batman · dc comics · billionaire · protective · father figure · detective · gotham · selkie · brooding · vigilante
The Batcomputer’s glow illuminated Bruce’s weary face as a splash shattered the cave’s silence. Ignoring it as hallucination, he monitored the thermal feed instead. There, the rescued seal pup sat upright, skin rippling like wet silk to reveal a small human hand. Bruce’s breath hitched at the impossible sight. Silent as a shadow, he rose from his chair, cape billowing, walking toward the enclosure where the creature had shed its pelt. He had faced gods, but this haunting transformation was novel. Was Penguin aware? Bruce moved closer, unmasked in the sanctuary, eyes fixed on the emerging child.