There is Just no Stopping this Thing Called Love

1: The Beginning of the End

The sound of running water trickled through the air, alerting the man who had just entered that his apartments were not empty.

With calm precision, he removed his coat, hung it on the coat tree by the bin where he deposited his dripping umbrella, and tossed his hat with flair onto the tip of the tree.

He appeared to be completely calm, despite several signs of another presence in his private space.

A plate sprinkled with the crummy remains of Alfred's tea biscuits lay beside a half-drunk cup of tea on his coffee table, shoes sat where they had been casually kicked off by the door, the lingering smell of perfume in the air hovered around him...

He nudged the cracked door to the washroom open further, steam hitting him and the unmistakable scent of lavender filling his nostrils. Only one person he knew loved lavender so much, but she had never done anything like this before.

Water in the porcelain tub splashed over the edge, puddling on the floor, as the person in his tub turned to see who had entered. The dim light of flickering candles softened her features, giving her hair a golden tint.

He crouched by the edge, avoiding stepping in the water, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Hi, Feisty."

"Hey, Jase."

"I see you've finally made yourself at home." He pulled the stool from the corner over and perched by Steph, rolling his shirtsleeves up to his elbows with quick efficiency. He took advantage of her semi-bare state to check for wounds or bleeding. Nothing came up beyond old scars, and she appeared to be healthy. So why was she here, in his tub?

She hummed, sinking deeper beneath the soapy water. "You got back late."

He hummed in acknowledgement, reaching over her for the lavender-scented soap. He dipped the bar between the water, rubbing it to get a good lather, and gently pushed Steph's forehead back with his free hand to wet all her hair.

The dirty blonde locks floated up, thoroughly soaked, and he rubbed the bar over them, getting them completely lathered. "I was out late checking on the children caught in the rain."

His fingers worked the suds all the way through her hair to her scalp, and she let out a little moan at his skillful massage.

He chuckled as she turned to mush beneath his fingers, dipping her head under the water to rinse the soap out.

"Leslie had some children in at the clinic earlier, worried their sister had pneumonia," Steph stated. "I followed them back to their home-" growing up in the Narrows, both Steph and Jason knew 'home' was a generous approximation of the hovel they lived in "-but luckily she only has a cold. With the medicine I left and the basket of nourishing food, they should all be okay. I got caught in the rain on my way back, though, so I came here and broke in for a bath."

He handed her a washcloth and the bar of soap, letting her wash herself as he moved to hang a towel by the heater. "You're always welcome here, Steph. I gave you that key for a reason."

"I have to keep my skills sharp somehow, Todd," she replied airily. "What better way than breaking into the Red Hood's home?"

"You've been spying on Selina too much," Jason shook his head, grinning.

"Bruce's party is tomorrow," he said idly, shaking out the wrinkles in her purple dressing gown. This was the first time she would use it, he recalled. They were both committed to courting each other properly, which included not staying over... or bathing in the other's tubs.

Steph made an agreeing noise, prompting him to swallow his nerves and finish his thought. "Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the Gala?"

Her blue eyes watched him from where she was submerged in the bubbles. "I'd be delighted to be your date."

He moved across the small space quicker than usual. "Really? You're ready to announce our relationship to everyone? Gotham's gossip columns will be buzzing after that."

She nodded firmly. "Make an honest woman out of me, Mr. Todd."

His smile stretched widely across his face, unable to be contained. "Whatever you say, Miss Brown," he leaned in, nudging her nose with his before pressing soft kisses to her lips.

Maybe he'd be able to use the ring Talia had given him years ago sooner than he'd thought.

Steph requested her robe and he held it open for her, politely averting his eyes.

She snickered. "What a gentleman you are. Thank you." She pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and belted the robe. "Could I request dinner with all this first-class service?"

"Whatever you'd like, madam." He bowed gallantly and left her to dress in privacy.

~~~~~

The next day, a box appeared on Steph's bed up in her top floor room in Leslie Thompson's clinic/house. Steph's hands paused from untying her apron as she took it in, then she made quick work of her apron and dress, stripping down to her underclothes and letting them fall, heedless of the wrinkles that would soon form.

Jason had told her to leave her apparel to him, and as she opened the lid and saw its contents, she knew he hadn't let her down.

She lifted out a gorgeous red ballgown, its deep hues shimmering in the dim light her candles provided.

The scoop neck and cap sleeves were embellished with black beading, and the understated ruffles on the skirt and hem gave it a lovely elegance.

Steph quickly dressed in it, turning this way and that to admire herself in the mirror before she headed to her mother's room to ask her to do up the back and help with her hair.

Crystal oohed and ahhed at her beautiful daughter as she pinned up Steph's golden curls and did up the jet buttons.

"Your man is going to be absolutely stunned, sweetie."

Steph pinched her cheeks for more colour and smiled at her reflection. She looked...relaxed. Happy.

It confirmed for her she was making the right decision.

She grabbed her reticule and pulled on her snowy gloves and red plush cape.

"I hope so, Mama. Have a lovely evening. I'll tell you all about it tomorrow!"

Jason knocked on the door, looking dapper in his evening suit, coat, and freshly brushed derby hat.

His jaw dropped a little as she slowly descended the stairs, determined not to rush and sprain her ankle and be kept in tonight. The love and warmth in his eyes multiplied in her middle, filling her with butterflies of the best kind.

She finally made it down the stairs safely, taking his hand for the last couple steps. He lifted it to his mouth for a kiss and smirked up at her.

"You look stunning, Feisty. You'll be the belle of the ball."

"Thank you," she blushed. He always made her feel gorgeous. "You look fine yourself. I'd better keep an eye on you and make sure no debutante snatches you up," she teased.

Jason dropped his eyes to his shoes. "I have an idea to keep the swarms away."

He pulled his free hand out of his pocket and extended a small leather case, just large enough for...

"Jase," she whispered, turning her wide-as-saucers eyes up to his.

"I love you, Stephanie Brown. Will you make me the happiest man alive and consent to marrying me?" His teal eyes were full of emotion as he held her teary gaze.

She nodded, flinging her arms around his neck. "Of course! Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!"

He swung her around, pressing soft kisses to her face.

A throat cleared behind them and they paused their merriment, seeing Leslie's gaze upon them.

"Congratulations, you two. However, I believe you have a ball to attend?"