Find your tribe in a Sea of Creativity
I had a thought last night. A Batfam AU:
Thomas Wayne married a metahuman, Martha Wayne. She had wings and claws, much like a bird. They had a son, a metahuman like his mother, Bruce Wayne. And the whole of Gotham adored them.
Then, one tragic night when the Waynes were attacked, not only did Bruce lose his parents, but his wings as well. Ripped off his back.
Later, when he decided to become Batman, he added wings to the costume. But he didn't add feathers. It was the wings of a bat.
He missed his wings, his feathers dearly, but at the same time couldn't bear to have any other wings, feathers than his own, than the ones he was born with, than the one he inherited from his mother.
The lack of feathers in his costume served as some kind of symbol. Symbol of what he lost that night, symbol of a part of what he was avenging, a symbol of what he misses, a symbol of his pain.
Then comes Dick, who is also a bird metahuman. Bruce teaches him how to fight, how to protect himself, and makes sure he wouldn't have to go through the pain of losing his wings like he did. At least not as long as he was around.
Jason, Tim, Steph, or Cass didn't have wings, but they were added to the costume anyway.
Then comes Damian, who did have wings. Bruce felt longing, saddness, and happiness. Because here it was. Sure it wasn't him who had them, but the wings, the claws, and the eyes, they were so much like his and his mother's.
Since there weren't any bird-related metahumans in the league, Dick and Bruce teaches Damian how to fly. Bruce feels pride, joy, and a bit of longing.
Another senerio:
Bruce I-haven't-slept-for-67-hours because-of-a-case Wayne as Batman in a JL meeting accidentally slips how much he misses his wings. His feathers. And how much he misses feeling the wind brush against his wings.
The JL, feeling surprise, shock, and anger at the revelation. Because who dares to take the Batman's wings from him. He may be bossy and serious all the time, but he is still one of the JL member nonetheless. Batman is their collegue, their friend. They will make whoever that took their friend's precious wings pay.
(I got inspired by a fic but I forgot the name, sorry)
(Sorry if there are any grammar mistakes)