DC || Catwoman || DC || Catwoman || Husbat and Kits || Catwoman || DC || Catwoman || DC
Title: Catwoman: Husbat and Kits
Fandom: DC Comics / Arrowverse
Disclaimer: All rights concerning the Arrowverse reserved to Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, all rights for the comics reserved to DC. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/f, found family, hurt/comfort, fluff, wedding, adoption, m/m
Main Pairing: Bruce/Selina
Side Pairings: Kaldur/Dick, Mick/Len, Jacob/Catherine
DC Characters: Bruce Wayne, Selina Kyle, Pamela Isley, Dick Grayson, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie Brown, Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, Kate Kane, Mary Hamilton, Catherine Hamilton-Kane, Jacob Kane, Leonard Snart, Mick Rory, Lisa Snart, Kaldur'ahm | Jackson Hyde
Summary: Selina and Bruce aren't a conventional couple. From the moment they met to the way they kept collecting children as a couple, until they finally tie the knot.
Catwoman:
Husbat and Kits
Selina Kyle had been born into a broken family. An abusive, criminal father and a mother who had been too afraid to leave him. She'd come from Cuba all on her own and she was so dependent on her husband, she didn't think she could do it on her own.
In the end, Maria Kyle escaped, in her own way. Leaving Selina alone with her father. At least until he drank himself to death and Selina found herself all alone. Too young to be all alone.
The home she stayed in for a while was an abusive shithole and Selina was fast to make a break for it. She would be better off alone, she realized in that moment. She also realized that there was nobody who would look out for her. Never had been, maybe. So she had to look out for herself.
But that was okay. It was going to be okay. Because Selina was going to make it okay. Somehow.
/Gotham City, 1988\
Selina was nine and had been living on the streets for about a year when she found someone else in the same situation as her. A girl, three years younger than her, living in one of Gotham's parks. Pamela was her name and she was... she was so small? It broke Selina's heart. Six year olds should not be all alone, but Selina also knew that the system was broken and worthless.
"How about," Selina's voice was a whisper. "We stick together, you and me?"
Pamela looked up at her, with intense, green eyes. Selina had green eyes herself, darker, more cat-like – she'd like to think, at least. But Pamela's were like looking into a jungle. Her red curls bounced as the girl nodded her confirmation. Good. They'd have an easier time fending for themselves together. Maybe. For now, they needed shelter. The park wasn't ideal to sleep at and in this neighborhood, rich folks liked to walk beneath the stars or whatever and they took offense to dirty homeless children disrupting their serene make-believe.
Taking Pamela by the hand, Selina made her way out of the park. The warehouse district was good enough for sleeping, there were many empty warehouses that nobody bothered to check. Roof overhead for the night, at least. Pamela walked very close to her.
And the two of them made it work, really. Sleeping in an empty warehouse, roaming the streets by day. Selina was becoming a better pickpocket with every day that she had to live on the street. Even more so now that she had to steal to feed two mouths.
They quickly upped their game. Selina realized that Pamela, cute and young white girl, appealed to the rich women, some maternal instinct or whatever. They never looked at Selina twice, but Selina had learned to use that to her benefit. The money they stole, they invested in pretty and nice clothes for Pamela, because dirty kids in rags didn't interest after all. But a proper looking little white girl? Now, that rose concerns with the rich folks.
They had the routine rehearsed to perfection. Pam would play the poor little lost girl, who had been separated from her mommy, and oh won't the nice lady help her? And while the target was distracted by checking on poor little Pam, Selina lifted money and jewelry from them.
Jewelry, most of it at least, was good to get pawned. Brought more money. Some pieces, Selina kept. Stealing for survival was one thing, but sometimes, she also stole for herself. For fun. For gain. It was a pretty emerald, it matched her eyes, why shouldn't she have it? Not like she had parents to give her birthday or Christmas gifts or anything.
It was that same year, only a couple of months after Selina had met Pamela, that she first met Bruce Wayne. Not that she knew him to be Bruce Wayne at the time. Not even as Batman. More like a Batboy. Just a kid, few years older than her, dressed in black, going out to try and stop robberies.
He just stared at them a bit dumbly, like he didn't know what to do with them.
"They're kids," he said, to no one in particular.
"Hey," Selina straightened up. "You're just a kid yourself."
She pushed between Pamela and the stranger, hoping that he wasn't dangerous. He muttered something else, more urgently. Not talking to them. Either talking to the voices in his head, which might be a problem, or into some kind of ear-piece, which was definitely a problem. Because if he had some kind of backup – were cops sending out kids now? For undercover work? How twisted was that – then Selina and Pam would be in potential, real danger.
"Hey," he finally looked up, looked straight at Selina, though he looked unsure of himself. "Uh... Here. Go and buy yourselves some real food?"
And just like that, the kid pulled out a hundred dollar bill and offered it to Selina. Like she was some charity case. She bared her teeth in a snarl, but Pam hadn't eaten in two days. This week had been going badly. She was prideful, but she couldn't let her pride get between Pam and a meal. So she took the money and the two of them ran. Fast and far.
For the next couple of days, Selina went out alone at night. Watching. Looking out for the boy dressed in black. She saw him at multiple points throughout the city and within five days, she was able to put together a pattern. Similar to the pattern of police patrols that she had studied to be able to avoid it. He... went on patrol. A rich brat, out on patrol. Ridiculous.
"I do not need your charity, rich boy."
He looked startled at her voice and whirled around quickly. She stood with her arms crossed. She was wearing a purple hoodie, the hood drawn deep into her face. Still, she hoped her glare conveyed. It did, considering the look on the boy's face.
"I didn't mean..." he trailed off, looking unsure. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to help."
Her stance shifted, but her glare remained. "Well. Find a different way to do it."
/Gotham City, 1998\
Selina smiled as she carried a heavy box into the old house. A large, old building. Half falling apart, really. But that didn't matter. It was hers. Over the past decade, her and Pam had stolen enouhg high-value objects and cash to save up for this. They'd been living in a cheap-ass one bedroom apartment for the past few years already, but Selina wanted a real home for them.
"I don't know about this place," Pamela frowned and looked around. "It looks..."
Her eyes were on the dead garden outside and Selina chuckled. "Hey. It's a project. But we can make it our own. You have free reign over the garden, how's that sound, Pam?"
Pamela perked up a little at that. They'd bought paint and seeds, to turn the inside and the outside into a place that'd be home to them. And to others. That was why she had chosen a big house, because they'd met other street kids over the years and Selina, she wanted to give them a home. She was nineteen now and even more mortified at the thought of children their age all alone on the streets. That she had pushed through it, for a decade, made something for herself?
Passing the money off as 'inheritance' from a 'trust fund' she'd only been able to access after turning eighteen, making everything seem nice and legal. Applying to be a foster parent. Sure, Pam was already sixteen and practically an adult herself, but Selina wanted to do it right, in a manner that would make Pam feel ensured that nobody could take her away again. They'd never been mother-daughter, they were more like sisters, but on the paper, Selina was now her foster mother.
"This is gonna be a home. A real home, Pam," Selina smiled and wrapped an arm around Pamela's shoulders. "Can you picture it? Flowers in the yard, warmth on the inside."
When looking at Pamela, Selina could see the green patch of skin on her wrist, spreading over her arm. Recently, she'd been developing... powers. Or maybe she'd always had them? When Pamela planted something, it grew fast and well. Lately, that green thumb of hers had become more prominent and more literal. When she didn't control herself, her skin turned a light shade of green.
"Come on, Sel. Let's get started, maybe we'll get a wall or two finished before sunset."
They carried the last of their belongings in – furniture they'd scoured from the streets. Perfectly fine things people threw out. It was a mismatched assortment, but Selina thought that gave it charm. When she put the last of the boxes down on the floor, she opened it to take one object out. Atop of everything else was a stuffed bat that she had bought when going shopping for a few more items to round up their household. It'd reminded her of her big bat.
The awkward kid who had stopped them ten years ago had grown into a handsome young man and he had adjusted his outfit some too. Silly little bat-ears, a big cape, a bat on his chest. Batman, as the theme suggested. Selina found it kind of cute. She'd been adjusting her own get-up too.
