Meeting with Wayne Enterprises executives always made Bruce anxious.

The board rarely took him seriously as is, and his "playboy" phase months prior had completely destroyed any faith they had left in him.

This meeting was quite possibly his only chance to prove he was still capable of honoring his parents and running his company.

Of course, things never quite go Bruce's way, and Selina stumbled into the dining room half way through the meeting.

I mean seriously, B, I can never find you in this place. I ought to get you a collar with a bell like a," She paused, eye landing on the table of business people, "Cat… What's going on?"

"It's a meeting," He replied much louder and harsher than he intended, "You need to go."

She looked at him, then the board, then him again with a hurt expression. "Right. Whatever."

He furrowed his eyebrows, making a mental note to apologize for his curt attitude when he finished, and continued his proposition to his employees.

-

Two hours later, he searched the manor before realizing she left and calling her. It rang until he reached voicemail.

He called again twenty minutes, twelve hours, two days later, all ringing out.

Part of him was terrified, unable to shake the fear that something horrible may have happened to her. The other part was sure he'd somehow offended her.

Eventually, he called Barbara, as a last resort, to make sure she was alright.

The line rang twice before declining, but almost immediately afterwards his phone buzzed again with Selina's number.

"Sel? Oh my god, where have you been? I was so worried-"

A sharp, bitter laugh cut him off. "Now you're worried?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," she snapped, "You just didn't seem all that concerned for my well-being when you yelled at me in front of all your little coworkers."

Bruce furrowed his eyebrows. "I didn't yell, Selina, don't be dramatic."

He knew he made a mistake the second the words left his mouth.

She felt her face flush with anger. "Fine. You snapped at me, whatever. You kicked me out."

"I didn't," He huffed, "I only meant for you to go upstairs."

"Whatever."

"Selina-"

She groaned, "Goodbye, Bruce."

And with that, she hung up.

-

A week later she showed up in his study.

"Selina," He breathed, smiling immediately.

She scowled back at him, biting her cheek, "We need to talk."

His grin faltered and he nodded, "Sure, here. Sit down."

"I'm fine," She dismissed, glancing between him and the window.

It was a defensive move, planning an escape route. She hadn't seemed so uncomfortable with him since he helped her get back the jewelry she stole with Ivy.

"I didn't mean to kick you out the other day. You were right to be upset. I'm so-"

"Sorry?" She scoffed, "Don't lie to me, bruce. You were embarrassed."

He stared back at her in shock. "What would I be embarrassed of?"

"You didn't want your stupid Wayne Execs to see your little girlfriend from the Narrows. You don't want anybody to know perfect, proper Brucie Wayne likes to kiss criminals in his free time."

"Selina," he cried, looking at her like she was moments from striking him, "What are you talking about? It doesn't matter what they think of you."

"Don't," She hissed, "I'm tired of you acting like you care about me, because, clearly, you don't."

He flinched at this, fighting the urge to close the distance between them. He knew if he were to approach her she would run, and she wouldn't be coming back.

Bruce sighed, "You can't possibly believe that."

"You can't possibly expect me not to. I'm never gonna be good enough for you, I don't know why I try."

He stared back at her, utterly dejected. "If you really, honestly, believe that… I don't know what else I can say."

It felt too much like confirmation, like a breakup, and she couldn't handle it. A dam broke, heavy tears racing down her cheeks, as she shook her head and rushed out the window.

He sat on the couch, silently, and bit back the desire to weep.

-

Following their fight, Bruce threw himself into work. He was spending all day at Wayne Enterprises and all night training.

One night he felt confident enough to go out, hoping to stop a few random criminals from causing too much damage. But, he misread the situation and ended up with a few bruises ribs and a, quickly worsening, black eye.

He stumbled into his car, pulling out of the alley and heading home.

As the pulsating in his head heightened he allowed himself to run more on instinct than critical thought, and before he knew it he was at selina's door.

"What do you want," She whisper-yelled as she jerked the door open.

Her eyes softened as she saw the state he was in and reached to brush his hair from his forehead. "Jesus… What happened to you?"

He sighed raggedly, leaning into her touch, and shrugging.

She tilted her head, staring back at his sad expression, "Picking fights again?"

"Needed a distraction," He whispered.

She raised an eyebrow, "Yeah? From what?"

"Missing you."

She grinned softly, "I missed you too. Let's go."

He furrowed his brows, "Go?"

"Yeah," She hummed, "Let's go somewhere. Talk about it."

-

They were parked in an alley by the midtown bridge, staring at the harbor.

"I don't care about my reputation," Bruce started, "Not nearly as much as I care about you. I'm sorry I didn't make that clear."

Selina felt somewhat breathless at the confession. the idea that he'd choose her over something as important as his perception in the eyes of the highest regarded members of his father's company catching her by surprise.

"I don't know how to do this," She admitted, staring at the floorboard. "I take things the wrong way, and I can't just make things better. Not like you."

He crossed the gap between them, brushing a few curls from her face. She flinched at the contact.

"Just," He started, met her eyes with a soft smile, "Tell me how you feel."

She shrunk under his gaze, forcing a small laugh. "I feel stupid."

"I guess i should say, tell me how you felt," he tried, "When I…"

"Kicked me out?"

He grimaced, "For lack of better words."

"I felt like some well kept secret. You looked like you were embarrassed. Like people weren't supposed to see us together." She muttered after a moment.

"Selina…"

"It felt like everything you've ever said about us was bullshit," She added, "I know people in your world will always look down on me, but I didn't like feeling like you were too."

His face fell, and he cupped her cheek gently, "Sel, you have nothing to prove. I couldn't be embarrassed of you if I tried."

She bit her cheek, "I like you, B."

Bruce smiled, closing the gap and pressing his lips to hers. After he pulled away, he whispered, "I like you too."

She huffed, leaning forward and kissing him three more times. He groaned when she sat back in her seat, causing her to giggle a bit.

"Come on. Let's go home."

He grinned broadly, taking the turn to go to Wayne Manor.

Later that night, alfred found the pair in front of the fireplace; Bruce tracing the features of a sleeping Selina as if she were a piece of fine art and he was studying the brushstrokes. He left the couple to have their moment, and, for the first time in weeks, Bruce slept peacefully.