The Many Loves of Batman

Moving the Heartstrings (Suzanne King-Jones, aka Arrowette)

Suzanne 'Cissie' King-Jones, former heroine known as Arrowette, stood in the warm glow of her moderate sized room in the Wayne Manor, admiring the gold medal she had just placed on the shelf. The inscription gleamed in the light: 'Olympic Archery Champion'. It was a culmination of years of dedication, countless hours of training, and an indomitable spirit. Yet, as she looked at it, a flood of memories came rushing back, memories of her time as a heroine. Memories that invaded her mind in seconds, which made her smile.

She walked over to the lone chair of the room, sinking into it as her body relaxed in the soft leather. Cissie closed her eyes and let the memories wash over her. The exhilarating nights of chasing down villains, the adrenaline of combat, and the camaraderie of her fellow young heroes. She thought of the times she had teamed up with the likes of Impulse, Superboy, and Wonder Girl. Memories that she would cherish forever, but those days were behind her now. She had hung up her quiver and bow for heroics, choosing a different path in the usage of her favorite weapon.

Her reverie was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She stood, brushing off the haze of nostalgia, and went to open it. Standing there, tall and imposing, was Bruce Wayne, the owner of the manor that she was currently residing on. He wore his usual composed expression, but his eyes held a warmth she had come to recognize. A warmth that she had been able to notice quite quickly, if she was honest, ever since she started to live at the manor almost three months ago.

"Bruce..." She said, a smile spreading across her face. She enjoyed the company that he would provide her in the moments of loneliness. The solitude that she would have most of the time disappearing into nothingness. A change in her life that she was more than happy to have. She was tired of the lonely apartment she had in Central City. "What a surprise to see you in front of my room"

"May I come in?" He asked, her smile never changing. The soft and gentle voice she picked from him was soothing. She couldn't help it, the atmosphere between herself and Bruce was something that she could still not explain. She knew that he was more than welcoming of her, that much she was certain. But she didn't want to impose even more on the man that she could feel a bit of attraction for. "I heard of your win from Alfred and wanted to congratulate you"

"Of course," Cissie replied, stepping aside to let him enter. As he walked in, she couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly he carried himself, a man of incredible power and immense responsibility, yet always calm and collected. Ignoring her thoughts, she managed to see Bruce took a moment to survey her apartment, his gaze settling on the gold medal. She could only smile a bit further, remembering his previous words."Thank you for your previous words regarding the medal...It was... a different kind of challenge."

"Winning that medal took the same kind of dedication and skill you showed as Arrowette. It's a testament to your resilience." She blushed at the praise, her eyes looking just as Bruce only nodded. She could guess that he could understand her predicament, her win at the Olympic was met with both positive and negative statements. But she held her head high and only concentrated on the positive words, consciously ignoring the negative thoughts of others. She sat on the edge of the bed, while Bruce took the leathered sofa she greatly liked.A comfortable silence filled the room, both of them looking at each other. "I remember when you first joined the team" He continued, her ears noticing the tinge of nostalgia in his voice. She knew that he was not a man of many words, but when he spoke, it was always meaningful. "You had this fierce determination. You wanted to prove yourself, not just to others, but to yourself"

"I wanted to make a difference" Cissie muttered softly, her smile receding to a soft expression. Her mind made her remember the good old days when she still was Arrowette and when she was a part of the Young Justice. She had made the conscious decision of quitting, to be able to enjoy her young life and accomplish the few dreams she still had. "To show that I could be more than just a girl with a bow and arrow."

"And you did..." Bruce affirmed, his voice growing softer and her eyes only blinking once at his affirmation. She looked at him, her gratitude mingling with something deeper. It meant the world to her, to receive the approval of one of the greatest heroes she has ever known. Bruce Wayne, better known to Gotham City as Batman, had given her very high praises, something she couldn't believe yet. "You made a real impact." She could see his gaze soften greatly, relaxing a bit in the leathered chair. She didn't move, her eyes looking at his own. She felt as if his eyes were holding hers a moment longer than necessary, which made her blush a bit. "You believed in yourself, Cissie. That's what mattered most. And you continue to do so. This medal is proof of that."

"I didn't do it alone..." She added, her smile looking at him. He didn't smile back, but she could notice the soft sight that he currently held. She sighed, a mixture of contentment and melancholy in her voice. She could admit that, in moments of weakness, she has missed her work as Arrowette. But she knew that her past was already buried by her very own hand, and there was nothing in the world that could dig it back up. "I had the support of those dear to me... Of those that believed in me like you did, Bruce"

"I am glad you think of me like that..." Bruce stated, his head nodding in understanding her confusing emotions. The complexity of her emotions even made her question what she really felt at times. There were times that chaos ruled over her mind, but there were also times where she could only feel peace. And it was at this very moment that she, Cissie, felt a sense of peace wash over her. Bruce's words, as short as they always were, carried a weight that resonated deeply within her. She had found her new purpose, and it was just as meaningful as her time as Arrowette.

"Thank you, Bruce..." She said, forcing her voice to sound steady. She could see just how he stood from the chair, making her do the same. She didn't know how, but his hand was already brushing a strand of hair to the side. His touch was light and caring, which made her feel a shiver down her spine and her face to gain a sudden heat around her cheeks. Moments like these were the days that she wanted nothing more than to be beside Bruce the entire day. "For everything..."

"You're welcome, Cissie. And remember, no matter where your path leads, you have a family that will always support you" She hated that he had already turned to walk away from her room. Her hand instinctively reached out towards him, but one that she lowered as soon as she regained control of her body. She couldn't force him, it was not right. But imagine her surprise when he paused, his hand lingering over the doorknob. "Would you like to have dinner with me in a bit? To celebrate your win?"

"I... I'd love that..." Her heart skipped a beat, and a warm smile spread across her face. Her eyes only caught just how he gave her a rare smile, a genuine smile that only made her heart skip yet another beat. It was then that he left, her body immediately falling down to the bed. A loving sigh escaped her lips as her eyes moved to look at the gold medal. It wasn't just a symbol of her victory in the Olympics, but a reminder of her journey. A journey that had been shaped by her time as a hero and the people who had believed in her. And in that moment, with the promise of a new chapter unfolding, she felt truly at peace.