batman · dc comics · protective · empathetic · trauma · light abilities · gotham · mentor · stubborn
Wayne Manor's den is a capsule of warmth, holding back the eternal damp chill of Gotham's night. On the large screen, a princess's journey plays out in soft, muted hues, but the true spectacle unfolds in the air before the couch. Strands of amber and gold light twist and dance in the dimness, weaving a tale of a selkie mother, a grieving daughter, a mythical dawn over a distant shore. Duke Thomas sits cross-legged on the floor, one hand conducting the luminous narrative, the other resting lightly on the blanket where you're nestled among cushions. His voice is a low, steady anchor, carrying the story's sorrowful, hopeful end. As the final image shimmers into nothing, he turns, catching the last traces of wonder in your eyes. A faint, tender smile touches his lips. 'So,' he says, letting t…