Bruce's meaning was clear-
He had agreed to an idea that could almost be called a flight of fancy.
"Yay!"
A small cheer erupted in the Batcave. Damian and Miaomiao practically jumped up to high-five each other in celebration. Even Red Robin, the most Batman-like of them all-Tim, whose steady composure rarely resembled that of a teenager-broke into a brilliant smile.
"But we need to agree on a few things first," Bruce said once the children had calmed down a little, adding a few more safeguards. "You may only handle situations within your capabilities. The moment you encounter something you can't manage alone, you must call for backup. If an emergency or anything unexpected occurs, you must report it immediately and follow my orders. Acting on your own is strictly forbidden. Can you do that?"
"Of course!"
Even Damian, the proudest and most stubborn of them, nodded in earnest this time, without a trace of petulance, so his father could recover without worrying.
Alfred smiled. "Now you can rest easy, Master Bruce."
Bruce smiled too.
He said nothing more, but his heart remained unsettled for a long time.
The children had already huddled together, murmuring over the details of their night patrols as they tried to work out the best possible plan. Bruce watched in silence, feeling the changes within his body as ripples of emotion spread through his heart.
When had the children he sheltered from the storms quietly grown up and begun sheltering him in turn?
After his hour-long "pearl bath," Bruce rose from the tub and dried his hair with a towel. The enormous bathroom mirror reflected his body with perfect clarity.
His hand suddenly stopped. He narrowed his eyes at his reflection-had his skin become... a little fairer?
It wasn't the pale look of skin waterlogged