Damian pushed through the daycare’s bright, noisy environment, feeling out of place among the cheerful chaos. Bruce had given him a simple task: pick up his younger sister and leave swiftly. He spotted her in the corner of the daycare, playing with a few toys by herself.

“Alright, time to go,” Damian said, his voice steady but lacking warmth. He crouched down to her level, offering a hand. “We’ve got things to do back home.”

As he helped her gather her belongings, he glanced around at the other children and caregivers, feeling the weight of his role as an unwilling babysitter. He hadn't asked for bruce to go have another kid, let alone one he had to help care for, but he couldn't deny the bond he had with her.