Chapter 5

Who Are You?

Okay, here is the new chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it! This chapter will have more explanation on the twins background.

I was partly inspired by this vid I really love about Bruce and the twins, the editing is pretty amazing: watch?v=Evt5IlfQPE8

Bruce had insisted they would remove Sonny's head from the room before anything else. Jeremiah took it away, promising himself he would keep it for further experiments. Now, they were in Jerome's room, the three of them sitting on the ground, the twins side by side facing Bruce.

"What's that game?" Bruce asked

Jeremiah's finger grazed his jacket's zipper, and started to open it slowly. Bruce stopped him, not eager to have his bare and bloody chest exposed. This made the mad scientist smile.

"A game of questions. Simple: we ask you questions and you ask us questions. You're free to refuse or try to lie. But if you don't answer or get caught lying, you'll have to do something we want. The same goes for us."

"Okay, but I want to keep that between us only. No one else involved."

Jeremiah shrugged and Jerome laughed: "Afraid for Selina? Fine. Go ahead, now, as the first question."

Bruce took a big breath. Gain time, let them get their head in the game.

"Police never knew whether or not you killed your mother together, or if it was only Jerome. What truly happened?"

There was no trouble answering that, they could be completely honest on that subject. They both started to explain.

"Question: where do you hide a tree?"

Jerome raised an eyebrow. Sometimes his twin still managed to surprise him: he just asked something and Jeremiah said this. What the hell did that mean? It was a cold afternoon and they were both in their caravan, enjoying the peace while their mother was banging some dude somewhere else.

"Why do you answer my question with another question?"Asked Jerome. "You said you agreed to kill mom with me, and I asked: how do we do that?"

"Think a bit, come on!"

This time, Jerome rolled his eyes. He would have punched another person for that, but this was his twin. Jeremiah and Jerome Valeska had always been different, some people thought they were so opposed they had no common points, except their identical appearance. But it wasn't exactly right.

They definitely had things in common, things that mattered a lot. They were loners, both of them; they rarely considered people as really important, more like tools and toys. Only each other really mattered. Jeremiah hated that about himself, he wanted to find someone worth his attention and love, but he couldn't. Jerome didn't seem to care that much, since he already had Jeremiah. They also had determination and were possessive. When they wanted something, they had to get it and they wouldn't let anyone else touch it. However, they had no problem sharing.

They were complementary as well. Jeremiah always helped Jerome to let out this endless energy which flowed through him. His brother would receive all that with his collected, quiet self, and would just help to sooth this storm inside him. And on the counterpart, Jerome's energy would lighten Jeremiah's melancholic mind. He would make things brighter and more bearable in that dull, boring place where entertainment was nothing but cheap tricks and illusions. Jerome's storm would stop Jeremiah from sinking into that deep depression which threatened him, and Jeremiah's quiet nature was perfect to receive this fiery energy. They were ying and yang. Which one was the ying and which one was the yang? They couldn't say, and they didn't care. All that mattered was that strong link between the two of them.

Yet strong link or not, they could still annoy one another. And here was one of those times.

"I ask again: how should we kill her if we don't want to get caught? And please don't answer with another question."

"There are plenty of ways. The most important is to avoid suspicions. So, here is my question again: where do you hide a tree?"

This time, Jerome took the time to think. The answer was simple: in the middle of a forest. But why…A smirk creped on his lips and Jeremiah grinned with satisfaction. Jerome understood what he meant.

"A serial killer will spread terror in Gotham. And mom will sadly be one among the others."

"But now, she can't die first, it would be suspicious. Where should we strike?" Asked Jeremiah.

"Well, that serial killer will generally get his victims in cheap clubs, where easy women will party. It's a sad thing mom will go there so often," Jerome sighed theatrically.

"Very sad, but what can we do? She just couldn't keep herself from partying."

"And honestly…Being killed with a small axe. What a horrible death! Maybe that killer splashed them with gasoline and put them on fire just to take away any hint from the police."

