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Gotham allowed her inhabitants a peaceful time.
No scheme, no troubles over New Year Eve or the first days of this Brave New Year.
Some say it's a good sign, some that the quietness is no more than a 'calm before the storm' effect and that the lunatics, mobsters, thieves and other ranges of criminals out there prepare something big that shall be unleashed very soon. Others shrug, by reminding not every day is a rogue day, not every night requires the heroes' watch over the town and this New Year is neither blessed nor worrisome, it's... another week in paradise.
'Paradise' turned into Hell again on the 6th of January, after nine full days without reported incidents.
Batman bit his lips not to scream when he pressed the ugly wound on his right flank, where the bullet pierced his costume. Not a normal bullet otherwise it wouldn't have broken his armor plates, this was... a new type of weapon he hadn't encountered yet.
Designed to hurt the bats or to get through bulletproof vests? Seems like it... If so, he needed to warn Gordon urgently about the danger these experimental firearms represent.
"Oracle," he called in his comms, gritting his teeth at the throbbing pain. "Get my location... I need a rescue..."
"On it!" Barbara's voice answered, luckily she checked her computers and alarm system at this late hour of the night.
Or rather, early hour of the morning.
"Can you move?" She inquired after a silent break over which she likely cut their communication to contact another Batfamily member.
"Hardly," he let out, his breathing laborious and blue dots dancing in front of his eyes. "I lost my attackers, I guarantee I'm at a safe spot for now... I put enough distance between them and I; they walked, no... grapple hook or way to propel themselves into the airs to follow me."
"How critical is it?"
Always a professional, Babs tried to hide the evident worry that tinted her tone.
"Not as bad as I make it sound," Batman allowed himself a smile through the pain. "But I need to be escorted to a medical hideout or the Tower, I won't manage the travel on my own."
"Alright, hold on! Sphinx and Hunter are on their way, they take a vehicle to drive you back."
The Bat felt himself doze off, leaning against the brick wall behind him.
He swung across the blocks, what was... nothing near a smart move in his state, but what else could he have done to get away from his adversaries?
That'll teach me not to take Robin on patrol just because she has a math test tomorrow.
He insisted for Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe to stay home and go to bed early to be operational on Friday since her professor felt the need to give students a test on the first week post-Christmas holidays. He reassured her by saying that anyway, he'd count on Stephanie and Jason if he needed help on the field, and on Barbara to be his eyes and ears behind the screens if necessary.
"Bats? Don't pass out on me, okay? Sphinx and Hunter will be there soon. Stay with me."
She found the perfect loophole to keep him awake:
"Ask me a riddle," she demanded in the comms. "Let's see how many I can solve before Stephanie and Jason come to pick you up."
Batman smiled. His usual smug tone returned:
"I told you, we must make ourselves matching shirts with 'Nerdy Gingers Solidarity' printed on them."
"Not gonna happen as long as I'm alive," the older redhead retorted, smirking as well. "Now go ahead, Pumpkin. Ask me one."
"Very well! Tell me... what's more faithful than love, more intense than joy, shows under various forms and never makes you cry happy tears?"
"Pain. Not especially challenging."
"I was warming up," the Bat chuckled, enjoying this distraction from his current mysery: alone in a dirty lane, bleeding out under a deadly cold weather. "How about... we are twins, more fragile than butterfly wings, yet we can make the world disappear. What are we?"
"Eyelids. Keep yours open."
"Will do! Let's try another field: I can be as sharp as a blade yet I'm neglected by some, I hold enough power to open any safe and I remember how anything and everything came to be. What am I?"
She thought that one through.
"Wouldn't that be intelligence?"
"You're too smart, Babs. Almost matching me!"
"Oh, shut up."
They both chuckled.
It's no secret Oracle considers Batman a... little brother. It'll never stop making everyone laugh to reflect upon their encounter: twenty-five-years-old Babs in her handmade Batgirl outfit, ready to fight crime and wanting to meet the figure who inspired her... only to realize afterwards the 'Batman' was not a man yet: that was a teenager in the cape and cowl.
They formed a solid duo before Batman took in his first Robin, Jason Todd, whom chose a bird-related name to, according to him, 'fit the aesthetic'.
Good times.
In her apartment, Babs let out a relieved sigh when Stephanie's forever cheerful voice kept her abreast of the situation:
"We got him! He's wounded and lost a lot of blood, but he'll be fine. Jay sees what he can do on the backseat, I drive us to the Tower."
"Perfect. Great job, Steph. Keep me updated."
"Will do! Sphinx out."
"Oracle out."
Overall, more fright than harm.
(())
"Look who's awake! I thought we'd have to find a prince charming to come over and give you a kiss."
Batman blinked, disoriented. Strong hands secured his head when he moved to a sitting position. It took a few minutes for his foggy vision to stabilize.
When he came back to his senses, Edward Nygma smiled at the view: he was in his bedroom in his private Tower, the family gathered around him.
Stephanie joked about how she almost called Bruce Wayne for him to kiss Ed to wake him up, Jason sat on the chair placed next to the head of the bed after helping his big brother / mentor / half-parent to sit on the mattress, Charlie nested at his feet, a comic book opened in front of her and looked at him with a relieved smile.
