#Alfred and jazz have tea together

[thenightwolf51]

So i originally had this idea when i reblogged this post by @saphushia but i wanna just seperate it out as its own little prompt.

A quick context is that Danny seems to be roaming around Gotham like some homeless cryptid, kinda Bus to Nowhere style but with more vigilante interaction and casual offerings of first aid. And the batkids are keeping their adoption bait First Aid Cryptid(tm) secret from Batman.

One set of tags in the reblogs from @little-pondhead caught my attention

I came up with both funny answers and an angsty answer for that "#why?" but here's the angsty one (though i promice i actually envision it to be more hurt/comfort with a lot of family fluff)

Actual Prompt⬇️⬇️

Something happens, maybe a reveal gone wrong, maybe he got capture by the GIW, maybe he lost Jazz and his parents somehow.

Whatever it is, it leaves Danny with a need to escaped to a new dimension which just so happens to end up being the DCU. He winds up in Gotham and is just trying to start over, easier said than done but at there's plenty of heros around so he doesn't need to go ghost and he can still patch up the local vigilantes to feed his obsession. He's just not up to being Phantom yet and he's still recovering from whatever happened in Amity, whether it be mentally or physically.

Plus these vigilantes are kinda fun to mess with. Danny can practically see the gears turning as they try to put together and make sense of his little "lore drops", that Red Robin almost reminds him of Wes in a way.

Its not like he really needs to hide anyways. There's no GIW here, no Anti-Ecto Acts, if it really comes down to it he could probably pass as meta and fall under those protection laws. Judging by Signal, Danny's pretty sure Batman's bluffing on the whole "hating metas" thing anyways.

It takes awhile before Danny actually does meet the big bat himself and the reaction he gets is nothing anyone was expecting.

You see theres one little detail danny couldn't have been warned about, and its that there just so happens to be a version of Jazz here.

Except this Jazz lost her Danny when they were in high school, as in full on dead and gone Danny, no halfas here, the portal simply did not work and it was just regular ole lethal electrocution that hit her little brother.

What if she grew up with a young Bruce somehow, whether it be because CPS took her from the Fentons after her Danny's death or Amity Park simply doesn't exist in the DCU making Gotham the city with the thinnest veil and thus where the Fenton's chose to settle down.

This Jazz is an adult in her 40s but was once a kid smart enough to go to Gotham Academy on scholarship (or maybe the Fenton's had enough money from patents?). A kid who took one look at young Bruce's grumpy little face and decided he needed a honest friend, one that wasn't after status or money.

This Jazz grew up being a secondary voice of reason for Bruce, ganging up with Alfred in their own crusade to enforce healthy habits on him in between their weekly tea sessions.

This Jazz lost her brother and could not only understand Bruce's resoning on a minor level but encouraged his planned "journey of self discovery and healing". (Though the bat costume he made when he came back was unexpected and she gave him a look to rival Alfred for it)

This Jazz grew up to be a social worker because if anyone had cared enough to take her away from the Fenton's sooner then her brother might've still been alive

This Jazz being the one Bruce calls when he first gets Dick because holy shit he has no idea what hes doing and "Jazz, i just became a father, help!"

This Jazz being a sort of aunt to all the Batkids and is a major influence that has led to their dynamics being similar to Wayne Family Adventures

Bruce goes pale and later calls Jazz after he finally gets a glimps/meets the so called "First Aid Cryptid" his kids have been obsessed with. Because this kid that he's looking at with the barely visible lichtenberg scars... that's a face he hasn't seen in little over 20 years, that's his old friend's long dead baby brother.

Bruce sees danny and his mind rapidly jumps to all sorts of possibilities. Is this a clone? Is this a trap? Are the Lazarus pits involved somehow? Time travel? He does consider a ghost but this kid is too solid and they're nowhere near the old dilapidated Fenton Works building

Eventually, down the line when they get the full story of Danny being from an alternate dimension, Jazz might try to adopt him. Which has potential to be unhealthy but i fully believe Jazz would be aware enough not to project her decades old grief on this Danny, who is so similar but so different to her brother.

