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A Debt Owed
The idea of being indebted to Bruce Wayne left a foul taste in Bane's mouth. Like a small animal had crawled into his mouth and died foul. It left him feeling nauseated and furious, both at the man in question...and at himself. The latter was foolish, Bane knew that, and yet-and yet here he was. He hadn't known Robin had existed before the League had taken him. Hadn't known that his precious mate needed an alpha to care for him the way Bane would have, given the opportunity. So he hadn't known, and he hadn't been there, and Wayne had. Wayne had and the bastard had done what he could to take care of Robin without expecting anything in return.
As he'd listened to the doctor and Robin's conversation Bane had tried to tell himself that Wayne should have stopped Robin from taking any drug in the first place. Should have made him return to his omega state and accept who he was meant to be. But even in the monopoly of his mind Bane knew that was bullshit. Robin wouldn't have listened or cooperated if Wayne had tried to enforce his will on him that way. It wasn't in Robin's DNA, omega or not, to let any alpha tell him how to live his life or who he should be. Robin would have found a way to continue taking the drug, no question, and Wayne wasn't so stupid that he wouldn't have known that. Accepted that and done what he could instead to keep Robin safe and healthy.
If Robin could have children, if he was spared the horrible side effects of long-term Umbra use, it would be because of Bruce Wayne. And that was a debt so huge that Bane could never repay him.
Except, perhaps, by sparing the bastard's life.
It was that thought and the focus he had to exert to keep his dinner in his stomach that kept Bane's mind occupied through the rest of the exam. He even allowed Robin to be removed from his sight for a few minutes so that his mate could 'pee in a cup' with some privacy. The room was windowless and there was no way for him to escape from it without coming back out the way he'd come, but still...
Bane was glad when the initial testing was concluded and they were told when to come back the following day for the results and further information.
Thanking the doctor and his son for their time, Bane's mind pretty much stayed on autopilot for the trip back down to the lobby and into the car waiting for them. He'd never been so grateful for Barsad, his second making sure that everything went smoothly and keeping a proper eye on Robin. Something Bane wanted to do, but couldn't. His stomach wasn't up to it.
He couldn't ignore the other man, though, when Robin started poking him in the side to get his attention.
Bane didn't look at Robin when he asked him what he wanted.
"Are you okay?"
"The news was encouraging."
"Yeah. So I should be the one who looks ill, not you. So what's the sitch?"
"Sitch?"
"Your deprived..." Robin paused, winced, then changed whatever he'd been about to say. "It's a line from a popular kids TV show. It's short for 'what's the situation?'."
"The situation is that you are healthier than you have any right to be. That's all that matters."
Robin's expression said he wasn't buying that for a minute, which was fair. Bane had grown used to his mask. To being able to hide behind it. And unfortunately pulling the scarf up and over to hide his face better would only intrigue Robin further. He'd also ordered that the lights remain on in the car so that Robin was at least somewhat clearly visible to them. He hadn't wanted to take any chances, particularly since he'd read Robin's file and knew of his mate's sticky fingers in his youth. Now, more than ever, Robin would be looking for ways to escape and the tools to make it possible. So here Bane found himself, far too on display for-
Multiple curse words in six different languages erupted in Bane's mind as he realized, too late, that while he was distracted earlier Robin could have helped himself to something in the doctor's office. Particularly when he'd been alone in the bathroom.
Fuck. Especially since Robin was once again speaking, prodding again for more information.
"The stuff the doctor said upset you. I don't get why it would, and I'm going to keep asking until you explain. I mean because of Bruce your chances of having someone call you Daddy just-okay, Talia would never let me or the fetus live long enough for the kid to develop the ability to verbalize that word, but in your make-believe fantasy where she isn't trying to kill me you-oh."
Damn. The look of victory on Robin's face made Bane want to punch him.
"That's it, isn't it? You're upset because Bruce being an ass and not telling me that by 'better version of Umbra' he actually meant 'a whole new drug that does the same thing but with much less damage'-in your stupid Alpha brain you owe him now, don't you?"
"I owe him nothing." He would not admit otherwise. At least not outloud.
"Fair enough. I owe him a black eye at the very least."
"Why?" The boy wanted to know.
"He should have told me. He will pay." A moment's a pause. "After he saves our asses."
"If he saves our asses."
"God, we're optimistic bastards, aren't we?" Robin's amusement was plain.
"Technically I'm the only bastard. Your parents were married."
Robin's laughter rang out as sweet and beautiful as a bird. It made the knot in Bane's stomach unwind ever so slightly to hear it. Even under the circumstances.
