Thank you all for making it to Chapter 5 of our dear Batgirl's story! I hope this satiates the desire for some full monty Bruce on Babs action — I get so giddy (and entertained) hearing all your comments about specific pairings (I agree, there should be more BabsxBruce and BabsxJason smut out there!) I'm also so glad you all are liking the first person narrative and living out these "realistic" fantasies. I wanted this story to feel like it could be canon — or as believable as possible. (Makes it easier to get off, amirite?) Have fun, dear readers, and I'll see you in the next chapter :)
P.S. Just to answer a quick Guest question: I don't write for a living, I actually do graphic design. But I do have a degree in journalism, so I've had a lot of experience with writing. Otherwise, I'm just a "creative" so to say, and a big reader. Thank you for your praise! Now, on to the show.
—
I woke up to my heart pounding. I breathed in a sharp, deep breath. My eyes snapped open.
Ohh, ugh. I'm sore. So very sore.
I tried to move my legs around. Wow, they hurt so good, but so bad. My legs, my groin, my vagina… Oof. I twisted my body around so I laid on my back, spreading my arms wide on either side of me. I stared at the ceiling. Where was I?
Oh yeah. I'm at Wayne Manor.
I laid the back of my hand against my forehead and closed my eyes. That's right. Bruce and I had sex last night.
I wasn't in his room though, I was in the room I always stayed in when I slept over at the Manor. Usually after a mission took me into the early hours of the morning, and I didn't want to travel all the way home. Plus, I couldn't have gone home last night. Jason was still there. What time was it?
I forced my head off the pillow to look at the clock on the bedside table. It was just past 2pm. Oh my god. What time did I get here last night? Like 4am? 5am? I couldn't remember. I was a little too busy to keep track.
I swung my legs off the bed and absently tried to run my fingers through my hair. It was tangled to oblivion. I desperately needed to shower, for so many reasons. I willed my body to get off the bed and slowly shuffled my way into the ensuite bathroom. I felt somehow like I was incredibly hungover, although the only thing I had drank last night was Ivy's little sex/love potion. Oh yeah, and Jason's wine. I forgot about that.
The cool tile beneath my feet felt amazing as I shuffled to the sink. I glanced at myself in the mirror.
"Oh—god!" I exclaimed. There were still faint red lipstick smudges from that damn Joker now not only all over my mouth, but around my entire face and neck. It must have continuously been transferred between me and Bruce after last night — but mostly me. My eyes looked tired, but my skin had that unmistakable flush and vitality after a night of lovemaking.
I quickly brushed my teeth and jumped in the shower. The hot water scorched my skin — cleansing it of everything that had happened last night. I just stood there, my eyes closed, as the water ran and trickled down my body. Memories of the night came with the gathering steam — both trapped with me in the shower stall.
I had wrapped my arms around his neck, deciding for both of us that we needed to give into this. Into us, being with each other… in bed. Or in our case, a rooftop. Or so I had thought, but Bruce had other plans.
"Bruce," I had said softly. "Never ask."
He immediately grabbed me with an arm around my waist, clutching me to his chest. The other arm shot out his grapple gun — aimed at the Gotham clock tower right above us. As we shot up into the early morning air, I felt exhilarated. He held me so tightly as we ascended up to heaven. I'm all for kicking ass and being independent. In fact, I thrive on it. But in that moment, I felt protected. I felt safe. And supported. It wasn't me doing that for someone else. He was doing it for me. But I knew, even in that moment, it was only temporary. Just like between me and Dick, with Batman I was one in a lineup. Like father, like son. Did I care in that moment? No. Would I care the next morning? … Well, I'll think about that later.
We landed on the narrow balcony in a dramatic swoop of our combined capes. He immediately let me go and entered through the door to the main indoor landing. I followed him curiously. I'd never been in there before. There were gears and mechanisms lazily spinning and going to and fro on the walls of the tower. The balcony doors led into an expansive landing with a railing lining the outside.
"Why are we here?" I asked, looking around at the empty, and a little dusty, space. He was pacing around checking all corners to make sure no one was there.
"I can't risk someone seeing us," he said a little breathlessly. I raised an eyebrow. He finally stopped and faced me from across the room.
