a date with Bruce.
Batman.
The sexiest person he knows.
He's also the most genuine and caring person he knows, too. Hal may have a habit of flicking him shit and giving him a hard time about being a hard-ass, but Hal knows he's only that way because of how much he cares.
And well... Hal likes that about him. That Bruce can both be so soft but firm and unyielding. Unafraid to do whatever it takes, even if it makes the world hate him as long as it's safe.
It also doesn't hurt that the Waynes are publicly known to be Jewish and well, his mama has always said she doesn't care if he'd rather bring home a boy as long as he's a good Jewish boy. So she'd obviously approve. Hal smiles from under his helmet as he sees Bruce waiting. The taller man is wearing trousers that look downright sinful, and showcase just how thin his waist is and how thin his ass is absolutely not... He hops off his bike and takes off his helmet, running his hands through his hair and praying that his pomade and a quick finger-comb is good enough to not have helmet hair. "Hey there, Bruce." Hal grins. "You look stunning tonight, if I'd known I'd have dressed better." He laughs softly, gesturing to his own jeans and t-shirt, under his bomber jacket he wears as always. "So... How are you? Nice weather today, yeah?" He asks as he walks over, looking up at Bruce with an easy smile and bright eyes. God, he feels like a school kid all over again trying to talk to Miriam Holt on his first (and last) date with her... c'mon, pull it together Jordan!
Bruce stood when Hal arrived, the table set and ready for the fresh pizzaas that were sure to be arriving soon.
He flushed at the words, cursing internally that his pale skin probably made it so obvious.
"I'm fine - this is casual for me," he defended weakly, glancing off to the side briefly to collect himself. "I think you look fine. Besides, if you showed up without your jacket I'd worry you'd been replaced by a clone," he joked, smirking in amusement. And he was telling the truth. That Hal really did look fine. Hal was Hal. And Bruce wouldn't change him. Not after knowing him this long.
He couldn't help himself, however, when he noticed a thick lock of hair that had been smooshed likely by his helmet on the bike ride over.
His hand moved before he thought better of it, a habit he'd never kicked from when any of the family had shown up in the Cave in a similar state. He smoothed it over, arranging it to his liking, too caught up in the task to gauge Hal's reaction. Once satisfied he graced the other man with a soft, painfully fond smile.
"Please," he said, gesturing to the empty chair at the table, "Sit. I ordered already. Hawaiian for you, right? At least I hope I remembered right."
He had ordered a normal pepperoni pizza for himself but on cauliflower crust. Damian would have his head if he wasn't at least trying to take care of himself, certain that his youngest son must have some sort of telepathy that told him when Bruce was being careless.
"I'm grateful for the weather. It's nice to get a break from the rain. How have you been? We missed you at the last League meeting," he said openly, finding himself less willing to hold his words back after his recent heart attack. Something about truly coming face to face with his own mortality made Bruce more liberal with his words as of late. The children had been grateful for the change. But would Hal?
"I missed your presence," he clarified. "It was boring without you."
Hal flushes as Bruce fixes his hair, frozen in slight awe at the casual contact. He is aware of course that Bruce is capable of expressing care for others, he's seen it a number of times over the years with various Robins and kids, but... He wouldn't have expected that same softness directed towards him. He sits when Bruce gestures for him to, still slightly caught off-guard. "I. Yeah, Hawaiian is good. Unless it's a Friday or mama is around. She's a stickler about keeping kosher." He chuckles. "Thankyou."
He smiles softly at Bruce, listening as he speaks and nodding along at the weather.
He's shocked again though, when Bruce mentions missing him at the last meeting. Bruce loves all of his friends, and his family, anyone with eyes can see that. But he's never been so... free with his words before. Is it because they're on a date? If he'd known that finally manning up and asking Bruce out was all it would take to get him to open up a little more... He would have listened to his own feelings for the gorgeous man in front of him years ago. Over a decade ago, even. "I- really? I... Always thought you seemed annoyed by how I tend to get during meetings... I hate missing them though, too. I hate missing a chance to spend time with you. You're really nice to be around, Bruce. I've missed you too." he says with a soft smile, reaching out and gently holding Bruce's hand.
Bruce blinked at him, taken aback.
"I mean- I- it's been many years since I stopped feeling annoyed. It's just how you are? And I appreciate who you are. Truth be told," his smile turned self-deprecating, "I started to think that maybe you had a point. That maybe I shouldn't be so-" he shook his head, insecurity quickly disappearing behind a 1000 watt smile. "If you think I'm nice you must be a clone. Who sent you?" He asked, arching a brow playfully.
All the amusement vanished, however, the moment Hal reached forward and grabbed his hand, lighting his entire body up with vibrating energy, breath catching and words dying in his throat.
Um... what?
From this proximity he could smell Hal's cologne, doing his best not to sniff the air like a damned dog. When he'd felt Hal's hair earlier it was clear he'd put product in it, indicating an effort that would best be reserved for-
But the way Hal looked at him was new, as if seeing Bruce for the first time. Or maybe he'd always looked at Bruce like that and Bruce had simply never noticed what it could mean.
"Hal?" He asked slowly. "What are we doing? I- is this-"
He bit his lip, blinking rapidly.
"Is this a... date?" He asked, trying to keep the hope out of his voice, though his ice blue eyes shone bright with it anyway, fragile and longing, brows scrunched as he waited for Hal's response. He squeezed Hal's hand subconsciously, hoping he wasn't reading this wrong and hoping to feel more of him in case he decided to let Bruce go.
Hal tenses up when Bruce asks him what's happening. Hal thought Bruce already agreed to a date, so-
Oh.
Bruce... This must be one of those things where Bruce hadn't realized the extent of Hal's asking him to go out. That's okay. It's okay. This is fine. Bruce's baby blues stare at Hal with an expression Hal has only ever seen when the man before him was fearing the life of one of his children. He's scared.
Bruce. Is scared.
But Bruce's hand tightens and Hal relaxes, and gently pulls Bruce's hand closer and he leans forward to kiss the back of Bruce's knuckles, then gently rubs his thumb over them. "That's what I was meaning, when I asked you to dinner... I'm sorry I hadn't made that very clear."
Bruce nearly stopped breathing all together when Hal's lips brushed his knuckles, almost in slow motion as Bruce was rendered frozen. He followed the movement of his thumb stroking his hand with sharp eyes darting back up to Hal's face as soon as his brains started working again, committing the moment to memory.
"Oh," he whispered a bit breathlessly.
He looked at Hal for a long moment, finally exhaling with a small shudder as the touch sent tingles spreading right to his chest- into his weakened heart.
"Hal I-"
He looked into his eyes, feeling his earnestness, shoulders dropping the tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying.
"I didn't realize you felt that way about me," he confessed at last. It was mostly true. He'd never entertained Hal being serious about him like this.
Most people weren't.
