Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bruce is done. Today. Tonight. Forever. Scare crow attacked last night. Scare crow attacked him and his family, he wasn’t in the crossfire but his children were. The echoes of theirs screams still rung through his ears. He knew that he tainted their lives, but he didn’t realise it was too the point where all their biggest fears involved him. He was poison. Thats all he was. That’s all he’s ever been, it only took him 9 years to figure it out on that fateful day.

Bruce didn’t exactly want to crush his children. Didn’t want them to feel guilty. So if he was going to do this, he had to execute the plan perfectly. As he grappled through Gotham he found 3 thugs ganging up on an old couple. He took them down pretty quickly. He grabbed one of them and stole their gun. It was a well taken care of. Shiny, well oiled and fully loaded. If done right he could make it look like the thug shot him. No camera’s were in this particular alley (not in any really, he learnt that the hard way). His hands were shaky but his movements were steady.

As the gun faced him. He pulled the trigger. The noise of the shot bounced off the alleys walls. Ironic. He thought. This is where Batman began. Looks like this is where it will end too. 

“B!”

No No. They weren’t ment to find me. They shouldn’t be out here. He benched them for a reason.

”Dad. It’s going to be ok. I promise. Please don’t leave me.” Nightwings voiced cracked. I don’t want you to watch he thought. His baby. His first baby. No matter how old or how far away he moved from Gotham, this was his first baby. His first Robin. He could feel his son desperately applying pressure to the wound. The crackling of the comms and Nigh- Dicks sobbing.

”Hang on Dad. Help is coming. Why-Why would you do this to us? To me?” Dick questioned trying to steady his voice.

Bruce heard the heavy footsteps approaching. Jason. God why?! He didn’t even want one of his children to die let alone two! “Dad?!”

”What happened?!” Jason voice wasn’t accusing more scared Bruce notice. Dick didn’t really reply just signalled to lift Bruce. The two brothers lifted their father with ease. Not even 30 second later did the Batmobile round the corner. Jason sat in the back with Bruce as dick quickly drove. “Hang on, old man. For us.” Jason whispered the last bit.

His second Robin. The one he failed. The one he failed to save, to avenge to even mourn properly. His second baby. His second Robin who was so fully of joy and compassion it was incredible. That joy was different now, still there but not the same. It was Bruce’s fault, one of the reasons they should’ve left him in that alley.

It didn’t take long before reaching the entrance of the batcave. This time there was about 6 more people to help carry Bruce. Quickly they all placed him on the medical cot. Alfred got to work immediately. Dick gave a de brief on what just happened. No one said anything. All too stunned to say anything. 

Alfred worked quick. Already done. Bruce was pretending to be knocked out. Alfred knew but the kids were too stressed to realise. Bruce listened. He heard pacing. It was Tim. The Robin he had not chosen but the Robin he needed. His third baby had pulled him out of a really dark place. Looks like he’s seeing him at his lowest again.

Suddenly he felt two tiny hand grip desperately at his. Tear drops landed on his hands. “B-baba?” Damian. His little baby. His absolute youngest. Damian was shaking him. He heard him mutter a few times ‘don’t leave. Please don’t leave’. He was pleading internally. Please someone take my babies upstairs and away from this horror anyone please. He could feel Damian’s grip tighten as Dick tried to pull him aways so Alfred could see better. 
“Go upstairs all of you, now!” Her voice echoed. Kate? ‘I hope they listen he pleads’.

To be continued into the next chapter…

Chapter Text

“Upstairs now!” Kate’s voice echoed. But his kids were very stubborn.

It felt like his senses were heightened. He could hear everything. Dukes shaky breaths hitching every so often. Poor duke. New to the family and having to witness this. Stephanie was here aswell. He heard her kicking stuff saying it’s not fair as she rubbed at her eyes. He could see that but he could hear her fabric of the sweater against her face. Cass’s foot was stomping. Well more like shaking. Barbara was there rubbing her shoulder while covering her mouth with her hand suppressing the sobbing sound.

”C’mon you all know Bruce wouldn’t want you to see him like this. So all of you. Upstairs and rest.” Kate was more calm now. She must of sensed how tense and worried they were. Soon he heard heels clacking against the stairs. Then the cave floors. But when he smelt that perfume he immediately recognised Talia’s scent. She moved gracefully towards Damian. He could tell she was worried and holding back tears by the way he heard her sniffles. 

It took a while but soon Alfred managed to convince Cass, Tim, and Stephanie to head upstairs. Not exactly to sleep but at least rest for the time being. Jason and duke were sitting down on the caves cold floor as a form of protest. Alfred convinced duke to have some hot coco and to take his mind off things. Alfred knew it was dukes coping mechanism when things got hard, (and no one can say no to Alfred hot chocolate, or home made marshmallows). Jason was stubborn. So both Kate and Talia gang up on him. “Come on kid. We’ll look after him. Then tomorrow, why don’t you and me go looking for answers.” Kate tried to reason. Jason shook his head ‘I’m not dumb’ he thought. “Habibi, why don’t you and Kate head upstairs to figure out on how to interrogate beloved. Or go read a book.”

