It had been a month since I last went to the Watchtower – or seen her. And for the most part, I'd not thought her. Things are easier this way. Just me, and me alone. To do my work, that I'd set out to do at a young age. No help other than Alfred, Dick and Barbara.
This cave I'm so used to, seemed to have a different feel to it. It used to give me isolation, and indirectly as a result, satisfaction and relaxation. But no longer does it do this. The bats just tend to say nothing, at all. Usually noise is made, and that brings me out of the complete isolation I find myself in so often.
Perhaps it wasn't the cave, but rather Gotham. It had been quiet recently, so the need for isolation is lessened. I still have been busy though, brushing up on Calculus. Harvard taught me well, but even I forget somethings sometimes.
I lean back in my chair, wearing casual civilian clothes, and look around. I embrace the magnitude of this cave, it's almost daunting. It might be me that's thinking this change has occurred, a placebo of some sorts. The faint sound of the waterfall had gone, even though water doesn't just disappear. It's matter, energy of some sorts – the first thing you get taught about, in terms of energy, is that it can't be destroyed nor created in a closed system, but rather it changes.
Perhaps sleep was needed. I haven't sleep in a day or two. I can feel my eyes being bloodshot, whilst a mild Migraine attacks me from out of nowhere. I can feel myself not at one hundred percent, but am I ever?
Maybe it was a change in life. I used to have complete isolation, then the Justice League came about, and now I haven't been there for a while, I'm reverting to my old lifestyle. Was it really like this though? I'm bored, I have nothing to do. And for the first time in a while, I want to talk to someone. Not about anything in particular – small talk if you will. Just to hear someone's voice that isn't the Bat or my heart. Even Alfred has been avoiding me, and only coming down here or near me when absolutely necessary. Even Alfred has given up with me.
I knew this day would come though. His loyalty is unquestionable, but that's also the downfall. He would never want to see me fall, permanently. And if he thinks I'm starting to reach my end, he'll do whatever it takes to keep me safe. I guess that's true loyalty for you.
For the first time in a while, I have nothing to do, andI'm completely alone. At least when I was alone, I had work to distract me, and vice-versa. But I can't return to the League. This is the right decision to make, and in the long run it is worth it. I was a part timer anyway, and it's consumed too much of me now, so a complete step back is the right call.
I return from my thoughts.
I turn off my computer, and go upstairs to get into the shower – I need a rest.
"So Supes, has Batman left forever?" Flash asks, the rest of the League sitting around the conference table, another team meeting had arrived.
"…I don't know. Who knows what's going on with him anymore." Kal replied, exhausted with it all.
"I see. Remind me to send him a postcard saying goodbye. Yano, I'll miss good old bats." Flash answered, putting his opinion out there, although it wasn't asked for.
"I think you're the only one who holds that opinion, Flash" Dinah ventures, trying to make sure Flash knew he was alone in this.
"I don't think I am Canary, I don't think I am." Flash responded, being serious for once.
"He's not gone forever. Whilst he may no longer be in the team, he's still alive and kicking. No matter how much we try to flatten him" Superman pauses, looking at Diana with a smirk, to which he receives a evil glare back "hahaha I'm just joking Diana, take a chill pill. But in all seriousness, when we truly need him, I'm sure he'll be there. As cruel and crude as he may seem, Bruce is the most passionate and caring friend I've ever had. I think his façade of dark and gloomy makes us forget the man he truly his. You all may say Bruce Wayne is the mask, and inside he's truly Batman. But I beg to differ. I believe, wait, no, I know he's neither of them, but someone nice, that's held back by chains from his demons and tragedies."
Everyone sitting around the table lower their heads in thought. All trying to look at their encounters with Bruce (and Batman) in a different way. They all begun to realise his coldness was done so the team would focus on work, rather than be distracted by one another.
Diana looked around to see the others, confused to why they're only just realising this. Was it only her that saw this? Was she the only one that attempted to see the man underneath the mask(s)? She knew she couldn't say anything though, without facing hostility from the others. 'If you knew him so well then why did you try and kill him?' was a sentence she could see them saying. She hadn't tried to kill him. She wasn't really sure what she was doing, she was just fed up and relied on her instincts and teachings to guide her – if you have a problem, beat it till it gives in.
"Guys and girls let's not treat him like he's dead. He's gone but not completely, let us instead focus on what's truly important – justice." Diana said, interfering with all their thoughts. They all looked up to her.
"Agreed" said Superman, trying to agree with her and move the conversation on before anyone could make a comment that they shouldn't.
"Did you want him gone Diana?" Hal asked. It wasn't an aggressive question, nor did he mean it in an aggressive manner, but Diana took it that way.
"Of course not! That's the last thing I wanted." She replied. Hal, now realising the situation he was in, decided to defend his Vampiric friend for once.
"It doesn't look like that from where I'm, or anyone else, is looking from." He replies coldly. An unusual tone from Hal.
