Some people have all the luck.
A phrase here meaning; some people's relationships thrive, while others suffer. The stress caused by the rehearsal dinner nearly launched Selina and Bruce into a panic, but Harley and Dick weren't even phased. They couldn't be happier with each other and where they're at in their lives, while others are falling behind.
They reflect the stages of their relationships. Jason and Ivy couldn't be more in turmoil, separated but anxious to solve their problems, Dick and Harley are blissfully oblivious to the rest of the world, caught up in each other; Bruce and Selina prepare to take a huge step- for better or for worse.
"You look absolutely stunning," Dick beamed, twirling Harley. Her skirt spun out a bit. Her shoes dangled from her hand, and Dick had rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. The Manor was quiet; Damian had stolen a motorbike again to go see Carrie, Jason and Cassandra had gone on patrol, Bruce, Selina, Tim, and Stephanie had all dispersed into the Manor and- for the moment- it was calm. Dick and Harley hadn't gone home yet, and were instead wandering the halls in the dark, talking.
"And you look dashing as always." Harley grinned, pretending to keep waltzing around him. He watched her, beaming. He laced his fingers with hers and pulled her towards the ballroom doors. He peeked in.
"Come on," he laughed, pulling her into the dark ballroom. Moonlight sparkled through the glass of the high windows, slightly illuminating the chairs and tables set up for the reception tomorrow. Towards the windows and the french doors was half a dance floor. Dick smiled, looking around at the classy decoration. "Wow, they did good." Harley spun in a full circle to take it all in.
"This looks amazing," she grinned at him, "but there is no way we're having a wedding this large."
"No. Imagine how pissed they would be if we eloped?" Dick laughed, wandering over to the head table and dropped into Bruce's chair, crossing his legs and grinning deviously at her, the moon casting shadows on his face.
"That would solve the whole problem of me being wanted and not being able to be public." She stood on the other side of the table and leaned her hands on it, smiling at him. Dick leaned forward.
"I'm sorry, you're blocking my view of my kingdom," he said seriously, raising his eyebrows; his voice was a spooky imitation of Bruce, before he broke into a grin.
"I'm terribly sorry sir. Allow me to get out of your way." She giggled and took a step back. Dick laughed and motioned her closer, smiling. He kissed her nose across the table and then leaned back. His face lit when he saw a mic on the table and he picked it up, flicking the button. Dick jumped when he tapped it on the table and it echoed in the room. He grinned. Sitting back, he watched Harley and brought the mic to his lips.
"I love you," he smiled, biting his lip. Harley leaned in close to the mic.
"I love you too."
Dick smiled at her, pulling the mic out from between them and kissing her gently. He broke it off with a smile.
Selina ignored the second knock at their bedroom door. She'd only come to grab her pajamas, but he wasn't in the room. She could only assume that he'd left their bedroom for her. When the knock came again, she threw the covers back furiously and walked to the door, yanking it open. "What now, Bruce? I thought you were going out!" She demanded. She'd washed her makeup off, and her hair stuck up a bit on the side. Pulling the strap of her short silk babydoll nightdress back up on her shoulder, she crossed her arms.
"Alfred insisted I stay in a guest room." Bruce ran a hand nervously through his hair. He'd loosened his tie and undone a few buttons on his shirt. "I just came to get something to wear to bed."
"Oh," Selina looked down, walking back to the bed. She glanced over her shoulder and then down. Bruce walked toward the closet; he paused on the way there.
"I'm sorry," he sighed. Selina smiled down at the floor, rubbing her arm a bit. Her dark hair curled at her neck.
"Me too," she whispered.
"It's just… We're going to be going on our honeymoon, and Dick will be in charge," he tried to explain. "With everything that's happening… I guess I was just always hoping I could fix it before we left, so I didn't have to worry. I want it to be just me and you on our honeymoon and nothing else, and since I can't be with you tonight…"
"I know, Bruce," she said quietly, still not turning to face him. She sat down on the bed and folded her hands in her lap. Her dress cut low in the back, exposing her smooth back and soft shoulders. "You don't have to explain." Bruce watched her for a moment. He moved to sit by her, taking her hands.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," she smiled a little, looking at the window. "Just… isn't it supposed to be more magical than this?" Selina looked down, taking a deep breath quietly. "Tonight was a disaster, and I'm terrified of tomorrow. I've looked the Joker straight in the face and held my ground, but the thought of you looking into my eyes at the altar…" she looked up. "I'm scared to death," she smiled, laughing a little.