(Because I think a Gotham raised Danny would've been similar to a young Jason in street smarts so this Amity raised Danny is noticeably different)

Danny on the other hand... not sure if i could say the same, especially if he just lost his Jazz before winding up in the DCU. But again, this is an adult Jazz in her late 40s with professional experience dealing with traumatized kids, and she'll do her best to help him through it

Im imagining Jazz and Bruce to have a more platonic friendship, maybe even see each other as family, but you could go with Parent Syndrome if you want

(And because i love to see other peoples ideas and opinions, @omnicrafts @ailithnight @atiyasnake @hdgnj @nelkcats @nerdpoe @im-totally-not-an-alien-2 @dcxdpdabbles. Sorry i tag you guys so much but i like your writing, im eager to offer ideas, and your posts have been major sources of joy while ive been hyperfixating on DPxDC)

[gilbirda]

Can't help falling in love (with you) Chp.6

Jazz/Jason (Hardcover). DP x Batman crossover.

Based on this post

When a ghost does shenanigans, Jazz usually stays out of the trouble, since that's her brother's thing. This time? This time trouble found her in the form of a ghost that marries her to the Red Hood against her will.

[Read on AO3][Read on FF.net]

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----

Chapter 6: Till death do us part

Jazz’s warm hand on his chest felt… right. Her presence, her head on his shoulder, the way her legs were pressed against his.

Now, after the high of the fight together and having a clear head — thank you, brother-in-law that he never knew he needed — he could sort through how she affected him without the pressure of imminent death.

He never felt particularly inclined to have an actual relationship with anybody. He tried, and some of them lasted more than others, but there was always something missing.

For a while he thought maybe he was too broken, too removed from humanity to actually be able to feel real human emotions; that after his resurrection there was only space in his heart for violence and vengeance.

For fucks sake, he had been such a child. Looking back to those years he knew he had been acting up and giving up on something he didn’t actually understand.

He was capable of love — he loved Alfred, and Dick, and Timbit, and Cass and every addition to the family. He loved his Crime Alley and his people, and he would die defending them. He loved his goons and he didn’t set up the goonion just for laughs. If you got him drunk enough, he would admit he maybe loved Bruce too.

But what he felt for Jazz? He hadn’t felt it before. He wasn’t sure it was love, but what he could be positive about is that he felt comfortable around her.

That she picked up what he let down without him needing to say a word was a plus.

Jason chuckled, enjoying Tim’s distraught face as he looked back and forth between them, his mind reeling, looking for an explanation.

“You are not married.” Tim accused. “I’d know.”

“Oh?” He highly doubted it but let it slide. “But it’s the truth. Isn’t it, darling?”

Jazz gave him a look and slapped him on the chest. “We got magically married by a ghost today— I guess yesterday at this point.” She added when she noticed the clock on the other wall marking three in the morning.

“You too?” Conner said, reaching for some cookies and more tea. “B didn't give any explanation— wait, you said a ghost did this?”

Tim looked at Superboy, frowning. “Ghosts can’t magically marry people.” He said.

Jazz breathed in slowly. “This one can. It’s Elvis.” How she said it with a straight face, Jason didn’t know. “Ghosts have obsessions — a purpose, a meaning, a goal. They have to fulfill it or they fade. This particular pain in everyone’s ass is a Vegas Elvis impersonator obsessed with making ‘perfect matches’.” She made the air quotes.

“And you guys are a match?”

Jason watched the trio in front of them carefully. So they were also affected by this ghost? Good thing that blondie had learned about the whole vigilante thing recently, or all of this would be an even worse shitshow than it was already.

Although, given how he was still eyeing Jazz’s weapons on the table, the guy wasn’t that used to their second life yet.

“Why, surprised?” Jason answered Tim, cutting off whatever Jazz was about to say.

“That someone is actually able to put up with you, yeah.” He replied with the same glare.

