"Today is a good day!" Bruce had spoken aloud to tell the world in his cheery sentiments. But the sentence was lost on the woman linked to him by his elbow, who was having a small internal existential crisis.

'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaHHHH! How could I do that to him!?'

Velma was on the outside, seeming calm abet slightly distracted as she worked on her ice-cream cones. Moving with him as they walked towards the subway they needed to catch. But in reality, she was only able to walk straight since she was connected to Bruce by their linked arms. Otherwise, she was lost in her own thoughts about what happened just moments ago.

'Oh my god, how could I do that to Bruce... Do that to B-batman. I just nose booped 'The' Batman! I can't believe that I just mushed my ice-cream into his face...'

'But. Also... was able to do that to him? How the heck did I get the drop on Batman?'

'-Did he, let me do that to him?'

Trying to organize her thoughts, she was slightly freaking out she let herself get that relaxed around him to do something she would have normally done to the gang. Had they been in the same situation. She had been in plenty food fights with the gang, and nose booping any of them would have been normal. Yet here, was the last person she figured she would be comfortable to nose boop. At least this early in their relationship. It had only been a few days.

And the biggest shock to her. She got away with it as well! Even in public no less!

With him being Batman-
And Bruce Wayne...
...And her Boyfriend right now.

'Is this legal? I mean...' Velma struggled with her own thoughts. 'Have I really fallen for him that hard, that I let myself do that to him? I-I'm allowed to do something like this, right?'

The gang had her whole lifetime to get comfortable with. Most of them being around her since as long as she could remember. And yet here, she had let down her guard around Bruce like that. Surprising herself that here he was, in a silly outfit... and convinced her to do the same. And in the short time of them out on the town, had managed to get her to crush on him harder than before. Catching herself smitten with the way his nose crinkled when she got her shot in on him. And the surprise on his face that immediately switched to a smile at her own laughter. And then he made a move at her to get her back playfully. It wasn't mean spirited. It wasn't because he was mad at her. She would have felt that off of him. He... liked it?

'He said he liked you, Dinkley. Get that through your think skull... Of course he would have fun being with you.' She chided herself. Mentally trying to remind herself why she was there in the first place. This was a D-A-T-E... Something you go on, with the person you like. Though not really like any romantic date she had seen in those kinds of TV shows. Let alone any of the dates she had been on in the past. Her dating experience was limited.

'But how could he like just me... I'm so plain.' Her doubt tried to counter back. Trying to sneak in and get its jabs in. '-And he is Batman. Or The Bruce Wayne. Playboy Billionaire!'

'But he's not either of those right now...' Another part of her mind pointed out, to counter the inner doubt. 'He's BJ right now. Sure, he is also the other two, but both of them are on the shelf right now so we can enjoy ourselves... and we are... Legit enjoying ourselves.'

It had only been a few hours, and it had a few small hiccups for far. But in general, this had been a really nice date for the two of them. Sure, they had to hide their identity, but that wasn't enough of a problem to let them not have fun with it. It was almost a relief in a way.

Admittedly he seemed very tickled to have been deemed suspicious at the Target for getting her clothes. As she should have seen it coming. (No shortage of shady characters in the city of Gotham.) But even though they were not her normal wear, it was far more comfortable then what she will probably will have to put herself through later. Dating him and attending Gala's, Dinners and the like. But she's done the same for various publicity things for Mystery Solving. Being invited to public events and other functions which needed them to dress up. So, not like she didn't do it from time to time.

And the bookstore was a surprise. Not only with the fuss that he brought up wanting to go visit there for a lying reason only to be revealed to be something she liked. But as well as randomly coming across someone she actually knew. And she figured his surprise was genuine at her knowing Oscar. And well... She did honestly believe that he would let the gang get their piece of him, if he did anything wrong to her. From what she had heard over the comms. He was still apologizing and being sincere about it, in their earlier letters together even before she found out the truth. Having a crush on him that she couldn't deny for a while, once Daphne pointed it out. And well. Knowing the truth, made it harder to judge his character on his playboy façade alone. But the years of him lying, did make it difficult for her to get past old habits. Something she was struggling with. Even though he really wasn't acting that way, but the habit of him doing that... was still there.