"I would also like for this to be a date," he decided with a small nod, offering a pleased smile just as the pizzas arrived, the owner setting them on the table. Bruce thanked him, nodding toward Hal.
"I hope you like it," he said, voice soft and eyes shining with fondness and something else, simmering and warm.
I hope you keeping liking me.
"I do, I... I think I've like you for a while, really..." He trails off, and looks into Bruce's eyes.
"But any time with you, is time well spent. Bruce, you are so kind. You love your family above all else. You also work so hard to protect the universe as we know it and your city and its people, even the rogues and those who have done wrong. I... If anyone says there isn't at least something about you they like, they are a fool."
He leans back, smiling at Bruce and grabbing his glass, taking a sip of water.
"Really it's more me,thatshould be worried about you enjoying our evening. I'm... noy very good at dates, usually, according to my many exes..."
The longer Hal rambled, the more Bruce’s cheeks burned, telltale pink spreading down to his chest, hidden under the turtleneck he was wearing.
"I- I see-," he managed to say, clearing his throat and quickly taking a sip of water.
Hal was... bold... to say the least. That is to say, he was Hal Jordan. So Bruce expected nothing less. It was just... Bruce was Bruce. And people didn't normally act this way about him. He didn't know what Hal expected- and he was almost too afraid to ask, for fear of ruining the moment.
"Thank you," he said, his eyes earnest as he finally met Hal's gaze. He couldn't help but stare, now that he apparently was allowed. Hal's eyes were a warm brown, and the way he looked at Bruce was totally disarming in a way Bruce simply wasn't used to.
It should have scared him.
But instead it...
It simply captivated him. He found that he wanted to keep looking at Hal and for Hal to keep looking at him.
"I think you're doing just fine. I'm enjoying your company- and your transparency," Bruce assured him, a persistent and soft smile on his lips. "Besides," he shrugged, "your track record can't be any worse than mine. I'm not judging your past. But I suppose I-"
He worried his lip between his teeth before continuing his thought... "I'm not good at this either."
Hal smiles softly. “Give yourself some credit, spooks. This place smells amazing, so clearly you have good taste in pizza. And I already know you’re good company… so I feel like barring a rogue attack this should be a good evening.” He raps his knuckles twice on the wooden table top.
“Hopefully I didn’t just jinx us.” He laughs.
His eyes are crinkled at the corners, and bright and alive. He leans in towards Bruce, lightly crossing his arms and leaning against the table. It’s probably horrible table manners, but he doesn’t care much for those anyways outside of holidays or galas where he’s ultimately representing something, someone, other than himself anyways.
“So… how have you been? What have you been up to?” Hal asks, sipping on his water. “Any fun adventures lately?”
Bruce paused at the question, gaze flickering away for a moment. He bit his lip without thinking.
How much could he tell Hal? Especially on a date...
"I wouldn't say adventures..."
Taking a deep breath, he sighed.
"I've been alright, all things considered. And by all things- I mean that I've been slowly recovering from a recent medical emergency and dealing with some new developments with my family- nothing terrible on that front, just unexpected. Damian moved back in to look after me for a while so I actually haven't been patrolling and won't be for another week or two. But aside from that... I've taken this time that I've been on hiatus to simply... be," he said, smiling with newfound peace in his expression. "I- I've been considering... retirement... in the next few years," he admitted carefully avoiding mentioning Batman outright in public.
"I think it's time to prepare for it. And this forced vacation has given me time to actually find hobbies. Or even pick old ones back up. I started playing piano again and that brings me peace. The kods come around more than before. And I spend a lot of time with my dog, Ace."
Speaking of Ace... he'd had a hard time admitting to people the truth about his Bat Hound. But here- now- with Hal...
"He's the best service dog a man could ask for. My best friend. But don't tell Zatanna," he said with a wink, "she gets jealous about that title."
Leaning forward himself, he asked, "What about you, Hal? Tell me what's new with you."
“Medical emergency? You? Are you okay, Bruce? Should you be out right now? If I’d known I would’ve asked if you needed any help at all here, I know you have a team, but…” he frowns worriedly. “There’s others who’d happily help you too, Bruce.” He says softly.
“But… god, retirement… wouldn’t that be a dream… some day It’d be nice to fly across the world… just for fun. In a little one or two man plane with nothing more than a carry on… not needing to work would be a dream…” he sighs.
He thinks about what he’s been up to, but… there’s really not much to say. Just the usual up in space for weeks and back on earth for a few days cycle.
“Ehh… I haven’t been up to much though. Mostly up in space. I have a job with a company out here for the next 8-10 weeks, so I actually told the guardians I am not to be interrupted for the next three months unless I’m literally the last lantern standing. I’m looking forward to focusing on test flights and having a good time relaxing…”
Bruce smiled softly, head tilting in a slight nod. "I'm okay for the most part. It's been roughly two months since the incident. And it wasn't a serious wound. More of a sudden health issue that needed treatment and for me to start taking it easy. Damian benched me and moved back in to take care of me. Though, he's a little dictator," he chuckled. "Won't let me exercise past a certain limit, monitors my meals- Won't let me out of his sight normally. Except today I managed to convince him that since this was a social visit with a friend, that it would be good for my stress levels. It must be so hard for him to parent his parent," he sighed dramatically, resting his chin in his hand and smirking at Hal. "So I guess you better have me home at a decent hour."
Then he bit his lip, eyes softening. "I have a plane... and- don't look at me like that- not one of those. I mean- I do have those, yes. But no, not the jet. The small planes that you're talking about. I have a few. You're welcome to use one any time. And you never know, Hal. Retirement wasn't an overnight or spur of the moment decision. It crept up on me. But I can't be Batman forever... not unless I don't value my life. And these days... I do. I really do. I have so much I want to stick around for, you know?" He said, something deeply fragile in his voice. And suddenly, as if remembering himself, he shook his head.
"But anyway... I am curious about your test flights. What are they usually like?" He asked, biting into his pizza, humming happily at the taste. It really was so good.
Hal laughs softly as Bruce talks about his son. His eyes have always seemed the most alive, talking about his children. Right now, it’s a good thing. Bright and twinkling. Filled with Pride and joy. He smiles, though it turns into a bit of a smirk. An almost boyish look, if he’d been some 20 years younger.
“Well, I will do my best, Mr. Wayne, I’d hate to worry your family about your health, or have them think I have besmirched your honor.” He chuckles and relaxes into his seat.
“I… wow… I… may take you up on that while I’m out this way? I have a Cessna 195 at home, that Carol gave me as a gift about 8 years ago… a thank you for being with the company so long. It was really well restored, too… she’s beautiful and flys like a dream… but I have a couple younger guys at Ferris I trust to keep an eye on her hanger, keep her clean, and I don’t need to pay storage fees, there. I asked around places near Gotham and it was going to be almost half of my contract for how long I’d be here.” He shrugs.
“It… would be nice to fly though, while I’m here. Could even take you up with me if you’d like?” He offers. “It could be a date. I could take you anywhere you want on the eastern seaboard.” He grins.
