Date night & fire

Bruce held the car door open for Harley, his expression calm but unreadable as she climbed in. There was a hint of warmth in his gaze, which she didn't miss even though he was otherwise rather stoic.

"Look at you, all gentlemanly and stuff," Harley teased, adjusting the hem of her dress as she settled into the seat.

Bruce stepped into the driver's seat, his tone even but carrying a faint hint of amusement. "You expected something else?"

She leaned back and stretched her arms over her head, "Hey, don't get me wrong. I like the whole 'mysterious and broody' thing you've got goin' on. But this? It's kinda nice."

"Is it?"

"Yeah." Harley nodded, "Maybe I'll have to make you take me out for dinner more often."

Bruce smiled, just barely, as he began to drive. "Maybe you should."

Harley felt excitement in her chest but kept her expression playful and her voice calm. "Yeah? Well, maybe I will."

As they drove, there was a few seconds of silence before she spoke again...

"So, where we headin'? Fancy-schmancy or a hole-in-the-wall with greasy burgers?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"Somewhere in between," Bruce replied. "Quiet, good food, and nothing too flashy."

"Ooh, I like the sound of that. Quiet and not loud," Harley gave him a thumbs up. Then she looked out the window at the passing scenery. This was her first date and she was barely holding onto her excitement. What had once been a mixture of butterflies in her stomach had quickly transformed into an oncoming tornado.

The restaurant was tucked away in a quiet part of the city, a place you wouldn't look for unless you were trying to find it. Its warm lighting and soft jazz created an inviting atmosphere; almost intimate. Bruce brought the car around the parking lot, and they both stepped out. As they approached the building, a sharply dressed waitress was there to greet them.

Harley's eyes widened as she took in her surroundings, "Okay, it definitely beats some seedy club."

She beamed up at Bruce who smirked. The waitress led them through the establishment to a dimly lit table with two menus, "If there's anything you need, let us know. We also have live music starting soon."

"Thanks, we appreciate it," Bruce thanked her, gesturing for Harley to take a seat.

"Your waiter will be here to take your orders soon." She said before excusing herself.

He thanked the waitress again as they took a seat at a round table, several candles at its center.

"This is nice," Harley admitted, sliding into her seat. "Didn't peg you for the cozy type, though."

Bruce offered a faint smile. "Yeah, I like cozy places and I thought since this is our first date, you'd appreciate something more relaxed."

Harley chuckled, scanning the menu. "You're not wrong. Fancy places make me antsy. Too many forks. Too many rules. Eat like that, eat like this... Blah, blah, blah, too many rules."

A waiter appeared, pouring water. Harley, holding her menu, peeked over at Bruce. "Alright, Mr. Wayne, what're you gettin'? Somethin' nice like steak? Or somethin' yuck, like vegan meat?"

He smirked faintly. "The pan-seared salmon. It's light, but filling."

Harley raised an eyebrow. "Hmm, classy. I respect it. Me? I'm goin' all in." She tapped the menu enthusiastically. "The biggest burger they've got, medium rare, with extra fries. Oh, and get me one of those jumbo choco milkshake, yeah that sounds good."

The waiter, a little thrown off by her excitement and antics, nodded and took the order before rushing away.

Bruce watched her with mild amusement. "That's quite a choice."

"What can I say?" Harley leaned back with a grin. She twirled a loose lock of hair around her fingers. "Nothing can beat a big cheeseburger with fries and a chocolate milkshake. I'm gonna drown in it!"

Soon enough, their food came and Harley happily devoured her food. In a matter of minutes, her plate had been cleared. The burger was gone along with the fries and the last drop of her chocolate milkshake. Since eating had consumed almost all of her attention and focus, their conversation consisted mainly of small talk.

"Okay, I'm officially stuffed. But I've got just enough room for dessert," Harley announced as she opened the menu and flipped through it. "Oh, look! They've got a triple-layer chocolate cake! We gotta share that."

A second later, their waiter was there to take the orders and the service was fast enough. When the dessert arrived, the massive slice of cake was an intimidating tower of rich, gooey chocolate. It screamed diabetes.

"Now THAT, is a huge slice of cake," Harley gawked at the serving. She grabbed the spoon. "Alright, Brucie. This is a team effort. No excuses."

Bruce complied, taking a small bite. He had to admit, the cake was exceptional. But it was too sweet for his taste. Well, he was happy to see Harley enjoying her food.

Harley, however, was in full-on sugar bliss, moaning dramatically after each bite. "Oh, this is heaven. I could die happy right now."

Bruce's lips quirked. "Let's avoid that, shall we?"

