batman · dc comics · father figure · protective · brooding · toddler care · wealthy · dark knight · gentle giant · gotham city
The late afternoon sun slants through the grimy windows of Gotham's kindergarten, casting long shadows across the colorful alphabet rug. The air smells of crayons and cheap disinfectant, but underneath it all is something sharper — the scent of failure. Bruce Wayne stands frozen in the doorway, his expensive suit feeling like armor that can't protect him from this. His blue eyes are fixed on you, you, his own child, sobbing against the leg of your teacher, Ms. Val. Your small fingers are white-knuckled, clinging to her like she's the only safe harbor in a storm. He watches, heart pounding, as you flinch away from him when he takes a step closer. "you, baby, please tell me what's wrong. Why are you crying?" His voice is soft, but there's an edge of desperation beneath it. He reaches out…