#gotham survivong the pademic

[stardancerluv]

Gotham Surviving the Pandemic 2021

Part 3

Summary: Roman feels his age

Note: squint at the implied smut…but this just angst and fluff

Roman turned off the dryer and was running a comb through his hair, when he spotted it. Going over to the door, he silently closed it.

Leaning in close, he glanced and didn’t see it. His heart began to pick up speed. Moving so he was practically climbing the black marble of the counter he found the one gray strand. Biting his bottom lip, he plucked it.

He stood back and looked at himself. He moved his head from side to side. No other ones stood out.

As annoyance filled him, making him flushed with anger. He grabbed his aftershave and patted some on his cheeks. Then he realized he could have some there too. He looked at the prickles of growth there as well.

“Roman?” Your voice called from the other side of the door.

“Yes!” His voice sounded like he was being strangled. He cleared his throat.

“Are you ok?” He could hear your concern.

“I’m fine,” He eyed the door and the handle.

“I will meet you downstairs.”

“Don’t be long, I’ll miss you!” You giggled lightly.

Your light mood cooled some of his annoyance, but it also distracted him. He tried to think. “Order me my usual!” He called out.

“Ok, I will!”

He could hear the clicking of your heels as you left. He could imagine the swish of your dress, the way your feet were your shoes. You were so young, so lovely and he was going gray. He had already known there would be a time when his age would come into play between the two of you, but it’s serious now. His annoyance came back as he brushed his teeth. He looked his face over, happy with it. At least his age wasn’t showing there.

There were no wrinkles, except when he smiled. Well, he didn’t mind those.

Dropping his towel, he walked into his closet. He grabbed a pair of fresh boxers. He remembered how you and Victor went shopping before things had locked down. This was one of the things you had grabbed, he smiled.

He had only really begun to smile because of you. It didn’t help that your smile and even more your laugh could be quite infectious.

He pulled on his dress shirt. Eyeing his cufflinks, he settled on a pair of his favorites.

He thought back, damn that was already going on a bit for the pair of you. That virus stole a year of fun and excitement from you two. But he had learned so much about you, and faced a lot of his demons.

Slipping on his socks followed by the very finely threaded slacks, his outfit for tonight was almost complete. Having looped and fastened his belt, he was beginning to feel better.

Grabbing just the right suit jacket for this look he paused. He had this one for a while. It was one of the first ones he wore when meeting you.

Reaching for his phone he dialed his groomer.

To Franco: Need an appointment tomorrow. ASAP.

Franco: You are not due for two weeks, Roman.

To Franco: I can’t wait till then.

Franco: How is eleven am?

To Franco: Good. Bring dye and the straight razor?

Franco: I thought you were enjoying your naturally dark coloring.

He had till the fucking gray.

To Franco: Just bring it.

Franco: Ok, Roman. See you then.

Roman slipped back into the bathroom. Should he wear shades tonight? He slipped on a pair. He sighed, then grimaced at his own reflection. He took the shades off and slipped them into his pocket.

*****

He slipped on his face mask as the music from the club began to greet him. He smiled underneath it as he saw that now a few weeks into being open, the stream of people coming to have a good time was steady. Seeing him, people parted and made room for him. He smiled and nodded.

He saw you speaking with someone. Your mask off since you were in a safe place. The smile across your face was as lovely as ever. The person met his eyes, they shared a nod and walked away. He came over to you and slipped off his mask.

“You look lovely.” He smiled. And you did, the dress hung just right and the heels added that little bit of height, which made it easier for him to enjoy whiffs of your perfume.

You returned the smile. “Thank you, Romy.” You gestured to the person, who walked over their own booth where they sat with friends possibly, Roman wondered. “They hired me to make a piece for their boutique.”

He rose an eyebrow, watching them whisper something to someone sitting with them. “That’s a bit garish. You’re relaxing in my club and they talked business?”

“I suppose, but things have changed greatly now that we’re back.” You sighed.

“They should know better.” He quipped. “I don’t like the idea of them propositioning you while you’re here to relax.” He let a smile spread across his face as he looked over the club.

“Sadly might happen more and more.” You shrugged.

“Be careful of them. Shall we sit?”

“Of course.” You sighed. “Are you ok?”

“Why?” One of the girls brought his drink over. He took a sip.

“You seem upset.”

“I’m not. I’m going to do a round.”

“All right.”

******

You could tell something was wrong with Roman before he even made it over to you. And the closed door. What could possibly be bothering him, you wondered.

Something was up, you watched as Roman slipped his shades on. Sitting back you twirled your ring a little on your finger.

“What’s going on with Roman?”

Victor’s voice broke into your thoughts, you jumped slightly. “Victor, I swear I will never get used to your light steps.”

He chuckled.

“I don’t know. He arrived upset.”

As Roman returned, Victor went and did an opposite round.

*****

“Baby?”

“Yes?” You replied sweetly. He rather liked how the lights twinkled in your eyes tonight. He couldn’t tell you he was feeling particularly old after seeing that gray hair.

“You’re my knock out.”

“I am.” You smiled. “You have made my heart flutter tonight.”

“Oh?”

“You just command the room. So handsome and just… I don’t know but I have always loved it, always will.”

He smirked, that made him feel good. He took a longer sip of his drink. “That’s me, baby.”

“And I get to sit here and be like, that is my fiancé while I see girls drool as you walk by.”

He rose an eyebrow. “Drool huh?”

You scooted over to him. He enjoyed how your fingers felt as they squeezed his thigh. “You better believe it.” He watched as your nose twitched, followed by a glow coming over you. You leaned in close. “You’re wearing my favorite aftershave.” He could feel as you sighed. “If we were down by the pier, I’d let you take me again.”

He chuckled. A dark sense of delight filled him, knowing he had taken you in total disregard of the statues that were supposed to be revered on that pier. He had taken you, and the cries of delight he pulled from you had made him feel very good.

******

Roman, sat down and gripped the arm rests. “Tell me you were tested, and it was negative.” He barked from behind his cloth mask.

The man nodded. “Yes, of course.”

Roman relaxed a little and removed the mask that covered his nose and mouth. He swallowed alright, “Go and look.” He resigned himself to needing to finally getting his inky strands finally dyed.

Soon, he felt Franco’s fingers rove through his strands, he gritted his teeth. Their eyes met in the mirror he set up. “Roman, it must have been a fluke. There is no other gray strands.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me.” He pounded his fist on the armrest.

“I’m not. You had the stress of reopening. The fucking pandemic. It was bound to happen.”

“I don’t-” He stopped himself before continuing. “Fine, well then I need a trim. My edges are getting ragged.”

“Roman, it’s early like I said.”

Roman just looked at him.

He nodded silently. With a swish, the razor sliced through his strands. After the comb ran through it, he looked sharp again.

*****

A smile curled his lips as he felt your fingers entwine in his hair. He had been pouring over some maps and had not even heard your arrival.

He knew by the soft sound you made, that you were pleased with the trim. Did you get a trim today?” You whispered.

“Yes, I did.” He picked you up, your heels feels to the ground as a squeak escaped your lips.

You steadied yourself on his huge table.

“Did you meet with that guy who had the nerve to book you in my club?”

The demure appearance came over your face. “Is that really on your mind?”

“Well, I do still worry about my lovely fiancée.” He laid his hands over yours, the glimmer of the ring catching his eye.

“I like that you worry about me.” You breathed.

He easily stepped between your legs. “I always will.” His hand drifted up your skirt.

You shifted. “Roman, what if Victor and Doll Face walk in?”

He leaned in close. “We better hurry then.”

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