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Both. It's time in good company and another layer to cover for the real reason I am going to Germany.
Fine, but you're going to need to settle for blonde, vapid, and with a great ass for a cover. I don't remember how to act drunk.
I don't exactly stalk gossip columns or society pages, but not that I've noticed.
You're impossible.
I still want my nightclub, and I'm not promising I can live up to the standard of dumb set by your usual type.
I still want my nightclub, and I'm not promising I can live up to the standard of dumb set by your usual type.
I'll be ready. And looking forward to it.
"I'll be sure to tell Alfred he is in good company."
Over protection came from a place of care. Bruce could accept that. But like more of his life these days, he put it away for later. Something to acknowledge but not something to he held in totally high priority. It wasn't personal; Bruce just had a lot on his mind and a lot on his plate. It was easier to stay focused when he put the non essentials aside.
His watch chimes, alerting him that it was nearly time to head out on patrol. He raises Robin and tells him the plan for the evening. None of it involved him. He would solo patrol and Robin would stay at Panessa. Robin protested, but Bruce would not hear it. He's a bit abrupt when he cuts the communication with Tim. With an apologetic half smile at Steve, he turns and makes his way to another part of the cave.
"Time to get dressed."
Over protection came from a place of care. Bruce could accept that. But like more of his life these days, he put it away for later. Something to acknowledge but not something to he held in totally high priority. It wasn't personal; Bruce just had a lot on his mind and a lot on his plate. It was easier to stay focused when he put the non essentials aside.
His watch chimes, alerting him that it was nearly time to head out on patrol. He raises Robin and tells him the plan for the evening. None of it involved him. He would solo patrol and Robin would stay at Panessa. Robin protested, but Bruce would not hear it. He's a bit abrupt when he cuts the communication with Tim. With an apologetic half smile at Steve, he turns and makes his way to another part of the cave.
"Time to get dressed."
Steve's a pretty... steady guy. He has a temper, but he's got a pretty long fuse and he's in no way short. It takes a lot for him to take most things personally, and interestingly enough it would take a lot more from Bruce.
He listens to the exchange with Tim, head tilted slightly at both the tone of voices and the decision itself. Does not comment at all, just waits it out just like the chime.
This is a very sit back, watch the dynamics, learn from them and also stay out of direct interference in them scenario. He does at least and go sit in a chair. "All right. I'll be here when you get in." With Alfred, apparently. "Try to come back in one piece."
He listens to the exchange with Tim, head tilted slightly at both the tone of voices and the decision itself. Does not comment at all, just waits it out just like the chime.
This is a very sit back, watch the dynamics, learn from them and also stay out of direct interference in them scenario. He does at least and go sit in a chair. "All right. I'll be here when you get in." With Alfred, apparently. "Try to come back in one piece."
The first night in Germany is quiet. Bruce didn't sleep, even though he should have. He's jet lagged and exhausted, but he keeps himself awake until the small hours of the morning, when the sun is beginning to rise. That's when he slept for a handful of hours. When he wakes, it's still morning and he gets up to make himself some coffee.
The penthouse where they're staying is a luxurious one with a great view of the city's skyline. The Expo would be held in the ballroom downstairs so they wouldn't have far to travel, thankfully. Lucius would be responsible for the finer details of the trip. Bruce would be responsible for the party. And his date.
Bruce knows his sleep schedule isn't exactly normal, so he does not disturb Steve when he gets up. At least he tries. He's able to move quietly and efficiently around the kitchen, preparing a bit of breakfast.
And that is where Steve will find him, sitting at the table coffee mug in hand while he reads the paper and checks the news back home.
The penthouse where they're staying is a luxurious one with a great view of the city's skyline. The Expo would be held in the ballroom downstairs so they wouldn't have far to travel, thankfully. Lucius would be responsible for the finer details of the trip. Bruce would be responsible for the party. And his date.
Bruce knows his sleep schedule isn't exactly normal, so he does not disturb Steve when he gets up. At least he tries. He's able to move quietly and efficiently around the kitchen, preparing a bit of breakfast.
And that is where Steve will find him, sitting at the table coffee mug in hand while he reads the paper and checks the news back home.
Fortunately, though which of them it's fortunate for isn't clear, Steve can go without sleep for a really extended period of time if he has to. Also fortunately he is fully capable of taking his sleep when and where he can get it, regardless of environment, time zone or much else.
