Chapter 5

Unveiling Truth

Important! Okay, I realized I made a mistake will re-working on a scene, I forgot to include one element. Basically, Jerome got arrested during the Horror Fair (ep 3x14) and even though his face never got cut off, he took a bullet after being beaten by Bruce. That's the reason why he stayed for a few month in Arkham, Jeremiah didn't want to release him before he was healthy enough.

I edited the precedent chapters to add that detail, but I wanted to warn you just in case.

Please, don't hesitate to tell if some things are unclear to you.

Jeremiah liked to try new things; As a scientist, it was always interesting. But sometimes, keeping good old methods could be a good thing. He was sipping his coffee while thinking. He got something about that Tigress who came to see Jerome. He had been able to collect information about her, apparently she was a skilled hit-woman who arrived a few months ago. She didn't work for any mob, which was quite uncommon for a professional killer in Gotham. Still, he got no name, but he knew she could be contacted at one place, an underground bar held by gang members.

He could go there with no problems, he wasn't scared of that kind of places. However, his face would often get him…Noticed. She would get suspicious if Jerome's brother tried to meet her. He had to get someone to send, and who would be better than Echo? The girl was so devoted to him he knew he could trust her with his life. His brother and she had a complicated relationship, but she wouldn't let Jerome die. Anyway, she would do as Jeremiah would say.

She sat facing him. "So, what are you gonna do now?"

"I know where this Tigress can be found. I need you to go for me, but that's not gonna be easy."

"I'm not scared. She might be dangerous but so am I."

He gave her a little smirk. "Damn right, you are."

She took a sip of her coffee and she hummed. "It's quiet. Your neighbor isn't bothering you anymore?"

"No. I paid him a visit."

"Is he…"

"He will be soon."

"I could have done it."

"No. I don't want to risk your neck because of him. I don't want the police to go after you."

She had a soft little smile at this. Truth to be told, he liked Echo, but he wouldn't have been devastated if he had lost her. The truth was, she was useful to him and unlike Jerome or his cultists, she was still officially a normal civilian. That's why he didn't even think of her when he wondered how he would kill his neighbor. A devoted henchwoman as talented as Echo couldn't be risked for a stupid ass like his neighbor, if the police was to suspect her, she wouldn't be able to move around freely anymore.

No. If he had to risk Echo's life, he wanted it to be worthy, and anything concerning Bruce Wayne was.

"Try to meet her, I want to know what she looks like, and try to follow her after. She can't know you're linked to me or Jerome."

"Of course."

A gunshot suddenly echoed somewhere in the building, not far away. Jeremiah and Echo looked at him, guessing the gunshot came for the neighbor.

"I had a long conversation with him. I made him understand some…things about himself. Like why he was failing with everything in his life and how loud music and parties couldn't fill the terrible void in him. I guess my words had some influence on him."

She nodded thoughtfully. It took a lot to scare her, and she had to admit Jeremiah's abilities to push someone to such extremities were chilling. But now, this was a perfect way to kill: after all, this was a suicide and the police wouldn't see beyond that.

"Do we still stick to the plan to free Jerome? Or are things gonna change?"

"Depends on what we learn. I don't want to wait more than that, if only Jerome hadn't taken a bullet, things would have been simpler…But now, I guess it's for the best now that Bruce is in Arkham."

He had cursed his brother several times for that. Getting beaten by Bruce Wayne wasn't a problem, but taking a bullet by a cop! Because of that, Jeremiah had to wait before making Jerome escape, his brother had to be healthy to get out. Now, his twin was entirely healed and the fun would soon begin.

O o O

"You know, Bruce, one great thing when you live in a circus is that you can pick up a lot of little talents."

"Is that the secret you said you would tell me? It wouldn't take a genius to figure that out."

"Nah, let me finish."

The two were sitting on Bruce's bed that morning, Jerome was nonchalantly leaning against the wall while Bruce was sitting with his back straight, looking at him. Last night, Jerome had promised him he would show him one of his secrets if Bruce told him more about his life in the streets. He was pretty intrigued, was it something about his pasts? About his competences? He remained silent.

