"I'm back!"
When Bruce stepped through the gates of Wayne Manor, he called out, but Martha did not answer. He hurried through the hall ahead and found neither of them in the dining room or kitchen.
He continued toward the back and entered the backyard, where he saw the other Bruce watering the ground with a hose, a spider bite still visible on the back of his hand.
"Where are Thomas and Martha?" Bruce asked.
"Gone to Dick's parent-teacher conference," the other Bruce answered. He put away the hose, turned to Bruce, and said, "What is it? What do you need them for?"
Bruce had already walked over. "It's nothing, really. I came to see you. How's your injury?"
"It healed a long time ago, but Thomas and Martha are worried. I'm not allowed to leave until the family doctor comes for another full examination." The other Bruce sighed. "I wonder how my universe is doing."
"I told you that Spider-Man wasn't actually dead, right? Did he come looking for you?"
"No, but he left me a note. He said he found a new job and wouldn't be able to return anytime soon. Still, it's good enough that he's alive."
"So, have you considered finding a new job?"
The other Bruce raised a brow. Bruce walked over and put an arm around his shoulders. "I'm sure the next family doctor's examination will prove that you're completely fine."
"Logically, you should return to your universe afterward, but I know you don't want to go back yet. You want to stay with Thomas and Martha, at least a little longer."
The other Bruce looked somewhat embarrassed, as though Bruce had seen straight through him. "I do want to spend more time with them, but if you..."
"I don't mind at all." Bruce