"Nice to see you back in the world of the living! You slept two days," Jason notified him. "There, say hello to your new best friend," he... shoved a necklace in his hands.
A golden chain on which was fixed a pendant... a very original one: none other than a bullet.
A pure white, sparkling bullet.
"Is that..."
"Yeah, it's a diamond!" Steph spoiled instantly (she is the kind of person who simply cannot keep a secret or make suspense last). "We tested it in the lab, Jonathan has no doubt: a diamond this size and this density costs a fortune! We lost track of whoever attacked you, but these guys? They are ready to pay the price to take down a Bat. Better be careful!"
Strange news to start the year...
"May I know whose idea is that to make a necklace with the... thing that almost killed me?"
"Always so dramatic, Ginger," Jason mocked, sarcastic. "You wouldn't have died. And let's say that's..."
"Our present for the New Year!" Stephanie spoiled anew, grinning as widely as the Cheshire cat.
"Sorry Eddie," Charlotte smiled, then moved to get closer to him and hugged him on his good side: the one that wasn't covered of bandages. "I told them that was a poor joke, but what can I say? Your first two Robins don't know what's funny and what's not."
"That's why you're here, Sweetie," he put a kiss on top of the twelve years old's ginger hair, of a natural strawberry shade that contrasted with his own pumpkin orange strands. "To counter Jaybird and Sunshine's questionable sense of humor."
Hunter and Sphinx protested playfully.
Jonathan Crane paid them a visit not long after: the reformed rogue became their devoted chemical expert / scientist / doctor, he patched up the vigilantes more often than he hurt them during his run as the Scarecrow.
He rendered his verdict regarding Edward's injury, confirmed the composition of the bullet and concluded by a laconic:
"I found that joke ludicrous as well. Who wants to wear a jewel that dug into one's flesh?"
"Says the guy who constantly hangs out with vials of fear toxin," Jason replied.
"A man needs methods to defend himself," the once university professor retorted with dignity. "You're one to talk with your batarangs, question-mark shaped weapons and this taser Charlie carries around."
"Just in case! We never know what might happen in my school bus."
The evening went on with friendly bickering, a family dinner for everyone and a light, cozy ambiance.
Eddie and Jonathan shared enough cute glances for Stephanie to tease them as if they were a group of high schoolers, Jason rolled his eyes multiple times, Charlie informed them of her plans to go to the cinema next week with friends.
This was so domestic.
They all live together, including Jonathan who technically could rent his own flat but much preferred being a full-time Batfamily member.
Edward caught himself wondering. Who knows, maybe they will give their couple another chance? They perfectly get along, Jon became Charlie's second father figure, he is deeply attached to Jason and Stephanie too... not to remind, they have history. Plus Jon played good doctor with him again.
Knocked out by medicine, Eddie didn't stay awake late after he returned to his bedroom. Jason assured he takes in charge the routine patrol alongside his friend Cassandra Cain, going by 'Stray', but agreed not to approach suspicious activities if he stumbles upon puzzling behaviors. He'll trade places with Stephanie before dawn.
Batman lets his children watch over his town.
"You okay?"
"I am, I just... recover after being ran over by a cow. A luck I didn't inherit of more serious injuries!"
Edward laughed, Bruce smiled softly. Of course, he asked himself how Eddie gets hurt so often in... such improbable circumstances, but he didn't insist. They are at the beginning of their... not quite a 'relationship' yet, he'll have time to be curious later.
Ed told him he spent the previous week in the countryside, at friends' place with his wards. Apparently, this time out at Diedre and Nina's farm, old acquaintances of his, didn't bring him any luck considering his 'cow incident'.
"What about you?"
"I made a promise to Alina."
Alina, Bruce's seven-year-old daughter he raises as a single dad in his manor house with his parents.
"What kind of promise?"
"That I would... take a leap of faith. I regret I couldn't do it over the New Year night, but... we were both busy with our families."
Today was the first day they saw each other after a lovely Christmas together. They spoke over the phone, but after his bullet wound, Edward required additional time before going out again under his civilian self: the famous designer who won a literal fortune thanks to the revolutionary video game he developed over his pre-teen years, Riddle of the Minotaur.
Bruce and him met at a charity gala over October. For Halloween. Ed knew him before, because everyone in town heard about the Waynes, nevertheless he never predicted they'd grow closer.
Looks like Bruce intended to make it even closer today, when he bent foward and... Edward kissed him himself, wrapping his arms around the strong shoulders whilst his soon-to-be-boyfriend brought him closer.
"W-wait! That hurts!"
Bruce apologized instantly, blushing in embarrassment when they quickly parted and he realized he put pressure exactly where Eddie told him he wears stitches: on his right flank.
Edward laughed wholeheartedly at his guilty face.
"That was a glorious first kiss!" Batman gloated.
"... Really?" Bruce checked, defeated.
"Absolutely!"
Eddie winked at him.
"I think I'd love to carry on this New Year's resolution of yours."
And, just to show him how eager he was, Edward kissed him anew.
Bruce relaxed, an intense joy blooming in his heart... but he kept his hands to his sides, this time.