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Momentum:
Chapter Fourteen
written by destinyawakened
There was no counting the minutes. Each moment passed as the next; drowned in a clash of teeth and lips, hands desperately trying to find a spot to lay, but restless as before they moved with passionate caresses after only seconds. When Jim Gordon's hands finally found their way to Wayne's chest, he pushed him back, parting their lips a few centimeters. Wayne was so close Gordon could hear the man's bated breath, the warmth of their bodies so close together. Gordon opened his eyes only to find Wayne staring right back at him, his lips red and swollen.
Gordon wanted to kiss Wayne again, to latch onto his lips and not let go. But there were things stopping Gordon, certain things that flooded into his mind all at once and left him with questions. He pushed on Wayne's chest a little harder. Wayne took a step back and Gordon pushed away from the wall. He gazed at Wayne curiously and then let his eyes wander the room. There had to be more to this place than what it seemed. Just as there had been more to Wayne – which still left Gordon with a lot of worries and questions.
Wayne made his way over to a hidden switch in the wall and pushed it. “When Wayne Manor burnt down I had no choice but to move my base of operations to another location.” Across the room a metal cage appeared from the floor, and on the other side of the room came a desk from the floor, complete with a computer and at least five different monitors. Gordon just stared, didn't move – didn't even want to think about moving. At first he thought maybe Wayne was pulling his leg, knew things about Gordon and Batman, or guess anyway. But now it was all a little too real too soon.
“Isn't Wayne Manor rebuilt, though?” Gordon found himself saying as he took a few steps towards the cage, noticing that the Batsuit was inside of it. He felt his mouth drop down uncontrollably, trying to grasp for the reasons things were turning out the way they were. Wayne walked up beside him and hit a button on the side of the cage, pulling Gordon back a few paces to allow the doors of it to open fully.
“Yes. It's easier sometimes to have both locations available. This bunker is especially easy to get to if I've been... uhm, wounded.” Wayne hesitated, obviously not wanting to worry Gordon at all. But they were beyond that now. Gordon had assumed Wayne was into some dangerous activities, but he had never once even guessed that he was into something this deep. Maybe he knew, subconsciously, but he never wanted to really believe it.
“So, the stab wounds from that night were what was bothering you the next morning,” Gordon said. It wasn't a question, merely a observation now that the truth had come out. “And your evening business meetings were really with Montoya, Stephens and Bullock. And you running off every evening and conveniently showing up not even half an hour later as Batman.” Gordon sighed, allowing himself to calm down before he let it get out of hand. He was little angry about it, that Wayne had been so deceitful through the whole process. He turned his head to look at the billionaire who had his hands in his pockets, looking down at his floor, almost ashamed.
“Jim...” A softer tone than Gordon would have liked to have heard at that moment. He not only felt betrayed by Wayne but by Batman. What did you expect, Jim? He couldn't just openly admit to you he was Bruce Wayne and expect you to understand.
“How long?” Gordon asked, quietly.
“How long?” Wayne questioned, he looked up at Gordon with confusion.
“How long have you...” Gordon sighed, gesturing his hand between them. Wayne raised an eyebrow and smiled sadly, at the question.
“A few months. I didn't mean for it to happen. Just as, I'm sure, you didn't mean for it to, either,” Wayne explained “I never expected you to invite me into your home on more than one occasion. I didn't expect your kids to like me. Or to get attached.” Gordon had forgotten that it he that invited Wayne into their home, asked for his help with his own son. If not for that, he probably wouldn't be here with Wayne now. But Batman being Wayne, or Wayne being Batman, left another answered question.
“You knew my wife was dying. You were in Gotham the whole time and you didn't once offer any help,” Gordon accused, furrowing his eyebrows at Wayne. The billionaire sighed and placed a hand on Gordon's shoulder.
“You never expressed wanting to know who Batman was and in coming forward out of no where with money or whatever else you might have needed... it would have looked.... I mean I would have... You...” Wayne couldn't seem to find the right words, and he dropped his hand back down to his side. “I don't have an excuse. Not one that will ever make up for the loss your family has gone through. I am sorry, Jim. I wanted to help, I did.”