She laughed, "Fair enough. Can't die before I get you to admit I'm the best date you've ever had."

As they left the restaurant, Harley linked her arm with his, glancing up at the quiet night sky. "That was perfect. Good food, good company..."

"Yeah, it was perfect..."

As they reached the car, he opened the door for her again. Harley slipped into the passenger seat, her grin playful as she tilted her head to look up at him.

"You know," she began as he settled into her seat, "I've been on my absolute best behavior tonight."

Bruce took the driver's seat. He raised an eyebrow, his hands steady on the steering wheel as he started the engine. "Is that so?"

"Oh, absolutely," she said, leaning slightly toward him. "No chaos, no loud outbursts, no hittin' people over the head with mallets... I'm practically an angel."

He glanced at her briefly, his lips curving into the faintest smirk. "I did notice. Impressive."

"Well, in that case..." She folded her arms, mock-pouting. "Don't you think I deserve a little somethin' for being such a good girl?"

Bruce kept his eyes on the road but couldn't suppress the subtle chuckle that escaped him. "And what exactly do you have in mind?"

She grinned, scooting closer in her seat and batting her lashes dramatically. "Oh, I dunno. Maybe a big ol' kiss? Y'know, as a reward."

Bruce's grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly, though his expression remained calm. "A kiss, huh?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded. 'God! I said it. Finally! Ok, ok, keep your calm, Harl. Don't mess this up. Be confident.'

He glanced at her again, this time for longer than a second. Her wide eyes sparkled with mischief, but there was a sincerity behind her playful demeanor. The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

"I suppose you did earn it," he said after a moment, shifting his gaze back to the road. He pulled up to the next traffic light, bringing the car to a halt. Then, much to her surprise and delight, he leaned over to meet her expectant lips in a warm and delicate kiss. Her eyes widened as she let out a small yelp. 'Did he really just? OH. MY. GOD!!! He actually did!!! Yessss!' She closed her eyes and kissed back. Then she heard a honk. 'Shit, the light. Has it changed already?! Shit. Fuck it!'

She stayed frozen, looking at him as he pulled back after that little kiss and began to drive the car when the lights had changed. She stared at him in awe for a few seconds as a surge of energy and emotions surged through her body and filled her entire being. A slight flush warmed her cheeks, her heart still beating hard in her chest. She grinned, doing her best not to squeal. She'd been waiting to kiss him again.

'Mumm... I'm wet,' Harley thought as she crossed her legs and crossed her arms. The heat in her belly became a simmering, churning feeling that was difficult to control. "Bruce..." she began, unsure how to speak what she felt, still astonished and speechless by what had happened and wondering if the kiss had meant anything beyond the moment or had been a fleeting impulse, "that... was..."

'I wanna try to seduce him...'

'For God's sake, Harley. Not now, but do not break his fingers,' Harley's second consciousness pleaded, as she wiggled in the seat, 'Hey, at least that's the real deal, not a date from an app, I bet. If it helps any.'

'I know but still, what happens now? What can we do, now that I said, out loud, that I want him to kiss me and...'

'Who knows? That's your. Your doing. Your time, sweetheart. How much do I have to say that? There was an offer in his eyes.'

'True. Now what?'

"You taste sweet," Bruce said before she could respond and winked as her eyes met his with a faint hint of wickedness. "You are addictive. I want to kiss you again. Maybe at every traffic?"

"...Huh?" Harley gasped, dumbfounded.

"There are four more traffic lights. What do you think?" he asked, and she licked her lips, nodding like an overexcited teenager.

"S... sure." She gripped the edge of the passenger seat as her heart sped up and the ache in her core intensified. 'This is my chance. Oh, yeah. I'm gonna get laid tonight if I play my cards right. My first sex... I wonder if he's gonna push me down and take me while choking me or just rough me up... Hehehehe... Maybe he'll take my ass.' She was drooling with a lewd smile.

"Ummm..." Bruce's left eye twitched as he noticed her face in the rearview mirror, unable to believe what he saw. 'Oh, boy. There she goes.'

"FUCK!!" Bruce slammed the brakes. Out of nowhere, someone appeared before his car. It looked like teleportation, but it was so fast and there was barely any sound. His enhanced senses failed to detect the man either. His entire body was glowing with a fiery energy that looked very similar to the failed version of Extremis.

Five more appeared and surrounded the car.

They opened their mouths and geysers of flames burst out...

----

AN: I know some of you might be wondering what happened to Lady Shiva and the assassins who were sucked into the dimension. And when will MC go after the rings? Or what about the missing heroes and Dr. Strange? Well, you will see them soon enough during this recruitment arc.

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