Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters and the situations all characters end up in. Everything else belongs to someone else and that's the way of it.

Learn The Rules

"Learn the rules like a pro, break them like an artist." Picasso

Bane had given some thought to entertaining the lieutenant in his more opulent formal dining room, which he had little use for as he rarely entertained. But in the end he chose the room where he regularly ate his meals, wanting the other man close and relaxed in his presence. As a student of both art and history the formal dining area would have also distracted his curious little bird with its paintings and furnishings, and Bane wanted all of Lieutenant Robin Blake's attention on him.

He'd spent his time reviewing the data Barsad was collecting on the cop in between other tasks since coming home, and with every new piece of the puzzle Bane found himself more intrigued and determined to strip aside the man's masks. Along with his clothing, of course, since Robin had made sure that sex with him would be constantly on Bane's mind.

And having decided that he wanted to see the man's impression of his home, Bane waited until ten minutes before Robin was to come before heading downstairs with the idea of being there to open the door himself. Not something he made a habit of, he preferred having a minion or Barsad act as his go between whenever possible, but this was no ordinary visitor to his abode.

On the device in his hands Bane continued to study the man's financial portfolio, which was impressive to say the least. The absentee mother, or someone claiming to be their mother, had gifted both Blake twins with two million dollars when they came of age, and while the man's father didn't make a great deal of money in the same profession as his eldest son the patriarch of the Blake family provided well for his son and grandsons. All four Blake men were wealthy enough that they didn't need to work, each worth millions, and yet two of them had chosen to become policemen. To risk their lives every day for a largely thankless and never-ending profession. Intriguing.

Then there was his bird's twin, Arthur. An equally complex man with just as many, if not more hidden depths than his brother. It was whispered that the younger twin not only provided security and the retrieval of stolen goods, but was willing to go outside the law when it came to the latter. But only to take back what had already been stolen. The man didn't take from original owners. Barsad had yet to confirm the latter as fact, but the rest came from sources Bane trusted. Which was interesting, especially if Robin knew about his brother's proclivities.

His phone signaling that someone was at his front gates, Bane used the device to access his security cameras. And then raised his eyebrows at the fact that his guest was arriving on a motorcycle.

Security let Blake through the gates as per orders, Bane watching the man speed up his drive before coming to a rather showy stop at the bottom of the stairs, rolling his bike a little off to the side before sliding off it with easy grace. And while Bane watched Robin reached up to undo the strap on the helmet before taking it off, swiping a hand over his head before starting up the steps towards the door with no hesitation at all.

Putting his phone away Bane waited until the other man knocked before unlocking and then opening the door to admit him.

Standing in his doorway Robin's lips curved into a very sexy little grin as he looked Bane up and down while he did the same, Bane taking in the milk chocolate leather jacket, which covered the man from neck to waist, and the black jeans tucked into very expensive leather boots the same shade as the jacket. The man's face was appealing colored from his ride, Bane noted, especially paired with that grin and those eyes that sparked with promises of misbehavior.

"Answering your own door. Butler have the night off?"

"Says the man who has more than enough money to have hired help of your own." Though he didn't, Bane knew, aside from a twice monthly cleaner.

"My father's housekeeper makes me food for my freezer sometimes."

Closing the door, Bane didn't comment on that even as he thought that it was a good thing that there was someone who was making sure the cop ate more than crap.

Just as well that he'd held back his thoughts on the matter, Bane discovered a moment later, as he doubted that he would have been heard.

Standing in the middle of the front foyer Robin's attention is focused solely on the architecture and art within his sight. Not saying anything, but just appreciating it all as it deserved.

More than a few minutes passed before the cop finally spoke. "Impressive."

"Thank you."

Offering to take Blake's jacket and helmet from him, Bane held the helmet for him while Robin unsnapped the strap across his throat and then unzipped his jacket to reveal the navy blue dress shirt underneath. Bane liked how it looked on him, particular the open buttons that gave him a lovely, unhindered view and access to his bird's throat. Taking the garment when it was offered Bane hung up the jacket and then placed the helmet on one of the tables that flanked the front doors.

Returning to the other man's side Bane offered the cop his arm, which Robin took with a grin.

"Dinner's waiting, so I hope you've brought your appetite."

The smirk Blake gave him said it all. "It's all going to be disgustingly healthy, isn't it?"

"You have a problem with food that is designed to nourish rather than destroy your body?"

Moving with that innate feline grace of his, Robin slid from his side to stand in front of him, their chest brushing deliberately as Robin looked up at him knowingly. "Something wrong with my body, Bane?"

Bane saw no reason not to be blunt. "I'll let you know once I've thoroughly examined every inch of you."

