Disclaimer: Quotations used in the fiction are credited to their respective writers.
A/n: Thanks for all feedback. I appreciate them altogether. Here's next update.
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"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eyes." - H. Jackson Brown Jr.
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Chapter – 2 (Two Goddesses)
With a sigh, Diana adjusted her glasses on her nose. Fifteenth times or more, she had already lost the counts of how many times she did the same action. But no matter what, that annoying pair of glasses just kept her worked up.
Her magical-bracelet shone despite the dim moonlight of gloomy sky. Evening cool breezes tingled along her ears trying to soothe her mind, which was trekking deep in thoughts. Random thoughts more likely.
Actually, Diana never grasped the idea of hiding true-identity. Even after spending so much time in Man's world, she never felt the necessity of such rigorous effort. Although her fellow teammates masked their civilian identities, she always remained headstrong in keeping her identity fix.
Nonetheless in short span of time that Diana spent in mortal world, she'd learned many experiences.
Invaluable experiences, which tutored her about the bizarre fascinations of Man's world, especially the one where some gossip magazines love to intrude into other's personal life. Sometimes, she ignored those habits thinking that it was just cultural rifts between Amazons and Patriarch world. But sometimes, it could be downright pesky.
Her blue eyes wandered far in the nightlife of city. The oddness in Man's world was unique. Just like, it was described in those books. Now, she could appreciate the accuracy of those literatures. Every word seemed to be true on the world around her.
Then, realization seeped to her that her mother was right; she still remembered those talks:
Man's world is corrupted with cruel and savage nature of men, my daughter. Never let those false beauty enamor your eyes.
Still, whenever Diana's eyes flickered around, she found herself fighting off against the striking beauty. A modern world beauty.
She chuckled to herself. Diana knew somehow all those teachings by her mother and aunts fit into mortal world description.
Whether it was inequality between men and women, or falling-out between poor and rich, the dominance and savagery of Man's society reflected all along. But despite all faults, all men were not evil natured animals as Amazons were taught.
After all, if that talk had been true she wouldn't be sitting here.
"Princess?" Bruce, her driving partner, interrupted her musing. "Enjoying the view?"
"Yes," Diana replied simply as her gaze swept over the versatile terrain. A city, which had been a hellhole for every type of criminals. Mother would have declared the place as domain of Hades, Diana grimaced with that thought. Still, she couldn't shake the lingering doubt in her mind.
Is this the most crime-ridden city of America? The question repeated itself.
No, she could answer that without a pause. Somehow, she understood why people blemished the city for its darkness. But from her view, she could see a vast difference.
"Bruce?"
"Hmm."
"Gotham looks different from here."
"I know. This part of town is—" Bruce never completed his answer as Diana interjected with exasperated sigh.
"Bruce, I'm not talking about neighborhood."
Looking back at him, she leaned in her seat. Her mind filled with curious doubts. Questions bubbled that she knew her driving partner could answer easily. Still, the topic was sensitive. At least for Bruce, she knew that.
"I'm talking about Gotham itself, Bruce."
"Princess?"
"Don't you ever feel it?" she asked abruptly.
Bruce watched toward her with a mixed scowl look. "Feel what, Diana?"
"I don't know what it's … it's like," Diana searched for right words. "Some kind of vibrant energy or a vibe. I'm not sure."
Bruce gave only a hum in response. "Why do you ask?"
"Just a random question that came in my mind," she answered as her gaze fell back to running scenery.
After serving as Themysciran Ambassador, Diana had traveled across big cities like Metropolis, Star city etc., but Gotham was unlike them. Although most economists rated the Metropolis as one of the safest cities, Diana could see beyond the darkness that veiled infamous crime city. Her eyes captivated with the odd beauty of Gotham.
Then again, Diana could argue that Gotham was enigmatic city. From looming skyscrapers to thick dark Gotham woods. And Poison Ivy to the Joker. The city always gave something new to its visitors. Even though it wasn't pleasant every time, but—
"No one ever felt it."
"What?" Diana jerked from her thoughts with Bruce's words. Her head swirled toward the man who had stood guardian over the same mysterious city. Maybe that's why he was so enigmatic too, she thought.
"That aura you talked about," Bruce clipped back.
"Did you name it?" she asked curiously, tucking back a stray raven lock, which was interrupting their savoring moments.
"Not exactly, but I felt it during my patrols."
Diana stayed silent to his side.
She could prompt him; she knew, but the silent music between them gave the hint of personal feelings. The feelings that Bruce's heart guarded like an impenetrable fort. If she didn't know him better, she couldn't realize that as well. But after so many years of tormented friendship, she had learned more than enough of him.
