Chapter 1: The Lights
Chapter Text
Bruce had meant it when he told Alfred he would change. He would leave the cowl behind for good.
Without Avesta, it might have been impossible to return to Wayne Enterprises. Too many reminders of past mistakes.
For a while, he almost thought of it as love. But she was wiser. “You still need him,” she said one evening, her touch light on his shoulder.
That night, Bruce heard a humming in the manor, and remembered Arkham's lights. He searched the hallways, looking for the source, but everywhere was dark.
Only then did he realize who Iman had really meant.
Chapter 2: Personal
Chapter Text
“Are we ever gonna talk about how you betrayed me back at the hideout?”
Selina had almost grown used to Waller’s missions. Tonight, she had been partnered with Harley. She wrapped her hands around the railing, scanning the area for guards. Counted two. “Please, Harley. It was nothing personal.”
A muffled laugh escaped from beside her, then Harley’s arm wrapped around her shoulders. Pulled her close. With her free arm, Harley aimed her weapon.
Two loud cracks and the guards fell.
“Oh, sweetheart.” A red-gloved hand laid a few mock-friendly pats on her shoulder, then slid away. “Everything's personal.”
Chapter 3: Exile
Notes:
Takes place after this scene, where Bruce chooses not to mentor Tiffany (selecting either the "You need to face justice" option or silence).
Chapter Text
She had no one now.
In her haste of packing her things, Tiffany knocked over a picture of her family. She lifted the cracked frame from the floor, shards still intact.
It was from years ago. She remembered how Luke had tried hiding from the camera behind their mother. Her father had said something, she couldn’t remember what, but it made everyone laugh, Luke’s shyness forgotten. They all wore a big smile after that.
The photograph blurred before her eyes, and she let the frame fall onto the bed.
Bruce was right about one thing. Some things you couldn’t forgive.
Chapter Text
The statue in Cobblepot Park had seen many things.
It had watched the rise and premature fall of a family—watched as a young boy, pugnacious from the start, grew up and disappeared, only to return again years later, ready for retribution.
Long ago, the statue had watched the boy seek comfort in a friend. Now that friend was there again, and for a moment as the rain fell, the statue watched as both their masks slipped.
When they finally faced each other, it saw what both of them missed.
It watched until the boy, and it, too, had fallen.
Chapter 5: Broken Mantra
Notes:
Villain Route Joker.
Chapter Text
Bruce Wayne had killed John Doe.
It was something Joker never let him forget. It took years before Bruce realized what would have to happen if it was ever going to end.
The usual blows did not fall that night. No fists, no blood, no maniacal laughter as they pressed against the alley wall, close enough to fall apart—their masks no longer necessary. The moment Joker’s fragile grin broke away, shaking as he pulled Bruce closer, Bruce knew their fate had been written.
It was a kiss neither of them would recover from.
The night they killed Batman and Joker.
SioDymph on Chapter 5 Sat 04 Aug 2018 04:49PM UTC
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