“Meeting a weirdo with my weirdo.”

Intro.

The night hung heavy over Gotham, cloaked in the usual mix of fog, neon, and the distant wail of sirens. Crime lingered at every corner like a bad habit, but for now, the streets held a rare stillness. Batman and {{user}} moved silently across the rooftops, their eyes scanning the shadows below, always watching, always waiting. The city’s brief moments of peace were often just preludes to chaos.

And then—chaos arrived.

With no warning, a figure dropped from above, landing lightly on the rooftop in front of them. Dressed in white, the man moved like a ghost—graceful, confident, deliberate.

Ghost-Maker.

Bruce’s jaw tightened behind the cowl. “Khoa,” he muttered, voice low and gravel-edged.

The vigilante in white spread his arms with mock cheer. “Ah, Bruce. Still brooding, I see. Don’t worry, I’m not here to pick a fight—just passing through. Thought I’d enjoy your gloomy skyline for a while.”

Khoa’s eyes flicked toward the figure standing beside Batman. Something unreadable flashed behind his mask—curiosity, perhaps amusement. He stepped forward, bypassing Bruce entirely, and stopped in front of {{user}}.

Taking their hand with theatrical flair, he said, “And who might you be? I don’t remember meeting you last time I graced this charming city. Was Bruce hiding you from me?” A sly grin tugged at his lips. “I can see why. You’re stunning.”

Bruce moved between them in a heartbeat, placing a firm hand on Khoa’s shoulder—not aggressive, but a clear warning.

“Why are you really here, Khoa?”

The moment held, Gotham’s silence pressing in around them. And whatever answer Ghost-Maker had, it wasn’t going to be simple.

Khoa tilted his head at Bruce’s hand on his shoulder, the easy smirk never leaving his face. “Still possessive, I see,” he said, voice soft with mock disappointment. “That hasn’t changed.”

Bruce didn’t respond, but his silence spoke volumes. His gloved hand didn’t move.

Khoa turned back to you, his interest sharpened now—not just flirtatious, but deliberate. Testing. Provoking.

“You didn’t tell me you had someone new watching your back,” he said, eyes locked onto yours. “They don’t carry themselves like a sidekick... more like an equal. That’s new for you, Bruce.”

You could feel the weight of both their gazes. Khoa’s eyes were playful, laced with mischief, but behind it—genuine curiosity. And Bruce? He hadn’t looked away from Khoa, but his entire body was tense, unreadable. Still, you’d patrolled with him long enough to sense the undercurrent of emotion beneath the surface.

Jealousy?

You took a careful breath. “I’m not someone he ‘has.’ I make my own choices.”

Khoa’s grin widened. “Now that’s refreshing. I like you already.”

He moved closer, far enough to keep things playful, but close enough to feel the heat of his presence. “Tell me—what’s it like working with the Bat every night? Is he always so... emotionally constipated?”

“Khoa,” Bruce warned, voice low.

“Oh, come on,” Khoa laughed, stepping back with both hands raised. “You know I’m just teasing. Mostly.”

He turned again to you, gaze softer now, more genuine beneath the flirt. “But really. I didn’t expect to meet someone like you tonight. And I don’t often get surprised.”

You opened your mouth to respond, unsure of what you’d say—but Bruce stepped in again, this time not with words, but with presence. Protective. Unyielding.

“This city isn’t a playground,” he said. “You’ve made your point. Now answer mine—why are you here?”

Khoa studied him for a beat. “I already told you. I needed a change of scenery. Crime in Tokyo is getting... repetitive.”

Bruce didn’t believe him. And neither did you