ғᴇᴀʀ ɪs ᴀ ᴛᴏᴏʟ.

mutuals only bruce wayne based off the film the batman (2022)

                  “  An’ you’re gonna pay jus’ for that .  ”      That wasn’t a bad gig at all .     Weird ,      but nowhere near one of the oddest requests she’d gotten from men like him when she was in her twenties .      “  Twice a month ,     that’s it ?      This so you don’ look like some loner weird-o ta people ?  ”     She shouldn’t of asked so rudely but it was his reputation after all ,     and she’s sure he’s well aware of it .

“  Alright ,    got it .     Nah it’s cool .  ”     It’s said with a shrug as she got back to her work .     “  Kinda nice having someone to actually talk to at this time .  ”    She looks down at the corpse she was working on in front of her ,     pulling suture to shut mouth closed .     “  Not like these guys are doin’ a lotta talkin’ .  ”

“yes. just to... specific people.” he mumbled, grateful she was focused on the body in front of her instead of looking at him. “i’ll text you, then.” it was weird, saying that to someone and meaning it.

bruce didn’t think this would be easy, but he avoided any further conversation by walking out of the funeral home at full stride, getting to his car and locking himself inside. he was sure that it wasn’t her who did this to him; but the whole concept of being around someone in the way they would pretend to.

@vengeanza​

“Gotham is not what I imagined it to be…it’s much worse.”

                       “  I didn’ say no .  ”     She clarifies quickly while continuing to think through the offer .      She could always use the money ,       she deserved it to indulge herself a bit .      Head’s canted ,      “  Soooo ,      I just gotta go with you places an act like your girl in public ?  ”      Asked as she wanted to make all the conditions clear before she agreed to anything considering she knew how people with money could be slick – even if Bruce didn’t seem like the type that could just be a facade .

“  You don’t have’ta worry about me talkin’ though ,     trust me .  ”

“basically. i’d have you join me in certain events, as my guest. then i can drive you wherever you’d need me to drop you off.” simple, at least in saying. “no baiting photographers or pda... just being around me about twice a month.” if she could stand that. something about her candidness felt trustworthy, as if she didn’t have an interest in sharing much more beyond a pretense. the way she didn’t make fun of the offer as he had expected was also a good sign.

Outside, where no one else had been meandering, Virote had turned still and bitter. A hermit, right in the middle of a party. He could see the crescent moon high and pale yellow, a coin going into a slot of black sky. He thought about slipping out and going home, in a space where he felt less cramped, less eyes watching him. And then he slid into a thoughtless daze, which lasted for all but a full rotation around the clock and some change, until Bruce ended up finding him, making himself comfortable as they looked into the night—over the city, lights shimmering like an ocean. ❝I got weirded out, you know how I am, dontcha? Sometimes, I don’t like being around so many people.❞ Same thing happened at his own father’s shindigs.

He’d be invited, stand around with a glass of wine in hand, and then disappear into a closet until it was a socially acceptable time to say goodbye. He’d hole himself up in his own penthouse, after that. ❝I’m sorry. I get really nervous, these days. Not even sure why.❞ He reached out and adjusted Bruce’s collar. ❝You look really nice tonight, by the way. I mean… You always do.❞

he wasn’t any different. any event he could avoid he would. if forced to attend, he’d eventually withdraw into the shadows. this time he thought he’d have an anchor to the party in his old friend, but he knew exactly how virote could be. if he was honest with himself, he couldn’t say he didn’t expect this. vi’s past antics and old excuses came to mind, causing a half-smile that brightened his features. a comfortable silence settled easily between them, and the sparkling city view beneath them reminded him of their prom night over a decade ago; a party they had also abandoned in favor of a moment alone.

@vengeanza​  liked  for  an  unholy  masquerade  one-liner !

          “ Hiii ! I like your mask . I have one very similar to it back at my flat . ”