Rose typed away at her computer, distracted from her work by memories of the previous night. She couldn't stop thinking about her date with Edward at the hidden waterfall on the outskirts of Gotham.
As she proofread a document for Bruce, her mind wandered to the way Edward had looked at her, his emerald eyes dancing with mischief. When they'd shared their first kiss beside the gentle cascading water, Rose had felt her heart might burst from the tenderness of the moment. She sighed now at her desk, touching her fingers to her lips as if she could still feel Edward's soft kiss.
A chime from her computer pulled her attention back to the present. Rose tried to focus on responding to emails, but her thoughts kept drifting to Edward. Would he call her today? Did yesterday mean as much to him as it did to her?
When lunchtime arrived, Rose was looking forward to a break. She had brought her favorite sandwich, a turkey and cheese with lettuce and tomato. Just as she took her first bite, her phone chimed with a message notification. She put down her sandwich and picked up her phone. Her heart skipped when she saw it was from Edward.
As she opened the message, she found a riddle he had sent: “I have leaves but am not a tree, bloom but am not a flower. You can enter through my gates, but I’m not a castle or a tower. You can spend hours in my company, but I’m not a friend or a lover. What am I?”
Rose smiled at his cleverness and tried to solve the puzzle. She nibbled her sandwich absently, thinking hard. “Leaves… gates… spend hours…”
She ran through different possibilities in her mind, but none of them made sense. Then it hit her - the Gotham Botanical Gardens!
Excitement rushed through her as she realized this was Edward’s playful way of asking her on a date. She quickly typed back her answer and added a question of her own.
“The botanical gardens? Am I right? Are you inviting me to go there with you?”
She didn’t have to wait long for his reply. He texted back almost immediately.
“You are right, as always. And yes, I am inviting you to go there with me. How about tonight at 7 pm? I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise? What kind of surprise?”
“You’ll have to wait and see. Trust me, you’ll love it. It’s something very special, just for you, my dear.”
“You’re making me curious, Edward. Alright, I’ll meet you there at 7. But don’t keep me waiting too long, or I might change my mind.”
“I would never keep you waiting, my dear. I’ll be there on time, I promise. See you soon, Rose.”
The rest of the day passed by in a blur. Before she knew it, it was time to leave. Rose packed up and said her goodbyes, eager to get ready for her date.
When Rose got home, she took her time preparing for the evening, wanting to look especially lovely for Edward, though knowing he would consider her beautiful no matter what.
After taking a shower, she browsed her closet, wondering what to wear. Something feminine yet flattering, able to withstand a bit of adventuring. Her hands hovered briefly before selecting a sleeveless light pink top. With it, she chose dark denim shorts and comfortable flats.
After one final check in the mirror, Rose grabbed her purse and headed out. She took a taxi to the garden, looking out the window as the scenery rolled by in a blur of colorful lights. Checking the time, Rose saw it was 10 minutes to 7.
Stepping out of the cab, a warm breeze lifted her hair as she made the short walk to the entrance. Up ahead, she spotted a lean figure outlined against the gates.
Even from a distance, she'd know that confident stance anywhere. Sure enough, it was Edward waiting causally with one foot propped behind him.
As Rose approached, he turned with a smile that lit up his whole face. "Right on time," he said, taking her in from head to toe.
His emerald suit was as impeccably tailored as always, a purple question mark tie adding a whimsical touch.
"I hope you didn't wait long," Rose smiled shyly up at him, heart fluttering under his appreciative gaze.
"Only long enough to devise our covert entry plan," Edward replied, mischief dancing behind his signature domino mask.
He led her around to a more secluded side gate nearly hidden by a grove of lavender bushes. Pulling a set of lock picks from his pocket, he crouched to deftly tease the pins. Within moments, there was an audible 'snick' and the gate swung open.
Edward ushered Rose inside with a flourish. "One perk of being a reformed rogue is knowing how to bypass security measures."
Rose took a moment to admire the lush flowers, their colors glowing softly in the deepening twilight. Behind her, she heard the click of the lock engaging as Edward secured their entrance. When she turned back to him, he was watching her with an affectionate smile, leaning against the gate with his hands in his pockets.
"It's beautiful at this time, quiet and private," she observed softly.
Edward hummed in agreement, pushing off to stroll closer. "Not as beautiful as you, Rose," he murmured, gently caressing her cheek.
Heart swelling, Rose leaned into his palm with a content sigh, craving more of his tenderness. She covered his hand with her own, meeting his gaze in the fading light. Up close she could see flecks of amber ringing his green irises.
