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"Are you... blackmailing me, Mister? On our first Valentine's Day date?" Bruce inquired, amused by how quickly Edward demanded investment from him.
"Come on, it's not like you couldn't afford it! Plus I've been so good, don't I deserve a reward?"
The vigilante and his informer shared a complicit glance.
Eddie was pleased to attest the positive evolution of his 'relationship' with Vengeance.
He played his sort of 'spy' role meticulously, able to crack codes and infiltrate in any network across the city... not to remind, the burning files he possessed about people keeping a clean facade while they work for Falcone and his numerous smuggling rings.
He didn't spill everything at once, preferring to give a case to the Batman then another... he made sure to keep him busy. His beloved ally won't ever get bored with him.
And today... he attempted a bold move on the 14 of February. On top of a rooftop, he placed a table, champagne... flowers.
Stephanie insisted he takes a step forward, she helped him find beautiful roses and thought of the setting. His daughter's dedication to play love coach to this day never stopped to be... incredibly heartwarming. And funny.
Batman saw his face already, even if Edward hadn't told him his name. He doesn't doubt though, that this is enough for Vengeance to deduce his identity... and maybe track him up to his apartment, where he lives with Stephie and Jason.
Tonight, Ed explicitly asked for... money. For a sort of salary in exchange from his self-proclaimed sleeper agent position.
"I don't know who you are past the mask, and to be honest this... doesn't really interest me," Eddie mentioned, wondering while he sipped his champagne. "I know I am looking at the real you right now, it's the facet of you I find the most beautiful and most intriguing. All I know for sure though, is that you must have a consequent cash reserve at disposal. I don't think you are from the high society, given the passion you devote to your quest of justice. But the costume, the gadgets... I believe you have access to funds, legally or illegally."
The Bat didn't retort, albeit he appeared... amused, as much as Edward could tell given his mostly immobile facial expression.
"Why would you demand to be paid?" He queried in the low voice that made Ed's heart flutter. "Teaming-up with me is not enough of a reward? I thought that was your... dream."
"It's a wonderful reward!" Eddie fidgeted, nervous all of a sudden. "It's just that... I live in a small apartment in a part of town with a 'negative' reputation. I can't afford better with my current job. I sleep in the living room, my kids share the bedroom. And... it works out, they never complained or anything. But I was thinking that with... a bit of help, I could move to a safer neighborhood. In a slightly bigger flat."
Jason and Steph helped him re-arrange most of his dingy living place. Together, they got rid of what the kids labelled mockingly his 'creepy stuff', he bought a folding bed to put it in the bedroom so that they have each their mattress, he went shopping with them multiple times and he made sure to opt for healthy food products instead of his previous neglectful eating habits.
Still... this was not enough for Ed's liking. He wished he could do more. Could offer them more.
Vengeance's impression softened.
"Alright."
"... Alright?" Eddie repeated, at a loss. "You'd... accept to give me money just because I asked?"
"You are a hacker. The... best I encountered so far. I don't doubt you could crack bank accounts if you looked into it. Therefore, it's... logical I anticipate. And it may or may not show, but I take good care of my allies. Including my allies' families. Very few people consider my quest something right, I would not turn down the help of those who do by refusing to give them a hand when I can. If I remunerate you, it will be like a full-time job. With a monthly salary, and an advance to pay your moving to a new place with your children."
Edward's heart was beating fast in his chest.
He loves Vengeance alright, he admires him since as soon as the Bat entered the Game. However, that was something else entirely to think the hero would get involved to the point he'd... answer his requests...
"Do you care about me?"
Eddie's cheeks turned bright red after he dropped that daring question.
"I mean... hu... theorically?"
"... I do," he responded softly, and Edward melted on his spot. "Very much so."
Becoming a father, loving his adopted daughter and son and pursuing his personal objective to reach out to the Bat had never seemed better than at this precise instant, shaking glasses of champagne with Batman on Valentine's Day.
Eddie smiled in advance as he projected to narrate the lovely evening to Stephie and Jaybird when he comes back home.