"Miss Diana isn't here sire; did you two have a bicker?"
"No"
"That's odd, she has been spending lots of days here that her absence feels like unnatural"
"So you've said it" Bruce responded after sipping his glass of water
It was a nice afternoon inside the Wayne Manor as Bruce is taking his usual early dinner before heading out for patrol. Crimes haven't been imminent lately but he didn't take no chances
The news would be his usual recon on which destination to head to, and so he took the remote and pressed the button that turned on the television
The screen pops, revealing an astray of color and images that is quite jumbling to the eyes. Just In time for news as the reporter started to broadcast live
"We are live in the Gotham Monumental Park. This is Vicki Vale and we are currently here, live as we broadcast the new structure reveal of the Wonder Woman statues"
"Oh I didn't know it was today, no wonder she isn't here" Alfred spoke
"You speak as if she's here all the time." Bruce responded
"Isn't she, sire?" Alfred asked
"Vicki looks most especially stunning today as well" Alfred teased, knowing about his history with Gotham's most prominent journalist
"Shut up" Bruce retorted
"Here with us live is the woman herself, who made all of these possible. Introduce yourself" Vicki stated
"My name is Elise Dorian, the co founder of the All-Women group of sculptors. We have been inspired by Wonder Woman to be more than just any typical women and to go out there and be great." Elise uttered
Their voices could be barely heard due to the impending amount of noise generated by the people there. There were a whole lot of people who attended after all
Vicki then marched to the crowd to ask a certain Gotham resident about Wonder Woman
"Wonder Woman had taught us that women can be strong and capable. Finally we have a role model that our kids can look up to"
Alfred was quite offended by that statement. There was a sort of vendetta between her words that anyone could decipher. He just hoped that his ward didn't hear that as much as he did
"Now that was quite a remark but thank you for that. Now let's ask another resident on what they think about our very own Wonder Woman." Vicki said
She walked through the crowd, aiming to seek for the perfect candidate to speak on behalf of Gotham
And after a few moments of search, she finally stumbles upon one person
"What is your name, sir?"
"Standler, Boris Standler"
"So Mr. Standler, what can you say about Wonder Woman's overall effect on Gotham City"
The man took the microphone in haste as he spoke
"I just want everyone to know that finally, we have someone that we could rely on. Ever since Wonder Woman had come to Gotham, I was no longer afraid of going out at night nor have the fear of being mugged." He began
"Wonder Woman had definitely showed the people of Gotham that there is hope despite the stereotypes that people had for our city. Now we officially have a person that is strong and smart enough to handle Gotham, because the old one was too weak to do so" The man abruptly spoke with aggression in his voice, not even trying to hide his loathe over another certain vigilante
"Woah, Mr. Standler. Isn't that a bit much?" Vicki asked
"I don't regret my words. My words are of pure truth. The old one that we had was a useless coward who would rather hide in the shadows." The man responded
"Woah, are you saying—"
"Yes. Crystal clear" The man interjected
"Well thank you for the remark sir, whoever it is that Mr. Standler was pertaining to must've been a terrible excuse. But saying that he was useless would not really fit that much - because he is worse!" Vicki bickered, which garnered laughter from the crowd
Alfred frowned. He was not even surprised about how this whole event is turning out to be. The media always had a great disdain over Batman and his ways of solving crimes
He knew it since the beginning and so does his ward
It must've been hard for him, being treated like as if he doesn't matter. With everything that he's done for the city, this is how they treat him
"And it's about to start, join me with the countdown." Vicki announced
"Ten. Nine. Eight."
The noise of the crowd echoes through the park, they seemed like small ants in comparison from a view up top. This only shows how Gotham really loved Wonder Woman
And not only Gotham, the broadcast is world-wide. People from different countries also had attended this special day for Wonder Woman also
The countdown continues, with the crowd jiving in with the numbers
"Three. Two. One."
