Don’t Tell Bruce (Part 1)

What will you (Batmom) let your children do that your stubborn, buzz kill, extremely sexy husband Bruce Wayne aka Batman won’t? Well read on to see!

Each kid will be broken down into sections, so it will be like a bunch of mini stories!

This was requested by @colombia-chan !!! Hope y’all enjoy!

And sorry this is going to be in two parts. Apparently there is a text blocks limit so I couldn’t fit everyone on one post. Part Two

——

Dick (12)

“Please can I get a pet?” Dick pleads with puppy dog eyes.

Bruce looked up from his paperwork sighing rubbing the bridge of his nose, “No Dick.”

“Why not?” He questions with a slight whine in his voice.

“Because (F/N) and Alfred will end up taking care of it.” Bruce crosses his arms over his chest shaking his head back and forth.

“I promise I’ll take care of it.” Dick pleads in a last attempt.

“No.” Bruce starts back in on his paperwork. Dick pursers his lips tightly and leaving Bruce’s office upset.

——

“Can I get a pet?” Dick ask hands behind his back not looking into your eyes.

You place a hand on your son should gently smiling, “You can but you’ll start with something simple.”

“Like a puppy!” Dick exclames happily jumping up and down.

You wave your hands back and forth signaling for him to calm down, “No, a fish. It will teach you basics of pet care without the shedding of a dog.”

Dick thinks about for a second, “Okay but I want a cool fish.”

“Just don’t tell Bruce, and with a fish he probably won’t notice.” You say smiling at your son who had already grab your purse and keys. Guess you were getting that fish now.

Barbara (22)

“I just want to borrow the old computer system for a week.” Barbara pleaded with Bruce. Her system was to old and her new one wouldn’t be ready for a week.

“You can borrow it.” Bruce replies motioning to the old system.

“Sweet.” Barbara pumps her fist in the air.

“But in the Batcave.” Bruce adds on turning back to do whatever he was working before Barbara had come down.

“What that’s not fair. You never going to use it again. What’s the harm of me taking it.” Barbara crosses her arms glaring at Bruce’s back.

“I don’t care.” Bruce replies blocking out everything around him.

——

“Can I borrow the old system?” Barbara asks you after you came down to the cave and Bruce head back up.

“You can have it. Bruce got a whole new bat computer system, the old one is going to collect dust.” You gesture to the computers not wanting Alfred to have one more thing to have worry about cleaning.

“Really?” Barbara questions eyes lighting up.

“Yes, the computers need to go. It took me three months of convincing to get rid of the last old ones. I’m not dealing with it again.” You sigh at that memory; it took you moving into a different room in the manor for him to get rid of the last. And you didn’t want a repeat.

“Thanks your the best.” Barbara gives a hug.

“Don’t tell Bruce right away. I’ll take the heat.” You hug her back smiling.

Jason (21)

Bruce was siting at his chair working on a case when Jason had come to ask him if him and Tim could go a road trip. That idea was shot down pretty quick.

“Come on B it’s just a road trip.” Jason says trying to not yell at Bruce.

Bruce cross his arms over his chest not giving in. “Your not taking Tim on a road trip.”

Jason gives one more attempt to convince him, “It’s called brotherly bonding.” Bruce was big with on his kids getting along.

“No.” He turns around in his chair and goes ack to typing away at the bat computer.

——

“So can Tim and I take a road trip?” Jason asks drinking tea with you on the back porch.

You place your tea cup down on the table, “You and I both know this is about the weapons smuggling ring.”

Jason’s eyes widen spiting the tea in his mouth out, “How did you…”

“Tim asked me first. You can go just take pictures so you have a semi-decent alibi.” You smile at him with an all knowing look in your eyes.

“Thanks and good idea.” Jason smiles at you whipping the tea from his chin.

“I know, don’t tell Bruce I knew.” You wink at him.

Cass

“I only want to borrow the care for a date.” Cass says following Bruce through the manor.

“I don’t care.” Bruce doesn’t even look back at as he flips through a case file.

Cass matches his stride and looks up at him, “Your not the boss of me.”

Bruce snorts giving an almost laugh, “I’m your father so close enough.”

——

“Can I use the car to go on the date with Duke.” Cass ask you before you start your weekly reading lesson.

“You mean the undercover operation you two don’t want Bruce to know about then sure.” You question smiling picking a new book from the seemingly endless collection in the Wayne Manor library.

Cas looks at you suprised, “How did you find out?”

“I was talking to Duke and saw the reflection in the mirror of the file.” I respond shrugging your shoulders sitting down on the couch next to her.

“You can read backwards.” Cass states still surprised.

You shrug your shoulders nonchalantly smiling at your daughter. “I have many talents.”

“Thank you.” Cass smiles at you.

“Don’t tell Bruce, bring the car back without a scratch or we both will be in hot water.” You laugh nervously opening the book.

