Archive of Our Own ^beta

Selina admires her new pair of earrings in the mirror. If anyone asks, she used Bruce's credit card to buy them. In reality, she might've nicked them from a jewelry store the other night.

Now-- technically, she's a former thief. But it's ridiculous how high inflation has gotten these days, really. It was a little treat for herself. No one needs to know but herself and her bathroom mirror.

She's been invited to a charity auction tonight, for a children's hospital trying to fundraise for research. The function was organized by one of the chief attending's wives, and hopefully things will go exactly the way they're supposed to. She has a date tonight, after all.

She sweeps a loose lock of hair behind her ear, trying to get it to stay, and rolling her eyes to herself when it doesn't. She loves having short hair, but it likes to misbehave.

She flicks off lights and pets her kittens goodbye as she heads outside to meet Bruce's driver he sent to collect her for the evening. She makes sure she has everything she needs in her small handbag on the way to the car. 

"Miss Kyle," greets the young man who's becoming familiar to her now, as he opens the rear driver door for her. "Lovely to see you again. Mr. Wayne sent me to ensure you arrive at the auction in a timely manner."

Selina slyly smirks at him. "Thank you, Wes." She elegantly slides into her seat, hitching her dress just slightly so she doesn't pull it down from the top and expose herself. Wes shuts the door after her once her feet are in, and he gets back into the driver's seat to take her to the auction hall. In the new lighting, she pulls out a compact mirror to make final adjustments to her makeup. "Wes, dear, did Bruce tell you if you'll be returning me to my home this evening?"

"No, Miss. I believe he told me Alfred will take care of it," Wes tells her.

Selina hums in acknowledgement. Alfred. She likes him. Usually when 'Alfred takes care of it,' Selina gets to go home with Bruce for the night. Well. If his children aren't in town, anyway. She wonders if any of them will be present at the auction. Most likely Damian, seeing as he's currently the one the media wants to know about the most, what with his mother hiding him for ten years. It's been a few since then, of course, but the kid is still a mystery. She likes his drive. She certainly clashes with him more than with Dick or Jason, but he has his moments-- especially if they happen to include cats.

The auction hall is a beautiful building. Tall brick walls, large oak doors. Selina can see rich people trailing up the steps, and as the doors open for a couple to enter, she can see a large sum of people milling about inside. She's not a fan of crowds, other than for hiding in them, but she endures them for things such as this, or other things she enjoys, like the opera, or galas. They're not as suffocating with alcohol in her system, she's learned well over the years.

Wes pulls up beside the curb, and goes around the car to open the door for her. She slides along the seat to get out, smoothing down her dress, and smiles a thanks to him. He says a hushed goodbye, and she waves briefly to the back of his car as he drives away before heading towards the steps. 

Her dress is long tonight, but not long enough she needs to pull it up to walk up the stairs. She greets people with forced polite smiles as she walks in, turning heads and eyes and stares to her, and she hates the attention. She's a vigilante, she's supposed to be stealthy. But that's Catwoman. She's Selina Kyle right now. Selina Kyle draws attention. Especially when she's dressed like she wants it.

She makes her way over to the bar eventually.

"Whiskey sour, please," she asks, sliding some cash over the bar. "On the rocks."

The bartender nods, taking the notes, and starts making her drink. There's a man standing not too far from her, drinking something as well, but she pays him no mind, as he's a stranger. 

She takes her whiskey from the bartender and takes a sip. It's a smooth blend, with a hint of orange in it, and it burns on its way down her throat. But it's good, and her lipstick only transfers slightly onto her glass as she drinks. 

She rejoins the crowd to mingle a little, not quite admitting that she's looking for Bruce, but knowing deep down that that was precisely what she was doing. She gets stopped quite a few times by ladies in HOAs, DARs, PTAs, and all sorts of other acronyms, asking for her input on this or that, and once she finishes her whiskey and starts feeling it a little in the back of her head, she grabs a champagne from a tray of a passing server.

It's then that a flash of blue catches her eye. Bruce is here. She looks again, this time more intentionally, and finds him across the room. He's standing against the wall, almost like he's trying to hide in the shadows, and just as she predicted, Damian is by his side. To her delight, on Damian's other, is Jason. 

She glides around people until she makes it to them, a genuine smile on her face for the first time since she left her apartment. 

"Hello, boys," she greets, eyes flicking between the three of them. She sidles up to Bruce, who smiles back at her. Damian looks grumpy as ever, and Jason seems annoyed, which isn't unusual either. "What brings you here?" She asks, teasing coyness slipping into her voice.

Bruce puts a gentle hand on the small of her back. His suit is a dark navy blue, and it compliments his eyes. His tie matches her dress, which tonight is burgundy with black lace.

"The same reason as you, I assume," Bruce replies. "To help fund a children's hospital. I hope the ride was good?"

"Oh, Wes was great. You know he's my favorite driver. Cute young man, and all."

"Wes is my favorite, too," Jason interjects. "Not because he's cute, though that is a perk. He's the only one who jokes back with me."

Selina sips from her glass. "It's good to see you, Jason, Damian. It's not often you bring more than one of your children to these events at once."

Jason smirks. "That's because he thinks we're obnoxious in public."

"That's because we are," Damian mutters, crossing his arms. He glares into the crowd.

Bruce sighs. "I don't think you're obnoxious, Jason. But usually when I bring more than one of you, things get out of hand, and it always seems to be our fault." He raises a brow. "I seem to remember you and Dick tag-teaming at a gala to pick-pocket guests. It was quite the conundrum." Selina chuckles into her glass.

Jason laughs boisterously. Damian stares at his brother with awe. "Okay, that one was Dick's plan. It was one of the few times we got along as kids." He shrugs, looks at Damian. "We gave everything back. Well. Except for some cash."

"Jason," Bruce scolds.

Jason looks entirely unrepentant. "We wanted some money for slushies at the gas station. It was like ten bucks, who at a gala is gonna miss that?"

Selina smiles. "Not many people. If I'd known you were such thieves yourselves, I would've stuck my hands in it."

"To help them, or me?" Bruce asks, sounding exhausted.

Selina winks at Jason, who laughs.

"I think the auction is going to start soon, would you care to sit by us?" Bruce asks.

"It would be my pleasure," Selina replies, then smiles, all cat-like. "But only if I can sit by Jason."

