Bruce offered his arm to the Duchess as the two exited the limousine, her envoy of guards not a step behind. Skilled men fully equipped to handle any situation, they quickly secured the perimeter with ease. There was no doubt in Bruce's mind as he watched them work that they had runs several background checks beforehand, scoping out the designated travelling routes and layout of the destination.
Bruce took a quick glance at the woman who held his arm. Katerina Petrovna. Clad in a long fur coat that blended with the night and a gleaming tiara adorned atop her head, she attracted the jealousy of women and the desires of men. The Duchess came to make a statement no doubt, her efforts being rewarded with the flashing of cameras and the clamor of the press who saw the two linked in arms.
Noticing his furtive glance, Katerina simply gave Bruce a sultry smile as the two made their way into the building.
They had just arrived at The Prestige, an upper-class restaurant he had purposely chosen and with good reason. For one, this wasn't a place just anybody could make bookings for. Only those acquainted with the owner could dine in. On the other hand, Bruce couldn't exactly bring royalty to a run-down diner in a back alleyway of Gotham. He had a reputation to uphold and her safety to consider.
The receptionist at the front desk greeted the two politely, not at all wavering before the intense-looking men who watched his every move. ''Welcome to The Prestige, Mr. Wayne. If you'll wait but a moment as I finish confirming your reservation, then I can escort you to your private area.''
After having validated the reservation, the receptionist gave a knowing smile when he saw Bruce Wayne and the elegantly clad woman in his arms, his eyes carrying a dash of pity for the next female on the playboy's long record of lovers.
Katerina could see the pity in the man's eyes. She was quite observant when it came to reading people's hearts, a necessity to prosper in the society she lived in. Though she was entirely aware of the assumption being made on her, she could care less to correct it. Part of her was all too amused, with no doubt in her mind that photographs and videos of her and Bruce Wayne linked in arms was already on its way to every American media outlet.
''Thank you for your patience. Right this way Mr. Wayne,'' spoke the receptionist as he led the two deeper into The Prestige.
The cozy atmosphere of The Prestige was a stark contrast to the freezing destitute that was Gotham City in its finest month of winter. Refined and classy, the area they walked by would have been filled with waiters carrying food and drink accompanied by music from a live jazz band had the restaurant not been entirely reserved, but even if it weren't, this wasn't where the two would be dining.
No, the receptionist lead the two to the highest floor within the restaurant where a private room awaited, a secluded area lit only by candlelight where the two wouldn't be bothered or disturbed.
It was only after the guards did a full search of the interior room did the two enter, the Duchess' men standing guard just outside.
Handing the two a menu, the man who guided them uncorked a bottle of wine while recommending the specialties that the restaurant had to offer. ''A waiter will knock before entering to take your order Sir, Madam. Until then, please enjoy the wine and bread. Oh, and Sir,'' spoke the man before he left, ''Mr. Sinclair sends his upmost regards. He told me to tell you that everything is free of charge for his good friend, and for you to enjoy the night.''
''I'll be sure to give him my thanks when I see him,'' replied Bruce coolly as he served himself and Katerina a glass of wine.
The man bowed deeply before leaving the two to their privacy.
Katerina who watched as Bruce poured the bottle of wine held a cigarette holder made of jade between her slender fingers, the lit cigarette permeating the private room with thick wisps of smoke.
''Apologies for coming unannounced yesterday Mr. Wayne. My family thought it best that we keep things under wraps for as long as possible. If our competitors knew that I would be traveling outside the Petrovna's jurisdiction…well let's just say that they wouldn't mind having one less Petrovna to worry about,'' stated Katerina as she let out a puff of smoke from her lips.
''Please, call me Bruce. No need for formalities between us Ms. Petrovna. And as for yesterday, I regard it as more of a pleasant surprise than anything else. After all, I get to spend tonight with such a beautiful woman, one of nobility no less.''
She couldn't help but give a light chuckle before extending her hand. ''Then you can call me Katerina, Bruce. Already this night is turning out to be quite the memorable one for me, and so I can assure you that the pleasure is all mine tonight.''