"And he would never forget to wear gloves and a hood as well."

"Of course, what a smart guy!"

"It's not that easy, though, to make a body burn, we'll have to look out for some tricks."

Jerome giggled while Jeremiah got all serious and searched through his books. That very same night, a new serial killer appeared. People would call that unknown murderer 'the butcher'. It's so unoriginal it's ludicrous, Jerome commented to their brother when they were alone. Jeremiah just shrugged.

"So, that's how it all started? You really murdered your mother together?" He had always been sure of that, even though there had never been any proof of it.

"We did. She wasn't exactly a loving mother, Bruce, as you can guess."

Jeremiah put a strand of hair back behind his prisoner's ear while saying this. Bruce remembered how the cops had suspected Jerome and Jeremiah, but when they actually went to visit the twins, they had seen Jerome trying to kill Jeremiah. After that, Jerome had confessed killing his mother, and told them his brother was next on the list.

"Then you faked trying to kill Jeremiah. Whose idea was it?"

"Mine," Jerome declared. "I felt they would come. So when they did, I improvised. One of us had to be out and I pretended Jeremiah was innocent, just a poor victim."

"It was well thought in such a short time," Jeremiah praised. His brother slightly bowed his head in pride.

"Thanks! That's two questions, Bruce. I'm gonna ask something: Did you ever learn what Galavan's plans about you were?" Jerome Wondered

"Yes, I did. When you killed him, I thought he was an innocent man, but then…I encountered troubles."

"What kind?" Asked Jeremiah

"Galavan and…Those guys called the Order of St Dumas, they wanted to get revenge against the Wayne, they pretended that my family ruined theirs. I don't know if it's true or not, but they decided to carry on their goal in spite of Galavan's death. But they failed."

Jeremiah narrowed his eyes. "There is something you're not telling us."

"That's all there is to it."

"Nah, Bruce, I know you're lying. I can see it in your eyes. It's too blurry...In fact, I think I remember you saying you had met someone of his family, and it wasn't that dear Tabby. I can't remember who it was, though."

That was frustrating, it wouldn't happen a lot to Jeremiah, but there was one of the times. He and Bruce had met after that Gala, after Jerome had taken him hostage. He remembered it very well. With times, their friendship progressed, and Bruce hadn't spoken much of Theo or anything like that.

Bruce kept a poker face, but Jeremiah was right: Silver St Cloud. That was the one he didn't want to speak about. The Order had threatened her in order to carry his uncle's plans and asked her to approach Bruce and spy on him, making sure he would eventually sell his company to Tabitha Galavan. He and Selina had seen through Silver, though. But it seemed like Silver had felt remorse, when the order had tried to kill him, she had eventually begged for them not to do it. He didn't know what had became of her, but she had been a victim more than a participant, he had seen how she had been threatened. He didn't want to speak of her and risk her to be involved in anything between him, Tabitha or the twins.

Jeremiah sighed and gave him a little threatening grin.

"You lied. I have the right to get something from you."

Bruce braced himself and nodded. Jeremiah advanced toward him predatorily.

"Let me choke you."

Hell…He didn't want to do that. But Jeremiah wouldn't kill him. He nodded and couldn't help but tense when Jeremiah put his hands on his neck. It was bruised and slightly cut from the earlier treatment, Jerome's bite mark stung. The hands tightened and it took all his willpower not to struggle and push him away. It wasn't so much the pain, and he could hold his breath. It was just the feeling of having his life in Jeremiah's hands…Letting him inflict pain without being able to do anything. And that look…Jeremiah was looking at him with intense, fascinated eyes, as if his pain was a beautiful image.

His throat was starting to ache, and his lungs even more. He felt the blood rush to his face and as he was about to grip Jeremiah's wrists, the redhead lessened the pressure, allowing Bruce to breathe without taking his hands away. This look and this grin…It was in those moments Jeremiah's madness truly surfaced. The image of the quiet and self-controlled scientist was only a façade. Beneath it was a man as deranged as Jerome.

