#neglected reader

Those who truly knew him were deeply aware of this information, aware of how he would never truly be present emotionally in any sort of relationship. This included his own horde of children, who, throughout the years, had learned to live with that weighting absence.

Still, in your childhood, you attempted to cling onto the idea of a fatherly figure with an iron grip that even his coldest silences couldn’t break.

Your arrival was a change in the manor, a breeze in a dry desert, the warm sun in a frigid winter. Young, unmarred by the horrors of Gotham city, your new family felt wary to be the ones to taint your innocence. So, as one does when uncomfortable, they spent time elsewhere.

It wasn’t a collective, malevolent decision. It simply arrived like something unavoidable. They still ate with you at dinner, still asked you about your day occasionally, about school drama, or hobbies, but the conversations never went much further. Your relationship didn’t evolve into something closer to family. Instead, it stagnated at polite acquaintances that happened to be roommates and legally related. Nothing more, nothing less.

In a perhaps cynical way, you had expected not to fit in with your siblings. You arrived in a moment where Dick was elsewhere physically, Tim elsewhere mentally, and Steph often appearing and disappearing at the manor at will. Not to mention Jason, since the topic was taboo around anyone, like a ghost story, a warning.

However, childishly, you at least hoped your father – whom you shared blood with, took you in after tragedy inevitably struck as it does in this godforsaken city – would attempt to create a bond with you.  You were realistic bordering pessimistic, yes, but you had naively expected him to try. Not even succeed, just put in some effort.

But that small spark of hope quickly died out when you met and began to understand the man in his essence.

The process was short; you’d recall later on. You remembered arriving at the manor, terrifyingly beautiful, haunted by years of history and secrets. It almost felt like one of those mystery slash romance books your mother would read privately in the safety of your home. And this was your home now.

You were greeted at the door by a man with clever eyes and a polite smile and bow, a relaxing accent you had only ever heard in movies introducing him to you, introducing the manor to you. The police officer – whose name you forgot over the years, who had tried cheering you up in the car – bid you farewell, and that was that. A new beginning. New family, new house, new life. Your mother was dead; you had confirmed it yourself. Nothing would ever go back to how it was. But maybe this change would be good for you.

These thoughts lasted four months.

The first person you met was one of your new brothers, Timothy (“Tim” he insisted you call him, as if he stuck around enough for you to call him anything). He was a few years older than you, and according to Alfred, a genius. To you, he kind of looked like he needed a hug and a good nap less he crashes and burn out, but you kept those thoughts to yourself – like you did most of your thoughts.

You met Dick Grayson, Golden Boy with a bright smile, eyebags, and a distracted gaze. He had things to do, a job in a different city, responsibilities as an adult. You understood, let him rush around with no hard feelings, knowing his energy meter would empty eventually. Maybe you could talk to him then. (Who wanted to talk to some random kid your adopted dad took in anyways? You probably would’ve done the same in his place).

Steph was a pleasant addition to your routine, and probably your favorite (after Alfred, of course) of the manor’s inhabitants, even If she didn’t truly live there. She hung around a lot, livening the gloomy atmosphere of the manor while providing feminine energy; something you discovered to be unfortunately rare in you new place. Nonetheless, she had this look in her eye that sometime stole your breath. A look that sometimes haunted you, as if she was searching and searching for something. After a while, she stopped coming around as much, Alfred explaining that with the age, she had new responsibilities. You felt disappointed and a bit bitter, but who were you to complain? She wasn’t your real sister. You both knew that.

A month passed, you talked to your biological father for the first and probably last time. He was quiet – you noticed silently – but attentive. Bruce Wayne never spoke unless necessary, you had heard, but with you, he was soft words and awkward smiles. You felt endeared by his behavior, despite being only eleven years old, and satisfied by his attention. It was like a flower being watered after weeks of neglect, like finally being fed a warm meal after weeks of starvation. The feeling was euphoric, and you brightened when he offered to go on a father-child date to get to know his new kid better.

And like any drug, the crash was abrupt and harsh. He disappeared into the shadows of the manor once more, and the next time you saw him his eyebags were darker and the lines in his forehead deeper. You couldn’t bear to be the one responsible for adding more onto his already seemingly overflowing plate. So, like your father, you let yourself melt into the shadows.

Throughout the years, your father took in more children with varying personalities. Although the manor was fuller, it still held that characteristic darkness to It, like it was destined to be lonely no matter how many people you put in it. You moved on, how could you not? It does you no good to dwell on what could’ve been had you integrated yourself into their circle. The curiosity and hurt would kill you (Though in the dark of the night, sometimes, you let yourself wonder).

You found out about their identities after two years of living with them. A long time? A bit, but how were you supposed to notice signs when they were never there, and this was the first time you were living and actually interacting (as limited as the interactions were) with rich people. At first you thought all rich people were quirky, but when their conversations went on, unaware of your hidden presence, you began realizing that maybe this wasn’t normal.

Resentment was the first feeling on your mind, though it quickly made way for resignation. The discovery reassured you, albeit disappointingly, because it showed you that no matter what you did, you would’ve never been apart of their world. You mourned a bit, yearning for a family; siblings who hung out with you, teased you, protected you, a dad who cherished you, showed you off. Then you moved on.

In fact, it pushed you to do better. Because if your sort-of family could go out to fight crime at night altruistically, you could do your best to help as well.

