A Flash by Any Other Name
May. 25th, 2006 01:03 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shankieBruce's world is his own... and one filled with darkness. Wally finds out a little more of just how deep the darkness runs.
Part Twenty-Nine: Possession
'I wish I could figure Bruce out. But I suppose nobody ever actually has. Everyone who's claimed to ends up being wrong at least half the time. Moving in... It'd be great, but that place is so... HIS. Along with everything in it. Do I want to be Batman's pet Flash?'
"Agggghhh! Please, please, let me down!" The burglar cried, losing the stony defiance he'd had not moments earlier. "I can't talk, he'll kill me!"
Wally looked down at the black-clad man he was dangling off the roof of Central City Savings & Loan, cocking his head to one side and narrowing his gaze.
"I dunno man, your current situation doesn't look a whole lot better. I'd take my chances if I were you."
"No!"
With a shrug, he dropped him.
The scream of terror fell about halfway down the side before Wally ran down, caught his leg again, and ran up to the top of the Wilson & Hudson Building, which was significantly higher off the ground, and repeated holding him with one arm out over the street. 'I think I kinda like the idea... A lot. And that's a little scary. In a lotta ways, I think I knew that getting into this. Bruce owns everything and everyone around him, in a way... At least in his own head. That's what makes him Bats, after all.'
"Ready to talk?"
The man's eyes were now wide with fear, with beads of sweat forming on his brow and his skin gone pale in the light from a flood lamp on the next roof over.
"Yes, yes, oh God, please put me down!" He gasped through his racing breath.
"Sure." Wally smirked and set the guy down on the roofing tiles, his hands already bound behind him with handcuffs he'd tried to use on a guard. "One more time; I know you were working with the Joker last time he was in town. I saw you. And that's a gig I took a little personally, seeing as you clowns tried to off me." He knelt down in front of the guy, adjusting his black jacket that had started to slide off his arms for him. "Where is he?"
"I'm not workin' for him anymore, I swear to God, I swear..."
"But you know something." Wally said tersely, sitting back on his heels and leaning forward on his knees.
"Yeah. We took some jobs all over the place... I'd worked for the guy before, real nut, but it payed off pretty well. But he was all different right before then. Kept callin' some guy." He'd visibly relaxed some, and took some deep breaths. "You can protect me, right?"
"I'll put in a good word with the cops. If you've got something."
"Cops ain't gonna be good enough."
"You want to spend some quality time with Batman? I can have him here in seconds. Literally. You'll wish you were back dangling off the roof." The thug's eyes widened again at that. "Talk."
"Ok, ok." He swallowed loudly. "Uh, 'bout a week ago we were still layin' low in Chicago, hadn't been workin' for a while. Guys started gettin' all ansy, wantin' out. So the clown makes a call, then says we're all cut loose, throws some cash at us, and we get out. I was goin' to take a leak when he was on the phone again, got all curious. Heard him say something about goin' back to Gotham, takin' care of a loose end."
"What kind of loose end?"
"Dunno... said somethin' about double-talkers bein' unreliable. Whatever that means. That's all I know, I swear."
Wally's stomach dropped and a cold flush ran over his chest. He had to get to Gotham.
He tossed the guy over his shoulder and ran him down to where the cops were rounding up his cohorts, setting him down in front of a gruff lieutenant that appeared to be in charge.
"This one just gave me some help on an investigation of mine. I'd appreciate it if you put in a good word. He'll need protection, too." Wally said with a gestured thumb.
He watched the guy nod fervently as he was read his rights and pushed into the back of a cruiser.
"I'll see what I can do. Thanks, Flash. Always appreciated."
The cop extended his hand, and they exchanged a firm handshake before Wally took off east like his life depended on it. His com was making the funny dissonant noise it did when someone tried to contact him and he was going over the speed of sound, but ignored it. They could wait.
It was just after 11; Bruce would be on patrol on the north side. He stopped just outside the Trigate Bridge and tapped his com.
"Yes?"
"Bats, what's your location?"
"Old Gotham, 11th Street & West."
Wally took off and up the side of a brick wall, finding Bruce on the corner, looking out with his binoculars.
"Flash, this is the Watchtower, please come in." Superman's voice said with exasperation.
"What?!" He finally replied.
Bruce looked up at him curiously at that, Wally just held up his index finger and turned to one side, hand on his hip.
"I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but we need your help. There's a wildfire in southern California threatening a retirement community..."
"You can't handle it without me?"
"Supergirl and GL are there, but I'd like to give her some backup."
"I'm on another mission Supes. If you need me, call back, but now's a bad time."
"You know, you're starting to sound just like..."
"Hey now! I do have other stuff to do, you know. If things get nuts, I'll be there in seconds, okay?"
There was a pause and a sigh on the other end, and Wally rolled his eyes. Supes was being so weird about him and Bruce and it was really starting to get on his nerves.
"Alright. Watchtower out."
"Cripes." Wally muttered as he walked over to Bruce and knelt beside him.
All the worry he'd carried from his home city turned into relief at seeing him still alright, and he couldn't help but lean over and nuzzle his face against Bruce's a little, the cowl cold on his cheek.