Talia was hoping to get through to Jason. He looked skeptical at the idea. “Ok fine. I’ll read to ‘relax’ but the second he wakes up or something changes you come get me.” He announced. “Of course” Talia agreed. He angrily stomped up the stairs. 

“Don’t even try.” Dick said dryly to the three adults. Kate knew it was her time to shine. “Dick. Listen. Bruce will be ok. But first you need rest. What if the others need help, what if Bruce needs help. But you’re too tired. Please just lay on the couch. You don’t even have to sleep just relax.” Kate was trying Bruce’s approach of ‘soft parenting’. Whatever me and him turned out fine, but that thought quickly existed her mind. Dick was reluctant but left.

Damian was the only kid left. When Kate or Alfred tried to pry him away from Bruce (his baba). Damian began to scream and sob and wail and kick at them. Until Talia crouched down next to him. “Come on my love let’s rest. Baba is in need of medical care. So we have to leave but we’ll be back soon to talk and hug baba. Ok love.” Talia was trying to just convince Damian to at least let go.

”NO!” That shocked her. “Liars! I will stay with baba and protect him and love him. Don’t stop me.” She had no choice. This child was blessed with both hers and her beloveds stubbornness. She yanked him of Bruce and began to carry him up the stairs. “Noooo! Let me go! I hate you! I want baba! Stop! Stop! Let me go!” Damian screamed and thrashed in Talia’s arms. Desperately clawing towards the cave.

Nos that Kate and Alfred were alone with Bruce she spoke up. “Why? Why Alf?” She questioned. “Why would he do this? I know that after- that. I know how he is but this, this is different.” Kate sighed. Pulling up a stool resting her head on the medical table.

“He’ll be ok. I just hope we can figure out more.” Alfred watched Bruce’s chest rise and fall. Knowing that he was very much listening to the conversation.

Chapter Text

The sound of heels clicking across the floor of the cave soon entered Bruce’s ears. He heard Alfred say something before leaving.

”I can tell your faking my love, I know you long enough to recognise your sleeping habits.” Talia sounded proud of herself catching him in his lie. Her voice was soft but stern, her jasmine perfume flooded his nose in the most comforting way possible. He felt the softness of her palm rest on the top of his hand. “Did you know that our son is quite upset. He’s laying in your bed. You know he has inherited the exact same face you make when you brood. Or cry.” She began to rub at his hand with her thumb. Noticing as he visibly looked more relaxed. She could tell he was nervous, from what he was about to say. ‘I prepared myself for this, for his answer. Whatever he’s gonna say I’ll handle it, I have to for his sake.’ 

“He- They weren’t meant to find me. To see that I-I was just trying to protect them.” Bruce’s voice was wet and his tone was quiet. 
“I know my love, but they did see it.” She took a shaky breath before continuing.

”Why? Why beloved, please tell me I want to know, if not at least Alfred, or Leslie, just someone. Please?” She was hurt. ‘I hurt her again’ Bruce thought as he laid there silently. Again.

Finally Bruce opened his eyes. His Arctic blue eyes stared into her emerald green ones before speaking. “I keep hurting them, I hurt everyone, all I do is ruin things.” He paused before continuing “it will mean nothing if I die.” She squeezed his hand before saying. “No. Because it would be everything to me. You are not nothing. Bruce Wayne you are many things but nothing is not on of them. You are my husband, a father, a friend, a son, you are kind, gentle and loving. My love I couldn’t have asked for someone more perfect. I don’t know how you can not see that.” She stopped her speech looking desperately into the sea of his eyes glistening into hers.

”Thank you. I don’t know what I did to deserve you. To deserve all of you.” Bruce let tears fall feeling a lot better then moments ago. He smiled softly. “A lot my love. You have done so much to deserve this trust me beloved.” Talia kissed him softly on the lips. 

“Good to see someone’s feeling better hey.” Kate voice echoed powerfully throughout the cave. She gave Bruce a tiny slap to the head. “You ever do that to me again and I’ll kill you.” She smirked looking down at him.

”I think some of this anger is coming from the fact that I beat you at uno. And not really this” Bruce chuckled. Talia snickered and Kate rolled her eyes before mumbling “it doesn’t count if you cheat.” 

It didn’t take long for Kate to leave. Talia stayed. She and Bruce catched up. “Perhaps I should discuss with the children about everything. Before you do.” Talia’s offering wasn’t pushing boundaries but deep down he knew he wanted to talk with his children and to do that successfully it had to be on his on terms with his own words. “No but thank you again my jasmine rose.” Her cheeks grew a slight pink tint to him using a nickname. He does it rarely, she knows why but it makes her feel warms on the inside when he does it.

Bruce grunted as Talia began to help hI’m towards the elevator. She made a joke about how he was heavy and needed to loose muscles to be lighter. Her wink at the end of her sentence told Bruce she was about to say something flirty. “you know next time you work out I can help you 😏” she rubbed his shoulder.

As the elevator doors opened the two stepped out into the silent manor. ‘Strange’ Bruce thought. It never really quiet. Something was always going on.Quiet was never a good thing. As the two walked around the manor the light of noon peered through the windows. At that Bruce recognised that he had at least been down there a day, and that since the time being around noon the kids were probably in the living room (well a living room).

