Water Bender of DC

-{ Realization }-

-[ Gotham City, Wayne Manor ]-( Bruce )-

When I heard a commotion down the halls I was not expecting to see Tonraq running down the hall towards me, while also carrying Dick. However, right when I was about to ask what all this was about I heard a woman yelling down the hall. And when the source came around the corner I noticed that it was a social worker, who wasn't supposed to be here until next week.

"Ms Jackson? What are you doing here? I thought you weren't supposed to come until next week?" I calmly asked as I tried to lean into a civilian role, while also trying to create a barrier between her and the boys.

"What is wrong with that boy!?" Jackson yelled as she limped up to me trying to get in my face, so I let her believe she was the bigger person for now.

"I'm sorry?" I questioned while adding a slight waver to my voice, as I made myself a little smaller by leaning back slightly.

"That boy just kicked me in the knee and stomach while I tried to help him off the floor!" She yelled again while putting her hand in my face.

"What have you done to him!" Her yelling was getting irritating now, but I still continued to keep up appearances.

"I'm afraid it's not me that has done anything. However, I would like to know why you are in my home both uninvited and unannounced, why he was on the ground to begin with, and why he came running down the hall in a panic?" I took the opportunity to ask while still keeping my posture, but added in a slightly harder tone. And from there Jackson began to stumble over her words, but soon her face contorted back into anger.

"How dare you insinuate-!" She began to yell again, but I was done so I cut her off before she could continue.

"I'm not insinuating anything Ms Jackson. I'm simply just trying to understand the situation, as he doesn't trust people easily let alone allow anyone to get very close to him. So that would lead me to believe that you simply got way too close for his comfort. However, I still don't understand as to why he was in a panic while carrying my son down the hall." I calmly explained, but she didn't seem to be in the mood to hear what ever I had to say. And the next moment I saw her arm go back, I knew what was coming, but I had to let it land.

-{ 3rd person }-

Everyone present in the hallway was shocked as the slap landed, but not on it's intended target. As now Tonraq stood firmly in front of Bruce, cheek now bearing a red handprint, as he didn't dare to look anywhere but the ground in front of him. After the brief pause, Ms Jackson went to move, and Tonraq flinched and braced himself, yet he refused to move from his spot in front of Bruce, who now stood with genuine shock and concern on his face. Jackson on the other hand suddenly froze at Tonraq's reaction, as she seemed to become more awkward, and uncomfortable. And it didn't stop there as a slight bit of fear crept its way onto her face, as she took a couple steps from Bruce and Tonraq.

Everyone present was still frozen in shock, but they all soon shook it off and looked back to Tonraq, who now had more of a blank look to his face with the slightest bit of anger in his eyes. From there Tonraq shifted his stance slightly to be a bit more relaxed, and with this movement Ms Jackson made to move again, but thought better of it. And once everything stilled Tonraq took his eyes off the ground, and looked back towards Bruce with a questioning glint to them.

"It's alright, you can step back. She's not going to hurt any of us." Bruce calmly spoke to Tonraq, as he looked back to Ms Jackson, then back to him with a worried expression.

"I know she almost slapped me, but I'd rather her anger be directed at me than you or Dick." Bruce spoke again as he walked over to Tonraq, who now had a mix of confusion and worry on his face. However, to the threes surprise a small look of determination and resolve crossed Tonraq's face, but it disappeared just as quickly as it appeared when he shook his head before relaxing his stance even more.

Once recovered Ms Jackson looked at Tonraq with worry and fear evident in her eyes as she started to shake. And a moment later Alfred took the opportunity to escort Ms Jackson off the premises. A couple beats after she was out of sight, Bruce then turned to Tonraq, who froze on the spot not being able to look Bruce in the face. And when Bruce took a step towards Tonraq he stiffened, but quickly stopped himself after as he reflexively put his hands behind his back. Bruce then took another step and Tonraq didn't move, but he did get more tense as he seemed to prepare himself.

Bruce took notice of all this as he continued on with the last step, and when he made it over Bruce then pulled Tonraq into hug that was firm yet gentle. Tonraq on the other hand flinched this time, waiting for something to happen, but when so many moments passed Tonraq hesitantly began to relax. When Tonraq eventually relaxed fully it then hit him as to what had just happened, as he began to shake.

-{ Tonraq }-

I was very confused and worried, as I wasn't supposed to act without being told. But when I waited for some form of punishment, I was only met with a hug. Part of me couldn't believe it so I remained stiff and quite, but another part of me was relieved as Bruce was still patient and nothing like my father. And after a minute I let myself relax, which also allowed my emotions that have been all over recently to be let out. This lasted a few minutes before everything began to even out, and exhaustion began to set in again. Bruce noticed this as he directed us back to my room.

'Huh. "My room"' I thought to myself as the realization set in that over the time I've been here, I've never felt so safe, comfortable, or cared for. And that I've never cared for anyone as much as I did Unalaq, but now I've grown an attachment to Bruce, Dick, and Alfred. When coming to this realization I failed to notice that we made it to my room, which further cemented an idea in my head. But that was going to have to wait for a little while longer, as all I wanted to do right now was sleep. And from the edge of my vision I could see Unalaq standing with a smile on his face that I hadn't seen in so long, as sleep consumed my mind.