At Bruce’s next question, Hal hums.
“Honestly… pretty boring these days. Ferris has switched entirely to unmanned crafts, so what we do is get into these little escape pod looking things, the inside is set up like an f-18 cockpit for testing purposes. It’s fun, and a lot lower risk… when we were still testing manned crafts I never wore my ring. It felt wrong to, when no one else had the option… at most it was in my pocket in case I got an urgent call if I was involved with ongoing investigations… and don’t give me that look! Barry gave me shit for it all the time. Ollie, too…” he sighs.
“I am excited though, this contract is for manned craft testing. It’s been a while since I’ve flown manned earth craft like this, but I’ve been sent the specs already and it’s nothing like I’ve ever seen… I don’t know how much I’m allowed to talk about in public, though.” His eyes are bright with his excitement.
“You may have seen the specs yourself, though. The company I’m testing for is a subsidiary of WE. It is like nothing I have seen here on Earth. It’s impressive.”
Bruce couldn't have helped himself and even if he could he wouldn't have wanted to. He had a handsome man sitting across from him, one who- apparently- wanted Bruce.
"You can take me anywhere you want," he breathed, electric blue eyes half-lidded in the way he regarded Hal. And damn if Hal's mere presence in the moment didn't make something settle in his chest, warm and inviting.
Invitation was the word, wasn't it?
Bruce’s eyes did flash in recognition. He... he was scheduled to attend a test flight for a subsidiary.
Huh... funny how the world works.
He didn't say that though. Not yet.
"I may have heard something."
He wasn't trying to keep it a secret from Hal that he was scheduled to be there and he knew they were colleagues in the League but... they weren't outside of the capes and they were stepping into this tentative new thing.
He didn't want Hal to feel crowded by him at work. Besides...
He wanted to watch the man fly in peace. Without all the fuss his presence usually brought as Bruce Wayne.
He found that... he wanted Hal to stay.
He plucked a chicken wing from the basket and dipped it in ranch, somehow still managing to chew on it like he had, in fact, been raised by a British butler. Still, he hummed in pleasure, eyes lighting up at the taste.
He rarely got to have this. And he got to do it with Hal, who was such a welcome presence.
He swallowed before he spoke again.
"Sorry, I really love this place. I forgot how much since I've been so busy. I used to come here with my dad when I was little. On the way from W.E... He would take me to work sometimes and the secretaries were so sweet they would hand me hot chocolate in a coffee cup so I could pretend I was having coffee with my dad. And then once his meetings were done he would bring me here sometimes on days he could get away with us sneaking junk food. One time, my mom caught us red handed on her way from the beauty salon. She was so mad- because we didn't invite her," he chuckled, looking around nostalgically, "This place is generational. And I'm glad it's still standing. Best pizza in Gotham if you ask me," he grinned, biting another slice for good measure. He didn't mention his part in keeping it afloat. It didn't matter. Only that it was still there.
He didn't know why he said all that. Usually, his parents were a sore spot even after so much time. Especially when all the good memories they had yet to make were cut so short so soon. But these happy little moments were preserved in the walls of a humble family owned pizza parlor. And Bruce could finally cherish it properly. What he didn't understand was why the stories just flowed out of him with Hal there. He imagined it wasn't first date kind of talk. And well, when Bruce well and truly meant it, he didn't know what first date talk was supposed to be like. But the comfort of it was why he'd felt safe to meet Hal there and not another place. It mattered- to Bruce.
Hal mattered, too.
Maybe that was the truth he hadn't admitted to himself so easily. These things- the things that mattered- always hovered right under his nose.
But with Hal, he felt compelled to stop and smell the roses.
And that had to count for something.
Didn't it?
His cheeks flushed as he flashed Hal a shy smile. "Hard to believe, huh? Me as a kid. That I didn't come out of the womb fully grown and brooding. But it's true. Every day used to feel like an adventure."
He looked at Hal with a sudden clarity, as if seeing him for the first time.
"Would you... fancy going on an adventure with me?"
Hal listens contently, enraptured by the beautiful man in front of him. As he listens to Bruce talk about his family, about his dad, he gently reaches out for Bruce’s free hand again, squeezing it lightly.
Bruce doesn’t speak about any of his family often, least of all his parents. Sure there’s occasional stories of his kids, or his kids visiting and crashing JL meetings and telling stories about Bruce and the family, poking fun and teasing, that Bruce always looks so tired of hearing in the middle of meetings. But from Hal’s seat to the side he can usually see the faint smile on Bruce’s face when his head is in his hands.
But his parents are different. When they are brought up, it is usually a more somber conversation. Not always sad, per se, but a reminder of the tragedy that lead him down his path. Not something happy and bright like this, not a childhood story from before it all.
Then, Bruce mentions an adventure and Hal is all ears.
Hal loves a good adventure, and his smile widens into his signature smirk.
“I can believe it. You may be Mr. Doom and Gloom but when you think no one’s watching or listening, or when people know what to look for, it’s obvious you’re just another adrenaline junkie like the rest of us. So… I’d love to go on an adventure. I love adventures… and I think a good adventure with you would be the best I’ve been on in a long time.”
Bruce’s eyes lit up.
"Oh, good. I have more free time than I know what to do with lately. So just let me know when you're free so we- so we can-"
His breath caught at the look on Hal's face, sweetness and devotion so solid- as if Bruce could lean into it and trust Hal to catch him and hold him steady.
Stupidly, he had to point it out.
"You keep looking at me like that," he whispered, pink dusting his cheeks as he glanced down at their joint hands, unable to stop himself from pulling Hal's hand closer even by half an inch.
Closer.
"I want- closer," he demanded, the pout on his lips betraying the trademark Batman bossiness in his voice. "Hal- come here- come over here- next to me."
Hal grins, and stands up, offering Bruce his hand.
“Well… all of our food is gone. How about we go find somewhere a little more quiet?” He suggests. “Or go for a walk, or something.”
He wants nothing more than to be as close to Bruce as possible, as close as Bruce will allow.
He hopes he isn’t too terribly overstepping.
But.
If there’s even a chance…
He may as well take the leap.
He may as well since he’s already been falling for as long as he can remember.
Bruce didn't even have time to envy Hal's boldness. He simply looked up at him with open admiration and, dare he say it, hope.
Bruce stood, clasping Hal's hand with his own.
"I already told you. You can take me anywhere you want," he said, voice barely above a whisper. And he found that he truly meant it. And if the undercurrent of neediness was audible...
Sue him.
"Lead the way."
It's a quiet night in Gotham, for once in the city's history. Birds coo softly as they fly overhead, the beating of their wings cutting through the silent breeze.
Batman hides in the shadows, sliding past alleyways like a wisp in the air. Just because it's a quiet night doesn't mean he could rest. What did the night hold for him this time?
@ace-the-bat-hound
Ace sniffed around. He didn't like multiversal portals. They made his fur stand up. But he smelled B Human!
