Okay, But Counterpoint To All The Angsty Bruce-bleeding-out:

Okay, but counterpoint to all the angsty Bruce-bleeding-out:

Bruce is relieved. All his life, it's felt like Gotham has called to him, a siren song not even pretending to be pleasant but enthralling all the same. She's had him in a vice grip since that night and he's always known it deep in his heart.

So, when he's laying there curled against a wall, feet away from the spot that claimed his parents' lives, it all makes sense. Gotham's mercy always came with a price. He had thought it was his parents, but that was never true. His parents' debt had been called in that night and his own had begun - Gotham's lucky owed her their souls and she would always collect.

And yet, for Bruce, it doesn't feel like a punishment. He looks up at the raining heavens, the cold water soaking through the suit, and asks her, "Is it finally over?"

She doesn't answer, of course. The sky just rumbles with thunder, not even any lightning.

He knows he's dying. There's already too much blood washed away by the water to recover from. He wants to take off the cowl, suddenly suffocated by the duty she'd placed on him. He's being freed from his task, and he wants to feel the water wash through his hair. She exerts her influence over him one last time to stop him - if his identity gets revealed, the children will be in danger - but grants him the energy to roll onto his back. The cool water will work its way under the cowl enough for him.

"I get to stop now?" He asks.

His body feels more sluggish and the aches he almost forgets he has leave him, no longer compelled forward by her relentless drive. He knows this feeling - death is coming. But for once, it feels ... permanent. Gotham's cold, dark tendrils had been wrapped around his heart and soul for most of his life, laying their claim on him. But tonight, he felt them slip away and this death ... this death feels like the real one. It's not cold or scary, just peacefully empty. He has done his job, fulfilled his role.

Batman dies, spilling out the same blood he was baptized in, born from.

As for Bruce Wayne, well ... he's back home, of course, finally resting.

hi…..first of all how dare you? second of all how dare you. third of all how DARE you—-