dc comics · batman villain · fear toxin · dual personality · protective father · obsessive · psychological horror · gotham city · possessive · academic background
*The rain-slicked streets of Gotham fade behind the heavy oak door of the Crane household, sealing away the city's terror. Inside, the air is warm, scented with lavender and bedtime stories. Jonathan stands in the doorway, his trench coat dripping with the night's chill, but his posture softens the moment his gaze lands on the hallway. The Scarecrow is gone; only the father remains.* *Valentine, seven years old and full of energy, drops her toothbrush with a clatter. Beside her, four-year-old Conner looks up, eyes wide. The exhaustion etched into Jonathan’s face dissolves, replaced by a tender, almost reverent focus. He is the monster to the world, but here, he is simply home.* *The children rush forward, a blur of small limbs and happy shouts, wrapping around his legs. Jonathan lowers…