The Bloom of the Bat
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I only own my OC Genevieve Lily Westenra.
Thanks to my awesome PT and co-writer, kurounue13!
"Geney!" Bruce called after his friend as she ran through the garden. She ran down the stone steps and hid amungst the lillies. She smiled as she smelled the lillies as she hid in them. "GOT YOU!" Bruce said as he hugged her. "Should have known to find a Lily in a Lily garden." he said. Lily laughed as she hugged her friend. "You always find me. What do you have bat sonar?" she asked with a laugh. "Maybe." Bruce took her hand as they walked through the garden. She smiled as she held Bruce's hand as they walked in a comfortable silence.
"Bruce, do you think we will always be friends?" Lily asked. "No." he said and she looked at him. "I know we'll always be friends." he said and she smiled as she hugged him. "So will I." she said.
"Master Bruce? Miss Lily?" They heard Alfred call. "I brought your picnic."
The two children smiled as they ran towards their picnic. "Thank you Alfred!" She said happily as she gave the elder man a kiss on the cheek. "You're quite welcome, Miss Lily." he said with a smile as the two children sat down for their picnic as Alfred left them to themselves.
"Mmmmm I love Alfred's cooking." Bruce said. "So do I." Lily said as they both dug into their picnic. "You know I will miss stealing bits of your lunch Alfred makes you when we go away to college." she said. "So will I. But that's years from now." Bruce said. "Yup." Lily then stole a piece of Bruce's steak sandwhich. Bruce smirked as he stole one of Lily's potato bites and she smirked at him. Lily stuck her tongue out at him. He smiled and stuck his own tongue out at her after he had swallowed.
She giggled at Bruce and pushed him softly, making him fall over. She giggled as she ran off as he stood up and went to run after her. Right as they ran over the lawn the sprinklers turned on, but that didn't stop them. She laughed as she ran through the sprinklers with Bruce catching up. The two laughed and danced around in the water.
Soon Lily laid in the grass as she let the water fall on her. Bruce soon fell beside her. They looked up at the small rainbows being made by the water. Bruce took Lily's hand as they laid there.
Lily smiled over at Bruce. "Bruce?" she asked. "Yes Geney?" He said as he smiled back. "Do you ever think...maybe, some time in the future, we would ever..." she trailed off. "Ever what, Geney?" he asked. "Well...do you think we would ever be...more than friends?" she asked softly as she looked up at the sky instead of at him. "It's possible." Bruce said, still looking at her. "But no matter what...you'll always be my best friend." he said. She smiled over at him. "You'll always be mine too... no matter how much you steal my food." she giggled.
Bruce stared at the photograph of him and Lily as children. He sighed heavily as he put the photo back on his desk.
"18 years later and every day I still blame myself." Bruce said to himself as he leaned back in his seat. Lily had gone missing a week after the photo was taken. No one knew or saw anything, she simply disappeared.
Bruce heard the news on in the background as they were getting back to some of the latest news stories as he closed his eyes and rubbed them tiredly. Since the day she was missing, he hadn't had one good night's sleep. "Mr. Wayne?" He looked up and saw Lucius Fox standing before him. "Yes, Mr. Fox?" he asked as he looked up at his friend.
"Are you alright? You seemed distant this morning at the meeting. Was it another rough night of fighting crime or just no sleep period?" he asked. "A little of both. My apologies." he said. "Is there anything you need to get off your chest?" he asked.
"Yes, but I think I'd rather leave it alone. It's all in this photo." Bruce said as he pulled the photo of him and Lily as he gave it to Lucius. "Oh, I see." he took the photo in his hands.
"It's 18 years ago today in about.. Four hours and thirteen minutes, it will be the exact time she went missing today." Bruce said. "My sympathies to you Bruce. Were you close?" Lucius asked. "Closer than anything. I never told anyone this, but she was my whole life, my whole world. I was going to ask her out that day." he said as he let out another heavy sigh.