Batmom: This didn’t go as well as I thought it would.

Bruce: How did you think it was going to go?

Batmom: I thought it would be a nice normal date.

Bruce: Not this time.

Batmom: All I wanted was to go on a date and now we are hanging upside down above a shark tank.

Bruce: I could get us out of this if you want we might still make our reservations.

Batmom: Nah it’s fine I have blood on my dress and my hair looks like a mess.

Bruce: You still look beautiful to me.

Batmom: Awww thanks, only you would give me compliments in the face of danger. On a different note do you think kids are going to hurry up and save us? Cause the blood rushing to my head doesn’t feel great.

Bruce: Let’s hope so. Those sharks look hungry and I don’t have my shark repellent. 

Synopsis : Bruce arrives just in time to save you from a situation that is a little too close from home for him…

That scene, in The Batman, where he looks at the mayor’s son and just stares for a bit for obvious reason…It stuck with me. And I got the idea of writing this, Bruce making sure what happened to him never happens again. Also, maybe I wanted to write Battinson interacting with a toddler…Hope you’ll like it. Comments and other reblogs always super welcomed and appreciated <3 : 

My masterlists :@ella-ravenwood-archives

__________________________________________________

In retrospect, you think it might be fate, who brought you together that night. 

What were the chances that he’d be there, at that exact moment ? 

He often said it himself, he couldn’t be everywhere. And yet…

He found you that night. Both of you. 

How could you not believe in some kind of destiny, after all these years and what you went through ? 

Yes. It’s been years since that night, and it’s an evidence to you. 

It’s fate, that took Bruce’s steps towards you. Fate that guided him, that made it so he would make it just in time to save you and your son…

Ah. It’s funny, now. “Your son”. His, too. Who would’ve thought, all those years ago, that your “little buddy” would become the most amazing older brother that ever existed ? Certainly not you. You were so sure, at that time, that you would only ever have one child. 

And look at you now. Surrounded by family on that clear evening, eating dinner all together. All because once upon a time, on a terrible night, your path crossed the Batman’s…

Oh. How very different it would’ve been, if fate had decided to never do its little tricks. 

************

Ten years ago

There’s some days, you just have no idea how you made it this far. 

Some days, you’re not sure you can keep going. 

Some days you feel like it’d be oh too easy to just let it all go. 

But you can’t give up. If you were alone, maybe. But you’re not. You have your little buddy to take care of. And you could never forgive yourself if you let him down. You didn’t care what happened to you, as long as he was fine. 

Nonetheless, it was tough, to be a single mother in Gotham. To be honest, it was tough to be a single mother everywhere in the world. But Gotham ? Gotham had its way of making everything worst. 

You could live with the constant judgement everyone was throwing your way. People judging you without knowing your story wasn’t anything new. But you had to admit, sometimes, it got old. 

It’s almost funny, how a life can take a radical turn in but a few moment…

One day, you’re painting the nursery of your future child, happy, in love, ready to welcome this little life in the world. 

The next, someone calls you to say : “There’s been an accident”, and all your dreams chatter. 

Your fiancé was working for a building company, and lately had been on a worksite at “The Ice Lounge”. You didn’t like the idea of him working there. Everyone knew what this place really was full of…But the money was good. And with a baby on the way ? Yeah, of course he’d take the job. 

“Work accident” they said, giving you a modest compensation thanks to the “Renewal plan” (was this really what the money was supposed to be used on ?). And just like that, in a few seconds, your fiancé was forever gone. It took you a while to even process what was being said to you through the phone. 

Couldn’t someone at least come tell you the news in person ? 

Apparently not. 

You were given no other infos. You did receive a condolences card from the owner of the place, a certain “Oswald Cobblepot”. Although you’re not really sure he even signed it. You heard the rumors about the man… 

You didn’t believe one bit he died because of a “work accident”, but in Gotham ? Nobody cared about the truth. Police were in those people’s pocket, as if they were going to search for foul play. 

At the end of the day, the result was the same. If anyone was guilty of his death, they wouldn’t have gone behind bars anyway. Everyone knew how the mafia worked, around Gotham. It was a well known “secret”, for those living in those streets. They would’ve found a scapegoat, and you knew your fiancé would’ve hated that. You would too, an innocent person in prison…No. 

It didn’t mean that it was easy to accept. But living in Gotham meant you had to live with certain things. And to be honest, once you ended up all alone with a baby on the way, you had to take your responsibilities quickly. 

You unfortunately didn’t have time to chase after the truth. But you would, one day, you would. 

For now, you had to work two jobs to stay afloat, and that’s how you ended up here. Late at night. Going home with your baby in your arms. 

Well. Baby. He wasn’t really a baby anymore, he would turn three in just a few months. Damn. Three years old already ? Wow. How time flies. Especially when your days are a succession of long working hours and trying to survive. 

But you didn’t have a choice. As a single mother, you were near the bottom of the food chain in Gotham, and you had to fight. For him. 

