I do not own any of the characters though my bank account wishes I did. While I am suffering from a touch of writer's block with my other fic (Darkness and the Light) I came up with this one shot. Enjoy!!
Bruce had never dealt well with death. This was no exception. Now he had to face losing one of the few he called 'friend'. One of the few who truly KNEW him but nothing could change the fact the Martian known as J'onn Jones was dead. No, not dead…tortured, maimed and destroyed before any of them could stop it from happenening and yet Bruce believed J'onn had finally found the peace and comfort he craved back in the arms of his wife and child who had long passed before him. The peace Bruce craved but hadn't felt for many years.
She knew she'd find him there. In the cave, still in costume sans cowl, staring at the computer going over every little detail hoping he could gain some insight into J'onn's demise. She placed her hand gently but securely on his shoulder and let it linger. As she suspected, he didn't acknowledge her presence but that was fine with her, she just wanted him to know she was there if he needed her, even if it was she who needed him most at that moment. As if he sensed her thoughts he simply placed a gloved hand over her own and held it there. Soft tears cascaded down her cheeks. Mourning the loss of a friend but also relishing in the bittersweet comfort of his touch.
Even though neither said a word, he could feel her sorrow as though they were sharing the same, thoughts, memories and pain. The same heart. He stood and faced her and placed his forehead against her own. She looked at him, her blue eyes filled with such sadness, and yet she had never looked more beautiful. He wiped away a lone tear that cascaded down her perfect face and placed his hand against her cheek as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. He had wasted so much time. This didn't have to be about futures, about wanting more or even about the mission. It just had to be. She had risked everything, including her heart, including his wrath by coming there that night simply to mourn the passing of a friend with someone who understood, someone who wouldn't ask for more than she was willing to give, someone she knew was hurting too. He raised her chin as he heard her breath catch in her throat and slowly, softly pressed his lips to hers.
He watched her eyelids flutter shut as he touched his lips to her forehead, her cheeks, down her jaw to her throat and back to her waiting lips as he feasted on the loveliness and promises she offered him. He ran his hands through her hair, holding her to him like a lifeline. Her skin was salty from her tears, yet tasted of a sweetness he had not known in so very long. It urged him on, made him mad for the feel and taste of her. There were no words spoken between them. There was no need. Tonight they would share their pain, comfort each other as friends, as lovers. There would be no expectations, just one night of delicious abandonment and complete understanding, making up for lost time and missed opportunities. Something J'onn's death proved none of them had an indulgence of.
And for the first time in many years Bruce Wayne finally found peace, lying curled beside him in the form of a warrior Princess named Diana.