Summary:Steve Rogers drops in to check on Bruce and Selina after the news of the Batmurders comes out. Log Info:Storyteller: None |
Related LogsTheme SongNone |
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It's been nearly twenty-four hours since the news broke of the APB for Batman. As the day progressed, Bruce barely slept. Someone murdered - using his name. His gear. Even a facsimilie of his costume. All day, one of the televisions has been set to the news, gathering as much information as the NYPD is releasing into the press stream. Alfred has kept the coffee going, even though there is concern on his face as he moves along and does his own chores.
Carrying a mug of coffee in his hand, Bruce has a paper in the other. Evening is coming. Already, the shadows are coming. And Bruce has a decision to make. Does he let what happen keep the Bat at bay for the night, or does he take to the streets?
It seems that he's already pondering that decision as he looks out the window towards the skyline of the city.
Selina Kyle, however, has a pretty strong idea of how Bruce's mind works. Can draw a pretty clear line of logic that tells her what his ultimate choice is going to be. So she pre-empts his own conclusion with a simple declaration of "You're crazy." As she leans against the nearest doorframe. "You are completely out of your *mind* if you go out there right now."
After it became apparent that Bruce was all right, she slipped into an oddly composed state of fact-finding; which, before nightfall, basically means tuning every screen in the house and cave to different news stations so she, too, was picking up as many details as possible, albeit filtered through a lot of nonsense.
She may or may not know a thing or two about being a wanted person.
*
Of course, the story spread like wildfire through the news. It wasn't long before Captain Rogers got wind of it. At his desk at the Triskelion, he paused in flicking through the various files on display before him upon the holographic screen when the BREAKING NEWS algorithm pulled it up in the corner of the screen. A slow sigh from the man, his brows gathered.
The rumble of the Harley motorcycle precedes him as he pulls up to the main gates. Sans helmet and with those broad shoulders beneath the leather jacket, it's inescapably clear who he is even as he depresses the gate-button. "Steve Rogers to see the Waynes, please." He's polite, but by his tone, it's barely a request. Presuming allowed entry, he brings the bike up the long driveway and parks it off to one side before mounting the steps leading up to the front door at a brisk pace.
*
"Someone wants me off the board, Selina. I give into their want, I let them win, and they get what they want." Bruce responds - and the logic is pretty flawless. "It was targetted directly at me, and he wanted me at the scene - but for the police not to find me. He drew them away. He wanted me to see his work. Either he wanted me to be impressed - or he is looking for me to be afraid of him. Neither will drive me underground."
That's when Alfred is at the doorway. "Master Bruce, Mistress Selina. Captain Rogers is at the gate. Should I tell him you are otherwise occupied?"
Bruce draws his lips into a thin line. And then he decides. "No. Show him in, we'll meet him in the conservatory." Because he doubts that Selina is going to let him carry on this conversation alone. Setting down the paper, he moves, setting his hand on his fiance's side. "It was inveitable." he decides, that being Steve arriving. At least Helena's off at school. There's a glance out the window towards the approaching bike before he moves towards the conversatory.
As he parks, there's a loud barking, and a massive German Shepherd comes around the corner, barking and charging at Steve, just to stop at his feet and drop a tennis ball. Ace clearly assumes that Steve's here to play with him - because that's generally what happens when Steve visits.
Whether or not the ball is thrown, Alfred is waiting for Steve at the door. "Captain Rogers. Follow me. Coffee? Master Bruce and Mistress Selina are in the conversatory, awaiting you." And with that, he leads the way.
"Okay," Selina shrugs, "That's why you have an army of orphans, and a butler. We can handle this sort of thing while you-" Selina is cut off as Alfred calls for their attention, a look of surprise crossing Selina's face. Though, in retrospect, she probably should have expected this visit. She makes no complaint or comment as Bruce allows the visitor into their home.
Indeed, she smiles as he enters and walks up to her daughter's god father, greeting "Steve!" before giving him a brief hug. As she pulls back, she gives a long-suffering look, "Please explain the basics of going on the lamb to my trophy-fiance before he gets swarmed by Thunderbolts or something."