Because he deserved better. He deserved the world. You would do anything to give him a decent childhood. Unfortunately, it meant that sometimes, you had to take tough decisions.

Like tonight. 

************

You knew bringing your two year old son to work that night, was a bad idea. But what could you do ? You couldn’t miss work, you needed the money. And you were certainly not going to leave your son alone because no one was available.

So you brought him with you.

He fell asleep in the back room, in a little makeshift bed your coworkers made for him…They absolutely adored your boy. And you understood them. Maybe it’s because he felt how hard you had it, but (Son’s name) had always been a calm child. He didn’t cry often, he quickly slept through nights…A blessing, really, given how hectic your life was. 

Your night job was in a bar. Your shift ran from 7pm to 3 am. Fortunately, the bar you were working in was a “nice one”. One of those “local street” bar with only people from the neighborhood. Hell, you even served coffee…Ah, but there were many insomniacs, down in Gotham City (you were sure it was fate too, which, years later, made it so that this place you used to work at became your son Tim’s favorite place to get late night coffees during his vigilante shifts). 

It was late. It was raining. And you were finally going home, with your little sleeping buddy in your arms. The weather was good, when you left for work, so you did not have an umbrella. You were pretty much soaked. Which didn’t matter, as long as your baby was dry and warm, and safe. Wrapped in your coat against your chest, only his little face was peeking out. He was fast asleep, and the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen. 

And you’ve never felt so scared of going home late at night than now.

When you were alone, it was ok. You knew Gotham. You knew the streets to take to get home quick, and to avoid trouble. Sure, you were mugged a few times, but it was never ever really bad because honestly, you didn’t have much to give. And most thugs being out that late were just that, street thugs who didn’t really look for huge trouble. 

But right now, with your son in your arms ? You had a bad feeling. 

A feeling creeping from your toes to your head. As if you were followed. As if something was lurking out there.  

And…you were right. As you turned down a back alley where there usually were nobody, someone got in front of you. By instinct, you took a step back. 

Damn. Now, he was going to know you were afraid. 

************

The man came out of nowhere. 

And instantly, all your sense were on high alert. 

A group of thugs was less dangerous than a man lone, in Gotham. 

Because someone deciding to attack on his own ? It was someone who didn’t have much to loose. Someone who wouldn’t be too happy with the barely twenty bucks in your wallet…

He stood right in your way, blocking it. 

“Your wallet, lady. And that ring, too.” 

No. Not the ring. It was the only thing you had left of your fiancé…And you did such a good job hiding it too. You had taken it off of your fingers a while ago, putting it around your neck keeping it safe against your heart. 

But it seemed as if your son, as he fell asleep, took hold of it and was holding onto the necklace…

You did not want to give that man your ring. But with your baby in your arm, you weren’t about to risk it. The story of one of the most famous and powerful couple in town came back to your head, in that moment…If Thomas and Martha Wayne could get shot in the streets, just like that, then a nobody like you definitely could too. 

“Ok. Just give me a second, ok ?” 

This wasn’t good. The man looked nervous, looking all around. You knew what he was looking for. Or rather, who. His looks up and towards the darkest areas of the streets told you everything. And oh man, if only The Batman was around right now…

“Buddy, hey, you have to wake up.” 

You didn’t want him to see this. You didn’t want him to live this. What, not even three years old and already his first time getting mugged ? This wasn’t right. 

This wasn’t the life you wanted for him. He should’ve never been there. If only you had enough money to pay for a sitter…

He wakes up, and as usual, he’s an adorable little bundle right after sleep. He rarely cried, when you woke him up for whatever reason. Deep down, you think it’s because he’s already aware of the struggles you’re going through. You know it’s ridiculous, he’s just two. Yet it feels so many times he makes your life better…

“Mama.” 

“Yes, yes don’t worry buddy. I’ll put you on the ground for a second, ok ?” 

He nods and yawns sleepily. He didn’t notice the man in front of you, yet. Everything is alright. Everything is good. You’re handling this. You put him on the ground gently, as you need both your hands to reach for your wallet, which is hidden in an inner pocket of your jacket (can’t be too safe in Gotham). 

He’s still wrapped in your coat, coat which drags on the floor as your son’s legs are just too short…

“Mama.”

Worry in his voice. Of course, he would notice the scary man in front of him. He hid behind your leg, holding your pant tightly, your coat slips off of him, and by instinct you try to put it back on him when-

“HURRY UP LADY !” 

A gun. Was it there since the start ? You don’t know, but it’s there now. In his hand. Pointed at you. 

This was bad. The man was too nervous, he could snap any seconds. You knew this, you’ve lived in those streets long enough to recognize desperate people. You raise your hands, and say : 

“Ok here, here just take everything.” 

You quickly take your wallet, and your ring from around your neck, and hand it to him. 

“Empty your pocket, you must have more !” 

