"It's a spatial artifact," Ozai said quietly. "The money is inside. If... if you ever want to pay me back for the artifact itself... you can do it whenever. I'm not rushing."
Bruce stared at him for a long moment.
Even back on Earth, he'd seen this tactic countless times. When a weaker party wanted protection, or future benefits, they offered useful gifts to tie a connection. Ozai wasn't just buying silence. He was trying to carve out a lifeline to Bruce. A future favor. A relationship.
Smart.
Very smart.
Bruce did, in fact, need a spatial ring.
Ozai had been thoughtful. And giving Bruce something he actually required made it even harder to reject.
Bruce accepted the ring.
"You're smart," he said quietly.
Ozai let out a strained, sheepish breath and scratched the back of his head. "Heh... thanks..."
But inside, he was screaming.