"You see, tricks are multiple there. My father, who rest in the grave now that I stabbed him in the eye, was supposedly a fortune-teller. Of course he never had any gift, except the one to read into people and trick them into thinking he understood them. That's the trick every medium and all use."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's take an exemple: I sense that you're a person who has a lot of values, and even if sometimes, you might question those values, those are important to you. I feel you might have had some troubles at times fitting in, social pressure can be a big weight at times, and felt misunderstood. Sometimes, you might judge yourself a bit too harshly, but in the end, you try to make up for your own flaws. It feel that you want more independence, a bit less boundaries, because you're an independent thinker. You like to discover new things also. Did you recognize yourself?"

Bruce hesitated a bit: "In some things maybe but I guess a lot of people would…"

"Precisely! I just throw a bunch of things people will most likely not disagree with. You also observe the person, their twitches and expressions, to let their reactions guide you. My father was blind, but a person's voice, tone and words can give you hints as well. But that's not all: you let them do all the work."

"How?"

"Well, s a medium, I could tell you something like: I feel a person close to you, with the letter 'M'."

"My mother was named Martha."

"Yes, that's her I'm sensing! You see? That kind of shit, there is just probabilities someone close to you will have a name beginning with 'M', but in the end, you're the one telling me your mother's name was Martha."

"So, that's how mediums tricks people. You pretend to be medium?"

"Nah, but I use some of their tricks. You remember when you told me people see what they want to see? Well, people here, they are the same. I just have to pretend I understand them easily, getting them to talk to me, and that's how I can start to have an influence on them. They're lost and they want a guide. I show them I understand them and that I can help them."

"So, everything you're doing with your followers, it's just an illusion."

"Not really. I do set them free. But in order to do that, I must get some influence, and for that I have to use some methods. But that's not something I use with them only, it's easy to get someone who wants to believe. I use it against authority figures too, against people who will resist; That's a bigger challenge."

"How?"

"Hum…I said I would tell you one of my secrets, but I'm giving you more than you gave. I want you to answer some questions. You didn't really tell me how you survived in the streets."

"I told you. At first, a friend showed me the ropes, and I observed. I was told not to get under anyone's thumbs, so the first things I learned were how to find shelter and food. I was already training to fight before, I did my best to understand how thugs would think, and know which one I could confront and which ones to avoid."

"Even if you wanted to test yourself, that's a lot of risks. Was it your only motivation?"

"I won't tell you more."

There was no way he would tell him he went in the streets in order to find the criminal who killed his parents. He didn't want Jerome to know that kind of things about him. He didn't want him to know Malone actually killed himself after their encounter.

Jerome rolled his eyes. "I'll find in time. Then, another question entirely: weren't you afraid of Jeremiah when you met him?"

"No. He isn't you; he never did anything to me. It was a bit weird to see someone with your face, but it was obvious he was different."

"Well, we are different indeed. Now, I'll go on with my tricks: to manipulate people, you can play on what they desire, but not only." Those words made Alfred's ones resonate in Bruce but he didn't say anything. "You can also play on their fear. The guard who obeys me, Jackson, he hated me at first. But I managed to know what he feared, getting him to talk, and I used his fears to make him weak, and once he had doubts…He was weak and more pliant."

Bruce frowned: "That's what you try to do with me."

"I do, but maybe I will use other methods. You're a bit more resistant than most."

"Which ones?"

"I won't tell! Do you really expect me to reveal all my tricks?"

Bruce stood up and took his medicine again. He was much better now. "What are you planning to do with all that influence?"

Jerome hesitated and stood up as well. "I'll tell you more at one condition: Let me kiss you."

Bruce's breath was cut off at this, making Jerome chuckle. Once the stun passed, he huffed and shook his head: "Seriously? No way."

"Come on!"

