Tweak

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Tweak says, "That's an embuggerance..."

. (spacecowboys) wrote in doors,
@ 2014-03-19 03:29:00

Entry tags:

batman, catwoman, door: dc comics

Gotham Zoo, in person: Bruce/Selina
[After this.]

[Getting to the zoo with the girls had been a little tiring, and she was hoping Dr. Banner would come through with a place to stay after, maybe some painkillers and something to take the edge off. But that was a concern for later. Just then, she was sitting atop the lion keeper's house, wondering what the zoo really looked like. She saw well-fed animals, and she saw grass that was so green it brightened up the Gotham night. The animals, slumbering in their enclosures, were healthy and hale. She wondered if that, too, was a lie. She was dressed in red and black, her cape lined with bright yellow (or so she thought), goggles atop her head and a whip low against her hips. And she wondered, not for the first time, if this was a very bad idea.]

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

onerule
2014-03-22 06:00 am UTC (link)

I don't think we know how to be any other way, Selina. [A slight lift of his shoulders.] No. I remember everything. [...] I've said what I wanted to say. I told you what happened, and why. I gave you my reasoning. I've said I was sorry, that I regret what I did. It's not-- none of those things were excuses, they were just things I wanted to say. [A pause.] There might be something else, but I'm not sure if it would do any good, saying it now. [Silence. A long, long stretch of silence.] Yes. I know Jason wants to be involved. I don't intentionally set out to make any of them feel as though they don't matter. [Pause.] Maybe I give Nigma too much free reign. [This time there was no guarded expression, no attempt to pull away from her touch.] What do you mean?

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

spacecowboys
2014-03-22 06:21 am UTC (link)

Can we learn, or are we doomed? I don't like the idea of just giving in and saying that we can't do something to change it, not if we want to. Do we want to? Do you? [She touched a hand to the kevlar-clad shoulder he lifted.] Say it. It doesn't matter if it would do any good, Bruce. It only matters that you want to say it, whatever it is. I have a feeling I wouldn't normally say that either, but humor me. [She was quiet during the silence.] You don't make them feel like they don't matter. You're not that man, and I refuse to believe you ever are. You said you weren't used to having a family. Maybe you just don't think like a Bat that's used to having a nest. Do you remember what Edward said? That he was the only one who cared enough to help? Maybe the rest of us-- them just don't feel confident enough to barge in.

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

onerule
2014-03-22 09:51 pm UTC (link)

[He mulls that over.] I don't know. I don't know if wanting to change it is enough. I doubt that anyone wants to be the way we are, but changing would require admitting that we're lonely in the first place. You and I aren't the most forthcoming of people. [A long, long pause, before he turns to look at her.] I told you I cared about you. But it's more than that, Selina. I only said that because I didn't feel right saying [...] anything else when I overcame the drug and you hadn't. [He shakes his head.] I don't. Not always. I know I've been in this Gotham for two years, Selina, but I spent a lifetime in mine. I had Alfred and Gordon. Everyone else died. [...] Nigma does take initiative, for lack of a better word. How do I help them become confident enough, then? I try not to treat them like children but apparently that isn't what they want.

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

spacecowboys
2014-03-22 10:10 pm UTC (link)

Would it be that bad, admitting it to each other? I'm not saying hang out a sign. But is it so bad if we know? [A small smile.] Anyway, we already decided we wouldn't be forgetting this conversation, didn't we? [She looked out at the zoo after he was done talking about caring, mossy green eyes blinking away wetness.] Is that true of now, or then? [Her thumb brushed over his chin.] You know I love you. I can't imagine Crane's drug creates something like that. Do you? [Quiet, and she considered, and her fingers traced the symbol on the front of his kevlar.] You give them choices, Bruce, and you keep them informed. If no one steps forward but Eddie, well, then he was right. You're right. They aren't children. And they need to step forward and prove it. You just need to give them the opportunity. I think that's what leading's all about. [Considering.] Am I involved at all, in the real world? Or do I just almost get myself killed?

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

onerule
2014-03-22 10:26 pm UTC (link)

[A small, rueful smile.] In retrospect, no. But as I said we're not exactly forthcoming. We both wear armor, and I don't mean this. [He brought a hand up, palm splayed out over the kevlar. When she looked away he watched her carefully, looking for any tells that he went too far or hit a sore spot.] Then. You're [...] more aware, now. That night, when I came home, I didn't know what to do. [A very, very quiet hitch of breath, almost inaudible, when her thumb brushed over his chin.] No. It doesn't. It didn't. [Another pause, and he looks away.] You would never tell me you love me normally, Selina. And I would never tell you that I love you either. I don't want that to make this not mean anything. [A thoughtful hum.] I can work on my leading abilities. I just want them to be willing to work on themselves as well. [Hint of a smile as he thinks.] You are very good at almost getting yourself killed. [...] You are involved, to a degree. But you try not to be. Communication is an area we could both stand to improve on.

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

spacecowboys
2014-03-22 11:01 pm UTC (link)

I believe it. I've never wanted to not care as much as I have the past few days. I imagine that's just compounded in the real Gotham. [She smiled, catching that tiny hitched breath.] Didn't you want to go back to not knowing? Even for a minute? I still don't want to remember. [When he looked away, she put pressure on his jaw, trying to get his attention back, trying to make him look at her.] Maybe we should work on telling each other things, instead of working so hard not to. [Smile.] You're going to tell me that's easier said than done, and maybe I'm underestimating just how distrusting I am. But I still think we're stronger together than apart. [With a touch of sadness.] Assuming you really don't intend to sacrifice me for Gotham again, at least without telling me. [Supportive.] So, tell them. Tell them what you need and expect from them. And wait to see what they do. [Chuckle.] Alright, so we're terrible at talking. Why? We're not so bad at it right now, are we? And, for the record, I wouldn't mind it if you kissed me.