And just like that, a series of fireworks rose from the cannons and unto the sky which can even be visible from the Wayne Manor. It vibrated different colors and designs which brought joy to everyone's face
As the fireworks lit up the sky, they cheered her Name
"WONDER WOMAN!"
"WONDER WOMAN!"
"WONDER WOMAN!"
It was an overall stupendous experience to be Diana as everyone had shown their immense support.
The Mayor then appeared to the stage holding a parchment in her hand. She walked up to the microphone just within the corner
"We have gathered here today to show our appreciation for our very own Wonder Woman, for with her presence. Gotham has turned into a wonderful place" She started
"Gone are the days when people feared of getting mobbed, or assaulted, raped or even murdered. Gone are the days of living with anxiety that one of us could be next. The heavens have finally answered our prayers, and it came in the form of a Woman."
Everyone cheered again, giving light of the Mayor's words
"We no longer have to rely on some bat freak to protect us, knowing he is incapable, or whatever he is. Certainly we've had enough of shortcomings, which Wonder Woman had solved on a span of short time."
The mayor added, not even trying to sugarcoat her words. It was a direct hit to the Caped Crusader and everything he stands for. The crowd knew this damn well, they responded with mocking hollers which proved so
Alfred couldn't help but feel resentment, that mayor did nothing but bring Batman's legacy down ever since she sat. She had been conspiring with the media to only report his shortcomings, or cases when he is helpless to do anything
His achievements however are thrown all out of the window, that they don't even bother reporting anything that could brand Batman into a different light than the gloomy Bat monster that they claim him to be. Disrespect would be a major understatement over this utter derision
"You okay, sire"
"I'm fine Alfred. Let's not ruin this for Diana."
"But sire…"
"I know Alfred" Bruce chimed, his voice deepening down into deep hallows
"I know…"
"I'm sorry. If there was another way we could've proved them wrong about—"
"I'll go prepare now" Bruce interrupted
"But sire, if you would just listen…"
"I am." He interrupted again
"Then you should know by now that you don't have to carry the burden on your shoulders. I know it's hard for you"
"The city is safe Alfred, and that's what is important"
"But what about you sire, don't you think Batman has a say in this?"
Bruce turned, with bitterness lingering in his eyes
"Batman is irrelevant" He grunted
"He always was"
"You know for a fact that is incorrect sire!" Alfred rebuked in disagreement
"Then what do you want me to do, Alfred?" Bruce retorted
"Cry and whine about the people's disdain over me? Nothing matters in the end. I couldn't achieve what Diana had done for merely a short period. That's how it is and no chiming words from you is ever gonna change that"
A sudden surge of silence filled the Manor. The British Butler ran out of responses and Bruce glanced at him with regret as he slowly uttered
"The other day, when I was saving this kid from Clayface. The dark surroundings engulfed the place and it was no place for a child."
"The horror on his face when I approached him, Alfred. The fear in his eyes, I could tell that he was more traumatized of seeing me than almost being abducted by Clayface…" Bruce continued
"And that is just the tip of the iceberg, when you see the things that I see out there, you would understand"
And just like that, Bruce slowly walked away to the Batcave leaving the British Butler speechless. His ward is far too distant, too damaged and too derailed for hope
Bruce had been continuously hurt ever since the beginning and he still is. It's a never ending curse that he had to take upon himself every day and every night
From a distance however, a certain Amazon has been listening for a while now. She wanted to surprise them but it turned out sour in the end
She didn't want this to happen whatsoever, nor had known about how the media had been treating her dear friend. They were always kind to her with flowering words of her own accord
But what she didn't know was the inhumane treatment they had been giving to Batman.
She felt a stab of anger rush through her as her fist clenches and her eyebrows narrowed into full slits. Diana was being immobilized by fury as she literally flew elsewhere
xXx
Bruce pushed even more, counting up to 500 repetitions of pushups which made her shoulder muscles sore. He would always resort to working out whenever his mind is off and distracted
This time is different though, for he is used to it. He didn't want to say those things to Alfred but it felt as it was necessary on doing so
Sitting in front of his batcomputer, he scanned the areas that had could nest certain criminal activities.