"Woof!"
He walked through a place he knew was different but so unmistakably Gotham .
That meant a B Human had to be nearby. Oh they were just like... what did Damian Human call them?
Pokémon! And you had to catch all of them.
He caught the smell of sad and broody and followed it before he caught sight of him. Good thing he was in uniform. This B Human was a bigger B Human than his B Human!
He panted happily, tail wagging as he trotted over to him, pressing his wet nose to his boot. He didn't bark. He'd been trained not to while B Human was scouting. He looked up at him expectantly.
A bark sounds over the distance, and Bruce instinctively turns in that direction, large body somehow hidden in the midnight that settles over Gotham. He slides forward, silent on his feet as he gets closer and closer and...
Well. It's a dog. He doesn't know what he expected.
The dog, now that Bruce was in sight, doesn't bark and instead presses its nose into his boot. Bruce shuffles back a little before going down on one knee.
A well groomed dog, fed well by the looks of it, clearly trained if its mannerisms weren't enough of an identification. So this dog has an owner.
"Why are you out here, boy?" Bruce gently pets along the dog's ear, gauntlet-clad hands soft in a practised manner. It isnt the first time he's dealed with dogs on the loose. There are so many around the streets he works at. "Where's your owner?"
He looks for the glint of a collar, a sign that would direct him to a possible owner. Who would leave such a good dog out in the frigid environment of Gotham's night?
If Ace could arch a brow he would've. Did he not have an Ace? Did he not recognize him by his bat-cowl?
He whined in dismay. Was he not Bat-Hound here? Poor B Human. He didn't have his partner in Justice. He let out a rumbling little growl, disappointed, and nuzzled his head on Bruce’s knee. At least he was being nice to Ace. That much was consistent.
He almost forgot to wonder what B Human was doing out here. Were there bad guys? Ace could catch them!
The dog nuzzles its head into his knee, and Bruce rubs a hand down its flank to soothe it's whining. Aww, poor boy, he was probably missing his owner.
The peculiar cowl-like fabric the dog is wearing over its head catches his attention, and he tilts his head as he peers at the yellow collar around its neck with the shape of a bat on it. It's definitely not his own logo, it looks too streamlined for it, but the coincidental resemblance is a little uncanny.
But of course, multiverse travel isn't Bruce’s area of expertise. Its only been a few days since he went down to hell with Diana. He doesn't connect the dots just yet.
"How strange... maybe your owner is a fan of bats?" Bruce says as he lifts himself off his knee with a light huff. "Why don't we go and find your human? The streets are quiet enough for that today."
Ace perks up at the words "your human".
B human?! Ace has the best human ever. B human gave him filet mignon bites just because he loved Ace so much. He missed his B.....
But...
This B was nice too. And he liked how careful he was with Ace. Ace was a German Shepherd- big dog. He was a big boy. But he felt like a pup again around this B. Maybe he could hang out with him every now and then! He happily followed the B Human.
Bruce sees the dog perk up, and gives him a good scratch on his cowled head. A small smile slips over his face as he sees the dog's enthusiasm. Clearly he is raring to go find his owner.
"Do you have a name, boy?" Bruce asks, voice low and calm as they both begin walking down the street. He thinks about where to begin looking, eyeing all the missing posters on the alleyway walls in case someone already put a notice up. With how well groomed the dog looks, surely his owner would be searching for him. "Can't believe I forgot to check if you have a tag."
They slip into another dark corner, and Bruce bends down to check the collar once more. "We'll have to get you out of your cowl to do any identification. Or, well, maybe the cowl is enough identification."
Now he's getting it.
He yipped happily. B Humans are detectives. He knew he could figure it out.
He feels for any identification under the cowl on the dog, a triumphant sound leaving him when he finds a small metal tag. For all that Bruce tried to pretend he's a hardened vigilante, he's still pretty young after all.
"OK, let's see what we've got here." He pets the dog's flank as he squints in the dark and tries to read. A-C-E, the tag reads, with smaller text underneath, probably the owner's name and contact info.
"Oh, your name is Ace? What a strong name for a strong boy like you." A smile fits on his face as he continues petting the dog, now identified as Ace. He's always been fond of animals, the dogs and stray cats that roamed the streets outside his home, Selina's kittens that trailed after her when she came to Gotham, the crows that displayed their intelligence whenever Bruce walked past their usual haunts. Bats are his favourite, of course, but dogs are a very close second.
"Let's find who your owner is. Give me a second..." Bruce squints even more, the lens of his cowl stark white in the dark as he tries to make out the words engraved into the metal.
B-A-T-M-A-N.
...
What?
Ace tilted his head at him and then turned to walk back to where he came from. He looked back, waiting for B human to follow.
He was going home! And he could show his B human the new B human and the new B human his B human! And then both B Humans could be friends because his B human was so sad and lonely.
Oh he really had to get home!
It takes a few moments for Bruce to process what he just learned. He still doesn't fully understand. Batman? Another batman? What could this possibly mean?
He notices Ace moving away from him, and follows behind the dog with half his focus trained on his surroundings. Sue him, but he wasn't aware of multiversal shenanigans yet. He had just been to Hell, thank you. There was still a lot for him to learn about his universe.
"Ace?..." He calls out, more than a bit confused about what was happening.
They arrive at a portal and Ace barks at Bruce to follow, jumping through.
The world shifts around him and he lands back in his own Gotham, the air smelling much more familiar.
Bruce follows after Ace with more than a little trepidation. What was he getting himself into this time? Was this really safe?
When he comes to a stop, he notices that the place around them is.... different. It looks and feels like Gotham, but it wasn't his Gotham. There were signs he didn't recognize, shops he's never seen, and Bruce had seen a lot of Gotham. He lives in the damn city after all.
"... what.. is this?" He looks at the buildings around him, built up tall and high, somehow looking newer than the ones in his Gotham. Recently constructed? But Bruce would know if any buildings were built.
He looks down at Ace, and if his cowl were off there would be an expression of pure bewilderment on his face.
"Woof!"
Come ON, B human!
Ace took them down an alley where he knew his special Zeta was. His for emergencies. B human thought of everything!
He waited for B Human to stand close enough to him before his paw was punching in a code, transporting him and B human to the Bat Cave.
Batman Human was there, pacing in circles.
"Woof! Woof!"
He looked up, dropping to his knees as Ace ran toward him.
"Ace! You had me so worried," he said, hugging his dog and nuzzling his head. "Never disappear like that again, buddy," he told his service dog. Ace being gone had triggered so much anxiety in him he hadn't wanted to go anywhere, never mind patrol.
He really was getting soft.
He froze, however, when he realized there was someone else in his cave.
A Batman.
A big one.
"Oh, hello. What universe are you from?" Bruce asked, already accustomed to such shenanigans.