"I have to get out of this suit," he said. Batman reached around his armor and with a few flicks of unseen switches, clasps and buttons, He quickly removed large sections of his suit at a time and tossed them against the wall. I watched fascinated, as Batman slowly morphed into Bruce — the man behind the night creature. And I was about to have sex with him.
I stalked up to him, ripping my cape and cowl off and tossed it with his stuff by the wall without looking. He had just discarded of his last body piece, but the absolute last bit was mine to take care of. I pushed his cowl off gently, finally revealing Bruce's stern and flushed face in front of mine. His warm brown eyes gazed into my blue ones. He brought his hand up against my cheek. The touch felt so intimate, so forbidden from any type of contact he usually allowed. I closed my eyes, and I felt like I could just melt into his hand and stay like that forever. But the urgency between my legs wasn't going to allow that, and neither was Bruce's.
I suddenly felt his lips on mine, and he kissed me slowly… carefully. I could tell he was practicing incredible self-control, though I was itching to get things going. I had a feeling he wanted to be a gentleman. He couldn't allow himself to just fuck me after everything we've been through and our unorthodox relationship. In a way, the kiss actually felt romantic, though I knew that was unintentional.
He held me like this was our first time kissing, with his hands now safely on my waist. I had to get things moving. I pushed him the two paces it took for his back to hit the wall. I put my hand on his erection that bulged through his skin-tight black athletic undergarments he wore under the suit. A small moan of surprise vibrated our interlocked lips. Half-embarrassed and half-brave, I drew my face away and looked up into his.
"You can touch me, Bruce," I said quietly. He looked in my eyes for a few seconds, thinking. I had no idea what was going through his head. I just waited.
Finally, he undid my Batgirl suit, pushing the top off my shoulders slowly. As my bare skin was revealed beneath his fingers, he leaned his head down and kissed my neck, down to my shoulders and around my decolletage. His lips were soft and warm. My eyes closed again from pleasure and from satisfaction. Bruce was kissing my skin. Bruce Wayne. I still couldn't believe it. I still don't.
He threw my top to the side and loosened my pants, all while kissing my body. Each kiss sent a lightning bolt down to my center, and I was convinced he was just teasing me now. How was he not bursting, like I was? I suppose he is master of self-discipline. I am not. Soon I was completely naked standing before my mentor. I looked at him shamelessly, while his eyes roamed across my body. His thick arms reached down for his own shirt and pulled it over his head in one swift motion. I watched breathlessly, assessing his perfect body. Muscles rippled across his chest, down to his abdomen and up his arms. Bruises and scars marred its beautiful surface. I stared silently while he carefully removed his pants as well as his underwear. There was no going back now.
Instinctually, I reached out a hand to a large scar on his right upper pectoral. I heard him take a deep breath in and out as my hands made contact with his skin. I quickly brought my lips to his chest now, tenderly kissing every last scar and bruise on his chest. With a sigh, his chin tilted up to the ceiling. I kissed up his neck now, using my tongue to lightly lick his salty skin. His arms wrapped around me, his chin turned away to allow me the greatest access to his neck. On my tip toes, I brought my lips to his ear and slipped my tongue inside, sensually. He moaned audibly and clutched me tighter. I pushed my groin on him needily. Hearing his sounds of pleasure cut right through me, and just like that, I needed him. Now.
"Bruce," I said in a strained moan. He gasped softly at the sultry urgency in my voice.
"I — uhgh!" I grunted as he suddenly slipped two fingers into me, his palm pushing into my clitoris.
"Oh!" I gasped, as he steadily pumped in and out of me. "I — need you!" I choked out. He began to breathe deeper and deeper. He suddenly flipped me around so my back and bottom was pressed up against him with his back against the wall. With his fingers still working within me, he forced my face to twist and meet his lips over my shoulder. Here was the heat. He kissed me aggressively. His tongue expertly went in my mouth, his lips commanding over mine. With his free hand he grasped my breasts, exploring their creamy expanse, as well as my stomach and down my thighs, pushing me down and around to touch what he wanted to touch.
"You don't know… how long I've thought about this," he said huskily. Despite the situation we currently found ourselves in, a wave of surprise hit me. He had? He thought about… me? In this way? Now I was really horny.
"Fuck me," I said, strained. I tore away from him and turned around to face him.
"Now," I commanded. Bruce looked at me with fire in his eyes. He grabbed his wide cape from the floor and laid it down in front of him. He started to stroke his large, erect penis in preparation, his body tall and commanding over mine. He smiled a tiny half-smile. He pointed to the cape
"Get down," he ordered. I smiled devilishly back at him.