Grinning in delight, Robin set his hands on Bane's chest, the heat of them somehow penetrating the fabric of his dress shirt. "And just when did I give you the impression that I'll let you? In fact, I'm pretty sure I told you the opposite."

"Have you? I think not."

A small nod of acknowledgement, though there was something in the man's eyes that made it clear he was going to be difficult about this. "Lead the way to the food, and after maybe we'll discuss other appetites. And the statement I've come to get."

Inclining his head in agreement, Bane motioned for the other man to follow him.

)

With a trained eye Blake took in the beautifully preserved wooden floors, antique furniture, and most impressive to him, wished he could do back to studying the very old stained glass dome set into the foyer's ceiling. It depicted a pond of sorts, with glass lilies, rushes, and fish expertly rendered. It brought to Blake's mind Monet, who was a favorite of his. He loved the man's use of color.

And those stained glass panels would be easy enough to remove if he were breaking in with the right tools.

Hazard of his former trade, as was the way Blake's eyes naturally moved over the valuables as he followed Bane deeper into the man's house, cataloguing what he had and what it was worth. Not that he didn't also appreciate some of it aesthetically, he did, but none of it called to him either, aside from that stained glass.

"Did you hire someone, or decorate yourself?"

"I bought it this way. I've changed little on this floor."

"That's what I thought." When Bane gave his a questioning look Blake grinned. "These rooms aren't designed by a man with a military, organized mind. Not to mention the feel of them isn't you either."

"And you think you know me well enough to say that?"

"I think you're smart enough to have the public rooms present the façade you want to present to the people who come here. Your personal rooms, I'm guessing, have quite a different feel and look to them." They'd be spartan, he was sure, with only those things with real meaning or value displayed on walls or in shelves alongside the useful and necessary. Functionality over comfort, though Blake imagined that at least the bed would be impressive, if for no other reason that the size of its owner.

Pity he was smart enough not to ask for a tour of it.

So of course Bane's next words were a statement that they could tour his personal rooms after dinner.

"Love to. But unfortunately that's not on the menu."

"As I am your host, isn't the menu up to me?"

The devil made him do it. "You can offer me what you like, Bane. Doesn't mean it goes in my mouth."

Both of them took a moment to imagine that before Bane recovered himself enough to respond.

"Given your background, you must know that one does not insult one's host by refusing their gifts. And that it is the height of arrogance and stupidity, to not sample and appreciate new things simply because you haven't tried them before."

"Ah, but in this case I simply want to insure the wellbeing of the gift being offered. I'm very rough on my toys, I'm afraid."

"And you think that I cannot handle you?"

"No man has managed it yet."

"Given the sort of man that calls Gotham home, that does not surprise me."

Making a sound of agreement, picking were damn slim, unfortunately, Blake left it at that, especially as they'd just entered the room he had a feeling they'd be dining in. The silverware and covered dishes rather gave that away. As did the delicious smells currently circulating the room.

Stomach rumbling, that hotdog was long gone at this point, Blake made a beeline for the closest chair, while Bane moved around the relatively small table to take the seat across from him.

Lifting off the cover Blake stared at the chicken, baked potato, and mixed vegetables, and smiled.

"Well, if it tastes as good as it looks there will be nothing left on this plate when I'm done with it."

"Good."

Given that nothing he'd learned about Bane suggested that he was religious, and he himself wasn't, Robin turned his attention to cutting up his chicken, pleased to see it was at least seasoned with herbs. Somehow he doubted Bane had ketchup in the house.

"Bread?"

Looking at the bread basket he was being offered, whole grain, Blake considered and then decided what the hell, eating healthy tonight meant an excuse to eat unhealthy tomorrow.

And since he was pretty sure what was on the little circle dish wasn't even a distant cousin of butter, Blake opted to just eat it the way it is.

"Itadakimasu."

Surprise, and then the realization that he shouldn't have been because of course Bane had researched him enough to know of his Japanese 'roots', Blake returned the sentiment. Bane had been known to do business with Saito, Blake reminded himself, which meant that at some point the latter had probably warned Bane about coming near Robin's family.

But rather than ask, Blake settled for asking Bane in Japanese if he was fluent.

"I am."

Intrigued and wanting to continue to play, Blake asked Bane what other languages he spoke. In French.

"Bol'she chem ty." Was Bane's response, which meant 'more than you' in Russian.

"I do love a man with a gift for tongues."

And settling in Blake prepared to see just what languages they had in common.

