an: (2/5/2023) cw: reader is a thick, chubbier girl. without going into my own personal traumas with body image and stuff, keeping the reader thick was a choice im very happy with. if it triggers you, im sorry since it is a hard journey, but pls do not comment about it anymore :") kthxbai

Everyone works the rest of the day in their own bubble. Rachel starts taking actual phone calls and Greg calls people too. You're in your files, researching and approving and disapproving. You wonder what Bruce said or implied when he didn't linger over them as he did you. But, you can't worry about that. You don't want to ask because you know Rachel would pry into what car tomorrow and Greg would launch into something you don't care about. You pull out your phone however and text your friend that you need to meet her for drinks after work. She sends back that she cannot as she will be on a date with her partner. You make a face but accept it. You would live your fantasy alone tonight.

As the day wraps up, Rachel starts her lingering. "You're just a busy little bee aren't you? Meticulous is what Mr. Wayne said." Your eyes meet and you see the anger in her blue-green eyes. "Yeah. Something like that. I just wanna do my job right." You put the approval folders in their place for Greg to handle tomorrow. "But you're so good at it. You need to give me and Greg pointers." Greg puts his coat on and shakes his head. "You've got the easiest job, but glad you're good at it. Makes my job a little easier." He doesn't take Rachel's bait fortunately and she backs down. "You're right Greg. So lucky to have you (Y/N)." She says with a snide smile.

You put away the rest of your folders for tomorrow. You're always a bit tired but satisfied after work. You did good work and feel like you're going to make a change. Hopefully. There's nothing more you can do besides hope anyhow. As you walk to your car, you decide to call your friend, knowing they would be getting ready for their date.

"This better be important. You know my getting ready ritual can't be interrupted."

They say with a huff. You've been friends since high school and stayed in touch in college even being roommates up until a few years ago. They're the closest friend you have and you consider them your sibling. "You should sit down." You say as you get in your car. You hear an audible thump as they sit on their floor. "Okay tell me." You start your car let out the squeal you've been holding in since he asked you to be his date.

"Oh my god? Did you call to squeal in my ear? When I have a hot date in two hours?" You calm yourself down and take a deep breath. "You can't tell anyone. Not a fucking soul."

"Okay. Damn. What is it? Are you pregnant? What?" You shake your head and finally get your nerves to simmer. "Bruce Wayne asked me to be his date to this gala next week."

Silence.

You tap your phone screen to see if the call is connected as you get on the highway and hit the normal daily traffic. "I'm sorry, I think you said you're going on a date with Bruce Wayne. Clearly, you ate some of those edibles we got. Bold of you during the day."

"No! I'm not making it up. I'm gonna send you screenshots."

"Screenshots?" You recap how he asked, feeling corny now, but still making your skin tingle in excitement.

"You sound so fake. Oh my god."

"Well, I can't send screenshots while driving."

"Stop by my place before you go home then. This is something I can squeeze in before my date." You groan but are bouncing in your seat. You want to shout it to the world, but settle for your friend instead.

Their apartment is down the road from yours so it's not a huge detour. They're in a rose satin robe with their hair pulled back into a ponytail and their chic pantsuit underneath. "You look cute. No wonder this fictional, not a recluse Bruce Wayne decided to ask you out." You roll your eyes and pull up your messages. There it is still. Your cheeks already ache from the smiles and laughter now that you're out of your office. They take your phone and see the message immediately, their eyes bugging out of the head.

"Right!" You say almost jumping up and down. "And he asked you this way after you said no?" You nod, running your hands through your textured hair. "This is madness. Absolutely mad. Crazy. I'm going fucking crazy right?"

"I'd say yes, but you have proof." Your friend pinches your arm. You yelp and they shrug. "You're still awake." You tell them about the plans tomorrow and start brainstorming what kind of dress to look for. They let you steal only 30 minutes of their time however before they tell you they need to get ready. You don't linger, however, needing to finish your personal research on gala gowns.

Your phone rings as soon as you get home with an unknown caller ID. You almost don't answer, but have a hunch it's Bruce. "Hello?" "Did you get home safely?" You relax as his voice, deeper over the phone, come through. "Yep. Thank you um again for inviting me." You take your shoes off at the door before going to your kitchen to find a predinner snack. "Thank you for accepting," Bruce chuckles, before sighing content. "Tomorrow, don't bother coming into the office. Have fun finding your dress. All of this is my treat." "What do you get out of it?" You're still trying to find the catch. "A beautiful date." Beautiful. "Anyway, I gotta go. Sleep well." He hangs up quickly and you finally catch your breath.

You curse, scrunching up your nose. He scares you and yet... You're pacing your living room like a nervous high school girl again talking to her crush. What is his deal? You ponder it again but drop it running into a wall mentally. You hate that you can't get a read on him, but there's no use in thinking yourself into a rut. He'd show his true feelings or intentions eventually.

Bruce calls at 6 am. You curse, rubbing her eyes as you answer. He doesn't do hellos, going to the point. "I'm sending one of my trusted housekeepers to assist you. I hope that's okay." You yawn, "I guess. Bruce, it's so early." You whine, rubbing your eyes. "The sun is starting to rise." "Doesn't mean I have to." You say softly before falling back asleep. You don't know when he hangs up.

The car comes at 10 am sharp since the shops open later. You wear a simple black dress with a black jacket and sunglasses. You figure Bruce would still want you incognito. You get in the car startled to see an old woman in the back seat. "I'm Lucy! So glad to finally meet you." You wonder where Bruce gets his British help from as you buckle up. "Hi, I'm (Y/N)."

