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The Aim of Art

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance." Aristotle

Bane went into the board meeting with Saito believing that the whole point of this get together was actually to discuss his relationship with Robin. He expected Saito to disguise that fact by weaving that narrative in between actual business talk. Because in the end there could be no other reason why the other man would insist on this face to face meeting, and so Bane came into the room prepared to shut that down hard. Saito had no business interfering with his interaction with Robin and Bane would tolerate no one telling him what he could and couldn't do. He'd only come in the first place to make that crystal clear to the crime boss. The easily replaced crime boss, come to that.

Furthermore, after this morning, Bane was already planning to cut ties with Robin before he became any more embroiled in the chaos and insanity that seemed to trail behind Robin like a beloved pet. Or the cop's very shadow.

Whether he slept with the man at least once before severing those bonds was something Bane was still debating, but this game he and Robin were 'playing' was going to end very soon and on Bane's own terms. He would tolerate no outside interference.

Interference Saito seemed in no hurry to allude to, much less state as the minutes ticked by.

And all right, it didn't improve Bane's mood any that every video he'd watched of the Gotham riots had shown Robin shirtless and very much on display to every idiot with an interest connection. And why had Robin removed his belt at some point, causing his trousers to dip down lower than was decent in Bane's opinion. And while Bane been impressed by those few videos that had managed to capture Robin in battle, his bird showing definite training and skill as he dispatched his enemies, it had been...unsettling to see people come at his cop with broken bottles, knives, and whatever else the rioters had managed to get their hands on.

Also don't even get him started, not if you wanted to remain unbloodied anyway, Bane's reactions and thoughts regarding the numerous comments left online directed towards Robin. There had been the usual deriding of cops and such, this was Gotham after all, but by and large many of those people had expressed the wish to reward Robin for his reckless and stupid behavior in very expressive and often carnal ways.

The temptation to have one of his IT men trace some of those IP addresses and get him names and addresses had been strong at first. And this despite the fact that Robin hadn't even gotten the most attention family wise. His father and grandfather, who'd remained in one place for the most part, had actually received the majority of praise. Robin's grandfather, it seemed, was considered quite the 'silver fox'.

Bane had to agree that the head of the Blake family had been impressive in battle. And not just because the man's yakuza tattoos had been on full display due to the man's shirtless state. As skilled as Robin had shown himself to be Takahiro Kawada Blake had shown pure poetry and mastery in every movement he'd made. Brutal, as necessary, but his complete command over his body had been beautiful to watch.

Looking at Saito, Bane could understand the rumors that the other man had loved the other man for decades now. Even when Takahiro had chosen another man to take as his mate. Of course Saito had married first, the arrangement a business alliance that had brought the man much wealth and power.

Did he regret making such a choice?

Studying the man in question Bane thought that the older man was fit for someone of his age. Saito's hair was mostly silver at this point with only hints of its former raven black, but had the man dyed his hair he would have easily passed for younger than he was, the lines few around Saito's eyes and mouth. The suit he wore was immaculate and bespoke, the man's superior education apparent in every word that left his mouth as he discussed their mutual businesses together without once bringing up the Blake family and Bane's recent interactions with them.

No words of warning. No subtle hints about ending their business together or even Bane's own life if Bane continued to associate with Robin. Nothing.

Was the old man waiting for him to bring Robin up? Was that it? Did he think there was something to be learned that way? Should he bring Robin up?

Or was Robin the red herring? Did Saito want him thinking that this was all about his relationship with a member of the Blake family when he had another goal in mind. One Bane should be looking for as they discussed their mutual businesses, latest acquisitions, and the current status and behavior of those they considered mutual enemies or competitors.

Saito's various observations and intel all lined up with Bane's own for the most part, the few tidbits that didn't Bane made a mental note to have Barsad look into. And still the meeting drew closer and closer to its end. Without a trap of any sort being sprung.

Rising to his own feet when Saito did so Bane pushed back his chair to get it out of his way as he turned, accepting the hand offered to him once a brief glance at it confirmed no hidden weapon or means of transmitting poison.

"I thank you again for indulging me with this meeting, Bane san. I know it is quite the distance to travel, especially for matters that could, in truth, be handled easily enough through other means. I have found though that it is often important to...touch base with those I work with, in order to ensure that we continue to understand one another and our mutual goals. Thank you for indulging this old man."

Inclining his head slightly Bane acknowledged the words while continuing to wait and watch.

The rumbling chuckle came as a complete surprise.