Damian wrinkles his nose at her. "He is only going to be a distraction."

Selina huffs out a laugh. "That's precisely why I love to sit by him. You and Bruce are far too alike. You take yourselves far too seriously." She nudges Bruce gently, and they look at each other. There's a special kind of softness in his eyes, one that he gets when she's being herself with his kids. She straightens his tie. "You both ought to learn how to have fun sometimes. Maybe if you made dirty jokes at auctions, you'd have less stress headaches."

Bruce chuckles. "I don't think that's how it works, Selina."

"Sure it is," Jason chimes. "I make dirty jokes every time I go to an auction, and it does wonders for my stress headaches. I bet Timbers would agree." Damian rolls his eyes.

Selina can see the doors into the auction room open, and people begin to file in. "I believe it is starting."

Jason offers an arm to her. "Shall we?"

Selina laughs, and puts her perfectly manicured hand into the crook of his elbow. Bruce's hand slips off her back. She looks back to see a mischievous look in his eye as he watches her walk away. She smirks at him. She won't be going home alone tonight.

Selina rolls over in bed, finding Bruce again.

The silk bed sheets are cool against her bare skin everywhere except for where she slept last night, and where Bruce is. His eyes flutter open at her touch, and he breathes in deeply as he startles awake.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," she whispers, laying her head on his shoulder. She puts her hand on the scar she gave him across his chest. He wraps the arm she's laying on around her, and his eyes slide closed again. "How did you sleep, darling?"

Bruce's lips twitch. "Fine."

Selina waits, but he doesn't ask her how she slept back. She thinks maybe he just fell asleep again, now that he knew the touch was safe, but then his hand moves along her side, in an intentional way, in a wanting way, and she tries not to be annoyed about it.

She doesn't stay for breakfast, after they're done, and have showered. Bruce doesn't invite her to. Alfred takes her home, and they sit in silence. She wishes it was Wes. He would know what to say to make her feel better. She knows Alfred is practically Bruce's surrogate father, which means she can't tell him anything private about her feelings and their relationship. Wes is practically her friend. He, at least, has jokes.

She hates morning-afters. It's a walk of shame she'll never get over. At least she and Bruce have enough of a history she can shower there. She's wearing his clothes, too. She might keep them. They're terribly comfortable. 

She says goodbye to Alfred at the curb, and walks in last night's heels, probably looking ridiculous with Bruce's clothes, holding a dress folded over arm and her handbag, which now holds her new earrings too. Her kittens swarm the door as soon as she can get it open, and she's careful to not let any slip outside. Gotham has many street cats, including the ones she rescued, so she is vigilant about keeping them in.

As soon as she sits her things down, she heads over to where she keeps the cat food, and pulls it out to fill their bowls. They pounce on it immediately, and she goes to her room. For someone who has someone who's supposed to be in her life, she feels remarkably lonely.

Selina waits, watches. She's good at it. Footsteps approach from behind her.

"Catwoman," greets a gruff voice. 

"Batman," she purrs back. He steps close enough that his cape sweeps against her back.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like?" She taps her claws on the edge of the roof they're on. 

"It looks like you're watching Red Hood fight."

Selina smiles demurely. "Precisely. I have something I need his help for. I'm waiting for the right moment to ask."

"Not mine?"

Selina hums, noncommittally. "We've had this conversation before, Batsy, remember?" She glances at him. "I need someone who'll kill." 

"No. You aren't going to kill someone, Selina."

Selina purses her lips. "You have your code, I have mine." She gets a running start, and jumps to the next roof, then the next, then the next. She hears Batman follow her. Jason looks like he's close to being done.

"I can't let you go just kill someone. Who is it?" He demands. Like it's his right to know. Selina huffs.

"There's this scumbag that's been selling laced marijuana around the East End to kids. I need him gone."

"So take him to Blackgate."

Selina clenches her jaw. "Bruce. You know I love working with you. But I don't know how you can forgive things like this. The world would be better off without him. Blackgate won't be bad enough. He'll be out in a few years if we're lucky there's not a breakout." She glares. "He's killing children. They're overdosing on something, and most of them are young, maybe only sixteen at the oldest."

Batman stares at her. "Take him to Blackgate, Selina," he says, lowly. 

Selina smiles ruefully. "I don't know why I try. You'll never change." She sees Jason take out the last person he's fighting. "Don't call me."

She takes off, heading down to where Jason is, knuckles bloody and guns empty. "Look what the cat dragged in," he says, sounding far too smug for a man who's father she's sleeping with.

Selina smiles, however, and stands up out of her landing crouch. "Hi, honey. I've got a little favor for you."

"Oh, sure. Anything for you."

"Great! His name's Russell Hammond.”

Selina hates how stubborn he is. She opens her front door. "I told you not to call."

"I didn't," Bruce says.

Selina raises her eyebrows. "That implies that I didn't want to see you."

Bruce nods. "Yep."

Selina purses her lips. "Come in, then. Don't let any cats out."

"I know." 

Selina feels like giving him a matching scar to the one on his chest for that. She knows he knows, but it's a habit to say it at this point. He takes off his shoes, putting them next to where her shoe rack sits by the door. He hangs his coat on her coat rack, and she's irked by how natural he looks in her house, stripped down to a gray turtleneck and black slacks.

"Why are you here, Bruce?"

Bruce's lips form a hard line. He looks tired. "Because I told you not to go after that man, and you and Jason did it anyway."

Selina hums. "This again." She nods. Swallows hard. "I'm not going to fight with you about this, Bruce. I made my choice, because those kids matter more to me than one man."

Bruce's eyebrows crease. "One man, who has a family, too."

Selina scowls. "A family who's related to a man who's killing children. Don't you dare tell me that you would use this excuse for the Joker, Bruce. He killed your son. What if Jason had been one of those kids in the East End, overdosing?"

Bruce stiffens. "That is different."

"Seems exactly the same to me."

Bruce clenches his fists. He stalks closer to her, but she stands her ground. She will not be bullied into changing her stance. Besides, the man is already dead. "You don't have any children, Selina, you don't know what it's like."

Selina scoffs. "Excuse you. I have my cats."

"Right, sorry, because your cats equate to a human child," he drolls.

