OPEN RP POST

[isnocturnal]

ＯＰＥＮ ＲＰ ＰＯＳＴ

Comments

Lois and Bruce engagement thread

[isnocturnal]

Bruce had hesitant to go fully public, given how he knew the tabloids would descend on Lois. And things have been crazy, absolutely. But it's worth it, to be able to hold her hand in public. To be able to take her to the ballet and the opera and all the dates he's wanted to take her on since they started sneaking around together.

Which is why, tonight, they're at her favourite restaurant in Gotham and there's a ring box burning a hole in his pocket.

He reaches across the table after dinner plates are cleared, while they wait for dessert, to take Lois's hand with a faintly nervous smile. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

[loistheintrepid]

And descend, they had. She'd been bracing herself for it, but nothing could have prepared her for the insanity that had followed their first public appearance together. The phone rang off the hook, the Planet had been an absolute circus, and her texts and emails had been flooded with anyone in existence who had her contact info asking for their own personal exclusive.

But it was worth it. He was worth it. She could see how happy he was, being able to do something as simple as take her hand, sneak a kiss that wasn't behind closed doors.

So even if she cringes at every tabloid, every news article about herself she's fed on any site she dares to visit, she's happy. She takes his hand, giving it a squeeze.

"Well, people keep taking not-so-secret pictures of us and the hostess asked me for a selfie before we sat down, but... I'm with you," she smiles, threading her fingers through his. "You okay? You seem... I dunno, stressed."

[isnocturnal]

"But are you happy? That's the important part," he says, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. Trying to avoid lingering at her ring finger too much. "Are you happy? Even with the pictures, and the stories, and all the attention. Because it is -- crazy. I know it is. And you haven't been dealing with it all your life like I have.

I mean," he laughs a little, shaking his head. "There's a reason I disappeared, after college."

[loistheintrepid]

She smiles at his touch, watching the calloused pad of his fingertips graze over her skin.

"Bruce," she chuckles, gaze flitting up to catch his. "Since when have you or I ever shied away from a little crazy?" She smiles, reaching her foot out to nudge gently at his foot. "I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to go public. I knew it'd be a shit show. But it's you. You make me happy. You're all I need."

[isnocturnal]

Dessert comes out and Bruce looks up at the waitress, smiling and thanking her. His heart is beating a million miles a minute and he has butterflies in his stomach. But he loves the woman sitting across from more than anything. And even though the last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind, he knows he wants to do this.

"Because it's going to get crazier. Just to warn you. It's about to get -- a lot crazier."

[loistheintrepid]

It's not often she sees Bruce shaken, especially out in public like this. Always so calm and collected, the picture of poise. But she can feel the tension in his hand, feels it skitter up her own arm, her heart starting to flutter in her chest.

"Bruce...?"

[isnocturnal]

Forget dessert. If he doesn't do this now, he's going to vibrate out of his chair.

He gets down to his knee with only the slightest of winces (he's not letting his bad knees ruin this moment) and takes out the box. "Miss Lane," he says, unable to keep from smiling as he slips the ring onto her finger. "Would you do me the absolute honour of being my wife?"

[loistheintrepid]

Oh, shit. She's not sure if she thinks it or she actually says it out loud, but in the blink of an eye he's on one knee in front of her and it's like her whole body's frozen in place. Distantly, she hears someone scream. There are flashes of light - people getting out of their seats, someone crying. Is she crying?

"I- Br-" Congratulations, Bruce. You've finally managed to render her speechless. She's shaking, finally managing to get a grip on herself before she blubbers out a response. "Yes- God, yes! Oh my God, Bruce- yes-"

[isnocturnal]

It's fine, because Bruce is crying, too. Crying and laughing and smiling all at once. He stands, pulling Lois up with him and pulling her into a kiss, his arm around her waist, his hand still holding the hand with the ring.

"You're gonna be my wife," he laughs and kisses the back of her hand. "I can't believe it. I mean, I can. Of course I can. But it's all -- " He smiles and waves for the flashing cameras, pulling her close and kissing her cheek. "I told you. Even crazier. But it's worth it."

