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Gotham Nights (Batman4560 & VelvetWhispers)

Catwoman leaned against the damp brick wall, head tilted back, drawing in slow, steady breaths. The adrenaline was fading now, leaving her with a leaden ache in her limbs and the sharp memory of Harley Quinn's mallet slamming into her ribs.

Damn, she was going to feel that in the morning.

Her fingers drifted to the tender spot at her side, pressing lightly, wincing. She'd spent the last hour pulling people out of burning buildings, hacking through smoke that had scorched her throat raw. It wasn't her usual kind of evening, but… well, the East End was her turf.

"You know who that was?"

Selina exhaled through her nose, resting her head back against the wall. "Not personally," she admitted. "But I've heard about him in my circles. A twisted little clown, the kind who thinks Gotham is a joke and he's the punchline. And I knew it had to be him because I ran into his pet jester."

As soon as she said it, a hot pulse of pain flared across her ribs. Harley's mallet crashing into her side, sending her sprawling. She suppressed a wince, but the pain simmered beneath her skin, a reminder of just how much she'd been through the past few nights.

She went quiet for a moment, and so did he.

Then, as if reading her thoughts, he finally answered the question she'd asked before.

"Gotham is too corrupt... Takes too much from the innocent... I have to... Nobody else is capable of it."

Selina turned her head slightly, watching him through the downpour, the rain sliding over the edges of his mask, dripping from the strands of dark hair peeking out. She could see how much he meant it. The pain in his voice. The belief.

But after a beat, she asked, "Have you ever considered you might be Gotham's enabler?"

His eyes flicked to her, sharp, but she pressed on.

"The people don't stand up for themselves because they know they don't have to. They've got a masked vigilante to do it for them." She paused, scanning his expression, the way the muscles in his jaw ticked. "You say Gotham takes too much from the innocent. But you? You might be taking something too—taking away the fight they should be finding in themselves."

For a long moment, he didn't respond.

Then, almost as if speaking more to himself, he muttered, "I may have opened a floodgate that can't be shut."

Selina let out a quiet breath, tilting her head back against the wall again. "Bad people were always going to be bad, dressed up or otherwise," she said softly. "That's not on you."

When he moved, shifting as though to stand, she expected him to pull away entirely—but then his voice cut through the rain.

"Are you alright?"

For a moment, she blinked at him, caught completely off guard. But she recovered quickly, her smirk just a flicker. "Touched by your concern, Bats."

And then—something even stranger.

He pulled off his cape and held it over her, shielding her from the relentless downpour. The gesture was so simple, so unexpected, that she almost forgot to breathe.

Selina was used to men giving her things, sure. Diamonds, furs, expensive champagne. But this?

This was different.

She took the bottle of water he offered back, turning it in her fingers. "Generous. Didn't think you'd share."

Then—

"What are you doing in the East End?"

The moment passed. Her walls slid back into place.

"Passing by," she shrugged, pushing herself up from the wall, wincing slightly as her ribs protested. "I heard the best ice cream in Gotham was here. Wanted to see if the rumours were true."

She took a step closer, lifting her chin slightly. His lips were still tight, his body tense.

Selina exhaled, shaking her head faintly. "You think Gotham needs you. Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn't." She tilted her head. "But you ever wonder if you need Gotham?"

She sidled up to him, the space between them vanishing like it was never there.

Then, before he could react—

She pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to his lips.

Selina's lips met his—soft, deliberate, teasing yet unhurried. The rain clung to them both, cool against the heat of the moment, as her fingers brushed lightly over his chestplate. It wasn't a challenge, nor a test. Just a fleeting moment of warmth in the cold, a silent thanks wrapped in the ghost of a smile.

When she pulled back, her smirk was softer. "Thanks for the shelter."

Then, just as quickly as she had leaned in, she was gone—melting into the dark, swallowed by the downpour, leaving only the taste of rain and mystery behind. Like a shadow slipping through the night.



The fire escape creaked slightly under her weight as she climbed, water running in rivulets down her skin. Her fingers were stiff from the cold by the time she slid her window open, slipping inside.

Immediately, a soft meow greeted her. Then another. And another.

Selina let out a long breath, kneeling down, running her hands over fur. "You guys are alright," she murmured, relief washing over her. "Good."

But the relief was short-lived.

Joker. The East End. None of it made sense. This wasn't his playground—so why now? She'd have to figure it out. Which meant she'd have to work her way up the ranks again.

Which meant she'd have to see Harley.

Again.

Selina sighed, standing—just as someone banged on her apartment door.

Shit.

She tore at the suit, peeling it from her damp skin, hissing when it snagged against her bruised ribs. Nowhere to hide it. No time.

With a scowl, she tossed it onto the fire escape. The darkness would take care of it.

Then, straightening, she took a steady breath and padded toward the door in her underwear.

Whoever it was, they were about to meet one very unimpressed Cat.
 
Batman noted how Catwoman knew enough about the Clown and his Cohort to be aware of them, she was more informed than he was but it didn't seem like much more. "Passing through huh? You picked a bad night to swing by." Batman muttered under his breath gently. It was odd to him that she would bring up the Ice Cream on the same night as Selina, it took a lot for him to not mention the name of the best place... it was in flames though...

He wanted to respond to her question but found her lips pressed to his and Batman's eyes drifted shut. The arm holding his cape up over Catwoman tensed and kept the water resistant fabric up comfortably for her. Batman's fingers danced up her spine gently, he pressed against her fingers tracing his chest while giving himself to the kiss, melting and working his lips against hers as long as he could.

The kiss broke and Batman's breath caught in his chest for a moment, the masked man had forgotten about the ice cream and he felt a smile tug at his lips for a moment. "You're welcome..." He whispered to the vanishing woman then felt a pang of guilt in his chest. "Selina..." Batman gasped and found the strength to burst into action again. He weaved from shadow to shadow until he was close to Selina's apartment complex and switched out of his suit, now only wearing his black shorts, and shirt again, but with no shoes, he could easily claim they were damaged in the fire.

Slowly, Bruce looked up as rain washed over his face and his heart skipped a few beats. He could see a small gas station across the street and ran as fast as he could...


Bruce stopped in front of Selina's apartment door. (It took some asking and convincing of a young blonde woman to get her actual room.) He smoothed out his soaked shirt with one hand and hid the acid burned hand with a bag he held, then knocked on Selina's door just a little too hard out of concern for his Girlfriend. He waited for a long heart beat but the door unlocked and slowly opened with a gentle creak.

Upon Seeing the soaked woman clad in only her underwear, Bruce went wide eyed and flushed a deep red. His body about faced hard looked at the floor. Bruce took a second to collect his thoughts and lifted his head. "Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you got home safely." He spoke swiftly, trying to keep the image of her solid black bra and frilled red panties out of his head.

"I- Brought Ice cream.. I know its not exactly the same but.." He held the bag with two pints of chocolate, fudge and cherry ice cream up. "If you're interested?" He asked, then turned to look Selina in the eye. "I'm glad you're okay.... bruises not withstanding." He cracked a grin and winked at her.

Bruce followed Selina into the apartment and shut the door behind him, locking it for both of their safety. His eyes struggled to not linger on her rear too long and rose to look across her place. Art seemed to be everywhere, like she had said. Some of it he recognized from galas and public events. Some he thought was reported stolen, and some he thought had to be fakes. Everything seemed to have a neat and organized place, it was like Alfred had recently been in the place.

"Wow, this place is pretty awesome." Bruce whistled low and stopped moving. "Is it okay to drip water all over your floor?" Bruce questioned, brushing a strand of wet hair out of his face and gestured to his soaked body.
 
Selina stormed toward the door, her irritation bubbling up as she prepared to give whoever was disturbing her so late a piece of her mind. She had a strong suspicion it was that nosy neighbour from down the hall—the one who always had an issue with her climbing up the fire escape, complaining about the clanging metal and the late-night disturbances. Well, tonight she was in no mood for it.

With an annoyed sigh, she yanked open the door, her mouth already half-open to deliver a scathing remark—only to be met with the sight of Bruce standing there, drenched from head to toe. The words caught in her throat, her surprise evident as she took in his dishevelled state. It had been hours since the fire, and she'd assumed Bruce would have returned to the safety of his manor, not shown up at her doorstep looking like a half-drowned stray.

"Bruce?" she asked, her tone laced with genuine surprise.

His reaction was almost comical. His blue eyes went wide, darting to the floor as his face flushed a deep crimson. It took her a second to realise why—right, she was standing in just her bra and panties. The bruises from her run-in with Harley were darkening by the hour, but before she could worry about explaining them away, Bruce beat her to it.

"Sorry. I just wanted to make sure you got home safely," he said quickly, still looking anywhere but at her. "I—brought ice cream. I know it's not exactly the same, but…" He lifted the bag, his eyes finally meeting hers. "If you're interested?"

Selina let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. He thought the bruises were from their earlier date. That was…convenient.

She grabbed him by the collar of his soaked shirt and pulled him inside with a smirk. "Well, you better not have brought vanilla." She let him shut the door behind them, locking it with a quick flick. "Make yourself comfortable. I'm going to grab some clothes before you turn into a tomato."

As she disappeared into her bedroom, her mind raced. Bruce had surprised her—again. Usually, she found drop-ins annoying. People caring about her, checking in on her, that wasn't her world. And yet, with him… she felt something she couldn't quite name. Something warm, something dangerous.

And then there was the matter of her apartment. If he started asking too many questions about the artwork lining her walls—some of which she knew were reported stolen—or the real diamonds on Isis, Bastet, and Midnight's collars, she'd have to be quick. Maybe she could convince him they were fakes.

She tugged on a loose old True Religion t-shirt, a pair of soft shorts, and her favourite bed socks—the ones with little cats on them. Running a hand through her still-damp hair, she stepped back into the living room and tossed Bruce a towel when he mentioned dripping on her floor.

"Yeah, yeah, wipe off before you make a puddle," she teased, moving to the kitchen. "Coffee?"

As she brewed a fresh pot, she found herself glancing at Bruce over her shoulder. He was here, in her space, looking around with that curious, ever-calculating gaze. Normally, she'd be irritated by someone invading her world, but with him? She just felt… something else. And that was terrifying.

Shaking off the thought, she returned with two mugs, setting them on the table before plopping onto the couch. "Come on, billionaire, don't be shy, ice cream doesn't eat itself." she said, patting the space beside her as she ripped open her ice cream container. When Bruce joined her, she handed him a spoon before scooting in closer, their shoulders brushing.

The moment she turned on the TV, all three of her black cats slinked toward Bruce, rubbing up against him like he was their new favourite person. Selina chuckled. "Well, that's something. They don't usually like anyone but me. And sometimes not even me. Guess you're just special."

Selina took a slow bite of ice cream, her gaze flickering toward him. "Crazy night, huh?" she murmured. "Sorry for cutting our date short, but with the fires…I just wanted to make sure my girls were okay." That much, at least, was true.