*
Ace is always a loud greeter and this time is apparently no exception. Steve briefly stutters his steps at the appearance of the dog, but he spots the lurid green of the tennis ball in the Shepherd's mouth and relaxes.
"Hey, you big lugnut. Ready?" He stoops to pick up the tennis ball and tosses it once, grinning. "GO GET IT!" He hurls it out into the air. Bye-bye, ball. Thank god the Wayne property contains a lot of land because that bright green ball goes flying waaaaaaaaaay out onto the lawns. A small snort at the fleeting figure of Ace before he does travel up to and greet Alfred at the doors.
"Alfred, hi. Sure, coffee sounds great." Sticking his hands in his coat pockets, the Captain follows along behind the butler in comfortable silence. His bootsteps echo in the hall and he lets his eyes rove around the collections of artwork, from statues to painting and pottery and more.
Upon arriving in the conservatory, he thanks Alfred quietly and then lifts a hand towards the couple. "Selina," he replies to the woman with a gently-firm hug in return and smiles compassionately at her and then at Bruce. "You know you've got the wrong half for a lecture on how to disappear off the grid. Bucky would be able to give you a bulleted list about it."
*
Steve is always welcomed in the Manor. It's his place as a friend and ally. And as the Godfather to the Babblebat. The art and pictures seem to change on occasion - Alfred and perhaps Selina like to switch things out. Bruce is more static. After Selina greets Steve, there's a second voice.
"And I doubt that Steve is here to suggest I go on the lamb." Bruce's comment comes from within the conservatory. He's already settled himself into one of the chairs - the coffee settled nearby. "I'd ask if you'd want something stronger than coffee, but I don't have any Asgardian ale on hand." comes his response. His lips pull into the faintest hint of a smile as he rises from his chair for a moment to offer his hand.
Selina heaves a dramatic sigh, and steps away, putting her hands in the air, "You two've never lived. It's like going on vacation, but also playing hide and seek." She lowers her arms. "With the world."
Don't ask her how she knows this.
Selina crosses her arms, watching the two men greet each other with a bit of a smile, and inclines her head. "Not since last time, anyway." She says, averting her eyes for a moment, before looking to Steve. "Steve, the Avengers know this is nonsense, right? For the record? I-" She frowns, "Sorry, I'm assuming that's why you're here." This'll be awkward if he hasn't heard. "I just don't want to fight Iron Man in my house." She says. As always, she's acting like it's a came, but truthfully, she's doing a poor job of hiding a certain amount of anxiety in how tightly she crosses her arms, and her slightly impatient stance.
*
"Coffee'll do just fine, thank you, Bruce." Steve steps past Selina now, letting his hand drop from her shoulder in order to take up the offered handshake. As always, the Captain is personable and firm with the grip.
He does grin at Selina's thoughts on matters and takes up an easy standing stance. He looks between her and Bruce before replying, "Haven't had a meeting about it yet, but I figure it'll happen sooner'n later. I know you wouldn't pull a stunt like this, Bruce. Selina would throw you out of your own house." He winks at Bruce. The momentary glimmer of good-natured humor settles down into the serious set of his jaw now.
"How's Helena taking it?" he asks, hooking his thumbs in the pockets of his jeans. On his right hand, a glint of a new and golden silicone band glows dully in the ambient light of the room. Engraved with black eternity looping of Gaelic ribboning, it's new on his person.
*
"I don't know if she knows yet." Bruce has made sure to keep Helena /busy/ since this all went down. After the handshake, he returns to his seat. His grip and posture are sure - confident. There's no sign of a break, or anything that would suggest that he had any involvement in the murders.
"I've already started looking in the Denver family - though I believed they were only picked because of the father's obsessive behavior over Batman." He keeps the two seperate, at least in the Manor. "How long can you keep them out of the search, Steve?" He doesn't ask the favor. He doesn't need to. He needs time, and he's hopeful that Steve will buy it for him.