"Who's giving the orders around here?" I said, hands on my naked hips. I saw a darkness pass over his eyes. He reached out and grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him and the cape. He pushed me down to my knees with an iron force.
"I am," he said. His penis leered over my face.
"Open up," he ordered. If I wasn't wet before, I was now. I opened my mouth invitingly and he carefully shoved his dick into my mouth. I practically choked not even halfway through. As I worked my mouth around it, lubricating its thick shape from the tip to the base, Bruce clutched the back of my head with a hand. He watched intensely, breathing sharply between his teeth. With it fully lubricated I brought my hand to the base and twisted it as my mouth sucked the top half. Up and down, up and down, my twisting fist and mouth covered the whole penis while I moaned and lapped up all of Bruce's pre-cum. I kept going under my jaw hurt.
"Uhngh! Ohh… Barbara," Bruce muttered as his shoulders stooped over, almost unable to keep himself up. He began to speed up so his penis went to the back of my throat and out again quickly, and my gag reflex made me choke, coating him in more saliva and making my eyes water. After a succession of quick thrusts, he set me free with a gasp and he collapsed to his knees in front of me.
As I wiped my eyes, he reached his hands out and grasped the sides of my face tenderly; almost apologetically, despite the fact I was oh so happy to be the instigator of Bruce's pleasure.
"Oh, darling girl," he cooed in his deep voice. The moonlight above shone through the clock's face high above us, bathing our faces in a pale light. I looked up at him almost reverently. Who was this Bruce? He kissed me warmly and guided me to the ground.
Finally, I thought, hand already reaching for my clit. I spread my legs open and Bruce positioned himself between them.
"Oh," he said softly to himself, then leaned over me to grab his utility belt. I almost shook with anticipation, but tried to be patient. I bit my lip, feeling sexy and ready. I pulled my hair around my shoulder and tried to lie it just right on the ground underneath me. I looked up to see Bruce pull a condom from a back pocket in his belt. Of course, the belt that has everything would have even that. I felt a bit dumbfounded that Bruce would just carry condoms on him, but I knew that was hypocritical. You know, since I also carried them around. I tried to hide the look on my face that Jason had that night when I whipped out my own condom.
Bruce quickly put the rubber on then faced me, placing his hands on my knees. I looked up into his face. His sharp, square jaw, his dark hair now slightly askew… and of course his solid, large, imposing, beautiful body.
Oh my god, I thought to myself. I gave Bruce a small, encouraging smile. Here we go.
He entered me slowly. We watched each other's faces when he pushed it in — I felt my mouth open in a slow inhale gasp, while he pressed his lips together as the sensations filled his body. I consciously tried to relax my bottom half, as Bruce's dick was quite large. Jesus, it was such a full feeling within me. He collapsed onto his hands on either side of my body and slowly started to pump it in and out of me.
The full feeling soon transitioned into pleasure. At this point all my inhibitions were gone. We've come this far, I might as well work to make the sex good — there was no telling when or if this would ever happen again.
"Faster," I commanded him. He glanced at me with a smile and obliged. He hit me stroke after stroke, and god, it felt amazing. I arched my back and lifted my hips so he could hit just the right spot. Finally. Finally, I could find my sweet release I've been craving all night. I began to rub my clitoris — until Bruce's strong hand grabbed my wrist.
"Not yet," he said. I was getting greedy. He also understood we had to make this moment last. Bruce wasn't one to let himself… indulge often.
I nodded and shifted so he would get under me and I could get on top. As I fitted him inside me once again, I straightened up and looked down at him, starting a medium-speed thrust. What a strange dominance this was, as I trapped him between my thighs. I was in control now. He grabbed my ass from both sides and ran his hands up and down, from my cheeks up my hips and waist then back down again. He looked at me with entranced eyes. Maybe he had been thinking about this for a long time. Wondering what my body looked like under the suit he made for me. Sneaking long looks when he thought I wasn't looking. Maybe even watching out of the corner of his eye when Dick and I would kiss affectionately in the Batcave.
