[ The difference - Bruce has learned - is that they come back. All of them, even after Bruce pushed them away. They did not for him. And maybe it makes a little jealous. Maybe it makes him wonder what he did to so drastically change his outcome.
The other Bruce's question lands heavily. Because in the end? Bruce couldn't protect them. Not back then and especially not now. He couldn't even protect himself. Not really. Not like he could when he was 40 years younger.
He wants to say no. But that feels hopeless and Bruce is...not completely devoid of that. Not yet. ]
( Keep them close. Something that, for any Bruce Wayne, can be difficult to do at times, simply because of how they are.
His gaze drops, silence to follow as always is typical of both Bruce Wayne and The Batman. He can't say he tries his best to keep them close, but he also doesn't go out of his way to avoid them either. Not like he first did when he found himself here anyways. Were it not for Damian's relentlessness in seeing to it that he wasn't left alone, he doesn't know where he'd be with the young Wayne, let alone the others. But he still finds himself, every now and then, leaning back into his reclusive tendencies, especially after Clark had disappeared. Someone he had thought of as a friend. )
They're curious about you. Like they were me. We're not the man they've known throughout their lives, but they still feel drawn to us. I guess because we're familiar.
( Even if they're different in their own ways. )
So try to do the same. ( Keep them close. ) Even when you don't want to.
[ That's something that separates them. Bruce doesn't want to see them. Because it means a confrontation he's not ready for yet. He was alone for 20 years; he could endure more of it here if it meant keeping these people at arm's length.
He takes what this younger Bruce is saying - it sounds idealistic. It sounds foolish. Bruce isn't going to do it - and puts it away. ]
( A look over to him, he remains quiet for a moment longer, still finding it strange to be here, face to face, with some possible older version of himself that he may or may not come to be in the future. He still can't claim to be an expert on all of this... on multiple versions of selves and worlds, but. It's not as entirely jarring as it had been when he first found himself here. )
Yeah.
( The word comes soft and simple, a turn made to take his leave before he stops. )
Be careful with this place. It has a way of twisting things as a means to break you.
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The other Bruce's question lands heavily. Because in the end? Bruce couldn't protect them. Not back then and especially not now. He couldn't even protect himself. Not really. Not like he could when he was 40 years younger.
He wants to say no. But that feels hopeless and Bruce is...not completely devoid of that. Not yet. ]
Don't do that to yourself. Just keep them close.
[ Don't be like him is what he's saying. ]
no subject
His gaze drops, silence to follow as always is typical of both Bruce Wayne and The Batman. He can't say he tries his best to keep them close, but he also doesn't go out of his way to avoid them either. Not like he first did when he found himself here anyways. Were it not for Damian's relentlessness in seeing to it that he wasn't left alone, he doesn't know where he'd be with the young Wayne, let alone the others. But he still finds himself, every now and then, leaning back into his reclusive tendencies, especially after Clark had disappeared. Someone he had thought of as a friend. )
They're curious about you. Like they were me. We're not the man they've known throughout their lives, but they still feel drawn to us. I guess because we're familiar.
( Even if they're different in their own ways. )
So try to do the same. ( Keep them close. ) Even when you don't want to.
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He takes what this younger Bruce is saying - it sounds idealistic. It sounds foolish. Bruce isn't going to do it - and puts it away. ]
Is that all you wanted?
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Yeah.
( The word comes soft and simple, a turn made to take his leave before he stops. )
Be careful with this place. It has a way of twisting things as a means to break you.
( Like the image of their mother. )
no subject
[ Bruce doesn't sound dismissive or flippant. Just tired. ]
But I take your warning. Take care of yourself, Bruce.