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“So, what do you think?” Alfred smiles, watching Bruce’s eyes track every movement of the green-clad skater gliding across the ice. “I take it you’ve found the partner of your dreams.”
“He’s perfect,” Bruce says absently. He tilts the laptop screen to give Alfred a better view of the video. “Light, flexible- did you see his Biellmann spin? I’ve never seen anyone pull off an extension like that. I’ll rewind it, watch. See?”
Alfred nods. “That’s his signature move. I believe it’s what earned him the nickname Riddler. Looks a bit like a question mark, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I’ll find out who his manager is-”
“I looked it up. It’s Cobblepot. Oswald Cobblepot. You know, the one who owns the Iceberg?”
Alfred nods. The Iceberg is the rink across town. Definitely a hotspot for rising stars in the figure skating world, and it seems Edward Nygma is no exception.
“I’ll give Cobblepot a call, then. I’m sure Edward would jump at the chance to partner with the famous Bruce Wayne.”
That earns him a groan. Alfred isn’t sure if it’s because of the pun or because Bruce hates all limelight that he isn’t skating underneath.
On-screen Edward executes a flawless double axel. Auburn strands of hair fall softly back into place as he lands, and Bruce’s blue gaze snaps back to the screen as if by magnet.
“If we started right away, we could enter the Freis Foundation competition,” he says, almost eagerly. “I know it’s in a few weeks, but-“
“I have every confidence in you, Bruce,” Alfred smiles. He’s been manager for the lad since the latter was ten years old and has watched him become a veritable powerhouse on the ice. The Freis Foundation’s annual fundraising competition is famous for displaying only pair skaters, and Alfred has been pushing Bruce to enter for years- it’s only now that Bruce has shown interest in working with a partner.
Yes. Bruce’s precise strength and Edward’s expressive grace would certainly prove a winning combination.
Alfred chuckles to himself.