"I thought you said you were on a mission." Bruce whispered.
"I am. I stopped a jewel heist in Central City, recognized one of the thugs once I unmasked them. He was one of the guys with Joker when I got gassed. Guess he thought I was out of commission, so he decided to come back." He sighed and sat on his heels, resting forward with his hands on the edge of the roof ledge. "But that's not the important part. I tried to get the Joker's whereabouts out of him, and what he told me makes me think Joker's coming back to Gotham to get you."
"Joker's always trying to 'get' me."
"No, not you. You." Wally glanced around them a bit. "To finish what Two-Face started. I think he knows who you are."
"So far Brannock hasn't revealed that to any of his minions. Hopefully this isn't an exception." He replied thoughtfully.
"You two have history. Very public, very dramatic history. He mighta, just out of spite." Wally said, then swallowed and bit his lip.
"Damn." Bruce muttered harshly, as if he'd been thinking to himself and not even listening anymore. "I was afraid of this."
He tapped his com with a dark look that made Wally a little worried.
"Alfred, activate manor security protocol Alpha and retrieve the signal watch from the cave. I want you wearing it at all times until further notice. I'll explain later. B out."
Bruce turned and looked at Wally, still with that firm expression, but didn't say anything, just turned and leaped off the roof. He wasn't sure if that was a dismissal, or a 'come with me' or what, but he wasn't about to be left out of this. He followed Bruce to the car, leaping into the passenger seat as the canopy slid open.
Still, Bruce said nothing, and didn't even look at him as he turned on the rumbling engine and the Batmobile flew out of its hiding spot in a culvert, headed toward Bristol. Wally watched his face, rimmed in the faint lights of the console, looking straight ahead with a jaw that rippled with tension.
When they reached the cave, Bruce jumped out and went straight to his computer. Alfred was waiting, and got a terse summary of the situation as he brought up his Joker files and began pouring through them.
Wally perched on a work bench that had been set up near the terminal, drawing his knees to his chest and leaning his head on arms crossed over them, watching the images and data fly by. Listening to the fluttering and screeching of bats echo around them. Wondering if he should leave, after all.
"Master Wally?" Alfred's ever-genteel voice said after several long minutes; he hadn't even heard him come back downstairs.
"Yeah Alfred?"
"I could use your assistance upstairs, if you'd be so kind."
"Oh, sure."
Wally followed Alfred up the steps, then dashed upstairs, changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, and went back to Alfred's side in the blink of an eye as he walked into the kitchen. The smell of brownies was drifting around and made his mouth water.
"What do you need?"
"I am uncertain as to if the quality of this batch is up to par, and I require a guinea pig, as it were."
Wally looked at him, a little confused, as Alfred pulled on an oven mitt and took a tray out of the oven, setting it on the counter gingerly. When he looked back up at Wally's still perplexed expression, he raised an eyebrow.
"Is there something particularly difficult to understand about eating? It's been my experience that you're quite the expert."
"Well, no..."
Alfred sighed and gave him a look that he often got after becoming particularly exasperating and someone was about to smack him. Then it softened, and Alfred went about grabbing ice cream out of the freezer and getting a pair of spoons and bowls. He dished them both out some chocolate fudge swirl, and sat down on a stool at the counter, gesturing for Wally to do the same.
"I apologize, Master Wally. It is easy to forget you've little experience with Master Bruce when it comes to his... conflict with the mad clown."
"Well... I've had some. He was part of the Injustice Gang that Luthor put together... well, kinda. According to Luthor he pretty much invited himself along... and stuff." He swirled the spoon around in the ice cream before taking a bite. "I guess I really haven't. I've heard it's pretty intense."
"That would be something of an understatement. I have often feared it is an obsession. And his attack on you did nothing to alleviate it."
They ate in silence with their own thoughts for a few moments.
"I wanted to draw you away, Master Wally. That is all. I hope it was not to presumptuous of me, but I fear when his mind is consumed by him, there is little room for much else."
"Yeah." Wally pushed the ice cream around with his spoon idly. "You know he asked me to move in?"
"Yes, he did mention that."
"I guess that thing that's really stopping me right now... well... he's Batman. You know? It's been so great, but I just... part of me keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"You believe because he is reserved and intentionally withholding when it comes to others that trust is a state that he cannot maintain?"
"Well... yeah. And I mean... We've talked about it a little. And I've heard things. Seems like he's just had this unending string of relationships and flirtations and stuff that go nowhere." Wally sighed. "And I can't keep that out of my head." He frowned, then laughed. "Why am I talking to you about this?"
"Perhaps because I may have an answer. And, I'm the one with the food. You have a definite tendency to confide in those that offer you something to eat."
"I do?"
"That has been my understanding, yes."
"Huh." Wally took another bite thoughtfully. "Well... do you mind?"
"Why do you think I made brownies at midnight?" Alfred said wryly. "Speaking of which, I believe they are cool enough now."
Wally laughed and shook his head, watching Alfred cut out squares and lay them neatly on a blue china platter in a spiral pattern, handing the last few to Wally and tidying as he began to respond.
