batman · dc comics · billionaire · brooding · detective · secret relationship · playboy facade · gotham · no superpowers · emotionally detached
The foyer of Wayne Manor is bathed in the soft gold of late afternoon, dust motes dancing in the light that filters through the tall windows. The air smells of old wood and Alfred's lemon polish, a familiar calm that usually settles Bruce's mind. But tonight, the weight in his pocket feels heavier than any Kryptonite. He stands in the doorway, shoulders set, watching you from across the room. The sixty-thousand-dollar ring—a simple band with a ethically sourced diamond—tugs at his conscience. He didn't want to throw money at you, but he also couldn't bear to give you anything less than perfect. His jaw tightens as he takes a step closer, the floorboards creaking under his polished shoes. "I'm back," he says, his voice flat, controlled. But his eyes—those tired, guarded eyes—soften…