"For most of the people, Gotham is just a crime infested city or industrial giant where they can grow their money," Bruce continued after few silence seconds. His voice lacked all emotions as if he didn't care.
"I think Gotham has its own beauty, Bruce. It's more than that isn't it," Diana replied softly on which Bruce nodded wordlessly.
Reminding them of their situation, the powerful car engine hummed like music between them. As Diana turned her attention to his appearance, her radiant smile sprouted on her lips.
"What?" Bruce asked when he felt her silent eyes upon him.
"You look good in beard, Bruce."
Bruce lips twitched in response. He suppressed the incoming smile. "Yes, you look very ravishing too in those pair of glasses."
"Better than your French beard, Bruce." She tickled him under the chin while Bruce struggled to scoff her away.
"Don't try anything funny, Princess, I'm driving here," he growled.
Taking pity on him, Diana plopped back in seat when suddenly she remembered the main topic of evening that they had not discussed at all—their date.
"Bruce, where are we going?"
"A good place." Her beau answered in his traditional tone. No extraneous information.
"Does this good place have a name also?" Diana asked, fully resisting the roll of her eyes.
"It has a reputable name but," Bruce smirked with next words. "I won't spoil the surprise for you."
Diana glared at his cocky smirk. Arrogant man.
"Doesn't a normal couple know the place where they're going?" she asked coyly, rubbing along his arm. His cologne smelled good to her senses. No. Not good, but delicious.
Mmmm, Hera! Snap out of it—she chided herself. She should not be thinking like that about a man.
"We're certainly not a normal couple, Princess," Bruce continued unknown to her desirable thoughts, "even if we're acting like a French beard man and spectacled nerd girl in disguise."
"Fine," Diana sighed, and did her best not to show her curiousness. "And what did you mean by nerd girl?"
"Nothing." Bruce focused his full attention on road ahead.
"I don't remember you saying anything to Kal."
"I don't wish to waste my time on Boy Scout's fashion sense, Princess," Bruce said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Diana shook her head. Sometimes, he could be simply impossible. Why he had to be so enigmatic always, she didn't know.
Maybe he's like a frozen lake, she mused.
No life on the surface, but beyond the ice layers a whole ecosystem thrives. Yes, just like Bruce. Underneath those icy layers of Batman, a man existed who had fought for his city. The man who had crashed watchtower and javelins to save his friends, and the same man, she loved despite his entire obnoxious and pig-headed attitude.
"You can try to guess, Princess." Bruce coaxed her little as the car halted on traffic light.
"No thanks, I'm not in mood to play your guess-game," Diana snapped on him and adjusted her glasses, again.
"Whatever my princess says," Bruce snickered and pushed the accelerator.
She jabbed her mystery-keeping boyfriend. "You should keep your mouth shut and focus more on driving."
"That was you, Princess, who started it. Remember."
"So everything is my fault isn't it?" she folded her arms and glared at him. Amazonian temper flared unbeknownst her.
"Umm," Bruce paused deliberately.
"I can't believe that you're even thinking about it also."
"You said it yourself, Princess, I'm just obeying the orders."
"Don't call me Princess!"
"Diana?"
"Don't call me Diana either."
"C'mon, Diana."
As the covert couple continued throwing arguments to each other, the convertible BMW moved toward its unnamed destination.
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(Meanwhile in Mount. Olympus)
Watching the banters of heroic couple, love goddess, Aphrodite sat around a shimmering pool. Her comely hands meshed in an anxious gesture. Her flawless face adorned a peeking curiosity as if she couldn't get enough of her love-show.
She was busy admiring the covert couple when suddenly a glow engulfed her chamber.
"Aphrodite, why didn't you come in meeting?" Athena asked right away, without pausing to greet the pleasure goddess.
"Atty!"
"Sappho," Athena paused. As she drew deep breaths in sweet-scented chamber, she composed her features. Being angry without a purpose was never in her nature.
"You know that, I don't like that nickname."
"Come on, Atty." Swan goddess patted her seat in invitation and gave a smile in return. "Anything important happened in the meeting?"
"Depends," Athena answered. Sitting on comfy seats, she scanned over the decor of chamber.
Like her name, Aphrodite always kept her chamber well decorated. Greek to Egyptian artifacts and antique furniture to modern world artwork was gilded in everywhere.
Furbished in floral scents, the chamber gave a sense of serenity, which was rare to find even on the Mount Olympus. How Aphrodite maintained the sanctity of her chamber Athena never understood. Yet, she liked it.
