History Heartwarming / BatmanArkhamKnight

* The fact that Batman's crusade and his belief that the villains of Gotham need ''help'' not punishment is ''working'': Poison Ivy has enough goodness in her to sacrifice herself for her plants, Freeze ''trusts Batman to save his wife'' and then goes clean instead of remaining a villain, he and Catwoman have CasualDangerDialogue and are friends, and Bane has left Gotham to get clean (and ends up freeing his home country from a drug cartel). And, sure, while Harley doesn't go clean, she ''does'' develop enough of a working relationship of Batman to greet him casually as "Bruce" when she first sees him in ''Suicide Squad'' indicating that ''their'' relationship is improving''.

** This line:

* Bruce is an even bigger Jerkass to Tim than he was in Arkham City, refusing to tell him about Barbara’s apparent suicide (at least at first) and locking him in a cell for the latter half of the game, but the reason why is that he’s downright ''TERRIFIED'' by the idea of Tim getting hurt or killed, especially after reliving Jason’s supposed death.

* Some of the reactions to Bruce after his identity is unmasked prove that, rather than take away Batman's status as a HopeBringer, people still respect Bruce for everything he's done for the city:

* ''Scarecrow'', of all people, beautifully surmises [[HopeBringer exactly who Batman is and what he means to the people he protects]].
-->'''Scarecrow:''' How can the world know fear – true dread – when there is you? A stalwart knight, ever ready to slay monsters. Fear isn’t true biology, Batman. It’s more than instinct. True fear is the absence of hope. And hope is the spread wings of a bat, shining in the clouds.
** Of course, he only says this in context of it being [[HopeCrusher his entire reason for wanting to utterly break Batman in every way possible]], but it's still a nice thing to say first.

** The fact that even as a shambling half-corpse, Ra's still recognizes Batman and refers to him as [[AffectionateNickname "Detective"]], despite being too far gone to fully function. The ending where Batman [[SadisticChoice chooses to allow Ra's to finally die for real rather than have him continue existing in]] [[AndIMustScream a state of just half-death, with his mind at this point incapable of proper function a la Solomon Grundy]] has Ra's, in spite of everything, managing to wheeze out [[SoProudOfYou that he is proud of Batman for making the right choice in allowing him to finally die and leaving Nyssa to take over the league.]] VillainRespect to the bitter end...
--->'''Ra's Al Ghul''': De... tec... tive...? [[SincerityMode Proud... of... you]].

* Among the messages on the answering machine in Bruce's office is a call from [[{{ComicBook/Batwoman}} his cousin Kate]], asking if he's going to attend [[TheyDo her and Maggie's engagement party]] and expressing concern that he's become too withdrawn lately (including a hint that she has a SecretIdentity of her own to maintain).

** Another moment happens right after Batman delivers Scarecrow to the GCPD, said by Aaron Cash. "So, Bruce Wayne, huh? If it's all the same to you, I'll stick to Batman".

* After Batman is unmasked, the police department is so supportive. "We got a warrant for your arrest. It's a shame our fax machine had a little accident".
** One almost expects to find a smoking fax machine with a couple of massive dents in it somewhere in GCPD.
** Another moment happens right after Batman delivers Scarecrow to the GCPD, said by Aaron Cash. "So, Bruce Wayne, huh? If it's all the same to you, I'll stick to Batman".

* Joker is a complete and total monstrous asshole, no one can deny that. But, credit where it's due, he ''doesn't'' want Batman dead. Before ''Arkham Knight'' (when he knows Batman's identity due to being in his head!), he's never shown an interest in who Batman is because he doesn't care at all -- it'll take the fun out of their little tete-a-tete when the myth is removed. All he wants is someone to fight him as he attempts to completely and utter screw all of Gotham over...

* Joker is an evil douchebag, no one can deny that. But, credit where it's due, he ''doesn't'' want Batman dead. Before ''Arkham Knight'' (when he knows Batman's identity due to being in his head!), he's never shown an interest in who Batman is because he doesn't care at all -- it'll take the fun out of their little tete-a-tete when the myth is removed. All he wants is someone to fight him as he attempts to fuck up all of Gotham's shit...

** You can see some of Jason even before this too. The bomb threats ensure the entire city is evacuated of all the innocent people before the showdown starts--meaning it's ''only'' the thugs that are left. Other than the cops, there's no chance of accidentally injuring innocent bystanders, who Jason canonically avoids harming even as Red Hood.

** '''Gordon''': We're the same, Bruce. We'd do anything for our families.

* After Batman is unmasked, the police department is so supportive. "We got a warrant for your arrest. It's a shame our fax machine had a little accident."

** Another moment happens right after Batman delivers Scarecrow to the GCPD, said by Aaron Cash. "So, Bruce Wayne, huh? If it's all the same to you, I'll stick to Batman."

-->'''Alfred:''' Kidnapping a terminally ill woman to use as a bargaining chip. [[TranquilFury Make them regret it, sir]].

-->'''Batman:''' "What happened to you was wrong. But you killed people, you have to pay for that."
-->'''Croc:''' "When does Warden pay?"
-->'''Batman:''' "He'll face justice for his crimes."

** Even Aaron Cash, the man who's hand Croc bit off and has had a long-standing feud with him ever since, admits to feeling sorry for what Croc was put through.

* When Batman (and the player) is deciding whether or not to save Ra's al Ghul's life, Alfred calls in to suggest that since Ra's is essentially dead already, preventing his resurrection wouldn't necessarily be killing him. Batman flat-out asks Alfred what he would do, and Alfred responds (without a moment's hesitation): [[MyMasterRightOrWrong "I don't know sir. But I'll stand by you, whatever you choose."]]

** Sometimes, when Batman gets killed, you'll see Joker during the gameover screen, urging you to get back up, usually making jokes about staying away from the light, etc... it's hilarious to watch, but kind of endearing, too.