Lois and Bruce wedding night and honeymoon

[isnocturnal]

Bruce is stupidly, ecstatically happy. Lois had looked stunning in her dress, though she was currently (sadly) changing out of it and into something more... appropriate for a wedding night.

Not for the first time, Bruce is glad his jet has its own bedroom. Very helpful on long international flights. Even better for long international flights with his new wife. He's toed off his shoes and socks, taken off his cufflinks, and untied his bowtie, unbuttoning the first few buttons of his shirt as well. Making himself comfortable on the bed while he waits for Lois.

[loistheintrepid]

It’s been one hell of a night. One she never wants to see end. Bruce had given her the fairy tale wedding to exceed her wildest dreams, and she’s felt like she’s been walking on air since the moment she’d begun walking down the aisle.

There are still surprises she can offer him throughout the night, not the least of which is the lingerie she’d picked out for him tonight. She has a hell of a time slipping into it, large as the jet’s bathroom actually is, but finally she manages to check herself in the mirror on last time, satisfied with the tussle of her hair, the straps all aligned in their right positions.

She lets the door slide open to reveal the ensemble, the smile on her lips sheepish, almost shy as she lets her gaze land on him.

“Too much?”

[isnocturnal]

It had been a beautiful night. Bruce will even admit to shedding a few tears when they exchanged their vows, and during their first dance. Everything had been absolutely magical.

And now. And now. "Holy shit," Bruce half-laughs, sitting up from where he was slouched against the pillows. "You look absolutely incredible. My god. I am the luckiest man on earth right now."

[loistheintrepid]

She’s been a bawling mess on and off the entire day. Bless the entire team of makeup artists that had been on hand to make sure her mascara didn’t run.

She grins at him, the flush bright on her cheeks as she makes her way towards the bed, toying with her hands and smoothing out the silk of the corset at her stomach.

“Technically, we’re like 40,000 feet up,” she teases, unable to help herself.

[isnocturnal]

"Luckiest man above earth, then. You're adorable when you're being pedantic." Bruce moves to sit at the end of the bed and slides his hands over the backs of Lois's thighs, his gaze quietly awed. Worshipful.

"God you're so sexy. You looked so beautiful in that dress today. It was so tempting to sneak off with you somewhere, but I have you here, now. All to myself."

[loistheintrepid]

She just laughs, easy and low in her throat, grinning down at him and lacing her fingers through his hair as he gazes back up at her. She’s entirely his, wrapped up in silk and lace for him, her eyes soft and fond as she leans into his grasp.

“Probably for the best. I would’ve hated to rip all that expensive fabric.” She beams, stooping to press a kiss to his lips. “But this… This you can manhandle all you want.”

[isnocturnal]

"Mm, yeah? Perfect." He presses a kiss to her lace clad stomach, then tugs a little at her hips to get her to straddle him. When she does, his hands move to cup and squeeze her ass as he presses almost delicate kisses to her neck.

"Hello there, Mrs. Wayne."

[loistheintrepid]

She moves easily with his guidance, framing his hips with each of her knees, settling into his lap and taking his head in both her hands. Her thumb skims over his cheekbone, a laugh tumbling from her lips when he squeezes at her.

“Mrs. Wayne,” she echoes fondly, pressing her forehead to his. “Mrs. Lois Wayne.” Another grin, and she presses a peck to his lips. “I love it.”

Turn up the faders

[nonstopnarcissist]

across the room, your silouhette...

[isnocturnal]

Gotham socialites need very little reason to have a party. Something to pull them all away from dreary boardrooms or half-empty mansions where bored former-debutantes count silverware and polish their jewels. And like most of the disgustingly wealthy, they love any chance to show how very charitable they are.

But even Bruce Wayne, playboy, gets bored of the usual faces. So this time the invitations are sent out a little further, reaching not just Metropolis but business-minded individuals from other major cities across the country. He's tired of pitching his ideas to Gothamites who don't really care how rundown the hospitals or schools are, since they have the funds to outsource their needs to Metropolis or elsewhere. Time to bring in fresh blood.