"I see. You have been waiting for me to bring up Robin, yes? You thought perhaps that he was the reason I asked you to come." The barest hint of a smile curved Saito's lips. "I will admit that when I first received word of your interest in Takahiro's grandson I was-concerned. I had my people look into the nature of said interest and after a few days felt that it was best to let what is between the two of you run its inevitable course. I suppose I did-in part-ask you here to get another read on you for that reason. But mostly, as I said before, because I value our working relationship and wish to keep it strong. And insure you are aware of that fact."

"Inevitable?"

Another low sound of amusement. "You are not an unwise man, Bane san. We would not be doing business if you were. You already know-are perhaps already questioning and possibly regretting ever getting involved with Robin. Correct? It is understandable that you first pursued him. You are not the first nor the last intelligent man to desire him. But I would imagine at this point you have realized your mistake."

"Mistake." Bane repeated like a damn parrot, hating that he did so but seemingly unable to help himself.

"Would you prefer miscalculation?"

Not really. No.

"Fair enough. Nor will I insult your intelligence by stating my reasoning. Instead I'll simply state that so long as you don't cause the Blake family problems when it ends you and I will have no quarrel with each other."

It was on the tip of Bane's tongue to ask just how Saito thought his relationship with Robin would end but he refused to let that question leave his lips. He was sure to like it even less than the others given.

So instead he simply inclined his head, and accepted Saito's invitation to lunch.

)

A couple hours later, after lunch was over and they'd gone their separate ways, Bane, Barsad, and two of his men left the restaurant in the car Barsad had reserved for this trip. He and Bane were seated in the back while the other two men had the front. Traffic was as bad as one would expect given the time of day and Bane fine with this for the moment as he was in no hurry to arrive back at the hotel. He was using his own private plane after all, and it would leave when he ordered it to. He was in control. Of both his life and himself.

Glancing in Barsad's direction Bane wasn't sure what to make of the contemplative look on the other man's face. One he'd been wearing for quite some time now.

"What?"

"Was he encouraging you to end your relationship with the cop...or trying to strength it?"

"Explain."

Leaning back in his seat Barsad crossed his arms comfortably in front of him.

"On the one hand you have him wanting you to break up with Blake. That makes sense. He wouldn't want someone like you intimately connected to the Blake family. Close to at least one person he loves. He knows you and your reputation. The enemies you have who might see Blake as a sign of your weakness. Or a weakness they can use against you. There's also Blake's service record. I don't believe he's playing a role with you. His aim is not to seduce you in order to gain access to information about you and the business. But stay with you long enough and he'd pick up things. Notice, put those pieces of information together, and then be forced to act, as is his duty. Breaking apart our organization would cause problems for Saito due to our joint business ventures."

A moment's pause.

"There are also plenty of other reasons why he might think it best to see that the two of you part ways."

Bane couldn't deny that. He could think of at least five other reasons without straining himself.

"On the other hand...there are advantages to you being involved with Blake. Perhaps he saw the cracks already forming between the two of you and thinks to shore them up by challenging you. Suggesting that you aren't man enough to control Blake. That you find yourself unequal to the task of bending him to your will. Playing on your ego and pride."

In truth Bane hadn't considered this before, and was furious that that was the case.

"He thinks I'll protect the Blake family for him. That their wellbeing will be secured because no one will dare cross me by harming him or a member of his family so long as he is mine."

"The brother turned to you for help gathering information about someone. Perhaps they're expecting a particular threat in the near future. One Saito is not equipped to contain and eliminate."

Bane permitted himself a single curse in Arabic before falling silent again.

Robin had said that 'John Smith' was not a real threat to him or his brother. Had called the other man a fuckup. Nothing Robin had said to him in the car had suggested he was lying about that but Robin was often an overconfident man. Perhaps the man was deadlier than Robin thought him to be.

Given the prison this man had been sent to, on top of Robin's statement that this man made it a habit of killing people...

"They could just want us to eliminate the man so that they keep their hands clean." Bane pointed out, throwing that into the pot for consideration.

"That could be why the brother approached you so blatantly in the first place."

Bane considered that. "He would have to be a very dangerous and skilled man, for Saito to believe him beyond his reach."

"Yes."

His Russian contact had yet to get back to him about 'John Smith'. Petrov claimed that such information wasn't easily accessed, especially as he was not in Russia at the moment. Nor was he due back for another week and a half due to an off the books assignment. One ordered by Putin himself.

Barsad spoke again. "If this man is dangerous enough to worry Saito-then we don't want him in Gotham regardless of who he poses a threat to."

True. If a predator was coming into his territory Bane wanted to know all there was to know about him. He gave the order that Barsad was to look into the man personally.

