Bruce Wayne (darkcrusader) wrote in utr_logs, @ 2008-08-08 20:14:00 |
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Entry tags: | bruce wayne |
Who: Batman
Setting: At the hospital, after Joker was taken care of.
Warnings: Soul-crushing angst?
He had changed out of the batsuit and into one of Bruce Wayne's expensive suits. He had hung the bat suit in it's display case with all of the care Alfred usually did before leaving the cave. They had just put down the Joker, but there was no triumph in his veins tonight. There would be no celebration for Batman. He felt numb. As empty as the cowl that now hung, lifeless, on the wall.
He took care to evade Alfred. The man had known him too long, and was capable of pulling Batman away from the abyss, and that was something he couldn't afford right now. He made his way across town to the hospital, avoiding eye contact whenever possible.
Visiting hours had long been over, but he was the Goddamned Batman. He declined approaching the reception desk for a visitor's badge. Finding Jason's room had not been difficult. He knew his way around this particular wing--afterall, Bruce Wayne had been the one to donate it.
His footfalls were silent as he crossed the room. Looking down at the unconscious body of Jason Todd brought a sharp, sour taste to his mouth. The boy's body was covered in bruises and plaster covered broken bones. If someone hadn't worked alongside Jason, they might not have even recognized his battered face.
"Why?" he said, his voice a barely audible growl. Anguish and anger filled him in equal measures. He remained a few feet away from the bed, uncertain he could stand being any closer for the moment. "Why were you there?" he asked, knowing Jason couldn't answer. "Why the hell did you go in to work?" his snarl rose above a whisper, now. "The Joker was on the loose, your place wasn't at a newspaper. You're a fighter." He slammed a fist on the nightstand, his rage overflowing. "Why did you listen to me?" his gruff voice was nearly at shouting levels now, and he stepped forward, grabbing Jason by the front of his hospital gown and shaking his limp body. "Why?!"
A nurse flew into the room, looking as though she had been suddenly shocked awake from a short nap. "Sir! Sir, you have to leave!" she said, trying to take control despite clearly being frightened. She stepped forward. "Let her go," she said firmly. She was confused when she recognized the intruder as Bruce Wayne. "Please don't make me call security on you, sir."
He looked up from Jason to see the nurse, not letting him go yet. "Do you know who I am?" he asked, his tone dark and angry. He had donated this wing.
The nurse, who had been advancing on him, stopped. Her eyes widened and she took a step back. "No..." she said, fear shaking her voice. "No, of course not, Mr. Wayne." She was at the door, backing slowly out of it. When she was sure he wasn't advancing on her, she turned and ran for the nurse's station, shouting for her coworkers to call the police.
Batman turned back to the darkened room, seeing something flicker in the mirror beside the bed. He turned his head slowly and caught his reflection. His face, entirely without his knowledge or intent, had twisted and contorted into a grotesque grin.