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He never thought he'd be here.
Not here, in space - that's become quite quickly more of a reality and possibility, since aliens are coming to Earth more often, or at least announcing themselves now - but here, on the edge of knife, a monumental decision.
This was just supposed to be a quick trip, something to help the strange man who saved his life.
The Doctor.
An alien who - apparently - has a fascination with Earth, with humanity.
Who, apparently, is lonely.
Bruce can't blame him.
Doesn't blame him.
But the question - and the temptation - to turn his back on everything he's working towards, everything he's fighting for; it couldn't have come at a worse time.
Travel companion, associate, and friend.
Leave behind Gotham, all his plans...
It's a strange, terrifying, and invigorating thought.
"I never get tired of it, myself," The Doctor says as he comes up next to Bruce.
"I can see why," Bruce replies, dry, and turns to look back out at the vast panorama of space; the backdrop of some triple-spiral galaxy stretches out before them, with a giant nebula stretching away below his feet. He's sitting on the Police Box's edge, feet dangling in space, and it's breathtaking. He feels like he could just tip forward and fall forever.
He probably could, if the Time Machine let him go.
It's a strange thought.
"I won't be able to stay long," Bruce warns; he can't just leave - but he can't abandon his plans, either.
The Doctor grins, delighted, but there's a shadow behind the grin. "I thought you might say that" he replies. "But -" The Doctor hesitates. "You can stay as long as you want. I can take you right back to where and when we left from," he offers. "It would be as if no time has passed."
Bruce shakes his head, looks back out at the slowly changing nebula. "I'm only seventeen," he replies dryly. "I'm going to be changing a lot in the next few years; if I want to be able to return and legally take back my company, I need to do it with as few question marks as possible. Suddenly aging several years wouldn't exactly be flying under the radar."
"Ah," The Doctor says softly. "Yes, of course. A couple of months, then?"
"Hmm," Bruce says, soft, and looks up at him. "Yes, that would be great."
"Brilliant," the Doctor replies, and squeezes Bruce's shoulder. "I've got just the place for our next stop."
The corner of Bruce's mouth twitches up into a grin. "I can't wait."