Work Text:
Something More
Selina sat in her penthouse suite in Metropolis, scratching her cat, Athena, behind the ears. She was watching the news as it continued coverage on the death of Bruce Wayne.
She hadn’t cried. She didn’t usually cry anyway. But, if she was ever going to start, now would be the time. She exhaled, stood up, and sat Athena on the couch. She walked over and poured herself a drink.
“Damn you, Bruce,” she grumbled. She was about to take a drink when she stopped. She looked at her window, noting how the breeze was subtly moving her drapes.
Selina remembered closing that window earlier.
Now it was open.
She slowly turned toward her closet and found Bruce standing there.
Selina stared at him in silence. She tried to hide her surprise, but she couldn’t. “What… the hell… are you doing here?! And why are you alive?!”
“I got something past you,” Bruce noted. “I’m amazed.”
“Don’t give me that, Bruce! How are you here?”
“Alfred and I slipped out of the house before the explosion.”
“Not good enough!” Selina stomped toward him, “There was an investigation! They found bodies! They matched them up to you and Alfred down to birthmarks!”
Bruce just slowly smiled.
“You… had bodies already ready to go?”
“A few cadavers kept on ice for a while. The Knightfall Protocol was extensive.”
Selina stared at him. “I want to be angry. And I will be. After this.” She threw her arms around Bruce, hugging him with everything she had.
To her incredible surprise, Bruce wrapped his arms around her.
At the simple act of the hug, Selina had to ask, “Are you sure you’re not dead?”
“Yes,” Bruce replied.
“Good.” Selina broke the hug and punched him in the chest.
“Feel better?”
“Slightly. What are you doing here?”
“I was wrong. I need you.”
“Repeat what you just said,” Selina insisted.
“I was wrong,” Bruce declared again.
“Okay, now, I’m positive it’s not you.”
Bruce thought for a moment. “Keystone City.”
“Don’t you say another word!” Selina ordered, immediately and somewhat desperately. “I believe you, I believe you! It’s you!”
Bruce’s smile returned.
Selina sighed. “Wow. It’s really you.” She thought for a moment. “Need me for what?”
Bruce walked towards the window. “I’m going away for a while,” Bruce explained. “I have… something I’m working on with Alfred.”
“Okay, but why tell me?”
“Because… I want you to come with me, Selina. I need your help.” Bruce stopped. “I need you.”
Selina’s eyes widened.
“I was wrong before. There are some things that can’t be done alone. And… the things you have to do… work better with someone there. I need you, Selina. I need to be more. Than Batman. Than Bruce Wayne.”
Selina considered that for a while. She smiled. “I guess you were right about one thing: you didn’t call me.”
“True,” Bruce agreed. “But I was wrong about other things. But I won’t force you into anything. It’s your choice. I can leave, if you want.”
Selina thought for only a moment. Then shrugged. “Well. I did come across $2,730,000 before I left Gotham.”
Bruce froze. “Nygma?”
“He wasn’t gonna use it.”
Bruce rolled his eyes. “We don’t need his money.”
“Really?” Selina asked. “I can’t see you having access to the Wayne family fortune.”
“You think that’s my only means of finance?”
“Of course not. God knows how many shell companies you have.”
“You’ve actually robbed a couple of them.”
Selina paused. “Sorry?”
“You’re not,” Bruce countered.
“You’re right.” Selina exhaled. “Where are we going?”
“I have a plan. Are you in?”
Selina smirked. “Why not? Metropolis was getting boring anyway. Can’t commit any crimes here without a red cape showing up faster than a speeding bullet.”
Bruce smiled a bit. “You don’t have to pack now. But we do need to take a quick trip.”
“Alright.” Selina blinked. “Can I bring Athena?”
“I’m a little insulted that you even bothered asking.”
Selina picked up Athena, and they followed Bruce to a nearby parking garage where Alfred was waiting.
Selina smiled at Alfred, “Alfred!”
Alfred smiled and nodded, “Ms. Kyle.”
Selina hugged Alfred, “I’m so relieved!”
“As am I on so many levels.” Alfred broke the hug and opened the backseat door.
“Thank you.” Selina got in the car.
“Thank you, Alfred,” Bruce said as he got in.
“Of course, sir.” Alfred closed the door then got in the driver’s seat.
As Alfred drove the car, Bruce and Selina enjoyed the comfortable silence. Selina wasn’t going to admit, anytime soon at least, but she was thrilled that Bruce was alive and that he was back in her life. She even reached out and touched his hand. Bruce even took hold of her hand.
After a few moments, Selina’s furrowed her brow and looked at Bruce, “Wait, hold on. So, everyone knows you’re Batman and they think Batman and Bruce Wayne are dead. So, what plan could you possibly have in place?”
Bruce looked at Selina. And smiled.
“Oh, my God, you already expected this! You knew this day was coming!”
“I could only hide my identity for so long, Selina,” Bruce admitted.
“But you always seemed so sure you could keep it secret!” Selina argued.
“That was an act. I knew I’d be figured out someday.”
Selina stared at him. “I… you…” She grunted. “God, you’re infuriating!”
Still smiling, Bruce looked back out of the window.
Selina turned to look out of her own window. And began smiling.