But with the exception of freaking out a bit when he snuck up on her... It was really fascinating to see the normally noble seeming Bruce, run off like a small excited child to eat at the Buffet. (Totally ruining the gruff character he was looking like at current.) Being able to experience that joy, and eat what he wanted to eat. And as much as he wanted. Which for her, was something she was used to living with Shaggy and Scooby. Eating what they wanted to eat and however much. But with him and having to appeal to the masses in every waking moment in public. Really put it into perspective of why he was enjoying hiding like this.

But she did feel bad that he had to ask permission to eat his fill. Something she would hope that chilling out with Shaggy and the rest of them, could break him out of. Hoping that they could be a 'bad' influence on him that he could relax even in the limelight. It was good to feel full and content. Though for a second, she did worry that the pair would put him through the gauntlet when he ate around them for the first time. But he was Batman... He should be good at defending himself, right? And while she figured Alfred fed him properly, as a good Butler would. The fact that he has to be so reserved when being Bruce, made her slightly sad. So, it was nice that they were able to enjoy the meal together.

'I really need to quit freaking out when he touches me...'

'He did sneak up out of no where... sneaky Batman ninja moves.'

'Mmmmm... Batman is a hunk though. Trying not to look down past those chains at his bare chest. Jinkies! Oh boy Dinkley. I keep messing up and not able to enjoy those arms.'

'Yeah, but he was only doing it out of habit.' Her niggling doubt poked in.

'Habit or not... I'm the one attached to his arm right now. Quite literally. And he did all this work to set all of this up for us to have this time together. I really need to quite overthinking this and just enjoy the fact that I am on an actual date... With the most appealing bachelor in all of Gotham, if not the world. And he choose to be with me, today. Of all the people.'

Entrusting her with not only his secret... as being literally let into communication link with the earbud resting in her ear. Letting her hear everything he has said that day.

But also, his heart. Letting himself be honest to her. She never thought she would see him laugh as hard as he was to the point of almost crying, when they got pulled over trying to leave the store looking suspicious. Or how eager he was to enjoy the buffet, not really showing much restrain on the exception he wanted to eat more with her permission. Which she felt bad for that he even had to ask. Annoyed at the type of woman that he had been with before that he had to be so reserved with. And he was quite proud of himself offering this crazy date idea in the first place. Staying awake all night to put things into motion. Letting the pair of them play hooky and skip work to hang out with one another. And the kind of smile that made her heart skip a beat, being pointed in her direction.

A few months ago, she wouldn't ever think she would be the kind of person on his arm. Or getting to be this close besides, all the agonizingly annoying times of him being a jerk when they worked together in the lab.

But that also gave her a sense of pride, oddly enough thinking about it.

'He had to pour it on thick around me... Just so I wouldn't find out. That he respected me and my skills enough that it made him change his whole attitude towards me in worry that if he hadn't. I would find out. Which oddly had been proven true, as I did find out.'

'God... I am still taking that in. I discovered the Batman.' She mentally reeled, recalling that fact again. As well as an even more unbelievable thought, '-And he likes me. I'm on a Date with Batman. Bruce. BJ. All of the above. And I can't say I am not attracted to him. All of him.'

'I would be stupid to not to!'

One thing even her doubt had to agree with. As much as she had times of thinking little of herself. All of her was smitten by the man at her side. All the aspects that made him who he was. And only being privy to get to see all of this little pieces of him he kept away from prying eyes. Entrusting these truths to her.

'There were times where I made fun of all the ladies, at his side only to know they weren't the one. Figuring and being right when one lady would be replaced by the next. And would be tossed aside as he moved on to the new conquest. Only in my wildest dreams did I think I could ever get a chance to be like this. Let alone, possibly the person he was searching for all along. To be someone who could handle the truth about things. I mean, I do live my life searching for the truth. And boy howdy, got my hands full with this one.'

Taking a quick glance at her actual hands that were full, it was true that way as well. Literally with both hands occupied in desserts that she had to have one arm wrapped around his own to keep walking together. Giving one a lick as she tried to wrap up her thoughts. Since she hadn't realized how much time she had lost being distracted by her own mind.

