He could answer the statement with equal flippancy, but instead he chooses to just return that look levelly. Bruce knows that he hasn't always been there for the bevy of children under his wing. There have been times when he would much rather run away than see them hurt and healing. It's long been something he can barely stand.

Some instances have been worse than others. Seeing Dick after he nearly killed him while endowed with Clark's abilities-- seeing Stephanie after Black Mask. And hearing, just hearing about what Talia had done to Damian.

He's been a man that puts the mission before the people on the ground. He knows in some way he'll always be that man. But there is nothing urgent or pressing here, nothing dragging him back. So for the time being, he doesn't mind.

"You'd be better off asking about Batman," he says finally, at length. A joke.