Rapture and Riddles
Chapter Two
A/N Great to see some old and new names. :) Thanks so much for all the positive support!
Bruce shows some commitment. :)
Thanks for the reviews!
"Welcome." Bruce smiled broadly. "I'm so glad you could make it."
Jonathan hid in the shadows near the door, watching as Bruce enthusiastically greeted each guest. He watched as Bruce kissed hands, hugged bodies, pressed lips mindlessly against cheeks. Jonathan crossed his arms and leaned against the wall.
Whatever Bruce had planned after this had better be worth it.
A yawn built up in his but he squashed it, not wanting his cover to be blown quite yet. He and Bruce had decided earlier it would be best if Jonathan did not appear until he was on the arm of the Wayne heir. Said heir was worried about the reaction of those around them, but refused to hide Jonathan away in spare rooms and darkness. Tonight it was time for Jonathan to be back in his spotlight.
If worst came to worst, the company members would simply pass it off as playboy Bruce Wayne's antics growing one step more extreme. He worked his way through the world of models and actresses. Perhaps it was time for ex-Arkham inmates.
Jonathan rolled his eyes as yet another woman gushed to Bruce about his home, his looks, his...everything. Bruce smiled and shooed her along as more guests entered. That was when Jonathan slipped away, passing unnoticed into the hallway and bee-lining it to the kitchen.
It was, as he expected, empty. Alfred was in the other rooms, checking on the glasses and plates, keeping everything full. Jonathan sat at the table, staring down rows upon rows of crimson-filled glasses. He debated only a moment before taking and sipping one.
"Need something more than that, sir?"
Jonathan turned his head as Alfred walked in. "I might."
Alfred nodded understandingly. "Although I am positive Master Wayne would prefer a sober man by his side tonight...I'm sure one won't hurt."
"What's tonight, Alfred?" Jonathan took a sip.
A smile crossed the man's face. "I will not say what it is, sir, only that I am certain you will appreciate it."
Jonathan threw back his head and finished the glass. He set it on the table as a bottle of what looked to be tequila landed beside it.
"Do exercise restraint, Master Crane." Alfred advised with a knowing smirk.
"Right." he muttered to himself, watching Alfred lay cheeses out on yet another tray. The man must possess endless patience.
"Enjoy yourself tonight, Master Crane." were Alfred's parting words.
Jonathan scoffed to himself. Three shots later, he was wondering if Alfred had meant more than he let on. The butler always seemed to know more than it appeared- Bruce had promised something new. If it had nothing to do with the bed sitting in their room, it was incredibly likely Alfred knew what it was.
"Are you here?"
Bruce's worried face peered into the room. "Finally."
Jonathan glanced up at him, tempted to ask about his plans. On one hand he desperately wanted to know. On the other, he just did not care.
"You have to save me." Bruce said dramatically. "Alyson just arrived."
A blank stare reminded Bruce that not everyone knew the names of every widower in Gotham City. He opened his mouth to explain just who the damn woman was when Jonathan interrupted him.
"It doesn't matter who she is." Jonathan said smoothly. "All that matters is that she's bothering you."
One eyebrow rose at the strangely compassionate tone in Jonathan's voice. A glance at the bottle and glass in front of Jonathan gave Bruce a pretty good idea why the psychiatrist was not at his throat again.
"Maybe you should stop drinking for now." Bruce said gently.
A sharp look made Bruce wonder if now was the time to press his luck. "Why?"
"I have plans for tonight that involve you being entirely sober." Bruce explained patiently.
"Mhm."
Bruce pleaded. "Please. I really don't want you to miss it."
"'What?" Jonathan questioned.
"It's a surprise." Bruce said softly.
Then how do I know if it's worth it?
But Jonathan made to move to grab the bottle as Bruce took it in hand. The other hand lifted the glass from the table and moved it to the sink. He tucked away the bottle before returning to the man watching him carefully.
"Come on then." Bruce reached for the other's hand. "Ready?"
Jonathan swallowed. He gingerly set one hand in Bruce's palm. He stood as Bruce pulled, the psychiatrist pulled straight into Bruce's arms. Bruce let goo of his hand in favor of embracing the smaller man tightly.
"We won't be out there long." Bruce promised.
"And you'll sneak away by telling them what, that it is time for me to take my medication?" Jonathan questioned bitterly.
Bruce sadly pressed a kiss to Jonathan's forehead. "No. I have a plan."
What happened? Bruce kissed Jonathan's cheek before pulling back, hand slipping back around Jonathan's. "Let's go."
Jonathan walked a step behind Bruce, hand in hand. When they approached the main room, Bruce drew Jonathan forward to wrap an arm around his waist.
"Bruce! Who is your... guest..." A man approached, smile growing then falling.
Fox was at their side immediately, shaking Bruce's hand and grinning. "Good evening, Mr. Wayne."
"Mr. Fox." Bruce dipped his head with a smile.