When suddenly, a pop up notification appeared on his screen, which was unexpected. This pop-up would only appear if it was of urgency
The British Butler also came in haste, desperate to reach the master of the house for news that is urgent
"Sire, you need to see the news right now."
Bruce had no doubts; this could be a dangerous case that he needs to attend to immediately
When they reached the television, his eyes widened of disbelief
There in the screen is Wonder Woman herself destroying the statues that they had built for her with an expression on her face that could scare the daylights out of anyone
"What is going on?" Bruce muttered
"That's what I would also like to know, sire." The British Butler responded in a worried tone
Everyone panicked, especially the mayor. What she deemed as the perfect savior had turned into their worst nightmare. They had never seen Diana into this light before
After finally smashing the statue to bits, Diana turned to the crowd with a very enraged look on her face.
"People of Gotham, I appreciate today but I want everyone to know that I am most certainly not satisfied. To praise me in such regard but also bring down the person who is trying his hardest to keep the city at bay is something that I will not tolerate!"
Bruce was shocked; he still couldn't believe everything that is happening on the television. He glanced at Alfred who then gave him a nod
"Batman is a respectable person, he has done everything he could to protect Gotham. He had given up a lot, including his time and well-being just to serve the city and this is how you treat him. Don't act as if you know Batman personally, no one knows what he is dealing through." Diana ranted in anger, she didn't even need a microphone for her voice be heard
"What I loathe the most are ungrateful people who doesn't know how to appreciate the small things that Batman has done. That includes the media and the politicians. Now don't even bother to praise me if this is how you treat Batman behind my back." "
"I seriously despise all of you who had been trying to tarnish his name. By Hera's name, I will be your enemy when that day comes"
Diana finally concluded as she flew out of the scene, leaving everyone in shock and the statues destroyed. The mayor was flabbergasted, what she thought would be a perfect opportunity to finally disdain the Dark Knight was sabotaged by the woman herself
Bruce and Alfred still couldn't believe what they just witnessed; it seemed surreal, very surreal
The British Butler then stood up and gave his ward a pat of reassurance in the back. Now he finally could see what he meant and it came of a rant from a certain Amazon
Diana however felt relief. She managed to speak her heart out on the disgust that she had felt for them. No one disrespects Batman like that, not on her watch.
xXx
"Hello Diana!" Richie greeted in joy,
"Is Donna with you?"
"She's in her ballet class unfortunately" Diana responded
"Is Bruce in?"
There she was, standing on the doorsteps of the Wayne Manor which she had to ring multiple times before finally being answered.
"Do come in please," He uttered as he moved away from the door for Diana to come in
Upon doing so, Diana saw Alfred himself standing just by the entrance
"I hope you're well today Miss Diana, that stunt that you pulled was quite - nerve wrecking"
Diana grew embarrassed, trying hard not to cringe at the thought of her actually facing the public and the outburst that she did in front of thousands of people.
"Good to see you too, Alfred. Is Bruce in?" Diana greeted
Alfred grew quiet, not wanting to give her a direct answer but he knew he had to
"The master is still conflicted, but I'm sure he'd love to see you" Alfred responded
"I trust you know your way of the Manor already, do enjoy your stay Miss Diana, I have matters to attend to"
Alfred then walked away, leaving Diana and Richie alone on the entrance of the Manor
"What did I miss anyways?" Richie asked
Diana glanced at the little boy, quite surprised of his remark
"You didn't see it?"
"I just came back myself, we had a tough loss today at the soccer tournament"
"Oh, better luck next time then" Diana responded, no wonder he was still wearing his soccer attire with dirt all over it
"Anyways, I gotta go change before he scolds me." Richie uttered as he literally ran to the stairs
"There's ice cream on the fridge, but don't tell him I told you that!"
