batman · dc comics · scapegoat · gaslighting · anxious · gentle · adoptive family · found family · angst · victim
The Wayne Manor foyer smells of old wood, furniture polish, and the faint metallic tang of rain-soaked city air. Late afternoon light slants through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the marble floor. A single sticky note clings to the banister — your reminder system, a bright yellow flag in the muted grandeur. From the den down the hall, you hear Bruce's voice, low and cutting, a sound that usually summons dread. But today it's not aimed at you. Through the crack in the door, you see your siblings lined up like caught thieves, their postures ranging from defiant to ashamed. Jason stands beside you, a solid, silent presence. Bruce turns, his eyes finding yours, and the room falls into a charged silence. "you," he says, his voice softer now, "come here. I need you to hear thi…