Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The calm and silence of the night was broken by screams and cries. A woman yelled and begged as she held her dead son. The husband cursed and held his wife as they cried on their son's limp body. Empty eyes looking up at the cloudy sky. 

By the time the police arrived, the corpse was cold and rigid, blood already drying on the concrete and clothes, and the parents’ skin was dirty with it too. Pearls sprawled on the ground, only one of them was clutched inside the fist of the boy. 

Sobs echoed through the walls as the forensics tried to pry off the woman, the boy was long gone, a precise shot in the center of his forehead. Inconsolable as she was, Martha ran away, unable to see her baby being taken away from her as if she hadn't destroyed her own body to give life to him. 

Thomas ran after his wife, scared of what she could do to herself while being this unstable. 

Heels stepping through the harbor was something unusual; not many women dared to venture this deep into the night, and not even the prostitutes of Park Row would dare to try and get a client here; they knew what happened to those who dared to disturb the monsters that resided in the waters. 

But that wasn't what most fishermen thought; the scales of such creatures were very much wanted by the elite, and pulling them out of living bodies was easier than finding some lying around. 

That's why Martha wasn't surprised when she saw two large bodies on the edge of the harbor. 

The female had a harpoon piercing through the chest, crimson staining black straight hair, and a few bright red scales were still on her tail, but most were gone, plucked out and leaving raw skin visible. 

The male was missing the head and left arm, broken black scales were near him.

Both of their tails were missing their fins. As if it hadn't been enough with their scales. 

Martha sighed, and she was about to turn around and leave; she had no business being there, and she wasn't planning on interfering even if it was a cruel thing to do. But then, she heard it. 

She heard them. 

Two little sirens, a young boy and an even younger girl. 

The boy was curling around the girl, black-haired with a black tail and flowy fins that had yellow on their tips. His cranial fins were completely black and there were scales on the tip of his nose and small pecks that looked like freckles but were tiny scales. Martha couldn't see his eyes, his young and chubby face scrunched as he cried. 

The little girl was completely different; redhead, bright crimson tail, and flowy black fins. Her cranial fins were red and with spots of black, only having small scales on her cheekbone. 

They reminded Martha of betta fish with how big the fins on their tails and arms were. 

Martha knew that she wasn't being rational at the moment; she had just lost her baby, Thomas Jr., and she couldn't, not really, nobody had ever tried to do what she was about to. Maybe she had gone crazy already. 

“Hello, little ones.” Softly, because they were scared, because their parents were lying dead in front of them. Even so, the hissing was immediate. Serrated teeth snapped in her direction. “It's okay, I won't hurt you, you will be safe now.” She promised as if they were her little boy. 

The boy was already glaring at her, snarling when Martha stepped closer. Icy blue eyes with slit pupils followed her every step. Threat. 

“It’s okay baby, I will take care of you, don't be scared.” Sitting down, she reached for the body of the female, carefully lowering it into the water. It sank without problem.

The boy’s eyes stared at the other body as Martha took her heels off, with lots of strength she dragged the male’s body and carefully dropped it into the water. Both puppies watched as limp lifeless bodies sank to the bottom, out of view, safe from greedy creatures.

Slowly, the boy swam closer, holding the girl close to his chest. Then, he keened.

“It’s okay baby, I will take care of you, of both of you, I promise.” Martha leaned down and calmly extended her hand, cupping the boy’s face in her hand. He was so small and yet his tail was larger than her legs. The boy cooed and looked curiously at Martha, while the girl turned her face and dark green eyes shined with tears as she looked at the water, as if she could still see their parents there.

Without much thought, Martha reached into the water and pulled the puppies up, as if her back wasn’t protesting because of the weight, she cradled them and sat on the edge. They didn’t move, didn’t snarl nor hiss at her, they were just looking at her curiously as they hugged each other.

Martha stayed there, humming and rocking her children, avoiding to think about the crimson stains in her clothes. She was distracted and didn’t register the panicked steps behind her.

“Honey!” Thomas came running, panting for breath as he scanned the surroundings, nearly collapsing as he saw Martha, he was too distracted with relief that he didn’t notice the puppies his wife was cradling in her arms, at least not until he walked closer and two pairs of curious eyes turned to him. “Martha… What did you do?” He said softly, not wanting to make his wife angry, not right now, he couldn’t deal with an argument at the moment, much less when two kids were looking at him innocently, oh so innocent. Just like-

“I’m taking care of them.” Martha didn’t look up at Thomas, she was enamored with the children in her arms, fascinated with them and- and- and-

Thomas' heart shattered, her smile was the same as the day as their baby was born, how could he tear them apart? How could he say no? Martha wasn’t breaking down, she looked fine, how could he interfere?