Diana smiled in response; Richie had always been an energetic boy. No wonder he's gets along well with her sister
But her thoughts still lingered on having the talk with Bruce. Like what Alfred said, he is conflicted, that's all she needed as a sign to go reach out for him.
She waltzed through the living room, the kitchen and the garden, but no Bruce could be found
And so there was only one location left in her mind which she is sure that he is currently in.
He made her way to the steep stairs, down to the dark path towards a place where she knew he would sulk in. His place of comfort or so may say, a place where a lonely bat would always find solace in
The smell is the same as it is before, earthy and with reeks of petrichor
It was dim, but the light of the batcomputer serve as a beacon for her search. It also was enough to persuade her that he is indeed here
It didn't take long before she finally spotted Bruce. He was at the working table mixing some solutions to his canisters
And so she slowly walked up to him
"Bruce" she muttered, her voice seemed to shiver along the empty quietude of the cave with only the sound of the waterfall keeping the cave from utmost silence, for the least
The man turned around, looking at Diana with a casual look on his face
"Oh it's you Diana, how can I help you?" he greeted in an normal tone
Diana paused for a second, quite taken aback with how normal Bruce seems compared to how Alfred described him to be earlier
"I just wanted to check up on you, that's all" Diana stated
"Well, I'm doing good." Bruce responded
"Are you?"
There is tension in the air, something Diana couldn't explain well but she felt something wrong with how Bruce is acting.
She could tell from the way he is avoiding her gaze
"Bruce, I'm sorry…"
"For what?" He responded in a calm tone
"I must've made a fool out myself back there, but I just want you to know that I did it for you" Diana stated
There was no response, as Bruce continued on with his canisters
The silence was beginning to make things even more awkward for the both of them. Diana's heart was throbbing of anticipation, she knew there is something there…
"Say something, please…" Diana uttered under her breath
"That was stupid of you, Diana" Bruce uttered, finally giving in
He turned around and gripped both of her shoulders
"What were you thinking?"
"Bruce, I…"
"Do you realize the amount of controversy you will garner just from that stunt alone, the media will now crucify you for going against them" Bruce interrupted in haste
"I don't care about any of that, Bruce. I couldn't bear to tolerate them badmouthing you…" she slowly whimpered
"Oh brother, here we go again. I can handle it Diana, Everyone in the city hates Batman and that's how it should be"
Diana felt a sudden annoyance coming up to her senses upon hearing then. She then gave Bruce a look of defiance
"No it shouldn't, you don't have to suffer for the lies of the media, Bruce. And I defended your honor back there" Diana argued with fury lingering in her voice
"There's nothing I can do about it, the people believe whatever they are presented with on the news."
"Don't you ever get tired of the constant gaslighting?" Diana questioned
"That's not the point—" Bruce uttered
"IT IS THE POINT!" Diana interrupted
Bruce grew silent over Diana's words, she was getting way worked up over this
"You said it yourself that I should stand up for what I believe in, to never follow anyone's path and be independent throughout" She explained
"Now I'm doing what I think is right, and that is to stand up against them."
"Yeah, and that was stupid. You tarnished your own reputation which everyone will never forget from now on"
"I don't care about any of that. It is you that I only care about - that I care the most…"
"Then why do you care so much? I never asked for your pity, or your care, or even your help to begin with. You came in my life, my city and you just had to…"
He was struggling to finish his sentence, with his thoughts slowly making it hard for him to even utter the following words, but remembering all those days gave him the motivation to burst
"Make everything worse!" Bruce finally snapped
"Oh so that's what it's all about huh, Bruce?" Diana ranted
"You still see me as a threat after what we've been through. I guess we're better off with our separate ways then!"
Diana was getting way too carried away by her emotions that she started spouting out words that she doesn't genuinely mean.