Selina glares. "I may not have raised him, Bruce, but I love Jason too. He's a good kid, and I care a hell of a lot for him. I'd do anything he asked, anything. I mean it. So don't you dare discredit what he's been through by letting more kids die just because you're trying to push your little code onto everyone else." She takes a breath. "I don't want this to come between us. But if it has to, then fine. If all I am to you is someone to take home after events, then fine! I don't care anymore. But Jason deserves better. Even if I don't."

Bruce stares at her.

"What?" Selina asks, still mad. "Nothing to say?"

Bruce blinks. Takes a breath. She thinks she's about to get a response, and then–

He kisses her. 

Selina's shocked, but also, not really. He kisses her like he always does, like he's starving, and she's the first edible thing he's seen in centuries. It would be refreshing, if they'd actually talked out their issues, but she relaxes into it anyways, kissing him back, because she'll never not want him. 

She's upset with herself when he leaves, that she let him take her to bed again. It’s the only thing he ever does with her lately, and as she lays there, on her bed, only half undressed, she thinks that maybe she is tired of it. Maybe she is just tired, in general.

She hates that he didn't stay after, but she thinks she would've maybe hated it if he had, too. She's not sure what she wants, really. Something stable. A yes, or a no. Not something in between, always in flux, always unsure, always depending on if she's meeting his standards.

She cleans up after them, washing her sheets -- pretending that it was time to wash them anyway -- and showering off the feeling of his hands on her skin. She puts on a spare set of linens and crawls into bed, because what better place is there, to wallow about a man? She's disgusted with herself, truly. She could do better.

She takes a nap in the early evening, has dinner with her cats, and then goes out as Catwoman. She hopes Batman has the sense to stay away from her. She might resort to desperate measures if he doesn't.

"What is going on between you and Father?" asks a monotonous voice, coming from the shadows behind her. "Neither of you are happy and it is impacting his work. It is becoming sloppy."

Selina huffs. "That is not any of your business." She waves him closer. He has his hood over his head, making it nearly impossible to distinguish him from the shadows around him. She would find it cute how much he takes after his father if she wasn't so frustrated over him constantly. 

"It is if he is becoming a liability."

Selina tuts. She strides over to him and gently tugs down his hood. He pouts at her, probably trying to look intimidating, the poor thing, but really just looking cute. She fixes his hair for him, combing it back with her claws as she speaks, "Well.. your father and I are very complicated. We disagree over a very core aspect of our crime fighting, and my views go against his moral code. We still love each other very much, however, and that makes it very hard to be fully apart. We're having a bit of a spat at the moment, and Jason's sort of involved."

Damian's brow creases, in the same way Bruce's does. Selina smiles gently. "How is Todd involved?"

"He helped me kill a very bad man. That is why your father is mad at me. But we find it hard to be apart for very long. Like we're stuck in orbit together."

Damian nods. "I see." He's quiet for a moment. "I don't hate you, Catwoman."

She chuckles. "Well, I hope not. I thought we were almost friends."

"I simply mean.." He grapples for words. "I misjudged you, in the beginning of your relations with my Father. But I see now that you care for the people of Gotham, and for Father. So I.." He looks at her meaningfully, and a little frustrated, like he can't get out what he wants to say.

"Thank you, Damian," she says, softly. "That means a lot. Especially coming from you."

The boy nods, and seems satisfied. "Father is a very busy man, but he always makes time for you."

Selina shakes her head. "Not the time I want. Not the time I need. Just the time he wants, when he wants it, when it's convenient for him." She pets Damian's head, making him wrinkle his nose in displeasure. "But you don't need to worry about that. It's adult matters. It'll be alright."

As she sends him off, and watches him go, she wishes she could believe that herself. 

A few nights after her conversation with Damian, Selina is lounging on her couch, eating a delicious delivered meal from a restaurant not too far from her place whilst watching a silly drama show. She knows it's heavily exaggerated, but it feels better to watch it than to think about Bruce, so she does it. 

Living in Gotham, she can recognize the sound of someone breaking in. It happens to her frequently, despite updating her security regularly. It's expected, because it's clear she has money. She's fine with this little dance, because she loves her apartment. She made her bed, she will gladly lie in it.

She gets up to investigate, slowly padding over to the door, where the sound of a lock pick is coming from. She can't hear any voices. 

The door handle clicks, and then it's turning, and Selina steps back out of the way with her arms crossed. Whoever it is is about to get their night ruined.

"Wha- Harley?!" Selina exclaims, seeing her friend crouched on the ground in front of her. 

Harley grins. "Hey, you are here! Ives tried to call, y'know. You didn't answer, so I thought I'd come check on ya!"

Selina sighs. "Hurry up and get in, before you let a cat out." 

Harley hums a tune as she bounces inside. "So, Selina, what's got you all mopey?" She asks, scooping up a kitten into her arms.

"It's nothing."

"It's not nothin', otherwise you woulda been out bein' a badass by this timea night."

Selina huffs, and sits back on the couch, picking up the remains of her dinner. "You and Ivy really don't need to worry about me. It's just Bruce being.. Bruce."

Harley groans, plopping down beside her, and looking at her. "You deserve better'n that asshole. He may have that pretty face, but I'm tellin' ya, it ain't worth it bein' involved with a guy who's priority ain't you."

Selina sighs. "Well.. that's just not feasible, with Bruce. He's got his company, he's got his children, he's got Batman to think about. They're all important enough to prioritize over me." She stabs a pasta noodle. "I just wish that, maybe sometimes, he didn't have to make it so obvious that I'm an afterthought."

"So dump him already!"

Selina shakes her head. "I can't, Harls. You know that." She sets her plate on the coffee table. She's not hungry anymore. "Jason's been great with this. He's trying to help smooth things over. I don't know if it's helping, or making it worse yet."

"Jason, Jason," Harley says. "He's the second Robin, yeah? The Red Hood? Yeah. I see what's goin' on. You know what? I think you need ta make him jealous! Go on a date with a guy, make sure he knows about it, and then he'll realize what he's losin'."

Selina thinks on it. "No, that's crazy. I don't.. We're not even dating, for Christ's sake."

Harley grins madly. "Exactly why you're allowed to see other guys! Go out with Jason, he'll really hate that one."

Selina wrinkles her nose. "No, absolutely not."

"But he's such a beefcake! I bet it'd make him real angry."