"When it comes to Master Bruce and romance... I believe you may be under a mistaken impression. Those relationships have all ended before becoming serious, or never began, because he believed they would not allow him to continue leading his life as he does. Either that, or though the lady's own actions and choice."
"What do you mean?"
"For one thing, many of these rumoured love affairs of his never happened. He has often bemoaned the tendency of the superhero community to gossip, and outlined much of it. Regardless of my interest in hearing about it..."
Wally chuckled a little at that.
"And the ones that did?"
"Mm. Some of them were with Bruce Wayne. Some of them were with the Batman. I fear that they didn't last because neither of those men truly exist. No matter what Master Bruce leads himself to believe. They loved shadows. But those that truly win his affections..." He paused, pushing the finished bowl away from him and folding his hands. "He is not one to go about anything by halves."
Wally looked at Alfred long and careful, then began chewing on his lip.
"So... where do I fit in?"
"I think you already know, Master Wally." He said with a smile that faded. "And on that note, I will again remind you that at such times as this, he is not... himself."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Alfred frowned and paused in the doorway, as if seeking the words to satisfy a thought.
"I trust you will." He said quietly.
* * *
Wally ran home to check on Bart; sleeping like a log and snoring like a chainsaw. He left a note for him on the freezer door, telling him where he was and reminding him that the emergency food money wasn't for comic books.
He returned to the manor minutes later; Alfred had gone to sleep and Bruce was still in the cave. Wally peeked down the stairs to find him still at it, his cowl still up and a scowl on his face.
For a moment... he found Batman to be a little intimidating again. The way he used to be, before he found out what his skin tasted like. Wally licked his lips and wondered about where his train of thought was going as he walked upstairs and curled up on top of the covers to take a nap. Bruce would have to come to bed eventually. He yawned and dozed off.
When he woke back up, he rubbed his eyes and looked around for what stirred him.
Bruce was still in full uniform, cowl and all, with his arms crossed as he loomed over the bed. Wally looked up at him, blinking the bleariness out of his eyes with another yawn.
"Bruce?"
There was no reply. Wally stretched, with little pops as his back cracked. And still, Bruce didn't even move.
"Are you ok?" Wally frowned.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but promptly forgot it when Bruce swept forward, grabbing his arms and pushing him back onto the bed with surprising force. He was... growling. Wally looked back at the cowl's blank lenses with wide eyes. He was a little afraid again, but his body was reacting with swift arousal. 'It must be the uniform...'
Bruce released his grip, then proceeded to hastily tear off Wally's shirt, ripping it down the front, then yanked off the pajama pants and exposed just how he was responding in the the moonlight coming in through the open window.
Wally gasped as the leather of the gauntlets worked their way over every inch of his skin methodically, and the only sounds Bruce still made were more low growls rumbling in his throat.
Bruce rose off him, then threw him on his stomach roughly and he could hear the uniform coming off and some hunting around in the night stand.
'Oh god, oh god, oh god...' Wally began breathing fast and his heart was thumping a million miles an hour. They'd talked about... this... as much as Bruce ever talked about anything... and now all the apprehension was back, along with hot flushes down his stomach. He gripped the fabric of the pillows under his face and moaned.
When he felt Bruce's touch again, it was the calloused skin of his hands running up his sides, then his nails scratching down his back as they traveled to his ass, where he grabbed each cheek hard, painfully, as his nails dug into his skin. Wally moaned again, and raised himself a little off the covers.
He gripped the pillow harder as he was yanked onto his knees and his legs were shoved apart with Bruce's. Then he felt slick fingers sliding down and... into him, the first motion that wasn't rough and hard, but still hurt a little, and he gasped, then bit into the pillow. They slid in and out slowly, and Wally moaned helplessly, pushing his legs a little further apart. He felt himself relaxing against the motions, that stopped hurting, and became an sweet pressure.
Then they drew out, and Wally fought to keep relaxed, bracing himself and gripping his eyes shut, the taste of fabric still in his mouth as he breathed heavily through his teeth.
It seemed like an eternity passed before Bruce was touching him again, gripping his ass, pushing on it firmly as another hot, slick intruder slowly, oh so slowly, forced into him with a sharp pain that made him cry out and arch his back, pulling his head up.
Despite the pain, the incredible, filling pressure was sending hot spikes of pleasure that were filling every part of him and numbing his nerves with caresses of ecstasy. The only thought his mind could process was that he felt... owned.
Bruce leaned over him, one hand propped under him and the other grabbing onto his own erection as his hips finally pressed against him. Wally just shuddered and moaned with sounds that meant to come out as words, but emerged as formless cries in the dark.
Then he was moving again, thrusts that began carefully and became faster, harder, and seemed to pierce through the length of his body unforgivably. Bruce was grunting loud, animalistic noises above him, biting his shoulders hard; Wally was sure the last one drew blood, but he didn't care, just kept shuddering under him.
The pleasure began washing over him and tightening in Bruce's grip, and Wally began to vibrate involuntarily. As he did, the sounds in his ear became louder, and hot, rapid breath began flowing over his back. He couldn't hang on much longer, feeling both sanity and his control over any part of him giving away rapidly.