You began working harder towards your goal, becoming a doctor. Not to impress anyone, but because you wanted to make a difference in this city. You studied hard, pouring your life and soul into schoolwork, barely taking breaks.

Alfred grew worried, but you were as hardheaded and determined as your father, so his attempts to get through to you and push you to rest were all in vain. He even tried going through your siblings or Bruce, but it all fell through.

Silently, bitterly, during another all nighter, you’d sometimes liken yourself to the distant shadow of Tim in your memories. You wondered if this was why he did it, pushed himself to the brink for something. If this feeling was something he also eventually began clinging onto. But you had no time for such thoughts, so you pushed them away.

It was impressive how long you went on without breaking down and burning out. Yet you were a force of nature, a tree that let the weather mistreat it without letting it interrupt it from growing, water that kept flowing.

When you were fifteen, you told your family you wanted to be a doctor over dinner. It had been during an uncharacteristic lull in conversation, and you took the occasion to reveal it casually, like another piece of information, like it wasn’t your motivation and dream.

“And you think you’ll make it as a doctor?”

Your youngest brother and newest addition to the family sneered, an expression that felt wrong on a face so young. You didn’t rise to the bait.

“I’ve been studying a lot for a couple of years. I was just letting you know” you said, though your gaze remained on Bruce.

And since they were still quiet, you chose to drop the bomb.

“Can I practice by patching you guys up after patrol?”

Your question was polite in an almost indifferent way, though your indifference couldn’t hide your curiosity and eagerness for firsthand experience. A cup fell.

“What do you mean?” Dick asked awkwardly with a tense smile “What patrols?”

You deadpanned, rolling your eyes.

“Do you think I’m dumb? I’ve been living with you guys for four years. I’d have to be stupid not to know your secret identities by now”

Damian seemed satisfied with that answer, crossing his arms proudly and mumbling something about ‘superior Wayne genetics’, while the rest of your family had varied reactions. Dick gaped at you, as if your knowing of their identities was unthinkable, Steph seemed somewhat conflicted but amused, Cass… well, she didn’t seem angry (or anything for that matter?), in fact, she seemed proud, and Jason was cajoling loudly.

Nevertheless, the reaction you were looking at was your father’s. Bruce looked at you with an indecipherable expression. As did Tim. But you didn’t break eye contact, you wouldn’t back down – you wouldn’t be worthy of the Wayne name if you let them intimidate you. A deep, tired sigh.

“I had my doubts,” lies, you haven’t seen him in four months, but you’ll let him have it “but the idea isn’t bad”

The shocked reactions broke into disapproval

“They’re a civilian!” “B, they have zero experience, are you insane?-” “I don’t think that is the best idea, father” “That is the funniest thing you’ve said today, old man-” a guffaw.

“Enough” he interrupted. His voice oozed authority, enough to not need to shout for them to all fall silent again.  Your father looked in your eyes, deeply, as if seeing something he hadn’t seen or noticed before, something hiding in plain sight.

A sigh “I agree to let you shadow the med area in the cave-” a chorus of complaints and disagreements suddenly interrupted him, but with a glare, they quieted down again “On one condition” he began ominously.

You raised an unimpressed brow. Did he have to be so dramatic about it? A sigh of your own, perhaps it was contagious “Sure. A condition” you repeated flatly. Your first real impression of your family wasn’t turning out to be exactly positive. The urge to retreat into the safety of your room and focus on your studies once more was heavily tempting.

“You’ll obviously need supervision, ideally from Alfred. You have no prior experience” You hummed in agreement. No, duh, you were fifteen, of course you had zero medical experience “You’ll also be required to shadow Dr Thompkins on the weekends to better your knowledge. If you want to help, you’ll help fully”

Perhaps you were more like your father than you thought, because in that moment, you felt like you were seeing him for the first time as well. A bitter taste coated your tongue as you gave an affirmative answer, then returned to your room, doing your best to ignore the argument that exploded at the dinner table after you left. Some things never changed, it seems. They always say what they truly feel and think when you’re not around.

Either way, you were satisfied with the outcome of the conversation, even though your dad’s utilitarian reasoning left a heavy feeling in your chest and a pain you couldn’t explain in your heart.

It’s so poetically perfect that the vigilante family that tends to forget you exist is oblivious to just how many adventures you have. Adventures that are more than the stiff and occasional reports from Alfred about your acrobatics to reach a cookie drawer. No, your adventures are borderline Constantine levels of wackiness and severity. 

Think interdimensional bad-actors and fighting your own alternate versions! Before you’re even scraping double digits, you’ve saved the multiverse more than once. Your notoriety for nothing other than the first name you identify yourself with, being sung in tales of great legends. All for you to be tucked happily in bed by nightfall. 

Bruce and the others are none the wiser. Thinking that when they occasionally see you and pat your little head, that you’re oblivious to their alternate identities and are living the normal life they’ve ordained to be proper for you. That’s exactly what they do when they have Alfred fetch you before they go on another business seminar ie, a Justice League level threat well beyond the Earth’s solar system. They barely give a thought to Damian, who’s just a few years your senior, is going but you—like the perfect little cutout they seem to think you are—don’t complain a single bit while they drive away. How perfect of you!

It isn’t until they’re well beyond the realm of anticipated villains, something far darker than just Darkseid attempting to destroy Earth again, but something that brings a threat to all of reality. The creature that’s summoned renders the Justice League to nothing but twigs as it bulldozes through Darkseid and his forces and the strongest among their ranks. With a single snap of it’s claws, it very well might destroy the Earth, and for once, even Batman is at a loss.