"Why?" he asked gently.
"Because I'm afraid you'll see it," she breathed, squeezing his hand.
"See what?"
"That I couldn't go on living without you."
Dick spun Harley around the dance floor to no music but their laughter and their breathing, fast and lighthearted. He'd abandoned his sweater and rolled the sleeves of his white button up shirt to his elbows. The collar was unbuttoned, exposing his thin neck and the top of his chest. The bottom was still loosely tucked into his pants. He pulled her close, waltzing a bit before dipping her. He grinned down at her, one strong arm around her waist and holding her steady.
"I can tango, too," he beamed, pulling her up and dragging her along in a tango. She burst into laughter as he swung his hips out, throwing his head back dramatically. Harley had to admit, he wasn't bad. It would be sexy if it wasn't so funny. Dick spun her out away from him, spinning on his heel and stopping, his hips swaying to his imaginary beat. Harley covered her mouth as she laughed, watching him. Dick grinned at her, snapping his fingers. "Know who taught me that?" he asked, as he stopped and pushed his hair back. He flicked it to the side seductively, raising one dark eyebrow. Harley shook her head, still smiling. "Alfred." She burst into a fresh round of giggles, provoking another stupid grin on his face.
"Well he was a great teacher," she laughed. Dick grabbed her hand and pulled her as close as he could with her belly between them, still smiling. He danced slowly as he laced his fingers with hers, humming a Christmas song under his breath as he did.
"Where did you learn to dance? I mean, you've been able to follow everything I've done so far," he said quietly, dancing a slow waltz.
"From you." Harley kissed his cheek. "Don't you remember?"
"Of course. I just wanted to make sure you remembered," he nodded seriously before laughing. His pale eyes shone in the moonlight.
"How could I forget?" She smiled up at him. "It was a pretty memorable night."
"It's what started everything," he agreed. "If I could have done that night differently, I would have. If I had the chance to go back, knowing what I knew now… I wouldn't have let you run away. But that doesn't matter anymore. It's in the past, isn't it? It's you and me now. That was an incredible night," he smiled at her. "Up until that point."
"It was pretty incredible," Harley agreed. "And…" she furrowed her brow, "I didn't like who I was, up until that point." She stopped dancing. "Dick, I… I like who I am with you; the person I am. While I regret the life I lived before, it's something… It's like your life at the circus. Doesn't it seem like it was a different life? Like it was something that led up to your life with Bruce, becoming Robin, being here?" She looked up at him, blushing a little. "While I hate who I was and the life I lived, it's… It's something I can't completely regret, I suppose, because it- being Harley Quinn- who I was- is what led me to being here, with you." She smiled sheepishly. "Without all of the things I did, I never would have met you." Dick watched her lovingly, smiling. He nodded.
"I suppose you're right. I don't know what I would have done if we'd never found each other."
"So, I guess you could say everything after that point turned out pretty okay."
"We're doing a lot better than okay," he smiled, his fingers lacing with hers. He looked down at her engagement ring on her finger, with the nearly-worn out piece of string from the safety net tied just above it. Dick laughed a little. "I can't believe you kept this," he beamed, and then kissed her hand. Harley smiled at the string.
"It reminds me I always have someone to catch me."
"Selina." Bruce grabbed her by the waist, picking her up and setting her on his lap. He reached up and cupped her chin with one hand, lifting it up to look at him while his other hand brushed her bangs away from her face. He chuckled. "What on Earth possessed you to think I would ever leave you?" He leaned his forehead against hers. "I would die without you."
"You'll die with or without me," she cried, covering her face. "I know you'll never leave me, but that doesn't mean you'll always come home. One night Batman won't come back, and we'll find you in the street somewhere... and I just don't want that night to be tonight." She choked. "I know I'm being ridiculous and I know- I know that I'm not-" she burst into tears and threw her arms around his neck, putting her head on his shoulder. Her thin body trembled, and she couldn't look at him. "I just don't want that night to be tonight. We never get the good without the bad, and I'm just waiting for something to go wrong," she whispered, her head hanging heavy on his shoulder.
