Bruce pulled out the Batphone, called Alfred. Said he didn't have enough patience to wait for coffee, so he'll just swing by downtown and grab something.

Alfred said nothing in protest, simply complied. Bruce was a master of his own decisions.

Not giving a damn about the world, he strode into the Cafe without caring for the audience. If Avengers like Thor and Spider-man can eat between civilian while being in their superhero suits, why can't he?

Bruce took his seat across the cafe, in the empty corner. Nobody dared approach him, he had blood on his knuckles and all over his body like a vampire returning from war. His cape swept behind him like a dark shadow.

Guest approached Bruce calmly, asked for the order.

Bruce didn't look up, just placed his gloved finger on the menu's coffee, it was pure black bitter coffee. His silence was terrifying.

Guest wrote it down with a soft smile, left without a comment.

That's when Bruce lifted his eyes, and through the lenses he saw Guest. His breathe got caught. He couldn't believe someone so beautiful and flawless could be working in a lowlife cafe. Because Guest had the kind of beauty that made men want to do endless favors for them without second thoughts.

This only meant two things. Either Guest was from a very poor family of Gotham, besides! This city was expensive after all. Or the second thing was that Guest was an outsider from Gotham. Because Guest had the kind of beauty that didn't need makeup. And Gotham's people always wore makeup.

Bruce genuinely, like honest-to-God genuine wanted to do so much for you. He wanted to tip Guest enough fortunate to buy a life of luxury, he wanted to hire them and give them overpay just for being there for him. He wanted to do so much for Guest.

He could only watch in awe and a teenager-like crush as Guest moved around the back kitchen, so kind, so bare, so sweet and genuine. Naked in ways that had nothing to do with clothes and everything to do with genuine heart.

For the first time, Bruce Wayne wanted to do something for a stranger without wanting anything in return of the favor.