"I can't believe you found the Mystery Machine!"
Peering into her bag, Velma was tickled pink in delight that they had managed to find out of all the things model cars... A small replica of her own beloved Van was among them. It was not the most complex type of model kit to assemble compared to the Green Cadillac she also bought. The simple van kit probably appealing more towards crafty kids than adults. But she knew that Fred would instantly fall in love with it, and relish every minute of putting the small vehicle together. No matter its difficulty. Probably going to become a beloved dusty fixture on his desk, or shelving. Somewhere where he could see it all the time.
And the pure fact that the small model actually came with a Fred figurine was amazing! The one downside with such an iconic mascot like Scooby, was that often he would hog all the merchandise and it was harder to find things that had the rest of the gang in it. Unless it was all of them together. As frustrating as that was for Velma. But she wasn't jealous at all... Not of her own dog, who was plastered all over things.
No, never.
So, the fact that this copy of the Mystery Machine had a small Fred with it, along with Scooby and Daphne. Was an amazing rarity!
Velma would be more huffy that it didn't include her as well, but the front seat was busy enough in the picture on the box with the three of them. That she figured adding her in would have probably been too much for the small model to fit. So, she could relent against not being with the others. Not that with Fred's skill, he couldn't just make her a little figure to add into the back of the van behind the others, as well as one for Shaggy to complete the set.
They were mostly a packaged deal anyway.
But it was super cute though! It even came with some of their old, classic villains as a sticker pack that was included. According to the box's blurb on the outside at least. She would have to wait till Fred opened the box and started working on it, in order for her to steal a peek at the sticker sheet to see which of the monsters, ghouls or ghosts they choose. Hopefully they were some that lived in one of Patrick's Museums chains that were around. Maybe to help get kids interested in visiting and seeing the real things!
"I am glad I found it. I was looking at the top of the van's colors that caught my eye. But it was buried under the rest of those boxes. I wasn't sure at first if that was what I was seeing or not until I grabbed it. Could have been a generic 60's VW van for all I knew. Pulling it out though, proved that I was right and it was the Mystery Machine. I got lucky and stumbled over it. Almost like it was waiting for us to find it for Fred."
"So amazing! I will have to ask the Gang about when it might have been released, though Daphne would probably know or be able to check her records of when there was a Mystery Machine run. Though I don't think I ever saw Fred owning one before, and I would think that if there was one made and Daphne knew about it, she would have gotten him one."
They were walking on their way back to the subway, since they finally had found all the bribes that would fit in Velma's bag. She still had a bit of room, but didn't want to overdo it anyway. Might make them more suspicious if she got the gang all the gifts. So, just had to be enough that made sense for a tourist trip to be bringing home souvenirs. Some nick knacks and treats that shouldn't drum up suspicion...
Hopefully.
But the pair wasn't in a rush to get places. Lazily ambling back towards their next destination, since Bruce still had mentioned that there was one more place, the park he wanted to take her. But they didn't need to get there for any specific time limit, and aimed for another subway compared to the one they had come out of.
They had traveled a ways with the shops they had been buying from. Making more sense to find another subway, then to walk all the way back from where they had used. And also avoiding that scarf shop, was a good idea. Not wanting to attract any unwanted attention.
Just in case.
"Well, sometimes they don't always send demo's and other examples of the products. Or Daphne's gotten so many, that it's hard to track what you all have."
Bruce reasoned, reminding Velma about all the products and things that passed through Wayne Enterprises for all sorts of reasons. From what they were personally working on, to eager inventors trying to catch his attention by sending him something they were working on. She knew that Lucius and Alfred probably filtered a lot before things managed to reach his desk. But he probably knew about them anyway, at least the idea they existed.
And Velma couldn't talk, as she was just one of those kind of pushy inventors that had approached Wayne Enterprises with her own samples and examples of her patents that she felt like they would improve the world though his products. And well, had she not been that ambitious at the behest of Daphne... They wouldn't be on their second Date like this.
