The first time you met the Batman was on the dark streets of his city. Your small, shivering form - devoid of the winter coat the season called for - stepped backwards. Your eyes flittered to the men on the ground. Their bodies lay unmoving, a result of his prior actions, those of which still fresh in your mind. Your breath rapidly entered and exited your lungs as you cowered at the man before you.
Eight years old was no age to die, you knew that much. Though the costumed man had taken care of the strangers that had tried to take ahold of you, you were still frightened of him. His body towered over yours, only remedied when he crouched in front of you.
"Why are you out so late?"
His deep monotonous voice bore into your mind. As your brain scrambled to make up a response, your body continued to shake. You had been conditioned to be careful of what you say - especially around adults. Warnings from your late mother constantly haunted you; dictating what you say when people ask about the state of you and your home life, lest you be taken away from her.
"I-I," your quiet voice stammered.
You swallowed. "I'm lost..." Your cautious tone and soft words barely made it out of your mouth. Your lip began to wobble when he reached a hand out to rest on your head.
"Where are your parents?"
Your eyes watered. Your quick breathing never let up and you were beginning to get lightheaded. The street lamp above the both of you buzzed, filling the silence.
Your mind struggled to form a complete sentence and ended up with a half-formed thought. "I don't have... I... No parents." They were gone and dwelling on the fact never helped how you felt. Talking about it like you were now only made you more uncomfortable.
It was hard to tell with his mask on but you swore his eyes softened.
He asked who you were living with.
Your voice was more steady as your fight-or-flight response started dying down. When the Bat offered to walk you home after you gave him the address (engrained in your mind by your mother, who always, always worried) your shaking almost entirely went away. Traveling with the Batman meant you were traveling safe.
And safe you were. He held your hand as you walked, which you didn't mind. You felt like you could finally breathe again, knowing that even if people tried to stir up trouble, he would take care of it. Your body relaxed- shoulders slumping, eyebrows unfurrowing, and your previously cowering form no longer tensed. His presence was freeing. Being on alert was and always will be a requirement for living in Gotham. With Batman alongside you however, you had a reason to be unafraid.
When he dropped you off after Ms. Nana opened the door, you silently wish you could see him again. Feeling safe in this city is a luxury even the wealthy couldn't always afford.
Your second meeting with him didn't come as soon as you had hoped. The Batman sticks to the shadows when he can, and leaves before anyone can really talk to him.
But you knew it would happen again. Too bad it didn't occur until you were in danger again.