Bruce gave her a small nod, his expression softer than she expected. He really did care.

She leaned back, letting the moment settle, enjoying the quiet hum of the television, the warmth of his presence, and the way the night had taken a turn she hadn't anticipated. Maybe—just maybe—this wasn't the worst way to end the evening.

The moment stretched, the low hum of the TV filling the space between them. It was warm. Comfortable. A strange sense of peace settled over her as she pulled up knees and leaned pressed against Bruce's side—something she couldn't quite name. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't thinking about her next move or what she needed to steal or who she needed to fool. She was just… here. Eating ice cream with Bruce Wayne, feeling oddly content.

She scooped another bite of ice cream and leaned back against the couch, tilting her head to the side as she watched him. "So," she began, a teasing lilt in her voice, "be honest—worst date you've ever been on, or just top three?"

The night had been nothing short of chaotic, but somehow, it didn't feel like a disaster. If anything, it felt like something else entirely.
 
"I'm too skinny to be a tomato!" Bruce called out while waiting for Selina to return and toss a large towel at him. Bruce smiled and started to clean himself off, until his hair was a bushy mess. Looking around he realized his shirt was just going to be soaked so he tugged it off and hung it on the doorknob then moved into the apartment proper to make himself comfortable, despite the medical tape wrapped around his ribs from the claw gouge Catwoman gave him nearly a week ago.

Bruce hadn't noticed what Selina was wearing after she changed, he was too busy setting the towel down on her sofa and folding it so that he didn't let his shorts soak through into the furniture. "Coffee would be amazing! Errr half a cup of cream please? ...If I ruin anything I'm more than happy to replace it." Bruce both asked and apologized in the same breath while finding a seat.

When Selina and Bruce both drew upon the sofa to sit, Bruce licked his lips, giving her a once over, but he managed to keep his blush from creeping up on his face this time. "I like your socks." He nodded towards Selina's legs with his head while taking the mug of hot coffee. Bruce gladly accepted the spoon and popped the top after a sip of coffee. The way their shoulders brushed tickled Bruce and made his lips tug into a soft smile. It was nice having her near by, spending his night with her even after a brutal one sided beat down from a Clown.

He took a bite of the icecream and swiftly felt his body protest, Bruce couldn't remember the last time he had something so sweet but despite his stomach growling with confusion, his tongue rolled the treat around and savored its flavor mixed with the lingering taste of Cawoman on his lips. Before he could have a second bite, Bruce felt three balls of fur rubbing against his bare calves. He chuckled as their tails ticked his flesh and placed his pint down so he could lift Isis up and give her a few scratches behind the ear, then did the same to the other two. "You know... It's funny. I'm allergic to cats, but I tend to attract them."

"Yeah, I can't say it has ever been a boring night with Selina Kyle." Bruce agreed to the night being crazy. He nodded, assuring her that there was no need for an apology. "If anyone understands having to leave suddenly it's me, and these three cuties are worth keeping safe." Bruce added as he returned to his coffee. As Selina leaned against Bruce, he raised his arm and wrapped it around her to keep the beauty warm. Bruce winced, the way she settled was just enough to make his battered ribs ache.

The t.v. was on yet Bruce didn't seem to pay any attention to what was playing, he was lost in the woman leaning against him. Bruce's head tilted so he could kiss the top of her head. "I'm glad the four of you are safe." He whispered and started to zone out, for the first time since he got back to Gotham really.

At the sound of Selina's voice breaking the silence between them, Bruce glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. His brow shot up in a high arch, her question caught him off guard. "What? That was the first date I've been on that I didn't plan. I got to run across the roofs of Gotham and had a good view of you most of the run, got a second kiss that I won't soon forget, and I got to run through the rain for ice cream and now I'm sitting with the most impressive woman in Gotham, no camera's, no assholes, just good company. Top three best dates is what I think you meant to ask." Bruce moved his arm so he could put the coffee down and leaned back again.

"Now it's your turn to be honest, I get giving your cats expensive collars. But how much of this stuff is real? Lets say you're a master thief in your free time really. Or were you something before being a waitress that let you afford this stuff?" He asked. Truth be told, Bruce didn't really care if they were stolen or not. He had the feeling that if some of it was stolen, the people that lost it weren't of the best reputation.

The tall man listened carefully with a smile on his face and relaxed against the sofa, feeling the stress of the last week or so wash out of his body. He wondered if most the people in Gotham went home this way. Was this what his parents felt those nights they were allowed peace or if it was all a fantasy he was making up in his head. After a few moments it didn't seem to matter. "Oh! I forgot to tell you, Mr. Fox and I worked a way for the new medical tower to stay free long term. Every company that works with Wayne Enterprise, and every product we sell... ten percent of the profits are going to the hospital. Other companies look good in doing that so they will be happy to take a bit of profit loss for the possible tax cut and good will in the eyes of the people and the board is happy when the company isn't footing the entire bill on projects." Bruce winked as if the thought was weighing on him for a bit.
 
Bruce reassured her with an easy smile, wrapping an arm around her. Selina let herself lean into it, tilting her head slightly when he pressed a soft kiss to her hair. The gesture was so simple, yet it sent a warmth through her she hadn't felt before. A part of her protested the intimacy, a scared little girl inside whispering warnings. But another part of her—one that was winning—just wanted to stay like this and listen to him.

And he did seem to be having a good time, despite everything. She smiled to herself at that.

Then he spoke again. "Now it's your turn to be honest. I get giving your cats expensive collars. But how much of this stuff is real? Let's say you're a master thief in your free time, really. Or were you something before being a waitress that let you afford this stuff?"

Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced a smirk. "Master thief?" she mused, tilting her head. "Now there's an idea."

She let the moment stretch just long enough before laughing and shaking her head. "The collars? Cubic zirconia. The art? Good replicas. I'm not exactly rolling in it, Bruce." She kept her tone light, but inwardly, she felt it a little unpalatable even joking about fake diamonds.

Thankfully, he let it slide, shifting the conversation instead to Wonder Tower. Her lips parted slightly as she listened. She had heard about it and been there in the flesh, of course, but hearing him explain it, hearing the excitement in his voice… He really meant it.

"That's… actually incredible," she murmured. "You're going to be helping so many people."

Without thinking, she leaned in and kissed him. Soft, slow, just enough to let him know she was impressed.

Then, realising she needed to move before she got too comfortable, she stood. "I should put this away before we go into a sugar coma," she said, grabbing the leftover ice cream.

As she walked toward the kitchen, she heard it—his stomach rumbling. A sly smile curled her lips. At that moment, a sharp lance of pain shot through her ribs, stealing her breath for a moment. She clenched her jaw, schooling her expression into something neutral, not wanting Bruce to notice. Moving carefully, opening a cabinet with practiced ease and fishing out the bottle of painkillers she'd stashed there earlier. She popped two into her palm and swallowed them dry, used to the bitter taste by now. The ache dulled slightly, but she knew it wouldn't last forever. Still, she wasn't about to let a few bruises ruin the night—not when she was warm, content, and curled up against the one man who made her feel like she didn't always have to be on guard.

When she turned back, her eyes flickered over him, lingering on the bare expanse of his chest, the cut of his abs, the medical tape along his ribs, wondering for a moment what had happened, but only for a moment. She certainly wouldn't kick him out of bed. Her expression softened for half a second before she shook herself and grabbed a blanket from a nearby cupboard.

She tossed it at him. "Here. You're not staying in wet shorts. Pants off."

Bruce arched a brow at her but did as she asked, slipping out of them beneath the blanket before she snatched them up and tossed them over the radiator to dry. When she returned, she curled up beside him, her body fitting comfortably against his as the warmth of the blanket settled around them.

"Second date and I already got your pants off. Impressive, huh?" Selina teased.

Bruce huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. But then she sobered, shifting to look at him. "You know, most of the rich in this city only ever care about one thing—getting richer. But you actually care about the people here. Why?"

She wasn't mocking him. She truly wanted to know. What made him so different?

She watched him carefully, waiting for his answer, as the flickering glow of the television played across his face, her mind already wondering if she was falling for this man who kept surprising her at every turn.
 
"I don't know if incredible is-!" Bruce was cut off by a soft slow kiss. He felt his breath stolen and he had to fight back a chuckle when he realized that Selina took him off guard every time she kissed him. "Ye- yeah... wouldn't want that." Bruce muttered to himself more than Selina, licking his lips and trying to catch his breath enough to focus on anything going on. Luckily his stomach started to growl enough that he glanced down and chuckled to himself.

The pain in Bruce's body had started to subside, he had gotten good at ignoring it over the years. Normally it was always there in the back of his brain, a dull throb he used to keep himself going when he felt like everything around him was trying to murder the Bat. But with Selina, nothing else really seemed to matter. He could forget the world and the problems in it.

He could feel the eyes of Selina on him, he wasn't sure if she was checking him out or just lost in thought, but Bruce leaned back on the sofa and and flexed just a little to tease her if she were watching. Suddenly a blanket hit him and he looked up at Selina with a raised brow, her request confounded him for a moment but he did as she request and slid his shorts off and handed them to her. "Thanks... that's maybe one of the nicest things someone has done for me."

Selina fit so comfortably against him that he wondered if she were somehow supposed to be with him. Of all his former lovers, none of them ever felt so natural to be around, it warmed Bruce's heart. The chuckle that rang from Bruce's lungs was soft, Selina bragging about getting his pants off had taken him by surprise but he should have expected it by now with Selina.

Then she shifted and hit him with a question he wasn't ready for. At least not from Selina. Bruce took Selina's hand and gently held it in his hand while he spoke, making sure to lock eyes with Selina.

"Gotham's harsh enough to the people without me trying to get more money. More than I'd ever know what to do with on my own, and it's bad here. Worse than bad. If we don't work to help one another, its never going to be better. So... this is what I can do. Maybe it will inspire others to action, maybe it's a fools gambit.... But I've got to do something, right? ... Besides, my father built a hospital and used that for a free transport for the city. I can't let him show me up. I've got a reputation to keep." Bruce added at the end with a knowing wink.

He smiled at Selina warmly and stroked his thumb over the back of her hand. "I'm not really good talking about me... Life is normally fairly structured due to running a big company and having to attend meetings. But I'm an open book whatever you want to know." He assured then glanced at the blanket between them. "Ya know I feel like I'm at a disadvantage with being completely naked under here on your sofa. How did we reverse the amount of clothes we are wearing?" He asked with a soft chuckle in his voice.

Bruce didn't mind talking about anything but he hated thinking about his parents if he didn't have to do it. The large paintings of them in the manor reminded him about the night enough, so Bruce was hoping Selina would change the subject before pressing about it any further. "By the way... You got up before I could give you this." Bruce whispered, leaning closer to Selina and kissed her harder than he had ever kissed her before, his hand cupped the back of her head and fingers tangled in her hair just tightly enough that the tips of his fingers grazed her skin while his tongue gently explored hers for a few moments before he gently broke the kiss, giving her bottom lip a quick nip...
 