'What did I get myself into?' She thought wistfully, shifting her head to look up at him. Finding him turning his head to face her. A soft smile pulling the silly scar off to one side. Every aspect of his silly disguise being looked at in a new light. Being endearing effort that he put on, just to spend time with her.

"Penny for your thoughts?" She figured he was watching her. Ever the detective, probably like her and not being able to shut it off. But he gave her the time to work things out, just gently leading her through the city by her arm. Being the gentleman he was, and letting her be lost in her own mind.

"Well, their are many. And while you can afford it..."

"Anything I can do to help?"

"You already are. But no, thank you."

"Ok, take your time. And let me know if you need anything." He said simply, giving his ice-cream cone a lick. It seemed like he was almost done with one, and there other didn't have much left. But it seemed that he was giving her the time she needed to process things. Not wanting to press but still being supportive.

"Will do... Are we almost there? I have to admit, I checked out for a little bit and don't know how far away we might be."

"Earth to Velma, then?" He joked lightly, giving her a bit of her own medicine. But she could only laugh.

"Heh, yeah. You certainly give me a lot to think about." She said with a shake of her head. Her mind was prodigious, but even he was giving it a run for her money.

"Hopefully, only the best things."

"Nope."

"Oh, you wound me, Madam." Bruce gasped dramatically, pouring it on thick. Making her eyes roll at his theatrics, but she couldn't help but smile.

"Well, there is a certain, jerk Playboy that has been on my mind."

"Oh, THAT guy. Yeah. How dare he treat a dame such a yous like that." He added the silly accent from before at her, making her lightly hip bump him at the snark. Still smiling and shaking her head at him. Though had he not been connected to her, he might have stumbled at her hip check. More used to hitting the gang with it, so it caught him off guard with the impact. Might have toppled a lesser man, but he just playfully tapped her back.

"Oh ho... I would hit you back a second time. But don't want you to walk into another lady, again. We already called a truce once before. So, just a postpone of such things for now. At least while we are walking in a crowd." She really wanted to keep this up, but someone had to be sensible out of the two of them.

"Ha Ha! True, don't want to pull in casualties in our battles. So, I'll behave for now..." Slipping his arm out from hers, he wrapped it around her waist and pulled her close. Making her heart flutter as she was pressed against him. Finally in a right frame of mind to be able to enjoy the sensations as well as the strong arm tucked around her.

But while she was distracted, he made a move. She almost missed it but was just there enough to realize that he had planted a kiss to the top of her head. With their heights being large enough that he was able to do that with relative ease, causing a small short circuit in the Dinkley brain.

"Br...murph... Beej~!" She caught herself, almost biting down on her tongue to make sure she didn't reveal his name while they were hiding. Not as bad as her spoiling the other name in public, but still.

'He kissed me!' Her mind spazzed, making her jump to counter. Unable to help herself yet with a comment.

"What if you got ice-cream in my hair!" She tapped him lightly with a backhand, aiming more with the wrist bend then the flat plain of her hand. Being super careful though, not wanting to get her own dessert on his nice shirt. Since she was complaining about him doing it to her. Which just made him chuckle and lean over to check.

"Looks good from all the way up here."

"Har har mister tall. Maybe you should come down here some time."

"Oh?"

And he leaned down, she was ready for him. Switching the two cones into one hand, she had reached into her bag and gotten something out of it. She had prepped these earlier, since they had been getting ice-cream cones. With his head closer, she made her move. With the wet napkin, she mushed it against her earlier calculated strike. Since Bruce had still some of her franken-cone flavor hanging out on his nose from her boop. He hadn't gotten it all, had he cared to get rid of it in the first place.

"Aw..."

"Yes, be disappointed. But you had ice cream on your nose still."

"And who put it there..."

"Yes yes, it was my fault."

"Then let me get my fault. You missed some too."

She flinched that he would move close to her. Afraid he was going to do what she thought he was going to do. Bracing herself and closed her eyes tightly unable to look at if he was bringing his face close to hers. But he had tugged the napkin out of her hand, and dabbed at her cheek. Earning a peek from one eye to see a moment of him frowning before he finished cleaning up her face. Her heart was racing, but more in a panic then anything else. Unsure why she was feeling like that.

"Got it." He said once he was done getting it all. "But why was this wet?"