Not bat-themed though. She was more of a... cat-person. Kids weren't the only strays she took in. If possible, Selina tried to keep her girls out of the thieving. Tried to make them focus on school, give them a chance to make a better life for themselves. Instead, Selina had become Catwoman, a notorious thief known throughout Gotham City.
A thief and a vigilante. Two sides of the law. They had their agreements though, had them before either had ever adapted such a persona. Batman left her alone, as long as she only took insured things and money from bad people. Which Gotham had more than enough of. And nobody could get hurt. Something Selina was more than fine agreeing too; she wasn't violent. She'd seen enough violence to cover her entire life already, she never wanted to be the one to cause it.
"I... gotta be somewhere," Selina's eyes were on the Bat-signal out in the sky.
"Meeting up with your boyfriend?" Pamela's voice was teasing. "Go. Have fun."
She wiped some paint from her own nose, grinning at Selina. He wasn't her boyfriend. They had something, something unspoken, something star-crossed. Something not acted upon, at least not yet. Smiling, Selina pocketed the little bat to bring him. Today, ten years ago, they'd first met.
It wasn't hard to find Batman, standing on a rooftop, looking gloomy. He was good at that. Cute too.
"Hello, Batsie," Selina smiled as she sneaked up to him.
"Cat," he didn't even turn toward her, eyes on the street.
Observing. Working whatever case the PD had asked his help for. So dedicated.
"Now that it's our ten year anniversary, I think you do owe me one answer. Why are you this invested in us? You catch the thieves and delivered them to the police. Now, you catch the super-powered criminals and deliver them to Arkham. But you let us slide," she rounded him, running her fingers down his arm. "What? Is it because you and I are starcrossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet but from different sides of the law? And you just can not bear the thought of me behind bars?"
His answer was an unexpected one. "In a way... I saw myself in you."
She raised her eyebrows at him, looking him up and down. "Yeah, I see the resemblance between us too, rich white boy."
The awkward way in which he shuffled around at that was endearing. "Not that. Obviously. But... you live on the streets, because you have no one. I lost my parents when I was nine years old and... I was lucky. I was incredibly lucky. I had our... I had a family friend who took me in and my parents left me more than enough money so him and I could get through this, so he could take care of me. But without that, without the money, without the family friend, I never thought about how lucky I was. I always only saw how unlucky I was for losing my family in the first place. But meeting you and Pam, I saw just... how much worse I could have been off. How much harder my life could have been. So I wanted to help."
She wondered if he was aware how much he had just given away about himself. Tilting her head, she tossed him the bat and did a back-flip off the building. Before she would do something that could compromise the delicate understanding they had between themselves. Like kiss him.
/Wayne Manor, 31st December 1999\
"If he wasn't your boyfriend, I would actually strangle him for the state these flowers are in."
"Not my boyfriend," Selina corrected her. "But thank you for doing this."
They'd broken into the Wayne estate. It hadn't taken much, with the clues given to her, to figure out Batman's real identity. Not many orphaned rich boys around Selina's age in Gotham City. Somehow, she'd gotten even more attached after learning his real name. Not because of the money, but because she finally had a face to go with the heroics. She read up on him, learning that he was a recluse. The only people close to him were his butler, who had raised him, and what little family he had left – an aunt, uncle and two young cousins. She often thought about what he had said on their meeting anniversary. That they were alike, but with different circumstances. The only reason why he said that was because he didn't know about her parents. They were nothing alike. His parents, they had loved him, from everything she'd read, they had loved him – and he loved them.
Some days, Selina loved her mother, missed her. Others, she hated Maria for leaving her. Her father, about him, she had very clear feelings. Feelings of resentment.
"You should honestly just ask him out, Sel," Pamela rolled her eyes.
"Mh... no," Selina smiled. "What we have is quite fun the way it is. I like taking it slow."
"Slow? Glaciers move faster than the two of you. Have you even kissed yet?"
"When did you grow so invested in my love life? Stop it."
Pamela shrugged and returned her focus to the flowers, making them bloom and grow. "What you did for me, for the other kids, is great. I think you should do something for yourself too. And you clearly like him. I don't get why, but you do."
Selina was kneeling next to Pamela, keeping the other present busy. A puppy. Young. Abandoned. Fierce and a fighter too though. Even on his own, he'd made it, until Pam and Selina came across him. But Selina's place was dominated by cats. Not a place for a dog. Not to mention, dogs weren't really her thing anyway. Bruce Wayne though, he could use a friend. A loyal friend, who was as much of a fierce fighter as Bruce himself was. A good match for the man.
"Maybe I'll steal a New Year's kiss from him," Selina mused with a smile.
Pamela huffed. "Well, that's at least something."
/14th February 2000\
She'd stolen her first kiss from Bruce Wayne that fateful New Year's night, when she had left Ace the puppy in Bruce's care and revealed to him that she knew about his secret identity. That night, it had brought them closer, for that shared secret. The fact that Bruce had asked for her help, help to shape the persona of Bruce Wayne – because Bruce Wayne barely existed. The man lived and breathed to be Batman. What he needed was a secret identity, to distance Bruce Wayne from Batman. A playboy persona, the opposite of what Batman represented and acted like.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Miss Kyle."
Selina smiled pleased as she turned toward Bruce. He took her hand to kiss. Always so polite and charming. It was a charity gala, from the Martha Wayne Foundation. What Selina didn't keep for herself or hers, she did like to use to help others. In the past few years, she had made a name for herself too. Her home was no longer the only one of its kind that Selina ran; she financed three other homes for kids in the foster system. While she still stole – mostly because she loved the thrill of it (and the cat and sky-mouse game that her and Batsie had going on; never a serious chase, more a race, for fun, a game of wits) – she had also learned to invest money. Making more out of what she had. Now, she was quite well-off herself, a known philanthropist of Gotham City. Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne had met a couple of times, officially in the day time, in their personas as philanthropists of their city. Flirting, dancing around something.
"May I have this dance?"
"How could I say no to that?" Selina smiled pleased as she accepted his hand.
He rested a hand on her waist and guided her as the music played. They knew each other's bodies well, they had chased each other so often over the years. Dancing in the sky, from rooftop to rooftop. A dance-floor was something new though. No less exciting.
/Kyle Home, Gotham City, 2001\
"This is going to be your room," Selina smiled warmly, trying to be comforting. "If you need anything, my room is down the hall. Just knock and I'll be there for you, okay?"
Dick regarded her warily. Understandable. He'd been recently orphaned and then got beaten up in the foster home he'd been assigned. So he ran away. And Batsie, who had been there when the boy's parents had died, he... grew attached. Saw himself in the kid. Just a boy, seeing his parents die in front of his eyes. Only that Dick didn't have a butler and a billion.
"This isn't gonna be permanent," Dick whispered. "I'm just staying in Gotham until he... until he solves my parents' murder. I know it wasn't an accident. They were too good to... He says the rope was manipulated. He says he's going to help me figure out who did it. Do you... think he will?"
Selina forced a smile and knelt down next to him. "He's many things, but he is not a liar. If he says he will figure it out, he absolutely will. He's the world's greatest detective, you know."
Dick looked skeptical, but he walked into the room anyway. As long as he'd have a safe roof over head for now. Something told Selina that Bruce had plans for the boy, others than staying here with Selina and her merry little band of thieves.
Selina got up and walked downstairs into the kitchen. "What are you working on, Pam?"
"Oil company," was the short reply, Pam not looking up from her laptop.
Her connection to plants had given her a mighty sense of vengeance. She grew more angry at the people destroying nature, destroying their planet. With a light nudge from Bruce, she channeled that anger into change instead of violence.
"New kid settling in well?" asked Pam after a moment.
"I think so," Selina heaved a sigh. "He's had a lot of trauma. I'll make an appointment for him."
Her homes for wayward children had good connections with child therapists who volunteered. Because Selina knew about bad coping mechanisms and she knew the dark hole that pain could lead to – had seen it in her mother's demise. And if she could help children overcome the abuse they had faced, the trauma they had gone through, she wanted to help.
/break\
Dick wasn't stupid, he knew what Catwoman did. Knew about the thefts. He had a strong moral compass and what they did in the dark didn't sit too right with him. And he grew closer to Bruce, every time the man came over with clues and new leads. To the point of moving in with Bruce. He'd gotten things straightened out, probably mostly with his money, to make himself worthy of being a legal guardian – his playboy persona, and single at that, that wasn't exactly what the state would deem a good place to leave a kid. It was strangely delightful to see him bend the rules.
