𝔈𝔳𝔞𝔫𝔢𝔰𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔠𝔢 𐌉
summary: After ten years abroad, Y/N Wayne returns to Gotham—but the girl who comes back to Wayne Manor is not the same one who left. Quiet, distant, and avoiding everyone but Alfred, she seems like a stranger in her own home. As strange deaths begin appearing across Gotham, the Batfamily slowly realizes that whatever happened during those missing years may be far more dangerous than they imagined.
word count: 2k
tags: batfam x fem!reader , batfamily x slightly!neglected!reader
next
Y/N Wayne was an anomaly in the Wayne Family. Not traumatized enough to relate to her siblings, not athletic enough to train with them. So it wasn’t surprising when her father—Bruce Wayne. Send her abroad out of ‘safety’ but she knew, she was just a hindrance in their night life. And just like a good and understandable daughter, she agreed.
The whole family expected that the moment she came back, she is independent and matured to understand everything. And maybe bruce can find a job in the cave for her like helping tim. But none of them, most especially Alfred, expect to see her—standing outside the door with nothing but herself. Soaked with rain water that hasn’t stopped since morning.
She had grown taller since the last time he had seen her. Her posture was straighter, her shoulders slightly tense, as though she had learned to brace herself against something invisible.
Her hair caught Alfred’s attention first.
It used to be dark—soft and neatly brushed when she was younger.
Now a stark white streak ran through the front of it, cutting through the darker strands like frost creeping across glass.
had she dyed it? its almost the same with Jason
“Young Miss? I didn’t know you would arrive today, then i should have been picked you up in the airport” Alfred confusedly told her. And let her in, guiding her towards the reception room.
“Hello, Alfred. It’s fine, is the other here?” she calmly told him, but evidently in her voice how hoarse and monotone it is. Gone is the cheery and excited voice. In fact, alfred expects that the moment she arrive, she would jump and run inside. But no, it seems like there is a new entity infront of him.
“They are not here. But any minute now they will come, are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?” he asked upon noticing how thin she became, was it because of the food she consume in her dorm? he thought.
“Yes, but can you bring it in my room? I would like to take a rest for awhile, its been a long journey” she replied while slowly ascending in the stairs, she looked at him and smile—no,smirked.
“Of course, I would bring it as soon as possible” He responded while curtly bowing and then stared at her who is holding the railings while walking in the stairs.
The moment she entered her room, she realized how not anything changed. Except for the bed linen and curtains which seems alfred change consistently to appease the design of the manor. Her room which is full of awards, medals, mood board she consistently designed every month before was still there. Her textbook was still there and some old dolls she kept because it was only the gift she received from her father before.
She took everything one by one and throw them in a garbage bag she found in her bathroom. Upon cleaning those things whom she treasure before because thats what she only have that she is proud to show to her family—but now everything is useless. None of them mattered anymore. Now her room only consists of bed, table and a blank canvas with some paints and brush. She slowly walked to wards the aisle stand and seat infront of it, her hands found the charcoal.
Her other hand is slowly touching her neck to touch the metallic chain of her necklace which has locket. She opens it and look at what it contain, the left side of the locket contains a picture of her and on the right side is a cut of white hair.
“….well i don’t have a picture of me right now, just put my hair there for remembrance”
His voice ring in her head. That’s right, thats the reason why there is a white hair inside of her locket. After staring at the locket for awhile, her other hands which holds a charcoal pencil slowly placed in the blank canvas. She closed her eyes to remember his face, because the only reference she had of his face is the one she had in her mind.
“Im scared of forgetting how you look like—”
“—Brother”
Later on…
The rain had begun sometime after midnight.
It fell softly across the sprawling grounds of Wayne Manor, coating the long stone driveway in a thin sheen that reflected the pale lights from the estate. The surrounding woods swayed gently under the wind, their branches scratching faintly against the high windows of the manor like restless fingers.
Inside, the house was awake.It always was at this hour.
The grandfather clock in the main hall read 2:18 AM when the familiar rumble of the Batmobile echoed across the drive. A moment later, headlights swept across the tall windows of the manor before disappearing beneath the arch of the garage entrance. Not long after, the front doors opened.
