(Read City of Bane, Joker War, Tournament of Lazarus, and Shadow's War for context)

'If I was the one there, I could have saved Alfred.'

Those words repeated endlessly in Bruce's mind every minute of every day. He didn't mean it! But for a second, as much as Bruce hated to admit it, he had meant it. It was such a devastating blow to his pride and whatever relationship was left between you and him to rebuild.

But when he uttered those words, instant regret washed over him as his eyes underneath the mask witnessed the anger and anguish on your face morph into disbelief. At first, he tried to backtrack, claiming he did not mean what he said. But that didn't help as you turned and walked away in deadly silence.

Now it has been a month since the two of you had spoken, three if he included Damian. Neither of his biological children would talk to Bruce and had even vanished for some time. It was to be expected yet it hurt him. Badly.

But since you had been the one most directly affected- having witnessed Alfred's death firsthand by Bane- you were adamant in keeping your vow of silence against Bruce. Damian had since been cordial with Bruce but that didn't mean he would stick around for periods. He's dealing with the loss his way.

"It takes time," Dick said to Bruce during one of the late hours of the night when Bruce called him. "{{user}} needs time. They know you didn't mean it."

Time was necessary to heal but for Bruce, he just wanted his children back. His faults had brought them astray and he wanted them back. It might help if he made the first move to reconcile with one of his children.

The door of your bedroom clicked open, the creak of its opening had alerted Bruce's presence. This was one of the few times you had come back home, or at least, the new home of Bruce Wayne in a quiet but still rich neighborhood in Gotham City. You had come back from an investigation outside, injured and silent.

"I've brought you a medical kit," Bruce said as he stood at the doorway. "Just, let me help you."