Now I was straddling him, naked, my perky breasts directly in his eyeline. I shifted my hips back and forth, growing faster and faster to get my right pace at any given time. Bruce just let me do what I wanted, only clutching my ass to keep up. Our breathing turned into panting, with moans escaping our lips and bouncing off the mechanical walls. Sweat now lined Bruce's forehead, dampening his hair in the sexiest way. I just wanted to lick it up. Sweat also gathered down my face, making my hair stick — I pushed it over one shoulder to get it out of the way.
"Ughngh… oh fuck," I moaned out, totally unaware of what strange noises began to escape my mouth. Like any other time in his life, Bruce kept his loudest moans restrained behind his firm mouth. Just low grunts guided me as to how he was feeling, and I took each one and treasured it. But it was his unexpected outbursts that truly thrilled me — when his self-restraint failed.
"Come here," he growled. He pulled me down next to him on the floor and moved me to my side so we were spooning. He entered me again, pulling my top leg up in the crook of his arm and thrusting in and out of me rapidly. I almost screamed out in pleasure. His hard, heavy body supported me, while his other arm snaked around under my head and across my chest. His arm fondled my breast passionately while he kissed and licked the sweat off my neck.
I couldn't help myself. I just couldn't. I rubbed my clitoris steadily, while Bruce fucked me in perfect rhythm. Oh, come on orgasm. I could feel it building, it was within reach. Whimpering noises escaped me, and again Bruce reached around and grabbed my hand.
"Wait," he instructed. I let out a guttural moan, like he just told me to do ten more pull-ups during a training session.
"Bruce, please," I mewed. "I need to come." He released me from the position and got back on top of me.
"I do too," he said. "But I want to watch you." His dark eyes looked into mine. I felt breathless as I nodded, silently. His face was stoic determination.
"Good." He grabbed my lean legs and threw one over each shoulder. He leaned forward to lift my hips off the ground, then proceeded to thrust in and out of me — pounding me with all expectation for both of us to come. He leaned over me, supporting himself with his arms while I wrapped mine around his torso, securing us in place. We needed it since Bruce was pounding me so hard I would have slipped right off the cape.
"Yes, oh Bruce…" I whispered. Bruce gritted his teeth and groaned as we kept going, going and going. I released one of my arms to touch myself while gleefully watching Bruce's face morph from pleasure, to determination, to more pleasure. I loved seeing his resolve break before my eyes, which made me feel a bit villainous. I rubbed and rubbed until I felt it building within me. I gasped with excitement. Bruce hit just the right spot and I hit the high note. It was an absolute explosion of pleasure that shook my body, and again, an uncontrollable high-pitched wail filled the chamber, and I looked into Bruce's face wide-eyed.
In return, Bruce gazed back into my eyes with his mouth wide open as he went over the edge. He continued to pump and pump, until he squeezed his eyes shut and choppy gasps and groans stuttered out of his mouth.
"Uhhhugh," he gasped with one final pump. He did it. He came in me, Barbara Gordon. Within a condom, of course — I think one Damian was enough for him. But god, I felt weirdly accomplished and on an absolute high. My breathing was so rapid from the sex, I actually felt my vision go a little spotty, so I consciously inhaled and exhaled with more control.
I was interrupted by Bruce's mouth on mine. I held his face in my hands as he leaned down to me. After a few seconds, he broke the kiss.
"You're trouble," he said, matter-of-factly. His face inches from mine. I sighed, as if I had no control over it.
"I know," I said. He laid down next to me, pulling the condom off and setting it safely aside. We gazed up into the pointed ceiling, catching our breath and cooling down until we quieted into silence.
I didn't know what to say. Or if I should even say anything. Minutes passed.
Suddenly he snuck his arm underneath my neck and pulled me in. He wanted to cuddle, apparently. Jason and I never did this. Neither of us had ever even tried. Dick was very much into cuddling — a bit too much for my taste. We would lie together for so long. But Bruce held me loosely so I didn't feel trapped, but firm enough to know he wanted me there. I rested my head on his chest and wrapped an arm around his middle. It was the position that felt most natural.
My head rose and fell with his steady breathing, and pretty soon I felt myself dozing off. I wondered why he would hold me like this. Did he feel obligated? Or was he using this lapse to finally allow human contact? Skin-on-skin, holding each other, you're-not-alone contact. I wondered how often he let himself do this.
"— Ms. Gordon?" Alfred's voice at my bedroom door cut through my reverie. My eyes snapped open. I hadn't even begun to actually wash myself.