"That's all sorts of wrong. Going out with his kid." She doesn't say what she really thinks, that Jason is almost her kid, too. She doesn't know if she's earned the right to think that, let alone say it out loud. Jason has been hurt by too many parents.

"Go out with onea his friends, then! He can't be mad at you for that. Not when he's been treatin' you like dirt."

Selina wrinkles her nose. "I wouldn't say that."

"I would," Harley hums. "And I been treated like dirt, too. So. Keep that in mind."

Selina scoffs. "This is not at all like you and the Joker. He loves me." She frowns to herself. "At least, in some way. I'm sure of it." She clenches her hands into fists until her nails bite into her palms.

Harley looks unimpressed. "You sound like me when I was datin' the Joker. Hon, if you're unhappy, you have no reason to stay in a relationship-- if you can even call it that-- that isn't givin' what you need. Hell, if you're that desperate for someone to fuck ya, Ives and I will do it. Platonically, of course." Selina coughs out a startled laugh. "But, Selina, he's the typa guy that thinks it's fine to step all over ya because you never told him you wanted any different. And you, bein' as tough as you are, that means a lot. So tell the moron."

Selina lets out a frustrated sigh. "Yeah. I guess you're right. Thank you." She runs a hand through her hair, smoothing it down. "Have you eaten?"

"Yeah, Ives and I tried this new tofu place. It was okay."

Selina hums. "Where is Ivy?"

Harley grins. "We figured your whole thing had somethin' to do with Batman. So I came here, she went to go do some ecoterrorism!" She sighs dreamily, petting the cat in her lap, Smokes. "She's the best. I can't wait to watch the news back later."

Selina laughs. "We can watch it now, if you'd like."

"Oh, can we? That'd be awesome." Harley squeals as Selina switches the channel, and Ivy comes on-screen, her plants raging around her. "That's my girl!"

Selina smiles softly. She's missed her friends.

A knock on the door interrupts her yoga.

Only a few names come to mind as to who it could be, this time of day, but somehow, it's none of them behind the door.

"Jason," Selina says with a slow smile. "Well, at least you're more polite than Harley about coming unannounced. What brings you here? I was in the middle of yoga."

Jason smiles apologetically. "Sorry for the disruption." He offers a paper bag to her. "I brought food. And some wine."

Selina raises a brow. "What's the occasion?"

"Does there need to be one?" Jason shrugs. "I just haven't seen you since the auction."

"We've seen each other plenty at night."

"That doesn't count, we're at work."

"I suppose." She steps out of the way. "Come in, then."

Jason takes his shoes off right inside the door, ever the clean gentleman, and heads towards her table to set down his things. Then, because he's a miscreant, he doesn't wait for permission before digging around in her cupboards.

"What are you looking for?" Selina asks dryly, raising a brow. 

"Plates," he replies, distractedly. "Aha!" He emerges victorious with two in his hand. He also found the wine glasses, it seems. He brings them over to the table, and Selina gets silverware, and scrounges up her corkscrew.

She sits across from Jason, where he sat the second plate and glass, and sets the utensils down between them as he starts pulling takeout boxes out of the bag. Chinese, is what he got, apparently. She looks at him, unimpressed.

He ignores it, twisting the corkscrew into the top of the wine bottle he brought. It's a nice Pinot Gris, one of her favorites. "So. You said Harley was here? What'd you mean I was more polite?" He yanks out the cork, and pours them each a glass of wine.

"She picked the lock, even though I was home." Selina picks up a box of orange chicken to scoop some out onto her plate. "But.. she gave me some perspective. It was what I needed to hear."

Jason hums around his bite of chow mein. "'Bout what?"

"Your father."

"That asshole."

Selina laughs. "Yes. I find myself thinking that quite frequently myself." She sighs.

"What perspective she give you?"

Selina half-shrugs. "She says I deserve better."

Jason snorts. "That ain't perspective. That's just a damn fact." He points his fork at her. "Listen, Selina. I don't know what the hell you're puttin' up with him for. But I also don't know him the way you do, I just know him as my cranky old man, alright? So maybe whatever you saw in him was worth it when you started this bullshit, but if he's gonna treat you like shit, then it ain't worth it anymore."

Selina looks down. "I.. suppose you may be right." She takes a sip of her wine, and sighs quietly at the rich taste. "But, also, I feel as though letting go of our history.. is a waste, almost."

Jason scoffs. "How the hell is it a waste? He's being a dick, you dump his ass, you win the cars and take the kids. I don't see a problem here."

Selina shakes her head, smiling ruefully. "I gave him so much of me." She takes another sip of wine, trying to swallow the lump in her throat. "It feels like giving up. It feels like all the time and effort I put into trying to make it work was for.. nothing." She looks at Jason, hoping he sees in her eyes why she's so torn. "It's not so simple as just dumping him. I love him, dearly. I've never met a man more compelling. He owns my heart. And yet here he is, throwing it away, because he's too busy. His children are all grown except for Damian, and his company is no longer run by him, and there are so many people willing to help him if he would just accept it, and yet, I am still neglected." She closes her eyes. "It.. almost feels intentional, when he strings me along."

Jason nods. "I think.. that maybe it isn't intentional. But he's still stringing you along, and it ain't fair to you." He scrubs at his hair. "I know better than anyone how much of an emotional brick wall he is unless you force him not to be. I think he just.. forgets. That he has someone. Or maybe he doesn't realize that you're in it for more. I dunno. He's fuckin' Batman, he should be smarter about it than this."

Selina sighs. She takes a long drink of her wine. "What do you truly think I should do? Would it be better for me to cut my losses here, and tell him to not talk to me again?"

Jason shrugs. "Fuck if I know." He takes a thoughtful bite. "You should do whichever one makes you feel less like throwin' up all over your expensive as shit carpet." He smirks at her.

Selina frowns. "That is my dilemma. Both of them do."

"Well. Think of it this way. Would it hurt more in the long run to keep him around where he can do more direct damage, or would it hurt more to cut him off where all the damage is residual?"

Selina swallows hard. "Direct would hurt more, I suppose. At least with residual hurt, I can see other people guilt-free."

Jason throws a hand up to gesture at her. "That's the spirit!" He quirks a playful smile. "And I'll make sure he doesn't keep us from seein' you. Maybe we can strike up an official alliance between Red Hood and Catwoman, eh? Then we'll have a reason for you to see the kids if Bats tries to avoid you?"