Unable to resist any longer, Rose slid one arm around Edward's neck and pulled him closer, meeting his lips in a deep, languorous kiss. All the longing and desire that had built up over the day apart was poured into this single moment of intimacy.
Edward responded ardently, snaking his arms around her waist to draw her against him. His touch was firm yet gentle.
Rose sighed contentedly into his mouth, elated to feel his strong form against hers once more.
Her fingers delved into his soft hair, twining delicate strands around her fingers to better angle his head. Edward made a low sound of approval at the back of his throat, further igniting the spark between them.
He expertly parted her lips with his own to deepen their embrace, tasting her sweetly as their tongues met in a dance both familiar and new each time. Rose felt lost in the moment, clinging to Edward as emotions swelled inside her. She held on tightly, swept up in the powerful feelings he awakened.
When the kiss ended, they remained wrapped in each other, breathing a little heavier. Rose savored the feeling of Edward's heart beating rapidly against hers.
"I must admit, I've been thinking of doing that all day," he confessed.
"Me too," she admitted, gliding her hands down his chest in a gentle caress.
Edward’s hands migrated to her waist, thumbs caressing tender circles that set her nerves alight. When his eyes fluttered open, they looked down at her with such tenderness it took her breath away.
"You are truly a wonder, my dear Rose," he murmured, placing his hand on her cheek. "I find myself falling for you more each day."
Rose laid her hand over his where it rested on her cheek. "I feel the same, Edward. I've never met someone who understands and appreciates me like you."
He smiled crookedly. "It helps that we are of similar intellects. Few can keep up in a battle of wits against me."
Leaning in, Edward caught her lips in a swift, affectionate peck.
Rose grinned, stealing another kiss in return. "Perhaps I'll have to challenge you to a proper duel of riddles sometime soon."
"I look forward to it." Edward took her hand in his once more. "For now, shall we continue our stroll?"
Smiling up at him adoringly, Rose gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Hand in hand, Edward and Rose meandered along the garden pathways, further immersing themselves in this magical private world. The flowers' perfume hung heavy in the night air, mingling with the earthy scent of soil and foliage.
As darkness fell, hidden lights switched on to illuminate their surroundings with a romantic glow. Rose gasped in delight, taking in the networks of elegant lamps lighting up the trees, fountains, and flower beds. It was like something from a fairytale.
"It's so beautiful, Edward," Rose sighed, leaning back against his chest with wonder.
He held her close, chin nestled atop her head. "I'm glad you approve, my dear," Edward replied softly near her ear. “I may have done a little after-hours tinkering with the garden's control system earlier."
Rose craned her neck to look at him with a playful grin. "A little hacking, you mean?"
Edward released a dramatic sigh. "Must you label it so crudely? I prefer to think of it as...creative reprogramming."
His mischievous expression made Rose giggle. She turned in his arms to fully face him, sliding hers around his neck. "Well, I for one appreciate your brand of 'creative work.'"
Lifting a hand, she traced the line of his jaw affectionately. Edward leaned into her caress with a smile. "And I'm always happy to provide private light shows for a bright beauty such as yourself."
"You do know how to make a girl blush," Rose teased, grateful for the low lighting that hid her warming cheeks. She tilted her face up invitingly, whispering "Kiss me?" against his lips.
Edward's only response was to lower his mouth to hers in a tender kiss, pouring out all the adoration he felt for this woman in his embrace. Rose sighed contentedly, losing herself in the intimacy between them once more.
When they parted, Edward kept her nestled close. "Shall we explore more of my handiwork?" he asked softly, gesturing to the paths lit before them like a red carpet rolled out just for their enjoyment.
Rose smiled sweetly up at him, "I'd love to see what other surprises you have in store," she replied, tracing her fingers gently along his jaw.
Sliding her hand into his waiting one, Rose leaned into Edward's side as they resumed their stroll. He led her around a corner to the heart of the gardens - an open courtyard with a large central fountain. Rose gasped sharply. The fountain was illuminated in vivid shades of emerald and violet, the water seeming to glow and shimmer.
"You like it?" Edward asked hopefully. "I programmed the lights especially to compliment the courtyard."
"Oh, Edward, it's amazing!" Rose exclaimed, squeezing his hand. "The way the water glows in shades of green and purple - it's like something from another world."
They approached the luminous fountain, mesmerized by the cascading water that seemed to turn into liquid rainbows under the lights. Rose sat on the fountain's cool marble edge, trailing her fingers through the surprisingly warm water.
Edward settled beside her, slipping an arm around her waist. "I'm glad you approve. I thought you would appreciate the effect."
