#*cough Red Hood and the Outlaws cough*

[malfiora]

Jaydick and Pragmatic Love

For some reason (*cough* neurodivergence *cough*) I like to get introspective about why I like the things I like. My love for jaydick came kinda naturally – a red/blue aesthetic between 2 dorks with canonically strong and complex feelings towards each other? Been there, done that, sign me up. But, like...why? Why was I obsessed with this ship? Why is the pairing itself so compelling, whether you ship them or not? I thought: "I don't know, it's the way they're coded as opposites but aren't really, and the way Jason admires Dick but also resents him a little, and the way that Dick's entire identity shifts when Jason comes along, I guess."

And digging a little deeper, I could finally put it into words: it's because Jason was made for Dick. In much the same way that Dick (and consequently Robin) was made to be Bruce's ward / Batman's partner, Jason was created to be someone Dick could conceivably pass his mantle to, someone he could see something of himself in and trust to take on the responsibility he'd been safeguarding for years so that he could finally go do something else (i.e. become Nightwing). Metatextually (i.e. between text and audience), this makes sense, especially given the logic that Jason needed to be similar enough to Dick for audiences to like him while being his own person so he wasn't just a shameless ripoff. (This logic evolved over time, hence retcons, but still.) But contextually (within a text, between characters), what must that look like?

If I had to put it in a single word, it seems like both fans and writers have settled on pragma. (EDIT: I like the Wikipedia article better.) According to Greek philosophy-based types of love, pragma is the type of love based on personal qualities, a sense of duty/obligation, and long term commitment. There is compromise and mutual understanding here. It's the type of love most associated with married couples who have been together for a while.

What's awesome about this is it can coexist alongside other types of love, like philia (platonic), eros (lust-driven), or ludos (flirtatious). These secondary types are where I see the disconnect between shippers and antis, but pragma is still the foundation, not necessarily in a romantic way, but certainly in the commitment.

A few examples under the cut.

Nightwing (1996) #119-122. I wrote about this enough, and so has frog. Commitment, sense of duty/obligation

Nightwing (2016) #15. Jason and Dick being bros, and Jason being self aware and commenting on their coping mechanisms (i.e. violence). Long-term mutual understanding.

Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) Annual #1. stealing this from @the-mocking-robin to make a point. Admiration of personal qualities.

Grayson (vol. 4???). This one's just fun. Jason feels betrayed that Dick faked his death.

Nightwing (2021) Annual #1. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Nightwing (1996) Year One #5. Commitment, sense of duty almost immediately.

[thordottir45]

The Outlaw's Spirit

After a reveal gone wrong, whether intentional or not, Danny books it. Sam and Tucker have to stay behind in Amity to prevent Maddie, Jack, and the GIW from following their best friend. The trio is 16~17 or so at this point.

Jazz, being the best big sis that she is, has been taking college classes online to protect Danny. She helps the two destroy the Drs. Fenton lab before grabbing her go bag and getting out of there. She plans to start anew in a different city so that Danny can eventually join her. She's thinking Gotham, with the ambient ectoplasm, and high crime rates, it'll feel more like home than Star City, or Metropolis.

Danny, meanwhile, keeps running. He comes across a high-tech jet and hides in it, pulling a stowaway.

This jet is a Batplane, but is currently being used by The Outlaws for a mission.

Danny's ghost sense has no idea about how to react to Jason, so it causes him to cough, revealing his location to the group.

"B." Artemis instructs Bizarro with his nickname.

Bizarro moves in slowly, while Jason pulls out his guns, and Artemis her sword. Bizarro opens wherever Danny is hiding, revealing his black hair and blue eyes of his human form. Seeing the shaking teen, B gently pulls him out and 'restrains' him via hug.

Danny is freaking out at the sight of these out-of-the-norm people, and his ghost sense is triggering a coughing fit, aggravating whatever wounds he may have.

"One of your brothers?" Artemis asks Jason, despite keeping her guard up.

"Not that I know. What are you doing in here, kid?" Jason lowes his guns, but doesn't holster them, wanting to keep them in hand in case this kid is an enemy.

Danny, coughing, takes a closer look at the three surrounding him.

"Red Hood? Artemis of the Bana-Mighdall? Bizarro? What? Huh?!"

"Worry, we hurt you." Bizarro says soothingly.

Tensing, Danny prepares to use his powers, but Artemis explains what Bizarro means before he does.

"What are you doing in here, kid? You're hurt." Jason reiterates before noticing just how the boy is breathing other than his coughing fits.

Feeling safer with these three than he had with his parents in a long time, and with them all not being entirely human themselves, Danny is willing to explain some things, but not everything.

"My parents, they're scientists, they found out that I'm not entirely human... I had to run. I saw this jet, and it was a chance for me to get further away from them before they track me down."

"They can track you?" Artemis asks while Bizarro releases Danny, setting the teen down on a bench. Jason pulls out a med kit and sets it down next to Danny.

Jason then gets the Batplane into the air while the other Outlaws get to know the stowaway more.

Jason's inner bat wants to do so much research that he resembles the Replacement more than himself, but more of him sees himself in the kid and, as much as he loathes to admit it, pull a Bruce to take care of the much-too-thin teen.

Setting the autopilot to Gotham, Jason re-joins the discussion, noting that the kid's coughs get worse the closer he gets. Odd.

Bizarro and the teen have bonded over video games and movies, even with Bizarro's speech mannerisms.

Artemis, on the other hand, is patching the boy up, not offering much to the conversation other than clearing some things up for B.

"Course's set for Gotham. Figure we'll want Alfie to get some proper food in ya. Now, can you explain all the coughing?" Jason plops down across from the teen, keeping some distance to not make the coughing worse if his hunch is right.

Danny explains in the broadest terms for his ghost sense, that it can tell when people have died, and that Red Hood didn't come back right.

Tense, Jason's vision bleeds into green as he questions, "How?"

"I can tell because I didn't come back right, either..." Danny then tries to explain ectoplasm as glowing green goo, causing Jason to tense even more.

"Lazarus Waters."

"What?"

Taking off his helmet, the lenses of Jason's domino are glowing, "Lazarus Waters. They threw me in mostly dead, and I came out mostly alive."

"That shouldn't..." Danny tilts his head, thinking of the lessons from Frostbite on the nature of ectoplasm and what happens when it gets corrupted. All part of his training for taking the throne. "Huh. Sounds like you got a batch of the more corrupted stuff. With pure ectoplasm, it would bring you back fully, with few side effects."

"Ectoplasm?" Bizarro asks from Danny's right.

Explaining in more detail, since Red Hood is some sort of subject of his and needs help, time passes and soon the autopilot is landing the jet.

"Come on, kid. Let's get some food in you, then we can see what to do about the Lazarus Waters." Jason puts a hand on the door to the Batplane, opening it to reveal the Batcave.

Just something that was floating around in my head. Not sure if I'll continue it, it's unlikely.

[redbird-tf]

Sick day redemption 

Jason todd x (platonic) younger reader

Summary: jason finds you sick at home after missing patrol, and has the chance to relive his favorite memory.

Word count: 519

Notes: based on comic in red hood and the outlaws new52

Warning: none

Jason grew worried as he looked back down at his watch, it's been 30 minutes since you said you would meet him at the usual rooftop for patrol. You had told him you’d be running a few minutes late, but this is more than a few minutes. Jason looked around one last time before letting out a frustrated and anxious huff, leaving the rooftop.

“Y/n?” He called out quietly entering his apartment through the window. The breeze made the room cold, and the room pitch black. He heard a sneeze and quickly flicked on a light, it was dim but bright enough for him to see your outline on the couch. You sniffled again and your body shivered from the cold. Jason closed the window cutting off the breeze, but then froze.