Bruce jogs after Ace, mind still reeling with the new strange Gotham around him. There is a sense of recognition in this city, even though everything else was different. From the make of the window panes to the very concrete underneath their feet, unrecognizable yet familiar. Deja vu in the strangest way.
When Ace speeds up and runs into an alley, Bruce hurries behind him, only to stop and stare at the sight in front of him.
There stood a man, shorter than him, dressed in what appears to be armor, a bat symbol spread wide over his chest (the same one on Ace's collar, he recognised). His face is covered with a cowl, his outfit looks a lot more blue, and Ace is jumping around the man while barking with delight, so there really isn't many conclusions to draw on.
This was Batman. Which made no sense, because Bruce is Batman. But Bruce isn't in his Gotham right now.
Is this what they called the multiverse? Parallel universes coexisting, distinct from each other, lives lived differently because of a handful of snowballs choices. Bruce had only studied upon the idea very vaguely, he didn't really expect to be confronted by someone who could very well be a Bruce Wayne counterpart.
"Which universe??" Are the only words he could get out from his mouth, as he still stares at the older, shorter man before him.
Bruce nods in understanding.
"Ah. First time? Experiencing the multiverse, I mean?"
It was understandable.
"Welcome to Earth 123. I assume Ace brought you through the new portal that opened up. We had recently deduced that there were other counterparts of ours there as well. We call your world Earth-Alpha."
He held his hand out to shake this new Batman’s hand.
"Bruce Wayne. Am I to assume that you're a Bruce as well? There's a Batman who was a Thomas Wayne, my father. So I want to be sure."
"More like first time knowing it exists. The multiverse is real?" The Bruce before him, this older 'Bruce Wayne', is clearly very experienced in whatever is happening to Bruce right now.
Wow. What a mind trip. Two Bruce Waynes, so vastly different from each other, but the same person if the batsymbol had anything to say.
The mention of Thomas Wayne draws a gasp from him, his heart suddenly beating at a mile per minute rate. His father? He was alive in another universe?
"Yeah, I'm Bruce- you're telling me dad's alive?"
There's no way he could hide the hint of hope in his voice as he says it. There's also no way to hide the despair lining his entire body at that moment.
Bruce 123 swallowed the knot in his throat, a weak laugh escaping him before he could stop it.
"Those were my exact words when I met that Batman. He's not... like many other Bruces, our parents die when we're roughly between 8 and 10- being murdered in front of us," he told Bruce Alpha, eyes still haunted even after so many years.
"Thomas Wayne's Batman came to be after an alternate outcome, where he lived and I died, occured."
Bruce feels like the ground was collapsing under him. The hope that had surged in him shriveled up and died in an instant.
How could he come to terms with the fact that tragedy would befall his family in all universes? Either to him, or to his dad and his mom. Peace, it seems, was never in the cards for them.
What a tragic thing to realise.
He huffs out a tortured sigh, eyes closing behind the lens of his cowl as he collects himself. He's in unfamiliar territory, and he doesn't know if he can trust this other 'Batman' yet.
But wait- his father had died, but his mom was still alive.
"Parents? What happened to mom?"
Bruce doesn't sugar coat it.
"She died. Her and dad. Right in front of me. Alfred, my butler, raised me."
He doesn't know what else to say except his surprise at what Bruce Alpha says gives him pause.
"She's... mom... she's... alive? In your universe?" His voice holds something fragile- not quite hope and not quite envy, but something close to it.
"Mom's alive, yeah. It was hard, after dad... but we managed."
Bruce’s heart breaks a little for this other Batman and every other Batman in the multiverse, if this is the reaction he gets for having an alive mom. Oh, he really doesn't want to think about his mom being dead. He wouldn't be able to bear it.
"I'm... sorry, for your loss." He manages to say, an awkward tone to his voice he can't quite hide. The mention of Alfred has him curious, since he's pretty sure his Alfred had never been a butler, but he refrains from asking.
"I see... thank you," Bruce says, unsure how to change the subject.
"I'm glad for you. And for her," he says after a beat.
He turns to walk back to the Bat Computer, sitting down to pull up footage of the new anomaly.
"I suppose you'll want to go home."
Bruce moves so he stands beside Batman, his eyes wide as he stares at the expansive Batcomputer setup. Geez, all this must have been expensive. Bruce makes his own gear, and his networks and equipments are good, but not this good.
He wants to go home, he had been patrolling before Ace appeared, but-
The differences between their universe, both the clear ones (the wealth, apparently? He had a butler in another universe) and the more subtle ones (the age), intrigued him too much to leave just yet.
"Sure.... I do want to go home..." the hesitance is clear in his voice, if not in him posture, leaning forward as he takes in the full expanse of the cave.
Bruce gives him a sideways glance, pondering.
"But?"
If Batman could see past the cowl, he would see an uncharacteristically shy Bruce. As it was, he sees a 6'9 man dressed in a Batsuit fidget with the ends of his cape.
"But... I want to learn more about the multiverse before I leave."
Curiosity has always been his downfall, after all.
"So I will know what to do if it happens again, I mean. I can leave now as well-"
"Stay, then," Bruce said, looking up at the younger, larger counterpart.
"I can arrange for you to stay with us as our guest."
It really was no problem. Earth 123 was a Nexus point apparently. Many universes converged there. And he wanted to learn more about Bruce Alpha as well.
"I'd hate to overstay my welcome." Bruce says, mind going back to his half finished patrol. He can't leave Gotham undefended. She had no one else.
His eyes glance around the cave they were in, catching onto all the little interesting things in the space. Glass cases, complex machinery, a giant penny- a giant penny? A joker card? A T-rex???
He stares at those exhibits, itching to ask questions already. In moments like this, his age really came through, still so young and inexperienced as a Batman.
Bruce 123 shot him a stern look.
"I offered. It would not be an imposition. Besides, my kids are busy. I could use the company. I'll have Alfred prepare a guest room," he said firmly, leaving little room for argument.
"I admit I'm curious about your reality. Although, if you're anything like me, I imagine you can't bear to be away from Gotham for too long. Stay at least a day or two before returning. Crime never rests, after all. It won't get better in your absence, but it certainly isn't going anywhere. You might even enjoy the change of scenery. And at my age, after suffering a heart attack from stress- and with my youngest son playing the role of mother hen- I've learned to appreciate a day off here and there."
He had never been more glad Damian was in medical school, grateful that he'd taken time away to come home and care for Bruce.
He stood, leading Bruce up a flight of stairs that would lead out of the grandfather clock in his study.
"We'll find you some clothes. A friend of mine... he... he hasn't been by in a while but he left clothes here and he's about your size."
He tried not to think too much about Clark. The heartache was still fresh. But he shook himself from those thoughts. His friend was happy and that was all that mattered.
"Are you hungry? I haven't had my lunch yet. We can talk over a warm meal."
Bruce feels the slightest bit cowed by the stern look, it feels too much like disappointing his dad. He moves past that feeling before he forms any opinion on it. "If you're sure it won't be an issue..."