Bruce came with a feral yell and a final, brutal thrust, his grip on Wally's erection tightening and forcing him into his own earth-shattering orgasm, blinding white flashing before his closed eyes, and his knees gave out.
They were both panting and dripping with sweat, laying where they fell for a full minute before Bruce pulled away. Wally wiped his forehead awkwardly, listening to his racing heartbeat begin to finally slow down. He tried to speak, but nothing came out but a sigh. Kicking the soiled, torn clothes that had been underneath him off the bed he curled up and pushed the pillow under his head, giving in to exhaustion, mental and physical.
Bruce sat next to him moments later, stroking his hair gently.
"I'm sorry... if that was..."
"No."
Wally smiled, then was being kissed tenderly.
"Thank you." Bruce whispered.
"Mmmm."
Bruce continued stroking his hair quietly, until Wally found the strength to open his eyes and sit up against the headboard, pulling his knees against his chest.
"I've been giving your offer some thought."
He leaned his head to one side and studied Bruce's face. He looked unexpectedly relaxed and content, even if he wasn't really smiling. That was alright.
"What have you decided?"
Wally grinned, then leaned forward, pushing his knees down and wrapping his arms around Bruce, giving him a long, deep kiss before pulling back.
"I have to run it by Bart first, but... yes."
"I'm glad." Bruce said quietly, lacing his fingers in Wally's hair and cupping the back of his head softly. "Very glad."
* * *
Bruce waited with Wally until he fell asleep in a little vibrating ball under the covers, caressing him gently until his breath was even and deep. 'I don't deserve him.'
He slid off the bed carefully, so as not to wake him, and quietly put on a pair of sweatpants and a robe. He balled up Wally's destroyed clothes and threw them away before collecting the scattered pieces of his uniform into his arm and returned to the cave. Bruce arranged them on their stand neatly, then sat down in his chair and flicked the computer screen back on.
The Joker coming after Batman was nothing new; but a threat to Bruce Wayne, and possibly Alfred if he attacked the manor, was very different.
That he could do little more than simply defend against Brannock's attacks was maddening. The man was smart, covering his tracks well. The Montana compound had been left stripped of any connexions to the man or his organization. What he needed was an inside man to infiltrate that organization.
Question's attempt to draw him out had been clever, but hadn't fooled him enough to be helpful. Their next move had to be better. And his latest report, that Brannock had been seen at political functions recently, was worrisome.
He ran through the files on the politicians seen talking with him regularly, and frowned. Senators, congressmen, all with questionable ties to organized crime that they'd been careful about hiding; but not careful enough to hide from him or his agent.
"Hmm."
An inside man. He frowned as an idea played around in his head. If he could arrange it, and Wally agreed... Bart could become very useful to him.
Bruce sighed and switched off the monitor again, rising heavily and holding his hands behind his back as he paced, then walked back upstairs. He stopped in the kitchen, drinking a tall glass of water, before mounting the stairs and silently returning to his bedroom.
He pulled off his robe and draped it over a chair, then pulled back the covers of his bed a bit, sliding behind Wally carefully and wrapping his arm around him.
He still smelled musky, and tasted like salt under his lips as he pressed them gently on his back. Bruises and teeth marks were still scattered there, which he kissed each in turn, lingering on the one ringed with traces of dried blood. That one made his chest tighten a bit, and he sighed.
Wally stirred and unfolded, turning over and wiggling into his arms and kissing his collarbone as he relaxed back into sleep. Bruce pulled him close and put his head down, closing his eyes and sighing again. 'I don't deserve him.'
Part Twenty-Nine: Possession
'I wish I could figure Bruce out. But I suppose nobody ever actually has. Everyone who's claimed to ends up being wrong at least half the time. Moving in... It'd be great, but that place is so... HIS. Along with everything in it. Do I want to be Batman's pet Flash?'
"Agggghhh! Please, please, let me down!" The burglar cried, losing the stony defiance he'd had not moments earlier. "I can't talk, he'll kill me!"
Wally looked down at the black-clad man he was dangling off the roof of Central City Savings & Loan, cocking his head to one side and narrowing his gaze.
"I dunno man, your current situation doesn't look a whole lot better. I'd take my chances if I were you."
"No!"
With a shrug, he dropped him.
The scream of terror fell about halfway down the side before Wally ran down, caught his leg again, and ran up to the top of the Wilson & Hudson Building, which was significantly higher off the ground, and repeated holding him with one arm out over the street. 'I think I kinda like the idea... A lot. And that's a little scary. In a lotta ways, I think I knew that getting into this. Bruce owns everything and everyone around him, in a way... At least in his own head. That's what makes him Bats, after all.'
"Ready to talk?"
The man's eyes were now wide with fear, with beads of sweat forming on his brow and his skin gone pale in the light from a flood lamp on the next roof over.
"Yes, yes, oh God, please put me down!" He gasped through his racing breath.
"Sure." Wally smirked and set the guy down on the roofing tiles, his hands already bound behind him with handcuffs he'd tried to use on a guard. "One more time; I know you were working with the Joker last time he was in town. I saw you. And that's a gig I took a little personally, seeing as you clowns tried to off me." He knelt down in front of the guy, adjusting his black jacket that had started to slide off his arms for him. "Where is he?"