“It’s okay my dear, anything you want.” Thomas promised, and he was going to stand by his words. 

Chapter Text

Thomas' love for Martha was capable of making the impossible happen.

That's why, when Gothamites woke up with the news of the Wayne couple adopting two sirens a month after their son's funeral, no one batted an eye. It was more surprising that it took Thomas Wayne that long. 

Everyone in Gotham knew how powerful the Waynes were, there was a reason the man that killed the little Thomas Jr. was found dismembered a day after the incident was known, it wasn’t even for order of the parents, but every mob family either was friends with Thomas and Martha, or were pretty much the godparents to the child.

Nobody was allowed to hurt a Wayne.

With that type of network, it was surprising that the adoption process was longer than a week, Thomas looked dead on his feet and about to drop unconscious at any moment. It was obvious that he hadn’t slept more than an hour since the death of his son. Who could judge him? Martha had been inconsolable at the funeral, having to be restrained so she didn't attack the men lowering her son's coffin, so she didn't try to be buried alongside him. 

“My baby is scared of the dark! You can’t do this to him! He's my baby!”

It was impossible to see her after that, she was unable to get out of bed and would only get out if Thomas made her, the hints about what was happening were the constant visits to Gotham Aquarium, even so, she was always wearing black and a veil, her face contorted with grief.

Then, she had the brightest smile as she walked outside the court with legitimate adoption papers in hand. 

There has never been an antecedent where someone adopted some animals as their children. It was surprising how Martha’s happiness was worth changing the law and accidentally making some fish have human rights.

Martha was supervising as Bruce and Kate were deposited in their indoor pool. It was big enough for both puppies for now, and it had been emptied and refilled with clean and non-chlorinated water, filters were installed and the pool ground had been decorated. 

Her eyes didn't leave the workers, not until they were at the entrance of the room and Bruce and Kate were curiously swimming through the pool. Thomas sighed and walked towards the employees, he was still dizzy with sleep deprivation after going through the entire adoption process and having to fight his own lawyers to even submit the papers, they even said it was like trying to adopt a snake as a child, it would’ve been easier to just do the process for the permit for an exotic pet, but Thomas had seen the look of utter adoration in Martha’s face and he couldn’t do it, it wouldn’t make her happy to have pets, Martha wanted children.

Martha being pregnant the first time was a miracle, they went through almost three years of miscarriages after miscarriage, they even had a stillbirth and yet they kept trying until their only son was born. She would never be happy with exotic pets, their children had to be recognised as such.

Martha kneeled on the edge of the pool, signaling Bruce to come towards her.

“What do you think? It will be like this just for a while, don't worry, mommy will get you a nice and big space to swim until you're tired, okay?” Martha said softly as Bruce swam towards her. He didn't acknowledge her words, but that was okay, Martha would make sure that both of them felt loved. Bruce just babbled and looked at his surroundings, spinning in his place.

Kate laid down on the pool floor, blowing tiny bubbles of air as she seemed utterly bored. She wasn’t interested in the decorations nor in the place itself, and Bruce wasn’t being entertained. 

Bruce was looking at Martha with curiosity, his cranial fins bobbing as he heard the echo of Thomas’ voice and the workers chatting in the back. “Eep!” Bruce made a sound and moved down, water enveloping him as he looked up, right past Martha's shoulder. 

“It seems like Master Bruce and Miss Katherine are adapting well.” Alfred commented as he looked directly at Bruce, raising a curious eyebrow as the little boy frowned at the butler, showing teeth and his fins raising like a startled cat. “Very sociable, very good mannered.” 

Martha giggled, getting Bruce's attention and making him look funny as his eyes lost all fierceness as he tilted his head. “Please Alfie, don't tease him, Bruce is very sweet.” She reached down, hand into the water as she cupped Bruce's chubby cheek, her baby cooed, muffled by the water but still very much a coo. “See? He's such a sweet little boy.”

Thomas finished talking to the workers and they quickly left the room, Alfred moved to show them the exit while Thomas went to sit with Martha. 

“Hey chum, how are you doing?” Thomas reached to pat Bruce’s head, who went along the movement, bobbing in the water. “Do you like the decorations or should we redecor the pool, uh? What do you say sweetheart?” Thomas smiled as Bruce just babbled in response, reaching to drag Thomas’ hand back on his head. Kate soon swam up, accidentally colliding with Bruce and sending both of them against the edge, splashing Martha’s skirt and completely drenching Thomas in water.

Kate hissed at Bruce, as if it were his fault. Bruce just grumbled and dragged her back from the edge. Throughout the entire thing, Martha’s laugh filled the room and Thomas just sighed fondly, ignoring that he had a meeting in an hour and now needed to shower and ask Alfred for a change of clothes.

