Chapter Text
They were doomed, the day he failed them all, he doomed them to death.
The day Lois died, because of him.
Bruce would do anything to save her, to change that little precious moment of no return.
She had been with child, only few knew, a secret kept for their protection before the upcoming war. Clark had trusted him with his family’s life, all of them powerful outsiders, learning to trust each other to achieve balance.
And Bruce failed them all.
Now their world burnt because of this failure.
Diana had insisted it hadn’t been his fault, she had insisted he couldn’t have possibly prevented or foreseen the trap of Darkseid.
Diana, the purest woman he had the fortune to have by his side, the bearer of truth, trying to lie to sooth his mistakes. Her presence in the nights the only way for him to catch a few hours of sleep in this endless nightmare.
His breath caught in his throat, his eyes rising to the massive pyre before him. Amazons surrounding him, heads bowed, spears, swords and shields lowered upon the scorched earth.
Hippolyta stood a few steps forward, broken and crumbled for the first time in her thousands year old existence. Mourning her only child, the child that left her paradise to fight in such a miserable world, the child that died for that miserable world.
It had been all his fault.
The war turning upside down had eclipsed every conversation, plan and possibility. There had been an unspoken agreement, if they made it through the night, they would both retire and live together.
Only that night had been endless and they had compromise with moments of solace in pleasure and their love.
In its darkest hour, Diana threw herself in battle to save her sisters.
She fell into Darkseid’s hands.
Superman executed her.
An eye for an eye.
Darkseid took his revenge on them all, for the previous failure upon earth, for the motherboxes maybe even for Steppenwolf.
Superman took his revenge for Lois, he gave Bruce the same grief.
She was dead before her body hit the ground, half of it, smashed and destroyed, crumbled like Bruce’s soul.
He had no time to tell her the things he had wished for her to hear. He had no time to kiss her goodbye. She always threw herself into battle and before he knew it, he was placing her weapons upon her dead body. Her bravery, her courage, his love, she had been the last person he loved in this world, and she was gone.
Hippolyta had placed the coins upon her eyes, a token for Charon, she had said and Bruce had wondered, would she be peaceful in the Elysian Fields, amongst heroes, finally in a better world than the one of men.
The pyre burnt bright, illuminating the night, turning her broken body to ash.
Her soft skin, her warm touch, her kind eyes and bright smile. Soothing voice with the accent that never faded from her Themyscirian roots, her comforting weight and sweet scent.
Her ashes in the air choked him, poisoning him as he collapsed before her burning corpse.
Bruce jerked awake, struggling to catch his breath, frantic gaze scanning the room, his massive fist clutching at the cold sheets next to him.
Her place had been vacant for weeks, no sweet scent lingered around the room anymore. He sighed, collapsing back on the mattress, his head turned towards his nightstand. He would never admit but he had brought the frame from his office to the bedroom, for the days she’d been gone. He smiled faintly at the content behind the glass.
Her bright smile was shared -inherited- only by another, little Myrina was beaming in her floral dress, dark hair and eyes, the miniature of her mother, perched on Bruce’s shoulders as Diana rested her head on her daughter’s hip, smiling warmly. Alfred had snapped the shot last summer while on vacation in France.
Only in this year’s vacation, Bruce couldn’t follow. No man could, Themyscira was no man’s land, only woman’s. Diana had finally been allowed back in, after more than a hundred years and countless efforts, their daughter had been the key to the lost island.
It had been weeks since they left, six to be exact plus three days and twenty hours, but who counted. He sighed, looking at the clock on the nightstand.
4:32 am
He was done with sleep, only a few minutes before the alarm went off for him anyway. He sighed, rubbing his eyes, two hours of sleep, well they would have to do until she was back. He sat up, forcing his legs off the bed, feet touching the carpeted floor, his knee throbbed, he rubbed it with a sigh. Diana would be mad if she found out he hadn’t gone to the doctor yet. He had to make the appointment before it was too late.
