Work Text:
“Batman”
Bruce Thomas Wayne, billionaire philanthropist, playboy and vigilante stood frozen, baffled by the words of a very cute four year old. No, I must have heard wrong. “Excuse me?”
“Anya is six!” The cotton candy pink haired, green eyed preschooler held up her tiny fingers to emphasize her point. Bruce was certain she was not in fact six. And if she was indeed six years old then he would be having words with her parents. Very colorful words. The girl shivered, stepping back. Was his tone too harsh? Was he a monster scaring tiny, cute children now?
No. He was better than this. So like any responsible and experienced vigilante, he got on his knees, making sure he was no longer towering over the child but at her eye-level. It seemed to do the trick as the green eyes sparkled with interest. “Could you repeat what you said before that?”
“What did I say before that?”
"You called me by a name."
"But I don't know you're name."
The two stared at each other for a few seconds. Why was interrogating a preschooler harder than - wait! This was not an interrogation. Bad Bruce! God, he must really be out of his mind. Maybe Alfred was right and he did need sleep. Who was he kidding? Alfred was always right. He shouldn’t have come here chasing after a lead. Sleep was what he needed. How could a child know his identity? Tim was an exception. He must have heard wrong.
“Waka Waka!”
“Anya!” A blond man dressed in a tailored green suit ran towards them. “There you are. I told you not to let go of my hand!” The man checked the girl for any injuries before turning to him. He immediately straightened, recognition flashing through his eyes. “Mr. Wayne, I hope my daughter hasn’t been a bother.” The man picked up his daughter -Anya- as Bruce stood to his full height.
“Not at all. You have a very lovely daughter,” Bruce gave his signature smile. The man had naturally omitted his own introduction. For a split second, his posture and stance had been of an experienced fighter. Interesting.
“Lovely but quite a troublemaker. I am sure you understand.” A genuine smile was directed towards the daughter.
“Of course. My own children can be quite a handful.” Although, he didn’t get to see any of them at this age. Never got to hold any of his babies - picking them when they were injured after a rough patrol does not count.
Although suspicious, Bruce said goodbye to the father and daughter, trying to find his own son and their target of the night. He made a mental note to look up Anya and her father later.
Hmmm
Cotton candy…..
Bruce glanced back. The father and daughter were mid conversation as they made their way to the desert stand. Anya’s face split into a winning grin. It seemed she had won whatever debate they had.
……why couldn’t his children be as cute and adorable.
Anya’s POV:
Anya was on a mission.
Her papa was on a mission but Anya was helping him. He just didn’t know it. He was gathering intel and she had to help him. Anya was brave. That’s why she wasn’t scared right now even though she had let go of agent papa’s hand.
But she heard it! There was a superhero here and he was trying to catch the bad guys too. Anya would find him. They could work together and catch the bad guys!
“Waka waka..”
“Tst…Why are you following me?” Anya was pushed against the wall.
She’s just a child. I was being followed by a child? He could never let Drake find out or Todd. Especially not Todd.
Anya’s eyes watered. Heroes were supposed to be kind.
I didn’t push her that hard! Grayson would be disappointed. I am tarnishing the Robin mantle. Robin did not hurt children. And why did I assume she was following me for nefarious reasons? She could just be a lost child. How badly was she hurt? Should I take her to the hospital? Maybe there was a first aid kit here-
“Anya is not hurt.” Anya decided this boy - super hero- wasn’t that bad. He was clumsy like her mama and stressed like her papa.
“Are you lost? Do you need help finding your parents?” I could help her find her parents. Father didn’t need him right now. Plus Batman could handle being alone for a while. Robin had his own duties.
“No.”
“No? Then where are your parents?” Domain folded his arms. What kind of irresponsible parent leaves their child unattended at such a large gathering? Maybe I need to look into her family. Richard would absolute fawn over this toddler. She had cotton candy colored hair and big green eyes. She was as Richard would put it ‘cute’. Actually a cute sister was better than my so-called brothers. Maybe father can adopt another? Damian shook his head. I should start spending less time with Grayson. My thoughts were becoming too unpredictable and out of place.
Anya was shocked. She didn’t want to be adopted again! Her mama and papa are the best mama and papa in the world. “Where are your parents?” The boy pointed at a tall man in a black suit talking to a lady. The man looked at them before saying bye to the lady.
“Ttt. Just stay here while I go find someone to help you.” That’s the signal. I have to go but father should help her.
The tall man smiled at her. “Batman.” So cool. The man froze. Oh no she said it out loud. It was weird though. His mind was blank. Anya couldn’t read any of his thoughts. She tried harder. More focus like the bondman did when he defeated his clone. It hurt but she did see an image of a baby.
Shocked. Did she look like a baby!
“Excuse me?”
“Anya is six!” Anya was glaring at the man. She still could not read any of his thoughts. His mind had a weird buzz and strange color. Anya shivered, stepping back when it all went black. She almost closed her eyes and ran away when the black disappeared. An image of a boy dressed in colorful clothes appeared.
“Could you repeat what you said before that?” That man was still here.
“What did I say before that?”
"You called me by a name."
"But I don't know you're name."
The picture of the boy came back again. That must be a superhero.
“Waka Waka!”
“Anya!” Her papa ran towards them. “There you are. I told you not to let go of my hand!” Good. She’s not hurt. I shouldn’t have brought her here. What kind of father loses his daughter at such a big party?
Anya closed her eyes. Her papa was too loud. Her papa finally looked at the man she was talking to while also picking her up. “Mr. Wayne, I hope my daughter wasn’t a bother.” Bruce Wayne. Of course she had to be talking to Bruce Wayne of all people.
“Not at all. You have a very lovely daughter.”
“Lovely but quite a troublemaker. I am sure you understand.” Looks like she didn’t get into any trouble but then again, Bruce Wayne does not have the best point of reference. I should avoid drawing any more attention to us. A spy must be discreet and remain in the shadows.
“Of course. My own children can be quite a handful.”
The man and papa said goodbye.
“Anya didn’t get to be a superhero.”
“A superhero? I thought you wanted to be a spy like Bondman?”
“Superheroes are cooler than spies.” Anya ignored her papa’s crazy thoughts. Superheroes had awesome powers like her. “Papa, can we get the peanut cookies now?” She did the sparkly eyes Becky had taught her.
“I guess you have earned it.”
“Waka Waka!