“WITH THIS I END YOUR–Oh wait, hold on! Hold the phone! Drop it and break it into a million pieces. Is this THE BATMAN?”

The gargantuan threat shrinks down and cartoonishly holds up Batman and the Robins, all the destruction coming to a stop as they coo at the entire Batfamily. Superman, Wonder-woman, and all in attendance can’t help but weakly watch as their greatest foe simply diverts into some reality-warping fangirl.

“OMG, so you guys must be the family to THE GREAT (Y/N)!? What an honor!”

They proceed to conjure various (Y/n) merchandise that they ask the family to sign, all for Batman to use their autographs as a bargaining chip to not tear this dimension and their planet to shreds.

“Oh yeah! Well of course, I won’t do that with (Y/n) here! Mad respect for that homie of mine! Anyway, tell them I said hi and I’m still healing from our time back in Earth #3495830485. Haha, good times.”

Balance is restored instantly, and the whole time home everyone is nursing their life-threatening wounds as they ponder. Specifically on WHO THE HECK IN GOTHAM CITY IS (Y/N)?! Because clearly, the people who claim to be your family genuinely don’t know you at all. And as much as usual scowl behind his cowl fools the JL about how much Bruce knows about his own kid, he’s forced to reconcile that he knows next to nothing. Alfred’s reports, as much as they’ve dwindled over the past year, just aren’t accurate enough to miss this huge part of your character.

“Welcome back, Master Bruce. I trust your trip went swell?”

“Where’s (Y/n)?”

“In their room, but they’re currently napping. Why the sudden interest?”

“....”

“(Y/n) somehow saved us from an Eldritch goddess of reality, just by mere mention of their name. We have a lot to talk about.”

“...I see, Master Damien. I’ll be bringing up some cookies for this conversation.”

Before they even speak to you, they’re already scanning you and holding you every which way to see some visible sign that you might be this intergalactic force that completely slipped past their radar. 

“Talk! What have you been hiding!?”

“I…haven’t really been hiding anything.”

“Look (Y/n), this is a safe space we’re listening now.”

“...I’m literally not hiding anything.”

“Yeah, Kid, and I’m Lady Liberty. Spill.”

“Uh, pretty sure you died before, how bout you spill.”

“(Y/n), will you please tell me about yourself for real this time.”

“..hmm okay.”

It’s Bruce who really comes to terms with how much he’s missed, even before you tell him about that particular experience with that Eldritch entity. He sees the way you can’t look into his eyes for more than 5 seconds. Or how all your stuffed animals are near your bed like you cuddle up to them at night. Or the small, untouched spider web hanging near your bedpost. 

It almost feels like when he lost Jason. 

He failed. He has failed you. Having no choice but to come to terms when he hears you explain the intricacies of the multiverse and how you’ve gotten the majority of them to leave your world alone. His heart-stone-cold and walled up, melting when you talk about how the other universe’s batfamilies immediately embraced you. Doppelgangers who, by rules of the multiverse, should want to kill you, loving you in a way you’ve never been loved. Interdimensional entities coming to visit, teaching you the different parts of growing up that you had no one to talk to you about. 

“I will be better for you, (Y/n). I promise.”

“Uh okay…Can you shut the door when you leave?”

“....yes.”

“Thanks.”

The reward that other Yandere Batfamilies receive with a reconciliation is the emotional prize. You’re in tears, your angry-blow-up, and the cold verbal smackdown that you deliver tells them that you’re broken and you desperately need them. Or you’re clearly so hurt that they have no choice but to forcefully soothe you’re aching feelings. But without the emotional getback, it leaves them reaching out constantly to soothe their own mounting guilt. 

“Uhm (Y/n) do you maybe want to go for ice-cream with your big brother? I’ve got some extra time and I–’

“No thanks, I’m hanging out with DP today.”

“But it’s been so long–”

“Nope. Bye.”

—----

“Hey, Oracle and I are leading patrol. Today's an easy day so just this once we don’t mind bringing you with us—”

“Don’t wanna.”

“Uhhh, why not? Didn’t we say we were going to get to know each other?”

“You did. I didn’t, it’s cool I know enough.”

“Even about our cool hero lives?”

“Especially about your mid hero lives.”

__________

“Birth sibling! You will join me in this movie marathon! In order for success within the school I must be up to date on the Terminator movies.”

“I’ll save you the time. The past is always in danger all the time, and if you are Sarah Conner, change your name.”

“I think you forgot that Ra’s Al Ghul doesn’t allow failure. And this will double as time to get to know one another so you’ll be coming with me!”

“I think you forgot who has access to portals to leave whenever they want. So no.”

Needless to say, the family has their work cut out for them. Especially since you’re so much more than just a little kid. Your little kid with the world at their fingertips. Not to mention the other league members who feel like they should be aware of the powerful force their adversaries keep raving about.

You were mature and quiet, and you knew how busy they were. You had to! You were still young, and you had your siblings and Alfred around. All of Bruce’s kids were pretty close, so you’d never have a problem fitting in! 

The city was dangerous. With the Joker at large, arsonists and killers lurking in the alleyways, it wasn’t time for Bruce to focus on anything other than saving the city!

Once he was able to make it a better place, he’d play all day with you! Bruce would make sure Gotham was a safe and peaceful place before focusing on you. You’d understand. You always did. 

