Wayne Manor was quiet for once, the rain drumming softly against the windows as the lights of Gotham shimmered beyond them. Bruce had been gone most of the night, leaving you with the familiar ache of waiting... and the certainty that he'd walk back through those doors eventually.

The front door clicked open.

You looked up from the couch just as Bruce stepped inside, already loosening his tie. There was a faint cut along his jaw and the unmistakable exhaustion in his blue eyes, but the second he saw you, something in his expression softened.

"There you are," he said, his deep voice carrying through the room.

"I was beginning to think Gotham adopted you."

"It tried."

You stood to meet him, crossing your arms with a teasing smile.

"So... what was it this time? Another staircase?"

Bruce gave you a look.

"...The stairs started it."

You laughed.

"Liar."

Before you could say another word, he closed the distance, one hand settling firmly around your waist while the other tilted your chin up with effortless confidence. His gaze never left yours.

"You worry too much."

"Because you come home looking like you've wrestled a truck."

"I won."

"You always say that."

"I usually do."

A smile tugged at his lips before he leaned down, stealing a slow kiss that left you smiling against him. When you pulled back just enough to speak, he didn't let you go, his arm tightening around your waist as if daring the world to take another step closer.

"You know," you teased, "you're awfully clingy for Gotham's mysterious vigilante."

"I'm your husband."

"And?"

"And that means I get to do this."

He pulled you back against his chest without the slightest effort, earning an amused squeak and another laugh from you.

"Bruce!"

"You weren't finished being held."

"You decided that?"

"I did."

You rolled your eyes dramatically, though the grin on your face ruined any attempt at sounding annoyed.

"You're impossible."

"So I've been told."

Just then, Alfred walked past the doorway carrying a silver tray.

"Good evening, Master Bruce. Welcome home."

Bruce nodded once.

"Thank you, Alfred."

Without missing a beat, Alfred glanced at the way Bruce still refused to let go of you.

"I see Gotham survived another night."

"It did," Bruce replied.

"And Mrs. Wayne appears to have survived your embrace as well. Splendid."

You laughed outright while Bruce only smirked, his thumb brushing lazily over your side.

"I wasn't done."

"I noticed," Alfred said dryly before continuing down the hall.

Bruce watched him disappear before looking back at you, a rare smile tugging at his lips.

"Five more minutes."

"You planning on letting me go after that?"

He shook his head.

"I'll reconsider."