I don't own anything:(
The Joker was in Arkham for now, and the crime rate had dipped 1.3% in the last two months. The police and civilians were grateful to the Dark Knight. Things were going superbly.
Too superbly, Batman mused. It was as if whatever god there was out there— or gods, if we're talking about Diana—was looking down upon him favorably.
That couldn't be right. Nothing in his life was meant to be good, besides the first eight years and Di—
Why did his mind keep going back to her? He needed something else less appealing to think about…
It was an ideal day for brooding.
Bruce pulled his cowl off and ran his fingers through his hair. He pulled up a file on his computer with scanned images of newspaper articles and settled deeper into his chair.
"Breaking News: Thomas and Martha Wayne Murdered, Son Bruce is Heir to Billions"
This one had been written when the Daily Planet hadn't yet had anybody of Lois Lane or Clark Kent's caliber. Joe Chill had nearly killed Bruce with his gun while attempting to steal Martha's pearls and Thomas's wallet. As a result, he ended up shooting Thomas and Martha Wayne. What did the article discuss? His inheritance.
Bruce sighed, clenching his fists reflexively. A brainless thief, going through a disproportionate amount of trouble just for some pearls and a wallet. Stupidest person to ruin my life. The journalist who wrote this article would never understand the eight-year-old's fear, or comprehend the effect of their murders on his young mind. He didn't get it.
"How is Gotham's Youngest Billionaire Coping?"
Coping, my ass. Bruce hadn't coped, unless having nightmares every night and distrusting everybody was considered coping.
"20 Years Later: Remember the Waynes?"
I wouldn't be sitting in a cave with a load of bats risking my life every night if I didn't remember them.
"Bruce Wayne: Beloved Son, Billionaire, and… Playboy?"
He could hear Alfred's British accent in his head: "Distasteful, Master Bruce."
The next articles, however, were his butler's favorites.
"Bruce Wayne Restores Reputation, Dances with Wonder Woman"
"Playboy Bruce Wayne Only has Eyes for Wonder Woman"
"Wonder Woman Infatuated with Local Billionaire Playboy in Kasnia"
Yes, things always went back to Diana in the end.
His com-link buzzed in his ear. "Batman, it's Superman. Don't forget the Founder's meeting in fifteen minutes."
End of brooding.
Bruce didn't respond. He swiveled in his chair, scrolling through the articles that he had deemed worthy of saving through the years. His eyes lingered on the last addition to the collection.
"Wonder Woman's New and Normal Boyfriend"
He moved his hand to his ear. "Watchtower, this is Batman. Teleport me up in 20."
"I'm underappreciated," Flash complained loudly.
"Of course, Wally," Diana replied pleasantly.
"Diana, I don't know what delusional cloud you're riding on, but please don't feed his ego anymore," Shayera said.
Letting him walk past them, Shayera pulled Diana over to the side of the hallway. "What cloud are you riding on? Is it the average Joe we've all heard about in the papers?"
For a moment, Diana looked confused. Then she smiled and gave a bemused little laugh.
Shayera raised an eyebrow. "Either something's amusing you or you actually care about this guy… so I suppose this is a sign you've moved on from Batman?" she asked.
Diana's heart rate sped up, though Shayera wouldn't know that. She nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course I have."
I hate lying.
She's not completely wrong. I do care… about my publicist. Diana laughed inside knowing that every paper and website had mistaken him to be her boyfriend, though any boyfriend of hers would never really be normal. Of course, that thought was directed at Batman.
Why couldn't she keep her mind off of him?
"Hera, you're confused. This guy's a really nice person, one of the best I've ever had—"
Shayera chuckled. "Damn Diana, you've been a lot busier than I accounted for."
"No! I mean he's not my…"
Down the hall, the two noticed Batman walking—no, stalking—towards the conference room.
"What the heck's wrong with him today? Maybe his cowl's on too tight… either that or his head's gotten even bigger," Shayera joked.
Diana didn't seem to hear her. She was too busy staring at the ground, away from Batman's direction.
Shayera rolled her eyes. These two were ridiculous. She whispered, "Diana, just remember we're friends, all right?" She paused, and said loudly, "Hey Batman!"
Diana's head shot up faster than Flash could say "Take me to Themyscira."
"Shay, what are you doing—"
"What do you think of Diana's new boyfriend? He seems pretty cute in the papers…"
Batman didn't slow down half a step. He continued stalking until he reached the two women, then he stopped abruptly.
"The personal matters of others aren't my concern." His gaze shifted to Diana. "I have no opinion on the extracurricular activities of Justice League members unless it endangers us."
Shayera slowly stepped back. The words were classic Batman, but still… Damn him if he hurts her… again. She retreated to the conference room.
When Shayera was gone, Diana looked up. Her blue eyes glittered dangerously and a small smile danced across her lips. Clever, Bruce.