That was how Bruce Wayne felt, for years after you moved in, always rescheduling his bonding time to another day. 

Alfred watched. Silently at first, and then started to suggest ideas to Bruce and you. Trying to make him interact. Unfortunately for you, Bruce kept pushing it away. More paperwork, more villains, more danger. 

You slowly withered away. Pulled back. You stopped going to Bruce for advice and instead went to Alfred to rant about boy trouble. You didn’t try to catch Bruce in the hallway to ask him to come with you to the mall. It was a risk, after all.

He was quite popular; he couldn’t be spotted by the paparazzi with another child. Even if you knew him longer than other children in the Batfamily. 

Slowly, you stopped interacting with Bruce. Bruce was okay with that. He didn’t need a distraction, he had too many papers to sign. Too much trouble with Damian. Bruce pushed away any other feelings he had about it, after all, you still had your other siblings!

Despite Bruce believing that was true, you couldn’t believe the same. 

First was Dick, the eldest, who would be around really often, despite not living at the manor. He was the bright smile of the family. The golden boy. Dick was the one who kept the family together, kept relationships between the family strong. He was nice to everyone!

It’s too bad that his real smiles were reserved for the others, especially Damian. When you first came to the manor, he was the one who greeted you. He smiled brightly, walking you up the stairs to your room. After you found your room, he left shortly after. 

All other interactions with him were mostly one-sided, with him giving a polite smile and a “Later, baby bird. I gotta take Damian out to training. Next time, yeah?”. You never really got a chance to talk to him after that.

The second oldest was Jason. You first met him when he was a happy person, with a cheerful aura. He was tolerable, and you could talk to him freely about school and your hobbies. When he died, you were heartbroken. Your only friend died, only shortly after you met him! You cried for him months afterwards. Once he came back, you tried to reconnect, explain how much you missed him, and show him how you’ve changed too - but he shot down those attempts, putting a wall between you both. 

After many more tries at climbing and breaking down his fear and anger, you gave up. He wasn’t the well-mannered, happy person as before. All of his happiness was replaced with anger and coldness.

Following Jason, we have Tim. He was intelligent, using his detective skills to quickly solve cases with Bruce. When he first came, you tried to learn more about him, though he wasn’t really interested in you. He always had another case, like Bruce. More leads, more information - it was never-ending. He ran on coffee and cereal. You quickly realized he wouldn’t pay attention after you tried to talk to him about a movie you watched with Alfred.

Steph and Cass mostly ignored you. They had no real reason to interact with you. Steph was constantly caught up with her relationships with the other members of the Batfam, so she never had the time or thought to check in on you. Cass would only give a simple shake of the head, or, on bad days, she’d just walk past. You didn’t really know how Cass felt about you.

Finally, there was Damian, the youngest and the other blood child. When you went to greet him after learning he was another biological child, you were excited. You had something to connect with him! You quickly learned he wasn’t so happy about it when he pulled his sword out, aiming it toward you. 

Damian considered you a rival, another opponent to being the strongest.

After he decided you were no real threat and really just a nuisance, he resorted to using Titus or his sword to scare you away, and if he couldn’t do that? He’d instead make comments under his breath, just loud enough for you to hear. You didn’t want to interact with him after that, instead avoiding him like the plague.

You tried to be cool, perfecting skills that you’d later give up on - you first tried singing and theatre, performing in plays and musicals in front of large audiences, and then there was painting! You learned to paint, joining competitions and contests before burning out. The final thing you tried was sports. You figured they would catch more attention, because it was something physical - but that belief was crushed after no one but Alfred came to your games.

Alfred was always there. You appreciated him. He saw you for who you were, not only your achievements and accomplishments. He was like a grandfather to you. He baked with you, asked you about school, and even sat and read with you when he finished cleaning. Alfred was always there. He always understood. 

So when Alfred got sick of seeing how everyone ignored such a treasure, he decided he’d take it into his own hands to get you the love you need - even if you didn't know you deserved it.

Dick was having a pretty good day. He had a good patrol last night, with little to no problems at all! Some drunks were walking the streets last night, which was causing a bit of a nuisance, but they were easy to sort out.

And to make it better, after he finished patrol, he was able to grab a quick bite to eat from a fast food restaurant before going home and getting a good night's rest.

Despite all of this, and his wonderful day, he still felt... weirdly hollow. Like he was waiting for something. Dick wasn't quite sure what he was missing.

Today, he decided to swing by the Wayne Manor - which he did a lot - to see his family!

But, when he got inside, he felt... disappointed? Dick was confused. He had no reason to be - after all, he had dropped in on Tim and Bruce, said hi to Steph in the hallway, and even gave Cass a wave! It couldn't be Jason; he was still out on a mission for Tim. Dick sat at the long table in the dining room.

"Master Dick?" Alfred's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Is something wrong?" He continued.

Dick gave a dismissive grin, waving his hand in a playful shooing manner. "No, not at all. It was just... I feel like I'm forgetting something."

Alfred let out a humm, continuing to wash some dishes. "Well, Master Dick, I do have something that may connect to that."

Oh?

Dick leaned in, interested. "And that is?"

"It was the young master's birthday yesterday!" Alfred replied, gesturing to a nearby calendar.

"Who, Damian? Damian's birthday passed a while back-" Dick furrowed his brows, leaning back again.

Alfred shook his head, sighing. Alfred then spoke, simply saying your name.