Selina listened in silence, her sharp mind catching on every word Bruce said. A part of her had expected some polished billionaire spiel, the kind of thing a man like him would say at a charity gala for good press. But there was nothing rehearsed in his voice—just honesty, deep and unwavering. He really meant every word. It was… frustratingly endearing.

She arched a brow, smirking as she rested her chin against his shoulder. "Well, aren't you just full of surprises? Gotham's most eligible bachelor, rich beyond measure, and instead of hoarding all that wealth like a dragon, you're out here trying to make things better. It's a shame, really. You'd have made a great villain." Her lips quirked into a sly grin as she squeezed his hand. "Guess I should be glad you forced me to have dinner with you, huh?"

The way he stroked the back of her hand was distracting—dangerous, even. Selina knew better than to let people past her walls, and yet… Bruce wasn't just anyone. He was sincere in a way most men weren't. She was supposed to be playing with him, keeping the upper hand, but instead, she felt herself being drawn deeper into whatever this was.

Then he mentioned his father, and her interest sharpened. "So it runs in the family, huh?" she mused, eyes glinting. "Self-sacrificing do-gooders. No wonder you turned out like this." She let out a soft laugh when he brought up his lack of clothing, leaning back to take in the sight of him wrapped up in her blanket. "Don't tell me you're shy, Brucie. You're the one flexing over there like some kind of Greek statue." Her grin turned wicked as she let her fingers ghost over the fabric covering his chest. "Besides, I thought billionaires were supposed to be comfortable with indecency."

When he suddenly leaned in, murmuring about something she had missed, Selina barely had time to process before his lips crashed into hers. It wasn't like before—this wasn't the careful, testing-the-waters Bruce she had kissed on the rooftops. No, this was something else entirely. His hand tangled in her hair, his fingers just rough enough to make her shiver. And when he bit her lip—bit her—she grinned against his mouth, equal parts surprised and delighted.

"Oh," she purred, amusement laced in her voice as she pulled back just enough to look at him. "So you do have a bite."

Then, before she could overthink it, she climbed into his lap, straddling him over the blanket with a slow, teasing roll of her hips. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, the tension in his muscles as she settled against him. Her nails skimmed over his shoulders, tracing the scars she could feel beneath her fingertips.

"You know," she murmured against his lips, deliberately slow, "if this is how you apologise for ruining my ice cream, I might just have to let you get away with it."

Selina kissed him again, deeper this time, her tongue brushing against his in a way that promised more than just playful teasing. But just as quickly, she pulled back, letting her lips hover over his, her breath warm against his skin.

"So," she whispered, pressing a lingering kiss to his jaw, then the spot just below his ear, "do you think Alfred would like me?"

Another kiss, this time against his throat.

"Or do you think he'd take one look at me and start locking the family silver away?"

Her lips curved against his skin as she dragged her nails lightly down his chest. "And what about your parents, hmm? What would they have thought of your taste in women?"
 
"Me? A villain? Hahahahahha I'd be dead in an hour. I'm clueless on how to pull that sort of thing off." Bruce returned and smiled when Selina squeezed his hand. "Yeah, Dad was good at making sure everyone around him was safe and cared for. Even in his final moments." He continued. "Ah, so you were watching me. I wasn't sure about that."

Bruce nodded in response to Selina's question about bite but he went wide eyed when she jumped up into his lap! Bruce winced but didn't let it show on his face, the last thing he expected was the bruised beauty to return the forcefullness of his act, let alone push it further. At the moment she rolled her hips, Bruce got hard under her, the man's eyes fell to a half lidded state as he pushed against her.

His hands held her hip and thigh, letting Selina settle while she idly traced his scars. Again, Bruce chased the kiss that Selina gave him, wanting to memorize her taste as often as possible. The tall man licked his suddenly dry lips, basking in the heat of her breath against his flesh. Bruce gasped and leaned into each of her kisses while she posed a question. "Alfred would love you, but when I told him I was going with a master thief... He locked the silver away. He's funny like that." Bruce swiftly stammered with a smile splayed across his face while Selina kissed his throat.

A soft seething hiss spilled from Bruce's lips when she scratched down his chest, causing goosebumps to rise in the wake of her touch. "In women? I don't think they'd approve normally.... Of you?" Bruce lifted his head and nuzzled into Selina's neck, giving it a warm kiss. "Mom would have warned me..." Bruce nipped up just under her jaw. "Father would love you though." He moaned softly.

Bruce squeezed Selina's hip firmly, and nuzzled up against her cheek for a moment, careful to not apply too much pressure at any point. "Selina..." Bruce softly moaned her name, unsure of how far to take things with her in the heat of the moment. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin things with someone he was quickly growing to care far too much about, but every lingering glance, touch and kiss they exchanged made it harder and harder for Bruce to behave.

The pulse in his chest quickened and his heart pounded firmly against Bruce's chest in time with his arousal pulsing under Selina. Bruce felt a heady rush as he leaned his head back to lock eyes with her... then his lips crashed into hers once again like a tidal wave, just as he started to part his lips an agonizing impulse tugged at him and Bruce broke the kiss to catch his breath.

"Selina... I like you. A lot... to the point that I get jittery when I think about seeing you, or when you send me a text. I don't want to rush this... But... you're making it really hard." He started to chuckle after realizing the timing of his comment. "...But I'm happy to keep making out...." He added, cupping her cheek with the hand that was on her thigh, and grazed his lips against hers again, inviting her to another kiss.
 
Selina laughed, her voice rich and teasing as she dragged her nails lightly down his arm. "Oh, that's adorable. Alfred locked the silver? I'm almost insulted." She grinned wickedly, shifting just enough to feel him, firm and wanting beneath her. "Then again… maybe I should be flattered. He clearly thinks I'm the best thief in Gotham."

She rolled her hips again, slow, deliberate, relishing the way his breath hitched. Every little reaction from Bruce—the way his fingers gripped her, the way his jaw tensed as he fought for control—only made her want to unravel him more. To see just how much he could take before that last thread snapped.

Selina leaned in, letting her lips brush against his ear. "Your mother would've come around," she murmured, voice sultry and low. "I'm very charming when I want to be." Her teeth grazed his earlobe before she kissed the spot just beneath it, letting her tongue flick over his skin. "Your father, though? Sounds like he would've been wrapped around my little finger."

She was supposed to stop. She knew it. But she didn't want to.

Bruce was solid beneath her, all heat and strength, and damn, it was intoxicating. He wasn't like the men she played with before, the ones who were easy to toy with, easy to leave. No, Bruce fought back. He challenged her. And yet, here he was—half-naked under her, letting her push him to the edge of his control.

And she loved it.

When he admitted he liked her, Selina smirked, dragging her nails down his chest. "Well, I should hope so," she purred. "Otherwise, I'd really be wasting my time here." Adding with sultry laugh when he mentioned she was making the situation hard for him, her fingers tracing slow, teasing circles over his chest. "Oh, I am, am I?" she purred, mischief dancing in her eyes as she shifted in his lap with a slow, deliberate grind, pressing herself against him just enough to make his breath hitch. The movement was subtle but full of intent, a teasing glide that sent heat curling between them, her body coaxing every bit of tension she could from him.. "Well, I'd hate to be a… burden to you, Bruce." Her smirk was all wicked delight, daring him to keep up.

She took his hands, guiding them beneath the hem of her shirt, pressing his palms against the bare skin of her waist. Her breath hitched at the feeling of his rough, calloused fingers against her, but she didn't falter.

Her lips hovered over his, teasing. "We can do whatever you want, Brucie," she whispered, her hips pressing down against him in a slow, torturous motion. "You just have to tell me."

Selina prided herself on control—on always being the one who dictated the pace, who teased and walked away before things got too real. But with Bruce, that control was slipping through her fingers like sand. The way he looked at her, dark-eyed and desperate, the way his hands gripped her like he was barely restraining himself—it set a fire in her belly that she didn't want to put out. She could feel his heat, his strength, the tension coiling in his muscles as she pushed him closer to the edge, and it thrilled her. Her own body ached for him in a way that was almost maddening, every nerve alight with want. She told herself she should slow down, that getting lost in him like this was dangerous, but the truth was… she didn't want to stop. Not now. Not with him. Not ever.
 
Bruce was starting to think that maybe Selina Kyle wasn't a master thief, but the Devil, the way her body rolled into his was sinful enough to make a demon blush. Selina's hair tickled his cheek as she whispered into his ear, making Bruce shiver against her and break into a wide grin. "Mmm, I'm sure she would..." Bruce could imagine his mother's stern look in finding out he and Selina were running roofs. But she was right, his father would have been wrapped around her finger.

His body flexed and trembled under her fingers grazing touch. He wanted her to scratch harder, he knew she was capable of it... Then his breath hitched, grip tightened and gaze widened. She was truly the Devil. He nearly squealed when she guided his hands under the hem of her top, and Bruce gently explored the planes of her abs, his mouth watered for Selina Kyle. "What if I don't want to tell you what I want to do?" Bruce started to question but again Selina hit him with a slow press down against him. The man grinned at the woman and decided enough was enough.

"That's it..." Bruce laced Selina's arms around his shoulders and gripped her thighs, letting his fingers slip up under her shorts, then stood in one smooth motion, and hoisted her with him. "Bedroom is...." Bruce started to stalk and examined the apartment, Selina's body was the only thing that kept his blanket pinned to him while he noted the faint gathering of cat hair by different doors and figured the one with the most would be Selina's room.

To keep Selina on edge, Bruce bit the spot right between her neck and shoulder, and began to suckle against her salted skin, batting away her shirt with his cheek. At the same time a hand slipped from her thigh just long enough to push her door open and flick the light on. His fingers swiftly found her leg again and he stalked to the bed, and with one smooth motion Bruce tossed Selina gently into the bed and dove in after her with a gentle bounce.

He wasn't sure that things were actually happening. Bruce had never let his walls down with anyone before but Selina seemed to scale them with ease. In his haze of need for Selina, Bruce's lips started to kiss slowly up her thigh, his burned hand slid under her shirt and danced along her flesh until the tips of his fingers caressed the curves of her breasts and splayed.

Bruce moved to plant kisses along her arm until he reached her neck, at the same time he groped Selina's breast like he needed it the way he needed air. "I want you Selina, and you don't have to be gentle with me." He whispered into her ear, then gave her lobe a playful tug with the canine of his teeth.
 
Selina's smile turned wicked at Bruce's teasing response, her fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw. "Well then," she murmured, voice like silk laced with sin, "I suppose I'll just have to do all the bad things I want to you then."

But before she could take control, Bruce moved—fast. A startled gasp left her lips as he hoisted her effortlessly into his arms. Her legs tightened around his waist on instinct, fingers gripping his shoulders as heat curled low in her belly. God, she loved how strong he was. No hesitation, no struggle—just raw power, moving her like she weighed nothing. It sent a thrill straight through her, her breath coming quick as he carried her through the apartment.

