Title: Prey (01 0f ?)
Author: Urania Chang
Fandom: X-Men (movie&comic)/Batman Begines Crossover
Pairing: Cyclops/Batman; Scott Summers/Bruce Wayne
Beta: rachel_martin64 , secretthought
Warning:Pre-Slash at the moment, with possibly OOC Batman(I know nothing about him except from the movies and Lego Batman)
Rating: R (I suppose using 'R' is a safer choice...)
Disclaimer: Not mine, but if I ever got a hold of Scott Summers, not even Emma could take him away from me!
Ps. If there are still mistakes, you know it's my fault. :P
The first time Scott Summers met Bruce Wayne, he couldn't say he liked the man. Wayne was cultured, graceful, and charming, but an almost visible air of arrogance surrounded him and he projected a sense of superiority that perhaps inevitably came with a wealthy upbringing. He was much like Warren, the difference being that Warren's playboy side was simply a way to deal with the loneliness and neglect he had endured as a child. Warren was an orphan in essence, just as Scott was in fact, which made them close. Bruce Wayne, however, hid something dark and mocking behind his playful mask. He was like a cat taking pleasure in watching an unsuspecting mouse before pouncing, or a bat waiting silently in the darkness for the right moment to swoop down and grab its prey.
As Scott circulated at the grand party held in the Wayne mansion, it occurred to him that Bruce Wayne was no less dangerous than any homicidal mutant or world-domination-driven psychopath the X-Men had encountered. Professor Xavier had received an invitation from the millionaire and as Xavier's de facto son it was Scott's duty to accompany him to Gotham. Scott thought he'd prefer to stay home and listen to Gambit whine all night about his relationship with Rogue (or lack of it, anyway).The money, social status and empty smiles in evidence at the banquet were enough to unnerve a once-homeless person like him.
But Scott stood dutifully beside the Professor in the middle of the resplendent hall. Polished marble tiles glittered under the chandeliers. Classical paintings on the walls were subtly spotlighted, and crimson velvet curtains draped the long windows and shielded the guests from the outside world. The place was so sumptuous it made Scott feel nervous despite his tailored designer suit and polished shoes. The Professor was well off himself, but the Xavier mansion, the place which had been Scott's shelter and home since he was a teenager, carried an air of restrained elegance that was the exact opposite of Wayne's showplace.
Charles conversed quietly with a middle-aged couple while Scott stood by listening half-heartedly and counting the minutes. The Professor undoubtedly heard his thoughts, judging by the indulgent smiles he gave Scott between conversations. Scott briefly wondered what other people might think of him wearing opaque ruby glasses indoors. But people in general catered to the quirks of the wealthy, and the wealthy tended to ignore each other's eccentricities as well.
Scott watched the crowd without much interest until he caught sight of their famous host among the Wayne, standing off in a corner, wore a disturbingly annoying half-smile on his handsome face, Wayne's evening attire looked both elegant and expensive. He looked comfortable in his corner, watching his guests mill around him, like a man watching his collection with a cool scientific interest. Clearly, Scott wasn't the only one who preferred to be an outsider.
The dark-brown eyes focused on him suddenly, as if their owner had inner radar to detect attention even from a person whose stare was concealed behind ruby quartz glasses. Those eyes were so deep and profound it was almost impossible not to be drawn into them and trapped in their mysterious depths. But the sudden spark flashing in Wayne's eyes and the curve appearing on his mouth made Scott instantly hyper-apprehensive, like a deer sensing just danger before it gets caught in the headlights of a speeding car. Scott wasn't one to feel this way, not as the experienced leader of a band of mutant outlaws. Before he could avert his gaze from the mysterious man and find something else to occupy his attention, Bruce Waynehad already decided to leave his spot and make his way over. Obviously he had finally caught an interesting specimen to have a little fun with. Why Scott automatically opted to describe himself as prey to Wayne, a man he knew only by reputation, was a thought he didn't have the luxury to examine, because the man was suddenly in front of them, fully expecting to be acknowledged by his guests.
The Professor politely exchanged greetings with Bruce Wayne and introduced Scott to their host, who seemed to be giving generous donations to the school according to Charles. The news came as a surprise to Scott. After a short conversation with Charles, Wayne smoothly directed his attention towards Scott. His eyes twinkled with inexplicable interest and made Scott uneasy, though he met Wayne's look with a natural composure strengthened by maturity.
The millionaire was a few inches taller, with a strong jawline and chiseled facial features that seemed to indicate an iron will behind his easy posture. He had a surprisingly powerful physique that Scott was more than a little envious of.
Scott had always been thin, which had earned him the nickname "Slim" back in the old days, and his build had'nt changed much even after so many years of hard practice. Though Scott understood full well that his strength lay in his mind and will, a few more pounds of muscle wouldn't hurt the leader of the X-Men, and the fact that a millionaire playboy had a brawnier physique seemed a bit insulting.
Realizing he was too focused on how Wayne looked instead of what the man was saying, Scott hastily redirected his attention. He would bet every last cent he owned that Bruce Wayne was aware of where his thoughts had staryed, judging by the barely-concealed smile at the corner of his host's mouth. Scott couldn't fight down a faint blush rising on his cheeks.
"I've heard a lot of impressive things about you, Mr. Summers. I would like you to know I admire the determination and courage you and your comrades devote to a noble cause." Wayne had obviously had a lot of experience in putting an audience at ease but it didn't work this time.
Arching a brow upon hearing the words, Scott felt mildly alarmed. This man couldn't possibly know...Before he even finished his thought, the Professor's voice echoed in his head, whispering the answer: He knows.
How?
I don't know. He has a guarded mind, but I don't sense any malice from him.
Could it be that he is a mutant?
I don't think so.
Regarding their host warily, Scott considered several different answers before he carefully replied. "Thank you, Mr. Wayne. It's an honor to hear such a praise from you, although I must admit I'm curious as to how you know about our work; not many people do." As well as they shouldn't.
"I have some useful sources. Please don't be concerned. I merely want to express my admiration for what you do to help create a better world." Extending a big hand towards Scott, a look of sincerity replaced the nonchalant expression on Wayne's face. The seriousness vibrating in his deep, rich voice sent an unexpected shiver down Scott's back. Wayne's simple words, combined with his imposing manner and the warmth of his handshake, disturbed him in a way that a stranger shouldn't be capable of.
"Not many people are willing to pay the price and do what's necessary." Wayne continued. "That makes you and your comrades special."
" Thanks, we're honored, Mr. Wayne. It's good to know that there are people who appreciate what we do." After a brief pause, Scott couldn't resist adding. "I suppose you're just as special in your own way."
Somehow Scott felt that he could rely on this man to keep the secret of his identity and the existence of X-Men. Although he was not usually one to put such trust in a new aquaintance, exceptions happened sometimes when the situation merited it. Besides, he could tell the Professor agreed with him.
"I suppose I am, indeed." A hint of arrogance resurfaced and replaced the previous seriousness in his tone; however, it didn't bring out the same annoyance Scott had felt at first.
They left Wayne mansion some time after their little encounter with its owner, yet in such a short period of time Bruce Wayne had left an indelible impression in Scott Summers' mind.
The night Scott met Bruce Wayne, he wouldn't say he liked the man, but then, he wouldn't say he disliked him either. Scott supposed it was both the first and last time he would meet the billionaire. Wayne was just another passer-by in Scott's life, although a friendly one, or so he thought. He never imagined that their paths would cross again in the near future.