POW! BRAND NEW CHAPTER FOR YA'LL!

I apologize for the slight delay, I have been extra busy getting everything settled for this university year, but now that things have quieted down I should be able to get back on a more regular schedule. Hopefully. Fingers crossed.

Anyway I'll let you guys enjoy this chapter and meet up with you at the end. I'll just say that this one was one of my favorites to write so far.

Eere we go!

Chapter 14: A princess and her knight.

After Diana left, Bruce stayed on the beach for a while. Lying on the sand; looking at the stars.

In Gotham, he rarely ever took time for himself to admire the world around him, since it was usually dark, grimy and miserable; but Themyscira had showed him the wonders life held, if you only stopped and looked for them.

Like the princess for example, she-SHUT UP DAMMIT!

Bruce slapped his face with both hands to clear the thought away. She was at the center of his thoughts more and more, and it was beginning to worry him. He recognized this feeling he had towards her; and he firmly associated it with pain and loss.

'That' feeling he had shared with many women, only for it to be obliterated in the end; pushing him further into darkness and despair.

His thoughts drifted back to his city. What could be happening to it when he wasn't there to protect it? He had many allies that could keep things stable for a time, but if criminals started realizing that the Batman was no longer around, they would grow emboldened and Gotham would fall back into chaos.

No! He trusted his protégées and friends. Even if he wasn't on friendly terms with most of them, he trusted them and their sense of duty. They would not forsake his city.

He pushed those dark feelings away; not wanting to end his day with a bad mood. Instead he slowly closed his eyes and let his other senses experience Themyscira.

The faint scent of the sea, mingling with the fragrance of burning wood and cooked meat, emanating from the kitchens. It was all swept away by a draft from the forest, replacing it with the smell of leaves and sap.

The numerous nocturnal birds and rodents could be heard calling out to one another, echoing and reverberating through the woods like an orchestra.

Reaching out with his hands, Bruce clutched the smooth sand underneath him. It flowed through his hands like water and was soft like silk.

All he needed to stimulate all his senses would be if beautiful lips pressed against…

ENOUGH!

Bruce's eyes bulged open as he leaped up off the ground and walked up towards the city at a brisk pace.

She was on his mind again; and he was getting annoyed.

As he neared the barracks, he passed Artemis.

"Hey Bruce. All the Amazons have finished taking their baths; why don't you seize the opportunity and get yourself cleaned up. Washing in rivers is great; but you can't beat warm water."

He paused for a second. He would rather avoid getting decapitated by naked Amazons he had walked in on. Especially since his relationship with them was just getting better. However, the prospect of a relaxing bath was too good to pass up.

"Thanks for the offer Artemis. I'll grab my stuff and head over."

As he walked back towards the palace, he missed the smirk that formed on Artemis' face.

After going back to the palace to get a towel and change of clothes, Bruce made his way to the baths.

They were close to the barracks, which were full of activity, indicating the Amazons were all done with their baths.

With nimble and silent movements, Bruce made his way to the grand temple like structure that housed the baths. He quickly made his way inside, already feeling the warm vapor relax his aching muscles.

Placing his towel and change of clothes on a bench, he slowly lowered himself into the steaming water. He wondered if it was infused with some special herbs since as soon as his skin made contact he felt his entire body was rejuvenated. Like a flat tire being filled with air. As he settled into the water and his eyesight began to wander, they eventually fell on a patch of raven hair in the distance.

Wait. RAVEN HAIR?!

Immediately snapping into battle mode, Bruce leapt back in the water, trying to find a place to fix his gaze. He didn't have to be the world's greatest detective to know who the hair belonged to.

"Princess… I know you're not going to believe me, but this is an accident."

"I believe you Bruce."

Actually, Diana had been expecting him. She couldn't wait until tomorrow to talk to him about her feelings, so she asked Artemis to help her get Bruce and her face to face.

Of course, since it was Artemis, this had led to Diana ambushing him when they were both naked in a bath. However, she wasn't going to let the setting influence her objective.

