Next up was Alfred.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTlbyX2ODS
The atmosphere immediately steadied.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlU9qyD2ug
Alfred was always the buffer—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJZpKP5lGs
Even when facing a purple-tentacled girl capable of pinching cheeks and conjuring interdimensional pouches,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTyNqEPyGC
he remained calm as ever, walking forward as if attending a family dinner.
“Miss Claire. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BwZOc6Rv2
His voice was gentle, laced with genuine warmth and respect.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XX22TdVqV
Not just polite words—but heartfelt welcome.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0NK3DS3Sz
He gave a small bow, the kind reserved for a child returning home.
Claire’s tendril reached out and shook his hand.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeA9IMv6nB
It was a quiet, impossibly soft gesture—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjOmwe0H4F
not the sudden cheek-pinching from earlier, but a careful mimicry of a handshake,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8IRq0eXkx2
polite yet warm.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1kxBsbc7R
The tendril looped lightly around Alfred’s palm, brushed it like a feather, and withdrew.
“I do hope you’ll try some of my cookies,” Alfred said kindly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7V42CghUh0
“I believe you’ll enjoy them.”
There was a gentle smile in his eyes.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ZpEYupfnI
To him, cookies were never just food—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mNX3nkgLn
they were extensions of home,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1Q8nQoSsg
symbols of safety.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96PuQ7iIRA
No one was truly part of the family until they’d tasted his baking.
Especially the walnut chocolate ones, he thought silently.
Claire nodded.
No words, no overt expressions.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9syGdgAO5v
Just a simple nod—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfroqhM2ZGd
but Alfred understood.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwQY8ItVFF
It was trust.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oeWkcFdbU
And that was enough.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Qsc5hbsL8
He stepped back without another word, passing the moment to the next.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLr50iNAQ0x
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE8YclzTzJ
Next came the ladies of the vigilante team.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuzVzR2iPY
They lined up, one by one.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLgj7fwAwD
Some were cautious, some curious.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtchTgYXTn6
A few silently debated whether to dodge any tentacle contact.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HT94TmyGr
But some smiled—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp12DAdBZb3
their eyes held quiet encouragement.
They knew.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTaUzpNfWF
For Claire,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzTaBnMaiC
this kind of contact might be the only bridge left to rebuild her connection with others.
Claire nodded to each of them,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOVs8wr9Ib
and gave every woman a purple flower.
The flowers formed slowly in mid-air—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqEIKPMmqKd
like crystalline blooms made of light and thread.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfQPQQqJwt
Each was unique—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacqaYMbHU9
some resembled roses, others poppies—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRrCSfVWco
all glowing softly with bioluminescent shimmer136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHrgZ8j9jlK
as they were passed forward with gentle tendrils.
She didn’t speak much.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKOmb91iYE
Just nodded,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGCfXqWwTS
offering each flower with a silent Claire-style message:136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9wI6sJfOb
“I remember you.”
Predictably, Batman confiscated every single one for testing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIizhFI3h4
Before any of the flowers could even be properly held,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEAto14lfXe
they entered what the team started calling the "Black Cape Emergency Confiscation Protocol."
Batman, like a world champion whack-a-mole player,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu9x3lXnKrp
appeared every time a tendril reached out.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUP0XVAgkIp
Perfect timing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5TJN5E537
No misses.
“We need to understand their structure, energy source, and parasitic potential,”136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4OMaAfI9FQ
he stated in his usual, non-negotiable tone.
Everyone understood—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjIqGtb6uD
but that didn’t stop the growing “Is this guy for real?” look spreading across every face.
Next was Leila, holding her newborn.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQ8YC6iVg2
She stepped forward cautiously.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf2ZQWDw1f
In her arms was a tightly wrapped bundle of new life—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSpd5i2i65
cheeks still red, like a freshly ripened apple.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuQgxwyGPl
She knew Claire was different.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tfLgPTTZ3
So she approached slowly, without pressure.
Leila held out a small card.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqhibWzi6T
It was handwritten—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvmx8Ye998
neat lettering, edges decorated with soft pink washi tape.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OAq78OwXS
Leila understood Claire might still struggle with spoken words,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnH2ryQ1QWl
so she chose a form that would deliver the message gently, at Claire’s pace.
