𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒂 | 𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 (𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙢)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬

 "I saw Selina Kyle. She told me they lied. They saw nothing." Gordon said.

"Yes. That's what she told me. They made up the story to get out of juvie." Bruce had calmed down from earlier.

"She could be saying this because she's scared." Gordon offered. "It would be understandable after what happened."

"No." He denied. "She doesn't scare easily." Bruce lowered his gaze. He hadn't seen Lara for a while. Did she leave already? "I believe her. She didn't see the killer."

"Look, this is unfortunate." Gordon insisted. "It doesn't mean we're back to square one. Someone sent assassins after her. Only a guilty person would do that."

"Yes." Alfred butted in. "A lot of bloody assassins to the manor. Thank you very much." Sarcasm dripped from his voice.

"Anyway, you need no longer concern yourself with the case." Bruce said.

Gordon was shocked, to say the least. "Bruce, this isn't the time to give up."

"I'm not giving up." He replied simply.

"I don't get it."

"You promised you'd find who killed my parents. You've managed to find one witness who turned out to be a liar." Ouch. That was quite the blow.

"An investigation like this takes time." Gordon explained.

"But I don't want you to feel bound by an oath you can't fulfill." Bruce felt sad, but determined. "I'm releasing you from your promise." He stood. "I'll pursue the matter on my own."

"Bruce–"

"I really wouldn't bother, actually, mate." Alfred added. "Once Master Bruce makes up his mind, there's no arguing with him."

"He can't pursue the case on his own!" Gordon argued. "It's too dangerous!

"Then I'll have to look after him. Can I show you to the door?" Gordon nodded reluctantly, leaving. He'd done all he could.

"Master Bruce, you can come back now. I can tell you're dying to ask me something." Noticed Alfred, watching as Bruce sat back down on the sofa.

"Where's Lara?" He asked hesitantly. "Did she... did she leave? Is she still here? Did it sound like she was mad at me?"

"One question at a time, please. Which should I answer first?"

"Where is she?" He questioned immediately.

"She is still here, in the manor." Alfred responded.

"Why haven't I seen her, then?"

"She thinks thath you do not wish to see her. I wonder what you did to give off such an impression. Does she know how much effor you put into searching for her?" Said Alfred.

"That's irrelevant. If I told her, it would feel too clingy. Was she angry?" Bruce was worried. What if she hated him? He'd said plenty of things that were harsh and despicable– all in the heat of the moment.

"You know that she could never be furious at you, Master Bruce. But..." He hesitated. "Your words seemed to have a severe affect on her. She intended to leave immediately, however, I managed to convince her to stay until her wound has healed. That should keep her for at least–"
"Wound?" Bruce shot up, his eyes widened. "What wound? Is she hurt? What happened?"
"There you go again with all of the questions, Master Bruce." Alfred sighed. "When you smashed the snowglobe, it appears that she was too close. It's not large, but there's a cut in her hand. It is already on the mend, but there could have been permanent problems with it if not treated properly."

"I must go see her. Immediately." He headed straight to the door.

"Wait, Master Bruce!" Alfred blocked the door.

"What?" He snapped rudely. "I need to talk to Lara!"
"You should calm down first." Alfred suggested.

"Don't tell me what to do."

Eularia winced. The stinging in her hand was bothering her a lot, but not to the extent where she would take pain medication. It would be a waste for someone like her, anyways. She rewrapped the bandage, fumbling slightly. Using only one hand proved to be a bit of a challenge.

"Lara?" Bruce called out timidly, knocking thrice on the wooden door. "Lara, can I come in?"

"I guess." She replied quietly. "I mean, it is your house, after all. It's not like I get a say in anything that happens."

Bruce pushed the door open, peeking in. He froze and the sight of the old bloody bandages in the trash can by the corner.

"I'll throw that away myself, don't worry." She said dismissively, finishing with the bandages. They were a bit off, but it would do until she could get someone else to help her.

"That's not what I'm worried about." Eularia felt the bed lower under Bruce's weight. He took her hand gently before she could get up. "I... I did this, didn't I?"

"It's okay. It doesn't hurt." Eularia lied pathetically, her eyes actively avoiding his. "It wasn't that bad."
"You do know that I can actually see it, right?" Bruce asked rhetorically, unwrapping her poorly done bandages. He took out a new roll, wounding it carefully around her hand, making sure sure that it was tied firmly so that it would help her hand stay in place during the healing process, but not as tight as to cut off circulation. "Lara... I–"

"I know you didn't mean to." She interrupted. "And that's okay. We all make mistakes, even people like you." She bumped her shoulder with his playfully. "I get it, really. You had your rights to. You were correct. I was your friend, and I did lie to you."

"Was...?" He repeated.

She tilted her head. "That's what you said, wasn't it?"

"I'm sor–"

"I forgive you." She smiled. "But perhaps I have overstayed my welcome. It'll be best for both of us if I–"
"I'm–"
"You already said that."

"Listen, okay?"

Eularia froze.

"I'm really, really sorry. I never should have done that, no matter how angry I was. Just... stay a little longer, please. I need you." He admitted.

She let out a breathy sigh, pressing her forehead against his. "I already told you, I'm over it. That was a spur of the moment, it's no big deal. And if it's worth anything... I give you my word that I won't leave yet."

"It means everything."