Work Text:
"Have you ever won against batman?"
It is a rather dumb question. Completely random and uncalled for. Really, Ghostmaker shouldn't be surprised, considering the boy who asked it in the first place. Clownhunter looks straight up at him while his smaller hands strain from the effort to keep up with the sword he has been using to train for hours now.
He really can't help the blaring laugh that escapes from his throat. The question is just too ridiculous. Hilarious even. He almost loses his footing from how hard he is laughing. And all for such a ridiculous question. He should be reprimanding the kid for wasting their training times with such a question, but for once a derisive laugh is enough of a response.
The boy stares at him until he finally speaks again. "Yes. Of course, I have. Many, many times before. And I will continue to win against him"
Bao had been training for some months, and sometimes his inquiries could prove to be just as his skills: rather unforeseen. His young eyes had grown adapted to the constant strong lights of the Ghoststream and Ghostmaker had to admit a sense of pride at how quickly he was improving. For a kid with very little training and incredible impulsivity, he could also manage to develop some rather useful abilities.
(not always of course. Most of the time the kid wasn't a soldier, as much as he was just a kid )
Bao prepares to once again attempt to land a hit on Ghostmaker, just as the man himself has asked him to do. Khoa simply waits for the inevitable failure that is going to happen. The kid is yet to land even one hit. Even with such lengthy months of training, he remains years apart for a chance at actually defeating him in combat.
And Bao puts all the force he can master both into the attack and into managing to spit out another question. "But... if you have won against him... then why are you two.... uh... like that?"
A step to the left is all that it takes to have Clownhunter fall to the ground. "Like what?'
Clownhunter's childishness is his savior and damnation: even after falling to the ground, he refuses to accept defeat. The boy wishes for revenge that he might never receive. He attempts to hit the lower part of his mentor's body, most likely hoping to have him trip and fall on the floor just as he has.
But he fails.
Yet again the floor greets the teen's face in the form of the mockery of a caress. Ghostmaker smirks as he silently looms over him, aware that failures are best endured in silence.
"Fuck... I meant that... you know, you and Batman are very... you two seem very... almost like.... divorced. Yeah. You two seem like two dudes going through a divorce. A very intense divorce. Or something weird like that" Responds the kid as soon as he feels air once again greet his lungs.
Ghostmaker feels tears in his eyes from his own laughter. It is the first in a long time. He just can't contain it. He has never heard something so funny . The kid manages to land a hit on him. In a very unique way. Without even actually hitting his armor. He feels his lungs hurt from laughing too much. "The two of us? Divorced? Really?"
"Hey! I... I wasn't joking! It's just that you two... you are arrogant and full of yourself and self-centered... but you still respect Batman. And he respects you back! And then you two have known each other for like.... too long. Very very long. And you know who he is! And he knows who you are. And then you appeared just after that cat lady, you know?" Clownhunter takes a very deep breath of air, attempting to handle the wooden sword a bit better. "I mean Catwoman. Right after their divorce, you are here. And you also are rich as fuck, like he used to be. So... maybe you took his money with the divorce. I guess. I have never been divorced before so it might be a bit wrong, but you see what I mean, right?"
Each word feels like an additional hit. It is just that ridiculous. "Bao... I can assure you that Batman isn't my ex-husband. We are not divorced. Now let's focus back to the task at hand" Not once in all his life has Khoa imagined that those words could need to be spoken out loud. He has spent years preparing to avoid any type of attack but never once has he considered that laughing too hard was going to cause him such pain.
"So you two are still married?! Fuck! I owe Knight 50 dollars now" quickly responds Clownhunter, for once interrupting his almost whispered mumbles and hitting the back of his mentor's armor, to the point of the blow actually causing pain.
That is a first .
Ghostmaker is rather taken aback by what has happened. "Good job. I actually felt that. You have caught me in a moment of distraction and you have used that to your advantage" Adds Ghostmaker as soon as the extreme surprise manages to wear off. "Also I and Batman aren't married."
Clownhunter's eyes light up, and even behind the goggles, he appears like a kid during Christmas. The teen latches to any form of praise like a puppy would crave human warmth, completely overlooking how cold his mentor constantly was. "Yes! And if you aren't married then I can keep that 50 dollars... but now that I have done as you wanted... could you mention, even just once, in front of the rest of Batman Inc. that Batman is your ex-husband? That way I could win the bet. Just imagine how much money I could get from that! 50 dollars from each one of them! Look... we could even split that money.... just consider it... please..."