Oh! Dick smiled in delight. A face had popped into his head, of his baby bird, you! He could still picture your cute young face and how, when you'd smile, you'd been missing teeth. (So what, if the picture in his head was blurry and dated?)

Dick gasped, a smile spreading across his once puzzled face.

"Oh, right! I knew that." He sprang up, going to search for you.

Dick most definitely did not know that. He hadn't even brought a present! But, luckily for him, he would just bring you out somewhere. You had once asked him to go with you to some Chinese restaurant, but he didn't have time - he was helping Damian! That's okay, he could repay you now.

After a while of wandering through the long halls, he decided to check upstairs, passing Damian.

Though Damian does say something to him, Dick is far too focused on his current task to listen. He runs up the stairs and continues to look in the rooms.

When you guys finally start talking again, he'll remember your room every single time, he promises! You are his baby bird after all.

Finally, he comes across a room that he doesn't recognise. This must be it!

Your room was big, but not as big as the others' rooms. You had every inch of it decorated, like you were trying to make it seem more lively. Most walls were covered in posters and drawings, or there were awards and trophies on the shelves. Each award had different things engraved on it. Singing, dancing, performing, you even did some art!

Oh, baby bird, you're so talented! Dick's eyes get wider each time he reads another trophy.

But you weren't inside! That's too bad. Maybe you went out since you weren't in any other room.

Dick looked closer at the walls, noticing photos taped messily above your bed.

And even though he scanned them, searching for all his might -

You turned.

The man was lanky, twitchy. Bad teeth. Knife in hand, eyes jittery with something chemical. “Wallet. Now.”

You blinked. Then sighed, pulling out a crisp hundred-dollar bill from your clutch and holding it out.

“Here.”

He stared. “The hell is this?”

“A hundred,” you said. “I don’t carry a wallet. Too bulky. You can buy three pizzas, get high, maybe even tip someone.”

The mugger hesitated. Then lunged for your bag anyway—fumbling, pulling, his fingers catching on your necklace.

Snap.

Pearls scattered like gunfire on the wet cement. They bounced and rolled, luminous little ghosts vanishing into storm drains.

You stared down at them, unimpressed. “Aw, man. I just bought that. Now I can’t pretend I’m Daisy Buchanan anymore.”

The mugger growled, “Are you serious?”

“I’m trying to be.”

“HEY!”

The voice hit like thunder—deep, familiar, jagged with fury.

From the shadows above, a shape descended. Not just a shape—a myth.

Batman.

Cape snapping behind him, boots hitting ground like judgment day. The mugger didn’t even get to scream before he was disarmed and flat on his back, out cold with a single blow.

You folded your arms. “Wow. He wasn’t even that good.”

Batman turned to you. Stopped.

And stared.

It wasn’t the pearls. It wasn’t the alley. It wasn’t even the crime.

It was you.

You looked like a ghost—Martha’s ghost.

Same eyes. Same bone structure. Same pearls—except, no, they were plastic, shattered, lost in puddles. But it didn’t matter. For one split second, Bruce Wayne was back in that alley. The one he never left.

And you—calm, perfectly dry despite the rain, blinking at him like he was the ghost—tilted your head.

“Uh… are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

He didn’t speak.

“Wait,” you frowned. “...Mr. Wayne?”

That made him flinch.

“Yeah,” you said, half-laughing. “Kinda obvious. I mean, the jawline. The brooding. All that justice.” You knelt to pick up one of the fake pearls. “You okay? You look like you’re gonna pass out.”

His throat worked, words caught there.

“I—You shouldn’t have been walking alone,” he finally said, voice rough like gravel. “Gotham’s not safe.”

You pocketed the pearl. “Tell me about it. I got mugged for the first time and lost my aesthetic in the same five seconds.”

A pause.

Then you smiled, too brightly for this haunted city. “Hey. Wanna walk me home? If you’re not too busy glowering.”

Batman—Bruce—nodded, slowly, still pale.

You didn’t see the way his fingers curled slightly when he looked at your hand.

You didn’t see the way his eyes followed each broken pearl like a funeral procession.

But you noticed the silence.

“…Do I remind you of someone?” you asked softly, as you walked together out of the alley.

He didn’t answer.

Didn’t need to.

The rain kept falling. But he stayed by your side the whole way home.

And when he finally disappeared into the dark, you whispered behind him, “Take care of yourself, Batman.”

Later, in the Batcave…

Dick: “Bruce? You okay? You look like death warmed over.”

Bruce: “…She looked just like her.”

Dick: half-joking “Martha?”

Bruce: silence

Dick: “…You’re not serious—wait. Wait. Was she wearing pearls?!”

Bruce: hollowly “They broke.”

Dick: “Oh my god.”

The break was over, and Tim had begun to notice that Evelyn had been acting off for the past couple of weeks. For one, she appeared less sure of herself, more irritable, and, not to mention, she didn’t seem to be acting like herself lately. He was a bit worried about her; she was his favourite sister after all, and well, they got along incredibly. They both loved superheroes, played the same video games, and were quite tech savvy. If anything, they were destined to be siblings. He wondered if she was still hurt by how you had treated her. 

Ugh you. You were such a nuisance. Here they were fighting to keep the city safe, while you got to attend some rich kid boarding school and do normal teenager things, only to come back and be standoffish. A part of him was jealous of you. You didn’t have to deal with the troubles the others and he had to face. You didn’t know what it was like to have bruises litter your body before a school night, have mental and physical scars that will forever be there, have to lie to your civilian friends, have to miss certain milestones, and deal with crippling guilt and greater expectations. You didn’t have to deal with that. Even though you’d probably be good at it, you didn’t have to do it. You didn’t even know they did it. Thanks to Bruce and his unspoken vow to your late mother about never letting you be like him.

