T: I got fired. By Lex Luthor.

I: but why?

T: I'm a Wayne, he's a Luthor. That's why.

I: but you don't work under him. So he can't fire you.

T: yes I don't. He has asked me to give in my resignation to Irina Luthor as soon as possible. Or else I'll have to suffer consequences.

I: he can't just threaten you like that!

T: it's okay, Ren, you don't have to get so angry on Luthor. What he's doing is sensible in his opinion and what I'm doing is sensible in mine.

I: what are you doing then?

T: typing out the resignation.

***

Tim came back to his cubicle in rather deflated spirits and sat down on his chair as if exhausted. His fellow Mathias had noticed that but didn't say anything since it was quite common knowledge that if Lex Luthor summoned anyone in his office, it resulted badly for the poor person.

Taking out his phone, he wrote a text to Ren: I got fired. By Lex Luthor.

The ticks turned blue indicating that she had seen the text. Shortly afterwards, she replied: but why?

I'm a Wayne, he's a Luthor. That's why.

But you don't work under him. So he can't fire you.

He sighed wearily, leaning back in his seat: yes I don't. He has asked me to give in my resignation to Irina Luthor as soon as possible. Or else I'll have to suffer consequences.

He can't just threaten you like that!

Despite the dampened mood, a small smile flickered on his face: it's okay, Ren, you don't have to get so angry on Luthor. What he's doing is sensible in his opinion and what I'm doing is sensible in mine.

What are you doing then?

Typing out the resignation.

Tim had opened his computer and started to type out a resignation letter. Of course he knew that was bound to happen. What else could he expect by working in a rival company?

One way or other, he was bound to get fired.

Moments later, the door to Irina Luthor's office sprang open and she went out in a hurry. All eyes were on her but none of the workers said a word.

Tim knew exactly where she was going to. Lex Luthor's office.

The point was that Tim had known about Ren's secret identity since a really long time. He knew she was Irina Luthor but he hadn't let the truth slip from him because he didn't want her to mistrust him.

Or in his own words, he respected her secrecy and had decided to keep it a secret even from the rest of his family.

In fact he had gone as far as trying to convince the Bats, along with a little help from Red Hood, that the new vigilante wasn't a threat to them and they should just let her do whatever she was doing.

He had almost finished typing the resignation and sent it off for printing when Irina returned and without even a single glance in his direction, she went back to her office.

Since the resignation had been printed, he filed it in an envelope and stood up. Mathias was looking at him with questioning eyes but he chose not to reply.

Tim gently pushed open the glass door to see Irina at her desk with her head resting on her hands as if exhausted.

"May I come in, Ma'am?"

She sat up startled and turned the chair immediately so that she wasn't facing him anymore. But he hadn't failed to notice the slight redness in her eyes.

"Yes, Mister Drake?"

Even her voice wasn't that confidently alluring tone he was so accustomed to hear by then. All he could guess was that she had probably gotten into a huge argument with her father.

"I came to drop my resignation."

"Leave it on the table please. Thank you."

He wanted to say something that would make her feel better because he was completely aware that she had said those words unwillingly and was only stopping herself in order to maintain the two separate identities in front of him.

But that was so useless in his opinion. Because he already knew and he had known for so long that both Irina and Ren had merged into one. He had known for so long that he had learnt to see Ren in Irina and Irina in Ren.

Because the two always blurred together. And by then it wasn't hard at all to look at Irina and recognize Ren.

He could recognize that smile anywhere; be it in the office when she appreciated his reports or at the rooftop when she teased him for being too clueless that it was downright adorable.

And he had fallen head over heels for her as both the masked vigilante and the independent business woman.

He placed the resignation on the table but didn't leave the room.

"I am sorry, Mister Drake, I had truly not meant for your journey to end with us here." At last she turned around and was looking at him with an apologetic smile on her face, "I tried my best to not let that happen but..."

"It's alright, Miss Luthor, it was a pleasure working with you."

She nodded, fingering the envelope tentatively as if not wanting to open it. Moments later she placed it in the drawer without even reading it. "Best of luck for the Fall Gala."

"I would be honored if you attend," he spoke.

She smiled, "I'll try."

"I insist."

She nodded, "alright... I will try my best."

Tim smiled a little as well knowing that the time had come for the farewell, "I hope to see you there then. Provided that the press doesn't decide to make a scene again."

"Oh the press," she rolled her eyes wearily, "of course, they can't be avoided. Though I hope you haven't been embarrassed due to their recent conspiracy theories."

"I wanted to ask you the same myself. I feel as if it is my fault and I am indeed sorry for that."

She shook her head, "don't be. They are just trying to churn out some headline that would save their sinking ratings."

"I guess this is it then," he stepped back a little, "I should be leaving now."

Her lips parted as if to say something but she stopped herself. Her green eyes had a rather unfathomable expression but she couldn't bring herself to speak up.

"Farewell, Mister Drake."

"Farewell, Ren."

And with that, he stepped out knowing that she had heard him very clear and her face would be a mask of shock. He didn't want to keep it a secret from her anymore because he could see that it was taking a toll on her.

He could see that she wanted him to stay but could not find any reason to stop him with as Irina Luthor. But as Ren she had a lot of reasons to make him stay. The foremost being the fact that the two were in love with each other.

So he had decided to get the burden off his chest along with that much anticipated resignation that was currently laying unread in Irina's drawer. And with just two words of parting, he knew he had conveyed his message clearly.

He hailed a cab and went straight to Wayne Enterprises though he had seen Irina standing by the window of her office, her eyes following him as he left.

***

Tim was at the rooftop as usual waiting for her to show up. He wasn't certain that she would come after that revelation, but deep down he had hoped.