So, not always a bad thing for those types of situations.
"True. And it's also possible she sends it to her parent's place, rather then cluttering up the house with us. We have enough junk as is."
Velma sighed, thinking about the attic and how some of the closets in their house were traps in their own right. Just waiting for the wrong person to decide to look inside and get caught up in the avalanche of things. Though mostly not well packed holiday decorations tended to be precariously placed by any of them in a rush to put them away. Or just pure laziness. Which she couldn't say might not be her fault, sometimes.
"That makes sense. I guess as long as Mr. and Mrs. Blake don't mind. Though knowing them, probably not."
"Yeah. She's also an only child, so they spoil her rotten. I highly doubt they would mind... or even notice in their massive place."
Velma snorted, though while Daphne did have no other siblings. Velma was certainly adopted into the household along with the guys. While Daphne didn't have any biological siblings (Lucky her), the gang were treated like family at least. But that still made the Blake mansion they lived out of, have plenty of rooms to spare by a long run. Even if each of the gang claimed a spare bedroom for themselves or three...
Thinking about it, Velma's eyes went wide thinking about just how massive Bruce's mansion must be in comparison...
"Hm?" Bruce made a noise as he noticed her face, and the wide gaze looking his way.
"Just a moment of realizing that I am going out with a man with his own mansion..." Velma admitted honestly, huffing a deep sigh. Have forgotten overall about how stinking rich Bruce Wayne was. She knew knew... but with everything that had happened that day, and even with him offering to buy things for her. Just hit her, the reality of it.
"Ah, yep. Eventually you can come over and play in my man cave. The manor isn't bad either."
Bruce said nonchalantly. She could see on his face that he was amused that she just realized that. Chuckling at her. Probably was weird for him, thinking about it. To have someone who wasn't hanging on him for all he was worth. She had seen enough women at his sides who seemed only interested in all the presents that he could give them. And here he stubbornly seemed to be attracted to her for reasons... A woman who could care less about getting pampered by him with gifts and him paying for things, and was thinking about his large estate as an after thought... Well, compared to all the cool technology he had under the place.
Clear indication of her priorities.
"...hn?"
Velma was about to open her mouth and make some comment about his 'man cave' when the wind decided to bring a smell to her nose. Cutting off her thought and making a small sound of interest. Giving into the temptation, Velma breathed in the smell that was coming her way from some of the corner side street vendors. Common to populate the corners of many a bustling city streets, they enticed passerby's to indulge in their wares by scent warfare... and it was working on Velma.
"Oh?" Probably noticing her sniffing the air, Bruce took in a whiff as well.
"Oh, that does smell good. Want to stop and grab something then?"
"Well, I mean I'm not starving since we went to the buffet earlier, and the pretzel. But it has been enough time. Would a light dinner work? Are you hungry?"
Knowing that he had been so reserved earlier about asking to eat, she wanted to make sure if he was hungry, then they would get something to eat. It didn't matter if she wasn't ready or not. Shaggy and Scooby raised her right. You feed yourself when you are hungry, it's fuel for later, and needed for your body. Admittedly she didn't eat as often as that pair did, but she understood and agreed with the general concept. And especially with juggling as much as Bruce did, he shouldn't deprive himself from food it he could help it.
"Have you never eaten from one of these?" She wasn't sure, since he had been new to the Buffet, if he had been able to eat at such a common place, street vendor type food as well. Having to keep up appearances and all.
"Nah, we go to some of these all the time. Benefit of saving enough of the vendors from goons, that some of them actually work late on some of the patrol routes for me and my..." Pausing, Velma watched him ponder for a moment, unsure what he was struggling with until he grinned and continued. "Me and my Baby birds frequent."
Which made her smile, realizing what he was saying. Proud dad, but also happened to be Batman with his Robins. Though well, one was Nightwing now. But was once a Robin, so as a parent, they would always be his baby birds. Which was cute mental thought. Appreciating that he cared for his sons. Though trying to ignore the fact that she was dating a single dad. A stress for another day, she was enjoying herself and didn't want to ruin the moment thinking about it.