His lips found the sensitive curve of her neck, and she arched into him with a soft, sharp inhale, body pressing closer. The scrape of his teeth, the pull of his mouth—it had her head tilting back, offering more. "Bruce—" his name slipped out in something between a sigh and a plea, and she barely noticed the moment he kicked the bedroom door open.

Then she was falling. A breathless laugh left her as she bounced against the mattress, only for Bruce to follow, stealing the space between them once again. The heat of his body, the weight of him—it was dizzying, addictive.

Her laughter melted into a shiver as his lips trailed down, a slow, torturous path along her thigh. She wasted no time tugging her shirt over her head, tossing it aside, impatient for his touch. And when he gave her what she wanted, when his roughened palm finally slid up to cup her breast, she gasped, arching into his touch. "Mmm, that's more like it."

Then he spoke, low and wanting, words brushing warm against her ear.

"I want you, Selina, and you don't have to be gentle with me."

A slow, sultry hum rumbled in her throat as he bit at her earlobe, the sharp tug sending a delicious shiver down her spine. She turned her head just enough for her lips to graze his, whispering against them, "I wasn't planning on being."

Selina let her hands roam, mapping out every inch of him. The defined ridges of his abs, the firm muscle of his back—she traced each line, savouring the contrast of smooth skin over hardened strength. When her fingers slid lower, teasing the dip of his hip before slipping between them, she was rewarded with a sharp inhale, his body tensing beneath her touch.

Her grin was pure mischief as she stroked him, slow and deliberate, delighting in every quiet gasp, every ragged breath. The way his muscles flexed, how his head tipped back just slightly—it was intoxicating. She had him unravelling in her hands, and she revelled in it.

Outside, thunder cracked, splitting the silence with a raw, electric force. The room plunged into darkness as the lights flickered out, leaving only the glow of the city filtering through rain-streaked windows. But Selina didn't need to see him. She could feel every reaction, every shift of his body responding to her.

She guided his hands to the lace at her hips, coaxing him to help her slide them down, her lips never leaving his skin—kissing, teasing, tasting. Then, with a sharp, graceful motion, she flipped them, her agility giving her the advantage as she straddled him in one smooth movement. Now, there was nothing between them.

Slowly, deliberately, she rocked against him, revelling in the heat and friction, in the way his fingers dug into her skin. With a satisfied little smirk, she tangled her fingers in his hair and gave a firm, possessive tug, pulling his head back just enough to murmur against his ear.

"Mine."

She heard his breath hitch, felt the tension coil between them like a live wire before she tilted her head and dragged her tongue slowly up the side of his face, savouring every inch.

Then she moaned, the sound full of promise.

They had all night.
 
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Selina's sultry giggles and breathless laughs would be etched into the back of Bruce's brain for years. They seemed to match well in most aspects and this was no exception. From the way she moaned his name, to how she encouraged him to keep going was enough to drive Bruce past his own reservations. The calloused hand cupping Selina's breast squeezed and groped, dragging the tips of his fingers over her flesh to memorize her slopes, valleys and smooth flesh.

Bruce's body ignited at her touch, exploding in bursts of pain and pleasure in equal measures in response to her touch. His muscles flexed and trembled, pushing subtly against her fingers. Suddenly she explored lower and brushed past his hip... Bruce's eyes lit up and his grip tightened just enough to cause a small gasp from Selina's lush lips. The intake of air he took made Bruce giggle softly. He rolled his hips in time to Selina's slow stroke, bottom lip trembling in anticipation of her every fleeting touch. Then the power cut, but as the room became masked in darkness, Bruce could still effortlessly make out Selina's features. While she guided his hands and placed her lips against his body, Bruce stole a quick nip of her breasts before suddenly being flipped!

With Selina straddling him, Bruce took the chance to swat her ass sharply to make sure there was no space between them. He was rewarded with a possessive yank by the roots of his hair and he gasped sharply, fingers on her hip and ass digging in from the unexpected shock.

Then she claimed him with a lewd and possessive lick, along his cheek. Something went wild inside of Bruce and his entire body locked and tried to writhe at the same time. His eyes rolled up into his head, body pressed flush against hers while he choked back a deep groan that threatened to echo down the halls of her apartment complex. "Fff-uu-ck..." Bruce ground hard up against Selina, pulsing with more need than he'd ever felt before. As his body finally started to relax from the unexpected shock, Bruce nuzzled up into her breasts and started to kiss up her neck, the hand that hand been clenching her rear traced up the curve of her spine and tangled in her hair firmly.

Bruce exposed Selina's neck and bit sharply opposite the bruised side of her body, just under the hinge of her jaw and started to suck, and massage the spot between his teeth with the tip of his tongue. At the same time he pushed his hips up, pushing past her folds slowly, getting used to how tight Selina was while his breath hitched in his chest and he trembled firmly against the woman.
 
Selina let out a sharp gasp as Bruce's hand connected with her skin, the sting melting into something hot, something electric. He wanted her closer—needed her closer—and God, that did something to her. Her fingers tangled tighter in his hair, yanking just to hear the sound he made, that deep, broken gasp that sent a shiver down her spine.

Then, she licked up his cheek, claiming him in a way that had him coming undone beneath her. He writhed, his body locking up against hers, and the sound that left him—raw, desperate—nearly had her unraveling too.

Her breath hitched when he pressed into her, the friction sending a slow, aching pulse of heat through her. She could feel how much he wanted her, how much he was holding back, and it only made her more reckless, more eager to push him past that edge.

Selina gasped as Bruce pushed further into her, slow at first, but that control unravelled fast. A shudder rolled through his body, his breath turning ragged against her throat as his fingers tightened their grip—desperate, hungry. He wasn't holding back anymore. His hips surged forward, and she met him with equal fire, rolling up against him, refusing to be anything but his equal in this. She wanted him lost in her, wanted to feel him surrender to the same feverish need that had set her skin ablaze. Every movement sent a rush of heat up her spine, pleasure blooming where they met, where they tangled. Her nails raked harder down his back, urging him on, and she let out a breathless, sultry laugh against his ear. "That's it, baby," she murmured, biting his jaw, her body arching into his. "Don't hold back."

Bruce nuzzled into her, his lips hot and urgent as they dragged up her throat. Selina's fingers flexed against his back, nails digging into flesh as he tangled his hand in her hair, tilting her head back, exposing her throat to him like a gift.

Then—his teeth.

A sharp gasp spilled from her lips as he bit down, the pressure sending sparks of pleasure through her. Selina arched into him, her thighs tightening around his hips, her breath coming in short, needy pants.

"B-Bruce…" His name was barely a whisper, a sigh of want against the shell of his ear.

Her fingers slid up his arms, tracing the muscle beneath his skin, drinking in the way he trembled against her. She wanted to feel all of him—every inch, every flex of his body as he moved with her. The storm raged outside, the lights still dead, but she didn't need to see him. She could feel him, every touch burning against her skin, every breath shared between them thick with want.

She pressed her forehead to his, her own body shuddering as he moved with her, slow, deliberate, like he was memorising every moment. Selina cupped his face, dragging her thumb over his jaw, her lips barely brushing his, teasing, tasting his breath.

"You feel..." She trailed off, her voice uneven, full of something too raw to name. Instead, she kissed him, deep and slow, pouring everything into it—every bit of hunger, of need, of the unspoken thing burning between them.

And as she pulled back, as she met his darkened gaze, she whispered against his lips, "I'm not letting you go."
 
It was a cold day in hell when Bruce found someone who was just as eager as he was and would meet him with equal fervor and passion, Bruce gasped and giggled while Selina started to roll into him with equal force. His body shot up straight against Selina's when she scratched down his back, all of his flesh started to rise in small bumps that made his eyes roll up into his skull while she laughed. "Nnh-fuck..." Bruce shook his head left and right, as if to agree to not hold back but her teeth against his jaw made it impossible for him to form an understandable word from his trembling lips.

All he could do was drag his lips up her throat while his hips rolled and bucked firmly against Selina, dragging slowly with every pull so he could savor the feel of her walls clenching and working him. As his teeth grazed her neck, Selina responded with a clench of her thighs that left Bruce arching up hard for a moment and groaning through his teeth.

With their foreheads together, Bruce put his hand on her hip and helped guide her while letting Selina set the pace, he smiled while her lips brushed against his until she kissed him. It seemed like she was pouring all the hesitation she held onto over the past few interactions into one kiss that he returned in kind. Bruce's lips popped with each smack of their lips until she pulled back, leaving him breathless while their eyes locked.

Bruce started to chuckle softly at Selina's claim. "I believe you, your claws have already been sank into me tight." He had no idea just how true that statement had been. Effortlessly, Bruce started to churn his hips and grind against Selina, his hand on her hip slid between them and slid his middle finger against Selina's clit, lazily grinding and rolling it in time with the strokes of his cock inside the dark haired temptress. Every part of Bruce was starting to lock up in deep clenches, he was drawing closer to the edge with every passing breath shared between them and it was getting harder for Bruce to focus on doing more than chasing both of their highs.

"Selina-I-" Bruce stammered, his right hip shot up at a sharp angle, one hand planting on the bed while the other remained playing with his lovers clit. He wasn't sure where Selina wanted him in the end, but was ready to do whatever she said, clenched jaw and all.
 
Selina had always been a woman in control—of her life, her desires, and especially of the men who sought to claim her. But Bruce was different. He wasn't trying to tame her, wasn't trying to own her—he was meeting her with everything he had, and it set her ablaze.

A throaty, purring laugh spilled from her lips as he bucked against her, the sharp edge of his pleasure bleeding into hers. "Mmm, you're driving me crazy, Bruce..." she murmured against his ear, her voice sultry and breathless. Her nails traced down his spine again, delighting in the way his muscles tensed beneath her touch, the shudder that racked his body as she met every roll of his hips with her own.

Her breath caught as Bruce's fingers slid between them, teasing her with slow, knowing circles. Selina let out a sharp gasp, her body clenching around him in response. "God—Bruce," she moaned, pressing her forehead to his once more, her lips brushing against his as she fought to keep herself grounded.

But she didn't want control—not this time. Not with him. She wanted to let go, to fall with him, to drown in the fire they were igniting together.

She pressed a lingering kiss to his lips, savouring the taste of him, before pulling back just enough to meet his dark, half-lidded gaze. "I want you to come with me," she whispered, her voice trembling with need, with something deeper than lust.

The pressure built inside her, coiling tighter and tighter with every thrust, every stroke of his fingers, every breathless sound they tore from each other. She could feel it—like a storm on the edge of breaking, like a fire consuming her from the inside out. Her nails dug into his scalp, her other arm tightening around his neck, pulling him impossibly close as if she could fuse them together. "Bruce—" his name left her lips on a trembling moan, half a plea, half a demand. Every nerve in her body was alight, every inch of her attuned to him—the slick heat of their bodies, the delicious friction, the way his breath hitched as she clenched around him. She was on the precipice, her body trembling, her control slipping like sand through her fingers, and she knew—knew that in just one more heartbeat, one more thrust, she would break completely. And she wanted it. She wanted to shatter in his arms, wanted him to follow her over that edge so they could fall together.

