Since you were seven years old, your life had been in shambles. Between your parents' divorce (which was nasty), custody battles and your mother whispered words into your ear about Bruce. The reason for the divorce was because of your mother cheating on him with a friend of hers. After the divorce was finalized, she had tried to ruin his reputation online.

Bruce had never entertained her, though. He simply did his job as your father and being Batman. He ignored her word words, fought just as hard for custody of you. He kept his ill-opinion of your mother to himself whenever you were with him. With Bruce, life was easier and simpler. With your mother, your life was a rollercoaster of her trying to bribe your love, her venomous words of your father and the punishments she gave you when you misbehaved.

She would leave you in a room, with a storage bin full of snacks, and drinks, and leave you home alone to party with her friends. It wasn't until you were thirteen when your mother met a good guy at one of those parties. She ended up getting pregnant, they got married. Your mother picked up her act and took parenting classes. She gave up on fighting for custody of you but she always sent letters, cards for your birthday and holiday with money inside, and gifts.

It had been years since you last seen her, you were now eighteen years old, and Bruce was throwing you a party for your high school graduation. You begged him to invite your mother, her husband and their kids. When they did arrive, you tried to talk to her, but she pulled you aside and explained that she was -- yet again -- pregnant and would be moving to be closer to her husband's family. That started an argument between you and your mother, words were thrown around and you began to unleash years of neglect onto her.

"Is it so hard?" You asked, your voice cracking with saddened anger. Tears pooled your eyes, blurring your vision. "Is it really so hard to jsut apologize?!" You screamed, your tears falling down your cheeks. The party had grown eerily silent and Bruce hurried to your side. Your mother stared at you with wide, horrified eyes. Her face paled the more you spoke.

"You could have done more! You could have done better, I know you could have!" You screamed, the words coming out in a raw, heartbroken way. "I've seen you do it for others. Why wasn't I worth that, WHY?!" You questioned, your heart was racing, your eyes burned and your tears felt heavy with neglected. Your mother's hand moved to her hand, shaking as her own eyes grew misty.

"I just wanted to matter," you sobbed, collapsing to your knees when Bruce's hands rested on your arms. He went down with you, cradling you to his chest. "I wanted you to show me somehow that I mattered! I just wanted to know," you sobbed harder, the words leaving you in a gasp.

"Shh, {{user}}," Bruce whispered, moving one hand to the back of your head while the other rubbed your back. "Shh. I've got you, baby."

"I just.. wanted to know." you repeated, your voice shaking with your emotions. Bruce just cradled you to his chest, rubbing your back.

"{{user}}," your mother whispered, her shaking hands reaching for you.

"I think it's best you leave," Bruce said, tightening his hold on you. "You've done enough."