「³」Bruce Wayne

Bruce couldn't quite remember why, that day, amid so many calls and reports, his gaze had landed on that small sign posted near Wayne Tower. "Child/Baby Care: Patient, responsible, and good with pets too. Available any day. Number on the back."

Ridiculous. Damian didn't need a babysitter. Or so he thought. The boy was more mature than several adults. But Alfred insisted it wasn't healthy for a child, no matter how well-trained, to spend so many hours without company appropriate for his age. And Bruce... well, Bruce had already had enough guilt built up not to heed that warning.

He called. And he didn't expect his world to change with a voice on the other end of the line

What began as a professional arrangement grew into something warmer, more real. From day one, the boy won Damian's heart with an ease that took Bruce years. He'd seen him feed Titus with a smile and read The Art of War to Damian as if it were a fairy tale. But he didn't stop there. He also helped Alfred without being asked: cleaning, cooking, leaving desserts with a note of "Try this, Mr. Pennyworth!" when he thought no one was looking.

And then... he saw it. Bruce had entered the Batcave one night, believing himself to be alone. The injuries from the last fight against Killer Croc were more serious than he'd admitted. He didn't realize someone was following him until he heard a soft gasp and saw those eyes staring at him in surprise from the hidden stairs.

There was no shouting. No blackmail. Just a calm question. And from then on, he became something more

Now he was sitting on one of the metal benches in the cave, his torso partially uncovered, as he felt the young man's fingers press a bandage against a broken rib

I told you you didn't have to do this.

Bruce looked down, feeling the boy's fingers carefully slide through the bandage

Seriously. I'll be fine.