Bruce smiled at that as he shook her hand. ''I'm glad you feel that way Katerina. With the formalities set aside, perhaps we should get down to business. To answer your question from the night before, I am a businessman who abides by the same principles as my late Father before me. I want to make my business successful, even more than it is now.''
Katerina frowned. ''The proposition you have made is far too generous for just an expansion of Wayne Enterprises into the Motherland. Nothing in this life is free of charge Bruce, and my family knows all too well that for every price there is an underlying cost. That is why we thought you might need proof of our sincerity, Bruce Wayne. To show you that we are willing to pay the cost.''
The warm atmosphere in the room seemed to have been doused in cold water as Katerina's demeanor began to completely change.
''It was my Aunt's idea that I come here alone. You see Bruce, the Petrovna Family is not the same as it was when its foundations were on the verge of collapse. We threw away the rules we so desperately clung to, the same rules which our enemies used to nearly destroy us. Our society does not have the luxuries you Americans do. To survive fathers sold daughters and servants, brothers gave sisters, the weak were killed to give way to the strong. We do what we must to succeed, a concept I'm sure you more than understand.''
Katerina set down her cigarette holder and stood up from her seat, her face shrouded in flickering shadows. ''That is why I promised her that I would do anything required of me to make this work,'' whispered Katerina hoarsely. ''My Aunt assumed you would want me as part of the deal,'' said Katerina as she undid the buttons to her long coat, letting it fall from her shoulders gradually until she revealed her lithe and naked body short of any undergarments except stockings, illuminated only by the pale candlelight.
Whether Bruce was caught off guard or not, he didn't show it, simply letting out a dark chuckle at how quickly things changed. ''So this is your Family's sincerity?'' asked Bruce in a calm yet chilling tone.
Katerina leaned across the table until their faces were mere inches apart, her slender fingers reached out to caress Bruce's chiseled jaw. ''Assuming a Duchess as your mistress isn't sufficient, we have also seen fit to gift you The Final Night.''
Bruce shook his head as he gently moved her hand away. ''You've made a number of assumptions Katerina, none of which I find myself fond of. I understand that to reject the Petrovna Family's sincerity is deemed an insult to your reputation and household, so I'll accept The Final Night, but my heart belongs to another. You'll have to tell your Aunt that she's made a grave error in putting you as part of the deal.''
''In a Russian household as old as mine, when there is a call at midnight by the master it is the maid first to answer who sleeps in the master's bed when the wife is away. It is not uncommon at all for a man of your stature to have a mistress by his side. Perhaps you should reconsider whether to accept me before turning me away.''
Katerina slowly sat back down and covered herself as there was a knock outside the room. The waiter had arrived to take their order.
''Have you decided what you would like to order?'' asked the waiter as he took out a pad and pen.
''I'll keep it within my considerations, but for now my answer remains unchanged.'' stated Bruce as he downed his glass of wine, his tone of voice stern and cold.
The waiter had a look of confusion as he thought he misheard. ''Excuse me Sir? Your order?''
Katerina smiled wryly, knowing that she could only do so much in her given position. ''The pressed foie gras and roasted veal for the both of us, and he will have a glass of your strongest alcohol. Thank you,'' said Katerina politely as she handed the waiter both of their menus.
She took a drag through her cigarette holder as she gazed at the man before her. She hesitated to speak the words stuck in her throat, but decided to do so anyway in a moment of curiosity. ''The one who holds your heart…it can only be the Wonder Woman, yes? I take pride in my natural beauty and power, but who is a mere Duchess compared to that woman? I can see why you would love her.''
Bruce kept his eyes on the empty glass in his hand as he spoke. ''They say man's reach exceeds his grasp. It's just an empty dream of mine, that's all. A desire to grasp the heart of a woman I cannot reach,'' murmured Bruce as he tightened his grip on the stem of the wine glass, his voice softening considerably.
Katerina flicked off the excess ash from her cigarette. ''You danced with her in Paris did you not? Most men would kill to have even a moment with her such as the one you had.''