Personally, Athena knew besides Apollo and Hestia, the swan goddess was far friendlier than her half-sister Artemis was.
"Depends on what?" Sappho asked.
"If you count Ares bragging an important discussion point."
Aphrodite chuckled in response. Her laughter pulled a smile on wisdom goddess' face too.
"So what have you been up to?" Atty asked. Her eyes inspected the magical pool where Sappho was lingering.
"My usual work."
Hushing away the swans from the floor, Sappho picked up a red rose. "Atty, you know I've something special for you."
"Sappho?"
"I recently worked on a couple, and I've named them in your honor."
"On me." A scowl dawned over Athena's face at the news.
After her short encounter with Hestia, Athena had learned about the weird hobby of love goddess. Apparently, Sappho had recently stuck to habit of tagging her couples in honor of different gods and goddesses. Poor Hestia. She had been one of the first victims of those tortures.
"In my honor?"
"Yes, in your honor, Atty," Sappho said with cheerful smile.
"Oh!" Athena scowl deepened more. The situation was worse than she expected. Usually, she could avoid anyone with her glares. But Sappho, nah, she'd be more persistent. Time to get away as soon as possible.
"Sappho, I should be going by now. I've some business to attend." Athena tried to rush out of the chamber. Faster, the better.
"C'mon Atty, at least try and watch the couple," Sappho pouted.
"Sappho?"
"This couple is especially for you, Atty."
Athena hesitated after watching the doleful face of pleasure goddess. She wasn't hard-hearted after all. Great Zeus! Why I'm the one who always get stuck with her, she thought.
"Fine," she huffed and relented back in the seat. "But you've to be fast, I don't have much time."
"Ok, I'll be quick," Sappho said and clasped her hands together. "First, tell me what you know about the mortal named as Bruce Wayne?"
Atty frowned. She knew well enough about Aphrodite's habitual boasting, but this was odd. Too odd.
"Sappho, didn't you stop pairing up superheroes?"
"You certainly know how to spoil my mood," Sappho snapped. Shrugging her shoulders, she tore one petal after another from red rose in thoughtful manner.
"I did give up, but sometimes opportunities are just irresistible to let go. You know that."
"Yes, sure." Athena mocked and shook her head at fickleness of pleasure goddess. No, wonder why love goddess never stays steady with her relationships.
"Ok, what did you named them this time?" Athena asked changing the topic. She knew the better choice for her was that Sappho should get started sooner on her special duet.
"So where was I?"
"You were asking about that mortal and for your answer. Yes, I do know about him."
"You know he is—" Sappho attempted to ask again.
"I know he's a night vigilante of man's world city, Gotham. Can we get to the point?"
"Impatient much, Atty." Sappho tormented her more.
"Sappho!"
"Ok, I give up." Aphrodite threw her hands up in a resignation. However, a bemused smile remained intact on her face.
"If you don't want to tell me then it's fine." With those words, Atty rose from her seat.
"Atty! C'mon, please, I was just joking!"
Wisdom goddess stopped in her tracks. She saw apologetic look on Sappho's face. And she knew, she'd regret this decision later, but her natural curiosity ceased her feet.
"Ok, but no more guess games."
"You're a party spoiler," Sappho said before continuing her work on pool. She closed her eyes; her lips chanted those old Grecian catchwords, which only she could use.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Can't you be patient, Atty?"
"Fine," Athena sank back in her seat, her eyes fixed on love goddess.
After few seconds, the mystical pool flickered to life, and a big grin plastered on Aphrodite's face.
"Here we go, and I've named them as," Sappho paused for drama. "Wisdom Couple."
Athena frowned at the tag-name, but she didn't utter any words. What was the use?
Currents of the magical liquid in pool slugged slowly, and a picture of a couple appeared. Athena could determine the couple was kissing. However, the background was vague at best, as she sensed the grim weather of Gotham city.
She recognized the man in duet as Bruce Wayne—thanks to Sappho's input—but, the woman's face was still obscured from her. After few minutes when couple separated with sudden impulse, the gray-eyed goddess identified the woman in question.
And then.
"WHAT IN THE NAME OF ZEUS." A roar of warrior goddess shook the chamber.
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A/n: Reviews/constructive criticisms are always appreciated. Leave one or pm me. I love reading them.
I do not know if chapter was up to your expectations, but I struggled with this one (Although most of the chapter was finished beforehand). Honestly, this writing stuff is still new to me. Moreover, since I'm brushing my grammar do forgive me for those clumsy mistakes too.
Until then. Keep Reading.