Batman x Ironman [Book-2]

[Morning]

Bruce piloted his custom-built aircraft, similar to that of Quinjet. Seated beside him, Hela looked out of the window, her piercing green eyes fixed on the sprawling landscape below. Her usual cold demeanor had softened over the past few months, though she still carried an air of regal authority. Spending time with Morgan and Harley had chipped away at the hardened exterior of the former Goddess of Death, but Bruce knew there was still a long road ahead.

He was taking her to one of the many orphanages he had built in his previous life as Tony Stark. This particular one, was on the edge of the city, was home to over a hundred children, most of whom had lost their families due to wars, alien invasions, supernatural disasters or something else. Bruce had poured his resources into ensuring these kids had a future, a safe place to grow, and the tools to shape their own destinies.

"You never told me why we're doing this," Hela said finally, turning to face him. "Why bring me to an orphanage? What lesson am I supposed to learn here?"

Bruce glanced at her, smirking slightly. "You tell me. What do you think this is about?"

Hela frowned, clearly irritated by the cryptic response. "If you're trying to show me the weaknesses of mortals, I already know them. Their fragility. Their emotions. Their reliance on others. It's why they're so easy to break."

He sighed, steering the craft toward the orphanage's landing pad. "And yet, despite all that, they survive. They endure. That's something even gods struggle with sometimes."

Hela crossed her arms. "I never understood why you concern yourself with them so much. You're no ordinary mortal. With the power you wield, you could reshape the world however you see fit."

Bruce chuckled. "And that's exactly why I won't. Power unchecked leads to tyranny. I've seen what happens when people think they can do whatever they want, and it never ends well. Someone always suffers." He tapped a few commands into the controls, bringing the craft to a smooth landing on the pad.

A group of children had already gathered on the field, their excited voices filling the air. The moment the doors opened, a flood of kids rushed forward.

"Mr. Stark!" a young girl with pigtails shouted, practically tackling his leg.

Bruce laughed, ruffling her hair. "Hey, kiddo. Been behaving?"

She nodded eagerly. "Miss Carter says I'm the best at math now!"

"That's what I like to hear," He said before glancing at the rest of the children. "Alright, everyone, we brought gifts! But first, say hello to my friend, Hela."

Hela shifted uncomfortably as dozens of curious eyes turned toward her. Unlike Bruce, she wasn't exactly used to warm welcomes or children other than Morgan, Harley, and Selina.

A boy with freckles stepped forward, eyeing her warily. "You look scary," he said bluntly.

Several kids giggled, while Bruce grinned. "She does, doesn't she?"

Hela scowled at him before crouching to the boy's level. "And you," she said in a regal tone, "are quite bold for a mortal child."

The boy blinked, then smiled. "Thanks!"

Bruce smirked and mumbled. "Well, at least she didn't threaten to kill anyone. That's progress."

Hela rolled her eyes, but before she could retort, the orphanage director, an elderly woman named Sister Margaret, approached. "Mr. Stark," she greeted warmly. "And... Miss Hela, was it?"

Hela simply nodded.

"We can't thank you enough for your generosity," Sister Margaret continued. "The children have been looking forward to this all week."

Bruce patted her shoulder. "Just doing my part. Where do you want everything?"

Sister Margaret led them to a large recreation hall, where Bruce's nanotech crates were already being unloaded by automated drones. Inside, the walls were painted with colorful murals of heroes—Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther, and more. Bruce took a moment to admire the artwork, realizing how much these figures meant to the children.

With a gesture, the crates unfolded, revealing a treasure trove of gifts... sports equipment, books, computers, art supplies, gaming consoles, and even new furniture for the dormitories. The kids erupted in cheers, swarming around the new toys and gadgets with wide eyes.

Bruce turned to Hela. "Go on. Interact. Get to know them."

"How?" Hela asked. "They are like little critters that cannot be reasoned with. They only speak of meaningless trivialities and mind-numbing inanities."

"You want me to lock you up with Harley?" He raised an eyebrow.

"You wouldn't dare."

He shrugged. "Oh, you sure about that?"

"Fine."

