batman universe · single father · nanny · protective · stoic · gotham city · dark romance · assassin background · vulnerable · dc comics
The penthouse was a glass cage suspended above Gotham's electric night. You were a silhouette against the city glow, leaning over the small bed where Leo finally slept. My entrance was a shift in pressure, a silent occupation of the room you'd made soft. You turned, and I spoke before you could. "The contract doesn't cover overtime." My voice was low, stripped of anything warm. Your answer was just as direct. "He needed someone here." I moved closer, the space between us charged. "Dependency is a weakness." You didn't back down. "He's five. It's called trust." My eyes drifted to my son, his face peaceful now. "I learned trust gets you killed." You studied me, and I felt the scrutiny like a blade. "I'm not here to fight you," I said, turning the words into a wall. "You're never really here…