Bruce groaned as he rolled onto his back. He was going to be in so much pain tomorrow. He started at the sharp object an inch from his neck. The owner of said object, an angel, stood smirking above him. "Another round?" the beautiful angel asked with a smug look in her green eyes.
"No thank you," Bruce said. He knew when to quit. His body had taken enough beatings for one night.
"Seven to 4," Shayera said. "That makes me the winner." Bruce was fine with that. He was thoroughly exhausted. He would sleep well tonight.
Looking at Bruce relaxed on his back, Shayera decided to join him on the mat. She lay opposite Bruce. Their heads were right next to each other, but their legs pointed east and west. "Your confidence sky-rocketed," Bruce said, still attempting to get his breathing under control.
"Because of you," Shayera replied.
"That was all you," Bruce corrected her. "You made the decision to trust me."
"You make it easy," Shayera whispered. She turned her head to find the most beautiful pair of eyes already watching. Wow, he's gorgeous, Shayera thought, a weird sensation pooled in her stomach. Shayera held her breath; their faces were centimeters apart.
Bruce rolled onto his stomach, supporting his upper body with his elbows. His face hovered over hers. Shayera bit one side of her lip, holding her breath, trying to predict his next move. His blue eyes bored into her green ones. She exhaled as he stroked her face from chin to forehead. She was excited and nervous and felt like goo when Bruce's lips finally pressed against her own. Bruce's lips parted and Shayera nearly jumped when she felt his tongue on her lower lip. She knew what he wanted. She slowly, shyly, parted her lips. Bruce took advantage of the opportunity and began to deepen the kiss as he caressed her lower lip with his own.
Slowly, Shayera began growing bolder. She opened her mouth even wider, allowing Bruce's tongue to slowly invade her mouth. Shayera's hand immediately shot into Bruce's hair when she felt his tongue brush her own. She released a moan as he angled his mouth a tingling sensation began in her toes. Shayera followed his lead as he once again kissed her lower lip, biting it just a little. Shayera's heart pounded in her chest; her breathing loud in her ears. Another moan released from within her, embarrassing her just a bit. Bruce didn't seem to mind. Instead, the intensity of his kiss grew, as his tongue once again gently entered her mouth, brushing against her lips. This time, she took the initiative and brushed her tongue against his. Judging from the hitch in his breath, she had caught him off guard. And no matter how much she longed to continue this…make-out session…she needed to breathe, but she didn't want to stop.
Bruce must have had the same idea, because he began to slow his kisses, lessening the intensity. He kissed the tip of her noise; kissed each eyelid (Shayera hadn't even realized her eyes were closed), and then rested his forehead against hers.
Wow was the only word that came to Shayera's mind – their heavy breathing echoing throughout the empty gym. Shayera could hear her heart pounding in her chest. She had felt that kiss everywhere. She reached her hand up again and slowly buried her fingers in Bruce's hair, not caring at all that it was wet with sweat. She relaxed as she felt Bruce's breath on her cheek.
She wasn't sure what to do with herself after…that. Should she thank him for the kiss? Tell him he did a great job, and she would enjoy doing it again? "I can hear you thinking," Bruce said, a smile in his voice. "Just relax. Breathe," he slowly dragged a finger across her swollen, red lips. This time, his head was in the cradle of her neck, and she could feel each gentle puff of air he released. These emotions, feelings, chemical reactions, or whatever – she wasn't taught any of this. Yes, she was taught the basics of sex, but that was it. It's not like she dated on Thanagar. She was betrothed to her fiancée at age 1. This thing with her and Bruce – completely new territory. She was at a loss. If only she had a female friend to talk to – one who was good at this kind of stuff. "Master Bruce," they both heard as Alfred entered the gym. "Mr. Clark and Miss Diana are here to see you," Alfred raised a brow as he took in their positions on the floor. "Should I send them away, sir? Tell them you're busy." Shayera saw amusement in his eyes and quickly blushed.
"No, Alfred," Bruce said, sitting up. Shayera followed suit. "Don't send them away. We just finished."
"I bet," Alfred muttered. Shayera's face reddened even more. "Sparring, Alfred," Bruce quickly explained to his satirical butler, "we just finished sparring."
"Call it whatever you want, sir. We too called it something else in my day." Bruce gave his butler a wary look. "I gather you'll both be taking quick showers," Alfred stated.
"Yes," Bruce said helping Shayera to her feet, "we will be showering." Alfred raised his brow again. "Separately, Alfred," Bruce clarified, pinching his nose.
"Of course, sir," Alfred said, "that goes without saying."
Bruce rolled his eyes at his butler while Shayera's face turned beet red. "Give me 15 minutes," he said to Alfred as he walked up the steps, his butler behind him.