Clownhunter chooses to use his best attempt at puppy dog eyes, but it is just his luck that Ghostmaker has never been fond of animals. "Cut it out. You are supposed to be training, not bribing me into telling everyone I supposedly divorced Batman. Now shut up and back into position"
Clownhunter follows those orders, but it is Ghostmaker that doesn't forget the question.
-
Not too long prior it was curiosity that one day brought Ghostmaker to wander the streets of Gotham, in search of the street where the Wayne family found its demise. He wanders the streets with the same shaggy clothes as any real Gothamite would, attempting to mimic not only their clothes but also their introspections.
(But that is not really a task that one can succeed in. Gothamites don't look shaggy and unkempt because of their clothes, but their clothes look that way because they are Gothamites . The city lives inside its citizens as a parasite does inside its victims)
It doesn't take too long to find that exact alley, in fact, each alley appears just like that alley. It comes easy to wonder how would one tell any of these alleys apart. How does Batman himself do?
Dirt. Grim. Piss stench. Trash. Those are the traits that make each alley. Every single one. There are only small differences, a bigger blood stain, an additional rat on the go, or even just a different corpse on the ground. But those are almost inconsequential differences.
But maybe that is the point. Maybe Bruce enjoys seeing the alley where his parents were killed as every single alley. Like a constant reminder . And most of all, like a constant excuse . Bruce is the martyr that never dies, the unknown help that everyone knows, and the fool who is aware of being a fool.
(he is just so pathetic. Khoa can't help but desire to cradle him in his arms)
But that just is how Bruce is and has always been . He exists in a constant state of entropy, a very confusing one. Bruce may not know everything about Khoa, but he still tries to understand him. But Khoa might have known every single detail about Bruce's life without actually having ever understood him. The man is like an open book in his hands, and yet Ghostmaker still struggles to comprehend him. He knows Batman's motives and his failures, but that is all that he has. He wants to see Bruce at his worst, to see the bones that lay under his skin that prove that he is like any other human, he wants to taste his blood on his tongue and treat it like a wine, and worst of all: he wants to see him succeed on his impossible objectives. Khoa wants to see how his face will contort in happiness the moment he obtains what he has worked so hard to obtain. But that won't ever be. His are not feasible goals. Khoa ends up stuck in a constant state of yearning to accompany him through his worst and best, just to have a chance to gaze at Bruce's insides and assure himself that deep down Bruce is like any other human.
He is not a bat. He is not a crazy man. He is not even a sane one. He is far too many things.
And that is the point. While others quickly tire him out or become boring the same can't be said for Bruce. He has become a creature of the dark to the extent that attempting to fully navigate his reasons would feel like hunting with a blindfold on top of one's eyes. His mask is quite useful for that purpose. Khoa wears it around everyone but Batman, aware that even while having nothing to obstruct his view he still won't ever understand Bruce. That poor pathetic dumbass just enjoys making everything pointlessly hard for everyone around him.
He stares at the shapes on the ground under his feet in that dark alley. For a brief moment, he is surprised to remember that only two corpses touched the ground that day. It's easy to see the third shape in the form of a corpse, just a much smaller one. In that alley, that day police only found two dead bodies, and yet what Bruce Wayne could have been died along with them. The man that Khoa finds so utterly captivating is nothing but the ghost of that sad boy who never managed to leave that dark alley. His own name might be Ghostmaker, but Bruce was the first ghost he had ever seen.
Gotham is so fucking weird. Why exactly the shapes of those corpses are still visible is as much of a mystery as anything else inside that fucked up city. He stares at where a little boy had once been with eyes full of tears after the death of his parents, wondering what that same boy is up to at that moment.
(And for some reason as inexplicable as the entirety of Gotham he wants to see his favorite sad little ghost)
-
One day Khoa wakes up with a realization: Batman is a symbol, but Bruce is a person. He is never an object, and yet he can't help but crave to own him.
He gets on his feet, mindless curiosity leading him to once again wander towards Gotham. They say the road toward hell is paved with good intentions. Khoa would add that on the road to hell there are also many road signs with 'Gotham' written on top.
What exactly Gothamites find in Gotham is as good of a question for anyone who isn't a Gothamite. The place isn't dead, and yet it continues to rot.
However, what exactly Batman finds in Gotham is a much simpler issue. Bruce loves only what will never be able to love him back. He loves feelings that have no chance of being shared or considered truly, feelings that will never be able to die and leave him alone . How pathetic of Bruce.