"Well, since I am a guest in your fine city, I am open for a bite to eat. What do you recommend we get?"
"Is there anything that you don't like? Allergies?" Using his tall height, it seemed like he was surveying the options they had in range. Placing a hand at his forehead to peer around.
"No Allergies that I know of. But otherwise, hm... Well, I would want something not too heavy. Since we still have places to go. So, I don't want to weighed down for walking."
"That makes sense." He muttered, with Velma watching the wheels turn in his head as he considered local options.
"Same with something too spicy. I'm not against the stuff, even though I've seen more then once what happens when you have too much. The boys and their pepper eating contests..."
Velma lamented with a shake of her head remembering. Grin across her head as she recalled their antics. Though a time or two, the ladies had been roped in to compete for the battle, but it wasn't an experience she wanted to expose herself and her stomach too often. Spicy in moderation, was best.
"Got it. Not to heavy, not to spicy. But everything otherwise, is ok?"
"Yeah, that sounds about right. I'll leave it up to the local for your suggestions and recommendations."
"I think I know just the idea and place. Could be really nice right now. We could technically walk with it, but don't need too. Let's then find a spot to sit and I'll go grab some."
Like earlier, the street occasionally would break up with places for seating. Either needing resting from all the shopping, or like they were doing. Stopping to get something to eat, before moving on. And also like before, Bruce was a gentleman and made sure to help seat her, before he took off to get their dinner.
Velma was a tiny bit hesitant about leaving it all the way up to him. He had been behaving. She might have been more concerned, had he been teasing her more. But there was the small trauma of sometimes leaving food up to the guys, that made her wary instinctively. Thankfully they usually indicated their 'food experiments' with warning tags now. But a younger her and the rest of the gang, hadn't been so lucky.
She did however, enjoy the pre-snack of being able to watch him turn his back to her as he was leaving to get them food.
Not only was his silhouette something that took her breath away. A striking figure indeed. Not against how nice his wide shoulders looked from behind... But also his behind was something she didn't ignore, couldn't even if she tried. Not in skinny jeans thankfully, (which might have killed her on the spot) but Batman made sure to not be uneven with his workouts. Well defined backside which certainly helped with crime fighting, for sure. Trying to not have her face explode in her lingering thoughts towards her boyfriend.
HER Boyfriend... A word and concept she was still getting used to being something that was hers. Her cheeks probably almost the same shade as her beloved skirt. Now that she was able to appreciate it for the moment. Before her doubt could chime up, distracting it and the rest of her thoughts with enough eye candy to last her a while. Laying her head into her hands, propped up on her elbows on the table. Slipping into a small haze, and goofy grin at her luck.
'Better not let him catch you staring... Don't know what he might think...' Niggled her doubt, acting up even though she had tried to distract that side of her.
'No, I know exactly what he would think. And then he would flaunt it.' Another part of her perked up, pointing out that his behavior so far would suggest that as a result.
'And this would be a bad thing, how?' Another part added, enjoying the show and daydreams saved for later. Recording as much as her memory would allow.
'No no, we all know we probably would be too embarrassed as he would show off, plus we are in public. Shouldn't be making googly eyes at him.'
"Hard to ignore those buns-" She couldn't stop herself from wistfully saying. Distracted and not realizing she had spoken allowed until it was too late.
"What about some buns? You mean these?"
She could just hear the grin, from the cheeky, light footed ninja that was the man behind her. Slipping past her defenses though admittedly she had been distracted. Not that her being aware might stop him. Presenting the hotdogs he seemed to have bought them for a meal. He was carrying two platters that had the food on them.
"Yes, I was talking about the hotdogs in your hands..." Velma lied through her teeth to avoid and distract herself from clamming up being caught red handed. Or, well red faced. Choosing snarky over embarrassed, as she did. And he had presented her a way out, even though she knew that he had heard exactly what she said.