Gordon looked the billionaire over, watched his eyes for signs of lying, like he had been doing for the few months they had gotten to know each other. Wayne was good at it, but Gordon had always caught on. This time he didn't see it though, he didn't see the lies dwelling just under the surface of a horrible charade. Gordon wanted to feel angry; for some reason to get out of Wayne's presence, to pretend none of this had happened and go on with his life. This was going to complicate everything.
And yet he couldn't bring himself to be angry. Wayne had done what he could, what he thought had been right. It was past now and there was no point holding on to it. Gordon felt that need again, the one he felt many times before when he thought Wayne was getting into some illegal shit – to protect him. It was absurd because Wayne obviously didn't need it, not physically. But from the look in the man's eyes, Gordon knew that Wayne had a lot of emotional vulnerability and insecurities; he'd been let down one too many times, crushed by past lovers and friends. Everyone was always leaving him.
Gordon wasn't going to do the same.
“I know, son,” Gordon found himself saying, just as he had on a few occasions before. Batman had always been his silent guardian, and now it was Gordon's turn to return the favor – for both of them. Wayne bit his lower lip, obviously confused about what to do now, if they continued forward or took a few steps back. “I meant what I said.”
“About what, Jim?” Wayne asked, keeping his distance.
“That I'd give you my trust and friendship... Everything, if you were honest with me.” Gordon lower his voice, into something softer and more soothing. “If you still want it.” Gordon stepped up to Wayne, so that they were a hand's length apart. He reached up and pushed Wayne's suit jacket off his shoulders and let it fall to the ground. Wayne didn't move. It was unusual. Batman was so dominant and yet Wayne was so submissive. Two sides of a coin, two parts of a man that rarely just got to be himself.
“Yes,” Wayne whispered as Gordon touched his face with his fingertips, as if reading each line, the bend of his jaw and the curve lip – everything. The man's lips alone should have been a dead give away, but Gordon hadn't really been looking, either. He saw it now, though, and knew that he'd never forget it. “Jim... I really never meant for this –”
“Shh...” Gordon placed his hands on either side of Wayne's face. “This was meant to happen.” He covered Wayne's mouth with his own before the billionaire had a chance to say anything else. He felt Wayne's arms wrap tightly around his waist, pulling him closer as his own hands wove their way through Wayne's thick brown locks. He expected that any minute it would begin to feel weird, but the longer they stayed embraced the more Gordon knew that every word he said present and past, was true. This was all happening for a reason, if not for several.
----
They eventually made it back to Gordon's house sometime after midnight, after Wayne showed Gordon all the little gadgets he had, how the computer system worked, and how it was that Batman was always able to get information on people that only the police should have been able to come by. Gordon unlocked the front door, searching for the light switch by the door as he stumbled into the living room. Wayne was close behind, catching Gordon's hand before he fell over his own feet.
“Thanks,” Gordon whispered, not wanting to wake Babs up. Wayne shut the door behind them, letting go of Gordon's hand. “I have got to get out of this suit.” He started for the bedroom and then looked at Wayne. “If you're staying I might have something that might be more comfortable than that.” He motioned at Wayne's suit.
“That might be a good idea,” Wayne whispered as he followed Gordon back to the bedroom. Gordon opened his closet door and began to fish through the drawers of his dresser. He finally found a pair of old sweats and threw them at the billionaire.
“It's all I have,” Gordon said as Wayne caught the pants. He shrugged and tossed them to bed as he slid the tie off around his neck and began to unbutton his collared shirt. Gordon had already dressed completely down and had on a pair of sleep pants his kids bought him for Christmas and a t-shirt.
“It'll work,” Wayne said shimming out of the button-up shirt and tossing it onto the bed. Wayne had an sleeveless undershirt on underneath. Just on Wayne's arms alone were enough scars and bruising to make Gordon's own hurt. He recognized the now fading stab wound on Wayne's right arm; more proof that he was the same man he helped that night. Wayne looked at Gordon, noticing him stare. “Alfred,” Wayne stated.
“Ah,” Gordon said as he looked away rather bashfully when Wayne stepped out of his pants to put the sweats on. Wayne shook his head and grinned at him, and then let out a soft laugh as he grabbed Gordon's hand and pulled him towards him.
“Shy?” Wayne asked. Gordon pulled away from him, giving Wayne a sly look. He wasn't really shy, its just that the tables had turned and they weren't just 'friends' anymore, where things like undressing had no real meaning. Now, they were more. Gordon pulled on Wayne's hand as lead him out of the bedroom and down the hall to the living room. He grabbed the remote and plopped down on the couch, pulling Wayne with him.