“Oh princess, be more careful, you could hurt yourself.” Thomas said to Kate, brushing her hair away from her face. She just tilted her head and opened her mouth, sharp baby teeth on display. “Very menacing, you will drown a lot of sailors when you grow up, uh?” Thomas laughed and pinched Kate’s cheek, her face scrunching in displeasure, but she didn’t bite him. Bruce did bite Kate, and they went under the water as they started fighting, a blur of tails, fins and hair rolling around the pool. “Well, we should change, get lunch and then I need to go.” Thomas sighed as he helped Martha get up, she just rolled her eyes, a smile still present on her face. 

“You’re not going to take a shower?”

“I don’t have enough time, Alfred can forgive it this time.” He chuckled as he held Martha’s hand as they walked out of the poolroom, splashes of water and grunts could be heard even into the hallway. “The marine biologist I talked to said that Bruce is around eight years old and Kate is around six, and should still be drinking milk.” Thomas said as they walked through the maze of hallways, grimacing internally as drops of water went into the carpet.

“Oh, did they say anything about feeding her formula? Or should we see into buying cow milk?” Pursing her lips, Martha leaned on Thomas, a frown slowly appearing on her face.

“We should try formula first, Alfred already brought some cow milk, I think he even brought some others but I didn’t ask.” Tucking Martha’s hair behind her ear, Thomas kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, she will be fine.”

“And Bruce? What can he eat?”

“Alfred already has a list, and we could give him some fruits even when the marine said wwe shouldn’t, it’s not that he can’t, but that he should get used to only eating seafood.” Sighing, he opened the door of their bedroom and he let go of Martha’s hand. Thomas threw open their closet and just grabbed a different suit of the same navy blue he was wearing but this time took a black tie instead of the navy one, and a black shirt instead of the white one. “If you want to sneak him some food it will be at your own risk of getting Alfred stressed about their nutrition.” He teased as Martha just chuckled, she just threw her skirt to the laundry basket inside their bathroom and put on her pajama pants.

Thomas changed as fast as he could and didn’t even try to get his hair in place again, just using his finger to brush it back. He was about to walk out of the room when Martha just pointed at his bare feet. He grunted and went back to grab another pair of black shoes.

“Oh, is my darling husband ready for lunch?” Martha teased as Thomas held her hand again, first to kiss the back of her hand and finally to pull her to stand up and go.

“We can’t let Alfred wait, can we?”

Alfred had served the plates and left to prepare the food for Bruce and Kate, he respected Thomas and Martha’s decision to adopt the little sirens, but he couldn’t help but feel as if he were to just take care of some big fishes. The butler scowled at the plastic tray that contained Bruce’s food, if he were to try, he could guess what it was each thing, but it was disgusting and quite honestly he just wanted to dump the entire thing in the pool and leave. Unfortunately, that was not possible and he called for the little boy.

In the peace of his mind, Alfred could recognize that Bruce looked similar to Thomas Jr., and even if Martha hadn’t realized, Bruce could pass for the late little boy. Alfred sighed as Bruce swam slowly, slowly, towards the edge of the pool, peeking warily through the surface of the water, the small waves crashing with Bruce’s eyes, though that didn’t seem to bother him. 

Huffing, Alfred placed the tray on the edge, carefully to not spill everything in the water. “Come on, Master Bruce, I don’t have all day.” Without a second glance to the boy, Alfred grabbed the bottle of warm milk he had inside the pocket of his apron and looked for Kate.

The little girl was lying on his side on the bottom, her tail curled around herself. 

“Miss Katherine, please come here.” Alfred called in a firm yet loud voice. The water muffled the sound, after all. 

Kate grumbled and looked up, glaring at Alfred before seeing the bottle. Curious, she started swimming up, eyeing Alfred with distrust but too interested in the bottle to swim away. 

“Please, I have a busy schedule.” 

After a moment of consideration, Kate went closer to the edge and used her hands to lift herself on the edge and make grabby hands at the bottle. Alfred gave her the bottle, questioning himself for a moment on whether he helped her or not. When she started shaking the bottle, Alfred decided that she needed help.

“Not like that, here.” He maneuvered the bottle and Kate’s hands until she was sucking the milk. It was quite tiring dealing with a six year old with the coordination and, worst of it all, the temper of a toddler. 

Meanwhile, Bruce was making a mess of himself as he devoured the ugly concoction Alfred was forced to make. His sharp and serrated teeth were ripping apart the meat and his hands taking off those parts he didn’t like, or just spitting it back in the tray after he bit and hated the texture. It wasn’t the same, eating in the water and eating out of the water. Everything became more slimy and sticky, Bruce didn’t like that, it frustrated him.