Selina smiles, and leans her head on her hand. "You take good care of me, Jay."

"I try."

"Thank you," she says. "For bringing me dinner, and wine. And for everything else. I know we don't see each other as often as I would like, but.." She smiles sadly down at her plate. "I'm glad for the company."

"Anytime," Jason replies easily. "If B won't come around, I'll always be here."

Selina nods, smiling a little happier.

"Miss Kyle," Alfred greets her at the door. She drove herself to the manor, figuring it was time to have a conversation with Bruce. It's been a few days since her conversation with Jason, and she's decided what to say. "What brings you to Wayne Manor?"

Selina smiles politely. "Is Bruce in? I need to see him."

"Yes, he's in his study. Master Damian and Master Jason are here, too, sparring in the back gardens. They might enjoy it if you go out and say hello," Alfred offers, as he lets her inside. He takes her coat, a long black trench, and her heels click against the hardwood as she makes her way to the back doors. 

She leans against the doorway, watching the boys on a sparring mat on the patio. For as loud as her heels are, their grunts and punches have been loud enough to hide them, apparently. Damian gets a good kick in, and then Jason gets him into a headlock he can't squirm out of. 

She claps, and they both look over, startled. She smiles, cheshire-like. "Wonderful show, boys. Sorry for the intrusion. I came to see Bruce, but Alfred told me you were out here, and I couldn't resist seeing my darling boys."

Jason drops Damian on his ass. He glares at her, like that was her fault. "Nah, it's fine, Selina. Runt wanted to learn a new move, so we weren't goin' too rough." 

Selina hums. She steps out towards them, careful not to catch the thin heel of her shoes in the gaps of the wood on the porch steps.

Jason tugs her into a side-hug, and she accepts it, squeezing him tight. Damian picks himself up, brushing off his clothes. 

"How is school, Damian?" Selina asks, stepping out from under Jason's arm. She rights her blouse, raising her brows at Bruce's youngest child. 

"Fine," he scowls.

"He's a secret little nerd," Jason teases. "He's got straight A's."

"Well, that's certainly impressive," Selina says, smiling. Damian rolls his eyes.

"It's what's expected," he retorts. "Not all of us can be high school drop-outs."

Jason scoffs. "It's almost like I died or something. And I got my GED!"

"Selina!"

Selina turns to see Bruce at the door. "Oh, hello."

"Alfred told me you were here. You never came up." His lips quirk up. "But I suppose I see why."

Selina hums. "Yes, I was worried I might miss seeing Jason before he went home today."

Jason shook his head. "Nah, I'll be here til this evenin'."

Selina smiles, puts a hand on his arm. "I'm glad. I'll see you later, boys."

"Bye," Jason replies. Damian grunts. So much like his father, that one.

Bruce offers a hand to her as she approaches, but she brushes past him through the doorway instead.

"I'm.. guessing you're upset with me for something," he says, following her as she leads the way upstairs. She will never call Wayne Manor home, no, but it's as close as a place can be to a second one-- rivaled only by Ivy and Harley's apartment. She knows the way to his study like the back of her hand. 

"Oh, are you?" Selina asks, looking over her shoulder at him with a raised brow. She pushes open the door to his study, and sits gingerly on the edge of his desk. Bruce closes the door behind himself, eyeing her without bothering to hide the wanting glint he has. She stretches her legs out, and his eyes follow the motion. "Well. You're right. I am a little upset, Bruce."

Bruce frowns. "About what?"

Selina tilts her head downwards. "I'm tired, Bruce. I can't do this anymore."

Bruce steps closer, only a few steps. His hands twitch at his sides like he's dying to touch her. "..Why?"

Selina chuckles coldly, without any humor. "Why. Because you of anyone should know how exhausting it is to be used. And I can't let you use me anymore. I can't do what we've been doing anymore. We don't even hardly talk unless you're trying to get into my bed." She sighs. "It's hurtful."

"Is that why you're so cozy with Jason?"

"..What?" 

"You and Jason. You're always around each other. I saw you, in the garden. That hug. The touching his arm. He was at your apartment the other night. And even on patrol, you seem to gravitate towards each other."

Selina laughs, loudly. "Are you jealous of him? Of your son? That's–" she chuckles a little more, "Bruce, that is ridiculous for so, so many reasons. Why on Earth would..." She shakes her head.

Bruce looks down. "Selina.. Just say yes or no."

Selina huffs. "No." She sighs. "And you, of all people, should know that. Not that you have the right to be jealous anyway. We aren't even dating, Bruce. We aren't exclusive. If I was dating someone, it wouldn't be any of your business."

"It would be my business, Selina, we've- we're–"

"Stop it, Bruce. You made it pretty damn clear what you thought of me every time you left as soon as we were done having sex. That's.." Selina swallows hard. "I can't do it anymore. I need something else. I need someone else. I'm sorry."

Bruce stares at her. "Okay, then," he says gruffly. He looks lost.

"If.." She closes her eyes. "If.. you can show me, somehow, that you can change, then.." She opens her eyes, but it aches to look at him. "Then maybe we can give it another try. But you can't expect me to sit here and keep waiting for you to be ready. I won't do it anymore."

"Why haven't you told me this before?"

Selina clenches her jaw. "Because I was stupid enough to think you'd realize it on your own. You've essentially got, what, eight kids? Did not a single one of them give you a hint that maybe I would've liked a little more than the bare minimum?" She rubs at her eyes, likely smearing her mascara underneath them, but she doesn't care. "Maybe you should be jealous of Jason. He's around more than you are. That says something."

"That isn't fair, Selina, you know I'm incredibly busy," Bruce says quietly. 

"So is he. So am I. I've always made time for you."

"You aren't running a company."

Selina raises a brow. "Neither are you. Tim's the CEO. And has been, for a while now."

"I still go over a lot of his paperwork."

Selina sighs. "Why? You know he's good at his job. He doesn't need you hovering. Either give him the whole job, or take the job back. Don't do this half in-half out bullshit to him, too. You do it with everything, and sometimes I want to scream." She tucks her hair behind her ear. It doesn't stay. "I hope when you ask Dick for advice later that you listen." She stands, walks towards the door, around him, with her head down. "Goodbye, Bruce." 

He steps in her way, hand on the doorknob. "Don't leave." She meets his eyes. "Please."

Selina stares at him. "Give me one good reason."

