Alfred pours tea into a white porcelain cup with a matching plate underneath it. He places the teapot on top of the stove and grabs hold of the cup, slowly handing it over to me. I reach underneath the plate.

"There you go, my dear. Let me know if there's anything." Alfred says softly with a smile creeping up onto his lips.

I exchange it before he disappears into another room, leaving Bruce and me. Bruce watches Alfred leave us alone before he trails his eyes to mine. A small sip from the tea burned my tongue lightly from the heat before I endured the pain and placed the cup on the small plate, leaving it on the desk. "I just came to grab my things, and Katherine is waiting in the hallway."

"I know." He says, instantly inching towards me. "But you can't hold onto this forever."

"And why not?" My voice sounded harsh, arching an eyebrow at him.

"Because there's no point holding grudges against me forever, Daisy." He stated before shrugging a little. "Ask me anything."

I nod as I clear my throat, narrowing my eyes slightly. "Did you kill Tom?"

"Not in a million years." He said truthfully.

"Why are you....?" I trail off, assuming he'll know that I meant Batman, and he understood to my surprise.

I didn't want to cause any attention from Katherine listening in the hallway. After all, she's curious already.

"Nobody cares enough to save Gotham."

"Do you kill people?"

"No."

"Do you work with the police?"

"Only James Gordon. He's a commissioner in the police department. "

"How can I possibly die from this?"

"If they know you are in my life as him, anything can happen. My reputation is doomed as that guy if you didn't notice." He rasps, taking a second from looking at the floor and back at me.

I slowly nod my head, swallowing all the information I got. "Can I see it?"

He squeezes his eyes and slowly shakes his head. "Not yet."

"Not yet?"

Bruce nods. "You're not ready yet."

"Do not tell me what I'm not ready for," I reply sharply, pointing my finger at his chest in irritation. "I have been lied to and put in a dangerous position."

"In which I told you to stay away from me, and I'm sorry." Bruce quietly mumbles under his breath.

I couldn't say anything about it because he was right. He gave me a warning from the beginning, but I was more than shocked to hear him apologize to me.

"You're falling for me, aren't you?" He asked, observing my reaction. I shrug, removing my finger from pointing at him. I didn't say anything; instead, I folded my arms against my chest.

"Answer me." He says with a soft-spoken voice, yet controlling.

"It's none of your business, Bruce. I have to go." I reply quickly as I take a small sip, leaving my cup on the desk once again.

"Not yet," he says as I tilt my head towards him.

"We're done, Bruce."

"That's impossible," he shakes his head in disbelief. "You like me, admit it."

"No."

"Admit it, Daisy." His voice lowers down, inching closer to me as I take further steps backward. I didn't feel threatened but was somewhat surprised by how much he wanted me to confess my feelings.

"Bruce," I reply quietly, to which he quickly responds.

"You like me, say it. "

"Okay, yes, I do," I reply instantly. Bruce stopped his tracks, and so did I. He watches me for a couple of seconds before answering back.

"Then don't go."

"What do I gain from it, Bruce?" I spat in frustration. "Absolutely nothing, because if I knew you were...."

He shrugs a little. "I can't protect you outside of these doors, and I need to make sure you're alright. If you don't want me, but I have to make sure you're safe."

I look at him in frustration as I shut my eyes for a second. "I'll call Alfred if anything happens."

"No." He instantly responded, which made me narrow my eyes a little more. "I'm not doing that again, not anymore."

"Why not? Do you honestly believe I want to be around you right now?"

"I don't think it's clicking for you?" He said with a rough tone, squeezing his eyes. "The killer texted you and tried to make it known that he knows who I am. On the other hand, you want to go home, knowing you are in danger." I shrugged defensively because I genuinely didn't have many options.

"If you don't stay here, things could be worse for you." He states, which made more sense compared to anything else. "I'll leave you alone completely, let me know, and let you sleep in my room, but I will make sure you won't see me in the morning or at night. You will strictly only stay here for protection."

I hold my breath from saying anything because that's honestly not what I wanted. I wanted to be part of his presence and be able to smell his cologne from a distance, knowing he's about to say 'good morning' to me. But I need time. Truly I do.

Bruce frowns a little, taking a deep breath.

I managed to walk out and head back home since Bruce told me to think about it. I couldn't give him an answer immediately, and surprisingly enough, he let me go back home to figure it out for myself. I promised that I would give him an answer by Friday. Today is Wednesday, so I had a couple of days to dwell on it. I could tell he was hurt, the heavy bags under his eyes, how he spoke to him as if I was fragile, and how he wanted me attached to him. He must've been up all night, trying to figure out what to do or what he could say. Alfred also did look devastated, but he wasn't mad at me. He is hurt for both of us.

Katherine left my bag in my apartment and stayed for a little bit, so I took the opportunity to explain everything to her, just not the part that he is Batman. I made a couple of lies to make it seem like I lost interest because he is dealing with wealthy men who do things I don't want to be part of. That's genuinely what I told her, and thank god Katherine did believe me. The moment she stepped out after bringing all my stuff and cat, things felt completely quiet. At this point, I was used to sleeping on a vast bed and getting breakfast in the morning. Not that I felt spoiled, but it was a different environment compared to where I live. And, of course, I woke up to see Bruce every morning in the kitchen. But that specific day when we ate breakfast from the same plate made me more than happy to be around him.

I shrug as I shut down my phone and place it on the counter, cuddling into the blanket. The point is to fall asleep until the sound of the vibration coming from my cellphone catches my attention, and I gently grab onto it.

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Let me know if you got home safely.

- Bruce

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