Jazz cleared her throat, funny enough, reminding them of Alfred.

“As I was saying,“ her glare was very Alfred too, “this ghost’s magic affects people in a way normal magic cannot break. We are looking into it, don’t worry.”

“We?” Bernard finally spoke, averting his eyes from Jazz’s stuff.

“My brother and—”

The woman stood up, glaring at seemingly nothing. Fast as lighting, she picked up a knife from her discarded vest and threw it at the other side of the room.

“Ow!”

Everyone turned to look at where they heard the voice. In front of their eyes, Danny — well, more like Phantom — materialized out of thin air. With a knife right in the middle of his chest.

Danny frowned at his sister. “Rude!”

“You deserve it.” She picked up another one, taking aim.

Two things happened at the same time: the trio on the opposite couch ducked, just in case; and Jason stood up to grab his wife’s hand before she got to throw the blade.

“Easy there.”

She yanked her arm out of his grasp, glaring at him. At least she put the knife down.

“What the hell was that?” Danny approached the group, ghostly tail forming a pair of legs before he completely descended and touched ground. He wasn’t happy when he yanked the knife from his chest. “At least your aim has improved.”

“I was aiming for your head.” She grit through her teeth.

“Are you still mad?”

“What do you think!”

Jason moved away from the enraged woman, just in case a brawl went down between the siblings. Jazz looked seconds away from jumping at her brother’s throat, and he was not idiot enough to risk his life by getting in the way.

“I’m sorry, ok!” Danny lifted his arms, trying to appear less threatening. “I... I know it seems sudden, but I swear there was a lot going on!”

“That’s the thing, Danny. There’s always something going on!” Jazz had many talents. One was, apparently, going from murderous intent to worried sister in a matter of seconds. “That’s how they get you. That’s how he gets you — a talk about responsibility and helping others and how there’s no other way and—”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

His tone was final. His eyes were glowing. Danny — Phantom — wasn’t known for being serious, always striking the bats as some kind of trickster entity; but in that moment Jason could guess at some darkness inside the younger man that wasn’t there before.

He didn’t have all the information, of course, but apparently Jazz didn’t either. Jason watched her face go from confused to horrified to angry and finally, heartbroken.

“What did he do to you?”

Danny didn’t look at her eyes. Instead, he transformed and let his human body take over his ghost.

“Can we— Can we drop this? Please.”

You could hear a pin drop in the room. Dick wasn’t even breathing, hand frozen in the air with his teacup still in it.

Jazz’ body gave up, falling back to the sofa like a dead weight. Her expression was haunted. What did this even mean? What could have happened, that Jazz could guess just by Danny’s avoidance, that made the young man the Ghost King?

The situation wasn’t funny anymore.

Jason cleared his throat. “So…,” he tried, “the ghost?”

Danny looked relieved at his intervention. “Lost him somewhere across the world. I’m sure he’ll go back to the Ghost Zone eventually,” he shrugged, “but until then… back to square one.”

Jason looked back at Jazz, but she was still gone.

“What’s the plan now?”

Danny spared one last worried look at his sister before looking at him. “I think I could get some answers by asking around the Zone. And maybe beg Frostbite to have a go with the Infimap.” Nothing he said meant anything to Jason. Danny realized that and chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “The yetis we mentioned? Frostbite is their leader. He also guards a relic that can basically take you anywhere and anywhen you want. It’s pretty neat.”

That sounded way too powerful to just drop casually in conversation, or call it “neat” with such nonchalance, but Jason would be the first to admit that you develop a certain kind of tolerance to craziness in their line of work.

“How long?” Tim finally spoke to their guest.

“What?”

“How long until you have answers?”

“Gee, Timmy. Don’t be so hard on the kid.” Dick intervened. “Are you in a rush to get divorced?”

By the way blondie blushed and hid his face in his hands, yes, he was in a rush. Jason half wondered what had happened between the three — he remembered Tim talking about his boyfriend, but he was positive he wasn’t talking about the super. How awkward. He almost jumped in to poke at the others but movement on his side distracted him.

