InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Hello Jess"

Bruce Wainright has (onerule) wrote in rooms,
@ 2014-09-04 23:44:00

Entry tags:

!dc comics, *journal, *log, bruce wayne, cassie sandsmark, dinah lance, donna troy, eddie nigma, hal jordan, jason todd, selina kyle, stephanie brown, steve rogers

batfam+/JL+, selina k., steve r.
[batfam+/JL+]

Ra's is in custody. I know we're all busy with clean up, but a long-term solution is needed. A normal prison is out of the question.

[locked to selina k.]

Selina?

[locked to steve r.]

Ra's Al Ghul has been apprehended. Water and power are back on. You can let your people know.

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	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 04:51 am UTC (link)
	No, I don't mind. I'll have it cleaned up before you get here. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W spacecowboys 2014-09-05 04:54 am UTC (link)
	Should I wait to ask how you are in person, or [...] won't you be there? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 04:58 am UTC (link)
	[...] No, I'll be there. Unless [...] you don't want me to be? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W spacecowboys 2014-09-05 05:02 am UTC (link)
	If you move, I'll hunt you down. You don't want to make me do that. I'm [...] not doing so hot. No hospitals, though. Your word. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 05:04 am UTC (link)
	Alright. I won't move. [Cursor blink.] Fine. No hospitals, but I'm calling a doctor if you need one. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W spacecowboys 2014-09-05 05:05 am UTC (link)
	I've had one around the clock. And [...] this is going to sound strange, but I think Death was around. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 05:12 am UTC (link)
	[...] Death? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W spacecowboys 2014-09-05 05:14 am UTC (link)
	Em. Maybe. Maybe I was just delusional. It wasn't my finest moment. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 05:15 am UTC (link)
	It could have been, I suppose. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W spacecowboys 2014-09-05 05:17 am UTC (link)
	Maybe. [Cursor.] Helena? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 05:21 am UTC (link)
	[...] They still don't know if she'll pull through. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W spacecowboys 2014-09-05 05:22 am UTC (link)
	[Cursor.] Do you want to be at the hospital instead? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 05:33 am UTC (link)
	[...] No. I can't [...] do anything there. She's not conscious. What good does staring at my daughter hooked up to machines that are keeping her alive accomplish? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W spacecowboys 2014-09-05 05:35 am UTC (link)
	[Cursor.] Send the car. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Re: Selina K/Bruce W onerule 2014-09-05 05:47 am UTC (link)
	[...] Alright. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

In-person: Selina/Bruce

spacecowboys
2014-09-05 06:09 am UTC (link)

[She was ready to leave.

Physically, it probably would've been better to stay, and she knew that. But she just didn't care. She'd woken up that morning, memories of fingers through her hair, and the old doctor saying things about a woman with black hair, his voice respectful. The old woman at the door spoke to her in Russian, and she could hear the moaning through the walls. The memories were old, and she wanted to leave.

She'd been trying to think it through when Bruce messaged, and she was still shaking from the news that it was over. Part of her didn't believe it. Part of her thought it was all a trick, and Ra's would be there the moment she left the safety of the brothel. She'd wanted to ask Bruce to come, because it was safer. She'd wanted that, but, no. She wasn't a coward. If there was one thing she wasn't? It was that.

Fears or not, she thanked the old woman, and she thanked the doctor, and she climbed into the black car that waited incongruously outside, and she let herself breakdown then.

She asked the driver to drive in circles, anything, just drive. And once she'd screamed and cried it out of her system? Then she asked him to take her home.

The stairs to the loft felt steep and endless, and she was dressed in cheap things, a t-shirt and sleep pants borrowed from some working girls. Her skin smelled of weed, sweet, and sex, musky. Alcohol clung to her hair, the scents of a sex house, and she stopped in the doorway and leaned against the doorframe, tired and needing the rest. Her heart rate was fine, down, and it was only tiredness that remained. Mental exhaustion, the jumpiness that anxiety left behind, and bruises upon bruises on the skin that was visible between the hem of the shirt and the waistband of the pants. The scratches on her arms had faded, and she looked into the kitchen with trepidation, fearing hands and seeing Lucky instead.]

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

onerule
2014-09-05 04:01 pm UTC (link)

[The loft had smelled like death when he'd gotten there. Death and rot, sickly sweet overripe, and it reminded him of zombies. Body parts, decomposing and decomposed, and as Bruce gathered up the grotesque hands he felt his anger rise, his hatred for Ra's becoming a wildfire that licked and burned at his insides. He had them taken away, money providing discretion, and then he cleaned, cleaned, hands and knees and the smell of bleach and sharp lemon-lime mixing together. It was a distraction, a way to let his mind go blank, and by the time he was done the scent of death had faded, buried beneath disinfectant and cleaning solutions. He opened up the windows to air it out, and then he waited.