He follows behind Batman up the stairs, and he sure they make quite the comical pair. His cowl still sits solid over his head, and if he were anyone else he wouldn't be able to stop himself from looking around.
"You have kids?" He asks as they ascend out of the cave into what must be Batman's house, "And what's the deal with Alfred? Why would he prepare the guest room?"
Bruce imagines his own Alfred preparing a room, and envisions military grade folded sheets and the barest necessities strewn about. Hmm. Maybe Alfred would be good at preparing a room after all.
He doubts this 'friend's shirts would fit, but really, anything would be more comfortable than the batsuit in a house like this. He notes the tone of Batman's voice when he mentions said friend, and stays quiet about it out of courtesy. Must be a sore spot, whatever it was.
"I do," B 123 answered. "My youngest is biological but the rest are all adopted. And Alfred still works for me so he prepares rooms among other things. I fear one day I'll need to hire five employees just to replace him but he refuses the extra help as it is."
He lead Bruce Alpha down the winding halls to his bedroom. He disappeared into his closet, re-emerging in simple black slacks and a black turtle neck with some of Clark’s old clothes in hand.
"Here," he said, handing his counterpart a soft blue flannel and jeans. "They should fit you. You can take the closet to change."
He sat on the edge of his bed to wait.
"How many children do you have?" Bruce continues to enquire as they walk into the bedroom. A pictures paints itself into his mind as he walks further and further into what is now looking more like a mansion than a modest house like his own. The mention of Alfred and hired help catches his interest again. Just how different was this world from his?
"You hire people? You've hired Alfred? I didn't know he could be hired." Granted, the man is an M16 agent. Maybe this Bruce is affiliated? Though, given the paintings they walked past on their way to the bedroom gives him a vastly different idea.
Is this Bruce rich? That would explain the opulence of the house and the advanced technology in the cave.
When Bruce tries on the offered clothes, they predictably sit a little tight on his frame. Whoever this friend was was obviously fit and big, but there was much to be done about Bruce’s sheer size. He comes out of the closet looking a tad snug, the flannel thrown over his suit's undershirt, unable to button up properly and the jeans just a few inches short. But hey. He wasn't going to complain about it.
Bruce hums.
"Officially? About 6? Honestly I lose track sometimes. The family keeps growing. And yes? I am the CEO of Wayne Enterprises. Although my third son helps me run the company. And Alfred was the butler when my parents were alive. When they died, he was granted guardianship of me. He insisted on remaining as staff, however."
He looks as Bruce walks out.
"Hm a bit snug. Surprising but we can make it work for now. This universe is a multiversal nexus, meaning its where realities converge. Since we may be seeing more of each other I'll have Alfred get your measurements so we can keep clothes for you here," he said easily, standing up to lead him out.
Let's head to the dining room.
Once again he was lead through more winding and extravagant halls before they stepped down a grand staircase. Alfred appeared down below.
"Ah Master Bruce and-" his eyes widened a fraction when he took in the giant beside him. "I was about to ask if you desired lunch sir."
Bruce 123 smiled. "Yes, please Alfred. And for my new friend as well. This is Bruce Alpha. Ace fetched him from that new anomoly we detected."
Alfred smiled softly at the disclosure. "Ah, another Master Bruce then. Welcome, sir."
He disappeared to prepare the food.
"This way," Bruce told him. It was a rare sunny day in Gotham, light filtering through ornate floor to cieling windows in the dining room where a table large enough to seat a dozen guests waited for them.
Bruce took his spot at the head of the table, gesturing toward a seat next to him where Dick normally sat.
"Please. Have a seat."
"No no! This is fine, I can manage with these clothes." He rushes to say, a little mortified by the idea of having his measurements taken for new clothes. He had his own! They were fine!
"You've had a lot of these incidents then? Multiversal travel?" He follows after B123 once more, not unlike a puppy following after its human. "Who else have you met? What were they like? You mentioned our dad being Batman before."
The idea of being the CEO of a company had him pausing, baffled at the concept. In his universe, Wayne Industries didn't exist. The only Waynes he knew were himself and his mom, and his dad's distant family. The only one that rich in his Gotham was Jack Grimm, and he knew of him the same way everyone else in Gotham knew of him.
"Wow. I never knew Alfred in my childhood, so this is very new to me." He says after the very same man left to bring them lunch. Looking at the frail butler, Bruce really couldn't see the resemblance except for the receding hairline. His own Alfred had quite the beard. "What does your company do?"
He folds himself into the dining table chair offered, bending over to accommodate for his height. His posture is shit, but there wasn't much he could do about ornate furniture. His hair sits unruly on his head, finally free from the cowl, shorter than it was before after the entire debacle with Bane and Ark-M. Sometimes he missed the old length, when Selina would play with the strands and style it for him, but he had to admit the cowl sat better like this.
Bruce smiled at his questioning, the age difference clear as his eyes held all the patience of someone who had raised several rambunctious children.
"Yes. As I mentioned, Earth 123 is a nexus universe. Many uninverse converge here. I am perhaps not even the original Bruce of the multiverse- merely an amalgamation of several possible Bruces- or Batmans I should say as not every Batman is a Bruce. Though, most are. Thomas Wayne became Batman after I died in his universe instead of him as he did in my universe. And Alfred is our butler in many of them. Although, he is no ordinary butler. But he's also like a father to me. Don't let his stature fool you. He's hiding an eight pack under that uniform and knows his way around a fight. He was in the military during his younger years."
He paused when Bruce Alpha asked about the company, chewing on the thought.
"Hmm. Wayne Enterprises does a lot of things. But our most prominent area is our R&D department. So we develop technology, mostly."
Then he asked the question that was eating at him since the new Bruce's arrival.
"How did you come to become Batman in your universe?"
Bruce listens to B123 with wide eyes, curiosity swimming in them, not unlike a child. There is a lot Bruce had learnt in his lifetime, and even more he had witnessed ever since he took up his mantle, but knowledge about the multiverse given by someone clearly quite experienced with the concept is an entire new experience indeed.
Alfred being a veteran made sense, considering his own Alfred had also served. It is the comment about him being fatherly that confuses him. His Alfred had been touch-and-go at best. "I could never imagine Alfred being fatherly. He's too grumpy for that." But maybe it came with Alfred watching B123 grow up, while his own only came into his life in his 20s.
"A tech company... that explains the advanced equipment you have." He makes his own, using his engineering experience, so the extent of what he saw in the cave made him want to tinker with it all just for fun.
Bruce takes a moment to consider B123's question. It is very simple, really. "Dad died to save me and my friends, and I guess I wanted to make a different after that. Did a lot of wacky stuff, drove mom up the wall." He chuckles, remembering his mother’s exasperated but fond sighs for so long ago. "Dropped out, went to juvie with Ozzie, trained with Waylon—you know Waylon, right?— and then studied and worked around Gotham till I could establish myself."
As he mentions his friends, a hint of melancholy seeps into his voice, but it leaves in just a few moments. "What about you?"
