Dispel The Darkness

[lesliethompkins]

Hope for the best, expect the worst. It's one of the many valuable lessons Leslie has learned over the years. Taught by her father, reinforced by experience. She had hoped the bomb delivered maliciously to the clinic would not be an indication of things to come. Somehow she knew that wouldn't be the case.

A week later, there are three patients in residence. Black Mask has had his revenge. Leslie and a select few are left to pick up the pieces.

Comments

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Selina swallows visibly, trying to think of what to say. While she doesn't assume that there will be condemnation, she's still waiting for it.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

His thoughts, so often organized and compartmentalized, are in shambles. They shift from past to present, from the Joker to Black Mask, from himself to Selina. Parallels are drawn and broken, reassembles and pulled apart.

"Why didn't you do it?"

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"I'm still not sure."

Her voice is layered with emotions and she sounds very tired. "Next time he's not going to toy with me. He'll just start killing people."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Perhaps someday including her. The thought can't be stopped, pushed away, or forced into submission.

His hands curl into fists and the muscles in his jaw harden.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Carefully, she lifts a hand and reaches it out to him.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Her touch has a way of softening his anger. He isn't entirely sure at first he wants his anger to fade. Anger fuels. Anger focuses. Anger covers all aches and pains.

His hand eventually finds hers.

He holds it tight.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"This is where we live."

The awkwardness, the uncertainty, the waiting for something horrible to happen, catching moments of brilliance and hope in the midst of it all.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

Simple words. Meaningfully deep. Understood and perhaps appreciated more than she'll ever know.

He drops his gaze and whispers softly. "And when we're not here? Where are we?"

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"Together."

It is a word that escapes her before she realizes the shape of it, what it means, the weight it will hold. It makes her want to look away from him, in a small moment of irony.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

The hold he has on her hand immediately lessens. There's a pause before it slips from his hand entirely as he leans heavily back in the chair. Pain briefly materializes in the lines around his eyes.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Concern rushes through her and she tries to push herself up to get a better look at him. The pain that flares through her causes her to pause and try to catch her breath.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

"Don't," he says sharply.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Her hands are shaking as she leans back into the bed, her face pale.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He grips the armrests and stiffly pushes himself to his feet. Leave it to his own stupidity to necessarily call their three minutes short. "I'll get Leslie. Try and relax."

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"No."

"Please."

If she has to she'll get out of the bed to take his hand again.

And won't they get in trouble then?

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

He stops within reach, suddenly unsure as to whether he's coming or going.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

Reaching out, she grabs his hand again. She's straining herself some to do it but it doesn't matter.

"Please."

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

It does matter. Nothing matters more. He closes the space between them, pressing up as close as the bed will physically allow.

It's too far. Much too far.

"'Live' with me, Selina."

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"..... what?"

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

"Will you live with me?"

Not quite the same meaning. Not quite the same intensity. Honest sincerity remains. His hand twists in hers. They're now palm in palm, fingers curled around the side.

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"I..."

Selina blinks up at him, wanting nothing more than to pull him in closer to, bring him against her. Why, in light of that, is it so hard to say yes to his question?

"Can we try it out?" The first paw is out there on the new surface, waiting for it to move or give way beneath her.

[anotherknight.livejournal.com]

That new surface is rock solid, steady and sure.

He nods slowly, not at all displeased. "When you're ready. And not a minute before."

[femme-du-chat.livejournal.com]

"Can that start soon?"

Selina laughs softly, hurting as she does it. "I don't have anywhere else to go."