"I wanted to talk to you Bruce."

He was growing frustrated. What he felt towards this woman had to quelled before it grew into anything bigger. She didn't seem to understand the effect she had on him. How the mere sound of her laugh was enough to make his heart skip a beat or how the sweet scent of jasmine and lavender that she carried with her made him light headed.

Staying as impassive as possible, Bruce responded:

"What do you want to talk about princess?"

They were both careful to stay under the water's level as Diana came a bit closer, until they were at a safe distance of a couple meters between each of them.

"I want to discuss…"

She was struggling at how to bring this up. Diana regretted this plan. How could she explain this to him in a way that didn't make her seem like a crazy person. Diana was happy with the relationship they currently had and didn't want to jeopardize it by scaring him away. She would be content with things staying as they are… right?

"Actually it's nothing. Forget about it. I'll let you take your bath."

She started moving away, but was stopped by Bruce's call.

"Diana; wait!"

As soon as he said her name, the tightening in her chest returned as she was overcome with doubt and torment about what to do.

Bruce was also not conflicted. He was afraid of the feelings he harbored towards her, but he didn't want anything to go unsaid between them. Bottled up emotions was exactly what had destroyed his friendships before and he'd be damned if he let that repeat itself. She brought him here to say something important and he wasn't going to let her leave without knowing what it is.

"Tell me what's wrong."

Diana paused. It didn't suit her to avoid hardship or challenges. She had never shied away from expressing how she felt and it wouldn't start now. Although she had never experienced what she felt with this man. Steeling her nerves, she began:

"I… It's about you Bruce. You… make me feel things."

The color suddenly drained from Bruce's face. It felt as though his feet were welded to the ground, his mouth like sand paper. He was watching a film he couldn't pause.

"Each time I'm with you, I have all these strange… feelings and… reactions."

Bruce's voice was barely a whisper, as his eyes began to darken.

"stop."

Not hearing his plea, Diana continued.

"Whether it's the way you smile, laugh or talk, that all make me want to spend more time with you…"

"stop it."

"Or how when I'm near you I feel drawn to you like a fly to a torch."

"princess, stop."

"I am just unable to explain what it is; but it makes me want to be with you, to laugh with you, to cry with you, to l…"

"ENOUGH!"

Diana jumped back in shock. The voice that had interrupted her words was like the cry of a wounded dog. She looked over to Bruce; his eyes were downcast, his hair falling over his face, drowning it in shadows. His entire body was rigid and tense; his hands balled into fists under the surface of the water.

He lifted his head, and what Diana saw brought tears to her eyes; a reflection of his own. A single tear was streaming down Bruce's cheek, rolling unimpeded to his chin and falling into the water. His eyes matched his voice; they were those a wounded animal gave when it was faced with a hunter's bow. Filled with fear, hopelessness, desperation… a crucible of human suffering burned painfully hot.

And suddenly…Diana understood.

She started walking towards him. One step at a time.

A meter away. Half a meter. A couple of centimeters. Bruce didn't move. He couldn't move. His eyes were fixed to the ground, still lost.

Then, he saw her feet in front of him. He felt her hand rest on his cheek. Soft, gentle, kind; something he hadn't felt in years, but was instantly familiar.

He raised his head, connecting their eyes; both imbued with unbridled passion and love. Leaning down slowly, Bruce delicately placed his lips against Diana's.

In that instant; time slowed to a halt. Everything that was happening outside of this bathhouse melted away, as they were transported by this simple kiss.

Diana felt a heat form deep within her, as this simple contact ignited a hidden passion she had never felt before. It was as if the final piece was placed in an unfinished puzzle. She felt peaceful, comfortable…happy. She wanted this moment to last forever. She remembered reading about it, but experiencing it made it all clear; this was love.

