Chapter 6

Green-Eyed Monster

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Jerome was thinking about the kiss, still stunned Bruce had been bold enough to do that. He had no doubts about the teen's intentions: he only wanted to obtain something from him. But now, even though Bruce was trying to manipulate him, it didn't mean Jerome couldn't make him lust. After all, sometimes the hunter could become the prey. Right now, they were two hunters preying on each other. Who would end up as the prey and who would be the hunter? He wondered. Anyway, he was pretty excited for that game.

He thought of Bruce's lips on his, and the way he had leaned down toward him. He was aroused thinking of it. He didn't care that the boy was trying to manipulate him, and after all, it was only fair. Jerome wanted to manipulate him too, it was the game. He just died to turn the tables around and make Bruce lust for him crazily!

Some inmates asked him if the boy was his new lover and though Jerome remained evasive about it, he promised himself Bruce would be.

"You're in love with him?" Asked Marina.

"For a sex-addict, you're very romantic."

"I never got loved in my life, sex is the only thing that got close to it."

Jerome nodded, for once, she said something quite interesting. "I didn't get much love either, having someone look at you with lust can be real thrill. Especially someone difficult to get."

The TV managed to distract him until Bruce came back. It was obvious he looked angry and Jerome wondered what happened with Strange. He resisted the urge to stand up and go to him, he wanted Bruce to be the one coming. Would he kiss him again? He wondered. He looked sad again, making that long, serious face again. It was kinda laughable and lovely at the same time. But he preferred to see Bruce serious and angry than serious and sad. Sadness was boring.

The boy eventually went to him and sat at his side casually. Jerome slowly put an arm around his shoulders, but didn't kiss him. Although he longed to do so, he wouldn't want to appear too eager. He was in control, and he wanted the teen to be the one asking for something.

"How did it go? You look like you're about to cry us a river."

"That's private."

He wouldn't tell Jerome how Strange had tried to speak about Jim Gordon, and how it plunged him again in that sad despair, with his thousands questions and the horrid feeling of loss because he would never see him again. He wouldn't tell him how Strange mentioned Dr Thompkins (she used to work here) and how she and Gordon had met here when he was working with the security. It had been like a stab in the heart. He had thought of her a bit too since it all happened. She had left Gotham now, but she had probably heard of what happened. What did she think of it? He remembered that at a time, she would visit him on a regular basis to speak to him. She hadn't been his shrink, not really, but they had talked together about some things before he decided to run and live in the streets. They had also met a few times again after he came back home. He kinda missed her.

He surely wouldn't tell Jerome about any of that, how being reminded that Jim had worked here was making feel worse. But more of all, he wouldn't tell him how somehow, he wanted to see Jerome in order to get his head out of the water. At least with him he would think of something else.

"Look at this, Bruce! The Kardashians! Have you ever seen something as stupid as this?"

"You like it?" He asked without much interests.

"Their stupidity is amazing! And let's be honest, there are only two reasons why people are watching that kind of shows: either because they're as stupid as fuck, or because they want to feel superior. Those guys are modern-day buffoons, but unlike them, they don't realize how ridicule they are."

"Maybe they do. Maybe they know playing stupid is their best card to become famous and rich."

"You really have to get no self-esteem to do that!"

"You have a reputation as a killer, is it better?"

At this, Jerome's smirk faltered and he pulled Bruce closer and fully turned to him: "Killers are dangerous. When people look at what I do, they fear me. And when I make people laugh, they laugh with me, not at me. But all my followers knows they shouldn't mock me, I am a predator, I'm the hunter, not the 'ridicule buffet'! Don't you dare to compare me to them, or I can guarantee you, you'll regret it."

Something in Bruce raised again, the energy, the will to fight back. "You aren't ridiculed, but you aren't loved either."

"We do love Jerome! It's you we despise!" One cultist exclaimed.

