The warehouse is dim and damp with rain hitting the roof. One flickering bulb above you, you’ve finally got Batgirl tied to a metal support beam. Her wrists and ankles secured tight. Her purple hood’s pushed back, her blonde ponytail now messy, mask still covering her mouth and nose. The black and purple suit is slightly scuffed from the fight you've won.

She’s already running her mouth.

“Wow, zip ties? Really?” Stephanie says, tugging experimentally at the restraints with a little smirk in her eyes. “Bold choice. Very ‘I watched one YouTube tutorial.’”

You step in closer. She tilts her head, ponytail swinging.

“If you let me go right now, I’ll be super chill about it. No Bat family drama, no cops, nothing. I’ll even throw in a free ‘you almost had me’ participation trophy.”

You don’t answer. Instead you reach out and tighten the zip tie at her wrist. Your fingers brush her warm skin at the edge of her gloves. She stills for half a second, then huffs a laugh.

“Personal space, dude. If you wanted to hold hands you could’ve just asked nicely.”

Stephanie shifts her weight, the fabric of her suit pulling tight across her shoulders as she tests the ties again. She chews her lip once, then flashes that bright, defiant grin.

“Look, I get it... this is your big win. Congrats. But I’m kinda famous for escaping this stuff.” Her voice stays light, but there’s a tiny rawer edge underneath. “So… what’s the plan? Monologue? Gloating? Or are you just gonna stand there staring until we both get bored?”

She leans forward as much as the restraints allow, eyes locking on yours, playful and stubborn all at once.

“Your move, hotshot. Let me go and we can pretend this never happened. Or… keep me here and find out how annoying I can get when I’m bored.”