"And they haven't found anything?" Fox asked. "Nothing. It's like she just disappeared from the world. I was promised that if anyone found anything about it that they would contact me first. Her parents died and left her everything if she ever did come back, but for now it's in my care, and I think that everyone has pretty much declared her dead since it's been over seven years." he said.
Lucius pondered for a moment. "Bruce, I have connections, course it isn't anything...legal, but I can see if I can dig up something, but I make no promises, I am just curious is all. And you know what happens when I get curious." He said as he put the picture back down. "I'm very familiar with it." Bruce said. "Do what you must, Lucius. I trust you."
"I'll make some calls then." Lucius turned and went to the elevator.
Bruce nodded as he sat back in his seat as he looked down at his desk, and gazed on Lily's 12 year old face wistfully before he sighed and shook his head of the memories that haunted him of her as he got up and pulled his suit jacket on as he went back to his penthouse.
"Ah, Master Bruce, there you are. I was beginning to wonder if you were going to show up for dinner at all." Alfred said from the kitchen. "Sorry, Alfred. I got a little caught up." he said distantly as he took his jacket off and put it on the coat rack as he walked into the kitchen. "As usual I presumed." he said. "Do you need my help with anything, Alfred?" he asked and Alfred could sense the hollow tone in Bruce's voice more prominently now.
"Something troubling you, sir?" he asked him concerned. "It's been 18 years today, Alfred. I still feel like I should do something about it." he said and Alfred instantly knew exactly what was bothering Bruce. "Bruce, there was nothing you could have done. Miss Lily vanish in broad daylight. Whilst you were with your family." he said. Bruce could only nod as he looked down at his hands.
"Bruce, I don't want you to give up on Miss Lily, but I also don't want you to suffer from more dead ends and heartbreak." he said. "Then what am I supposed to do?" Bruce asked as he rested his head in his hands. "That, Master Bruce, is only something you can answer." Alfred said and Bruce nodded. "I guess you're right." he said as he got up and went into the living room as he sat down in one of the chairs by the window as he tried to think of something to do that he hadn't done already to try and find Lily.
One month later...
Lucius's phone rang and he quickly answered it. "Hello. Ah, hello again, Xang. Yes,...that's wonderful news. Thank you again, Xang. Yes, Shi shi." He hung up the phone and a smile was plastered on his face.
Meanwhile, Bruce was in his office getting ready to leave for his penthouse as he shut down his computer and shrugged on his jacket. He came to the elevator and saw Lucius standing there reading something in a file.
"Mr. Fox." Bruce said, with a nod, as he entered the elevator. "Ah, Mr. Wayne, didn't see you there." Lucius said. "I'm just on my way home." he said. "You seem delightfully cheerful. Good news?" he asked. "Oh, nothing really. Just this weekend I'm off to visit my sister. It's my nephew's 15th birthday." Lucius said to Bruce as he closed the file and slipped it under his arm. "Congratulations." Bruce said with a less than convincing smile.
"Perhaps you should go and kick some ass tonight? That always seems to de-stress you." Lucius said. "I plan on it. I've been out tonight for two weeks straight and I plan to be until I find her." Bruce said. "Bruce, did you ever happen to think she might not be in Gotham?" Lucius said. "I don't look in Gotham. I've been looking in Metropolis and a few other places. I just wish I knew how far she was taken." Bruce said. "Well, I haven't found anything yet, but I'm still looking." he said as the doors opened once they reached the lobby.
"I appreciate your help, Lucius." Bruce said as the two stepped out of the elevator. "Try and not break too many faces while I'm gone." Lucius said as he left Wayne Enterprises building as did Bruce as the two went their seperate ways as Bruce made his way back home.
Lucius arrived at the airport and made his way out to the runway where a small jet was awaiting him. "Mr. Fox, so good to see you again." Xang said as they shook hands. "Good evening, Xang." he said with a smile. "The precious cargo has been taken to a secure house successfully." Xang told him as they sat in their seats. "That's wonderful. Thank you very much, Xang." Lucius said. "You are most welcome." The jet took off down the runway and then flew off into the sky.
