The Many Loves of Batman

Hawk of Prey (Zinda Blake, aka Lady Blackhawk)

Bruce Wayne stood outside, enjoying the chilly night after a huge battle that had taken place in Gotham. He still felt slight regret at being unable to do anything to help the man who had technically sacrificed everything to be able to protect everyone in the city. He had major respect for the man, he really did. But he couldn't go inside and celebrate in the party that had been formed as part of Batman and the Blackhawks defeating said danger. He just couldn't, not when one of them didn't make it out alive.

"So... You're here..." The man glanced back, his shoulders flinching slightly as his eyes stared at the female who was hiding her emotions behind a mask. He could see it, never has he been able to see something as clear as day. Zinda Blake, the woman who just talked to him, was the other survivor of the battle that they had just gone through. He knew that she must have cried endlessly the day before, someone dear to her having died in the encounter. And he was not able to help him, the feeling of uselessness returning once again. Feelings that he thought had died ever since he started training to become Batman, Gotham's resident hero. "Here... I brought you something"

He finally noticed the drink in her hands, a red liquid inside of the crystal cup. He immediately felt the strong scent of wine through his nose, something he had already gotten used to.Having attended many parties throughout his life made him knowledgeable in various kinds of wine. He took the offered cup, his head nodding at the female, who was wearing a very beautiful sleeveless silver dress. He swirled the wine a bit, his eyes moving forward again as he gently placed his mouth against the cup to take a small drink of the liquid. It burned slightly, but he was so used to it that the only thing he felt was the pleasing taste.

"I'm sorry..." He stated, the cup hanging loosely against his hand. He felt just how the female stood right next to him, his eyes watching just how the red liquid went past her crimson lips and straight down to her throat. He could see that she just wanted to drown herself in her sorrow, to forget that she had lost someone dear to her once again. He didn't know what that would feel like, and he definitely didn't want to know. "Because of me, you lost Janos again. So-"

"Please..." She interrupted him, her eyes glancing at him. He immediately saw the tears running down her eyes, staining her face and ruining what little make-up she had on. It made him regret ever agreeing with Janos', one of the original Blackhawks, idea to divert the team. He should have been the one who stayed behind, maybe he would have survived the plane crash. But his old age was a major factor to his death, suffering through a heart attack thanks to the harsh landing of the aircraft he was piloting. "Don't blame yourself for Jan's death... You couldn't know"

He stayed silent, not knowing what to say in response to the words she had just said. He knew that she was telling him the truth, he had no way of knowing that Janos would die thanks to a heart failure caused by the crashing of the aircraft he was piloting. But it didn't mean that he was not feeling guilty for indirectly causing Blackhawk's death. He took another sip of the wine, drinking what was left of the liquid in the cup. He huffed slightly, a strong scent escaping from his lips in return.

"I just wanted to thank you for helping me figure everything out..." He looked at her, his eyes focusing on her face which had a small smile on her face. He could see that she was honest, yet was hiding her true feelings about the whole ordeal. He didn't know her well enough, but he did want to be able to help her. To at least help her get through this painful experience. He extended his hand towards her own, sending a slight comforting touch to her with his gesture. It was then that he was able to see the mask slightly break, her pained expression showing itself to the world from the depths of the mask she placed on herself.

"You don't have to hold it in..." He pulled her against his chest, her head landing in the nook of his neck. He closed his eyes, hearing just how two cups completely shattered as soon as they touched the ground. The hug was gentle, something he rarely ever did with someone. But he felt compelled to do so in this situation, he felt responsible for everything that happened. It was his job to fix things, even if it meant breaking his cold exterior. He managed to feel just how Zinda struggled to keep the emotions in, her body trembling. He even felt the tears dripping onto his shoulder. "You can cry, Zinda"

He was finally able to hear her soft sobs, her arms clenching at him as a hardline. He would be her support, the pillar she currently needed to be able to pass through her grieving period yet again. She had suffered enough, his mind recalling the first time she let him know of her pain at the death of Janos. He gently caressed her back, letting her cry without restraint. Slowly but surely, her sobs diminished, but the hug still continued. Her hands were clutching tightly against his suit, something that he could feel. Before he could even react, she moved her face and pecked him right besides his lips. His eyes widened ever so slightly, surprised to see the bold action of Lady Blackhawk. Her face had a serene smile now, her hands still clutching at his suit.

"T-Thank you, Bruce..." He sighed, his expression shifting ever so slightly into a small yet unnoticeable smile. He kept staring at the woman in front of him, her smile seemingly brightening up quite a bit but it was not the same smile she had before. She still felt the pain of losing Blackhawk once again, something that he still noticed. But she was slowly moving past it and that was something that he was happy for her. All that he wanted to know now was the reason behind the kiss. But that could wait, both heroes lost in each other's eyes as they spent the rest of the night looking at each other fondly.