Chapter Text
A little boy giggled to himself as he darted away from his wetnurse. She groaned when he crawled beneath the carefully tended bushes, eagerly disappearing onto the estate grounds as she hurried to follow behind him.
The boy paused as he noticed a well on the edge of the forest his family owned. It was a strange placement for a well, not that the boy would know that for many years.
With a glance around, the boy giggled to himself and darted over to the well. He circled it a few times, pouting slightly as he realized that it was too tall for him to peer in. He glanced around before spotting the bucket it was connected to. With a delighted grin, he grabbed the bucket, turning it upside down and setting it on the ground to use as a stool.
He shakily climbed up onto the bucket, ignoring the shaking and the way it creaked beneath him. He peered into the darkness of the deep hole, too deep to see the bottom even if the storm clouds vanished.
“...woah,” he whispered.
“...woah…woah…woah…”
His eyes brightened delightedly as his voice echoed back at him, slowly fading down the well. He grinned, leaning forward slightly, ignoring the way the bucket tilted beneath him.
“HI!” he called, leaning forward into the well. His voice echoed back at him, and he laughed, leaning forward just a slight bit more.
That tiny bit was enough to push the bucket out from under him, leaving his body mostly over the stone edge of the well. His eyes widened and as he fell, he let out a soft, “Huh?”
Then he was falling, tumbling down the long descent into the darkness. He let out a fearful shriek and covered his face as he felt something wrap around him. He thudded to the ground and whimpered as he felt his knees scrape on the rocks beneath him. He frowned, slowly opening his eyes and blinking in confusion.
There was no water at the base of the well. Yet when he looked up, the opening looked no bigger than the eye of a needle. He sniffled and weakly pushed himself to his feet, pressing his hands against the stone walls, nearly toppling forward again as he realized that there was a cave or tunnel where one of the sides had broken.
“...hello?” he whispered.
There was silence for a moment and then there were hundreds of shrieking clicks and chirps. Something smacked against his face, causing the boy to flinch backwards with a shriek, batting it away as dozens more crashed into his body and face without a single hesitation.
“No, no, no, no, no, NO! Go AWAY!” he shouted.
Suddenly they were gone, the clicking and chirping fading away as something reached down, gently brushing his cheeks. It reminded him of how his Mamma would wipe his cheeks when he cried, not that he cried! Ever! He was a big boy, six years old is old enough to not cry!
Despite that, something cupped his face and gently wiped away the liquid the creatures, bats he realized, must have left on his face. It definitely wasn’t from him! He slowly blinked his NOT teary eyes and looked up.
A dark figure with soft white eyes looked back down at him. The little boy blinked up at the stranger, who gently wiped his cheeks and patted his head.
“Hello.”
The little boy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Hi!”
There was a moment of silence before the creature spoke again.
“You’re not supposed to be here.”
“Nope! But Mamma and Papa don’t know I’m here! You won’t tell, will you?” The creature stared at him for a moment before shaking his head slowly.
“No. I won’t.”
The boy grinned. “Then I can tell you, my name! Mamma and Papa say a good in-intru-intruduc-”
“Introduction?”
“Yeah, that! That it’s im-poor-tant and I should ALWAYS remember to tell people my name!” The creature watched him for a moment before gently reaching down and picking the boy into his arms, carrying him securely.
“Really? Then what’s your name?”
“Brucie! Brucie Wayne!” The creature nodded and they gently, slowly began bouncing the child in their arms and leaning him closer and closer to them.
“That’s a really nice name.”
“Yup! So what’s your name?” The creature blinked in surprise.
“My name?”
“Uh-huh! I gave you mine, so you HAVE to tell me yours!” The creature thought for a moment before shaking his head.
“I don’t have one.”
The boy gasped, staring wide eyed at the creature before shaking his head sorrowfully. “No! You HAVE to have a name! Everyone has a name! Even the poor people have names!”
The creature raised an eyebrow at the imperious statement. “Then what’s my name?”
The boy pursed his lips, pouting slightly as he thought. Then his eyes lit up and he pointed at the creature with a chubby finger and wide, bright grin. “BATMAN! Your name is Batman!”
The creature stared at him for a moment as though surprised the boy had actually come up with a name for him at all, before nodding slightly.