He remembered a time like this. When he was still Robin, he had gotten sick on his way to patrol with Batman. Alfred refused to let him leave the manor, even if he was already in suit, and called Bruce to let him know. Jason thought Bruce was going to be disappointed in him when he got back, but to his surprise, the Batman came home early. When Bruce stepped into the living room Jason had begun to apologize. Bruce stayed quiet for a second before asking Alfred for some popcorn, somehow this made Jason more anxious and confused on top of that. “Taking the night off once in a while isn't a crime Jason” Bruce stated taking a set next to him. “Thank you, Alfred,” Bruce said taking the bowl of popcorn “So what do we got on,” he asked turning on the TV. Jason smiled as he sniffled, he leaned against Bruce as he began to relax. Jason had never felt so safe.

Jason smiled before returning to the present. He walked down the hall to grab a blanket. he stood behind the couch as he laid it over you. “Mm, Jason?” You grumbled as your eyes peeked open. “What-what time is it,” you asked frantically sitting up “12:30 am,” he said calmly “Oh no, I'm sorry i was getting ready, but then i felt sick so i sat down for a second and-“ he cut off your frantic explanation “y/n, it's ok, it's not a crime to take the night off,” he said placing his hand on your shoulder, “i think this calls for a movie night” he smiled walking into the kitchen. “Popcorn for me, and tissues for you” he joked sitting next to you.

You laughed before letting out a cough, “So you're not upset?” You asked turning towards him. “No” he replied softly “which movie should we watch?” He questioned starting to list off movie names. He flinched slightly feeling you unexpectedly lean against him. It took a few seconds for his shoulders to relax again as he stared down at you.

your body completely relaxed against his, he watched as your chest moved up and down as you softly snored. His expression changed from shock to a calm smile, wishing he could stay in this moment forever.

[dailycass-cain]

Birds of Prey #4 gave us big meaty women slappin' meat. It also since #1 had a LOT of Cass. So let's dive into my thoughts on the issue.

So #4 continues RIGHT off where #3 left us with the Birds kind of getting THE Amazon upset. This issue we get the consequences of it all with a MASSIVE fight.

Cass's portion takes place after "round 2" ends between Barda and Diana. I wouldn't call it a true fight. We know from the onset of Cass's appearance this issue, she watched rounds 1 and 2. In that way it reveals Barda was buying time for Dinah, Harley, Sin, and Future Maps.

I think the moment Barda went down Cass was like, "Okay time for me to be the distraction." And Diana knows this the moment after ordering the Amazons away. She's like, "Aw crap I got ANOTHER fight I gotta end QUICK."

Note that the attacks Cass does here are very unlike her. She rarely uses gadgets save for the grapple gun or batarang. Here she uses SIX gadgets on Diana.

In honesty, I'm amazed at Cass's reserve here.

Because this fight is the mirror opposite of her one with Artemis back in Red Hood & the Outlaws #15. She tried to match the physicality of an Amazon.

Though we never saw the full fight, the end result we did: Cass got smoked. But then the nature of the two fights is quite different. Cass in RH&O was VERY cocky in the issue, and Artemis "schooled" her (I'm still not fond of this issue mind you).

While, in this under a MUCH better writer who understands both characters. The nature of the fight is Cass isn't fighting to beat Diana physically. She's fighting Diana for time.

Sadly for Cass, the strategy can only prolong what Diana is waiting for. Just one opening and that's all she needs to end this.

Because Diana knows by the attacks Cass isn't playing for keeps. She's playing for the time.

Sadly for Cass, it catches up to her.

Though she didn't "win" the fight to distract Diana, she did win in buying time for Barda to have a round 3, and escaping the Amazons as she was the only Bird not caught by them.

Regardless, this was a phenomenal fight showcasing Cass being an expert fighter. Compared to her prior tussle with Artemis, this fight shows layers of maturity for Cass.

Unlike say OTHER fights that occurred two months ago that are more laughable now at how bad they were *cough* Batman #138 *cough*.

Writer Kelly Thompson built the hype up on Cass with #1 for new readers to show WHY she's deadly. Against both the League ninjas and the vampires. That she's crafty AND can take a hit (aka when Barda smacks her early on in the later fight).

I really REALLY adore the small moments Kelly has given Cass and again with this issue giving us a little more Barda/Cass moments.

As you KNOW Barda's respect for Cass is even bigger after this issue. Taking on Diana alone, buying her time to recoup, and escaping the Amazons.

Almost makes me wish Cass could introduce Barda to Steph who'd be all, "MOMMY." With Barda just overshadowing Steph.

Besides the characterization, the true real highlight is artist Leonardo Romero. Just the FIGHT he brought to this issue. This is a fight that's gonna be talked about amongst fans given how lit Romero made it.

Likewise the colors by Jordie Bellaire. For me, a standout moment was the highlights she gave Diana's lasso when it gives off this glow or the colors when Diana smacks Barda HARD.

Everyone is cooking HARD in this book and it shows.

I just have to wonder what the endgame is for Megaera? Other than being another unique visual threat for Cass to fight.

Kind of astonishing really how many astonishing encounters Cass had this year.

As a Cass fan and a fan of amazing fights. This issue delivered for me. It keeps giving me things I never thought I'd ever get to see for the character.

I'm almost curious to see what Thompson has in store next for Cass and the Birds.

[wynterstars]

ok so I sometimes (cough almost always) have my issues with Red Hood: Outlaws' choices but sometimes it makes up for it

i would watch thirty seasons and every spinoff.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Pretty When You Cry

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/sHyj83l by Thatonefangirlwithtoomuchgoingon Jason coughed, his throat burning as he did. He looked around, staring at the familiar technology scattered around the cave along with training equipment. His table was placed in a medical corner of the underground lair. It looked the same compared to the last time he saw it, only minor differences such as new items that appeared during his absence. “Roy? What’s going on? What are we doing here?” Questions flew out of Jason's mouth as he continued to struggle in the binds. “Hey, hey! It’s okay, Jaybird, you’re okay,” Roy walked to Jason’s side and began to stroke his cheek with his thumb. “Roy, I need answers, now,” “Let’s call it a check-up, okay? You’re here for a quick doctors visit,” --- That awkward moment you break up with your boyfriend and he brings you back to your childhood home for "Healing" Words: 2354, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), Red Hood and the Outlaws (Comics), Green Arrow (Comics), Red Hood/Arsenal (Comics) Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Multi Characters: Roy Harper, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne Relationships: Roy Harper/Jason Todd, Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne Additional Tags: Angst, Romance, Earth-3, Fluff, Alternate Universe, Non-Consensual Drug Use, Jason Todd Needs A Hug, Jason Todd Deserves Better, Hurt Roy Harper read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/sHyj83l

[ladykarmastrikeblog]

Oooo~ Want to bet Bruce goes super detective on these flowers? But finds NOTHING on them? Cue Bruce losing his mind with worry while the rest of the fam is trying to convince Jason to talk to whoever he has feeling for like now please (Because in this house we use Hanahaki like it was meant to be, pressure to not keep the beautiful feelings you have down and not the whole you must get the other person to reciprocate)

Jason would like to! But he can't find the guy! He knows his alias as Phantom (did they meet at the Watchtower? Did Jason meet him during a mission with the Outlaws that had some ghosts around? Did Jason or Danny get a bit of wanderlust/runaway and just meet up while on the road for like 50 miles of good vibes??? Who knows? Not me) but other then that nothing! Besides his description (ITS NOT HYPERBOLE DICK HIS FRECKLES REALLY GLOWED) that apparently is worthless he has nothing.