His head felt clear again, when Jeremiah started chocking him again. This time, Bruce grabbed his wrists. He didn't pull but he send Jeremiah a threatening warning look. The hungry look grew more fearful. He looked at the hands on his wrists; Bruce could really hurt him if he wanted; This could go down easily.

He took off his hands and sat back next to Jerome who was laughing at him while Bruce was rubbing his neck. "Got scared four-eyes?"

"I hate that nickname."

"I know."

"My turn," Bruce declared while rubbing his neck. "Let's continue with Galavan, what happened between you? I don't know much about it, but I got echos that you were working for him, until you turned against him." That was something Silver admitted to him, actually.

"Let's say I just…Double-crossed him. He made me escape from Arkham to use me in his little plans. You know, he basically wanted to kill me that night when I took you hostage. Thank God, it didn't went his way."

Jerome was just done accomplishing another mission for Galavan. They had made an entire restaurant explode, and shot people as well. But now it was time for him to do something personal. He drove the gang to another building and searched for the right name. He found the door easily. The rest of the maniacs were following without a word. He entered the place without even knocking and saw red hair looking at some board on the wall. He only took a look at the flat to see it was really a nerdy place. Kinda inspiring in its own way. Jeremiah turned round and Jerome smiled at him. The guys behind him both gaped in astonishment when they saw Jeremiah's face.

The young man advanced, looking only at his brother and sighed:

"Well, took you long enough to visit me."

"I had a busy agenda."

"I saw that…It was all over the news! You know I got problems because of that. But now I'm used to get people mad at me because of you."

"Well, tell me who they are, I'll fix it the usual way!"

Jeremiah huffed and smiled at this. He hugged his brother and Jerome returned the gesture. His twin was the only one he ever embraced. They parted and Jerome told the two others to get out and seek some amusement outside. Jeremiah couldn't help but be impressed, the two were bigger than his brother, yet he commanded them like a master command dogs. They sat together, Jeremiah getting impatient to ask questions.

"So, how did you escape? Why didn't you went along with our plan?"

"Well, it wasn't on my own I must admit it."

He told Jeremiah everything, they way he met the others at Arkham, how Theo kidnapped them and proposed them to work for him in order to accomplish his plan. He was quite confused at the way his twin frowned; Jeremiah would make that face whenever he was suspicious or sensing danger. Why? This was the best thing which ever happened to him!

"He plans to be Gotham's hero, if I got it well?"

"Pretty much. Funny how people can be stupid!"

"Jerome, this isn't good."

"Why?"

"A hero has to eventually defeat the villains he chases. He couldn't let you spread terror around eternally, even if he wanted to. And you know way too much to simply end up in jail."

Jerome tilted his head. "So what you're saying is that he intends to kill me?" His brother nodded and he felt something dreadful spread in him. It couldn't be! Galavan had told him he believed in him, that he would make him a star among criminals! And now…

"You don't know what you're talking about!"

"Yes I do! Jerome, it's certain that he won't be willing to keep you or any of the others, because you could talk! Sure, you're all seen as lunatics, but it could still raise suspicions if one of you revealed what really happened. And if he is as smart as you say, he won't take that risk."

This raised frustration but also suspicions in Jerome. No one but Jeremiah believed in him, but his brother was his twin, they were linked, so they couldn't do otherwise than believe in each other. That's how they saw things since they were kids. For once, someone of the outside saw his value, and now…But doubt plagued his mind as well. Jeremiah's reasoning made a lot of sense. His twin went on:

"You're not only the head of the maniacs, you're obviously the smartest and you're not the obedient kind, you're independent. This Galavan seems to be a control freak; they want loyalty, blind obedience, and people who are too stupid to do anything but obey orders. Someone like you, he can admire but he won't keep you around, it would scare him. Jerome, we always were smarter and more independent than most kids, and you know what it always got us into. People are sheep and they won't tolerate any other kind of animal."

