this is one of my favourite parts of my current superbat fic. (i love sleepy batfamily after patrol)
you can read it here;
https://archiveofourown.org/works/69611376/chapters/18057110
one more chapter to go! ⭐️
Alfred gave a stern cough and they all turned to look at him. "I believe it is time for bed, Master Bruce."
Bruce took in the heavy way, Damian was leaning on him, the way Dick's smile didn't quite reach his eyes and the way Tim was sprawled out atop the desk, his head resting dangerously on his arm.
Feeling a fizzing warmth settle at the core of him, Bruce conceded "Yes, I think you're right, Alfred."
Damian immediately tried to move, perhaps knowing exactly what was about to be asked of him.
Bruce held on tightly, "Please, Dami. Let me hold you."
Damian sighed like he had just been asked to choose between the sun and the moon. A tiny nod, that anyone else would've missed, was Bruce's answer. He bent at the knees, hooking his arms under Damian's thighs and pressing him firm against his stomach. Damian's arm immediately came up to wrap around his neck, his knees wrapping around Bruce's waist, legs hanging limply.
Bruce pressed his face into the side of Damian's head, nosing at his thick hair. He smelt like Gotham pollution and patchouli, an oil his mother sends him from home, the smallest part of home he allows himself to carry with him. The smallest part he isn't ashamed of. A few seconds of being held tightly in his father's arms and Damian was quickly washed of his hard exterior. The soft edges of him pressing into Bruce's sharpened ones.
Dick came up behind them, Tim pressed to his back like a back pack, his arms hooked around Dick's neck and clutching harshly at the cape of the Batsuit. Tim was about thirty seconds to dreamland, his head already lolling on Dick's shoulder. Dick snagged one of Damian's calves, unlacing the knee high boots gently.
"I'm sorry, Dami. I wasn't thinking about Talia or the league. Were you terribly scared?" The question would have sounded teasing coming from Jason's mouth, but Dick's sincerity was laced through every word.
Damian finally let his head fall heavily on Bruce's shoulder. His cheek pressed awkwardly and his soft breath hitting the curve of Bruce's neck. He attempted a shake of his head and when that didn't work, he uttered a smushed "No."
"No, of course you weren't. What was I thinking?" Dick cooed.
Damian humphed as Dick successfully removed both his boots, passing them to Alfred.
Bruce turned, catching the back of Dick's head with his hand, pulling him down to press a kiss to his temple. Bruce basked in the feel of it for a moment, feeling that familiar pride welling up inside him, letting it fill him, consume him until he could feel nothing else. Nothing but love.
"I'm sorry" He says, softly. "I know you're just trying to help. I just - Thank you. They need you, as much as they need me. They love you and I do too. More than anything."
"I love you too, Dad."
Bruce stepped back, placed a hand on Tim's cheek, that he instinctively nuzzled into. "You'll settle him in?" Bruce asked.
"Yeah." Dick said, fondly.
"Goodnight, boys."
Bruce could've cried when they all responded, simultaneously.
Dick took off with Tim on his back and Bruce turned to face Alfred.
"Jason?"
"Already tucked up in bed, Sir." Bruce's entire body sagged in relief. "Took three rounds of hot chocolate to get him there, but there he is."