“Sir, I’m sorry but I don’t, I-”

“DON’T LIE TO ME BITCH ! WHAT YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW YOU’RE HIDING SOMETHING ?”

He grabs you by the shirt, you hear your son scream, you don’t mean to but…you fight back. It’s a visceral reaction. You’re so scared for your son, as that gun faces downward towards him, that you fight back. You grab his arm and-

BANG. 

That was a shot, right ? You looked down at your son, thanks god, he wasn’t touched. But he was looking at you with wide eyes. And you felt like you were slowly falling downward. 

Oh. Oh you felt, a little light headed. 

“Mama ?” 

Why couldn’t you feel his hands anymore ? And why everything was so wet ? It takes you a few seconds to realize you fell on the floor. 

“MAMA !!” 

No. No. You can’t speak. You wish you could scream. You can’t leave him all alone against that man, you can’t let him get hurt. You try to move, but you can’t. Your can hear (Son’s name) crying now, and the man panicking and then-

SWOOSH.

Swoosh ? That was a weird sound. 

You turn your head, and- oh. That’s him. 

At least, your son will be safe. And that’s all that matters. 

Honestly. What were the odds of him being around here, right now ? It’s almost as if fate brought him there, to save you. You feel your son’s little hands holding your jeans tight, crying, and you really want to stand up, take him in your arms and run, but your strengths are leaving you…

************

FUCK !! Will he ever be on time ?? First his parents, then Alfred, and now-

He did not know you. But he knew this situation all too well. This was probably the most triggered he’ve ever been. 

Never again. He promised himself. Never again. 

Your son’s cry almost gives him a panic attack. He almost freezes on the spot, seeing the scene unfolds in front of him. In just a few seconds everything goes to Hell, there’s a shot…

It wakes him up. It wakes Bruce up. 

He has to act. This is why he became the Batman. This is why he became the Batman ! He jumps from the balcony he was standing on, and drops on the man heavily. 

He sees you fall, and the little child (he’s not sure if it’s a boy or a girl, wrapped in that coat like that) shaking you. 

And he sees red. 

He barely stops himself before he kills that man with his violent punches. Never before has he felt so angry, and close to killing. It’s just-

He’ve seen all this before. 

He had been that little boy, on his knees, shaking his parents for them to wake up.

“ ’ake up mama ! ‘Ake up !”

The man is taken care of quickly. His gun is utterly destroyed by Bruce, who makes sure it will never be able to shoot another bullet. And then he runs to you. Your eyes flutter, but do not open. It seems like you feel his presence because you whisper : 

“My son…”

You were hurt. Badly. Yet your first thoughts were for your son. 

A painful reminder to Bruce. He knew his parents’ last thoughts were for him, for his safety. He didn’t have a child, and to be honest, didn’t think he would ever have children (oh the irony) with the kind of life he was living. Yet he felt what you were feeling. 

He remembered his mom’s terrified eyes as she took her last breath. His dad trying to say “Bruce” and “Martha”. The fact they were in this alley because of him…

It’s a love so deep you can’t seem to fully understand it up until you lose it. 

And right now, Bruce wasn’t ready to let another child live through this. Especially not as young as that little one seemed to be. 

The boy couldn’t stop crying, clinging to his mom and screaming in distress. The kind of cry where you can’t even breathe properly. He coughed, and started to hyperventilate, unable to process all those strong emotions…

He couldn’t be more than three years old. No kid should ever witness something like that. 

Bruce was still holding your hand. Tightly. But he had to act. Fast. 

Because right now, he knew your life was on the line. He could still feel your heartbeat. He would save you. He would ! Never again will he let a child witness their parents be murdered in front of him. At least, not in Gotham. 

************

He had to take you out of this alley. Without thinking much about it, he took you in his arms…And your son hit him. 

“Leave mama !” 

Bruce realized that he probably didn’t even see him fight the man who shot his mom, and, ah, what a brave little boy. He was soaked to the bones, shivering in the cold night, and his mom just got hurt, and yet here he was, kicking probably the scariest man he ever saw. 

There were very few instances, in which Bruce regretted he chose such an intimidating costume. But right now, faced with that little boy who was head bent on protecting his mother, he wished he chose something a little more colorful. He noticed the Spider-Man backpack the little one had…

“I’m going to help your mama, ok ? Help ?” 

Your son was young, but not stupid. He didn’t seem to believe Bruce at first, which was understandable. But then Bruce took a lollipop from his utility belt (even now, years later, he still had candies in said utility belt…not many people knew Bruce had a sweet tooth, and then of course with the kids, it became a habit, oh how many times they emptied his “candy pocket” in one evening), and gave it to him. 

Your kid was like most kids. If someone gave them candies ? It meant they were nice…He was still too young to understand this was actually something to be weary of. Fortunately, in this instance, it wasn’t. 

Bruce took you in his arm, and got your son to jump on his back. 