Late or not, he wasn't ready to sleep yet and somehow sitting there with Wayne felt better than sleeping. Gordon turned the television on and began to flip through channels. He put his arm around the back of the couch. Wayne looked like he was starting to nod off, and Gordon smiled at him.
“Tired?” he asked. Wayne nodded just slight, rubbing his eyes.
“I don't usually sleep too much, couple hours a night. I sit still too long and I start to feel it,” Wayne answered. Gordon placed his hand on the billionaire's shoulder, pulling on him, and gesturing for him to lay down.
“C'mere,” Gordon said. Wayne folded his legs up onto the couch and rested his head on Gordon's lap. Wayne turned over so that he was looking up at Gordon, eyes half closed and Gordon could tell he was going to drift off any minute. Gordon kept flipping through channels and with his free hand he mindlessly ran a hand through Wayne's hair.
“Jim?” Wayne asked softly, and Gordon looked down at him for moment. Wayne's eyes were sparking in the soft light from the television. Wayne had his hands folded on his stomach, and his breathing was getting softer and steadier.
“Yes?” Gordon answered, but Wayne never replied to him and next thing Gordon knew the younger man was fast asleep. Gordon watched him for a bit longer, seeing the resemblance from when Wayne was a young boy. Even then he wanted to protect him, save him from everything else that would only make his life worse. Gordon wished he had done more back then to influence the child, but those were regrets that he couldn't think about. If Wayne grew up any other way things wouldn't have turned out the way they had. Gordon's wife would have still likely died of lung cancer, but instead of softly caressing one of the most beautiful men Gordon had ever seen, he'd, instead, be alone.
-----
Gordon wasn't sure when he had fallen asleep, but it must have not been too long after Wayne. The remote was still in his hand when he woke to the sound of Babs in the kitchen. Wayne was still fast asleep, curled on his side, but head still on Gordon's lap. He look down at the younger man and caressed his shoulder softly with his fingertips. Gordon then clicked the power button on the remote and turned the television off.
“Dad?” Babs called from the kitchen, peeking out into the living room. He craned his neck over the back of the couch to look at her, and brought a finger to his lips for her to keep quiet. It seemed Wayne hadn't slept in a long time, and he didn't want to wake him just yet. Babs shuffled out of the kitchen, draped in her green bathrobe. She peered over the side of the couch and then at her Dad, in question. Gordon shrugged, but Babs eyed him carefully. She leaned and kissed him on the cheek and shuffled back into the kitchen. Gordon took one of the arm pillows from the side of the couch and placed it under Wayne's head, gently scooting out from under him. He then threw one of the blankets over him from the chair by the couch.
Gordon walked into the kitchen, watching Babs put the coffee together. “How'd you sleep? After last night excitement I'm sure you were pretty beat.”
Babs raised her eyes to look at him as she measured out the coffee grounds. “I slept fine. You?” Gordon shrugged, not offering an answer. Babs finished putting the grounds in and the water. She turned on the pot and then turned to look at Gordon, who was leaning his elbows on the counter, watching her. “Look, I'm sorry I overreacted yesterday. It's really hard to hear...” She sighed, frowning. Gordon pulled her into a hug.
“No, sweetie. I understand. You've been the strongest of us all for a year now. I was going to start worrying that you didn't feel anything if you didn't crack a little,” Gordon teased, kissing her forehead. “But that doesn't mean I'm not disappointed in the way you handled it. And you might be eighteen, but that doesn't mean you aren't old enough for consequences.” He pushed her back a little so he could look her in the eye. She smiled sheepishly at him and rolled her eyes.
“I know,” she said, annoyed. “What's the verdict?”Gordon was awful at coming up with punishments for the kids, it was always left up to Barbara. There wasn't much to punish her with; she didn't mind chores, she liked to cook, she never went out more than she needed to. What was left?
“You have to clean Jimmy's room,” he stated sternly. Babs' face screwed up into grimace and she looked ready to contest it, but he looked down at her pointedly and she shut her mouth.