The boy shook his head again. The day passed quite peacefully, and Jerome showed him his technique with one big guy who tried to defy him. At first, the man was defying Jerome, and in the end, he was drinking his words. Bruce observed carefully, he had dazzled the man, but also the rest of the people around him. He was indeed a showman. At the same time, Jonathan was at his side, all at his drawings. At a point, Jerome just took Bruce's arm and pulled him to have him sit with him on the sole couch of the room, before which a TV was placed.

"Let's watch some TV now."

"What? I don't want to…"

"Remember: if you don't want me to hurt your friends, you have to be cooperative."

He didn't really speak much with Jerome, once again, he observed him mostly. In two days, Alfred would come and see him. They slept in the same bed that night.

O o O

Strangely, he felt that he could get used to that, being around Jerome wasn't that unbearable. As much as Bruce hated him, his presence was almost soothing in a way.

Whenever he was with him, he wouldn't think of his pain, he wouldn't think of Jim. Even though he would spread death, Jerome had that capacity to make one feel incredibly alive. With his taunting, fighting and his attempts to mess up with his mind, Bruce had to be inventive, reactive and witty. Those confrontations would test his limits and helped him to push those further and further.

With him, he felt alive and sane in comparison to his twisted mind.

Yes, as annoying and despicable as Jerome could be, he was giving him a purpose he desperately needed, not only to escape but to hold on. The worst was those questions about Jim. The infos had spoke of him, if his tragic death at the hands of Bruce Wayne. This was like a knife in the stomach and he could think of nothing else until Jerome had arrived and tried to taunt him about Jonathan being in solitary confinement. Apparently his friend had tried to hurt himself and was deemed too fragile to stay with the others. Bruce would have argued Jonathan might have needed company. He would try to know whether or not he could be allowed to visit him.

He kinda missed Jonathan. He needed to talk to someone about some strange thoughts he had sometimes. At times, he would think of the conversation they had and wondered how it would feel to kiss Jerome. More especially, he wondered how Jerome would react. He didn't know why he had those thoughts, but he would not talk to the doctors, especially not Strange. Marina was a sex-addict so she would probably not be the best person. And he would certainly not speak about it to Alfred during his visits.

"Wake up, Brucie!"

The voice took him out of his thoughts. Jerome's arm sneaked around his shoulder and Bruce pushed it away. Jerome was watching him with amusement and this was just all what it took to annoy Bruce. They were sitting on the sole couch around, and were watching TV. It was now some TV show Bruce never watched before. As he had agreed, he was spending his evening with him. Marina was sitting at his side on the couch too. She had been allowed by Jerome because she said he and Bruce looked hot.

"Lost in thoughts? What got you so absorbed?"

"Why would I tell you?"

"Because I'm asking nicely."

"Find another reason."

The redhead put his arm around his shoulders again and leaned closer. Strangely, Bruce didn't feel the need to recoil. Jerome smirked.

"Well, you wouldn't want to get an electroshock session."

Bruce huffed and leaned a bit toward him. He saw Jerome's eyes changing and the redhead almost wondered if he was going to kiss him. "You don't want to grill my brain. Find another reason."

"Oh, the little tiger won't get intimidated! Well, let's see…Ah now, there is something, it could be amusing. I received the visit of a woman, a pretty one. She asked me to do a job for her. Do you want to know what it is?"

"Go ahead."

"Uh-uh. You have to give me something in return," Jerome reminded him.

"Fine. I was thinking about Jonathan."

This made Jerome's smirk drop, and his eyes threw daggers. "Why?"

"Tell me more about that woman," Bruce simply replied.

Jerome's hold on him tightened: "She asked me to wrap you around my pinkie. Then, I'm supposed to make you do something, and then I'll have to kill you."

Those words stunned Bruce completely. What the hell?! He pushed his arm away and Jerome savored the look on his face.

"So that's why you always keep me close!"

"Don't be stupid, Bruce. I started following you way before."

"Yeah, sure!"

Jumping on his feet, furious, Bruce started to walk away when Jerome caught his wrist tightly.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Leave me alone!"

"You think I took that offer? You disappoint me, I thought you were smarter than that."

