Chapter Text
The Batman’s job is not easy. This discovery was undeniably shocking for Diana. She often saw the evils she fought as larger than herself. Gods and devils were easy to rationalize as a part of nature beyond her control. Gotham taught her the evils of humanity were no different.
The city’s protector had been missing for a month now. Criminals had noticed. Within the first week small time crooks, mob bosses and super-powered villains alike were all thriving under the power vacuum. So Diana stepped in, and for three weeks now she’s been protecting people on the streets of Gotham.
She often wondered if the Batman ever slept. Her mother didn’t think he was even a mortal, and she understood why. The nightly patrols were cold, they were tiring, but most of all they were isolating. Her friends had stayed in Gateway City, and though they all made sure to call during the day, the nights were lonely. She often found herself daydreaming of the night she’d get out there and see the Batman was one step ahead of her. It was a comforting thought, not just because it meant she’d be able to return home, but because she had begun to truly worry about him in his absence.
Finding him washed up on Gotham’s harbor, however, brought her no comfort.
She carried the exceptionally large man back to where she was staying, a room at the top of the Royal Hotel. The space was lavish, the decor was chic and the bed was exceptionally comfortable. None of that mattered to Diana, however, who was only interested in the penthouse room for the view. You could see all of Gotham City from her window. It reminded her what she fought for.
She laid the man on her bed and, carefully, she began to remove enough of his costume to inspect the damage done to his body. She made sure to not unmask him. Though it would be easy to discover his true identity, she understood that it was not her decision to make.
He was certainly mortal. Despite his build, being 6 feet and 9 inches tall and covered in muscle, the man had clearly been bruised. As Diana bandaged him, she couldn’t help but appreciate his body. She saw each wound as a symbol of his dedication to protecting his city. Each scar on his massive chest served as a reminder of the beatings he took each night protecting those who can’t protect themselves. Diana began to idly run her finger along them, wondering how one man could continue fighting with all this damage.
“Where am I?”
Diana pulls her hand away, realizing she had been lost in thought. The Batman began to sit up, his body still aching from whatever had happened to him. He slowly moved his head, seeming to take in his surroundings, before landing on Diana.
“You’re in the Royal Hotel. I rescued you from the harbor,” Diana said, attempting to portray a calming demeanor to the visibly distressed man. “My name is-”
“Wonder Woman. I’ve heard of you. You don’t usually come around here though,” Batman responded, his voice deep and imposing.
“I was going to say Diana.”
Batman stared at her for just a moment. “Good to meet you Diana.”
“Nice to finally meet you too,” She responded, smiling. “I’ve been taking care of Gotham in your absence. I’ve heard much about you.”
“I’m sure. Where are my clothes?”
Diana paused, considering how confusing this all must be for him. “I removed them so I could bandage you. They’re on the floor. I didn’t remove your mask, if you’re wondering.”
“Thank you.” Batman grumbled as he began to get out of bed. Diana grabbed him by his shoulder.
“You really must rest. You haven’t healed.”
“What, you want me to just stay here while you enjoy the view?”
Diana was truly flustered, a rare feeling for her. Though she was not without romance in her life, this man had an affect on her unlike she’d ever felt. His body was a work of art, chiseled like the finest statues in Greece, and she couldn’t deny her attraction to it. But Diana’s attraction went beyond just the physical. His demeanor struck fear into criminals, but to the innocents of Gotham, he was a protector. She saw within him the same love for humanity that fueled her.
“I apologize. I allowed my mind to wander, and I thoughtlessly overstepped a boundary. You have my word that it will not happen again,” Diana responded, speaking with authority.
“Would you like it to?”
“What?”
“I’m giving you my permission to continue. Would you like to?”
Diana paused for a moment. “Yes, I would, but only if you rest here for the night.”
“You have yourself a deal, Diana.”
He laid back down, allowing his sore muscles to relax. Diana began to run her finger along his chest again. She landed on a particularly deep scar near his collarbone.
“Tell me, how do you keep fighting like this?” She asked, keeping her eyes trained on the wound.
“Oh, that? That was just some Party Animal who got the jump on me.”
“No, I mean, how are you willing to put your body at risk like this every night?”
“Because I see the good in this city,” Batman responded so quickly it was clear he had already had the discussion with himself. “I see the good its people can do. I will always believe Gotham has the potential to be better. We have blemishes, sure, but we’re not broken. I believe that one day, a generation of children will grow up in a Gotham that doesn’t need protectors like me. That’s what I fight for.”
Diana liked that answer. She began to move her hand down to his. He gave a grunt that sounded like agreement.
“I’d like to see your eyes, Batman.”
He considered it for a moment. “I suppose I owe you for what you’ve done for this city,” he said as he began to remove his cowl. “And you can call me Bruce.”
The man was incredibly handsome, and Diana began to move the hand not interlocked with Bruce’s to the side of his face.
“You should sleep, Bruce” she said softly.
“Yeah, I probably should. Where should I go?”
“You can stay in this bed with me. It’s quite large.”
“I think I’d like that.”