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Bruce was pretty annoyed about being dragged to the party. He was a grown man with adult children and there was no reason for him to end up in a room filled with drunk people of all ages. Just because it was New Year's Eve did not change that face. Yet there he was because his boyfriend had begged him to come. Because Oliver had someone that he just had to introduce Bruce to.
Someone that had managed to win over part of Oliver's heart. Which was something that had happened before. Many times over the years. It had caused more strife in their relationship than anything else. In fact it was why they had only had a formal relationship for a couple of years now that they were well into adulthood. Bruce hadn't understood how Oliver could fall in love with more than one person when they were younger. And break Bruce's heart with his split attention.
But over the years Bruce had started to understand with the various relationships he had been through and the fact that he was always drawn back to Oliver even when he was falling for someone else. Nothing could break what he felt for the other man and had since they were young. He understood even more when some of his kids sat him down to talk about polyamory after one of them (or more, Bruce still wasn't entirely sure about all of their relationship statuses) entered one. It turned out there was something for the way he had felt and the way Oliver had.
So after Oliver had mostly gotten past his divorce, Bruce had asked him out. And then they had a long talk about possibly having a relationship with another. Before coming to an agreement that they would want to be with someone together not separate. There was too much in their lives to try and keep a partner in only one part of it.
Oliver had found someone that he liked. And not only that, this person was someone he thought that Bruce would also like. He also had implied that there was even a chance that there wouldn't be any issues with having to hide their identities as superheroes which had made Bruce a bit nervous about what kind of person that Oliver had found. But he was so excited that Bruce couldn't say no.
Though why Oliver had chosen to introduce them at his main office's New Year's party Bruce did not understand. Nor why his employees felt the need to get so drunk at it.
Bruce finally, after being there for nearly half an hour, spotted Oliver with another man. He was about their age as well and bald with a dark beard. And very much not the usual type that Oliver went for. Which meant there was something else about this man that Oliver was attracted to. There was something about his stance that made him seem nervous but also as if he was ready for something to happen at any moment. The way many people that spent too much time around trouble were. He also looked like he was flirting with Oliver. Bruce raised an eyebrow that only he knew about before schooling it away and heading over to the pair.
"Oliver, I've been looking all over for you." he said.
He wrapped a possessive arm around Oliver's waist. Just because they were hoping to find something with this man did not mean that Bruce wasn't going to remind them all that there was already a relationship there.
"Sorry that I missed you arriving," Oliver said, ignoring Bruce's arm. "It's a bit crowded in here. And I was enjoying this conversation enough to be distracted."
The man blushed which Bruce decided he liked. Even if he wasn't Oliver's type he was the kind of man that Bruce tended to find attractive but never really tried with. He just hoped whatever came next would make it something to pursue further.
"It was a nice conversation," he said. "Oliver was telling me about the dinner you had with all your kids last week."
"Did he mention the fact he encouraged the knife throwing?" Bruce asked.
The man laughed. It was a nice sound even over the blaring music. Which Bruce wished wasn't there so he could hear it better.
"He didn't but I can believe it. Oliver does seem to love chaos."
"Hey!" Oliver interjected.
"He's right," Bruce said. "You do love chaos. Especially encouraging it in the kids."
"They deserve to have fun."
Bruce ignored the comment and held his hand out to the man.
"Bruce Wayne. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Lance Bingley," he said, holding his own hand out and shaking Bruce's.
He had a good grip. He was sure of himself and seemed to be relaxing just a bit. Some of the tension must have come from being worried about meeting Bruce. But the sideways glances still told Bruce he was waiting for something to happen though the exact feeling was still more of an always ready than waiting for a specific threat.
"So what role do you have at Queen Consolidated?" Bruce asked, hoping it was safe enough at the party they were attending.
"I'm doing some consulting with the company," Lance said. "Helping with some language."
"The polite way of saying I hired him to treat anyone sending communications like students and grade their work like assignments until they stop having major issues," Oliver said. "So far there has been a noticeable drop in misunderstandings turning into meetings."
"That is a very interesting idea," Bruce said. "I might have to look into doing the same."
"It has been interesting," Lance said. "But they are even worse than teenagers about accepting the criticisms."
"Lance was a high school teacher before moving here with his kids."
The slightest tone in Oliver's voice said that there was more to the story. But he didn't know all of it. Just enough to want Bruce in on it too. The timing said this might have something to do with the teen who had started showing up at fights in Oliver's city. One of the kids most likely and Oliver just happened to also find the parent attractive. Well, Bruce had been in relationships that started on worse grounds than that.
"Giving up teaching is something I was willing to do to make sure Viola and Sebastian are safe."
"I'm sure you are doing everything in your power."
"Everything I can. Though with their birth parents that is easier said than done."
There was a dark look in his eyes. One that said those parents would regret trying anything.
"If there's anything we can do, just let us know," Bruce said.
"If something comes up," he said with a tone that said he wouldn't. "But let's leave that for another time. We are at a party after all."
They did and they talked about all manners of things. And Bruce found himself liking Lance a lot. He found himself slipping into flirting with the man as easily as ever. For real and not for a show. He could tell why Oliver wanted Bruce to meet him. There was something there. And the stories he told made him want to meet his kids. There was a very good chance they would get along with the others just fine.
It seemed Lance felt the same way seeing as Bruce got two kisses as the year changed.