Standard disclaimers apply, Made for fun, not profit.
CONVERSATION
Young Bruce looked about the empty manor, pondering his life.
„Not worth it. "Old Bruce said as he stepped forth. "Too high a price."
"Time loop." Young Bruce replied laconically. "Destiny."
Old Bruce shook his head. "No such thing. Parallel universe. Different wave-function alternative… We are what we chose." He gave young Bruce a mentor's look.
Young Bruce was silent for a while, thinking it over. Finally he accepted the old one's answer and turned to him. "How should I choose? "
"One - Go for her. " Old Bruce began, not needing to explain who she was. "Love is good for the heart. Literately too." He pulled out his medicine for emphasis. "Two - Let Bird-boy into the family business. Three." He took pause. "Look in Arkham, pull in all favors, employ the league. And if all fails - do NOT send him away. Not even if expert old friends advise otherwise. Trust me. "
Young Bruce gave him a long, thoughtful look. "And what of him?"
"You noticed his eyes." Old Bruce looked back with a smirk.
"Her eyes." Young Bruce emphasized. „And our built."
"Correct." The old one nodded.
Young Bruce frowned. "I don't care how. If I act differently-"
"Causality..." Old Bruce cut in, realizing what the young one meant by the question.„You don't want to lose him."
"I don't want to not find him." Young Bruce corrected.
Old Bruce looked at him reassuringly. "Do it right and you will see him again." His voice was soft.
"Who?" Terry walked in on the conversation.
"Personal." Old Bruce dismissed him, but not in an unkind way.
"We should go." Terry looked at Young Bruce and left.
Young Bruce followed him out but paused at the door. Turning, he noticed the desperate, demanding, pleading look in the old one's eyes. He gave Old Bruce a long, slow, deliberate nod of acceptance.
Old Bruce replied with a fain but grateful smile. With that, the two parted.
The End
Old Bruce not using the chance to fix all those choices he regrets? Yeah, right.