With that, he stepped back to watch the chaos unfold as kids and nanobots created an elaborate network of zip lines across the rec hall. Hela weaved through the crowd of excited children, her brow furrowed in concentration. As she approached a group of girls playing hopscotch, she cleared her throat, causing them to stare up at her.

Hela stood awkwardly as the girls stared at her, their wide-eyed curiosity mixed with a hint of apprehension. One of them, a little girl with a missing front tooth and wild curly hair, tilted her head. "Do you wanna play with us?" she asked, holding out a piece of chalk.

Hela blinked, unsure how to respond. "Play?" she repeated, her voice carrying its usual commanding tone. "I don't… play."

The girls exchanged glances before another one, a slightly older child with braids, grinned mischievously. "Come on, it's easy! You just have to hop on the squares without stepping on the lines. Even babies can do it."

Hela narrowed her eyes. "Are you implying that I, the former Goddess of Death, lack the skill to conquer this... game?"

The girls giggled, and the one with the chalk said, "We're saying you should try! Unless you're scared."

A challenge. Hela could not resist. Straightening her posture, she extended her hand. "Give me the chalk. Show me the rules."

The girls quickly drew an elaborate hopscotch grid, adding swirls and extra squares that Hela suspected were not standard. "Okay," the older girl said, stepping onto the grid. "You throw this rock..." she picked up a smooth stone, "...and wherever it lands, you skip that square while hopping. Easy, right?"

Hela crossed her arms. "Simple enough."

"Let's see, then," the younger girl said, bouncing on her toes.

Hela picked up the stone, examined it as though it were a weapon, and then tossed it onto the grid. It landed neatly on one of the swirled squares. She stepped forward, her movements deliberate, and began hopping through the course with precision. The girls cheered as she cleared the last square without a single misstep.

"Not bad!" one of them said. "Now you gotta go faster!"

Before Hela could respond, another group of children approached, tugging at her hand. "Come to the field!" a boy shouted. "We're playing soccer!"

"Soccer?" she asked, her brow furrowing. She had seen sports on TV, but wasn't sure if playing with the kids would be such a good idea. But then again, it was better than getting locked up with Harley. So, she pretended not to know about the game.

"It's a game with a ball!" he said, pointing to a group of kids kicking a soccer ball across the grass. "You kick it into the goal. It's fun!"

Hela hesitated but felt Bruce's eyes on her from the corner of the hall. She glanced back and saw him leaning against a wall, watching her with an infuriatingly smug grin. She clenched her jaw. "Fine," she muttered.

The children dragged her to the field, where one of the older boys handed her a soccer ball. "You're on my team," he said confidently. "We're the blue team. And you gotta kick the ball into the net over there," he pointed, "but don't let the red team take it!"

"Understood," Hela said, gripping the ball.

"You don't use your hands!" a girl on the opposing team shouted. "Only your feet!"

Hela scowled but dropped the ball to the ground. "Very well. Let us begin."

The game started with chaotic energy. Hela's initial movements were stiff as she tried to navigate the unwieldy sport. But once the red team stole the ball from her, something shifted. Her competitive instincts flared to life. With surprising agility, she darted across the field, intercepting the ball and sending it soaring toward the goal with a single powerful kick.

The kids cheered or screamed, depending on their team. Hela smirked. "That was satisfactory."

"Satisfactory?" one of her teammates repeated, grinning. "That was awesome! Do it again!"

As the game continued, Hela found herself immersed in the children's excitement. She forgot her awkwardness and played with an intensity that had the kids laughing and cheering louder than ever. At one point, she blocked a shot with such precision that one of the boys declared, "You'd make an amazing goalie!"

When the game finally ended blue team was victorious and Hela stood in the middle of the field, her breathing slightly uneven but her expression oddly content. The children swarmed her, congratulating her and asking if she'd play again next time.

Bruce, now standing on the sidelines, clapped slowly. "Look at you, blending in like a natural."

She shot him a glare but didn't argue. One of the younger girls tugged at her hand. "You're kinda scary, but you're also really cool," she said with a toothy smile.

Hela stared at the child for a moment, her icy demeanor thawing just slightly. She gave the faintest nod. "You are... not intolerable."

Bruce chuckled. "High praise coming from her. I'd take it."

As the children laughed and began planning their next activity, Hela found herself lingering. She was smiling, which was a rare occurrence.

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