𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗺𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂
⤷ Bruce Wayne/Batman, Joker, Jason Todd/Arkham Knight, Dick Grayson/Nightwing, Tim Drake/Robin
Bruce Wayne / Batman
He rarely says “I love you” outright, but when he does, it’s in quiet, exhausted moments where he finally lets the mask slip and trusts you with the man underneath.
He memorizes your routines—not to control you, but to subtly ensure you’re safe. He’ll wordlessly appear after late shifts, pretending it’s coincidence.
When you touch him, even casually, he leans into it imperceptibly, like he’s starved for warmth but doesn’t want to take too much.
He gives you small pieces of his world: access to the Cave, a comm channel, or being the first to read case notes. These are his versions of love letters.
On nights he can’t be home, he leaves a message on your phone: low voice, simple words “I’m safe. Thinking of you.”
He listens. Completely. Even when exhausted, he gives you undivided attention in a way he rarely gives anyone else.
He lets you patch him up not because he needs it, but because he needs you close.
Joker
His “I love you” comes out as: “You’re the only one who gets the joke,” said with manic devotion as he circles you like you’re his favorite toy.
He gives you gifts that are… questionable. Personalized bombs that don’t explode, knives with pink ribbons on them, playing cards drawn with your face.
He watches your reactions intensely—your smile, your gasp, even your annoyance. Your emotions are entertainment, but you’re the only person he actually cares to impress.
His version of affection is pulling you into his chaos, wanting you beside him in his antics because everything’s “no fun without you, doll.”
He becomes visibly calmer when you touch him. Just a hand on his cheek makes his grin soften for half a second before he snaps back into theatrics.
He gets jealous in loud, dramatic ways, but you’re the only person he’d never actually harm. Anyone else? No promises.
When he does say “I love you,” it’s spontaneous, explosive, and usually followed by a laugh that sounds like he’s terrified he means it.
Jason Todd / Arkham Knight
He shows love through protection he refuses to admit is protection. “I’m just in the area” he claims, when he clearly followed you home on rooftops.
He's scared of hurting you, so his affection is gentle—hands on your hips that hover first, slow embraces, kisses that linger like he’s learning softness from you.
He apologizes more to you than anyone else. Even small things. He wants to be better because you look at him like he’s worth saving.
He trains you not to make you fight for him—but so you’ll never feel powerless like he once did.
When you’re upset, he drops the tough exterior instantly. His voice gets soft, almost boyish, and he’ll sit beside you until you’re ready to talk.
He gives you one of his jackets. He absolutely melts seeing you wear it, though he pretends not to.
“I love you” comes out gruff, almost annoyed, like the emotion is too big for him to hold without it overflowing.
Dick Grayson / Nightwing
He says “I love you” easily and often, but each time it’s sincere—playful in daylight, whispered and steady in the dark.
His love language is touch: hands on your waist, swinging you around mid-laugh, forehead kisses he sneaks in whenever you’re distracted.
He brings you snacks after patrols, smiling like a proud dog bringing a gift, even if it’s just an energy bar.
He makes you laugh on purpose, using every dumb pun and acrobatic stunt because your laughter is his favorite soundtrack.
He brags about you to literally everyone. Even villains get a “yeah, my girlfriend is amazing, anyway back to kicking your ass.”
He’s the type to fall asleep on your shoulder mid-conversation because you’re the one place he feels safe enough to stop moving.
He checks in with a quick text before every mission. It’s short, always: “Love you. Back soon.”
Tim Drake / Robin
He's awkward with verbal affection, so “I love you” comes through in rambling tech explanations he wrote just for you.
He builds you gadgets, tiny quality-of-life devices you didn’t know you needed, personalized with your initials.
He stays up all night working but will physically shut his laptop when you tug his hand and remind him to rest. For you, he’ll pause the world.
He makes you coffee exactly how you like it and places it next to you without saying anything, hoping you’ll notice the gesture.
You catch him staring at you during quiet moments, soft and adoring, like he can’t quite believe you chose him.
His hugs are initially stiff, but he melts into them slowly, resting his chin on your shoulder as if charging emotionally.
When he finally says “I love you,” it’s whispered while he thinks you’re asleep—gentle, vulnerable, honest.
Batman getting sent to the telltale universe and seeing telltale!bruce and telltale!john together as friends, not just friends, as civilian friends.
Bruce seeing a clearly alternate version of joker who isn't the insane violent maniac of his world, sure, he's still on the loose side but he's good. He's a good person and he's funny and smart, and he is friends with him. A joker he could only dream about, a joker he could barely dream about after all he'd done.
Batman wants nothing more than redemption for his villains, joker included. I think he'd be devastated knowing it is possible. Just not in his world. And yeah maybe he's only friends with John in this universe to get closer to the real threat of this world, Harley, but it looks real, maybe more real than telltale!bruce actually knows. And John seems to fullheartedly believe it's real to, no secret backstabbing plot, just real friendship.
There's a version of him who is able to love joker as a real good man, but it's not him, it will never be him.