Bruce looked at Katerina then, a glazed look apparent in his eyes. ''I did. For a fleeting moment I had her in my arms, but even in that moment I couldn't delude myself. For all that I am, none of it can catch her eye nor sway her heart. Better men have tried and failed.'' Bruce gestured to Katerina and himself. ''You and me, we are born to die. To live our finite lives down here on the ground, toiling in the dirt in search of meaning. Wealth, beauty, reputation and status, we have no choice but to pursue these things as we look up to the sky and sigh in amazement at those who call the sea of stars their home. I know my place just as I know hers. I am just a mere man, and she…she…''
Bruce shook his head slightly, his muddled eyes regaining their clarity as he looked at the woman before him. He immediately shifted the subject. ''You care. That much is evident. You love your people and your country to the point of putting aside your pride as a woman and offering yourself in a humiliating manner. Though I don't condone such actions, I admire your character. I apologize, this must have been hard on you Katerina.''
Katerina felt her heart begin to pound wildly in her chest the moment she saw that sympathetic gaze. ''I'm not sure what you're trying to say here Bruce.''
''I'm talking about your earlier actions. If you were wholeheartedly intent on seducing me or becoming my mistress as you say, then you wouldn't have admitted inferiority to her, nor would you have even talked about that woman in the first place. Even if you had said nothing, I know this isn't who you are, I know this because your hand – the one that's hidden beneath the table – is trembling Katerina. You must not have known about your Aunt's intentions until after our meeting last night. I'm guessing she contacted you sometime earlier, before I went to pick you up.''
Bruce almost let out a sigh when he saw the viciousness in her gaze. He couldn't imagine what she was feeling after doing what she did to try and entice him. Humiliation? Embarrassment? Shame? It appeared like the Petrovna Family really was at its wits end, doing anything they possibly could to grasp onto this chance he had given them. If he knew things were going to be like this, he would have made things clearer earlier to avoid any misunderstandings.
Bruce grasped her hand firmly, getting her to temporarily put aside her turbulent emotions. ''I meant what I said. There is no ulterior motive for me helping your family Katerina. A long time ago your family aided me in my time of need, and I'm simply repaying the favor. An expansion of my business into Russia is just a pretense. I have the last say when it comes to my Enterprise, make no mistake, but I'd rather not have any delays the Board could possibly make. No ulterior motives, I assure you, not to those who helped me.''
Katerina was perplexed after hearing Bruce, her swelling anger and humiliation lessening to an extent when she heard the sincerity in his tone. ''We helped you? That can't be, you were never in Russia. Our family would have remembered this,'' replied Katerina in a questioning tone.
Bruce simply smiled, choosing not to answer. ''Shall we eat? The food is here,'' said Bruce softly as the waiter entered with a cart of delicacies and refreshments.
Sometime later in the night Bruce escorted Katerina away from The Prestige, the cold weather a stark difference from the warmth provided by the high-class establishment. Despite what had happened, Bruce was able to skillfully make it a pleasant night for the both of them.
Right before they parted ways, Katerina grabbed Bruce closely by the arm before looking him in the eye with determination. ''I think it's possible to grasp. If it's you that is.''
''Excuse me?''
''Your heart's desire for the Wonder Woman. She looked quite happy in your arms Mr. Wayne, like she was deeply in love.''
…
In the deepest depths of darkness his piercing blue eyes glowed, his towering figure slowly emerged from the shadows as his chiseled body that would make even the gods turn green with envy and shame was revealed by the flickering glow of candlelight.
Diana lost all form of coherent thought when she saw the man approach her with those profound eyes filled with burning desire. She felt herself laid bare beneath his gaze, drowning within the dark sea that was his eyes.
Diana bit her lip harshly to the point of bleeding when he stopped right before her. She hesitated to reach out and touch him, to feel the man who had consumed her thoughts and heart for so long. She found herself afraid. Afraid that she would get hurt if she gave in to her desires. This was a man who could easily ruin her if he so wanted, and though she yearned for him inexplicably, Diana also feared his grasp over her heart.
