Nighttime Insights

And thus, Rachel (Raven, if you didn't know already) agrees to teach Ariel how to control her powers. Enjoy!

"So who is Rachel, anyway?" Ariel asked curiously, following Bruce down the stairs.

"A friend," he replied shortly and she paused on the last step, crossing her arms over her chest and scowling.

"I don't want any more secrets." He smirked at her.

"Fine. She used to be Raven. She and Dick worked together when they were Teen Titans."

"I've heard of Raven," Ariel said, relaxing enough to hop down from the last step, "She was the half-demon, right?"

"Right. She has powers similar to yours and will teach you to control them using meditation." Ariel made a face and Bruce smiled before hiding it.

"Did you just-?" she began, smirking.

"No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did, you just-" Ariel started to point out, now beaming.

"No, I didn't."

"Okay, then," she said quickly, backing up a few steps, but still grinning.

"Shouldn't you be getting to bed?" he pointed out and she nodded, starting back up the stairs before turning.

"Shouldn't you?" He merely shot a glare at her and she giggled. "Now I don't find it so hard to believe that you were Batman." He rolled his eyes at her as she smiled before pecking him on the cheek. "Love you." She wasn't disappointed when he didn't reply, but merely squeezed her shoulder gently before pushing her towards the staircase.

"Bed. Now." His glare was ruined by the small twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"I'm going, I'm going," she laughed before returning to her room. Immediately, she was jumped on by Ace as soon as she entered the room. "Ace, you nut, get off!" The dog obeyed and licked her hand as she chuckled, scratching his ear gently. "Turns out he wasn't mad at me, after all." She got into bed, Ace jumping up beside her and rolling over to show his stomach. She laughed and began rubbing it gently as his tail wagged and he barked in pleasure.

"How is it that you can understand him?" she asked, knowing full well that Ace wouldn't answer. "I've lived with him for almost my whole life, and I still don't get his actions. I guess this whole Batman thing helps clear it up a bit, but...hey, don't fall asleep when I'm ranting!" She poked the dog awake before continuing, "But that doesn't explain why he never shows emotions."

She stroked Ace's head before sighing.

"Something happened to him, and it wasn't just that he got older." Ace whined and pushed at her hand as she smiled, rubbing his stomach again. "You're lucky you don't have to worry about any of this." She dropped a kiss on the dog's furry head before leaning back against the pillows and falling asleep.

Ace looked up at the sleeping girl beside him and frowned in a doggy way. She seemed so troubled about Bruce's behavior. He had only listened to part of her speech, since he had nearly fallen asleep halfway through and gotten poked awake by Ariel, who had seemed mildly annoyed that he'd tried to sleep while she was talking. However, he had heard enough to know that she was sincerely concerned about the old man.

Gently nudging her limp hand, he curled up beside her and whined softly in content when her arm went over him.

She was the first human to ever show kindness to him, even when he was ready to attack her, and for that, he would be eternally grateful to her. He only went along with all the training that Bruce had put him through just because she promised to be there at the end of each test.

Suddenly, the door opened and Ace tensed, ready to attack, but then relaxed when he saw that it was just Bruce. He sat up, watching as the old man sat down on the bed and reached out a hand gently, pushing a strand of hair from Ariel's forehead as she slept.

"I honestly didn't mean for you to find out this way," he whispered finally, "I would have told you sooner, but...I was afraid. I didn't want you involved in any of this." Pulling the blanket up to her shoulders, he absently tucked her in before admitting, "I love you, Ariel. And I'm such a coward that I can't tell you that to your face."

Ace growled quietly to get his attention and he turned towards the dog.

"Is she angry with me?" Ace made a negative sound and he understood. "Thanks." Ace leaned up, licking his hand and he stroked the dog's head once before standing and leaving the room.

Turning back to Ariel's sleeping form, Ace nuzzled her shoulder ever so gently before resting his head under her chin, feeling her arm instinctively wrap around him. He loved this girl, and nothing would ever keep him away from her.

Bruce leaned his cane against the wall and dropped onto his bed. He expected to feel relieved that Ariel finally knew his secret.

He hadn't expected to feel guilty, though.

Then again, the way she found out wasn't what he had expected, either. She hadn't seemed angry with him after she had come to terms with it. She had even said that she loved him right before she had gone upstairs (a rather common gesture from Ariel, but given the situation...). It was times like these when he wished he could tell her that he loved her just as much, if not more.

"Me and my stupid pride," he muttered, but, even as he said it, knew that wasn't why he never told her.

Some things from the cape-and-cowl days never fade, not even his fear of losing the ones he loved.

Aww, poor Bruce. I really felt bad for him, actually, writing this chapter. I mean, think about it. The last two people to whom he said "I love you" died right in front of him. Naturally, he'd have some aversion to admitting the fact that he cares about someone lest he loses them, too. He thinks he's sort of jinxed in a way that if he says "I love you" to anyone, they die or leave him in some way. That sort of applies to Dick and Tim as well. Next chapter, Terry steals the Batsuit! BWAHAHAHA! R&R!