“You okay?” He asked Jazz while the others discussed Tim’s particular conundrum.

“Not really, no.” She said after a moment of hesitation.

Unsure what to answer to that, he circled his arm back around her and squeezed her against his chest. Cass liked when he did that, but she always preferred quiet support to comforting words, and she enjoyed his hugs.

Jazz tensed for a moment before she tried to relax, so maybe she wasn’t so keen on hugs as his sister. She still patted his leg, acknowledging the gesture.

“Awwww.”

Both turned back to the conversation, finding the room fuller than before — Alfred was back with more tea and pastries, and Bruce walked in civies right behind him. The older man froze a little when he noticed the pair, one of his eyebrows twitching in the way Jason knew there would be questions later. He ignored them both.

“Danny.” Jazz cut whatever Dick was going to add. “What was that about a royal bond?”

The other got very quiet, eyes fixed on his sister’s. She got out of the hug and straightened her back, waiting for her answer.

“I don’t know.”

Jason could almost physically feel the young woman’s rage boil under her skin. “Explain.”

“I really don’t. I— They don’t actually teach about marriage in King school, Jazz.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah! Why do you keep asking?”

“Because I highly doubt you actually listened in class.”

Someone coughed a laugh. Danny’s face became red as he crossed his arms. “That was very mean. I don’t like your lack of faith in me.”

“But am I wrong?” She crossed her arms too, mirroring her sibling, and lifting one eyebrow. She knew she was right, but she still had to make him say it.

Jason rolled his eyes at the show, glancing at Dick watching the sibling spat while munching on more cookies.

“You are not wrong.” Danny finally admitted in a quiet voice. “But I’m telling the truth about not covering this!” He quickly added. “I did get some etiquette classes but—”

“Who? The classes, who taught you.” She added when Danny frowned, confused.

“Dora.”

“Then go ask her.”

Danny scoffed. “As if I have the time. Do it yourself.” He rolled his eyes. “I have to look for the Elvis ghost.”

“Whose fault is it that the ghost escaped, Danny?”

“Yours!” He bit back. “If you hadn’t freaked out so much about nothing—”

“Nothing?” Jazz stood up, breathing heavily. “Do you call finding out your baby brother is a King against his better judgment ‘nothing’!?”

“Hey, darling—”

“Don’t—!” Jazz slapped Jason’s hand away from where he tried to place it on her arm. She was tense, so tense he believed anything would make her jump. “Just. Not right now.”

“Jazz, listen—” Danny lifted his hands when her burning glare fell on him “Calm down, okay? We will figure this out. If not us, someone else must know. There are records, and you know how ghosts are sometimes about records.”

“Ghost Writer.”

Jason didn’t know who this ghost was, but Danny nodded, lowering his hands. “You can try his haunt and check that. I could have a look at the Keep too— or if you want you can do it yourself.”

“I can’t just uproot my life here in Gotham for this Danny.” Jazz started pacing, the gears turning in her head. “I have a test next week, and— and I was job hunting and— You understand that research takes time, yes?”

Danny rolled his eyes. “I know. But what else is there, Jazz? If you are so dead set on breaking this royal bond, if it cannot wait, then it is up to you what you are going to miss in the Living World.”

Bruce cleared his throat. “Are you in Gotham University?”

She blinked and looked at the Waynes as if she forgot they were there at all. Jason watched Bruce closely. “Yes. I’m currently getting my degree at Gotham U. Psychiatry.”

Tim and Dick glanced at each other.

“You can ask for accommodations and time off as long as you need,” Bruce tilted his head, “and if that doesn’t work definitely let me know. If they want to keep getting the Wayne Enterprises internships and donations they better let you take time off.”

Jazz made a face, which Jason couldn’t blame her for. So far she had taken very well being in the presence of Bruce Wayne but the reminder that this man alone held so much power over a city can be an uncomfortable stab. Even when such power it’s used for your benefit.