Bruce cups her face gently, almost lovingly. She turns her head away. "I love you, Selina."

"Then you should've acted like it." She tries to pry his hand away from the door. It gets replaced by his other one. "Bruce, let me go."

"Not until we're done talking."

"We are."

"No we aren't."

"Yes we are. I've said all I needed to."

"I haven't." Bruce puts a hand on her waist and guides her back to the desk, where she sits, scowling at him. He sits in the chair in front of her, holding her hands in his, looking up at her with a mix of fear, and something annoyingly soft. "Selina, I'm sorry you've felt neglected. But I can't know what you don't tell me. Please, will you allow me time to make it up to you, before you cut me off from your life?"

Selina closes her eyes against the guilt. She'd come here, wanting to leave feeling vindicated, and satisfied. She bought more of Jason's wine yesterday, and she was going to drink it in celebration when she got home. She's sure Harley's waiting for an update, and if she calls to tell her that she gave him another chance, she'll be disappointed. 

But it's come too far. She's hurt too much. Maybe she set too many expectations of him, maybe that was irresponsible of her, but she's just a girl, and maybe she just wanted something to hope for.

Selina opens her eyes again, and Bruce is still there, waiting. His blue eyes search her face, and she wishes that she knew what to show him. "Bruce.. I.." She swallows. She lifts a hand to stroke his cheek. He leans into her touch, such a gentle, trusting gesture. "Okay. Okay. But we.. we have to make room for each other. You have to make room for me. You can't doubt me when I make decisions you don't like in the field."

He covers her hand with his, and turns his face to press a kiss to her palm. "I promise I'll try to trust you," he whispers to her hand. "And I'll make room for you, I swear. I'll write you down in my schedule in Sharpie if I have to."

Selina smiles. "Thank you. Stalker."

"I am not a stalker."

"You saw Jay went to my apartment, that's stalking," she teases. "Maybe he's right, and I should take custody of the kids."

Bruce's lips quirk. "He said that?"

"Mhm. He also said I should win the cars."

Bruce kisses her wrist. "You don't have anywhere to store cars. You only have one parking space at your apartment. No garage."

"I could move," she muses. "But that doesn't sound like a no."

"You can drive my cars whenever you would like, Selina," he tells her.

Selina laughs a little, then checks her watch. "Mm, I gotta go. I've got an appointment."

Bruce frowns. "Stay."

"I can't. It's a gyno."

"Oh. That's not so fun."

"I can.. come back? if you'd like." She smirks. "I mean, if you aren't too busy."

Bruce laughs. "I'll clear everything until patrol tonight. I promise."

"Good." She rises, and he comes with her, trailing behind her as she heads for the door again. She manages to open the door this time before she's stopped, by a hand on her waist. "Bruce--" She turns, annoyed.

Bruce leans in to kiss her, and she places her hands on his shoulder as he pulls her in, and they linger for longer than just a moment.

Selina pulls away with a smile. "Okay. Now I really need to go, before you get any ideas that'll make me late."

Bruce raises a brow. "Me? Never." He steals another quick peck, and then lets her escape his grasp. He watches her leave from the doorway, as she sees when she glances over her shoulder just before she would be out of his view.

Jason's the one waiting with her coat in the entrance hall for her.

"So," he starts. "How'd it go with B?"

Selina half-smiles. "I don't really know yet. I think things will be better now."

"Good, that's good." Jason nods. "I'm glad." He stiffly holds out her jacket. "Um. Here. I wanted to see you before you left, so. I took it so Alfred didn't have to wait for you."

Selina takes it, and puts it on, smoothing it over her outfit. "I.. I know that reconciliation with Bruce was not what anyone wanted, except for Bruce, and not what I came here to do. You and Harley were advocating for separation the most of everyone." She sighs to herself. "But.. it isn't so simple. And if he's ready to change, I want to let him try. I mean it when I say this is the last chance. This is it."

Jason nods, looking a little thoughtful. "Good." He nods again. "Good. You deserve better, Selina. If he's changing, then I'm.. I'm glad."

Selina smiles. She rocks up onto her toes, and presses a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Come around my place soon, okay? I'm gonna be back here tonight, I think. If.. y'know, he doesn't cancel on me."

Jason nods again. "Yeah. I'll be there. And I'll see you on patrol, if I don't see you here, right?"

"Of course." She smiles again. "Bye, Jason."

"Bye."

She turns and leaves, without any interruptions. She almost wishes that there was one.

Dinner at Wayne Manor was never short of amusing.

Selina sits back in her chair, sipping her wine, and holding Bruce's hand loosely over the table as she watches the kids bicker and banter over one another around the table.

Jason and Damian fought over the seat beside her, Damian winning because he tripped Jason and clambered into the seat before he could get back up. It was cute. Jason sat across from her, seething every time he looked at Damian, and glaring at her every time he caught her grinning.

Cassandra and her have a little camaraderie between them, surrounded by obnoxious boys as they are. Every time Selina gets too exasperated by the conversation around her, her gaze finds its way back to Cassandra's, and they share a commiserating look. Selina doesn't know her very well, not on the level she knows Damian or Jason, but she has a feeling they're going to become closer if things with Bruce are going to proceed the way they are tonight.

Selina sets her glass down to pick up her fork as Alfred places a delectable looking slice of cheesecake down in front of her, thanking him under the clamoring of Tim that Dick stole his spoon.

"Boys, behave," Bruce chides, and Tim settles back down into his seat from where he'd been making war plans across the table with Duke, who was just there for the ride. "Dick did not take your spoon, Tim, it was Damian."

Tim whirls on his younger brother, who scowls and pulls it out from under the table.

"I was merely testing you to see how long it would take you to notice," Damian mutters.

Selina pats his shoulder consolingly. "Yes, well, he's very territorial, and you know that. You wouldn't want him taking your spoon either."

Damian crosses his arms to sulk, poking at his own piece of cheesecake with a fork. 

"Territorial," Tim grumbles. "You make me sound like a dog, or something."

"There is nothing wrong with dogs," Damian snarks, "but maybe if you acted less like one, Selina would be less inclined to imply you did."

"You and me, spar, right now. I'll show you dog."

"You both act like rabid animals," Jason says with a snort.

Duke raises his eyebrows. "Like you have room to talk, man."

Jason glares at him. It looks more like a pout.