”I’ll get Damian. He has refused to leave the bed all day, last night he slept with your favourite sweater. Which is mean because I originally wanted to do that.” She calmly stated before turning upstairs. “Like mother like son,” he announced back to her. She just rolled her eyes in the exact same way Damian does. (That’s where he gets it. Because Bruce is never dramatic totally.) 

It didn’t take him very long but Bruce found all his children. They were all in his study. Well all except Damian. Bruce stood awkwardly in the doorway not sure how to start. Jason looked up from his book at the feeling of someone watching him. As he saw Bruce, he just stared. Bruce thought he would yell and curse but no, nothing was said. Soon the others noticed. Having similar reactions. Until Bruce heard the sound of feet running down the hall way. Damian slid into the room. Before jumping into Bruce’s arms wrapping his whole body around Bruce.

The others joined. Forming the ultimate bat hug. 
The family stayed that way before backing up giving Bruce the ‘you’ve got some explaining to do’ look.

”Well… where do I start-

Chapter Text

Bruce was going to tell his family, he was going to explain. But before he could explain the words that he wanted to come out only hung on his Toung like as he tried to speak gravity was pulling the words down. 

“I… I realised something. When I saw you all in danger. When I see all of you push yourselves and collect these unhealthy habits. It’s all my fault. I dragged all of you into this. I poisoned your life’s with my presence. I love you all so much but I can’t help but think that all I’ve ever done was ruin things. Yet you all stayed. And when you didn’t and I tried to fix things all I did was push you further away.” Bruce inhaled slowly and closed his eyes before continuing. “I am so sorry. For the pain. For the trauma. For the miscommunication well more like no communication. I’m so sorry you all deserve more.” 

Tears ran down his cheeks.In the end doubt had finally corrupted his mind into a dark abyss most people would be stuck in and never return from. But most people don’t have kids that light up their whole world with a few simple sentences. Most don’t have kids who choose them again and again in every life no matter what. “Dad…” dick began.

”When I lost my parents.. my world crumbled but despite that you came and helped me. You never tried to replace them but you did and I’m so very thankful. You say you poisoned our lives. No bruce you were the antidote.” He kept going voice so confident Bruce’s heart flipped “ I will never forget all the good you’ve done. And I’m sorry I didn’t get to you in time the other night your my dad, my mentor and more I love you so never do that again!” Dick was going to cry but when he saw Bruce relax and slightly smile with eyes shimmering with tears, it was then that he realised the words that he wanted to tell Bruce all along could’ve fixed everything a lot sooner.

He knew this and the realisation hung heavy in his mind. To everyone’s surprise Jason gave a similar talk to Bruce. As one by one they all laid out their feelings. There was frustration anger, sadness, relief, hope and worry but most importantly there was love. Love taht was all directed to Bruce and all he had done for them. And it showed as tears streamed down their faces as Bruce opened up his arms for another warm embrace. As each flung themselves towards the one man who fought for them in more ways then one, collectively let out a sigh of relief.

”You know boss we were the ones who were meant to comfort you not the other way around.” Duke said giving a bright smile. The others laughed. Conversations passed between the family of soft bulling Bruce’s taste in jokes and clothes. (All because dick made a comment how despite all this he’s made that Bruce is wearing a bright pink scarf Talia gave him before coming up to everyone. And which according to dick. The person he created the discowing suit. That it was a disgrace to fashion)

Bruce listened contentedly. He felt small hands gripping his shirt, nails of said person going through the fabric of the shirt. “Hey Damian. Are you ok habibi.” Bruce asked quietly as the room around them got louder. “I thought…” Damian stuttered. “I thought that I would lose you. And that you were going to leave me. Then-Then no one let me stay with you. The dragged me away from you.” Damian was crying again. Bruce dragged him into his lap and swayed him back and fourth. “I’ll never leave you. And if I’m ever in a bad situation I’d hope you wouldn’t see me suffering.” 

Bruce promised hugging Damian tighter. “I’ll protect you baba” Damian said snuggling further up to Bruce. He heated the foot steps of 3 people. Talia stood in the door way (he didn’t even hear her leave. Skill of an assassin he supposed) Kate and Alfre stood behind softly smiling of the sight of the Wayne family. Talia held a tray of cups (most likely tea and hot chocolate) as the three walked in Alfred took the tray from Talia and she thanked him while making her way to hug Bruce and Damian. Alfred handing out drink before speaking.

”how about a break from patrol for a while with recent events. I believe you all could use one.” The family nodded. “YES! Beach day!” Duck yelled, which was then followed by an argument on where they should go for a vacation. The whole family in one room together. Duke, Dick, and Steph explaining the beach fiasco while Jason, Tim and Cass disagreed almost ending in a fist fight, but it didn’t matter it was sibling bonding. Damian was sleeping in Bruce’s arms after not for 3 days. Talia and Bruce smiled at echother flirting. Their family wasn’t perfect, they made mistakes.

They were all different. But one man brought them together, and as long as he’s around they’ll stay together, and they’ll make sure he stays, by protecting him from threats including himself.