The later's directly due to the military and only fair - they gave him nightmares and trauma that makes him wake quickly, the least they could (and did) do was make sure he was able to effectively force himself to sleep when needed.
Meaning Bruce stayed up, Steve stayed up but he kept himself busy with a book and his sketchpad, dim light and pretended not to notice that Bruce was exhausted but not sleeping. When Bruce slept, he slept. When Bruce wakes up and that noise filters in, he gives it a little time and then goes and takes a shower, pulls on some clothes and brushes his teeth.
Then goes out to find Bruce reading the paper. "Have you ordered food yet?" And without pause: "Everything at home all right?" Of course he's still keeping an eye on things. That's just a given: it's Bruce.
The later's directly due to the military and only fair - they gave him nightmares and trauma that makes him wake quickly, the least they could (and did) do was make sure he was able to effectively force himself to sleep when needed.
Meaning Bruce stayed up, Steve stayed up but he kept himself busy with a book and his sketchpad, dim light and pretended not to notice that Bruce was exhausted but not sleeping. When Bruce slept, he slept. When Bruce wakes up and that noise filters in, he gives it a little time and then goes and takes a shower, pulls on some clothes and brushes his teeth.
Then goes out to find Bruce reading the paper. "Have you ordered food yet?" And without pause: "Everything at home all right?" Of course he's still keeping an eye on things. That's just a given: it's Bruce.
It made the acclimating go a bit easier, forcing himself to stay awake. He wanted to be awake during Gotham's night time hours, so he would be available to Tim or Barbara if they needed him for anything. More than that, he didn't sleep much during the day either and did not want it to become some sort of habit. It was always better to keep the routine.
Bruce smiles when he sees Steve awake. Usually these trips were a solo affair. Bruce went his way while Lucius went his. It's nice not to wake up alone.
"No. There's a menu. Help yourself. I'm paying." His coffee he'd prepared himself. A dark roast, no cream or sugar. Food had been the last thing on his mind. As always.
As for news back home, Bruce looks down at the reports Oracle and Robin had sent him. Nothing terribly exciting; only the usual Gotham business. It didn't set him at ease. "It's fine. Tim is looking after things while we're here."
Bruce smiles when he sees Steve awake. Usually these trips were a solo affair. Bruce went his way while Lucius went his. It's nice not to wake up alone.
"No. There's a menu. Help yourself. I'm paying." His coffee he'd prepared himself. A dark roast, no cream or sugar. Food had been the last thing on his mind. As always.
As for news back home, Bruce looks down at the reports Oracle and Robin had sent him. Nothing terribly exciting; only the usual Gotham business. It didn't set him at ease. "It's fine. Tim is looking after things while we're here."
"I didn't figure you'd left Gotham without somebody paying attention and keeping you in the loop." Things being fine is good enough for him, but meanwhile he's just going to keep an eye on Bruce keeping an eye on Tim keeping an eye on Gotham.
Or something similar.
He grabs the menu and settles down in a chair reasonably close to Bruce to look over it, and doesn't look up to ad. "I'm gonna be a real pain in your ass if you try to completely skip out on eating while we're here. Make things a little easier on me and humor me, would you?" Spare him the effort of turning into a full fledged nag about it, anyway.
Quarters this close it'd be hard to ignore or pretend food is happening somewhere else or some other time.
Or something similar.
He grabs the menu and settles down in a chair reasonably close to Bruce to look over it, and doesn't look up to ad. "I'm gonna be a real pain in your ass if you try to completely skip out on eating while we're here. Make things a little easier on me and humor me, would you?" Spare him the effort of turning into a full fledged nag about it, anyway.
Quarters this close it'd be hard to ignore or pretend food is happening somewhere else or some other time.
It was supposed to be a vacation. Bruce just never mentioned it wasn’t his vacation. Harley had cut off Lucius’s finger and while Wayne Medical had provided a replacement appendage, it was still something traumatic. Bruce wanted to do something nice for Lucius while also putting some of the plans he had in motion. But it also meant Bruce didn't stop working.
It meant putting himself last because there were other things that needed his attention first. Steve’s concern is noted and it makes Bruce smile as he looks up from the report he’s reading. “Just get me whatever you’re getting. I’ll eat properly when we go out tonight.”
