Jupiter!🪐

but you were never really there

Let me explain

Alfred never asked for Bruce. He never wanted him, never wanted to stay, never really treated him the way he was supposed to treat a son.

Alfred asked for the batkids. In some cases he even chose them, in a way he never chose Bruce. He gave Tim the Robin mantle. He gave Dick his inheritance. He gave Jason the greatest respect he knew to give. He gives these kids everything. He loves them much more than he could ever love Bruce. He knows this fact as well as he knows the scars on Bruce's back. Perhaps he should feel bad for it. Perhaps he does.

But if it came down to the children versus Bruce? Alfred would choose Bruce in a heartbeat.

He loves the children, yes. But Bruce is his obligation.

He will press a kiss to their foreheads and then shove them in front of the blade aiming for Bruce's heart. He will tuck them in and brush the strands of hair off their foreheads and then drug them and use them as human barricades in front of Bruce's bedroom door.

He loves these kids. More than he could ever love Bruce. But Bruce is his First and Foremost, and he will do whatever is necessary to protect Bruce. Even if it means sacrificing the children.