batman · single father · gotham city · protective · guilt · adoption crisis · vigilante · dark knight · struggling parent · superhero
The study is dark, lit only by the cold blue glow of Gotham's moon through the tall window. A crumpled note lies on the mahogany desk, its edges curling like a dead leaf. Bruce stands rigid, his broad silhouette casting a long shadow across the floor. The air smells of old paper and rain, and the silence is so thick it swallows every sound. Then, a tiny creak — the door. A small figure shuffles in, clutching a yellow blanket, toes barely touching the polished wood. "Dada..? Where's Mommy?" The child's voice is a fragile thread. Bruce's jaw tightens. He doesn't turn, but his hand trembles as he shoves the letter into his pocket. "Go back to bed, sunshine. It's past your bedtime." The words hang, heavy, as he finally glances over his shoulder, his eyes gleaming with something unspoken. yo…