Speaking of. “The dress code for the club is ‘smart casual.’” Air quotes. Bruce thinks it’s silly. “If you need anything to wear, let me know. I’m sure we can get something put together for you.”
It meant putting himself last because there were other things that needed his attention first. Steve’s concern is noted and it makes Bruce smile as he looks up from the report he’s reading. “Just get me whatever you’re getting. I’ll eat properly when we go out tonight.”
Speaking of. “The dress code for the club is ‘smart casual.’” Air quotes. Bruce thinks it’s silly. “If you need anything to wear, let me know. I’m sure we can get something put together for you.”
The mental math Steve is doing is deciding whether he wants to bother with eating enough food to actually meet caloric requirements, or just enough to stop being hungry - those are not the same thing. He is briefly absorbed in the menu, and making decisions there.
While also remembering to order it twice, so Bruce eats something.
He is wholly distracted by mention of the dress code, though. His expression when he looks up is just a little 'deer in the headlights. "I don't even know what smart casual means."
While also remembering to order it twice, so Bruce eats something.
He is wholly distracted by mention of the dress code, though. His expression when he looks up is just a little 'deer in the headlights. "I don't even know what smart casual means."
The expression tells Bruce exactly what he needs to know. They’ll have to get something put together for Steve. It isn’t something Bruce would classify as a problem. Steve’s so down to earth, Bruce doesn’t really expect him to be ready for all the intricacies of his life, however fake it might be. It’s all a performance and he’d make sure Steve is dressed for the occasion.
“We’ll get it sorted. Don’t worry.”
Breakfast seems negligible at this point, though. “Let’s get started. We’ll have lunch instead.”
“We’ll get it sorted. Don’t worry.”
Breakfast seems negligible at this point, though. “Let’s get started. We’ll have lunch instead.”
Steve is pretty laid back with Bruce nearly all of the time - Bruce isn't someone Steve has to take responsibility for, he likes and cares about Bruce, and he's just often over his head in Bruce's 'world' - for good or ill.
"I'm not worried." He's not, Bruce can dress him. "I'm willing to get started, whatever that means here. I'm not skipping food until lunch. I will get cranky and make it everyone's problem." Well, probably not but grumpy is likely. "I will grab a protein bar, but just hold up at least long enough for me to grab it and put on shoes."
"I'm not worried." He's not, Bruce can dress him. "I'm willing to get started, whatever that means here. I'm not skipping food until lunch. I will get cranky and make it everyone's problem." Well, probably not but grumpy is likely. "I will grab a protein bar, but just hold up at least long enough for me to grab it and put on shoes."
It's what Bruce likes about Steve the most. There are expectations of him: from society, from his kids, from Alfred too. From himself. But not so much with Steve. It's always so easy to just exist in his vicinity, that Bruce sometimes let's himself relax a little when he's nearby.
"No rush. Take your time." Bruce doesn't seem to be any rush himself. He stays where he is, flipping through a few design documents concerning his batmobile turned bat tank.
"No rush. Take your time." Bruce doesn't seem to be any rush himself. He stays where he is, flipping through a few design documents concerning his batmobile turned bat tank.
Steve finds it pretty easy to just exist around Bruce, too. It's nice. Maybe that has something to do with the laid back. Or maybe that's just awareness that Bruce is under pressure, all the time, from everyone around him in a wide variety of different and compounding ways.
There isn't any unwillingness to draw and hold some lines though. They're just (so far) minor ones like being fucking determined that he's consuming food first. He gets back out of the chair he just sat in, and disappears back into the room he'd come out of, leaving Bruce to his designs, and comes back carrying his shoes and a couple of protein bars.
One of which he slides across the table like he's playing air hockey and the goal is Bruce's lap. "Eat. That." He's pretty firm on that point, too. Man does not have to content with Steve's metabolism, but he has a lot of muscle and activity to fuel. He can't not consume calories the entire time they're here.
Then he sits back down, opens his own, and holds it between his teeth while he puts his shoes on.
There isn't any unwillingness to draw and hold some lines though. They're just (so far) minor ones like being fucking determined that he's consuming food first. He gets back out of the chair he just sat in, and disappears back into the room he'd come out of, leaving Bruce to his designs, and comes back carrying his shoes and a couple of protein bars.