"Do you hear that, darling? This world wouldn't love me when I was a nice guy, Bruce. Not even my own parents. So why try to be a nice guy if they clearly don't want me to?" Before Bruce reply, Jerome leaned closer: "And it doesn't seem to me that I really disgust you that much."

"You're talking about earlier? Don't get too enthusiastic, it was just once to make you shut up."

"Didn't think you'd take that kind of things so lightly! We'll see if you don't want more, though. You went away a bit too quickly earlier, were you scared of my reaction?"

"No!"

Jerome chuckled. The kid really didn't like it when someone contested his bravery. Most people didn't, but it was even more obvious in Bruce. He had been sheltered during his childhood, and when he had been confronted to the hardship of life, he had probably felt how helpless, green and naïve he was. Surely the kid had pushed himself hard to get out of that pampered rich kid shell and get some strenght, so he didn't like being called vulnerable. Now that was a good angle to exploit.

"Well, we'll see whether or not I scare you very soon."

They eat their last meal and didn't speak of that anymore, but it was in Bruce's mind. What could happen? He imagined different kind of scenarios, and how he would react to it. But he was pretty sure it wouldn't go as it usually would. Jerome followed him to his room, the guards didn't say a word, as usual.

Once they were just the two of them and the door locked, Jerome just pinned the boy against the wall, roughly seized his waist and crashed his lips against his. He heard the boy grumbling and he was pushed away from him. Confusion and anger started to rose in him as Bruce's hand maintained him away.

"Not like this!" The teen exclaimed

"What the hell are you…"

"You're not obliged to act as if I was some doughnut! You can be a bit smoother, you know?"

Confusion passed through Jerome's eyes and Bruce gently cupped his cheeks. He tenderly kissed him, his kiss slower and gentler. He didn't really know what he was doing, he hadn't given so many kisses in his life, but he still had learned some things. When they broke apart, Jerome's breath was shaking, he had enjoyed this, but he also looked confused.

That's when Bruce realized it: Jerome had been treated brutally all his life. Gentleness was something which had been seldom given to him, only by his twin. Maybe he would never admit it, but a part of him wanted gentleness and if Bruce could give him that…Key to manipulation is to let other people think we can give them what they want. It wasn't only about sex…

He kissed Jerome again, still experiencing, searching for the right moves, the right gestures. Bruce ran one his hand gently over his back, while the other went in the red hair, stroking sweetly. By the way Jerome hugged him tighter, and breathed harder, it seemed to please him. The redhead was stroking him up and down, letting his finger run along his spine in a way which made him shiver. Bruce pressed himself a bit more and took Jerome's upper lip between his own and passed it between his teeth, not biting, merely teasing it. He felt Jerome tense and quiver. The redhead looked at him with hunger when they broke the kiss.

"You learned from what I told you."

"What?"

"To manipulate people, you have to use either what they desire or what they fear. You don't know what I fear but…" He gave him a short kiss. "You know what I desire."

"If I'm manipulating you, why are you going through it?"

"Bruce, do I look like someone who will deprive themselves of what they want, just because there is a risk?" He kissed him again before adding: "I'm just a guy who loves risks and takes what he wants. That's all."

And I want that one. He kissed his neck this time. Truth to be told, he had never felt such a lust toward someone, but it wasn't just lust, it was something else entirely. He was feeling the same longing that he felt for murder. He remembered how he fantasized about it, how it just itched to try and how he wanted things to be as intense as possible. He was impatient to have Bruce just like he had been impatient to commit his first murder. He didn't really know why, it wasn't as if he was a virgin, but he had a feeling Bruce would be different from the others.

That's when he realized something, and he asked suddenly: "Did you ever have sex?"

"No. And I'm not about to!"

"We'll see. Am I the first person you kissed?"

"No, I kissed girls already. You're the first guy I kissed, though."

"I'm flattered. You didn't seem so shy about it."

"You don't intimidate me as much as you wish."

"As much? That means I do intimidate you to a certain degree."

