In a Speed of Light.
Pairings: Platonic! Batfam x Law Student Batsis Reader, Wally West x Law Student Batsis Reader
Synopsys: The forgotten daughter of the Wayne family quietly builds a future of her own after years of being overlooked, forcing the Batfamily to confront just how little they truly know about her.
Word Count: 1.4k
Notes: Okayyy im making a fic series! lemme know if yall like this and i will continue itt! Ive seen like one or two wally x neglected batsis fics but I wanted to do one aswellll. Obvi the ages have been either aged up or down to align with the fic and yeahhh. Hope you enjoy reading!
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Ever since you were young, you knew something was wrong with your family. You were the blood daughter of the notorious billionaire playboy, Bruce Wayne, after all.
From the outside, everything looked perfect.
The Wayne family was admired across Gotham. Every gala photo showed smiling faces. Every newspaper article praised Bruce's generosity. Every interview painted the Waynes as a close-knit family that had overcome tragedy together.
People loved the story.
They loved Bruce Wayne and his children.
They loved Dick Grayson, Bruce's golden son. They admired Jason Todd's resilience. They respected Tim Drake's intelligence. They adored Damian Wayne, the youngest heir. Even the family friends seemed to have a place in the carefully crafted picture.
Everyone fit somewhere.
Everyone except you.
You weren't sure when you first noticed it.
Maybe it was when you were six and came running into Bruce's office with a drawing you'd spent hours making, only for him to promise he'd look at it later…
Later never came.
Maybe it was when you were ten and sat through an entire family dinner without anyone asking how your day had been. Or maybe it was when you realized that every member of the family could list everyone else's favorite food, favorite movie, and favorite color!—
…but nobody could answer those questions about you.
At first, you told yourself it wasn't intentional.. hell you even asked Alfred if they loved you!
He sighs, "Young Master, I'm sure they love you." he threads his fingers through your hair, "But you must undertsand, they have.. certain circumstances.." And you got that point, you swore you did.
Bruce is always busy.
Dick lived in another city.
Jason was always coming and going.
Tim practically lived on coffee and three hours of sleep.
Damian barely tolerated most people.
Everyone had something important happening.
Something more important.
You became good at understanding. Too good. So subsequently in due time, you gave up.
You stopped interrupting conversations.
Stopped asking for help.
Stopped sharing things you were excited about.
It was easier that way.
Less disappointing.
Over time, people stopped expecting to hear from you.
And eventually...
They stopped noticing when you were quiet.
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The manor was loud most days. You heard your brothers' voices echoing through the halls. Damian and Jason having arguments over breakfast. Someone was always training, complaining, or stealing food from the kitchen.
Yet somehow, you'd never felt more alone.
You lie alone, in your room. Staring at the accomplishments you oh- so truly desired to share. Just for one singular second for someone. Someone. To give you the recognition you wished for. Your eyes panned across the room. Gymnastic awards, science awards, leadership awards, writing and advocacy— Hell you even took some drama performances! All these accomplishments, only to be overshadowed and overlooked by the ones who deemed to love you most.
You stare softly at your desk which had an envelope you had opened moments prior, it read
Date: July 20th 20XX
Dear Miss (Name) Wayne,
It is with great pleasure that we offer you admission to Gotham Law Academy for the upcoming academic year.
After careful review of your application, academic records, personal statement, and recommendations, the Admissions Committee was impressed by your outstanding achievements, dedication to your studies, and strong potential to excel within the legal profession.
Your exceptional academic performance, critical thinking skills, and commitment to justice distinguished you among a highly competitive pool of applicants. We are confident that you will make valuable contributions to our academic community and uphold the standards of excellence that Gotham Law Academy represents.
As a student of Gotham Law Academy, you will have access to rigorous coursework, experienced faculty, internship opportunities, and a network of legal professionals dedicated to preparing the next generation of advocates, attorneys, and leaders.
To secure your place in the incoming class, please submit your Enrollment Confirmation Form by [August 19th 20XX].
On behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration, we congratulate you on this remarkable achievement. We look forward to welcoming you to Gotham Law Academy and supporting your future success.
Congratulations, Miss Wayne.