"Ms. Gordon, I have some lunch here ready if you'd like it," he called out over the loud sound of the shower. "I'll leave it out here for you on a tray."
"Thank you, Alfred!" I called out in my most normal voice, waiting for him to leave. How long have I just been standing in the shower? I quickly scrubbed my body with soap, washed my hair, then my face. I popped out of the stall and wrapped a towel around my body, and another around my hair on top of my head.
I couldn't help but wonder if Bruce was here in the manor. He was probably at the office. And what about Jason? It was nearly 2:30pm, he had definitely left my apartment by now. It wasn't totally unusual for one of us to disappear at any random time. I mean, it was kind of our specialty. I'm sure he asked Tim or Alfred where I was, and they would have told him Batman and I went on a mission late last night.
I changed into some spare clothes I kept in the dresser — a plain black fitted shirt and dark jeans. I slid my feet into some boots. I had to get out of this place to clear my head — especially since I needed to be back tonight for our weekly dinner. I snuck my head out of my door and peered around the empty hallway. I grabbed the tray Alfred had left and brought it back inside. No use on wasting a meal.
As I snacked away on the sandwich with a side of fruit and carrots, I tried to plan out the rest of my day. I'd have to grab one of the batbikes and drive it to my apartment. I could always ask Alfred to take me, but I wanted to avoid any questions about the night before. Yes, it was best to sneak away before Tim and Damian returned from school. Last thing I wanted was his actual son to come interrogate me. That little troublemaker was astute.
—
With a rev of the engine and a flip of the visor on my black helmet, I peeled out of the batcave and entered the outside world. Bruce was definitely at the office; the Batcave was deserted. I flew down the path away from the manor. My body felt free as the wind whipped through my hair, but my mind wasn't going to let me off so easy.
I don't know how long we laid there in silence. I slept briefly, then woke with a small start as my cheek slipped off his chest. I glanced up at him, hoping I hadn't woken him up, but he was wide awake. He was staring straight forward, deep in thought. I hugged him briefly, as if to silently let him know everything was fine. That I wouldn't go telling everyone. And I'm glad this happened. But I couldn't bring myself to physically say it. I never could with Bruce.
A few minutes later he stirred beneath me. It was time for us to go home.
"I think I'll sleep at the manor tonight," I said, thinking of Jason. I couldn't face him right now. "In my room, of course," I assured him. Alfred walking in on us in the same bed would be catastrophic. We began putting our suits back on.
"I'll take you," he said, slipping his cowl over this face.
I followed him to the Batmobile in a haze. I was so tired, all I could focus on was grappling from building to building without falling to my death. We reached the car, hidden in a side alleyway and drove in silence back to the manor.
When we finally stepped into the Batcave, which was eerily silent in the early morning hours, I made for the stairs leading up to the main house. There was no use trying to initiate any conversation tonight, if ever. He seemed to have already moved on from our encounter anyway as he walked away from me and towards his computer.
I had almost hit the first step when I suddenly felt Bruce's hand grab my arm from behind and jerk me towards him. I practically fell into his arms before he pulled me into a passionate kiss. My shock gave way to delight as he held me tight, with a hand behind my head and the other around my waist. It felt almost desperate, like he was heading off to war and I was his sweetheart bidding him goodbye. Maybe this was goodbye for us meeting in this way — I don't think either of us knew what to expect in our future. A new sense of urgency began to build as he kept kissing me deeply, his tongue mingling with mine one last time. But before it got out of hand he pulled away.
He held me at arm's length, looking in my eyes as we both settled down our breathing. Then he dropped his arms and looked at me stoically, as if we hadn't just made out and had sex that night.
"Goodnight, Batgirl," he said formally. Then after a beat— "Barbara."
"Bruce," I said with a nod and small smile. Then I turned and walked up the stairs, knowing full well he was watching me leave.
—
"— WATCH IT, YOU IDIOT!"
I screeched the bike to the halt a few blocks from my apartment. I had almost ran through a four-way stop. I hung my head and sighed.
I wanted to be completely okay and casual about last night. I had sex with both Jason and Bruce, and both my body and my mind were paying for it today. Were another few months of silence and awkwardness destined for Bruce and I? Would he want to do it again? What if Jason and Dick somehow found out? I knew Bruce wouldn't say anything, obviously. But these damn detectives sometimes were too good at their jobs.
