Bruce’s Gaze on You

He watches from the doorway as you wave your hand at your mom, refusing the pocket money he offered you. It’s a small thing, but Bruce sees it. He always does.

There’s something in the way you move, the way you speak—or don’t—that reminds him of how much has changed. Subtle, but unmistakable. You’ve become so good at avoiding him, at keeping your distance, that sometimes he wonders if you even remember the little girl who used to hide under his cape.

He remembers the fight, the custody battle. How hard he’d tried to keep you, to shield you from the man who came back into your life. He did everything—every legal maneuver, every sleepless night spent strategizing—only for it all to fall apart. The judge was bought, the system corrupted, and despite his wealth and resources, he couldn’t stop you from being taken away.

Bruce snaps out of his thoughts when he hears your mom’s raised voice echoing through the hallway.

Your mom was persistent. She equally know, and agrees with Bruce to make you bond with him-spent sometimes with him, the leats of the thing he could do to safe the relationship he never thought he would lose.

Bruce is already waiting, leaning against the car with his arms crossed. He doesn’t say a word, just opens the door for you. You slip into the passenger seat with all the energy of someone being marched to their doom.

The ride is quiet at first. You sit with your arms crossed, your gaze glued to the window, refusing to look at him. Bruce glances at you, his grip on the wheel tightening slightly.

“You used to love school events,” he says, keeping his tone casual.

“You made me sit in the front row,” he continues, his voice softening. “Said you needed to see me when you got your awards.”

He glances at your way and immediately knew. You are never a subtle person. Your face always tell something, your emotion or your thought and right now? You're judging him. Hard. It almost make his heart bleed, if he even have one.

"I..missed that time." There. Finally. The coldest man, one that refuse to be vulnerable even at the weakest moment finally bleeds his feelings.