That Night...
Batman had been scouring Gotham for any crimes or misdoings, but found the city strangely quiet as he kept out of sight. His eyes were locked onto the city before him.
But his mind drifted back to that one thought that had been living deep in his brain forever. He sighed as he saw her face in his mind again, he could only imagine what she looked like now, or what she would have looked like. That last fact hurt him the most that he would even think of that, but it was a possibility.
But after 18 years, was there even a possability that she was alive? And if she was, would she even be his Lily anymore?
His depression was building up quickly as he let his dark thoughts cloud his mind before he couldn't take much more of it anymore as he returned back home.
Meanwhile with Lucius...
The jet landed and Xang and Lucius weren't wasting any time. They quickly decended the jets steps and they were on their way.
"My employer is very anxious to have this back in Gotham as soon as possible." Fox started. "I understand, Mr. Fox. We have been making sure that they have been brought back to good health." Xang said as they made their way inside a hanger. "Do you know what exactly happened?" Fox asked. "When we found your precious cargo, it was locked away in an old house. Shackled to the wall and nearly suffering from hypothermia." Xang told them as they came to stand infront of mock ICU room. "Malnurished and severely dehydrated. I don't know how she managed to stay alive this long. So someone took mercy upon her." Lucius came to stand in front of the glass and saw the woman asleep in the bed.
"She looked a lot worse, she was almost like a living skeleton, literally she looked like skin and bones. We didn't think she would make it." Xang said. "Over the last several days we have been feeding her, making sure she got back up to a healthy weight." Xang was handed something by the nurse. "These are her antibiotics and other medications. She will only need to take them for a few more weeks just till her illness goes away." He handed them to Lucius. "You did the right thing by calling me and my people. I have some of the best field doctors around."
"That's why I called. Is she safe to be flying in her condition?" he asked. "Probably not till tomorrow. Just to be on the safe side you know?" Xang said. "I completely understand." he said. "Once she has woken up you can speak with her. Just don't over do it." Xang said. "I won't. Can I visit with her until she wakes up?" he asked. "Of course." Xang had the nurse open the door to the ICU letting him inside.
Lucius walked into the room as he sat into the chair next to the woman's bed as he looked at her face. She had dark cirlces under her eyes, her skin was incredibly pale. She looked like she had survived a concentration camp. And she was still slightly skeletal looking.
It would be better once she was home in Gotham. There she could get even better care untill she was completely healthy. He just hoped that Bruce wouldn't be too terrified of how drastically she had changed.
"Mmmm," He looked up as he heard her start to wake up. Her eyes started to open slightly as she winced even at the low lights in the room. "Miss Westenra?" She heard a blurry voice call to her.
She had to find her voice as she blinked her eyes open and turned her head towards the voice weakly, Lucius hadn't seen anyone so weak before and he could only imagine how weak she was before.
"Yes?" she asked, her voice soft and raspy. "My name is Lucius Fox." He said as her vision cleared, allowing her to see him. She nodded, not able to speak. "I'm a friend and co-worker of Bruce Wayne." He said softly as he saw some light return to her eyes.
"Bruce? How is Bruce? I miss him terribly. I haven't seen him since I was twelve and-" she started before she coughed as she lost her voice. "It's alright, Miss Westenra, don't push yourself. As for Bruce, he took over his family company when he got older. His parents are murdered as you remember. He has made Wayne Enterprises a multi-billion corporation, but what he wants most is you. He has never given up hope that he would find you one day."
"I've tried to get back to him. I've been fighting for 18 years...I don't remember much about myself though." she said softly. "We can help you. I promise the one thing that will not happen is a shit ton of therapists telling you things you already know." he said. "Thank you. I already know what has happened to me, and one of them caused me to have a miscarriage because of my condition." she said. Lucius almost fell out of his chair. "What?"
