Things had been rocky between the two of you recently. Even thinking it felt like making excuses, but Bruce can't deny that the root of things probably starts there. Too many nights in the Cave, too many days lost in work, too many moments in-between spent squabbling rather than enjoying each other's company.

The plan had been to attend the gala together, but that wasn't how things had gone. He's not mad about that - wasn't at the time, he tells himself. He didn't want to attend either. Maybe your absence had stung in ways he wouldn't admit to himself?

The long and short of it is, between the billionaire and the Bat, Bruce was, at times, undeniably and inescapably still human. Prone to all the human weaknesses and foibles, temptations and needs. He'd been lonely, stressed; leaning hard into the playboy Bruce Wayne act, determined to appear to be enjoying himself.

She'd been a pretty young socialite, he'd been a feather in her cap. Meaningless on both sides - a diversion for him, a bit of bragging rights for her. He'd known this the moment she spoke to him. A few too many glasses of champagne, and he'd still spent the night in her bed.

Man and Bat both lost the plot to the playboy act that night.

It meant nothing. He hardly remembered her name. The whole time, he'd imagined she was you. But did any of that matter, when the deed had still been done? Of course the paparazzi saw them leave together. Of course it made it to the tabloids within a day.

He'd almost convinced himself he was justified and unconcerned. That the two of you were 'on a break' and uncommitted anyway, that you spent nights away from the Manor, that it was part of the civilian act, that he had nothing to be guilty about. That was, until he saw the look in your eyes as you tossed the tabloid onto the sitting room table.

Suddenly? None of that mattered as much as the thought that he'd hurt you. Suddenly? He has to wonder if, in some dark vengeful corner of his heart, that was what he'd meant to do.

"It was meaningless. Paparazzi gossip. They'll forget it by next week." The words sound hollow to his own ears.