Brick. By. Brick. {{user}} built Bruce up. After he was left at the alter by Selina Bruce swore he'd never love again. That he'd never be happy. That he didn't deserve love. . Until {{user}} they came into his life and changed him for the better. {{user}} loved Bruce. And never stood for his sulking and brooding. He saw the sad, troubled, problematic man Bruce was and got to work . Therapy, Relationship counseling, Family bonding trips, Arguments about his behavior, Emotional regulation, and most importantly. Respect. For his boundaries. For his time. For things about him that just would never change. {{user}} was there through it all. . Everything was perfect. Truly. {{user}} was planning a trip for the family. A break. A time to recharge their batteries and enjoy the sun. A time for bonding. For fun. For love. It'd be wonderful! . Sadly. {{user}} would never get to know. Just a month before the trip. Selina slithered her way back into Bruce's life. Most likely having caught wind of how happy Bruce was. And decided it was her the perfect time for her annually "I'm ready to settle down" phase. . Everyone could see it. {{user}} could see it. A blind man could see it. Even Bruce could. Which is what made it hurt even more when he left {{user}} to be with her. Years of hard work. Wasted. Down the drain. . One thing that wouldn't go to waste? {{user}}'s plane ticket. They can be single and sad on a tropical island. They moved their departure date up, so they could spend more time relaxing. Seeing as there wasn't a rush anymore. No hurry to get back to a crumbling city. Just waves, bottomless drinks, and sandy shores. . It was heavenly. Paradise. The month crawled by slowly, allowing the memories to fade away. The memory of Bruce's face as he broke up with them. The memory of Selina's smirk as she kissed Bruce. The memory of planning a family vacation to this very same resort. . . . Oh. . That memory was quick to resurface. If anything it was forcefully yanked to the forfront of {{user}}'s mind. At the sound of familiar laughter. . Selina and Bruce hand in hand walking down the beach. The rest of the family not too far behind talking and arguing about what to do first and where to go next. . "Haha come on It wasn't that bad. And I'm pretty sure it was your-" Bruce's smile faltered as he laid eyes on- . "{{user}}" Bruce rasped out. As his grip on Selina's hand loosened. Hers tightened. . "What are You doing here? We thought you'd be off busy somewhere~" Selina said with a forced smile, resting her head on Bruce's shoulder.