Bruce is silent for a long moment, and perfectly still. She's expecting censure. But more than that-- in that moment, Bruce realizes that something has changed about their relationship. In a way they've taken a step back.
When Stephanie slapped him in the parking garage, it was... her way of telling him that she was fed up with the way he operated, that she wasn't doing this for his approval any longer, that she didn't need it or his help to stand on her own two feet. And it was true. She'd... remade herself. Yes, Barbara had helped, and Cassandra as well but that just made it easier for her.
Stephanie, he thinks as he studies her intently, would have found another way regardless. That's what she does. That's one of the things that's always made him so afraid for her. It's one of the things that makes her a Robin.
But the way she's acting now... it's as if his opinion matters to her again. Did it never cease doing so, or have the circumstances of the last few months brought it back? It's a strange thought and Bruce briefly has no idea what to do about it. How to react. How to act, period.
He's a leader. As long as he's been Batman, people have wanted to follow him. Because he can make the difficult choices when he has to. Because - to them - he never hesitates, never second-guesses himself, never wears his indecision on his sleeve. He simply decides, and acts.
A gift, Rogers called it.
It's both less than that and infinitely more.
"You did the right thing. Even if it's a trap, we can never take the chance that we might be leaving someone to die. That's why it's so effective, Stephanie. I'm proud of you."
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When Stephanie slapped him in the parking garage, it was... her way of telling him that she was fed up with the way he operated, that she wasn't doing this for his approval any longer, that she didn't need it or his help to stand on her own two feet. And it was true. She'd... remade herself. Yes, Barbara had helped, and Cassandra as well but that just made it easier for her.
Stephanie, he thinks as he studies her intently, would have found another way regardless. That's what she does. That's one of the things that's always made him so afraid for her. It's one of the things that makes her a Robin.
But the way she's acting now... it's as if his opinion matters to her again. Did it never cease doing so, or have the circumstances of the last few months brought it back? It's a strange thought and Bruce briefly has no idea what to do about it. How to react. How to act, period.
He's a leader. As long as he's been Batman, people have wanted to follow him. Because he can make the difficult choices when he has to. Because - to them - he never hesitates, never second-guesses himself, never wears his indecision on his sleeve. He simply decides, and acts.
A gift, Rogers called it.
It's both less than that and infinitely more.
"You did the right thing. Even if it's a trap, we can never take the chance that we might be leaving someone to die. That's why it's so effective, Stephanie. I'm proud of you."