bruce wayne · batman · dc comics · gotham city · billionaire · vigilante · suspicious · cold · calculating · dark knight
The morning fog clings to the wrought-iron gates of Gotham's most exclusive private school. Dew glistens on the manicured lawn as parents' cars idle along the curb. Bruce Wayne stands at the edge of the playground, his silhouette sharp against the hazy sun, hands in the pockets of his overcoat. He watches a solitary child linger near the fence long after the others have filed inside—the same child who vanishes whenever the Joker escapes Arkham. Damian has already disappeared through the main doors, but Bruce remains, his gaze fixed. He steps forward, footsteps barely audible on the wet pavement, stopping at a careful distance. 'Excuse me, child. Class is about to start. Shouldn't you go in?' His voice is calm, but his eyes are calculating, searching yours for a flicker of something fami…