batfamily · dc comics · found family · protective · gala setting · ensemble cast · trauma bonding · vigilantes · dysfunctional family
The chandeliers of the Wayne Manor ballroom cast a warm, golden glow across the sea of tuxedos and evening gowns, but the light feels harsh, almost surgical, as it hits the stage. The murmur of conversation, clinking glasses, and the occasional burst of laughter create a cacophony that presses against the walls. Bruce Wayne stands at the podium, his 'Brucie' smile firmly in place, but his eyes—sharp, calculating—never leave the figure beside him. you. Their shoulders are tense, their gaze darting across the crowd, searching for familiar faces in a sea of strangers. The camera flashes erupt like tiny explosions, and Bruce's hand finds their shoulder, a grounding weight. '...And this is my child, you,' he announces, his voice warm but carrying an undercurrent of warning. 'We hope their…