The detective does notice the band. But he doesn't comment on it - Steve will announce what that means when he's ready. Drawing another sip from his coffee. "My concern is that eventually someone is going to put a bounty out. Be it the police. Or someone of influence. Then it won't be me that they have to worry about." It'll be every idiot and person that wants to make a payday and be the 'one' to take out the Bat.
Selina, of course, zeroes in on the band on Steve's finger, and not just because it looks valuabe. She actually clasps her hands together and oooo boy, he's not getting away with that unless-
Unless Bruce forbids the Avengers from helping him. "Bruce, you're killing me." She sighs and gives Steve a look that might as well say '*please* talk sense into him' though she may well be barking up the wrong tree.
*
Steve pulls his mouth to one side and sighs as he nods to the news of Helena yet out of the loop. He doesn't envy the pair in how they'll need to explain the news…and, in the back of his mind, wonders if he'll get another visit from the young woman. He listens to Bruce's efforts as he then walks over to the table showcasing the coffee and the drinkware. It's wonderfully redolent smell to rise from the cup he pours himself, glancing over at the man and then at Selina.
"I'll be speaking to the Avengers all soon enough. We're a team. Somebody might still want to offer a helping hand and I'm not gonna have much leverage to stop 'em if they want to help. Now, if they take it onto themselves to hinder things? We'll have words." Shockingly cutting words from the Captain, apparently. "'m not here to step on your toes, Bruce. Still, remember you've got connections on both sides of the tracks, especially if a bounty crops up." He sips at the black coffee and makes a sound of appreciation. "'s good."
*
"Anything most of them offered would be a hinderance." None of them are known for subtelty. Or their detective work. That's what Bruce needs right now. "There will be enough vultures circling and looking for a corpse. What I need is to make sure that the rest stay on task with Plokta, Nightfall and the missing kids. This is a distraction. And it's one I'll deal with." he responds firmly.
Stubborn, self-assured.. damn near arogant. Yeah, okay the five years off really did nothing to soften Bruce Wayne up at all when it comes to dealing with things that affect him or his family directly.
"I didn't register when we were forced, Steve. I am damn well not turning myself over to SHIELD, the Avengers, or anyone else while this plays out."
Selina just keeps her eyes closed, breathing very softly. Selina is a woman who knows from arrogance, and this to her seems like some grade A arrogance. Then again, they both knew that they were signing up to deal with the most stubborn personalities either of them had ever encountered. She can't start complaining now.
At least not in front of company.
At the last part, though, Selina nods her head. She can at least agree on not putting her fiance in a cage, even if it's a comfy one owned by friends. "We'll… handle it." She says, giving Steve a discreet look that says 'I need to talk to you' silently. "And, for the record… we are telling Helena as soon as we get a chance. We're just not… good at mornings. And we're not- I mean…" Selina frowns. "… We're not doing that to her." 'Especially not after the Jason incident' is the unspoken sentiment behind that.
*
Steve meanders over to sit in one of the comfy highbacked chairs in the room with his cup of coffee. Bruce does get a vaguely chiding side-look from Steve, but he speaks up when everyone's fallen silent again.
"Nobody's asking for you to turn yourself over, Bruce, not from the Avengers or SHIELD. If I get wind of anything like it, know I'll step in with the facts and make 'em triple-check 'em. Whole thing was sloppy." He means the murders; the comment has the familiar undertones of Barnes, oddly enough. "You're not sloppy in anything you do."
His eyes shift to Selina again. He gives her a subtle nod before adding, in regards to Helena, "If I can be of any help to the Babblebat, lemme know. She's a good kid, doesn't need to get dragged into all this bunk. How'd the Science Fair go, by the way? Been meaning to ask her."
*
Selina winces sharply as Steve brings up the fair and grips her elbows rather tightly as her arms stay crossed. "It… went good. Had fun. Didn't win. Met a cute boy. Had dinner with his family." Selina looks down and away, her voice going very quiet. "Jason was there."