"It's stunning," Rose sighed contently, leaning into him. "I feel like I could sit here all night watching the colors swirl and change."
Edward hummed, nuzzling the top of her head. They fell into a comfortable silence then, simply taking in the hypnotic sights and sounds of the otherworldly fountain together.
Rose tilted her face up to meet Edward's gaze. He smiled tenderly, cupping her cheek as their lips met in a gentle kiss. She sighed contentedly against his mouth, fingers winding into his hair to hold him close a moment longer. But their quiet moment was interrupted by a deep voice cutting through the darkness.
"The gardens closed a few hours ago. What are you two still doing here?"
Rose startled, nearly falling into the fountain in surprise. Edward caught her steady, shooting a glare at the shadowy figure perched above them.
"Must you sneak up on people like that, Batman?" he snapped irritably. "We're perfectly capable of seeing ourselves out."
Batman glared back, unimpressed. "You're trespassing on private property, Riddler."
Edward huffed but rose, helping Rose to her feet. She smoothed her clothes self-consciously under the Dark Knight's gaze.
"We were just leaving," Edward replied curtly. Taking Rose's hand, he led her from the courtyard giving Batman one last irked look over his shoulder.
Rose sighed regretfully as they exited the garden gates. "I wish we didn't have to cut our date short."
Edward smirked slyly. "Who said the night is over yet, my dear?"
He led her a few blocks through quiet side streets, keeping a watchful eye out for any signs they were being followed. Stopping before a metal side door, he gave Rose a sly grin before using his lock picks to unlock it. Inside was a staircase leading upstairs, the sounds of their footsteps hollow in the narrow space.
At the top was a heavy wooden door that opened onto a spacious rooftop patio lit by strings of tiny white lights crisscrossing overhead. Comfy lounge chairs and couches surrounded a small table, offering an intimate seating area. But the true feature was the perfect view of the glittering Gotham skyline laid out before them, towering spires and the glow of streetlights as far as the eye could see.
"This penthouse belongs to a wealthy businessman who is away on vacation. I thought it could provide a worthy continuation to our enchanting evening," Edward said.
Rose beamed, rising up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "It's wonderful, Edward. Our own private oasis high above the city."
"I'm glad you find it pleasing, my dear. Come, let’s sit down." He led her to the couch where they sat close together.
A breeze lifted Rose's hair, carrying the fragrance of night-blooming jasmine. She leaned her head on Edward's shoulder with a contented sigh. His arm came around her intuitively, holding her close.
As they sat side by side looking out at the view, Edward recounted with dramatic flair a particularly amusing past run-in with the Batman. Rose laughed merrily, snuggling closer as they lost track of time in each other's company. But their idyllic moment was not destined to last undisturbed.
From the shadows emerged a looming figure, causing them both to startle at the deep clearing of a throat. "Ahem."
They twisted around, eyes wide as saucers to see Batman himself glowering down at them. "Really, Riddler? Another illegally accessed location for your capers?" he rumbled.
Edward growled in frustration. "Can't a man spend quality time with his lady without your constant interruptions, Batman?"
"Not on private property, he can't," Batman's scowl seemed to deepen as his gaze bored into them.
Clutching Edward's arm nervously, Rose sensed impending trouble. With a wink meant to reassure her, Edward grabbed her hand. "Time to go, my dear! Let's see if we can give Batman the slip!"
Rose clung desperately to Edward's hand as they fled across the rooftop, the pounding of Batman's heavy boots gaining on them with each stride. Glancing back, she saw the Dark Knight's shadowy figure looming alarmingly close.
Ahead, an alleyway dropped away sharply into darkness, the opposite building seeming hopelessly out of reach for any ordinary jump. Skidding to a halt at the precipice, Edward swung Rose into his arms in one fluid motion. Her heart was hammering as she clutched at his neck, lungs burning from exertion and adrenaline.
Edward met her wide-eyed gaze, his charming smirk softening into a look of caring reassurance. Behind his stylish mask, his eyes glinted with cunning calculation and nerves of steel. "Do you trust me?" he asked gently above the howl of the wind.
Rose looked back at him steadfastly. "With my life," she pledged without hesitation.
He pressed a fleeting kiss to her lips, then turned them to face the yawning void together. Slowly, Edward backed up a few paces, readjusting his grip on Rose's trembling form. When he was satisfied with their position, he took several deep, centering breaths to focus his mind.
Behind them, Batman's heavy footfalls signaled his ruthless pursuit drawing ever closer. At the last moment, Edward closed his eyes briefly, honing his natural athleticism. Then he broke into a dead sprint, long legs eating up the distance in powerful strides.