Tim was currently in Evelyn’s room trying to look for his controller and perhaps her. He wanted to lift her spirits, or maybe get her to open up to him about what was happening with her. He knows the life they lead can be heavy on the mind. 

“Oh OW!” Tim keels over while his face twists in discomfort, as he clutches his stubbed toe. He sits up straight and steadies himself on the nightstand. 

He notices something. A journal. It’s a bit worn, but it’s well-kept and tidy. 

“No way! Evie keeps a diary?” Tim thought with sly giddiness as he lifted the leather-covered journal.  

Tim’s lips curl into a smirk as he opens it. He reads the first page, and his smirk fades.

(The date is two years ago)

It’s been so easy integrating into this family, well, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the help of Y/N. She gets ignored in this family, but her personality, quirks, and gadgets are loved by them. When they are on me, of course. Cluemaster is going to be so delighted, god, I can see it all now.

Tim’s eyes widened and then narrowed. What? He flipped through more pages. 

(A year ago)

I think she’s catching on to me. I’ll have to suggest that she should go to boarding school. Tim will agree with me; he already hates her.

Tim closed the book and put it down. His eyebrows raised high. 

No, no, no, no. He did not just find his sister’s diary and read the details of how she’s been actively betraying them since she arrived. His sister, whom he has bled for, fought for, bled with, fought with, confided in, vented to, and cried to. 

His chest seized. It was all a lie. 

He thought of you. Part of the reason why he disliked you so much is because Evi- no Evelyn would tell him about how awful you treated her. 

He remembered when the family decided to send you away to boarding school.

It was her idea, but he was probably the biggest supporter of it.

“Look, B, you said it yourself. You’re tired of sneaking around in your own home.” She said while standing by Tim and looking at Bruce with a hopeful gaze. 

“Evie’s right! Bruce, she doesn’t even have a public persona to help throw people off our track. She just goes to school, comes back, does some extracurriculars, and stays in the library or her room. She’s too close to us, too close to finding out who we are! She’s a walking liability!”

Bruce stared at the two of them; the rest of the family was spread out in the cave. Listening in on them, agreeing.

“And plus, she has a really negative energy to her. She’s pretty mean to me. I try not to let it get to me sometimes, but…”  Tears welled in her eyes, and Tim patted her shoulder.

“Please, Bruce.”

You were gone the month later. 

He now realised there’s a high chance you didn’t even interact with Evelyn as much as she let on. All those times when you supposedly said or did something were most likely lies. It all made sense now. Why she practically forbade him from mentioning how you treated her to you. Resulting in him straight up ignoring you and growing hateful of you. Not only him, but the family too. He owed you an apology, a huge one.

But first, he needed to get this journal to Bruce.

Meanwhile, in Newton Academy, you were currently in physics class. Xander was beside you, scrolling through his phone that was positioned in his notebook. How the teacher never notices is a mystery to you; he’s reading the Daily Planet, something about Superman. A superhero he has way too much love for. It’s honestly kind of funny to you. He’s fanboying over his future coworker, but he doesn’t know that. You have a feeling he’ll find out, though. You weren’t gonna nag him; he gets high scores in physics, despite the fact that he never pays attention in class. 

“Do you have to fanboy in the middle of learning about kinetic theory?”

You reproachfully whispered while your attention drifted to Camila, who was on top of her game and obviously in a brilliant mood today, the first day back. 

You know how the two of you are supposed to be rivals? Yeah, that’s not something the two of you really implemented. The man in front of the room did. Mr Hapsburg. He compares you two constantly, pits you against each other, and always instigates. 

“First day back, starting a new topic, and both you and Camila are across from each other with Mr Haps staring at you two like a spectator at a gladiator match. I don’t think I’m learning anything today, so I might as well check in on the man of tomorrow.” Xander whispered his retort in a matter-of-fact tone while screenshotting something.

“Imagine we could mark molecules contained in a small flask of 100 cc, and pour them into the sea. Let us now assume to fill the flask back in, after having waited for the flask’s molecules to distribute uniformly in the oceans. How many “marked” molecules can we expect to find back on average?” Speak of the devil, and he will throw you a physics question while grinning maniacally at your poor classmates and you, while his eyes dart between you and Camila.

Camila puts her hand up, and you rub your temples. God, your head was killing you.

“Let’s hear from someone else, Ms. Rossi. You’ve put your hand up for every single question so far. Let's see who we can hear from, hmm..Aha! Ms. Wayne!”

See? That’s purposeful. 

Xander chuckled beside you. “This is gonna be good.” What the hell, Xander?

You sit up straighter and look at your teacher. “Well, the expected number of marked molecules found back in the flask is equal to the number of marked molecules initially poured into the sea. This is due to the principle of uniform distribution and the ratio of volumes.” You answer bluntly while reading off what you wrote in your notebook.

“You’re supposed to show your method, Wayne,” Camila goes on as her steely gaze pierces you.

“I did. Using the density of water, its molar mass, and Avogadro's number. What do you take me for?” You replied with a chuckle while reaching for your water bottle. Reed would demolish you if you didn’t include your method. 

