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Master Manipulators

Sprawled out on Bane's sweaty chest, his own limbs dangling like a broken puppet's and heart still beating a mile a minute, Blake supposed it was a good thing it wasn't actually theoretically possible to fuck someone's brains out. Because if ever there was an alpha that could pull that off, he had the sinking feeling it was the one underneath him. Especially if Bane started to make a habit of keeping that tin can off his face when they had sex. Access to that mouth, on top of how hot Bane sounded when the tin can wasn't distorting his accent and groans. Mmmmm.

And hopefully these thoughts were all just a product of hormones and his impending heat. Because if they weren't Blake was so screwed in a bad way. Though what a fucking way to go all things considered. And hell, a fuck ton of people hadn't thought he'd make it through his teens, much less into adulthood. He'd already exceeded their expectations.

Mmmm. Bane was stroking his hair. He liked that.

"Feeling better now, I see."

Opening one eye at the smugness of Bane's sexy voice, and recognizing that the alpha could not think he had the upper hand even though he sorta did at the moment, Blake tried to find the energy to at least pinch the man. Nope. Brain not on line enough for that level of hand eye coordination. That last orgasm had been a doozy. Plus the head stroking might stop.

"I know I said I'd punch you, and just for the record I was going to, but the only currently soft part on you is your junk, and right now I love it too much to risk damaging it. Especially since FYI, you are going to be present for my heat to fuck it out of me. That's non-negotiable. Failure to comply could lead to castration. Yours, if that wasn't clear."

The way Bane went very still beneath him was gratifying, though he's stopped stroking his hair too, which Blake frowned over. Things were never going his way for long lately. And God, his thinking was so screwed right now. He needed to find his snark before it was too late.

"This is the calm before the storm, FYI."

"I think the storm was just had."

Hard to argue with that given that they were still recovering from it. But thankfully Blake was always up to arguing, even when he had to mentally concede that his opponent had a point. "That was a little rain compared to what's in store for you, Buddy. Better eat lots of healthy crap and rest up, because I'm guessing sometime within the next forty eight hours or so I'm going to show you Perfect Storm sex."

"Perfect Storm sex?"

"Category five." He assured him, deliberately scraping a nail over one of Bane's nipples for emphasis. And hey, his arms were starting to work again. Bonus.

Especially when Bane made such a sexy sound in response. And speaking of which…

"So if I'm tolerating being called Robin…will you keep that tin can off your face when it's just us in here?"

"It's not a tin can."

"Fine. Your ugly facial accessory. Better?"

Bane's answer was a hard pinch to Blake's arse, which had him yelping in response.

"Fuck! That hurt!" Blake viciously twisted Bane's nipple in retaliation. And grinned nastily at the sound that elicited. "Serves you right. And fine, keep the ugly thing on. Not like you'd know what to do with your mouth if you kept it off, anyway."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

His smile becoming that much more wicked, alphas really were so very easy to manipulate at times, Blake bent his arms like an officer in boot camp and started belly crawling forward to make his way further up Bane's chest until he was leaning over him, their mouths almost touching.

"I mean that this beautiful mouth is wasted on you." Closing that small gap he brushed their lips together before turning his attention to placing more brief kisses over the mask scarred right cheek.

"You seemed to be enjoying it earlier." Was Bane's less than amused response.

"True. I suppose you could be taught." Blake decided to enjoy Bane's flavor by dragging his tongue over the skin he'd been kissing. He found the differences in textures oddly…erotic. He really did have to convince Bane to let him give him a thorough exploration of his body at some point. Maybe Bane would learn a thing or two in the process. Or at the very least earn he could earn himself some brownie points.

"And what else do you think I need to be taught?"

"Well for starters-actually nevermind. I need to remain the master manipulator here." Backtracking back down Bane's body Blake returned to snuggling against Bane's chest, thinking that now would be a good time for a nap. And Bane was so much more comfortable to sleep on than their mattress. If he could just slip into slumber before Bane finished stewing over his words than-

"Now that I know what you are you will not be able to manipulate me as you have."

Raising a hand Blake hoped that the pats he delivered to Bane's chest accurately conveyed the sentiment that Bane was deluding himself if he thought so. But he was free to do so as it was in Blake's best interests.

"Robin."

"Bane."

)

The sound of Bane's cellphone going off interrupted whatever Bane might have said in response to that, which was a pity since Blake did love bantering with the clueless alpha. And since he wanted Bane to stay right where he was Blake volunteered to get the cell as he heaved himself up and made sure that Bane had an excellent view of his ass as he went to the side of the bed and grabbed the other man's pants off the floor. Retrieving the phone Blake passed it over before returning to his earlier resting place.

