Working Among Vengeance

Chapter 22: Remember

Bruce/Batman POV

Heading back home, thoughts raced through my head after the murder of the governor. What a tragic event to unfold in front of his children. It reminded me too much of my childhood. As I pulled into the front of my manor, I realized I had to continue the investigation to help his family. I will put this criminal behind bars. I had to do this, no matter what.

Y/N POV

Spending Halloween alone, I felt abandoned and worried. What came up for him to just up and leave me? Did he love someone more than me? I don't know if I was being insecure or not, but I just wanted to know he was loyal.

Just as I doubted him, I heard the sound of a key entering the lock. Looking over, there he was standing in the doorway, looking dejected. Bruce didn't look good. He was drenched in cold sweat, breathing heavily, and his tension was palpable.

He walked over to me slowly, whispering, "I'm sorry," and bringing me into a tight hug. I embraced him with my arms just below his, and my face tucked in between his chest. He leaned his sad face on my shoulder as he began to quietly cry.

I was never the best when it came to comforting, but it felt as if my instincts kicked in. I just stood there as he cried, patting him on the back. His tears stopped, and he began to sniffle. In an instant, he turned around.

"I'm sorry about that; I was just having a rough day," Bruce solemnly said, still facing away from me.

"A rough day must be an understatement." I walked up to his back and hugged him. "I won't look at you cry, but just let it all out. You can't keep bottling it in." After finishing that sentence, I heard him sniffling again. "You know it is okay for you to tell me about your situation; you don't need to suffer in silence."

Bruce finally turned around, holding both of my hands and looking down into my eyes.

"Do you trust me?" Tears were still swelling up in his eyes as he spoke softly to me.

I hesitated to answer him as it was too broad of a question. Could I trust him to begin with? Sure, he was kind, but he was like a closed book. A leap of faith is always scary, but if it's for him, then I shall jump into his arms.

"Yes, I trust you. Sometimes I doubt you, but I will always trust you."

"I want to tell you something, and I trust you, but I don't want you to leave me. Can you promise not to leave me?" Bruce said with worry in his voice.

Honestly, he could've told me that he was in a drug cartel, and I'd stay with him. My love was steadfast and everlasting.

"Yes, I'll stay with you." I spoke with pure confidence in my choice.

The air felt thick and heavy as I waited for him to speak. I nervously glanced at his piercing blue eyes, still red from his tears.

Bruce took a deep breath in, then out. "I'm Ba-"

The door swung open, and there was Alfred standing in the doorway, finally back from vacation. I ran over to Alfred and shook his hand, welcoming him back.

Alfred looked over to Bruce and said, "Sorry to interrupt your conversation, Master Wayne, but we must speak."

Bruce looked over at me with this worrisome smile. I'm still curious about what he was going to say. It almost sounded like he was saying 'I'm bad' or something along those lines.

Bruce/Batman POV

It was an awkward talk to have with Alfred as he confronted me about hearing Y/N learning my secret.

He continued his lecture as we walked over to the Bat Cave. "You haven't known her for that long, and considering all other factors..." He continued speaking as I periodically tuned him out.

Entering the passcode with Alfred walking behind me, we went up to my desk. I took the screen recording contact from my eye and placed it on a sensory pad, allowing us to replay what I had seen earlier today.

Taking a deep breath in and slowly breathing out, preparing myself for what I was about to view, I looked up at the screen as it replayed earlier events of my night. I took out my notebook, ready to write down details to start off my investigation.

"THURSDAY, OCT. 31" is the date. As I finished writing, I read the cover, "Notes & Observations (GOTHAM PROJECT) YR. 2." I got lost in my thoughts, realizing I've been doing this for 2 years now.

I noticed the TV was on in the background. Tuning in, I heard it discussing the murder of "Mayor Mitchell Murdered." Just below it, the subtitles read "Acting Mayor Tomlin to run in his place." I kept listening, seeing how far the news would skew this murder, making the citizens feel even more unsafe.

Alfred and I got back to work as the television played in the background. We made a large paper copy of the card he gave me, which had the encrypted symbols that Gordon had pointed out earlier.

A heavy sigh left my mouth as my hair hung in front of my face. Alfred put his arm on my shoulder and began to speak.

"Hey, go take a shower and get some rest. After all, the accounting boys from Wayne Enterprises are coming for breakfast."

I responded, feeling more stress on me. Y/N was beginning to doubt my love, a killer after me, and having to run Wayne Enterprises. "Here—why?"

"Because I couldn't get you to go there—"

I cut him off, my blood starting to boil. "Fine, I'll meet with them if I absolutely have to."

"Well, Master Wayne, considering that you don't even show up to work, this is the least you can do."

Alfred always remained calm, which I admired him for, but sometimes it made me more annoyed than I probably should be. Not wanting to say anything I might regret, I left the room and went to my chamber.

Taking off my shirt as I sat on my bed, I got ready to shower. I leaned back and awaited everything to unfold in the next coming days with this cold-blooded killer.

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Finally, a new chapter am I right? This one was so hard to write since I was trying to show more emotion and I was trying to fix all my errors in my grammar. I had to change the dialogue between Bruce and Alfred up a little since Y/N is in the story. Thanks for sticking around I promise to finish WAV by this year!

Word Count: 1,101