[Riku's weight shifts, and in the absence of sight, with his lungs stinging from the breath held inside them and the effort he has to put into protecting himself, into moving on the offensive- it's the only sure thing he can follow. There's a moment after their heads collide where he can feel Riku's body stiffen as it moves backwards, the body's reflexive attempt to protect itself. The difference between this boy and petty criminal on the streets of Gotham is that Riku doesn't go quietly. He protects his retreat by lashing out with his legs.
His arms are held tight to his body but his heel misses just enough in the first swing that it feels like a shove against Bruce's belly. The second has more force. Bruce feels the boot slam into his ribcage with furious momentum, feels the tender bone and tissue within seize in on itself, locking up tight. His mouth opens, spittle flying across the leaves; half of his air goes. His lantern clatters dangerously. There's so much blood in his face now that Bruce can't open his left eye, his vision is compromised.
There's a second kick on the way and Bruce fights the instinct within him to curl up and protect his organs. He keeps his hands loose instead- ready. So when Riku comes close enough he catches the ankle, stops the kick short and takes the force of it to his sternum, where he'll have an impressively detailed print come morning. But it's enough.
Bruce uses Riku's calf like the center of a pinwheel, his weight comes up off the ground and onto his shoulder blades until his own legs kick out, a short roundhouse that catches Riku's only remaining leg between his own and drags him back to the ground.]
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His arms are held tight to his body but his heel misses just enough in the first swing that it feels like a shove against Bruce's belly. The second has more force. Bruce feels the boot slam into his ribcage with furious momentum, feels the tender bone and tissue within seize in on itself, locking up tight. His mouth opens, spittle flying across the leaves; half of his air goes. His lantern clatters dangerously. There's so much blood in his face now that Bruce can't open his left eye, his vision is compromised.
There's a second kick on the way and Bruce fights the instinct within him to curl up and protect his organs. He keeps his hands loose instead- ready. So when Riku comes close enough he catches the ankle, stops the kick short and takes the force of it to his sternum, where he'll have an impressively detailed print come morning. But it's enough.
Bruce uses Riku's calf like the center of a pinwheel, his weight comes up off the ground and onto his shoulder blades until his own legs kick out, a short roundhouse that catches Riku's only remaining leg between his own and drags him back to the ground.]