It was the thought that it was music to his own ears that had Bane glancing in Kei's direction, absently wondering if the young alpha had the intelligence to realize it was far superior to most of the 'music' the boy seemed so passionate about.
The boy's face revealed nothing, though he was looking in Robin's direction.
Then Kei looked in his direction, meeting his gaze without fear as he silently seemed to ask why Bane was looking at him. Or more specifically, what he'd done now to incur Bane's wrath and notice.
Well at least the little twit was noticing when a predator was paying attention to him for once. It was a small improvement, but with this one every little positive counted. Especially since Bane had to justify in his mind keeping the other alpha alive every minute they were in the same room together. For Robin, yes, but-no, he had to keep Kei alive if for no other reason than he made keeping Robin in line easier, Bane silently acknowledged, giving the boy one last dark look before turning his attention back to his omega. Who was poking him in the side again.
"Stop poking me."
"Stop staring at Simon like you're thinking about throwing him off the Eiffel Tower. Which I should get to see, by the way."
Given the amount of French speaking individuals they'd passed on the street alone Bane saw no point in contradicting Robin's correct assessment that they were in Paris. Instead he stated what should be obvious which was that no, he would not be taking Robin to see that particular landmark.
"That is such a huge boyfriend fail. I mean seriously, if we were in a normal relationship your ass would be so dumped right now. Even Simon has better sense than that."
Proving his lack of intelligence, the other alpha nodded in agreement.
If the boy didn't provide him with a leash for Robin Bane would have thrown him from the vehicle right then and there. And then ordered the driver to back over him numerous times to insure the boy's total demise. But he was stuck with him...and he did provide a change of topic. One Bane could stomach a great deal more than talk of the debt he owed the Bat.
"In no way could the boy ever be a better mate."
"I'd give you a list, Sweetie...but you'd take it out on him, not me."
This was true. The part about him taking his anger out on Kei, not Robin. And yes, there were a few superficial ways in which Kei did surpass Bane...but not where it counted. Bane was the far superior mate it terms of being able to care for, provide, and protect his mate, and said so.
"There's more to it than that, Bane."
"Don't pick a mate you can live with...pick the one you can't live without. Or at least that's what Father Reily always said. Though taking mate advice from a priest who took a vow of celibacy never really made that much sense to me."
Bane joined Robin in giving Kei a dark look. Though Robin started snickering a moment later, disappointing him.
A careless shrug. "He's not wrong, on both counts. And just being your potential mate has my head on the chopping block, remember, so we wouldn't live together long." Another snicker. "Which is probably for the best. If you had hair I'd have turned it grey already."
That Bane would never argue with.
Which he didn't even have to say, obviously, based on the look Robin gave him. And of course it pleased Robin to think he was that trying.
Bane heaved a heavy, heavy sigh.
A fact that no doubt pleased Robin immensely.
)
Sitting back a little more in his seat, situating his face more in shadows, Barsad considered this latest turn of events. One he had not seen coming, but strongly felt he should have. Having read up on the subject for obvious reasons Barsad had noted that the cop's Umbra 'withdrawal' symptoms were, so far, relatively mild in comparison to the horror stories he'd read about. It hadn't occurred to him to question their good luck, though in retrospect he really should have. When it came to the two men in the car from Gotham it was best to be on guard at all times, much less when they were unexpectedly making your life easier, rather than harder.
That Bane was troubled by the debt he now owed Wayne was interesting-because it demonstrated just how deeply in denial Bane swam. In reality it could be argued that Bane owed Wayne more for preventing Gotham from falling when the League had attacked it recently than for providing the cop with his drugs. Had Ra's al Ghul succeeded the cop would have died in his city, never having met Bane at all. Given the omega's profession and the poisonous gas al Ghul had intended to unleash upon the city...it would not have been a 'good' death, either.
Should he mention that?
He would think about it. Weigh the pros and cons.
Speaking of pros and cons, Barsad's gaze briefly slid over in the direction of the alpha seated beside him, situated directly across from Blake. Simon.
It should have been more difficult, thinking of the other man by his birth name. Barsad had not missed the fact that the cop had already switched over to the boy's birthname with no attempt to correct himself to the name bestowed on the boy by the League. Bane hadn't put a stop to it either, but that could be due to his thoughts being on more important things. Time would tell.
As for himself...he liked being one of the few to call the alpha by his true name. Would have disliked Blake using it more if not for the fact that Simon wanted his name to be spoken. Acknowledged.
Those thoughts led to thoughts about how it was ironic that every beta male who preferred alpha males often lived in fear, especially in the beginning of a relationship, that their alpha would leave them for the seductive wiles of an omega. It was basic chemistry, after all. Omegas called to alphas like sirens. Simon could probably have most any omega he wanted-in the short term, anyway-yet he had zero interest in them.