Bruce blinked.
Huh.
"We are... quite different," he said after a moment.
"I was orphaned at the age of 8. I was walking home in Park Row with my parents after a movie. We ended up in an ally and a gunman appeared and shot them both in front of me. Nothing so heroic as your own father. I sat there for hours before anyone would help me. Guardianship was then given to our butler, Alfred. Since then Jim Gordon of GCPD and later Barbara Gordon would become a major part of my life. I had a few friends growing up and this is where my history differs from some Bruces. I was friends since childhood with Oliver Queen instead of it happening later in life. Thats not every Bruce's story. Another childhood friend of mine is someone whose father I trained under, Zatanna Zatara. I was briefly high school friends with Lex Luthor and Harvey Dent- again not every Bruce. My longest love was Selina Kyle. I have a failed marriage under my belt with Talia Al Ghul ,which produced my youngest son, Damian. Many other dalliances on my roster I won't mention. As a young adult I travelled the world training to become Batman. Lucius Fox has helped me run the business for a long time but especially back then. I thought for a while my friend Clark might be a new love interest but that fell through and now I'm seeing someone else. His name is Hal. Early in my Batman years I took in Dick Grayson, then Jason Todd- he died and was resurrected- in between then I took in Tim Drake- who is now my co-CEO, Cassandra Cain, trained Stephanie Brown, took in Duke Thomas and somewhere between all of that Talia dropped Damian on my doorstep after hiding him from me for years. After many mistakes and much effort I now have a functional relationship with not only my kids from this universe but even pleasant connections with other versions of them. I also, of course, have Ace who is both my best friend and my service dog- but don't tell anyone he's a service dog. I don't want my children treating me like an invalid. It's bad enough already after my recent heart attack. Which, truth be told is why Im being so forthcoming. I didn't used to talk this much," he said, looking out the window wistfully, "But almost dying of natural causes rather than fighting some big bad has made me particularly talkative. Oh- and on that note I've been heavily contemplating retirement. Im getting too old for this shit," he said bluntly, laughing a bit at himself as he turned back to B Alpha. "I want to live. I'm tired of fighting like I'm trying to die. Especially now that it seems so many people actually do want me around. I want to live to see my kids get married and have kids. I want to fall in love again. Im telling you this, B Alpha, because one day, you will also get slow with age- if you make it that far- and being Batman doesn't kill you. And you have your mom. I don't. It's why Im surprised I even made it this far. You deserve to live too. You deserve safety too. Nobody ever told me that. And maybe no one has told you or if they have, you haven't listened- but take it from another Batman. There is more to life than this."
As B123 begins to tell his story, Bruce is left with not much to do but listen. And listen he does.
Every familiar name is registered and catalogued, every difference in their timeline is observed with scrutiny. Some of the events in B123's timeline stood out, like his failed marriage with a Talia Al Ghul, someone he had no knowledge of. The mention of Harvey makes him perk up for a moment, but it quickly becomes clear that their relationships were different.
He knew the Gordons, though it wasn't in the way B123 did. He didn't know a Lex or a Zatanna, he knew of the billionaire Oliver Queen tangentially through the news, Lucius was his boss at the construction site and not his coworker at a business company.
Selina was the only one who seemed to share a relationship with him across both universes, but even then he didn't know the differences in their lives fully.
"You're retiring?" Bruce asks, wide eyed. Retiring, to him, had never really been an option. Of course, Bruce's trials and tribulations had brought up the concept of existentialism and death multiple times. In Ark-M, with nothing good to do but stare at the blank walls and shiver from the Venom in his veins, he had thought quite a bit about his death.
Bruce didn't want to die, of course he didn't.
But the thought of giving up Batman? Of laying down the cowl while Gotham still suffered? That seemed so out of character. Maybe this was where they truly diverged, him and B123. He simply couldn't imagine letting his beloved city go.
Though, maybe he just hadn't lived long enough for it to matter yet. These kids of B123, he didn't know them. They weren't his family, their existence in his universe is a question mark at best and a red stain at worst. There is the urge to find them, a proverbial destined family for him across the universe, but he beat that urge down ruthlessly. He had to remember that their universes were very different.
"My safety... my safety isn't guaranteed until the city is safe." Bruce says, his face hidden behind a short curtain of hair. "Maybe I'm just too different from you, old man. I can't give up just yet."
The city of Gotham, with her smog filled streets and rain battered roofs, with her street rat kids and crumbling buildings, with her bustling industrial areas and warm soup kitchens, she was home. His city, which he loved beyond anything.
He had made an oath to her. To his father too.
"Whatever's out there for me to experience, I cant reach it if I don't do this. I'll rest when the city breathes easier, when the filth is cleaned and the streets are safer."
A hint of mischief floats into his voice as he speaks more, ending his short speech with a quip. "Maybe you've just gotten too old, Batman."
The more B123 listened, the softer his eyes grew. It wasn't pity- at least not exactly.
He sighed through a smile, shaking his head. "I'm 42. I've been Batman over half my life- and quite honestly it's a miracle I'm not dead yet."
He paused, tilting his head, "and I'm not giving up. Gotham is my city. And that's not an exaggeration. I had thought that I couldn't help the city without being Batman. But I'm starting to wonder if just being Bruce Wayne might eventually be enough. I pour money into every program I can fund to help average citizens when Im not wearing the cowl. Both my vigilante and civilian life have always been devoted entirely to Gotham. In that way, I am as hers and she is mine. We are one and the same. So no, I am not giving up by retiring. I once thought I would prefer to die wearing the cape. But through my children I learned that all of us deserve to live. Especially those of us who fight so that others don't have to. Our turn comes up eventually, if we live that long. But I must warn you, the job is never done. I trained the best vigilantes this city has ever seen. And the work is never done. Not for Gotham, or the world and not even for the Universe- hell, the multiverse itself likes to go into a reality ending crisis every now and then. You're doing good now. Let it be enough later. I guess I can say that because I'm old," he winked.
After a moment, he sobered, leaning back in his chair. "I think I've seen it all at this point."
Bruce thinks over how he wants to respond for a long while, mulling over the words. He had never really been the best at conversation, he had always found actions to be easier. And here B123 was, telling him about the troubles of his life and how he was going past them.
But Bruce doesn't have those things. He's quickly learning that B123 and he do not share a lot of commonalities.
"I'm 24," He begins softly, "I've really only just started. And it's already a miracle I'm not dead."
His hands shake with residual tremors, and he puts them on his lap to hide it.
"You have already done a lot for you Gotham. I can tell, otherwise you wouldn't so casually be sitting with me here. If you were anything like me, you'd be outside right now. But you're not, which means Gotham is handled." He breathes through his mouth, taking a moment to collect himself and his words. If he's gonna be talking more, he needs to not blurt out things, vulnerabilities. He doesn't think he'll be very successful at that.
