CW: Fanon Characterization + OOC + Mild Angst
Inspired by a post made by @brucedefender4eva
Please check out the post here!
Bruce Wayne is autistic, yet nobody except Damian could vouch for him. Growing up amongst aristocrats, being an aristocrat, Bruce had been forced into a mask since his first words.
He is more than grateful society has changed from when he was younger. That neurodivergence was no longer looked at as a mental defect. He is more than happy his son was getting the recourses he needed, even if they weren’t available for him.
Bruce had been formally diagnosed with Autism at a young age. His parents never loved him any less for it, but it was clear they didn’t understand it.
They’d push his leg down whenever it started bouncing. They’d make the extra effort to buy safe material clothing, but they wouldn’t do so without making sure Bruce know’s how spoiled he is for needing special fabrics. That one day he’ll be a big boy and “grow out of this texture sensitivity fad.” They’d make sure to tell him exactly how to not embarrass them while they are in public.
Whether they were being playful or genuinely irritated by the fact Bruce’s mind wasn’t “normal,” Bruce couldn’t tell. It frustrated him that he couldn’t differentiate between these things. After his parents passing, he locked himself in his room until he was for sure he could “act right.”
He’s not angry, or sad, or remotely upset his son is getting the accommodations he needs. Perhaps he’s a bit envious, but he’d never say that out loud. He’d never admit out loud that he, too, needs accommodations. Something about his parent’s words, even when he knows they weren’t right, stuck with him. He can’t get himself to ask for help. He can’t get himself to take off this mask he’s created no matter how much he wants to.
Bruce sits on his bed. His room is particularly organized and clean except for his desk. His desk is cluttered with WE reports and Batman cases mixed up. It stresses him out every time he glances at it, but he can’t find the energy to organize it how it should be.
He wants to cry; to scream; to pull all his hair out and buy new sheets. He doesn’t give into his bad thoughts. He can’t give into those bad thoughts.
Ace sits next to him on the ground. Bruce is forever grateful he chose to take the dog in. He hadn’t known it at the time, but Ace was a service dog. Ace has saved him more times than any 5-1 technique.
His kids weren’t aware Ace was a service dog. They don’t need to be. Bruce feels a pang of guilt for not sharing this resource with Damian. He can’t help but feel selfish of the dog. Ace was the only one who accepted him for being different.
Titus is currently under service dog training. Bruce would never keep a resource from his children. Especially one that Damian very much needs. Ace is his, however, he can’t… he’s not ready to give him up yet.
He won’t give him up. Not yet. He will one day, he knows he will. He knows he’s being selfish keeping him to himself, but… just a little longer. Just wait a little more, and he promises, he’ll give that part of him away too.
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This may be a little difficult to read, I apologize for that. I am getting used to the posting thing, but I needed to add on to it with service dog Ace and Bruce feeling selfish and guilty for “taking resources” from his son (even when his son has said resource). He deserves a hug. ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡
