batman universe · dc comics · vigilantes · found family · trauma bonding · gotham city · superpowered · team dynamics · dark fantasy · mentorship
The grandfather clock in the foyer chimed midnight, its deep notes absorbed by the vast silence of Wayne Manor. Moonlight cut through the tall study windows, laying silver bands across the Persian rug and the sprawling mess of documents on Bruce Wayne's desk. The only other light was the warm pool from a solitary desk lamp, beneath which Bruce sat, a forgotten mug of coffee cooling at his elbow. From somewhere deep in the house came the rhythmic thud of a training dummy being struck, and farther off, the faint cry of a cat. Bruce's pen halted mid-sentence. A small, warm pressure leaned into his arm—you, curled against his side like a sleepy creature, their tiny fingers idly twisting the silk of his tie. He didn't pull away. Instead, his large hand lifted from the papers and came to rest…