"So did I."

He freed himself from his hold and angrily stepped away. He was furious at himself, he allowed Jerome to trick him! But now, what did he expect? That guy was a lunatic who tried to murder him, he had been stupid! He felt stupid and dirty, God! How would his parents and Jim look at him now? How would Alfred? No, he didn't need to think of them…But he did, he couldn't help it.

He took a big gulp of air as he closed the door of his cell. The guardian around hadn't even bothered to ask him what he was doing here. Now that he thought about it, Arkham was working weirdly, a true penitentiary asylum wouldn't have let the prisoner circulate so freely. But now, it was ruled by a man like Hugo Strange, watched over by incompetent guards who were themselves under the thumbs of a guy like Jerome. No wonder things were unruly. In fact, from what he got, Strange liked that, giving prisoner to have some freedom of move. One prisoner told him Strange thought it was thrilling.

He looked at the small, gloomy cell. Who could ever get better in such a place. His father wished to give a better asylum to that city, where the mentally ill would be really healed.

"I will do it. I'll do everything to make that place a real hospital," he muttered. But only if I can prove my innocence. But how? Even Gordon thought it was me, I'm sure.

No tears came, but he was sad again. He couldn't loose hope. He knew Alfred would come and visit him tomorrow. He didn't want his guardian to see him sad and hopeless.

He wasn't surprised to hear the door open, he knew Jerome would come back. The redhead seemed angry, but Bruce wasn't exactly in a good mood either, after what he learned he wanted to punch Jerome even more.

"Did you come to do your job?"

Jerome's glare intensified and the teen almost regretted his words: the psycho looked even deadlier than usual. He approached him slowly.

"You know you really disappoint me, Bruce. I thought you were a bit smarter than that!" His voice was trembling in rage, it was the first time Bruce heard him talking like that. "You pretend to be observant but even after all the time we fought and confronted each other, you still don't get who I am!"

"What are you…"

Anger invaded the redhead. With no warning, he pinned the kid down with all his strength on the bed; though Bruce tried to push him away and gave a good struggle, Jerome ended up straddling him and pinning his wrists at each side of his head. Bruce's heart was racing at this point, and he almost stopped breathing when he heard Jerome yell.

"YOU SERIOUSLY THINK I'M SOME DOG OBEYING HIS MASTER?! YOU THINK I'LL LET SOMEONE GIVE ME ORDERS?! I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT, I'M IN CHARGE!"

His storm-like rage made the teen go still, he was bewildered and breathless. The redhead leaned his face closer.

"Seems like you didn't understand what I told you, seems like I have to repeat: You. Are. MINE! I don't let anyone take what's mine! I'm a loose cannon, Bruce, not an employee! You should have understood that already!"

"You could have accepted that in exchange of something. And with you I'd rather have no certitude."

Jerome sighed and just looked at him, not replying immediately. He looked at that kid who had the guts to talk back when other people would be crying already. Yet he was still angry. He gave him a creepy smile:

"After all the fights we have, you should know a bit more about me! I pursued you back then in the streets, I tried to kill you when you were a billionaire again…One would pick up some things about an enemy they encounter so many times! Do you seriously think I need someone to tell me what to do?!"

It was as if replying something was impossible. Something in Bruce was telling him it was true, Jerome looked genuine, and he didn't see him work for anyone. But he couldn't trust the guy like this, there was still a possibility. His lack of words didn't help to soften Jerome's mood. He clenched his teeth before yelling:

"I'll prove it to you if you're too dense to get it! I'll find that fucker, and I'll offer you his head on a plate!"

"Don't!"

"I will! Whether you like it or not, I will! But don't worry, I'll teach you to appreciate that kind of gifts!"

Taking a deep breath, Bruce tried to think as clearly and calmly as possible. He had to choose his words carefully.

"You still feel the need to prove yourself it seems. But that's my prey you're going for. I want to know who did this, and track them myself. It's up to me to take them down, not to you!"

