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This night was the leading definition of everything that could possibly ever go wrong on a patrol. What was meant to be a simple stroll around Gotham to check for crime. Turned into Bruce being stranded on the complete opposite side of Gotham. No car, no comms, just himself and a few fractured bones, and what he was sure was a broken rib.
In other words, a complete shit of a night. Where he wanted nothing more than to be home for once in his life and rotting in bed. Instead, he was here. Pissed and tired. Out of a few million in equipment and completely out of any will to fight.
An occurrence he rarely comes upon, but when you get your car blown up, your comms shattered, equipment broken, and your body beaten. All in the span of an hour. It makes you want to just crawl into the next bed you can find and stay there for some time to regain your sanity.
Not to mention the fact that your bed is on the complete opposite side of this city that you now have to trudge across just to get to. A city caught in a constant war, where he knew he was more than likely going to run into a few battles along the way.
Sure, he could take the easy way out. Call for Superman and get himself home in mere minutes, if not seconds, but he was not defeated enough to have a Kryptonian sweep him off his feet and shamelessly carry him away like a damsel in distress.
So, with a growl and once over of his surroundings, he was on his feet and on his way out of this shitty dock that had been the downfall of this entire night. The reason he was caught in this hell of a night. All of them got away. Not a single one was caught.
They destroyed his stuff, beat him hard, and got away. He was pissed. A part of him wished for some sad sack of shit to show up so he could get his anger out. If not for the fact that he was exhausted and sore beyond belief to be seeking out such a person, he would.
Though nothing says the next sorry chap he runs into can not get a bit of a beating. A few bruises and a possible matching broken rib. It was settled. The next person he saw who gave him a bad impression was going to get beaten.
What he did not expect to happen when he made it near the end of the pier was to hear the sounds of crying. Not just any crying, a baby.
His instinct snapped into place fast. Looking around to try and find the source because no baby that was in safe hands would be in an area like this. Hoping the baby would stay crying as he drastically rushed around the old buildings and crates to find the source, despite each step when running causing him pain.
When he found it, he sighed at seeing a little girl, possibly around two months old, lying in a small wooden box. Nothing to pad or protect her from the harsh climate of Gotham, but the clothes on her back, which were stained in all sorts of mess. He could already tell by the smell she was way past due for a change, and with that, who knows the last time she had any food.
It made him sigh. Realizing just how much harder and longer this night was about to be. Not that he cared. There was no way for even a second that he was leaving her here. No second thought needed as he reached in and picked her up. Being gentle as he cradled her into his arms.
“Shhh… Shh, it’s okay. I have you now. You’re going to be okay.” He soothed into a tone he had not used once this night. Hoping to soothe her cries, but he knew that until he got her changed and fed, those cries were most likely not going to stop anytime soon.
For now, he just held her close to his chest and rubbed her back as he made his way back out of the pier, luckily knowing of a mart not far from here that he could go into to find what he needed to get her the needed necessities.
Sure, Batman was never one to make public appearances. Did all in his power to only be seen by criminals and never go into places where the public lingered, but tonight called for a break in that code.
When he made it to the mart, it was no surprise to him that the shock was bestowed on the clerk’s face. It was one thing to see Batman enter your mart. Add an obviously beat-up bat, holding a baby?! It was a once-in-a-lifetime sight for anyone to see.
He did not linger. He had a mission at hand, already moving to an aisle he knew to have what he needed as he used his free hand to grab a bottle, diapers, wipes, baby powder, and formula. All while gently rocking and soothing the crying baby still in his hands. “I know, soon, I promise.” He said softly to her still, while moving to get a cup of warm water normally used for coffee.
Items in hand, he moved back to the clerk. Happy the man working the desk knew not to ask and just scanned his items before giving him a total. Luckily, he carried cash in his belt in case it ever was needed. Using a card with the name Bruce Wayne on it was a dead giveaway to anyperson with at least a few brain cells.
Bruce paid, and off he went into the bathroom. Not trusting the state of it, he undid his cape and placed it over the changing table before finally setting her onto it. Feeling horrible when her cries got louder from the loss of heat his body had been giving her. “Shh… I know.” He soothed her while he set the things down. Leaving the bottle and water for now to cool. So he could focus on changing her clothes.
Luckily, thanks to Alfred, he knew how to change a diaper. Wishing they had new clothes here, but for now, he knew he was going to have to work with what she had on. Luckily, it was still decently clean.
He got to work as he removed his gloves, then the diaper. Using the wipes as he cleaned her the best he could with shitty mart grades ones. Happy to see only slight rashes forming due to neglect, and nothing that seemed too serious. She was clearly going to need to see a doctor, but for now, some baby powder and a clean diaper would go a long way for her.