"I don't have a company like you do. I work construction. I don't have the wealth to help Gotham like you do. The only one who does is Gotham’s prodigal son... but I don't know what his intentions are." He's learned not to blindly trust good meaning people by now. "I don't have kids. I'm frankly shocked you do. I don't... I don't have the system you seem to have, to support you."
"Maybe I will in the future." He thinks of Diana, strong willed and powerful. He thinks of the Superman who she had suggested they make friends with. He thinks of others like them, still around the world, willing to work towards a better future. "But for now.... I can't stop."
Bruce’s lips curved, a good natured smirk taking shape.
"Huh," he mused, eyeing B Alpha with open curiosity. "A bluecollar Batman... now I really have seen everything. And I suppose as far as us Batmans go, where there's a will there's a way. And don't rush into being a parent," he warned. "My kids are everything to me. But I made a lot of mistakes I can never undo. As for a support system..."
Bruce’s eyes grew faraway but his smile was fond, "The Justice League is... perhaps one of my greatest accomplishments in terms of protecting the world at large. It's a team of heroes that grows by the day. Perhaps, if you're lucky- you'll have a JL too. I started it with Wonder Woman and Superman- or Diana and Kal-El respectively. And then other heroes joined us. Flash, Green Arrow, Various Green Lanterns, Martian Manhunter and several other people who fight every day to make our universe a better place. This is a consistent theme across the multiverse. And I am honored and humbled to call so many of them dear friends and comrades in arms. Perhaps, you will find that too. At least, I hope you will."
Bruce 123 smiled at him fully, eyes shining bright and hopeful. "It's what life's really about, Bruce. It's what makes all of it really matter: love and friendship. Batman doesn't work alone. At least the best ones don't. We build community. Find your people, B. From the looks of it you might even be an easier Bruce to love than I was at your age."
Bruce perks up as he realises what B123 is saying. A League.... a community of heroes to defend their cities and planets, to defend humanity as a whole. Wouldn't that be just the greatest?
"The Justice League... that sounds wonderful." He says as he tries to place the mentioned names with news he has heard around. Wonder Woman is a familiar name, Diana is quite the companion. Superman is a bit less familiar, but Bruce has heard about his numerous feats around the world, and he hopes the being wasn't malicious. The rest of the names aren't entirely recognizable, but he reckons he could do a bit more into his searching.
If any of them were actively doing hero work around, then it would be imperative they make first contact.
"Is everyone in the League like Diana? Or are they more like us? Where do you work from? What sort of work do you do?" His curiosity gets the better of him, and a river of questions bursts from him as a result. "Do you answer to the government? Do they know your identity?"
He momentarily stops and thinks about his dear friends who were brutalized by Bane simply for being his companions. Would the same thing happen to the potential members of the Justice League?
"Are they strong?" He can't help but ask.
B123 smiled at his questioning. He found that he liked indulging his curiosity. Had he been like that as a young man? He found he couldn't remember. He likely had never given himself time to think of it.
He had all the time now, though.
"I won't lie to you. The Justice League is probably one of the best and worst things to ever happen. But I will say this: every hardship and every down was worth every time we saved the world. Our bonds were forged in mutual respect and mutual losses. And I trust them all with my life even if they might say I don't act like it," he admitted, smile a bit rueful at the end. "And I would lay down my life for anyone of them. They are the greatest people I know. And yes. They are strong. Very few of us are non metas. Many of them border on godhood."
He paused... "as for the government, that's a trickier question. There are Justice Leagues across the multiverse that collaborate with the U.N. and typically revealing your identity isn't required. That doesn't stop people like Amanda Waller from finding out," he muttered a bit bitterly, though he had grudgingly grown to respect her in recent years. They had... an understanding.
Some small part of him calms with the knowledge that B123's friends were beings with immense strength. What a thing it was to be so concerned about the lives of people he didn't even know and had no guarantee of ever knowing.
"Godhood...." Bruce says, a bit of childish awe lacing his words. Maybe if this were anyone else he'd react in a milder way, but this was another Bruce, someone who's life was so different and yet shared similar feelings as he did. There wasn't much hope of hiding these small things from an older him. "You work with gods. That's.... terrifying." He couldn't imagine what kind of monsters they were facing if they needed multiple godlike beings to defeat them.
The government having any control over other Leaguea leaves a sour taste in Bruce's mouth, if he had learnt anything in his life, it was that most governments were corrupt. How could the League hope to help all of mankind if they answered to seperate nations? And who in all heck is Amanda Waller?
The confusion is visible in his face he's sure, but instead of asking those questions, Bruce asks one that bugged him earlier. "Are your kids metahumans as well?"
"Only one," 123 told him. "He works the day shift."
He didn't say anything else about Duke yet, hoping to preserve the boy's privacy.
"The rest ... you know some would say it's hard to say with a few but no they're very human."
He leaned back in his chair, eyeing B Alpha with an unreadable expression.
Truth be told, he was a little sad.
Bruces tended to suffer.
And this Bruce was so young... younger than him... there was plenty of time for awful things to befall him.
123's voice was gentle as he spoke.
"Whatever you do, no matter how much you think it helps- don't push people away. You won't always be able to keep them close. But don't push them away. This life... it's brutal enough as it is. I'm sure I don't need to tell you that. But as far as we go... there are lonelier Bruces than others. I'm lucky, I suppose. But even I made mistakes. And everyone needs people. We are Batmen. Which means we give everything until there's nothing left. Because we love people, we love the world and we want it to be better. The mission usually comes first. But sometimes... you have to let yourself have a piece of what you're fighting for. Or there's no point."
He stood, gesturing for B Alpha to follow him.
"Come on."
He lead him down to the family room. It looked lived in. Neat, but lived in from how often people came through it: his kids, Hal, his kids friends, members of the JL...
"The day shift... I guess when you have a team it's easier to maintain constant patrol." He hums as B123 talks, interest shining as he realises so many of B123's kids were mere humans. With the way the man talked about his universe, it seemed extremely dangerous for B123 to let his human kids play vigilante.
Though, considering B123 himself (and Bruce too) was human, he had a clue where they got the idea from.
Pushing people away... how does he tell this man that he's trying his hardest to keep his friends close? Ever since Bane, its been harder and harder to face them, to receive Ozzie's curses and Harvey's blank stare. Waylon seems to flip flip between wanting to kill him and keeping him alive at any given moment, and Selina...
He stays quiet, unwilling to spill that part just yet, however the sheen of his eyes betray him. Oh, how he missed his cap and sunglasses right now.
"What?" Bruce asks, confused but obedient as he gets up and follows B123 deeper into the Manor. "Where are we going?"
"This is the most important room in the house. Its where me and all my favorite people get to just... be."
He looked B Alpha in the eyes.
"It's imperative to have. A place to breathe."
He heard a familiar yip and Ace came prancing in, settling in his dog bed with a happy wag of his tail. Bruce went to the soft cloud couch, patting the spot next to him.
"Sit with me."
