Philia X

Selina watched from the counter Helena and Barbara Lee doing their science homework together. They had to draw and paint the Solar System, so they had the excuse to use a lot of glitter that Selina was sure she would be finding on Isis's fur for weeks. Soft pop music played on Babs' phone and the girls were talking and giggling between themselves. It would have been a nice, ordinary afternoon if wasn't for the bits of conversation Selina was picking up all the time. My dad this, my dad that, have you seen my dad's house? I'll ask him if we can use the pool, we could have a party! Every time Selina heard the word "dad" her head pounded.

'Sel? Sel? Sel, are you listening to me?'

'WHAT is it Holly?' And seeing Holly's scared face Selina felt a pang of regret. 'I'm sorry, kid. Just a headache. What is it?'

Holly eyed her with concern.

'Are you okay?'

'Yeah… It's just… She talks about him all the time.'

Holly gave Selina a compassionate smile and rubbed her arm affectionately.

'Awwwn Sel, she's just excited because it's a new thing. It will worn out. Lena worships the ground you walk.'

'Do you think so?'

'I know so.'

'Come here.' She hugged Holly, smoothing her blond spiky hair. 'I don't know what I would do without you, Holly.'

Selina felt Holly's body tense.

'Well, about that…' Freed from the hug, Holly fidgeted on her stool.

'What is it? Don't tell me you will elope with that cute guy from your work and leave us.'

'Selina! No! And I've already told you he's just a friend.'

Selina took a sip from her coffee giving Holly a well-knowing look to which she responded with an eye roll.

'So… What is it, then?'

'Remember that school I told you I was thinking about applying to?'

'That one in Star City? I remember, but you said you've changed your mind…'

'Well, I changed back, but I didn't think they would accept my registration because it was almost past the last day so I didn't say anything but, they accepted me!'

'Really?! Oh Holly I'm so happy for you!' She hugged Holly again and shouted 'Lena! Babs! Holly is going to college!'

'Really?' Helena got up on her feet and ran to her family sprinkling glitter everywhere. 'I'm so proud of you, Holly!'

'Yeah, congrats!' Said Babs joining the group hug too.

'And you don't need to worry about me I saved up, and I'll get a loan too, I have good credit.'

'Don't be stupid, Holly. Of course I'll pay you tuition.'

'No, Selina, I'm serious. You've already fed me and dressed me all these years.'

Selina rolled her eyes.

'Helena, who do you think she bribed to get in if she is this stupid?'

'Selina!' Protested Holly as the girls laughed.

ooo

The door opened to reveal Helena with a huge smile.

'Hi daddy!'

'Hi, princess, are you ready?'

Her smile turned into a grimace.

'No…'

'She just came out from playing downstairs.' He heard Selina say from the couch. 'I told her to come up sooner.'

'Sorry daddy… I'll get ready super fast!' And she ran away.

'Hi, Selina.'

'Hey.'

He walked to where she was, a mug of coffee in one hand, shorts and a blouse that gave him plenty vision of her shoulders and cleavage. She still had a lot of freckles. Her tanned legs folded under her. Bruce sat next to her and eyed the huge book she had on her lap. It was a photo album.

'This was from Holly's first week with us.' She pointed to the picture but it felt more like she was talking to herself. 'She was so shy. Helena was driving her crazy with questions. I ran on them once, Helena was asking Holly why the refrigerator didn't talk.'

Bruce chuckled.

'And why is that?'

'Because it doesn't have a mouth.' She turned her face to Bruce to deliver the line, a nostalgic smile on her lips, then she remembered whom she was talking to, and the smile died. 'She was just trying to make Holly laugh.' Selina said in a more serious voice.

Bruce sighed.

'She is a very kind little girl.'

'Yeah, didn't get that from me though.'

Was that a compliment? He was very confused. Oh, well, that was his permanent status when it came to Selina Kyle.