“I can’t… I’ve never… My grades—”

“Will not be affected. I can make sure of that. I don’t know — we can figure out something,” Bruce glanced at Jason, who nodded, “but you won’t have to worry about anything until you and Jason are back safe and sound.”

She blinked slowly. She turned towards Jason, her worried eyes glued to his face. He tried to channel his calm and collected demeanor when he dealt with victims, projecting security so she would stop freaking out like this. He nodded.

Jazz licked her lips and hummed. “Fine.” Nobody missed how Danny’s shoulders dropped at her declaration. “We’ll try Ghost Writer and see from there.”

***

After Jazz said yes, they immediately got to work. Introductions went faster than they should have — both parties knew of each other before this whole event, even Bernard knew who the trickster Phantom was after having listened to Tim ramble about him, or so the blond said.

Jason felt like everything was a blur as he went to the showers by Alfred’s orders, and got ready in civilian clothes to get on the road. He also checked his messages and informed his goons that he would be away on a mission and to hold the fort until he was back.

After spending so much time with Jazz, her absence felt… weird. Like walking with his balance completely off.

It wasn’t the painful sensation that brought him to her apartment in the first place, but more like an uncomfortable pull from inside his chest telling him to go after her. He could ignore it like he could ignore being hungry or thirsty, but he understood it was a part of him until they found answers to… whatever he got involved with.

Marriage.

Huh.

He wasn’t the marrying type. He had never dreamed of a wife and kids and picket fence; it just wasn’t something people like him could dream about — first as a kid from the streets and then as a crime fighter.

After he came back from the dead, he kinda… never considered he could be something else? There was so much to do in Gotham, so much to fix, and it never crossed his mind the possibility of hanging the cape and settling down with someone.

But apparently fate had something else in store for him.

He shook his head, lifting the bag with his discarded suit and adjusting the strap on his shoulder. There was no such thing as fate or destiny, he made his own destiny. He clawed his way out of his own grave, he could do whatever he wanted.

He arrived at the expansive garage and grabbed the Mercedes keys from the key box, walking towards the shiny black car that, while expensive and high tech, would be the best for blending in the small town Jazz was from.

Jason drove towards his apartment first and grabbed a spare suit, some weapons just in case, and the go bag he always had ready for a quick exit. Then it was back to Jazz’s apartment, where she had gone earlier to get ready for their trip.

She waited for him at the door of the building, wearing civilian clothes with her black biker jacket, arms crossed and a duffle bag at her feet. She wasn’t pleased.

“What’s this?” She asked the minute he rolled the window down.

“A car.”

“I can see that.” She didn’t make a move to get in. It started to rain, because of course. “What’s with the rich guy's car?”

“Turns out my daddy is the richest man in town,” he wiggled his eyebrows, “and let me play with his toys.”

She huffed, unbothered by the rain. This was so much fun. He never wanted to stop messing with her. Especially if she was going to act so antagonistic and pout in frustration.

“I thought that making the trip on a bike was a bad idea.” He added. “I love speeding down the road and forget about my problems like everybody else, but fifteen hours on a bike carrying my equipment and bags is not my idea of fun.”

The rain started falling harder, helping with his point.

He watched her eye the passenger seat and the back seat, almost hearing her thoughts considering if she should choose being in close proximity to him for a long car ride, or ignore him in the backseat.

The rain starting to become a downpour pushed her to make her decision.

“Alright, but you are driving the whole way.” She stomped her way to the passenger side and opened the door, threw her bag to the backseat without caring where it fell, and quickly sat and put on the seatbelt. “And I can choose the music.”

“I thought that was the driver’s right?”

“Rights revoked.” She pulled out her phone, opening the music app.

“By who?” He started driving down the street, glancing at how she connected the phone to the car’s bluetooth.

“By me.”

“That doesn’t sound fair.”

“Hm-mm,” she wasn’t listening to him, scrolling through her playlists. “Oh yeah.”