Dick Grayson stepped inside first, already peeling off his gloves as he crossed the marble floor.
“Man,” he muttered, stretching his arms above his head, “Gotham criminals seriously need to learn the concept of weekends.”
Behind him, Jason Todd followed with far less grace, pulling the red helmet off his head and tossing it onto a nearby table with a dull thud.“You complaining about exercise again, princess?”
Dick shot him an annoyed look.“Hey, I did most of the chasing tonight.”
Jason shrugged as he unzipped the leather jacket beneath his armor.
“You volunteered.”
Tim Drake walked in next, still staring down at the small tablet in his hand. His brow was furrowed in concentration, fingers moving quickly across the screen as he scrolled through something.
Dick glanced over his shoulder.
“Are you working right now?”
Tim didn’t even look up.
“I’m reviewing surveillance logs.”
Jason scoffed.
“You’re reviewing logs while walking through the house.”
“It’s efficient.”
Damian Wayne entered last.
Unlike the others, he removed nothing from his uniform. His cape swept quietly behind him as he stepped onto the polished floor, eyes already scanning the dark hallways of the manor.
“It appears Father has not yet returned,” he said calmly.
Dick frowned slightly.
“Still out?”
Before anyone could answer, a familiar voice spoke from the hallway.
“Your father returned fifteen minutes ago and is in the Bat Cave, Master Damian.”
The boys turned.
Alfred Pennyworth stepped into the light, dressed as immaculately as always despite the hour.
Dick immediately brightened.
“Alfred!”
Jason pointed toward the kitchen without hesitation.
“Tell me there’s food.”
Alfred inclined his head politely.
“There is always food, Master Jason. I anticipated your return.”
Jason grinned slightly.
“See? This is why Alfred is my favorite.”
Dick snorted.
“You say that every night.”
“I mean it every night.”
Tim finally looked up from his tablet.
Something about Alfred’s posture caught his attention.The older man stood as straight as always, hands folded neatly behind his back. But there was something thoughtful in his expression. Distracted.
“What’s wrong?” Tim tilted his head slightly.
“What?” Dick blinked.
“He’s thinking about something.” Tim gestured toward Alfred.
“Yeah… you’re doing the face.” Jason squinted at Alfred.
“The face?” Dick repeated.
“You know,” Jason said, mimicking Alfred’s calm posture poorly, “the ‘something’s wrong but I’m not saying it yet’ face.”
“I see my habits have become predictable.” Alfred allowed himself the faintest sigh.
“Then perhaps you should simply state the problem.” Damian folded his arms.
“Miss Y/N arrived earlier this evening.” Alfred looked at them carefully before speaking. For a moment, the hallway went quiet.
“She’s back already?” Dick blinked.
“I thought she was supposed to come back next week.” Jason frowned.
“Her travel arrangements were adjusted,” Alfred explained calmly.
“—She arrived shortly after sunset.”
“And you’re telling us now?” Tim’s eyes sharpened slightly.
“Relax, detective.” Dick nudged him.
“Where is she?” Jason rolled his shoulders.
“She is resting.” Alfred hesitated.
“Already?” Dick looked toward the staircase instinctively.
“Yes.” Alfred sighs upon answering to Dick
“Jet lag.” Jason shrugged.
“She didn’t want to see anyone?” Tim frowned.
“Miss Y/N informed me she was quite exhausted from her journey and preferred to eat dinner in her room.” Alfred clasped his hands together.
“That’s… not like her.” Dick scratched the back of his neck.
“Ten years abroad changes people.” Jason shrugged again.
Damian said nothing, though his gaze flickered briefly toward the staircase leading to the second floor.
“You’re leaving something out.” Tim studied Alfred again.
“You always were perceptive, Master Timothy.” Alfred looked at him quietly.
“Oh great. There is something.” Jason groaned.
“What happened?” Dick straightened slightly.
“When Miss Y/N arrived this evening, she greeted me politely.” Alfred glanced briefly toward the staircase before speaking.
He paused.
“—But beyond that… she showed very little reaction.”
“What do you mean?” Jason frowned.
“She did not ask about anyone in the household,” Alfred explained.
“—She did not inquire about the manor.”
“…Seriously?” Dick blinked.