"Immediately."

Trusting that he would have the information within the next twenty-four hours or less Bane turned to look out the window, watching life play out around them as he considered his own. He would leave the country in a couple hours...and head back towards Gotham while still making his two planned stops along the way to deal with other business. He would not cancel those plans, putting Robin before his work. He would keep to the plan.

He had decided.

)

Blake was no stranger to being dumped. He was a cop after all. A good one. Ergo he worked tirelessly and often long after shift seeking justice for those who couldn't seek it for themselves. And that meant missing dates, last minute cancellations, and forgotten special occasions. Add in the stress of dating someone who could wind up dead just doing their job every day and yeah, there was a reason cops generally had piss poor luck in the personal relationship department. The divorce rates were depressing as hell. Just look at his father and 'step mother'. So yeah, Blake had been dumped a lot in his lifetime and knew all the signs that it was coming.

He hadn't expected Bane to ghost him rather than dump him.

Being ghosted was so much more annoying that being dumped, Blake mused to himself as he drummed his fingers against his belly, water beading and rolling down his wet skin in reaction.

As he soaked his still achy as fuck body in the hot water of his bath Blake could easily remember those weak, spineless morons he'd dated very briefly in the past who, rather than just admit they didn't want to date him anymore, had simply stopped talking to him. Others, like Bane, were suddenly always too busy to talk, much less see him, and did things to piss him off so that he ended up breaking up with them so that they didn't have to be the 'bad guy'.

"Why the fuck would he worry about being the Bad Guy? He's already the Bad Guy. He was THE Bad Guy before I even met him!"

The complaint, aimed at the cat watching him with some interest from the bathroom counter, went unanswered.

Of course if he wanted the cat to answer he'd have to take stronger painkillers. Which he'd rather avoid, thank you very much. Not that the ones they'd given him this time around were that strong. He wasn't that hurt. But he could have snitched some from someone else if he really wanted to.

Stretching out on the counter, his slim grey body perfectly groomed as always, Yue seemed utterly unsympathetic to his plight. Spoiled rotten furball.

"This is why I like Buffy better than you."

It was tempting to flick water at the cat, the fuzzball totally deserved it, but Blake was currently using his grandfather's bathroom and any mess he made he'd be expected to clean up. Including any mess the man's precious feline made because the stupid thing had freaked out over being splashed with water. Though really, if the cat didn't want to be exposed to water he shouldn't have followed Blake into the bathroom in the first place.

"Perv."

Blake considered a staring contest but the damn cat always won those. So instead he sat up and very carefully maneuvered himself so that he could grab his cellphone off the small table his grandfather had positioned there to offer a resting place for books, drinks, etc etc. Grandfather took bath time very seriously. He'd always liked that about him.

Studying the black screen, willing it against his own common sense to light up or indicate he'd somehow missed a message, Blake honestly didn't know if he was more pissed off at himself or Bane for the position he found himself in.

The last message he'd received from Bane had been a two word reply of 'That's fine.'. That's all the bastard had wrote. And Bane probably wouldn't have even sent that message if not for the fact that Blake had messaged him first, telling him that he'd given their Twelfth Night tickets to some friends of his because there was no way he'd be able to sit through the performance in his present physical state. It would fuck his knee up royally among other things, especially since there would be even less room to move than normal given Bane's additional bulk.

He'd CANCELLED their first official date and Bane was fine with that. Why was he fine with that?

Why was he freaking out like a teenage girl who'd been dumped the day before the prom?

So embarrassing. It had to stop.

Which brought him back to the question of whether he was being dumped, ghosted, or Bane was just being a stupid male who didn't realize that he was being a stupid male. Communication was key! Blake freely admitted that he often sucked at relationships, and how, and even he knew that.

Of course Bane also probably didn't watch TV, good movies or read fiction. So maybe Blake should cut him a break. Or not. Or not sounded good to him.

Or...or he could give the bear a nice sharp point with a stick and see where that got him. Not that he approved of cruelty to animals, Blake absolutely didn't...but being mean to dickheads who'd been courting you for weeks and then dumped you while you were on the injured list deserved it.

And with that in mind Blake went to his contacts where he just so happened to have Barsad's personal phone number. One Arthur had dug up for him back when Bane had first moved into Gotham, just in case it was needed at a later date. He'd actually had Bane's number before he'd ever laid eyes on the actual man.

But he didn't want to talk to Bane at the moment, especially since Bane was obviously much too busy to talk to him these last couple of days since he'd been hurt during the riots.

Let's just see if Barsad had time for him instead.