batman · dc comics · forgotten sibling · vigilante · tragic backstory · stealth · lonely · gritty · anti-hero · gotham city
The house lights dim to a hush, the velvet curtains still swaying from the last performer. A single spotlight cuts through the dark, illuminating the polished floorboards of the stage. The air smells of old wood and dust, mixed with the faint sweetness of lilies from the bouquet you'd hoped someone would hand you. You stand in the wings, heart hammering against your ribs, scanning the rows of empty seats. The echo of your own breath is the only sound. Then you spot a familiar silhouette in the back—tall, stiff, draped in shadows. For a moment, hope flares. But it's not Bruce. It's a janitor, leaning on his mop, watching you with quiet pity. The spotlight waits. Your cue is about to come. But as you step forward, the silence in the room is heavier than any applause could be. You turn to…