‘Mamà, thèlo loukoumàdes.’ the smile upon his face at the sound of Myrina’s sleepy and complaining voice made his features stretch. Diana had a talent for approaching silently but carrying their only daughter with her destroyed her plans for a silent return.
‘Sshh, agàpe mou, Alfred and daddy are still asleep.’ Diana’s deep voice was soothing, Bruce could hear no light footsteps, Myrina was in her mother’s arms. He stood up as quickly as his complaining knee allowed and reached for the bedroom door, clad in black pants and a grey t-shirt.
‘Daddy’s awake to welcome his favorite girls in the world.’ his gruff voice was laced with love, expecting what followed, he knew Alfred wouldn’t mind. Myrina squealed in her mother’s arms, her little arms unwrapping from around Diana’s shoulders to reach for Bruce who was more than delighted to take her in his embrace. Mother and daughter were dressed in matching blue dresses, both tired looking from the long trip.
‘Daddy, daddy, daddy!’ Myrina was shouting as Bruce freigned a groan at lifting the weight of his daughter. He would -he already had- carried the weight of the world for the little girl in his arms.
Both Diana and Myrina had caught a tan, their hair in matching braids, Myrina’s little head was adorned with a golden wreath full of elaborate oak leaves, some gift from the amazons possibly that his Little Princess denied to take off. By now, it had been all tangled in the escaping hairs on the top of her head.
‘Is the sweetest girl in the world back home?’ Alfred’s voice was heard from behind them and the Wayne-Prince family turned and smiled at the man holding a cane and smiling brightly at the child he considered a granddaughter.
‘ALFRED!’ Myrina screamed and struggled to get down from her father’s arms. Bruce would have been hurt and insulted if he hadn’t been aware of the love these two shared. Myrina was falling in Alfred’s one-arm embrace as he bowed and kissed the crown of the four year old who hugged his leg tightly.
‘Look at how much you grew up! And you have a tiara now, Little Princess!’ Alfred offered and Myrina laughed and nodded, adjusting the tangled leaves in her raven locks.
‘Welcome back, Your Grace,’ Alfred smiled and inclined his head to Diana who nodded with a smile.
‘Thank you, Alfred.’ Her accent felt heavier after weeks speaking Greek, Bruce liked it. ‘We’re so sorry we woke you up,’ Diana apologised at the man who dismissed her worries with a smile of his own.
‘Alfred I want loukoumàdes!’ Myrina tried her luck with the man who never denied her anything but Diana was quicker to save the butler and the entire manor for that matter from a half-amazon eating sugar at the break of dawn.
‘Actually, baby, Alfred doesn’t know the recipe.’ Diana’s tone left no room for challenge from anyone as Alfred was ready to interject and defend his cooking capabilities. ‘But if you go to bed now and give us some time, I could teach him and maybe, when you wake up, loukoumàdes will be waiting for you at the breakfast table.’ she added and Myrina sighed but Bruce moved forward, leaping ever so slightly despite his effort to balance his weight on the poor knee, the movement wasn’t lost to Diana whose frown was evident as she glanced at his leg and then up at him. She kept her words of disapproval to herself for now, they needed to be a united front before their daughter’s demands on Greek desserts.
‘Mommy’s right, baby girl, you need some sleep. When you wake up, we could give a call to aunt Lois and uncle Clark, Joel and Kara have been asking when you’d be back. You could eat loukimades together.’ Bruce offered and Diana nodded, standing next to her husband with a pointed look at their daughter who raised her head and looked at Alfred, he nodded in confirmation and promise.
‘Alright…’ she finally gave in dramatically, detangling herself from Alfred and reaching her parents, Bruce hoisted her in his arms effortlessly, kissing her cheek before he could rest her little head on his shoulder, her golden tiara pocking at the skin of his neck. ‘And it’s lou-kou-màdes, Daddy.’ Myrina insisted as she sighed into her father’s arms, Bruce chuckled.