“I could be honest and answer that question, but then we'd still be in class with me showing no signs of stopping.”

“Interesting.” You mutter while downing your bottle. You should’ve gotten lemon water, but still water is still water.

“I see that since it’s been confirmed that Atomic’s alive, you’re back to your ways.” Xander quipped, eyeing Camila, his fingers were still tapping his phone. So uncanny.

Mr. Hapsburg remained quiet, sitting on his desk, his head darting between the two. The class mimicking him. Life cannot be so boring that you’re incredibly engrossed in a student’s argument.

“Who said I ever strayed, Galanis?” 

“Okay, can we get back to physics? We have three more questions to correct, and I’d rather not have to do this for homew-” You tried to diffuse the tension.

“Shut your mouth, Wayne.” Welp, you tried. “Keep Atomic’s name out of your mouth, Galanis.” Xander spared a side glance in your direction, his lips curling into a knowing grin. You kick him under the table. Why can he never behave? You sense his adrenaline spike. Lord Almighty, he actually gets a kick out of annoying Camila.

“Keeping Atomic’s name in my mouth is what led me to interview her in the first place.” Camila was fuming at the cheeky response.

Mr Hapsburg suddenly stands up. 

“Okay, everyone, settle down. That was a good answer, Ms. Wayne. Anyways, on to more pressing matters. Internships! Who has them and who doesn’t?” Great, he’s finally being a teacher and not a reality TV show presenter.

Everyone has their hands up for internships. You’re given forms, and class is dismissed. 

You’re in your dorm, getting ready to see the Richards. Sue wants you home for dinner,  and you don’t like disobeying her.

You look around to see if you have everything and lock your door, then teleport.

“Y/N!” You hear your favourite people. 

You’re instantly embraced by the little duo.

“Hey, guys,” you ruffled their hair.

“Did you bring us superpowers??” Franklin asked with excitement

“Uhm, no! But I did bring a homemade profiterole cake!” You displayed your creation with pride.

“That’s just as good,” Val exclaimed in awe.

You sensed someone trying to sneak up on you. 

“Johnny, back OFF.” You stepped aside, being mindful of the sweet cargo you were holding.

“That looks so good, I don’t get why you keep worrying over science when the art of baking is right there.” he stares at the cake with awe.

“Nope.”

“What the hell do you mean by nope?”

“I mean, nope. Science is my love.”

“I’m hearing Reed, but I’m not seeing him.” You roll your eyes at that, but feel a sense of pride flood you.

“Shut up and tell me where Sue is.” Val grabs your arm, and you let her drag you. “Thanks, VAL.” You say while giving Johnny a pointed look. Sue comes out to greet you.

“Thanks again for coming, sweetheart. We know how busy you get sometimes.” You hug Sue as she gives you a kiss on the cheek.

“Sue, don’t worry about it. I’ll always try to make time for you guys.” you earnestly reassure her.

After dinner, you’re with Johnny outside in your hero suits.

“So what’s up with Verone?” he asks with a sigh.

“He got himself into deep shit, Johnny.”. You fidget with a random geometric energy construct.

“How deep is deep?” He looks at you.

“I mean, he may have possibly contributed to the creation, selling, and distribution of a highly flammable and addictive drug that’s gonna be used against metahumans.” You stare at him, and his gaze sharpens.

“And we don’t know who caused this?”

“No.”

“Damn.”

At Wayne Manor, everyone was huddled around the batcomputer.

“She really has been playing us since the beginning,” Dick mumbled, disbelief etched into his voice.

Bruce remained silent as he scrolled through the computer. Contingency plans have been tampered with, encrypted files have been copied and sent to anonymous accounts; There was a reason why they’ve been doing so terribly on the field lately, and why the crooks have been steps ahead of them. There was a mole among them, one that lied to them, one that tricked them, one that made them turn against their own while actively using her quirks to draw them in.

Bruce felt sick. You, his daughter, were innocent in all this all along. He would never forgive himself.

Stephanie was the quietest of them all. She thought she finally had a best friend, but it turned out to be all a ploy created by her father.

“So does that mean…Y/N..”

“-Probably didn’t even interact with her at all,” Tim finished for her.

The atmosphere is heavy. The air is thick with betrayal and regret.

“We’ll make it up to her.” Dick declares while running a hand through his hair. “We have to.”

“Deal with the traitor first,” Jason adds.

As if on cue, Evelyn arrives and is greeted with the cold glares of the family.

“Uhm..guys..?What’s up?”

“Whoa, wait, you mean to tell me that you completely forgot that the science fest was on tomorrow?” Xander watched you dash around your dorm and levitate various objects you needed. It was currently nighttime, and you just remembered you had a science fest on tomorrow. You were so busy today, with auditions, meetings, and getting leads.

“Why do you sound so surprised? It slipped my mind!” You frantically moved around trying to finish building your project. Thankfully, the project didn’t need to be finished, but mostly done, and there needed to be notes and blueprints done to prove your thought process, along with a scientific journal detailing the timeline. You already had most of it finished; it just needed some adjustments.

You didn’t even sign up for this. Mr. Hapsburg did. 

“You know you could always drop out of this. You’ve been really busy lately. You should be lucky you don’t need the recommended amount of sleep.” Xander sits on your couch while fiddling with his watch.

“You’re right, but Tony Stark is going to be there scoping out talent. I have to be there, dude.”. You exclaim.

“You already have an internship set with him, no?” he scratches his head while looking at the levitating objects. 

