Disclaimer: I don't own any DC Comics content.
Author's Note: This is so exciting!
Welcome, readers! If you are familiar with any of my previous works ("A Combination of Coincidences," "Flash and Pain," and "Investments"), you may or may not be encouraged to note that this story takes place in the same timeline and same DCAU-Pick-and-choose-from-comics/graphic-novels Universe as do they! Specifically, while writing my Batman-centric collection of one-shots titled "Investments," I became increasingly interested in Bruce Wayne's (and the Batman's) relationship with Selina Kyle (aka, the Catwoman).This first story of a future trilogy focuses greatly on that relationship.
I have never posted a multi-chapter work of fanfiction, and those I have written to this point are within my mountains of written/printed work, incomplete. However, this is entirely different. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE AN ENTIRE TRILLOGY TOTALLY PLANNED FROM START TO FINISH! :-D Normally I'm a "flash of a moment" kind of writer that imagines scenes/ moments and not entire plots, but this, especially this first portion…this just became!
I'm insanely busy, but I am dedicated to this story's completion. I'm pretty confident that I can finish at least this first work of the trilogy, but I cannot promise that such will not be a long term project (you could guess that Bruce and Selina's relationship is very complicated); I may not update frequently, but I will update. I hope you're interested and that I can get some good and consistent reviewers to keep me motivated!
To those of who have not read "Investments," such is not necessary to understand this piece, but please do take a look at my other titles (including "Investments") if you're interested. I really hope that you like where my imagination is taking Bruce Wayne's tale.
To those of you coming here after reading "Investments," I hope you're excited. You'll know something of this story inevitably as, like I said, my writings are in continuity. However, you'll not know everything that's been going on in their world. One-shots can only glean an individual so much information when they are spread out over the course of a character's lifetime. ;-) Here is the first installment of a love story which may or may not proceed or end the way you have heretofore imagined, but I do hope that you're satisfied. Curiosity is a curious thing.
I was reluctant to post any of my writing until I had much of it completed and a firm grasp on my plot (I should hate letting people down if I have to abandon the fiction), but now that I have the entire story mapped out, all that is left is to write away…and I can live with that being a work in progress for now, especially so close to the winter holiday when I *should* have considerable time to write…
Without any further ado, I present the (short) prologue to "Investments of the Heart"!
The hard water pounded her aching body, soothing her tight shoulders and the muscles in her upper back. She wiped the water from her eyes and smoothed her hands over her hair, ringing it out only to let it become saturated again. Jazmine wafted in the light steam as she worked her soap into a rich lather on her arms, rinsing them and moving on to her bruised and battered torso, massaging her muscles carefully. The powerful ache felt like an old friend, honest but comforting. The shower was her respite.
"Hey!" Pounding resounded, resonating with the voice from beyond the bathroom door. Her roommate, Holly. "Hurry it up in there! I've got somewhere to be!"
The pounding continued, and Selina sighed, knowing the kind of appointments Holly regularly kept. She had to pay her part of the rent for their small apartment somehow.
"Just a second, just a second!" Selina shouted, wrapping up her shower rather more quickly than she would have liked. Wrapping a long, white towel around her torso (she had insisted upon the good towels) she opened the door old, wooden door.
Holly stood before her in a silver micro mini skirt and tight, metallic blue, scoop necked halter crop top. Her brown eyes, well rimmed in kohl, locked onto Selina's own; frustration evident, she sprung.
"Sorry, 'Lina! You know I can't be late for this one!" she called, weaving around her roommate and slamming the bathroom door behind her. Selina turned away.
There was only so much they could do to make ends meet, and their minimum wage day jobs weren't cutting it when their slumlord jacked up the already ridiculous rent on their hovel. Holly didn't have the particular skills that Selina utilized when making ends meet, so she marketed what she thought she did best.
"You'd better not use my teal shadow!" Selina yelled before disappearing into her own room and shutting the door. "You'd better not come home pregnant," she mumbled from behind its safety. The last thing she wanted was deal with that scare again. Maybe she had been pregnant, maybe not, but when her period came two months late (better late than never!), Holly had only counted her lucky stars and vowed to be more responsible. Selina had breathed a sigh of relief as well. How could they even feed a baby? How could they care for it when they were both working night and day to survive in this crap town?
And the guilt still gnawed at her in even in relief, but she couldn't change what she felt. Selina was honestly relieved, whatever the reason, that Holly had finally cycled again, and she didn't even know if her friend had been pregnant. If she had, did that make Selina an awful person?
She shook her head and leaned back against her door, holding the towel around her tightly. Those answers were best not dwelt upon. Selina had to get herself ready for the night shift.