A/N: I've decided to make this fanfic a three-chapter story instead. I've done some thinking as I watched Starcrossed again and it made me come up with certain ideas that will be placed in the two succeeding chapters. I hope you guys enjoy and, as always, read and review :) – B.D
Short Moments
BruceDiana
Chapter 2
The remaining six members of the Justice League find themselves in a closed department store, hiding from the Thanagarian soldiers that have been chasing them like dogs. They were considered as fugitives after their escape from the prisoner shuttle. Flash had thought of being optimistic as they continued to hide from the winged creatures.
"This is the voice of the Thanagarian Occupation Authority," announced a voice as a Thanagarian ship passed by their location, "your so-called Justice League is in violation of our martial law. They are to be considered an enemy and dealt without sight. Any person found aiding or harboring them will be summarily punished." Flash frowned, "Okay, so much for optimism."
Batman had insisted that they go underground, roam the streets as mere individuals. J'onn knew that the Thanagarians would be looking for the Justice League, but if they were no longer in their costumes. They were merely ordinary citizens.
Flash halted with his arms raised up, "Hold on a second here. What about the whole secret identity thing?" He tried his best to explain, "I mean I trust you, guys, but I'm not sure I'm ready to―" "―Wally West," Batman spoke as he stepped forward and pointed at Flash. "Clark Kent," he gestured to Superman who was standing behind him. "Bruce Wayne," he said, pushing back his cowl revealing the handsome face of the playboy billionaire.
Diana's eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the man she danced with back in Paris. She was right all along. Batman and Bruce Wayne were the same man. When she had asked him about their unfinished dance, he immediately denied that he knew anything about it. Now that he had revealed to everyone who he was, she was determined to ask him that dance or anything that had been building up between them. Her eyes remained at Bruce, gazing at his features that she had closely seen during their dance in Paris. She could never forget the structure of his jaw, the hardness of his chest, and the enticing scent of his masculine scent with a hint of perfume.
"Showoff," Flash said as he pushed back his cowl, revealing the young redhead. "Red hair," Diana said as she ruffled Wally's hair, "it suits you." Wally glanced at her with a smile, "You think?" Before she could answer, Bruce had already thrown an olive green shirt at him, "Change. Now," Bruce ordered, emphasizing each word as he passed them by, glancing at Diana who was smiling.
Bruce proceeded to the Men's clothing area where he took a gray turtleneck. As he looked for a black jacket, his thoughts brought him to Diana. He had been denying her that he was Bruce Wayne, the man she had danced with in Paris. Now that he had revealed to everyone who he was, the truth revealing itself, how was he going to deny her again? He cursed at himself for asking her to dance, saving her from those people that had been torturing her with questions. He sighed as he took the black jacket he had been looking for. He placed the jacket on his shoulder as he searched for a pair of pants.
As Bruce searched through the rack, he noticed Diana at the corner of his eye looking for a shirt. He had always wanted to tell her that he was Bruce Wayne, but his mind kept on deducing the pros and cons if he ever told her. Ever since their little encounter in Paris and in Kasnia, the way he looked at her had changed completely. He no longer saw her as a mere colleague, but as a woman of interest, a woman he could love.
Finally, he clutched the brown slacks and headed for the nearest dressing room.
Diana felt Bruce's eyes on her as she was looking for a top. She could feel the intensity of his gaze and she tried her best to not to be too conscious about it. When she looked at him at the corner of her eye, she noticed him heading to one of the dressing room. His back now facing her, she watched him head to the dressing room before he disappeared as he closed the door shut. Her eyes couldn't tear away from the dressing room as her mind tried to imagine Bruce removing his suit, revealing his well-chiseled chest that held scars he had received from countless battles he had faced.
She immediately shook the image from her head as she went to the other dressing room. Unfortunately, the only available dressing room was the one beside where Bruce was. She sighed as she marched to the dressing room, the pieces of clothing she decided to wear clutched in her arm.
Bruce realized that someone had entered the dressing room beside him. He did not mind who it was as he hung the cape and cowl on the door. His utility belt soon followed afterwards. He glanced to his side when he heard a click of a metal clasp. His heart raced when he realized who was just beside his dressing room. His mind immediately perceived images of Diana taking off her metal armor revealing her―Bruce shook the thought out of his head instantly. What was he thinking imagining a colleague in a sexual way? He took his top off slowly when he heard a voice.
"When were you going to tell me?"
Diana's voice drifted, loud enough for the both of them to hear. Bruce knew he would be hearing that question anytime soon. He tried to come up with the best answer, but his brain had shut him out.
"When the right time came," He replied curtly, the voice of the Batman resonating.
She sighed as she clutched the long-sleeved powder blue blouse, "Why did you keep on lying to me?"
Bruce was about to put on the gray turtleneck, but was stopped in his tracks. He looked down and wondered to himself why he kept on denying her. Once again, the Bat had reminded him of the certain dangers they both would face if she knew. He spoke in an almost inaudible tone, "It would be dangerous, Princess."
Diana remained silent as she put on the purple pants on. As soon as she straightened her top, she got out of the dressing room just as Bruce did. Their eyes locked gazing at each other, silently standing a foot away from the other. "We live a dangerous life, Bruce. We're always risking ourselves out there," she spoke, still standing tall. It was the first time he heard her say his name and it felt like music to his ears.
"Why would it be dangerous if I knew that you're Bruce Wayne? What difference would it make?" Diana held her hand up, aching to touch his face, but immediately retreated. She turned around and took a step away from him, but his hand had caught her arm. Her head remained facing away from him. Bruce then spoke, "I wanted to protect you, Princess." He tightly held her arm, but when she faced him, he let go of her. Her eyes somehow showed a hint of sorrow, but happiness immediately settled in. She gazed at him once again before she walked away from him.
Diana went to take a hair tie from one of the hairclip displays. She stood in front of a mirror placed on a column and fixed her hair. Her mind brought her back to her conversation with Bruce. 'I wanted to protect you, Princess.' He said. Diana could not understand him. Why did he have to protect her?
Her heart jumped at the sight of Bruce's reflection in the mirror. He was standing a few feet behind her, just in front of Clark, adjusting his jacket and fixing his hair. She sighed inwardly. She couldn't understand herself. The feeling she had right now was new to her, but she wanted to understand it. The only person who ever made her feel that way was Bruce.
With her hair fixed in a ponytail, she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked nothing like Wonder Woman, but now she looked like a mere civilian walking the Thanagarian-infested streets.
The men had gathered up and she strode towards them as they planned a tactic. "Alright, we'll be separating as pairs. Wally, you'll be with John," Bruce pointed to Wally who was wearing the olive green dress shirt over a white plain shirt. The redhead nodded. "J'onn and I will pair up as Daily Planet reporters," Clark glanced at J'onn who had nodded in agreement. Clark glanced at Bruce, "Bruce, you'll be with Diana since you're the one who is seen with a woman at times." Wally chuckled a bit before he stopped when Bruce glared at him. Bruce then glanced at Diana who nodded silently. This was even a greater torture for them.