She was almost positive he wouldn't drop by, especially not after last night, but she was wrong. She rolled off him and wiped away some of the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand. He had been extremely energetic tonight, more so than the previous nights...or mornings. She continuously wondered how he had so much energy left after a long night of patrolling, of evading attempts on his life, and of pummeling criminals senseless.
Selina turned to look at him. He lay very still, his chest rising and falling in a soothing motion. His entire body glistened brightly, even though only slivers of moonlight entered the room.
She couldn't be sure he was completely asleep, but she wouldn't try to find out. She'd known him long enough to understand that any amount of sleep he could get was beyond precious and necessary.
Selina sat up in bed. She had been almost certain he wouldn't show, but there he was. He had arrived last night to find her and Slam arguing loudly...about him. When Slam saw Batman enter, both men looked at each other in silence. She no longer seemed to be in the room, so she turned around and walked away. She closed the door to her bedroom once she was inside. She didn't hear anything, until someone opened the door slowly. Bruce walked in and stood motionless in the doorway.
He was waiting for her to invite him in. They had spent the last twelve nights together and had woken up most mornings in each other's arms and still he held back. Sometimes her heart broke when she thought about just how damaged he really was, "Close the door and get over here, it's cold."
Selina looked at him again. He was sleeping. She stood up. Bruce opened his eyes immediately as she moved away and took her body heat with her. She glided quietly out of the room.
He thought about calling Alfred to let him know he would not be returning to the manor until the morning, but decided that after nearly two weeks of not arriving home after patrol, Alfred would assume as much. He waited patiently for Selina to return. After the previous night, he wasn't sure if he should come back, but he did. Slam had warned him, "Don't hurt her, again," and left without another word.
Bruce heard her open the refrigerator door, as well as a few mews from the cats that approached her. "Yes, yes, that's why I'm up," she whispered to the them. She served them some cream and watched as they rushed to get their share.
Bruce wondered if he should leave, he was wide awake after all. He knew he couldn't continue to spend the night there much longer, despite wanting to. Before, he used to wish for endless nights, so he had enough time to stop any and all criminals. Now, he anxiously looked forward to the end of his patrol so he could head over to her apartment.
He had spent the night at Selina's since that first evening when she saved him from a group of drug dealers who had tied him up and hung him from a crane. He had inexcusably been fooled by the shrill cries of what he thought was a woman under attack, only to discover she was working with the dealers. They had beat him up pretty badly, but Selina arrived in time to stop the target practice they were planning to use him for.
Her apartment was closer than the cave, so she took him there instead. She cleaned his wounds and slipped him some medication to help him sleep. She woke up to an empty bed, but he came back the next night. Presumably to thank her, but he never got around to actually say the words. She questioned whether he should have gone out. He stated that he was fine. She ran and jumped on him to verify if that was true. To her surprise and satisfaction, he remained immobile and unflinching despite his injuries.
She grinned, "Well, since you're in such good shape, there's something else I'd like you to do." She took him by the hand and led him to her room. Every night since then, he stopped by after his patrol.
There was never any need for words between them. They had know each other so long, they could have an entire conversation without making a sound. But, he made an effort to talk if she wanted to. It didn't matter if it was before or after.
The first nights he woke up often due to the nightmares, but now, he was able to enjoy uninterrupted sleep. Except, of course, for the times Selina woke him up and playfully ordered him to get back to work.
Bruce heard her footsteps. He stretched out his arm across her side hoping she would use it and closed his eyes.
Selina entered the room slowly. She had hoped he would wake up and leave with or without an excuse, but he was still asleep. She had already gotten used to him, enjoying his warmth and strong arms. Enjoying his mere presence.
However, she had no illusions about them. She was smart enough to know that she was the only real escape he had.
She also knew that she would miss him whenever he stopped coming by.
As she landed on her rooftop that night, she decided she would begin to distance herself so that when the inevitable came, she could pretend it didn't hurt as much because she was prepared for it. She sat on the bed and covered him with the soft sheets. She laid her head on his extended arm with her back to him.
The dawn brought with it the morning light. Tiny shadows danced on her ceiling, but Selina closed her eyes and didn't see them. Tomorrow she would stop caring, but right now, she was cold. She slid back, moving towards him.
Bruce opened his eyes and pulled her in closer until he felt all the curves of her body pressed against his. He took a deep breathe and inhaled her sweet aroma. He snuggled into the nape of her neck and she felt his lips and breath gently caress her back. He made sure not to brush his eyelashes against her skin, he didn't want anything to give him away.
His movements were smooth, precise. It made her think he wasn't sleeping at all, but his actions convinced her that he was, in fact, asleep. He had been snoring the entire time, plus the only time he hugged her so tightly, almost afraid to let go, was while he slept.
After a while, Selina smiled to herself. Bruce could pretend all he wanted, she knew he was awake.