Work Text:
Barbara Gordon takes a deep breath of the cold Gotham City air. Locking the door to her car, she slowly walks towards the steps of the porch she used to play on as a child. Even though the house is not in the best shape, she couldn’t be happier that her father left it to her in his will instead of selling it off. Every imperfection is something she keeps telling herself she will get around to fixing in the next week, but she knows better. She is too busy with her work. The job she loves most of all. Protecting the people.
Leaning on her cane, she brushes her red hair out of her face before unlocking the front door. The inside is dark and not a single sound comes from within. Turning on the lights, she shuts the door behind her, causing a sophisticated mechanical lock to snap in place. She had designed it herself after the Joker paralyzed her all those years ago. While she has regained some mobility, it does cause some weird looks from others to see a woman in her late thirties using a cane. Looks that would make anyone else feel small. However, Barbara’s thoughts are too focused on her work to care what others think.
“Report,” Barbara says in a monotone voice, slipping off her jacket. In a moment, an AI voice of a younger version of herself springs to life.
“The house is perfectly secure. Completing a sixth scan just in case. A report of criminal statistics is also available for today should you wish to read it.”
“Unless there is an active threat right now, maybe later,” Barbara says in a tired tone, her shoulder feeling tense already from the mere thought. The one thing she wants after her job as the commissioner of GCPD is to relax. Hopefully, The Bat can also take a night off.
“You also have a guest upstairs,” the AI voice warns her, making Barbara raise her eyebrow. Even though she has a handful of people authorized to enter her home, she already knows the person waiting for her. The Bat… The only question that remains is what she wants.
“Stand by,” she states, immediately muting the AI security system. As she finally finishes making her tea, Barbara slowly makes her way to the stairs.
“We could get you a stair lift,” a solemn voice speaks up, making Barbara look up. Standing at the top of the stairs is a dark shadow, the symbol of a bat just barely visible upon her breasts.
“I’m fine, Cass. Really,” she insists, taking the first step slowly. Even though that one night with that clown happened almost twenty years ago, people still treat her as if she is fragile. The only lasting symptoms are her limited mobility and the chronic pain in her back. “Must you wear your mask here? It makes you threatening.” Before Barbara can say another word, the dark hero walks down the steps, gently picking her up.
“I’m sorry,” Cass quietly apologizes, not offering an excuse. Instead, she simply carries Barbara up the stairs. As soon as her feet touch the ground, Barbara can’t help but look at Cass with a slightly amused stare. Her hand gently pulls off the cowl, revealing the matted hair Cass has been hiding. Clearly, she’s been busy tonight.
“How long have you been out there?” she asks, leading the way to her bedroom. Sitting at her desk, Barbara turns on her computer. It doesn’t take long for the younger woman to sit next to her. Almost instantly, reports of the Penguin’s gang being stopped by The Bat pop up on her screen.
“Eight hours,” Cass replies slowly, looking towards the floor.
“Cass, we talked about this. You can take breaks too. That’s what the Robins, Nightwing and the others are for. They can step in when you’re tired,” Barbara whispers in a gentle tone, hoping her words will get through to the dark knight.
“Yes, but they don’t have to step in as the new Batman,” Cass explains, instantly reminding Barbara how the world sees her. Ever since Bruce Wayne retired a couple of years ago, Cass swore to do what she can to fill in for his absence. And surprisingly enough, the public has seen her as Gotham’s new protector. Criminals have come to fear her, even if they were snarky about a female hero at first. In a way, Cass has to not only protect Gotham but keep up a reputation as a competent successor to the original Batman.
“Cass, you’re not Bruce. Make sure to pace yourself, okay?” Turning her chair to face her, Barbara grabs Cass’s hands with a soft smile. “I know you have a lot on your plate, but remember that we are here for you. I am here.”
“It’s more complicated than that,” Cass angrily sighs, pulling her hands away. “Ever since taking on this role, I’ve realized just how many people rely on me. Even just as a psychological sign of hope. I’m expected to be a warrior. A weapon again. If I am not out there, people start to doubt their hero.” Cass stands up from her seat, bringing her hand to her forehead. It’s clear to Barbara that she can’t seem to find the right words to express her thoughts.
“Is that why you’re here? To argue about your role?” she asks rhetorically, shaking her head. “Or did you want someone to be proud of you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe? I am just feeling… tired. It felt easier when he was around to say what I did well.” Cass leans against the wall with a slight heave of her chest, exhaustion expressed in her very limbs. Barbara can recognize the symptoms well. “It’s like I have a hundred thoughts a minute, Babs.”
“You’re overwhelmed. It’s normal,” she whispers, laying her hands on her lap. “I, for one, am very proud of you, Cass.” Opening her arms, she silently offers a hug to the dark knight. Usually, the only people that have that honor are small children that need comfort. But from where she is sitting, the hero is the one in need of comfort now. Cass doesn’t take the offer for a few minutes. However, the quiet deliberation ends with her getting down on Barbara’s level, wrapping their arms around each other. Barbara’s hands slowly feel her shoulders, finding herself amazed at how tense they are. “Everyone has treated you like a weapon. Even this city. I understand how frustrating that is… Let me treat you like a person.”
Cassandra slowly lifts her head. A look of recognition is spread across her face. Both of them know what her words mean. It’s a song of admiration. Of love. As gently as she can, Barbara presses her lips to Cass’s. To the outside world, she is just a lonely police commissioner. But to Cass, she is so much more. A hero in her own right. Barbara will always be grateful for her strong hero. Cass’s hand gracefully holds Barbara’s cheek, letting her know she enjoys every second of this too. As soon as one kiss ends, another begins. Even though she personally helped to teach Cass what she knows, Barbara can’t help but feel that she has been surpassed in almost every way. The beautiful woman in front of her has her own things to teach this tired cop.
A police siren causes their lips to part. Even though Cass’s eyes remain shut, it is evident she is trying to decide what to do. As her hand reaches for her mask, Barbara stops herself with a shake of her head.
“Shh… Let Tim handle it. Please.” Barbara pushes a button on her computer, instantly bringing up a Robin insignia and rerouting police channels to the previous sidekick of Batman. “You need a break. And I need you…” Barbara’s hand touches her face, a soft smile trying to persuade the hero in front of her to stay. Despite the luring call of the city, Cass lets go of the mask, bringing her hands to Barbara’s waist. A single kiss proves that she successfully convinced Cass to stay.
“I love you more than you can know,” Cass whispers, picking up the police commissioner. Barbara simply chuckles to herself, kissing the dark hero of Gotham once more.
“Not more than I love you~”