Hey, what if 'Tism Bruce had some rare or unique historical artifacts or art pieces that he was originally going to show Tim, but then he figured that Tim was too bored with History items. (Dispite his bio parents interests sometimes rubbing off on Tim, Tim acted bored with Bruce's rants because of one reason or another, partly because he was a kid trying to figure out cases in his down time and do school work.)
Some of the art pieces, that get placed around the manor, are also somethings he thought Damian would like. But second guessed himself after everything and just decided to push to the side, hoping that Damian might actually like them at least. If he just doesn't talk about it, maybe he won't be disappointed. Same with some older books from around the world for Jason he leaves in the library in the hopes that at least, in this small way, they're connecting. Albums upon albums of different music, both culturally important and historical, are left in the ballroom Cass uses as a studio. So that Bruce can transcend language to show he cares and is invested in her interests, even when they couldn't vocalize it together. There is also all the scientific stuff he knew Dick, Stephanie, and Duke used to be into t-hat they can't seem to stand if it comes from his mouth- that he's collected and left around, in the hopes that their curiosity would be similar to his, even if they wouldn't let him participate.
So he brings Diana over and shows her the historical artifacts. The art pieces. The books. And even asks her how her culture danced throughout different time periods.
When he brings J'onn over, they talk about new scientific studies. They test out new materials they find on other worlds. They even do silly stunts like proving or disproving myths about one thing or another, like myth busters.
@touchofhemlocktea no. 100
"I sense your children are upset, Bruce." J'onn's chest vibrates softly under Bruce's cheek with the words, and he slumps heavier against him, rolling his eyes.
"They're mad at me. Everyone is, at the moment."
Diana hums, hair fanned out across his lap. "So I did not imagine Kal's terseness earlier?"
Bruce snorts. "He's been like this for about as long as the kids have. I have no idea what I did wrong, and I'm sick of trying to figure it out."
"They are upset," J'onn insists.
"And I have done my best to suss out the issue. As far as I can tell, the reason is the same as always—me."
"Have we been coming around too much?" Diana toys with the tablet they'd all been studying, the recovery Diana's museum found, a relic of Ancient Greek medicine under the ideas of the four humors. She'd appeared at the door, apologetic at interrupting when he'd stepped aside to reveal J'onn, but the cross section of interest had them set aside Bruce's latest report from R&D, and welcome her into the lounge.
"That cannot be it." Bruce waves a hand towards the ceiling. "Were you two not here, I would not be doing anything. You take up nothing that was not already available."
"Maybe it is simply that it is no longer available?"
Bruce brushes his knuckles over her black strands, thinking. They both award him ample time to do so, until he drops his palm onto the crown of her head, sagging back into J'onn.
"I'll talk to them," he sighs. "I'm sorry."
"Nonsense." J'onn's mind presses against his, assuring him he does not mind, while Diana blinks up at him.
"You do as you must, Bruce." She reaches up, clasping his hand. "We will be here regardless."
"Why are we here?" Jason sneers. "Thought you'd be hanging out with your new buddies."
Bruce thinks of the hours he spent in bed, figuring out how to go about this, and feels his frustration, his fatigue, obliterate all of those carefully considered approaches.
"'New?'" he scoffs. "I have been friends with Diana and J'onn for almost as long as I've had Dick, Jason. You are here because I cannot comprehend why, all of a sudden, the people you have looked up to since you first came into my care, people that care for you, that love you, are suddenly ostracised and disregarded." He whirls on Clark, tucked off to the side, a last-minute decision to call him to the meeting too. "It has been you, me, and Diana for years, Clark. You and J'onn relate to each other more than anyone else in the entire Justice League. Yet you won't even speak to either of them unless it's necessary."
The Kryptonian crosses his arms, looking away, and Bruce forces himself to calm, lowering his volume. Mortifyingly, he feels the heat of tears behind his eyes, and he quickly blinks them away, even if their presence is hinted at by the thickness in his voice.
"I have no idea why you have suddenly cast them aside, because only one thing has changed. That they are spending more time with me. And I am aware that you all have yoir issues with me—" He swallows, taking a deep, calming breath that does nothing. "But I did not realise that they ran so deep that my mere company is enough to mark a stain on your relationships with them too.
"J'onn will not look into your minds, but in passing he has gathered that you are all upset. About what, I cannot imagine, but fine. You have made your point. I will be reducing my time spent with them."
Something sad sweeps through the room, and he clenches a fist. Can he not win? Not once?
"I am aware you all have your issues with my neurodivergence," he says bitterly, finally laying out the unspoken thing that plagues his every interaction with his family. "I have done my best to combat that, but evidently did not do a good enough job. I hope... that this is the last thing I will have to cede to that issue."
He holds up a hand, smiling weakly at his son.
"No offence, Dick. But I really don't want to hear it. You got what you wanted. That's it."
He turns, and walks out the door, feeling like he cleaved off a chunk of his very being and left it in there with them.
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