“Alright,” she agreed, moving to the refrigerator and pulled out the eggs and milk. “Can we have pancakes this morning?” Gordon was about to agree when he looked over the side of the counter and saw Wayne standing there – half asleep still – elbows on the counter and chin in hand.
“Yes, Jim. Can we have pancakes this morning?” Wayne had a grin on his face, trying to hold back yawn. Babs was trying not to laugh as he grabbed the pancake mix down from the self and placed it on the counter.
Gordon stepped up to the other side of the counter and leaned over it, getting almost right next to Wayne's face. “Only if you're willing to help.”
“I'll help,” Wayne said, walking around the side of the counter and into the kitchen. Babs turned around from getting the frying pan and stopped. Gordon rolled his eyes as she gaped at Wayne, who may as well have been half naked in the thin undershirt he was wearing and the sweatpants that barely fit. Gordon covered Babs' eyes, playfully. She pulled his hand away.
“Go get Bruce one of my robes, please?” Gordon asked her. Babs smiled slyly at her father and then left the kitchen to do as asked. Gordon pulled Wayne towards him by the collar of his undershirt. “If you're going to look that good in sleep clothes, you're going to have to wear more to bed if you come around here more often.”
“We'll never get anything done that way,” Wayne teased. Gordon kissed him quickly on the lips, letting him go just as Babs returned with a blue robe, handing it off to Wayne. The billionaire took it and wrapped it around himself. “Thanks, Babs.”
She narrowed her eyes at Wayne knowingly. “No, problem.” She walked out of the kitchen and into living room where she turned the television on. Wayne looked back at Gordon who was starting to mix the pancake ingredients together. Gordon motioned him over.
“Butter the griddle,” Gordon said in a commanding tone. Wayne did as told and then Gordon started to spoon the batter on the griddle. Wayne was more distracting than Gordon assumed he'd be though. The last time he made pancakes with Wayne around, the billionaire was distracting enough, but now that they were obviously not hiding that they were flirting with each other, Wayne was even more so.
Wayne stood right behind Gordon, mouth near his ear, as he tried to flip the pancakes. Just Wayne's breathing alone was enough to make Gordon mess up one of the perfectly round cakes. He tried to elbow Wayne away but the younger man put his hands on Gordon's hips, leaned over his shoulder and watched him more carefully. After messing up the fifth pancake, Gordon finally had enough.
“Alright, out!” He demanded and Wayne looked at him with mock-hurt, but then smiled mischievously as he took a mug of coffee and walked into to the living room to sit with Babs.
Gordon wanted to kiss Wayne again, to latch onto his lips and not let go. But there were things stopping Gordon, certain things that flooded into his mind all at once and left him with questions. He pushed on Wayne's chest a little harder. Wayne took a step back and Gordon pushed away from the wall. He gazed at Wayne curiously and then let his eyes wander the room. There had to be more to this place than what it seemed. Just as there had been more to Wayne – which still left Gordon with a lot of worries and questions.
Wayne made his way over to a hidden switch in the wall and pushed it. “When Wayne Manor burnt down I had no choice but to move my base of operations to another location.” Across the room a metal cage appeared from the floor, and on the other side of the room came a desk from the floor, complete with a computer and at least five different monitors. Gordon just stared, didn't move – didn't even want to think about moving. At first he thought maybe Wayne was pulling his leg, knew things about Gordon and Batman, or guess anyway. But now it was all a little too real too soon.
“Isn't Wayne Manor rebuilt, though?” Gordon found himself saying as he took a few steps towards the cage, noticing that the Batsuit was inside of it. He felt his mouth drop down uncontrollably, trying to grasp for the reasons things were turning out the way they were. Wayne walked up beside him and hit a button on the side of the cage, pulling Gordon back a few paces to allow the doors of it to open fully.
“Yes. It's easier sometimes to have both locations available. This bunker is especially easy to get to if I've been... uhm, wounded.” Wayne hesitated, obviously not wanting to worry Gordon at all. But they were beyond that now. Gordon had assumed Wayne was into some dangerous activities, but he had never once even guessed that he was into something this deep. Maybe he knew, subconsciously, but he never wanted to really believe it.
