The next day, Avery drove Alfred to the airport, where the butler, who had spent years raising two children, was finally ready to retire and step away from his responsibilities. Alfred had adapted quickly to his new, leisurely lifestyle, yet there was still one lingering concern: Bruce.
He wished Bruce would stop putting himself in danger as a vigilante, but it was clear that no one, not even Alfred, could change his mind.
Thankfully, there was Avery.
Just before boarding his flight, Alfred placed a hand on Avery's shoulder. He had always worried about the two boys back home and felt the urge to give some final words of advice. But seeing how much better Avery managed things than he had at that age, he realized there was little left to say. The manor was running smoothly, and Avery was an excellent support for Batman on his night patrols. There was no need for additional instructions.
It was hard to tell if Alfred's feelings were more of comfort or worry. Comfort, because his son excelled at everything he did. Worry, because as much as he knew his son, Alfred was well aware of how long-term exposure to Gotham's darkness could affect a person. Deep down, he feared that, with just one wrong step, Avery might stir up something far bigger than anyone could anticipate.
No one can predict when a sleeping lion might suddenly wake and strike.
Still, the old butler quickly brushed those worries aside. He patted Avery's strong shoulder with a warm smile and said, "Take care of yourself—and Master Bruce."
"Don't worry. I don't need reminding to do that," Avery replied confidently.
Alfred nodded, then cast a glance at a sleek, black car parked nearby. The windows were tinted, making it impossible to see who was inside. Though Alfred saw nothing, he had a sense that someone was watching. Without saying a word, the old butler turned around and walked toward the boarding gate.
As Avery watched his father's figure disappear into the crowd, his face remained calm. He turned back and approached the black car, opening the door. Inside sat Bruce Wayne. Perhaps, to avoid being recognized and causing a scene, Bruce had chosen to stay in the car, silently seeing off the man he treated like a father.
The two rode in silence as the car made its way back to Wayne Manor. The grand estate, which normally housed just three people, now felt emptier than ever with one person gone. A strange sense of loneliness crept over them, but before Bruce could dwell on it, something unexpected happened. A small head popped up from behind the wall bordering the property.
It was a young boy with dark hair and bright blue eyes, holding something in his hand. His innocent, cherubic face made him look even younger.
Before Bruce could ask who this child was, Avery spoke up, recognizing him instantly. "Master Tim, what are you doing up there? Come down! That's dangerous."
Bruce, suddenly realizing, recalled Avery had once mentioned the family next door, the Drakes, and their young son. The boy's father, Jack Drake, was the head of Drake Industries.
Hearing Avery's voice, little Timothy didn't seem scared. Instead, he flashed a wide, childlike grin. "I'm just getting my bamboo dragonfly," he said, still clutching the toy.
With a shy smile, he raised the small toy he had just retrieved from the wall, like a victorious goddess, and said, "Daddy's catching me from below."
Just as he finished speaking, the boy's father appeared, peeking over the wall as well.
To be honest, this wasn't exactly dignified behavior for a wealthy man—after all, what kind of billionaire climbs over his neighbor's wall? But as a father, it was a heartwarming scene. Jack Drake was one of the rare few people among Gotham's wealthy who maintained a happy and harmonious family, never indulging in scandalous affairs.
Avery couldn't help but glance at Bruce, who stood beside him. Sure enough, Bruce's eyes had an unfocused, distant look, as if lost in memories.
Childhood scars take a lifetime to heal, and not even Gotham's Dark Knight is an exception.
Avery sighed internally.
In an effort to ease the awkward silence, he struck up a conversation with the Drakes. As he chatted, Avery reflected on how much a peaceful life can change a person. He had never been so socially adept before. Back then, if he ended a conversation with a few blunt words, others would step in awkwardly to smooth things over. Now, he was the one keeping the conversation going.
But as the chat progressed, Avery began to feel a bit overwhelmed. Not because he was bad at conversation, but because he was just a butler. His master, Bruce, had yet to say a single word, leaving Avery to carry the entire conversation. It was starting to feel inappropriate, and Jack Drake's expression was slowly becoming more puzzled.
Was Bruce really this distracted? Just as Avery considered nudging him to snap him out of it, Bruce finally spoke up after what felt like an eternity: "The Haly's Circus? You got tickets for tonight too?"
"Mr. Wayne is going to see the circus? What a coincidence!" Jack Drake was surprised. He instinctively went to pat a table in excitement, only to realize his hand was on the cold, hard wall, not his own furniture.
Awkwardly pulling his hand back, Jack turned to face Bruce across the yard, and with a gracious smile, extended an invitation: "Why don't we all head to the circus together?"
Any businessman meeting a potential partner like Bruce Wayne would naturally jump at the opportunity to make a relationship.
Bruce had no reason to refuse, and so, the two men quickly agreed to attend the circus together.
Meanwhile, young Tim Drake was blissfully unaware of the adults' conversation, still fully engrossed in playing with his bamboo dragonfly.
One day in the future, when the chattering Robins would gather for their tea-time conversations, and it came time for Red Robin to introduce how he first met Batman, Tim would calmly say, "I met him while standing on a wall." His statement would undoubtedly be met with a round of laughter.