Bruce Wayne VS The Batman
One thing that is very consistent in the Batman universe is that Bruce refers to the Batman in the third person. So i had a thought, crazy i know, What would each of the Batfamilies relationship be with Bruce VS. Batman?
I will skip/exclude some people from this because i either don't know their character well enough or couldn't think of something for them.
I am basing this off of my own knowledge so if i get something wrong or you do not agree with me i'd love to hear yall's opinions and your takes on this.
Dick, being the first Robin figured out that Bruce and Batman are two different people pretty early on.
Bruce, Is his dad. That's his papa, his father, that's who he goes to when he has a hard time or needs advice. That's his fucking dad right there and while Bruce wasn't perfect he tried and that's all that mattered to Dick. Which is why seeing the destruction of Bruce as the Batman becomes more prominent later on kills him. Because-
Batman, is is mentor. His teacher, that's not dad. That's boss, When he was Robin Batman was his best friend. But as he got older that relationship diminished and they fought and screamed, and Dick left but he can never truly leave Batman or cut him off for good.
Because when all is said and done Bruce is still his dad and Batman used to be his best friend.
He was the first of them all, besides Alfred, to figure out the difference between the two men.
TLDR: Loves Bruce, that's his dad. Misses his best friend in Batman. Eldest daughter syndrome.
He was the second robin, the rebound. It took him a while to figure it out, but by the time Jason realized that Bruce and Batman will never be the same person it was already to late. He doesn't blame Bruce for his death but he does blame Batman.
Bruce, Is this boys dad. Much like Dick Jason had a good relationship with Bruce. But after his death, resurrection, and eventual rejoin into the family it's a bit strained. Jason knows Bruce is different from Batman but he also knows those lines are blurring, Bruce is dying. So he in some ways mourns the father he used to have.
Batman, that's his opp. While their relationship does get better Jason no longer sees Batman as a mentor or a father. He sees him as a general, someone to whip others into shape, a man so far gone from himself and in a way he sees him as a murderer too. Because Batman killed his father, killed the kindness, the softness, killed his dad and know what's left? ..... Well he mourns what he used to have with the man.
TLDR: Jason Loves Bruce, still his dad despite having a strained relationship with the man. Dislikes Batman.
Despite what some people may say i think Tim didn't notice the difference between Bruce and Batman as quickly as the others. That was his idol, when he started as Robin he loved it! Yes he knew Batman was Bruce Wayne. But he didn't figure out that the two were different in every way possible. He also joined at the worst possible time. Jason just died, Batman is losing himself and in the process Bruce is losing this fight against the Bat.
Bruce, while being Tim's dad is also his business partner and when he first started was his neighbor to sum it up. Not much of a true connection there. After his parents death? That was dad, but that was also when he started to notice the difference.
Batman, was his mentor too. His teacher, his symbol of justice and do good. Now? Now Batman is a pain, he's hard headed and stubborn, he can get irritating. I don't believe Tim hates Batman but i feel like he respects him but annoys him at the same time. The magic and aww has worn off and now he sees the truth. A man losing himself wrapped in a cowl and slapping on kevlar every night
TLDR: Tim likes Bruce. Loves the man as a father and mentor. Tired of Batman, annoyed. Feels bad for him.
He didn't want to admit the difference at first. Seeing as how maintaining and developing a relationship with Bruce Wayne was never something he thought of when he was younger. But once he noticed the difference it caused confusion, doubt, and some anger because-
Bruce, Is just a man to Damian. Yes he knows that's his father too, Yes he knows he should maintain a relationship with him and as he gets older and more comfortable with bruce does and eventually that becomes Baba, that's his comfort, that's his father just as much as Dick can be/is his father too. But i feel like that fatherly relationship comes later for him. Dick was there first, took care of him first. Was his dad and Baba first so Bruce is second and always has been second to him.
Batman, Is who he sees as his father. He is 'The son of the Bat' It's what he had been told his entire life. So naturally it makes sense for Damian to think of the The Batman is more of a father figure. To him when Dick grayson was Batman it was just as good as Bruce being Batman. As he grew older he starts to get scared though. Of the difference, of watching Bruce fade. Because he's the same with Robin. Damian and Robin are two different people. He's always seen it that way. Damian and Batman are father and son but Batman and Robin are partners.
TLDR: Bruce, he's impartial at first eventually comes to see like a second dad. Batman, was always his father but eventually he fears becoming like him.
She definitely recognized the difference first. She was the quickest to spot it because Steph didn't try to see Bruce or Batman as anything more than what they were. Bruce was her bestfriends Dad and Batman was her mentor.
Bruce, Is just her best friends Dad. She has some respect for him and his work. Understands his struggles mentally and doesn't truly mind Bruce. Does bully him though. She finds it funny
Batman.....That mother fucker is getting bullied. For the amount of shit he's put her and everyone else through she will clown on his ass for life. No she doesn't care if she's being rude or disrespectful, she'll say whatever the fuck she wants to say because she doesn't need Batman nor has any connection to him.
Now i'm not discarding the rare moment Bruce peaks through the mask whenever it's needed or anyone is hurt. They all love him for that. But they can all recognize that's Bruce, not Batman
Eldest daughter vibes. She doesn't see bruce as a father nor Batman but she'll fight with him like she's on her last fuck to give, and she is.
That's all i got for her.... She's Batmans reason and is always more then willing to verbally throw down with either Bruce or Batman.
She does respect Bruce more than Batman though.
That's his little boy through and through. He knew the day Bruce created Batman that the two were different.
But that's still his little boy.
He loves Bruce like no other, his kind heart, the family he's created and will help nudge him in the right direction to help him succeed with his family.
He fears Batman will lose himself and consume Bruce. But he loves him just the same. He fears for the Batman not of him.
