Chapter 16: Temperature

. The night was dark. A black sedan quietly rolled over the cobblestones, its headlights flickering past the iron fence outside the manor as Bruce Wayne drove into the manor.

"We're here," he said to the passenger seat, stopping the car steadily.

Jack adjusted his clothes with one hand and pushed open the car door.

The manor was brightly lit. The two of them walked up the steps, Bruce opened the door, and Jack followed him down the hallway.

The old butler, who was cleaning the portraits in the hall, turned his head at the noise. He was visibly startled when he saw the two of them, then smiled with relief.

"Welcome back, Master Bruce, Mr. Jack."

"See you again, Al," Jack replied cheerfully.

Bruce coughed lightly and said, "He's staying here tonight."

"I see." Alfred nodded and said politely, "Mr. Jack's hands are not working well. I'll go take his things to your bedroom..."

"Wait," Bruce interrupted. "I need you to find him a new room."

He could feel Jack watching him furtively.

"...Okay," Alfred paused, then changed his tone. "Please follow me."

Jack said nothing as he followed Alfred upstairs.

...

Bruce stood at the door, debating whether to knock.

But he didn't hesitate for long. Soon, the door was opened from the inside.

He met Jack's smiling eyes.

"I just heard your footsteps," Jack said lazily.

He could tell he had just showered; his hair was still wet. He wore a loose bathrobe and a towel over his head, with water droplets running down his hair and onto the floor.

"Come in! I thought you were going to stand by the door until dawn."

Bruce walked into the room.

The faint scent of shampoo filled the air. Jack sat back on the bed, toweling his hair.

"Don't let your arms touch water."

"Of course I know." Jack shook his uninjured hand. "I shower with my right hand."

He glanced at Bruce with a half-smile, as if waiting for his reaction.

Bruce didn't answer. He carried a bag of clean clothes to the closet, then hung them up and put them inside.

When he finished, he turned and saw Jack rummaging through a jar.

"What are you taking?" Bruce asked casually.

"Fruit candy," Jack crumpled up the packaging and tossed it to the floor. He picked one up and popped it into his mouth. "It's berry flavored, my favorite!"

"I'm a regular," he said with a playful smile. "Would you consider buying it for me?"

Bruce ignored him and advised, "You should blow-dry your hair right now, or you'll get sick."

"Oh—how harsh," Jack sighed in mock pain. "You're my boyfriend and my financial backer now...are you thinking of upgrading to guardian?"

"I don't mean that."

Jack smiled and leaned in. He slowly placed his hand on his waist, his fingertips rubbing along the edge of the fabric, rubbing his firm flank.

They were so close, their breaths mingling, and they could clearly feel each other's heartbeats.

It was a test, but also an invitation.

Bruce's body was as stiff as a statue, but he didn't flinch.

He could feel his eardrums vibrating with the rush of blood, and a chaotic stream of thoughts began to race through his head.

Oh no.

His breathing became heavier.

He clenched and unclenched his hands, then clenched again.

He felt his nerves tense. He looked into Jack's longing eyes, and for a moment, he almost gave in to his impulse.

But he knew he couldn't do that.

So he took Jack's hand from his waist and gently moved it away.

Gentle but firm.

A sigh reached his ear.

Silence stretched between them.

After a moment, Jack spoke hesitantly, "I thought you..."

"Get some rest," Bruce interrupted, head bowed, and hurried to the door, turning the knob.

"Bruce—"

He turned back.

Jack waved his good hand at him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight,"

he said, closing the door.

Bruce returned to his room. He entered, turned on the light, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes.

But he recalled the scene just now - the open collar, the slender fingers, and the request in Jack's eyes.

He patted his cheek and let out a breath.