He made the decision on her behalf. The man took her hand before placing it firmly against his chest. She could feel the fierce heartbeat that was pounding as fast as her own beneath the scarred flesh and toned muscle, a heavy reminder of who he was and all the things he endured.
''My heart will always belong to you, Diana,'' whispered the man as he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand before slowly running his thumb across her soft lips smeared with blood. ''I will always love you…my goddess.''
Diana blushed. She felt as if her soul had left her body. His declaration of love left her breathless. Diana almost thought she heard wrongly as those words she longed to hear day and night had finally been spoken. After so much doubt on his feelings towards her, after suppressing her emotions for the man to the point where it hurt, now…finally…
Diana's vision grew blurry as tears cascaded down her face, his words a ringing chant within her heart that she couldn't stop reciting. She weakly struck her hand against his chest as the emotions she had stifled for so long began to overwhelm her. ''Insufferable man, do you truly see my as your goddess? Does your heart truly belong to me?''
He nodded without hesitation. ''I wouldn't lie to you Diana.''
''Then why?!'' exclaimed Diana in an aggrieved tone. ''Why push me away? Do you know how I suffered every time you rejected me? How hollow my heart felt when you would walk away from me?''
''Please don't cry Princess. I don't deserve your tears.'' said the man softly as he wiped away her tear-streaked face.
Diana's eyes fluttered shut at the feel of his calloused hand against her skin, the warmth of his attentive caress gradually soothing her taut emotions. ''Bruce…please…''
Bruce's fingers slowly moved to entangle her hair, gently pulling her head upwards to expose her slender neck for his other hand to clasp around, his hold on her throat firm yet gentle. His action were something her Amazonian pride would never have allowed. Everything he did made her feel submissive, from his down-casted gaze to his fingers clasped around her neck and hair, and yet Diana found it exhilarating. An intoxicating poison she couldn't help but thirst for so long as it came from the man before her.
''Princess. For so long I have called you that, but in my heart I have always regarded you as my goddess. For years I dreamt of you, heard your enchanting voice in my mind, held you in my thoughts. I grew to be utterly consumed by you Diana.
''In truth, I have desired you for a very long time now. To make you mine and mine alone, my woman, my Diana,'' whispered Bruce as he brushed his lips against her jaw, his grip on her throat and hair holding her in place as she began to writhe beneath him.
Diana moaned with the feel of his hot mouth against her sensitive skin, his domineering words full of desire and yearning only serving to make the ache between her legs grow fiercer.
''But despite my deep-rooted desires towards you, I could not step forward, and so I distanced myself from you the more I wanted you. You are everything I could ever hope for and more Diana, and that scares me. I do not deserve you nor your heart. I don't deserve any of this.''
Diana opened her eyes to look at the man who held her securely within his grasp. This time she did not hesitate. She reached out to press her hand against his chest, directly where his heart lay. Her other hand moved to caress his cheek, savoring the feel of his jaw and stubble.
His goddess…his woman…it made Diana beyond happy, because she knew that the man she loved desired her just as much. Only…only she felt infuriated. This man would deny his own feelings and push away the woman he loved, even thinking himself undeserving. A wave of fury erupted in her heart at seeing his broken gaze, in seeing the sea of sorrow and loneliness settled deep within his eyes.
''Foolish man. Since the day I saw you, I couldn't take my mind off of you. You stole my heart since the very beginning Bruce Wayne. Do you know? I'd take on the world if you'd be mine and mine alone, my man, my Bruce. I would do anything if it meant we could be together. And don't think you don't deserve to be happy. You deserve more than you could ever know. You are certainly worthy of my heart, Bruce. If only you would accept it. If only you would accept…me...''
Bruce struggled to speak after hearing her words. Hesitation began to swallow his heart's desire. Diana could see the fierce battle being waged within his eyes. She could instinctually feel the torment that enveloped him. There was more than meets the eye when it came to the man she loved, and it pained her to know just how little she knew about Bruce. No matter the person, he kept everyone at arm's length.
Diana could feel her heart on the precipice of breaking as the rough hands that held her hair and neck began to pull away, making Diana feel a wave of bitterness. She had laid her heart bare before the man. Was this his answer? Was he going to return to his darkness and leave her, denying his own feelings as well as her own?