“Oh dear child, you’re getting yourself all smelly.” Alfred chastised as he went to help Bruce get cleaned before letting the insistent boy start his rampage again. “Can’t believe I have to watch you both.” With a huff of disgust, Alfred decided that the little sirens were okay by themselves and he was fine to go, figuring it was impossible for them to choke on their food. The butler brushed his hands on his apron and turned around to leave, he still had too many things to do, and the staff was on vacation at the moment, courtesy of Thomas after Martha’s meltdown after she saw one of the maids putting Thomas Jr’s things in a box. It was not a pleasant view seeing the matriarch act in such a way. 

As he reached the entrance, a pair of sad and begging whimpers and coos echoed through the pool room.

With a sigh, Alfred glanced back at the pool, and right there at the edge, both Bruce and Kate were looking utterly devastated at Alfred. 

Devastated that they’re going to be left alone.

“Ah, none of that, I’m sure Miss Martha will come soon to spend time with both of you.” Alfred said, and for a moment, he felt stupid, talking to animals as if they were able to understand him, even after minutes of talking to them, it was more for his own sanity than for them. Still, he tried to reassure them. How silly.

Still, he turned around and walked right back to the edge, hesitating as his footsteps slowed down, kneeling at the side of the tray with the gross concoction of seafood. 

“What is it?” Alfred resigned himself, after all, it was going to be his work from now on.

Bruce babbled happily as he continued to chew and swallow his food, as if he was having a pleasant conversation with Alfred, just like Thomas did when it was time for lunch. Kate was leaning on the edge, her upper body supported by her elbows as she drank the entirety of the bottle, satisfied with Alfred’s mere presence.

“Ah, very interesting indeed.” 

Martha’s new favorite time of the day was having dinner time. She had convinced Thomas to move one of the tables in the pool room closer to the pool, so that way they could eat closer to their babies. Thomas hadn’t argued with her, he simply informed Alfred about the change of location for dinner time and then went to move the table.

And now, they were happily chatting as they ate next to their children. 

Bruce had gotten a hold of one of Thomas’ grapes, scrunching his face as the foreign favor overwhelmed his mouth. Grunting and glaring at the grapes in Thomas’ hand. “Ah, honey, I told you that you wouldn’t like it.” Chuckling, Thomas ignored Alfred’s disapproving stare and leaned down to give Bruce a bit of his pancakes with honey. Bruce stared warily at the bit of pancake before just taking it with his mouth and swallowing without chewing. He purred and then looked up at Thomas, pouting as he silently begged for more. “Sorry baby, that’s all you’re allowed for now.”

Kate babbled as she just dropped her empty bottle on the edge, moving to start bothering Bruce. He quickly turned and hissed at her, but that didn’t stop Kate, she just made baby noises at him and, defeated, Bruce turned to tug at Thomas' pants. Martha giggled at the scene. “I can bet that he’s telling you to give Kate a piece too.” She said, napkins covering her mouth as she tried to keep the food inside her mouth as she giggled. 

“Uh, it seems that Kate it’s a spoiled princess, especially with a brother like Bruce.” Thomas sighed but leaned down to give Kate the little bit of pancake. Bruce grumbled displeased but didn’t try to snatch it from Thomas’ hand, and Kate did chew it before swallowing, probably because she was still too young.

Alfred just made a displeased sound and Thomas continued to ignore him, much to Martha’s delight.

They quickly grew bored after not being given more of Thomas’ dinner, so they just swam around, it was mostly Kate irritating Bruce, which resulted in him chasing her through the entire length of the pool, splashing minimal amounts of water on the edge; at least they didn’t shower the adults with their little game. This time.

Thomas was exhausted after overworking himself with the inhumane shift and, to top it all, having to be present at almost all the meetings of the week, Lucius refused to keep covering for him. By the time he got home Martha was already asleep and Alfred was waiting for him, tea, cigarette and lighter on the kitchen counter ready for Thomas to just grab them. 

Saying his thanks to Alfred, he walked through the hallway, following the way to the bedroom, leaving the butler to tidy the kitchen. Thomas just wanted to finish his cigarette and fall asleep at Martha’s side. It had been a hectic three months. Unable to actually process the grief of losing his son, of the guilt of refusing to just give up some dollars and Martha’s pearls. Acting like a hero at the cost of his son’s life. Gordon told him that some muggers were unpredictable and anything could happen, that it was not his fault, but Thomas knew better, if he had been more pliant and submissive in the moment, his little boy would be alive-

“Eep!” 

Thomas stops in his tracks, almost tripping with his own foot. He hadn’t realized he had gotten to the pool room.

