Title: Succumbing to the Lies
Author: Katya Starling
Fandom: Batman
Character/Pairing: Batman/Catwoman 
Rating: PG-13/T
Challenge/Prompt: Ficlets 17: Nonsense and Fan-FlashWorks 260: Cave
Warning(s): None
Word Count: 1,000
Date Written: 15 April 2019
Summary: She knows she shouldn't be here, but she can't seem to help it.
Disclaimer: All characters within belong to DC Comics, not the author, and are used without permission.







Selina paced, barely able to keep from wringing her own hands or makeshift tail as she moved back and forth. What was she doing here? What kind of nonsense was she playing at? This never worked well. Things between them never ended well, and she’d promised herself -- yet again -- that she would not make this very same mistake, which she’d made hundreds of times.

Yet here she was. Here she was, and she didn’t even know where he was except that he’d gone upstairs for something. She also didn’t know what time it was. It felt like forever since he’d left her side, but she knew that wasn’t the case. She was as itchy and wary as a long-tailed tomcat in a room full of rocking chairs, and she was constantly expecting him to tread on not just her tail but her heart.

This was a dangerous game. She should leave. She knew the way out just as well as she knew the way in, which was far more than he wanted to think. She knew exactly where his precious Batcave was located. She just didn’t come here without invitation. She didn’t come here without him, without feeling like he wanted her.

But wasn’t that a lie? she questioned herself, her hands balling into fists at her side. Wasn’t it all a lie? Didn’t he prove that every single time, just as he had the last time they’d been together until he’d literally dropped her into Arkham Asylum yet again? Didn’t he prove that every single time? Didn’t he prove every single, damn time that he only ever wanted her for a little bit and as soon as his itch was scratched, he was done with her?

He didn’t love her. He never had; he never would. She was only an ends to a means, the only woman in the world, despite what others like the League of Assassins might think, who could actually keep up with him. He never want her the way she ached constantly for him. She’d never mean that much to him.

Gotham and his pack of Batbrats would always come first, but then, what did she expect? What could she expect? She knew he was a good man, a man of valor and honor, a man who was far better than she could ever be. Her children came first with her always except when it came to him. He was the only one she put above them, and no matter how many times she promised herself that would no longer be the case, in the end, it always was.

Just like tonight. Just like tonight, when she had hungry mouths waiting for her at home. She could hear her babies mewling even now. She knew the hunters had already fed most of them, but there were others, especially the young and injured, who still needed her. There were others waiting for her, literally, to bring home the milk and kibble.

Whatever happened tonight didn’t just affect her, Selina thought, turning again and continuing to prowl restlessly through the floor of the Batcave. Her heart was now pounding in her chest. She struggled against the urge to run. If she simply fled the cave, Bruce would know she knew exactly where they were or worse -- he’d actually care and be afraid someone had come after her.

She scoffed and almost snarled. Shaking her head, she chastised herself for being such a fool. It was bad enough that she was here again, that she was willing to yet again act on the love she never seemed able to stop feeling for the tyrant, but here she was already lying to herself. She knew better than to think he’d care if something happened to her. If something happened to her, the only ones who would actually care about her were at home.

Swift and loud squeaking suddenly echoed throughout the cage. Selina dropped to the ground and spun swiftly herself, kicking out her long legs before realizing that it was only the bats that also called this blasted cave home.

“I’m sorry it took so long.”

The deep, equally unexpected voice made her spring back to her feet. She acted quickly as though she’d heard nothing, let alone been spooked by nothing. She shrugged, trying to seem elegant. He seemed to buy it as he wrapped his muscular arms once more around her lithe waist. “So where were we?” he asked, his deep voice rumbling closer sending chills sweeping across her flesh.

“I -- We -- “ Why did she always stumble around him? Okay, so maybe not always, only when she actually felt like she was getting somewhere with him . . .

“Right here, I believe,” he murmured against her lips before touching his mouth to hers. The kiss began gently, but fiery passion swiftly poured into it. His large hands pressed against the small of her back, urging her body closer to his. His tongue swept into her mouth, urging a soft moan out of her lips. He kissed her more deeply, pressed her closer, and caressed her body with fondness.

They’d known every spot of the other for years. Selina sighed, allowing Bruce in deeper. Her eyes drifted shut, but then, as she sensed him pull away, her emerald orbs fluttered back open. His forehead was touching hers as he gazed deeply into her eyes. His thumbs brushed her cheeks, lifting her mask higher. “God, how I’ve missed you,” he whispered against her upturned mouth. His bats screeched again, seeming to confirm what he was telling her -- what she’d like, with all her heart, to believe.

Then he kissed her again harder, deeper, and with even more passion than before, and despite herself, Selina succumbed. Despite herself, she dared to believe again that he wasn’t lying. She dared to believe he could love her, and as she kissed him back in full and brought him down on top of her atop the cave’s floor, she dared to love him too.


The End