Chapter 3

And here we go! I like that chapter, especially the latest part. You'll see why ^^

Failing at something wasn't pleasant, no. Failing twice was even worse. And yesterday had been the second time Jeremiah and Jerome failed to get Bruce Wayne. Now, sure they toyed around a lot, but Jeremiah didn't expect him to leave that soon, he thought Bruce would stay longer, until he found something bigger. It wasn't like the teen to go and leave like that without a good reason. But obviously, Bruce had found more than expected. Didn't matter, he would come back.

"Still not ready?"

He rolled his eyes as Jerome asked him that annoying question: "Told you already, it takes time to create a new chemical virus."

"I thought a genius like you would make that in a clasp."

"Well, even geniuses needs times when it come to some things. Did you have a sample for me by the way?"

"Of course I do."

The sample was some poor dude Jerome picked up and kidnapped. Why experimenting on mice and rats when you could use real people? And at least it was giving him some entertainment while Jeremiah was preparing this. Oh, it hadn't been his only activity, he had also made sure some little punks and gangs around would remember this was their territory. He also got something on the way. Oh, am I stupid! I got to put it in the fridge!

He almost ran to his bag and put his little trophy in the fridge. Jeremiah frowned while seeing this.

"What is it?"

"A gift for Bruce."

"I see…Not sure he'll like it, but he can be surprising. Do you know where he is?" Asked Jeremiah, still looking at what he was doing.

"Nah, I got someone to watch the manor but he didn't come back there after last night," Jerome declared.

"He could be lurking around."

"That would be good. I like to imagine him searching for us."

Jeremiah smiled as hugely as Jerome. He could understand. "Who scare him the most?" Asked Jerome. "You or me?"

"Both of us or neither. I don't know. As long as he fears us indeed, it's all that matter. Not too much, it wouldn't be fun otherwise, but just a bit."

Jerome agreed with that. Whenever he could see some fear in the teen's eyes, he would be hungry. He often explored some fantasies where Bruce would be tied while he and Jeremiah would be able to do whatever they wanted with him. In those dreams, Bruce would always be defiant with a twinge of fear…

His phone rang, taking him out of his thoughts. It was Jeri.

"Hey, kiddo!"

"Boss, a certain someone came over and left a message for you."

"A certain someone?"

"A brunet, I guess you know who I mean?"

"I'm coming up."

She would have brought the message directly to him in other circumstances, but she wasn't allowed in there lair. No one was, there had been very few exceptions to that. He was pretty surprised no one tried to hold him prisoner, though. But he guessed the teen probably made himself a reputation after beating not only some of his followers but also Barney. And there had been that time with the light grenade. He looked around but didn't see Bruce, Jeri gave him an envelope and he was very intrigued while opening it. There was one simple message:

Wanna play? Come and find me. Bruce

Jerome blinked several times. That was seriously Bruce who wrote that? He showed it to Jeremiah who was stunned.

"Hell…Seems like he enjoy toying around after all…That doesn't really sound like him…"

"Yeah, he is usually more straightforward, more serious…"

"He was playing yesterday, after all he accepted that drinking game."

But it wasn't the same as initiating something. Both twins were suspicious, it was surely a trap, but on the other hand, leaving such an occasion would nag them to death. Jeremiah hated that, but he couldn't come with Jerome, someone had to stay back, just in case. His twin left, and it didn't take much time to find him. Bruce seemed fond of heights, he would often run there, he would probably be on some roof.

Jerome climbed the staircase and indeed found the teen standing on the edge. He smiled hugely, he always would whenever he was around. He was dressed in black leather, his hair without gel; Jerome loved it whenever he would wear leather and when his hair wouldn't be neatly done, with the wind messing it. This, this was the best kind of looks for Bruce, it just allowed wilder nature to show. Now, he was really looking forward to this.

"Ooooh Brucie! What's on your mind this time?"