Cue Jason trying to continue being Hood, hood having an episode while dealing with POISON IVY! Ivy loses her mind over the fact that Red Hood just brought up extinct flowers and goes and kidnaps him so she can get more to study and bring it back!

She succeeds

The Blood Blossoms take well to being in Gotham. TOO WELL. They grow like weeds, pictures get out of the new flower in Gotham. It's noticed by the government. The GIW SWARM IN TO TAKE THE FLOWERS and maybe Jason?

Jason isn't doing too hot right now. He's in so much pain but it's only getting a little harder to breathe so he not in the danger zone yet. He can still talk to Phantom, still tell him how he feels....

What if Danny was also had Hanahaki too? What if it made him feel weak enough to get caught? And the GIW sees him as a source of the blood Blossoms so they don't torture him? Outside making him cough up flowers. Maybe they don't know he's Phantom? They think he's just Danny Fenton and he just super contaminated? So they put Jason and him in the same cell.

Cue the Confession. Then to breaking out dragging each other out hand in hand~

Short DPXDC Prompts #748

Hanahaki AU, Jason’s flowers are Blood Blossoms. No one knows why his affliction hurts him more than the average diseased person.

[you-dont-want-to-be-alone]

“Jason Todd wouldn’t listen to Taylor swift”

Ma’am we are talking about the most dramatic MF in the history of the batfam

[biblio-bitch]

Teen Titans 1x01 Blind Reaction

I haven’t watched the OG Teen Titans yet. Sue me. I wasn’t allowed to watch cartoons as a kid so I’m playing catch-up here. As usual, spoilers and cursing under the cut! Also. apologies for the short sentences, it was like 3 am.

A disclaimer: This is entirely for fun and a lot of the comments I make are based on my preferences for media as well as the way I, as a writer, would have written things.

If I say something you disagree with (more likely in my analysis posts than my reactions) then I am more than happy to hear your opinions so long as you are respectful! 

If you followed me for Detroit Evolution content I promise I’ll post the rest soon. Formatting and proofreading takes ages. I also might start liveblogging my adventures in screenwriting so look out for that!

That being said, let’s get into it!

[In brackets is added post-watch.]

Holy old animation Batman. It feels like Phineas and Ferb.

BB Sounds like Phineas.

The cheesy intro tho

Seriously which Robin is this cause I think it’s Dick but Idk

“Titans Go!”

The theme song is iconic

Love the OG Raven design

Is the theme Japanese?? It kinda feels Japanese

I love that Starfire’s outfit isn’t like literally a bikini it’s nice since she’s designed like a sixteen year old

Epic fight scene™️. Makes me feel like something’s going to go wrong.

“I am stronger than I look” fuck yeah Star get his ass

Honestly wtf Rob you’re like twelve and you don’t have powers??? Also is he wearing steel toe boots?? I thought they were converse at first. Seriously Batman, what’s with the child soldiers??

Cyborg?? I love him

Ouch that was a fail

Ok the bo staff is a Tim Drake signature as far as I know so wtf???? Which black haired mf is this???

It’s Dick. I googled. [I love DC and I realize that most of the Robins were designed before having diverse characters was a thing but literally they all look the same. Like personally I’d love to see a Romani or other non-white rep for Dick.

 {I gleefully return to this post with news that Dick is canonically Romani! He’s been played so often as white, including in the new Titans, which I will be making a post about, but he was confirmed to be poc in Devin Grayson’s Gotham Knights. He’s part Romani on his mother’s side. She, according to Tim Seeley’s twitter, is an immigrant. He was originally presented without a confirmed ethnicity! My apologies for being uninformed about this. I stated Romani specifically here before knowing because I had seen people talk about him as such and really enjoyed it.}

 Maybe a mixed Jason? I feel like Tim is white mostly bc he’s rich IN GOTHAM,,, but like I never turn down the possibility of poc characters. Damian is canonically middle eastern so if I ever see a live action Damian not played by a middle eastern brown kid I’m rioting.]

What a petulant child. Blaming each other. Now they’re fighting. [This part feels very overdramatic to me personally. I do think that if this wasn’t animated it would be toned down quite a bit. That being said? I do think it’s in character for Dick, especially late Robin-era Dick, to have outbursts like that, especially as a character that I see as needing a lot of control.]

Oh wonderful. He quit. That’s overly dramatic.

Oh goddamn it Slade.

I’m not supposed to know he’s Slade yet tho huh. [Rip the element of surprise with that, I have a habit of learning everything from things before investing my time in it, and my obsession with other versions of DC comics isn’t helpful in this situation. Also the 25 pages of AO3 I’ve read about the Bats gives quite a bit away.]

Oh ew that’s a plasma monster

He looks like fuckin,,, Underbelly! that mf from the Red Hood/Arsenal comics. [Underbelly is the personification of the criminal world. I got through four RH/A comics as of posting this so once I finish that storyline I’ll probably post about it]

“It’s pointless to get upset about Cyborg” breaks glass. [I personally really fw Raven being like ‘master of meditation i feel nothing’ but then these dumbasses get all up in her brain and she ends up loving them like honestly that’s amazing]

“I’m fine” fucks up that punching bag. Master of emotions this bitch. [I don’t think that this little tantrum is entirely because Cyborg left. Again, Dick was raised by Batman, and neither of them are too good about losing control and fucking up. This to me is very much a mix of guilt for having driven away a friend and teammate, anger at Cyborg for leaving, and also anger at himself for a perceived failure. Bruce really needs to get his kids therapy bc the complexes are really shining through.]

Now they’re sad like bitch ur the one who kicked him out???

He’s eating something and it’s gross.

“That stuff can’t be good for you” Robin,,, sweaty,,,

The puns. Jeez Louise.

Immensely powerful half demon lady and the best you can do is some cans?? [Again with the things you shouldn’t know, Theo. Yeah I get that she’s still a kid and the demon lady thing isn’t exactly revealed yet, but I maintain that the barrels -- which I realized that they’re barrels not cans -- could be improved upon]

“You giant zit”??? A Child [Seriously how old is he because it’s concerning that he seems as young as he does. @ Bruce wtf did you do to your kids]

Phase three what an ominous asshole

Again with the puns Rob like jeez just fight this mf

Star,, you’re an alien?? Why are you screaming??

Both eyes on the road while flying Raven

He just extends the bo again bro what kinda bat bullshit is this

Cyborg saving the day!! We gotta love that. “Still got the sonic if you still got the boom” what kids I love them

I love that he just,, brought Cinderblock with him. He’s just that powerful.

Wtf is up with this knockoff Alfred mf with Slade? Also?? What stereotypical villain shit Slade step it up. [Titans (2018) Slade is like,,, so much better at this. Hell, even Arrow Slade is more nefarious.]

[I know it’s stupid to say this about an antagonist from a kids show vs two YA/Adult shows but like?? Titans Slade had the Motive, and Arrow Slade was Deep. In my defense here, I’m only on Ep 1, I’m sure he gets more interesting as the show progresses.

My non-sleep deprived rating? 9/10. Points off for melodrama but points on for nostalgia and attention grabbing. I’m not really into kids shows so I did my best to be fair despite that. Personally I think it’s a little much on the fighting especially for a pilot and it definitely seemed a little bit rushed. But, the animation is fun, I love the way each character is distinctive in costume and personality.

Keep in mind I prefer watching things with writing/pacing like Arrow, The Flash, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and the new Titans TV show and all of my ratings are going to be skewed based on a preference for stronger and darker material. 

With that in mind, I did enjoy the episode and I do want to continue watching. I think if I had watched this as a 10-11 year old, it would’ve been amazing.]