"I'm not workin' for him anymore, I swear to God, I swear..."
"But you know something." Wally said tersely, sitting back on his heels and leaning forward on his knees.
"Yeah. We took some jobs all over the place... I'd worked for the guy before, real nut, but it payed off pretty well. But he was all different right before then. Kept callin' some guy." He'd visibly relaxed some, and took some deep breaths. "You can protect me, right?"
"I'll put in a good word with the cops. If you've got something."
"Cops ain't gonna be good enough."
"You want to spend some quality time with Batman? I can have him here in seconds. Literally. You'll wish you were back dangling off the roof." The thug's eyes widened again at that. "Talk."
"Ok, ok." He swallowed loudly. "Uh, 'bout a week ago we were still layin' low in Chicago, hadn't been workin' for a while. Guys started gettin' all ansy, wantin' out. So the clown makes a call, then says we're all cut loose, throws some cash at us, and we get out. I was goin' to take a leak when he was on the phone again, got all curious. Heard him say something about goin' back to Gotham, takin' care of a loose end."
"What kind of loose end?"
"Dunno... said somethin' about double-talkers bein' unreliable. Whatever that means. That's all I know, I swear."
Wally's stomach dropped and a cold flush ran over his chest. He had to get to Gotham.
He tossed the guy over his shoulder and ran him down to where the cops were rounding up his cohorts, setting him down in front of a gruff lieutenant that appeared to be in charge.
"This one just gave me some help on an investigation of mine. I'd appreciate it if you put in a good word. He'll need protection, too." Wally said with a gestured thumb.
He watched the guy nod fervently as he was read his rights and pushed into the back of a cruiser.
"I'll see what I can do. Thanks, Flash. Always appreciated."
The cop extended his hand, and they exchanged a firm handshake before Wally took off east like his life depended on it. His com was making the funny dissonant noise it did when someone tried to contact him and he was going over the speed of sound, but ignored it. They could wait.
It was just after 11; Bruce would be on patrol on the north side. He stopped just outside the Trigate Bridge and tapped his com.
"Yes?"
"Bats, what's your location?"
"Old Gotham, 11th Street & West."
Wally took off and up the side of a brick wall, finding Bruce on the corner, looking out with his binoculars.
"Flash, this is the Watchtower, please come in." Superman's voice said with exasperation.
"What?!" He finally replied.
Bruce looked up at him curiously at that, Wally just held up his index finger and turned to one side, hand on his hip.
"I'm sorry if this is a bad time, but we need your help. There's a wildfire in southern California threatening a retirement community..."
"You can't handle it without me?"
"Supergirl and GL are there, but I'd like to give her some backup."
"I'm on another mission Supes. If you need me, call back, but now's a bad time."
"You know, you're starting to sound just like..."
"Hey now! I do have other stuff to do, you know. If things get nuts, I'll be there in seconds, okay?"
There was a pause and a sigh on the other end, and Wally rolled his eyes. Supes was being so weird about him and Bruce and it was really starting to get on his nerves.
"Alright. Watchtower out."
"Cripes." Wally muttered as he walked over to Bruce and knelt beside him.
All the worry he'd carried from his home city turned into relief at seeing him still alright, and he couldn't help but lean over and nuzzle his face against Bruce's a little, the cowl cold on his cheek.
"I thought you said you were on a mission." Bruce whispered.
"I am. I stopped a jewel heist in Central City, recognized one of the thugs once I unmasked them. He was one of the guys with Joker when I got gassed. Guess he thought I was out of commission, so he decided to come back." He sighed and sat on his heels, resting forward with his hands on the edge of the roof ledge. "But that's not the important part. I tried to get the Joker's whereabouts out of him, and what he told me makes me think Joker's coming back to Gotham to get you."
"Joker's always trying to 'get' me."
"No, not you. You." Wally glanced around them a bit. "To finish what Two-Face started. I think he knows who you are."
"So far Brannock hasn't revealed that to any of his minions. Hopefully this isn't an exception." He replied thoughtfully.
"You two have history. Very public, very dramatic history. He mighta, just out of spite." Wally said, then swallowed and bit his lip.
"Damn." Bruce muttered harshly, as if he'd been thinking to himself and not even listening anymore. "I was afraid of this."
He tapped his com with a dark look that made Wally a little worried.
"Alfred, activate manor security protocol Alpha and retrieve the signal watch from the cave. I want you wearing it at all times until further notice. I'll explain later. B out."
Bruce turned and looked at Wally, still with that firm expression, but didn't say anything, just turned and leaped off the roof. He wasn't sure if that was a dismissal, or a 'come with me' or what, but he wasn't about to be left out of this. He followed Bruce to the car, leaping into the passenger seat as the canopy slid open.
Still, Bruce said nothing, and didn't even look at him as he turned on the rumbling engine and the Batmobile flew out of its hiding spot in a culvert, headed toward Bristol. Wally watched his face, rimmed in the faint lights of the console, looking straight ahead with a jaw that rippled with tension.
