summer challenge
Title: It’s Time
Characters/Pairing: Batman/Catwoman
Rating: PG
Word Count: 430
Disclaimer: DC owns.
AN: for dcu_freeforall prompt #2- alive and the DCUFFA 2010 Summer Challenge (original prompt here: Bruce Wayne/Selina Kyle, quiet)
Batman had only been back a few days, but already he was out on patrol like the past year had never happened. Selina wasn’t surprised. Had he stayed away longer than it took to provide his boys and Alfred with the test results they wanted, then she would’ve been.
During that time, she’d only seen him once, briefly. They’d both been guarded and very little was said. There wasn’t much either could say that wouldn’t be uncomfortable or maybe even unwelcome. With them, things were never clear and they preferred the ambiguity.
Still, when they happened to cross paths following different leads, she had a harder time keeping the smile off her face. That is, until the ground beneath them shook and the remains of the empty building they found themselves in came crashing down.
…
They’d been at the wrong place at the wrong time. A foundation problem, they discovered later. Still, at the time, Catwoman had hardly been able to think straight. Even now as Batman travelled the rooftops at her side, she couldn’t shake the image of him lying unconscious among the rubble.
“Move!” they both yelled, but only she had time to do it. Shattered wood beams that once made up the building’s frame covered his back and legs. Drywall dust floated between them and Selina coughed every time she inhaled.
She’s not even sure how she got him out only that she was frantic to do it.
He hadn’t said anything as she removed the debris and turned him over on his back. She wanted to hear him say, “I’m fine.” “I don’t need any help.” Anything to know he was still alive.
She checked for a pulse and began to worry. Seconds turned to years. Then, he coughed and utter relief flowed from her eyes. But even then, they said nothing.
Batman and Catwoman continued to move in silence until they reached her place. She wasn’t sure if his intention was to stay or even come in; she only knew she wanted him to.
Perhaps the dust and dried tears on her face were as noticeable as she felt them, but she slipped off her mask anyway. Previously, she would have walked inside and left him to figure out what to do, but not this time. Even if she ignored what just happened, it was too soon to lose him again. The one night they shared before Bruce disappeared for a year through time had not been enough.
“Come on,” she smiled. “You’ve been gone a long time and it’s time I welcome you home.”