I've very proud of myself I actually updated this on the mental date I set for myself \(^0^)/


Bruce drummed his fingers impatiently on the counter of the desk set up in a small store in the poorer part of Gotham city. The man at the counter had gone to wrap up the twenty throwing stars he was going to purchase to replace to ones that had been lost or become too blunt to use properly.

He didn't like staying in the weapon store too long because it made him nervous. The man returned shortly with the bundle of weapons and rang them up on the register on the counter.

"Twenty stars for $83.67"

He handed the man the cash and stuffed the weapons in the backpack he had brought with. As he exited the building he let out a huge sigh and began walking to the nearest bus station.

It was two blocks away to the bus that would take him to another bus stop where he could take a bus that would drop him off four blocks from his apartment complex. He watched the people on the bus stonily as he sat in the middle of the bus between an older gentleman and a middle aged guy.

The city was dim with grey clouds hovering near the towering skyscrapers and blocking the sun. When he switched buses he was left standing in the center in front of a comely woman with noticeable surgery to hide her age. The ride dragged on with a sour drown. Bruce just wanted to get the weapons to the safety of his apartment and was more than happy when the bus finally stopped at his station.

Once inside, he tucked them away with the rest of their gear in the closet. He departed again after observing the clock and left for the library three blocks away. He logged onto the computers using his library card and began searching through the Gotham news headlines.

A lot of gang activity had been occurring in the west part of the city where Batman and Robin had not been to in a while. He quickly scribbled down some bus times on a scrap piece of paper nearby, courtesy of the library, and logged out of the computer.

Richard would be returning from school shortly and he needed to get a meal on the table.

"Hey Bruce"

"Hello, squirt. How was your day at school?"

"It was great! I had everything I needed so the teacher didn't glare at me and stuff for being unprepared."

"Hmmm"

"And one of my friends asked to borrow something and I said no."

"Good. We'll be going to the west part of the city tonight."

"But it's so far."

"Alright let's give the villains a safe place to hide where they don't have to worry about us."

"I was just saying."

"So was I. Here's your dinner."

He set down a bowl of oatmeal with banana slices in front of Richard.

"And you?"

"I just paid the fee for our weapons and I think I lost my appetite."

"But…"

"I'll eat something on the way hurry up so we can catch the bus."

Richard ate his food at a decent pace with a soft frown hovering on his lips but he said no more. Their backpacks were retrieved and they walked steadily to the bus station. It was further than the station he had used last but in good time they arrived. It took them over an hour to get to their destination.

Bruce was already shaking his head at the cost to come to this part of the city. Everything increased in price the closer you got to this location which was why he avoided patrolling it if he could. He could already see his budget book crying over this unexpected travel expense.

They walked until they found a park and sat down to wait till the sun finished closing its eyelids. As they sat there Richard coyly pulled out a banana and threw it at Bruce.

"You left it on the table so I grabbed it for you."

Bruce growled in annoyance at Richard but accepted the fruit. He had meant to leave it behind.

"Anything big going on?"

"Just reminding these people who protects this city. Remember to stay close. They haven't seen us in a while so they'll be more daring."

"Yeah, yeah I know."

When the last ray of the sun sunk beneath its lashes they both arose casually and moved into a deserted alley. There they changed together and climbed their way onto the roof. It wasn't long till they made their first move on a mugger, followed by stopping gang activity, more gangs, and some lone thefts.

The sun began to creep back over the horizon they hurried to their alleyway and changed back into civilian clothes. When they returned to their apartment Richard crashed on the bed but Bruce stayed up. He had neglected that area for too long and now he would have to return there for a couple days. It was obvious the gang was up to something big and Gordon would need to be involved.

He ran his hand through his hair and picked up the open letters that were lying on the table. He had to pay the rent the next morning and the medical bills from nights gone wrong where still waiting with two weeks left till the next payment.

He had the pay for the rent but not the medical bills. He set them back on the table and crawling into bed. He still had two weeks. He tried not to think about the gang activity.

He hoped it didn't take all of his attention because when would he find the time to work? He rolled over to gaze at Richard but that didn't help him sleep either. He got up in frustration, put on his clothes, and decided to go for a walk in the early morning air. If he couldn't sleep he didn't see why he should sit awake in his house.

If he was lucky he'd get a job on his walk but it wasn't his main concern. He just wanted to clear his head. After about an hour of walking around the block he stood silently in the area's park and watched the sun creep lazily into the sky.

He heard someone approaching him but didn't turn till they stopped next to him. He turned and flashed the man next to him a huge smile.

"Hello, can I help you."

The man swept his brown eyes lightly over Bruce's frame.

"I think you can. How much do you go for?"

"Depends on what you desire but an hour usually comes out to $200."

The man nodded and studied Bruce some more before handing him a one hundred dollar bill.

"I'll give you the rest afterwards. Does it matter where we go?"

"Nope. As long as no one else can see, that costs extra."

The man grinned and walked down the street with Bruce walking next to him his gloom forgotten in the presence of a client and his public mask firmly in place. The man had an apartment and had been returning home from working the night shift.

Bruce began playfully teasing the man on the way to their destination until his heart was bursting with desire. As soon as the door to the apartment was shut, red lips descended upon Bruce pinning him to the wall in a rush of heat.

At the end of the hour, Bruce accepted the other $100 and slipped it inside his boot before pulling them on. He thanked the man for his business and left to return to his own apartment.

Richard was gone by the time he returned which meant the kid had to skip breakfast and had no lunch. He chose not to dwell on it and instead took the money he had in his drawer and went to go pay his rent.