Intoxicating Desires | T. Al Ghul ✔

[31]

Richard noticed that Bruce was in a rather peculiar mood ever since he had come back home. He seemed out of it and that was saying a lot because even though Bruce was detached usually, he had never been that disconnected to simply ignore everything and everyone around him.

Usually he would respond vaguely to a greeting or even nod in acknowledgement but he didn't respond at all that once.

He had wanted to ask him how his dinner date went with Talia but he didn't get to ask as Bruce left, going up to his room and locking the door instead.

"What happened?" Jason asked seeing the elder brother standing at the foot of the stairs, contemplating whether he should go after him or not.

"I don't know," he replied, "I wanted to talk to him but he just left."

"Maybe he was tired," the younger one suggested, "or maybe he got into an argument with Miss Talia and didn't tell you because he didn't want to hurt your feelings."

Richard turned to look at him incredulously, "wait, why would my feelings be hurt if he's the one getting into an argument?"

"Because clearly you're on very good terms with the Demon Head's daughter and have been trying to play matchmaker again."

"No, I am not," he shook his head dismissively but Jason knew better than to take his word for it.

"Yes, you are. You always are."

He rolled his eyes wearily, stepping down from the staircase, "I did not want you to put me into a dilemma but at least I know now that I'm not the best person to ask Bruce about this. Perhaps he'll tell Alfred what happened."

Jason looked quite unaffected, "nothing happened. He went to dinner and he came back in a bad mood. All that points out to is that he must have gotten into an argument but I don't see why we should be bothered about it. He's gonna be fine by evening."

Richard knew the boy was right. Bruce never shared what he was going through with them because to him they were children who shouldn't be bothered with his troubles.

"I guess you're right," he gave up and gently patted the boy's shoulder, "so what do we do now? I mean not about Bruce since you're so sure he'll figure things out himself..."

"I wanted to go to the theater," the boy spoke up with an excited gleam in his blue eyes, "will you take me?"

Richard agreed, "of course. Let me just tell Alfred then we can leave."

"Alright. I'll wait for you outside."

Richard began to look for Alfred and found the old man in the pantry, organizing the items stored there.

"Master Richard, how may I help you?" He had sensed the steps approaching and turned to face Richard.

"You always know whenever I'm sneaking up on you."

"Your footsteps are too distinct. It's impossible not to know."

He shrugged with a smile, "anyways, I came to tell you that Jason and I are going to the theater. And don't worry, we'll take the bus."

"Alright then."

But before stepping out, he remarked, "oh and Alfred, will you please check up on Bruce? He didn't seem in a good mood when he came home."

Alfred dipped his head in a nod, "you don't have to worry, Master Richard. I will check on him."

"Thanks," he smiled brightly, "you're the best."

***

Bruce had wracked his brain hard to remember but there was nothing.

All he could recall was going to that townhouse and being ushered in, and having dinner with Talia who had somehow looked quite irresistible that night. But after that dinner, there was nothing but a cloud of red smoke blocking out his memories.

He sat on his bed with his hands rubbing his temples, trying to get rid of the headache that only took over him when he was very badly hungover. And that too was strange because ever since he had become Batman, he had stopped drinking at night. He didn't want the alcohol to cloud his senses or his judgment.

Yet right then his head was hammered and he wanted to somehow stop it but also find out what exactly happened that he lost all recollection of.

A knock on his bedroom door shook him out of his thoughts and he sighed wearily, thinking it was probably Richard who had come up there to ask him what happened. He knew the boy was only concerned for him but he didn't want to discuss it with anyone at the moment.

And especially not Richard who had a habit of setting him up with people and Talia seemed to be a considerable option in his list already. He did not want to let the boy find out even the briefest possibility of what could have occurred between the two.

He felt stupid even saying to himself that he somehow forgot everything.

"Master Bruce, may I come in?"

Instead of Richard, Alfred's voice sounded through the door so Bruce stood up and went to turn open the lock.

Once he had opened the door, he stepped aside to see that Alfred had brought his soothing jasmine tea, and the soft aroma wafted through the air shortly after. He inhaled the scent, letting it fill him up so that he could feel better.

"I assumed you must be having a headache," the wise old man stated, pouring out the tea in his cup, "and Master Richard was worried about you too."

"I'm fine," he replied vaguely but accepted the offered cup.

He had a habit of saying that he was fine even when he wasn't and Alfred could see right past it.

"Very well then," he remarked, not pushing the matter further, "I hope the tea soothes your frayed nerves. If you need anything else, let me know."

"Thank you, Alfred," he mumbled, taking a sip from the cup.

"Excuse the liberty of saying this, Master Bruce, but perhaps you should rest. You seem very fatigued."

The words struck a bell inside him and he looked up in surprise. But Alfred had left the room and closed the door behind him as well.

"You should rest," that soft alluring voice resonated around him again and he placed the cup back on the trolley, not wanting it to drop from his hands and shatter.

A very blurred image of Talia leading him into a room followed after those words but then it all dissolved into darkness and he couldn't recall more.

Something had definitely happened between them last night but the alarming aspect was that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall enough for him to ascertain the situation.

It was almost as if he had forcefully been made to forget everything. And if that was the case then he had been right in his assumption of staying on guard from Talia from the very start.

***