The change seemed to go a long way for her, at least. Happy to hear her cries quiet to small sniffles and hiccups as he buttoned back up her clothes. “There you go, all clean. I bet that feels much better.” He said softly to her before he moved to the bottle after tossing the dirty equipment and washing his hands.
It was an easy process for him as well. Getting the needed measurements and amount before starting to shake the bottle in order to mix the ingredients. The little one instantly knew what he was doing when he started to shake the bottle. Feeling a slight lift on his lips when he noticed her try to reach out for it.
“Mhm, this is for you. Just a little bit longer.” He smiled so gently at her, feeling a pull and melt at his heart at how precious she looked. Not much got him to smile, especially not when he was doing his part as Batman, but to see this baby draw a smile on her face and a look of hope. It was hard to keep back.
When he felt the ingredients mixed well enough, he gave it a little test by letting a drop fall to his wrist. Feeling it was well-suited enough for her, he gently cradled her into his arms again. A chuckle escaped his throat briefly at her trying to reach for the bottle. He could not blame her. Who knew the last time she had a bottle? “I know, you have to drink slowly, though. We don’t want you getting sick.” He said softly to her. Keeping his tone soft with every word, scared to scare her if he spoke too loudly or harshly.
The moment the bottle was close enough, she grabbed it and brought it to her mouth. Drinking with speed that scared Bruce for a moment, but luckily, she seemed to slow after a few sips. “There you go, nice and easy.” He hummed at her, his entire heart melting at this point.
He always had a soft spot for kids, even if he never showed it. He adored them. A life so new and innocent. Uncapable of any harm or knowledge of the horrors this world held. So innocent and filled with hope. He wanted that. Wanted his own to hold and protect. To care for and love.
He knew he could not get that from her. He figured already that she was kidnapped. Knew he had to stop by the GCPD and see if she fit the profile of any missing children. It was clear from the clothes on her, even if stained, that she had a loving family. A family that was worried sick and terrified. He could not take her from that, but he could get her home. Get her home safe and happy.
The sound of empty sucking brought his attention back to reality. Chuckling softly as he took the bottle from her and set it to the side for now. “Good job.” He said gently to her. Knowing his work was not done yet, he lifted her to his chest and started to pat her back while bouncing slightly.
“There you go.” Bruce chuckled softly when he got a big burp out of her from that. Knowing that had to feel amazing, and he was correct when he suddenly started to hear her giggle.
Oh, how that pulled at Bruce’s heart like crazy. Melting and smiling more as he placed her back down on the table and started to pack things into his belt. “Silly girl.” He chuckled softly at her when she started to make bubbles with her mouth. So happy to see her feeling better now that she has been taken care of.
Once everything was put away into his belt, he moved back to her. Using the cape to make a body swaddle/carrier so he could keep her close and still have all the arm movement he needed.
When they were both situated, he made his way back out. Still ignoring the shock of the clerk as he made his way out and back into the streets. Happy at least, the journey to the GCPD was much shorter than to the manor.
Sure, it was still a decent stretch to get there, but they should make it within an hour. Happy to see it would be quicker for her when he noticed her nuzzle close to his chest and started to fall asleep. A clean diaper, a full meal, and now the warmth of another on her chest. She should sleep the entire way without a problem.
The sight alone was killing Bruce more. Making his heart ache in want of having this feeling all the time. To have a little one he could keep resting against his chest every hour of the day. To be the person the baby cries for till they are given to him.
It had him sighing. Focusing forward, he used his grapple to get himself up high and to the rooftops, where it would be safer and quieter. Helping in keeping the little one asleep and at peace.
—-----
He had made it about halfway there without any problems. The little one held snuggly to his chest without a stir in her sleep, despite all the movement he had been doing. Not even sirens passing by blasting seemed to wake her. Giving him the hint, she was definitely a Gotham child if sounds like sirens did not seem to stir her.
It had all been peaceful. Moving to another roof right as the roof door opened, and five men came stumbling out. Not a single ounce of good intentions on their faces or bodies as they pushed at one another and laughed like idiots. A bat or two in their hands.
It had Bruce stopping in his tracks as he glared their way. Not wanting to start anything. Especially not when he was carrying such precious cargo. She so much as even wakes up due to their stupid bathering, and he will find them again when she is safe and beat them to a pulp.
He had planned to just quickly move out, but it did not take long for one of them to spot him. “Now what do we have here? The Bat?” One snickered and chuckled to his friends. His face read trouble in every way.
“A beat looking Bat.” Another snickled, bringing the bat he had in his hand to rest on the other. Trying to come off intimidating.
It did nothing of that sort to Bruce. If anything, it pissed him off more, growling and glaring daggers into their souls. A look he had only ever given to The Joker. “I suggest you go back in the door you just came out of, or I will beat you so hard that not even your mother will recognize you when I’m done.” He growled deep in his throat.
Happy to see that he got his message across enough when he saw the fear strike them. Seeing frantic nods as they ran back through the door through which they came.
