KNOCKIN' HEADS

He’s about to speak out, tell her no, tell her she’s not the one to judge who lives and who dies, even if that one is the Joker himself, but then Jason’s name leaves her lips and Bruce’s train of thought is lost.

Her touch is there, warm and gentle, and yet he barely acknowledges it, grief spreading inside his very soul at the memory of his son, his child, the one thing that has broke him the most ever since his parents’ death. He swallows hard and tries to regain composture, jaw stiffening and slowly pulling her hand away from his face. “I cannot let you do that…” He must be firm, emotions have taken enough of him already.

It brought her no pleasure, dredging up what she knew would bring undeniable pain to him. She’d done her research. As much as she hated to hurt him, appealing to his emotion was more likely to get the response she was hoping for. He wouldn’t listen to reason. She knew that much. His moral compass was immovable. 

“I’m nothing if not professional.” A bitter smile shows on his face at his own words, and knowing she’s right, slowly removes his cowl, but the cape stays as he walks towards her, waving behind his every step.

“Why are you back in Gotham?”

“I don’t make it a habit to drink during duty.”

He stays under the frame of the window for a moment, perhaps gathering himself some courage to what he was about to face. “It’s been a while…”

‘ how professional of you. ’ 

although unintended, each word drips with venom. it was easier keeping him at a distance. acting as though she hated him when that couldn’t be further from the truth. those feelings, however, were a luxury she could not afford. not when she had a mission to complete. one that she knew would pull her even further from him. 

     the chill air from the open window sends goosebumps down her bare arms. she doesn’t need to turn around to know who it was. it could only ever be one person. back still turned to him, she fixes herself a glass of something strong. even after all these years, she needed the liquid courage in order to deal with him. 

nyssa al ghul / raatko

andrea beaumont

helena bertinelli

dawn granger

dinah laurel lance (e-2)

tara markov

kendra saunders