"Gotham loves Bruce Wayne" but specifically it's street cart vendors loitering the streets, sometimes at night.
Yeah, Batman is cool. Well, he pays and tips in crumpled bills that usually have some blood or soot on it, is polite to the grandpas, agrees to dropping by their houses to make sure their kids aren't staying up too late or their spouses came home safe.
But nothing beats seeing the Prince of Gotham stumbling out of work, ordering 20 bagels for his gluttonous children and tipping 150% more than the original costs. They ceased thanking him for the programs their family benefits from, knowing he much appreciates seeing photos instead or having extra onions in his shawarma wrap.
Some of them would be acutely aware of the parties that Brucie Wayne goes to because there's at least an 80% chance of him stumbling out drunk and every old man street cart vendor starts mother henning him.
"Mister Wayne, you shouldn't be drinking on an empty stomach! šØ"
"Sit up, boy š Good god, you look like a bloody mess."
"Aww, poor kid š„ŗ" (Bruce is 45 yo man btw) "Here lad. Ice cream. On the house. Yes, yes, tell me all about the last model that dumped you, but please do it while sitting upright."
There have been 17 different occasions in this year alone where Alfred rounds the car around the gala just to see Bruce on the sidewalk, deliriously tipsy, while a circle of cart vendors are gentle parenting him into eating oily foods to get rid of the alcohol.
Love love love this so bad. You mind if I add a bit?
Thinking about the kids coming across these vendors and getting spooked when they recognise them and call out their names. Initially they assumed it was because they're the child of Bruce Wayne but then the vendors made the food just how they like itāless onion or extra sauceāand treats them with the hospitality of a regular customer.
They learn it's because Bruce frequents these vendors when drunk and rambles on about his babies, showing pictures and making sure the vendors know their particular preferences when making the food.
"Treat that old man of yours a bit nicer, won't ya?" They'd say, handing their orders. "Lord knows the poor lad tries his best."
"It's on the house, just give the boy my regards," the sweet lady would include when packing up their food. "Now you be good and careful on your way home."
Even when Bruce starts drinking less or quit, he still stops by those carts after attending galas like it's tradition. He'd spend a good while just talking to the vendors, talking about his day or the recent thing one of his children did that made him proud, buy something and gives a ridiculous amount of tip before going on his way. Or he'd stay there and talk until Alfred arrives.
Bonus:
One of the sweet shawarma lady nearly got mugged on her way home when Batman intervened. After checking out she's alright he offers to walk her the rest of the way home.
"Up for something warm, sweetheart?" She says, unlocking her front door with keys as the Dark Knight stood guard behind her. "There's even some more for the kids at home."
Batman visibly freezes, and the sweet lady laughs.
"Did you really think i wouldn't recognise you, young man? I'm not that old. Now come, it won't take long."
The kids are confused when Bruce comes out of patrol with a bag filled with warm, fresh shawarmas, but they're not complaining.
Gotham really, really loves their Bruce Wayne.
