Chapter Twenty-Four: The In between
Title: Calling a Truce: The In between (24/27)
Authors: destinyawakened and mjls
Rating: pg-13
Words: 3700
Pairings/Characters: Tony Stark/Bruce Wayne, and
Summary: Bruce gets a visit in Blackgate from Tony.
Warnings: spoilers for Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Iron Man
Disclaimer: We don't own or claim to own the characters or settings, the books mentioned or make any money.
Song: Get Out Alive - Three Days Grace
Parts: One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten | Eleven | Twelve | Thirteen | Fourteen| Fifteen| Sixteen| Seventeen | Eighteen| Nineteen | Twenty| Twenty-One | Twenty-Two | Twenty-Three
Bruce hadn't heard a thing from anyone for three days. He had been moved to Blackgate after the Judge threw out the bail, and told him he had to stay in locked up until his hearing. It was typical, because they were afraid he'd skip town and never come back. And Bruce had thought about, he really had. He'd just take his family and go somewhere else. But Gotham... Gotham needed him. Tony needed him. There was no running from any of it. He couldn't just back down his duties he had sworn to do for five years now. Too much had built up to this point. He'd have to fight this the hard way and prove himself innocent. One way or another.
A prison guard walked past his cell and tap the bars. Bruce looked up. The man hitched his thumb toward the catwalk and held out a pair of handcuffs. Bruce shot his wrists out in front of him, feeling to smooth metal clink around them. The guard hastily pulled him forward, half dragging him out of the cell and down the walk. Stumbling down the stairs, they ended at the visitors room where Bruce was forced into a chair. He hadn't even looked up yet; the three days he had been there so far he'd learned to not make eye contact with anyone. It was best that way.
"Well look at you," said a smooth voice from in front of him. Bruce looked up slowly, his eyes finally making contact with his husband's. "Orange isn't your color, cupcake."
Bruce shrugged, cuffed hands laying rather lifelessly in his lap. This was the first he'd heard from Tony since he saw him at MCU. "They don't give a color choice."
"Mm, might change that around," Tony muttered as he sat down in the chair next to Bruce and forced him to look at him, "now let me look at you..."
Tony's eyes scanned Bruce's face and saw that he already had a bruise on his cheek, god knows how that one got there. Somehow Tony knew that Bruce was hiding several more of them under the orange jumpsuit, it pained him to even think about it. Bruce looked more tired than he ever had before and his hair was greasy and lost all shine that it had before, the shine that Tony always did mock and love at the same time. Bruce's eyes refused to meet his as they kept themselves upon the handcuffs and Tony wished he could remove them from his husband's wrists.
"...Why won't you look at me?" Tony whispered, stroking his thumb over Bruce's dirt ridden cheek, "and you could use a shower, your pretty tanned skin is covered in grime and dirt. Not that I mind, it's quite arousing but--"
"--Tony," Bruce sighed, interrupting his husband's ramble.
"Yes moonpie?" Tony smiled sweetly, trying to cheer up the sad disposition hanging around them as if he was light in the darkness. A dim light however to Bruce but it was something and something was always better than nothing in his opinion.
Bruce shook his head slightly, eyes locked onto his own grimy hands now. "Just don't..." It was bad enough to be in this place, bad enough people already picked fights with him for being Bruce Wayne and for being married to a man -- he really didn't need Tony making it worse when some of the inmates were in the same room visiting a few of their loved ones.
"What happened to you?" Tony stroke the bruise on his cheek and looked pained when Bruce flinched away from him.
"Let's just say the other inmates aren't taking too kindly to a murderous 'gay' billionaire," Bruce muttered, finally looking Tony eye, only to look away again when he saw the concern. "I've been holding back, I- I can't risk that here."
"Bruce, do any of the guards even care about this? Do they know?" Tony frowned, scanning Bruce for more wounds or bruises that he couldn't see anyway, he knew they were there.
Bruce flexed his fingers and knuckles and gave a quick, sharp shake of his head. "No. You know how this city is... corrupt. The guards aren't any better. Inmates are in here for a reason; there is no sympathy."
Tony cursed under his breath and then gave Bruce a kiss on his forehead, "You'll be alright sugarplump, we'll get you out of here. Got that?"
Bruce managed a small smirk; "Who said I wouldn't be alright? Just because I'm holding back doesn't mean I've haven't been defending myself."
"Just don't kill anyone for real, or you'll be stuck here for longer than I'd like. I miss you in our big bed."
"I couldn't kill anyone, Tony. And even if I did, I'd be in here longer than you'd be alive," Bruce explained. He shifted slightly in his chair, changing his mood a little to lighten Tony's now somber mood. "Plus, I can't risk being here too much longer. Who'll make sure you stay out of trouble?"
