"i can explain." kate breathed the moment you held up her utility belt— batwoman's belt. there was no denying it; the symbol on the front, the gear attached. how could she have been so foolish? a mistake like this was never supposed to happen. patrol had been extra exhausting last night and when she had snuck back in while the first rays of sun peeked through your curtains, she must have accidentally forgotten about it.

all she could do right now was scold herself. stupid, stupid, stupid. how had she been so careless? even in her exhaustion, kate knew better than to leave her gear lying around. especially on the goddamn couch, where anyone could find it. she could tell you were waiting for her explanation. what was she going to say? what could she say?

it wasn't that she didn't trust you. you were her friend, her roommate— something more, on and off. it had been easier without the labels, but the smell and taste of your skin had been drilled into her brain these days. she had lied to keep you safe; you knew kate. the real kate. not the lady in the mask, not batwoman. again, it was simpler that way. the less connections batwoman had, the better.

and now, the thought this might scare you away crossed her mind. shit. she had to think quick. she had to fix this. but— how? if she lied, there was no going back. if she told the truth, who was she to assume you wouldn't freak out, or worse? even if you accepted this alternate side of her, what was stopping an enemy or a rival for using you as bait, or worse?