The teen turned his head to him. After their last conversation, Bruce had understood their lair was probably in the same building and after some investigation, he had a hint on where it could be. Yet he had to make sure both twins were away from it before checking that out. And for that, he had enrolled Selina's help; In spite of their last argument, he knew he could rely on her.

"You were quicker than I thought to find me."

"I know you better than you think," the redhead answered, walking toward him while watching out for any kind of traps. "I know what you like, what you hate, and how you think."

I know what you want as well, Jerome. "You still have much to discover about me. Where is Jeremiah?"

"Why?"

"I couldn't beat the two of you," he pretexted. "I want a second chance at it."

Jerome giggled. "Come on, Bruce. You want more than that. You want to capture us and be a little hero."

"Wow, what a fine deduction," Bruce sneered. "Of course I want to give you to the cops, since when did I deny that?"

Jerome huffed but he had to admit he got a point. Bruce came closer. "Did you think I would come for your pretty eyes?"

"You think my eyes are pretty?"

Jerome suddenly received a punch in the right eye and just had time to dodge the second blow.

"They would look much better like this!"

Jerome burst into laughter and the two rushed at each other. Bruce undid his chain and sent it at Jerome who dodged. Bruce made the chain roll around his fist.

"Ah, that little new trick! I'm pretty excited to get a taste!"

The teen fought fiercely, he had to get Jerome down as quickly as possible. If Jeremiah wasn't here, then it meant he was probably inside the building, and then, Selina would cross him when she wasn't expecting it.

After one missed punch, Jerome roughly grabbed his arm and twisted it behind Bruce back. The teen grunted. Damn! Thinking of Selina had made him lost his focus! Jerome leaned against his captive, grinning at the feeling f Bruce's dark hair against his own cheek.

"Caught you!"

Bruce bended over and sent his skull back violently. Jerome's head snapped back and Bruce freed himself of his hold.

"Not for long!"

On big punch from the chained fist hit Jerome.

O o O

Sneaking in the building, Selina swiftly reached the underground floors. She hoped Bruce was doing okay; fighting against Jerome Valeska was a dangerous idea. But now, it wouldn't be their first dance. She understood why Bruce preferred to find their lair and the virus before calling the cops, Gordon could be smart but most of the GCPD would just screw everything over. She didn't want to be involved into his hero plan at first, but then she had to admit this virus could kill anyone, and it was indeed an urgent matter.

She remembered what Bruce told her: he believed he had found what could be the entrance of their lair in the underground floors. He had inspected the building before calling her, but had been forced to leave to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Indeed, she could now see it, the supposed hidden entrance. Jeremiah Valeska was one clever dude, she had to admit it. And she wouldn't admit it, but Bruce was also clever as well for figuring it out, cause she could have missed it! Just like she wouldn't admit she was sorry for the last time they saw each other and how they argued…

No time for this. Let's focus.

It was behind a fake electrical panel locker. Well the locker was real, but faint traces on the ground showed it was opened on a regular basis, much more regular. That's how Bruce had found it. She managed to pick the lock with ore difficulty than expected and instead of an electrical panel was another door. Picking it wasn't easy either but she wasn't the kind to let a lock get the best of her. She held her breath as she stepped in.

She was silent as always and she couldn't but look around. She shouldn't have been surprised but the place was incredibly messy. Stuff such as scientific tools, weapons, clothes, papers and all were thrown around together, strange words were all over the walls, written maybe in blood, and she actually froze when she saw Bruce's name. Hell, there were some pictures of him on the walls, as well as articles about his parents' death and every times he had been taken hostage or confronted by Jerome or Jeremiah. Creepy…

There was something almost schizophrenic in there. But maybe that was the presence of two strong and very different personalities such as Jerome and Jeremiah. Bruce told her that in spite of his nerdy and shy look, Jeremiah was maybe even more dominant than his brother. She hadn't interacted with him in the past, but everything she heard about him tended to prove Bruce right.

