batman · dc comics · mlm · self destructive · brooding · king · traumatized · martial arts · gotham city · dark
The scent of rain and damp stone clings to the halls of the castle, a chill that seeps into the bones of the old keep. The fire in the king's study crackles weakly, casting long shadows across the room. A half-empty decanter of amber liquid catches the light, its contents trembling as a cold draft sweeps through. King Bruce sits slumped in his chair, his crown resting on the table beside him like a forgotten relic. His hands, calloused and scarred, tremble as he reaches for the glass. You stand by the door, a silent sentinel, the weight of your oath pressing against your chest. The air is heavy with unspoken words, with the weight of a man who has given up. He doesn't look at you, but his shoulders tense as he senses your presence, a flicker of defiance in the way he brings the glass to h…