[galkyrie]

i wish you would write a fic that’s just jason simping for tim, except tim can actually hear it

Oh man poor Jason, let's do this lmao

“Ever since you lost the cowl I’m half convinced I gotta follow you ‘round on patrol to keep you outta trouble.” Hood jokes as he lands on the roof beside Red Robin, easing into his usual spot beside the vigilante. It’d become a routine he enjoyed- them meeting up when their patrols intersected once a week, sharing a few minutes of bullshit or a snack or just the quiet reassurance of the presence of an ally among a city of threats. It was a routine he’d missed while on his last trip with the Outlaws. Judging by the way Tim lights up when he turns to look at him- he’s not the only one.

“I don’t look that young.” Tim answers with a snort before taking a gulp from his water.

“It ain’t about lookin’ young. You’re the kind of pretty no fuckin’ domino can hide, Babybird. Makes a guy worry about your well-being and wanna stare at you all night in the moonlight.” Jason says before he can stop himself, eyes going wide as soon as his brain catches up with his mouth. Tim chokes on his drink, sputtering. He’s still coughing when Jason starts fucking talking again, words falling unbidden from his lips.

“What the fuck. I didn’t mean to say that. I definitely thought it; not like any of that’s exactly new, but-” Tim’s staring at him. Fuck. He wishes he could see the blue of his eyes instead of the white lenses. They’re so pretty at night- turning Gotham’s light pollution into something beautiful reflected back. What he can see of Tim’s face goes pink when he sincerely informs him as much.

“Hood- have you encountered anything strange lately? Maybe on your last mission?” The serious set to his mouth is comforting- at least the man isn’t laughing at him over this. He does his best to try and trace back the last dumb bullshit he encountered was- and let out a horrendous stream of curses as he realizes he’d walked right into this.

Jason hadn’t killed anyone in a long while- well, he hasn’t actively sought out making someone specific dead in a while- but the asshole magic user he and Roy had stopped from draining the life force of an entire town might be the first in a while. “Fuckin’ warlock worshiping Eris, I shit you not.” 

“Wow, I definitely want that story once we figure this out, but- we should- let’s get you to the ‘Cave.” Tim sounds strained. “Maybe we can find a way to reverse this-” 

“Good thinking. You’re so smart, Red. It’s another thing that makes me crazy about you-” A gauntleted hand claps over his mouth before he can volunteer more shit straight from the part of his brain carefully reserved for ‘thoughts on Tim Drake.’ It was supposed to be a vault where he shoved these thoughts as soon as they came and then promptly resealed- but someone had blown the fuckin’ door wide open. That someone was gonna pay. 

“Okay! Right- so this seems like a pretty strong compulsion. So. I can just-” Tim kept his hand over his mouth, looking down and grabbing the hood from his grasp. “-have you made a stealth setting?” Jason nodded against the hand pressing to his lips, not even able to pretend he wasn’t enjoying even this amount of contact. The wizard was going to die for revealing to Tim just how pathetic he was.

“Okay, cool.” Tim nods, apparently pleased with his plan. Jason scrambles to pull on the helmet before he can say anything else, cutting off an invitation for Tim to keep his hands on him halfway through. It muffles the confessions of his affections, allowing him to go on about the many and varied ways he admires Tim in relative privacy. 

He’s not sure it’s better, considering it’s leaving Tim to assume. He should know exactly how he feels in his words- not whatever self-deprecating escape hatch the man in front of him is trying to find in the one-sided silence.

This is humiliating. But try as he might, he can’t bring himself to leave Tim’s side- spare them both the embarrassment of him running his mouth. Seems the compulsion also extended to how badly he wanted to stay close to Tim. Hopefully the physical part of this compulsion didn’t escalate to any other desires. He thought of how he’d gotten back from the mission with almost a single-minded focus on getting to their usual rendezvous point. It was embarrassing to realize he was so used to wanting to be around him that he hadn’t even found skipping dinner in favor of seeking him out to be odd. 

“I’ve got Redbird en route. I don’t want you driving in this state- just ride with me.” Jason nodded, already relieved he didn’t have to focus on the road in his state. He’d much rather watch Tim in action. He’s good at driving- he’s good at everything. He wants- needs to tell him. The hood starts to itch like crazy, a maddening obstacle in his path. 

He manages to grit through the itching for half the drive. “Fuck, that hurts-” are thankfully the first words out of his mouth, though Tim’s looking his way in blatant concern. 

“-You okay?” Tim responding to him immediately eases the ache. 

“-Now that you’re listening, yeah.” He wiped a hand over his face, checking for hives. 

“Oh.” Tim chews on the implications of his words for a moment, before setting his jaw and looking resolutely out the front window. “Then, I’ll keep listening.” It’s all it takes for the floodgates to open. 

“Every day I get to see you is better for it, no matter what shit goes down. You give me one’a your rare little smiles or laugh at something I say and I-.” Tim makes a soft noise, quiet enough that the engine nearly drowns it out, eyes staying on the road. “-I think about it all the time. Making you laugh or smile. Think about what it’d be like to get to take care of you. You don’t take the best care of yourself- like you’re an afterthought and I- you’re not. Not to me.” Oh god, he’s pretty sure he’d prefer the burning to the pained expression that flits across Tim’s pretty features at that- “I’m sorry, Tim-” He scrambles to make that expression go away, anything is better than seeing the man hurting. 

“-I’m sorry.” Tim cuts him off, voice thick as he weaves through traffic with effortless ease. Getting to the ‘Cave and getting him fixed seems to have kicked up to an actual emergency judging by the way he’s driving. The rejection stings. Even if it’s not surprising, that knowing it was the only possible outcome was the reason he’d held it back for as long as he had, it still- hurts. “-you shouldn’t be forced to tell me any of this.” Tim continues, not risking a glance in his direction. Jason’s almost grateful to not have to see the pity undoubtedly in his gaze. 

“I never wanted to put you in this position, Prettybird.” He admits. “I know I’ve got no right to want anything from you-”

“-You haven’t done anything wrong.” Tim grits out, “some asshole magic user forcing this out of you as retribution- I’m so sorry, Jay.” 

Jason’s pretty sure the speed at which they make it to the ‘Cave is a record, tires squealing to a stop once they’re safely inside. Bruce and Alfred are already there, both rushing over. Tim meets them as Jason takes his time getting out of the passenger seat. Tim wasn’t interested- was gently and carefully avoiding even saying as much in a way that made his chest ache in affection and sorrow- and was filling them in on the details. He just- he needed the moment Tim was giving him to get himself together. 

“Jason.” Bruce is heading over once he does get himself under enough control to know he’s not going to start crying in front of the three men. “Can you lie to me?” He does, easily. He lies to Alfred with the same level of difficulty as normal- more than Bruce, but not impossible. 

Turns out he can lie to them about anything but Tim, something he’s sure all three of them regret once he starts answering their questions about the man down to the smallest detail. Bruce and Alfred both have vaguely pained expressions on their faces as he waxes poetic about Tim’s fucking bone structure as he watches the little bird get onto the network and start contacting people who can fix this. 

“Zat’s coming.” Tim interrupts the train of thought he was voicing about how hot it was that Tim was scarily efficient before it can gather too much steam, shooting Jason an apologetic grimace. “Sorry to subject you to Zach but he’s the one that owes me-” 

“Zatanna was not available?” Bruce butts in, shooting Tim a look. 

“No, sorry. Look- I’m not exactly thrilled to call him in either-” Tim pinches the bridge of his nose and huffs. It's adorable. Jason’s pretty sure he coos, judging by the pink crawling up Tim’s neck. “He’s gonna give me so much shit for this.” And that wasn’t good- Jason didn’t want to mess anything up for Tim, not with his allies. 