Diana closed her eyes, not willing to see Bruce turn his back on her and walk away. ''My sun and stars…'' whispered Diana wistfully, ''My heart and soul will always belong to you…''
The hands that pulled away suddenly returned with an unmatched fervor. Bruce grabbed Diana firmly by the waist, sweeping her into his arms before passionately kissing her soft, red-stained lips, causing the eyes of his goddess to open wide with shock.
Stunned by the turn of events, Diana felt ineffably flustered as her heart pulsated thunderously within her chest. A tidal wave of smoldering desire and pure joy consumed Diana, making her completely lose control of herself as she fiercely responded back to Bruce's ardent advances.
Like a predator not wanting its prey to escape, Diana pounced on the man. The near instantaneous speed at which she had done so made Bruce stumble a step back. A frenzied desperation could be felt in her every movement as she draped her arms around him, her long and slender legs hooked firmly over his hip.
Diana raked her fingers across Bruce's chiseled back, leaving a trail of scratch marks as she crushed her lips against his with wanton abandon.
Not to be outdone however, Bruce fondled the curvy bottom that was exposed from Diana's dress being hiked up before smacking it harshly, causing her to temporarily relinquish her hold on his lips to let out a cry of pleasure.
Diana chanted his name in a pleading tone, not knowing how to quell the burning ache she felt between her legs. She didn't know what else to do aside from kiss him. Unbeknownst to Diana, her pelvis was ineptly grinding against Bruce's lower half instinctively.
Seeing the goddess of his heart clumsily try to satiate her lust without any experience or knowledge on the matter between a man and a woman, Bruce found himself never wanting to let go of her. The last vestiges of hesitation he had were swept away and reduced to nothingness as he gave in to her.
Forcing himself to focus, Bruce carried Diana to the edge of the bed before sinking his weight atop her, pinning her beneath his masculine frame. Quickly restraining her arms, Bruce hoisted them above her head while he savored her honeyed lips, ravishing them to the point where they became slightly swollen until they parted.
''Bruce…'' she breathlessly murmured in a yearning tone as she rocked her hips against his, agitated by the sudden change of position and the lack of his lips against her own.
Bruce struggled to reign in on his rampant feelings. Lust, longing, love, his suppressed emotions all threatened to break loose and wreak havoc on the woman he had desired for so long. With every second he could feel his self-control threaten to collapse, but he withstood it all as he held Diana's gaze within his own. He needed to do things right by her before it was too late. Bruce needed to make Diana understand that which went far beyond what could be expressed through words or actions alone.
At first Diana couldn't comprehend what was going on. Vulnerable to his every action on her body, she had failed to see the look in his eyes until she grew concerned at his lack of movement. When she finally caught his gaze however, Diana became overwhelmed the more she saw. In that single moment there was no walls to guard his heart, no veil of darkness to obscure himself with. Through his eyes Diana saw Bruce's soul laid bare, and it was then that she truly understood the man who had taken her heart, and had given his own in return.
Diana awoke with a sharp gasp, her eyes flying wide open as she swiftly sat up from her bed. She quickly looked at her surroundings, finding herself alone in her quarters on the Watchtower.
Holding her head in her hands, realization began to dawn on her. She didn't want to believe it. She wanted to deny the reality before her. A stabbing pain erupted in her chest as the truth gradually set in.
Diana had trouble breathing as her mind fell to chaos. Was it all just a figment of her heart's desire? Was it all just a dream? Hera no…it can't be…
''A dream it was, but real nonetheless my child. The man you hold dear to your heart was there with you, his every word and action his own. Nothing was false. All was true.''
Startled by the female voice, Diana immediately sprung from her bed to the lasso and sword by her bedside. Her eyes darted across her quarters warily, searching for an intruder but finding none. Recalling the words that had been said, Diana frowned slightly before calling out in uncertainty.
''Lady Aphrodite?'' questioned Diana tentatively as she slightly lowered her unsheathed sword.