Thought it then dawned on her...
'Of course he heard me...' Mentally lamenting, recalling they were still connected at the ear with the earbuds. Easy for him to have been able to hear her muttering unless he was not paying attention to what she had been saying. Distracted in her own wistfulness, not realizing just how much she had uttered aloud and what was in her head. She instead shifted her attention to the food. Though a quick flicker of a glance his way, he was still grinning as he moved to sit across from her.
'That man...' She inwardly sighed, 'He can't hold it against me though, he looked first. I was just evening the score.'
At least in the butt department. He ogled her backside first... Twice! Giving her ample reason to retaliate.
Which made her blush even more thinking about it. She had men in the past have looks like that towards her (That she noticed), but none of those men she had been equally interested in. Her job had her run into all types, but not many crossed her limited radar range. (Velma tried her best to forget that she and Johnny had mutually fell for each other once.) Mainly because she also didn't see herself as being worth most of those men's times. Or her own lame comebacks made it impossible to think the man might be interested in her, or it could work. Or both. No matter how much Daphne nagged her about not trying Beau out.
Maybe it was because the man in front of her appealed to her through correspondence, before doing anything. Smitten through the use of the written word, finding a way past her normal defenses before she even realized it. And him apologizing had helped. Such a charmer, when he hadn't been a jerk to her. Taking things at her pace. Then the smoke screen dropped, and it just got worse, since he didn't stop showing affection to her even when she had found out the truth. And whoo boy, what a secret! And just been an emotional roller coaster since then. Unable to believe that she had less then an hour ago been balling her eyes out, to flirting with him by wrapping her arm around him and not letting go, and now ogling him. Ignoring everything from earlier today as well.
Though she wasn't against it. Strange but not fully unwelcome.
The back and forth, as much as she chided herself for being snarky and sarcastic out of her own habit, it didn't seem like he minded at all. Sometimes using that to his own advantage, to help make things feel more normal for her to react the way she couldn't help but to do. And rather then be put off or offended, he just rolled with it with his own comebacks. Maybe that was the Batman wit and villain banter coming out, but it worked. At least for her. Stunned that such a man like him could be attracted to her.
"I hope you don't mind that I got you some fries, and the hot dog..."
Looking up from her mental reflections, she finally took in the meal that he presented her. Seeing that he was looking at her like an expectant puppy, to see if he had done good with his choice. Knowing that look all too well with Scooby. Easy to picture him with a set of ears and a tail. Begging for her approval, and seemed he hadn't touched his own hotdog yet, letting her mentally wander before he spoke up. Let alone touch his own.
"Oh, I don't mind a hotdog and fries, thank you."
Finally addressing her dinner, Velma looked over the offering of food.
"I got you a classic Texas Hot. It has a tiny bit of kick to it, with the chili. But it's more sweet then spicy due to the spices they put on it. I figured that would work for you, given what you said earlier. But you could always take off the sauce if it's too much for you. And I wasn't sure if you liked mustard. Giving you just the optional onions as a topping."
"I don't mind mustard in some dishes." Replied Velma simply, considering the dish. Hotdogs could be simple or so complex. Able to make it as much or as little as you wanted according to your preferences.
Taking in the hotdog in her hand, she looked it over. Certainly smelled good enough. Though she wasn't exactly sure what made the hotdog classified as 'Texas' but she would take his word for it. She had asked him to get something for her, after all. Had to put her trust where her mouth was.
Gripping the dog, she wielded it in two hands. Trying to figure out which side to start from. But she got momentarily distracted that Bruce's hotdog looked different. It was practically exploding out of his hands, as the toppings and what looked to be potato slices were jam packed into the oddly shaped bun. Certainly not the same hotdog as she had. Unsure if she would like that one as well. She wasn't picky with her hotdogs, and wasn't sure the regional differences and what made them different from one another. Other then she knew that New Yorker's defended their hotdogs and pizza with a passion.
