Cold-Blooded

Rex

Alias kept quiet to the Knight's dismay, catching glances of him before diverting her sight to what was in front of them, her face in a soft frown, soft enough that he almost couldn't tell. He knew it was about tonight's recent events, her helplessness, Syndicate's confrontation. It messed with her emotional state and created awkward tension in the vehicle, even though it seemed her confidence was brought back momentarily.

Can you make a deal with the devil...or maybe you've already seen what hell looks like.

They arrived at their destination, and she waited patiently for him to park properly and turn off the ignition before getting out, a distant glare in her eyes. It seemed strange seeing her like this; like she was simply out of her own character. He wasn't sure what drove him to do this, to be honest he was shocked with himself, but he walked up to her and held out his leather hand; Alias furrowed her brows together in confusion, trying to decipher what the Arkham Knight was playing at even though he was looking away to apparently hide whatever expression was on that robotic face of his.

"What are you doing?"

"What do you think?"

She tilted her head. "Doesn't seem like you."

"It doesn't." After a short moment of silence, her face lit up as a flowery chuckle escaped her glossy lips, a faint tinge to her freckled cheeks as she held a hand to her mouth; gently, she placed her hand in his and suddenly felt the sense of security once she felt him tighten his grip. She didn't think to question why he did it, didn't think about the motives he was leading on because she realised there was none. When the security door to his hideout opened to reveal numbers of armed men, to find the Arkham Knight holding hands with the same woman who can easily cut these henchmen down to size. It felt good, knowing that they knew the difference between the couple and the group. Superiority, ruthlessness and a forbidden past cast in darkness.

It was almost touching, the way the sea of armoured men parted for them as the Knight led the way with Alias a mere step behind, her eyes glancing at masked faces and wondering if they were thinking how could someone like her hold hands with a man used to the cold metal of his guns.

The answer was simple, actually.

Reaching the elevator, the doors had opened with a henchmen already inside but he didn't have a mask to hide his identity, his battle-hardened face contrasting his emerald eyes and blonde, curly hair.

"This is Rex," the Arkham Knight told her, with the man named Rex winking in response to his name. "He's gonna be your right-hand man. He's seen your files, the work you've done as a mercenary."

"Is that so?" Alias hummed, raising her brows as she analysed Rex who stood at least an inch taller than the Knight but she kept that fact to herself. "I hope I didn't surprise you too much." Rex smiled in response but didn't say a word, which made her look at the Knight for an answer as to why.

"He's also had his fair share of leaders but his last one cut out his vocal cords." Alias gasped breathlessly, narrowing her violet gaze on the blonde man but his smile didn't fade. She couldn't understand. He could still smile despite his stolen voice. What kind of life was Rex living? "Don't feel bad. He's one of my best."

"Don't feel bad? He can't even thank you."

"Alias―"

"No. Rex, I'll find your voice. Either that or I kill the person that did that to you." The Arkham Knight sighed as the doors opened once again, Alias letting her inner thoughts change her subtle face into one riddled with unanswered questions while she was being led down the corridor, Rex walking behind the couple with steps as silent as their own. Why wasn't someone doing anything about it was what she wanted to know.