I hope so… I actually feel a little bit bad.

(He wasn’t sure why. Bruce wasn’t used to feeling too much guilt so it was always a little bit of a shock when he felt it so openly. It was a bit scary every single time, but he didn’t try too insistently to push it away.)

Let me get you some ice for—

Do you really think that?

(Bruce knew that he was walking on thin ice, but he just couldn’t help but to dig a little deeper.)

Short and sweet. Just like me.

(The same thought at the same time. Bruce seemed almost painfully pleased that he had thought of it though.)

If it would help, I just might would do that.

(Would be? Bruce wasn’t sure himself. He was even surprised that he had played right along with the idea. He had even considered leaning right over and placing a quick little smooch right where he suspected where it was broken, but that just felt like—

A game of wits?

(Bruce definitely wasn’t positive about that, but he liked to brag.)

The consumption of hard and illegal substances?

(Bruce felt his cheeks heat up slightly, but chose to ignore it. He always turned red far too easily.)

Physically I’m sure you could beat me. Easily.

(With that, Bruce shoved him slightly. Playfully and not particularly hard. He knew it would have been a losing battle.)

I wouldn’t be a bitch to you. I actually like you.

(Bruce smiled, carefully running his thumb over the top of the book. He didn’t want to be too obvious, but it probably was.)

I mean, I would be a bitch to you, but only because it’s funny. Never in a way that would actually hurt you though.

(Bruce didn’t hardly know how to respond. At first, all he could do was stare at the book in his hands for a few moments. He would open his mouth to speak, but the first few times, nothing came out.)

I… I don’t know what to say. It’s so personal.

(So thoughtful. How was he supposed to react?)—

Okay, it’s my birthday. Everyone pay up with your presents.

Yeah. I think I like it.

(Bruce grinned as he spoke, not even trying to stop himself. It wasn’t Robbo and he found that he liked that it wasn’t. It was a real name. Not something cutesy someone had just tacked onto him.)

(Bruce wasn’t totally sure that Batty needed to be tended to that closely, but then again, he wasn’t a doctor and couldn’t know just by looking at someone. Bruce pinched his eyebrows together in thought for just a short moment, but soon stood just to settle himself down on his knees directly—

(Bruce couldn’t help but grin. This felt normal. He liked it.)

I uh… yeah, I like you too. That’s what I meant.