The Many Loves of Batman

Magic in Loving Forms (Sindella Zatara)

He stood there, his eyes fixated on the puppet that had brought him trouble in the past. He felt the need to keep it trapped, to not have other innocents fall victim to the snares of the puppet. And for that he needed the help, even if he didn't want to admit it. It was because of this that he had contacted the head of the Homo Magi people to help him, and the blonde haired woman had helped quite a bit in this adventure of his. He could see just why she was regarded as the best in the little secret group that they had.

"Of course, the belief the puppeteer puts into the effigy also plays a part..." His ears could hear the serene and sensual voice the female right beside him muttered. Her voice was also thoughtful and introspective, a tone that he had heard from her beforehand. The two of them had been talking for a while, and he could feel just how she had been giving him a few glances here and there. This was definitely not their first case together, but certainly the most dangerous out of the few that they had actually worked together on. "In poor Peyton's case, she believed in sacrifice to the very end"

"You sure you don't want it?" Bruce turned to her, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. If he could get the effigy that had been sculpted for all the villains that became Ventriloquist as far away from Gotham as possible, the better for his city. He needed to do something about the puppet, and keeping him trapped was a solution but not the one he would have preferred. But he glanced at her, seeking an answer. But all he got was a soft shake from her head.

"I'm sure... Puppets creep me out" He could notice it in her voice, but he still had to ask in the opportunity that he could get rid of the sculpture in his hideout. Her hair moved softly against the slight breeze that could enter his hideout, and that made her quite attractive in his eyes. He would detain his hand from approaching her because of the memory of his dear friend, Giovanni Zatara.

"I didn't know that..." He told her softly, his eyes meeting hers. He wouldn't want to make her do something that she obviously didn't want to do, he knew better than that. So, with a push of a button, the case surrounding the effigy began to close, while his eyes ignored the puppet completely. He sighed softly, his eyes disconnecting from hers for a second, before he turned slightly to the right and began to walk down the stairs.

"Unhappy childhood memory..." She admitted, her voice literally right behind him. The short walk to the stair had been serene, calming if he had to say anything about it. He didn't know what Homo Magi had in them, but he would always be very vulnerable around them. The same happened with Zatanna Zatara, but he knew that the younger magician was probably more preoccupied for Constantine to even be thinking about him. "I'll tell you about it someday"

"Meaning we'll be seeing more of each other..." Bruce noted, his voice low. He finally began to descend down the metallic steps, his boots creating quite the deep sound. He could also hear the click that the heels of Sindella Zatara made as well. Sindella's presence was a comforting contrast to the often cold and lonely atmosphere of the cave that he was usually accustomed to.

It was then that he stopped, finally ending his walk from the stairs. He could only give out one last sigh before Sindella walked right in front of him. Her eyes looked worried for him, the feeling that he could actually sense from her. But he knew something was off with the blonde haired magician, he could see it in her eyes. He didn't know how to respond to that, his heart and mind always keeping her at arm's reach because of who exactly she was related to.

"Very possibly... What are your thoughts on that?" She asked, being pulled by her arms which had rapidly snaked around his neck. He didn't dare to move, especially with how close she had gotten to him. He could feel her bountiful chest against his own, a wish that probably every man in the world had for the female blonde magician. He could even notice a slight glint in her light blue eyes, which actually made his lips twitch upwards a bit.

"Part of me wants to open every door for you..." He admitted, his eyes looking at her with longing. He could admit to her that much, and it was the truth he had hidden in his heart. His expression remained serious, but it didn't mean that his feelings were not trying to reach out for her. A tender silence fell between them, as his eyes laid on over her own once more. The connection that he could feel from her was actually incredible, yet he didn't dare act upon it. "Yet another part cares enough for you to keep them closed"

"It's because of Giovanni, isn't it?" He actually flinched and even looked elsewhere. He couldn't give her the satisfaction of actually guessing correctly. He felt her hand cup his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "You don't have to keep closing out your heart any longer" It was a miracle that she didn't use magic on him to make him look at her, and that was something that he was grateful for. Yet the first thing he noticed as he looked at her once more was the sadness that she held inside. But at the same time, he could see just how much she loved him. "Don't keep me out, Bruce..."

In that moment, surrounded by the shadows and the echoes of the Batcave, he let himself open up. He leaned in, pressing his lips against her own in a gentle kiss. He could feel the softness of her own lips, enjoying every second of their mutual kiss. This was a silent promise of the love he was willing to fight for. He had finally let himself feel his emotions once more, to feel the spark of light and hope inside of him. It was the beginning of something that could transcend the darkness within his heart. And he was glad that he was doing so with her by his side.