“She simply walked past me and went directly to her room.” Alfred continued to recall what happened.
“That’s not normal.” Tim’s expression slowly darkened.
“No,” Alfred said softly.
“It is not.”
The sound of footsteps interrupted them. All of them turned and then Bruce Wayne stepped into the hall from the direction of the study. He had already removed the cape and cowl, though faint shadows beneath his eyes suggested he had not slept much recently.
“Is there a problem?” Bruce asked.
Dick glanced between Bruce and Alfred.
“Y/N’s back.”
Bruce’s expression barely changed.
“I know.”
Jason raised an eyebrow.
“And you didn’t mention that earlier?”
“She arrived while you were on patrol.”
Bruce’s gaze shifted to Alfred.
“Did you speak with her?”
Alfred nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
“And?”
Alfred took a moment before answering.
“She appeared… fatigued.”
Jason crossed his arms.
“That’s the third time you’ve said that tonight.”
Bruce watched Alfred closely.
“Something else.”
It wasn’t a question.
Alfred looked at him.
For a moment, the older man seemed reluctant to speak.
But Bruce waited.
Finally, Alfred said quietly,
“She has changed, sir.”
Dick frowned.
“Well yeah. It’s been ten years.”
Alfred shook his head slightly.
“That is not what I mean.”
Bruce’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Explain.”
Alfred chose his words carefully.
“Miss Y/N greeted me politely, but there was no warmth in her demeanor.”
Jason frowned.
“Maybe she’s just tired.”
Alfred continued.
“She refused to join dinner with the rest of the household.”
Tim’s eyes flicked upward.
“She always used to come downstairs.”
“Yes.”
Alfred paused.
“And she informed me she would prefer to eat her dinner in her room”
Jason blinked.
“…Wait what?”
Dick straightened.
“She said that?”
“Yes.”
Damian finally spoke.
“That behavior suggests avoidance.”
Bruce’s gaze hardened slightly.
“Did she say why?”
“No, sir.”
Alfred hesitated before adding quietly,
“She also appears… physically different.”
Jason rolled his eyes.
“Did she grow horns or something?”
Alfred ignored the comment.
“There is a white streak in her hair.”
Dick shrugged.
“That’s not a big deal.”
“Yeah! Look I also have the same one” Jason jokingly told everyone to lighten up the mood.
But Alfred wasn’t finished.
“And her eyes.”
Bruce looked at him sharply.
“What about them?”
Alfred lowered his voice slightly.
“I have known Miss Y/N since she was an infant.”
He paused.
“And tonight I looked into her eyes and did not see the same person.”
The words settled heavily in the quiet hall.
Jason shifted slightly.
Dick looked uncomfortable.
Tim’s gaze dropped into thought.
Bruce said nothing for a long moment.
Finally he asked,
“Did she say anything else?”
Alfred looked toward the staircase again.
“Only that she was tired.”
Bruce’s eyes lingered there.
On the second floor.
Behind a closed door.
Ten years ago, he had sent his daughter away believing it would keep her safe. Believing it would give her the normal life she deserved. Now she had returned. And already something felt wrong.
Bruce turned away slightly.
“We’ll talk to her tomorrow.”
Dick nodded slowly.
“Yeah… give her some space tonight.”
Jason grabbed the helmet from the table again.
“Well, if she’s alive and not trying to kill anyone, I guess that’s good.”
But Tim didn’t laugh and Damian said nothing. Even Alfred remained where he stood. Watching the staircase. Because something inside him still felt unsettled.
Ten years ago, the girl who left this house had been gentle, bright, and warm. But the young woman upstairs…the one who avoided the family. Who looked at him with empty eyes.That girl felt like a stranger.
And Alfred Pennyworth had lived long enough to recognize when someone had survived something terrible.
He only wished he knew what it was.
notes: hi! i’m a new in writing fanfiction and also my first language is not in english so expect errors in writing. expect some other chapters for this but please manage expectations as i only started writing. the panel or image above that i used is rogue from xmen comics due to her being one of my favorite.i also thought how cool what i think about this fanfic which pushes me to started writing it. thank you! and see you in the future chapters! i appreciate comments of suggestions and corrections ^_^