That evening, the orphanage enjoyed a much more lavish dinner than usual.
Before the al, the Director specifically announced that the dinner was a generous gift from Mr. Wayne—in short, the rich man was treating.
Theodore sat on the long bench in the dining hall, contentedly savoring the wonderful combination of lamb chops and hot cocoa.
He reluctantly poured the last drop of cocoa from the bottom of his cup into his mouth, half-closing his eyes in lazy contentnt, feeling for the first ti that Wayne's visit wasn't entirely without benefits.
To fulfill their charitable obligations, the wealthy would at least put on a show.
And whenever that happened, the orphans could briefly enjoy an improved life.
Theodore was very satisfied with the al, and a faint smile lingered on his face even as he left the dining hall.
Then, Annie, the girl from the next room, poked her bright red head in again.
"Hey, Theodore, the Director wants to see you in her office."
Theodore put down his schoolbag. "? Are you sure it's ?"
"Who else?" Annie looked at him with an expression that said, "Are you out of your mind?"
"You need to hurry, Theodore. You didn't co down when I called you at noon, and I got scolded because of you."
"…"
Theodore nodded silently, the smile having vanished from his lips at so point.
The orphanage was understaffed; everyone worked as two or three people.
For these orphans, being fed, clothed, and growing up well was the greatest luxury they could hope for in Gotham; few had the energy to focus on their ntal health.
The Director was busy every day: securing sponsorships, reviewing weekly bills, drafting docunts to be submitted…
So, she generally didn't call children in for heart-to-heart talks.
Unless the child had committed a serious error, or there was so very important news for the child themselves.
Given that he had just provoked Wayne at noon, Theodore felt the answer was likely the forr.
Thinking about it carefully, a rich old man with eyes in the sky, feeling his dignity slighted, hinting to the person in charge to teach the ignorant young rascal a lesson…
It was highly probable.
This perfectly matched Theodore's stereotype of them.
Alright, so it would be copying sentences, no dinner for a month, or solitary confinent.
Theodore was prepared to endure these.
But for so reason, from the mont he stepped onto the stairs, a bad feeling, like scorched corn tortillas, with black, charcoal-like smoke, kept rising from his chest.
When Theodore stepped through the Director's office door, this stern woman gave Theodore the brightest smile he had ever seen since he first t her.
The premonition arrived before reality.
The Director's lips had just begun to open and close, but Theodore already felt a shiver down his spine.
"Congratulations, child. Mr. Wayne appreciates your self-reliant spirit, and he has decided to adopt you!"
"What?!" Theodore exclaid in shock.
"Mr. Wayne, he's the kind gentleman who ca to see you all at noon today." The Director, thinking he was overwheld, patiently repeated her words, "Mr. Wayne has decided to adopt you. You are about to embark on a completely different path in life, child."
—Fuck Wayne!
Theodore was indeed about to embark on a completely different path in life.
Damn it, wasn't this clearly repeating history!!!
The hot cocoa he had drunk that evening all turned into cold sweat, stabbing his stomach lining like knives.
Theodore stumbled back three steps in shock, unable to believe what Bruce Wayne was thinking.
He had already said such harsh words at noon today, but this rich man still insisted on adopting him?
How many days had Wayne been abstinent? What kind of pure white thoughts were filling his brain?
Or, without Theodore knowing, had a genetic mutation occurred worldwide, making him the only remaining black-haired, blue-eyed little boy?
The Director looked at him with loving pity.
"Look at you, so happy you can't speak."
Theodore wiped his face.
"I am speechless, Director."
He cald his emotions. "When is this happening? I an, when does Wayne plan to pick up?"
"It's 'Mr. Wayne,' it's not polite to be rude to your benefactor."
The Director habitually lectured him before saying, "Mr. Wayne wants to pick you up tomorrow. You have one night to pack your things, say goodbye to your friends, and so on."
"That's great, thank you, I understand."
What the Director said: You have one night to pack your things.
What Theodore heard: You have one night to escape.
Run, of course, he had to run.
If he didn't run now, he would be packed by Wayne and stuffed into that luxurious Manor, becoming like the countless abused little boys of the past!
What Theodore couldn't figure out was why Wayne ultimately chose to adopt him.
Had he not acted dangerous enough?
He was practically ready to pull out a butterfly knife on the spot and perform a masterful castration technique for Wayne; how much more dangerous could he be?!!!
anwhile, unbeknownst to Theodore, Batman and Robin were having a conversation.
"I'm going to adopt Theodore."
The mont this topic was thrown out, Tim's movents paused as if in a stop-motion animation.
"Bruce, don't tell your 'going to adopt' actually ans 'already decided'?"
Batman said nothing.
Batman gave him a mont of silence, letting him understand for himself.
"I understand."
Tim exhaled, with a helpless calm, and turned his swivel chair around.
"Then I assu… if Alfred prepares to offer an opinion, like there's so magic in this house, and black-haired, blue-eyed little boys seem to undergo a slight fission, growing into four in the blink of an eye… you must have prepared your corresponding explanation too?"
"That statent is not accurate."
Bruce glanced at Tim, his steel-blue eyes like waves on the ocean, a hint of teasing amusent rippling through them.
"After all, sotis little boys don't undergo slight fission; they deliver themselves to your doorstep."
Tim, the little boy who delivered himself to the doorstep: "…"
Well done, Bruce.
You'd better be careful at dinner tonight; Alfred is sure to add double broccoli to your plate.
"Just to be clear, I have no objections to Theodore."
Tim raised a hand, indicating the seriousness of his upcoming statent.
"But you made the decision so quickly, it still surprised ."
Bruce smoothed his brows.
"I t Theodore in person; his personality is a bit… tricky, but his nature isn't bad."
As he spoke, the boy's sharp, dangerous smile, and the little girl's uninhibited embrace of the other person's calf, flashed before Batman's eyes in succession.
"I believe he cannot be allowed to grow up like this… Theodore needs so discipline and guidance."
Tim noticed that as Batman spoke, his tone was tinged with a complex, nostalgic quality.
He knew that at this mont, Bruce must be thinking of another person.
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