"You're gonna have a good life here, Dick."
Selina hugged the boy tightly. She'd grown attached to him too. It was hard not to. The young acrobat was so energetic. The two went through routines together, at a local gym. He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her back. He'd grown attached to her too, it seemed.
They'd solved the case. Found who had killed Dick. And the boy could now finally move on from it. He still held a lot of anger toward the world and a whole lot of unused energy. In many ways, he reminded Selina of the young Bruce she had first met on the streets all these years ago.
"Will... you come visit?" Dick asked, nearly timid.
Selina smiled, her eyes wandering to Bruce for a second, watching him flush just slightly. "Yes. This is not the last you'll have seen of me, don't worry about that."
/2002\
"You're the one they call Catwoman, aren't you?"
The man in the blue parker at the end of the bar had a lull to his voice. Pleasant. Curiously, Selina turned away from the cute blonde girl she'd been flirting with to instead look at him.
"That your usual pick-up line?" Selina asked, her eyebrows raised.
"This is a gay bar. I'm not here to pick you up. I have a... different kind of proposal."
"It's a gay bar, but not everyone's gay," Selina pointed out, motioning at herself. "I'm not that picky about whose heart I'm stealing, handsome. It's called bisexual."
He looked amused. "I'm Snart. Leonard Snart."
Mh. Selina raised her eyebrows at that. She'd heard about Snart. One of the best thieves of the states. Next to Selina, naturally. Something told her that this wasn't a coincident.
"I'm guessing that... proposal of yours..." Selina smiled and licked her lips. "Is lucrative?"
Leonard returned her smile and knocked back his drink. "I think that you and I could do very great things together and there happens to be a diamond exhibit in Blüdhaven..."
"Sounds like a date, Mister Snart," Selina got up.
"Call me Len," Len offered her his arm. "Let me introduce you to some people."
She accepted his arm and let him lead her out. Usually, she worked alone. But teaming up could sometimes increase the bounty they got. And Snart had a stellar reputation. This night could be a whole lot of fun, even if she had to leave the eye-candy at the bar.
/2003\
Selina stared, terrified, at the newspaper headline. Mother and daughter die in car accident. Which would already be horrific enough, if the picture next to it wasn't of the esteemed Kane family. Bruce's only living relatives. His aunt Gabi and one of his little cousins – Beth, according to the article – had... died. Selina covered her mouth, looking mortified. If it'd happened today, the funeral would be within a day's time, that much Selina knew about Jewish traditions. For a fleeting moment, she considered attending the funeral, but... that wasn't her place, she didn't want to draw attention to herself or to Bruce. But she made sure to check up on him tomorrow.
When she sneaked into Wayne Manor the next day, it was eerily quiet. She wasn't used to the house being quiet. Alfred liked to watch his British drama while working, Dick was always loud and filled with lief, Kate and... Kate and Beth would be over often...
Finally she found Bruce, in his study, standing and staring out the window. Looking so... lost. She stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders from behind.
"I'm sorry for your loss. I know how important your aunt was for you. And..."
What could she say? She knew that Kate and Beth had been more than just little cousins to him, more like the little sisters he'd never had. And the death of a child... That was horrible. There was nothing she could say to make this better, or make it make sense. So she changed course.
"Where are Alfred and the kid?"
"Alfred is... around somewhere. Dick is at the Gordons' place."
But his eyes kept drifting away. His thoughts kept drifting away. She cupped his cheek gently.
"And where are you?"
It took Bruce some before he answered her. "Lost. It's like loss is following me."
Words failed her, because denying this would be a lie. He'd lost his parents so early, he'd been present when Dick's parents had died. As Batman, he must have seen a lot of death over the years too, Selina knew that. He sat down, looking so tired and worn out. Instead of speaking, she leaned in to kiss the top of his head. A chaste kiss, expressing a gentle kind of intimacy.
He leaned up, looked into her eyes, before he kissed her. Kissed her for real. Not just on the lips but with love and passion in a manner they never had. The only kiss they'd exchanged so far had been the gentle peck on the lips on New Year's eve that one time.
When they parted, she rested her hands on his chest and looked up into his ice-blue eyes. "You shouldn't do that if you are being led by your grief."
"It's not grief. I am not seeking out your comfort to drown out my grief. Loss is a part of my life. But losing you at one point should not keep me from being with you now. Not being with you doesn't... undo the feelings I have for you."
The honesty with which he spoke, so sincere. It took her breath away and made her heart flutter.
Almost too good to be true. "Feelings for me?"
"I went out for drinks with my uncle the other day. His eyes are so empty. He forces himself to keep going, mostly for Kate's sake. He lost his daughter, but he also lost the love of his life. There were regrets, he regretted every fight he ever had with my aunt, regretted not asking her out earlier, every second of time he could have had with her that he had wasted. I don't want to waste time anymore."
Sometimes, something beautiful could come from something horrible. And Selina knew she was going to make damn sure that she was going to be that for Bruce. He'd lost enough.
/Wayne Manor, 2004\
Selina smiled to herself as she woke up. Most mornings, she was up before Bruce. After all, he'd only gotten home about two hours ago and even Batman needed sleep. Though he tried to get away with making the night through more often than not, Alfred and Selina were a strong united force to make Bruce go to bed. Besides, sleeping into noon fit just fine into his playboy persona.
"Good morning, Miss Kyle."
"I told you to call me Selina, Alfred," Selina smiled at him. "Please."
She knew he wouldn't listen. So proper and traditional. It'd taken him a long time to stop calling Bruce 'Master Bruce'. But that little boy hadn't been a master, he'd been an orphaned child. And Alfred was not his butler, he was his guardian. His father, by anything but blood.
"You know, when you said you would be over, I didn't think like that."
"Don't be cheeky, Dick," Selina warned amused, throwing a grape at the kid.
Dick was twelve now. Lanky and cheeky. Still an acrobat. Been putting his acrobatic skills to quite different work as of late. Batman had gained a sidekick; Robin. It didn't surprise Selina and she couldn't judge it either; she'd been going out to commit crimes that age herself. At least Dick went out to stop crimes. Like father, like son, she supposed.
"You're over like nearly every night," pointed Dick out.
"The boy is right, Miss Kyle," there was teasing in Alfred's voice.
One of the things only the family was privy to was that Alfred himself was very snarky and good at teasing people, at least those he was close to. Selina smiled amused and tilted her head.
"What can I say, your cooking makes it hard to leave, Alfred."
She got up and walked over to him to kiss him on the cheek, making the man chuckle softly.
/Undisclosed rich person's manor, 2005\
Selina was purring in delight as she cracked the safe and freed the very pretty golden statue inside. Biting her lip, she ran her fingers over the smooth gold, the ruby eyes of the phoenix sparkling at her. Pretty little birdie. Pocketing it, she made her way outside. She didn't make it too far before running into Batman and his kids. Well. Only one of them was his; Robin. Dick. The other one, he was borrowing from Commissioner Gordon. Barbara Gordon, who had become Batgirl only months after Dick became Robin. The strong sense of justice ran in the family, but there was much more recklessness to Barbara. Selina liked the girl, thought she had a lot of potential.
"Catwoman," Bruce growled in his Batman-voice.
"Batsie," Selina smiled brightly. "I am simply liberating some stolen art."
That had been one thing they could agree on. Selina stealing back stolen art and artifacts. Often times items of large cultural value found their way back to their country of origin with some aid from Wayne Enterprise. Selina stepped up to Bruce, resting her hand on the bat on his chest.
"Urgh," Babs made fake gagging noises.
"Why don't you two go ahead?" Bruce suggested. "Scout the place. Don't engage."
"Yes, sir," Dick saluted with a grin before turning toward Selina one last time. "Can you check my history homework when we get home? I have to hand it in tomorrow."
She aimed a smile at him and ruffled his wild, black hair. "Sure thing, kid. Now do as big Bat says."
As soon as the kids had rounded the corner did Bruce pull Selina into a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. If the people of Gotham could see their Batman kissing Catwoman with this much heat, what would they think? Not that she really cared, she never did care about what others thought of her, had to be tough early on. But sometimes, she wondered.