‘Sorry, sweetie, my Greek is little rusty,’ Bruce offered as Myrina nodded and struggled to stop a massive yawn as she snuggled closer to her father’s neck, her eyes suddenly heavy. Diana nodded and the two moved towards the door with the pink glitter-coated letters on the expensive wood.
Myrina’s bedroom had been untouched from the day she left with her mother for Themyscira, the walls were colorful, just like their girl’s imagination, the ceiling full of tiny lights, representing the sky. Her bed was impossibly large for a little toddler but good enough to be used as a trampoline, her toys were scattered around the room to Diana’s eternal disapproval and Bruce’s amusement.
‘We’ll tidy up when we’re back, Mommy,’ Myrina had shouted delightfully as she had rushed outside of it, six weeks ago, not a care in the world before her first trip to her mother’s lands. Bruce was certain no improvement would happen if Joel and Kara Kent visited later that day but he didn’t want to discourage Diana with the truth.
Myrina was asleep in his arms when Bruce lowered her gently on her favorite side of the bed. No surprise there, the little Princess was a handful even for her Amazon mother and the trip from Greece had been a long one, Bruce was sure. He watched as the most precious girl in the world sighed in her sleep, he wondered if he’d be able to take the wreath off, all those hairs tangled around it seemed painful but Myrina could be as stubborn as her mother, or her father for that matter.
‘Since Mother put it on her head, she’s refusing to take it off. Let it on for now,’ Diana whispered and Bruce smiled and nodded, sometimes he wondered if one of Diana’s superpowers was reading his mind and she just hadn’t confessed. Maybe when they’d give her a bath later in the day, with a lot of conditioner, they’d be able to detangle Hippolyta’s gift from the girl’s head. Bruce turned and looked at Diana who was already offering her hand, he took it, the warmth of her skin seeping through his. The nightmare he had before, suddenly too vivid. If he had failed back then, all this wouldn’t have happened.
‘I’ve missed you, Princess.’ he whispered back as he pulled her in his arms, their lips meeting in a soundless kiss.
‘I’ve missed you more, my Love.’ Diana broke the kiss to smile up at him as he breathed her in, his hand reaching up to caress her soft cheek. She looked tired, worn out, he hoped the trip to Themyscira had been what she had hoped for. She had been so happy and optimistic while preparing for the trip, although nervous. Hippolyta’s gift to Myrina and the six weeks away had seemed like a good omen. The little girl sighed in her sleep again, making her parents depart from her room. Like both of them, Myrina was a light sleeper and they needed her asleep for a few hours, jetlagged children tend to be hard to handle, especially if a quarter Goddess.
Alfred wasn’t in the corridor when they moved through it; walking towards the master bedroom. They weren’t sure if he had retreated for more rest or if he was already in the kitchen, researching the best rated, most faithful recipe for loukoumàdes in the entire internet. The second scenario was more probable, the extremes the old man reached for his little granddaughter…
Bruce and Diana entered the bedroom in silence, Bruce closed the door behind them, stealing the moment to really study his wife, something was off. She rubbed at the back of her head before taking her dark mane on one side. There were cords holding the dress around the column of her neck, she pulled at one and soon the dress was unfolding from around her, revealing her bra. Bruce closed in, wrapping his arms around her, she leaned against him, her head resting on his broad chest as she took a deep breath.
‘Don’t be mad at me,’ he whispered and she scoffed softly.
‘For the knee?’ she wondered and he nodded, nuzzling his nose in her hair, he had missed the scent that was unically her.
‘For whatever I might have done and you look so solemn.’ he admitted, she scoffed again, only this time worry laced the sound. ‘Was Themyscira so bad?’ he dared to ask and Diana smiled with eyes closed and shook her head.
‘Themyscira was amazing,’ she whispered dreamily, Bruce’s stomach dropped, something else was happening then and Diana was saddened. He had given up fighting crime, hung up the cape years ago, Robin now took care of the crime fighting, over Gotham and elsewhere. Sometimes Diana and Clark too, when things turned out too bad, sometimes Bruce himself, but only sometimes.