"Don't think like that." Bruce ran his hand through her hair. "Don't. We're going to be fine. If you think I would ever let anyone take me away from you… Selina I love you. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, but you know I'm Batman too. But… if I ever had to choose Batman over you. You know what the answer would be. I'm here aren't I? I'm still fighting for you. No matter what, I will keep fighting for you. Nothing- no villain or faceless, unknown enemy- could ever stop me from coming back to you."
Selina took a deep breath, wiping the tears off of her cheeks as she sat back. "I know." She moved a little so that she straddled his lap, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Of course I know you're right," she breathed. Her pale green eyes were rimmed in red, making the color stand out even more; the stark contrast of her dark tousled hair and her pale skin were emphasized by the lamplight. She laughed a little. "The wedding planning is all finished, what else do I have to worry about?" she smiled, taking her hands away from his shoulders as she looked down, smoothing her short silk nightdress, her hands fidgeting with the lace on the hem.
"Just me." Bruce smiled, taking her hands in his.
Selina looked up at him, not smiling, not saying a word, but he'd never seen more love in her sharply angled features. She pulled her hands away from his and grabbed his tie, yanking him closer and kissing him fiercely. Her other hand slid over his shoulder, her manicured nails digging into his shoulder. She broke it off, her nose pressed to his as she smiled. Bruce breathed faster, surprised at her sudden change in moods. "Don't leave me," she whispered, her hand sliding up his neck and cradling his face.
"I wouldn't dream of it," he breathed.
"I can do it on my hands too," Dick quipped, walking easily on the snow covered railing. The snow floated off into the cold night, sparkling in the moonlight like the stars above them and then dissipating in the air. Dick's breath blew in little clouds from his lips, hanging for a moment like the halo around the moon. His sweater was wrapped tightly around Harley's arms, smelling like his cologne. "Come on," he stood on the balcony railing and reached a hand down to her. "Do you trust me?"
"You know it." Harley grinned up at him. Dick took her hand and helped her up onto the railing. He smiled, holding her hands. He let her go and walked along the concrete, spinning at the corner and waving his arms dramatically, like he might lose his balance. He laughed.
"Do you dare me to jump?" He looked over the edge, and then looked up at her, grinning.
"If you jump, I'm doing a roundoff," Harley warned.
"I'm only worried if I'm not beside you to catch you. I trust you," he smiled a little, walking back towards her. "If you do anything stupid, or fall, you know I'm diving after you," Dick put his hands in his pockets.
"Well, in that case." Harley stepped toward the edge with a grin. Dick's smile didn't waver, and he watched her with some amusement. She grinned wider, turning around and spreading her arms out. "I wonder if the snow will feel like a pillow," she mused, tilting back. Dick raised his eyebrows.
"I've hit before. You're lucky you won't," he smirked.
"And who's going to stop me?" she taunted.
"I won't stop you. I'll catch you," he grinned.
"Well I'll bloody stop you," Alfred said, opening the balcony door. "The two of you get off of that railing right now."
"Aw Alfred, we're just having a little fun," Dick grinned, jumping down onto the balcony. He took Harley's hands and helped her down, and he smiled at Alfred.
"Dick was out bluffing me, and I don't like it." Harley giggled. "Sorry Alfred."
"Hmm," he sniffed, looking between them. "It's getting late, Miss Harley, Master Dick… you ought to be headed home."
"Yeah, we'll head out. Good night, Alfred," Dick smiled, wrapping his arm over Harley's shoulder.
"Good evening." Alfred nodded, stepping to the side of the door to let them through.
"Night!" Harley waved as they walked past.
Selina tore Bruce's shirt open, sending buttons flying. She left his tie around his neck and pushed him down on the bed slowly, her hands tracing down his chest to undo his belt as she stretched, cat-like, smiling deviously up at him. She pressed herself against him as she slid back up his chest, biting his neck. Her hand pulled at his tie. Bruce ran his hands up her thigh to her hip, catching the fabric of her nightdress.
"Starting the honeymoon early are we?" He tensed at the feel of her lips on his skin.
"Please," she whispered, smiling against his skin as she worked his shirt over his shoulders. "This is every other Friday night for us. When it's our honeymoon, believe me. You'll know." She bit his ear, running her fingers over his muscular arms. Bruce quickly pulled her nightdress over her head, tossing it aside. He caught her lips for a quick kiss.
