Re: quicklog -- steph/bruce: dive bar.
[Bruce knew old, painful wounds well, and he knew better than to prod too much, too quickly. And there was no doubt that Eddie's resignation hurt. Not had, no, because it wasn't past tense. It was the start of what felt like a string of abandonment, with Jason next in line, and that made Stephanie's presence all the more important. She wouldn't turn her back. She never gave him a free pass on his behaviour, but she accepted his imperfections all the same and, as family did, loved him regardless. He did the same with her. No matter how long it took for her to get better, no matter how difficult the road became, he wouldn't leave her. He wouldn't give up on her. They were family, for better or worse.]
Go right ahead. [He managed a smile. Weak, but genuine, and he finished his drink, gestured for another. Stopping at one clearly had never been his intention. That done, he turned his attention back to Stephanie. It would have been easy to close off, to withdraw, especially on the topic of Helena—but he fought against his instincts. He didn't let himself.]
I know. [He shook his head.] I don't know how to—I can't give up on her. I may not know how to help, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to try. [On some level, it was almost reassuring to know someone felt as lost and helpless as he did.] I wish I knew how to fix it all, too. [His drink came, and Bruce flashed a brief, paper-thin smile at the waitress before turning back.] I know. I feel the same way. Every conversation I have with Selina is a disaster, and now we're not speaking at all. I haven't spoken to Eddie in a while. [He took another sip.] Jason is angry. Damian thinks I'm making exceptions. And Dick—he thinks I didn't trust them enough to tell them about Helena. [Another sip, this one deeper.]