Re: quicklog, gotham: wayne manor
[Family was a double edged sword. It was something Bruce hadn't thought himself cut out for, the idea of adopted children and sidekicks always striking him as odd if not utterly insane. And yet, now, he almost couldn't imagine his life without them. His desire to isolate himself wasn't because he didn't care, quite the opposite. It was instinct, turning the grief and pain inward instead of expressing it in a healthy manner. He'd never been healthy in that regard, his coping mechanisms were always questionable. But even in his world, he hadn't been completely alone. There was always someone to push when he needed to be pushed. That was a constant between there and here.
And, admittedly, there was a small part of him that was grateful for Alfred's presence.
He was quiet, while his wounds were tended to. He had nothing to say. Nothing to say that he felt willing to offer up without prompting, at least. The prospect of lying occurred to him but Bruce knew Alfred would see through anything he said that wasn't the truth. It was fairly obvious that he hadn't slept anyway.] No. I didn't want to. [He realized, then, that Alfred was likely unaware that this had happened before. He didn't want to say it, but he felt that piece of information was important.] This... wasn't the first time, Alfred.