Naturally the news that it was Ra's al Ghul brought a scowl to his face as Blake listened to the two men exchange greetings. Or he assumed al Ghul returned the sentiment Bane expressed on this side of the conversation. He couldn't hear whatever the other man was saying to Bane, he wasn't close enough for that and trying to eavesdrop probably wouldn't be allowed.

And apparently al Ghul wasn't one to beat around the bush, big surprise, since right after Bane had answered the phone he went quiet, obviously listening to something a lot longer than 'how are you'.

"My apologies, but that won't be possible. The meeting will have to be moved."

Blake surmised that al Ghul didn't like that.

"I understand that, but the situation I find myself in means that for the next week I will not be available to travel. The detective you gave me for a Pet is not a beta. He's an omega. And he'll be going into heat shortly."

Listening to Bane summarize how it was that Blake had fooled them all into thinking he was a beta in the first place, Blake didn't bother interrupting to clarify something or provide more information. That was so not happening unless it was in his best interests to do so.

Scowling when Bane stated that Blake was not Bruce's former lover, but just a friend, Blake considered the fact that he might have to mate with and marry Bane in order to stay alive seeing as the whole reason he'd been taken was to cause his friend emotional harm. Not that Bruce wouldn't feel guilty as hell and sink into another depression at the idea of Blake dying because of him, because Bruce was a depressive, dark man to begin with. But in al Ghul's eyes, or more to the point in Talia's, losing a lover was the much harder blow.

Though at least that revelation basically compelled Bane to reveal at least some of Talia's sloppiness to her father when it came to picking him as a target, especially when Wayne wouldn't even be around to notice that he was missing.

Wishing he was there to see the old bastard's face, or Talia's when her precious father brought it up, Blake considered 'rewarding' Bane by getting a little frisky while the man was on the phone with his boss. It could be quite amusing, and his hormones were starting to stir again in a way Blake interpreted to mean that it would probably be for the best if he wasn't in this building come nightfall. Dammit.

And it probably wouldn't end well-okay, scratch that, it would end well for him, but Bane would also find some way to make him sorry about it afterwards. And keeping mostly on Bane's good side until after his heat was over was definitely in his best interests. Unfortunately. And he needed to pay more attention to what his idiot and the other idiot were discussing in case any of it proved vital for him to know about.

It seemed that the conversation had now turned to the question of just how sure Bane was that Blake was actually an omega, blah, blah, blah, followed by Bane informing his leader that he intended to court and take Blake as his mate in order to 'preserve his honor and undo the wrong they'd done him'. Which was definitely cause for eye rolling. It was sweet, in theory, but seriously, there wasn't a lot he hadn't done in bed with other men before Bane had ever gotten his hands on him. Or at least nothing that he was interested in doing sex wise. Though he had read this fanfic once where-

His attention shifted out of his musings when Bane stated that he and his omega would travel to meet with Singh as soon as possible. He'd keep in contact with the man in question to arrange it himself.

Singh. That was a new name when it came to the League of Shadows. Interesting. And easy to remember since he liked an author by that name, and was pretty sure that she wasn't the one Bane was referring to. Though it would be hilarious if it was. Though if it was the League better not mess with her until after she wrapped up the-he was being ridiculous. Ugh. Maybe Bane wasn't the only one who was cum dumb. He had the name of someone who might be important to the League, and the logical next step was to see if Simon had heard anything about-oh. Shit.

Eyes popping open Blake shifted over to the right and then padded forward on his hands as he slid off Bane's chest enough to get a look at the clock on Bane's side of the bed, squinting a little to make out where the hands were pointed because of course Bane couldn't have a digital one for easy reading from a weird angle.

Phew. There was still time.

A moment to consider how best to get off the bed without potentially harming either one of them, then with some maneuvering Blake slid his legs over to join the rest of him as he got off the bed and onto his feet.

Ignoring the alpha and the looks Bane was shooting in his direction Blake walked around the bed and headed towards the bathroom as he definitely needed a shower. Smelling like Bane would help keep the alphas he'd soon encounter from getting too close, especially since Bane could smell his true nature on him apparently, but-oh shit. What if he went into heat without adequate warning? Fuck. But he needed to be there to make sure-but he'd be more dangerous to both their well-beings if he went into heat.

Dammit. To shower or not to…no, he had to shower.

Perhaps he could just wear one of Bane's shirts and either drag the big lug still in their bed with him or at least arrange for Barsad to supervise for him?