"Oh I'm sure I can keep myself out of too much trouble...if I try hard enough," Tony smirked and winked at Bruce.
Bruce placed his cuffed hands on the table, leaning into his forearms towards his husband. "But I'm better at keeping you in line."
"Hm, you are really," Tony leaned closer to Bruce, "you got to tell me how you do that one day."
"I think," Bruce started to say, their mouths just inches apart from each other now and Bruce could smell Tony's cologne, "it has something to do with the way you feel about me."
Tony grinned, showing Bruce his teeth and his tongue flicked out of his mouth briefly to lick his lips before he finally kissed his husband on the lips for the first time since he got in this prison waiting room. Bruce parted his lips against Tony's, sliding his tongue against his husband's; a brief reassurance that he still loved him. Bruce moved his hands to touch Tony's face, wishing he could wrap his arms around the man instead, but settled for being able to caress his goatee. He leaned into the kiss, practically scooting off his chair and into Tony's lap.
"I get the feeling someone missed me."
Bruce smirked a bit, placing his hands on Tony's chest, nestling into lap. He could feel the eyes of a few of the other inmates and their families watching them, but it made no difference just then. If things went horribly wrong for Bruce and he'd be stuck here for the rest of his life, at least he had this moment with Tony.
"I might have," Bruce whispered into Tony's ear; "I don't get any privacy here to just sit and fantasize about you. I'll take what I can get when you're here."
"Hm. Well,that's prison for you. Don't worry, you'll get enough of me when we get you out of here," Tony smirked and winked at one of the mothers before he kissed Bruce again.
"If," Bruce corrected Tony quietly against his lips. "If I get out. My defense doesn't look good."
"I got contacts, and we will get you out of here. Dick and Tim haven't slept for days trying to find even the tiniest clue. I myself haven't slept in almost a week, oh and Babs has gotten everything under control and even broke in a bank two days ago! Well, one of her friends did it but you know it's the same principle and --"
"Rambler," Bruce muttered, kissing Tony so he'd shut up. Bruce got the point; they were doing everything they could to prove his innocence. "Just don't break too many laws trying to get me out. Only the ones we can't be tracked for."
"Tony Stark doesn't break the law. The law breaks him -- wait that doesn't sound right," Tony scrunched up his nose and thought about it.
Bruce moved so that he was straddling Tony in his chair, toes barely touching the ground below him. "Just, be careful. It's more important the boys and Babs are safe. Me getting out of here shouldn't compromise everyone else."
"It won't, Alfred is keeping us tightly glued together like a mother hawk," Tony smiled and clasped his hands together at the small of Bruce's back.
"Good," Bruce said quietly, looping his cuffed hands over Tony's head to rest behind his neck, and then scooted himself in closer on his husband's lap. He placed his forehead against Tony's and closed his eyes for a moment to relish in the closeness. Bruce was actually quite surprised no one had said anything yet, especially the guards. But Bruce had a feeling Tony had taken care of that bit before Bruce was even brought in. Money bought quite a bit in prison.
"The Avengers offered to help and even Fury, how much of a surprise is that eh? Guess more people care about you than you thought in the first place...I mean, you can be an ass sometimes and a real bastard when you're brooding but--"
"Tony," Bruce whined, rolling his eyes. The only reason, Bruce knew, that the Avengers would even think about helping out, was because Bruce was Tony's husband. They didn't know Bruce was Batman, if they did maybe they would sincerely want to help. Bruce didn't want either of that though. He had his allies and that's all he really needed. If push came to shove he could ask Tony to call the Justice League and get Diana and Clark on it... but he hoped his own kids and Tony had the situation under control.
"You're so stubborn," Tony murmured into Bruce's ear. "My pals offer their services and you don't want anything to do with them. It's so typical of you."
"I'd like to keep things on the low end. Last thing I need is your 'pals' snooping around and finding out things I'd rather them not know."
"Someday you might actually trust someone other than yourself, Bruce Wayne. Like...oh I don't know, your own husband's friends?"
"Trust is just terms for being let down later."
"So you think I'm going to end up letting you down? Is that it? Why Bruce it's like we traveled back in time to back when we first met!"
Bruce sighed, pulling his arms over and away from Tony's neck, and shifting slightly on his lap. Bruce looked down at his hands. "I do trust you, Tony. You worked your way into that circle. I don't know your friends. I've met them... once? Twice maybe? I... You know how hard it is... for me."
"I know darling," Tony stroked Bruce's hair and smiled at him, "but you have to admit that Fury has better contacts than your pajama goodie-two-shoes."
