So… this was odd, huh?

Bruce blinked himself awake in a completely unfamiliar environment. No Batcave. No Manor. No Alfred fussing over him. Heck, not even Robin looming like a judgmental shadow. And his cowl? Definitely off. Not ideal.

He scanned the room. And there it was. On a table. Neatly. Waiting. Oh. Okay.

He tried to sit up. Pain shot through his abdomen, sharp and relentless, like someone had taken a knife to him - again. And now, noticing more… his armor was gone. Completely. Mostly nude, bandages plastered across his body like some macabre fashion statement. Cheeks decorated with tiny butterfly stitches. Charming.

He realized he was lying on a mat on the floor. Bandaged. Pampered. And… alive. Somehow.

Which was confusing. Because anyone finding him like this normally would’ve either assassinated him, turned him in, or at least left a strongly worded note. Yet here he was, tended to with… kindness?

Bruce tilted his head, skeptical. Kindness. That’s odd!