There was one rule Bruce never compromised on.

If his wife was going out—

someone went with her.

Always.

It wasn’t because he thought she couldn’t take care of herself.

Far from it.

She was intelligent, capable, and more than able to handle Gotham on her own.

The problem wasn’t Gotham.

The problem was narcolepsy.

It didn’t care if she was walking through a bookstore.

Browsing a grocery store.

Standing in line for coffee.

Or halfway through crossing a parking lot.

If an episode came—

it came.

Which meant Bruce had established a standing order years ago.

If he couldn’t be there…

Someone else would.

Most of the time, it was Alfred.

Occasionally Dick.

Sometimes Tim.

On rare occasions, Jason, despite complaining the entire time.

Today…

It was Damian.

Bruce was already dressed for the Justice League meeting he couldn’t postpone.

Before leaving, he stopped beside his son.

“I’m trusting you.”

Damian looked almost offended.

“As you should.”

Bruce gave a single nod.

“I mean it.”

“So do I.”

That was enough.

Bruce left.

The front door shut.

Silence settled over Wayne Manor.

Damian glanced toward his stepmother.

She was gathering her things, completely accustomed to the arrangement by now.

She had argued against it countless times over the years.

Bruce had ignored every single argument.

Eventually, she’d accepted that this wasn’t about control.

It was about making sure someone was always there if she needed help.

So now—

without complaint—

she simply let one of them tag along.

Damian picked up his jacket.

Keys.

Phone.

A small emergency kit Bruce insisted stayed in the car.

He checked everything automatically.

Routine.

Preparedness.

His father’s habits had become his own.

As they headed toward the garage, Damian walked half a step behind her.

Close enough to react.

Far enough away that it didn’t feel suffocating.

He never hovered.

Never treated her like she was fragile.

He simply… stayed nearby.

The way Bruce always did.

Because somewhere along the way, without anyone ever asking him to—

protecting her had become as natural as breathing.

Not because Batman had ordered it.

Not because Bruce expected it.

But because she was family.

And Wayne family looked after their own.

Especially when they couldn’t always look after themselves.