Warning: Minor lemon ahead. Read at your own discretion.

CH10: Bittersweet

The billionaire playboy's expectations of getting washed up for dinner were thrown out the window when he realized Diana had completely different plans for their shower. The massive wash room might as well have been a wrestling ring since the two were constantly fighting over who was going to be the dominant one.

Bruce who was used to being in control during his sexual encounters with women tried his best to keep up with Diana. His combat training and martial art skills helped especially since they were both slick with soapy water trickling down their bodies. It made it easier to outmaneuver and position her to his will. Diana however refused to be the "bottom". She used her Amazon strength to overpower Bruce and push him up against the solid marble wall cracking it as she toyed with him using her hand before lifting one of her muscular thighs to his hip finally giving him access to enter.

Bruce's expensive marble shower proceeded to get a makeover as the heat intensified. The water pouring onto them seeped into the fractured floor tile while multiple cracks formed on the thick glass door opposite them as the intervals progressed. Eventually, both reached their limit achieving a level of pure bliss. Diana who was just below Bruce's height placed her head in the crook of his neck as she shivered due to the emotional overload complimenting the bodily fluids dripping out of her. Bruce gasped for breath as he tasted his diluted sweat pour down his head and mix with the blood dripping from his back due to the broken tile shards piercing his skin. He stroked the Amazon's wet hair as they decoupled and finally washed themselves off.

"You know the whole purpose of a shower is to get clean right?" Bruce struggled to say between breaths.

"It's called multitasking. Besides, what better place to get dirty than in a place meant to clean you up?" Diana smirked mischievously.

"Dinner has been ready for over a half hour now…"

"Then by all means, lead the way."

Bruce was the first to step out giving Diana a clear shot of his back mortifying her.

"Hera!" She exclaimed as she saw the blood soak into his bandages and eventually drip down his posterior onto the floor. "Why didn't you say I was hurting you?"

"Because… you were also not." He smirked.

"Dammit Bruce, I'm going to kill you one day." She plucked the tile pieces embedded in his back as he winced mildly.

"I've survived far worse."

"Yea, so I keep hearing." She stroked the bandages that bound the man before her and tugged on them lightly.

"You can just take them off. I never wear them for the recommended time. They usually constrict my movements in costume."

Diana gave him a look that emphasized her displeasure with his life decisions.

"You know, I think you're going to kill yourself well before I get the chance…"

"I can't die yet. I have so much to live for. Rearranged courtyards, destroyed living rooms, shattered showers…"

She shot him an annoyed look as she dried herself off and put on her costume.

"Our activities are costing me a lot of money." Bruce dodged the wet towel Diana threw at him playfully.

"I've never heard you once complain."

"Clearly you didn't pay attention to what I said after our first session…" He trailed as he dawned some casual wear for the evening.

"Well… I've never head you complain DURING."

"…true." Bruce approached her and offered his hand.

"Shall we?"

She gave him a satisfied smirk and gratefully accepted.

…

Christmas dinner was thoroughly enjoyed along with the present company. Alfred was the one having the best time, being able to observe the exchanges between the Amazon princess and the Dark Knight.

He noticed Diana managed to bring out a more… chatty side of Bruce as he would constantly initiate conversation with her about anything really. He talked about running Wayne enterprises and the hour long board meetings he had to attend that made him fall asleep sometimes. Personally that was one of the reasons he assigned Lucius Fox to oversee the company when he wasn't around. He also reminisced about the many adventures he has had as the vigilante of Gotham City eventually working up the timeline to where he met the Justice Leaguers for the first time during the White Martian invasion.

Diana patiently listened to his dialect and soaked up every word of it, surprised that Bruce could ever be this talkative. And yet, as Christmas proceeded to its inevitable end, she knew that things would go back to the way things were. The memories they made over the holiday as well as the emotions that triggered them would always be there. But professionally, they would go from Diana and Bruce to Wonder Woman and Batman, work colleagues with feelings for each other held back by protective walls.

But she also knew that she was capable of drawing out Bruce's emotions. She now knew he liked her, there was no doubt about it. The trick was developing those emotions into something more substantial in the coming years, molding them into true commitment.

…

Diana woke up the next morning in Bruce's master bedroom with only the covers of the bed to keep her decent. She reached across the massive king size mattress hoping to embrace Bruce but was disappointed to find that she was by herself. It wasn't entirely unexpected, the holiday was over and it was back to business. She just didn't want it to happen so soon.

She stood before the mirror and observed the love marks Bruce had left on her ravishing body, payback for the bruises and cuts she left on him previously. As each discoloration vanished under her costume, she pondered whether this whole ordeal was worth it. The feeling was bittersweet. She had never been as happy as she was now nor did she regret seeing a completely different side of Bruce. But the possibility existed that he would pretend nothing happened between them while in the presence of the rest of the team. After all, he didn't give the impression of a 'kiss and tell' type of guy. But how awkward would a mission together be? Would he straight up ignore her, or treat her as nothing but a colleague? These were all natural consequences she could very well experience in the upcoming League operations. But she rationalized that the high notes she experienced during this holiday season were worth every risk.

Diana exited Bruce's bedroom and followed a delightful smell to the kitchen where Pennyworth was.

"Good morning mistress Diana."

"Hey Alfred." She observed him flip a pancake with elegance before she asked the obvious. "Have you seen Bruce?"

"Ah yes. Apparently some buffoons had the audacity to break out of Arkham during the night so master Bruce dawned his cowl to intercept them. I doubt he will be back to the mansion today."

"Oh." She said disappointed. Frankly she was surprised crime took this long to resume in Gotham. She was grateful however, after all it did allow her and Bruce some quality time together.

"He did instruct me to make sure you were adequately fed before resuming your Justice League duties." Alfred added the pancake to the massive stack knowing how hungry an Amazon could get. "Also, he left something for you on the dining table."

Her composure immediately brightened as she casually walked towards the dining room increasing her pace once the humble butler was out of sight. On the place-mat was an envelope addressed to her with a letter inside.

Diana,

Christmas has always been a hard holiday for me.

You made it warm and sincere.

Bruce.

91939

Diana had mixed feelings about the letter. On one hand, Bruce was actually acknowledging what happened between them which was the direct opposite of what she was expecting. On the other hand, there were not flowers nor was it a kiss goodbye. It was just a simple piece of paper reflecting a fraction of what Bruce was currently feeling for her. Nevertheless, the sincerity was there and Diana was appreciative of it.

"What are these numbers for Alfred?"

The butler cocked an eyebrow and looked surprised.

"Anyone who has knowledge of those digits has tremendous access to master Bruce's life. And subsequently, his trust."

"Well, it's a start." She smiled.