She had to go now. She wouldn't be able to find any virus in here, at least they were sure this was the right place…

"Selina, am I right?"

She jumped in surprise and saw red hair and glasses. And a gun. Shit! Jeremiah. He positioned himself face to the door, so even if she rushed, he would have the time to shoot.

"How do you know my name?"

"Do you really need to ask? Because of Bruce. Otherwise, you're hardly anything interesting."

She huffed, but those words actually hurt, not that she cared about what the twins thought of her, but because of some unwanted feelings and memories. Doesn't matter, focus on the gun, you have to get out! She had to take a chance and make it to that door…She heard footsteps and saw someone coming from behind. A big guy with a gun too appeared in the frame. Shit, now she was really trapped.

"Do we kill her now, boss?"

"Not right now," Jeremiah quickly replied before looking at her again. "How did you find us? I guess you're here because of Bruce, that's obvious, but how did you find that place?"

"Maybe you're not as clever as you think."

"Unlike girls like you, I never make the mistake to overestimate myself. I know there is always a possibility of failing somewhere, I kinda enjoy it and I learn from it."

He was also arrogant, and arrogant people liked to talk, to show off a bit. She knew it, she made that mistake sometimes. And Bruce, Bruce was his obsession.

"You will probably not be surprised to know it's thanks to Bruce. He seems to know you well enough."

Suddenly, a shot echoed and both her and the man behind jumped in surprise. The bullet had hit the floor right beside her foot. She kept her cold blood, she was used to danger but she knew she quickly had to find a solution. She had to gain time for now.

"That doesn't answer my question. How did you or Bruce find our lair?"

"…He noticed the locker was getting open more than the others thanks to traces."

Jeremiah grinned slightly.

"I should have known he would figure out…"

"Which one is gonna have him?" Asked she in a hurry before he could shoot again.

Intrigued, he titled his head to the side: "What?"

"Your brother wants him too. Don't you think he will want him for himself? Unless you're the one plotting to get rid of Jerome?"

"Oh, but that could be a smart move, Selina! Smart, but too classic. Do you know how many people tried to get Jerome and I to hate each other over something? A lot. In fact, some did exactly that: using Bruce as a argument. But that never worked."

He took a step closer. Still not close enough and the man behind would shoot her anyway. He went on: "I know you were abandoned by your mother, you poor little thingy," he taunted. "And I guess growing up completely unloved and being unable to keep anyone at your side made you believe that no relationship of any kind is strong enough to resist the rest of the world. By the way, is that why you never had anything official with Bruce? Or is it because underneath that prideful façade you perfectly know you're worthless and that Bruce is way too good for you, Selina?"

She wanted nothing but tear him down, physically and mentally. Then why couldn't she find anything to answer? Why did it hurt so much?

"Let me enlighten you: having a twin makes things very different. Our mother didn't love us, just like a lot of people. But we had each other. And we learned to share without jealousy. We both crave Bruce, Selina. And I want Jerome to enjoy him as much as I do, in fact, I wouldn't be as happy if my brother couldn't understand why I desire him so much. Therefore, only death can separate us, not the words of a stupid little girl."

"Well, at least Bruce wanted me as his girlfriend. He will never want you."

This made his face twitch. "Never say never. But from what you just said, I indeed have all reasons to kill you…"

BAM!

Selina and Jeremiah were both stunned. A big blow by behind pushed the big man forward and he could hardly stay on his feet as Bruce lunged at him. Bruce! Quickly, Selina grabbed her whip. Jeremiah was still taken aback at that sudden arrival. She sent the weapon at his arm, and the gun almost jumped out of his hands. She sent her whip again and Jeremiah just had the time to dodge that. As Bruce was kicking and punching the big guy, she attacked the redhead. He went back for his gun but she whipped him and grabbed the weapon before he could. She struck him hard with the barrel, making slump on the heard a big BUMP beside her. She feared for Bruce but saw Jeremiah's goon sliding against the wall, unconscious. Her friend was slightly hurt but overall okay.