“Hey chum, did I wake you up?” Thomas kneeled on the edge, each word puffed smoke off his mouth and nose, Bruce scrunched his nose and submerged half of his face, his gills moving as he breathed underwater. “Sorry.” His voice turned soft as he left the cigarette behind him, doing a long exhale to get most of the smoke out of his lungs. “I should’ve known you wouldn’t like the smell, my bad.” 

Bruce splashed water, Thomas had time to move, avoiding getting showered and feeling cold, his cigarette didn’t have the same luck, immediately soaking and too wet to even grab it. Sighing, Thomas turned to look at Bruce, who did look smug and pleased with himself.

“I needed that to sleep.” 

Bruce tilted his head, Thomas had thought that it meant the little boy was curious, now he really thinks it’s more like Bruce is analyzing the situation and calculating his next move. They hadn’t realized how intelligent and clever the little sirens really were.

“But I guess I can keep you company.” Disregarding how cold the water was, Thomas sat on the edge, letting his legs and pants soak in water. He ignored how uncomfortable his wet socks felt, he ignored the shiver that ran through his body and picked Bruce up, placing the boy on his lap. Because of the dark, he couldn’t see the bottom of the pool, but he was sure that Kate was already asleep, it was the only time she stopped annoying Bruce. “You’ve gotten heavier, uh? I’m sure Alfred doesn’t let you skip meals.” He chuckled.

Wet slimy little hands reached up to tug Thomas’ tie, Brue babbled as he examined the thing, cooing when he looked up. Icy blue eyes looking so innocent and trusting.

“It’s a tie, t-i-e, tie.” He spelled without much thought, everyone knew that sirens could replicate the vocals and sing simple but alluring songs, but they couldn’t talk, not like humans, more like whales and their unique songs.

“... Ie?” Bruce chirped, accidentally snapping Thomas’ attention back to him. But… It felt different to the few times an adult siren had tried to get Thomas to get near them, this felt much more like a demand to pay attention because it was important.

“Yes baby, tie.”

Bruce hummed and leaned on Thomas’ chest, wet curly hair soaking Thomas’ white shirt as Bruce snuggled closer, purring happily at the warmth of a body bigger than his. 

“Mmm… We’re sleepy, aren’t we?” Thomas chuckled and hugged his little boy, tears pooling in his eyes as he was reminded of another little boy with black hair and blue eyes, he tucked that memory deep in his heart, protected from the passage of time as he laid on his back, securing Bruce on his chest and humming softly. 

The cold water on his clothes didn’t matter as much as his little boy purring, safe and in his arms. 

Martha was barefoot, only wearing one of her more modest bikinis as she sat on the shallow end of the pool, concentrating on braiding Kate’s hair after it had gotten stuck in one of the rocky structures on the bottom of the pool. For safety, they had taken it out but Martha wanted to make sure that Kate wouldn’t lose hair by accident.

Kate was still so small and was calmly sitting on Martha’s lap, sometimes splashing water when Bruce swam near them. The little boy spent most of the time pouting and giving Alfred pleading faces, Alfred still refused to carry the boy around, Bruce was unhappy with that.

“I believe Mister Wayne has made Master Bruce spoiled, carrying him around when a siren should be in the water.” Alfred huffed, once again mopping and drying the floor around the pool, as if it wasn’t going to get wet in a few moments.

“You’re just mad because the carpet had to be replaced.” Martha said as she continued with the braid, she didn’t style her hair like this, always in a loose ponytail or just styling her curls, but she had seen other little girls with the same braids and they looked beautiful, and Kate had gorgeous hair, Martha was forced to do her little girl’s hair like this.

“Perhaps.” Alfred was still glaring at the eight year old.

“Af!” Bruce complained, more like a breath of air than a word, he had recently learned to make that sound. His tail whipped behind him, like an irritated cat, and a wave of water drenched the floor exactly where Alfred had just mopped.

Martha chuckled but she stopped paying attention to Bruce's tantrum as she finished with Kate's hair; a beautiful french braid that reached Kate's waist, red hair cascading flawlessly and shining with the sunlight. 

“No, Master Bruce, you can wait for your father to get home.”

Bruce snarled before diving down and hiding in the kelp bed. 

“See? This is Thomas’ fault.” 

Chapter Text

Thomas woke up feeling his whole body sore, wetness on his chest and his legs numb.

“Kate, please, get off.” He mumbled without opening his eyes, feeling the mischief radiating from his little girl who was still stubbornly curling on his chest. “Princess, please, I need to take a shower.” Thomas tried pleading only to get back a grunt and hiss; no .

Unfortunately for Kate, she was still small enough to be picked up, or moved at the least.