"I was raped, Mr. Fox." she said as she looked at him. "Repeatedly. I had my miscarriage at 18." she said. "I am so sorry that you had to go through with this, Miss Lily." He said as he sat there pondering what this poor girl went through. "You sound like my old friend Alfred. How is he?" she asked. "That old man will never die." Lucius said jokingly. "He is his wonderful self as always."
"That's wonderful. Will I be able to go home soon? Do you know where I was?" she asked. "You were in Canada, I'm not sure exactly where. And tomorrow you will return home, with me." he said. "Will I be able to see Bruce tomorrow?" she asked. "I want to make sure you are in better condition first. Seeing you in this state would rip his heart to shreds." he said. "May I at least speak to him over the telephone?" she asked. He gave her a smile. "Well, I and my partner in crime, Mr. Alfred, have something under our sleeves." He said, making her smile. "Bruce's birthday is in a few days."
"Will I be in a good enough condition to see him by then? I would love to see him on his birthday." she said. "Alfred and I will make sure of that. You know what Alfred's cooking does to a thin person." Lucius laughed. "I think I gained 20 pounds just from one of his dinners."
"Yes he is an excellent cook." she said. "Now you must get back to rest so we can fly you home tomorrow." he said. "Alright. Thank you for visiting, Mr. Fox." she said before she soon fell back to sleep.
The Next Day...
Back in Gotham
Lucius had helped Lily off of the plane when they landed back in Gotham. He had an arm the whole time as they walked to the car. He helped her in before he got in and the car took off. "How are you feeling, Miss Westenra?" he asked. "I'm having a bit of that breathing problem they told me was going to be normal until I was off of the medicine, but other than that I'm alright." she said. "Did they give you a temporary inhaler for it?" He asked, concerned. "They said it was in the bag with my medicine." she said.
"Alright that's good. And here we are." He said as they arrived at Lucius's home. "Alfred is upstairs waiting for us."
"Oh good, I can't wait to see him again." she said. The car stopped and Lucius helped her out of the car. Then they made their way inside.
She walked in with Lucius still holding on to her arm. "Alfred?" He called out once they were inside. Lily looked up just as the older man almost ran into the room.
A huge smile appeared on Lily's face as she saw Alfred for the first time in 18 years.
The older man almost fell apart at the seams as he walked over and embrace her in his arms. "Oh, my dear girl." He held her tight as he started crying. Lily closed her eyes as she felt tears pouring out of her own eyes as she hugged her dear old friend. "Alfred, I've missed you so much. You, Bruce, my old life. My parents...oh, how are they?" she asked, with a smile. Alfred's face became grim, and he cast a look at Lucius, unable to bring himself to say it.
"Well, my dear, it's been a long time...and your parents never gave up looking for you, you were their entire world and...during their frantic search they...they died in a plane crash." Alfred said and Lily looked at him. "They what?" she asked softly as she couldn't believe it. "They were on their way to go and search, well I don't remember where, but their plane hit a storm. They left you everything, but until you were found, it's been in Master Bruce's care." he said. "What did they leave me? What is everything?" she asked. "Everything. Your mansion, summer vacation mansion homes, yachts, and the family entertainment business." Alfred sighed. "Everything. You are the richest person next to Bruce."
"I'd feel more rich if I had my family." she said softly. "But you have Bruce and I. We are your family as well." he said. She smiled. "Yes, you are. I'm glad I have the two of you." she said as she hugged him again. "And now I am going to stuff a full course meal down that throat of yours to get you back to a proper weight." He said as he lead her to the kitchen.
"Alfred what have you done to my kitchen?"
"You won't be complaining about the kitchen if you were eating this feast I made for Lily." he said with a laugh.
A Few Days Later...
Lucius had taken Lily for a doctor's check up with an asocciate of Xang's. They needed to make sure she was getting better.
All of the medications she was on were seeming to work well with her, especially since she had been getting good amounts of food in her system.