Way to change the subject, Selina. Bruce cuts a frown towards his fiance, and then seems to settle back in the chair. "And no, I don't believe Jason did this, either." he makes sure to add since Selina let that paticular bird out of the cage. "Helena's shaken by it. I won't be surprised if she'll be visiting you again on the whole thing." She's trying to draw parallels to Bucky, and it might help for Steve to set her straight.
After a few moments, he finally straightens up. "Steve. I need to make sure you keep people on task with Nightfall. We can't have any more children go missing." He knows people will second-guess him now. He won't be able to hold anymore meetings for the forseeable future. "You can revoke my status to have use at the compound - at least in the public's eye, you need to distance yourself. Don't have Tony do it, he's too full of himself."
He looks from Steve to Selina, and his lips pull into a frown. "I have always had a contingency in case Bruce Wayne was discovered to be Batman. It's not one I want to use, but if that day comes, I'll need you ready - because I will not let my family fall with me."
*
Those mobile wheat-gold eyebrows lift as Steve pauses, coffee cup at his lips. Jason. Woof — that's…a revelation. Memory serves him well in a cascade of flashbacks and tidbits about the young man, including a nearly-successful murder and some seriously unhinged ranting.
"Least dinner went well," he says quietly, a conciliatory comment at best. He looks to Bruce now, squinting for a second before letting his eyes drift to one side. As if the Captain could NOT be present while the couple speaks to one another, but hey, he tries.
He shifts in the chair, speaks up again. "Figure I'll revoke your status with the addendum that it's pending a proper investigation, Bruce. Make a note that I still stand that you're innocent until proven guilty. Point out that costumes are getting pretty high-quality these days. I've seen some good imitations of my own get-up." He shrugs. "Still…if it comes to running, touch base with me first." The 'please' is unspoken, friend to friends.
*
As Bruce grows deadly serious with her, Selina's eyes grow a bit sad… but a moment later a soft smile finds it's way onto her face, her eyes half lidding a bit playfully as she says. "Hey, we've been chasing each other *this* long. Can't change *that* much." Which is her way of saying she's with him until the end.
To Steve she nods, momentarily seeming a bit sympathetic to the uncomfortable position he was just in, "Appreciated. And it's true enough, I mean… I've had to chase off a new Catwoman every seven months or so for the last twelve years." She wishes she was kidding.
At least Helena would be well cared for. At least that's Bruce's hope. As he notices that it's easing past twilight, Bruce starts to rise from his chair. "I'll be back in the morning." he promises. He's going out. As if that was ever in doubt. Stepping over to Selina, he presses a warm and affectionate kiss to her lips. As he pulls back, his smile is bittersweet.
"Fretting causes wrinkles." he reminds her, a light touch of her hand and a mouthed, 'Love you'.
And then to Steve, he turns, clasping the other man's shoulder for a moment. "Not going anywhere until I decide what aboslutely uselessly expensive item that Selina and I are buying for the wedding. It seems you're going to be all of us down the aisle, after all." Mainly because he and Selina keeps stalling.
Selina purrs softly as Bruce kisses her, and smirks, "So does brooding. Never slowed you down." She says, and mouthes 'Love you' in turn, keeping her hand on his arm until he walks out of her reach, fingers brushing off of his arm.
*
"Every seven months? Like clockwork? Gotta make more of a point, Selina, or they'll keep coming back." Steve gives the woman a small grin, amiable in his teasing. He looks to one side again as the couple embraces and up at the conservatory's ceiling, musing about the textile patterning he sees there. Still, he's quick to rise when approached by Bruce and returns the clasp of shoulder. A lift of his brows at the comment and then, as is his wont, the Captain pinks at his ears.
"Maybe make it a useful expensive item if you have to?" he asks with another laugh and grin despite himself. "No date's set, so don't get to planning just yet. Haven't announced it either." He looks between Bruce and Selina. "Remind Helena that Uncle Steve asked to keep it under the radar," he stresses as a secondary thought.
*
There's a smirk at Selina. "Yes, but I was brooding before you came into my life, Selina Kyle." Bruce reminds her, then nods to Steve. "So, no to the gold plated his and his multi-tools. Got it."