When they reached the cave, Bruce jumped out and went straight to his computer. Alfred was waiting, and got a terse summary of the situation as he brought up his Joker files and began pouring through them.
Wally perched on a work bench that had been set up near the terminal, drawing his knees to his chest and leaning his head on arms crossed over them, watching the images and data fly by. Listening to the fluttering and screeching of bats echo around them. Wondering if he should leave, after all.
"Master Wally?" Alfred's ever-genteel voice said after several long minutes; he hadn't even heard him come back downstairs.
"Yeah Alfred?"
"I could use your assistance upstairs, if you'd be so kind."
"Oh, sure."
Wally followed Alfred up the steps, then dashed upstairs, changed into jeans and a sweatshirt, and went back to Alfred's side in the blink of an eye as he walked into the kitchen. The smell of brownies was drifting around and made his mouth water.
"What do you need?"
"I am uncertain as to if the quality of this batch is up to par, and I require a guinea pig, as it were."
Wally looked at him, a little confused, as Alfred pulled on an oven mitt and took a tray out of the oven, setting it on the counter gingerly. When he looked back up at Wally's still perplexed expression, he raised an eyebrow.
"Is there something particularly difficult to understand about eating? It's been my experience that you're quite the expert."
"Well, no..."
Alfred sighed and gave him a look that he often got after becoming particularly exasperating and someone was about to smack him. Then it softened, and Alfred went about grabbing ice cream out of the freezer and getting a pair of spoons and bowls. He dished them both out some chocolate fudge swirl, and sat down on a stool at the counter, gesturing for Wally to do the same.
"I apologize, Master Wally. It is easy to forget you've little experience with Master Bruce when it comes to his... conflict with the mad clown."
"Well... I've had some. He was part of the Injustice Gang that Luthor put together... well, kinda. According to Luthor he pretty much invited himself along... and stuff." He swirled the spoon around in the ice cream before taking a bite. "I guess I really haven't. I've heard it's pretty intense."
"That would be something of an understatement. I have often feared it is an obsession. And his attack on you did nothing to alleviate it."
They ate in silence with their own thoughts for a few moments.
"I wanted to draw you away, Master Wally. That is all. I hope it was not to presumptuous of me, but I fear when his mind is consumed by him, there is little room for much else."
"Yeah." Wally pushed the ice cream around with his spoon idly. "You know he asked me to move in?"
"Yes, he did mention that."
"I guess that thing that's really stopping me right now... well... he's Batman. You know? It's been so great, but I just... part of me keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"You believe because he is reserved and intentionally withholding when it comes to others that trust is a state that he cannot maintain?"
"Well... yeah. And I mean... We've talked about it a little. And I've heard things. Seems like he's just had this unending string of relationships and flirtations and stuff that go nowhere." Wally sighed. "And I can't keep that out of my head." He frowned, then laughed. "Why am I talking to you about this?"
"Perhaps because I may have an answer. And, I'm the one with the food. You have a definite tendency to confide in those that offer you something to eat."
"I do?"
"That has been my understanding, yes."
"Huh." Wally took another bite thoughtfully. "Well... do you mind?"
"Why do you think I made brownies at midnight?" Alfred said wryly. "Speaking of which, I believe they are cool enough now."
Wally laughed and shook his head, watching Alfred cut out squares and lay them neatly on a blue china platter in a spiral pattern, handing the last few to Wally and tidying as he began to respond.
"When it comes to Master Bruce and romance... I believe you may be under a mistaken impression. Those relationships have all ended before becoming serious, or never began, because he believed they would not allow him to continue leading his life as he does. Either that, or though the lady's own actions and choice."
"What do you mean?"
"For one thing, many of these rumoured love affairs of his never happened. He has often bemoaned the tendency of the superhero community to gossip, and outlined much of it. Regardless of my interest in hearing about it..."
Wally chuckled a little at that.
"And the ones that did?"
"Mm. Some of them were with Bruce Wayne. Some of them were with the Batman. I fear that they didn't last because neither of those men truly exist. No matter what Master Bruce leads himself to believe. They loved shadows. But those that truly win his affections..." He paused, pushing the finished bowl away from him and folding his hands. "He is not one to go about anything by halves."
Wally looked at Alfred long and careful, then began chewing on his lip.
"So... where do I fit in?"
"I think you already know, Master Wally." He said with a smile that faded. "And on that note, I will again remind you that at such times as this, he is not... himself."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Alfred frowned and paused in the doorway, as if seeking the words to satisfy a thought.
"I trust you will." He said quietly.
* * *
Wally ran home to check on Bart; sleeping like a log and snoring like a chainsaw. He left a note for him on the freezer door, telling him where he was and reminding him that the emergency food money wasn't for comic books.
He returned to the manor minutes later; Alfred had gone to sleep and Bruce was still in the cave. Wally peeked down the stairs to find him still at it, his cowl still up and a scowl on his face.
For a moment... he found Batman to be a little intimidating again. The way he used to be, before he found out what his skin tasted like. Wally licked his lips and wondered about where his train of thought was going as he walked upstairs and curled up on top of the covers to take a nap. Bruce would have to come to bed eventually. He yawned and dozed off.