(And how pathetic of Khoa to find that so utterly fascinating)
And that's good. That's perfect even. Khoa will never love him back and Bruce knows. And not only that: he understands.
He doesn't love Bruce. How could he? He is a psychopath. He has no idea what love is, but Batman seems to share that confusion. The man pretends to love Catwoman, but that isn't the case. He loves the impossible chase, not the woman herself. It took very little for Khoa to find her name, Selina Kyle, and to find how much she is like any other Gothamite. He quickly read all her files, just to find out that she is a fascinating woman with a very interesting weapon choice who has a very long history of abandoning Batman.
It's not rare for him to go through Bruce's acquaintances or belongings. It's just the easiest way to attempt to obtain a better grasp of the man who is both his opponent to defeat and the prize itself. Finding various whips in his beloved friend's drawers had been very peculiar findings. It was not the first time he thought about Bruce's sex life, and neither the life, but it was what reminded him that others could also see what Bruce is. All his pathetic, stupid, ridiculous flaws and his naive ideals. Others can find him as fascinating as he does. He isn't jealous as much as he is envious. Bruce is supposed to be his friend.
He remembers those black whips in those fancy drawers and the following realization that those belonged to Catwoman. Rather than being a symbol of Bruce's sex life, those are a symbol of how he refuses to leave the past behind. Those whips have the same value as the picture with the butler placed across many drawers.
Ghostmaker has no desire for the glory of being recognized, but he wonders if Bruce would also place a picture with them both on one of his drawers. He most likely would. Bruce is such a miserable man, he would stare at an unmoving image rather than admit that time is already moving forward.
His feet bring him to Alleytown. It's an accident, really. But it's almost funny to imagine the possibility of a woman walking on four legs reigning on a piece of land that no king wishes to rule on. Catwoman is a fascinating human, but Batman is such an absurd man that Ghostmaker can't help but crave to savvy all that he is. The possibility that Batman and Catwoman will rejoice doesn't even bother him, in the end, the two of them always break up. Catwoman like any cat follows always the same path toward freedom and Batman like any bat goes back to living in the darkness because the light is scary.
While already in Gotham there is a very fitting place to visit. He can't help the smirk on his face as he approaches that apartment in Uptown.
-
Cucumbers, mayo, aromatic herbs, cream cheese, and bread are all ingredients now stuffed on the counter inside the apartment's kitchen. Only one ingredient is missing, thus Khoa is forced to improvise.
Some say the easiest way to a man's heart is through the stomach. Ghostmaker agrees, but that is only if a sword is involved. He is making lunch for his very intriguing friend . The man is yet to wake up after a strenuous night of crime fighting, leaving the perfect opening for him to make him move inside the incredibly quiet home.
Khoa has no interest in cooking, but he is very much interested in making another move in their two-person game. The same game that has been going on for so long that Clownhunter has assumed that he, the great Ghostmaker, has never won. He has won so many times, but that kid might simply be too young to understand what victory truly is.
(And who could blame him. Bao has experienced only losses)
He cuts the bread with care, briefly considering if the crust is also supposed to be cut off. He has never prepared sandwiches, but what he is doing isn't a simple sandwich as much as it is a reminder for Bruce to make his move. Khoa doesn't even consider the possibility that the man might not love him. That simply couldn't be. Bruce has proven time and time again of being a crazy man, crazy enough to fall in love with a man that will never love him back. Mixing cream cheese, mayo and herbs is a very quick process, what takes him the most time is the plan on how to replace the last ingredient.
But he doesn't have to wonder for long.
A sleepy-looking Bruce enters the kitchen and sits at the table, his hair sticking up in all places and his eyes still puffy. That portrayal of intimacy alone is enough for Ghostmaker to consider that a victory on its own. "Good morning" is what he says as he cuts out the aromatic herbs into small pieces.
"Morning.... what are you.... what is....?" Attempts to ask the man, his eyes focusing on Ghostmaker's figure, not even asking why is he there.
"Oh? Do you mean the apron?" He responds, pointing at the apron with 'kiss the cook' written on top that he bought exactly half an hour earlier for the occasion. "I can't risk getting my clothes dirty and all the other options were bat themes aprons, and as I have said I have zero intention of wearing a bat symbol on my chest this was the only other option" That is a lie, in fact, there were many other options, but making the man flustered was worth the little lie.
