No one slept in Wayne Manor early mornings: Bruce was either waking up or just going to bed. He was either with Alfred or Selina. They were either drinking bitter coffee or reliving the night.

Conversations, even the most serious ones, were calm, idle and slowly flowing. Emotions were suppressed by tiredness, fatigue or morning drowsiness.

The house was silent and dark. Sun was not allowed to enter the rooms. Golden fire was deceived by dark shades. The curtains were keeping Wayne Manor far from daylight, concealed from bright colors.

It was a place for night, serenity, sacrality.

Bruce was sitting shirtless. He didn't move as if determined to put all his energy into healing or maybe he was mesmerized by the house silence.

Selina's hands finally stopped smelling like that ointment that she put on him. In the dreamy light of the room, she was the only gloomy element.

He was hurt… yet again.

He was almost killed…yet again.

He was trying to be careful, but a hero status was getting into his head too much. Sometimes he didn't feel pain at all, sometimes he didn't care at all…

Selina cared.

He couldn't help, but be pleased with her attention. This attention usually involved a lot of cursing and irritation, but it was occasionally gentle as well.

Softness was not her prominent side. So it was so strange to see this gentle attitude, to see bits of it in a way she looked at him when his wounds were bleeding, in a way she was touching his bruises, in a way she handed him painkillers.

Maybe he imagined those things…He liked to idealize her after all.

He didn't argue her today. He was so compliant that it irritated her even more.

Well, even if her care wasn't sincere, it was a bit too late to do something about it. Bruce already cared.

He was asking Alfred to stock her favorite food in the fridge, he made sure that there was a room for her and even a spare pajama. He never asked whether she used this clothing. His imagination was fueled by her teasing quite enough.

"Ready to go to bed?" she asked playing with a cup handle.
"Yeah…Will you stay?" he asked in the same quiet voice.
"Well, you owe me much more than a bed and shower after all the medical help that I've provided."
"I do," he agreed smiling.
"Maybe I should take retainer for all my services," she continued teasing.
"Yes, seems fair," he nodded.
"I will be more expensive than your butler."
"You are."

She pressed her lips together thinking about something that he would not agree upon. Circuits in her brain were already speeding up.

He didn't let her finish her thinking. He leaned to her and placed a quick soft kiss on her cheek.

"Put it on the check," he whispered, smiling and leaning back.

She didn't let him. She caught his face kissing him on the lips. It was almost playful or even a bit competitive. She wanted to have the final word.

"I don't charge for this," she whispered back, leaving a trace of her lips on his cheek as well.

On rare exceptions Bruce slept in Wayne manor early mornings. Usually when a curly angel slept in the room next to his.