He wanted to see her again, to gently hold her by the arms and tell her that it was okay, that he had no problem with her being Lex Luthor's daughter and to confess that she was the love of his life and no one else could take her place in his heart.

He wanted to say that and so much more which he had never done so before in attempts of not making her get suspicious of the fact that he had known along.

An hour had passed yet there was no sign of the masked vigilante. By then he was getting anxious that perhaps she wouldn't turn up at all.

He recalled how furious she had gotten last time when she had woken up at the Manor after her smashdown with Two Face's gang and how she had threatened to slit his throat in case he had found out about her.

He shuddered at the thought because he had never before seen her so intimidating as well as so threatening that for a second he had almost forgotten that she was the same person who he had spent a lot of good time with.

He was pacing back and forth impatiently because with every passing minute, the fear that she would never show up again was gnawing at his heart.

He had checked his phone multiple times but somehow couldn't bring himself to text her. Each time he typed something, he would end up erasing it for fear that it would make things even worse between them.

At last, a fumbling sound was heard and he came to the railings immediately, seeing her dark silhouette climbing up. "Would you mind lending a hand?"

Quickly obliging, he grabbed her hand in his and helped her up. A sigh of relief escaped him upon seeing her there.

She perched up on her usual spot that overlooked the city and even though he was standing right beside her, she kept silent.

"Ren..."

"Since how long have you known about me, you stealthy little shit?" she turned to look at him at last and though the mask was covering her face, he knew very well that her green eyes were blazing with an unfathomable sheen.

He could feel the intensity of her gaze despite the fact that her eyes were hidden from view.

"I don't know how long exactly. Months perhaps..."

"What do you mean that you don't know? Is this some kind of stupid joke?"

He took in a deep breath before replying, "I don't know when I realized that you and Irina Luthor were the same because it honestly didn't create much of a difference for me. It was just there, that feeling of knowing you, of sensing the same connection whenever I was with you, be it in the office or at the rooftop. Ren and Irina have always blurred together for me and by now I have simply accepted that."

"So you mean to say that you have no objection...?"

He looked up at her startled, "why would I have any objection?"

She peeled off her mask and her striking marble green eyes looked back at him. Even though it was dark at the rooftop, her eyes seemed to have a light of their own.

It was the first time he was seeing her in the vigilante suit without the mask obscuring her identity. Yet even before he had always seemed to know what the mask had been hiding but he had just never dared to tell her that.

"I'm a Luthor and you're a Wayne, of course there would be objections."

Her voice was soft but had a hint of fear in it, as if to her it was probably going to be their last conversation.

"I don't care what the people say. I don't care about any objections. All I care about is you."

She leaned closer to him, her hand lingering on his cheek, "and what about your family?"

"They would have no objection either. They only want me to be happy and..."

"And?"

"That could only be possible if I'm with you."

She didn't answer as if she was contemplating his words in her mind.

"I love you, Irina."

And finally the words escaped his mouth, those words which she had kept teasing him about saying that he would never have the courage to say it out loud. But that moment, he just said it. No more hesitations, no more pretending. Just the truth. Right then and there.

She was slightly taken aback at first since she hadn't been expecting him to confess. But quite soon the realization sunk in and a smile graced her lips as her hand trailed down to his shoulder, pulling him closer towards her.

"I love you too, Tim," she replied, gently capturing his lips with hers in a kiss.

He was a little surprised to find the coppery taste of blood on her lips and realized that in the dark he hadn't seen her clearly and she had probably just come out from a fight.

When they pulled apart, his finger gently traced the curve of her lips and he found out that it was cracked as a slight sliver of blood was dried at the corner.

"Ren, are you okay?"

"Why did you think I got late? It wasn't by intention," she remarked, shrugging off his concern as she held him close.

"What happened?"

"The usual. I had to stop a mugging in West End. But it turned out that the thugs had back up."

Rather concerned, Tim made her get off the railings and brought her into the light so that he could see her clearly.

Blood was dried up on her mouth and on her temple and the leather collar that covered her neck was slashed through as well, claw like imprints were etched on her skin that started from her jawline and went straight down to the collarbone.

"Holy shit, Ren, and you didn't even tell me!"

She chuckled lightly, "calm down princess, its nothing."

"You're coming with me right now and I won't take no for an answer."

He gripped her by the wrist and led her to the trap door which opened in his room.

"Hey, where are you taking me to?"

"You need first aid," he replied vaguely as he lifted the hatch and climbed in, giving her his hand so that she could climb down as well.

Once they were in the room safely, he locked both the doors as well as secured the lock on the window.

"What if someone comes up here?" she whispered, trying to keep her voice down so as not to raise any suspicion for the other family members.

He knew no one would because they were all out on patrol, "they won't. And just to be safe, I have locked the door as well."

He made her sit down on the bed and gently took off her gloves and mask, placing them on a table nearby. Her knuckles were bruised as well and he recalled how that was the first thing in Irina Luthor which had captured his attention.

Irina usually wore gloves to work because her knuckles were always red and bruised, something which could not be normal for a woman in her position.

He had gone to fetch his first aid kit while she kicked off her boots as well, making herself comfortable on the soft mattress.

Tim returned shortly with the first aid kit and placed it on the table, lifting up its latch revealing all sorts of bandages and even a pair of thread and needles for stitching up wounds.

"If you don't get this treated soon, you'll get an infection," he mumbled as he gently held the collar away from her neck so that he could apply tincture to it. 

The red contrasted strikingly against her pale white skin and along with those scratches he could still see the purplish trail of hickeys that had started to fade by then.

Her hand gently caressed his cheek as she spoke, "why the hell are you so fucking sweet, Tim?"

A smile broke out on his face as well as he looked up straight in her green irises, "to be honest, I don't even know myself."

***