Which proved to be every language he was fluent in, which was sexy as hell from Blake's point of view. It was rare for him to encounter someone who was not only his type physically, but mentally as well. It was a stereotype of course, that the more brawn you had, the less brains you must possess, but it was more accurate than not in Blake's experience. Add in sexy accent, dangerous aura, and being utterly forbidden…and really, it just was not fair that he couldn't have his cake and eat it too.

Bane probably hated cake.

So he settled for discussing languages, countries they'd visited or hoped to see, and their shared love of art.

)

By the end of the meal Bane had already mentally plotted out any number of moves where his conniving little bird was concerned. He was determined to have Robin now, he wouldn't settle for anything less, and while the other man was obviously enjoying himself, and him, Bane had a feeling that his precocious little bird had every intention of leaving here without giving him more than a verbal taste of him. And that just would not do.

So he continued to plot and plan as he gave his statement about the events of that day, which Robin recorded on his phone. It was fairly cut and dry, and would have taken only a few minutes of his time at the museum, but he'd had no interest in talking to the cop in charge, and every reason to ensure a future meeting with the one seated across from him.

When they were done Robin turned off the recording app on his phone and then shoved it back in his pant pocket. "Well that takes care of that. And I should be going. It's been a long day."

Getting up from his chair and walking around the table, Bane very deliberately placed himself between his quarry and the only exit out of the room. A fact that would have scared most men, but only made his bird tip his head back to study him, waiting.

Reaching out Bane gently slid a single finger along the man's jawline. "We are far from done."

His touch was permitted, but those dark eyes said no even before the cop spoke the words. "For tonight we are."

"So you will see me again?"

Tensing automatically when the other man hands came up, he was long trained to expect the worst, Bane maintained eye contact despite the hands that were placed on his chest, not pushing him away but very much ready to act as a barrier if need be.

"Cutting through the bullshit…we can't. Do I want to go upstairs with you, and spend the rest of the night having really amazing sex? That would be a hell yes. But I have to say no, so let me go."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you're going to bleed."

"Why do you have to say no?" Bane demanded to know. The question bought him time, and he wanted to know what obstacles he'd be moving out of his way.

Robin's gaze was both knowing and resigned. "You mean aside from the fact that I'd bet our bank accounts neither of us would be satisfied with one night?"

"Aside from that." That went without saying. It wasn't the norm for him, but then he'd never wanted someone with such single minded focus before either.

"Well there's IAB for starters. I already get the looks from them because of my family without adding you to the mix. If I wanted rats…well really, who the fuck ever wants rats in their lives, even if they're the human kind. Seriously."

"I already know you aren't the type who can be bought. And I have plenty of cops on my payroll. There would be nothing for IAB to find against you. I'd make sure of it even if you were on my payroll."

Robin groaned, fingers digging in to Bane's chest, bunching up his shirt. "See? See that right there? You can't say that shit around me. I'm a fucking cop. If you do anything illegal and I find out about it, and I would find out about it, I'd be required to report you. Which I wouldn't hesitate to do, by the way because this isn't about your survival. It's about money. You don't need to cross those lines anymore, but you do it anyway."

"Robin."

"Oh don't Robin me. And don't think I don't have a good fucking idea what happens to people who are in a position to see you locked up. I want to fuck you, but not enough to die for the privilege. I'm not THAT mental."

"I don't make mistakes like that." It wouldn't be easy, but Bane didn't doubt that he'd be able to keep the cop in front of him in the dark long enough to work him out of his system.

"Willing to bet your freedom on that? I mean I am that good…but still…"

Lowering his head, he'd heard enough, Bane was stopped by a hand over his mouth.

And then the sound of a cellphone going off killed the silent standoff.

"Behave. That's my dad's ringtone."

Sliding a hand back down between them to retrieve the phone, Robin kept his hand firmly over Bane's mouth the whole time, which Bane allowed because…because he wasn't quite sure why, actually. He wasn't used to being denied anything now, and it was in his nature to take what he wanted.

"Father."

Whatever the man on the other end of the call said made Robin grin ruefully in response.

"I was actually just on my way out, Mr. Doubting Thomas."

Some sounds of agreement, then a promise to walk someone or something named Buffy before he turned in for the night. And then Robin was saying good night and ending the call, shoving the phone back into his pocket.

"I'm out past curfew, and dad wants me home or I'm grounded." The hand Robin had been holding over Bane's mouth fell away. "So are you going to play nice and let me leave…or are things going to get physical in a way neither of us is going to enjoy?"

Bane considered, then took a step back. "I'll play nice. For now."

Robin's lips twitched in amusement. "Not going to make this easy, are you?"

"No. Not until I get what I want." A moment's pause. "And who or what is Buffy?"

"Family dog. The name was not our fault. It's a long story."

"I see." Though he really didn't. "I'll escort you out."