Jonathan had never been nervous around a crowd before. He had dealt with court-rooms, classrooms, psych wards, and everything in between. He had never dealt with a sea of faces looking at him as if they were all going to fight each other to be the one at his throat.
I guess no one forgets. Not even in Gotham. Jonathan glanced to Bruce.
"This is Jonathan." Bruce told the crowd unnecessarily. As if there was someone who did not know his name. "He's my guest and my... partner."
"Quite a commitment." Fox murmured to Bruce. Only Jonathan heard, the crowd too busy or far away to hear the quiet words.
"Even if you do eventually... leave him," Mr. Fox lowered his voice, trying to keep it from Jonathan and failing, "the image of the Scarecrow on the arm of Bruce Wayne is not something they will forget."
"I don't plan on leaving him anywhere." Bruce replied firmly.
Jonathan inched closer to Bruce, pressing into his side. He stared at Fox curiously.
"Good luck." Fox nodded with a quick smile to Jonathan before turning away.
Bruce stepped further into the room, pulling Jonathan with him. He smiled at people as they made their way through the crowd.
"Mr. Wayne..." an executive stepped forward bravely. "Have you considered how this will look for Wayne Enterprises? I mean, a loony from Arkham?"
Bruce stared at him solidly. "Wayne Enterprises is open to everything, Mr. Burns. And everyone. Especially those trying to find a successful place in society after rehabilitation."
Mr. Burns looked sufficiently humbled for only a moment. Then- "But, have you considered-"
"Let a man have his fun." Bruce grinned lopsidedly. "Everything passes, you know that."
Don't take me seriously, Jonathan.
By the stoney look on Jonathan's face, it was obvious he did not know Bruce as the company knew him. Bruce quickly scooted them away from the executive, away from the others, ducking into a hallway.
"Hey." Bruce murmured. "That's not me out there."
"It looks like you." Jonathan muttered.
"Would I have hosted this party and brought you in front of everyone if I wasn't planning on keeping you?" Bruce asked seriously, trying to portray his commitment to Jonathan.
"Keep?" Jonathan frowned. "Am I a pet, now?"
"No, no," Bruce went to speak, but Jonathan cut him off.
"Is that why I'm not allowed to go out at night?" Jonathan hissed.
Bruce sighed. "Listen."
"I'm tired of listening." Jonathan's gaze met Bruce's. "When you have nothing new to say."
"I have a mask for you." Bruce murmured. "I had to wait until it was finished to tell you."
Blue eyes stared blankly. "You have a mask?"
Bruce nodded. "I made it for you so that you can come with me."
"Is it mine?" Jonathan questioned. "It looks like-"
"It's as close to yours as I could make it." Bruce promised.
They stood wordlessly. They listened to the crowds close by, the party having something new to talk about. Jonathan stared at Bruce.
Is this what he meant?
"Can I see it?" Jonathan finally asked.
Bruce nodded. He gripped Jonathan's hand and led him down the hallway. Jonathan sped up, anxious to see it was real, that Bruce was not simply trying to appease him again. Three months was long enough to experience false appeasement again and again.
But then they stood in their bedroom, Bruce searching his cupboard until he pulled out a box and handed it to Jonathan.
"Here."
Jonathan stared at Bruce before looking to the box in his hands. He sat on the bed and set the box in his lap, opening it slowly. He stared in at the light brown burlap before reaching in and pulling it out. He held it up and looked it over with a wry smile.
Yes, he supposed that it looked close to his old one. As close as someone bent on harassing him time any time he wore it would remember it, at least. One hand slipped inside and eyebrows raised. He could not name the lining, only knew that it was softer than anything he had in his old. A frown tugged at his lips at the lack of an air filter.
But then, he was not supposed to be involved with toxins anymore.
He fingered the burlap as he looked up to Bruce. "When did you do this?"
"Over the past month."
Jonathan smiled at the man, the first truly happy smile Bruce had received in some time. Bruce knelt on the floor before Jonathan, hands covering the ones sitting on the mask.
"Tonight?" Jonathan asked quietly.
"Yeah." Bruce promised. "As soon as we get rid of the guests."
"How?" Jonathan looked to Bruce.
Bruce smiled. "I'll be right back."
Jonathan watched him go before looking to his suit. Maybe it had been the perfect night for Bruce to insist on a fine suit. Not that Jonathan would ever admit it, of course.
"Where is your guest?" was the first question shouted to Bruce as he entered the room.
"I'm afraid I didn't appreciate your reaction to Jonathan." Bruce slid his hands into his pockets. "I'd like it if you would all just go."
Blank faces stared at him. Some had been at the mansion's first demise, had stood in the same positions as Bruce demanded they leave before burning his home to the ground.
They were the ones who left first.
Whispers spread through the room much like the fire had. Bruce stood and watched as groups disappeared.
Fox approached slowly. He stood close to Bruce, murmuring. "I hope you know what you're doing."
Bruce replied solemnly. "Me too."