Cass and Selina share a look. "Boys are all animals," Cass says definitively, nodding. "Squirrel." She points at Damian.

"I am not a squirrel." Damian looks offended.

"What am I?" Duke asks out of the corner of his mouth, leaning towards her. 

Cass purses her lips. "Baby seal." She smiles and nudges him, letting him know she's teasing him. Duke laughs.

"I can see that," Dick adds, grinning. "What about me, Cassie?"

Cass takes a tiny bite of cheesecake while she thinks. "...Monkey."

Dick stares at her. "It's the gymnastics, isn't it?" She nods. "Of course." He pouts.

"And you're the most emotionally competent of us," Tim says. That perks him up a little.

Jason sighs. "I think Timbo and I gotta know too, it's only fair." 

"And Bruce and I," Selina chimes, smiling serenely. Cass nods. 

She points to Jason. "Jellyfish."

Jason nods. "Stupid but deadly." He looks gravely serious about accepting it.

She cracks a grin. Points to Tim. "Gecko."

Tim scrunches his face in confusion. "Huh? I would thought something generic like, raccoon, or something nocturnal."

She raises her eyebrows. "Gecko tails come off. Spleen."

Tim coughs out a laugh. "Okay. But geckos can regrow their tails. I can't regrow my spleen."

Cass shrugs. "Skill issue?"

Jason laughs. "I agree. Okay. Obviously Selina's a cat, right?"

Cass tilts her head. "Hm. Too common."

Selina hums. "Yes, and it's my alter ego already."

"Penguin," Cass decides. "Adoption."

Selina smiles. "Because they adopt other chicks?" Cass nods.

"Wouldn't that be Bruce?" Dick asks. "He's the one with all the kids. Selina doesn't have any."

“Hey– I’ve got my cats, thank you,” she responds.

"Duck," Cass says, pointing to Bruce. "Follow."

Bruce raises a brow. "Follow. You mean the Justice League."

Cass makes a so-so motion. "Steph. Babs. Not your children. Follow."

Selina smiles. "You are such a clever girl." Cass's eyes dart around. Selina continues. "I suppose that I would be a penguin because they adopt kids that aren't theirs. Me being in a relationship with Bruce would be akin to doing that." Cass smiles, glad to be understood. 

Selina hums, and sits back in her chair, bringing her wine with her. "What about you, Cass?"

Cass purses her lips, thinking. "...Turtle."

"Hard outside, soft inside," Tim comments. Cass nods a little.

"Alfred, too," Jason requests. Bruce smiles, the tiniest bit.

"Shark."

"Protective, but won't harm unless provoked," Dick mused. He shakes his head. "I didn't expect that to turn into a thing. It was fun, though."

Damian wrinkles his nose. "I still do not understand the squirrel."

"It's 'cause you take a while to warm up to people, and even then you still hate having contact with them," Duke says. Damian stares blankly at him. "What? I feed the squirrels sometimes, sue me. They like the food, but they don't like when I try to do anything but look at them."

"You should not feed wild animals," Damian retorts. "It makes them lose essential gathering skills."

"National Geographic with Damian, everyone," Jason says. "Our own personal wildlife expert."

Damian rolls his eyes. "It is common sense. If you supply them with everything automatically, they do not learn the skills they need to survive."

 "Uh-huh.." Duke mumbles. "So I should stop..?"

Damian huffs. "Slowly stop. Not abruptly."

"I wanna watch a movie," Dick interrupts. "Before I have to go back to Bludhaven."

His siblings all start to get up from the table and head for the TV room, leaving Bruce and Selina alone. Bruce looks over at her.

"Would you like to join them, or go upstairs?"

Selina hums. "Let's join them. You love movie nights."

Bruce's lips twitch. "Yes. I do. I'm surprised you remembered that. You haven't been to one in a long time."

Selina shrugs a little as she stands. "I'm simply observant, honey. And Jason tells me stories about the antics I miss around here all the time." She winks, and strides out of the room.

There's room for her and Bruce saved on the couch, next to Jason, who looks up at her with a tiny proud smile. She sits down beside him, undoing the buckles on her heels and sliding her feet out of them to pull up onto the couch. Bruce sits down beside her and pulls a blanket over their laps. She tucks it over Jason, too, and he slumps against her side, curling up around her and placing his head on her shoulder. She plays with his hair, twirling her fingers around the baby curls nestled at the nape of his neck. The movie starts, and she settles against Bruce's side, letting him help support Jason's cuddle weight like a Selina-sandwich. 

Bruce puts an arm over the back of the couch, and Selina knows he's just dying to wrap them both into a hug. Selina presses a kiss the crown of Jason's head, who grumbles out something unintelligible.

About halfway through the movie, during a scene where the background is bright, Selina catches Cass's eyes. Cass smiles at her, and signs from across the room, "Penguin."

Selina agrees.

Selina checks the time on her watch. Then she checks it on her phone, hoping her watch was wrong. Then she checks the kitchen clock, hoping that somehow both her watch and phone were wrong. Things had been going.. mostly smoothly, for a couple months now.

She sighs. Bruce is late. He may not even show.

She'd texted him only about a million reminders. Sticky notes, texts, voicemails, you name it, she left it.

She's dressed in an expensive dress, because they had fancy dinner plans. He said he was going to spoil her. She purses her lips, and tries not to feel too much like crying.

She calls Alfred, and it's a torturous few seconds before he picks up.

"Miss Kyle, what can I do for you?"

"Hello, Alfred," she greets. "I was wondering where Bruce is. We have a date tonight, and he's late."

Alfred is quiet. "He.. is not home."

Selina huffs, heart sinking. "Of course. Thank you, Alfred."

"I'm sorry, Miss Kyle, for not realizing. He seemed agitated about a case, and I suggested he take it out on doing good for the community rather than my begonias."

"No.. it's not your fault. He should have been responsible enough to be back in time to be here, or not go at all." Selina runs a hand through her carefully styled hair. She loves putting it in finger waves. Bruce says it's his favorite style on her. "I will see you the next time I'm at the manor, Alf."

"Please be safe out there tonight, Miss Kyle."

Selina smiles. "Alright. Only because you asked."

Alfred huffs. "You children are going to be the death of me."

"Bye, Alfred."

"Goodbye."