Now, as a masked crusader himself, he's been following Tony Stark for a while. Observing his heroism from a polite distance, but the man is interesting. Bruce finally spots him in the room and makes his way over, offering his hand with a warm smile. "Mister Stark," he says brightly. "Bruce Wayne. So glad you could make your way over to Gotham tonight. I've heard so much about you, it's wonderful to be able to meet you in person, finally."

[nonstopnarcissist]

If it had been anyone else sending the invitation? Tony wouldn't have attended. Requests for his time and attention from all over the old and new money spheres on either hemisphere came before he was Iron Man and only doubled down when he straightened out his act. The veneer of respectability and heroism makes him more attractive, apparently.

Tony's not that surprised.

But this isn't just anyone. This is Bruce Wayne. Prettiest Playboy in Gotham. Charity's favorite golden boy. CEO and head of a business too vast to make any kind of sense to how vapid he appears to be and yet-

All the good it does, the fact that he's reaching out to Tony? That piques his interest. And the eyecandy doesn't hurt. Knowing he's got a reputation to maintain (and aware of Gotham's reputation) he's got the armor in patrol formation on the roof, Jarvis keeping an eye out while he sips and struts in red on red brocade, tie threaded through with gold, a custom tuxedo that's five kind of audacious so anyone that knows can find him.

Doesn't take long for Bruce to make his way over, and he greets him with a warm crinkling smile. "I'm glad I could make it. The other Avengers have things on lock well enough that I can play hooky- I gotta say, I was surprised to get an invitation."

[isnocturnal]

If he knew (when he finds out), Bruce couldn't even be mad about the suit on patrol. It's an understandable safety measure, and Bruce can't fault him for it. Maybe someday, they can trade tech advice, but for now he has to settle for a little wining and dining.

"I'm glad you were able to get the night off. You look absolutely fantastic, but you never look less than spectacular. Red and gold really does suit you." He hold Tony out at an arm's length with a hand against his elbow. His touch is light; he's heard that the man doesn't like to be grabbed. Or handed things.

"Well, you know. I've met everyone in Gotham. I thought it might be time to make some new and more exciting friends."

[nonstopnarcissist]

"I do have an image to maintain-" Tony tosses his head, hair styled in a perfect tousel, just the right amount of careless grace. It's not often a host appreciates (let alone encourages) his preening. Why not lean in a little? "And that does include being on my best behavior. Kind of. Sort of."

A beat.

"Depends on how catty the old money tends to be." Normally one to keep to his space, something in the light touch has him feeling...playful. enough to offer his arm as the band strikes up a new song. "Wanna go make some waves?"

[isnocturnal]

Now. Bruce has been seen with his fair share of eligible Gotham bachelorettes in his time. He's Gotham's most desirable playboy, of course he has. He has also allowed himself to be seen with a handsome man or two on his arm, though the tabloids haven't quite picked up on those hints as easily, using phrases like good friend. Maybe out of some sort of backwards politesse.

And Tony Stark is a handsome man. So he leaves his hand where it is against Tony's elbow, arching his eyebrow with a playful sort of smile of his own. "And what are you asking me, Mister Stark? Odds are I'll say yes."

[nonstopnarcissist]

Oh, he's fun. How long has it been since he ran into pretty and fun? His own grin hooks up on the left, dark eyes bright with mischief. "May I have this dance, Mr. Wayne?"

The two biggest playboys on this continent dancing together? That'll get some positive PR spin. "I'll even talk shop while we do. What are your thoughts on a Stark Medical branch opening up in Gotham? Pro bono."

[isnocturnal]

"A new hospital in Gotham? Why Mister Stark, you certainly know how to charm a guy." He sets his drink on a passing tray and tugs at Tony's arm with a smile. "Let's dance and talk. I'd be very excited to hear your Stark Medical pitch, and how exactly Wayne Enterprises can help you."