Well, there was no use of worrying about it now.
A honk rang out behind me, and I sped through the intersection and towards home.
—
"Welcome back, Ms. Gordon," Alfred pulled the heavy door open for me to pass through.
"Thank you, Alfred," I replied kindly. I walked through the foyer and into the dining area, listening to see who was already here. Before I entered, I smoothed out my skirt nervously and took a deep breath, preparing to be extremely normal.
"Hey, Barbie."
I whipped around to see Jason standing behind me, a smirk on his face.
"Jason! Hi," I said loudly and not at all normal. He cocked an eyebrow at me.
"I just wanted to say I had fun last night. I haven't slept that well in months," he said running a hand through his dark hair. He did look exponentially better than the day before. His skin was bright and even, his eyes more vibrant.
"I can tell. I'm happy to help," I said with a laugh. I glanced over my shoulder to see if Bruce was there. He wasn't.
"Still thinking about Grayson?" Jason asked, frowning. Oh man, I totally forgot about Dick and Starfire. I had to admit, sleeping with Bruce really improved my mood about that whole situation, but I knew the effect of it would wear off. At some point I'll be at home alone, trying to sleep, but instead thinking of Dick and Starfire and how good it felt to have someone sleeping next to you.
"No," I lied. "It's like you said, why should I care?" I turned back to Jason. His eyes looked at me with annoyed skepticism.
"I'm telling you, you should forget about that asshole. The world doesn't revolve around Boy Wonder, despite what he thinks," he said with an eye roll.
"What, does it revolve around you?" I said with a smirk. He gave me his classic you're-an-idiot face.
"Uhh, yeah," he said comically. I pushed him playfully on his firm chest and laughed while he flashed me a bright smile. Then right behind him approached Dick… and Starfire.
"Dick!" I exclaimed. He was wearing a dark fitted sweater and slim chinos on his lean, tall frame — an outfit I loved on him whenever we'd go out on dates. Like the one he was on now… but not with me.
He smiled his cool, crooked smile that always made me a bit weak at the knees, even back when he was Robin. He glanced from me to Jason, flashing him a sharp look.
"Hey Babs, how's it go—"
"Barbara!" Starfire flew a couple inches off the ground and came right for me, embracing me in a back-breaking hug, my arms trapped at my sides.
"Oof! — Hi… Starfire," I said, trying to breathe.
"Oh no, call me Kori! I think when we are not on the job we can converse together casually and use first names," she said smiling widely. She pulled away and I was able to get a good look at her. My lord, she was tall. She was taller than all of us, even the boys. She was like a Brazilian supermodel with orange-tinged skin. Her hair cascaded to her waist and her green eyes pierced me right to my soul. Yup, she was the definition of what they guys would consider a "hot alien babe" and here I was, a normal human woman with stupid normal skin and boring blue eyes. I felt like a child next to her. What's worse was she's unfalteringly nice, which it made it impossible to hate her. But I came really close.
"Dinner is served!" Alfred called from the kitchen.
"Ooo, yummy! I'm so excited to finally meet all of the Batfamily, as Dick calls you all. I've never even seen the new Robin yet!" She flew over to the long table and Dick jogged over to pull a seat open for her, flashing me a platonic smile as he passed me by.
Jason and I looked at each other. One thing we were good at was coming together in solidarity against bubbly personalities. He reached over and threw an arm around my shoulder, fussing my hair with a noogie.
"Hey!" I called out. He leaned his mouth close to my ear so no one could hear.
"Don't worry, Barbie, I think you're way hotter than Star," he whispered into my hair. I escaped the hold and pushed him off.
"It's not about that, Jason, come on," I said, walking to the table. He shrugged and came and sat next to me.
"Master Waynes, Master Drake!" I could hear Alfred calling in the distance down to the Batcave. The four of us sat waiting in silence, Jason already looking bored next to me.
"I heard you and Bruce caught up with the Joker and Harley last night," Dick said in a deep, yet boyish voice. I looked at him alarmed, as if he had already found me out, my heart pumping in my chest. "How'd it go?"
I cleared my throat.
"It was good, yeah, it was fine. We caught them and they should be back in Arkham now. It was Harley's birthday, so nothing serious this time, just the regular pranks and headaches, you know," I said, casually.
