But no death, death isn’t the option so he separates he does it slowly as to least of all not hurt himself. But he does it he moves out of his manor he goes to the penthouse
He visits the batcave only when he needs to and doesn’t stay for long either. The same with the watchtower, he does reports he provides the money the tech the strategy but he doesn’t stay to chat. Not like they’d want to anyways.
He doesn’t push to make sure anyone is okay after a mission he checks once talks briefly and nothing more. He couldn’t bring himself to stop keeping the stuff they might need on him, he still loved them.
He no longer interacts with them outside of necessity not even Damian when school calls for something he answers but he always sits in the back. Never the front.
No more checking in, he was too overbearing.
Soon his eyes go cold, he still cares he does, but he can’t show it anymore.
Then they finally notice the gaps where he used to be in. The scolding after jumping off roofs, the ‘report’ that sounded to warm to just be an order. The coffee always ready for Clark, Barry’s snacks, Diana’s hair ties she always forgot. The tech he kept in check. Jason whose bike was always cleaned and mechaniced ( I can’t find the word) when he stayed over. Tim whose energy drinks were stored, not too much though he still needed sleep. ( there’s more but I’m too lazy to write it)
Don’t get them wrong they enjoyed it. But that enjoyment didn’t last long. They barely caught him and when they did he’d immediately ask what they needed or start rattling off information. There was no more Bruce, no more Father, Tati, or even B. There was only an empty machine that was supposedly their colleague.
Where was their dad and Best friend? When did he forget them?