Chapter Text
He blinked, but the results on the screen didn’t waver. The glow light up the cave, making the bats squeakily grumble. They settled down quickly, rustling their wings occasionally to remind him they were still here.
He rubbed his eyes and blinked again. The results didn’t change.
He sighed, leaning forward on his elbows and slumping down until his head touched the cold metal. His eyes closed and he tried to breathe.
He imagined he could hear Alfred walking around upstairs, although the cave walls were too thick to transfer sound. He imagined the kitchen, bright light and cream walls, the dark doorway and vault beyond.
No, that wasn’t the kitchen. That was- No
He pushed himself away from the table, punching a few keys with a hand and spinning around. Behind him, the screen shut off, darkness instantly surging back to resume its rightful place.
He stumbled towards the stairs, leaning on them panting. Eventually, he wound up with his back to the wall, head between his knees, shaking.
Alfred would find him like that, hours later, the tea tray dropping as he rushed to Bruce’s side.