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Falling Apart	By : AsylumWritings Category: DC Verse Comics > Batman Views: 347 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman/DC Comics, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Home
- 2-Reconnection
- 3-Lost
- 4-Memories
- 5-Romanced
- 6-Encounters
- 7-Mine
- 8-Changes
- 9-Meeting
- 10-Hike
- 11-Danger
- 12-Tension
- 13-Scared
- 14-Forgiveness
- 15-End
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I thought about how there are two types of secrets: the kind you want to keep in, and the kind you don't dare to let out. Ally Carter, Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
“When you are looking for a target, it is usually pretty easy to tell who has the most scandalous secrets.” Dad said, as we watched the party from the second floor. “As a young woman, it will be even easier, because the men will come to you, Evangeline.”
“But how will I know?” I asked, confused. “Men approach me all the time.”
He chuckled, wrapping an arm around me. “Men are arrogant, egotistical creatures. You will know the ones to look for, because they will be the ones sweet talking you while ignoring the wedding ring on their finger. They do not care if you know they are married, because they assume you are easily manipulated into staying quiet.”
I leaned on the railing, taking note of the couples as they danced. He’d taught me the names of couples who were together, matching them to their faces, so it was easy to see who was dancing with someone who wasn’t their partner.
“You must keep an air of innocence about you as you mingle. Your perceived naivety is your greatest weapon, but also your greatest defence. They will not harm you as long as they think you are sweet and innocent, because they will not assume it is you who is trying to destroy them.” He gently squeezed my arm. “When you have the trust of a powerful man, it is so easy to turn their lives inside out. All you need is leverage.”
“And I get that by gaining their trust?”
He nodded. “Exactly. You are eighteen now. Now it is your time to try. I will watch over you, and make sure nothing goes wrong, but it is up to you now.”
I walked down the stairs, sliding my hand along the railing. These parties felt different now that I was an adult, and I wasn’t sure it was a good different. Adulthood came with responsibilities and I wasn’t sure I was prepared.
Bruce reached into the car, helping me out. He lingered behind, making sure my dress wouldn’t catch in the door as he closed it. It took him a little longer than I expected, and I turned with a smile.
“Are you looking for something, or just enjoying the view?” I asked.
He gave me an innocent look. “I was trying not to step on your dress, but I won’t deny that the view is nice too.”
“Whenever you’re ready then.” I laughed, tugging on the sleeve of his suit jacket.
He rested his hand on my lower back, the warmth of his skin seeping through the silk of my dress. We managed to sneak by the press while they were distracted by the mayor, getting inside without too much trouble.
“Do we really have to do this?” He asked quietly, as we walked into the town hall.
“Yes, we do.” I turned to face him, gently fixing his tie. “This is for cancer research, and it’s important. A couple of hours here and then we can leave. Just… try and at least look like you’re having a good time.”
He sighed, a small smile on his face. “Fine. Two hours and then back to mine. Alfred is making dessert.”
“Sounds good.” I was about to pull him towards the bar when I saw a familiar face pass us. “Harvey?”
The man turned, flashing me a big smile. “Eve? What a pleasant surprise.” He looked at Bruce. “Would you mind if I took her for a dance?”
“It’s not up to me.” Bruce replied, not letting go of me yet.
“I’d love to dance.” I took Harvey’s hand, and we walked onto the floor. “I see the district attorney life has been treating you well.”
He blushed, looking down at his feet as I led him in the dance. I remembered when he’d just started law school, back when he was just a young man from a rough background.
“It’s easy to get used to the suits, but I don’t understand how to get through these events.” He laughed. “All these people, and they always want to talk to me.”
“I think that you could do anything short of pouring a drink on someone’s head, and they would probably forgive you.” I led him through the steps. “You’re important to this city. You’d be surprised what they will ignore for someone like you.”
He was quiet for a moment, trying to focus so that he didn’t trip. “You’d think I would know how to dance by now.”
“I’ve had a lifetime of practice, but I used to be an incredibly clumsy kid. For a while, I think my mother despaired that I would ever be anything but an embarrassment at parties.”
He laughed again, and I could see his shoulders relax. I danced with him for a few songs, maybe fifteen minutes, but finally he let me go.
He stepped back, pressing a kiss to my hand. “Thank you for the vote of confidence.”
I turned to head to the bar, nearly walking right into Mayor Hill. He held out his hand to me.
“May I have this dance?”
I nodded, trying to hide my hesitation. If there was anything I really hated in these parties, it was dancing with men like him.