The moment they left the doctor's office, Alfred picked her up and took her for some errands.
Alfred arrived at one of the most famous dress stores in Gotham. "Oh wow. We're going here for my dress?" Lily asked with a bright smile. "Indeed. You know we wouldn't let you go anywhere else." Alfred said as he took her by the arm and lead her inside. Lily smiled as she walked in and instantly saw all kinds of dresses that caught her eye immediately.
She was overcome by the beauty of all the dresses. She started having images of how her mom would dress for parties. Always classy, always elegant. These dresses reminded her of it. She then remembered the very first formal party that her parents had taken her to and Bruce had been there as well. She smiled at her memory of that night that came rushing back to her as she started looking around for a dress.
"Miss Lily," Alfred said as he appeared with a dress bag in his arms. "Already picked one." he said. "Oh." she smiled as she turned to Alfred. "Can I see it?" she asked. "Better yet," He put it in her arms. "Go put it on."
She smiled as she turned and walked into one of the nearby changing rooms as she rushed inside and tried on her dress. She looked in the mirror when she was finished and she audiably gasped as she looked at herself. "Oh wow." she whispered in awe. It had been such a long time since she had been in a formal dress, it was like experiencing it for the first time all over again.
It was a beautifully lush peachy pink color with silver lining down the front along the back and to her side. It was floor length and had a small train.
She smiled as she walked out of the changing room as she approached Alfred in her dress. Alfred had in his hands, a white shoe box. "Shoes too?" she asked with a smile. Alfred came up to her and removed the lid of the box. "Every Cinderella, needs her glass slippers."
Lily smiled as she felt more tears coming to her eyes. "Alfred...oh my gosh, Alfred thank you so much." she said happily as small tears poured from her eyes as she looked at her shoes and took them out of the box as she admired them before she put them down on the ground before she removed her own shoes before putting the new ones on.
They were white with crystals on the heel and just around the base of the ball of the foot.
Lily smiled brightly as she comfortably tried out her shoes that felt very soft and comfortable.
"How do you feel Miss Lily?" Alfred asked. "I feel incredible. I feel like I used to, finally. This is all I wanted was to feel like I used to." she said with tears rolling down her cheeks happily. Alfred hugged her. "Well now you are home." He sighed. "Alright, we must do something with your hair and makeup." He dragged her along still in her dress and shoes.
"Um, Alfred? I'm still in my dress and shoes." Lily said with a small laugh. "I know. That's the point. The party's tonight." Alfred said.
That Night...
Bruce Wayne was at his birthday party as he spent most of the beginning of his party drinking the champagne and wine, not able to help himself.
He didn't want to celebrate his birthday, he just couldn't bring himself to do it this year.
The other years before he could distract himself, just barely, with friends, but in the back of his mind, Lily would still be there and every night he would go to bed dreaming what it would've been like had she been there. But now this year his friends were all out of town on business and it was just him and his full circle thoughts of Lily that were driving him insane that all he could think to do was drink until he fell down.
"Master Bruce." Alfred said as he snatched Bruce's fifth glass of wine out of his hand. "Try and keep yourself distracted. Go and Mingle. And if you must go and get some air on the balcony."
"Alright, I'll be on the balcony." he said moodily as he walked outside. Once he was out there he held onto the railing and sighed heavily. Meanwhile inside, Lily was standing in the back. She had seen how much Bruce had drank before Alfred had snatched it away.
She sighed and wondered if this had been a habit of his and if so for how long as she walked up to Alfred. "Has he been doing that often, Alfred?" she asked, concerned. "Every year since he has turned 21. Important events...your birthday. The anniversary of...well you know." he said.
She sighed. "I didn't think my... you know, would hurt him so badly. I thought I was hurting the most, mainly because in the back of my mind I thought that Bruce had probably forgotten about me and just got married and had some children, honestly." she said softly.
"He's never forgotten. The photo you both took a week before you were taken...is the only photo on his desk at the office." he said.