"I hope you gave Joker a good beating for me," Jason murmured next to me. I shot him a sympathetic look, which he ignored.
"Uh, what is she doing here?" Damian's voice cut through our conversation with his usual entitled sass. Damian, Tim, and Bruce walked into the dining area.
"This dinner is for family only," he said, his arms crossed.
"Kori is my girlfriend, and she is welcome to our family dinner. I already cleared it with Alfred," Dick said patiently. Damian let out his strange "tt" tut of disapproval and sat next to his big brother.
"I am so honored to be included, Mr. Wayne," Kori said floating up to greet Bruce. Kori may be tall, but Bruce was just a bit taller — in fact he was looking the definition of tall, dark and handsome in a navy sweater and trousers. I don't know how, but he also looked incredibly well-rested. He gave Kori a warm smile.
"We're happy to have you here, Starfire. You're always welcome." As he walked around the table to sit at the head, he flashed a glance at me. For some reason I had to look down. Even eye contact was too intimate at this point.
With everyone seated, Alfred started serving the meal for us. Plates of honey-baked salmon, steamed vegetables, and warm dinner rolls were placed before us.
"Tim, did you finish your homework?" Bruce asked in a low voice. "You're not going on patrol until it's done."
"Yessss," Tim replied with a groan. "Damian hasn't finished his though."
"Hey!" Damian exclaimed. "Father, what is the point of me doing this homework and even going to school? I am already trained in everything I need to know."
"You mean killing people?" Jason said, flicking a broccoli piece at him with his fork. Damian picked it off himself and flung it back in Jason's face.
"Yes, and you're next, Todd," he fumed.
"Can we not start with the death threats already? We haven't even been here ten minutes," Tim said, annoyed.
"Damian, we've had this conversation a hundred times. You're going to school. End of discussion," Bruce said, pointing the end of his fork at him before taking another bite of salmon.
"What an interesting family dynamic!" Kori said, still as cheerful as ever. Suddenly she dropped her fork, which crashed onto her plate loudly. Everyone turned and looked at her.
"Oh! I just remembered! I must say congratulations to Barbara and Jason!" I felt my eyes going wide and I looked at Jason, whose eyebrows were raised as he leaned back in his chair.
"You two are dating! I'm so happy for you! Dick told me yesterday. I always thought you two would make a good couple. You complement each other so well."
We all sat in a collective shocked silence. Was I more shocked that she thought Jason and I actually complemented each other (should I be offended?), or that she just announced our secret to the whole family? Totally inaccurate secret, though, of course.
Everyone started talking at the same time.
"No, Kori, we're not —"
"That's not what I said! What I meant was, uh… —"
"Hahaha, no, not exactly—"
"Are you serious?! What the hell—"
"Todd! Control yourself for the love of—"
The only one who didn't speak was Bruce. I turned to look at him while everyone fell all over themselves. He gazed at me with his dark brows furrowed, a frown slowly building on his lips. Oh Jesus. Now he thinks I cheated on Jason with him. And also could now probably assume I have slept with all three of the male adults in the Batfamily. Great. I needed to clear this up… in the most subtle way possible.
"QUIET!" I boomed over everyone, standing up in my chair. Everyone looked up at me in surprise.
"Okay, thank you Kori," I said turning to her politely, "but Jason and I are not actually dating, you see—"
"— But Dick told me he was at your place last night for the interco—" she interrupted. Dick's eyes went wider than I've ever seen them.
"No! No, no," I interrupted in return, panicked. "Well, yes, he was over at my place last night. But we're just friends." I smiled casually to the room, as if that was enough.
"Jason was over at your place?" Tim asked, skeptically. "Since when do you leave your hellhole of a hideout?"
"For your information, Replacement, sometimes sleeping on a nice comfy mattress is good for my back, among other things," he said with a wink to Dick across the table.
I brought my hand to my eyes, straight up hiding my face in shame.
"You two are sleeping with each other?" Damian said through his teeth in shock. I looked at Dick in absolute fury. He looked back apologetically, his cheeks burning in embarrassment… for me.
"That's right Demon Spawn," Jason said, standing up and throwing his arm around my shoulder again and hugging me in tight. "Barbie and I are knocking boots and have been for a while before I went out and took down Bane all by my lonesome — no need to thank me by the way."
While Jason talked I watched everyone's faces progress from shock, to further shock, to disgust (on Damian's face), to eye rolling.
