A E Q U I T A S

           “Haven’t seen you in a while, Dent,” he drawls, arms loosely folding over his chest. “Guess that’s a good thing — though I didn’t expect to see you here, of all places. Take it that you’re stickin’ your nose in places people don’t want you to, mnn?” / @bigbadharv​ ♡’d.

he steps in a little deeper, past the window and a little closer to the light. His eyes narrow behind the cowl, contemplating how to start with it. 

       “ Have you considered a vacation, Harvey? “

“Are you even for real?” Harvey took a deep sigh, shaking his head. Perhaps Batman was an illusion of his head, but he had seen so many proofs that the man did exist, so... no, that wasn’t his head trying to take him away from his job.

head turns, catching himself in the nearest reflection. He had thought he’d cleaned himself up before he brought himself over. Rookie Mistake. Knuckle brushed against where he had caught the blood and saw the almost indistinguishable stain against his gloves. 

      “ No need. It’s nothing. I needed to talk to you. “

Of course Batman wouldn’t tell him what was going on. Harvey could have anticipated that, but he would rather have given him the benefit of doubt. “If you came here with blood on your face, so this must be a serious subject.”

   “ What? Something on my face? “

   “ Why? Harvey would’ve thought it was funny. Didn’t you, buddy? “

“No, I’m afraid not. Rouen and Paris are quite different from Gotham.” He gave a little shrug, eyeing his now empty glass. Motioning to the bartender for another glass he turned his attention back to Harv. “I have noticed that this city has a problem with judicial ineptitude. I have walked a similar path before.” A dark and terrible path that led to his ruin and eventual curse. Damned his body and soul. 

“Does it grow tiring, running all the time?” It wasn’t meant to dissuade him so much as an honest question. Years of fleeing from French authorities after his ouster had taken a toll on him and his daughter. Raphael glanced to the bartender again, “go ahead and put his drinks on my tab tonight.”

“European, huh? Sometimes I wonder what makes people leave their places and come to this shithole. No offense, Raph, but Gotham is a nest of snakes.” Harv rested his chin over his palm, elbow on the counter, as he took a deep sigh. He should have made this city better, but he would soon. He just needed to get rid of the Batman, then he would have his chance.

“Blackgate?” A name he wasn’t familiar with, though he was still somewhat new to Gotham and everything it had to offer. Though as Harv continued speaking, it became clear what he meant. “Dare I ask what you were in for? Surely there’s a story there.”

Taking another sip from his drink, his lips quirked into a devious smirk. “I don’t suppose you are still on the lam now, are you?”

“I’m sorry. I forgot you’re not a Gothamite. Blackgate Penitentiary, I meant. I was arrested thanks to Batman, but I was only trying to give this city some real justice. They can never understand me.” A shrug, though he didn’t mind telling that man the truth. Everybody in Gotham knew Two-Face and what he had done, after all.

“Surely, it was meant to be, then.” He said, taking a sip of his drink. While they had only met once before, Raphael had grown fond of the man’s company. There was something about him he found easy to relate to. “My apologies, Harv. I understand the complexities when it comes to names.” Having changed his own so many times to survive, even when he was using his own name, it didn’t always feel like home.

“I can’t complain, nothing really exciting. Sometimes a predictable schedule can be quite relaxing. What about you?”

“Had my fun, though it could’ve been better.” Like... having Batman’s head over his desk, but not always he would have things his way -- plus Harvey would never accept such brutality. “Spent these months in Blackgate, Harvey helped as many people as he could. He did that by offering his services as an attorney to other prisoners. It made him feel better... so I guess it was good.”

@bigbadharv​ said:  Hey, handsome.

It was the man from the bar a few months back. Not someone Raphael was so easy to forget. Intriguing people always stuck out in his mind the most and he remembered their conversation (and the drinks) quite fondly. He raised his glass with that slight smile he wore so well, nodding in the man’s direction. 

                                                                                      ❝ Harvey! ❞ He responded, calling the man over with a tilt of his head.

“Never thought I’d see you again. But it’s a pleasure.” The man took a seat next to Raphael, resting his glass of whiskey with his scarred hand over the counter. “Call me Harv. I particularly don’t feel comfortable when people call me Harvey. It’s complicated.” The bartender eyed both men, a bit scared of Two-Face, but the former District Attorney was used to that kind of reaction.

“ You’ve already said that twice tonight, Harvey. Another, I might actually take you seriously. “