Chapter Text
"Alfred."
"Yes, Master Bruce?"
"Salix and Ryuusei just killed Oliver seventeen times."
"I was monitoring the situation, sir."
"And you didn't think to stop them?"
"I believe Master Oliver learned a valuable lesson about the sanctity of virtual life."
"Alfred."
"Master Bruce, you have two individuals who would quite literally destroy worlds for you. It seems rather ungrateful to complain about the volume of their devotion."
Bruce stared at him.
"If you'll excuse me, I believe I need to prepare Master Oliver a soothing beverage. He seems to be experiencing... existential distress."
"Alfred—"
"I will be in the kitchen, Master Bruce."
---
11:00 PM EST - Watchtower
"I'm never playing Minecraft again," Oliver said, his voice hollow.
"Ollie—"
"I mean it. NEVER."
"It was just a game—"
"They KILLED me SEVENTEEN times. Salix stared at me through the screen. I could FEEL it. And RYUUSEI LAUGHED. EVERY. TIME."
"..."
"I'm going to have nightmares. I'm going to need therapy. I'm going to—"
"Ollie, breathe."
"I CAN'T breathe. I can't. They're going to come for me. In real life. In my dreams. EVERYWHERE."
Dinah patted his back.
"You killed Bruce. In front of them. What did you expect?"
"I thought it would be FUNNY."
"It wasn't."
"I KNOW."
---
11:15 PM EST - Batcave
Bruce sat at the Batcomputer, his fingers steepled.
"Bruce."
"Yes, Jason?"
"You know Salix is going to do this again, right?"
"I know."
"And Ryuusei."
"I know."
"And you're not going to stop them."
"I tried."
"Once."
"..."
"Bruce, they will always choose you. Always. It doesn't matter the circumstances. It doesn't matter the context. They will always protect you."
"I know."
"And you're okay with that?"
Bruce was quiet for a moment.
"Yes."
"...Why?"
"Because I don't want to be alone."
Jason went silent.
"I've spent so long pushing people away," Bruce continued. "Making sure no one gets close. But Salix and Ryuusei... they don't go away. They don't leave. They just stay. And I'm tired of being alone."
"..."
"So, yes. I'm okay with it."
Jason nodded slowly.
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
"...I hate that you're right."
"I know."
---
One Week Later...
"Bruce."
"Yes, Salix?"
"I just wanted to check on you."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
Bruce paused. "No. I'm not."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"...No."
"Okay. I'll be here when you do."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"Bruce."
"Yes, Ryuusei?"
"I just wanted you to know that Oliver apologizes. He sent a letter. It was very sincere."
"I know. He texted me."
"Did you forgive him?"
"...Yes."
"Good. Because I was going to kill him again if you didn't."
"Ryuusei—"
"I'm joking. Mostly."
"..."
"Okay, I'm not joking at all."
"Ryuusei."
"Fine. I'll leave him alone. For now."
"...Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Bruce didn't know what he'd done to deserve them.
But he was grateful.
Every single day.