Across town, in a hospital bed, his daughter was caught in a struggle between life and death. In the streets they washed blood from cement. Supplies were being distributed, and people were helping one another in a display of selflessness and hope that should have made him proud. Eddie was right; the city was stronger than ever. But beneath his anger he felt hollow, empty, not like this was a victory at all. He wasn't sure why. Ra's was caught, and he'd spend the rest of his life locked away in the Underworld. That was a good thing. And, yet, he found himself wishing he'd killed him instead. It was an echo of his youth, a gun in his pocket and hate in his heart. He was tired, but he couldn't sleep. When he closed his eyes he saw blood, saw be headings and a television screen. He felt the sting of needles in his neck, shackles on his wrist. Further back, back, and it was death, people dying all around him while he was helpless to stop it.

He tried pacing. He tried sitting still. But the gunshots still echoed in his ears, so many, and the voice of the man who'd shot Helena. Tell the Detective... He wanted to scream, but he was silent. He wanted darkness, numb, but he was awake and present in the world. He missed the suit, the safety of kevlar and a cowl; he'd changed into sweatpants and a turtleneck, both dark, accentuating the circles under his eyes without him realizing it.

Waiting, waiting, waiting. The cat, whose name escaped him, jumped up beside him for company, and the feel of warm fur under his fingers was oddly reassuring. But then the door opened and the cat was gone, off to investigate, and Bruce waited a few seconds before rising to follow. He rounded the corner to see Selina staring, and he stared a little too long in return, processing, processing, his mind reassuring him that she was here. She was fine, or as fine as she could be considering the circumstances.

He smelled like the loft did, disinfectant and lemon, and his hands were red and raw from cleaning. His lips twitched with effort before he managed a small, small smile, and he exhaled quietly as he moved forward.] Hello, Ms. Kyle.

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

spacecowboys
2014-09-05 06:23 pm UTC (link)

[She'd thought he would send someone to clean. Like the driver in the car, she'd expected some quiet and discreet Wayne employee to show up with boxes of cleaners and industrial bags. She'd expected some nameless person to whisk away Ra's attempt at driving her insane. But she realized, as soon as her gaze dropped to his hands (which was almost immediate, and wasn't that what Ra's had wanted her to think?), that she'd made an error in judgement.

A sweep of green gaze, up, and the circles beneath his eyes made her count days. She'd lost track, somewhere along the line. She'd keep the injections in neat, straight lines first, so she could use each cluster of six to equal one, but then the injections came quicker, and there wasn't enough skin left for neat clusters, and she'd lost track.

She was glad, standing there, watching him stare and waiting for him to stop, that she'd spared him the last few days at least. Selfless, maybe, but the last thing he'd needed was to worry about her on top of everything else. And he said Ra's was caught, but she still felt pins and needles, like something might come up behind him without warning and snatch him away. And that was Ra's grand accomplishment this time, wasn't it? He'd made them all aware of how vulnerable they truly were.

Finally, he smiled, and the smile she gave him in return was genuine and lush, if tired and worried.] I never took you for domestic help, Mr. Wayne. [Tease, as he moved, and she pushed away from the doorway with a slink that was only slightly diminished with exhaustion. She stopped in front of him, the sound of the door closing echoing, the security fields slipping back into place. Her fingers found the hollows of his cheeks, and her expression was flick-worried.] I think you owe me a vacation.

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

onerule
2014-09-06 08:04 pm UTC (link)

[Even exhausted, even at the frayed end of his rope, Bruce noticed things. He noticed that her gaze dropped almost immediately to his hands, and he noticed the clothes she wore, what they smelled like, and he noticed the barely-visible bruises on skin between shirt and pants. It was instinct, something he couldn't have stopped even if he'd wanted to. It happened, and his mind filled in the blanks left behind. Days, and he'd believed her, even though part of him had known that she wasn't being honest with him. But what choice did he have? The longer Ra's was free, the more damage he'd cause. He had to be caught. It had to end.

And it had ended. Ra's would be held deep, deep, where no one would reach him, where he could not escape from. It didn't soothe his anger, and it didn't fill the hollow ache beneath his ribs, but it was something. Better than nothing.]

Don't get used to it. [He managed faint humor, watching as she pushed away from the doorway and approached. The sounds of the door closing, security sliding into place, were reassuring, but the closer she came the harder it became to breathe. Which made no sense at all, wasn't logical, but it was there all the same. Her fingers found his cheeks, and there was so much wrapped up in such a simple touch.] You're right. I do. [He managed that much, got the words out; then his shoulders shook and suddenly he'd pulled her into a hug without being fully aware of what he was doing. It was unlike him, but he'd been pushed too far; they all had. Far enough that he clung to her unabashedly, his cheek pressed against hers and the struggle to breathe properly.]