Bruce, however, was lost. Two personalities were fighting in his head. The bat was screaming at him to stop. Remember the others; it had all seemed so perfect in the beginning. Like nothing could go wrong; that it would stay like this forever. And where are they now? Talia? Dead. Selina? Gone. I thought you would have learned by now. This frivolous sentimentality isn't for you. You're a black hole of human misery that snuffs everything out, so do everyone a favor and settle for being Gotham's Dark Knight instead of a fragile heartbroken boy from another life.

But that boy was still very much present. That isn't true. She is different; you know it. She is the light to our darkness; incorruptible, always truthful and loving with all her heart. Everything we are unable to be, but that we could be if we let her in. We are at the end of our rope; we have walked the line for so many years, but now we are closer than ever to falling into the abyss.

So you're suggesting we drag her in with us. Unleash a mentally unstable and emotionally broken meta on the world. Exactly what it needs.

You are imagining all these future scenarios of misery because deep down you are afraid. Afraid of what you stand to lose, instead of looking towards what there is to gain. She is an enigma. A giant puzzle that you feel you are incapable of understanding. Well, last I checked, Batman never backs down from a challenge and he certainly isn't afraid. Batman pushes forward; no matter the odds; no matter the costs and emerges victorious. That is who we are. Not a scared boy; not an emotionless shell; but a man who can tell a woman he loves her, because he knows he can face any hardships that may lead to.

Bruce was reaching his breaking point. Everyone in his life he had gotten close to he had ultimately pushed away. He had no right to think himself able to erase all his past failings with the people who were supposed to be his friends, his family… his lovers. What right did he have?!

"You have every right, my son."

No. No, it can't be.

"Listen to your mother Bruce. She isn't one to give false advice."

This is a dream. A trick.

"No Bruce. We are merely here to help set you free. You have toiled for years, to make Gotham a better and safer place. Your struggles and success as both Batman and Bruce Wayne have inspired others, and whole generation of young Gothamites will grow up with ideals you've shown have merit and are worth fighting for. We are so proud of you Bruce."

No. Stop.

"So believe us when we tell you: you have every right to strive for happiness. Everyone does. If you think Diana will be the one affected by you, think again. She understands you like no one else and will love you like no one else. All you have to do is. Let. Her. In."

Mom… Dad.

"Why do we fall Bruce?"

… so we can learn to pick ourselves up.

Tears were streaming as Bruce went to wrap his arms around them and Diana's arms wrapped around him. Their bodies melded to the other's perfectly, every curve fighting the other's.

Their kiss intensified. Their passion now a raging fire. Bruce leaned into Diana's strong frame, as their tongues played an intricate dance with one another. He had one hand over the small of her back, the other running through her wet hair. Diana's arms were looped around his neck, her hands playing with the hairs on the back of his neck.

Finally, desperate for air, they broke the kiss, panting slowly to catch their breaths. Both held unbridled passion in their eyes, but they also shared a mutual understanding that they shouldn't be in any hurry. They had already done the hard part; they could worry about the rest in time.

Without a word, but still firmly entangled with the other, they slowly lowered themselves into the water. Bruce eased his body into hers as the water lulled him towards sleep. Diana gently curled into his arms, nuzzling his neck like a cat.

"I love you princess."

"I love you Bruce."

…

…

…

HOLY WHAT?!

OK OK OK, Everyone easy now. I know there are a lot of things going on her but I will simply give my take and then you can leave yours, I'm curious to know what you think.

So yes, Bruce and Diana are together. Careful now the story is still in it's first act so there is room for development is all I'm saying.

For those who feel it is coming a bit out of nowhere: A) Don't worry there are still many more chapters were things can change ;) B) Truthfully their love has kinda been steadily building (both on text and off text) since Diana nearly killed Bruce in the arena. Their feelings have been slowly growing and evolving all this time, and this chapter is the culmination of that.

Anyway, that's all I really have to say about that. Definitely another favorite chapter of mine that I wrote, alongside the arena fight. Big emotional story beats like those really get me into a hot mess ;)

Some of you may have recognized that famous movie quote. Yes, I know it wasn't Thomas Wayne who said it. Deal with it, it's a good quote.

Any favorites or reviews or follows are profoundly appreciated.