Chapter Text
Bruce felt the sway of her body as his hands drifted down her form to rest on her hips, their gentle movements mimicking one another. His eyes closed, and his head dropped to her neck to kiss the delicate and sweet-smelling skin that cascaded down her throat, gulping air that stuttered when he found the one spot that made her shiver down her spine. She sighed and brought her hands back to hold Bruce in place as they swayed.
It was a fundraiser, one of the oldest in Gotham’s history, and Bruce had asked Selina to be his plus-one that night. She’d asked him over and over to pick her dress, to put forth the effort to pick something that he thought looked good on her. So, he did, Bruce found a formfitting dark green dress that complimented her eyes. It had a slit on the side of her waist that gave him access to her side so that he could tickle her slightly and raise goosebumps up her arms. It was one shoulder, dipped low over her bust so that she could feel dominant, Selina always wanted to feel like the most powerful woman in the room. And to accent the dress, diamonds. Her necklace was a full show of them, dangling carefully from a small chain. Her earrings also dangled more like crystals, with studs for her second piercings. The bracelets were not as glamorous, Selina didn’t like to accent her arms much. Too much attention made her insecure. Shoes were tall pumps, mat black, and sharp. Not platform. He wanted her to feel beautiful. Noticed.
Cherished.
Selina almost cried when he showed her the necklace that he emphasized she was allowed to keep. Bruce was nearly knocked off his feet when he saw her walk down the grand staircase at the manor. Her makeup was immaculate, and her hair was done up in an updo that Bruce was sure had more bobby pins and hairspray than he would like to think about. Alfred had complimented her outfit and had offered her the flowers that Bruce had asked to be delivered.
Selina put one of them in her hair before they left.
How lucky he felt at that moment. To be the one to hold her to his chest and bask in her glow. He knew that many in the upper crust of the Gotham elite looked down on his choice of women. Hoping and praying that one of their daughters or siblings would have been the one to catch his eye. The old money is always so stingy with whom they spent their time. But Bruce never felt the need to be around people that grew up only in Bristol and slummed it in Gotham when they wanted to look charitable.
Bruce went to the city every day. He walked amongst the crowd and even shared meals with them from time to time. No Bruce knew the value of a Gotham woman like Selina. Someone who had to figure out her way in the world and in this city that held a vice grip on its people till they either died there or…
“You’re thinking too much,” Selina whispered into his ear. Bruce smirked slightly and spun her away to that they could continue their dance facing one another. The music was different, but the tempo kept the same. A couples dance still to guide their sway.
She looked up at him only slightly. Her eyes were like their own jewels, bright and full of life as she brought her hands to his chest to caress. “Perhaps… I’m sorry. My mind should be here.” Selina shook her head, and took his face in her hands, rubbing gently over the smooth angles in his face.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that. You had that look on your face. The one you get when you’re out there.” Bruce gave a soft sigh, spinning them again across the floor of the ballroom and dipping her softly as the music lowered.
He brought her back and she smiled softly and held him loosely as they made another circuit around the room. Bruce looked at her again, taking in how some of her hair had fallen out, and framed her face with two slight curls that dropped just past her chin. He brought his own hand up to put one behind her ear.
Selina blushed lightly at the gesture but did not pull away as he’d expected. Instead, she drew closer. “Whisk me away?”
Her voice was soft, like a shared secret in the darkness of the night. Bruce caressed his hands down her body again, onto her hips and this time stepped out of her space to hold one of her hands. He led her to a balcony.
Somewhere without the prying eyes of the public.
Selina took in the fresh air with rapt ease. “I tend to forget how… smothering they all can be when you aren’t in your own little world.” She told him, wandering over and pressing against him slightly. The air was chilled, so Bruce took off his suit jacket to drape it over her shoulders. His vest was enough to keep him warm. “Thank you.” She murmured, pulling the jacket in to cover her front more.
“You’re welcome. I should have given you more to cover up with before we left.”
“You couldn’t have known Gotham’s Autumn would come in early, Bruce. Besides, the event is mostly inside. I’m sure a little chill isn’t going to ruin this evening for me.” Bruce eyed Selina and smiled at what he saw. Selina’s face was flush, lips slightly parted into a smile. She was looking at him, talking about him. Bruce felt his chest burn with a sort of passion that he had thought long since gone.
Bruce turned away from the Balcony’s frame to lean against it. “You don’t suppose I could ask them to play another slow dance?”
“I think the masses will fall asleep.” Selina snarked, still leaning into his space. “Perhaps it is time for us to… depart? I know this place near mine… They serve Italian late. I know the owner,” Bruce smiled at her and gestured for the door.
“I’ll pay.” Selina smiled, something softer this time, and walked back towards the door. But she stopped just before it and looked back at him. Bruce watched a moment before walking after her. He took hold of the handle and pulled it open.
Selina gave him back his coat.