Re: Near the entrance: Bat/Cat
Bruce wasn't entirely sure what significance Eddie and Stephanie loving him held when it came to informing them that Selina was leaving early, though it was nice to hear all the same, and he would have explained if there had been time. But he was slow with words, fumbling, and he could barely keep up without having to stop and think. Not that it did him much good, regardless. "No, maybe not," he admitted, of the bride and groom not noticing anything but each other. "But I thought I could try." Or maybe he'd just grown tired of constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. Why pretend? Let them say what they really thought. He had done the same. A smile made a brief appearance when she agreed that they were lucky; he wasn't always right, but he knew he was when it came to this. Of course they were lucky. One only need look at them to realize that. But his smile vanished when she said that Gotham was selfish, that they wanted him back; he believed the former. The latter, not so much. Not entirely, at least. It was only a half truth. Some wanted him back. Some did not, and sadly he was very, very certain of that.
She knew him well, because he was about to protest that they wanted the Bat more than they wanted him. He realized, then, that he had nothing to say, nothing that wouldn't be an argument, and he gave a rueful smile. "I'll try to see the good," he said. But what Tim had said still stung, and he wasn't going to forget it anytime soon.
"I don't feel sorry for you." Thoughtless, sharp, and he was surprised at himself. He tried to backtrack. "I meant... I wasn't expecting her to share it with you. I was harsh because I wanted her to leave me alone," he explained, albeit (likely) poorly. Harley hadn't understood why he was keeping his distance, why he believed letting Selina go was best for her. No one did. He'd resigned himself to it. Eventually everyone would accept that they weren't the Bat and Cat from the comic books and move on with their lives.
There was no insight he could offer as to why Harley had shown her, and he simply shook his head to convey his lack of understanding. But he honestly hadn't assumed that it had been some ploy; he hadn't thought Selina was aware of it at all. Of course it was embarrassing. He should have just ignored her, he knew that now, and he had only himself to blame for being goaded into the conversation. Guilt began to creep in, but he kept it out of sight. "She didn't... understand," he said, and shook his head. "I shouldn't have spoken to her at all." At least he wouldn't be making that mistake again.
Part of him thought that he should take a step back when she moved closer, re-establishing the distance between them. Space was safe. But Bruce didn't move. "I said I don't want you to leave because of me. And me keeping my distance, it's... for the best." He exhaled quietly when she stepped back, torn between disappointment and relief, and he almost groaned. Almost. "I don't... want to make things more difficult. It isn't you," he told her, and he rubbed at his forehead with two fingers. "Selina, you are not the reason I'm considering leaving. You not being here won't make me happy." As always, she so very grossly overestimated the negative effect she had on him. His expression turned puzzled when she said she'd come alone; wasn't Banner here? But that passed, and he regarded her almost sadly when she said something about the wedding reminded her of loss. No, he doubted very much that had been the point.
"I..." He glanced around. "Alright. But I think you should stay."