He wasn’t getting any younger and they knew although Myrina would have her mother for centuries to come, she would enjoy her father’s company as long as Bruce remained alive and well. Decades of fighting crime as the Batman had already left him battered and in pain, he wouldn’t jeopardise more. He had made his choices and the scars lingered on his body, but now his very life was dedicated to the little girl with the wreath of leaves around her little head, sleeping peacefully across the corridor.
‘Themyscira was… even Father showed up, to meet both his daughter and granddaughter.’ Years ago, her words would have sounded crazy, Zeus coming to meet little children. But Bruce was married to a demigod, an Amazon of five thousand years, some autobiography he would write one day… ‘And he was decent, played nice not to confuse our daughter, he even blessed her with good health and prosperity.’ Diana added, the loose dress pooling between them as Diana turned around in Bruce’s arms, that adorable little frown etched between her brows persistent. ‘And Mother was so happy… so very happy.’ Diana mused, finally a smile breaking through her demeanor. Bruce felt they were reaching the point of her agony.
‘Myrina rode with my old friends, she had all the attention and the loukoumàdes she could have possibly asked for.’ His hands roamed over Diana’s body, beautiful, powerful as always, he caressed her waist, travelling to her hip, he would swear her side was a tiny bit wider. He wondered if he’d lose his head if he confessed Myrina didn’t seem to be the only one trying a few more loukoumàdes than she should. Diana could take a little joke, he could take a little risk, he adored her curves anyway. When pregnant with Myrina, Diana had looked positively gorgeous, the image of a goddess upon earth, voluptuous and healthy. The thought crossing his mind had his eyes snapping to hers, his lips parting in a small gasp, his hand moving from her hip to her belly, the hard swell was there, just like the first time.
‘It’s not too many loukoumàdes …’ he whispered his realization and Diana actually chuckled at his foolish notion. He was shocked, surprised, delighted, the overprotection he always harbored for his powerful wife hitting at full force. Diana shook her head, the worry erasing from her brow as Bruce leaned in and captured her lips with his in a kiss.
‘You’re not against it?’ Diana asked when she broke the kiss, her voice thick with emotion. Bruce’s hands cupped her face, his eyes roaming into hers, reading all the emotions resurfacing. Her warm hands rested on his chest, feeling him, supporting herself in more than one way.
Myrina had been completely unplanned, forcing both to close all open business with enemies and the world, retiring for the sake of Myrina’s protection and passing the legacy of the League to others whether they liked it or not. After decades for Bruce and more than a century for Diana, suddenly another person in their world of isolation was more important than the sense of honor, duty and their own safety. At first they had allowed each other in, so very different yet so very much alike, they had made room for one person in their lives respectively, but when they found out Diana was with child, their lived changed completely.
A demigod going into labour in the mortal world had been another matter altogether and since Diana couldn’t find Themyscira as a refuge for the delivery -like demigods had done in mythology- they had been left to their own devices. The best doctors had been hired, paid by the minute to safely deliver the baby but Diana had ended up screaming in agony on her own. Too afraid she’d harm someone she endured on her own, standing and pushing until she used her own hands to pull the emerging child out of her body with a scream and a wave of power that rippled through her and hit everything around her, while Diana held Myrina in her arms.
After that, both Diana and Bruce had decided one child carrying such a legacy was enough. They didn’t know if Myrina would have powers, if she would spend decades or centuries upon the face of the earth, the certain thing was Myrina was special but Diana had been worried for their daughter. Leaving Themyscira had been Diana’s own choice, struggling to find it afterwards a consequence she had accepted for herself. Having a child however was something Diana had never imagined happening and Bruce knew she had agonised over all the possibilities for their little one for the past years. Out of her pure, unconditional love for Myrina, Diana was worried their girl would struggle to find her place in the world, just like her mother.
