Disclaimer: I own nothing
Warning: Tallant Al Ghul/Terry McGinnis, Waynecest/Incest
Our Love is intense... but Far from Pure
"Is this a game?"
"A game of want and wanting."
"I feel unloved - "
" - Positively foolish."
"You look but don't touch…"
"I will make you happy. I promise."
- The Borgias (2011)
Is this a Game?
"Is this a game?"
The unexpected question would not leave him. It reverberated through his mind, echoed in his every step. The whole night. Chasing him.
"Is this a game?"
Just when he believed he had escaped, it came back again. It would not release him.
"Is this a game?"
Tallant gasped, leaning over to catch his breath. How long had he been running through Gotham? It had been dark then and now the sky was full of jewel-like colours. Dawn. A while off but still. How long had he been running?
Long enough to lose Batman in the rabbit's warren of alleys and overpasses. If Batman had cared to even give chase in the first place….
"Is this a game?"
Straightening up, Tallant tried to orientate himself in his mental map of Gotham. He had, unusually, allowed his feet to take him away, simply away, for the conflict. Anywhere else. He wasn't a coward, the fight had already been long lost to Batman before he had… before Terry had turned to him and caught him off guard….
"….Tali?"
Why did he do that? Tallant thought, something warm and energetic – anger – rising up inside him. Why did he cast the masks aside? Why did he have to ask?
He started walking, moving in the fading shadows.
Why couldn't his akhi al-habibi just forget himself for a little while? The fight had been so much fun, even losing hadn't spoiled the hum in Tallant's veins. To see his baby brother fight, to see him move, hear him laugh, to be so close….
"Is this a game? ...Tali?"
He asked but didn't care even follow. A shiver ran down his spine to hear his name fall from Terry's lips. But Batman didn't pursue, had turned away, let him escape.
Glancing around, he cursed loudly when he realised exactly where he had brought himself.
…But why would he chase, when Tallant always came back to him in the end?
Even from the ground, he could tell Terry's window was closed but the curtains were open. There was no movement inside, no sign of life. Had he returned home already and was resting? Had his attention been drawn elsewhere, away from…
Tallant bit his lip as a truly bad idea crossed it.
"Is this a game?"
The window was unlocked, and it was unsettling easy to climb up to it. Far too dangerous, any one could break in. Perhaps it was his brother's own good that it was him and not someone with more lascivious intentions.
It was worth it for the look on Terry's face. Like a rabbit that had spotted a wolf, he froze on the windowsill, wide eyed and chest stilled. Tallant stretched out on the bed, the bulk of his armour and gear strewn across the floor. It was late, after all. And Terry's bed was surprisingly comfortable, if solitary.
The young knight slid into the room like a shadow, closing it behind him. The curtains were closed too, blocking out the city behind them. Tallant propped himself up on his arms, in time to watch Terry remove his mask. Then with crooked eyebrow, his utility belt too.
The young man bit his lip but pushed Tallant's leg out the way and sat down on the bed to remove his boots.
"Do I want to know why you are here, Tali? If you're here to kidnap me, at least wait till I've slept."
Tallant just took the moment to watch his beloved little brother slowly remove his armour, piece by piece, leaving just Terry and Tallant behind. He waited for Terry to look at him, to meet his eyes in a pointed look. Did Terry really not know how much power he had over his helpless older brother? As if Tallant had been able to resist him, the first moment they meet –albeit on the wrong side the battlefield.
"Is this a game?"
Tallant wished his voice didn't croak, but he needed to know the answer.
Terry paused. Then he turned towards him, crawling along the bed until they were even. It burned Tallant to feel him so close.
The younger man tilted his head, "I don't know, Tali. What is this to you?"
"You didn't chase me."
"I didn't think you'd want me too." Terry paused, then continued so softly, "You look but you don't touch…"
Tallant couldn't help himself; he reached across and ran his fingers through Terry's hair, brushing it from his eyes.
"Am I so hard to love?" Terry whispered.
Tallant tightened his grasp, "No, no, habibi, never."
Terry leant into it, closing his eyes. He was so tense and tired looking. So sad…
"I will make you happy." He promised, pushing forwards till their foreheads meet.
Terry smiled bitterly, wrapping his own hand around the back of Tallant's neck.
"This is a game of want and wanting."
Akhi Al-Habibi – Beloved Little Brother