Claire accepted it with a tendril, raising it to her right eye.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNc4FJD3aVC
Her left was bandaged—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA04Uk3kvKg
the artificial eye not yet complete.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvrRROW77bQ
Her movements were unusually solemn,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr6EugjTU6X
as if this were a ritual.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOekifi7UTq
The tendril lifted the card with delicate precision,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvdruoK8VP
bringing it close to her remaining eye.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYZ8N39Lvf
The imbalance of that gaze, one side covered,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2UYLzEYWv
carried a quiet ache all on its own.
She read slowly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScrvt5pT0B
As if every word needed to be absorbed again and again.
The card said:136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGwHq6Jy1G
“I’m Leila. This is my newborn child.”
The message was simple, the tone sincere.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5qarHr0fT
For Claire, those few words were like a soft curtain being drawn—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhJN3cw269
letting in the light of a long-forgotten memory.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOr8CfCJzXh
Her eye trembled.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosIix6TZoj
Just slightly.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoeJpcT8bP
As if something inside had just begun to thaw.
Claire lowered the card and looked at the baby.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzbajg3uz2
She even crouched down—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26hJ1uEHNt
an uncommon seriousness in her posture.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJNCend1Lt
Even her nearby tendrils seemed to quiet themselves,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh74t7OX7Pf
as though careful not to make a sound and disturb the child.
She wasn’t scanning.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7McZI88zJ
She wasn’t observing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkvUwMxQGJF
She was seeing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ7olEBdtPO
Not with curiosity,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv48xBekeby
but with a deep, instinctual attention.
The tendrils fell silent—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjjw2CmYxy
not by her control,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnIMDtUsn8m
but as if they too understood136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5vC4Zd6FL
this was a moment that required stillness.
The tiny baby slept with eyes closed,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndNWv7ktQN
moving only now and then with soft, involuntary twitches.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvdyJEuE8l
Little dream ripples,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnbhYa10JM
unique to newborns.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzxnipyDctD
Claire’s gaze followed those small movements,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPf0sAAHgj7
entranced.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOvo4odLc6l
As if memorizing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6kvCi90JM
As if trying to confirm something only she could understand.
Leila smiled.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFONS43S9Mq
Claire really did seem to like children.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA7konkp3T
She didn’t say it aloud—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG8MsLHYB19
but her expression said enough.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCspFEDG9H
It was the smile of a new mother,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOJBAxxrtR
soft and intuitive.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmPCMXrfHf
And something else—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMfi1DvObg
a quiet forgiveness,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHhiJRJCTp
offered to the girl who had once been lost.
In her heart, she whispered:136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT2EE5erK0
“You’re still the Claire who crouches down and watches new life in silence.”
Claire, after a long while, gave the child a purple bell.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpD74w7zvY
It wasn’t fancy.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8jvLkQIiG
Just a small, glowing purple bell—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡok53aHwHwe
its surface slightly uneven, as if handmade.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPHuMK6Cuw
A tendril gently placed it atop the baby’s blanket,136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu25AEhwSiZ
right where a mother could see it at a glance.
It was a blessing.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAsFm9KMTi
Even if no one could quite say what it meant.
Batman immediately took it away.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2Hpxk9yVI
Everyone stared.
His movement was as swift and clean as ever.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8c3dNmrkqR
A hand reached out—136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlTW6uidcM
and the bell vanished.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXfRYpNsbq
But this time, it wasn’t a pouch or a flower.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBvIpw1vQ1
It was a gift for the baby.
The entire Batcave fell into a brief silence.
Not just the women.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopnnmEBuOx
Even the usually obedient men136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2vPrd4IJA
cast skeptical glances his way.
That was your grandchild’s first gift.
No one said it.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7KMNYQcEf
But it echoed in everyone’s mind.
Damian clenched his teeth.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWJla8IRFf
Tim raised a brow.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC28P39r93p
Jason rolled his eyes so hard they practically made a sound.
Leila didn’t say anything.136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLnGgIANy3
She simply tightened the blanket,pulling the baby a little closer to her chest.
136Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t1MsLvrzO
and then Add to home screen.