This was a pretty stunning answer coming from him, it made Jerome huff and smile: "You don't have the guts to kill. Not yet."

"I don't need to kill, that's the easy way, your way. It's not mine."

Jerome's hold on his wrists tightened. "You think you're better than me, Bruce? Let me tell you one thing, boy: you had it easy! You were born with nice parents and in a rich world with the best things handed to you. I lived in a shitty place with shitty people, especially my family. There was only Jeremiah and he suffered too. If our place had been swapped, if you had been born in my stead and me in yours, can you really say you'd be the same? Can you really look at me in the eyes and tell me things wouldn't be different?"

For a moment, Bruce tried to imagine. He had lived in the streets, but not all his life. Jerome had always poor and rejected, except by his brother.

"Things would have been different, though I don't know enough about your childhood to tell how much. But even if I had been as bitter as you, nothing says I would have been a murderer."

"No, you might have been a scared sheep."

"So your brother is a scared sheep? He doesn't kill anyone; does that mean he is someone who should die?"

No, he is more the 'I push you to suicide' kind. But Bruce couldn't know it, and considering that, the boy just gave a smart reply. It would be fun to see Bruce's face when Jeremiah would reveal his true self. He was tempted to tell the brat about it, but no, he didn't want to deprive Jeremiah of this pleasure. So he searched for an answer which wouldn't uncover Jeremiah's secret.

"Jeremiah is unique. He cannot be put into that kind of categories. He is a genius, and the people of this city don't deserve him to work his ass off for them."

"At least we agree he is unique and a genius."

They stared at each other intensely and something started to grow as both their breathing intensified. Jerome grinned: "It's pretty crazy. Who would have thought we would find each other in such a situation? I would never have thought I would want that little brat who fought me off."

"Get out of my bed."

"No. Don't you remember our agreement?"

"You said I couldn't protest, you didn't say I couldn't hurt you. You said you're no dog, fine. But neither am I, don't think I will put up with all your orders and antics."

"Really?"

"Really. That's the kind of things you notice when you encounter an enemy several times."

This made Jerome laugh: "Okay, you got me here!"

"Anyway you don't want someone obedient. Otherwise you wouldn't be here."

"Now you see? You do know me a bit."

Suddenly, he plunged his head down toward his neck and bit the teen hard. Bruce opened his mouth and was at first unable to register what was happening or understand the pain. As he fully realized Jerome was biting him, he yelled in pain, releasing a gargled scream. Those teeth hurt like hell! He struggled, tried to get his wrists free, he tried to kick and push but to no avail. He started to trash even harder but Jerome held on and bit only harder and this time, pain made Bruce still. It felt like he couldn't breathe anymore.

Blood was leaking, he knew that. And Jerome…Oh hell, Jerome was sucking on it, he was swallowing his blood! He felt a vertigo and for a moment, pain almost stopped, he felt almost numb and for a moment, it seemed like he was looking into an abyss. Finally releasing him, Jerome was still straddling him and kept his hands at each side of his head.

The boy was breathing again, raggedly and deeply. Apart from the repeated move of his chest, he was completely immobile. His didn't even move his hands after being released, maybe his mind hadn't even registered that he was free. Jerome looked at him with fascination, the teen's eyes were wide and lost, Bruce wasn't even looking at him, he was gazing in the atmosphere. Was it shock? It looked like it, but Jerome wouldn't have sworn it.

Bruce was still breathing deeply, he had just opened his eyes on something terrifying. He blinked as his eyes caught Jerome titling his head. He forced himself to blink again, trying to grasp reality once more, to get out of that trance-like state. He took one deep breath and a slight spasm went through him. He realized his hands were free and he put one on his neck. H winced in pain. What the hell?! What the hell just happened?!

"See…Now, that should remind you and everyone else that you're mine. I'm not handing your life to anyone. Now," he grabbed his chin so they were looking at each other. "Do you see me?"

Oh yes he did! And he hated what he was seeing! He hit Jerome's side and pulled on the other to make him fall off. He did loose balance and fell on his back at the side of the bed. Jerome laughed.