Bruce let out a stifled snort; "I never said I trusted Clark... I just know if something went wrong he'd be there," Bruce sighed. "Would Fury really be that helpful in this -- my situation?"
"He'd bark and everyone would cower," Tony smirked.
"That's not going to help me get out of here, Tony."
"You'd be surprised. Fury is good at blackmailing," the man snickered as he thought about something that had happened before.
Bruce clasped his hands together, separating him and Tony from being completely close. The cuffs were rubbing uncomfortable against his wrists. "If you think asking Fury and the rest of the Avengers or SHIELD will help you find out who has framed me... then do it."
"Only when it's really necessary. Because I don't want to keep coming here knowing you're supposed to be at home with me in our bed."
That made Bruce wince slightly, knowing full well had he really thought the situation over at the penthouse before acting, the situation might have been less incriminating against him. Bruce hopped down off Tony's lap, and paced slightly. "I know..." he sighed, avoiding Tony's gaze and those of the other two families in the room.
"Stop pacing. You're making me dizzy. Why don't you come and sit on my lap and tell me what a 'bad' boy you've been?" Tony grinned, "Santa came early for you moonpie!"
"Tony..." Bruce groaned in annoyance, stopping to look at his husband briefly.
"That's 'yes my darling husband that I love so much and miss having in my bed' for you mister!" Tony smirked. He quickly reached out and grabbed Bruce's cuffed hands and pulled him back down onto his lap sideways.
Bruce allowed himself to be seated on Tony's lap, but refused to look at him. "Now isn't the time for these games."
"I know," Tony nuzzled his face into Bruce's neck, "the bed really is too big without you though..."
"Mmm," Bruce sighed gently, leaning himself into Tony's face, a soft shiver running down his back at the touch. "I'd rather be there with you right now, trust me."
"I don't even know how to get Tim to laugh again," Tony admitted, "all he does is lock himself up in his room and sometimes send me a paper note on how to help you get out."
Bruce swallowed. He didn't want this to happen, to his boys, no to Tony -- not anyone. He had two choices here: Take the rap for the murder and let everyone move on or... "Tony, do you think there's anyway you could bring me my suit...?"
"...Bruce...whatever you're thinking, it's not carnival yet."
Bruce placed his hands on the lapels of his husband's jacket, running his fingers around the fabric softly. He looked Tony in the eye, and whispered to him; "I'm not helping anyone in here... I need to be out there solving this thing myself..."
"No. What you need to do now is stay here, try not to get hurt too much and let me and the boys handle this. We can do this."
Bruce's gaze went from stern to almost begging; he knew he wasn't get through to Tony. "Please, Tony."
"And what should I say then to the guards when they search me and they find the suit 'I felt like having costume sex in the meeting room with my husband'? No Bruce, you're not breaking out," Tony said firmly, placing both of his hands on Bruce's shoulders.
Bruce bit his lip; maybe Tony wouldn't do it but... "Okay," he replied almost silently. "When is Alfred coming by?"
"I don't know, later today he said," Tony frowned, "but don't worry. He'll say 'no' too!"
"Oh you think I was...? Honestly.. no. I wouldn't never ask Alfred to do that..."
"Yes you would," Tony drew out the words and shook his head at how predictable his husband could be sometimes. It amused him a great deal, but also worried him, he'd have to call Alfred and alert him of Bruce's plan before the man would come over to see him. Alfred was after all, known to do almost everything for Bruce if Bruce only asked it in a nice tone of voice.
Bruce shook his head slowly, averting his eyes from Tony's. "That's a lie..."
"And I'm Santa, now why don't you tell me what you want for Christmas," Tony winked, "I know you Bruce. You'd ask the old coot and he'd say 'yes' in a split second."
"Well at least someone is loyal to me."
"And coming all the way over here to talk to you and sex you up while I clearly don't belong here and should be working in getting your pretty ass out of here isn't loyalty? I'm offended Bruce," Tony pursed his lips together and put his hand on his chest in mock hurt.
Bruce stared at his husband for a long moment, and then shook his head. "Not exactly what I meant. Tony, I'm going insane in here. It's only been a few days and I can just feel myself losing control."
"Just hang in there okay? Think of that kitty poster! Remember? The one that I bought Pepper for secretary day once? Yeah that rubbish poster. But it works for her so it can work for you I'm sure..."
"Trying," Bruce said as he rubbed his hands over his face wearily. He leaned in toward Tony, whispering in a desperate tone; "I don't want to be here, Tony."
"I don't want you to be here either sugarplump, but sadly enough, Gordon likes to see you in cuffs and behind bars, I wonder what that tells you about him..."
