only the two of us

The Gotham asphalt glistened, reflecting neon lights in shades of violet and amber. In the narrow alley, the only sounds were the dripping of water and the heavy breathing of Brianna—Batwoman—who stared at the Queen of Jokes with a contempt that bordered on weariness.

Jade, the Red Hood, lay slumped in the Batmobile’s passenger seat, coughing and struggling to catch her breath as the toll of her injuries took hold. Batgirl, having just landed beside them with an agile leap, surveyed the scene with a furrowed brow.

"Batwoman, we need to go! The situation is unstable, and the Queen is unpredictable," Batgirl warned, already readying a containment device.

"Get Red Hood out of here—now," Batwoman ordered, never taking her eyes off the villain. Her voice was a curt, unquestionable command. "Now!"

Batgirl hesitated for a second, but she knew that tone. She helped steady Jade and gunned the Batmobile, leaving behind a trail of burnt rubber and a roaring engine as the vehicle vanished into the darkness of the Gotham night.

Now, they were alone.

The Queen of Jokes didn't attack immediately. Instead, she began to circle Brianna, her steps light and bouncy, as if she were dancing on an invisible stage. The knife in her hand twirled between her fingers with hypnotic dexterity.

"What a dramatic scene!" the Queen exclaimed, her voice laced with melodic sarcasm. "Sent the sidekick away so we could have an *intimate* moment? Oh, you know just how to win me over."

She stopped just inches from Batwoman. The villain’s perfume was a nauseating blend of acid and cherry lip gloss. The Queen tilted her head, her green eyes gleaming with dangerous lust. She didn't just want to win the fight; she wanted to shatter Brianna's composure.

"You're so tense..." the Queen whispered, sliding the tip of her knife—with extreme delicacy—along the edge of Batwoman's leather cape. "That suit is so... rigid. So full of rules. Don't you think Gotham needed a little more... flexibility today?"

Brianna seized the villain's wrist with a grip strong enough to have crushed the radius of any ordinary person. She pinned her against the damp brick wall, standing so close now that they could feel the heat of each other's breath.

"You talk too much, clown," Brianna growled, her eyes locked on her adversary's.

The Queen of Jokes let out an audible sigh—almost a purr. She made no attempt to break free. Instead, she arched her back against the wall, feeling the pressure of Brianna's body against her own.

"And you don't talk enough," the Queen replied with a mischievous smile. "Tell me, does Batwoman get a thrill out of locking people up, or is it just a hobby?"

Brianna held the Queen's wrist to immobilize her but failed to notice the small vial she was clutching; while held fast, the Queen squeezed it, releasing a gas that stirred Brianna's desire—and then her rival kissed her.

"Finally!" the Queen exclaimed. "I thought I’d have to kill one of your students just to get you to notice me!" Brianna wasn't about to give up so easily—the gas clearly had some sort of aphrodisiac effect—but even with trembling legs, she rose and threw a punch aimed at the villain's chin; unable to keep a clear head, however, she missed the blow. Smiling, the villain approached Batwoman, who was kneeling. "Let's have some fun."

(images created by Lawless)