“Well then, it’s nice to meet you, Mr Wayne. I’m Batman.”
Brucie giggled at the statement before yawning, feeling his eyes begin to droop as adrenaline left his system. Batman slowly walked closer to the entrance, feet beginning to climb up the wall as the child rubbed his eyes.
“You should go to sleep.”
“Noooo…I don’ wanna.” Batman chuckled softly, the feeling of his warmth beneath him slowly lulling Brucie to sleep as the creature climbed the well, glancing around to check for anyone else.
“BRUCIE!”
“BRUCE!”
“YOUNG MASTER!”
“BRUCE!”
“BRUCIE!”
It was the maid who saw him first, let out an ear-piercing shriek when she caught sight of the creature of darkness climbing out of the well. “DEMON!”
She fled from him as the mother and father whirled, eyes widening as they took in the sight of the creature before realizing it held their son in its arms.
“Brucie!” the mother lifted her skirts and rushed towards them, nearly stumbling over her skirts when she let them fall as she reached him. She reached out towards him before hesitating as she looked up at the creature.
Batman gently lifted the child and held him out to his mother, who quickly took him into her arms. “Bruce…”
“He fell in the well.”
Both the father and mother stiffened as their eyes flicked back to the creature and away from their sleeping son.
“You should seal it up to be safe.”
Bafflement covered their faces as the creature dropped back into the darkness, glancing at each other. After all, what demon would ask to be sealed away?
“B! Psst! B!” Batman stirred, rising to the mouth of the well with a disappointed look at the young boy grinning at him.
“Bruce. You know you’re not supposed to be here. What are you doing?”
The boy huffed and waved the concern aside with a grin. “You’ve been telling me that since I was six years old. It hasn’t stopped me yet; it isn’t going to stop me now. Just give up already!”
“Not until your parents agree with you visiting.”
“Uh, you’re on our land in case you forgot. Besides, you know my mother loves you. Why else would she make cookies just to drop down the well? She knows you like them, it’s her way of showing she cares for you. And father keeps an eye on you only because Darla spread rumors of the family consorting with demons again. Not that you match the description of any known demon, of course.”
Batman tensed within the shadows of the well. “Darla spread the rumors again?”
“Yeah. I think she’s hoping we’ll get burned the same as those ladies up in Salem. Of course, dad just pays the priests, and they all say that we’re good. Not that we’re, you know, actually consorting with demons. That’s the Vale family, not us.”
Batman watched the boy rant. Eventually a shout drew their attention, bringing both B’s eyes to the figures of Bruce’s mother and father. Bruce slumped in annoyance as they walked up.
“Bruce, son, how many times do I have to tell you to stay away from the well?” Thomas asked, rubbing his eyes in frustration.
“Oh, Thomas, let him have his fun. It’s nice to see you again, Sir Batman.”
“Fair morn, Martha. Again, for the three hundredth and twenty sixth time, you don’t have to call me sir.”
“I’ll stop when I feel like it, thank you very much.” Batman sighed. Thomas looked at his son, then at his wife, then at Batman, and sighed.
“You know, Batman, I wouldn’t have to worry about Bruce if he would stop coming to this old well.” Batman blinked at the man before nodding slowly.
“I’m aware.”
Thomas huffed, looking away as he crossed his arms over his chest. “So…maybe…you should relocate?”
Batman tilted his head in confusion, up until Martha giggled and reached out, resting her hand on Batman’s own clawed appendage.
“That’s his way of inviting you into the house, Sir Batman. You are welcome to reside in one of the family rooms, guest rooms, the attic, or even the basement. I think we’d all feel better if Bruce stopped risking himself every time he came so close to the forest or well.”
Batman glanced at the forest before looking back at the others, then looking down at Bruce, who was grinning up at him. Batman sighed and shook his head.
“I suppose…for the sake of keeping Bruce safe.”
“YES!”
“You…want me to have the manor and lands?” Batman asked in confusion. Thomas sighed.
“If something happens to Martha and I before Bruce is of age…yes. I would like you to take care of the grounds and manor. I know you have a human form that looks better than… this state. You could look after him in our absence.”
Batman stared at Thomas for a moment in silence before slowly nodding. “I…alright. For Bruce.”
