Re: Dancing - Bruce and Barbara
Barbara could feel his arms holding her that much closer, and despite the fact that they were currently at odds in this discussion, she had never felt more safe. There were times when Bruce could seem miles away, but every once in awhile, she had a moment were she felt closer to him than anyone else in the world. He had been the one to help her come into her own as a person, and she was never ever going to forget that.
"You know I value your opinions, and I know your concerns are valid ones," she murmured, trying not to be this sad little girl clinging onto him. "But I've had this argument with my father on loop for the past year. At any moment, this can be gone...and it doesn't matter if all I do with my time is take leisurely walks in the park. It could be gone tomorrow. None of this has been painless for me, but I've prepared myself for a life in a wheelchair. I can handle it if it comes back to that. What I can't handle is wasting a moment of the time I have."
She could hear the steady thumping of his heart in her ear, the ocean song of his breath. It was a marvel that Bruce could always keep himself so calm. She was pretty sure she was shaking, and she was doing her best to keep from crying as he spoke. "I'm not ready for a glass case yet Bruce...I don't need your permission to live my life, but I'd love your blessing." She tipped her eyes up to him and smiled. "You don't need to worry about me."