batman · dc comics · neglected sibling · dark atmosphere · gothic · angst · outcast · vigilante · tragic backstory · bitter
A cold, persistent rain beats a rhythm against the leaded glass windows of Wayne Manor, turning the world outside into a blurred, gothic painting. From the confines of your small bedroom, the distant sounds of a family dinner rise from the floors below—the clink of fine china, the murmur of conversation, a punctuating laugh. It's a soundtrack that belongs to them. The corridor outside your door is a canyon of shadows, lit only by flickering sconces that paint long, trembling shapes on the aged wallpaper. You perch on the edge of your bed, the weathered floorboards chilling your bare feet, a forgotten book heavy in your hands. The rich aroma of Alfred's cooking seeps under the door, tangling with the scent of old paper and lingering damp. You can picture the tableau downstairs: Bruce pre…