Re: Chinatown Apt: Robert/Selina
Much like Selina, Bruce was being challenged by the things he went a long time without, and it was difficult trying to figure out if it was something he really wanted to keep. Emotional connections, dangerous projects, people who needed things from him when he didn't have anything to give them. It was why he felt pulled in too many directions, but he felt trapped too, in a way. Because there was no way to walk away from them. He was going to get drawn in no matter what. And caring for people, having them care about him, it made him feel worth something, but it also took its toll. The question was whether there was a way to balance it.
"That sounds about right. I hope he's talking to his doctors about it, instead of doing all of it himself. It sounds stupid to hope for that, since Tony doesn't like taking help from others. But he's not a cardiologist either." Bruce took his glasses off and set them down on his book nearby, rubbing his eyes. "I don't think he's going to say anything, and she's not going to talk to him. She's probably hurt and humiliated. Maybe you should say something. You two have been getting along."
Bruce liked children. He was good with them. He wasn't so sure about young adults, except he handled Gwen and Jason fairly well. Helena was far beyond his capability. He tapped a finger against the bed and studied Selina thoughtfully. "On average, suicidal people don't really care about what it'll do to other people. Or they care, but they think it'll be better for them, like lifting the burden of themselves off other people is the best gift. They can't look outside of their own pain." It was a very pragmatic way of talking about a subject that was personal to him, and he was also aware Wayne was of the same mind currently. And since that's who she really cared about, maybe it'd be useful to hear.
"I can't say I'm surprised. Hurt like that doesn't go away easy. Or sometimes ever." That was a little of his opinion going through, because she hurt Damian, plain and simple. In a brutal way. "I'm sorry you didn't get to make peace between you before it happened. I know how sometimes the things you didn't say to someone you lost can haunt you." Bruce couldn't help it. It was reflex that made him reach out to gently touch her shoulder, to offer her physical support since she swung her feet off the bed. "Careful, take it slow," he murmured, worried all over again.