/Wayne Manor, 2006\
Selina was mildly surprised when Kate found her in the gymnasium. Of course had Bruce built a whole gymnasium into his manor for his acrobat son. And Selina liked to take advantage of that too. Usually, it was Dick who'd join her in here. Sometimes also Barbara, asking Selina to teach her a trick or two. Kate hadn't been by often, not since her twin sister had died.
"Your cousin is... at work, I believe."
"I'm not looking for Bruce," Kate crossed her arms over her chest. "I'm looking for you."
Her hair was dyed bright-red. A side-cut too. Rebellious teen-phase. She was, what, sixteen now? Selina remembered being sixteen. At that time, she'd shaved the sides of her head too. Selina got down from the ladder she'd been on and grabbed her towel to dry off the sweat.
Selina sat down cross-legged, motioning for Kate to join her. "What can I do for you?"
"I just..." Kate shifted a little, looking unsure. "You're Bruce's girlfriend."
"I am," Selina smiled a bit, finding the term 'boyfriend' very endearing in relation to Bruce Wayne.
"But..." Kate trailed off for just a moment. "I remember hearing you and Pam talk about your ex. You said she. So... that means... you dated girls. You... liked girls before you liked Bruce."
"I still like girls," corrected Selina automatically. "I like guys and girls alike. I'm currently dating your cousin, but that doesn't stop me from... appreciating the view around me. That doesn't mean I'd go around kissing other people, but I can see when someone is attractive."
"Ri-ight..." Kate trailed off again, like she didn't know what to say.
"I'm bisexual," Selina felt like filling the silence. "If that's what you were wondering."
"So it's not like a phase? Like you're done with that, now that you found Bruce?
There were adults she would have absolutely smacked in the face for that. But she could see in Kate's face that it wasn't intentionally biphobic, it was... confused curiosity. Like she was trying to figure something out. Something not about Selina. Selina tilted her head.
"That's something you heard," observed Selina. "Someone saying that liking girls is a phase that will pass when you find the right boy to like?"
"...Yes," admitted Kate. "And then I heard that you used to like girls. But now you found Bruce. So I'm just... I don't know. I just, are they right with that 'right guy' thing?"
"No, they're not," Selina kept her voice even and kind. "I love Bruce very much and maybe he is the right guy for me, but that doesn't make me stop being bisexual. Just like my last girlfriend hadn't made me stop liking guys. Bisexual is what I am, that's independent of who I'm with. The... The people who say it's a phase, they don't want to acknowledge that homosexuality exists. And the ones who think that bisexuals dating the 'right' partner are somehow 'cured', they're just... biphobic. Hateful toward us. For some people, it may be a phase of experimentation, a part of their journey of finding themselves, but that does not reflect on everybody."
Selina paused for a moment, watching Kate closely. "How you feel and what those feelings mean to you is... entirely yours. You can decide how that defines you. How you define that. I thought I was straight for a long time, until I met this girl and fell for her and it really freaked me out, you know."
That made Kate look curious and excited to a degree. "It did?"
"Oh, yeah," Selina chuckled. "It took me some before I realized what that meant for me. That I still also liked boys. That I wasn't gay but bi. And it took me even longer to say that aloud, to admit it to someone else than myself. I grew more and more comfortable with it, until I started feeling a certain sense of pride in it. A community that I could relate to, that made me feel like I wasn't alone."
Kate bit her lip and looked down at her hands. "I like... girls. I think I might be a lesbian. Because boys are just gross. And I always thought that was... something I'd grow out of. Others kept telling me. I was too young, I'd start seeing boys differently when I was 'the right age'. But I'm sixteen now? And other girls in my class started dating guys and have been talking about boys for so long. But I just... I don't get what they see in them. But lately I've been thinking that... that the way they talk, how they say they feel about and around boys, that's... how I feel with girls."
Selina nodded in understanding. "Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me, Kate."
"What... do I do with that now thought?" Kate asked.
"That's up to you. Who you tell, how you tell them. If you have a girl you have a crush on and want to ask her out," Selina grinned teasingly. "That's your decision. But I promise you that I'm not going to tell anyone, okay? That's your choice. If there's someone you want to tell and you're nervous about doing it alone, I'd be happy to come along as moral support, okay?"
"Really?" Kate looked surprised at that, but also relieved.
"Really," Selina rested a hand on Kate's shoulder. "You're not alone, Kate."
"Thank you, Selina," Kate offered a crooked grin.
/Kyle Home, 2007\
Selina frowned concerned. Her and Pamela were sitting at the kitchen table, together with Bruce. All three adults were looking over at a young girl in the living room. She was just sitting there, quietly. Selina had found her last night and brought her home with her, but she was a little lost.
"She doesn't talk at all?" Bruce's voice was a low whisper.
"She seems to understand, more or less, but no, she hasn't spoken a word," replied Selina. "She sure knows how to fight though. She... I saw her stop a sexual assault last night and she was... effective. I've never seen someone move the way she did."
"Concerning," Bruce crossed his arms over his chest.
"I made an appointment at the hospital. I want to see if she doesn't talk because she can't physically, or if it's something else," Selina licked her dry lips and looked at Bruce. "But I want you to... observe her. The technique with which she attacked... I have a feeling that you may have an easier time figuring out where she came from by tracking down her teacher than I may have by asking."
"I have board meetings all afternoon today," Bruce frowned. "But bring her by tomorrow."
"I'm going to keep an eye on her today. I don't have any lectures," offered Pamela.
Twenty-five and making her doctorate. A botanist. Now that was a perfect fit for her, Selina always thought. Since Selina stayed at Bruce's more nights than not, Pamela had pretty much taken over the house. And all of that on top of her activism.
/break\
It took a few weeks for Bruce to figure out where she'd come from. There were too many techniques she knew, too many leads to follow. But in the end, his investigation had lead him to David Cain. A sick and twisted assassin who had raised this girl to train her into being a perfect weapon. The doctors were mortified by the scars littering the girl's body. But her vocal cords were intact. Trauma, was what they'd concluded. She didn't speak because she had never been allowed to speak, was what Selina learned after Bruce's investigation.
So many girls she'd taken in over the years, so much abuse she had seen, but this? This was the worst. The girl had had so many broken bones, bullet-wounds, scars of all kind. It was gut-wrenching and Selina instinctively started to spend more time with her.
The others were sociable enough, but Cassandra – her name, as Bruce had learned from David Cain – wasn't. She was always waiting for orders. A mission to complete. A... human weapon. That was going to take years to unlearn and Selina was determined to help.
Fighting was a comfort for her though, so she spent a lot of time at the Bat Cave, sparring with Bruce, Barbara and Dick. Learning. Adapting to her new surroundings. Also learning Bruce's rules. No killing, no costumed villains. He wouldn't let the kids mess with the most dangerous ones. Stopping muggings and attacks on the street, yes, but not the Scarecrow or Joker.
"Do you want..." Barbara paused and frowned. "Ice-cream?"
He'd signed the first part in ASL while speaking but stumbled over the last word. It was Dick who supplied the signs he didn't know. They'd started learning ASL to communicate with Cassandra. While she refused to speak, she could understand. So they had all started taking lessons, to give Cassandra the means to communicate with them without speaking. It was tough, learning a whole new language, but Dick was taking to it the best actually.
Even though Bruce, Dick and Barbara stayed in costume around her for now. Caution. Batman, Robin and Batgirl. While Cassandra still didn't interact much with the other girls at the house, she was warming up to the vigilantes. Their mission, helping others, was something that seemed to speak to her. And so did their no killing policy.
It had taken a few months for them to unearth that one. David Cain sent them a video of Cassandra, so very young, killing a man. It took patience and a couple therapy sessions before they got to piece things together. Cassandra was trying to atone for that murder. She had committed it not knowing what she was doing, a young and abused girl, but she had realized what she'd done was wrong. So she was careful never to kill again. Trying to save others to make up for what she had done.
That was a different motivation than Bruce and Dick's and her trauma was a different one than theirs too, yet there still was a sense of connection. Of understanding. It helped her greatly in her adjustment. That, and therapy and sign language. Giving her a new life, a second chance.
"How did patrol go?" asked Selina, signing along as she spoke.
"Good. We have stopped... bad men," signed Cassandra back.