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

spacecowboys
2014-09-06 10:47 pm UTC (link)

[It hadn't entirely been a lie. When the news about Helena had come, when she'd been pushed too far, she'd retreated to lick her wounds. For all her risk-taking, she had a certain knack for survival, and while she pushed herself beyond what normal people would consider healthy? Well, so did everyone. It was, after all, Gotham. And when Ra's sent those hands and tipped her over the edge, what was she supposed to do? Call him? Tell him? Make him stop what he was doing to sit at her side and hold her hand? No, that wasn't her, and it wasn't him, however much she might want it to be. Oh, she was selfish; if she'd needed rescuing? She would've meowed. But he wouldn't have been able to fix this, and what good what it have done? She would've felt better, sure, but Ra's would've gotten away. And that was it. That was what it all boiled down to. They had things to do; he had things to do. Sitting by her bedside? Wasn't one of them. If the doors had been accessible, she would've gone straight to Marvel. Tony, Steve, Robert, they would always take her in, and she knew that with a certainty that she didn't feel about most of Gotham. But she chose a safe alternative, and they were both standing here, mostly in one piece.

And Ra's was captured.

She smiled at his attempt at fake humor, but she didn't have it in her to quip back about the vacation he owed her. He was too close, the words too taut. And then his shoulders shook, and it was only a heartbeat that he had on her with that hug. She wasn't expecting it, all the same. She knew she was going to wrap her arms around him, and then the tables were turned, and she remembered another time. A rooftop, when she had royally fucked this up. But she didn't shove now, didn't try to get him angry. Instead, her arms slid around his shoulders, and she clung, and maybe there was a world of weakness in the shaky break of her breath against his cheek, but she didn't care.] I think I'm supposed to say soothing things about everything being alright. [The words were damp, and even with the exhaustion and bruising her grip was Gotham-tight. She chuckled, wry and an exhale against his cheek.] How about- How about, I'm glad you're here? I'm glad he's locked somewhere? I'm glad Helena has a chance to fight?

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

onerule
2014-09-07 04:08 am UTC (link)

[It was, despite his guilt, a good thing that Selina hadn't told him about the hands. That she hadn't worried him, because it would only have added layer upon layer of complication and he would have been forced to choose Gotham, stopping Ra's, in the end. That was who he was, what he had to do. And maybe part of him was plagued by old doubts about being good enough, but he tried not to let himself be consumed by them. Like before, when he'd pushed her away for her own good.

And there was a world of bitterness and jealousy that surrounded Selina's relationship with Marvel, but it was very much untouched, ignored, buried deep enough that he could pretend it didn't even exist at all. Bruce was civil when he had to be and that was the extent of it. He wouldn't call anyone from there friends, and the only one he was really on good terms with was Steve. But he kept himself largely uninvolved, because it was easiest, and it was better.

It was what he needed, her arms around his shoulders. And the way she clung to him, it just made him hold on tighter. He forced himself to exhale when he felt that shaky breath against his cheek. Bruce didn't care what she said, not in that moment; her being there was enough. But he listened, regardless, and he smiled a little when she chuckled. It was a weak thing, unsteady, and his lips moved against her skin when he spoke.] That's good. It's all good. [He pulled back to look at her, just that, not breaking the embrace. Arms around her waist, hers around his shoulders, and he didn't want it to end yet.] I'm glad you're here, too. I'm glad you're alright. And I'm glad he's going to be locked away for a very long time, but-- [A sharp inhale.] I wish he was dead. I wish I'd killed him. And Helena-- Helena-- [He couldn't finish, couldn't get the words out, and he shook his head, helpless frustration.]

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

spacecowboys
2014-09-07 04:46 am UTC (link)

[She knew he would choose Gotham. In most instances, she would make the same choice for him, as she had here. Sure, the kitty cat liked to think that if she was really on her last life, he would come to her rescue. But it would take a whole lot to get her there, and people always underestimated her ability to remain alive. Not that she blamed them, really, it had been a very hard six months. And she didn't know he was beating himself up, replaying all those old reasons why he'd pushed her away and made her little insecurity thing a big insecurity thing.

Oh, she knew the boys in Marvel and DC couldn't play nice. She didn't really understand why, since she saw Marvel as a bunch of bleeding hearts. They were nice, and who couldn't get along with that? She didn't actually think he was jealous. Bruce Wayne? He'd never been that interested; she'd always been the one meowing.