A slow roll of her hips, a tightening of her thighs around his waist, and then—she shattered, a keening cry slipping past her lips as pleasure overtook her, crashing through her like a violent storm.

A shuddering gasp tore from Selina's lips as the pleasure crested, sharp and consuming, crashing over her in waves that left her trembling. Her thighs clenched tighter around Bruce, her back arching as heat coiled low in her belly before snapping, sending a deep, pulsating ecstasy through every nerve in her body. A moan—low, breathy, and utterly wrecked—spilled from her as she rocked against him, her fingers curling into his hair, needing something to hold onto as she was lost to the sensation. Her skin felt electric, every brush of his hands, his lips, his body against hers only amplifying the pleasure until she was nothing but fire and feeling, her breath coming in rapid, desperate pants. He was buried so deep inside her, grounding her even as he unravelled her, and she clung to him, needing him to fall with her, to burn with her.

Her fingers tangled tighter in his hair, holding him close, needing him closer still while her other hand slid around his neck, tightening just enough to make him gasp against her skin—half a warning, half a claim.. "Come on, Bruce," she urged, her lips brushing over his jaw, his cheek, desperate and unguarded. "Let go."

The moment he lost control was the moment Selina felt truly powerful—not in the way she usually did, with calculated moves and sharp edges, but in something raw and intoxicating. The sound of Bruce breaking beneath her—his deep, ragged groan, the way her name spilled from his lips in a desperate, shuddering plea—sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through her. She clung to him, revelling in the way his body trembled, in the way he gave himself over to her completely. It was a sound she wanted burned into her memory, a melody she never wanted to stop hearing. "That's it," she whispered, voice thick with satisfaction and something softer, something dangerously close to tenderness. "Just like that..." She pressed soothing, reverent kisses along his damp, salty skin, feeling his heartbeat thunder beneath her lips, her fingers still tangled in his hair as if anchoring them both to this moment—one neither of them would soon forget.

And as he finally followed her over the edge, Selina realised she wasn't just losing herself in him—she was finding herself, too.

A heavy, satisfied sigh spilled from Selina's lips as they collapsed back onto the strewn sheets, she melted against Bruce, her body draped lazily over his, limbs tangled in the sweetest exhaustion. His chest rose and fell beneath her, his heartbeat slowly becoming a steady, grounding rhythm against her cheek. She let her fingers trace absentminded patterns over his damp skin, revelling in the heat still radiating between them. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and satisfaction, the remnants of their passion lingering like a ghost in the dimly lit room. With a slow, languid stretch, she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, pressing a lazy kiss to his pulse, a soft, contented hum vibrating against his skin. A quiet promise of the night lingering between them.
 
Selina turned into a beast at the end, her fingers dug into his scalp and in return Bruce let out a gutteral groan from the depths of his body that echoed in the room. Never in his life had he been so close to a woman, there was no air between their bodies, only heat and friction. The way Selina's thighs clenched in time with her walls made Bruce crave only one thing, pushing her over the edge first. He needed to know what she felt like in every sense of the phrase. And then it happened, Bruce rolled his hips one way, Selina the opposite and they met right in the middle with one synced up grind that sent Selina tumbling over the edge but Bruce's arm wrapped around the small of her back to keep her deep and close against Bruce while she rode out the pleasure washing over her.

While Selina was left in the throws of ecstacy Bruce's free hand moved between their bodies and fingers splayed so he could run his fingertips up her body and caress all of her at once then his fingers wrapped around her neck and squeezed just enough to steal a moment of breath from her before dragging back down her chest again. The two seemed to be impossibly in sync when Selina's fingers wrapped around his neck at nearly the same time and her soft lips brushed against his jaw. Bruce's hips pushed up hard and deep in response to her command, his head nodded as rapidly as possible while Selina's fingers stayed tangled in his hair like she were trying to claim him as hers completely.

He couldn't hold back anymore, how could he? Burst of light exploded in his vision while his eyes clenched shut and his teeth dragged up the side of her neck. The stubble of his jaw brushed against Selina's cheek and his body tensed, locking as he shuddered and rolled up against Selina to get as deep of a grind as he could. "Selina,... Please!" He begged while he came undone inside of the woman he had unknowingly been sitting in an alley with a few hours ago.

Bruce's lips trembled in fleeting kisses along flesh, desperate to feel her warm soft skin anywhere he could. Each inhale he made was a desperate attempt to memorize every detail about her in this moment so he wouldn't forget her in his waking hours.

Together the pair crashed into the sheets and bounced atop the mattress, a tangle of limbs and deep gasps. A low and slow groan of content tumbled from Bruce's mouth in a long wave, while his right arm bent at the elbow and the pads of his fingers gently massaged against the dark haired woman's scalp. His ice blue eyes peered down and locked onto the emerald green of her eyes in the dark. Bruce hadn't felt okay with taking time off as Batman since he started but something about being with Selina made him consider, even if only for a moment, giving it up. His body tingled under Selina's tracing touch and he broke into a lazy smile while she nuzzled into him.

"I hope you don't mind me crashing...." Bruce finally drawled, breaking the long silence between them, but was cut off by Isis jumping from the end table atop Bruce's hip to nuzzle up against Selina's side. Tenderly Bruce held back a grunt but went stiff under Selina, the adrenaline had faded and the impact sent a shock through him. Rolling with the pain, he let his free arm reach out to grasp the blankets and pulled them up over the pair and started to drift...


Bruce's eyes snapped open shortly after the first rays of light filtered through the bedroom window. His body screamed with pain, thrummed and throbbed with deep aches but the warmth of Selina made Bruce stay at ease under her but he didn't dare disturb her rest. His nostrils flared and eyes stared to water when he began to realize that his allergies were starting to kick in and her Cat's were causing him to sneeze. His head tilted up and away from Selina... He held his mouth shut and sneezed through clenched teeth to try to not lock up or make too loud of a sound as air escaped from his nostrils and teeth...

"Okay... I think I should go make your mom breakfast, and I'll feed you two as well if you help me." Bruce whispered to the cats who seemed to press against Selina as Bruce slid out from under her limbs and found his shorts. Swiftly he slipped them on and wandered into her kitchen to get to work. He didn't know how to make much but Bruce could do a little bit in the kitchen after watching Alfred and living in the wild for a bit.

After prepping some red and green bell peppers, onion, and mushrooms, Bruce pan seared some butter and whisked two eggs at a time then poured the egg into a searing round pan and used a metal spatula to keep the egg round while he poured the diced veggies into the egg to start making an omelette. While the egg started to settle Bruce brewed a pot of coffee and sliced a few banana's, peaches and strawberries and placed them in a small bowl then returned to gently flip and fold the omelette in the pan and sprinkled cheese and parsley on the omelette.

It wasn't long after that he was using the rest of the egg to mix with cinnamon and milk then sliced up a few pieces of bread to make french toast strips. He slid the omelette onto a round plate and arranged the french toast strips on another in a hashtag pattern so he could place a dollop of cream in it's center and sprinkled the sliced fruit atop the cream then drizzled a light syrup across it just as the door to Selina's room creaked open as the scents were starting to mingle and waft through the apartment building. As it settled Bruce got to work on looking for where Selina stored her food for the diamond wearing Cats.
 
Selina stirred in the grey first light of morning, a slow awareness creeping into her limbs before the dull, delicious ache settled in. A smirk curled at the edges of her lips before she even fully opened her eyes. Damn. That had been—

The memories rushed back all at once, a dizzying flood of heat and whispered names, tangled limbs and urgent hands, pleasure so deep and consuming that she felt it now in every inch of her body. Her muscles protested as she stretched, a low hum vibrating in her throat as she shifted against the sheets, but the other side of the bed was empty. The warmth that had been there was fading, and her smirk faltered slightly. Where had Bruce gone?

Before she could dwell too much, the distant sounds of movement reached her ears—soft clinks of metal, a faint shuffle of fabric, and then, as if on cue, the air filled with the rich scent of coffee and something sweet, warm, and utterly enticing. Her stomach rumbled in response. She let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head as she pushed herself upright, groaning slightly at the soreness in her thighs.

Pulling her oversized T-shirt from the floor, she slipped it over her head, the fabric draping loosely over her form as she padded barefoot through the apartment. The floor was cool beneath her feet, but the air was thick with the aroma of eggs, cinnamon, and something buttery and decadent. She hadn't realised just how hungry she was until now.

Rounding the corner, she leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching the scene before her with an unreadable expression. Bruce—shirtless, in only his shorts—stood at the stove, one hand sprinkling something over an omelette while the other reached down to set a bowl in front of her utterly spoiled cats. The sight alone did something strange to her chest. This man, who had turned her life upside down, who had made everything so damn complicated, was standing there feeding her cats like he belonged there.

And the second he turned slightly and that boyish, lopsided smile appeared on his lips, all those complicated thoughts melted away. A warmth settled over her, one she wasn't used to. One that, dare she even think it, felt like peace.

Selina didn't question it. She stepped forward instead, slipping behind him, wrapping her arms lazily around his waist as she pressed her cheek to his back. The warmth of his skin, the faint scent of sweat and something uniquely Bruce, made her sigh in contentment. Pushing up onto her tiptoes, she kissed his shoulder, murmuring, "Well, aren't you full of surprises? Sneaking out of bed, bribing my cats, and actually cooking breakfast? Should I be flattered or worried?"

Her fingers ghosted over his abdomen before she finally pulled back, her eyes tracing the constellation of scars that littered his back and arms. Some she recognised as old, others were jagged and deep, speaking of battles long past. She didn't ask—not yet—but the curiosity settled somewhere in the back of her mind, waiting for later.

Instead, she stole a quick kiss from his lips before sliding onto a stool at the kitchen counter, watching him work with lazy fascination. She reached for one of the French toast strips, biting into it with a satisfied groan. "Okay, okay, I'll admit it. This is actually really good."

Licking a bit of syrup from her thumb, she tilted her head at him, amusement dancing in her gaze. "So, how are you feeling this morning? Sore? Satisfied? Full of regrets? Or just secretly pleased with yourself for winning over my cats?"
 
"Oh-!" Bruce tensed for a moment, a part of him wanted to attack but he kept calm, unable to forget the feel of Selina's body against his. He softly sighed in content at the feel of Selina's lips pressed to his shoulders. He glanced back at Selina and grinned ear to ear. "I was going for flattery if you don't mind." Bruce kissed the top of her head while she stroked fingers over his abs. When she pulled away Bruce could feel her gaze upon and wondered if she were judging his scars or wanting to ask about them. Instead their lips met and he grinned against her. "Good morning by the way."

