BARRY

:: So, how's the weekend?

: Divine.

:: Squeee.

: I'll assume that's a squeal of excitement?

:: Yes, that is definitely a squeal of excitement. Old cranky pants needs to just chillax and enjoy himself.

: I can assure you he is. Though I would refrain from calling him 'old cranky pants'.

:: Girl, I need deets… That means details. Can you call?

: No, I cannot call. He's sleeping and if I move he'll wake.

:: I'm dying over here…

: He needs to rest more than you need to gossip.

:: Double squeee… #dead.

: I don't know what that means.

:: That means you're killing me with your cuteness.

: 3

:: So is he still contemplating killing me when he gets back?

Bruce hears the telltale muted click of a phone and he smirks to himself before he even opens his eyes. She's texting? He savors the feel of her body draped over his for a moment before he lets his lids slide open. There's an unabashed smile on her face and his heart swells just looking at her.

He still can't quite understand what he's done to deserve her. Nor can he comprehend that he's just taken a nap. He's pretty sure Alfred said he gave up on naps at the age of two, so he has no idea how this goddess of a woman managed to get him to sleep in the middle of the day for no reason at all. Scratch that, he's pretty certain it has everything to do with the vigorous round of sex they had on the couch before said nap, but still. A nap? And there wasn't even wine involved.

Unaware that he's actually awake, she stifles a giggle and bites her lip at something in her conversation. Turnabout is fair play and he plucks the phone from her hand.

"Bruce!" She presses her hand to his chest and reaches for her phone, but he holds it away. After a moment of failed stretching, she doesn't try all that hard to get it back and he can see that she's resigned to her fate since guilt for destroying his phone last night is mirrored in her eyes.

He squints to read Barry's name on the placard and frowns because he wonders what the nosy little shit is up to now. He skims the basic gist of their conversation and he's a little miffed that not only is she so free with telling the world that he's actually napping in the middle of the day. But her font is set much smaller than his and he has to hold the phone out far so he can read it.

He reads Barry's last line of, "So is he still contemplating killing me when he gets back?" and he types.

: YES.

Then drops the phone into the glass of water on the coffee table.

She gasps in horror. "There are things on there that I need."

"Your stuff is backed up to the server on my network. I'll buy you a new one." He runs his other hand over the delicious swell of her behind up to her shoulder where she has him trapped between her and the sofa.

"I suppose it's only fair." She pouts and the sexy twist of her mouth makes him stir with arousal.

"You're damn right it's only fair." He flips their positions and she lands on her back with a squeal of laughter. "You shattered my phone and I wasn't even texting another woman while I was lying naked on top of you."

Her mouth drops open at his accusation. "Barry is not another man. He's…Barry."

"Not the point, Princess."

With a perturbed hum, she runs her nose along the column of his throat to place a kiss by his ear. "You can't honestly tell me you're jealous?"

"I'm not. I just can't have you telling everyone I'm napping in the middle of the day." His eyes roll back in his head at what she's doing to him and he struggles to maintain his focus. "I have a reputation to uphold."

"Hmm," she purrs at the space over his collar bone before she nips at his skin. "I think it's a little of both." Then she soothes the bite with her tongue and he inhales swiftly, shifting his weight.

Hooking her leg over his hip, he gives her a smug smirk. "Considering I'm the one laying here on top of you, I'd say I'm the winner in that contest."

"Am I prize to be won?" Her brow furrows and she pulls back to pin him with a stare.

He freezes, suddenly unsure. He didn't mean that literally.

"No, Princess. I just…" He shakes his head trying to find the right words. "Sometimes I still can't help but wonder why you are with me."

"Do you really think so little of yourself that you devalue your worth? Even now, when it comes to me?" The dark line of her eyebrows draws together.

He frowns. "I don't deserve all of this."

She closes her eyes and shutters the sad expression that has suddenly appeared on her face. She's so open and free with her emotions and he has trouble even functioning on a good day. He's so much more comfortable with rage and darkness.

She rolls them to their sides and he thinks she's about to get up and walk away. But then she takes a breath and looks directly into his eyes. "A wise person once told me, it's not about what you deserve, it's about what you believe. And I believe in you." She flattens her palm over his chest, rubs the space over his heart. "I've seen who you are, in here. You hide behind this façade of a playboy billionaire and a masked vigilante who strikes terror in the hearts of evil men. But what you really are is a kind man who desires to make the world a better place so others don't have to feel the pain of loss as you have. That makes you a hero, Bruce, not a villain."

Of course, he disagrees with her assessment. Wouldn't it be nice if the world existed as she saw it? "You make it all sound so simple."

"It is simple. I care deeply for you. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

Just when he thinks he can't be humbled in her presence any more than he is, she shifts the world beneath his feet with her unwavering faith and he's thrown off balance anew. His heart races from her declaration. He brushes a hair from her cheek and he examines his own tenuous relationship with the truth. "I'm falling for you Princess, and that scares the life out of me."

"I know." Her hand lovingly caresses his cheek. "I'm frightened too. The last man I loved died in a ball of fire before my eyes. I never got to experience the joy that I feel with you in this moment."

They're talking about Steve Trevor again and damn it, anger ticks at the corner of his jaw because he's the one who's here right now, holding her, naked in his arms. And the truth is––he is jealous. Fiercely. Despite his own bevy of woman who came before her. It's stupid and childish, but his ego is full of pride and he is after all just man.

She sees the frustration on his face and soothes it away with her hand and a loving smile. "I don't know how to do this anymore than you do."

He sighs, because he can't fault her for her assessing her own place in this endeavor. "You make it look easy."

"Well, what is that phrase Barry says 'fake it 'til you make it'?"

Bruce laughs despite the heavy turn of the conversation and hugs her to him, the scent of her skin and hair calming him. "Yes, I guess he has a point."

She runs her fingers up his side with a laugh. "Good. Now, you may make love to me again before we get dressed and walk into town for some food."

"Oh may I?" He arches an eyebrow at her. "I don't know if I'll be able to walk to the refrigerator let alone into town if I service you again, Princess."

Her eyes widen with a grin as she squeezes a butt cheek, pulling him even closer to her core. Her smile turns sexy and in a throaty voice, she says, "There is nothing wrong with your stamina."

"Your wish is my command."