But Marvel wasn't on her mind just then; she didn't even think to mention them. She loved the suit, the hard invincibility that the kevlar alluded to. But she loved this more, and she wasn't sure when that happened. But it had, and she'd realized it on that fire escape days and endless days earlier. The smile against her cheek, nothing as it was, made her own grin go broader, and she didn't move, didn't even attempt to move. Not yet, and the echo of her words made her chuckle again, some of that sultry husk back in the laughter. But then he was talking about Helena, and the laughter died, and her hand slid up, fingers into his hair and fingertips against his scalp.] She's a fighter, Bruce. You know she is. [Exhale, and she drew back a little, just to see his face.] And I wish he was dead too, but I'm glad you didn't kill him. [Maybe that was too rogue, but it was true.] I'd rather I killed him than you did.

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

onerule
2014-09-08 06:33 am UTC (link)

[Inhale, and he brushed away his doubts and insecurities for later. Exhale, and all those shards of things left unsaid, bitter and jealous, were buried back where they belonged. Marvel didn't matter. The choices he'd made, they couldn't be undone. Ra's was caught, Selina was fine, Gotham was recovering. Bruce realized that, in this, he would have to take his victories where they fell and find a way to accept it. Or, at the very least, try to do so.

He was almost sorry he'd spoken at all, if only to keep her laughing just a little longer. It was precious, the sound, like a delicate string of pearls that could shatter so, so easily.] She is a fighter. [He couldn't disagree with that. But there was no real belief that it would be enough, that she would survive.] But that might not be enough. She can fight and fight and it might not be enough. [There was a very real chance she could die, and as much as he wanted to cling to hope, to have faith, it seemed to require more energy then he had in him. Her fingers in his hair, against his scalp, were soothing, but he was still a mess of tension and emotion beneath his skin.] Why? [When she said she'd rather she killed Ra's than him; why.]

The only reason I didn't... [He shook his head and let out a long, long exhale.] Is because I knew he would win if I did. That would be victory, knowing that he was the one to push me that far.

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

spacecowboys
2014-09-08 06:59 am UTC (link)

[He was right, of course, Helena being a fighter might not be enough. She knew that, and it felt like they'd been here again and again with Helena, and maybe she was desensitized. Or maybe she just needed to be, because the past month had come thisclose to breaking her, and any little thing could still tip that balance. She wanted to say things about hope, about not losing it, but he was tense beneath her fingers, and her hands slid to his shoulders, pressure and kneading in her fingertips against the line of his collar.

Why, he asked, and then he was talking, and she touched her hand to his cheek.] That's why. [And it had never mattered to her, his little rule. Oh, she adhered to it more often than not, but she didn't have the respect for life that he did. She never had, and that was all Gotham alleycat.

She stepped back, and she was still weak, still slow in the sway of her hips, but she was steady, and death wasn't lingering over her shoulder anymore. He smelled like cleaners, and she smelled like sex, and she nodded toward the bath in the corner. Her mind skipped for just a minute, and there was a stammer to her words. Brace, went her shoulders, as if she was preparing for a physical blow.] Run the water? I promise not to look.

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce

onerule
2014-09-10 01:50 am UTC (link)

[He didn't want to hear about hope. He didn't want to swallow reassurances and try to keep them from sticking in his throat. Bruce knew hope, he knew how hard it was to cling to and he knew the struggle to do so, and he was having an extremely hard time with it now; being told to not lose hope wouldn't strengthen his hold. It wouldn't help. He needed to find his own strength, somehow, and so the pressure of her fingers was both a relief and a comfort. This was enough. No words, just understanding.

It was a slight movement, his nod against her hand. Agreement, conceding, and he exhaled heavily.] It's not easy. It's never easy. [Keeping his rule unbroken, not killing, sometimes it was the most difficult thing in the world. Sometimes, like now, and that Ra's would be locked up in what was virtually Hell was a small comfort.

What she was trying to convey wasn't immediately clear. He glanced over at the bath, and then, as she spoke, he understood, and he watched as her shoulders braced beneath fabric.] Are you suggesting a bath, Ms. Kyle? [The words were warm, his smile tired but fond, and he moved towards the indicated tub without another word. He wanted the water hot, scalding, but he settled for warm instead. A second passed, two, three, and he pulled his shirt over his head before looking back over his shoulder.] Are you coming?

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Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce -

spacecowboys, 2014-09-10 03:18 am UTC

Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce -

onerule, 2014-09-11 11:59 pm UTC

Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce -

spacecowboys, 2014-09-12 12:26 am UTC

Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce -

onerule, 2014-09-12 12:48 am UTC

Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce -

spacecowboys, 2014-09-12 12:59 am UTC

Re: In-person: Selina/Bruce -

onerule, 2014-09-12 05:47 am UTC

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