"Are you sure you'll have enough time to scrub your body afterward, sir?" Alfred asked earnestly. Shayera blushed.
"Thank you, Alfred," Bruce huffed, silently begging his butler to stop. He began jogging up the steps leading to the second floor, but Alfred wasn't finished. "The condoms are – "
"Alfred!" Bruce yelled.
Shayera smiled. "I will see you soon, Miss Shayera," Alfred said calmly.
"Yes," Shayera responded before running to the room she currently occupies. She did not want to be the target of one of Alfred's…repartees.
Shayera, Bruce, Clark, and Diana sat quietly in the study. Awkwardness, tension, and discomfort filled the air. Alfred stuck his head into the study and motioned for Bruce to follow him. Bruce excused himself before leaving the room. A second later, Bruce popped his head into the study and asked Clark to accompany him somewhere. Clark was off the couch and out the door in half a second, leaving the two heroines sitting across from each other in a silent staring contest. After a few minutes of sizing each other up, Shayera was the first one to speak. "Come on, Diana," Shayera said stiffly, "say what you want to say. Get it over with."
"How are you, Shayera?" Diana asked in the same tone.
"Do not play polite with me, princess," Shayera all but sneered. "I am the only one here. I will not tell anyone if you accidentally swear…or burp."
"Fine," Diana leaned forward. "How could you, Shayera? We were your friends. Your family. And you handed us over like we were nothing."
"If it makes you feel any better, it wasn't personal. I was doing my job. I thought as a warrior, you of all people would understand." Diana pressed her lips together. "What would you have done if you were in my position?" Shayera asked. "But I don't think that is what you are really upset about. So, say what it is you actually want to say. I have other things that I could be doing so stop wasting time." Diana's façade changed.
The stiff posture she was displaying disappeared, and her face fell. Her face became more open, more vulnerable. "You hurt me," Diana said. "When I left Themyscira, I was not allowed to return. I left my family and friends behind. I was very lonely. But then the Justice League formed and…you were there. Suddenly, I didn't feel so…alone. There was another female around. Someone I could bond with, become sisters with. We never really saw eye-to-eye, but it was still nice to have a female around to just have a laugh with…I saw us as…sisters. But then you betrayed us." Shayera shifted uncomfortably as Diana continued. "I was so mad. Then you saved us, and I became even more upset. I remember standing in this very room, deciding your fate. Barry immediately voted in favor of you staying. Bruce was, surprisingly, for you staying a- "
"Bruce wanted me to stay?" Shayera asked in shock, confusion, and …shock.
"Yes," Diana said. "You did not know?" Shayera shook her head. "He said he would have done the same if he were in your shoes," Diana said. "I, of course, was against you. I wanted you gone. While we were still deliberating, you already decided to leave. You looked so miserable and pathetic and contrite. My anger towards you only grew. I was so happy when you left. For two years, I never thought of you. I washed my hands of you. Then your sister contacted us. I couldn't believe you were still on Earth," Diana paused. "We argued whether or not we should hand you over. When they threatened to invade Earth, the decision was made. When I saw you again…my anger for you returned like a tsunami. I wanted you out of my life. When they tore your wings – " Diana's voice broke. "I was so happy. You were finally getting the justice I thought you deserved. But I wasn't at peace. I finally admitted what I realized I while ago - you really were stuck between a rock and a hard place. You owed this planet nothing. It was not your world or your home, and you chose us anyway. Your entire planet disowned you – the majority of humans hate you, and you're still here fighting for humanity." Diana looked at Shayera. "I am done being angry and upset over decisions made by you, because, at the end of the day, I would have chosen the way you did, too. I'm just so tired of being angry." A tear rolled down Diana's face.
Shayera sat in silence, listening to Diana pour out her heart. Shayera was shocked. She hadn't expected an apology. Shayera slowly stood from her position on the couch and walked over to her friend. "I really am sorry, Diana," she apologized genuinely. "At the time I…I didn't know what to do. I was so confused at the time."
"I know," Diana said, "I get that now."
"I didn't want to hurt you. I didn't want to hurt anybody. I did not think of how my actions would affect the rest of the team. I only thought of myself."
"It was an awful situation you were in, Shayera." Shayera nodded.
"Diana," Shayera turned to her, "I cannot tell you how sorry I am."
"I know, Shayera," Diana gripped the younger woman's hands. "I am sorry for how I have treated you these past months. It was unfair. I should – "Diana stopped when she felt arms around her. Shayera was hugging her. Diana reciprocated the hug.
"I missed you, too, Diana," Shayera said.
"I missed you too, sister," Diana said. The two females eventually separated, both with tears in their eyes. "Now tell me about this new relationship with Bruce," Diana chuckled. "Have you consummated your love for each other?"
Shayera felt her face redden as her eyes widened with newfound horror.