Bruce opened his mouth slightly but didn't find what to reply immediately. Jerome took the occasion to fully kiss him. They exchanged a few more kisses before Bruce finally went to bed. Jerome took him in arms as usual, quite frustrated they didn't go further but he knew he would have to wait.

While the redhead was falling asleep, Bruce continued to think. He thought about the names Silver gave him: Peter Tobias, Maria Changeler, Plastic surgery. What could it…That's when it dawned on him: there was a possibility. Of course! But if it was what he was thinking, why would Silver give him the key to what happened? He had no idea, but if it was that…

If it was that, then maybe he would discover the key to a lot of things.

O o O

That morning, Alfred went to the GCPD. He knew the cops here didn't want to see him, but if they thought their glare and hostility could stop him, they were dead wrong! There was only one cop they wanted to see, and it was Harvey Bullock. He didn't know him as much as he knew Jim Gordon, but he seemed to be a good policeman. Maybe he could talk to him to know where they were at with the investigations. He found the man at his usual desk, he was on the phone, talking loudly to someone. He had big eye bags, and looked like he got older.

"Detective Bullock?" Alfred called softly once he hung up.

The man looked surprised at his sight. At least, unlike his other colleagues, he didn't look at him with anger or spite.

"Pennyworth? Hey, what's going on?"

"I just came by to know if you haven't found anything."

"We haven't found Jim's body yet. We're still trying, but the more days go by, the less we're hoping."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I also wanted to know if you had any news about the investigation."

"The investigation?"

"Well, about his death. I mean, I know they all deemed Bruce guilty, but you probably don't believe…"

"Alfred…" Bullock raised his hand, looking dumbstruck. "I'm sorry, but there is no investigation anymore! I mean, I know you're heartbroken and trust me, I am too, but we all saw what happened."

"There was some bloody ploy behind it!"

"I also thought that at first, that maybe the images had been scammed, I couldn't believe that your boy did it, but it's freaking authentic! Bruce lost it, somehow, he did, I don't know why, but he did…"

"You can't believe that!"

"Alfred, please, go home. I know it's hard for you, it is for everyone. But we can't change what happened."

Bullock was sincerely sorry for him, even if a part of him wished he could just face the truth. It had taken all his self-control not to burst at him, because it pained him to hear about Jim. Yet he could understand it was hard, the kid always seemed like a good one, he had been brave whenever Valeska or someone else had attacked him, but it seemed like Wayne's worst enemy had been his own mind. It saddened him, Jim had always been fond of the kid…

He sighed. God, he had to admit he missed Gordon. The guy had his annoying side, but he liked him truly, they had been good partners. To think he ended up like that…He still remembered when he had to tell Lee Thompkins about it. She had moved out of Gotham, but even if she wasn't with Jim anymore, he had felt like it had been his duty to do so. She had been unable to speak at first, then he had heard her tight voice saying it couldn't be before sobbing.

The only thing he could do now was to find Jim's body and give him a decent burial.

Alfred was furious, knowing that nothing advanced. How could Bullock seriously believe that Bruce killed Gordon? He had seen them together, he had seen how Jim cared about him! But then now, he didn't expect much from the cops. Ironically, Jim Gordon would have been the only one to believe Bruce in such circumstances! But then now, if he had been Bullock or the other cops, would he have reacted differently? He knew Bruce, but they didn't!

As he parked before the manor, he saw a young girl at the door, with long blond hair. He recognized Silver St Cloud easily. What was she doing here? He got the same idea as Bruce did: he thought she probably wanted to play them again.

"Miss St Cloud?"

She turned round, seeming nervous. What was Galavan up to? If he had sent his niece here, he surely wanted something.

"Hum, I thought of paying you a visit. I went to see Bruce yesterday."

"That's…Nice of you."

"I just wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry for what's happening, and I also wanted to give you this: Bruce forgot it when he visited me once. I forgot to bring it back to him in Arkham. I don't know if they would have took it though."