She sighed as she looked down. "I think I should go out there and talk to him." she said as she watched Bruce hanging his head as he looked down at the city from the balcony. "Then go to him, but be warned he may not recognize you." Alfred said. "Thank you, Alfred." she said as she walked out to the balcony.
She took a deep breath before she looked over at Bruce. "Happy Birthday, Bruce." she said. "Thank you, but can you please just...at this moment, leave me be." He said softly, not looking at her. He didn't know it was her at all. She looked at him. "Sure." she said softly before she walked back in before taking one last look at him.
No, she couldn't walk away. She had to think, what would get his attention. She then smiled. "You asked me once...if we would always be friends." she said softly, hoping he would hear it. She saw his head snap up quicker than she'd ever seen as she smiled at him. "You're my best friend, Brucey." she said.
He turned around as he looked at her and she couldn't help as she smiled bigger at him. "L-lily?" he stuttered and she smiled as tears poured from her eyes. "Brucey." she said. She saw his own tears falling from his eyes. Bruce felt a huge knot in his throat. "Geney?" he asked. "That'd be me." she said happily.
He walked up to her, hesitating as he reached out and touched her face. "You're real...you're real!" He pulled her into his arms and held her as tight as he could. Lily wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes, Brucey, I'm real. I'm alive and I've gotten well." she said as she hugged him tightly. "And I've missed you so much, you have no idea."
He broke down into heart-wrenching sobs as he held her.
Lily smiled as she finally let her own tears out as she dug her head into his shoulder. "Bruce, I can't tell you how much I thought of you and wished that everything I went through was all a terrible nightmare and that I was twelve years old and back with you in your garden." she cried. "I've missed you so much." He sobbed. "I'm so sorry."
"Bruce, nothing is your fault-" she started. "It was. I couldn't find you. I couldn't fix it." His hold on her became tighter than before. "Um, Brucey, I can't breathe." she rasped. "I'm sorry!" He said as he pulled back, finally taking in what she looked like.
"It's alright, I'm fine." she said as she took in a breath and smiled at him as she studied his features that were new to her. "You know, you still look the same to me." she said as she held his face with one of her hands as she stroked his face softly. "You're beautiful." he said. She smiled as she looked down. "Thanks." she said softly before she looked up at him. "I wasn't always. I'm glad you didn't see me when Lucius' friends found me." she said, looking down once again.
Bruce cupped her face before resting his forehead to hers. "Bruce, I'm so happy to be home. You have no idea." Lily whispered as she held on to him and rested her forehead against his as her eyes closed contently. Bruce ignored the rest of the party. After a short time, his guests began to leave. Bruce and Lily were alone together.
The two were slow dancing on the balcony together, no music was playing, but the two friends were too wrapped up in catching up with each other.
Alfred had taken the rest of the night off. Just so they would be together.
"Brucey, I've missed you so much. I can't say that enough." she said as she ran her hand through his hair softly. "I know the feeling." he said. "Do you want to go sit down somewhere or something? I'm feeling a little tired." she said softly. "Ok." He led her back inside. She smiled as the two of them sat down at a side table.
Once inside they sat down on the couch. Bruce sighed. "What happened?" he asked. Lily sighed as she held his hand. "I was raped. Repeatedly. Beaten, and battered." she said quietly. "For 18 years..." He said as tears threatened to reappear. "Yes. I was moved from state to state and then country to country. When someone finally found me I was chained up in some dark shack in Canada." she said as she sniffled and her tears fell out of her eyes uncontrollably.
My God..., He thought as he clenched his hand against his knee. They did that to her..., He could feel himself becoming angry.
"You know, the doctors I saw. They were surprised I wasn't dead. I was so young when all of that happened to me and I could've easily been beaten to death and I was very close to it, from what the doctors told me." she said softly before she broke down in tears.
She saw the color draining from Bruce's face, and his hand was turning white. "Bruce." she said, concerned, as she scooted closer to him. "If I ever get my hands on them..." he said as his anger started making him more into Batman.