Bruce slid Selina's breakfast over to her and started pour her a cup of coffee, raising creamer as if asking if she wanted it while he listened to her. "Yeah? Alfred doesn't let me cook? He says I'm not the best... admittedly I tend to burn or undercook most foods. But I can do breakfast well. Maybe its because I am never up for it so I have no clue how to ruin it." Bruce chuckled to himself.

"Hmmm..." Bruce poured himself a mug of black coffee and cracked an egg, and poured the egg into it then downed the entire mug's contents in two gulps. "Nothing with you has been a regret, I'm terribly sore. But you know, for a lot of reasons. Falling... rutting." He winked playfully and began to wash up. "And as for satisfied..." Bruce shrugged his shoulders. "That may have been the best night of my life. I can't remember the last time I actually slept that soundly either. What about you? Feeling good? Because you look like the cat that ate the canary."

It was Bruce's turn to steal a piece of french toast to try his own food and had to stave off the purse of his lips at how sweet it was. "Wow... that is a lot. Sorry... cream and fruit only next time." Bruce licked his pinkey and ran it under some water then sat next to Selina. "See you kicked the socks off in your sleep." He nodded to her legs on the stool and reached down to grab her bare legs and pulled them up into his lap so he could stroke the tips of his fingers along her limbs gently. For a few long moments he simply watched her eat, more than happy to let the day start so peaceful, Bruce had gotten lucky with the woman who was sharing her apartment with him. "Best second date ever." He mumbled cheerfully.

"I guess the third date is on me then. I don't know how to top yesterday though." Bruce softly pondered to himself. "Hey, can I use your phone? If I don't message Alfred he's going to think I ran away from Gotham again."

Swiftly Bruce swept his fingers over the dial pad and saved Alfred's number in the phone in case Selina needed to get in touch with Bruce then listened. "Alfred? Hi, it's Bruce. No, I forgot my phone at the office and I stayed at Selina's through the storm.... Yes, I'll be home in...What? Okay... Goodbye Alfred." Bruce hung up then handed Selina the phone back. "Excuse me for a second." Bruce walked to the remote and turned the news on.

"Welcome back to WGOB, I'm Summer Gleeson and we have Jack Ryder on scene at Rupert Thorne's pent house following up on our earlier report about detailed documents relating to bribery, drug trafficking, and even human trafficking have all been shared by anonymous source. Over to you Jack." A red headed woman with high cheek bones and slightly tanned skin in a blue two piece suit spoke and gestured to a screen at her right...

"Good morning Summer, I'm Jack Ryder on the scene." A tall man in a large grey trench coat spoke into a mic. "We have to warn you, that the following scene is very graphic, viewer discretion is advised.... After the fires in East End, reports rang in this morning that a grizzly scene had unfolded at the residence of Rupert Thorne. His corpse was found strung up over the front door of his pent house, crucified, with a smile painted over his face and a crown of 'ha ha's' adorning his head."

The scene flashed a few photos of the body swiftly. "Police have yet to identify if this is in relation to the earlier reports of Mr. Throne's alleged illegal activity earlier in the day. But they have assured me that Detective Jim Gordon's Anti-Batman task force is being diverted to cover this chilling case."

Bruce swallwed a lump in his throat, already knowing it was the Clown that he had been fighting a night prior. This was going to get worse before it got better if Batman didn't act fast. "Talk about timing." Bruce mumbled to himself and changed the channel. "Selina... I don't wan to take up your entire day. I'll message you soon to set up the next date?" Bruce asked and picked up his keys, then cupped her cheek and gave Selina a deep, lingering kiss so he didn't forget what she felt like against his lips and tongue. "Be good."

Swiftly Bruce was out the door, conveniently forgetting his shirt while he made his was to the Rolls Royce and started to drive home, eager to get to the cave and start looking into the way Thorne was killed.
 
Selina listened with contented amusement as Bruce talked, lazily twirling a strip of French toast between her fingers before taking a bite. When he cracked an egg into his coffee and downed it in two gulps, her expression said everything her words didn't—eyebrows raised, mouth slightly agape, an unmistakable glint of amusement in her eyes.

"Wow," she murmured, shaking her head as she dug into the breakfast he made for her, savouring the rich, over-sugared decadence of it. "And here I thought I had questionable tastes."

Bruce's lips pressed together as he took a bite of his own food, clearly surprised at how sweet it was. "Wow... that is a lot. Sorry... cream and fruit only next time."

Selina made an affronted noise, clutching her plate protectively. "Absolutely not. This is perfect, and I'll hear no slander about it." She pointed a syrup-coated fork at him for emphasis before taking another bite with a pleased hum.

Bruce chuckled, shaking his head as he reached down and pulled her legs into his lap, his fingers idly stroking the bare skin of her calves. A pleased shiver ran up her spine, and she took another lazy bite, watching him through half-lidded eyes.

When he asked how she was feeling, Selina smiled indulgently, tipping her head to the side. "Never better," she purred, stretching just enough to show how thoroughly satisfied she was. At his comment about her looking like the cat that ate the canary, she let out a low, wicked chuckle. "More like the cat that got the cream."

Bruce shot her a lopsided grin, his hands still lazily trailing over her skin, his touch just enough to make her stomach flutter—not that she'd ever admit it.

When he mused about not knowing how he'd top their third date, Selina gave him a slow, knowing smile, sliding her phone across the counter to him. "I have every confidence in you. You'll think of something."

As Bruce spoke to Alfred, Selina ate with one ear perked toward his conversation, the other lost in the warmth of their morning. She barely paid attention when he turned on the television, more than content to exist in the bubble of this morning, of his hands on her, of the ease between them that felt dangerously close to domesticity.

And then, just as suddenly as he had come into her space, Bruce made an excuse, kissed her deep and lingering—like he wanted to memorise the feel of her lips—then told her to be good before slipping out the door, conveniently leaving his shirt behind.

Selina blinked, dumbfounded, the warmth of his touch still ghosting over her skin. And just like that, he was gone.

She let out a slow breath, staring at the spot he had just occupied. It was ridiculous how quickly she missed him, how hollow the space suddenly felt. She curled her fingers into her palm, frowning at the feeling. She wasn't the type to be emotionally reliant on any man, nor did she intend to start now.

Scowling at herself, she turned up the volume on the TV, finally catching sight of the news report.

Rupert Thorne, crucified.

Selina stilled, her fork halfway to her mouth.

The documents she had leaked had made their way into the media, just as planned, but Thorne's death? That wasn't her handiwork.

It wasn't hard to figure out who had left that particular calling card. The Joker.

And though Thorne's death was no loss to her, it still left her with questions. Why had the Clown torched the East End? What was the bigger picture here? If he had simply wanted to make a statement, why target her territory?

She set her fork down, her appetite waning. One thing was for certain—whatever the Joker's plan was, he'd have to pay for it.



A few nights later, the Gotham skyline stretched out before her as she perched on the edge of a rooftop, the wind teasing at the edges of her catsuit. Below, neon signs flickered, shadows stretched long in the dim alleyway, and a familiar blonde figure sauntered down the street, twirling her mallet like a baton.

Harley Quinn.

Selina smirked, adjusting her gloves. She had been tracking Harley for the better part of the evening, waiting for the perfect moment. It was time for some answers.

Catwoman leaped soundlessly from her perch, landing gracefully in the alley ahead of Harley, arms crossed and a slow, feline smile on her lips. "Well, well, if it isn't Gotham's favourite former psychiatrist. Out for a midnight stroll?"

Harley stopped in her tracks, gripping her mallet a little tighter as she narrowed her eyes. "Kitty cat," she said, drawing out the words. "What's the occasion? You here to ask for fashion tips or somethin'?"

Selina rolled her eyes. "As if I'd take advice from someone who wears mismatched socks with roller skates." She tilted her head, the humour in her voice fading. "I want to talk about the fires in the East End."

Harley's expression didn't change, but the grip on her mallet shifted just slightly. "Ain't nothin' to talk about, sugar. Just a little… urban renewal."

Selina's smile sharpened. "Funny. Because I'm pretty sure your Puddin' doesn't make a move without a punchline. And I'd really like to know what the joke is."

Harley's eyes flickered with something unreadable before she abruptly swung her mallet. Selina sidestepped with ease, rolling her eyes. "Oh, come on, Harley. Do we really need to do this dance?"

Another swing. This time, Selina ducked and lashed out with her whip, wrapping it around the mallet's handle and yanking it from Harley's grip. It clattered to the pavement, and before the blonde could react, Selina was on her, pinning her against the brick wall with an arm braced against her throat.

Harley blinked up at her, more surprised than frightened. "Feisty."

Selina leaned in, her voice smooth as silk. "Start talking, Harls. What's Joker's endgame?"

Harley pursed her lips, eyes darting side to side as if calculating her odds. Then, after a beat, she grinned. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Selina sighed, flexing her grip just a little. "Oh, I intend to."

The game had only just begun.
 
Two hours after Bruce left Selina's apartment a rare thing happened, the Batman soared over the rooftops of Gotham mid-day and landed with a heavy front roll onto Thorne's rooftop while police were busy pulling the mobster's body off the building. He needed to see what was going on and quick. The black and grey garbed man gently pulled the door open to the roof access and cautiously moved down the steps until he came to the top floor where he had last seen Thorne. Standing in the doorway looking dead at the Dark Knight of Gotham stood detective Jim Gordon in a tall brown jacket that covered his two piece blue suit. Clipped to his suit jacket was a badge and in his hand, a file with various photos.

"It's a cold day in hell when you show up before sunset. You must be worried about this clown." Jim reached his hand out to hand Batman the file that the Dark Knight started to thumb through. "He's dangerous, something about the look in his eye makes me think that he's not doing all this for the chaos of it all. Like there is something at play that only he's aware of." Batman replied.

"Well we have a positive I.D. on his Jester Gal Pal. Harleen Quinzel. Former Psych at Arkham but she helped institute a riot and its believed that our Jon Doe escaped from the Asylum but we can't get a positive I.D. on this Joker. He had no prints to speak of, and no dental records on file. Hell as far as we can find he doesn't even have a registered blood type anywhere." Jim took a step aside to let Batman enter the office proper. "My units are outside, you have ten minutes before someone will be up to report on the removal of Thorne's body.

Batman stepped into the office of Thorne that he had been battling in just a week ago. "Doesn't look like a struggle. Did Thorne know him?" The Caped Crusader wondered while he looked at the blood streaked room. Nothing was out of place outside of the streaks of thin blood that marked a wall and bookshelf and the pool at the bottom of Thorne's leather seat. "His chest and neck were slashed I take it?" Jim muttered in confirmation. "Mmm, that's the thought. We Montoya has a theory that Thorne paid Joker to cause problems for his rivals and maybe even you. She also thinks Joker has other plans. You two should really talk sometime. She's got a good head on her shoulders."

"...." Batman didn't like talking more than needed. "There was a second killing, its not been reported on yet." Jim added. "Well.... a zone where the Joker was clearly killing. Roland Dagget was killed before the fires and we believe that Thorne was killed after. It looks much more lethal." Batman took a few photos of the scene and stepped outside of the room. "I'll be in touch." The guardian of Gotham grumbled and stalked back up the steps to leave.