''I see the wisdom of Athena has not been wasted on you Diana,'' said the gentle voice in a pleased tone.
Diana sheathed her sword before making a bow to the goddess who had blessed her with ethereal beauty and a pure heart. ''Goddess Aphrodite, may I know the meaning behind your words prior?''
''A dream formed by the heart's desire. If the love between two hearts ring true, then they will intertwine. The matters between man and woman are sacred Diana. What has occurred within are only for you and him to know.''
Diana released a breath of air she hadn't known she was holding after hearing what the goddess Aphrodite had done in her favor. The knot that had begun to form in her heart after waking up had begun to uncoil at the revelation that the words and actions of Bruce were all his own and not a figment of her desires, that what she saw in his eyes was real.
''Do not doubt what you desire to be wrong Diana. Though your Mother and sisters think Man to be cruel and wicked, not all men are of the same cloth. It takes courage to love, to give yourself to another without reservation. Do not deprive yourself of the way you feel. Only by living with your true emotions and feelings can you feel the excitement of life and the desire towards living. To live without regret.''
When the voice of Aphrodite faded away and her presence could no longer be felt, Diana silently expressed her gratitude towards the Greek deity before returning to her bed, putting away her sword and Lasso of Truth.
Laying beneath strewn covers, Diana's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and questions regarding Bruce that only served to keep her awake and restless. Thinking of what had happened between them within the dream, Diana felt her pulse quicken and her cheeks blush. Her emotions had never been so out of control.
Diana had never experienced such things before coming to Man's World – whether it be the things he made her feel or the things he did towards her – and yet ever since Bruce Wayne came into her life, Diana had begun to learn new things about herself. Just knowing she could make those type of sounds and lose control of herself in such a manner left her feeling both mortified and an eagerness for the future. If her people back on Themyscira knew about her current thoughts, no doubt they would believe her to be terribly bewitched, intent on beheading her sun and stars.
A frustrated huff escaped her lips as her body – flushed with the lingering desire and newfound need from their dream – remained, becoming increasingly potent the longer Diana thought of Bruce. The thought of pleasing herself had crossed her mind long ago when she had overheard her sisters speak of it, but Diana had never felt the need nor stimulation that her sisters spoke of when trying for the first time, leaving her confused on why people would even do such a thing towards themselves.
It was only after this dream with Bruce did Diana finally understand, leading her to try for a second time in thousands of years to see if she could satisfy the newfound carnal desire that Bruce had brought out of her. Clasping her hand around her neck, she awkwardly tried to imitate the things Bruce had done to her from memory, even going so far as to spank herself. In the end however, her second attempt ended the same as the first, with not the slightest sense of pleasure from her actions.
Diana concluded the act of pleasuring oneself to be a useless endeavor from that night forward. Though she was greatly bothered by the relentless ache between her legs and the longing nestled within her breast, Diana wasn't displeased with the outcome. This carnal desire that had awoken within her stemmed from her sun and stars, and only he could satisfy it. Not only did she not mind this, but Diana smiled eagerly at the fact for quite some time.
After taking the time to let her body gradually settle down, Diana began to consider a great many things.
She was worried for her sun and stars. Unlike herself who knew the truth about the dream thanks to Aphrodite, Bruce was in the dark. Had this occurred to Diana when she had just left for Man's World, she would have immediately rushed off to confront the man about it, but Diana knew Bruce's personality after interacting with him long enough to know that doing so would be a mistake.
Diana quickly ran through the various scenarios and found them all to end with her losing control of her temper and punching the man. Dreams never lie – always revealing the heart's desire – but Bruce would only stubbornly deny it in reality before barking at her to leave his cherished city.
By the gods, though she loved her sun and stars deeply, Bruce Wayne was beyond difficult to handle at times. Diana had thanked Athena on numerous accounts over the years for blessing her with divine wisdom and intellect, else she'd have long lost her patience with the insufferable man and hospitalized him.
No, immediately confronting him about what had occurred would only end with tragedy on both sides. Diana had to be smart with her approach. She needed to be prepared if she wanted to turn their dream into a reality.