Selina smirks at Steve a bit and says, "In my defense, I'm not used to chasing cats OFF of my property.", then sighs at Bruce, "You're right. You're spreading it around."
*
A bark of a laugh from Steve might seem loud in the dignified atmosphere of the mansion. He steps to one side, rubbing behind his ear, and shakes his head, still blushing lightly.
"God, no, Bruce. No to that," he says before adding, " — and good luck tonight." By the firm nod to follow, he sincerely means the bidding from the depths of his heart.
*
Selina calls after Bruce with "Make it a normal multi-tool! For god's sake!" and watches him go with a warm adoring smile on her face.
With that, though, she steps a bit closer to Steve once Bruce has left, expression lighting up as she eyes his ring, "Well, first of all congratulatiooonnnss!" She says cheerily, hands going up with her finger's splayed, moving back and forth a bit with excited energy. "That's exciting! Good for you two." No comment on her own perpetually delayed marriage. The ring is currently situated on her own finger, where it's hopped back and forth between it and a necklack for over a decade.
Then, her shoulders slump a bit with the dour reality of business. "Second of all…" She gesticulates briefly like she's balancing two objects in her hands, and sighs, "… Bruce is being dumb, *please* don't take that too seriously, I mean…" Selina presses her lips together tightly, hesitating on how to put it, "… I get why he doesn't want junior detectives swarming Staten Island? But if you know *anybody* on the Super Squad that seems like they could help us out, *please* send them our way. We've just… we've got a *lot* going on right now."
*
Steve tucks his chin, pleased by the good wishes, and glances back up with that shy smile of his. "Thanks, Selina. About time." For all he's brief, he's earnest in his agreement. It is a very good thing. His brows gather, however, as what he wondered was coming arrives in a series of gestures and heartfelt requests.
"He's being himself, that's for sure." By the subtle shake of the Captain's head, he empathizes deeply — this is one half of Team Took All the Stupid, after all. "I get why he doesn't want anyone muddying the waters, but I said I wasn't going to hold anyone back from offering help if they want to. There's no obligation and 'm not gonna ask 'em too, but Bruce's deeds carry some weight with a few of 'em." He means the Avengers. "If I can be blunt, Selina, you've got it all in-hand, but this's…this's a mess." He cups the woman's elbow gently, his frown sympathetic.
*
Selina takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, nodding, "Little bit. Little bit of a mess, yeah. And I still have to tell Helena too. God. That girl's going to explode if this keeps up." But with that, though she gives a little smile and gives Steve's shoulder a squeeze. "… But thanks Steve. We'll appreciate any help you can give. Even Bruce. He'll just…" Selina rolls her eyes a little, "… frown while he feels it, is all."
*
"Lemme be the first to say that if I feel like I can handle something, I'm not liable to ask for assistance either." The Captain reaches over for his cup of coffee and takes it up again. "But if there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's at least to let people offer. Those who offer tend to mean it, even if it's because of past promises or things like it. I don't want to see your family hurt. I sleep better at night knowing he's out there — you too, whenever you tag along."
Steve sighs again. "Helena will listen…and you can remind her that I'm here to talk to her too, if she doesn't like what you have to say. I'll same…about the same thing, frankly. Keep low, keep her head on a swivel, and duck, don't throw a punch unless she absolutely has to."
*
Selina smiles despite herself as Steve runs down his likely advice and gives a short huff of a laugh. "Well, it seems to sound better when you say it anyhow. That old timey charm, I guess."
*
"Sometimes that charm is useful," Steve grins. He kills the rest of his coffee after eyeing the clock on the wall. "Ooh, right." A little wince. "Yikes, I'll be late for dinner now. It's not on you, it's on me. I'll just let Buck know I got sidetracked."
He offers the woman another hug, this one warm and friendly. "Take it easy as you can, Selina. He's listening when you talk, I promise. I can tell you this because I listen when Buck tells me things too." As he turns to walk away and back towards the door, he adds, "Don't tell him I said he's got wisdom now and then, he'll get a big head." A final wave to the Catwoman and the Captain excuses himself from the mansion to head back to his apartment.
*