"I know! Master Wayne speaks very highly of you. I'm honored to help you with your dress." You feel the heat creep around your neck as you look forward. "Well, do you know where you want to go?" Lucy asks, a bright smile still on her face. "I... I don't." Your research mostly contained what could be ordered online and under 500 dollars. "Well, you're in luck. I've been waiting for this day since Brucie was 15." She leans forward and tells the driver and address. She sits back and asks your little questions about yourself. You try to answer them the best you can, but feel so anxious and nervous your jaw starts clenching. She touches your hand and gives you a knowing smile. "Master Wayne is a man. Try to remember that when you're all in your head." She's not wrong and it does make you feel a bit better. He's just a very rich one who doesn't know his influence on you yet. You stare out the window as the buildings grow taller.

You stop at a little boutique nestled between tall corporate buildings. Lucy beams as you stand in front of the doors. The dresses in the window are breathtaking of course and you see why Lucy is so excited. She opens the door for you and you're overwhelmed immediately. So many dresses in so many colors are in front of you. You're also surprised at the size of the boutique deeming it smaller on the outside.

"Welcome ladies!" A younger woman comes from the back, measuring tape around her neck and a black apron with various tools around her waist. "Welcome to Grace and Poise. Are you looking for something particular?" You take your sunglasses down and look over at Lucy. "We're going to the Mayor's Gala next week and need something sexy but professional," Lucy says, looking over bolder dresses. "Sexy?" You ask alarmed. "Well, it is a gala after all. You don't want him looking elsewhere." She's right but you're still surprised. No wonder Bruce chose her. You also notice that she does not mention Bruce's name and for good reason. Your friend's reaction is a good gauge on how people will react if she just mentioned it without The Bruce Wayne being there confirming. "We want her to be the Belle of the Ball."

Lucy goes to the bolder colors, bright reds, pinks, anything that will catch eyes. You however keep Bruce's message in mind. Your affinity to dark colors. Your fingers run over the fancy fabrics and dresses before you stop at a dress you can only describe as a pirate's maiden sexy dream. It's still elegant with the cinched waist and the highest thigh slit. Too sexy you think as you put it back. The lady watches us, before deciding to help Lucy as her patterns get bolder and in your opinion too much. You find an A-Line off-the-shoulder dress that feels like a princess, but you frown at the way the skirt seems folded and find it a little stiff. Your eyes draw to a dark emerald dress and you hold it. It seems a bit more complicated than you can tell but you do want to at least try it. You walk over to the two women and ask for a room. The woman seems a little relieved that you found a dress on your own and leads you to the dressing room.

You're nervous as you undress. You're not a skinny person, but trying on clothes sometimes increases your nerves, especially at boutiques like this where you judge that the average person needs to be a size 2 and below. Not your numbers at all. The employee, Kim as her nametag reads, doesn't seem to mind, helping you into the dress. You frown at the fact you must wear your bra if you want some sort of support. Without you mentioning it, she smiles warmly. "If you get this dress, we'll be able to tailor it so your breasts can stay up without any help." You smile grateful but shake your head. "It's the first dress, but I do love it." You imagine Bruce seeing you in this dark green dress, his eyes drinking you in just like the day before. A small shiver runs through your body. The top had a shawl that drapes over the front to hide some of your cleavage or you could go without it with the shimmery straps. He's your boss, you remind yourself, as you walk out to show Lucy.

"Well, I don't think we need to look for anything else." She says throwing her hands in the air with a big happy smile. "Wait until he sees you. Wait until they all see you in fact." When you're undressed, she gets your measurements a few times. "Since this is for the gala, we'll get this done as soon as we can." Kim looks a bit overwhelmed, but determined. "Your date is going to love you in that dress." She adds as you head to the register. You didn't ask for the price, forgetting to, when she rings up all the pricing so far.

"So the dress is 12,500. The altering with the specifications will be about 2 grand. So after tax, you're looking at 15,993.50." Your mouth drops and Lucy tsks. "I thought it'd be more." She hands over a black card and Kim runs it. She checks the name on the card and looks at us with that same disbelief that you had when Bruce asked you. "Trust me, he's my employer," Lucy says with a wink. "I've got his permission. Now, don't tell anyone. We don't want his secret blown." Kim hesitates, but Lucy shows her work ID. "I've been taking care of Master Wayne since he was 11 years old. I sometimes think of him as my own lad." You don't think Kim buys it and Lucy isn't getting it so you pull out your message from him. She moves the DM up and down and presses the keyboard to see it is very real. "Oh!" She hands Lucy back Bruce's card and you the receipt. "I'm sorry ladies. Sometimes it's hard to tell who is telling the truth and who is lying. I can't afford Bruce Wayne and co coming after me for some random ladies buying a dress." She explains with a tight smile. "I won't tell anyone though. I just hope that you patronize me again and I'll be in touch when you can pick it up."

Lucy curses as you get back into the car. "This was supposed to be an all-day affair, luv. But you found the perfect dress right off the bat. What a good eye you have." You laugh to yourself. "We'll go to the department stores to get the accessories at least. You're going to be so beautiful. Master Wayne won't know what to do with himself that's for sure." You love how sure of it she is, but the Bruce she speaks of feels far from the one you saw in passing before he asked to this ball. "I don't know what to expect." You admit as the car moves forward.

"Don't let his status get in your head. As I said, he's a man. He's coming into his own late, but nothing wrong with that. You're a keeper anyway." Heat flushes over your body at that comment. "He's my boss."

"He's my boss too, but he's not spending a pretty penny for a special dress for me." Lucy chuckles. "Think about him like any other man. Let him wine and dine you and enjoy this chapter no matter how small. The least you can do in Gotham anyway." She says softly before closing her eyes. If Bruce was up at 6 am then no doubt his staff was too. You let Lucy sleep as you go to the next store.