"This is bigger than Gordon, Tony. He has no choice but to keep me here," Bruce replied, looking at the clock on the wall. "You have to go soon?"
"Yeah, sadly enough," Tony sighed, "I would stay here and hold you forever if I could."
Bruce dipped his head, resting his forehead on Tony's shoulder and closed his eyes. "A bit too fairytale now, isn't it?"
"Well, if it was, we'd have a happy ending. I don't see it coming any time soon. We'll have to make our own then eh?"
"Hm," Bruce sighed, feeling his heart sink a little; even Tony didn't see a happy end any time too soon for them. "Let's just work on getting me out of here first." Bruce notice the guards at the door shift slight, looking at the clock before stepping toward him and Tony. Bruce slid reluctantly off his husband's lap. Tony grasped Bruce's finger quickly his his hand and kissed his fingers just before the guard began to pull on Bruce's arm.
"Hey snugglebear? You better not get used to that orange jumpsuit. And behave!"
Bruce just let a slight, sad smirk glide across his lips as the guard tugged on his arms harder to move him out of the room.
--
"Okay kids, orange isn't Bruce's color so lets get him out of it as soon as possible okiday?"
Tony looked around the room; Barbara Gordon wasn't even paying attention to him as she typed on her laptop, Dick looked over her shoulder and nodded absently at what he just said while Tim wasn't even around. The only one who actually had heard what he said was Alfred and he patted Tony on the shoulder sympathetically.
"How's Tim doing?" Tony inquired to Alfred who's eyes shone with sadness.
"Master Timothy still isn't speaking with any of us, perhaps you should try again Master Stark, he did always have a soft spot for you..." Alfred smiled, "I made brownies earlier, I suggest you take those up to his room as peace offering."
"Alright, I'll just... do that," Tony nodded, looking around the room once more before grabbing a plate of brownies off the a side table and leaving. He had to think up what he should say to Tim if the kid would happen to talk back to him. He tapped on Tim's door, and the heard a soft voice telling him to go away. He tried the door, but it too was locked.
"Tim... I brought brownies. Let's talk, eh kiddo?"
Slowly the door opened and Tim, red-eyed and tired looking, glanced Tony over. "Brownies?"
"Alfred made 'em. Want some?" Tony smiled at the kid and offered the plate of brownies to him. Tim eyed the brownies, having to open the door a little furthur to get them, and Tony quickly stuck his foot in between the door to keep it open when Tim tried to shut it again once he had the plate in hand.
"Oh no you don't kiddo," Tony said, "You aren't locking me out that easy."
"Don't you have better things to do? Like investigating who did this to Bruce?" Tim asked grumpily, setting the place of brownies on his desk, and poking at one of them as if not sure he was really hungry.
"Right now, I'm more worried why my favorite kid isn't out there doing the same, using that brain of his," Tony poked his index finger against Tim's forehead, "to help us."
"I've been working. Everything is set up in here and I've been doing some investigating. Nothing coming up that we don't already know," Tim said, swiping away Tony's hand.
"You're not going to do this alone kid," Tony shook his head and pushed the door open further, "not if I can help it."
Tim sighed, finally backing up enough to allow Tony access to his room. "Did you ever figure out what caused that reboot at the penthouse?"
"The energy cycle was broken and caused the entire thing to blow up. Shouldn't have been possible for a normal burglar to even think that up. The momentarily black out gave them enough time to get inside the house."
Tim slid down into the chair by his desk, looking at something on his computer screen. He still seemed distant to Tony, like he didn't trust anyone to do this job right but he definitely couldn't do it alone. "But who would have been?"
"Someone smart, or someone with instructions from someone smart. At least now we know they don't work alone, no one could've broken the cycle and broken in the penthouse before the back up system came up."
Tim rolled his eyes, scrolling through a few files. "Make any new enemies lately?" he snarked, using a thick tone of sarcasm, but Tony could tell there was some actual true concern there.
"Not that I know of," Tony frowned, "I don't know about Bruce though, he seems to make enemies by just breathing sometimes."
"Yeah, but..." Tim drifted, staring at the computer screen for a second before looking at Tony. "Whoever did this knows how to get around your security system. That's why I asked. I personally don't believe this is an attack just on Bruce, but on you as well, Tony."
"Well they won't get far, I've got JARVIS up and running on the penthouse for now, I'll ask Bruce later if he wants to keep it that way or not. Nobody breaks Stark equipment and gets away with it; and with that I mean, nobody."
"Hope you can find out who did it and prove it," Tim grumbled, "or Bruce isn't getting out."
"As I said before, anyone who can break into my security is either smarter than me or not human. Both are impossible."