Alfred frowned as she handed him a book. It was a Stephen King book and it immediately seemed weird to him. Bruce wasn't really fond of this author, and that book looked brand new. He gave her a quizzical look, but she still gave him pleading look and he thanked her.

"Thanks a lot. I will see if I can give it to him."

She left shortly afterward. The Dark Half, he didn't know that book at all. As he entered the house, he saw Silver going back in the car and the driver left. He started to look inside the book and saw hand-writing on a normally blank page. He frowned as he read:

Peter Tobias

Maria Changeler

Plastic surgery.

What the hell? He had no idea what it could be, why did Miss St Cloud gave him that? Plastic surgery…Those people were plastic surgeon? He would go and see Bruce right now, maybe he had an idea of who those people were.

Once he finally got to be face to face with the teen, he was relieved to see he looked a bit better. There were many people talking that morning, Alfred leaned toward Bruce and explained him what happened with Silver and Bruce quickly nodded.

"She gave me the same name and the same words," Bruce whispered, "and it's crazy but I have an idea. I thought all night about it."

"What?"

"It's a theory but what if the people who did that just…Had someone make plastic surgery to look like me?"

Alfred gaped. That was crazy indeed, but…But that wasn't impossible. If someone had been paid well enough, they might have accepted.

"Galavan could have paid someone."

"Yes, and whoever those people are, they are linked to this. They're probably people behind that plan; maybe they are the doctors who were in this. I don't think they would have done such a thing in a legal cabinet, though, it would have attracted too much attention."

"Where then?"

"When I was living in the streets, I had worked a bit for a 'doctor'. He would work for thieves and other kind of criminals who couldn't justify their wounds in a real hospital. From what I learned with him, he wasn't the only one and there is different kind of doctors like him."

"Okay; I'll see what I can do to find them."

They continued to speak, Alfred asking him how he was handling things and giving him advices until he had to leave. On the way back, he decided he wouldn't talk to the cops. Bullock would need more than a simple theory to reopen the case. No. He needed someone who knew the streets though. He knew exactly who could help, even though Selina Kyle wasn't his favorite person, he had no doubts she would accept.

O o O

After Alfred's visit, Bruce went to see Jonathan who was still in isolation. Bruce had convinced Strange to let him visit his friend. He went with Marina, the girl looked happy at the perspective to see Jonathan. It almost drove him crazy to be forced to stay in Arkham and not investigate on those names, but at least he could help his new friend. Hell, he realized he hadn't told him about Tabitha Galavan visiting Jerome. But now, Alfred wouldn't be able to do much about this, and he didn't want to worry him much. Anyway it was better to learn more before telling Alfred.

"What happened between you and Jerome? You had sex?" Asked Marina while they were on the way, distracting him from his thoughts.

"No. We just kissed and things like that."

"Ah, yeah, you're a romantic dove, I forgot!"

From anyone, this would have been a sarcastic, mocking comment, but from her it was a genuine praise.

"You think Jonathan is a romantic too?"

"I don't know. We never talk much about that."

"You two spoke of the scarecrow thing, I know. It's really weird, when you think about it…"

He stopped listening as this reminded him of the day Jonathan explained him about it and how Bruce had told him he never killed Jim Gordon. He couldn't help it, but once again, he remembered Jim and sadness invaded him. He came to think of him and Lee, imagining how they had met. They were like ghosts to him now. He also remembered the first talks he had with her. Even though he had been a bit reluctant to speak to her at first, he had started to get truly fond of her. Talking to her had felt right, nothing like with Strange. With that guy, Bruce felt like a lab rat about to get vivisected, plus he still suspected him to be involved in his parents' death. Oh did she also think he killed Jim? How did she feel about him? She probably hated him. This felt like another stab in the heart.

When he entered the cell, he saw Jonathan drawing horrid figures on the ground with a charcoal. He had drawn on the walls too. Walking gently, the teen approached.