"Okay, Tiger, I give up this time. But I'll see you tomorrow. You won't always escape me."

He left and Bruce just gritted his teeth, furious and disturbed. God, his neck hurt, but not only. What the hell just happened?

O o O

"What happened to you?!"

Those were Alfred's first words when he saw Bruce the next morning. Of course he noticed the bruise on his neck, or rather the wound.

"One of the patients thinks she is a vampire. She bit three people already." Technically, it wasn't a lie: one patient really thought she was a vampire and she did bit people. Now, he just didn't say it wasn't her but Jerome who did that.

"Oh God, I can't stand to have you in the middle of those lunatics."

"It's okay, I'll survive. I got into a few other fights, but I'm starting to get some…Friends I guess. One is confinement sadly."

"What about Jerome Valeska?"

"Still creepy, but it could be worse. However…" He lowered his voice. "He told me someone came and wants to hire him to kill me."

"What?"

"A woman, named Tigress. He told me he didn't intend to do it. At least, not for her."

"Don't be so sure."

"I don't know, he just says he is no employee, that he won't receive orders."

Alfred didn't like that one bit, he would have to find that woman.

"You never heard of her while you were living in the streets?"

"No, I didn't. I will try to know more."

"Be careful."

"Jerome half-rules this hospital, if he wanted me dead, I would be already. For now he wants to play, and I will take advantage of that."

"I know you will. There is something I need to know though: is there some else bothering you?"

He bit his lips and looked down: "Yes. It's about Jim…Do you think he knew it was someone else? Do you think he thought it was me?"

At this, his butler was unable to answer. That was a question he never asked himself. He took Bruce's hand: "He was a smart man. He probably understood something wasn't right, he knew you. He knew you wouldn't have hurt him."

Maybe. It did lessen his torments, but didn't erase those. Alfred eventually had to leave and Bruce was relieved he didn't guess anything about Jerome.

That wasn't his only visit today though, he was surprised when a nurse came and told him another person wanted to see him. He left Jonathan and Marina, thank God, Jerome wasn't around to ask question and annoy him.

It was strange, beside Alfred, no one would visit him. Wait, Jeremiah, did! Maybe it was just him. He followed the guard and gaped when he saw who his visitor was. No, it wasn't Jeremiah. If there was one person he didn't expect to see, it was her. He didn't want to talk to her but his curiosity got the best of him. He sat down, she looked uneasy and nervous.

"Hi, Bruce."

"Hi, Silver."

What the hell was she doing here? Maybe she still believed she could manipulate him. Although he broke up with her and avoided her, he never revealed to her or to her uncle that he knew they were plotting something. He only refused to sell his company. She looked down and finally spoke.

"I wanted to know how you were doing."

"Like one can be in an asylum. I'm surprised to see you here."

"I know, after we…After we broke up, we didn't see each other much, but I…I still thought of you. I don't want you to be hurt, believe me."

She was a very good actress, because she really looked sincere. But now, he noticed that she looked…Not as good as usual. Her posture was stiff, she had big eye bags, she was pale and…sterner than he remembered. Her fists were tightly closed too. Was she really faking?

"I want you to know that I believe you. I know you didn't do that," she whispered. He frowned but wasn't that surprised. He had suspected Galavan to be behind this, and now he was confirmed it was her uncle indeed. But why would she tell him? Remorse? He doubted it.

"How could you know?"

She took his hands in hers and tightly held those. Bruce stiffened a bit especially when he felt something in one: a piece of paper. The guard here wasn't really watching them, but he would take no risks, he showed nothing.

"I just know you. Why would you do something like that anyway?"

"Thank you."

She took off her hands leaving the small piece of paper in his. She then spoke a bit of their school, about the other kids, but there was nothing much about it. She eventually left and when Bruce was back in the Common Room, he went to sit on the couch and looked discretely at the paper. Two names were written on it as well as two other words.

Peter Tobias

Maria Changeler

Plastic surgery.

