A/N: looking for a beta reader for the start of the end. if ur interested, comment or dm!
You have a random urge to run. Run where? You don't know. You change out of your button-down for a looser shirt suited for running. You've never really done it before, but you need a change of pace before it gets too dark. You have too much energy to expend. You head to the garden before you hear a disapproving cough. "I was going for a run," You say as you turn to see Dory.
"I can see that. Bruce is adamant about you not being alone outside of the house, and for a good reason."
You sigh, slipping on your shoes. "Even if it's a jog?"
She gives you a sympathetic smile. "I can stand out with you. I'm a bit too old for jogging, though."
You return the smile, trying to hide your annoyance. You're not a child.
It's a little chilly, but you start your jog at a slower pace. Dory watches from the porch, sitting and reading a book. You wonder if she said yes so she could have a break. You take in your surroundings. You wonder how they maintain this penthouse garden. They could have expanded his home. You imagine what it could be. The rooms are already spacious, and you think he has enough space, but imagine a two-story library. Maybe a pool. You raise your eyebrows at your thought. How is he a billionaire without a pool? You guess the Tower has one; there's no way it doesn't. You didn't pack a swimsuit. You imagine if you tell Bruce and how quickly he'll fulfill the request.
You round the corner, lost in thought. You're not a swimmer, but it's a change of pace if it exists. You go around the vast maze a few times until your last lap, feeling the burn in your legs. You stop at the patio, stretching. Dory puts down her book, a weary smile on her lips. "All done?" She asks.
"Not yet. Well, maybe." You shrug as you try to touch your toes. Barely touching them, your back cracks loudly. Dory hides her smile by closing her book. You've never felt so old. "Okay, I'm done." You say defeated. She gives you an understanding nod. Before you follow her in, you pause. "Does this place have a pool?" Dory nods. "Yes, but it's on the lower levels. Master Wayne can show you when he has the time." Indoor pool. You wonder if Bruce spends time down there when he isn't solving mysteries.
As expected, Dory can't hold water. After your shower, you see a new package on your bed. You wonder if they have your thoughts bugged or if they ordered these expensive bathing suits in case you asked. Everything in case you ask. The box contains colors, patterns, ruffles, and opacities. You pick up a sheer pink swimsuit and feel heat rush on your cheeks. Imagine Bruce seeing you in this? You doubt he'd let you wear it long. You pick out your favorites, the black ones, and put the rest away in the drawers. You don't know when you'll go for a swim, but want these out so you won't have to look for them later. You check your phone. It's almost 7. You wonder when Bruce will wake up. He meant it when he went to sleep. Then, as if hearing you think about him, he knocks. You jump, scrambling to hide the gifts.
"Come in!" You say, pushing the swimsuits under your pillow.
Bruce looks refreshed, his hair parted and framing his face. The circles under his eyes are lighter, and there's a playful smile on his lips. "Good evening, Master Wayne," You say with a slight curtsy. He chuckles, looking away to the floor. "I'm glad you could join the living."
He rubs his chin. "I've been up for about an hour. I heard you went jogging and let you get settled."
"Is my room bugged? I feel like if I have a thought or a suggestion, next thing I know, it's here." You ask, narrowing your eyes.
"Not bugged." Bruce raises his hand in defense. "Dory told Alfred, who told me, though I watched you from my room." You make a face. You wonder if he thinks about what he says before he says it. "Dory told me you have a pool." His smirk doesn't leave his face. "Yes, we do. I see you also got the package." He picks up your hidden bikini by the string you try to hide. Your face is too hot. You bet he can feel the warmth radiating from your cheeks. "Yeah. Thank you."
"We got a lot of stuff ordered, but Lucy suggested not to bring these simultaneously as the other clothes in case you got any different ideas," Bruce explains, holding the top by the string, so matter-of-fact. "What?? Other than the fact you have a swimming pool? You're a billionaire, that's expected." You retort, trying to get your heart to calm down. "It's not like it's lingerie." Bruce's brow furrows. "Don't tell me you got that too!" You exclaim, curious and mortified. "I let them go wild with whatever they thought you would want. We do have that too." Bruce says, keeping his cool. "All things we figured you would want staying here. Clothing wise, anyway." You clench your jaw. It's not anything crazy. You're just embarrassed at how quickly it's all happening. Boyfriends buy their girlfriends lingerie all the time. Yours just did it without you asking, without you even knowing.
"Well, thank you." You say softly to his chest. "You're welcome." He puts the bikini down.