When he woke back up, he rubbed his eyes and looked around for what stirred him.
Bruce was still in full uniform, cowl and all, with his arms crossed as he loomed over the bed. Wally looked up at him, blinking the bleariness out of his eyes with another yawn.
"Bruce?"
There was no reply. Wally stretched, with little pops as his back cracked. And still, Bruce didn't even move.
"Are you ok?" Wally frowned.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but promptly forgot it when Bruce swept forward, grabbing his arms and pushing him back onto the bed with surprising force. He was... growling. Wally looked back at the cowl's blank lenses with wide eyes. He was a little afraid again, but his body was reacting with swift arousal. 'It must be the uniform...'
Bruce released his grip, then proceeded to hastily tear off Wally's shirt, ripping it down the front, then yanked off the pajama pants and exposed just how he was responding in the the moonlight coming in through the open window.
Wally gasped as the leather of the gauntlets worked their way over every inch of his skin methodically, and the only sounds Bruce still made were more low growls rumbling in his throat.
Bruce rose off him, then threw him on his stomach roughly and he could hear the uniform coming off and some hunting around in the night stand.
'Oh god, oh god, oh god...' Wally began breathing fast and his heart was thumping a million miles an hour. They'd talked about... this... as much as Bruce ever talked about anything... and now all the apprehension was back, along with hot flushes down his stomach. He gripped the fabric of the pillows under his face and moaned.
When he felt Bruce's touch again, it was the calloused skin of his hands running up his sides, then his nails scratching down his back as they traveled to his ass, where he grabbed each cheek hard, painfully, as his nails dug into his skin. Wally moaned again, and raised himself a little off the covers.
He gripped the pillow harder as he was yanked onto his knees and his legs were shoved apart with Bruce's. Then he felt slick fingers sliding down and... into him, the first motion that wasn't rough and hard, but still hurt a little, and he gasped, then bit into the pillow. They slid in and out slowly, and Wally moaned helplessly, pushing his legs a little further apart. He felt himself relaxing against the motions, that stopped hurting, and became an sweet pressure.
Then they drew out, and Wally fought to keep relaxed, bracing himself and gripping his eyes shut, the taste of fabric still in his mouth as he breathed heavily through his teeth.
It seemed like an eternity passed before Bruce was touching him again, gripping his ass, pushing on it firmly as another hot, slick intruder slowly, oh so slowly, forced into him with a sharp pain that made him cry out and arch his back, pulling his head up.
Despite the pain, the incredible, filling pressure was sending hot spikes of pleasure that were filling every part of him and numbing his nerves with caresses of ecstasy. The only thought his mind could process was that he felt... owned.
Bruce leaned over him, one hand propped under him and the other grabbing onto his own erection as his hips finally pressed against him. Wally just shuddered and moaned with sounds that meant to come out as words, but emerged as formless cries in the dark.
Then he was moving again, thrusts that began carefully and became faster, harder, and seemed to pierce through the length of his body unforgivably. Bruce was grunting loud, animalistic noises above him, biting his shoulders hard; Wally was sure the last one drew blood, but he didn't care, just kept shuddering under him.
The pleasure began washing over him and tightening in Bruce's grip, and Wally began to vibrate involuntarily. As he did, the sounds in his ear became louder, and hot, rapid breath began flowing over his back. He couldn't hang on much longer, feeling both sanity and his control over any part of him giving away rapidly.
Bruce came with a feral yell and a final, brutal thrust, his grip on Wally's erection tightening and forcing him into his own earth-shattering orgasm, blinding white flashing before his closed eyes, and his knees gave out.
They were both panting and dripping with sweat, laying where they fell for a full minute before Bruce pulled away. Wally wiped his forehead awkwardly, listening to his racing heartbeat begin to finally slow down. He tried to speak, but nothing came out but a sigh. Kicking the soiled, torn clothes that had been underneath him off the bed he curled up and pushed the pillow under his head, giving in to exhaustion, mental and physical.
Bruce sat next to him moments later, stroking his hair gently.
"I'm sorry... if that was..."
"No."
Wally smiled, then was being kissed tenderly.
"Thank you." Bruce whispered.
"Mmmm."
Bruce continued stroking his hair quietly, until Wally found the strength to open his eyes and sit up against the headboard, pulling his knees against his chest.
"I've been giving your offer some thought."
He leaned his head to one side and studied Bruce's face. He looked unexpectedly relaxed and content, even if he wasn't really smiling. That was alright.
"What have you decided?"
Wally grinned, then leaned forward, pushing his knees down and wrapping his arms around Bruce, giving him a long, deep kiss before pulling back.
"I have to run it by Bart first, but... yes."
"I'm glad." Bruce said quietly, lacing his fingers in Wally's hair and cupping the back of his head softly. "Very glad."
* * *
Bruce waited with Wally until he fell asleep in a little vibrating ball under the covers, caressing him gently until his breath was even and deep. 'I don't deserve him.'