Jerome breathed in deeply. His entire childhood passed before his eyes and he realized his brother was right. This had been too good to be true…Rage invaded him, now he truly wanted to murder Theo, to make him pay for those false hopes! But he contained himself; his smartass of a twin probably had a plan. If he wouldn't work along with Theo, he could at least have Jeremiah at his side.

"Then, what do you think he is preparing?"

"I don't know, I'm not close enough to him, I would need to know more. But you're the most feared one; he would make sure everyone would know he is the one who took you down somehow."

Yes, this was very likely. Jeremiah looked at him questioningly.

"You're already being admired for your work. You told me some company wanted to hire you already, in spite of your age. Jeremiah, I need more."

"You know there are people who admire you already, don't you? The news spoke about a small group of people who committed a crime in your name. It's only a start but it will grow. Jerome, Galavan wants to make you his henchman. You can be much more."

"After that, I spied on Galavan a bit and I understood he wanted to kill me during that Gala. And then, things happened the way you know."

Oh yes, he knew. He had killed Theo Galavan during the Gala, right after Barbara had knocked him out. He had taken Bruce hostage then, but Bruce had managed to struggle out of his hold, and escaped before Jerome could take him away from the building. Jerome had disappeared along with Barbara Kean, but her luck hadn't lasted long. The next day, Jerome had sent her severed head to Tabitha. Bruce realized he still had questions about all that.

"You wanted to take me away with you, why? And why sending Kean's head to Tabitha Galavan?"

"Well, it was for practical reasons first, a hostage could have been handy to get away. Also, it would have made them shit their pants if I had been able to take you away. And…I must admit I was quite impressed. I don't know, I liked how you were trying to be brave. You were, what…Twelve? Thirteen? And yet you had more guts than all the cowards whimpering in the room. And it was quite nice to hold you against me. Don't get me wrong, I would have sliced your throat after toying with you a bit, but thank God I failed." He smiled and took Bruce's hands and kissed his fingers. "As for Barbara, she was annoying and she wouldn't stop saying I was stupid for killing Galavan. No need to tell you I didn't like it. Since she was shagging with Taby, I decided to send her head, to apologize to that hot lady for taking her fuck buddy."

And that was the reason why the police had been suspicious of Galavan and his sister. Tabitha wouldn't have called them, but a domestic did, and they had got suspicions on why Tabitha Galavan would receive that from Jerome. Of course Tabitha escaped them and got into a feud with the twins. She was still alive, working with Selina, Bruce hoped that maybe Tabitha would try to find her partner. Maybe Selina told her where she had been.

"But my, you asked three questions instead of one! That gives us three questions in return."

"I got carried on, I guess."

"I appreciate the enthusiasm. My turn to ask something: when did that crush on me started?" Asked Jeremiah.

Bruce felt his guts tighten. Talking about that was maybe not a good idea. But he had no choice.

"Okay…I can't tell you an exact moment, it started slowly. Once, you were talking to me about some scientific project, it was involving clean energy."

"I remember that. We were in my lab."

"I told you it was really wonderful to be able to do that, that it would solve so many problems…And then you told me that…Your goal was to try to bring light into darkness, for whoever needed it." He huffed humorlessly. "Didn't know it was just a lie."

"Believe it or not, but that project was dear to me. Use whatever is left of my work, if you can escape."

"Do you seriously think I waited for your green light? Your work had been done under Wayne Enterprises' support. Scientists are working over it."

Jeremiah laughed, he should have seen it coming. Of course Bruce would do that, he wasn't stupid. The teen went on: "It wasn't exactly that moment, as I said, it was progressive. Then, I remember a conversation at my school, one friend told me about her doubts about her sexuality. I started to wonder. I guess those are two milestones. There might have been also that time when I told you to stop working and loosen up. I brought you to that roof top I liked and we just hang out together."