"When do you have to leave me?" You ask, finally meeting his calm blue eyes. Sleep is so healthy for him. You wonder how Alfred has to tell him to go to bed many times. Probably the same amount as Bruce tells him. "I don't know yet." He admits. "Lieutenant Gordon will page me. They've been following Elliot for a trail on Harvey. I didn't hear anything all day." He grimaces. "He knows we're on him." You feel slightly selfish, wanting him to stay with you for one night. He notices your face fall, lifting it to his. "I can show you the pool if you want before I go." You smile, nodding. You don't know if you want to go swimming just yet, but spending time with Bruce before he turns into his dark alter ego makes you feel better.
He tells you to be ready in 20 minutes. You decide to choose the stringy black bikini. You like that the front is a bandeau with criss-cross ties on your stomach and torso. You check yourself in the mirror before going to get a hair tie. You don't want to rewash your hair though washes weren't as stressful here, probably because you had nothing else to do.
He's waiting by the doors. It's odd to see his legs under shorts instead of his usual sweats or pants. For some reason, you thought he would wear a Speedo. That might be better for the type of swimming when he exercises. You wear a light green cover-up, not wanting to show off the suit quite yet. His eyes take you in from head to toe. "Do you have your contacts in?" You ask, noticing the familiar sweep. He rolls his eyes, "No. The water irritates them." You wonder if it's a lie but kiss his cheek. "Let's hurry before you have to leave me."
You try not to gawk at the glass elevators. They're different than the standard ones you took down to his Bat Cave. You can imagine, if you lived up to your influencer title, taking selfies in here to flex. Bruce rests his hands on your waist as you stand in front of him. Will he get tired of the easy access? You hope not as Bruce leans down, resting his lips against your neck. Goosebumps rush your skin as he presses featherlight kisses against the skin. You shiver, laughing. "Bruce..." He stands straight, still keeping you close.
The pool is only a few floors down. It's dimly lit since no one is using it, but the pool is bright blue. You wonder if you can change it to something less intense. "It's better at night," Bruce expresses, looking at the cerulean water. He takes his shirt off, revealing his toned stomach and healing scars. You can barely tear your eyes away, wanting to run your hands against his skin. You take your cover-up, suddenly self-conscious. He doesn't notice, diving in, starting his laps.
He's so fluid, so strong. He swims over, coming up for air. He pushes his hair back, resting his hands on the pool's edge. "Join me?" You point to the hot tub at the end of the pool. "I can join you there." His eyebrow raises as he dips low, stalking you as you head to the hot tub. You don't want to get the chemicals in your hair. You hear the water drip to the floor as he gets out. You get in the hot tub, the warmth relaxing. He gets in across from you, his arms resting on the sides. He's confident this way or at least projects it.
"Do you come down here often?" You ask as he reaches for the hot tub remote. "Not really. I don't have the time. I got this when I was like... 16? I wanted to spend all my family's money at once so I wouldn't have to be bothered by it when I turned 18. Alfred didn't allow me, but let me build this. I was on my school's swim team." He shrugs, running his hand through his hair. He turns the temperature higher, adding some bubbles and changing the color to be a reddish magenta. "Setting a mood?" You ask, raising your eyebrow. He laughs, rolling his eyes. "Maybe."
You move to sit closer. His eyes train on your face as you come down on his lap. He takes in a sharp breath, his hands resting on your hips. Your fingers go to his hair, messing with the ends. He seems deep in thought, wanting to say something. You grind your hips carefully against his, watching the growing bulge between your thighs as his eyes widen. He leans closer, pressing his lips against your jaw. His fingers dig into your hips, "I can't seem to get enough of you." He whispers, holding you closer. You smirk, grabbing his hair to lean his head back. His breathing hitches, himself getting harder between your thighs. You rock your hips back and forth, his jaw tight. He closes his eyes, his squeeze on your hips tightening. Before he pushes you off, you revel at the sight, crossing his legs. His face is so pink as he hides it behind his hair.
"Did you..." You start, staring at his hips. He shakes his head. His eyes are dark. "I don't... I don't want to right now. Not in here." He says softly. You nod, sitting beside him. "I'm sorry if I made you uncom-"
"You didn't do anything. I changed my mind." He keeps his voice low. He kisses your cheek before getting out and going to the main pool.
You decide to watch as he swims laps. You wonder if he's part merman by how quick and decisive he is. A beeping interrupts your mind. You recognize it from the night of the Gala. Bruce is mid-lap as you get out to find the beeper. He stops when he realizes where you are, getting out of the pool quickly. Your stomach drops when you understand who it is. But you just had him... You stop yourself from pouting. He touches the small of your back, rubbing it softly.
"I'll make it up to you."
You know he will, and you grab your cover-up. "Let's go, Batman." He grimaces but follows you out.