Bruce sat in the dark, his face lit up by the bright light of a massive computer that was embedded into a cold stone wall hooked to a water generator that ran to a waterfall three miles away from Wayne Manor, just as deep under it. He was wearing a battered batsuit that had bullet dents, gashes from blades, and blood, some of his, some of others. His cowl was pulled off of his head and sat aside on the desk counter. From behind him Alfred huffed and rolled his eyes. "Sir, if you keep looking into this mad man without taking a break people are going to think that you've really gone missing. It's been days since you've done more than punch a criminal in the face, eat or sleep. What are you going to do when you finally find him? Attack him with arms that won't raise? Good for you, you're going to get a ha ha rod through your skull at this rate." The posh man snapped and placed a hand on Bruce's left shoulder. "Get yourself some rest-" He started to speak, but Bruce cut Alfred off.

"This man is dangerous Alfred... he could have hurt Selina." Bruce's voice cracked, the stubble on his face had started to grow to the point that he was forming a beard. Bruce turned to look at his older guardian and friend. "I don't think I can lose her." The bags under Bruce's eyes had deepened to the point that his normally ice blue eyes were a darker shade with reddened rims. Alfred wasn't sure if it was from exhaustion or crying.

"Send her a message, rest, take time away from this stinking suit." Alfred assured Bruce and patted his back, then headed towards the elevator to leave Bruce alone with his thoughts. Across the screen of the computer were the locations of more killings committed by the Joker and Harley. None of it made sense. Ace Chemical Factory, Thorne, Dagget's entire pent house, the East End, Gotham Zoo...specifically the hyena exhibit, and a fish factory. To the best of Bruce's ability all he could think was that Joker was planning to poison a fish supply but the fish hadn't been tampered with. And why the hyena's? Did Thorne hire Joker to kill Dagget or was there more to it? Bruce couldn't figure it out and started to think that maybe Alfred was right... Besides he owed Selina a date.

Weakly he reached over to where his phone sat near his mask and picked it up to shoot Selina a message.

Selina, I'm sorry I haven't been in touch. Are you free for Valentine's Day Friday Night? I'd love to take you out for the evening. Wear something warm, I think we will be outdoors for quite some time.

Bruce hit send and pulled himself out of the leather chair, and dragged his body across the cave to a changing chamber to peel his battered suit off and wash his body. Before he knew it, the mattress was breaking his fall as sleep took him hostage....
 
Selina leaned in, her gloved fingers pressing ever so slightly under Harley's chin, tilting her face upward as if inspecting a rare gemstone. In reality, she was just trying to get a read on the woman, but Harley had always been a tricky one.

"So, the Joker did Thorne in?" Selina murmured, watching the other woman's expression shift between amusement and something darker.

Harley grinned, popping her gum obnoxiously. "Oh, Puddin' didn't just 'do him in,' kitty cat. He put on a whole show! Big ol' smile, all strung up like a bad Christmas ornament. Can't say he didn't have it comin'." She giggled, her blue eyes gleaming with mischief.

Selina's lips pursed. "And the fires in the East End? You were there, Harley. Why?"

Harley swayed on her heels, hands clasped behind her back, rocking like a schoolgirl caught passing notes. "Ain't personal, sweetheart. Just business. You know how it is."

Selina's grip tightened slightly before she let go. "I don't like my business being burned to the ground."

Harley opened her mouth, perhaps to tease, perhaps to give her a sliver of truth—when a sudden, thunderous boom echoed in the distance. A deep, guttural sound that sent shivers down Selina's spine.

She turned for just a fraction of a second, instincts flaring—and that was all Harley needed.

By the time Selina snapped back, the other woman was gone, only the faint scent of cheap perfume and gunpowder lingering where she had stood.

Selina sighed through gritted teeth. "Damn it."



February 14th arrived colder than usual, but Selina barely registered the weather as she opened her apartment door. Instead, she was rendered utterly speechless by the sheer avalanche of roses spilling into her living room.

They were everywhere—cascading in lush, velvety waves of crimson. The scent was intoxicating, filling every inch of space with something rich and indulgent. Selina wasn't easily stunned, but this? This was beyond anything she had ever expected. Ever received.

No one had ever sent her flowers before. Not for Valentine's Day, not for anything.

Her heart clenched at the thought, an unfamiliar warmth settling in her chest.

No. No, she was not feeling any type of way about this.

And yet.

Despite her best efforts, despite the warning bells in her head, the giddy, girlish feeling curled its way into her stomach, refusing to be ignored.

She sighed, stepping carefully through the sea of roses, until her hand nudged something small and firm. A velvet-lined box nestled between the blooms.

Selina crouched, lifting the lid with careful fingers.

Inside, glittering beneath the soft apartment light, was a necklace—delicate and devastating in its beauty. A wreath of diamonds, perfectly arranged, breathtakingly intricate.

Harry Winston.

Selina's breath hitched. This wasn't just an expensive gift—this was an obscene one. This thing probably cost more than every crumbling piece of real estate in the East End combined.

She traced a finger over the stones, her heart beating a little too fast.

Bruce.

She should be irritated. This was too much. But all she could do was marvel at it, wonder at the sheer thoughtfulness of it all.

Bruce Wayne, the billionaire playboy, had no reason to be sweet, to be selfless. He was the kind of man she never would have given the time of day. And yet, somehow, he had wormed his way into her life, into her mind, and now, into her damn heart.

Selina exhaled sharply, shutting the box with a soft snap. Trouble. He was trouble, and she was slipping.



That evening, she waited outside The Ardor, gloved hands tucked into the pockets of her coat as she stared up at Gotham's glittering skyline. The cold wrapped around her like a second skin, but she barely noticed it.

She had followed Bruce's instructions—something warm. A sleek black blazer-style coat over a snug black woollen top, paired with a short plaid skirt and black tights. The platform boots added their usual edge, making her feel like herself, even as the weight of the necklace beneath her coat reminded her of him. Her long, dark hair was loose, framing her face, strands dancing whenever the wind picked up.

She shifted on her heels, resisting the urge to check the time again.

There was something both exhilarating and terrifying about tonight. About him.

For once in her life, she had something to look forward to that didn't involve deception, danger, or the thrill of the steal. It was… unsettling. The anxiety curled in her gut, because Bruce made her feel things she wasn't ready to admit. He was warm in ways she wasn't used to. He cared in a way that was unfamiliar and terrifying.

And yet, she couldn't stay away. Didn't want to.

Her lips curled into a small smile as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the anticipation humming beneath her skin. She had spent the past few days hunting answers, chasing ghosts. But tonight? Tonight, she would let herself have this.

Bruce would be here soon. And she was more eager than she cared to admit.

The moment Bruce stepped into view, Selina felt warmth bloom in her chest, completely independent of the freezing Gotham air. She couldn't stop the slow, indulgent smile that spread across her lips at the sight of him—tall, broad, devastatingly handsome in that effortless way of his. Damn that smooth way he had of making her stomach flip, of making her feel things she had no business feeling.

She arched a brow, mischief lighting up her emerald eyes. "Well, well," she purred, tilting her head, "Look who decided to show up after playing Houdini for a few days."

Before he could answer, she grabbed his coat lapels as he approached and pulled him in, the fabric cool beneath her fingers. The kiss she pressed to his lips was slow, deliberate, and sweet—just enough to make her point, just enough to let him know she could be mad, but, well… she wasn't.

When she pulled back, her smirk softened, just a fraction. "That's for the flowers. And the necklace." She let her fingers drift down the front of his coat, enjoying the way his breath hitched slightly. "My cats, however, are not pleased about our apartment turning into a rose garden. Midnight staged a protest on the kitchen counter." Her lips twitched. "But me? I loved them."

She punctuated the words with another kiss, this one to his cheek, lingering just a moment longer than necessary. When she stepped back, her gaze flicked over him with open curiosity. "So, what's the plan, Mr. Wayne?" Her fingers brushed the lapels of his coat one last time, playful but expectant. "You did tell me to wear something warm. Don't tell me you're taking me to a rooftop in this weather."

Because the only thing more ridiculous than that would be Bruce sending a full orchestra to serenade her next. And honestly, with him, she wouldn't even rule it out. Or mind.
 
Bruce rushed around his massive house, kicking a pair of dark blue dress socks on as he slid across the polished wood floor of the third story where his master bedroom overlooked the back yard of his family home. Bruce collided with a standing dresser and came to a stop, a soft giggle spilled from his lips as he made impact and slid down to his rear. The tall man drew a deep breath and let it go slowly while his bottom lip jutted out and caused his dark hair to whip about gently. The man had finally healed up from all his injuries that had mounted for the past month. The stitches from Catwoman's claw had been removed, bruises and cuts had all but healed over and vanished and since he had met Selina, there was no mark or injury to lie about.

Swiftly he scrambled up and pulled on a pair of blue jeans that were resting on his dresser, they seemed to be tailor made for his lower half to make him look thinner than he really was and stopped just above the line of black ankle high boots that he slid his feet into and laced up. Bruce finally picked up a grey tee shirt and rolled it over his head and arms, then down his body to fit loosely around his massive frame. Bruce Wayne almost looked blue collar, from the simple watch he wore on his left wrist to the comfortable and worn leather of his boots, the massive man looked relaxed and at ease, but felt giddy.

Finally Bruce tucked his shirt into his pants and pulled on a black button down shirt and blue tie then checked the time. Forty Five minutes.... Bruce checked his phone and smiled at the confirmation of Selina agreeing to the date and to pick her up at the Ardor. Bruce was about to buy the place just so he had an excuse to make sure she had a ride home. He raced out of his room and down a flight of stairs, then around a banister that rounded to the next flight of steps down to the ground floor. There at the front door, Alfred waited with a black jacket and a pair of keys. "Do tell Miss Kyle that I said hello, Master Bruce and try to be back by curfew." He quipped while Bruce grabbed the jacket and keys, rushing out the door. Before the front doors could be pushed shut completely, Bruce yanked them back open, leaned in and gave Alfred a hearty hug, then rushed out again. "Heavens, I'd best prepare the doomsday room. Bruce just gave me a hug with real emotion behind it."



Six forty five, Bruce started pulling up to the Ardor and outside of the front door, Selina stood in the cold. His lips twisted in concern for her. Bruce didn't understand why she didn't wait inside for him. It wasn't like he couldn't go get her but maybe she was trying to avoid her work friends asking questions. The familiar Rolls Royce in front of Selina at the curb. As soon as the machine was put in park, Bruce jumped up out of the drivers seat and rushed around to the passenger side door and opened it up for her.

"Hey!" He started as Bruce began to walk towards Selina, lighting up at the sight of her. The slow smile that slid up over her face, made Bruce's stomach flip with joy. The man licked his lips to speak an apology but Selina reached out and pulled him in by the lapels. He melted into the sudden and soft kiss that she gave him, knowing full well that he should apologize but he couldn't find the words after she broke the kiss, she had stolen the air from his lungs.