The deep breath Bruce let out at that was loud. Glancing back down and smiling softly when he saw the little one still asleep in his arms. Happy the obnoxious noises did not wake her, and he did not have to worry about trying to protect her while fighting off five men.
If she were to get even the slightest bit hurt. He was not sure if he would have been able to keep back the rage that would come out of him at that. Not wanting her to witness such violence. Even if he was sure she was way too young to ever remember it anyway.
—--
When he finally made it to the GCPD, he felt his heart ache instantly. Knowing that going inside meant he was going to have to give her up. That she was going to be taken from him, and it hurt.
Sure, he had only spent the span of about two hours with her, but she still had his heart tied around her little fingers. Her giggle and little smile were engraved into his mind forever. He knew it was just the baby fever. The ache and need to have one of his own. It still did not make this any easier.
He had stood on the roof for a few more minutes before he finally made his way down and found Jim in his office. Not shocked to see Harvey still there as well. Figuring they were overlooking a case.
“Commissioner.” He said softly to get the man’s attention, not shocked to see the two jump from the sudden voice. He was quiet on his feet. Always was. Always seemed to sneak up on the two, even when he tried not to. “Dent.” He added on when he noticed the DA looked at him as well.
“Jesus, do you ever knock?” Jim groaned as he tried to calm his racing heart, looking over and raising his brow at the sight he saw before him. From his view, he could not see the baby. Just saw a beat-up looking bat and his cape. Which, for some reason, was tied around him. Maybe he got hurt? Most definitely got hurt. “The hell happened to you?” Jim asked him.
“Long story.” Bruce simply huffed as he moved over to the two men, looking down at the little one still in his arms. “Do you happen to know a missing file that matches her?” He finally asked as he moved the cape down some to reveal the face of the little one cradled against his chest.
Harvey was the first to move as he got closer to the man to inspect the little girl. Being careful not to wake her. Honestly shocked to see her so at peace. “I can go grab our files and see if she matches any of the profiles,” Harvey said softly in order not to wake her before he moved out of the room.
“Where did you find a baby?” Jim asked the other. Just as shocked to see a little one so content being near the Dark Knight.
“Down in Old Gotham. At a pier. Heard her cries.” Bruce explained to the man as he lifted the cape again in order to hide the light from her eyes when he noticed her trying to hide away from it. Wanting to keep her as comfortable as he could before she was taken from him.
“Does she need fed, an-”
“I changed her diaper and fed her already. She slept the entire way here.” He interrupted the man. Happy to see Harvey return with files and start to go through them.
“You changed a diaper? Batman changed a diaper?” Jim asked with a raised brow. As if the thought and image of the Dark Knight changing a diaper was something he never thought he would have to think of. To be frank. This was a man who beat criminals on a daily basis. Took bullets and bloodied his fist. Changing diapers was a huge change in his normal protocols.
“I found her. Martha Young.” Harvey said as he lifted up the file.
Bruce did not care to read the file or hear what else they had to say. The moment he heard that name. Heard his mother’s name. He felt his entire heart cling to the little girl. Looking down at the sleeping baby in his arms, and putting his arms around her gently. Martha… Her name just had to be Martha.
She looked peaceful. So content in his arms. A little hand rested on the bat symbol plastered across his chest. Her little head rested right above his heart. Little Martha. At rest in his arms. For him to hold.
“Batman, you can give her to us now.” Jim’s voice finally snapped Bruce from his thoughts and had him looking up to see Jim holding out his arms.
The thought of handing her over terrified Bruce. Hurt his heart, and he wanted to hold her close and just run out of there, but he knew he could not. She had parents. Loving parents who were worried. Parents who could care and love her in ways he could not. She needed them. Not him. Even if his heart called for her, he knew it was not his to give. Not to her.
It hurt, but with a deep breath, he nodded and handed her off. Hating to see her stir and cry a little the second she was out of his arms. Wanting to grab her back and tell her it was okay. That he was there and was not going to leave her.
He could not, though. He did not. He waited till the two turned their backs, and like normal, he was gone. Back into the shadows where he once belonged. An ache in his heart and a fever to have one of his own.
—-
The ache never left Bruce during his entire journey home. The now cold feeling against his chest where she once rested up against him. The grab at his heart where her little hands had found their way around, now empty.
When he made it home, patched himself up, and got into a shower, the thought still never left him. The thought and need to have one of his own. To have a little one he could come home to every day and love. To hold close to his chest and cherish every second of every hour.
It never left him, even as he made his journey upstairs to the manor. Never left him, even as his lover approached him and asked how his night went.
He barely heard what the other asked him, looking up at the man. “I want a baby, Clark.” He nearly demanded the other with a huff. It was not a request or an option for debate. It was a demand. A demand he needed made sooner rather than later.