The signing helped, but it was more than just not speaking. Cassandra wasn't used to communicating at all, sometimes she took longer to put her thoughts into words. Bruce had been reluctant at first, about taking her out with them. Only after months of training with Bruce, as well as going to therapy, did he start letting her tag along. The codename she had chosen for herself was important, because it had been something she got to choose for herself.
Orphan. Because she had no one. A stolen child, raised by a cruel man. No family. Alone.
Not since Pamela had Selina ever personally taken someone on. She just ran her homes, throughout Gotham City. But this child, thinking herself so alone, never having had a mother before... Selina applied to adopt her, the same way Bruce had adopted Dick all these years ago.
There was this connection among the orphans, Selina mused. Cassandra had just stared at her with wide, confused eyes, when she had offered. One orphan taking care of another.
/Roofs of Gotham City, 2008\
Bruce was out of town. He'd been quite busy in recent months, since the so-called Justice League formed. Dick was already sixteen, Barbara eighteen. Old enough to be in charge while Batman was gone, especially with Cassandra's fighting skills. Well, Selina still kept an eye on them from afar.
Tonight, Selina was glad she had tagged along. A new masked figure. Young, from the stature. A girl, judging by her voice. Calling herself Spoiler, dressed in wide purple robes. She'd been leading Batgirl and Robin toward the so-called Cluemaster. Mediocre copy-cat of Eddie's shtick.
Cassandra was wary. She'd informed Selina and the two of them had gone to follow Spoiler, while Selina trusted Barbara and Dick to take care of the Cluemaster and deliver him to Commissioner Gordon. Cassandra was good at tracking and her and Selina blended into the shadows well.
One of the perks of knowing ASL was that it made communication much easier in situation where making noise could give them away. Like laying in wait in front of a wanna-be vigilante's house.
"The name on the door. Same as Cluemaster's," pointed Selina out in ASL.
Cassandra frowned at that. Brown. The two of them broke in to gather more clues. They found them, quite literally. The kitchen table was littered with Cluemaster's silly clues.
"What are you doing in my apartment?"
Selina turned around, just to find Spoiler in only half her costume, the cape gone that had obscured her face. A girl, around Cassandra's age, with long blonde hair. Judging by the state of the place, nobody was taking very good care of the apartment. Missing an Alfred's touch.
"You're the one who send us after Cluemaster," Selina stated.
"What's that you're doing with your hands?" asked the girl. "And yes. I guess there's no denying that, with the... outfit. I'm the Spoiler."
"It's ASL," Selina supplied, still signing along. "American Sign Language. And what's your actual name? I doubt your birth certificate says Spoiler Brown."
The girl glared defensively, but since they already knew her last name. "Stephanie Brown. I'm... his daughter. I had to do something. Things were already bad enough, but if he goes out there... doing... whatever, as a costumed criminal. It's embarrassing too."
Selina's eyes wandered through the apartment. "Where is your mother?"
Stephanie averted her eyes, pain flashing over her face. "ODed not long ago..."
Cassandra turned toward Selina and started signing. "You want to take her home?"
"Not yet. The police will arrive soon. But she already is going out as a vigilante, I think she would be better suited to stay with us than with a random foster family."
"Are you talking about me?" Stephanie watched their rapid hand-gestures warily.
"Yes, we are," Selina returned her attention to Stephanie. "You should get out of that outfit. Put it away. The police are going to arrive soon. Without your mother in the picture, you will be put in the system, Stephanie. But I have some... connections. I'll make sure you end up at the right place."
/break\
"She is completely untrained," Bruce glared and shook his head.
Selina wasn't having it. "So were Dick and Barbara once upon a time. So were you."
"She's too stubborn, she wants to do things her way."
"So... do you..." Selina raised one eyebrow, smiling amused. "She got a taste of vigilantism and she got into it. She's been sneaking out secretly on her own for the past two weeks that she'd been staying here. I usually send Cassandra after her to trail and make sure Stephanie doesn't get into too much trouble. Now tell me, darling, which one is better: An untrained teen vigilante going out all on her own, or a teen vigilante getting trained by Batman and going out under the guidance of Batman, Robin, Batgirl and Orphan, mh?"
The way he glared at her. He was so adorable when he was trying to be defiant but knew that he had lost the argument. Smiling to herself, Selina leaned over to kiss Bruce's cheek. He softened a little.
"Is that your dad?" Stephanie asked in a not very quiet whisper.
Selina turned to watch Cassandra. There was something contemplative to her. Mh. Selina had never entirely considered how the kids took to Bruce and Selina's relationship. It made her smile, ever so gently, when she saw Cassandra nod once, quickly, not looking at Bruce and Selina.
/break\
"Da—amn. That is one big house," Stephanie whistled as she looked around the manor.
Alfred chuckled amused. "Try keeping it clean and you'll notice just how big."
"That your grandpa?" Stephanie turned toward Cassandra to ask her.
Cassandra offered a broad grin as she nodded and the look on Alfred's face at that was so... warm. With Alfred stood Bruce and Dick. Sometimes, it still startled Selina to see the young man he'd grown into. Sixteen, tall, wind-swiped black hair and that ever so mischievous smile.
"So—o what are we doing here? Family dinner?"
"Family dinners are on Sundays," supplied Dick. "Hey, I'm Dick. Dick Grayson."
"B..." Selina paused for a moment. "Our son. Cass' big brother."
It was the truth. She'd always been the woman in Dick's life. He'd been coming to her with questions and issues that he didn't feel like discussing with Bruce or Alfred. Or when he had a fight with Bruce. He always knew he could come to Selina.
"You're here to train, Stephanie," Bruce put on his serious front. "Selina says you've been sneaking out at night, still playing the Spoiler. But you're untrained. Both, as a vigilante and as a fighter. You're going to get yourself, or someone else, killed like that."
"You can't stop me," Stephanie glared at him defiantly.
Bruce heaved a sigh and Selina rested a gentle hand on his arm. "We... realize that. But what we can do is train you, so you can defend yourself and so you know what you're doing."
Stephanie glared, looking unimpressed. The look on her face changed some when she looked from Cass to Selina and then to Bruce and Dick. Like she was putting it all together. Her eyes widened.
"No way," Stephanie whispered in awe. "For real?"
"C'mon, Spoiler," Dick grinned and motioned for her to follow. "Time to join the family business."
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, the other around Cassandra's. Selina had gained custody over Stephanie, what with her father in prison for an unknown amount of time (trial still pending). After child protective services had seen the Brown apartment though, it became evident that even beyond his criminal activity, her father was not suited to be a guardian. Stephanie deserved to move on, placed in a better home. Selina, such a respected member of Gotham City, seemed suited enough and had experience with troubled kids.
"She has potential, darling," Selina whispered, leaning into Bruce. "Give her a chance."
He heaved a sigh. "You know I have a hard time saying no to you. I still think... that she is not suited for this. But if she has you watching out for her..."
"And Cass seems to have grown attached too," added Selina, a mischievous look on her face. "So far, Cassandra's been the youngest. With Pam, Dick, Barbara. First time she is the older one."
"Quite the... family... we've gathered there," Bruce's voice was soft, wondrous.
Selina could see that there was something on his mind, but she could also see that he wasn't ready to share it yet. Whatever it was, she knew he would tell her in due time.
/2009\
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Selina frowned concerned, cupping Dick's face. "You don't have to. I know that you take your father's mission seriously, but you don't..."
Dick rolled his eyes. "I'm sure. Really. I think that... I'm not just doing this because Bruce wants to keep tabs on them. I also think that I can learn from this experience."
Bruce's little Justice League seemed to consist of more adults with teen sidekicks. To the point that the heroes had decided it might be beneficial to have the teenagers train together, learn to work in a team themselves, like a miniature Justice League. Bruce didn't like it, on account of the team's members. The Justice League had come together because an organization named CADMUS had cloned Superman and Wonder Woman and Metropolis got run over by mindless clones.
Only that one Wonder Woman clone and one Superman clone, both developed into about teen-hood, were sentient and had independent minds. And those two, Wonder Girl and Superboy, were among the line-up of this little sidekick group. To teach them about life, train them.
Bruce being Bruce, thought that shouldn't go unsupervised. Though the League would train the sidekicks in rotation, Bruce wanted a constant eye on that team. Which was why he had talked to Dick and they had come to the agreement that Robin should join that team. The most experienced of these sidekicks, a good potential leader – and Batman's inside man.
