I Bet On Losing Dogs

sad day (NSFW)

You open the door slowly, looking into the room as he tosses his suit jacket off, tearing his tie from his neck. Your stomach flips as you step in, happy your feet are silent on the wooden floors. You close the door softly as he turns, his eyes are ablaze. You freeze, caught by your predator.

"I'm sorry, (Y/N). Now is not a good time."

You blink, trying not to tense again. "What's wrong, Bruce? Let me help you."

He sits on the loveseat, running his fingers through his hair. "They won't approve the new Renewal."

"Why not?" You ask, sitting next to him.

"Though the Renewal has been suspended, the next time any changes of this nature can happen are in three or four years. My father put in stipulations they have to follow."

"But he's gone. Can't they make an exception?" You ask, hoping you didn't sound insensitive. He gets up, grabbing the tossed packet. "No, he put in stipulations for me." Your eyebrows raise and you wonder why they didn't tell him that earlier. "It was in his will. He got it done only a few months before he passed." He stops to reread before tossing the packet again.

"I am the heir for the Wayne Enterprises, but everyone knows that. What I didn't know is that he has two or three stipulations that I must have before they can do everything I say. One and this one trumps all. I have to be 35."

"Why 35?"

Bruce flashes a disgusted look. "I could run for president then."

You grimace at the thought. "He had big plans for you."

Bruce rolls his eyes. "The others are what I can meet to bypass my age. Two, be married for at least one and a half years, and it is proven not to be for the money. Three, have had my own business for at least three years outside of the Enterprises. They are allowing the Foundation to be outside of it since they had no hand in it." The Foundation is in its second year now. Your stomach flips at the second option.

"Married for one and a half years?"

He nods. "It's so specific. I don't want to force you to marry me for my choices." You wave to him to come closer. He obliges, sitting next to you. "By the time you do all of that, the Renewal would be up for changes again."

He nods. "Exactly. Which is why I am very upset." He rubs his chin, looking at you, anger subsiding. "Would you marry me?"

"Are you asking me?" You ask, frowning if this is your proposal.

"No. In theory, would you marry me?"

Your heart skips beats. "Yes, of course. I don't think we're ready for that, but I would marry you eventually."

This isn't the answer he's expecting as his frown returns. "Why eventually?"

"Do you want to get married?" You ask, crossing your arms.

He lets out a deep exhale and shrugs. "I don't know. Everyone expects me to. Not to you, but some heiress with a lot of money so the Waynes can continue to make more money." The statement pangs in your chest.

"Would you marry me anyway?" You ask, your voice quivering.

His eyes flash to your face, unexpectedly hearing your sadness. "You don't even have to ask, (Y/N). I don't want to spend any of my time with anyone else. But we're not getting married right now." He rests his hand on your thigh.

"What will you do?" You ask, trying to keep your voice level though it cracks at the end of the question.

"Well, today I will call Mayor Reál and tell her the news. It'll be a blow to her campaign, but I'm not going to back down. I don't believe my father intended for the Renewal to be used in this way and I think I may be able to find a loophole..." He frowns. "I need a lawyer." Your eyebrows raise and he turns to you, touching your cheek. "I don't want to bore you anymore with this. I have a few more hours before I am needed in Gotham."