"All right, Batman," she said. "I'll make sure never to let anything endanger us."
With that, Diana spun on her heels and followed Shayera.
Smirking, Batman walked into the room, letting the door slide shut behind him.
"So that concludes our meeting. Before we leave, Diana has an announcement," Superman asked.
Watching her, Bruce relaxed for a moment. Even on such a typical day, wearing her usual uniform, she was so… glorious. Part of him wish he could publicly declare that she was his, and his alone… but it was already too big of a risk to in a relationship with her at all.
Diana stood up. "I just wanted to let everybody know that I will be leaving for Themyscira in three days to discuss sending more Amazons into Man's World for ambassadorial duties. I'll be there for about a week. I've already discussed this with Superman and he will be reassigning missions and monitor duty hours accordingly."
The frown on Bruce's face intensified for a moment. No one noticed… except Diana.
Flash broke the silence. "So…I think to show your appreciation for my existence, you should definitely take me along with you."
"To an all female island?"
"Hello…? Hot babes!"
John looked resignedly at Flash. "Just shut up for fifteen seconds and let me get outta here."
Five of the founders slowly filed out the door. Flash stuck his head back in and advised, "Make sure the new ambassadors are hot!"
Bruce and Diana heard John chastising Wally again.
Diana glanced at him hesitatingly. "Bruce?"
"Batman…" he muttered. He glanced up at the camera in the corner.
"I guess I'll see you later then." She got up to leave.
"Princess."
"Yes?"
"Manor. 7:00 pm. Casual."
She beamed. Beautiful. "All right."
They sat on a couch in front of a blazing fire, staring up at the portrait of Thomas and Martha Wayne. It had only been a little over a month – 38 days, Diana noted— since they had made their relationship official. Official between the two of them, that is. Bruce didn't yet want the rest of the League to know, and Diana complied, not willing to jeopardize the results of her perseverance.
Between her duties as ambassador, his allegiance to Gotham, and saving the planet, they hadn't had much time alone together. A glance in the cafeteria, a touch in the hallway, a kiss after sparring…
Even though the opportunities were limited, Diana hadn't been this happy in a long time. Hera knows how long I've spent trying to make this happen… She turned to face him, studying his profile. His eyes, capable of the infamous glare that scared heroes and criminals alike, were bright, firelight reflecting in their blue depths. His nose was slightly crooked, considering how many times it had been broken. His lips…
"Are you done examining me, Princess?"
She turned away, embarrassed he had caught her. "No. I mean yes—"
He caught a hold of her hand and pulled her a little closer.
"How ironic," he whispered in her ear. "You spent years boldly convincing me that you and I were destined to be together—"
Oh Hera, I can't concentrate with him this close…
"—and now you seem so shy. What's wrong, Princess?"
As he spoke, he wrapped one arm around her waist and settled her head on his shoulder. Her senses were heightened: the fire seemed to burn brighter, Thomas and Martha Wayne's smiles seemed wider, and Bruce's masculine scent filled her nose.
"I am not shy," she retorted indignantly.
"Really?" Suddenly his face was an inch from hers.
Captivated by the warm, un-Batman like gaze, she questioned, "Is this how you seduce all those other women, Bruce?"
He touched his forehead to hers, and she closed her eyes in contentment. "No, Princess. Only you."
In a moment, he caught her lips in his without any hesitation. Diana returned the kiss greedily, so grateful that he was hers. I still can't believe this… She ran her hands along his muscular torso, her fingers dancing over his abs. She felt him smile as his tongue caressed her bottom lip. All of a sudden she was straddling him as he deepened the kiss.
Amidst all the furious activity, Diana sent a quick prayer back to Themyscira and the goddesses. Thank you for giving me this man. I couldn't be more blessed. For a moment, her mind wandered to Hippolyta. If she knew how happy Bruce makes me, she'd understand… Not all men are like Heracles, or Hades…
The thought was cut off in a split second as Bruce's lips descended downwards, his face buried in her neck.
"I love you, Bruce…"
Hippolyta stared icily at Philippus, outrage and disbelief evident in her eyes. The Captain of the Guard sank to her knees
"Loyal Philippus…" Hippolyta's voice was dangerously soft. "You tell me now, a quarter of a century late, that the human you commissioned to kill Bruce Wayne, a mortal boy…failed?"
Philippus swallowed audibly, and her eyes rose to meet her queen's.
"Yes."
A/N: Review, please! Your words can potentially have a huge influence on this, considering the fact that this story is an amorphous thing floating in my mind.
I know this chapter doesn't address the main conflict of the story yet, but I gotta have some set-up, yanno?
Just an extra note to all fanfiction writers: I have so much more respect for you now that I started this. Your determination is amazing!