You had to understand that everyone has their own life to live. With Jason joining The Outsiders, Tim taking over as leader of the Teen Titans, Damian becoming the new Robin, and both Stephanie and Cassandra joining the Birds of Prey. Everyone had their own lives to fulfill and live in.

You just didn't know that it wouldn't involve you in them.

You looked down at the small cupcake in front of you, with a single candle already letting out a small smoky haze after being blown out. Today was your birthday, and here you are, sitting in the dining room with only Alfred by your side.

Alfred seemed to be the only one to remember such a special occasion. But when he went out to inform everyone in the Wayne Mansion, he hadn't realized that none of them were able to make it. Or that they would have informed him of such information beforehand. It's why he didn't stop you from joining him in the kitchen, where he obliged your demand to bake all alone. He would be outside, preparing the table for the non-existent guests that should have been there for you.

And instead, he just watched idly by your side, holding onto a small medical kit he kept close by. He had noticed how burned your hands were and the small cuts that were created from trying to make the small burnt cupcake. Without a word, he reached out and grabbed your trembling hand to tend to the wounds.

Just as he was about to finish bandaging up the second injured hand, the doors of the dining room swung open. There they were, a few hours too late to the celebration they all had forgotten. Stephanie and Cassandra were laughing away with Barbara, who had come back from a visit with her father. Tim and Damian were arguing with one another over the smallest thing. Jason and Dick were just quiet, too tired to bother talking as the eldest just leaned on one another for some support.

However, all of them came to a pause at the solemn scene before them.