“Prettybird-” He starts, ignoring the way Bruce and Alfred’s eyebrows raise at the endearment, “you don’t gotta waste a favor on me-” 

“-You deserve to keep your feelings to yourself,” and Tim deserves not to have to hear them, “and Zat’s not that bad.” He assures with a wave of his hand and a small smile. 

Jason can’t help but disagree once he meets the guy. For one, he spends a solid five minutes laughing after Tim explains the situation. He’s not much better about it once he’s actually performing the ritual to tease out the details of his specific curse. “Sorry,” Zat says with a smirk sent Tim’s way that makes Jason kinda want to smack him. “I’ve got an antidote- but you’re not gonna like it.” 

“I’ll do whatever-” 

“Unfortunately, you can’t fix it. Eris is the goddess of chaos, and apparently the most chaotic way to mess with you is to make you honest with Red about something I’m assuming you were never gonna get the nerve to say.” Zach doesn’t wait for him to respond, gesturing to Tim. “The only way to break the curse is to get this boy to be honest back. Couldn’t have been crafted more expertly if they’d known who the object of your heart’s desire was. Sorry, man.” 

Tim blanched, eyes widening behind the domino in a brief flash of panic before smoothing out into a forced calm. Oh. Jason’s heart clenches at the thought, of having to hear the rejection Tim had been delicately skating around since this started. It was inevitable, had been since the moment he’d started feeling this way, but- fuck, this wasn’t fair. 

“Okay, then. Thanks Zat. I’ll um- do that.” Zach snorts, somewhat disbelieving, but does take his leave. Tim fidgets once the man is gone, peeling off his domino and eyeing Bruce and Alfred. “Can you guys, uh. Give us a minute?” Tim was so sweet, letting him down easy in private. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe he’d be cured and able to slink away to lick his wounds without having to see the other two men until he was well and truly over it.

“Tim, you don’t gotta be so worried about how I’m gonna take it, I already know-” He rushes to assure him once the two men made their way up to the manor. His heart had been broken the moment he realized this conversation was inevitable- 

“-I’m sorry,” Tim looks up at him, blue eyes wide, “I know you didn’t want me to know and it’s not fair that this is how I found out-” he lets out a harsh sigh, visibly gathering his courage before continuing, “I-” Tim cuts himself off, making a frustrated noise and shaking his head.

He apparently decides using words for honesty is too hard, because he stalks into Jason’s space and yanks him down into a kiss by the collar of his jacket. Jason’s arms reflexively circle his waist, pulling him in close before he realizes what’s happening. He’s dazed, staring down at him in disbelief when Tim breaks the kiss. “I’m bad with this stuff. You’re- even like this-” 

“You like me?” Jason’s grinning, giddy disbelief lacing his voice. 

“Obviously-” 

“Why didn’t you just say that?” 

“You’re magically cursed! I don’t wanna- I can’t take advantage of that-” Jason pulls him into the kiss this time, humming as Tim slides up against him and wraps his arms around his shoulders to deepen the embrace. 

“I suddenly don’t feel like killing that asshole warlock anymore.” Jason quips, beaming a grin down at a pretty dazed looking Tim. “Maybe I’ll send him a fruit basket.”

“Oh, fuck that. We’re still ruining his day- this should’ve been on our terms and he’s gonna learn why.” This time, when Jason bends down to whisper just how hot he finds that mean streak of his and watches in delight as Tim turns another shade of pink, it’s completely under his own power.

[jostenneil]

Look, dgmw, I 100% understand the appeal of Red Hood conceptually, especially as a revenge fantasy- I do! The idea of Jason filling a narrative role of representing the anger of trauma victims or those the system fucks over (which I bring up bc it’s a lot of the “keep killing” camp tend to see him this way in my experience) can be very interesting to see explored or think about, especially when taking into account the societal power structures at play in Jason’s life & in Gotham, more specifically Crime Alley. HOWEVER there are many many reasons that it just… is not a good position to keep Jason in. Like, first of all, DC has been shown to write Jason’s ideology incredibly inconsistently (*coughs* in part due to the classism that led to his post-dying character assassination *cough*) & has it’s been shown that, generally, they are not able to examine it enough to execute it well. Or, more likely, they’ve never even really cared to beyond maybe UTRH & LDs. Secondly, even Jason’s most lauded post-resurrection writer (Winnick) has an incredibly reductive view of the character & his reasons for violence. He views Jason as a “complete psychopath” who slept with Talia out of an Oedipal desire to get back at Bruce &, if given the chance, would have likely used to play into the deranged bisexual trope (do I want Jason to be bi? Yes, but keep Winnick away from it). DC’s intention has very never been to actually explore Jason as a sympathetic anti-villain/anti-hero who’s representative of trauma victims (I’ve not read Outlaws yet but from what I’ve heard it does not count). They probably didn’t even think about it beyond whatever hamfisted way they could shove it in to make a quick buck off fanon. There is no reason to think this will change. Thirdly, there are other characters who will this niche better & more consistently, namely Bertinelli. Fourthly, I’d argue that you cannot fully separate Jason’s anger from the classism that led to it’s modern portrayal. For all people like to complain about it I’m honestly shocked that more people don’t take into account that Jason was nearly completely re-characterized after his murder, leading to a lot of his character development-regardless of whether it’s positive or negative- utterly illogical. Like Jason has been shown to be on some level aware of the cycle of crime since his first post-crisis appearance & I would not be at all surprised if a majority of people who’ve written for him post-resurrection were unaware of it. That is a problem. Lastly, destructive anger like this is not something that was thematically super present for Jason prior to his death- indignation at injustice sure, but not that level of rage- where as compassion was. Anger is also not sustainable to base one’s entire life & belief system around, compassion is. Not only is there more reason to explore Jason from that lens based on logical development, but I’d argue it’s more interesting. Tldr: Jason’s name literally means “to heal”, where the fuck is his trauma recovery regaining compassion arc???? Where?? Have 90% of his backing cast be civilian women w varying views on red hood’s methods & maybe I’ll pay you real money DC.

Sorry this is so long. Jason is just my blorbo sckrinly & therefore I’m very passionate about this. Thank you for being intelligent, I hope you have a nice night/day/whatever time it is for you☺️.

no like i don’t even have anything to add to this this literally says it all

[ectonurites]

I’m pretty sure that it’s canon that Tim doesn’t like alcohol, Dick’s a lightweight, and Jason can hold his liquor well enough to keep up with Russians, though that last one may or may not be me misremembering something

Yeah I mean Tim has only tried it a few times I'm aware of and typically spits it out in disgust, as I showed earlier. To be fair he is like, a kid, so it's not necessarily something he'd hate forever but he's not super in favor of using mind-altering substances in general (cough cough weed assembly).

Dick I honestly don't recall off the top of my head, I would need someone else to verify.

The Jason thing though is a little inconsistent- pre-reboot he was shown drinking with Russians which is prob what you're referencing:

(Red Hood: Lost Days #4)

but then in Rebirth Artemis calls him a lightweight

(Red Hood and the Outlaws (2016) #19)

My general way of interpreting this is 'he can hold his liquor very well compared to humans but next to Amazons that's nothing'

[sarriathmg]

🐙Omega Jason Todd Week 🐙 Day 1: Elaborate Courting Rituals

Explicit

Archive Warnings

No Archive Warnings Apply

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Category:

M/M

Fandoms:

DCU (Comics), Batman (Comics), Nightwing (Comics), Red Hood and the Outlaws (Comics)

Relationship:

Dick Grayson/Jason Todd

Characters:

Dick Grayson, Jason Todd

Additional Tags:

Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, merfolks, Octopus Dick Grayson, merman jason todd, Courting Rituals, Animal Traits, Alpha Dick Grayson, Omega Jason Todd, tentadick, Tentacle Dick Grayson, Fanart, NSFW Art, Slow Dancing, Moonlight, Oviposition, Mpreg,, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Kink, Tentacles, Tentacle Sex

Language:English

click read more or go to AO3 LINK

Dick took him toward the surface, close enough that the moonlight illuminated the water, tinting it into a rich shade of azure.