“So, the stab wounds from that night were what was bothering you the next morning,” Gordon said. It wasn't a question, merely a observation now that the truth had come out. “And your evening business meetings were really with Montoya, Stephens and Bullock. And you running off every evening and conveniently showing up not even half an hour later as Batman.” Gordon sighed, allowing himself to calm down before he let it get out of hand. He was little angry about it, that Wayne had been so deceitful through the whole process. He turned his head to look at the billionaire who had his hands in his pockets, looking down at his floor, almost ashamed.
“Jim...” A softer tone than Gordon would have liked to have heard at that moment. He not only felt betrayed by Wayne but by Batman. What did you expect, Jim? He couldn't just openly admit to you he was Bruce Wayne and expect you to understand.
“How long?” Gordon asked, quietly.
“How long?” Wayne questioned, he looked up at Gordon with confusion.
“How long have you...” Gordon sighed, gesturing his hand between them. Wayne raised an eyebrow and smiled sadly, at the question.
“A few months. I didn't mean for it to happen. Just as, I'm sure, you didn't mean for it to, either,” Wayne explained “I never expected you to invite me into your home on more than one occasion. I didn't expect your kids to like me. Or to get attached.” Gordon had forgotten that it he that invited Wayne into their home, asked for his help with his own son. If not for that, he probably wouldn't be here with Wayne now. But Batman being Wayne, or Wayne being Batman, left another answered question.
“You knew my wife was dying. You were in Gotham the whole time and you didn't once offer any help,” Gordon accused, furrowing his eyebrows at Wayne. The billionaire sighed and placed a hand on Gordon's shoulder.
“You never expressed wanting to know who Batman was and in coming forward out of no where with money or whatever else you might have needed... it would have looked.... I mean I would have... You...” Wayne couldn't seem to find the right words, and he dropped his hand back down to his side. “I don't have an excuse. Not one that will ever make up for the loss your family has gone through. I am sorry, Jim. I wanted to help, I did.”
Gordon looked the billionaire over, watched his eyes for signs of lying, like he had been doing for the few months they had gotten to know each other. Wayne was good at it, but Gordon had always caught on. This time he didn't see it though, he didn't see the lies dwelling just under the surface of a horrible charade. Gordon wanted to feel angry; for some reason to get out of Wayne's presence, to pretend none of this had happened and go on with his life. This was going to complicate everything.
And yet he couldn't bring himself to be angry. Wayne had done what he could, what he thought had been right. It was past now and there was no point holding on to it. Gordon felt that need again, the one he felt many times before when he thought Wayne was getting into some illegal shit – to protect him. It was absurd because Wayne obviously didn't need it, not physically. But from the look in the man's eyes, Gordon knew that Wayne had a lot of emotional vulnerability and insecurities; he'd been let down one too many times, crushed by past lovers and friends. Everyone was always leaving him.
Gordon wasn't going to do the same.
“I know, son,” Gordon found himself saying, just as he had on a few occasions before. Batman had always been his silent guardian, and now it was Gordon's turn to return the favor – for both of them. Wayne bit his lower lip, obviously confused about what to do now, if they continued forward or took a few steps back. “I meant what I said.”
“About what, Jim?” Wayne asked, keeping his distance.
“That I'd give you my trust and friendship... Everything, if you were honest with me.” Gordon lower his voice, into something softer and more soothing. “If you still want it.” Gordon stepped up to Wayne, so that they were a hand's length apart. He reached up and pushed Wayne's suit jacket off his shoulders and let it fall to the ground. Wayne didn't move. It was unusual. Batman was so dominant and yet Wayne was so submissive. Two sides of a coin, two parts of a man that rarely just got to be himself.
“Yes,” Wayne whispered as Gordon touched his face with his fingertips, as if reading each line, the bend of his jaw and the curve lip – everything. The man's lips alone should have been a dead give away, but Gordon hadn't really been looking, either. He saw it now, though, and knew that he'd never forget it. “Jim... I really never meant for this –”
“Shh...” Gordon placed his hands on either side of Wayne's face. “This was meant to happen.” He covered Wayne's mouth with his own before the billionaire had a chance to say anything else. He felt Wayne's arms wrap tightly around his waist, pulling him closer as his own hands wove their way through Wayne's thick brown locks. He expected that any minute it would begin to feel weird, but the longer they stayed embraced the more Gordon knew that every word he said present and past, was true. This was all happening for a reason, if not for several.
