#Perhaps a prequel to 'Joytoy'?

[sochawrites]

Hello, everyone! It's been a long time, hasn't it?

This one is for @justagenderfluidstuff, based off of a prompt from them.

Please, forgive me for how long it took! 🥺👉👈

I wish you all a happy New year!

Hands

Bane x Male!reader

"Awfully convenient, you know. I have an empty hand... you have an empty hand..."

Reconnaissances were always so boring, so tedious, so monotonous. The hours stretched on and on as if the days didn't want to end, and the weather was seldom in your favour. It was safe to say you hated being sent on surveillance, even to the point of your blood boiling whenever someone mentioned it around you, bitching and whining and doing all you could to convince someone to go instead of you. But even then, there was one exception.

No one ever dared to refuse a direct order from the boss. So whenever he came to you with a command to join him on sentry, you couldn't say no, or, rather than that, didn't want to.

Everyone could tell Bane treated you differently than the rest of his mercenaries, but besides speculations, nobody really knew why. He was known to be ruthless whenever someone made the slightest mistake, made one wrong move or dared to talk back. But you? He let you off easy, rarely ever giving you any punishment. And you were always more than happy to exploit this.

You enjoyed pushing the boundaries, and he hardly ever stopped you. At times, when there weren't ears around, Bane even tested the waters himself, which entertained you even more. You grew rather fond of him, some would say you even developed a little crush. And although occasionally his wit could be a bit irritating, going on a reconnaissance together was guaranteed to be fun.

Or at least it would be if it wasn't cold, wet and foggy night. You could hardly see the targeted site, everything was damp, and you were freezing. Yet there was Bane, leaning against a wall with binoculars in his hand, patiently looking out into the mist and waiting for any sign of movement. Hot breath making its way through the slits in his mask was the only sign of outside elements on him, even though he was dressed in less layers than you.

You just couldn't help but throw him a very irritated look.

"That expression will freeze on your face if you keep it any longer." Bane hissed, watching you out of the corner of his eyes, though there wasn't any real menace in his voice. You chuckled as you continued to pace around, pulling on your gun strap to adjust it once again. "It would be a miracle if it was just my face that would freeze. It's so cold I can't feel my hands, and I don't know how you expect me to notice anything when I can't see shit!" you thrashed your arms around as you exclaimed the last words, being shushed immediately after.

"If you dressed up more, like I have told you-" Was he really criticising you for something he did himself? "Oh, you're the one to talk, mister 'exposed skin all day, every day'. Don't tell me you don't feel the cold-ass air at all." you looked at the masked man in a slight disbelieve.

You both locked eyes momentarily before he stared forward once more "The weather has not concerned me for a long time now, Y/N. You, on the other hand, have a tendency to turn blue…". You could practically hear the smirk, and it made a little smile appear on your negligibly blue lips.

"Come on, you make it sound like I'm some baby that cries at the slightest of inconveniences!" you whined. "Yet you complain." Bane fired right back, looking at you once more, "Do not come to me when you fall ill.".

He sounded serious, but deep down, you had a feeling he wouldn't complain if you did. But that didn't change the fact that you would definitely benefit from warming up, even if just barely. "Why don't we start a little fire then! There's some junk around that-"

"No."

Bane cut you off, starring you down, clearly against the idea. "Why not? It's not like those idiots over there will notice the light from the flames, and if they do, I may be able to at least pull the trigger." you tried to argue, but it was to no avail. He kept silently gazing at you as if he was done with the conversation.

Hanging your head low in defeat, you made your way slowly up to the tall man, leaning against the wall right beside him, whispering, "Awfully convenient then, you know. I have an empty hand… You have an empty hand…". You looked up to meet Bane's half-lidded gaze with one of your own, reaching out with your fingers to brush against the back of his hand. It was so warm it stung. "You are playing with fire…" Bane threatened in a low voice.

You could practically feel the heat radiating off of him, even though there was still some space between you, "Please, Bane, I'm so fucking cold…". The man closed his eyes, contemplating, the mask letting out a long, soft hiss, as his hand slowly turned, enveloping yours tightly.

A bright smile crept onto your face immediately, your body practically vibrating. The connection between you had been unspoken for a long time, but until now, actions were never truly made. "See? It wasn't so hard, was it?" you beamed at Bane, whose only reply was a groan and an averted gaze. You caressed his skin with your thumb, enjoying the sensation of the returning feeling in your hand and savouring every moment.

Out of the corner of your eyes, you saw Bane cramming his binoculars into his pocket, but his body was just as stoic as before, still turned towards the warehouse. You tilted your head and furrowed your brows in confusion, about to ask what was happening, when he reached out and held your other hand softly right below the elbow.

Bane tugged gently, pulling you in front of him, "Not one word." was all he said when he met your gaze. You nodded, curious about where this was heading. He pulled your arms behind himself, hiding them in the warmed-up space between his back and his coat, before letting go and wrapping his hands around you.

It was a hug, and you happily reciprocated as you hid your face in the crook of his neck, or as close as you could. Bane slowly shifted the weight of his head over to the top of yours, and you couldn't help but grin. You fought against every sound that threatened to escape your throat, fearing Bane would cut the moment short.

"Have you considered that going on surveillances with me was meant as your punishment?" Bane spoke in a hushed voice. Of course you thought of that. What's a better way to punish someone who hates going on reconnaissance so much than to send them on one? Shame it was with the wrong person.

You nuzzled closer to his skin, daring to leave a soft kiss on his collarbone, "At first, but it never felt like it". You were breathing as one, calm and long breaths separating the gusts of steam. Listening to his heartbeat, you let your body soak in the heat.