"Are you okay? I was scared when Jerome came alone."

"Yeah, we have to get out…"

"Oh I don't think so…"

There, Jerome was standing with a gun, his temple bleeding. Jerome! He had left him handcuffed on the roof! As if he could read his thoughts, Jerome laughed: "Oh please, I can deal with handcuffs too!"

Bruce stepped in front of Selina, maybe Jerome would not shoot him but he would kill her. Two of Jerome's goon emerged and threatened them as well. Jerome went to them, his smile still huge.

"Let go of the gun, girl. You might hurt yourself with that."

She didn't want to do that, but she had no choice, she wasn't ready to shoot while their three opponents were. She let it fall on the ground.

"Good, now hands up!"

They reluctantly obeyed. One of the goons placed himself right behind her, threatening her directly. Bruce couldn't protect her from everyone anymore. Jeremiah started to get up as well. Jerome helped him on his feet, his gun still pointed at them.

"You know Brucie, I actually intended to use something on you, but you beat me up before I could."

"Let Selina go, this is between us."

"You involved her, Bruce," Jeremiah reminded him while getting his gun back.

"I'll do what you want as long as you let her leave safe and sane."

Now this seemed to entice the redhead a lot. He titled his head and got closer to Bruce before grabbing his neck. "What we want? Well, first of all, don't move."

With those words, Jerome suddenly planted a syringe in Bruce's neck, startling him. "Shh! Not a move, remember! Don't worry," he declared as Bruce started to swoon. "You'll just have a little sleep."

"Why are you doing this?" Selina yelled.

"Shut up! Guys, keep her alive, we will have some use for her. You can be rough if you want, though."

Selina was hit on the head by one of the goons and they both threw themselves at her while Jeremiah and Jerome were taking Bruce away. She was a good fighter but those two were well-trained, and she was knocked out.

O o O

When Bruce woke up, his first thought was: why am I so nauseous? What's on my mouth? Where am I? And…His arms were sore and up. Wait…He opened his eyes and saw he was in a room with dim lights and he was tied by the arms to…He steadied himself on his feet and looked up to see his wrists tied by a rope to a hook in the ceiling.

Everything came back in his mind and he froze in fear: Selina! What happened to her?! He wanted to talk but something was on his lips: tape. Hell, he was tapped and tied somewhere and Selina was God knows where, maybe dead…No, if the twins were smart, they would keep her captive to have leverage on him, right? Or, if they wanted to kill her, they would make sure he would see it, they would make it special. In that case, she was still alive. His mind was still a bit foggy but he did his best to think straight.

Observe, where are you? That room wasn't very big, and it was weirdly neat. He saw a table with knives, razors, syringes, a crop, tape, a hammer…And below it was a barrel of gasoline. God know what happened in that room! Next to it was a stereo, apparently, whatever they were doing, the twins would do it in music. Weirdly, he wasn't surprised.

He remembered what one of them said the night Jerome took him to the club for the first time: How about we lock him in the basement? You'll like it Bruce, it's full of tools! So it was this room…Was he still in the same building as Selina? He hoped so. He took deep breath, the effects of the drug slowly passing away. He was regaining all his senses now.

The door opened and he saw the twins enter, Jeremiah happy but collected and Jerome smiling hugely.

"I waited so loooong for that day, didn't you, Miah?"

"You know I did. Look at him, doesn't he look great like that? How about some music?"

"I have a special playlist," Jerome put it on the stereo while Jeremiah grazed the leather of Bruce's jacket before going to the table. The song Sweet Dreams started.

Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree ?
I travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody' s looking for something

Jerome started humming while grabbing a knife too. "I don't know about you, but I always loved that song. It just doesn't age."

"Oh yes, it has something to it. Some creepiness under the catchy music. And it is sensual…"

Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

With a satisfied little smirk, Jeremiah stood before Bruce who gave him a deadly look. But behind it, he could see fear.