"Is that one a favorite?" Velma asked, nodding her head towards his handful while she had one of her own. Testing one side for how hot it was, before she just bit into it and burned her mouth.
"This? Well, I haven't been able to try this one before. It is a little bit too hard to carry and eat on the go. Too many ingredients to be able to handle on the 'job'. And can't really be seen eating it without a fork, during my day to day as Mr. Popular."
Making Velma snort. "A fork?"
"Yeah, I know. I'm a monster." He said shaking his own head at the length he had to go to keep up his outrageous cover story. "But it helps. I also do that with burgers. So, now you know why I was enjoying it so much for our first date."
"Ah, deal breaker... Got to dump you then. Hamburger with a fork is sacrilege! I don't think Scooby would stand for that."
Velma laughed, obviously joking around with his statement. Also making sure he knew she was joking. Smiling and shaking her head as she dug into the hot dog in her hands. Though clearly stating that the opinion of her dopey Dane was more than his eating etiquette in public.
"Shame, it really is a deal breaker. I understand. I would dump me for that as well. Hard to be seen around me doing that. I'll bring shame to Shaggy and Scooby's culinary talents." Bruce nodded solemnly, abet grinning. Seeming to go along with her narrative.
"They are really accepting about most things... But that is certainly crossing a line." Velma was glad he was joking around. And glad he knew she wasn't being serious. Though, Shaggy and Scooby might actually think that before they really know. Or they might just have to 'untrain' him over everything else. Higher priorities.
"Oh, wow..." She mentioned around the bite she took. "Better then I was expecting from a fried dog. And the chili is also sweeter then I was expected when you said it would have a kick."
"I sometimes eat that one. But it makes for a slightly messier meal. So, we tend to get The Easton Style dogs most of the time. It doesn't have as much toppings to worry about when..." He paused for a second, considering his wording before continuing. "...Traveling."
"Ah, that makes sense. Also why you get to enjoy a treat you don't normally get to indulge in. All the toppings and less of the worry about your food getting air miles. I know that all too well..."
Velma watched Bruce tilt his head a bit, earning a look on slight puzzlement with her statement. She figured it was about her comment about her food being airborne. Which it seemed that she hadn't told that story around him yet.
"Well, not so much with hot dogs, per say. But it's common for Shaggy and Scooby in the kitchen to have various experiments and some of them have been known to becoming projectiles. And the rest of us, have been on the wrong end of the landing if we were not careful. Something to note for the future... Always beware of the kitchen door. Open at your own risk."
"Ah, noted." Bruce paused, before getting a thoughtful look on his face. Squinting his eyes as he looked her over.
"Was that why you were able to dodge my Ice cream cone? The guys toss enough food at you, that it's instinct to avoid such things?"
"Yep. We are exposed a lot to various food type oddities. On top of dodging villains for a living, food happens from time to time as well."
"Amazing. All the talent!" Bruce gushed, making Velma shake her head.
"I would say that it's not that amazing. But it also helped me dodge an 'attack' from 'THE' Dark Knight, himself. So, I guess it comes in handy at the strangest times." Velma chuckled. Still surprised that she had managed to get the drop on him, and avoid his revenge back at her for her boop.
"I look forward to my first food fight with the Gang." Bruce beamed, taking a big bite of his hotdog. Making Velma close her eyes and sigh lightly at him.
Only Bruce would be looking forward to such absurdities (Ignoring that she enjoyed it most of the time, when it happened.) Thinking about it, Shaggy and Scooby had gotten into a food fight in Arkham in the past. Able to defend themselves against some of the worst of the worst. Considering that, maybe it wasn't so strange to think about for Batman to want to learn from the foodie masters. After all, the pair managed to 'fight' against a pack of Bruce's villains and survive to tell the tale.
Oddly, he might be able to pick up a few pointers.