"Don't let your father's paranoia rub off," Selina looked at him softly. "And call, when something happens. I need you to be careful, Dick, okay?"
"I'll be fine," Dick hugged her. "Promise. Honestly, I'm kind of excited to go out without Bats always hovering behind me. And with Babs, Cass and now Steph, I think he has enough sidekicks to cover his back while I'm gone. This... will be a good opportunity for me."
She rested her chin on his head, hugging him tighter, until he continued. "I promise I'll call."
/break\
Selina had never seen Bruce flustered – well, not outside the bedroom at least. But when he stomped into the manor that night, he looked flustered and also irritated.
"You... okay, darling?" Selina put her book down, looking curious.
Instead of answering, he looked around. "The girls back yet?"
Without Dick, Barbara had stepped up into a leader position among the sidekicks. Which seemed to do her some good, considering she wasn't a little girl anymore. She was nineteen, had finished high school and started working at the library. Saving up to get her own place, though Gordon was in no rush for her to leave. Being in that phase of change, from teenhood into adulthood, she didn't do entirely well as Batgirl, second fiddle to Batman. Now though, she got a big sister role, mentor and leader to Orphan and Spoiler, a guide to the two younger and more inexperienced vigilantes.
"They're still on patrol," confirmed Selina. "What happened? You don't look hurt."
"Someone," Bruce frowned, looking nearly pained." ...stole the tires off the Batmobile."
For a moment, Selina just stared at him before she started laughing. "Come again?"
"I was engaged in combat with Man-Bat and when I returned to the car... all four tires were gone."
Selina covered her face with one hand when Bruce glared at her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just... The Batmobile? Not just the car of Bruce Wayne? Who would... Who would be ballsy enough..."
"I had hoped you could tell me that, Cat," Bruce raised both eyebrows.
A teasing grin spread over her lips as she ran a finger down his neck. "If you are suggesting that I sneaked out of the manor to mess with you, I'm afraid you are mistaken, Batsie. Ask Alfred, we played cards until half an hour ago when he retired to bed."
"I was more thinking one of your kids," Bruce caught her hand, bringing it up to kiss gently. "You run three homes of former street-kids and I know that you teach those interested and talented in your... profession. So I had hoped you had some insight into potential tire-thieves."
"Mh..." she leaned into his space, resting her head against his chest. "I could... ask around."
/break\
Selina had left the girls at home with Bruce for this one. Thieves were hers. And this little thief didn't need to be overwhelmed by vigilantes. Donning her Catwoman suit, Selina stalked the streets of Gotham. Usually, to look for a nice target to break into. Not this time. Tonight, she was operating more on Batman conditions. Trying to smoke out a criminal.
"Wouldn't recommend that," Selina smiled as she stepped out of the shadows. "A very effective security system that I doubt you can outwit, kid."
A boy, young. Early teen, the latest. Wild red hair and freckles, wearing a bright-red hoodie.
"I'm actually pretty good with security sys-" the boy was interrupted by Ace's barking.
The dog jumped the boy and easily pinned him to the ground, growling. "Try hacking that one."
The kid looked positively terrified by the dog that was nearly his own size. After another moment of fear, Selina had mercy on him and whistled. Ace's ears twitched and then he immediately ran up to Selina, stretching himself so long his paws rested on her stomach standing upright. Tail wagging, puppy-eyes pleading for cuddles. She may not be a fan of dogs, but this one was a fan of hers.
"Yes, good boy," she scratched him behind the ear. "You caught the dangerous robber all alone."
"You... But you're Catwoman. Not Dogwoman," argued the kid. "And what do you want anyway?"
"A good thief needs to know their way around many things, including guard-dogs," replied Selina. "And I'm here because you stole... an acquaintance's... tires."
"You mean your bo—oyfriend," the kid snickered and sat up with a cheeky grin.
Mh. He reminded her of Dick, back when the little boy had first come to stay with her. Once Ace was calmed down a little, she walked over to the boy and sat down next to him on the stairs leading up to Wayne Manor. She could see the light on in Cassandra's room, suspecting both Cass and Steph were watching from above, too curious to stay away.
"Scandalous accusation," Selina grinned. "Batman is the Dark Knight, protector of Gotham City. The one who locks criminals up. I'm the greatest thief this state's ever seen."
"And Batman's girlfriend," added the boy, grin turning even more cheeky. "Everybody knows that."
"What about you?" Selina tilted her head. "If you know who Batman is... What made you think it was a good idea to steal his tires, kid? That took balls."
"Maybe that's what I wanted," the boy shrugged. "For people to know I got what it takes."
"Mhmh," Selina smiled to herself, completely enamored with the kid. "You stole something high-profile to show you got the skills. I can relate to that. Downside? You now have Batsie's attention."
"I'm not afraid of him," the boy frowned and crossed his arms.
"Makes you either very brave, or very stupid. Potentially, a bit of both."
"Hey," the boy pouted, straightening his back. "I'm a great thief."
"Mh, I think there's a thing or two..." Selina petted Ace's head. "That you could still learn."
"Yeah?" the boy scooted closer, curious. "You... looking for an apprentice, or something?"
Heh. This would be something new. So far, even the strays Selina had been collecting had found their way more toward Bruce and Bruce's calling. Now, if Selina could get an 'heir' of her own, that could be a lot of fun. Crossing her arms on top of her knees, she leaned forward a bit, looking at him. While Selina wasn't as good at reading a person as Cassandra – nobody was, she could map out a person's most micro expressions and predict what they were thinking or about to do – Selina had learned a thing or two about body-language and piecing together visual clues. The kid was alone, probably living on the streets, considering the stains on his clothes and the haircut he needed.
"Couple of rules about that," Selina tapped her fingers against her elbow. "What's your name and do you have parents that are currently looking for you?"
The boy huffed at that and shook his head. "I'm... Jason. I got nobody looking for me."
"Okay. Then you'll come stay with me. And we take the legal route with that. There's things best done proper, okay?" Silena watched him. "I can teach you some tricks, but if you want Bats to lay off you, you gotta follow his rules. Nobody gets hurt, we watch out to take from those that can afford to lose some. And... don't steal from Bats directly, he definitely doesn't like that."
Jason wiggled his nose a bit. "...Noted."
/break\
"Hey," Dick sounded excited. "Are you already eating dinner? I wanted to call earlier, but..."
"We're not," Selina looked through the door to watch the kids bicker. "They're too busy arguing to set the table and you know your father, he's still... brooding over a case."
"He better not be late for Alfred's cooking, or he'll regret it."
"Now more than ever," Selina chuckled. "Jason has a very healthy appetite."
"That your new kid, huh?" Dick paused. "Not making me feel replaced at all."
"Don't be a brat," Selina laughed. "You know your father and I tend to take in strays. This one..."
"Yeah, it's about time you get to keep one of them yourself. Catlad, eh? Cute name."
"That's one way to put it," Selina smiled as she watched Jason argue with Steph.
"Listen. There's... something I wanted to tell you."
That sounded interesting. "You know you can tell me anything, Dick."
"I, uh, might have acquired a... boyfriend. Aqualad."
Selina raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Congratulations. I didn't..."
Mh, then again. He'd grown into such a handsome young man, she had always been surprised why he wasn't swarmed with girls. She knew Babs used to have a bit of a crush on him, but to him she was more like a sister than anything else, considering the years they'd spent together as Batman's sidekicks. Family, for them all, was so much more than blood.
"Maybe Bruce's mission kept me too... occupied. I was never really looking, I guess. But now, it's different here. And Kaldur is...he's pretty great, you know..."
She could just picture him flustering. "You deserve a great guy, Dick. Does Bruce know?"
"That I'm gay? Probably. He's the world's greatest detective," Dick huffed. "But... that I'm dating Kaldur? Maybe not. He's too busy with Gotham and not close enough to here. I think."
"You should maybe tell him, next time you're over for dinner. It'll be better if he hears it from you instead of finding it out the detective way," suggested Selina.
Every first Sunday of the month, Dick came back to Gotham City to join family dinner. He hummed his agreement, knowing that would be the best course of action.
"Mo—om, dinner," called Jason loudly. "Come before Steph wolves everything down."
"Hey!" Stephanie screeched for a moment. "Are you talling me fat?!"
