One couldn't blame him, though; he was still just a child, and these devices were indeed complex. Even for an adult, operating them skillfully would require time and training.
"You've got a lot to learn," Avery remarked in an even tone, his usual polite smile absent. However, to Dick, this serious demeanor felt somehow more genuine. Ordinarily, Avery's friendliness was coupled with a subtle air of distance, making those sensitive to it feel hesitant to approach him.
"Did you and Bruce have a fight or something today?"
Curiosity got the better of Dick, and after a moment's hesitation, he couldn't help but ask.
Avery paused, and in a dark alley where he'd just knocked out a gang member, Batman froze too.
Dick hadn't realized their conversation was being relayed in real time to Batman, who was out on patrol, and he continued waiting eagerly for an answer.
After a moment's hesitation, Avery decided not to deny Dick the satisfaction of a response. In the time they'd spent together, he'd come to appreciate the boy.
With a sigh, Avery replied, "Because he's too calculating."
Batman, now openly slandered: "…"
Seeing Dick's look of astonishment, Avery slowly continued, "He's got a cabinet full of vaccines, but he pretended they were out, dragging this on for ten whole days."
He added with a dry laugh, "Funny how he never takes that long to deal with a villain."
Immediately, Dick's expression turned indignant. "You're right! That's way too underhanded!"
Batman, thoroughly betrayed by his own butler: "…"
Before heading out, he should have known Avery would have his revenge; he just didn't expect it would come so quickly.
Still...
A small smile played at Batman's lips. In its own way, this kind of "payback" was rather endearing, wasn't it? Avery's refusal to retaliate in any truly hurtful way and instead choosing this harmless outlet showed he cared, even if it was mixed with a bit of frustration.
Maybe he'd pushed Avery too hard.
Reflecting on Avery's comment about how he'd "never really told him anything," and on Alfred's earlier advice, the Dark Knight, for once, found himself rethinking his own actions.
Meanwhile, a group of criminals lay groaning on the ground after Batman's takedown, staring in bewilderment at the sight of the Dark Knight emanating an inexplicable pinkish aura.
The next day, rumors of "Batman in love" spread like wildfire among Gotham's underworld, with some scoffing in disbelief, while others eagerly joined in on the gossip.
Even Catwoman, who originally had her sights set on Batman, was bitterly disappointed to hear the news.
But "fun" moments like these are often short-lived. Before Bruce and Avery could have the open-heart conversation they both needed, a cascade of incidents soon sent their relationship into a deep chill.
The catalyst? A ruthless counterattack from Gotham's power-hungry elites.
...
Since he'd chosen to stand on the side of justice, Harvey Dent knew he had to be ready for retaliation at any moment. In Gotham, it was simply unavoidable, even though Batman had promised to protect him.
Harvey thought he was prepared, especially after the ordeal of being kidnapped, but when an enraged Maroni threw a bottle of colorless liquid at him, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of fear.
One could easily guess what kind of liquid someone would use for revenge. Harvey knew he had little chance to dodge—it was too close. He managed to turn his face slightly, hoping to shield it, but he knew the other half of his face was still exposed.
It all happened in an instant. As he instinctively closed his eyes and braced for impact, he was surprised when the expected searing pain didn't come.
Perhaps he was lucky.
"What?! How is this possible?" Maroni's outraged voice rang out. Harvey carefully opened his eyes, stunned to see that all the liquid had landed just a short distance in front of him, forming a perfect line on the floor as if something invisible had stopped it in mid-air.
"Harvey!"
"District Attorney Dent!"
"Get him under control!"
Voices clamored around him—judges, witnesses, and the security officers on duty. Maroni, who had attacked him, was swiftly restrained and handcuffed, and several people rushed over to check on Harvey's safety. For once, there was a flicker of human decency in Gotham.
Harvey, regaining his composure, was unmoved. At the moment Maroni had thrown the liquid, he had felt something warm against his side pocket. He hadn't had time to think then, but now he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bat-shaped throwing blade with outstretched wings.
Memories from months ago flashed before him. Batman had given him this bat-shaped batarang, along with a handgun for self-defense, after rescuing him from a kidnapping by the Joker. Fortunately, he'd never had to use either.
Later, when he and Batman established a partnership through Gordon, Harvey had started carrying the batarang as a symbol of their alliance.
Today, it had saved him.
Thinking back on the scene where the liquid had seemed to be stopped by some unseen force, Harvey found himself deep in thought.
—Perhaps Batman really was some sort of mythical bat spirit.
"When I met with Harvey today, he actually thanked me."
The gentle rustling of bats hanging from the cave's ceiling accompanied Avery as he carefully dabbed disinfectant on Batman's still-bleeding wound, using medical tweezers to press a cotton ball to the cut.
The ever-resourceful Alfred had stocked the Batcave with an entire cabinet of quick-recovery potions, but Batman rarely used them unless his injuries were severe.
In his own words, enduring pain was a way of strengthening his will. To rely on healing potions for every wound would only make him weaker over time.
Avery, hearing this, hadn't argued. Besides his usual cutting remarks about Batman bringing the suffering upon himself, he simply went along with Batman's wishes as always.
For Batman, Avery's magical potions were already a significant improvement. Thanks to Avery's treatments, he had avoided numerous injuries that could have led to lasting pain. The spot on his lower leg, once reinforced with metal pins after a break, was now perfectly healed. He no longer suffered from rejection reactions or intense pain, a relief that helped him greatly.
Being a vigilante came at a cost.