"Tell the girls I'll make it up to them if you let me back into your apartment. By the way, your blonde friend helped me get those into your place.... But don't be mad at her, Holly seems sweet." Bruce chimed in until she stepped back and brushed his lapels one last time. Bruce couldn't hide the smirk. "No, afraid no roof running. We've been lucky to not have snow yet this year but it's finally getting too chilly for that." He offered his elbow and walked the beautiful woman to his car. "You look amazing, Selina." He whispered into her ear as he helped his ravishing date into the car and shut the door.

As the pair hit the road Bruce mulled over how to explain the date but finally came to a thought. "I could tell you what we are doing, but I think showing you would just work better. Oh, Alfred says hello and to not keep me out past midnight." He winked playfully.

Slowly the car pulled into the parking lot of the Gotham Zoo and came to a stop. "You like cat's... So I thought, we have an amazing Panther and Tiger habitat here, and figured you would enjoy seeing it." Bruce reasoned then slid out of the car and moved to help Selina out of the car. "We just have to walk around for a bit to get there." He explained and wrapped an arm around her to keep Selina warm while they started for the front gates of the Zoo.
 
"She’s a good kid," Selina replied smoothly, though there was a quiet weight behind her words. Holly was more than just a kid to her—she was the closest thing to family Selina had ever really let herself have. The only person who had a spare key to her apartment, the only one she trusted enough with that kind of access.

She wished, more than anything, that she could convince Holly to leave her life behind—the one filled with late nights and whispered promises in alleyways, a world of sharp edges and bruises left by men who saw her as nothing more than a transaction. But until that day came, Selina would keep protecting her, just as she always had. Just as she had when they'd first met, when Selina had left a man's jaw shattered for putting his hands on the girl. Holly had been too young then, too scared. Now she was stronger, savvier, but still caught in a cycle Selina despised. One day, she’d get her out.

Bruce leaned in then, his breath warm against her ear as he whispered, "You look amazing, Selina."

A slow shiver danced down her spine, heat curling low in her stomach as she tilted her head slightly toward him. Damn him. He knew exactly what he was doing. The deep timbre of his voice, the way his breath brushed her skin—it all sent a thrill through her. But she was never one to let him have the last word.

"You don’t look so bad yourself, Wayne" she shot back, letting her eyes flick over him appreciatively. The fit of his jeans, the looseness of his shirt—he looked relaxed, comfortable. And yet, there was something inherently commanding about him, something that always pulled her attention no matter how hard she tried to feign indifference.

As they drove, Bruce threw a playful remark her way. "Oh, Alfred says hello and to not keep me out past midnight."

Selina smirked, reclining slightly in her seat, her fingers trailing idly along the edge of the necklace he’d given her. "Midnight, huh? Pretty sure we blew past that curfew last time you stayed over. Hope he didn't have to send out the cavalry when you didn't come home."

The sharp turn of Bruce’s lips into a smirk told her he wasn’t immune to the reminder of their last evening together, and that only made her amusement grow.

When the car finally pulled up in front of Gotham City Zoo, Selina blinked in surprise. The place was quieter now, the evening lights flickering on, casting a warm glow over the entrance. A few families were still lingering, but the crowd had thinned considerably, leaving the place feeling almost intimate in the dimming twilight.

Bruce circled around to her side, opening the door and helping her out. The moment his arm wrapped around her waist, she stiffened slightly—out of instinct, out of habit. She had never liked anyone holding onto her, had never tolerated possessiveness in any form. But with Bruce? With Bruce, it felt... good.

Right.

She exhaled, leaning into him just slightly as they stepped forward.

"You like cats," Bruce murmured as he guided her toward the gates. "So I thought we’d check out the panthers and tigers. Figured you’d enjoy seeing them."

Warmth bloomed in her chest at the thoughtfulness of it, at the simple consideration behind his choice. He had really thought about this. About her.

"Bruce, this is amazing," she said, her voice softer than she intended. She glanced up at him, a genuine smile pulling at her lips. "Thank you."

As they strolled through the zoo, the evening air was crisp but not unpleasant. The paths were lined with glowing lanterns, casting a golden hue over the walkways. A few sleepy red pandas curled in the crook of a tree, their fluffy tails draped lazily over branches. Selina paused to watch them, her fingers lightly brushing against the glass of their enclosure.

"Look at them," she murmured, her gaze shining with delight. "Just lounging around like they own the place. My kind of animals."

Bruce chuckled beside her, but she was already moving forward, drawn to the next exhibit.

The tiger habitat was vast, a sprawling expanse of rock formations and tall grass where a massive Bengal tiger prowled with silent grace. Its orange coat gleamed under the artificial moonlight, stripes dark against its powerful frame. Selina watched, utterly transfixed, as the beast stretched out, letting out a slow, contented chuff before padding closer to the glass.

"Magnificent," she whispered, pressing a hand against the barrier as if she could feel the raw power behind it. "I always wondered what it’d be like to run alongside one of these."

Bruce stood beside her, she could feel him watching her more than the tiger, taking in the way her eyes glowed with childlike wonder.

They moved on, weaving through winding paths until they reached the panther enclosure. A sleek, obsidian creature prowled through the underbrush, its golden eyes sharp and calculating. Selina let out a soft breath, something like admiration flickering across her face.

"If I had a kindred spirit, I think I just found her," she mused, watching as the panther flicked its tail, seemingly unimpressed by the world beyond the glass. "She looks like she doesn’t take orders from anyone. My kind of girl."

They lingered, moving through the zoo in easy steps, their conversation dipping between playful quips and quiet moments of shared appreciation. For once, there were no games, no masks, no pretense. Just them.

And for Selina, that was something rarer than diamonds.
 
Bruce felt Selina go ridged in his arm and he almost pulled away. "Selina, I'm sorry- I didn't mean to." He started to apologize to the woman until she started to lean into him and Bruce dropped it. He had the feeling that she didn't date much but that wasn't an issue for Bruce, if anything it was a small blessing, Bruce had no idea what he was doing outside of stumbling. At the realization that they were both stumbling through their current relationship the tall man couldn't hide the smile creeping up on his lips while he murmured about the date.

Upon being thanked, Bruce kissed the top of Selina's head and smiled against her. Time seemed to slow as the pair walked and Bruce started to zone out about the time that they stopped to look at pandas. His gaze kept flicking towards Selina so he could admire the beauty. Her smile sent chills of joy through his body and her emerald eyes lighting up meant everything to Bruce. Her voice broke his haze and his brow raised sharply in confusion. "You're a liar. I don't think you could actually sit still, rooftop runner." Bruce shot playfully and nudged her as they began to walk off.

The tall man had to keep from talking about his past when Selina pondered what it would be like to stalk with them. There was no part of her that needed to know about Bruce Wayne learning to track in Africa. Instead he simply shrugged his shoulders. "I think you'd have to have a super power to convince them to not maul you. But it should be no issue for a master thief like yourself. They might not even notice you." Bruce didn't have the courage to tell Selina that he thought nothing was as magnificent as her... it sounded to cheesy even in his head.

What Bruce hadn't noticed were the reporters who were snapping photos from afar of Bruce and Selina from behind, unable to see who he was with yet but already speculating. The pair moved on to see the panthers, and Selina's observation was spot on. Bruce tried to keep himself from chuckling under his breath so he looked away and chewed on his bottom lip. "Truer words have never been spoken by Selina Kyle...." He chimed in with a grin painting his face.

"So.... Selina, what do you want to do that you've never once done before? Like if there was nothing holding you back, nobody to stop you, what would you go do?" He wondered, curious if Selina would play the game or just stay low key.

They went on like that for quite some time until they came to a tunnel that went into bat exhibit. Bruce paused at the entrance and set his jaw for a moment. It was odd for him, he dressed like a bat, lived and worked out of a cave filled with them, hell he had even used them as a weapon on a few rare occasions but when he wasn't ready for them, bats put a fear into Bruce that crippled him for a few breaths every time. Bruce looked down at Selina and squeezed her hand, his a bit clammy from the fear that shot through him. "Sorry... just needed a second, come on." He smiled again and started to lead Selina through the tunnel quickly.

Finally the pair came around to the end of the tunned and Bruce came out, having to stand up a little straighter, not realizing he had shrunk in on himself just enough to be noticed while they traversed the tunnel. "Do you like games? I know you like junk food." Bruce suddenly asked as the realization that Haley's circus was in town and gave Bruce a sudden fun way to end the night.
 
Selina arched a delicate brow at Bruce's question, the corner of her mouth curving into something sly and unreadable. It was rare for someone to ask her that—not what she could do, but what she wanted to do. People always assumed she already lived without limits, she spent every night leaping between rooftops, stealing what she pleased, coming and going as she wished.

But this was different. He was different.

She let the question hang in the air for a moment, twirling it between her fingers like a playing card, before finally answering. "Something I've never done before?" she mused, tapping a manicured nail against her chin. "Well, I can't say skydiving or anything like that—I already get my fill of high places." Her voice was teasing, but when she glanced at him, her gaze softened. "I think… I'd go somewhere no one knows me. No expectations, no past, no games. Just a place where I could exist."

It wasn't an answer she'd usually give. It was too honest, too revealing. But maybe that was the effect Bruce had on her. He made her want to tell the truth, even when she wasn't sure she wanted to hear it herself.

They walked in easy conversation until they reached the bat exhibit, where Selina noticed the way Bruce tensed, just slightly. It was subtle, but she was a master at reading people. His grip on her hand tightened, and she felt the faint dampness of his palm against hers. Fear.

That made something in her chest tighten, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she ran her thumb over the back of his hand, a silent reassurance. When he finally moved, she followed, matching his pace, pretending not to notice the way his shoulders hunched ever so slightly as they walked through the tunnel.

For a fleeting moment, her thoughts drifted to the Batman. It was ironic, really. The city's infamous vigilante had built his entire persona around fear, turning the very sight of a bat into something that sent criminals running. Yet here was Bruce Wayne, Gotham's golden boy, tense and uneasy in the presence of the same creatures. She might have laughed at the contrast if not for the way his fingers tightened around hers, his palm cool but faintly damp. Instead, she simply gave his hand a gentle squeeze, grounding him in the moment—offering comfort without question, without prying.

When they emerged, he straightened again, shaking off whatever had gripped him. Selina let him have that moment, offering no teasing remark, no knowing smirk. Just quiet understanding.

Then, as if snapping back to himself, Bruce suddenly asked, "Do you like games? I know you like junk food."

Selina tilted her head, intrigued. "Who doesn't?" she replied smoothly, then narrowed her eyes playfully. "What kind of game are we talking about, billionaire?"

There was something mischievous in the way he asked, a glint in his eye that told her he had something planned. And if there was one thing Selina loved, it was a good surprise. Especially when it came wrapped in six feet of brooding, mysterious, and utterly irresistible man.
 
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