Jason had never been courted by an octomer.

He’d never been courted by a regular mer, either, but he’d seen them do it. He’d seen his parents before Willis was caught in a web and Catherine died from the grief. He knew how it was done.

But this, this was uncharted territory.

Jason looked at Dick. The moonlight shone on his face, lighting it. His skin was a golden copper, his hair jet black. His eyes the most gorgeous shade of sapphire Jason had seen.

Dick’s body beneath the neck was pitch black, aside from a v-shaped blue stripe on his chest that extended all the way to his middle and ring fingers on each of his human arms. Jason could feel the bulge of Dick’s muscles when he ran his hand over them, and sense the long, changing, unseen tendrils spreading like a web in the vast abyss of the sea from the current of the water.

Dick smiled. As he pulled Jason close, the skin around his eyes began to change. Rings of black and blue expanded like magic, taking over his eyelids and cheekbones until it looked like he was wearing a mask that magically shifted from blue to black and back again. Like sprinkles of lapis embedded in a layer of obsidian, or drops of obsidian lost in a sea of lapis lazuli.

Dick held Jason close as he performed the alpha courting dance of his subspecies, entangling their bodies as they twirled under the surface. Circling water currents caressed Jason’s face.

Jason couldn’t help but cough out a laugh when one of Dick’s tentacles braced him from behind. Then another. They were slippery and cool; the underside made of blue suction cups that hung to Jason’s body. One wrapped itself around Jason’s red-scaled tail, one spiralling onto his arm. Another gently climbed up and touched Jason’s cheek, the feeling not unlike a lover’s caress and very much was.

It was strange, this feeling. This sensation of being touched and loved by boneless tendrils that knew better than any mer on how to treat a mate. Jason found himself falling into the dance, his eyes heavy lidded and his lips parted, the translucent fins of his tail relaxing into the current and this journey that Dick took him on.

“Jason, open your eyes.”

Jason hadn’t realized he’d closed them before Dick said this. He did as he was told, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Dick’s eyes shone in the dark, his mask now a beautiful shade of cerulean blue. And the color of his tendrils was changing as well. The same blue rings popped up here and there, lighting up in the dark and catching the moonlight in the most intoxicating way, expanding, contracting, like a mating dance in and of itself. 

“Jason, I want to be your mate. Will you let me?”

All eight of Dick’s tendrils were now wrapped around him. It felt safe, safe, like he’d never felt since he’d lost his old pack.

Jason threw his head back and sighed in delight and relaxation, grumpily mumbling a “yes” before he allowed himself to sink deeper into that embrace.

The dance continued. The luminescence of the blue rings on Dick’s mask and tendrils danced rigorously to his excitement from the approval. They twirled beneath the surface in the moon-illuminated sea. Like a blue-colored lantern, lighting up the darkness of the ocean.

[forlornmelody]

Today's List of Nice Things:

1) Went on a little spree at Barnes & Noble and I regret nothing.

2) The Red Hood: Outlaws webtoon debuted today and it's really good. I'm not caught up yet so no spoilers, please.

3) Thank Bob I can play Valhalla without internet.

4) So I haven't had any random coughs today. It's only when I try talking for an extended period of time that I cough. Still fatigued but I made it through 4 hours of work before I really felt that Tired.

[fascinationex]

The Dumbest Prompts I Could Think of While Drunk at 3am:

(Sealpatico AU) Brainstorm rates (and throws shade on) other seals. A lot of shade. So much shade. Perceptor, you're not looking at other seals, are you?

Brainstorm, mech who invented time travel but doesn't understand money, also doesn't understand birth control.

Skywarp loudly calling Megatron his brother-in-law/warlord-in-law/outlaw-in-law.

Swerve attempts molecular gastronomy.

Swerve tries the Cybertronian equivalent of Hot Ones (running up the alkali reactivity line from lithium to francium, I imagine).

Sunstreaker discovers DipYourCar videos.

Whirl and Perceptor get absolutely StarSabered and talk about their time with the Wreckers.

Happy drunk 3am, and may you be asleep by the time I post this.

I have selected option #1 but I'm keeping the rest of these for later haha. Love some dumb prompt ideas, thank you.

(A short sealpatico ficlet below)

*

"What's this," said Brainstorm, peering muzzily at Perceptor's screen.

Perceptor twitched. He had been occupied reading and hadn't immediately realised that the heavy wheezing weight on his leg was a heavy, wheezing awake weight.

Brainstorm still looked miserable from his illness, but at least he was also looking more lucid now, too.

"Oh, it's just..." Perceptor glanced back at his reading. It was a text about marine mammal pharmacology. It confirmed what he and Ratchet had already assumed, which was worrying because, given how Brainstorm had responded to the medication they'd given him, it was wrong. "I'm looking at how drugs affect seals."

Brainstorm lifted his head—with some effort—from Perceptor's moderately numb leg and poked a long claw at the photo of a weddell seal. She was depicted sprawled across the ice next to a deep fissure, looking utterly unconcerned by the nearby researchers.

The garage offered the best blend of temperatures humans and polar mermaids could tolerate, so that was where they'd settled Brainstorm, but it sat poorly with Perceptor to have a sick friend sprawled upon a tarpaulin sheet on the cold concrete floor, especially since the garage had the distinct air of either an industrial building or a prison. If he went to the infirmary, though, he'd overheat quickly.

"They're round but they're so ...blob shaped," Brainstorm said, blinking his yellow eyes sleepily. "With their weird little flippers."

"It's a weddell seal. They're only found in Antarctica, and they live near the cracks in the ice so they can come and go in the water all year. But unlike present company, I think they spend all their time eating and breeding. Little wonder they're fatter."

Brainstorm hummed, unimpressed. "Their heads are too small," he said critically. "They look stupid."

"They're animals."

But Brainstorm wasn't listening. Laboriously, he rolled so he could blink his eyes awake and scroll further. "And that looks like a crocodile, not a seal."

The leopard seal's teeth and broad, smiling mouth were clearly on display. They did have the unfortunate habit of looking like the serial killers of the pinniped world.

"What are you doing looking at all these seals," Brainstorm said then, disapproving. His thumb scrolled past the leopard seal.

"Like I said, I'm looking at pharmacology reports. I think we gave you too much."

"Hmm. None of them are like me, though." The disapproval in his voice only increased. His scrolling stopped again and he had to pause to give an unhappy, wheezing cough. "Especially not them. I've seen them, we get them near here."

"Do we?" Perceptor wondered. He felt sure he'd have remembered seeing a hooded seal around. The males' distinctive red 'hood' was the lining of his nasal cavity, blown up to catch attention. And it was attention catching. And gross.

"They're so ugly. Turn their..." He waved his hand, still a little uncoordinated, causing Perceptor to reel back from his claws, "...faces inside out. No point being fat if your face is inside out!"

"Indeed not," said Perceptor, because it seemed wisest to agree. He took Brainstorm's wiggling hand and clasped it in his to avoid any scrapes.

Brainstorm made a startled trill at having his hand grabbed. He peered at their joined hands for a second and then threaded his fingers clumsily between Perceptor's.

"Anyway. You should just pay attention to me instead," Brainstorm recommended.

