It had been a mistake from the start. The late nights, shrouded in darkness. Her arms around his neck and legs around his waist. It would never last. She would never give up her father's legacy, his dream. And he would never give up his belief in justice, not even for her.
But Bruce had still loved her with all he had, with the last sharded remnants he had to offer. And when she vanished one night from his arms, leaving no sign she had ever been there at all, he had allowed himself to weep as the last shard dissipated.
He had not been expecting the door to ring. There were no parties planned for that night, no visitors expected, and it was rare for people to drop by without warning save for perhaps Lucius. Bruce had paid no mind to it, allowing Alfred to answer as he continued to hammer away at the bat computer. Things had been too quiet lately, too calm. That was always unsettling.
"Master Bruce! I think you'd best come here at once!"
The confused and frantic tone in his father figures voice had him standing and running, fearing the worst in that moment.
None of it held up to what he found. There, lying cozily in Alfred's arms was a baby, raven hair and ice blue eyes so alike Bruce's own had been as an infant. He was swaddled carefully in a blanket, a note in Alfred's hand.
'My darling Bruce,
I had never planned on seeing you again, but it seems that it is necessary. This is Damian Wayne-Al Ghul. Your son. Our son. I know he is safer with you.
Talia'
Bruce was left speechless. He read the note once, then again, a sigh falling from his lips as large hands pushed through his hair before taking the child into his arms. Shit. He had no idea how to care for a child.
Gurgling happily up at his father, the infants small fingers wrapped around one of Bruce's own, drawing it towards his mouth and sucking at it happily, a reluctant smile tugging at the billionaire's lips.
"Alfred, will you please-"
"I'll fetch your old cradle from the attic, sir, and bring it to your room. Tomorrow I'll teach you how to care for infants."
Giving a nod, Bruce let the door close behind them, shifting Damian closer. It was going to be a long night.