"Jonathan?"

The young man abruptly turned to them, and his wide eyes, agitated look startled Bruce. He looked like he just woke up from a horrible nightmare. Clumsily getting to his feet, Jonathan smiled and threw himself at Bruce to hug him. The teen returned his hug awkwardly, not expecting that sudden reaction.

"Bruce! Oh God, I was so desperate here! I'm alone all the time, it's just horrible!"

"We won't be able to stay for long, but we'll try to visit you as much as we can."

He released Bruce and looked at him with desperate and sad eyes. Marina went to them and took Jonathan's shoulder.

"Hey it's okay, sweetie."

He hugged her too, though it wasn't as enthusiastic as with Bruce, he still seemed happy to see her as well and she was beaming because of the hug. They sat on Jonathan's bed and started to talk. Bruce noticed the guard was watching them. Was it for their security? He had no idea. He soon got the answer to that question.

When he went back to the Common room, he had some minutes of peace before Jerome appeared, grabbed him by the wrist and took him away. Bruce asked him what he was doing and Jerome just grumpily said that they had to speak alone. Just like last night, Jerome seized him by the shoulders and pushed him against the wall, and Bruce expected a kiss but instead, Jerome crushed his body against his, trapping Bruce against the wall.

"What is between you and Crane?!"

The abrupt question made him tense and then he remembered the guard: "You're spying on me?!"

"I told you I can do many things. What is between you and Crane?"

"He gave me a hug and that's all. Friends do that sometimes, not that you have much but…"

Jerome slammed him against the wall. "Don't mock me!"

Bruce sent his knee in Jerome's side while pushing him away. They struggled against each other and though Jerome always threw him on the floor, Bruce kept balance and kicked the back of his legs and pushed him on the bed. Bruce straddled him and pinned Jerome's arm down.

"Now, listen to me: there is nothing between me and Jonathan! And don't ever spy on me again!"

"…You know you look sexy when you're on top."

Jerome's aroused smile and lack of resistance was baffling but maybe he should have expected that.

"You just want a good excuse to pin me against the wall, don't you?"

"Haha! Bruce, please! As if I need an excuse for that! No, I just don't like sharing."

"I don't belong to you."

"Come on, we already spoke about it many times…"

He pushed himself up and kissed him. Bruce wondered if Jerome was really jealous or if he was faking it to manipulate him. He really looked genuine. When they broke the kiss, Jerome suddenly pushed him down, and this time he was the one pinning him against the bed.

"But it's not all, Bruce…What is that, exactly?"

Though he wondered what he was talking about, Bruce's breath stopped as he saw Jerome pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket.

"Peter Tobias, Maria Changeler, Plastic Surgery…What is that, Bruce? Don't tell me you want plastic surgery, I like your pretty face!" He laughed at this, enjoying Bruce's mortified expression and then stopped laughing abruptly: "Now, speak."

He should have destroyed this instead of hiding it! "You don't need to know that."

"I want to. I want to know everything about you. Now, you have two options: one you can tell me, or two I can ask people around if they know those names, the guards, the doctors, Strange…I'll eventually find out and maybe I won't be the only one interested in this."

Strange…If this got to Strange's ears, maybe it could have bad consequences. He breathed in deeply.

"How can I be sure you won't repeat it to anyone here?"

"I promise. And you can still find a way to keep my mouth shut."

Leaning up toward his lips, Bruce gave him a slow kiss. "Like this for example?"

"Yeah…Like this." Jerome's voice was trembling a bit. "Now, go ahead."

Reluctantly, Bruce started to explain and Jerome found it very interesting. He took Bruce in his arms and kissed his neck. Now that would be one hell of a story to tell his brother!

"Jerome?"

"Uh?"

"Seriously, never spy on me again."

"I'll think about it."

Bruce rolled his eyes but still embraced Jerome and kissed him in return.

And there it is! Hope you liked it, don't hesitate to review!