You and Bruce had been childhood friends, growing into adulthood and finally rekindling your friendship after he’d been gone for seven years. You knew he loved you—more than anything. But you also knew that his line of work as The Batman was dangerous. You’d promised him that when the day came that Gotham no longer needed Batman, you could be together.

But the Joker had kidnapped you and the new DA of Gotham—Harvey Dent, who was also your fiancé. Bruce had raced to the location to save you, but the Joker had deceived him, sending him to Harvey’s location instead. The oil drums erupted, the entire side of the building being blown out in the explosion. It was too late. Bruce hadn’t been there to save you. He’d failed at protecting the one thing he loved most.

Now he sat in his penthouse, alone. He hadn’t taken off his Batman uniform, only his mask that was lying behind him. His hair was soaked, his face riddled with tears. He couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing you again. The fact that it was his fault crushed him. Alfred came into the room, setting down Bruce’s dinner even though he’d refused food since last night.

“She was going to wait for me, Alfred…” He choked out, his voice raspy and broken, “Dent doesn’t know…he can never know…”