Perceptor hummed. "Very convincing argument," he murmured, resting his hand on the back of Brainstorm's neck.

He could stop reading until Brainstorm went back to sleep, at least. He turned the screen off. Brainstorm sighed a deep, wheezing sigh into his thigh, which showed no sign of regaining any feeling any time soon.

(Added to sealpatico series over here.)

[tahitianmangoes]

Snow Falls

Pairing: Charles x Arthur Summary:  After Charles had found Arthur unconscious on that mountain and he vowed that he'd never leave him again. Now he’d broken that vow. Words:3018 Chapter 1/1

Not cannon compliant | NSF W

And the snow falls, the wind calls The year turns round again 'Til then put your trust in tomorrow my friend For yesterday's over and done

****

The cabin was the best way up a mountain, far from prying eyes. They were safe here. Arthur could rest here. Charles could almost rest too but he would be lying if he said that he didn’t spend the moments that he wasn’t caring for Arthur looking over his shoulder for bounty hunters, Pinkertons or worse, Dutch and Micah.

Arthur was awake before Charles, he had gotten out of bed and was stoking the fire. “I can do that,” Charles said huskily, still half asleep and half dressed, getting out of bed and going over to Arthur.

Arthur's frame was slimmer than it had been a few months ago, a few months ago when Arthur had been well enough to eat. At that time, Charles had been able to see Arthur's spine through his paper white skin when the older outlaw let Charles bathe him. No matter how hard Charles tried to get Arthur to eat more, he didn't. He couldn't. Some days, he had no appetite. Some days, it was all he could do to get out of bed and sit by the cabin window. His brilliant blue eyes were less blood shot now though, perhaps because the stillness of the mountains allowed him to sleep compared to their tiny but noisy room in Saint Denis. The colour had returned to his sallow cheeks and he was beginning to grow stronger day by day.

But Charles could still hear Arthur's breaths sometimes, laboured and shaky. He tried to hide how breathless he became doing simple things like even brushing the horses, tried to stifle his coughs from Charles perhaps because he was embarrassed but of course, nothing escaped Charles.

“I know,” Arthur replied, “but I want to. Maybe you can let me chop the firewood from now on - you always do it.” “Oh Arthur…” Charles started. “Don’t oh Arthur me, “ Arthur said quickly. “Charles, I know you’re just trying to help but… I’m bored! I’m so damned bored, stuck in a little cabin in the middle of nowhere like… Like Little Red Riding Hood!” Charles chuckled at this. “It ain’t funny, Charles.” Arthur said huffily, continuing to stoke the fire doggedly. “You said we’d be across the border soon and I’m... I'm feeling better. We could go soon.”

Charles sighed, he reached for Arthur’s face. Arthur let Charles stroke the soft downy hair out of his eyes and caress his cheek tenderly. “I just want to take care of you, my love. You’re… well, you’re still healing.” “I’m fine…” Arthur started but Charles brushed his thumb over Arthur’s lips in a bid to silence him. They held each other’s gaze, it hadn’t gone unnoticed by Charles thart Arthur's shimmering blue eyes were more tired these days. But he was still the man Charles had fallen in love with, loved like no other. “We're lucky we've made it this far. I don't want to push the limits. We’ll go as soon as you’re ready, I promise.” Charles said gently, moving his head closer to Arthur's, “you know what the doctor said, you must rest.” “Charles-” “Arthur…”

They didn’t say it often. Arthur would flush and look away and Charles found himself getting tongue tied. So he kissed Arthur and Arthur kissed back. Arthur was always so strong but at the feel of Charles's lips to his own, he softened. He sighed into Charles’s mouth.

“You've spent your whole life taking care of other people,” Charles said to him in earnest, “let me take care of you. Just this one time.” Arthur was powerless to argue.

****

Charles chopped firewood in the morning, made sure Arthur took the medicine the doctor had prescribed for him for his pneumonia with his breakfast of eggs and potatoes. After that, Charles cleaned his guns, crafted some arrows and mended some of his clothes that seemed to miraculously sprout holes faster than he could stitch them. Arthur dozed, the medicine made him drowsy and the warmth from the fireplace only exacerbated things. Charles was glad to see Arthur resting, though. Once he was better, they would head further north into Canada and start a new life. Get some land. Maybe some animals, too. Maybe change their names. Spend every day together. Grow old together. Forget what happened out east. Love each other until they stopped drawing breath… But Arthur wasn’t well enough yet. Charles had waited this long, he could wait a while longer.

Charles’s cough started that evening after dinner. Arthur’s eyes widened, “d-did I..?” Charles shook his head and laughed softly, “it’s not contagious. I must have caught the cold, that’s all.” By the next morning, the cough had worsened and Charles's chest hurt; it felt like he was tearing through him with each swing of his axe while he chopped the firewood as usual. He fixed breakfast while Arthur slept in - he hadn’t slept well during the night, he'd woken wheezing a few times and sweating. Charles had feared it was a fever but he seemed better by the time he awoke the next day.

Charles didn’t tell Arthur that it hurt when he moved, that his head felt stuffy and the blood pounded like he’d been running. But he didn’t need to. Arthur noticed that Charles seemed groggy and tired. “It’s just a cold. I’ll be fine.” Charles said dismissively.

But Arthur saw how he shivered as he tried to stitch the clothes he hadn’t managed to finish yesterday.

“Come to bed.” “Arthur, I’m hardly in the mood-” Charles was cut off by Arthur’s rasping laugh. “I ain’t propositioning you, Mr Smith.” Charles looked over at Arthur who was still lying down and felt his cheeks burn hot with embarrassment. “It’s warm here. We can keep each other warm, pair o’ invalids together.” Arthur said, patting the bed beside him. Charles smirked. “How can I resist?”

So the pair of them spent the rest of the day in bed together, huddling under the blankets, Charles's head aching and his chest tight, dozing in each other's arms in a contended way that they’d never really been able to when they had been living a life on the run.

They spent the next few days like that until the worst of Charles's cold passed. Arthur seemed to enjoy this role reversal of taking care of Charles. He made him hot herbal tea that he said Hosea had taught him to brew. Better than that stuff you buy in the store. Whether the tea really helped or not, Charles was able to get up and back to his usual self (or near enough,) after a couple of days. But by this time, there was almost no food left in the cabin. “I’m going hunting,” Charles told Arthur that morning. “Charles… you’re not well.” Arthur said sleepily, holding his hand as he went to leave the bed to get dressed. Charles tugged away reluctantly, fingers slipping through Arthur's like water. “I’m well enough. Besides, we’ll both starve if I don’t go. I’ll be back before nightfall, I promise you.”

But he wasn’t.

The snow came down heavy and thick. Charles cursed himself for being so careless, so stupid. He’d been tracking a mountain ram, perhaps a little too far. He should have known when to give up and turn back, maybe ride into town the next day and get supplies from the general store but as much as Charles would never admit it, it was his pride that kept him out longer than he should have been. He didn’t want to return to Arthur empty handed, though he knew Arthur wouldn’t be disappointed. It was stupid, male pride. It was that pride that found him unable to get back across the mountain to the cabin, to Arthur. Taima had always been a strong horse but this had proven to be her limit. The snowstorm rolled across the hills and Charles was lucky in that he found a cave that looked like it had once been home to animals of some sort - wolves he suspected - but now seemed empty. He did his best to light a fire for them both but the wood he managed to gather in the boisterous wind was too wet and the embers soon died out.

