horrendousness

[onapalehorse]

From this.

"You will find strength, and peace."

He promises, with belief.

Comments

[lasiurus]

His mouth tightens. Touche.

"That's not the point. We evolved into creatures capable of compassion, and hope, and societies are meant to safeguard its weakest members."

Admittedly that isn't how it usually goes, but Bruce has spent far too long fighting for justice to just throw up his hands.

[onapalehorse]

"True. And this world will grow, again, into one where we are capable of knowing compassion, but as it was the weak were failed every day, in every way imaginable."

He points out.

"You, being who you were, should know this better than anyone. You put on your costume and plucked- admirably- at the worst of the sin and greed, but never really scratched the surface."

[lasiurus]

"Things were getting better."

But how helpless and small he felt most days. Even when the streets were being cleaned up by the real law enforcement; even when the Joker was locked away forever.

"The aliens made it worse; why do you defend what they caused? Slavery for everyone is better than slavery for some?"

[onapalehorse]

"The aliens will be gone soon. They have almost been beaten back from this world entirely."

He explains.

"But the skeleton they left will be forever changed."

[lasiurus]

"And some change is good. We've needed it. But you speak of chaos like it's something to wait for. It's here, and it's evil."

He glances at the heavy bag hanging near the corner, and thinks of that brief meeting with Captain America. Steve. He's probably dead; he was there on the first day when everything went to hell.

Bruce looks back at Bane, calm, resolved. He was never Captain America, or even Iron Man. Batman was a symbol.

"And I won't be the only one who thinks so."

[onapalehorse]

"Perhaps when your compatriots rise to reshape things into their order, I will send you back to them, their lost lamb."

He admits, tilting his head.

"But in the mean time, I mean to have you."

[lasiurus]

"My compatriots are dead."

Which is his soft, roundabout way of telling Bane not to talk about them. Ever.

"When are you going to let me out on the grass?"

[onapalehorse]

"Soon. Though you may come to wish I had not, when I finally do."

He admits, head tilting slowly to the side, gaze frankly assessing.

[lasiurus]

"Why? What's wrong with the grass?"

It's such a frank, naive question. Sure, there were rumours of nuclear fallout, and he's met the Hulk and seen how things react to that. But still, it's the sort of thing he would have said to Alfred.

He'll regret it tomorrow.

[onapalehorse]

Bane actually laughs, astonished and almost almost kind.

"You'd be cuffed to me. You're a fast little thing."

[lasiurus]

"I think you could catch me."

He's done underestimating Bane. He's also aching to be outside. He can't remember what fresh air is like.

"I'll wear any cuffs you want."

[onapalehorse]

"Tomorrow."

He promises.

"I'll come fetch you for the dawn."

It'll be a good transition to help ease him through the hatred that recovery will bring.

[lasiurus]

He nods, unwilling to display any disappointment or worry that 'dawn' might be 'never'.

"I need something to keep me busy. Exercise, metal working. I don't sleep well."

[onapalehorse]

"Would you like access to the library?"

He proposes.

"After a little physical training. A friendly spar."

[lasiurus]

"Yeah."

He smiles faintly and stands. In all likelihood this will hurt. Certainly it will hurt him more than it will Bane, but he rarely got to practice in the last home.

[onapalehorse]

"Do you remember frog and crane?"

He asks. An old League game, where the more experienced partner must keep their feet firmly planted on the ground while the trainee flies at them from the front. If their feet shift, they lose.

[lasiurus]

Bruce stares at him in bewilderment. He knows not every member of the League died, or dispersed when Ra's died. But he's figured if any other member found him, they would kill him.

Or take him captive.

"...Is that what this is about? Ra's al Ghul?"

[onapalehorse]

"That pompous waste? No."

Quirking his fingers quickly, beckoning.

"This is just you and I. Come on."

[lasiurus]

He steps forward, but the wariness is back, drawn (as Bane had said) like a shield.

"You're from the League of Shadows."

[onapalehorse]

"As a slave, I belonged to one of them."

He corrects, stepping away as well.

"Perhaps we will not spar today. The library is not far."

[lasiurus]

It's probably a good idea. Bruce is wired up again, liable to lash out and end up just like he had yesterday. It's frustrating though, that Bane knew this would happen.

He clenches and then relaxes a hand, takes a slow breath.

"I didn't know they kept slaves. There weren't any when I was there."

[onapalehorse]

"They did not, as a rule. She was asked to kill me or leave."

He admits, heading for the door.

"That is the kind of bond I wish you to learn."

[lasiurus]

Bruce's expression softens, and he turns to follow.

"The League had a thing for brutal ultimatums. How did you two get out?"

Or had they two escaped at all? Bane had said that she was dead.

[onapalehorse]

"The old man loved her."

Letting him deliberately misinterpret that.

"Even so. We walked out onto the sand, and never saw him again."

[lasiurus]

"I'm glad he let you go."

Also surprised. Bruce had to literally burn the house down to get out of it. The shock, though, is why he asks something he normally has too much empathy to ask.

"...What happened to her?"