Selina was pretty sure that Jason had only started calling her mom and Bruce dad to tease, because he was quite the cheeky brat. But over the months, it started to feel more sincere.
"I gotta go, Dick," Selina smiled. "See you soon. And tell that boy of yours that cats eat fishes for breakfast, so if he doesn't treat you right, there's a lion momma watching out for you."
Dick chuckled amused at that. "I will pass on the threat."
/Gotham City Botanic Garden, Spring 2010\
Gotham City had the most beautiful botanic garden, thanks to one Doctor Pamela Isley working there. Not that they necessarily knew that. She'd learned to control the color of her skin and pass for a normal human usually. The green skin only came through when she went out as Poison Ivy, her vengeful vigilante personality – well, the kind of villains she took out would rather call her a terrorist or something else. But someone had to knock the rich corporations killing the planet down a peg and Pamela delighted in that. She ran the botanic garden as a bit of a pet-project.
"It's rare for you to take me here, Bruce," Selina smiled, holding hands with him.
"There's a special flower I wanted to show you."
Curious. But nice. It was rare for them to just get a little time to themselves. With three teenagers living with them, the homes Selina ran, the billion-dollar corporation that Bruce ran, their lives as thief and vigilante. But they both knew what the other had on their plate and this mutual understanding was what made their relationship work.
"Oh, these are absolutely lovely."
Selina was in awe as they reached the orchid exhibition. Beautiful purple orchids everywhere. But Bruce was leading her toward something specific. When they came to a halt in front of a particularly beautiful and large orchid, Selina was left stunned. Inside the blossom was a diamond ring. There was a cute blush on Bruce's cheeks as he looked at her sideways.
"Barbara suggested it should be romantic and with flowers. Pamela suggested... this."
"And who suggested that you should propose to begin with?"
"...All of them, at different points," Bruce admitted, scratching his neck. "Stephanie and Jason cornered me with matching serious frowns, asking when I will make 'an honest woman' out of you and pointing out how true that must be if the two of them agreed on something. Dick had warned me not to just elope while he's gone. Alfred has, at various points, brought up what dishes would fit wonderfully onto a wedding menu. Cassandra has, apparently, been introducing me as 'Bruce Kyle' to her friends at school, ever since she started attending..."
Oh, oh that was cute, Selina hadn't known about that last one. She was already so proud of Cass for going to high school. They'd spent months teaching her – and themselves – sign language and teaching Cassandra how to read and write. She was an incredibly fast learner when it came to all things. Still, Selina had been reluctant to send her to high school. And then Steph had come around and Selina felt a little better, knowing Cassandra would not be all alone.
"So one could say you have gotten the blessing of everyone in our family, mh?"
"Our family," Bruce whispered wondrously. "Yes, I suppose. And... what is your answer...?"
"Answer to what? You haven't asked me anything yet, just shown me a pretty flower."
At this point, Selina was just torturing him. Poor Brucie. But then he knew what woman he was dating, mh? Smiling to herself, Selina picked the golden ring off the flower and stuck it on her finger, turning her hand a few ways to look at it.
"Not gonna lie, considering it's you and you don't do small things, I always dreaded an obscenely large stone on the ring, if you ever were to propose to me, that is."
"Do you remember how we first met?"
That made her frown. Of course she did, but what did that have to do with anything? Though she could see he was going somewhere with this, so she stood and waited for him to continue.
"You and Pam had been in the middle of robbing a rich couple. I interrupted, you dropped the necklace. I... gave you money instead and you ran off," Bruce was back to rubbing his neck nervously. "I remembered the lady, she was high society so I knew her by name. I... recently tracked her down and I... bought the necklace and had the diamond set into a ring..."
Selina's eyes widened in surprise as she looked more closely at the stone. That... That was the necklace she'd tried to steal all these years ago? And he had bothered to track it down, to turn their first meeting into a memento? That was... incredibly and surprisingly romantic. Without thinking, she turned toward him and grasped his face to pull him into a slow, deep kiss.
"Can I... consider this a 'yes'?" Bruce asked when their kiss broke.
"Yes," Selina smiled against his lips. "I will make an honest man out of you, Mister Bruce Kyle."
/break\
"Miss Kyle-"
Selina lifted a hand and shook her head, not looking up from the museum catalog he was reading. Adjusting her hand, she pointed over to where her energetic teenagers were standing at the table. Jason was wearing the dark-red hoodie with the black cat silhouette that Dick had brought him last time he'd been visiting from San Francisco. It was meant to tease him, but Jason wore his name as Catlad with pride. Him and Selina, they'd pulled off some very nice 'art liberation'.
Some nights, Jason liked to use the night to set a chase for the girls, try and outwit Cass and Steph. Those three, perhaps because they had come to live with them in close succession, truly were close as siblings. They were one family and had been this family for the majority of their stay. Not that Dick hadn't adjusted well to each new member of the family, but he had been in San Francisco for over a year now, missing a lot of family time.
"But Miss Kyle-"
Selina shook her head once again, pointing more decidedly at the three teens. "When I hired you, I told you that I will not be bothered about anything. You run flower arrangements by Doctor Isley, you run the menu by Mister Pennyworth and everything and anything else goes by my kids."
"You can't let three children decide on your wedding dress."
Lowering her catalog, Selina looked at her wedding planner utterly unimpressed. "If this went according to my wishes, it'd just be our family in the backyard. But Mister Wayne and I are important members of society and there is a demand for a grand show to be put on. To which I agreed, if I am not to be bothered by any of the preparations. I trust Stephanie to pick the perfect wedding dress for me and decide on the right bridesmaid dresses too. Will that be all?"
Stephanie looked incredibly smug, chest puffed out and smirk on her lips. Stephanie's style was the most similar to Selina, and they both favored purple, so Selina did trust her youngest to decide. Well, 'youngest'. She was fourteen by now too; with Jason being fifteen and Cass sixteen. Quite honestly, Selina had never thought she'd have four teenagers by the time she was thirty.
"Miss Kyle-"
"I believe that Miss Kyle has made herself quite clear, ma'am," Alfred offered a polite smile. "Now, if you would either get back to your job and leave Miss Kyle to her matters, or leave the manor so a replacement for you can be found. And I assure you, I had a long line of wedding planners eager for this position so it will not take me long to find a replacement."
Selina hid her smile behind the museum catalog, very pleased. Curiously enough, the lady seemed to have an easier time to answer to the old white man than to her. How shocking. Oh well.
"Thank you, Alfred," Selina's voice was a whisper.
"Of course," Alfred smiled. "Would you like a coffee for your... afternoon reading?"
"Honeymoon planning," corrected Selina with a broad smile. "They have a magnificent display of African artifacts in the British Museum. That sounds like a wonderful thing to visit with Bruce."
"With a short trip to Africa afterward, I assume."
"Oh, that would simply be lovely, tour a couple of countries, see the cultures that the artifacts had come from" agreed Selina. "And yes to the coffee, please."
"Mom," Stephanie stepped up to her.
Selina put her catalog on her lap to look at Steph. Behind Steph stood the wedding planner, hovering and half-hiding behind the teenager.
"We were talking about the guest-list and I know Alfred gave a list of everyone who has to attend from society and whatever, but was there anyone outside that who you wanted to invite?"
Mh. She hadn't really thought about that. Furrowing her brows, she tapped her chin.
"Outside of the family..." Selina trailed off for a moment. "Oh, yes, Lenny!"
"Lenny?" Jason poked his head out from behind Stephanie's other side. "Who's that?"
Alfred, carrying in the tray with coffee, was spotting a curious smile, as though he was daring her to explain Lenny while the wedding planner was present. Of course he knew who she was talking about. She tilted her head, thinking about it for a moment.
"Leonard Snart, we've met through our work," offered Selina. "A couple years ago already, but we've been working together on and off on occasion whenever he is in Gotham, or when I'm in the Gem Cities. I'll go and look for his address and give it you."
"Thank you, ma'am," the wedding planner's voice was forced.
She'd asked Bruce if he wanted to invite the Justice League (in their civilian personas, of course), but even after two years, he was still not exactly opening up to them much. Not ready yet to reveal his secret identity. Well, at least Dick didn't come after him in that respect, having befriended his team (even found a boyfriend too, which she still had to ask if he'd bring to the wedding).