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

onerule
2014-03-23 03:11 am UTC (link)

[A short, brief nod.] It is. [With slight surprise.] Of course I did. But I couldn't. I can't. I couldn't pretend, not when I knew the truth. [He managed to keep looking away despite the pressure on his jaw, a hint of stubbornness in the gesture.] That's going to take a great deal of work, if we try. It is easier said than done, and you might be underestimating how distrusting we both are. [...] Getting over the mindset that caring is weakness could be a start. [It's that sadness, though, and the words that followed which finally make him look her way.] No. I don't. Even before, it wasn't something I planned in advance. It was a choice. [...] I want to keep you safe, Selina, but we have to work together. I need to make more of an effort in that regard as well. I know I do. [A slight smile, despite himself.] I'm not so sure that will go well, but I'll try. [Pause.] No. This doesn't usually happen. I think we're both too defensive and worried about giving the other the upper hand, which in turn would make us vulnerable. [An arch of his eyebrows behind the cowl, and a hint of deadpan teasing.] Are you trying to tell me something, Ms. Kyle?

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

spacecowboys
2014-03-23 04:24 am UTC (link)

[She chuckled at his refusal to give into the pressure of her fingers.] See, the Bat I know wouldn't have given into me pushing and pulling at him either. But I could cajole him into it. Do we think I could cajole you into it? [She considered.] I might not be willing to trust you. I might not be willing to talk to you, either. Are you going to let that happen? And before you reply, there is only one correct answer to that question. [When he finally looked at her, she looked back for a few very long seconds.] If I knew you were in danger right at this moment, and that I could help, I would do it without hesitating. If I thought that you would stop me from helping, then I wouldn't tell you. I think that's what happened. At least, I assume it is. [Seriously.] Just don't give up. Promise me that, and I promise to try to remember how all of this felt. [A knowing smile, a sad one.] The upperhand-- You have to trust someone to do that, Bruce. It doesn't sound like either of us trust the other very much. [And a grin.] Don't you want me to have something to remember you by?

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

onerule
2014-03-24 03:56 am UTC (link)

I think... [He paused, letting the sentence trail off thoughtfully. All intentional, of course.] I think you could cajole me into more than I'm willing to admit. [It's nothing more or less than he expects once she remembers, of course, a lack of trust and refusal to speak to him, but his posture still tensed beneath the kevlar.] Are you sure you want me to push? No matter how angry you are? [A slight frown.] Yes. That's what happened. The [...] timing, after Damian, didn't help matters. [A pause, and a deep inhale he lets out a few seconds later.] I promise not to give up. [Somber acknowledgment.] Neither of us are very good at trust. [Fond exasperation.] I suppose. [He hesitated, briefly, a shift of his weight to maintain his balance, one gloved hand resting on her arm before leaning in to kiss her. It's more reminiscent of the man he was before he remembered, before the walls came back up.]

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

spacecowboys
2014-03-24 04:22 am UTC (link)

[Smile, and there was teasing in her green eyes.] Well, it's good to know you aren't entirely immune to me. I'd have to get involved with the nice Marvel doctor in order to get you jealous, and that could get messy. [More somber, but still with a smile.] I want you to push as much as you need to. I don't think Crane created this. [With a hand to his cheek, fingers splayed against skin and cowl.] It doesn't sound like we've given each other much to be trusting about, Bruce. [She let him kiss her for a few seconds, and then she kissed him back, something like sadness mixed in with the heat of the kiss. After a minute, she pulled back, fingers trailing against his lips as she lowered her arm.] Thank you.

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

onerule
2014-03-24 04:46 am UTC (link)

[Eyebrow raise.] The nice Marvel doctor? You've moved on from Stark? [And oh, no, he isn't the least bit jealous. He isn't scowling. Of course not.] No. Crane's drug didn't manufacture feelings. It built on what was already there, perhaps, but no more. At least not in our case. [He brushed his fingers over her hand, fleetingly, before dropping them.] I suppose you're right. We haven't. [He tried to make it linger, tried to make it last, but when she pulled back he let her.] Don't thank me. [A long, heavy exhale.] I [...] should get going.

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

spacecowboys
2014-03-24 04:51 am UTC (link)

I didn't realize I was ever involved with Stark. Was I? [Smile, lush and confident.] Don't worry, Bruce, I'm just going to sleep in his lab, so he can make sure this headache doesn't kill me. [With a regretful look at his hand, once he lets it drop.] It doesn't have to be like that. We can work on it. Just remember your promise. [A chuckle.] I'll thank you if I want to, Mr. Wayne. [She leaned forward, and she pressed a kiss to his chin, slow.] Go save the city, hero.

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Re: gotham zoo, in person: bruce/selina

onerule
2014-03-24 11:36 pm UTC (link)

[That earns a frown.] No, you weren't. Though I think you like using him to make me jealous. [As for sleeping in this doctor's lab, just a sigh.] At least you'll be looked after. And Marvel doesn't seem to be half as chaotic as Gotham is on a regular basis. [He turned solemn at the reminder of his promise, and nodded.] I won't forget. [Warmer, with less stoicism and one last brush of his fingers against her.] Alright. [And, a moment later, he stood, resisting the urge to inform her that he isn't a hero. A backward glance, and then he dropped off the roof and out of sight.]

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