"Barbara, what are you thinking?" Tim said to me down the table. "Why waste your time with this psychopath?"
"Psychopath?" Jason snorted.
"That's enough," Bruce said from the head of the table. I pushed Jason's arm off me and nudged him aside. "What Barbara and Jason get up to in their free time is none of our business. I think we all deserve a little privacy," he said, his eyes flashing to mine. "As long as our work remains unaffected." I nodded to him like a scolded child, looking down.
"Now let's eat," Bruce said, concluding the matter.
I sat back down, absolutely fuming and embarrassed. I couldn't believe Dick would do this to me. Not that he expected this to happen or that Kori would blurt it out not understanding the consequences. But of course Jason had to be an asshole about it and make it worse by announcing all the details like it was something to brag about. I remained silent for the rest of the dinner, refusing to acknowledge anyone around me. I could hear Kori loud-whispering to Dick, trying to understand what she did wrong. Everyone could still hear them, and I shot him dirty looks to get him to stop.
As soon as the dinner ended Tim and Damian ran back to the Batcave and I made my way to my room to grab my dirty Batsuit from last night. I ran up the stairs, desperate to escape the room.
"Babs, wait up!" I heard Dick call from behind me. Ugh, no. I continued to my room, but Dick slipped through my closing door and shut it behind him. I whirled around on him.
"Dick, what the hell?!" I shouted, unrepentant. "How could you have done that to me? You know Starfire doesn't have a human censor on her, she doesn't understand the-the subtleties of us — in the slightest."
"Look," he said, his arms crossed in front of his fit, solid chest. "I'm really sorry. I had no idea she would do that. I told her to keep it a secret, but she was convinced that it was something more than what it is… whatever it is you two are. I mean I don't really even understand what you guys are." I rolled my eyes at the slight attitude I heard in his voice and huffed.
"I already told you what Jason and I are… I mean we're barely anything! We don't really have feelings for each other… at least… I don't know. See — you're making me overthink things! You always do that. I'm just fine doing what I want to do until you barge in and overcomplicate things."
"That's because relationships need to have clear definitions, Babs. In our line of work you can't have all these messy flings — it's dangerous, it distracts you, and makes you a worse fighter altogether," he said, his temper flaring. I flinched at his last comment.
"Am I not living up to your high standards, Mr. Grayson?" I said.
"No! No… I'm not…," he let out a tense sigh. "I'm talking from experience. When you and I were so on and off, it really hindered my work. I was always worried about you or for you, and it was just a mess," he explained, trying to keep things calm
"Well, you and I are different people Dick," I said, ignoring the fact that my mind had been a mess all day. "And what about Starfire? You fight alongside her and the Titans all the time. How is that not the same?"
"Because Kori doesn't complicate everything like you always do, Barbara. She knows we're going out, we're official — there's no ambiguity, there are no doubts. Meanwhile, you flirt with me all the time, then go and sleep with Jason of all people, yet you refuse to give anyone anymore of your precious time!" He yelled, his anger mounting. My mouth fell open in shock.
"WHAT? Dick, you flirt with me all the time. Don't act like such an innocent party here. And why do you care about Jason? We actually have a lot in common, and he doesn't put pressure on me or coddle me like you always did," I said, snarkily, unable to control the words tumbling out of my mouth now. "Plus, why do you even care? You have the gorgeous Kori to take away all your problems and sit in the sunshine with you and be the totally uncomplicated perfect boring girlfriend you always wanted. I mean, look at you just parading her in here today, rubbing her in my face."
"What, like Jason wasn't rubbing you in my face tonight? Wake up, Babs, Jason's just sleeping with you to piss me off." Silence filled the space between us as his last statement hung heavy in the air. I pushed my lips together, embarrassed. Was he right? I knew Jason was competitive, but was this really all to one-up the Boy Wonder? Was the me-helping-him-sleep thing just utter bullshit? Nevertheless, I knew this wasn't just about me.
"Does that mean you're sleeping with Kori to piss me off?" I said, huskily. He didn't answer. We just looked at each other defiantly, facing off, the air tense between us. His blue eyes were on fire, and I suddenly realized there was so much about him and about us that I didn't understand. Then, I felt something else. It wasn't just angry tension… it was sexual tension. Oh boy… Would we never escape us?