“Go bother Bruce, I have work tomorrow, I can’t sleep with you today.” Thomas tried to reassure her as she was placed in the pool. Kate grumbled unhappily and swam down, probably going to wake Bruce up to keep her entertained until she felt sleepy again.

Groaning as he felt his bones crack with each movement, Thomas stood up and started heading for the door. Glancing one last time at the whole room, massive windows that were better called glass walls, the curtains were drawn and the dark forest was in plain view alongside the cloudy sky of Gotham, the moonlight barely coming through the pollution. The actual walls of the room were without a pattern, plain and simple beige that did nothing to make it feel warmer as the cold of winter continued to creep inside the manor, the antique chandelier didn’t have a single candle, it had been too long since it had been used that it was forgotten, the place only used in summer and sunny days in spring. Tiles made the floor a simple cuadricular pattern of white and baby blue. In each corner of the room a fake tropical plant was the only decoration, the vase was in nothing more than brown ceramic. Close to the door were the table and three chairs they usually occupied to have lunch and dinner with Bruce and Kate, nothing else.

Sighing, he left the room.

Bruce managed to sit on the edge of the pool  and decided to stare at Kate, who was spinning in her place babbling to herself as she got dizzy. Bruce didn’t stop her, paying more attention to the massive windows that gave them an incredible view to the back garden and the forest that stretched infinitely. They had never known what the land actually looked like, sometimes just peeking at the grey sky of Gotham but never into the dark and cloudy city.

A little bird landed on a tree, singing to itself as it spread it’s wings. Bruce couldn’t look away, fascinated by the red feathers of the bird’s chest, even if the rest of it was brown and grey, the vivid red was eye catching and Bruce made a coo.

With mischief in her face, Kate flicked her tail and shoved a distracted Bruce a good three meters away from the pool.

Snarling, Bruce turned to glare at her and then to look to the window, only to find the little bird gone.

“Annoying.” Hissing at Kate, he crawled back to the pool, the tiles made it difficult to have a solid direction while it helped his tail to slide easily. Being out of the water was bothersome but getting back was the actual nightmare. 

Giggling, Kate swam down to hide.

“Annoying baby .” Bruce called after her as he got back into the water and calmly swimming to Kate’s hiding place, he didn’t need to search for her, he could see her fins even from the surface. “Bad at hiding.” He mocked as he came face to face with her. Kate only grumbled before just swimming out of the decorative cave, not an actual good hiding place but one of the few places they fitted. 

The sudden silence around them felt suffocating, they were constantly alone with each other and there was little to do around, aside from chasing the small fishes that existed with them, the little things were a good entertainment and snack. Still, it was lonely.

They used to be part of a big pod, colorful darkness that was feared in the depths of the sea and that constantly increased in numbers as they came across orphans through their travels. It also made any baby and toddler incredibly spoiled as they had a massive amount of podmates, none usually named themselves the parents of the orphan they came across, that happened by accident. Because of their tendency for adoption, very little puppies were born into their pod; Bruce was a welcomed surprise and Kate was actually planned, but both were extremely loved.

It was good, until humans started to hunt them.

At first, the danger was only for those who ventured too close to land and went above the surface, those who could be spotted by anyone and weren’t careful and let it show what they were. And at first, their pod was fine, they stayed away from Gotham, swimming down and hiding from the boats. Then, greed took over the humans and they were the ones who went into the waters, searching relentlessly for sirens to pluck their scales and rip their fins, to eat their flesh and steal their hair. 

Little by little, the biggest pod of the sea was reduced to four, and now, only two.

It was not that Bruce didn’t like these humans, they were fed by them, cuddled and played with them, it was just… It was weird being protected and, at least Bruce thought, loved by humans. Since he was born, he could remember their podmates referring to humans as either food or danger, at first he didn’t understand how both things could be true. He understood now.

And Bruce was still worried, he wouldn’t tell Kate, but he was scared that the humans would turn around and become as hostile as he knew they could be. If anything, he was testing them, and as of the moment, they were safe.

There was also this little thing about Bruce liking being spoiled, but that was something he will never admit. He always ignored Kate’s accusing glare each time Thomas kneeled to lift and carry him around, or when Martha sat on the shallow water and talked to him even when they didn’t understand each other, or when he cried and called for Alfred to stay with them.

(And Alfred stayed, even when it was obvious he didn’t like them, Alfred stayed and listened to Bruce babbling while Kate glanced curiously at the man, because she couldn’t talk, not yet.)

Of course that Kate wasn’t too different, constantly begging Martha to do her hair, most nights keeping Thomas hostage to sleep on top of him, crying to Alfred to be held while she eats, even if the man only pats her head and stays there by her side. 