)

Walking up to the correct door Barsad knocked, his hands then linking behind his back as he waited patiently for the door to open. Or at least he was fairly sure that both his face and body language did nothing to betray how tense and stressed he was at the moment. Bane wasn't going to back down on the Umbra or allowing Blake to go back on it, which meant in the future they'd have to deal with having an omega in their midst. One that would go into heats even if Bane succeeded in 'courting' Blake. Which Barsad was not betting any money on. And then there was the man who opened the door he'd knocked on, giving him usual vague, unfocused smile.

"Barsad. Are you here to see Father?"

"No. Blake requested I be present for your first training session with Danilo. He can't come."

The omega had wanted to come himself, but he hadn't been sure it would be wise given his impending heat. And Bane's possessive arm around Blake's waist, anchoring him inside the bedroom, had made it quite clear that the alpha wasn't letting the omega out of his sight for the next little while.

Kei nodded knowingly. "Oh. I see. He said he wanted to come to make sure Danilo behaved."

"Behaved?"

"He thinks Danilo might try to sabotage me because of you."

Barsad had a feeling he really didn't want to ask, but how could he not?

"Why would he sabotage you because of me?"

"Because you want to have sex with me and he wants to have sex with you."

He shouldn't have asked.

"You don't need to worry about that."

"I know. If he does allow jealousy to interfere with my training I'll explain to him that you and I aren't having sex, and that if you two aren't having sex it's because you don't want to have sex with him. So he should be mad at you instead of me."

"Throwing me to the wolves instead."

"Would I be? I assumed you would come out the victor if a fight were to take place." Kei frowned a little. "If you can't take him then remind him that Bane will punish him severely for hurting you. That should do it. Or John could beat him up for you. I would imagine as an alpha he would find that particularly humiliating. Perhaps teach him a lesson?"

"He would, yes. And while I can take him in a fight I wouldn't advise Blake attempting the same. It wouldn't end well for him."

Rather than argue or agree with him Kei shrugged off the topic, apparently not caring enough either way. Figures.

"Would you feel better if I told him you have no interest in having sex with me?" Barsad asked, mentally cursing himself for fishing but unable to help himself.

Kei's face scrunched up for a moment in some silent contemplation, then smoothed out again as he presumably came to some conclusion. "Does that insult you? People are very sensitive about their sexual appeal to others, I've noticed. They seem to obsess over it a lot more than is healthy. And get really hurt and angry when they don't appeal to people they want to appeal to. I don't mean to insult you. I'm sure I'd enjoy fucking you quite a lot. I just don't think sex is worth all the trouble that comes afterwards. The cuddling and the text messages and the cat fights." Kei shuddered in remembrance. "Not worth it."

"The cuddling and the text messages?"

"I HATE cuddling. And the constant messaging every minute of every day until you want to smash your cell into little pieces. 'Where are you?' 'Who are you with?' 'Why aren't you answering me?' 'Don't you love me?' 'Why don't you love me?' And then the ones from people I wasn't sleeping with. 'I would be a better boyfriend to you'. 'I'd let you do this to me.' 'Here's a picture of me naked.' Ugh. It just went on and on and on."

Barsad legitimately did not know what to say to any of that.

"I know. After sex stuff is horrible. At least you guys don't all carry cell phones so Danilo and whoever else wants to sleep with you isn't texting you all the time." Kei sighed and then appeared lost in thought for a moment again. "We're going to be late if we don't leave for the gym now. I just have to retrieve my father and then we can go. He wishes to attend the lesson as well."

"Of course. I'll wait." Barsad stated automatically.

Leaving the door open Kei disappeared back into the room, Barsad's already wide eyes widening at the sound of…well it sounded like squawking. What on earth?

Then Kei was coming through the doorway with a red cheeked, visibly mortified Hitachi in his arms, bridal style.

"You will put me down this instant, My Son."

"No. You're supposed to be resting and remaining in bed unless you have to leave it. If you insist on coming you will let me carry you since there aren't any wheelchairs in this facility. And you'll sit with Barsad so that he can look after you during my lesson. It's my way or I drop you off with the doctor instead until I'm up to taking care of you again. Those are your only choices."

If looks could kill.

But of course that didn't faze Kei in the least. It seemed nothing really did. The young man just asked Barsad to close the door for him, and when he did so Kei thanked him and then started walking like he wasn't carrying an extremely irked alpha wrapped up in a quilt like a baby in his arms.

Shaking his head as he trailed after them Barsad could only pray that this was the worst of it today. Though it wasn't fucking likely.

How had this become his life?