Bruce be like "Brucie Wayne is a persona, a mask, the Batman is the true me." And okay, okay, when he's on a gala in front of the cameras with that million dollars smile, playing the undoubtedly airhead? Yeah. That's a mask, fake, artificial.
Oh boy but when he's Batman, he's performing too. It's true that he get to be a little shit more as Batman, scaring goons left and right for the giggles, and then being the actual menace that he is by taking down villains that Superman couldn't. But he still is performing, he's setting up himself to be a myth, "more than a man", something that criminals can fear and that gives hope to little kids
And I mean all that as, the mask and the wearer are one. And I mean it as, there's an audience to perform to, the curtains are open and people are waiting
So when he is his truest self?
6 AM and he just came back from patrol and Alfred is giving him the lecture of his life and suddenly he is but little kid that spilled juice. When all his kids are home, playing and laughing, and he feels like the the most blessed of men. When Talia kisses him and he forgets the sky is blue until his lungs run out of oxygen and it might as well rewire his brain. When he gets to see people that otherwise wouldn't get the chance getting dignity– a stable job, good working conditions, great houses, to be catered. When he gets to watch a boy be reunited with his parents, all three crying, eternally grateful grateful grateful
