Hands (SuperBat)

21 Old Friends

Bruce and Kal made it in without much fuss, but the paparazzi made all the fuss for them. Somehow Kal was able to get through it with a smile. Bruce made sure to stick right beside him.

Bruce almost let out a breath of relief when they arrived into the big hall.

Almost.

Once they arrive the air in the room changed. He could tell that most of the attendees were trying to peek as many glances as possible at the odd couple.

Kal paused in place. He tensed up as his breath stuck in his throat. He sensed it too.

Bruce stopped right beside him. He asked quietly, "Need a hand?" He showed his hand discreetly to him.

Kal quickly shake his head and mumbled, "Mm-mm."

"Okay," Bruce said. "Let's go. I see someone I know." He was hoping that "someone he knows" will at least put Kal at ease. Bruce went ahead with Kal following. He had no idea if Kal was using his super hearing or not. He almost hoped that he wasn't.

"Bruce Wayne!" The 'someone he knew' greeted. Unfortunately, he didn't remember his name. If it didn't relate to being Batman, he didn't bother to try. "So the rumors were true!"

Oh great...

Bruce said, "Yeah, I try to keep my private matters... Private. But you know how that goes." He laughed the most obnoxious laugh he ever done in his life.

"Bruce," a familiar feminine voice called from behind them. "How's everything been?"

He turned around to see Selina Kyle, Catwoman, in a lovely dark dress. "Things been well." He glanced towards to Kal.

Kal gave Selina a smile. His mind was definitely somewhere else.

Selina looked between the two.

Bruce whispered to him, "How about you get yourself something to drink?"

Kal exhaled, "I... Yeah." He needed a drink to do something with his hands. He wanted some type of independence. He began walking off.

Bruce was almost worried, but it seemed Kal really wanted that drink, even though Kal couldn't get drunk.

"So," the man he was talking to piped up. "How did this happen between you two? You must have something on him to be at your beck and call."

"No, not at all," Bruce said. "We just happened to meet when his identity was a secret."

"Did you know this whole time?" The man asked.

"Of course not," Bruce lied easily. "I mean, of course, I was shocked when I first heard about him being Superman."

"Hey, Bruce," Selina said. "Can I get you in private?"

"Sure," Bruce said. He looked at Kal who was at a table where some refreshments were.

Kal met his eyes and nodded. He knew what they said.

Bruce and Selina went outside to the hallway. They went where no one else were.

Before Bruce could say anything, Selina said, "Don't you think this is risky?"

"Risky?" Bruce said. "It's not like I was the one who gave out the information that Kal and I were together. If you are thinking of you-know-who..." The Batman. "... Everything is under control."

"Not only that," she continued. "But you know that there are still people out there who doesn't trust him. For all we know, they could stop trusting you."

Bruce scoffed, "I've always had mixed reviews pertaining to me. It would be nothing different."

"You're quite positive for the type of guy you are."