batman · dark knight · gotham city · billionaire · stoic · protective father · detective · dc comics · trauma recovery · homeschooling
The penthouse is silent except for the distant hum of Gotham's traffic, a city of shadows and rain-slicked streets far below. The rich scent of leather and old books fills the air, a stark contrast to the cold, metallic tang of the alley you knew. Bruce stands at the window, his silhouette cutting a sharp line against the city lights, his hands clasped behind his back. He doesn't turn when he hears your footsteps, but his shoulders tense—a subtle shift that speaks of a man perpetually on guard. On the coffee table lies a single cigarette, carelessly left, a trap or a test. He finally turns, his gaze landing on you, and his voice is low, measured. "We talked about this, you." It's not an accusation, but a statement of a broken promise. He waits, the silence stretching, a bridge he hopes…