Giving into you (Bruce Wayne/Batman - Robert Pattinson)

Chapter Fourteen

I awoke the next morning with a headache. That night I hadn't slept great. I hadn't been sleeping great since that night with Carmen. I'd wake up every couple of hours with night sweats and sometimes I'd jump up as if I was being attacked. I hadn't told anyone about the nightmares. I hoped that they would just pass. Perhaps it was because every night I'd lie in bed thinking about Carmen. His lifeless body on top of me, his blood on my hands...it was all too much, and I couldn't get the image out of my head.

Luckily, I was able to cover up my dark circles with makeup. Hopefully, it would pass and I'd be able to get some proper sleep soon. Today was my birthday. Not that it felt like it. As I entered the main room downstairs, I was greeted by Alfred and Bruce who were holding rose gold birthday balloons. They had decorated the entire room and I was speechless.

"Happy Birthday," they both happily greeted.

I couldn't help but smile, and I put my hands onto my heart. "Thank you, although I was hoping that you would forget."

"We would never forget your birthday. Now, come on, I've cooked you up a nice breakfast," Alfred said handing me the balloons and heading towards the kitchen.

"How lucky am I?" I laughed as both Bruce and I followed him.

"Sorry, I know you hate big things," Bruce muttered quietly gesturing towards the balloons. "He insisted."

"I appreciate all of the effort. It means a lot to me, but honestly neither of you have to. It's nothing special."

"Of course it's special," Alfred interrupted blatantly hearing our conversation. We both sat down at the table to eat, and Alfred really had made an effort this morning. He had made my favourite pancakes, and I had no problem tucking into them. "So, do you have any plans today?" Alfred asked.

I immediately shook my head. "What plans could I possibly have?"

Alfred raised his eyebrows at this in surprise and looked at Bruce. Bruce was shaking his head a little as if to tell Alfred to be quiet. I couldn't help but smile at their interaction which they had clearly failed keeping subtle.

"Bruce has actually been invited to a charity party this evening after a donation we made." Alfred blurted out anyway, causing Bruce to roll his eyes and lean back in his chair with frustration.

"Alfred, I told you I'm not going," he said with annoyance.

"Nonsense. You can both go together. It will be fun," he leans closer to Bruce. "Besides, I can't reject another invitation again."

I didn't want to go to an event. Not really anyway, especially one that would be so public, but I didn't want Bruce to start missing out on things because of me. Perhaps it would be nice to get out. Maybe I could even clear the air with the press, and give them my side of the story. It might be a lot, but I couldn't hide from it forever. Bruce and I being out together would definitely cause speculation and people would talk, but I didn't care. It was none of their business and no one would ever truly understand our relationship. Not even Alfred knew the whole picture and he knew us better than anyone.

"Bruce, it's okay. We can go," I said, and took the last bite of my pancakes. Bruce and Alfred froze as they looked back at me.

"Are you sure? It's really not important," Bruce stuttered a little.

"Of course I'm sure. It will be good to show our faces, and besides, what else are we doing?" I shrugged, trying my best to put the negative thoughts to the back of my mind. What could possibly go wrong, right?

*****

Getting ready for the charity event brought back a lot of memories. Memories of when I had first seen Bruce since our split up. I remember being a little overwhelmed, but also grateful that he came back into my life at the moment I needed him the most. Perhaps this was a step towards our future and leaving the past in the past.