Work Text:
Doc,
I don't know what exactly went down with you and the Bat. I figure it's not my business.
I heard, however, that he told you that you were no longer welcome in Gotham.
To that, I would say firstly:
He had no right to banish you.
And secondly, this:
He had no right to banish you.
I know that he would act as a lord of Gotham: with the right to command all who live here. But with the right of command, comes the duty of care.
He'd never acknowledged that, I don't think.
You have.
You care for the children of the Alley. You care for all of us, here. None of us have forgotten that. You've looked after us for longer than a lot of us have even been alive. You are welcome here, always. Please don't forget that.
And now, if it truly is your own choice to leave, then what I will ask of you now is cruel, and for that I apologise.
But you are needed here. No one else would come to the Alley, as you do, and care for everyone who lives here. Perhaps there would have been, once, and will be again in the future; but not now. And you are needed.
If it helps, you are wanted, here, too. Always.
I know that Dr Wayne, your friend, would have helped. And I know that it is you who carries on their legacy in its truest form. First, do no harm, right? They wanted to help, doctor. Everyone knows that much. And everyone knows that you want to help.
I have no right to ask it of you. But nevertheless: please. Help us now.
I doubt you'll accept it, but you have it regardless: I would promise that the clinic would be safe. As safe as I can make it.
There are no caveats to this. Anything I would ask of you, you would already give: nor, I think, would you trust anything I tried to promise to you.
I doubt you respect me, but I swear this: I have nothing but the highest respect and admiration for you.
Whatever you decide.
With hope of your return,
RH