----
They eventually made it back to Gordon's house sometime after midnight, after Wayne showed Gordon all the little gadgets he had, how the computer system worked, and how it was that Batman was always able to get information on people that only the police should have been able to come by. Gordon unlocked the front door, searching for the light switch by the door as he stumbled into the living room. Wayne was close behind, catching Gordon's hand before he fell over his own feet.
“Thanks,” Gordon whispered, not wanting to wake Babs up. Wayne shut the door behind them, letting go of Gordon's hand. “I have got to get out of this suit.” He started for the bedroom and then looked at Wayne. “If you're staying I might have something that might be more comfortable than that.” He motioned at Wayne's suit.
“That might be a good idea,” Wayne whispered as he followed Gordon back to the bedroom. Gordon opened his closet door and began to fish through the drawers of his dresser. He finally found a pair of old sweats and threw them at the billionaire.
“It's all I have,” Gordon said as Wayne caught the pants. He shrugged and tossed them to bed as he slid the tie off around his neck and began to unbutton his collared shirt. Gordon had already dressed completely down and had on a pair of sleep pants his kids bought him for Christmas and a t-shirt.
“It'll work,” Wayne said shimming out of the button-up shirt and tossing it onto the bed. Wayne had an sleeveless undershirt on underneath. Just on Wayne's arms alone were enough scars and bruising to make Gordon's own hurt. He recognized the now fading stab wound on Wayne's right arm; more proof that he was the same man he helped that night. Wayne looked at Gordon, noticing him stare. “Alfred,” Wayne stated.
“Ah,” Gordon said as he looked away rather bashfully when Wayne stepped out of his pants to put the sweats on. Wayne shook his head and grinned at him, and then let out a soft laugh as he grabbed Gordon's hand and pulled him towards him.
“Shy?” Wayne asked. Gordon pulled away from him, giving Wayne a sly look. He wasn't really shy, its just that the tables had turned and they weren't just 'friends' anymore, where things like undressing had no real meaning. Now, they were more. Gordon pulled on Wayne's hand as lead him out of the bedroom and down the hall to the living room. He grabbed the remote and plopped down on the couch, pulling Wayne with him.
Late or not, he wasn't ready to sleep yet and somehow sitting there with Wayne felt better than sleeping. Gordon turned the television on and began to flip through channels. He put his arm around the back of the couch. Wayne looked like he was starting to nod off, and Gordon smiled at him.
“Tired?” he asked. Wayne nodded just slight, rubbing his eyes.
“I don't usually sleep too much, couple hours a night. I sit still too long and I start to feel it,” Wayne answered. Gordon placed his hand on the billionaire's shoulder, pulling on him, and gesturing for him to lay down.
“C'mere,” Gordon said. Wayne folded his legs up onto the couch and rested his head on Gordon's lap. Wayne turned over so that he was looking up at Gordon, eyes half closed and Gordon could tell he was going to drift off any minute. Gordon kept flipping through channels and with his free hand he mindlessly ran a hand through Wayne's hair.
“Jim?” Wayne asked softly, and Gordon looked down at him for moment. Wayne's eyes were sparking in the soft light from the television. Wayne had his hands folded on his stomach, and his breathing was getting softer and steadier.
“Yes?” Gordon answered, but Wayne never replied to him and next thing Gordon knew the younger man was fast asleep. Gordon watched him for a bit longer, seeing the resemblance from when Wayne was a young boy. Even then he wanted to protect him, save him from everything else that would only make his life worse. Gordon wished he had done more back then to influence the child, but those were regrets that he couldn't think about. If Wayne grew up any other way things wouldn't have turned out the way they had. Gordon's wife would have still likely died of lung cancer, but instead of softly caressing one of the most beautiful men Gordon had ever seen, he'd, instead, be alone.
-----
Gordon wasn't sure when he had fallen asleep, but it must have not been too long after Wayne. The remote was still in his hand when he woke to the sound of Babs in the kitchen. Wayne was still fast asleep, curled on his side, but head still on Gordon's lap. He look down at the younger man and caressed his shoulder softly with his fingertips. Gordon then clicked the power button on the remote and turned the television off.
