Chapter Text
You found out you were to be married to Bruce Wayne on a Thursday.
That fact is delivered with a fountain pen, a stack of documents thick enough to qualify as a threat, and Alfred Pennyworth’s apologetic expression, which somehow makes it worse.
“I regret the circumstances, but as of this morning, you are to be Mrs. Wayne” he apologizes
Mrs. Wayne
That title sits heavy on your chest
When you imagined marriage, you imagined it after falling slowly in love, learning each other's ways, awkward first kisses and dates together-losing track of time.
Not contractual obligation and mountains of paperwork
His lawyer comes in with a practiced speech in a monotone voice.
The words slip in and out of your ears, buzzing like static
Activation.
Designated line.
Binding structure.
Then too loud to ignore- "You will be legally required to assume the role of Mrs. Wayne"
Your breath catches but the rest of it keeps going, but it stops being language and starts becoming noise.
Clauses turn into static. Explanations blur at the edges. The room feels too still, too formal, like it’s been waiting for you to react correctly and you’re failing to do so.
When you realize nobody is talking anymore, you look up to see a pen being handed to you.
Your hands shake as you sign the marriage document, the elegant signature of Bruce Wayne's already neatly to the side.
Later that day, Alfred invites you over to the manor
You gasp as you walk in and turn in all directions as you see priceless decor and gaping archways.
It's beautiful, it's grand.
But it feels...empty, lifeless. Your steps echo in the empty halls and the bare walls feel like they're stretching up and up. It's like the manor is waiting, everything untouchable and precise.
A voice interrupts your thoughts " I know this isn't what you expected"
You jump and turn around to see the man himself
Bruce Wayne
Now your husband
He looks at you with pity, "I'm sorry you were a casualty in this"
Your stomach drops- a casualty. Like you were nothing but collateral damage in his grand billionaire plan.
"Right"
A beat
"Good to know where I stand"
The rooms feels even colder than before.
It's far too dark outside when you hear a crash in the living room of your apartment,
Your eyes shoot wide open as you hear the window latch open and voices too far away to make out
You grab the nearest weapon you can, which turns out to be a heavy lamp as you creep your way to the living room.
The voices are clearer now-
"Are you sure this is her apartment?"
"Yes, now shut up"
"This isn't right sneaking into her apartment while shes probably asleep"
"Well we're going to meet her sooner or later, might as well be now"
You brace yourself, taking a few quick breaths as your back hits the corner before you yell and raise the lamp above your head
Four voices yell back in surprise and raise their hands in surrender.
Oh.
They're children.
Four boys stare in shock at you, ranging from around 9-6, all black hair and wide eyes.
"Ok-ok what are you doing in my apartment!?" you yell over them
"We just wanted to meet you" the oldest one smiles nervously
"How do you know who I am?" you squint your eyes
"You're marrying our father" the youngest one states with surprising eloquence, "and that is a poor choice of weapon"
"Wait...your dad is Bruce Wayne?" you try to rub the sleep from your eyes, finally putting down the lamp.
One sighs "He didn't tell you did he?" he sounds exasperated
"Here, i already compiled a list of our family history, and records" one holds out a tablet. You confirm it looks all legal.
You sigh, still tired, and rub your cheek, "Well I guess I have kids now, kids who should not be up this early"
They all seem surprised by this answer
"Just like that?"
"This week has proven to already be weird so this is just a 'might as well happen'" you shrug, "Ok, bedtime"
They all introduce themselves- Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian as you stumble around, getting them blankets and pillows that have been long shoved in the depths of your cabinets.
Tim and Dick promise not to kick so you reluctantly let them sleep in your bed.
Jason scoffs and takes a pillow to your old couch while Damian refuses to go down
"I need to monitor the perimeter, it was far too easy to break in" he crosses his arms
"You're like six, you need sleep" you counter, throwing a blanket his way
He huffs and instead of laying down, he slides down beside the door of your bedroom at alert
Close enough, enough losing battles for today.
You should probably call to make sure Bruce knows where the kids are
Your shared kids.
You feel hesitant at the thought of calling him then decide to dial Alfred's number that he gave you earlier instead
At the second ring, he picks up
"Wayne residence"
"Hey, Alfred..." you start "this is...Mrs. Wayne I guess"
You hear a smile in his voice, "I know"
"Of course! The, uh, kids, are at my place in case you were worried. I figured they shouldn't be out this late so they're staying here"
"that sounds responsible" comes his response
"...cool, good talk, just letting you know, bye" you hastily mumble as you hang up.
You take a shaky breath out. Looking around to see the kids all spread out on your bed and snoring from the couch. Even Damian's head was down despite still sitting up, a scowl still on his face.
Well, I guess this is your life now, you think, hands on your hips.
You squeeze yourself on the bed between Dick and Tim who decided that spread eagle was the optimal sleeping position.
You close your eyes and try to slip into sleep, hoping this is all just a bad dream before the morning light makes it real.