"I'm looking forward to it." His fingers traced along her sides.
Selina moaned, her back arching her body away from him as she closed her eyes and smiled, her fingernails digging into his shoulders. She leaned down and began kissing the puckered battle scars over his torso. "We really shouldn't be- the night before our wedding," she breathed, smiling as she kissed his abs.
"I thought you didn't want me to leave." His hands stopped at her side, pulling her up so her face was over his. "But if that's what you want." He leaned up and kissed her passionately. She pulled at his hair, bracing her elbows on his shoulders as she kissed him back. Breaking away with a gasp, Selina smiled at him.
"When have we ever done what we should? I thought I corrupted you better than that. Cats do what they please," she purred, sitting up. "They take what they want." Selina yanked his belt off and then grabbed his tie, pulling him into a sitting position and tracing the folded belt along his jawline. Bruce grabbed her legs, wrapping them around his waist. He pushed her down into the mattress by the shoulders, one hand trailing down her back as he held himself above her.
"You're doing an awful lot of bragging."
Selina laughed breathlessly. "I'm entitled to it, when I can make Batman scream to the heavens," she said sweetly, tightening her legs around his waist and pulling him against her, flashing him a smile. She clawed at his shoulder blades, her arms wrapped around his back. Bruce smiled, brushing his lips along her jaw.
"That you can," he agreed. "Not that anyone could hear it over you."
She scowled, leaning her head back away from him. Selina suddenly braced an arm against his chest, throwing him to the side on their bed and following him, landing hard on his hips. She smiled and leaned down, feeling over his chest. She kissed him hungrily and then licked his lips, smiling as she worked her way to his ear again. "Either get in, Dark Knight, or get out," she whispered, her voice like velvet as she kissed his cheek gently, and then moved down his torso to work his pants down his hips, smiling almost angelically. "Your choice." Selina said quietly, kissing along the waistband of his boxer briefs.
"I think we know what my choice is going to be," Bruce growled, his hand tangling in her hair.
"Master Wayne," Alfred pounded on the door, "do not make me come in there to separate you two!"
"Sorry Alfred," Selina called, biting the waistband and pulling at it with her teeth, grinning when Bruce moaned. "You're too late!"
"Miss Kyle, it is the night before your wedding! You should not be the one fighting me on this," Alfred insisted through the door.
"Good night, Alfred," she sang, moving back up Bruce's chest and kissing him, biting his tongue. She moaned a little, smiling at him.
"If I have to come in there, I will," Alfred threatened, "and no one will enjoy that experience. You two are not staying together tonight. Now come out here willingly Master Bruce, or I will open this door."
Selina pouted, pressing her hips against him. "You'll come back?" she whispered, her lips brushing his.
"Before you even miss me," Bruce assured her. Selina smiled, allowing him to get up before laying back in the sheets, watching him.
"Don't be late," she smiled, her thin fingers playing with the pillowcase under her head. Bruce groaned, running his hand through his hair.
"You're going to be the death of me." With one final look at her, he pulled his pants back on and went to the door. As soon as he was out in the hall, Selina heard him cry out. "What was that for?"
"You know bloody well. Now get to the guest room and do not even think about trying to come out."
"Alfred you're being-"
"-Don't argue with me. Move." She heard Bruce sigh.
"Alright, alright." He peeked his head back in the room, his face sour. "I'll try and wait for him to fall asleep-"
"-Master Bruce!"
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow," he told her. Selina shrugged and smiled.
"Tomorrow you'll have me forever," she blew him a kiss, already wrapped in blankets. "Goodnight my love."
"Goodnight." He smiled. "Oh, and if you need something old and blue for the wedding, check in the top drawer." He pointed at the end table. "See you tomorrow, Miss Kyle." He closed the door, and Selina sat up, reaching over and pulling the drawer open. There was a long velvet box, and she took it out, cradling it in her hands. She cracked the lid open and smiled at the bracelet inside. It was comprised of a dozen oval cut blue diamonds alternated with smaller white diamonds held together in a delicate white gold, leaf setting. Selina smiled lovingly at it and then looked up at the door, wanting to thank him, but he was already gone. She turned the lamp off and closed her eyes, finally feeling her anxiety melt away, replaced by excitement and bliss.