"Sensual…That's the word…Not super sexual like all those lazy songs of today…It's more subtle…" Jerome murmured.

Jeremiah stepped away to let him approach Bruce's face; the boy wanted to yell at him but he couldn't. The tape over his mouth felt almost smothering. Slowly, Jerome slid a hand behind Bruce's head and hold it in place. He gently kissed the tape, pressing his lips through it. He suddenly yelped in pain and backed away as Bruce kicked him away hard. Jeremiah laughed.

"Seems like you went a bit too far!"

"Why? It's not as if he couldn't see it coming, is it?"

He slapped him hard, making Bruce's head snap to the side. The sound made both brothers smirk. Bruce shot daggers at them.

"Maybe you should remember we have that annoying little pest you call a friend, Bruce. She is still alive and relatively unscathed. Make sure she remains as such."

Strangely, he was pretty sure that wasn't a lie. He jumped in surprise as he felt Jeremiah's cold fingers in his neck. He shifted to escape the touch, making Jeremiah grin.

"Being tied makes everyone nervous. You see, he can hardly handle being touched. When you think he was so willing with that guy last night!" The hint of jealousy was obvious. "You know what would make him even more nervous?"

"Go ahead."

Jeremiah went to search for something and Jerome's let the tip of his fingers run over Bruce's bound arm, caressing the leather. It wasn't much, really, but that kind of teasing just meant something. He tried to move those to get away once more. This made Jerome giggle.

"Seeing you tied really was a fetish of mine, you know." He took a step away. "I want that image to stay in my mind for a long time. You're just perfect like this…That black leather, those bonds, that fire in your eyes…" He actually looked serious and even entranced. "You look like some trapped demon."

Bruce rolled his eyes, but hell, if he wanted him to be a demon, he would be! He had to free himself, one way or another. And after that, he had to make sure they couldn't contact the goons holding Selina. He would have to play it subtly. But once again, he knew what they wanted…Jeremiah came back with a long piece of cloth.

"How do you think he'll react being blindfolded?"

"Oh dear, that's gonna be fun. Be my guest, you got the idea, after all."

With a little grin, Jeremiah slowly tied the cloth, pressing his body against his prisoner. Bruce tensed at this. Now he was blinded, he wouldn't even be able to see what was going at him! He couldn't even speak to try to get out of this! He was entirely powerless, and God he hated that!

The feeling of a cold blade against his neck made him cringe. It was merely brushing just like Jerome's fingers earlier. "How much can I cut there without killing him?"

"You just have to avoid the big veins right here," Jeremiah explained. "Don't cut much, though. I don't want his neck to be damaged, it's beautiful."

"I'll try to do that well, he shouldn't even have a scar." He leaned closer to Bruce's ear and whispered: "but that's not guaranteed. Don't move."

Slowly, he made the blade run over his neck until Jeremiah put his finger on a particular spot. "There, you can cut there."

Brue took a deep breath, bracing himself. He could feel their eyes on him, and he hated that. He tried not to wince when the blade started to cut. It stung more than anything, he knew it wouldn't be a deep cut indeed. They don't want to kill me, it's just one of their sick games. I got to keep level-headed, it's alright, I'll be fine. He felt a breathing against his neck and something wet against his new wound. He forced himself to stay stoic as one of the twins licked the blood away. One hand went on his waist.

"Maybe we should take off that jacket and his shirt," Jerome suggested

"We can't take it off with his hands tied. Unless…"

Jeremiah took the knife from his brother's hands and went to cut through. Bruce stiffened as he understood what was going on. Suddenly Jerome stopped him.

"Not the jacket, I love it on him." He swiftly opened the leather and revealed the simple tee-shirt Bruce was wearing under it. "That you can cut. No kick, Bruce, remember, or your dear girl will get injected with something nasty."