Wait…Bruce thought of all of this over and over again. He thought of Galavan, he remembered perfectly the day he had tried to convince him to sell his company. It was sometimes after he broke up with Silver, understanding that she had been trying to manipulate him.

"If you sell me your company, I'll give the name of the man who killed your parents."

Bruce had been surprised, how did Theo knew that? But Theo's surprise was even greater when Bruce looked at his right in the eyes and told him:

"Malone."

Theo might have been a great actor, he couldn't help but show his stupefaction at this. Bruce just sighed: "I already know about him. I'm not selling you anything."

Theo didn't know about his time in the streets. So he didn't know Bruce had managed to know more about hired killers and assassins and finally discovered who did it already. He hadn't seen Galavan again and tried to investigate about him along with Selina, but then they had that argument, and then, he had found himself here. And Jim…

So it was he who killed Jim! He would pay, Bruce swore he would pay! That hypocrite, when he thought he acted like a nice man, wanting to be involved in Charity events and all! But then now, he had been ready to sell the name of his parents' murderer against his company. A good man would have given it to the Police directly. To think someone like Jim was dad because of a guy like him, it was so revolting it could have made him vomit.

He would do everything to make sure Jim would be avenged and Galavan behind bars! He remembered telling Jim one day that sometimes, you couldn't hesitate doing some bad things for the greater good. Well, it was time for him to stay true to those words.

He tried to calm down and looked at the paper again. He had to focus on the questions he still had for now.

Who were those people? Why was she giving him those names? Was that a fake lead or something? Or was she feeling guilty? He had no idea, but one thing was sure, he needed to know more, and he couldn't do anything alone. He needed help from the outside, he needed someone who had connections…Hell. He knew exactly who could help him.

Thinking of the Devil, he appeared. Only Jerome could appear almost glorious in Arkham's uniform, really. It was a weird, degenerated glory, king of madness and anarchy…But Jerome had power indeed. He couldn't help but feel the sting of the bit mark.

"Were you waiting for me?"

"No. What a bad surprise."

The redhead slumped at his side and slipped a hand through his hair, and Bruce just swatted it away. It made the older boy laugh.

"You're a shy boy, really."

"You're annoying."

"Oh come on, don't be made! I know that bit was painful, but you could forgive me after all that warmth we shared! You might feel cold again tonight."

He put his arm around his shoulders only to have Bruce roll his eyes. "You know, I never liked to watch the News, but now I do, I love it, it's entertaining to see all the massacres across Gotham!" He leaned close to his ear. "Don't you?"

"Not at all. Some bad memories, maybe."

"You're talking about that night at the Fair? I'm the one who ended up beaten up and with a bullet in the shoulder, remember?"

"You asked for it. And I can only be thankful for this."

Sneering a bit because he knew that was true, Jerome nuzzled his temple, fondly musing over the way his hair grazed the fair skin.

"Then you should let me make it up to you."

Bruce was about to tell him to leave him alone when he stopped himself and looked at Jerome.

"Tell me one thing, the woman who came to see you, how was she?"

"Beautiful, with a black soft skin and long dark hair…"

"Tied in a tight ponytail?"

Jerome was surprised at this and looked at Bruce with confusion at first and then his smirk grew.

"You know who she is, don't you?"

Bruce didn't answer, but Jerome didn't need it. Tabitha Galavan…She wasn't really talkative when he encountered her, but he remembered her. Before Jerome could ask something else, he was called for a session. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and started to walk away.

"Have a good time, I'll wait for you impatiently!"

Jerome laughed at his own words. Bruce turned round and Jerome thought he was going to tell him something, but instead, the boy leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. He felt a wave of arousal and of complete stupor at this. He was breathless, this…This was…He didn't expect that!

Like a little devil, Bruce smirked: "What?"

Then he left and followed the nurse.

Okay, that was a hell of a long chapter! Well, if anything is confusing please tell me, I'm not sure it's always clear for the reader. As I said, I forgot to include the story of the bullet, though it's not a big thing in the story, but I didn't want to leave it.