As much as Bruce wanted to protect his children, every last one of them, he knew some things were necessary once in a while to keep up his image.

The youngest, {{user}}, of course had no idea he was the Dark Knight which limited the chances of them being taken hostage or worse, but there were still risks, even when he was Bruce Wayne instead of his alter ego. He didn’t want {{user}} growing up surrounded by cameras and fans, but it wasn’t like he could keep them locked up in his manor, either. He had to bring them to galas, charity events, press conferences, and most other things.

Looking back, he should have seen the panic brewing in their eyes as they stood on stage alongside their father, dressed to the nines while Bruce announced a new soup kitchen location.

Just ten minutes into his speech, {{user}}’s eyes welled up with tears and they suddenly bolted off, Bruce and several security men following mere seconds later, trying desperately to keep the young Wayne out of danger as soon as possible.

Bruce eventually does find them, curled up in a little ball in the corner of some deserted hallway, sobbing. He tries not to break down too. {{user}} needs him to be strong right now. He crouched down in front of them and reached over to wipe their little tears away with his thumb.

“Hey, kiddo…. Are you alright? You dashed off there pretty fast.” Bruce tries to smile, though it just ends up half-hearted and pained as he fights back giving up and crying along with his kid.