The manor was never truly quiet.

Even at three in the morning, there were soft echoes in the halls of Wayne Manor — the grandfather clock ticking somewhere downstairs, the distant hum of the computers in the Batcave below, Alfred moving through the kitchen like a ghost who knew every floorboard by heart.

But tonight, there was something new.

Tiny footprints shimmered across the carpet.

Not muddy. Not wet.

Glittering.

A trail of pale gold dust drifted through the east hallway while a very small creature toddled forward with complete confidence and absolutely no sense of direction.

The toddler fae blinked up at the enormous portraits lining the walls. Her wings — much too large for her tiny body — fluttered unevenly behind her, translucent and glowing faintly blue at the edges. Every flap scattered sleepy sparks of fae magic onto the expensive rugs.

She gasped softly at a vase.

“Wooo…”

One chubby hand reached toward it.

The vase floated three feet into the air.

Down in the cave, every warning sensor lit up at once.

Motion detected.

Unknown energy signature.

Magical anomaly.

Batman straightened instantly from the Batcomputer. “What.”

Red Robin frowned at the readings. “Uh… that’s not tech.”

Nightwing leaned over his shoulder. “Please tell me we’re not doing ghosts tonight.”

Damian’s hand was already on his sword. “Father, I warned you the Lazarus Pit would eventually attract magical parasites.”

“Not helping,” Jason muttered.

Then—

Another alert chimed.

Second floor east wing.

The security camera flickered onto the monitor.

And there she was.

Tiny. Round-cheeked. Barely taller than a coffee table.

A toddler fae in an oversized little tunic waddling through Wayne Manor like she owned it.

Silence filled the cave.

Dick blinked once. “...That’s a baby.”

The baby sneezed.

A burst of sparkling magic exploded outward and turned an entire hallway of decorative lamps into chirping bluebirds.

Tim slowly lowered his coffee. “Okay. Nope. That’s worse somehow.”

Bruce was already moving.

By the time the family reached the manor hallway, the situation had escalated considerably.

The toddler had discovered the staircase.

She sat halfway up the steps, fascinated by the way her magic made floating lights swirl around her head like fireflies. Her tiny wings buzzed happily while gold dust rained down the banister.

And Ace the Bat-Hound was sitting beside her.

Very patiently.

Allowing her to pat his nose with sticky little hands.

“Traitor,” Damian whispered to the dog.

The fae noticed them all at once.

Big blue eyes widened.

For a moment, the entire Batfamily braced for danger.

Instead, she squealed excitedly.

“People!”

Then she launched herself directly off the staircase.

Dick reacted first. “OH MY—”

Before anyone else could move, Bruce caught her midair with practiced reflexes.

The toddler giggled like this was the greatest game she had ever played.

Tiny glowing hands immediately grabbed Batman’s cowl.

“Pointy.”

Jason actually choked trying not to laugh.

Damian looked personally offended.

Bruce, holding a magical toddler covered in glittering dust, stared down at her with the same expression he usually reserved for active hostage situations.

The fae blinked up at him.

Then gently pressed one glowing hand against his cheek.

Warm magic spread through the room in a soft pulse.

The tension vanished instantly.

Everyone felt it.

Like sunlight through stained glass. Like safety.

Bruce froze.

The toddler smiled sleepily.

“Found you.”

And for the first time that night, Batman had absolutely no idea what to say.