Hi so this is v long so pls dont worry about responding and I dont write very well sorry
so had an interaction that made me think of Bruce and Alfred and I've been stewing on it but thought I'd share, just like food for thought idk, absolutely no pressure to do anything
but like when I speak about something that I'm passionate/care/ excited about, I often speak v rapidly and thats not uncommon i dont think
and i dont just pull this on strangers, only w friends/family im v comfortable around and i feel likely agree on this topic so not making them uncomfortable
and I speak quickly and ask for input and go on tangents
but i noticed in a few conversation that my family had just zoned out and gone on their own conversations and id just asked a question about what they think and was fully blanked
like it happens people get distracted or get bored etc
but like apply to Bruce? maybe a passionate kid w Alfred and shut down/ ignored/ told be quiet not so excitable
or comfortable w Clark and gets on a topic and talks and Clark just often has a dazed look and zoned out
maybe with his kids, trying to bond and people just start own conversations around him, over him
so gradually realises no one wants to hear it, or had realised but thought these different people might care, finally comfortable to open up
so Bruce after maybe few occurrences doesn't try again, comes across as abrasive but is just trying to not bother people with his excitement over certain topics and let's them speak and not speak too much in return so not to bore them
once you've realised people ignore you get bored its harder to open up again so Bruce just continues on like this
I like J'onn just getting Bruce and slowly both building trust and having an insane bond friendship that Clark is jealous of, maybe Bruce finally has someone who listens and matches the excitement
also opportunity for like isolating bruce for not communicating/ opening up etc bc unaware he's trying to not bother them?
sorry this is very long, I'm not sure it makes sense either
Ah yes that never ending loop of being autistic -> realising no one wants to hear it -> trying to stop -> being autistic anyway cause that's your fucking brain chemistry -> people still not wanting to hear it -> feeling like a burden
When Dick was younger, so long as he could be active while Bruce was talking, he was happy to listen. And since Bruce was his spotter, they might as well fill the silence, so they would talk for hours as Dick practised his gymnastics. As he got older, and the tensions between them grew, that happened less and less, until Bruce doesn't really try anymore. He'd love to share the information he found woth Dick, it's a topic he knows his son would be interested in, but he doesn't want to burden him. Not when Dick barely tolerates being in his presence nowadays. That's what he thinks, anyway.
Jason always had a thirst for knowledge. They would trade facts easily, Bruce would explain his recent interest as Jason sits in his lap, then listen attentively as Jason giddily recounts his latest read. To this day Bruce can recite the plot of books he's never read. They don't do that anymore, though.
Tim would delve into the research alongside Bruce, and bring him facts he thinks Bruce would enjoy. Now, Tim is barely around anymore, with his team, or his partner, or on the other side of Gotham rather than the manor. Robin and Batman talk about cases. Bruce asks his son about his life. He doesn't bother his son with his recent interests. Sometimes Tim learns something he thinks Bruce would like to know, and resolves to tell him next time he sees him. Most of the time he forgets.
Cassandra needed to learn how to speak. Bruce kept himself simple, and taught her with the patience it required. There was no opportunity to share with her. Even when he tried, when she'd see his excitement, ask to know, his fascination would always take over, and he would use words too big, too specialised, speak too fast. She'd get frustrated with herself for not understanding, he'd get frustrated with himself for screwing it up, and they'd part ways.
Duke would listen, sometimes. But now he's living with his mother again, when he comes back around the manor it's to see the family, not listen to Bruce. So he doesn't try, and stays in the background so the others have a chance to catch up. He misses the way Duke looks at him, wondering why they don't spend time together anymore.
Damian lets Bruce speak. He was under the impression his son listened, but over time it would become clear that was as and when he pleased. So Bruce stopped, and came up with other ways to spend time with his youngest instead.
The Trinity, of course, was always close. From the formation of the Justice League, the three of them always gravitated together. And while Clark is one of Bruce's closest friends, on the field and off, he isn't the best listener, ironically given his powers.
He tends to zone out a lot. Or forget he's in conversation with you, listening to something across the world. So Bruce stops, gradually, when he realises it's a fruitless effort, and their friendship is cemented in other ways.
One day, Bruce finds himself stopped by Diana. "Are we not friends, Bruce?"
"I assumed we were," he teases. "Unless you've got something to tell me, princess?"
She laughs, rolling her eyes, before sobering again. "Why do you never come to me? Clark does not listen to you."
Bruce realises what she'd talking about, and feels something twist in his gut. He's messed up again. "I didn't think you'd be interested, Di."
"Are a significant sum of your interests are dedicated to history, no?" He nods, and she smiles. "Bruce. Did you forget I am a curator? I am always interested in the history of man."
So he begins to talk to Diana. The meeting will end, and they'd head to one of their rooms to discuss their newest area of interest together. And with her museum contacts, and her own age, she contributes just as much as he does, and Bruce finds they are closer than ever. He feels like a kid again when they stay up all night in the manor, lying on the floor, hot chocolate in hand, shushing each other and ending up in fits of laughter as they try to stay quiet and not wake the house.
Then J'onn sits next to Bruce one day. "Your mind is incredibly busy today, Batman."
"Hn," Bruce grunts, all too aware.
"Is this not something you would usually rectify with Diana?"
"I talk about history with Diana. This is science."
"Does she not care for it?"
"I don't intend to find out."
"Well," J'onn hums. Bruce feels familiar hands picking around in his brain, peering at what he's thinking about. He gave J'onn permission to enter his brain as he pleases years ago, when the Martian confessed how hard it was without psychic contact, but it's not exactly pleasant when his brain is already so crowded today.
J'onn withdraws, probably hearing that thought, and nods at him. "It seems interesting. If you wish to talk, you know where to find me."
That night, Bruce finds himself in J'onn's room, waiting for him to return from a mission. He feels fingers probe into his mind a few moments before the door opens and J'onn slips inside. "Please," J'onn invites, and Bruce leans forward.
It's easier, after that. Diana does try to indulge Bruce when she learns he was holding back, but admits she is not as interested, and Bruce feels no guilt this time, simply agreeing and J'onn assures them both of his continued interest.
Both J'onn and Diana are welcome company, and Bruce finds himself drawn closer to both of them over time. Sometimes he notices Clark staring at him, grinding his jaw, but when he asks, his friend dismisses the idea anything is wrong.
Other times, when he and Diana stumble down for breakfast, or he and J'onn get out of the car with a preemptive haul of oreos before disappearing into a sitting room, he notices the kids looking at them strangely, but he can't seem to figure out why.
Diana leaves yawning one morning, complaining she doesn't have time for a nap because she has a meeting at the museum, and Bruce returns from seeing her off to Damian glowering into his bowl of cereal.
"You say you are not dating Diana?"
"I am not," he confirms, wondering where it is going. He knows his son is close with her, but he can't imagine he wants Bruce to begin a relationship with her.
"Then what do you do all night?" His son asks, slamming his fist down on the table. Bruce blinks at the display of frustration, his brow furrowing.
Damian leaves the room, ignoring Bruce calling his name. After that, the staring, the looks, the silent studying increase, and Bruce is still clueless about what it means.
But at least he has his friends.
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