One of which he slides across the table like he's playing air hockey and the goal is Bruce's lap. "Eat. That." He's pretty firm on that point, too. Man does not have to content with Steve's metabolism, but he has a lot of muscle and activity to fuel. He can't not consume calories the entire time they're here.
Then he sits back down, opens his own, and holds it between his teeth while he puts his shoes on.
Bruce watches Steve slide the protein bar across the table. It hits the edge and Bruce picks it up with a thank you. It's endearing how much Steve cares. The others in his family do too, but it's always just a little bit annoying. It's something he'd get to eventually. With Steve, he's willing to forgo the pretense and just do as he's been asked.
He tears the wrapper as he gets up to put his shoes on too while he summons the car to take them out. He waits for Steve by the door and when he's ready, Bruce gestures through the door. "After you, Captain."
He tears the wrapper as he gets up to put his shoes on too while he summons the car to take them out. He waits for Steve by the door and when he's ready, Bruce gestures through the door. "After you, Captain."
Steve very sincerely cares. He also tries really hard to pick his battles and to avoid making things a battle with Bruce at all - because he's pretty sure that man is at least as stubborn as he is.
So far, so good, if Bruce eating the protein bar compromise is anything to go by.
Once his shoes are on and he's thrown out the trash and is ready, he gets out the door then slows up so Bruce can take them wherever they're going. "There's something appealing about you calling me Captain that I don't get at all, but am not about to start complaining about."
So far, so good, if Bruce eating the protein bar compromise is anything to go by.
Once his shoes are on and he's thrown out the trash and is ready, he gets out the door then slows up so Bruce can take them wherever they're going. "There's something appealing about you calling me Captain that I don't get at all, but am not about to start complaining about."
Duly noted. Bruce smiles as he shuts the door behind them. It's more to himself than anything. Now that he knows Steve likes being called Captain, Bruce might find himself doing it more often. Maybe he finds it appealing just as much as Steve.
Downstairs, the car is already waiting for them. Once they are on their way, Bruce finally decides to elaborate on the dresscode.
"If you're not interested in a blazer, we can skip that. A polo and a nice pair of pants should do."
All his treat, of course. He's the one who asked Steve to come to this place with him. And considering the expense of it all, he'd never ask Steve to pay for anything.
Downstairs, the car is already waiting for them. Once they are on their way, Bruce finally decides to elaborate on the dresscode.
"If you're not interested in a blazer, we can skip that. A polo and a nice pair of pants should do."
All his treat, of course. He's the one who asked Steve to come to this place with him. And considering the expense of it all, he'd never ask Steve to pay for anything.
"I don't mind wearing whatever you want to dress me in, as long as it's even vaguely within the realm of fitting social norms and won't leave me freezing to death. Blazer's fine."
Steve leans back in the seat, but is angled slightly toward Bruce as he does. "Is this a situation where I'm supposed to act like your date, or is there some kind of other role I'm supposed to be filling?" Supposed to be, or supposedly.
They can argue about money later. Maybe. In truth, Steve can't afford Bruce's lifestyle. But he is going to feel bad about it.
Steve leans back in the seat, but is angled slightly toward Bruce as he does. "Is this a situation where I'm supposed to act like your date, or is there some kind of other role I'm supposed to be filling?" Supposed to be, or supposedly.
They can argue about money later. Maybe. In truth, Steve can't afford Bruce's lifestyle. But he is going to feel bad about it.
With all that happens in these places, a blazer might be a bit much. Steve would not freeze. There wouldn't be a chance to. And while Bruce didn't plan to be in the club for that long, he didn't want Steve to be uncomfortable while they were there.
He casts a curious glance at Steve. "Depends. Do you want to be my date? It means there may be cameras shoved in your face."
Bruce wouldn't hold it against him if Steve didn't want that kind of publicity. Bruce was used to it and knew how to navigate with ease. For someone who might value privacy, this might not come as easily.
He casts a curious glance at Steve. "Depends. Do you want to be my date? It means there may be cameras shoved in your face."
Bruce wouldn't hold it against him if Steve didn't want that kind of publicity. Bruce was used to it and knew how to navigate with ease. For someone who might value privacy, this might not come as easily.
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