Both twins considered him with interest. "That seems sincere…My turn to ask something: That bitch's name."

"What?!"

"Your girlfriend, the one you spoke about. I want her full name."

"No. That's out of question."

Jerome smirked. He perfectly knew Bruce would say that. "Fine, I won't insist, isn't it, Jeremiah? Instead…" He bit his lips suggestively. He didn't know what to ask, Bruce, because there was so much he wanted. But Jeremiah and he had agreed on one point: no rape. Kissing and touching a bit, yes, but they would keep it to second base. Okay, but second base could be wonderful as well.

"I want you to take off my shirt and lay over me."

"…You asked for it."

He went toward Jerome and pushed him down with more gentleness than both twins expected. Jerome followed the move actually enjoying the softness more than he thought. felt a shiver at this, seeing him dominant was no less exciting than seeing him tied. Bruce leaned down to his face and Jerome prepared himself to kiss him but Bruce pulled his head back. His hands suddenly gripped his shirt and tore it open violently. This made Jerome gasp and grin hugely and Jeremiah had exactly the same smile. Bruce leaned down, lying over him again and his nails suddenly dug into his captor's skin and clawed down, making Jerome grab his wrist to stop him. That shit hurt more than he liked! Bruce triumphantly smiled and leaned down to kiss him while making the torn shirt slid off Jerome's shoulders. The redhead helped him while kissing him and tightly held the boy on top of him. He didn't care about the pain, not is the slightest, if anything he was considering asking him for more. Bruce stopped kissing him and got away from him.

"I didn't ask you to kiss me," Jerome pointed out. "You did that by yourself."

"You didn't ask me to open your chest either."

"You also ruined his shirt."

"You said I had to take it off, not that I should unbutton it."

"Whatever, it's not as if I was low on money."

"No, indeed, you robbed…What? A jewelry, last time?" Bruce spat.

"Yep! I hardly killed anyone in there, it wasn't my biggest hit, but it got me some pretty pieces. Some jewels people could kill for!"

The teen rolled his eyes and Jeremiah grinned. "There is still one question for us: how did you felt when your parents died?"

This made Bruce tense. Not his parents! He didn't want to talk about that to them! Jeremiah smirked: "More exactly, did you felt your sanity shifting?"

Bruce just looked at him with resolution and didn't answer. There was no way he would speak of his parents with them! Thinking of them was painful enough. He felt shame at what happened: what would his parents think of him if they had known he had seduced the twins? He didn't want to know.

"Seems like you hit the sensitive cord, Miah."

"Wow, you're becoming a genius, Jerome!" Bruce sneered. "My parents' death being a sensitive cord, your brain is probably overworked."

Jerome's eyes widened slightly, and his smile dropped. He made him angry but he didn't care. He was about to go and try to strike Bruce when Jeremiah stopped him.

"Chill out, it's okay." He turned to Bruce: "You refused to answer my question. Stand up for a start."

Jeremiah winked at Jerome who tilted his head. Although he was suspicious, Bruce did as such. He didn't care what they would do, he didn't want to speak of his parents and that was all! Jeremiah stepped behind him and put a hand over his eyes. The teen tensed as he was pushed to walk. "Come on, I'll tell you the steps, we aren't going far."

He was pushed to advance and Jerome followed, understanding what his brother wanted to do. After what seemed like an ever-lasting walk, they finally entered a room.

"What's in here?"

"Nothing much, actually. It's not a torture room if that's what you fear. But we do keep prisoners here at times."

Bruce suddenly felt cold metal encircling his ankle. He shuddered and the hand over his eyes dropped and he looked down to see his feet chained. Both twins were smirking hugely.

"What?!"

"This is your new room, Bruce. Have a good night."

Hope you enjoy it, I really love to write the twins getting along and scheming together! And the hot scenes of course. Really check out the Who are you vid, it's great: watch?v=Evt5IlfQPE8

Review, please!