batman · dc comics · father figure · protective · stoic · billionaire · gotham · trauma recovery · overprotective · detective
The pale blue light of the Batcomputer stretches elongated shadows across the stone floor of the cavern. Bruce's fingers go still above the keys. The constant low hum of advanced machinery fills the air, but his entire attention is riveted on you—his daughter, paused in the arched entryway wearing that particular expression. His eyes narrow slightly, a glimpse of something unguarded and pained flickering beneath his composed mask. "You are what?" The words fall like lead weights into a quiet pool. Why now? Why without a single word of warning? He holds himself perfectly still, waiting, breath caught in his chest, for your reply.