He took another knife and proceeded to cut the shirt along with his brother. The song Sweet Dreams stopped and another one followed, After Dark. The slow, seductive tone felt extremely strange in comparison to what was happening. It seemed strange to Bruce at least. To both twin, it fitted perfectly. They cut the shirt to shreds, giving Bruce some small cuts in the process. Each time, the boy would tense; he was doing everything to remain unmoved by this but he couldn't stop his body from shaking a bit at times. They cut the sleeves and the collar and the cloth fell on the ground, stained and ruined.

Jeremiah had to admit leaving his jacket was a good idea, it was sexier to have him wearing it open on his bare chest. "Much better…"

"Do we go with the pants as well?" Jerome asked. "We don't have to cut those."

Bruce tensed at this. Oh, no way he would let them do that nicely! Jeremiah tsked: "Nah, it's too much for now. I want to take things slowly. And I like those pants on him."

"You got a point. It's the first time we see him bare chest, he is more muscular than he seems."

"He is a fighter after all…"

"I want to try what you did earlier," Jeremiah purred.

Jerome wasn't sure what he meant, but he went behind Bruce, passed an arm around his waist, and let his knife slide under his jacket, grazing up Bruce's spine. "Don't try to kick my brother," he whispered in his ear. "Or you'll have your back covered in blood."

He didn't even nod in response. He didn't want to give him that. He suddenly felt pain as a cut was made on his upper chest. Blood leaked down his chest and Jerome grinned as he saw Jeremiah leaning down slightly. A yelp emanated through the tape as Bruce felt Jeremiah's tongue on his chest, going up the trail of blood languorously, feeling the taste of Bruce's warm blood in his mouth. The tip of his tongue tasted the cut and slowly retreated back in his mouth.

Jeremiah suddenly ripped the tape off his mouth, allowing Bruce to take a full breath of air. In a single move, Jeremiah grabbed the back of Bruce's head and kissed him, making the teen yelp. The iron taste invaded Bruce's mouth as Jeremiah hungrily and tasted him, his lips devouring and sweet at the same time. He suddenly jerked back as teeth started to pierce through his tongue.

"Wow, right in time, you would have hurt me otherwise!"

"Do you want me to punish him?"

"If you want, but I would lie if I said this wasn't worth it."

"You knew I would bit you," Bruce uttered now that he could finally speak.

"That's what makes it fun," Jerome claimed.

Jerome stepped before Bruce and Jeremiah let him do so. To be honest, he kinda envied Jeremiah for being the first to kiss Bruce but on the other hand, his twin had to kiss him. After sensually lapping the blood like this, not kissing Bruce wouldn't have been right. Anyway, he would still kiss him too. He approached closely.

"I don't give a damn if you bit me."

He crashed his lips against Bruce's too, pressing his body against his, not giving a damn about the blood staining his clothes. The redhead felt a shiver, he could still taste the blood and when Bruce sunk his teeth in his lips, Jerome retreated slightly, only to go back. The pain wasn't an obstacle, not at all.

"You tasted your own blood, now you'll taste mine," he murmured against Bruce's lips. His tongue went fully to met Bruce's.

I know what they want.

His lips started to move along with Jerome, surprising both twins. Bruce returned the kiss passionately, his teeth teasing Jerome's lips, allowing him to taste even more blood. The redhead embraced him tighter, bending him slightly. Oh! Kissing Bruce was like kissing fire! He wanted more, his head turned slightly as Bruce smoothly teased Jerome's upper lip between his own before nipping at those gently. The vertigo made him tremble as he retreated his head, still holding him tightly.

Jerome looked at him but he was still blindfolded. Before he could do it, Jeremiah took off the blindfold, knowing what his twin wanted. Jerome looked in those blue-grey eyes and saw fire and mischief. Oh, he perfectly knew what Bruce was doing, and he knew they would hardly resist it. Damn!

"So," Bruce breathed out. "What else do you have?"

The more the chapters are going, the darker it gets! Or maybe that's just an impression. Tell me what you think.