"I…" was all Diana could muster, before she went silent. She knew this was an uphill battle she couldn't in, unless telling everyone what's truly been happening.
"Enough of this! I'm sure whatever has happened had its reasons. Ones that do not need to be discussed. I don't see Canary and Oliver telling us everything and every argument they have. I don't see Flash telling everyone what happened with him and Hal a while back. So whatever happened, it's none of your businesses!" Kal intervened. He was fed up on everyone pressing on Diana for the sake of being noisy. "Now, may we continue this meeting in peace and unity?!"
It's funny, because from Diana's perspective, everyone's gone cold now that Bruce is gone. But when he was here, everyone was happy. It's almost like he sacrificed his own happiness, so that we all had ours. Happiness is a unit, it doesn't a value. Yet it's almost like it's been traded. Like Bruce took on everything bad alone, so that others didn't have to worry, and would stay happy as a result.
Without further thought, she got up. "Diana sit down" Kal demanded, not wanting this fight to continue on. But Diana just started to leave. "Where the hell are you going?" He asked.
"To get Bruce back. Do you not see it? His coldness was a sacrifice he made so that we all could be happy. I mean look at us right now. We're all so hostile and cold to one another now that he's gone. When he was here, we never were like this. We need him here"
"But now you're being selfish! He may finally be happy, and you're going to rid him of it for your own sake?" Oliver replied.
"I know Bruce. His own isolation is not something he wants, but he has it because it's needed for this all to work. Whilst you may all may not, and may never see it, he's a lot worse right now than we all think."
No one replied, they all accepted what she said.
"Just make sure you break his toys again" Kal said, both jokingly and seriously. Diana just ignored the comment and walked off, to go get Bruce back.
Bruce was awoken by Alfred himself, who had a ginormous smile equipped on his face. Bruce knew something was up immediately.
"Alfred, I'm only going to say this once. Whoever has arrived here, tell them to leave."
Alfred just laughed. Damn this old man. "Sorry sir but I'm afraid I'm an old man, and they're a demigod. What can I do to stop her?" He asks rhetorically.
I reply honestly, knowing full well he didn't care "an easy way is to bound her by rope, it nullifies her powers completely".
"She can still kick, and bite. I'd rather not get my hands dirty, so I'll tell her to come into your room."
"Alfred stop! Alfred! ALFRED!" I shout, knowing what's coming. Well actually not knowing what's coming, that's the scary part. I know that I don't know what's about to happen, and that worries me, a lot.
Within seconds I see her figure walk around, and then lean, on the door frame. "Good morning Bruce." She says, a bright smile beefing on her face.
"Why are you here?" I ask, rubbing my eyes so I'm more awoke. I'll need to think straight if I don't want this to end badly.
"To talk to you" she says softly, all hostility I know she can have just gone.
"Not now, I'm busy." I reply, knowing full well that's pointless.
"Now is roughly an hour before the usual time you wake up, I asked Alfred. I've been here for the last hour waiting for you. So you have nothing, for the next hour to do." She asked, that damn smile if hers raiding more, knowing I have nothing (valid) to say to that.
"Well then obviously I'm busy resting." I replied, as I bury my head back into my pillow. I hope she goes, and that she stays. This is the sort of effect she has on me and it's annoying. It throws all logic and rationality out the window.
"Then I guess we'll have to talk during your patrol tonight. Oh wait, Gotham's been quiet for a while, so your patrol time has been lessened. Which implies you've had the usual rest you get." She cutely says, as she laughs slightly.
How is this happening? How am I getting schooled by logic and rational thinking? I am almost the very definition of rational thinking, that's all I ever try to achieve.
I continue to attempt to sleep, but she moves closer and sits in the seat in the corner of my room. She's not leaving anytime soon, and it's growing increasingly annoying. An accurate depiction of this is an Exponential growth (n^x).
I open my eyes, to see her just sitting there looking back at me. I look scruffy and probably smell, even though I had a shower last night. My hair is all over the place and I haven't shaved in a few days.
"Wakey wakey Bruce, hehe." She says to me.
Why is she enjoying this so much and why does this feel so weird, yet normal, simultaneously?
"Errrgggg fine." I mutter as I rise, now sitting in my bed. "What's up?" I ask.
"It's the League, weren't not the same without you. We're all gloomy and moody to each other. The team have only just begun to realise the real you, and they're getting more and more aggregated with it."
"So?"
"I know that you're doing worse as well. I-we need you back." She swallows hard mid sentence "I don't know what you do, but you need to do your coldness thing to all of us. To keep us from being distracted. I don't quite get it, and I never will, but we need to be there. I guess they all look to you, and see the coldness, and they don't want to be that, so they try to be happy, and it just works." She continues to explain.
"It's about time some of them had a taste of reality, don't you think? They've been living on cloud 9 for the longest of time." I reply.