'That was on year after. I took them to the carnival. Helena was crying because she wasn't tall enough to get in the ride she wanted to go. Made a whole scene. Holly gave her the candyfloss to Helena even though she had already eaten hers and a huge piece of mine. I have never regretted ignoring Lee's speeches about sugar high so much before.'

His arm brushed hers as he moved to point to another picture.

'What was happening here?'

Selina shivered and then laughed to cover it up.

'I let Helena eat alone for the first time. She was about two. Got banana all over her face, her hair, I even found it in her diaper.'

'Do you think…?'

'What?'

'Can I keep this one?'

Selina turned her face back to him, really looking at him. Poor, miserable man, she thought.

Then she took picture off the album and handed to him.

'Here.'

'Thank you.'

'Mommy…' Helena was back already dressed but with a towel rolled around her head and holding a comb and some hair product.

'Yes, kitten.'

'Can you do my hair?'

Selina handed the album to Bruce and sat back opening her legs so Helena could sit between them.

'What do you want?'

'A braid?'

'But it's wet, baby. Why don't we just untangle your hair and put those new snap clips that auntie Lee got you?'

And mother and daughter talked between themselves Bruce felt his chest become heavy. He had lost so much. He looked at the picture of his daughter again and wondered how was to hold her when she was that little. The thrill of seeing her take her first step, say her first word. He looked a Selina and imagined her round with their child, how beautiful she must had looked then.

ooo

Selina was very uncomfortable, but she would endure for her child. And Helena was beaming with excitement. Bruce have been taking her to parties, museums, restaurants all over Gotham since she told them she knew he was her dad. But that was the first time Selina gave in to Helena's supplications to go with them. 'Come mommy! There will be big cats!' And she said she was going only for the big cats, but Helena knew better.

A circus. Like they didn't have enough problems with freaks in costumes and clowns in that city already.

She dressed in her best slutty mom dress, pretended to not notice Bruce's stolen looks because that was all he was ever getting, made him buy the most expensive option of popcorn available, helped Helena clean her face after she got chocolate syrup from her funnel cake all over her, how could have raised such a messy kid? And tried to ignore Bruce's lame jokes. God, he was trying so damn hard.

She had to admit they were having a good time, until it happened. They were called the Flying Graysons, a family of acrobats. Mom, dad and son. He was a small kid, just a little older than Helena. In the end of their show, dad was upside down being held by his feet on the trapeze, mom jumped in a somersault, he grabbed her ankles, they both with huge smiles, the audience in complete awe, the kid should go next, but the ropes gave in and the couple fell to their deaths.

The whole crowd screamed, Bruce stoop up, his popcorn falling form his lap to the ground, Selina held Helena against her chest, hiding her face but it was too late, she could feel her daughter sobbing. She looked up to Bruce in terror.

'Let's get out of here.' He said in a tight voice.

She nodded. She wanted to pick Helena up but she was so heavy, Bruce did it and Selina followed as he opened the path among the horrified and confused people.

They reached the car without saying anything. Helena was still crying and when Selina got a glimpse of herself in the rear-view mirror she noticed that there were black mascara stains treading down her own cheeks too.

Bruce sat in the driver's sit but didn't start the car.

'I need to go back there.'

'Why?' Selina asked confused, Helena just looked from one parent to another, holding her mother tight.

'The boy… I can't just let him like that.'

'What boy?' Asked Helena in a soft voice.

Bruce looked at Helena and gave her a sad half-smile, then patted her head softly.

'I'm sorry you had to see that, princess.' Then he turned to look at Selina. 'Can you drive home?'

'What? Why daddy?!'

'Yes.' Selina breathed holding his gaze firmly, understanding. 'Go.'

'Thank you.'

And he left.

Yep! Dickie is in this story too. Bruce can be an orphan hoarder disaster without hoarding some orphans.

We will have just one more chapter in Philia (edit: lol nope), and then we'll reach the final arc, Storge, which is a lot smaller than Philia. I actually didn't expect Philia to be so long, but I had a lot to tell.

I hope you are still enjoying this story and that you will be with me till the end. See you next time.