(And if Bruce held her the few times when Alfred didn’t stay, nobody had to know.)

Sometimes Bruce, and he could admit it, would allow himself to lower his guard with them, because they hadn’t been bad, the fear didn’t go away, but maybe, just for a little longer, he wanted to live in this little fantasy of being happy and safe with a family.

If he was quite honest, Harvey never liked galas. 

Sure, socializing was good for a kid his age, his dad usually said, and getting to know who could be of use in the future was more than needed, his mom said. But Harvey hated how intense the attention from the elite of Gotham laid on him, and if it wasn't for the tragedy that occurred months ago, Harvey would have been meeting Thomas Jr. Wayne, instead he was standing at the edge of a very dark pool, it didn't have a single light on the bottom like others he had seen throughout his life, and it didn't have any railing or sign that prevented someone from falling. 

The calm of the water made it look like solid floor, maybe just black tiles. 

Harvey wasn't sure how long he stared at the water until something emerged, delicately breaking the surface like a silk veil falling and uncovering a face. The light of the chandeliers made the beautiful scales of the siren shine, little pecks of dark colors like purple and blue but also pitch black, and if he could inspect closer, he would've noticed that the little dots that looked like glitter were actually white dots on the scales. Bright blue eyes that shined on their own were looking at him, seeing him with such attention that it seemed like there was nothing else, was this dark beautiful creature only interested in him?

With wide eyes, Harvey stepped closer. 

And closer, closer, closer, and a little closer Harvey… 

The water didn't feel cold. 

Thomas had looked away for a second, just one. He just needed to check that his tie was straight and when he looked up a child had fallen into the pool. He knew it was a bad idea to rent a venue that had an indoor pool.

Nobody seemed to notice that the Dent boy had just fallen, some just glanced and brushed it off as a kid being just a brat that didn’t know how to behave. The parents weren’t even in sight.

With adrenaline making his heart hammer in his ribcage, Thomas rushed to the edge of the pool, dropping his champagne somewhere in his path. That zone didn’t have light, there were a few candles at the back but the flames were dying and the dim light wasn’t enough to allow eyes to see more than the water’s surface. 

“Bruce?” Quietly while as loud as possible Thomas called for his son, praying that Bruce didn’t suddenly develop an urgent desire to eat human flesh. “Brucie? Baby? Please come here?” He started to regret not bringing Kate too, but she still was too young and Bruce hadn’t wanted to let go of Martha’s skirt. Where was his wife?

First of all, Harvey barely knew how to swim, Gotham didn’t have many public pools, and the schools didn’t prioritize natation in their curriculums, so really the fact that he was sinking to the bottom was the world’s fault and not his. Second, he wouldn’t mind drowning, there right in front of him was the prettiest living being he had ever seen, even with the seemingly glowing pale blue eyes. And third and final, Harvey really should’ve asked what the boy’s name is, maybe the pretty siren could help him swim up? But it would be rude to just ask without having a name to call.

The pool wasn’t deep, he quickly realized as his back hit the bottom, air rushing out of his lungs and water burning his nose as he tried to keep it out. Harvey tried to blink in an attempt to get used to be under water and only being able to see the blurry outline of the precious being in front of him, the darkness doing little to hide the glint of the scales and those bright soft yellow fins, the eyes still seemed to glow in their own iridescent and pale blue. 

Harvey's body spasmed as he tried to not breath water, it burned his nose, his throat, his lungs and made his entire body violently shudder as he started to drown, eyes closing slowly, the majestic silhouette branded on the back of his eyelids. 

If he could say his side, Bruce would defend vehemently that it wasn't intentionally and it could be completely archived as an accident. The intention was never to lure the kid inside the water, Bruce just wanted to see him! 

Bubbles of air tickled his face and he looked down, the kid's face slowly contorting in pain and the telltale of drowning set as the body spasmed in pain and desperation. 

Bruce could hear Father Thomas calling him up, but he couldn't get his eyes away from the kid, something weighed him down and forced him to pay attention to the kid's expression. Then he saw the last of air bubbling up. 

Without being careful he swam down, accidentally smacking his tail on the plain bottom, and haphazardly grabbed the boy's waist, leaning the head against his shoulder, uncaring that his gills were blocked on that side, he could breathe just fine. Bruce forced himself to drag the unconscious kid up. 

It wasn't that deep but it was enough that Bruce struggled holding the limp body with the fear of dropping the boy. 

He looked up and noted how it was getting clearer, lights had been turned on right on top of the water and a cacophony of voices were waiting just outside the surface. It didn't take long before Bruce saw Thomas’ hands intruding in the water and just taking the boy from Bruce's arms. He was already swimming out, rude! 