Stifling an eye roll, I let him rest his hand on my back. It was hard to be relaxed with him touching me, but I’d gotten good at faking it over the years.
“You’ve grown up just as beautiful as your mother.” He said, twirling me around. “Or maybe even more beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“You should come by tomorrow.” His hand slid down my back. “Maybe I can find a way to appreciate your beauty even more.”
I gently pulled it back up with a fake giggle, trying not to glare at him. “Mayor Hill, what would your wife think?”
“She’s away at her sister’s for a couple of weeks.” He inched his hand lower again.
“Do you often invite young women over while your wife is away?” I asked innocently, hoping he would take the bait.
He nodded. “Whenever Sarah is away. One of the perks of being mayor, sweetheart. My wife is beautiful, but she doesn’t have the energy and stamina of young women like you.”
“Well, I’ll think about it.” I stepped back, letting go of his hand. “Please excuse me, I have a lot of people to talk to tonight.”
“Here, take my card. If you do end up being interested, you can call me.” He handed me a business card.
Fleeing the ballroom, I walked outside to the garden. It wasn’t the first time I’d had to dance with men like him, but most of them weren’t so blatantly creeping on me.
I sat on a bench, resting my hands on the edge. I had what I needed, a reason to follow him for more information, but that didn’t change the fact that I felt gross after he touched me.
I heard footsteps, and looked up to find Bruce walking over. He sat down beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
“Are you alright?” He asked quietly. “I was about to come over and rescue you from the mayor when you took off.”
“Yes. I just need a minute.” I bit my lip. “He always gave me some creep vibes, but it’s worse now.”
He ran his fingers up and down my arm, softly. “What can I do?”
“Stay with me? Just a few minutes, and then we can get out of here.”
“Oh good.” He laughed a little. “I spoke to so many people in the last ten minutes, and I’m already over it.”
I rested my hand on his knee, looking up at him. “I didn’t tell you the whole truth the other night. I like the attention, but I don’t like these parties at all. They remind me of my parents, but mostly they’re just a space where rich old men try to chat me up.”
He played with my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m sorry. If I’d known, I would have asked you out to something else.”
“No, it’s fine! I have to attend these anyway, to keep my family’s reputation up.” I shrugged, with a smile. “But, if you were to ask me out to something else, where would would we go?”
“Do you still like musicals? Phantom of the Opera is opening tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Are you asking me to go with you?”
“If you still trust me to take you somewhere you’ll enjoy.”
I looked over his face, from his blue eyes to his strong jaw. “I’d love to. But you really don’t have to do that. Tonight wasn’t your fault.”
He touched my cheek, his fingers tracing the bone then down to my jaw. “I’m not doing it to apologise, Eve. I want to take you out.”
I blushed. There was a lot I wanted to say, but I never could seem to find the words when it came to him. I knew what I wanted, and I also knew that it was the same thing I’d wanted for a long time. Living in England, I was certain that I never needed to come back to Gotham. That there was nothing I wanted in my hometown. But the truth was that Gotham would always be my home, and Bruce was one of the few people who had ever really understood me.
“Bruce, I…” I began, but he pressed his fingers to my lips.
“Can I kiss you now?” He asked.
I nodded, not able to speak. He brushed hair out of my face, then leaned in close. There was no pause, no hesitation this time, no thinking this through. He kissed me, his nose brushing mine as he pulled me closer.
I slid my hand up his chest, stopping when I felt how hard his heart was pounding. I could have stayed there all night, but it was warm out, and I wanted to get back into the cool air. Pulling away, I gently rubbed the smudge of lipstick off his face.
“I think you said something about Alfred making dessert?” I whispered, playing with the edge of his tie.
“If you’re ready to go, I know a way to sneak out so the press won’t see us.” He stood up, holding out his hand to me. “Going to the show tomorrow will probably start rumours, but leaving in the middle of an event together would start worse ones.”
I nodded, taking his hand. We snuck out the back of the building and round to the car, quickly slipping inside before anyone could see.
“Do you ever regret leaving Gotham?” Bruce asked, as we drove off.
I hesitated, unsure of the answer. If I’d stayed, maybe I could have stopped Bruce from taking off, and maybe I could have been with him a long time ago. On the other hand, I could have been completely overwhelmed by everything going on.
“I think that there are parts of leaving that I do regret. I regret leaving you, and the people I cared about here.” Looking out the window, I pulled the pins out of my hair. “But I don’t regret leaving. I needed to get away.”
He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently. “I understand the need to get away. I really do.”
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Falling Apart