"I don't have a brother," Luke says, his voice strained as he sees his father's face on Jace.
This was weird. Luke had grown up as an only child. Yet, this man from another universe walks into Wayne Tower, wearing a bat-suit, and claims that they're brothers? Luke had to look away because staring at Jace was like facing the ghost of his father. They had the same eyes, expressive and full of knowledge that Luke felt he could never tap into. One eyebrow even scrunched up when deep in thought exactly like Luke's dad always did. A trait that wasn't unique but when paired with his impenetrable focus felt like a haunting.
It left Luke spooked. He finally looks away, his eyes scanning the Batcave which is missing two members of the Bat team. Luke swore they were just here minutes ago but much like Batman they had disappeared in a blink. Earlier, they had all stood in what was once Bruce Wayne's office scattered throughout the room. Mary and Ryan were just as skeptical of the situation as Luke himself. Luke had been insistent that this was yet another masquerade done by Alice. The unhinged terrorizer of Gotham was a master plastic surgeon who could turn any face into anyone. Who's to say she didn't create this face from a blueprint of Fox family photos? Yet, Luke found out that the more he stared at him the more his thoughts wavered.
On the other hand, Mary was asking Jace a bunch of questions as she tried to piece together the truth. She found out that Jace wasn't an only child like Luke and had three other siblings. One of those siblings was Luke who he confirmed looked exactly like his brother. He showed them a picture from his phone. In the photo, Luke saw himself and his parents surrounded by people he's never seen before in his life. He stood next to his dad who had an arm wrapped around his shoulder. His mom was to his dad's side holding a little girl with afro puffs who looked like her mini-me. The girl had a large grin and looked so carefree. There was another girl in the photo but she was older and her hair was slicked back into a curly ponytail. Her expression was serious and she looked a lot like Luke's dad too. By her side, stood Jace who had a goofy smile that seemed contagious.
Luke felt numb as he struggled to accept a life he'd never lived. The photo brought up opposite emotions in his friend, Ryan who was now convinced what Jace was saying was true. It had also caused Ryan to intervene in Mary's questioning to beg Jace to tell them family stories. Jace looked uncomfortable, mentioning that he didn't like dwelling on the past which caused alarm among the Bat team. Jace started to get antsy as he eyed Luke with wariness in his eyes. Luke stayed neutral, letting the numbness he felt spread. With a heavy sigh, Jace started to talk. He talked about his fond memories of growing up in the Fox household. Some of his memories even overlapped with Luke's yet Luke never had some of the bliss that Jace recounts. With every story told, Luke had found himself growing fond of all the siblings he'd never meet. It was dangerous, becoming even more so when Mary had suggested they go to the Batcave and do a DNA test.
They were all supposed to be waiting together but now only Luke and his supposed brother Jace are here. Luke thought of Beth Kane, the one who was saved by Kate. She was so different from the Alice who terrorized Gotham. If she could exist though for a very limited time who's to say he couldn't have a brother from another multiverse?
Luke was wavering again. Jace was starting to feel real. Maybe it was best for him to slip out of the Batcave too but he knew he couldn't trust this stranger alone in it. Even if that stranger was wearing a bat-suit.
"Wow, so even here you don't want anything to do with me," Jace replies, his expression taut.
"I never had a brother. I'm an only child." Luke clarifies, shifting in place as he avoids Jace's gaze. "You look like dad."
"You too," Jace comments back. "Did dad ever take you to that science museum where they had—"
"The giant H2O molecular shape display?" Luke finishes, sounding nostalgic."I loved that place."
"That was probably the only time I found science fun."
Silence ascends upon them both as Luke finally gains the courage to look upon Jace.
"How did you get here?" Luke wonders.
"I don't remember," Jace admits, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. "But I have to get back, Gotham needs me."
Jace rubs the side of his face, his frustration loud and clear. Luke didn't know how to help him. Luke still wasn't even sure if his story was real. His eyes trail downward taking in the high-tech bat-suit Jace is wearing. No matter the earth it seemed Gotham would always need a Batman. He wondered how it happened. Did Bruce ask him personally to take on the mantle? Or was his Bruce missing just like the one from this earth? Luke had so many questions thrumming in his mind but when he goes to speak none came out.
"So you're Batman on your earth," Luke observes, nodding his head towards the suit. "That's cool."
"It's definitely a death wish but I manage," Jace answers, his voice distant. His eyes open and he straightens up his posture.
"Anyone help you out at the Batcave?" Luke questions, fishing for his other world self's role in that earth's bat legacy.
"There is no Batcave. Well, there might be but I have no idea where it's at."
"Didn't Bruce show you?" Luke questions with an eyebrow raised. His suspicion rises as well.
Jace grimaces in regret but there's a flicker of something else there. Luke doesn't dwell on it for too long as Jace speaks again.
"No, Bruce never had the chance to. He died."
Luke's eyes widen as a rush of grief runs through him. The man he grew up with and had unknowingly admired for years before working with him was gone.
"Bruce is dead?" Luke remarks, frowning. His eyes feel flooded but he does his best to hold back his tears.
"Yeah, it was the peacekeepers they…" Jace's voice trails, his eyebrows knit as he seems deep in a memory.
Luke holds his hand up. "You don't have to tell me how."
He then continues changing the topic."At least, dad seemed to hook you up with some of his best tech. Your suit is impressive."
"Dad doesn't know I'm Batman." Jace answers but something about his tone indicated otherwise.
"That's dad's tech right?" Luke says, noting the details that just screamed made by Lucius Fox.
"Yeah," Jace confirms, his face twisting up in thought. "Look, it's complicated."
"Most things with dad can be." Luke offers, hoping his words bring Jace some comfort.
Luke should've corrected his familiarity but somehow it just feels right.
"More like all things always are," Jace replies, his expression turning neutral.
A question tumbles out of Luke's mouth before he has a chance to reel it in.
"Why does your Luke hate you?" He questions, his tone curious.
Jace's expression twists up in guilt."He can't accept the fact that I've changed."
There are sprinkles of doubt on the edge of his voice. Luke wonders how deep the rift between the two brothers runs. He wonders the reason but when he asks Jace is guarded.
"It doesn't matter because I'm not that person anymore," Jace replies, his tone firm and final.
Is this what it was like having a sibling? Always having someone so close yet so far. At that moment, he understood Kate in a way he never had before. The Batcave console makes a sound of alert which causes Luke to run towards it. On the screen is the result of the DNA test that Mary had run earlier. Had he and Jace really talked for that long?
The screen confirms what Luke had already felt. Jace was his brother. Luke hears footsteps as Jace stands to his side. Luke turns his head, adjusting his glasses as he clears his throat.
"Looks like your story checks out. We are brothers." Luke states, nervously. "I guess our next step will be trying to figure out how to send you back to your earth."
"If anyone can figure it out I'm sure my human-computer for a brother will."
"Uhh, yeah," Luke says with an awkward smile because multiverse jumping wasn't exactly an area of his expertise. Neither was being a brother but he's sure he'll figure it out.