As the opposite roof seemed to rush up alarmingly fast to meet them, Rose screwed her eyes shut, heart lodged in her throat. For an endless, terrifying instant, they were airborne. A bone-chilling void stretched out below as the roar of the wind deafened her.
Then just as suddenly, Edward's shoes struck the concrete with a jarring impact that rattled through her whole body. Unable to prevent their momentum, they rolled in a tangled mess across the roof. Edward shielded Rose from the impact, twisting at the last second so that she landed safely on his chest with an "oof" of exhaled breath.
They skidded to a breathless halt, unharmed aside from racing pulses and vertigo. Without pausing to rest, Edward pulled Rose smoothly to her feet once more. Behind them, the enraged yell of an infuriated Batman echoed across the gap as their pursuit continued relentlessly into the night.
Rounding a sharp corner, Edward spotted a narrow service ladder bolted securely to the brick wall. "After you, my dear," he urged Rose with a gentlemanly gesture and a gentle push between her shoulder blades.
Rose grasped the cold metal rungs and began climbing down quickly with Edward right behind her.
When she reached the bottom, she halted with a gasp. The alley was a dead end, enclosed on three sides with no way out except back up the ladder or over the tall iron fence at the far end. Behind her, Edward's shoes clicked lightly as he jumped down to land in a crouch beside her.
"This won't do at all," Edward muttered, scanning the alley with a displeased frown as he assessed their limited options.
As Batman's heavy tread echoed from the rooftop above, Edward turned to Rose. "Quickly now, up and over that fence before our caped pursuer catches up."
Moving swiftly, Edward laced his fingers together and crouched down, palms upturned. Rose stepped into his cupped hands, placing one hand on his shoulder to steady herself. With a grunt, Edward hoisted her upwards.
She grasped at the top of the tall iron fence, reaching as far as she could stretch. Edward grabbed her waist from below and pushed with all his considerable strength. Her other hand grasped a crossbar and she swung her leg over, scrambling ungracefully but efficiently over the jagged spikes until her legs dropped safely down to the sidewalk on the other side.
No sooner had Rose landed in a heap than Batman came vaulting over the edge of the ladder with a thunderous boom, cape billowing out behind him as he stalked toward Edward still trapped alone in the alley.
"Give it up, Nygma. You've got nowhere left to run," Batman rasped in a warning growl.
Edward smiled tightly up at the intimidating figure looming over him. "Come now Batman, surely you can't begrudge a man his pleasant evening stroll with a beautiful lady."
"You call breaking and entering a 'stroll'? The jig is up, Nygma. Time to end this little game and come quietly," Batman rumbled, extending a restrain ready hand.
Glancing back at the iron fence separating him from Rose's anxious face peering over, Edward sighed melodramatically.
"While this has been most entertaining, I'm afraid I simply must be on my way. Ta ta for now, Dark Knight!" he called with a jaunty wave.
In a blur of motion, Edward nimbly scaled the fence to land smoothly beside Rose in seconds flat. Just as suddenly, Batman launched himself in a flying lunge at the dented metal, but his cape caught fast on the jagged spikes at the top, anchoring him suspended helplessly above the alley below with an outraged growl.
"Dammit!" Batman growled through clenched teeth, yanking violently with furious determination. But the durable material refused to tear or rip free from the jagged metal.
Rose and Edward watched in amusement from the other side of the iron barrier. Edward shot Rose a gleeful, mischievous grin, thoroughly enjoying the rare sight of the Dark Knight bested by old-fashioned bad luck.
"It seems our caped friend finds himself rather...stuck," Edward said in a stage whisper. "Shall we leave him to sort himself out, or be polite guests and say our farewells first?"
Rose bit her lip hard to stifle the giggle that threatened to burst at the undignified sight. "I suppose it would be rude not to say goodbye before leaving," she managed with mock solemnity.
Edward swept into an elaborate bow, doffing his emerald bowler hat with an elegant flourish. "Farewell for now, Batman! Do try to free yourself before dawn - it wouldn't do for the citizens to find their hero dangling like a piñata come morning!"
"This isn't over, Riddler!" Batman roared, face mottled with rage as he yanked violently at his trapped cape.
Grinning, Edward replaced his hat and turned to offer Rose his gloved hand in invitation. "I believe that's our cue to make our exit, my dear!"
Laughing, Rose took his hand and they raced away. She risked a glance back to see Batman still suspended, gloved hands tearing at his cape in a frenzy. "You'll pay for this, Nygma!" he bellowed.
Edward simply waved as they turned the corner, Batman's anger fading into the night. Their daring escape was complete.