“Hold on.” 

“Mm.” the little one nodded, and Bruce took off running. The Batmobile wasn’t far, and he had to hurry.

************

The people at the hospital weren’t shocked to have someone come in with a gunshot wound. To see the Batman though, with a kid holding onto his back ? That was new. 

The police was called, and you were sent to the an emergency surgery. Your son whined a little, when you were taken away, calling you. But somehow, Bruce managed to calm him down. 

Your son wasn’t “wild”. He trusted people easily. Too easily, in your opinion. You often worried about it. But right now ? It was a blessing, as he seemed to understand that the doctors where going to take care of his “mama”, and just sat there in silence, on The Batman’s lap. 

That was quite an odd image. 

************

The sun was rising, and Bruce wasn’t sure what to do. 

He couldn’t leave him here, all alone. And the police still hadn’t shown up. And so he just sat there, in his Batman costume, in the hospital, with everyone staring at him.

He heard them whisper, and none of them even hid the fact they were talking about him and the child. It was uncomfortable. He hated when people looked at him. Even under the protection of his costume. 

Ever since his parents passed away, he had a hard time standing people’s gaze on him. When they died, everyone kept looking at him. They whispered wherever he went. And they stared, stared and stared again. 

He hated, when people looked at him like that. 

Finally, Jim Gordon showed up, apologizing. Apparently, it been quite a night out there. Bruce knew. Before saving you, he already took care of quite a lot of affairs. 

He didn’t even realized, but he didn’t feel any guilt about missing a few hours of the night patrolling. His entire mind was focused on that little boy in his lap, and his mother still in surgery. 

His entire mind was plagued by a question : “what if you didn’t make it ?”. He didn’t think he could handle it. So, what if he skipped three hours of patrol ? This was important. 

He told what happened to Gordon, and the detective nodded saying they found the man responsible for the shooting. He was also in this hospital, The Batman did not held his punches… 

Jim then turned to the little boy in his arms. Your son didn’t fall back asleep (maybe it was the sugar in the candies Bruce kept giving him ?), and was looking at Gordon suspiciously. 

He screamed his lung out when the detective tried to take him from Bruce’s arms, writhing and kicking and crying and yelling “no no no”, clinging to Bruce as if his life depended on it, and the Batman didn’t have the heart to let the little one go. He was reminisced of himself, years ago, refusing to let go of Alfred for hours on end after he came back from the police station and the butler came to fetch him…How could he let go ?

He couldn’t. And so he stayed, and held onto that young child who wasn’t an orphan yet, but could very well be at any instant, if you didn’t make it…

************

His clothes were soaked, poor little thing. And he was shaking a little bit. Naturally, Bruce just wrapped him in his cape. Glad he put some “thermopads” in them (thanks to Alfred really, who was starting to be tired of treating his cold when he spend nights out and it was cold. He just had to wrap himself in his cape and…done).

Gordon was looking at the two of them, probably wondering how the Hell did the Batman got himself in that situation. They had lived a lot of things together, over the past two years, but never this. 

“What’s your name ?” the detective asked, and the boy just hid in Batman’s cape, peeking out of it sometimes to see if he was still looking at him, and then hiding again. 

“You’re scaring him.” Bruce says. 

The irony of the matter didn’t escape any of them. What, Jim Gordon, probably one of the only honest policeman in Gotham, scared that little boy, and a man wearing a bat costume and being purposefully intimidating didn’t ?

There was comedy, in this. 

Bruce pulled his cape a little, looked at the boy and asked : 

“What’s your name?”

The little boy looked at him for a few seconds, and Bruce wondered if he understood. How old was that kid ? Two or three ? Didn’t children speak already at that time ? Man he wished he could call Alfred right now.

Finally, your son, after pondering whether that weird man wearing a bat costume was trustworthy (because yes; he did understand the question), said :

“(Son’s name)" 

Bruce’s first thought was that that name fit him. And his second thought was that his voice was adorable. When was the last time he thought this kind of thing ? He realized, never. Interaction with kids weren’t really his forte. They either quivered in fear, or asked too many question.

But here he was.

That little kid, just looking at him curiously, calm and…collected ? At least for a child that young, who was in a stranger’s arm, and who’s mom was nowhere to be seen. Bruce wondered if that little one understood what was going on…

No. No your son wasn’t really sure of what was happening. But there was one thing he knew, and that Bruce couldn’t know.

Bruce couldn’t know what was going on in that little head of his. Your son was only two, almost three. But he understood that Bruce did a good thing for him and you. He understood that this man saved his mama. Kids in Gotham grew up faster than anywhere else, because of the violence they always witnessed. So someone fighting "the bad guys” ? Instant trust.

“Your name ?” 

He asked, and Bruce answered : 

“V-Batman.” 

Your son smiled widely, making everyone’s heart melt, and repeated : 

“Man-Man !”

“No no. Bat-man.”