"It's not like that Bruce. I- you need to see it yourself to truly get it. Even Flash said he misses you." She states, trying to convince me.
"What about us" I say. Not really sure if it's a question or statement of defence.
"Set aside our differences. Move on from the past, and do what we've always done best – kick ass" she says, a smile now re-approaching her face.
She extends her hand, in an effort to shake on it. Forget and move on. Is it truly this easy? What about the other thing? Does she not care anymore?
I look at her hand, and back up to her. "This isn't a meeting, nor is it a business transaction. We don't need to shake in hands on it Diana." I reply, knowing that her touch will break everything I've tried to rebuild the last few weeks.
"Please Bruce, I insist on it" she begs.
I reluctantly reach out and shake on it, knowing what I thought just now I'd taking effect. I'm now intoxicated by her again. Her scent rushes up my nose, and her touch is almost like a sensory overload. I can't help it, as I close my eyes in an effort to digest it all. Although I don't see it initially, she smiles, knowing what's happening to me. I guess this is what happens when you aren't fully awake, you do silly things.
I'm the first to pull away, knowing this handshake I'd longer than usual, by a considerable amount. I instantly want the feel of her touch again, but I know baby steps are needed.
Baby steps? Am I seriously considering this? How does this happen, I must find out the science behind this. If this is truly 'love' then I must study it's true effects.
I lean back against the headboard, in an effort to lower my heart rate. I know she can probably hear, or at least see, how fast it's pulsating.
"You know there's nothing to be scared of" she says, knowing that she's got to me.
"I've had little human contact in over a month. Even Alfred hasn't come to me, in an effort to prove something. I just need to digest it."
"None at all?" She asks. The corners of her lips now lower, as she starts to feel sorry for me
"Essentially." I reply. I don't want this pity she's going to give me, but I just have to take it – especially if it means my Batmobile doesn't get trampled over again.
"How do you live this life?" She asks me, leaning in her seat, resting her head on her pal, that touches her cheek.
"I made a promise – I plan to keep it." I reply.
'I will Diana, I promise' begins to rush through Diana's mind. Her thoughts now being pushed back to the dream.
There was an awkward silence. I could tell she was in deep thought – I noticed a tendency she has when in deep though which was to bite her lip. Her sapphire blue eyes just stared into my window, as she bit harder and harder. I could not help but sit back and just take it all in. For the first time in a while, I was enjoying himself again.
I start making light coughing noises to regain Diana's attention. The first five didn't work, but she came back to reality after the sixth.
"Oh Bruce I'm so sorry! I was in d-" Diana tried to explain, before Bruce continued on her sentence: "-eep thought and got lost there?"
"How did you kn-" she tried to question again, before I, once again, intervened: "know? You bite your lip and stare into things that shouldn't be under such a gaze."
"You think the sight you have in the window isn't worth a look?"
"I've seen it many times Princess. It has little effect on me now"
'I just called her princess again' I thought to myself. I could tell she too fixated on it, her visible cheek started turning a fade of pinkish. I would be lying if I said I haven't missed that.
"Well you should take a step back and re-immerse yourself in the view. After all, this is your city, and you've worked hard to maintain it." She said, now lifting her head up so it no longer rests on her palm. It's funny, I can't quite tell which cheek looks more flourished. I start laughing out loud as a result.
"What's so funny Wayne?" She asks, curious as to why I'm laughing.
"Its your face ahaha. Err I mean no offence, but you cheek is extremely flourished right now. I just thought it looked kind of funny. Cute, but funny."
She crosses her arms on her chest and looks at me through her eyebrows: "that's not very nice now, is it?" She says. Partly serious, party sarcastic.
"I guess not in hindsight. Sorry about that" I reply, scratching the back of my lower head/neck. I start to feel my face now flourishing all over.
She stands up, walks over to me and places a kiss on my forehead. "Thank you for letting us finally talk. I'll let you get your sleep. Please consider returning to the League. It's, and we're, not ok."
She starts to walk away, but I instinctively lean forward and grab her arm. She looks back at me confused. "I just wanted to say…th…th – thank you, for coming to see me. It means a lot."
The corners of her mouth raise quickly, as she lets go a hold up of air through her nose. She looks down at her feet, then back up, almost sheepishly, saying: "don't thank me, I wanted to do this."
By me staring into her eyes, I forget I'm now fully holding her hand. I look down to see our joined hands, and quickly pull away. She just smiles intensely and walks away. Happiness shining out of her. I can hear Alfred and her walk past each other on the stairs, saying there goodbyes. He quickly returns to my room, knowing that Diana doesn't care about Alfred letting her out.
"Sir I don't know what you've done but she's giving you another chance. I thought you had a fundamental rule to avoid using magic?" He asked, joking about.
"Shut up" I say sarcastically, getting up and nudging him.
Somehow, I have been blessed with a second chance.