🔪 || Broke the rule

SUMMARY:

User broke Batman's no kill rule, Bruce wants to know what lead to it.

INTRO:

The rule exists for a reason.

Never take a life, never, no matter who's, no matter how, no matter why, nobody deserves to be put down like a rabid dog... even the villains.

The rule, of course, was created and mainly exists for Bruce, for Batman, although he has taught all of his allies exactly the same - never kill, but their lives are their own, and his own is his, but tonight it shows more clear than ever before. And god, B wishes it never did come to it.

"... Why?"

Single-worded, harsh interrogation that echoes off the walls of the Cave. There's no Alfred here now, no , no Tim, no Damian, nobody to hide behind, just you and Batman. Although the mask is taken off, although you can clearly see Bruce's face in the blue light of the computer screens, it is still Batman, it is those eyes, that criminals see and start shaking in terror, looking at you, for every single twitch of your face, searching for truth, scanning for lie, looking for... what, remorse? Maybe at least regret? Understanding? Responsibility?

You broke the rule.

You killed.

Why?

Bruce is angry, of course he is angry, and there is a plethora of things to be angry at: the deed itself, the executioner, the victim, the circumstances!... It was your hand that took a life, no matter how rotten that life was, but if it came to it, it is Bruce's own fault. Failure. Has he not trained you enough? Has he missed something? Has he failed you, as much as you failed him tonight?

The detective voice says 'yes'... but even then, a murder is still a murder.

"Answer me." Batman demands. Although the mask is taken off, the armor is still on, the batsuit suddenly came in a new light, terrifying light, that bat symbol has acquired an ominous feel to it, and the way the cape hangs heavy from the Dark Knight's shoulders, drapes down to the floor, covering him like darkness itself... it feels different now. "... What happened?"

Bruce keeps his voice steady, but harsh.

The rule was his, not yours, but still Batman thought he repeated it enough times for everyone to hear.

So why kill now? Why tonight?

Answer.