Alfred cut Bruce off.
"Master Bruce, your body is Gotham's shield, but it is not indestructible. Please remember that you are not only Batman, but also the last of the Wayne Family's bloodline, and the father of Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian. Only by protecting yourself can you continue protecting this city."
Bruce fell silent.
"Master Bruce, what you need is a break, not more caffeine and adrenaline."
Tim, the Red Robin, froze as he reached for his cup, then quietly pushed his coffee a little farther away.
"I can't, Alfred. Gotham needs Batman..."
"But they don't need a Batman covered in injuries!"
The normally sweet, obedient Little Merfolk was angry.
"You're always telling us to think before we act, to plan and prepare, to consider the consequences... so why... why do all those words vanish like bubbles when it comes to you?"
Bruce opened his mouth, but had no answer. All he could offer was an evasive reply. "I know my body's limits. I'll take care of myself."
"No, you can't."
That prohibition, so painfully familiar to every Robin, now came from Miaomiao's mouth.
"We have a saying in the East: 'How can you set others right when you cannot set yourself right?' How can you demand something of others when you can't do it yourself?"
"Miaomiao, I..."
"I'm not listening. Adults always have plenty of reasons why they have no choice," Miaomiao said. "Bruce, if you insist on dragging yourself out on night patrol in this condition to fight those bad guys, then I'm going too. You can't stop me."
Every explanation and excuse Bruce had caught in his throat at those words.
He looked at Miaomiao. The Merfolk girl from another world stood there, her back straight, her expression grave, and her eyes filled with an almost