…
''Can you believe this guy!?'' exclaimed John as he passed the newspaper to Wally while he put down his tray of food.
''Can I believe what?'' replied Wally loudly as he wolfed down on his twelfth plate of steak before belching, making John grimace as he sat down across from him.
Looking down to read the newspaper, Wally gradually stopped chewing before nearly choking on his meal when he read the title and saw the main picture on the front page of the news article.
''Shocking! The Playboy of Gotham does it again. A new lover – Royal Duchess Katerina Petrovna?!''
Underneath the bold lettered headline was an unmistakable picture of Katerina closely grabbing Bruce's arm just as she was about to depart from The Prestige, with the two in a seemingly intimate position as she looked him in the eye with determination.
With the way the picture was taken, it left much to the reader's imagination. Many were already gossiping that the Duchess was declaring her love towards the infamous Playboy in the moment of which the picture was taken, determined to tell him how she felt before they parted ways.
Wally was certainly stunned senseless when he saw it. ''This can't be real right? Sheesh, remind me to talk to the guy. I have this upcoming date with this girl named Linda in Central City, and I got to say she is one fine wom- ow! What was that for?!'' yelped Wally as he looked up from the newspaper, rubbing the back of his head gingerly.
John had used his green power ring to create a hand, smacking Wally upside the back of his head with it. ''Aren't you forgetting about something Wally? Perhaps a certain someone?''
''Huh? Oh…Oh!''
John sighed in exasperation when he saw the comical look on Wally's face. ''Took you long enough. I got to say, if Diana finds out about this…''
''If I find out about what?'' asked a voice from afar as a hand reached out from behind John, grabbing the newspaper that was laid out on the table.
Diana had just left her quarters, her mind still reeling from the night before when her hearing reflexively picked up on John calling her name in a hushed tone. Seeing the two men huddled over a newspaper, Diana's interest was naturally piqued.
Both John and Wally stiffened noticeably, not daring to move in the slightest. Wally's eyes began to dart all over the Watchtower cafeteria, wishing himself anywhere but where he was at that moment. John who was sweating bullets glanced pitifully at Shayera who had appeared just around the corner, hoping she would come over so he could at least excuse himself.
Luckily for the two, Diana left just as swiftly as she appeared, though John and Wally both winced when they heard the newspaper crumple loudly beneath her hands before being hurled onto the table before them.
Walking down the hallway with furious steps, Diana once again learned something new about herself due to the man. Jealousy and selfishness. Like a blade, these foreign feelings carved their way into her heart effortlessly, piercing and twisting it painfully the moment she saw Bruce with another woman who wasn't herself.
These emotions that festered within weren't completely new to her, but in the face of love they became unbearable. Diana had no reason to be jealous of this woman she knew nothing of, and yet she was, simply because this unknown woman was in a picture with Bruce, her hand on his arm as if she were his lover. Selfishness had long been driven out of her many moons ago for selflessness, and yet in the face of love it resurfaced stronger than it had ever been, urging her to keep Bruce all to herself.
Love. Love had always been a forbidden fruit for the Amazon since the day she was born, and now that she finally tasted it for herself, she found it to be intense and bittersweet, yet utterly irresistible. Diana thoroughly savored the flavors of the forbidden fruit, knowing all too well that she could never go back to the way she was before.
Love had consumed her, and as dark and brutal as it sounded, Diana would never tolerate the existence of another that could come between her and her man. Killing would never be her first option, but Diana had no qualms in doing so if another woman – or anybody for that matter – tried to take Bruce away from her.
This was her firm belief, and though she kept it close to heart, Diana merely entertained the notion in passing. A single picture was hardly enough for her to make judgement on this woman named Katerina Petrovna - still however, seeing how close the two appeared together made Diana's lips twist into a sneer.
The Amazonian princess exuded a frightening aura that made everyone who saw her subconsciously avoid her, not daring to get in her way. A single thought echoed within her mind that only grew louder with every step she took towards the Monitor Womb, making her lips gradually curl upwards into a beautiful smile.
'The heart of my sun and stars will always belong to me…and only me, his goddess…'