“Have some tea with me, Sir Batman!”
Batman fought the urge to groan as he slowly sat down, flexing his human fingers, marveling at the lack of claws.
“What will it take to get you to stop calling me Sir?” he asked as he accepted a teacup from her. She wagged her finger at him teasingly.
“Voice, Sir! You can’t forget to adjust your voice if you’re going to look like a human!” Batman sighed and rolled his eyes.
“The only servants here are ones who already know and accept me. I don’t feel like forcing myself to sound human right now.”
“I know, but it’s a bad habit to get into. Terrible, really. Better to keep the practice of sounding normal. Especially since I know Thomas has been having you try to help explain the family business to Brucie. You’ll probably be made an advisor soon, you know!”
Batman chuckled, twisting his vocal cords a bit to let himself slip into a human voice as he nodded towards Martha's stomach. “Well, not if that little one has anything to say about it.”
Martha’s eyes brightened and her hand dropped down to rest on her stomach, eyes wide. “Then- it took? I-”
“You’re bearing your husband’s second child, yes.” Martha clasped her hands in front of her face, eyes watering with delighted tears as she smiled.
“I…when can I tell Thomas?” she asked. Batman tilted his head.
“Three fortnight from now. That should be when you begin to show.” Martha squeaked softly.
“I don’t know if I can keep it a secret that long!” Batman smiled at her, pale blue eyes looking distant and fogged as he sipped his tea.
“Then perhaps you should distract yourself with something else.” Martha pouted at him.
“Like what? It’s the wrong season for a ball or gathering, there’s no festival to prepare for! What should I distract myself with?”
“A family portrait maybe? One before every child is showing, so you can see the growth of the family?” Martha’s eyes brightened and she grinned.
“Oh, of course! A brilliant idea, Sir Batman! But what good painter could arrive so short notice? By the time they got here or we went to them, I’d already be showing, and the surprise would be revealed, wouldn’t it?” Batman studied her for a moment before speaking.
“I could paint it. It would be near instantaneous though. No long hours of standing in place before seeing the painting.” Martha grinned at him.
“Then I think I know exactly what we’re doing!”
“Bruce, hold still ! You need to look serious and refined,” Thomas groused as they got into place. Batman peered over the easel as Bruce grinned at him. Batman let his lips twitch as Thomas finally clued into the fact that Batman and his son had planned something. As he opened his mouth to speak, Martha pushed him into position.
“Not now, Thomas, get into position!” Thomas glared suspiciously at his son before sighing and straightening his suit, raising his chin slightly to peer down his nose at Batman as he placed one hand on Bruce’s shoulder in front of him.
If this gave him the advantage of making sure that Bruce stayed upright and straight, then that was certainly an unintended consequence.
Martha wrapped an arm around Thomas and turned to Batman. “When you’re ready dear!”
“Alright. Ready…set…by the way, Thomas, you look like an overblown peacock as you are now.”
Martha and Bruce both laughed, turning away from their slack jawed family member. He stared at them for a moment in betrayal before smiling softly as they chuckled. He huffed a laugh and tugged his family closer, smiling at them before looking at Batman.
As soon as all three of the family members looked over at him, soft smiles on their faces, relaxed and warm as they really were, his hands flashed over the easel in the blink of an eye. He stared at the picture for a moment before turning the easel around and smiling at the three, whose eyes widened in shock as they stared at the picture. Thomas’ eyes glanced lower, and he sighed.
“Bruce!”
“I didn’t know he was going to paint it then !” Bruce protested. Martha simply chuckled, laughing at the other two as she laid a hand over her stomach. Batman smiled at the three, before hanging the painting on the wall. He smiled at the image of the little family, weaving a bit of his power into it, ensuring that it would last for years.
Proof of the little family that had welcomed him as his own.
Batman was at the manor, playing the piano when he heard it.
A bang echoed through the air, striking like a lightning flash. Pain flared in his chest for a moment before a second bang echoed.
Ignoring the second pang in his chest, Batman warped through the shadows, lunging down to the entry room.
His claws were out, and he lunged for the man standing in the door. Bruce glanced back at him, eyes pale and fearful as tears beaded in his eyes.
“...B?”
