(Bruce's P.O.V.) -A hour later-

Thumps sounded out, Miruna's voice speaking out loud, "Please don't hurt me!". I looked around the trunk to see Miruna about to lose her grip. I shouted, "Miruna, wake up!".

I saw her eyes, and she shrieked out loud when she saw the ground down below, trying to grab the branch, but luckily, I grabbed her wrist. I moved slightly, using my legs as leverage as I pulled Miruna up. Miruna blinked back tears as her breathing was heavy, trying to calm down to a normal tone, as she sat upon the branch while I caught my balance.

Miruna sobbed, hugged me so quickly, "Thank you, Bruce.". she repeated over and over until it faded. I rubbed her back, silent, saying nothing as I saw Miruna needed to feel that I was here for her.

"Sorry I made you wet.". she commented as she leaned back, drying her eyes, and I gently smiled, "Hey, I don't care for that. I am asking you. What happened just back there?".

Miruna blinked and exhaled, her eyes taking on a burden I had never seen before in her countenance. I always knew her as this quirky, passionate, brave woman who always find a way to get back up in missions or battles.

Miruna looked down the tree, "Looks like the dogs are gone.". I looked down to see if she was right, and she was. The dogs had disappeared, and determining by the moon, we must have gone into the early morning by now. I saw the sloped mountain, now enveloped by the stars and some early misting fog.

"Well, since we're awake now, we can make some time to the mountain before the sun comes up.". I replied before I made the move to grab some dates in some shredded fabric from my makeshift short kilt/loincloth, and then climbed down first, landing loosely. I heard a sigh from Miruna as she started to climb down and then finally landed besides me.

Miruna looked at me, "I suppose I should start at the beginning. It was years after I lost my parents. I didn't see them killed in front of me like you did, but the pain and grief was there. I was taken by my grandparents on mom's side. Everything was good, until I came to high school. You were in a private school unlike me. But I bet the bullies are all the same, yes?".

"More or less, yes, I could say.". I shortly replied. Miruna bitterly smiled at me. "Well, it was hell for me. Most kids in that place had either blue, brown, or green eyes. The major bunch of bullies saw that I had different eyes, and they always took the chance to taunt or play ruthless pranks on me. However, they went too far.". I widened my eyes slightly at that and Miruna noticed it.

"It was during junior year, maybe two months into the school term. I never specified the date since I was busy with a science project I was bringing in for the annual contest they had every year that's required for juniors and seniors.". A small nostalgic semi-smile came. "It was in honor for my science teacher. He taught me so much and always looked out for me, like a parent to a kid, you know?". I nodded slightly. "It was actually a representation of luminescence; my idea was using luminescence in jewelry and watches so people can find themselves in the dark, either in the house or in the wild.".

I mused, "That sounds like a genuine idea, Miruna.". Miruna chuckled, "You're the first person to say that." She then frowned, "I never got the chance to bring it, for the bullies destroyed it in front of my eyes and kidnapped me the minute they came. I found myself in a abandoned steel stall, and the bullies were outside the stall, and they were holding paintball guns. Sure, with vests and guard clothes, paint-balls almost never hurt you, barely leaving you bruises, however, if you weren't wearing protective gear, then it hurt like hell, maybe worse.". I inhaled sharply.

"When it was all over, I was humiliated, hoping for death, covered from face to feet with color, dark indentations of marks and whiplash grazes all over. The bullies left, leaving me there for so long. I would've have been dying from the cold that night if my teacher never had rescued me long after school was dismissed. The high school expelled the bullies, and last I remembered, they had been in juvenile jail when I graduated high school and never had looked back until..now.". Miruna finished as she was rubbing her shoulders, shivering slightly as I watched her eyes stare out like she was remembering that day.

Miruna then spoke, "Luckily, I was saved by Sunrise, and I got trained, got my confidence back, treating every day as a hopeful day for me and my friends.". Then I asked quietly, "Was the nightmare same as that day?".

"No, not exactly. Instead of laughing like they did that day, they were trying to taunt me. They replied that..I would never be loved by the person I truly have strong affections for.". Miruna slowly replied.

I blinked and asked, "It's me, isn't it?". Miruna looked down quickly with a blush. I walked forward and used my hand to lift her jaw, and I looked into her eyes, which is afraid yet hopeful.

I gently smiled, "Would you love the man behind the mask, and the mask beyond the man?". Miruna weakly smiled at me, and her eyes were in firm adoration, "You are Batman, and Batman is Bruce. I love you whoever you are.". I gulped slightly, "You understand this can't be one time thing?'.

Miruna giggled, "Bruce, you are stuck with me forever. Lovers or something else I may not know, but we are partners, together for eternity.". I grinned at the familiar words she used against me and I slowly moved toward her, focusing on her lips with my eyes on her eyes, and we softly kissed. I felt a smirk on my lips, "You know that you can do better, Batboy.". I growled playfully at the nickname she gave me after she heard the story from Diana about the 'kid' incident some time ago, and kissed her more passionately. I feel like I could do anything possible with her at my side, oh, yes.