Unable to hear where he pronounced it wrong, the boy repeated : 

“…Man-Man !”

“Bat, repeat after me. Baaat.”

“Baaat.”

“Man.”

“Man !”

“Batman.”

“Man-Man !”

Bruce heard himself chuckle. Wh-What ? When was the last time he laughed ? 

He couldn’t even remember. 

************

Time went by so slowly. And there was still no news about your condition. 

Bruce was still waiting, still in his Batman costume. (Son’s name) was finally fast asleep, clutching one of his finger tight. It was…adorable. Bruce couldn’t describe the feeling he felt, holding this child, wrapped in his cape, holding his finger. 

It was an odd feeling.

Finally, news arrived. Good news. 

You were in an artificial coma right now, but they said you were out of danger. You just needed a lot of rest, and to stay in the hospital for a while. 

The “problem” of your son came quickly. The hospital said that the little boy would be able to stay with you, but only in a few days, once you’d leave intensive care. Someone to take care of him had to be found. 

“What is going to happen to him ?” 

He asked to Jim Gordon, as your son was still asleep in his arms. 

“Well, social services will probably-”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no ?”

“He’s going to be scared. I know how social services work, they tried to take me away from-” 

Wow. Two years of making sure Bruce Wayne couldn’t be assimilated to Batman, and he almost said : “they tried to take me away from Alfred once”. Wow. He knew his emotions were in shambles. This case really was too close from home. 

If Jim Gordon noticed anything, he didn’t say it. He just continued : 

“It’s our only option. Unless someone is willing to take him in. I would gladly do so, but it’d unfortunately be a conflict of interest as I’m assigned to his case. And there’s procedures, the person would have to prove they’re fit to take care of him.” 

“Anyone could take better care of him than social services…” 

“Maybe, but it’s the only option we have right now. You’re going to have to leave him.” 

Leave him ? No…

Bruce didn’t dare to even speak to the mayor’s son when he had the occasion to. So now…It felt personal.

This all thing.

It felt like he had to act.

Batman left, leaving the sleeping boy in the care of Jim Gordon. But Bruce Wayne ? 

************

Alfred was still in the hospital, and it ended up being a blessing. Another thing that makes you strongly believe all of that happened for a reason, that it was destiny that brought you all together. 

Because Alfred still being bedridden in that same hospital Bruce took you to ? It meant that Bruce Wayne had a reason to be there. 

And that’s how he made an appearance as his “real” self, and oh, what a coincidence, encountered the social workers who were currently taking care of (son’s name). 

The poor little fella seemed greatly distressed. The only person he gave his trust to, the Batman, left while he was sleeping, and he woke up surrounded by people who asked him too many questions. 

The social workers didn’t ask Bruce many questions. They knew who he was. They were surprisingly easy to convince (the truth was, they wanted to end this as quickly as possible, and move on, and honesty, who would blame them to give responsibilities to a literal billionaire ? He could always just hire people to take care of him). 

In just a few minutes, (son’s name) was in Bruce Wayne’s custody for the next few days. Oddly enough, the little boy didn’t fuss when Bruce took him in his arms, and Bruce had a suspicion that the kid recognized him. 

But it wasn’t possible, right ? He was only two, how could he recognize him when he was masked, changed his voice etc ? 

Your son didn’t recognize him. But he felt oddly at ease, in his arms. Reminded of another person’s arm, the man who saved you…So he went with it. He’ve always been a sweet and calm child. 

************

“Alfred.”

“Yes my boy ?” 

“Where are um-…Where are my kid’s clothes ?” 

“Your what now ?” 

“You know, the clothes I used to wear as a kid. I know you didn’t throw them away. Where did you put them ?” 

There was a silence. Before Alfred finally said : 

“Why on Earth would you need children’s clothes ?” 

There was worries in the butler’s voice, and for reasons. What was his young master’s latest fad now ?? 

“There’s this boy. Um. His mother. She got shot.” 

Oh. Oooh. Oooooh. Wait, what ?

“A…boy ?” 

“Yes. I said I would take care of him for a few days.” 

Another silence. If Alfred wasn’t still badly injured, he would’ve stand up and shake his master. 

“I’m sorry, are you out of your mind ?? You ? With a child ? All alone ??” 

As far as he could remember, Bruce hadn’t seen Alfred freak out as much as right now. 

“I couldn’t leave him Alfred. I couldn’t.” 

Pinching his nose (a gesture that Bruce will mimic a lot in the future, whenever his children would do something that genuinely would give him headaches), Alfred sighed and said : 

“Where is he ?” 

“Waiting with the nurses.” 

“Well bring him in.”

Bruce went to fetch (son’s name). As if it was the most natural thing in the world, the little boy climbed on Alfred’s bed (with a little help from Bruce) and sat there, calmly. 

He exchanged a look with Alfred, and something in the butler’s face made him smile and say : 

“Hewwoooo.” 