Breaking the surface, the muffled voices became loud and annoying as women screamed and shouted, men were arguing between themselves and with themselves, and Bruce didn't understand why Martha was obstructing his vision, he wanted to see the other boy!

“ Eep ?” Bruce made a move to sit on the edge and call for Thomas’ attention as he didn't like being ignored, especially not by those that were more than definitely his. However, as he tried to pull his upper body out of the water he was pushed down, albeit very gently, by Martha as the commotion continued, the sound reverberating through the room and making him want to submerge back, but he needed to see the kid!

“Not now, dear, just wait a little bit.” Martha was trying to soothe him, but Bruce was still stubbornly climbing out and now was using her as a his support, and he could see just above her shoulder because Bruce wasn’t a brat and didn’t want to pull her down into the water so he resigned himself with peeking, his eyes barely visible above Martha’s shoulder. The sound of someone gasping for air was very audible and Bruce worried, was the kid alright? What was happening? The only person he could see clearly was Thomas from the back, hunched over a smaller figure that was dwarfed by the man’s frame, another man kneeling in front of Thomas just as more yelling started, this time from the unfamiliar man. Well, not very unfamiliar, Bruce realized as he saw the features of the man, a much older version of the face he just met, anger contorting it as those green eyes landed on him, they were lighter than the ones he met, but so similar that Bruce visibly flinched.

Just as the man stomped closer, he decided not to test fate and dove down, intending to stay at the bottom until it was time to go, that if Martha and Thomas decided they still wanted him. 

Martha yelped as the water splashed her face, just having time to blink before the man was kneeling down next to her. For a moment, Bruce considered just lunging at the man to keep him away from Martha, but the thought quickly vanished as it became obvious that Martha wasn’t in any type of danger. So, it was Bruce who was in danger, but that wasn’t bad, Bruce could protect himself pretty good (unless some hunter showed up, but that seemed unlikely).

“Mr. Dent, be rational!” Bruce heard through the chorus of yells just before another unknown man started holding back Mr. Dent (That was the man’s name, right?), though, Mr. Dent looked very angry at that, thrashing as he kept trying to dive inside the pool. Bruce was very alarmed, why was this man trying to get inside his pool? The kid, fine, Bruce knew human kids were stupid and clumsy, but this grown human? Why couldn’t they leave his (his!) pool alone? 

Thomas, at the moment, knew two things.

One, Harvey Dent had fallen into the pool, Bruce had gotten the kid out, and said kid was very disoriented as he looked up at Thomas waiting for an explanation. And two, Harvey’s father was still trying to get into the pool to strangle a little siren boy, and said siren is Thomas’ baby. 

So, Thomas has a rational and very well planned solution.

“Fuck off, Dent!” 

Both men ended up inside the pool, and Bruce actually swimmed out, jumping at Martha’s arms as soon as he reached the surface. Thomas didn’t see that, Thomas was busy trying to strangle Mr. Dent because the man almost pushed his wife and wanted to hurt his son. And Thomas would have succeeded if not because Alfred (Alfred!) jumped into the pool to pull him away, though leaving Mr. Dent to fend for himself.

Thomas didn’t regret it.

Martha was still trying to stifle her chuckles as she, with a lot of difficulty, carried Bruce away from the fight, the venue had been rented and their limousine had been altered to accommodate for a water container instead of a trunk, not that if was noticeable from the outside, it was polarized so Bruce could see outside but the people outside couldn’t look at Bruce, which was for the better. Now, Martha was trying to walk between the crowd around them, but people kept unsubtly closing her way, and she could hear Mr. Dent’s loud arguing nearing her. Martha could also hear her husband’s threats of maiming the man if he came any closer to Martha, sweet but not the moment Thomas!

Bruce’s little fists were tightly holding onto her back and his arms around her ribs, his scrunched face pressed on her shoulder as Martha kept trying to hold his tail and not touch his fins, not doing a great job because he was obviously uncomfortable.

“Get the fuck out of my way Linda.” Martha cussed in a whisper as she pushed past Linda Kane, her distant cousin and definitely a bitch, the (dyed) blond woman didn’t move and acted clueless while stepping right in front of Martha again. 

If it wasn’t because Alfred stepped in to give her the space to walk out, then Martha would have asked Bruce to tear Linda’s face apart. It wasn’t a bad idea, now that she thought about it.

“ Ma? ” Bruce cooed right in her ear, and if it wasn’t because Martha was carrying him, she would have fainted.

There was a lot of silence.

“Repeat that, sweetheart?” 

“ Ma! ” Bruce cooed again, louder and pushing himself in her arms to eye level, a shy smile on his face.

“Alfred, I’m going to faint.”

“You had to say your first word here, didn’t you?” Alfred sighed.