“Dad?” Babs called from the kitchen, peeking out into the living room. He craned his neck over the back of the couch to look at her, and brought a finger to his lips for her to keep quiet. It seemed Wayne hadn't slept in a long time, and he didn't want to wake him just yet. Babs shuffled out of the kitchen, draped in her green bathrobe. She peered over the side of the couch and then at her Dad, in question. Gordon shrugged, but Babs eyed him carefully. She leaned and kissed him on the cheek and shuffled back into the kitchen. Gordon took one of the arm pillows from the side of the couch and placed it under Wayne's head, gently scooting out from under him. He then threw one of the blankets over him from the chair by the couch.
Gordon walked into the kitchen, watching Babs put the coffee together. “How'd you sleep? After last night excitement I'm sure you were pretty beat.”
Babs raised her eyes to look at him as she measured out the coffee grounds. “I slept fine. You?” Gordon shrugged, not offering an answer. Babs finished putting the grounds in and the water. She turned on the pot and then turned to look at Gordon, who was leaning his elbows on the counter, watching her. “Look, I'm sorry I overreacted yesterday. It's really hard to hear...” She sighed, frowning. Gordon pulled her into a hug.
“No, sweetie. I understand. You've been the strongest of us all for a year now. I was going to start worrying that you didn't feel anything if you didn't crack a little,” Gordon teased, kissing her forehead. “But that doesn't mean I'm not disappointed in the way you handled it. And you might be eighteen, but that doesn't mean you aren't old enough for consequences.” He pushed her back a little so he could look her in the eye. She smiled sheepishly at him and rolled her eyes.
“I know,” she said, annoyed. “What's the verdict?”Gordon was awful at coming up with punishments for the kids, it was always left up to Barbara. There wasn't much to punish her with; she didn't mind chores, she liked to cook, she never went out more than she needed to. What was left?
“You have to clean Jimmy's room,” he stated sternly. Babs' face screwed up into grimace and she looked ready to contest it, but he looked down at her pointedly and she shut her mouth.
“Alright,” she agreed, moving to the refrigerator and pulled out the eggs and milk. “Can we have pancakes this morning?” Gordon was about to agree when he looked over the side of the counter and saw Wayne standing there – half asleep still – elbows on the counter and chin in hand.
“Yes, Jim. Can we have pancakes this morning?” Wayne had a grin on his face, trying to hold back yawn. Babs was trying not to laugh as he grabbed the pancake mix down from the self and placed it on the counter.
Gordon stepped up to the other side of the counter and leaned over it, getting almost right next to Wayne's face. “Only if you're willing to help.”
“I'll help,” Wayne said, walking around the side of the counter and into the kitchen. Babs turned around from getting the frying pan and stopped. Gordon rolled his eyes as she gaped at Wayne, who may as well have been half naked in the thin undershirt he was wearing and the sweatpants that barely fit. Gordon covered Babs' eyes, playfully. She pulled his hand away.
“Go get Bruce one of my robes, please?” Gordon asked her. Babs smiled slyly at her father and then left the kitchen to do as asked. Gordon pulled Wayne towards him by the collar of his undershirt. “If you're going to look that good in sleep clothes, you're going to have to wear more to bed if you come around here more often.”
“We'll never get anything done that way,” Wayne teased. Gordon kissed him quickly on the lips, letting him go just as Babs returned with a blue robe, handing it off to Wayne. The billionaire took it and wrapped it around himself. “Thanks, Babs.”
She narrowed her eyes at Wayne knowingly. “No, problem.” She walked out of the kitchen and into living room where she turned the television on. Wayne looked back at Gordon who was starting to mix the pancake ingredients together. Gordon motioned him over.
“Butter the griddle,” Gordon said in a commanding tone. Wayne did as told and then Gordon started to spoon the batter on the griddle. Wayne was more distracting than Gordon assumed he'd be though. The last time he made pancakes with Wayne around, the billionaire was distracting enough, but now that they were obviously not hiding that they were flirting with each other, Wayne was even more so.
Wayne stood right behind Gordon, mouth near his ear, as he tried to flip the pancakes. Just Wayne's breathing alone was enough to make Gordon mess up one of the perfectly round cakes. He tried to elbow Wayne away but the younger man put his hands on Gordon's hips, leaned over his shoulder and watched him more carefully. After messing up the fifth pancake, Gordon finally had enough.
“Alright, out!” He demanded and Wayne looked at him with mock-hurt, but then smiled mischievously as he took a mug of coffee and walked into to the living room to sit with Babs.