/break\
Taking up an entire park for a wedding seemed ridiculous to Selina. But then there were so, so many guests invited. And thanks to her maid of honor, the park was even more beautiful than ever before. Selina smiled to herself as she turned once in front of the mirror. The dress was long, white, with a lavender corset and black lace around the princess neckline. It was beautiful. Pam, Steph and Cass looked great in their bridesmaid dresses too; dominantly purple but with some green accents and yellow flowers on it. Bringing the three most dominant colors of her bridesmaids together.
"Miss Kyle, Jason told me you wished to see me?"
"How often have I told you to call me Selina now?" Selina sighed as she turned around to Alfred. "Yes. I... had a favor to ask. You know I don't have any blood family. And I know you're... a father to Bruce. I had hoped... Would you give me away at the altar?"
It was hard to crack the British butler, but that did the trick. "I... I would be honored... Selina."
She pulled him into a tight hug, one that he returned as eagerly. Okay. Time to get this show on the road. Straightening up, she took a deep breath to calm herself. Her curls were put up with lavender flowers and lace decorating it and holding it up, the curls falling gently into her face. Good. She looked good. She was ready for this. Was she ready for this? Alfred cleared his throat and offered his arm to her. Taking it, she found herself a bit more sure. Yes, of course she was.
"This is ridiculous," muttered Selina when she left the tent. "Look at how long that aisle is."
"Everybody of name and rank in Gotham City and around has come to attend."
Selina muttered beneath her breath at that but she let herself be led along by him. Past all their guests and up to the beautiful chuppah, white roses growing up it from either side. While this wasn't a fully traditional Jewish wedding, on account of Selina not being Jewish, there were elements that were important to Bruce to be in it. She'd considered converting, but she knew it would have been half-hearted and that simply didn't feel right to her. Bruce stood beneath the chuppah, with his best man – Dick, of course – standing next to him proudly. With Dick stood Bruce's uncle Jacob and Jason, while Selina's bridesmaids stood on the other side. She finally reached them, with a smile.
"Hello, darling," Selina whispered, reaching for his hands. "You look good in black."
"You look... stunning in white," Bruce looked genuinely in awe as he looked at her.
Her smile softened and she was tempted to kiss him right then and there. But there was a procedure to go through. Nothing she wanted, really, but things that had to happen. For the most part, she tuned it out in favor of getting lost in his endlessly blue eyes, holding his hands.
/break\
Quite honestly, Selina was glad when she was finally free to sit with her husband – husband – and their children. Everybody had come to congratulate them, wanting to do so in person, to leave an impression on Bruce Wayne. Kissing up to him. After taking a breath, Selina turned to look left and right. On Selina's side of the long table, placed on a little stage to oversee the masses of guests and facing the floor with its long side, sat Pamela, Cassandra, Stephanie and Jason, while on Bruce's side sat Alfred, Dick and Dick's nervously squirming boyfriend. Boyfriend.
"Hello," Selina offered a cat-like smile as she leaned over Bruce. "I'm Selina."
"The bride. Yes. I know," the boy leaned over Dick. "I'm... Jackson. Jackson Hyde. Dick's..."
"Boyfriend," Dick nudged Jackson gently. "Don't give him a hard time, either of you."
"Oh don't worry, we won't," assured Bruce with a straight face. "Your siblings will do it for us."
As if on cue did Jason, Stephanie and Cassandra lean in to look at them past Selina. If possible, Jackson looked even more uncomfortable. Poor boy. Pretty boy too. Those cheekbones. And his eyes, they were such a startling bright green, his skin a warm shade of brown and if Selina saw that right, there were some tattoos peeking out of his sleeves.
"Love the dreads," Selina grinned, motioning at the bright-blonde dyed dreads. "That is definitely a hair-style I want to get back to after the honeymoon. But... I had to have 'appropriate' hair for my own wedding. You should have seen the face of the stylist who suggested to straighten my hair."
Jackson actually laughed at that, covering his mouth in embarrassment. Dick grinned at his boyfriend, looking completely smitten. Oh, how cute it was to see the boy in love. She was happy for him. And he had quite excellent taste. That boy was cute.
/break\
"Oh," Selina raised her eyebrows nervously. "We need to intervene over there."
Without question did Bruce let her wife steer him toward his uncle and step-aunt. Jacob had gotten remarried a couple of years ago already. Personally, Selina wasn't too big a fan of Catherine Hamilton, but she was a fan of Catherine's daughter. Mary Hamilton, four years younger than Kate. She was actually in Jason's grade, Selina knew that the two had been paired up for a project before.
"You look gorgeous," Mary gaped at Selina in total awe. "Like a princess. I love the dress."
"Thanks," Selina grinned and gave it a whirl. "Steph picked it. Don't you girls want to go and hang out with the other teens? I'm pretty sure ours have some pent-up energy already."
Kate gave that a shrug, though she did hug both Bruce and Selina before leaving with Mary. Leaving the newly weds alone with Jacob, Catherine... and Selina's guests. Leonard Snart, who had brought not just his husband but also his little sister. Not uninvited; Selina had worked with Lisa before too, during Len's heists. She gave it a squeal before hugging Selina too.
"Congratulations, I'm so happy for you, urgh, this is such a dream wedding!"
"Thank you, Lisa," Selina hid her smile in Lisa's neck.
"Truly lovely," agreed Leonard with a charming smile. "I would have picked a bigger ice-statue though, that thing's too small, it's going to thaw far too fast."
"You have experience with that?" Catherine asked interested.
"You could... say that," the crooked grin on Len's face was foreboding.
"My husband's an expert on ice," Mick smirked.
The way Bruce narrowed his eyes told Selina that he knew exactly who Mick, Len and Lisa were. Of course he did. What Selina cared more about was making sure that Jacob Kane, leader of what could only be described as a private police force, didn't figure it out. Not a fear Len or Mick had, of course. Those two loved to live dangerously.
"Really? That sounds lovely," Catherine turned toward Mick in interest. "And you?"
"I'm not so fond of the cold," Mick grunted. "Make a mean barbecue though."
Bruce choked on air. Well, not many people heard an arsonist claim they made a mean barbecue in public. The way he glared at her for it. Oh, please. If he invited so much law enforcement to their wedding, she had to up the criminal count a little. Just a tiny bit.
"Lisa, I meant to introduce you to Pamela, you know," Selina led one Snart away.
Leaving it to Bruce to tend to his uncle and step-aunt. Thankfully enough, the two of them hadn't needed words to communicate in years. Once glance, one quirk of her lips, and he knew what she wanted. She smiled amused when he started talking to Len and led the Snart-Rory couple away.
/break\
"Stop checking your phone," Selina stole it out of his hand. "Gotham will not burn down while we're on our honeymoon. Babs, Cass, Steph and even Jay have it covered."
Bruce grumbled, just a little bit. He was appeased when Selina rolled over to straddle him and pull him into a slow, deep kiss. His arms wound around her waist, resting leisurely.
"We did fun things that I wanted to do in London," Selina trailed kisses along his jaw. "How about, this time around, you get to decide what we do first?"
"Aside from returning the liberated artifacts to their rightful owners?" Bruce looked amused. "Well, I've read about Zambesi having a super-human hero of its own..."
Selina grinned against his jaw. "Mh... Sounds like a fun thing to check out, husband."
"It does... wife," Bruce's voice was a whisper, marveling at the word 'wife'.
~*~ The End ~*~
Author's note: This was supposed to be a SHORT oneshot, like 3 to 5 pages, but it ended up 20 pages long because damn I really love BatCat and I am salty with how little interaction between Selina and Bruce's family I get in canon, so the story kept growing.
Ironically enough did I also read Batgirl Vol 1 to 3 in preparation for this fic so I'd get Steph and Cass and their origins right but I ended up throwing A Lot out the window because I actually didn't like it. Though reading it made me feel less bad about shrinking the age-gap between Babs and the girls, because mom-like-mentor!Barbara in the comics was... really not good. So here's to big-sister-mentor!Barbara, having less pressure on her!
ALSO Jason Todd screams Selina's son. C'mon. The kid STOLE from BATMAN when he was first introduced.
Lastly, I realized that I needed a Selina Kyle and Leonard Snart friendship because my favorite thieves who fall hopelessly in love with the hero they're supposed to opposing. Icons
Sooo yeah. I stored A LOT of BatFam love in this, I hope you enjoyed it too!