“Well hello there young man.” 

“You have booboo ?”

“Yes. Yes I do.”

“Mama do too.”

“Your mama is hurt ?” 

The boy nods, and then say : “But ish okay.” 

“It is ?” 

He nods again, and adds : “Man-Man save her.” 

Alfred turns to Bruce, who shrugs and aaah. Of course. “Man-Man”. Everything made sense, now. Why did his master want to take care of this child. 

Of course.  

************

The least that we can say, is that things definitely got out of hand a lot of time. Bruce had never taken care of a child (crazy that people thought, just because he was extremely rich, he was fit to take care of him). He called Alfred one too many time.

The poor butler, stuck in his hospital bed, was literally pulling his hair because of the worry (an explanation to his premature baldness ?). 

“What do you mean you gave him ice cream for dinner ?? That is not appropriate Master Bruce !” 

“He’s two years old, of course he has to go to bed before midnight !” 

“*sighs* Can you repeat please ? You let him do what with our highly priced and precious collection of Fabergé eggs ?”

“Master Bruce, please, by real food and stop giving him candy. This is why he doesn’t want to take a nap, he’s high on sugar.”

“He does need to wear pants, yes.”

“Master Bruce, with all due respect, that “wallpaper” was a five hundred years old tapisserie from England, and yes I’m a little mad you let him paint on it. It was a relic from the Queen herself that she gifted to your grandfather !” 

“NO A CHILD DOES NOT NEED A MILLION DOLLAR WHAT WOULD HE DO WITH IT ANYWAY ??”  

Bruce had people babysit him at night, pretending he had “things to do” and honestly ? Nobody questioned it. Everyone knew Bruce Wayne was a little odd. He even heard one of the caretaker whispering something about him being the master of a “sex dungeon”…Good, people were miles away from suspecting he was the Batman. 

Having that many people home though made him uncomfortable. It was a painful reminder of when his house was full of help, during his parents’ time, and how so many of them tried to sell pictures of a crying Bruce right after their death…Alfred fired all of them. 

But he couldn’t leave (son’s name) alone at night. However, one evening, as it was time for (son’s name) to go to bed, Bruce heard him whimper. It wasn’t a full on cry, just a sob, barely noticeable. 

“Mama…” 

He was calling for you. And Bruce didn’t have the heart to leave him alone. For the first time in two years, he took a night off. The Batsignal wasn’t shining anyway. And he stayed with that lost little boy, who was calling for his mom and who reminded him of himself…He was such a brave child. 

Bruce never thought he would one day console a crying kid. Hold him in his arm until he was asleep. Stay to make sure he was ok. He felt…Was this how Alfred feel when he stayed entire nights in Bruce’s room to wake him up if he had a nightmare ? 

*************

(Son’s name) only stayed with Bruce for three days, but it meant something for him. Never before had an experience change him so much…Well, if you don’t talk about his parents dying right in front of his eyes of course (yes, I think I’m funny). 

The boy was curious, eager to learn, sweet, a little stubborn, and he did have one massive tantrum (over the silliest of things : he really didn’t want to wear pants and only hang out in his PJ) but just like any kid, really ? 

Bruce was really impressed by how your son handled this entire situation. Being thrown into a stranger’s house, surrounded by strange things…Of course, being so young, your son didn’t always realize what was going on. And thanks god children don’t really have any notion of time, because he always would be satisfy with “tomorrow” as an answer to him asking “when will I see mama ?”. 

************

You woke up in a panic. But were quickly reassured that your son was alright, and taken care of. By instinct, you went for the ring around your neck, forgetting that you had given it to the ma- No. It was there. 

Who put it back around your neck ? The Batman ? 

It didn’t sound like something he’d do, right ? Yet…The ring was back around your neck. And someone put it there. Nobody else but the Batman and your son were in the alley that night. So…

You had to remember to thank that Batman one day, if you ever saw him again. 

************

Four days later, you were able to receive visitations. And of course, the first person was your son. And…Bruce Wayne ?? 

Nobody even told you HE was the one taking care of your child. What the fuck. This was..unexpected. How did that even happen ?? You would only truly understand that years later, when you’ll find out he’s The Batman. For now, it was really strange, and nobody seemed to really know how and why Bruce Wayne was here. 

To be fair, everyone assumed it was all a coincidence. That Bruce came to see Alfred, and heard the story of that little boy, that reminded him of his own story and…it made sense for everyone. And it was partly the truth. Yes; the entire thing was close from home for him. 

And it did make sense he would decide to help a boy going through the same kind of experience he did (except, thanks the gods, you survived). 

First thing first, you hugged your boy. Tightly. And then… :

“What the hell are you wearing ?” you said, as you looked him up and down. Was that a..SUIT ?!

“Um, sorry. I didn’t have much clothes left from where I was a child. Only…tuxedos and polos, apparently.” 

