Bruce didnât cry often, that was probably obvious to any who knew him, but few knew that when he did it was often a horribly wrenching thing. It was not over in a moment or two as his facade of no care crumbled to dust beneath the onslaught of emotions that rushed over him. Eventually though he managed to grab enough stability to stop the traitorous tears and gasps that shook his frame.
The note was folded, even in his grief he had not clenched his hand to wrinkle something so precious, delicately and placed to the side. That had been one of the biggest shock he would probably ever get at this point in his life. He let out a wet laugh though.
âSometimes I used to think itâd be easier if it had been me instead of them. Guess my dad found out the hard way,â He whispered bitterly.
Sucking in a staggered breath his slid a gauntlet off and wiped at his face. His composure was all over the place but he did shoot Barry a small smile and leaned the barest amount into the hand on the shoulder.
âWell, you told me about you, Diana, Arthur, and Myself. What was Superman doing during all of this? Please tell me he had a better disguise in that timeline,â he joked, looking for an opportunity to lighten the mood.
It was maddening sometimes. To have such phenomenal power beneath his feet, the ability to give his friends what was precious and lost, taken in the dead of night. He remembered Cisco begging him to bring his brother back, to mend the frayed threads of family, and god it felt cruel to deny him something so necessary, the kind of thing a person canât be quite whole without. Every part of Barry ached for Bruce now; if only his heart was colder, he would reunite him with his mother and father. If only he was a lesser man. If only.Â
âHe never stopped thinking about you. Everything he did was for you.â He spoke softly, leaning back against the desk and crossing his arms. Observing a man he respected. A man with a mind like his, who could keep up with him when it came to the world of crime. The pain in Bruceâs face, the sounds that spilled from his throat, would never be forgotten.Â
âYou know... he was nowhere to be found. I donât think that world had a Superman. Can you believe that?â A world without the symbol of hope. No wonder it was nothing but destruction and war. âYou shouldâve seen it, Bruce. It was dark. I had my parents, I held them, but it was emptier somehow. I was stupid, so stupid.â