‘Against it? Diana, I’m more than happy, like the first time...’ Bruce finally voiced the truth and caressed her cheek before stealing another kiss, her eyes drifting closed. He had never imagined children, a loving wife. But Diana had showed up in his life, stealing the things he stole, challenging him, joining him to form the League and save the world, helping him to move on. She had made him not only imagine a life beyond duty but actually dream of a family with her. While Clark and Lois had effortlessly planned and materialised their family without a care in the world before their love, Bruce and Diana had agonised over every little step in theirs. Another thing the two of them had in common he guessed. ‘Are you happy?’ he asked softly and he knew the fear in his voice was evident, causing her warm eyes to open and look up at him, her soft hand reaching his cheek, he leaned into her touch.
‘Happy and worried in equal measures.’ she confessed truthfully, Bruce smiled at her, nodding.
‘You used to be the optimistic one and I was the sulking bat in the cave.’ he teased tenderly, finally making her laugh and shake her head.
‘Bruce…’ Diana attempted but Bruce silenced her with a gentle thumb on her full lips.
‘I know,’ he reassured her. ‘Another risky labour. Children of a demigod and a mortal... will they have powers, will they live a life like me or several like you, will they be happy or angry at us, will they find their place in the world. I know what troubles you, Diana…’ Bruce vocalised all her fears and agonies. Diana took a shaky breath, lowering her eyes at the sound of her thoughts. ‘But I also know that if they are like their wondrous mother,’ he tried to jest, causing her to smile the slightest. ‘They won’t be alone in the world like she was for her first century in this world and that’s amazing because unlike us, they will have their parents.’ he added and smiled warmly, Diana nodded in the truth of his words. ‘I also know that she will be there to guide them and teach them to control the powers they might have and if they are half as good and optimistic as her, then they will be amazing people no matter what.’ Bruce added and stole another kiss from her lips, her own arms wrapping around his shoulders, breathing him in, finally relaxing.
‘Thank you…’ Diana whispered as Bruce engulfed her in his arms, kissing her forehead, holding her close.
‘Always happy to serve my Goddess.’ He tried to sound playful, this was good news, Myrina would be a big sister.
‘Demigoddess.’ she countered and he chuckled softly before his strong arms could reach her bottom, pressing her against his body, she knew what he wanted, a tiny jump and her legs were wrapping around his waist. His knee screamed in protest at the added weight and he winced, causing Diana to gasp and try to untangle her legs but he held her wrapped around him, her dress concealing her middle section. ‘Maybe it’s not just my youngest daughter in there,’ he challenged with a gasp and a smile, mirth in his eyes, leading Diana to their bed confidently. ‘Maybe you had too many loukoumàdes after all…’ he finally risked his life and yelped when she pinched at his side, causing him to drop her on the mattress when he had only an inch more to set her down carefully. She laughed in delight, her eyes finally revealing her usual optimism and natural joy.
‘Or maybe you’re getting too old and frail,’ she retorted as his massive build towered over her, careful not to squeeze her around her belly. When you make the doctors’ appointments for your knee…He should check your head too...’ she added, unable to make an insult with actual malice in it, he smiled at her for the effort.
Their bodies fitted perfectly together, her hair spilled over the sheets while Bruce gazed down at her, the smile unable to abandon his lips. ‘And how do you know it’s another daughter?’ she asked and Bruce shrugged before he could lean and start trailing kisses down her throat, he loved her sun-kissed skin, the marks of the clothes she was wearing in Themyscira left paler paths from her shoulders to her bosom, he followed them with his kisses.
‘I just do, father’s instinct.’ Bruce replied cockily, earning another scoff and then a squeal as he intentionally ran his fingers at the spot he knew so well right beneath her ribs. Diana laughed at the ticklish caress and he would swear, the sound of her voice was music in his paradise.
‘I love you more than anything.’ Bruce’s tone was soft, halting in the moment, Diana smiled up at him.
‘I love you, Bruce, no matter what,’ she replied softly before she could reach and kiss him softly.