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You don't fight to win. You fight to survive.
Sage Larsen drew her arms upward, shoulders square and elbows locked. Beads of sweat trickled along her skin as she took a cautionary step back from her opponent. The man in front of her was much bigger than she was, with piercing brown eyes and a crooked grin to come along with it. His movements were loose, more relaxed, as if he knew he was going to hail victory yet again, but Sage wasn't having it.
She moved swiftly, hands balled into fists as she pounded them against his rib. He successfully dodged her first jab but failed to avoid the second one. He gritted his teeth and fought back, fury replacing his playfulness, but Sage already managed to knock his knees next, forcing him down on the ground with her steel-toed boot. She smiled, quite amused at the sight of his body thrashing around like a fish out of water. When her mouth stretched, she tasted a tinge of blood coming from the cut above her lip, a product of his doing.
"The next time you and your colleagues try to follow me, make sure you don't have a fucking shiny head to give it all away." And with that, Sage pulled out her retractable metallic staff, said, "Tell Maroni I said hi," and struck it across his head, knocking him unconscious. She stood back up and walked away, leaving the alley with his body still sprawled out on the gravel. That was when she heard something move behind her. As if it were a reflex, she whipped her staff around and found herself meeting the eyes of her mentor who easily caught her rod before it could touch his face.
"It's way past your bed time," he spoke.
Sage yanked her weapon back, turning away from him. She trudged across the pebbled rooftop and teased, "You're slacking off, B. You used to be so quiet when you sneak up on me."
"That's because I wanted to catch you off guard," he responded flatly.
"And you didn't want to just now?"
"I need to talk to you," he said, his voice sounding more serious than ever. But then again, when was Bruce ever not?
"This couldn't wait until I get back home?"
"Well, you haven't exactly been home for the past three days."
Sage stopped. She had hoped that he didn't noticed, but Bruce always found a way. She made a mental note to not trust Jason with covering for her.
"Is this because of—"
"No, of course not!" she immediately cut him off, shaking her head. "I... I have to figure out some things. I just needed some time away from the meetings, the mansion, the mask, and—"
"Me?" Sage wanted to turn away from him but couldn't. Instead, she placed a hand on Bruce's cowl and kept it there, forcing herself to meet his eyes once more despite being afraid of what he may be thinking. Before her stood the man who saved her life. He kept her safe for a year and mended Sage's damaged soul. He, however, failed to repair his own.
"You're not the reason I left," she assured him, and it was the truth.
"I am, actually." Sage was left staring at him. She watched as Bruce pulled out a plane ticket with her name on it.
"A one way ticket to Detroit?" Sage breathed out, her voice cracking. "Are you fucking kidding me?"
Bruce ignored her tone and choice of words, proceeding to explain, "You're going to Detroit to check up on someone for me." The blonde raised an eyebrow. She never questioned Bruce's orders in the past as odd as they may be, but what could possibly be so important that she'd have to travel miles away?
Sage noticed the look in Bruce's face and said, "I'm sorry, I'm just shocked that you actually have business outside of this wretched city."
Bruce explained, "There were reports of a Robin sighting in that area," then resumed to walk, avoiding to attract the attention of any unwanted listeners.
Sage chuckled. Her cheeks flushed red after realizing her mistake. Even in the dark, Bruce could see her tainted skin and took it as an apology.
"So what exactly do you want me to do?" she asked. "I'm pretty sure your beloved Boy Wonder won't be looking for a side kick right after he broke off his last partnership."
"I just need to know that he's alright," Bruce said sternly, looking at her like he was desperate. It has been a long time since they've last seen each other. He has the right to worry, Sage thought.
"He seems more than alright," Sage muttered after bringing up a small holographic screen streaming from her arm pad that showed a news report about Robin's return. "But sure. Am I really going to say no to a two hour flight with a million dollar First Class treatment?"
"You're actually flying coach," Bruce informed as they turned around to an alley and slipped onto his Batcycle, grinning widely at the blonde.
"Oh, you are evil."
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A U T H O R ' S N O T E
hEY BOOS! i know this isn't the greatest prologue i've come up with, and bruce seems a lot more relaxed and giddier than usual, but i wanted to play around with his character a bit more and basically show y'all that he's a little bit less grungy with sage. in other words, bruce wayne is a softy! and we stan! 🤪👅💦💦
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(also, someone pls help me come up with a ship name for my babies sage n dick. the only thing i have is sick 😪😪)
oh, and this is dedicated to flamebirds! she has a jason todd book and it's so good??