“Yes, I do, but think of how beneficial it would be to have THE Tony Stark look at your creations and get an ego boost already knowing he’s chosen you.”

“I don’t get you.”

“You will.”  You teleport a pencil to you and start writing.

“Is Camila in this?” 

“I think she’s in the chemistry branch..I’m in engineering.” You respond.

“Damn, there goes my entertainment.” You ignore that comment.

“I’m nearly done.” You excitedly proclaim.

“Great, let’s see it!”

You pause as you hear some commotion downstairs, but figure it's your housemates playing a board game or something. Wondering if you should join them after this, you focus on what they’re saying, but you hear a voice, or rather voices. Voices that shouldn’t be here.

“No,, that can’t be-”

You’re interrupted by a knock on your door, you drop all the things that were levitating at once, and Xander opens the door. It was Daniel. Xander suspected he was here on behalf of  someone, like the secretary.

“Is Y/N inside?” He asked nervously while peering inside.

"Yes is there something wrong?" Xander questions with a raised brow.

“Her family is downstairs.” You froze. Fuck. Why are they here? Since when do they visit?

“Dan, tell them I’m out or something. Whatever you do, do not tell them I’m in the building.” You asserted while fishing one hundred dollars out your pocket and handing it to him before closing the door.

Xander stared at you while you paced around the room.

“So what, you’re just gonna hide in your room until they leave?” He asked with curiosity and a hint of shock. He too is surprised that your family is here, being familiar with your situation and upbringing.

“You know it. I’m also gonna do something.” You say as you stop and stare at the wall

“Oh yeah? Like what?”

You cross your legs and levitate, as you feel yourself become more attuned to your surroundings, you project.

You stare back at your floating physical form and walk towards Xander and  “touch” his shoulder.

“Like this.” You telepathically reply.

Xander lets out an impressed hum while your astral form teleports downstairs to the lobby.

“What do you mean she isn’t here? It’s late she should be here!” You are instantly greeted by the sight of Dick interrogating Daniel on your whereabouts. 

“I’m sorry but she’s not here, I think she left a while ago.”

“Where?” Damian asks with suspicion

Shit how many of them came? You wonder as you look around the lobby. Bruce is speaking to the secretary, Jason is eyeing the place, Tim is on his phone, Cass and Stephanie are asking the students about you. They’re all here. 

Just then Camila walks in to see the commotion.

“What the hell is going on here?” She barks out.

“Why is Wayne’s entire family tree in here?” Dick perks up and walks towards her.

“You know Y/N?” He questions with hope.

“It’s kind of hard not to.” Camila picks the dirt from under her nails while glaring at Dick. You continue staring at the scene playing in front of you.

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Why are you here? Did she forget something? Leave it with Trish and she’ll give it to her.” Camila sounds so done with the man.

“She didn’t forget anything! We just want to talk to her!” He raises his voice slightly.

“It’s the 21st century, phones exist; and quite frankly they’re much more convenient than having to drive two hours here in the middle of the night.” She retorts with a snarl. God you love her. 

“You’re right.”

“I know. Now leave.”

“That’s not happening.” What is his problem? What are all of them’s problem?

They engage in a stare off and you decide to go into their minds.

Oh. That’s why they’re here. They finally figured out Evelyn’s scheme. Wait a minute, Cluemaster??They let themselves be fooled by the likes of Cluemaster? The budget version of the Riddler? Wow, they’re never gonna forgive themselves for that one.

“Look, I’ll pay you one hundred thousand dollars if you let me see my daughter.” Bruce declared to Trish. 

Camila’s head snapped towards him.

“Back off, you geriatric frat boy.” You cackle at that but then remember that Bruce just tried to bribe the secretary and she actually considered it. No loyalty whatsoever.

Bruce ignored that even when Jason snorts at it.

“Name your price.” Bruce continues.

Oh god no. 

Camila speaks up. 

“The science fest is on tomorrow, knowing Wayne she’s probably in the library brushing up on her notes or something.” She’s lying, you know it. She’s trying to throw them off your track. You know the family are good at detetcting that so you project an illusion that doesn’t let her body language give her away. She’s a good liar, but they’re the best detectives.

“Where’s the library?” Bruce probes.

“There’s signs outside.” She responds, the irritation swimming in her features.

“Okay..”

They all leave. Your housemates stare at them with shock.

You’re there, in your astral state, wondering what the hell is going on.

Camila walks towards Dan and stares at him expectantly.

“What?”  he asks her meekly

“She’s still in her room isn’t she?”

“..yeah”

You transport back to your physical state. Xander is still there, his ear on the door. Your eyes snap open and you descend.

“They’re looking for me.”

“I know.”

“Camila saved my hind back there.” you exhaled.

“I know.”

There’s a knock on the door. Xander opens it. Camila is standing there, her face twisted with annoyance.

“Your family is downstairs.” She huffs.

“I know, and I’m not going down there to see them.”

“Who said anything about you seeing them?” She replied with a glint in her eye.

“What?”

“Come stay in my dorm. They’re gonna be redirected here any minute now, the little fib I told them can only hold them for so long.”

Xander looks back at you with his mouth agape. The Camila Rossi is asking you to come to her dorm. Yeah he’s never letting this go.

“Well are you gonna stand there and look stupid or will you come along? I know an entrance we can go through that’ll keep us out of your housemates’ prying eyes.” You straightened your posture.

You had no other choice.