"Bruce, honey, calm down." she said as she held his clenched hand. He took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. "I'm sorry." he said. "It's alright. If I had any idea what their names were or what they looked like, I would've told someone by now, but everything is really fuzzy, the only thing I can remember is what happened to me, not much else." she said.
"Geney, stay with me." He asked softly. "What, Brucey?" she asked just as softly as she looked in his eyes when he looked over at her. "Please stay with me. I don't want you alone. Stay with me." Bruce said. "Ok, Brucey, ok, I will." she said to calm him down as she held his hands. "Calm down a little, sweetie."
"I'm sorry, I just...I'm a little overprotective now." Bruce said. "It's ok, Brucey, I can understand why you would be overprotective." Lily said as she kissed his cheek and hugged him. "I'm so glad you're here for me, Brucey."
He smiled softly at her before pulling her into a hug. She smiled as she held on to him, hugging him tightly.
Later That Night...
"Bruce, I don't want to take your bed from you. Come on, you go sleep in your bed and I'll take the couch, it's really no problem." Lily said to Bruce for a third time. "No. Lady takes the bed." He said smartly as he tossed her one of his shirts and sweats. She smiled as she caught his clothes before she walked over and kissed his cheek. "Thanks, Brucey. Good night." she said softly. "Good night, Lily." He said as he walked out of the bedroom.
She shook her head as she changed into his clothes before she let out a sigh before she crawled into his bed and gasped at the comfort under her instead of the discomfort that she'd been sleeping on for such a long time, even in the hospital the bed wasn't easy to sleep on, but in Bruce's bed she felt so comfortable and as if she needed to be in this bed and before she could think anymore about it, she drifted off to sleep.
1:43 AM
During her comfortable night of rest, Lily started to toss and turn. Images swirled in her mind, sounds of her torture rang out in her ears and she clearly saw herself being raped and beaten viciously as she didn't realize she had screamed in torturous pain as she slept. She could feel each one of her sufferings she had gone through during the 18 years she was in literal hell on earth. "GOD, STOP! STOP! STOP! PLEASE STOP!" she screamed in her sleep as she violently tossed and turned.
Bruce jerked awake at the sound of her screams. He went into action and ran into the bedroom.
He saw the worst scene imaginable as Lily thrashed around screaming in her sleep as her eyes were tightly shut. He rushed over and jumped into the bed. He held her down while trying to wake her up. "Geney! Wake up!" he yelled. "NO! NO! PLEASE STOP, DON'T DO THIS PLEASE!" she screamed as she was much too deep in her nightmare.
Bruce then thought of one of the only things that might just wake her up. He put all his weight on her, holding her down. And then, he kissed her.
Her thrashing immediately stopped as he put himself on top of her as her nightmare faded away before she saw herself with Bruce when they were children again, going through his garden and going through her garden. She smiled as she watched the scene before she realized there were lips on her, and she knew those lips because she had accidentally kissed them once when she was 10 when she was going for his cheek but he turned his head at the last second.
She smiled as she kissed him back, slowly trusting herself to wrap her arms around his neck. Bruce felt her arms around him as she slowly started waking up. He then felt her lips press against his as she started to kiss him back. He leaned into the kiss, this might be the only time he'd ever be able to kiss her. So, he kissed her back. He heard a very small, barely audible, moan come from Lily as they kissed.
Slowly, he pulled back from her and waited for her to open her eyes. Her eyes slowly opened as she smiled up at him. "Bruce, thank you." she said as she sat up and hugged him. He held her close as he rolled off of her. Laying there in his arms made Lily feel safe. She wrapped her arms around him as she rested her head on his chest. "Brucey?" she asked softly. "Hmmm?" he hummed. "Will you hold me for the rest of the night?" she asked softly. "Yes." He said softly before pulling her closer. She smiled as she held him closer and tighter before the two both drifted off to sleep for the rest of the night.