You were feeling much better now, after a few days of rest. Turned out, the shot you received went right through you, and didn’t touch any important organs. How lucky. 

And here your son was. With Bruce Wayne. Wearing a “tuxedo for children”. This was all too much. Too strange. You burst out in laughter, unable to stop yourself even though each laugh hurt. 

Your son quickly followed, with his cute little laugh. Him too, was unable to stop. 

And before he realized it, Bruce too, was laughing. Like he hadn’t in years. The nurses even had to come in and tell you to keep it down because all three of you couldn’t stop laughing…which only enhanced your laughter. 

It took you ages to finally stop. 

************

Fate. Fate reunited the three of you together. You were sure of it. How else could you explain what happened next ? 

************

After Bruce left the hospital, saying his “good byes” to (son’s name) (who cried, and it was heart wrenching), Bruce felt oddly empty. Like he was making a mistake, leaving you two behind without another word. It’s as if destiny was telling him to go back. To ask for your number. To come back later to ask for news. But to not just turn the page on this chapter. 

He should move on. He saved you. Made sure your son still had his mom. His mission was over, his goal to never let happen what happened to him again was over. Yet he felt like he had to go see you again. Like if he didn’t, he would forever regret it…

Why couldn’t he take you out of his mind ? And (son’s name) ? Why ? 

And you ? Why couldn’t you stop thinking about this Bruce Wayne guy ? You didn’t even know him, yet it felt like you did. Things clicked between you, you felt it. And even better, things clicked between him and your son. Clearly, those two were meant to get along. 

************

It took a long time, before you and Bruce started to date.

You still had some healing to do. Both physical and mental. And he still had a lot of issues to resolve. Ah, that could be a story in its own, really, how you came to finally be together (A/N : yes you guessed it, I’mma write it…this one was just getting too long to put it here haha).

Funny enough, it’s your son, who opened his heart to Bruce first. You don’t know what happened between the two, but obviously, the few days they spend together had straighten a bond that will never break.

Bruce already felt, deep in his heart, that (Son’s name) changed him, that now, nothing could ever be the same. And he kept coming to check in on you, and on (son’s name). 

As Batman, he reopened the case of your fiancé’s death, finding out the truth (spoiler alert : it was not an accident). Working with Jim Gordon, he discovered that many people who worked on the “Below 44″, such as your fiancé, mysteriously died of “work accident” during the years of its building, and they uncovered a large conspiracy. But more importantly, they gave justice to your fiancé, at long last. And by doing that, finally gave you closure. 

Closure that allowed you to truly move forward. 

Forward…To him. With him. 

************

The rest was history. 

Bruce wooed you (and it was the most awkward thing you’ve ever seen, you couldn’t believe that later on, before your relationship would go public, he had the guts to take a “playboy” persona given how bad at flirting he truly was). 

It took some times, but he managed to finally have what he truly wanted, for the first time in years. You. And by extension, your son. 

His son. 

************

It’s crazy, to think about. Years passed, but the feelings were still as strong. You loved that man. You loved your children, of course. 

Ah. Children. 

(Son’s name), of course. Who grew up to be such a good man, and oh how different his life would’ve been if Bruce hadn’t been there that night ? The man he quickly started to call “dad” definitely saved him too, that fateful evening. Your early years of dating, when he was still a toddler, were quite something. 

Dick came in quickly after Bruce and you officially got together. Barely a few years older than (Son’s name), he fit right in. He had always wanted to be a big brother, and (Son’s name) ? All he knew was that now, he had a partner in crime. And that was great. They bond was instantly strong. 

Then Jason followed. Lost little street kid who reminded you of yourself at his age. So eager to please, and to have a family. He would never admit it, but he still loved it when you and (son’s name) especially treated him like the baby of the family, even if he technically wasn’t. 

Tim. Too smart for his own good. Made (Son’s name) loudly say : “What the fuck ? Alfreeeeed !”. You all instantly felt very protective over that little boy who was definitely way too clever. And what a surprise to him, to finally be at the center of everyone’s attention. To find his place in a family… 

Cassandra. Your only daughter. Adored by her brothers, by her dad, and of course, by you. Suffered so much, and yet the kindest young woman you’ve ever met. 

Damian. What a shock, when he came in your life and you all learned of his existence. He was conceived before you met Bruce, and raised by the League for ten years…It was difficult, at first. But none of you would give up on him. Never. Ah, the change in his behavior could be a story of its own (wink wink). 

And finally, recently, Duke joined your family. It was now time to make sure him too, would feel at home. 

Yes. One can wonder what would’ve happened if Bruce didn’t came across your path, and saved you. 

__________________________________________________

Well I hope you liked this ! I think I might write other fics there and there about how Bruce wooed reader specifically, and just use more of that little toddler in other stories about this alternative Batfamily (AU from my own timeline at least). Comments and reblogs are always welcomed of course :) And motivating and all, ya know the drill. Thank you <3.