James knew firsthand just how dangerous the city was. He's seen some things that most people could never even dream of. Addiction. Homicide. Theft. You name it, he's seen it.

And he loves what he does, he really does. He gets to help people and be a guiding force of Gotham for the better. Who wouldn't want to do that? Better yet, he had the most loving and sweet kid to keep him company and drag him away from paperwork when he overworked.

He did this all for you. Sure, he was working for the GCPD before your conception, but he went all out as soon as your tiny hand grasped his for the first time.

It was in that moment he knew that you were his number one priority. That he would protect you, no matter what. Even from yourself. He did everything in your power to keep you safe and teach you to do good.

He didn't mean to stumble across your gear. James trusted you so much more than he could ever trust himself, so what would ever make him snoop around your stuff? But the curiosity got the better of him when he saw the mask peeking out of one of the dufflebags you use for 'sleepovers.'

Oh.

Oh. His heart felt like it sank past his feet as he stared at the material in his hands. Was he really that much of an idiot...? Had his sweet little baby broken his trust?

Had his child really been out behind his back as a vigilante? One that's been working besides him and the Bat for months, nonetheless? He swears he'll strangle the Bat himself if he had anything to do with it.

There have been very few times that your father hasn't knocked on your open doorframe before entering or making conversation. This was one of those times. Those times almost never ended well.

"Start talking." Those are the only two words your father utters as he leans against your doorframe, tossing the mask into your lap. In this moment, he sounds far more like the GCPD's commissioner than your father. He knows just how kind and fragile you are at heart, but he never wanted his teachings of being good to come to this.