Work Text:
“Bruce…”
Harvey Dent couldn’t believe his eyes when he went near Bruce Wayne’s body. He was lying down on the asphalt and Harvey kneeled against him. Even whispering his name felt like knives puncturing his throat.
Nobody had ever known Bruce like he did. He knew everything about him — from his favourite cologne to the way he preferred to be kissed. Everything. His whole life went through that window. It was unexplainable.
The Batman? Even Harvey thought that he would be indestructible. He knew of course that the life of a superhero happened to always be shortened but that happening? He couldn’t fathom it. Not yet.
Denial? Maybe that was it. Harvey hated himself at this exact moment. He should have been there with Bruce. Maybe if he were not campaigning so much — maybe he could have stopped it. Maybe not. He did not know for sure, but this helplessness, he hated it. He felt numb.
Harvey had never thought that the kiss he gave him the day before at his office would be the last he would have, ever. He closed his eyes trying to feel it again, to relive that moment but only streams of tears came from his eyes.
He was trembling, he tried not to but the whole situation was disastrous. Moreover — the case was his. He was appointed to that case. The biggest case of his career, the biggest case Gotham City had ever known. However there he was, not even able to mourn the death of the person he cherished the most.
“I’m sorry.” He managed to whisper again.
He was not even sure that actual sound was coming out of his mouth. But he said it. Again. Again. And again. It hurt more each time, if he were alone he would have curled up and cry. But he had to be strong.
Turner. He needed someone. He had lost his parents once. Now twice. He wanted to be strong for the kid.
Turner didn’t know about their relationship— the timing never felt right. He was sure that to that kid he was only one of his father’s closest friend, practically an uncle to him. When Bruce did not have the time for him — saving the city could take some free time he had — Harvey was always there.
Truth be told, he had never wanted to be a father before, but the more he was acquainted with that idea the more he wanted to be one, as he started to know Turner.
Bruce and Harvey were starting to get ready to the idea of having their relationship known by the world. It did not matter anymore. Everything had been taken away — even his idea of family. He could still be uncle Harvey at least.
He blamed himself for this situation, Bruce had wanted to tell everybody by the past already but Harvey was the one who did not feel ready. He did not even know why he was so scared in the end. Maybe was it more for his career? Or maybe because he was scared that Turner would not take it well. Everything was a blur.
Harvey let out a deep sigh. He looked at Bruce’s face one last time on the crime scene. He could not help but think about all the moments they went through together.
Bruce was the reason he was there in the first place, he pushed him to become a district attorney. Bruce was even the first person to even know about his transition when they were much younger.
”Can I ask you a favour?” Harvey asked, slightly shaking.
“Tell me.” Bruce replied as he took Harvey’s hand.
Harvey’s hands were sweaty, he had been scared to death about how Bruce would react. The fact that his boyfriend had not let go of his hand had made him more confident.
“I don’t- Well, uh.”
“Take some deep breaths, I’m right here for you.” Bruce continued in the softest voice he could.
Harvey tried to calm down, he used to fidget his hair as a way to focus on reality but he had cut it very shortly as a way to feel more like himself, he tried his best to not cling onto Bruce’s hand too hard.
“Please call me Harvey.” He gulped down.
“Okay, it suits you, Harvey.” Bruce smiled. “And suits your new haircut as well.”
“Thank you.” He started tearing up slightly before going for a hug.
“I love you, Harvey.” He paused a bit. “Does that mean I have a boyfriend?”
Harvey nodded, his head still against Bruce.
“I’m proud to be your boyfriend.” Bruce continued as he kissed his temple.
Harvey had to go out of his moment of thought tribute, a police officer told him that he had to check the crime scene. He reluctantly walked away and saw Bruce getting carried into those white bags. He turned his head away, that was far too much to handle.
He was aware that some kids were apprehended for Bruce’s assassination but something did not fit the narrative. Who paid them? This was yet something he had to find out.
Once he went upstairs, walking inside the corridors and the rooms he had known by heart, he gaped at the crushed window. He lost his best friend, his best ally, the man he wanted to live the rest of his life with and somebody was just laughing at it.
He had never felt it that strong before within himself but what Harvey now craved for was justice. He longed for some justice to be made. The one he had always fought for.
His mind spiralled, he was well aware of what he had to do. He had to be the one to bear the sordid news to Turner. He could not leave anybody else do that, he had to be there for the kid. He knew that it was what Bruce would have desired.
But now what thing was left on his mind — his bat was dead.