He slid off the bed carefully, so as not to wake him, and quietly put on a pair of sweatpants and a robe. He balled up Wally's destroyed clothes and threw them away before collecting the scattered pieces of his uniform into his arm and returned to the cave. Bruce arranged them on their stand neatly, then sat down in his chair and flicked the computer screen back on.
The Joker coming after Batman was nothing new; but a threat to Bruce Wayne, and possibly Alfred if he attacked the manor, was very different.
That he could do little more than simply defend against Brannock's attacks was maddening. The man was smart, covering his tracks well. The Montana compound had been left stripped of any connexions to the man or his organization. What he needed was an inside man to infiltrate that organization.
Question's attempt to draw him out had been clever, but hadn't fooled him enough to be helpful. Their next move had to be better. And his latest report, that Brannock had been seen at political functions recently, was worrisome.
He ran through the files on the politicians seen talking with him regularly, and frowned. Senators, congressmen, all with questionable ties to organized crime that they'd been careful about hiding; but not careful enough to hide from him or his agent.
"Hmm."
An inside man. He frowned as an idea played around in his head. If he could arrange it, and Wally agreed... Bart could become very useful to him.
Bruce sighed and switched off the monitor again, rising heavily and holding his hands behind his back as he paced, then walked back upstairs. He stopped in the kitchen, drinking a tall glass of water, before mounting the stairs and silently returning to his bedroom.
He pulled off his robe and draped it over a chair, then pulled back the covers of his bed a bit, sliding behind Wally carefully and wrapping his arm around him.
He still smelled musky, and tasted like salt under his lips as he pressed them gently on his back. Bruises and teeth marks were still scattered there, which he kissed each in turn, lingering on the one ringed with traces of dried blood. That one made his chest tighten a bit, and he sighed.
Wally stirred and unfolded, turning over and wiggling into his arms and kissing his collarbone as he relaxed back into sleep. Bruce pulled him close and put his head down, closing his eyes and sighing again. 'I don't deserve him.'
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on 2006-05-25 05:50 am (UTC)Hope you don't mind me friend-ing you.
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on 2006-05-25 05:59 am (UTC)I hope you like it all, great to hear you liked this one. :D
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on 2006-05-25 10:42 am (UTC)Now I'm asking this, b/c I've been watching Superman the animated series. I used to not care for his character all that much, but this cartoon has grown on me...
Both Flash and Bats were so mean (if not very rude) to him when they had first met him!
Dick: Gosh, you're acting sensitive about this. Any reason why?
Wachey: What? A girl can't have a change of heart?
Dick: Well, as long as it's honest compassion, okay. So Vic, can I call you Vic? What would you like her to draw for this chapter?
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on 2006-05-25 10:52 am (UTC)Are you kiddin'? I was all about Flash in Speed Demons. And... Supes has already been a hurtful jerk. Dunno how much worse I could write him, heh.
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on 2006-05-25 11:14 am (UTC)And I very much enjoyed Speed Demons. I even squee-ed, and my bro called me a dork for it. Geesh, what did I say in that post that makes you think these conclusions?
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on 2006-05-25 11:24 am (UTC)Not to mean you didn't like him, of course. Everyone likes Flash. But you did say you didn't care for him at first. :P
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on 2006-05-25 11:33 am (UTC)Superman was the hero I thought sucked, but now that I'm watching the series, (at this very moment), I've greatly warmed upto his character. I thought it'd be stupid, but it's actually good.
And about the sex, my bad! I guess I don't consider hand-jobs enough. I like the full enchilada dang it! Maybe I'm just greedy.
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on 2006-05-25 11:35 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-25 11:38 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-25 02:31 pm (UTC)I loved the first meeting with Batman/Bruce Wayne. It really brought out the fine edge of competition that used to happen in the World's Finest stories between them.
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on 2006-05-25 02:47 pm (UTC)Dick: You're all ready a dick.
Wachey: So are you.
Dick: Oi.
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on 2006-05-25 02:50 pm (UTC)Ahh well, I'm falling into the malaise of being a silver age fan, nowadays anyway.
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on 2006-05-28 08:41 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-28 09:13 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-25 11:37 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-25 11:42 am (UTC)*Melts*
on 2006-05-25 12:05 pm (UTC)Re: *Melts*
on 2006-05-25 12:16 pm (UTC)Re: *Melts*
on 2006-05-25 01:07 pm (UTC)Re: *Melts*
on 2006-05-25 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-25 02:28 pm (UTC)Writer/reader reaction: Brava! Well written, pulled me deep into the characters. Very nicely handled, on how driven Bruce can be, Alfred's warnings, etc.
It continues to amaze.
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on 2006-05-25 05:40 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-26 12:53 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-26 05:42 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-05-26 01:07 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-06-10 02:43 am (UTC)I...
Wow.
Sweet and very very sexy.
Nice.
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on 2006-06-12 05:42 pm (UTC)And it's almost two in the afternoon.
But I love this story anyway and won't stop reading. Sex ent from hot and loving to hot and rough. And now Bruce's mind has caught something he doesn't want to let go. I'm not sure if that's a good thing yet.
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on 2006-06-12 05:47 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-08-07 11:20 pm (UTC)