How interested Simon was in a beta lover, in Barsad...well that was about as easy to comprehend as the boy's brain. Which was to say not understandable at all.
Wasn't up to the challenge of dating Simon.
Just thinking about the fact that Simon thought that, that the damn cop thought that, irked Barsad so much that his hands were fisting on his lap before he consciously thought about it, the knuckles no doubt white, they were clenched so hard.
Of course neither of them thought that Bane was man enough to handle the cop and...and...
Dammit.
Nothing good came out of Gotham. Ever.
)
Nobody had much to say for the second half of the car ride, the group of them all proceeding into the building without any fuss or incident. Neither Robin nor the boy made any attempt to escape, nor did they argue when they were sent to their respective rooms rather than being allowed to hang out alone together. Bane had been expecting that, that the two would want alone time to try and plan and plot together, but perhaps he shouldn't have. Especially since in retrospect Bane couldn't see the boy as having much to contribute in that regard.
But even if keeping them from being alone together wasn't good strategy Bane would have sent Robin to their room solely because the omega looked tired and ready for bed. So he must rest. After.
Leaving Barsad to deal with the boy, who he currently seemed annoyed with which was just fine with Bane, Bane followed after Robin into their room.
The look his mate gave him over his shoulder did not suggest that Robin was thrilled to see him.
"It was not as bad as you thought. That should please you."
"Just because it could have been worse doesn't make it something to celebrate."
That was hard to argue. But in this case there was, perhaps, a way to regain at least some of Robin's favor. Or at least distract him from revisiting the earlier discussion in the car.
Pointing in the direction of the long, mainly decorative table situated by a window, Bane told Robin to investigate the contents of the wooden box that had been placed there in their absence.
Attention immediately shifting to the box in question, Robin approached it cautiously, studying it suspiciously.
"She wouldn't risk a bomb accidentally taking you out instead of me if you decided to peek at it first." Robin finally stated, the omega shooting him a 'so there' look before turning back to push up the lid on the box, revealing the multiple jewelry boxes inside. Seven in total.
"What the hell?"
"You can wear them in place of the collar you hate so much. I did not know which would suit your tastes best, so I bought the seven I liked best. You may choose to wear what you want. My-I was told you must continue to wear a collar-but they said nothing about it having to be the one you wear now. Or what it looked like."
Giving the box and its contents his back Robin turned and just stared at Bane for what felt like an eternity, his gaze unreadable. Bane wanted to ask what he was thinking, but feared what the answer would be.
Saying nothing in all that time Robin finally turned around, removed all the velvet lined boxes from the original box, and then set the latter aside on the nearby chair. Then one by one he lined the jewelry boxes up on the oak table, opening them without pause to really look at any of them until all were opened and on display.
Then Robin stepped over to start with the first, slowly making his way down the length of the table once more as he looked over his choices.
With much trepidation and nerves Bane came up behind him to watch.
None of the choices, at least to Bane's eyes, could truly be considered a collar. They were a rich man's baubles, trinkets wealthy men hung around the necks of their mates, lovers, and family members to advertise their wealth, status, and ownership. So perhaps, in actuality, they were still collars in that sense. At least to him. But perhaps, hopefully, not in Robin's.
"You picked these out?" Robin's gaze still told him nothing when the omega looked over his shoulder, studying him now instead.
"I did."
"Why?"
Confused, Bane asked what he meant.
"This sort of thing...is not your thing. It's not my thing either. The only jewelry I've ever owned is cheap shit I bought when my ears were pierced as a teenager and stuff I got while working undercover for vice. Why didn't you just get me something-are these a bribe?"
"I know your love and willing to mate with me cannot be bought." They were a bribe, in a way, but Bane wasn't so foolish as to think they would buy him much. He just... "I thought they would please you more than the one you wear now."
Robin's head turned back around to look towards the table. "Which one is your favorite?"
"You must choose what you like best."
"I want to know which is your favorite."
Rather than argue Bane moved in closer, his eyes scanning over the contents of the table before coming to rest on the fifth box. "That one. The fifth one on the right."
Robin leaned in to snatch up that one off the table, bringing it up close so that he could look at it more closely.
It was not the most ornate or expensive of the lot, the design of the choker three sets of solid gold wings with a teardrop white pearl hanging from the center of each. The largest pearl was situated in the middle, naturally, and it would look elegant, Bane had thought, around Robin's throat. The chain part of it was also delicate and easily removed, the latter sure to be a plus in Robin's books. It was simplistic in its design, materials, and it had reminded Bane of the tattoos his mate wore on his arms. Those were the reasons he'd chosen it.
"It's beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you."
