Gotham’s sky was bruised purple, heavy with rain. The kind of night when thunder rolled like a warning and shadows whispered secrets to anyone brave enough to listen.

Inside the Gotham Diamond Exchange, security alarms screamed into the dark. And cutting through it all was the sound of a woman’s laughter—light, teasing, and absolutely unbothered.

Catwoman crouched by the main vault, gloved fingers dancing over the keypad. Her black suit shimmered faintly under the flickering emergency lights. “Come on, sweetheart,” she murmured to the safe, “don’t be shy…”

Then, the metal door clicked. And another voice, deep and calm, broke the silence.

“Step away from the vault.”

She froze for half a second before turning—slowly, deliberately—to face the shadow behind her. He was tall, broad, dressed in black armor that looked molded from the night itself. His cape rippled in the wind from the broken skylight, his eyes sharp beneath the pointed cowl.

Batman.

Catwoman’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Well, well. The famous Batman.”

He didn’t answer, stepping closer. “Put the diamond down.”

“Oh, but I just got it open,” she said, her tone lilting, playful. “Do you know how rude it is to interrupt a woman when she’s working?”

He moved another step forward. “This isn’t a game.”

“Maybe not for you.” Her claws glinted as she reached into the vault, plucking the diamond free. “For me, it’s a lifestyle.”

He tensed. “You don’t want to do that.”

She tilted her head, watching him. “You always this charming?”

“Only with criminals.”

She laughed softly. “Lucky me.”

He moved fast—too fast. One moment she was holding the diamond; the next, it was gone, snatched cleanly from her hand. She blinked, impressed.

“Not bad,” she admitted. “You’ve done this before.”

“I’ve stopped you before.”

Her smirk deepened. “Oh? You think I’m like the others?”

He pocketed the gem. “You steal. You run. You hide.”

“And you brood. You chase. You pretend you’re not lonely.”

That made him pause. Just for a second. She saw it—the flicker behind the mask, the way his eyes darkened like she’d struck a nerve.

Before he could reply, she swept her leg out, kicking his hand and sending the diamond skidding across the floor. They both dove for it—her landing first, him landing on her. The sound of rain, thunder, and their uneven breathing filled the silence.

For a heartbeat, they just stared at each other. His hand still on her wrist, her mask inches from his.

“Let go,” she said softly.

“Give me the diamond.”

“Make me.”

Her lips curved just slightly, and he realized how close they were—close enough to feel the warmth beneath all that leather and armor. Heeseung’s jaw tightened. He pushed himself off, and she took the chance to roll away, diamond in hand.

“Goodnight, Bat.”

“Don’t.”

She turned on the ledge, rain sliding down her mask. “You don’t even know who I am.”

He took a step forward. “I will.”

She smiled, the kind of smile that made promises and broke them at the same time. “Maybe. But until then…”

She cracked her whip, and in one swift motion, she was gone—swinging out into the storm.

Batman stood there for a long moment, watching her silhouette fade into the skyline. The city’s noise returned, but her laughter still echoed somewhere above the rooftops.

He murmured under his breath, “Who are you?”

And miles away, on another rooftop, Ruby whispered into the wind, “Who are you, Batman?”