The storm swirled and the wind howled. He was reminded of the time after the Blackwater fiasco, when the gang had been stuck in a storm at Colter. It seemed like a lifetime ago now. He had shared his first kiss with Arthur not long after that, just before the gang had moved from Horseshoe Overlook to Clemens Point. He remembered that night, when they’d camped under the stars in Big Valley, how Charles had felt so comfortable with Arthur in a way he’d never felt with anyone else. He’d never foreseen this future for himself, falling for a man, a white man, a murderer and outlaw… but Charles knew he couldn't question the way the world turns. All he knew was that he cared for Arthur in a way that set his heart on ablaze like nothing before.

Rains Fall had looked him deeply in the eyes that night when Arthur returned to Beaver Hollow and said, “go to him.” Charles had opened his mouth to protest but Rains Fall shook his head steadfastly, He had wore a sorrowful smile but the look in his eyes was as resolute as ever. “I have lost too many people I love, Mr Smith. You have too.” He lay his hand gently on Charles’s shoulder. “Mr Morgan can be saved. He needs you more than we do, now go.”

So Charles had rode into the night, the sky had gone from deepest navy to a blanket of obsidian above him. No stars shone. Charles rode desperately to Arthur, each beat of his heart was Arthur’s name as he flattened his body to Taima’s and urged her faster and faster, please, girl. Please just this once, please.

He had found Arthur unconscious on that mountain and he vowed that he'd never leave him again. Now he’d broken that vow.

As the snow came down harder and faster than ever, Charles paced the cave, flooded with images of Arthur alone in the cabin and endless “what ifs?” Eventually the night rolled in, the moon reflecting off of the snow as if it were the ocean and Charles knew he he could do nothing but wait.

Two days passed. Charles managed to start a fire and kept himself and Taima warm. It was a comfort to have her there, she'd been through a lot with him and turned out to be the most loyal of everyone in the end. On the third morning, the snow had all but stopped and it was so serene on the mountain now, as if the storm had never happened. Charles mounted up and urged Taima back to the cabin, fearing the worst with every beat of his heart.

****

It was dark by the time Charles burst through the door of the cabin, Arthur was already on his feet. Neither said anything as they embraced, Charles holding Arthur so tight to his chest, tighter than he should be he didn’t care. Needed to feel the warmth of the other man, to feel his breath on his neck as they stood like that while time seemed to stand still and all that could be heard was the crackling from the fire. He wouldn’t let Arthur go ever again.

And then they were kissing. Kissing without care nor hesitation nor complexity. Just two people so fiercely in love.

“I’ve missed you,” Charles breathed, kissing Arthur so hard it almost knocked the air from his lungs. “I love you,” came Arthur’s reply, his lips soft and warm against Charles’s cold ones.

He’d missed Arthur desperately, that feeling that he might not see him again, just like the night he went to the mountain had flooded him Every doubt he’d ever had, every time he had wondered if he had made the right decision was erased.

He kissed Arthur hard, bruisingly so. Arthur sighed into the kiss, lacing his arms around Charles’s neck and pressing their bodies together.

Charles had never loved anyone like this, never felt the branches grow, felt it take root in him until it was at his very centre. All consuming. The reason he woke up in the morning and the reason he didn't just give up when things looked bleak. The reason the sunsets looked beautiful and the reason why food tasted good.

Charles didn't know which one of them had started to the bed or maybe it was both but suddenly, he was lying Arthur down and Arthur was kissing his neck and unbuttoning his shirt.

Charles hesitated, “Arthur… Are you sure?” He asked gently.

They’d only done this a handful of times, Arthur inexperienced and shy about his body, Charles not wanting to press the issue because of Arthur’s inexperience but also because Arthur was still frail. But he’d make love to Arthur every day if he could just to see the way the older man’s eyes seemed to shine when he lay beneath Charles and how his face lost all tension when it was enraptured by bliss.

Since Arthur got sick, they hadn’t been able to be intimate. Arthur’s health was more important. And then they were moving from place to place, Charles paranoid that someone had recognised them from their bounty posters even though he would slip out at night sometimes while Arthur slept and tear them down, burning them in the fire.

This was the first time in months that they were truly alone. Arthur leaned up to kiss Charles’s lips, before pulling away, their eyes meeting in a rich gaze, “it’s ok… I want to do this.” he told him

Charles brushed Arthur’s hair from his face, the love he felt overpowering him, hands working away at Arthur’s shirt and union suit until he was bare. Charles kissed his lover’s pale, flushed skin, ran his lips tenderly over the gunshot wound at his shoulder, let his tongue flick teasingly around Arthur's nipples and softly nibble at his stomach, delighting in how Arthur quaked beneath him and gasped.

Arthur’s hands reached for Charles, too, slipping his shirt off of him, fingers working at buttons and fastenings until Charles was freed of his clothes. Arthur continued, caressing the wide expanse of Charles’s back, down his flank and kneading his ass. Charles chuckled softly. “I want you,” Arthur whispered. “You’re sure?” “Y-yeah.”

Charles rolled them both over so that Arthur was now astride him. His feet remained planted on the floor, his hips supported by the bed, Arthur straddled him. Both were panting and flushed, both achingly hard.

Arthur looked away hesitantly, arms moving up instinctively to cover himself but Charles held his wrists gently, “I want to see you, all of you.” Still not meeting Charles’s gaze, Arthur positioned himself over Charles’s length and, not able to wait any longer, after quickly slicking it with hair pomade (that tore a shiver down Charles’s spine but he managed to stop himself from bucking up into Arthur), he sunk down, swallowing Charles inch by inch.

Both of them gasped and moaned softly. Arthur’s dazzling eyes closed now as he adjusted to the length buried deep inside him to the hilt..

Arthur moved, he groaned as he did so. Charles filled him, felt so big inside. He reached down, steading himself by placing his palms on Charles's broad chest and then began to find a pace that he could enjoy. Charles watched with adoration as Arthur rode him, slow and sensual at first. He saw the flush deepening, saw his brow furrow as he found a rhythm, Charles placed his hands on Arthur’s hips to steady him Charles reached up to caress Arthur torso, his hips, the swell of his ass. The older outlaw’s weight bared down on him, engulfing him. Everything from the past few days, the past awful months felt like white noise. All Charles could focus on was his hard cock inside Arthur, his breathing, Arthur’s moans, their bodies rubbing against each other's, the feel of Arthur’s erection on his stomach as he slid in and out out of him, him becoming part of Arthur and Arthur becoming part of him.

It didn’t take long for Arthur's moans to grow louder and for him to bring himself down harder, passage squeezing Charles, making Charles growl in response. Arthur’s eyes rolled back and his body stiffened, he juddered almost collapsing if Charles hadn’t been holding him. He came without touching himself the first time. Charles saw the ecstasy clouding Arthur’s vision and as he barely came down from his first orgasm, he began to chase a second, raising his hips, grinding down on Charles with a force that Charles hadn't been certain Arthur wasn't capable of. Arthur huffed and cursed, he chanted Charles's name between low, careless moans. Charles groaned, doing his best not to spill himself in Arthur just yet and fill him up as much as would love to, Arthur’s heat was hypnotising but so was the way he moved, so was the way he looked above him, fawn coloured hair framing his handsome face, biting down on his lip, unable to hide how good this made him feel, how much he loved this,

Charles’s cock wrung orgasm after orgasm out of Arthur until he was left breathless and exhausted and finally collapsed into Charles’s arms. Charles thrust up into Arthur now, shivering and chest rumbling as he came, foreheads pressed together, breath hot on his face, Arthur’s lips trailing lazy kisses over his skin until they both stilled and lay in each others arms.

They lay like that until it began to grow light again outside and Charles could hear birdsong. "I love you," Charles murmured. Arthur slipped his hand in Charles's and whispered it back before he began to snore softly.