"Oh, I bought us water bottles and bought napkins to help clean up our hands. While you were distracted, I bought them just in case."

"Oh, practical as always." He complimented her, happily. Tucking the napkin in two fingers while he could grab the other cone back into that hand. He then lead them off to the side, and started to crunch down on one of the cones. She followed, since they were not linked anymore. Plodding to where they were out of the foot traffic to finish up. She noticed that the subway stairs were just a short bit left, so they should work on trying to eat what was left before they traveled down. Less being with sticky hands.

'Why did I flinch when I thought he would kiss me?' Chewing on her lip for a second, before she distracted herself. Saving that for later to think about. Not wanting to sour the mood.

She undid the paper shell on the cone, and tossed it in a nearby trash can, before tilting back her head and lightly nipped the tip of the waffle cone. Putting her lips to the hole, she then sucked out what was left inside through the convenient funnel. Very unladylike, but better compared to the brute force work that Bruce had done. Making some of it crack and get all over his hands.

Velma made quick work of her one cone, with a small slurps at the end of it. Which she blushed slightly at the sounds, even though it was totally the cone making it. But soon she had gotten it all and was able to eat it from bottom to top, without getting much on her hands. A more delicate way to go about finishing it off.

But it seemed that Bruce had been watching, as he then ripped off the paper wrapping and soon went about eating what was left of the second one in that manner. Getting less on himself in the process. But still Velma pulled out some napkins and the water bottle to hand over to him. To help get what mess he had made.

"Wow, that worked surprisingly well."

"Great, Fred would get a kick out of my teaching such manners to..." She caught herself. Making a hand gesture at the all of him that he was in that disguise. "Well, you."

"Oh, so you learned that from Fred?"

"Well, him and Shaggy. But the both of them, yes."

"What about Daphne?"

"What do you mean, what about Daphne? Did she teach me that, no. Does she use it, yes. Would she do it in public... Maybe. I think it matters the context, and if the rest of us were doing it."

Thinking about it, while Daphne was very prim and proper. The rest of the gang had been bad influences on her for all the right reasons. And she sometimes let the rich and famous socialite mask slip when they were all hanging out as a group in public. Though it was already well known how she truly was at home, so it was hard to put on airs in her home town that she had grown up in. With all the chaos the gang had wrought over the years. Usually in Coolsville, they got a more uncensored Daphne. Compared to what she might act like on a mystery, or with cameras on her.

"Mmm, I like you being a bad influence."

Which just earned a sigh from her, snorting it out of her nose in his general direction. Even though she had thought in a similar vein earlier. She wasn't against being the reason he was developing worst habits if it helped him be more honest. It wouldn't help her standing to some degree, but it helped that she didn't think highly of herself in the first place. She can't get any lower.

"You about ready?" Bruce asked, washing up his hands from a small handful of water. Poured out from bottle she had handed him.

"Yeah, Almost." She did the same with her second cone, draining it and then crunching into pieces and eating it till there was nothing left. She dropped her head back down to find him holding out the bottle for her.

"Oh Thanks-"

"Wait!"

He pulled the bottle back from his offer, and then undid the top and took a swig. Making sure to put his lips on it, earning a wide eyed look as he used the back of his hand to catch some drips before handing it back to her with a suggestive dyed eyebrow wiggle. Earning a single eyelid flicker at the gesture, and pressed her lips together with another small snort.

"Really? You're a butt." Velma grumbled as she roughly pulled up her hood over her hair. And grabbing the bottle from his hands and taking an accepted swig herself. She almost missed the lean that Bruce did to look behind her, and coming back into her view with a Cheshire grin plastered across his face. Her eyes going wide as her mind processed what he might have just done.

"Nice."

"Did you just~!"

"The subway is this way!" He moved quickly to try to distract her.

"I can't believe you..."

"What? It's such a nice..." His eyes wandered back downwards to add to his statement. Making a clear indication at what he had really been looking at. And approved of.

"-day out." She could hear the smile in his voice, and she knew he meant something different with that comment. Tempted to throw the water bottle at his big head. Shaking it a few times, thinking about it before putting it back in the bag. But that would be littering. Having to trot to catch up with him before he got away.

'That man...'