Selina hangs up, and her apartment feels somehow both constricting and too empty. She bursts into her bedroom to change into her Catwoman suit, needing to be anywhere but there, and her carefully chosen dress is on the floor in only moments.

Jumping from roof to roof has never been so liberating, and the adrenaline has her heart racing. A flicker of a cape catches her eye. A pang of hurt chimes through her, and she pauses where she's perched, catching her breath.

She pulls her knees to her chest, wraps her arms around them, and stares out at the city. If Bats wants to find her, he will.

She hears someone land behind her, and she hates how disappointed she is that it isn't Bruce.

"Catwoman," greets a flat voice.

"Hello, Damian," Selina replies, turning her head to look at him over her shoulder. "... Where is your father?"

"He is taking care of something." Damian hedges closer. "I understood that I wasn't allowed out tonight because you had an evening out scheduled together, and Father didn't want me out on my own. Then, suddenly, I was to suit up immediately. ...Did something come up?"

"I don't know. We had a date planned, and he didn't show," Selina says. "He was supposed to pick me up at my apartment, and I waited for an hour, and we missed our reservation at a restaurant that Ivy recommended, and I don't know why I expected any different. I called Alfred to see where he was because Bruce wasn't answering, and apparently, he was out here." She wishes her voice wasn't shaking.

Damian sits down beside her. He looks unsure of himself. "If I had known that Father was instead of going on your date, I would have spoken up. I apologize."

"It's not your fault, Damian, it's his." Selina uncurls herself, stretching out her legs over the edge of the building. "He's going to come get you eventually, yes?"

"..Yes."

"Then I apologize in advance," she says simply. They sit in companionable silence until there's a quiet whir of a grapple and the clink of metal on metal. His footsteps are nearly silent, but Selina has spent a long, long time listening for them. 

"Robin. You are not supposed to run off while we are on patrol together," Batman scolds flatly. 

"Yes, Father," Damian replies blandly. "I saw Catwoman up here, and needed to ask her a question that I had. It will not happen again."

Batman grunts. Selina continues to watch the city. "See that it won't. Head back to the Batmobile." Damian does. Selina watches him go. "Selina."

"Bruce."

"It.. wasn't on purpose."

"You should have called." Selina stands so they're on even ground. She can't face him. "If you'd rather have been out here, you could have just told me. You didn't have to leave me wondering."

"I know. I apologize. There were urgent matters, I didn't have time."

Selina laughs bitterly. "If they were urgent enough to stand me up, I'm sure you could have managed a call. You could have had Alfred do it, if it was that urgent." She turns on her heel. Bruce is close, only a few feet away. She crosses the gap to point an accusing finger at his chest. "You're making excuses for pulling away again, Bruce, and I won't let you. You're either in or out. What'll it be?"

Bruce stares at her for a moment, before gently cupping her face in his hands. "You know I'm in, Selina. You know I'm going to try for as long as you'll let me."

Selina's lips tremble. "Then why'd you bail on me tonight?"

"Gotham needed me."

"I needed you, too." Selina places her hands over his. "Bruce, I know this job is important, but.. there's other people here who can do it. You have a whole slew of kids. You have an innumerable amount of allies. You're allowed to take the night off sometimes. Especially if not doing so hurts other people in the process."

Bruce purses his lips. "People would have been hurt either way, Selina. I just knew you would be able to forgive me. A dead person wouldn't."

Selina removes his hands from her face and just holds them instead. "You're right. But they wouldn't be dead if someone else had filled in for you, either."

"You don't know that." 

"I can't forgive you after every time, Bruce. There's only so many times a girl can be stood up before she starts to think about leaving."

 "Leaving.." He glances out towards the city behind her.

"Not Gotham, Bats. You."

Bruce looks down. "I figured." He swallows hard. "Selina, I'm sorry. You deserve better. But I can't give up being Batman for leisure. That's too selfish."

"Right. I remember. You're never selfish, unless it comes to standing up your girlfriend. Or worse, not even bothering to make her your girlfriend until she forces you to, because you think her moral code isn't up to par." She drops his hands, and backs away. He tries to follow, but she gives him a look, and he stops. "I don't know if I can do it, Bruce. Harley was right." She shakes her head. "We can't give each other what we need. You need space, to be the savior of Gotham or whatever. I need someone who's reliable enough to show up to the dates he plans."

"Selina," Bruce says, sounding desperate. She looks up at him. "Let me prove to you that I want this. That I want you. I can give you what you need, I promise. I'm just.. still adjusting."

Selina scoffs. "You've done a great job proving how badly you want me tonight. You've had years to adjust, Bruce. You know you're never going to adjust in enough time for me to stay."

Bruce reaches for her again. She lets him this time, and his hands grasp her upper arms gently. "Selina, please. Let me try."

"You've done nothing but try," she retorts. "I can't do try anymore." She draws a shuddering breath. "I can't." Her eyes well with tears.

"Selina," he murmurs. Selina turns away. She can't face him, not like this, when her guard is down, and she already misses him so much, even though he's right there. "Come home with me. We can watch that movie you and Jay have been trying to get me to watch." He, incredibly lightly, places his arms around her. When she doesn't pull away, he wraps himself around her securely.

Selina takes a deep breath, then melts back against his chest. "Alright. I'll come home."

Bruce nods against her. "Thank you. I'm sorry."

"I know," she murmurs back. 

Bruce takes her back to Wayne Manor, and she steals some of his pajama pants and a t-shirt, getting ready to settle into the couch with Bruce. Bruce finds a soft, fluffy blanket to pull up around their laps, and Selena curls up against his side. 

There’s an odd air between them. Selina doesn’t know how to fix it. She doesn’t know if she can. But she has to try. She can’t stand it anymore.

“Bruce?” She whispers. He turns his head to look at her. She searches for.. She doesn’t even know what. “I get how important being Batman is to you, okay? But I need some communication if you’re going to cancel on me. You can’t just not show up. That isn’t okay.”

Bruce nods. “I understand. I’m sorry.” He leans down to gently kiss her. He pulls away, and looks down guiltily. “You are more important to me than fighting crime. But I know that some things cannot be put on hold, even if I believe they can be. I operated tonight without thinking how it would hurt you.”

Selina smiles. “As long as this does not become a habit of yours, I’m sure we’ll be alright.” She presses a loving kiss to his cheek, and Bruce smiles.

“Yes. We’ll be alright.”