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One pattern that Dick noticed when Holidays, was Bruce leaving early. When everyone was enjoying the time, eating Alfred's delicious roasted chicken with grilled vegetables, Bruce was excusing himself and going either to his room or patrolling (really? On Holidays?). And if it bothered someone in the beginning, they got used to it pretty soon. Well, as soon as spending the next event together could be. And Dick was used to it especially, since he was under Batman's wing for a long time, though what bothered him was the last year.
Batman left as usual, but the tension coming from him could be sensed a mile away. He glared at Cass nervously and quickly retrieved.
It was Christmas today, but it didn't change a thing. Everyone spent time together, talked a bit and Bruce was leaving again. Dick looked at Cass, peacefully eating her meal, and calmed down a bit.
Since even Cass isn't suspicious, everything must be okay, right?
In that moment Steph turned to him and whispered: "Don't you think Bruce is acting a bit weird? And not the usual weird, but like weird-weird."
So the others have noticed it too.
"Yeah, it's been like this the last year" shared his thought Dick, rubbing his neck. Steph furrowed her brow, wheels in her head turning. Then, her face lightened up and a hint of mischief appeared. "Something's obviously fishy. I wanna investigate, you in?"
Dick looked at the gathered bat-family enjoying the time they have between crimefighting. They truly didn't have much of these moments anymore. Him in Bludhaven, Steph with Cass in an apartment, everyone always in some mission. Well, Barbara proffered spending time with Gordon. He glanced at them, the back at Steph and sighed.
"I'm in."
***
Its been five minutes since they started following Batman. He's been as swift as usual: bat-claw there, gliding on his cape there... Though he looks a bit funny from a distance.
Even if it was freezing outside, Bruce wore his usual suit, which was always a surprise to everyone, who at least a little modified their costumes to winter: fur, thermal underwear, many layers of clothing, etc.
He moved as effective as usual, though. Right after parking the batmobile, he was grappling on the rooftops. But the weird part is that he didn't go patrolling in the centre of Gotham, no, he went to... Amusement Mile.?
Steph and Dick looked at each other confused, but followed further.
But that's Joker's territory. And it's very unlikely he's gonna be in that maniac's most famous hideout (although it's not really a hideout if everyone knows he's there). It would make sense if Joker planned to do something, that needed investigation, but he's been laying suspiciously low these days. Now that Dick thinks about it...
"Did you notice Joker didn't do much trouble on Holidays the last year?" Asked Nightwing.
"He released laughing gas in all of the city an April Fools'."
"April Fools' isn't really a Holiday, plus the gas wasn't even lethal that time."
Spoiler frowned. "Yeah, you're right... and the timing suspiciously matches with Bruce's weird behaviour."
They stared at each other intensely when Joker laughed in the distance. They both winced, but moved closer, preparing for the encounter.
They moved through the dusty tents and knocked out henchmen when noticed magenta and cyan suit fighting the black kevlar armour.
"How nice of you to come by, Batsy! I even changed my clothes for you! You're always coming on these days, my dear."
Everyone always hated the way Joker calls Bruce different pet names, but got used to them. Every time someone mentioned it, Bruce got defensive and said something like: "He is crazy and obsessed with Batman, it's nothing to be worried about." and then quickly left the room, clearly uncomfortable with the topic.
"How's your leg? Ive heard about your conflict with the Riddler." Bruce asked auietly.
What.
Spoiler had a look on her face like she saw Lex Luthor dance ballet and then transform into a monkey.
"Aww, you do care! I always knew you were a big softie underneath all that tight costume (that leaves nothing to the imagination by the way)."
"So you're fine. I'm leaving." deadpanned Batman and turned around, but Joker ran up to him (oh yeah, he's limping) and snaked his arms around Bruce's waist. Steph and Dick tensed, ready to fight any moment.
"Please..." Joker pleaded. Batman tensed also. "Dont leave. Not today..."
Now all three vigilantes were in shock.
Batman slowly turned around to meet Joker's desperate gaze and relaxed in his arms. He sighed a short «Okay» and ran his fingers through Joker's hair.
Now Dick was so shocked he thought his jaw will literally fall out. He didn't even think about intervening, because
a) Bruce will get mad they followed them
b) he was curious where this will lead to.
He looked at Steph, who had probably the same opinion.
Meanwhile Joker grabbed Bruce by the neck and viciously crashed their lips together.
"Oh, he's so done..." thought Nightwing, expecting Batman to break at least a dozen bones, but Bruce answered with the same intensity, pulling Joker closer by the waist.
It was like the world stopped. Everything seemed unreal. The same person who raised him, who told everyone that Joker is a psychopath who has to be locked up for good, the same person who forbidden anyone to even look in Joker's direction, was now kissing him?! Dick felt a strong sting of betrayal. He was so lost in thoughts, he didn't pay attention to the men until he heard a loud moan coming from Joker.
Batman was now biting into his neck like a vicious beast, savoring the blood, while Joker was rubbing energetically against his armored leg. When Joker grabbed Bruce's jaw and clashed their teeth together, the latter pinned him to some wooden stall, practically ripping his shirt off. Joker gave a throaty laugh, while shivering of cold.
They really should stop watching, but the distance between the two pairs was so small, Dick was sure they'll reveal themselves. Although he was sure in his stealth abilities, he didn't doubt Bruce's improved hearing with the cowl. But if Batman didn't notice them coming here...
In that moment Steph poked him panicking, mouthing desperate: «let's go!»
He mouthed: «Won't we get seen?»
Steph cursed under her nose, moved closer to Dick and whispered: "They're so lost in each other right now, that even if the GCPD would be coming, they wouldn't notice" Dick hesitated, but hearing the noises getting louder, he gave up and agreed.
Then they, as carefully as possible, sneaked out of the Amusement Mile and left as fast as they could, red-faced, back to the Wayne Manor.
***
When they were back in the batcave, they took a minute to process everything and then fell on the couch in the corner.
"What the FUCK was that?!" Exclaimed Dick, ripping his mask off"
"Oh, you saw it too? I thought I was hallucinating..." nervously chuckled Steph, drumming her fingers against her thighs.
"It's not even funny! How could Bruce keep such a thing from everyone?"
"What... thing?" slowly asked Cass, who was now standing beside them.
"JESUS, CASS!" yelped Stephanie. "Why aren't you upstairs?"
"Tired," came a short answer. "what thing?"
"Nothing-nothing, just Bruce being... well, Bruce."
"Is it..." she tried to get her raspy voice to work "about him and... the Joker?"
Dick and Steph thought they were both hallucinating.
"You... knew?.." carefully asked Dick, remembering her calm behaviour in all of these times, when Bruce left early. "Wait, no. Different question: for how long did you know?"
"Three years."
"WHAT?!" Now screamed both of them. "why didn't you tell us? How did you know? What- what's even going on?" asked Steph.
Cass took a few seconds to think and slowly started to talk (it was actually wonderful how fine she could communicate now, remembering her first months here):
"A deal. I walked on them in Jokes's place while inv- investigating. They are dating." slowly explained Cassandra, ignoring the dumbfounded looks she was given.
"And you're... fine with that?" slowly asked Dick, still shocked from the information (THREE YEARS?!).
"Bruce is... happier. And more relaxed with him." she answered calmly.
"I mean..." started Steph, "they do kinda balance each other, you know?"
Dick just looks at them for a minute and scoffs.
"Yeah, a control freak and a lack of control freak."