Sincerely,
Dean Victoria Hayes Dean of Admissions Gotham Law Academy
"Justice begins with those willing to pursue it."
You hum, "Well, atleast there's one thing I can be excited about." You roll on your bed with a groan. Knock knock. "Yes?" You answered,
"Young Master, it's time for supper."
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You sat at the dining table one evening, absently pushing food around your plate while the others talked.
Dinner at Wayne Manor was loud.
It always was.
Dick was halfway through some story about Blüdhaven, waving his fork around as he talked.
"I'm serious," he said. "This guy thought hiding in a dumpster was a genius escape plan."
Jason snorted.
"Was it?"
"No."
"Then why are you telling the story?" Jason raised a brow, "Because he stayed in there for three hours." Dick grinned.
Tim nearly choked on his drink.
Damian looked disgusted.
Bruce rubbed his temple.
The conversation continued around the table while you sat quietly at your usual spot.
A few months ago, you would've tried to join in.
Maybe told a story of your own.
Maybe mentioned something interesting that happened during your day.
Maybe brought up the fact that you'd been accepted into Gotham Law Academy.
Now?
You couldn't find it in yourself to care.
As you finished your food and ready to head upstairs you get interrupted,
"(Name)," It was Bruce, steady eyes gazing at you as if expecting something. All eyes turn to you , what the fuck? You think as you muster up a reply, "What?" You stare back, head titling ever so slightly to the side. Bruce clears his throat, "Where are you going?" He replies coolly. The soft rain pattering by the glass windows. You blinked, "To my room?"
The answer came out more like a question.
Bruce frowned slightly. "As soon as dinner ends?" A beat of silence followed only the sounds of rain could be heard. You looked around the table.
Dick looked confused.
Tim had finally put his phone down.
Damian was staring like you murdered his family.
Jason looked like he was waiting for a punchline.
You honestly didn't know what they wanted from you.
"Yeah," you answered. Bruce grumbled, "...Why?" what the hell is going on. "What do you mean, why?" You asked.
Bruce exchanged a glance with Dick.
It was subtle.
The kind of look people shared when they thought something was off. You almost laughed. Now they noticed? After years?
You put up a polite smile, "I usually go to my room after dinner."
"No, you don't," Tim said automatically. You looked at him. Tim looked back.
Then his expression shifted.
Slowly.
Because he realized he had no idea whether that statement was true or not. The silence stretched. You sigh and folded your arms. "Actually, I do."
Nobody responded.
Because nobody knew.
Not a single one of them.
Jason leaned back in his chair. "Since when?" He asked, raising a hand.
You shrugged.
"A while."
"A while being...?" Dick asked.
"A couple years, maybe."
The dining room fell silent. You almost felt bad for them.
Almost.
The looks on their faces suggested they genuinely hadn't noticed.
Bruce set his fork down. "You spend that much time alone?" There was something strange in his voice.
Concern.
Confusion.
Maybe guilt.
You couldn't tell. And maybe you weren't interested enough to find out.
"I guess."
"You guess?" Damian repeated harshly.
You glanced at him. "Does it matter? I've spent 18 years in this house doing the same things without anyone noticing." The sentence wasn't hostile.
It wasn't angry.
If anything, it was tired.
That seemed to hit harder.
Because suddenly nobody had anything to say.
You pushed your chair back. "I have things to do."
Bruce straightened.
"What things?"
You paused.
For a second.
Just a second.
Then you remembered the acceptance letter sitting upstairs in your room. The enrollment forms. The plan of becoming a lawyer. The future you were quietly building by yourself.
The future none of them knew existed.
A small smile tugged at your lips.
"Just planning some things."
Dick frowned, "What things?"
You grabbed your plate and placed it in the sink, "Nothing important."
The words slipped out before you could stop them. The irony wasn't lost on anyone. Not when every accomplishment, every award, every achievement in your life had become something "Not important."
Not important enough to ask about.
Not important enough to notice.
Not important enough to remember.
The smile disappeared. "Goodnight."
This time, nobody stopped you.
You walked out of the dining room. The door clicked shut behind you. And for the first time in years, the conversation didn't immediately start back up.
Because downstairs, for the first time, the Wayne family was left with a realization they didn't quite know what to do with.
They knew almost nothing about you.