Bruce can be, it's true, a bit of a strict father. He isn't always. Contrary to his kids' teasing, he does know how to have fun - and the Family knows it. But he... well, he worries. The second it's a potential issue of safety? Strict. Maybe that's a bit of a contradiction considering the activities himself and his family get up to nightly, but... well, there it is.
He's aware, of course, of the kind of little rebellious things kids and teens can get up to. He was one himself; he's raised multiple. And look, it's not like he's a total hardass. He's not. But he knows this city. He knows the dangers. He knows all too well what could happen, okay?
And frankly it's a matter of trust. Of principal. One of his wards wants to go to a party, or hang out with some civilian friends, or miss patrol to see a concert, or... whatever? He's likely to allow it. If he's asked. It's when they fail to ask that he starts to get stern. Maybe even angry. And worried. Definitely worried.
Suffice to say, he was not pleased to discover one of said wards has developed a habit of sneaking out. It's not safe to be out in Gotham alone after dark. He assigns patrol partners for a reason. And if there's something they wanted to do, they could ask. What would there be to hide? Has he given the impression that they can't come to him with requests? Or problems? What if there's a problem? What if something's wrong? What if...
Look, he's not unaware of his own tendency to let worry spiral into anger and overbearingness. But 'awareness' and 'ability to cut it out' aren't the same thing. Really, the immediate impulse had been to confront and demand explanation - but he's raised multiple kids. Confrontation without proof can just lead to circular arguments.
Which is what has him, currently, waiting in the darkened sitting room, blended into the shadows just as well as he could on any patrol. Awaiting the sound of his wayward ward sneaking back in through the balcony door they'd left from. Then he'll demand an explanation.