Bruce snorts, in that adorable manner where his dumbass face contorts into an actual smile "I wasn't referring to that. I meant the bruise, the one on your lower back. It looks fairly recent"
At that Ghostmaker can't help but smirk. "Oh? So you were staring at my ass? For your info, it was Bao who managed to get a hit on me. He is improving" The choice of not wearing a shirt under the apron had been great. He has a whole excuse about 'it gets too hot near the oven while cooking' ready, but Bruce seems to be more focused on his words than anything else.
"And you?"
"And me what?"
"Khoa" he starts, his tone so soft that some cream cheese falls from his fork as he almost jolts in surprise "Have you improved? While you are his mentor in combat he is your mentor in learning to interact with a team "
He considers it briefly, amused at such words. He adds that touch of mayo to the sandwiches he is making, finally finishing his task and leaving the plate on the table. "Mh. Who knows. Now eat"
Bruce lets the topic drop and instead smiles fondly at the plate in front of him. Khoa is sure the food will be appreciated, there aren't many ways that one can fuck up while making a sandwich. "Khoa.... did you know that Alfred used to make those as well?"
Of course, he knows. That is exactly why he choose that dish in particular. "Well. That just means that you will have a wider range of comparison for those sandwiches and that you will appreciate these even more"
Bruce holds the sandwich at mouth level, studying its shape. Ghostmaker stares at him staring. "Are you trying to compete with him?"
"Of course not. From how you speak of him he was to you like a dad. I don't want to be your dad" Responds Khoa while taking a bite of his sandwich, surprised to find that it actually tastes good. "At best I am your sugar daddy"
And at that Bruce starts laughing. All for such a ridiculous joke. Bruce is such a sad man, it takes so little to have him laugh like a normal human rather than a constantly brooding symbol of darkness. His laughter is only interrupted by him taking a bite.
He is not sure why but he waits intrepidly for what is going to be said next. "Those are actually good. Really good. Not as good as Alfred's, but still very good." And after a quick breath "Thanks. For making these for me"
Khoa has to take another bite just to consider his answer. To a certain extent, Bruce's reaction surprises him. While he can't add Alfred's secret ingredient, love , he has to add his very own replacements: trust, respect, loyalty, and a very persistent dose of lust to make up for what is lacking. In a way, his replacement seems to be a fair alternative. Yet another victory that he has against Bruce. "You know Bruce... if you want to show me your gratitude then we could spar together..."
And so they do.
-
They finish the food quickly, and Bruce eats like a starved child. They change into more appropriate apparel just as fast (fighting with a cooking apron with 'kiss the cook' written on top really wouldn't have been a good idea) and in no time they are swinging left and right at each other. Neither wears boxing gauntlets and instead, they prefer to simply jump at each other with all they have.
Khoa hits his stomach.
Bruce hits his heart. Repeatedly. That move is effective enough that Ghostmaker ends up on the floor after losing his balance. Damn his stupid weak point.
Even while on the ground he can't give up his chance at winning. "It's not over yet! Come take another swing if you can" He exclaims, hoping to gain the time to get back up and land a hit on Bruce. Khoa has no idea when exactly he wants their little spar to end, but 'now' is not an option.
But the man doesn't wait and jumps straight on him, effectively straddling his hips before giving another hit, just of a different kind. Bruce just looks so amused at their position that he even comes closer to kiss him. No punch hits Ghostmaker, but he doesn't wait for any second to give Bruce the upper hand and kisses him back with as much intensity.
It's not a surprise. He has been waiting for months for Bruce to make a move in their little game. It was Khoa's purpose all along and there was no other possible outcome rather than this. His fists come to rest on the man's back with ease, finally obtaining what they have wished for so long. Bruce's skin is warm, it is almost surprising how human he is. He may not be an object that Khoa will ever own, but he still is something more than dear to him.
Bruce dares to pull back, yet again smiling. And what a dumb smile. He looks so self-accomplished, but really, between the two of them at that moment the one that is winning is Ghostmaker.
(He briefly looks back at that ridiculous question that Clownhunter has asked him, he should have simply retorted by asking when is it really that Ghostmaker isn't winning when it is about Batman)
He kisses the man again, savoring how sweet victory is after decades of battling. He may not fully comprehend Bruce and all his naive ideals, and yet he respects them just as he respects the man that those ideals are attached to. While bats are creatures of the dark under the soft light of the room he has to admit that Bruce may neither be a bat nor the ghost of a child, but rather simply the most captivating man he could ever think of. That really seems like the best description. Khoa smiles as he lets his hands fall lower and lower on the man's body, ready to discover the true extent of his triumph.