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Bruce leans against the wall and over the newspaper, blocking neon raindrops from smudging more than the edges of the print. The Joker and the Riddler stare up at him from the front page, arm in arm, under a banner proclaiming their engagement. He’s familiar with the article, but the paper makes a useful prop while he waits.
It was Edward who suggested he bring it, when Bruce suggested they meet as civilians – ‘so I’ll recognise you’. Very funny. Must be the Joker’s influence.
He could almost believe a connection between the two in this image, turned slightly towards each other, expressions surprisingly candid for what must be a posed shot. For all his success in information gathering in the run up to this announcement, determining the truth of their relationship has proved difficult. A desperate stunt to catch his attention is bad, the alternative is worse. Still, there’s only so much you can read from a photograph, only one moment of time, captured forever.
He glances over the street corner. People stream past in the evening rain, deep enough to fade into. When he catches a flash of green in the crowd he folds the paper and pushes away from the wall, pulling back his hood to reveal his face as Edward appears in front of him. Edward’s wearing his civilian clothes, muted shades of green which always give Bruce the impression he’s in disguise as himself. Never able to resist the possibility of recognition.
Edward smiles at him, bouncing a little on his feet. “Ah, there you are. And early for once. Eager to meet me? Well, I can’t say I think much of your meeting point, and I hope you’re not married to your choice of a secondary location. I’ve arranged –”
“That’s not necessary. What I have to say to you won’t take long.”
The flash of irritation that crosses Edward’s face is gone in a second. He’s been trying for a long time to get Batman’s attention, and now he has it. And it’s his alone, Bruce has reached out to him, not the Joker. Bruce has had the periphery under surveillance, and it’s notable that Edward arrived alone, and quietly.
Edward sighs, and gestures around them. “Of course. Why would you want to be anywhere even slightly less grim and uncomfortable? You’ve found your perfect backdrop.” He’s forced to step forward, closer, out of the way of the crowd. “Though a little more public than usual. Well, go ahead. I wouldn’t be here if I weren’t curious.”
“Whatever you think you’ll get out of a relationship with the Joker, you’re wrong. Joker can’t love anyone except me-”
Edward laughs.
“But you still could. You think you can use him, you think you’re smart enough to handle him but he’ll tear you apart.”
“Oh, you are jealous. He’ll tear me apart? Have you really never fucked him?”
Bruce steps closer, letting the newspaper fall away. He reaches for Edward and Edward jumps, but relaxes into the kiss when their lips meet. Bruce pushes him backwards as he presses into his mouth, back into the light of the nearest streetlight. Edward is so receptive, not a hint of a fight. Bruce wonders if he kisses the Joker like this, if they’ve ever kissed at all.
He lifts the camera, it flashes, and he pulls away. Edward recovers quickly, going straight for the camera, but Bruce is faster. He holds it out of reach, along with the photo as it develops, concrete and undeletable.
And perfectly clear. A little slice of the truth. Bruce holds the picture up for Edward to see. “Back off, Edward. Or what do you think he’ll do if he sees this?”