A third, final bang echoed through the air and Bruce fell. Batman fell to his knees, cradling the cooling body into his arms. Tears fell from his eyes, dripping down Bruce’s cheeks as his breath hitched, staring desperately, searching for a pulse.
For a single breath.
For him to just open his EYES.
“DEMON! KILL IT!”
“BURN THE MANOR!”
“KILL THE DEMON WORSHIPPERS!”
The creature looked up, staring at the mob on the lawn, torches, pitchforks, and muskets held in their hands. They were screaming, ranting and raving. In the firelight their skin was painted red, their mad snarls looked like devilish grins of delight.
Spittle flew as they screamed, bringing their torches closer to the building.
Closer to Thomas.
Oh, Thomas, laid across the floor as though he had been trying to cover Martha with his own body. His eyes stared at the wall ahead, blank and lifeless.
Closer to Martha.
Sweet Martha, who had been so excited to tell Thomas about their second child, who they’d been trying so hard to have. Who had always spoken of how she wanted as large a family as possible. ‘With at least six children’, she’d said.
Closer…to Bruce.
Bruce, who remained in the creature’s arms.
Fire flickered in his vision, creeping up the building as the mob screamed. Something dark and cruel boiled in the creature’s chest, swelling up his throat before it spilled out.
A scream rose from his throat as his eyes went red and fangs sharpened in his mouth, shadows flaring and swallowing the screaming villagers without a second thought.
Then everything was dark.
“B? You doin’ okay?” Batman blinked, snapping out of his slight daze and looking up, glancing at his children. Even Alfred was watching him worriedly.
Batman rose to his feet and glided through the manor silently, his children glancing at each other worriedly before following after him. He led them up the stairs and past the guest rooms. Past the family bedrooms.
Into the family sitting room.
He stopped, staring at the painting still resting on the wall, looking just as fresh as the day he painted it.
Thomas with his gentle smile and supportive hand on his son’s shoulder. His other arm gently pulling his wife closer lovingly.
Martha, smiling softly as she leaned into her husband, one hand resting on her stomach with a knowing gleam in her eyes.
Bruce-
Bruce, with his friendly, cheerful grin. He’d never feared Batman once. He’d given him his name. With his little wave to Batman, knowing the other would manage to catch it in the painting.
“Did you know them?” Dick asked softly behind him.
“They…were the original family that lived here…The Waynes.” There was silence for a moment as he stared at them. “Thomas, Martha, and…Bruce.”
“You cared about them.”
Jason didn’t ask. He knew it was true. Batman nodded.
“I…knew how to revive you, Jason…because I couldn’t revive them. I didn’t know how. And by the time I did…it was too late.”
The group of children were silent. Alfred lowered his head.
“Regrettably, Master B, we are still mortal. It is an undeniable truth.” Batman lowered his head.
“I…can’t go out with you guys in daytime.”
The others looked at him in confusion.
“I can’t go to parent teacher conferences for Damian. Can’t officially foster Duke. Can’t adopt Tim, Steph, Jason, Cass, or Dick.”
They glanced between each other.
“Well…yeah…but that’s…”
“Because I look like this. Like a monster.”
They winced at the harsh terminology but couldn’t refute it. Batman stared at the painting.
“It was Bruce who gave me my name. Who called me Batman. But it was Martha, who insisted I couldn’t just be Batman.”
They tilted their heads in confusion.
“Bruce’s godfather died years ago. I became his honorary godfather. So Martha insisted…that I be able to blend in with normal society.”
For the first time in centuries, Batman let his shadows fade away, merging into fair skin. He altered his form slightly.
There were gasps behind him.
He turned, looking at his family with ice blue eyes and dark brown, almost black hair. He smiled at them. “I…”
It was Alfred who stepped forward, a smile on his lips as he raised an eyebrow at him. “Well then, we need to establish a new identity for this face, don’t we?”
The others nodded behind him and Alfred continued speaking.
“What is your name?”
The man stared at them for a moment, startled by their acceptance before he smiled.
“Bruce. My name is Bruce Thomas Wayne.”
“In that case, Master Bruce,”
Smiles glowed on all the faces in the room as the kids finally embraced him, laughing delightedly with him.
“Welcome home.”