Bruce glared at her, losing full control of himself as well
"Fine!" He yelled
"If that's what you really want. I lost you once already, I'll manage…"
Shock came up to Diana upon hearing that. Realizing just now what she just said which she didn't mean. She slowly reached out to Bruce who had turned his back against her
"You lost me?" she slowly uttered
"Just leave me alone, Diana." Bruce grunted
"Please…"
Quite hurt by his statement, Diana turned around as well. She didn't want to leave him at all, she wanted to let him know what she really feels inside
She knows what he's dealing with, and she wanted to help him in any ways that she can
But how can she do that if he keeps pushing her away every time she gets close?
"I just want to let you know that I'll do anything for you, Bruce. Even though all you do is keep me out." She muttered slowly
"You had sacrificed enough for me already, and I'll gladly do the same for you. I'll give up anything and I mean anything for you"
"Anything…" She whispered as she looked at him for the last time, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
Diana then wiped her eyes with her hands as she slowly waltzed out of the batcave
But as she was about to take another step
She felt warmth, and comfort all of a sudden as Bruce held her from behind.
At lost for words to describe it, Diana just stood silent and frozen as the man himself embraced her from behind
"It's not a matter of confliction, or jealousy, or reasoning why I don't want you to do this, there's nothing wrong with how you choose to do things, Diana." Bruce confessed slowly, his voice resonated a feeling of weakness and vulnerability
"I just don't want you to get hurt for my sake. It kills me inside whenever I see you put yourself on the line for me"
"I can handle the pain, all of it. But I can never handle seeing you get hurt" he added
Diana could feel sincerity from his voice, this was the Bruce she so wanted to seek despite his thick façade. The real Bruce Wayne, the Bruce that is conflicted, the Bruce who had been continuously hurt throughout.
The side of him that he never shows to anyone.
She gently caressed his hand holding her, it was clear from his voice alone that Bruce is struggling to contain his emotions, he never did learned how to suppress them
"I told you already, Bruce. I did it because I care about you." Diana soothed in a more calm voice
"I'd give up anything for you."
"Everyone is gonna hate you, the media will tear you down and your city will condemn you for even existing" Bruce said from behind
Diana turned, wanting to see his face. She then leaned in and fell right back into his arms but facing him this time
"Well then let's face the evils of this city, this world even, together." Diana whispers as she leaned unto his chest, listening to his heartbeat which would always soothe her inside
Bruce held her tight, keeping her still with his warmth.
"You're incorrigible, you know that, Princess" he slowly uttered
"I know, but you like it. I know you like it" She teased as she snuggled even closer
Bruce couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this. But then he remembered something important, something that he had to do
"I'm sorry, and thank you at the same time" he whispered
"For what?" Diana whispered back
"For everything." Bruce answered
Diana smiled, she felt a sudden new flare of joy upon hearing that with her cheeks turning pink of happiness as she looked into his eyes
"Make it up to me then."
"How?"
"I brought cake, let's eat it together" Diana suggested
"I actually wanted to celebrate with you, not with thousands of people"
Bruce smiled, feeling the sincerity in her voice
"Alright princess, lead the way."
She pulled away from him and gave him a leer of tease
"First one to get to the kitchen gets to eat the ice cream" She uttered
"Hey, how did you even know that?" Bruce asked
Diana gave him a wink before dashing straight out of the batcave. Her giggles echoing through the cave which Bruce found very amusing
All of a sudden, the batcomputer showed a live screening of the Mayor talking to the press
"I am very disappointed that things turned out this way, very disappointed of how Wonder Woman acted earlier. No one would've suspected that she is a monster who would destroy anything on sight—"
That was enough for Bruce to understand what she was going on, and so he turned off the bat computer. He wanted nothing to do with the mayor and her blasted media.
For now
He has an Amazon to celebrate with.
And so the young man drifted to the stairs which leads to the Amazon herself waiting for him
From a distance however, a certain British Butler was smiling to himself. Watching the entire thing gave him hope that maybe – just maybe
There is hope for his ward, and it comes in a form of a woman.
