Silent Watcher
Pairing: Bruce Wayne (Batman) x Reader
Warnings:
Mentions of violence and crime-fighting.
Emotional intensity and angst.
Protective and brooding behavior from Bruce.
Fluff and moments of vulnerability.
Mentions of Gotham's darker side.
Light romantic tension.
Summary: Gotham never sleeps, and neither does its protector. As Batman watches over the city from his towering perch, the weight of his responsibilities often isolates him from those who care. But one quiet night, when the shadows feel a little heavier, he finds a brief moment of connection with the one person who doesn’t fear the darkness that surrounds him. The city may be full of criminals, but in the silent moments between them, Bruce Wayne allows himself to feel something real.
[Masterlist]
The night in Gotham was as alive as ever lit by streetlights and the occasional flicker of neon signs. The city seemed to hum, its restless energy pulsing through the empty streets, while the shadows lingered, waiting for something or someone to disrupt the quiet. From atop the tallest building, Batman observed it all. His cape billowed in the wind, the dark silhouette of Gotham’s protector blending into the night as he scanned the city below.
You stood at the edge of the rooftop, your hands gripping the cool metal railing, your back to him. There was a silent understanding between you and Bruce both of you had long known the gravity of the city, the darkness that clung to it. Yet in his presence, you felt a sense of safety that no one else could offer.
“You don’t need to watch over Gotham alone, you know,” you said softly, not turning to face him.
Bruce’s eyes narrowed behind his mask, his posture stiff as he watched you. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he took in the quiet moment, the soft breeze tugging at your hair. There was something peaceful about it, something rare. For a split second, Bruce allowed himself to drop his guard. His hand moved to adjust the cowl that covered his face, a subtle gesture of vulnerability.
“I have to,” Bruce replied, his voice low, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
You turned to face him, your gaze soft but unwavering. “You don’t have to carry the weight of this city alone. Not anymore.”
Bruce hesitated, looking down at the dark streets, where distant sirens wailed in the background. He was used to isolation, to standing alone in the shadows. But with you here, something about that silence felt different. Less like solitude and more like... shared understanding.
“I’ve seen what happens when I let people in,” he muttered, his voice edged with regret. “The people I care about... they get hurt.”
You stepped closer, your presence a quiet defiance against his walls. “You think I don’t know that? But that doesn’t mean you have to shut everyone out. Gotham needs Batman, yes. But it also needs Bruce Wayne. And Bruce Wayne he’s not just this city’s protector. He’s a man who deserves connection.”
For a moment, Bruce’s hardened exterior faltered. His jaw clenched, but his eyes softened, a flicker of something that resembled hope—something rare for him shining through. He was still Batman, still the hero Gotham needed, but you made him feel something he rarely allowed himself to: human.
“You’ve always had my back,” he said, his voice a little quieter. “You don’t have to stay in the shadows. Not with me.”
You smiled, a quiet, knowing look crossing your face. “And you don’t have to be alone, not anymore.”
The moment stretched between you two, the weight of Gotham’s chaos still looming over both of you, but somehow, in that shared silence, it didn’t feel as heavy. Bruce didn’t know what the future held or how long this fragile connection between you would last. But for once, Gotham’s relentless darkness didn’t feel so suffocating. Not with you here.
He took a small step closer, his hand brushing against yours, a simple touch that spoke volumes. For once, the silent watcher wasn’t just guarding the city. He was letting himself be seen.
And for that brief moment, Gotham felt a little less alone.