He wanted to ask what she was focusing so hard on, but the speakers started blasting Backstreet Boys’ 1997 hit “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”.

Jason glared at her when he stopped at a red light. “Really?”

Her grin was wide and totally unauthentic. “What, you don’t like one of the best songs of our generation?”

Did he have to bring up that he was dead for six months and catatonic for about two years, and then trained with an assassin cult in the mountains as a valid reason why he didn’t feel connected to the song?

He understood very quickly that Jazz wouldn’t care about anything he had to say. She was smiling, waiting to get a reaction from him.

As the Backstreet Boys continued filling the silence in the car, he started moving the car again as the light turned green.

Did she want some kind of undignified reaction at having to listen to boy bands? Fine. She wouldn’t get one. He wasn’t a fan of boy bands but he wasn’t going to be a little bitch over it.

If Jazz was trying to vent her anger on him and goad him into starting an argument to misplace her frustration, he wasn’t going to enable her. Because yeah, he was very aware she wasn’t mad at him per say, he was just an easy target.

And Red Hood was nobody’s punching bag.

He smiled as wide as her and started humming to the song, fingers tapping on the steering wheel at the rhythm of the song.

It was worth it by the way she finally shut up and leaned back on her seat, huffing and shaking her head, murmuring something about bratty younger brother behavior.

His smile grew. He had won round one.

----

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[samgirl98]

Mending a Family 15/?

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It had been two weeks since Jason’s powers came in. It had been a challenge.

He kept turning intangible and breaking things. Sometimes he would end up falling through the floor. Jason had become very familiar with the dirt under his house. (He was glad he got a house that was isolated.) Still, with the help of Danny and Jazz, Jason felt he was getting the hang of his new abilities.

Jason was on the porch, watching the sunrise. He sipped his cup of Earl Gray tea. God, he missed Alfred.

As Jason watched the son slowly rise on the horizon, an idea hit him. They had been living in the small town of Tadoussac for almost three months now, and either than the small convivence shop five miles away, they hadn’t explored the little town at all. It was a tourist town, so there were attractions that could excite the kids. He knew they were big on whale watching. Maybe he could take them on one of them. It’s not as if he didn’t have the money from his crime lord time.

Hell, he could even take Danny to the planetarium. Jason took out his phone and googled how far the closest one was. It was only a five-hour drive away. His son would love it.

His son…Jason still couldn’t believe those words were coming out of his mouth. How could he be so lucky to get Danny? After all the blood he has spilled, including his family's blood, who thought to give Red Hood a second chance at family?

“You know your emotions are screaming loudly, right?”

Jazz left the house and sat on the rocking chair by Jason’s old rickety chair.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you? Did I wake Danny?”

“Nah, I woke up because of a nightmare I had. Danny and Ellie are still asleep. Ellie floated to Danny sometime in the night. They’re so cute together.”

“Yeah, I saw them this morning. I didn’t want to wake them up, so I let them be after I took a picture. Want to see it?”

“Hell yeah,” Jazz said enthusiastically. Jason and Jazz ended up looking at photos of Danny and Ellie for the rest of the morning.

After that, they both sat in compatible silence.

“What do you think about taking the kids on a day out to town this weekend?”

“That’d be nice. We’ve had them cooped up for too long. This space is big, but kids need more stimuli.”

“Yeah,” Jason bit his lower lip.

“I want to put Danny in school. You know, so that he could meet more kids his age.”

Jazz blinked at that, “Oh, Danny will hate that.”

Jason sighed.

“I know, he’s technically sixteen, but now he’s five. He might act mature in some things, but I’ve read that kids need to develop their social skills with peers their age. It looks like Danny will be stuck growing up again, and he needs to be around more kids.”

“Hey, you don’t need to justify it to me; it’s Danny you’ve got to talk to. Though I have a feeling he’ll be bored in regular classes.”

Jason frowned; he hadn’t thought about that. He suddenly remembered Danny reading theses on astrophysics and engineering. Yeah, he would be bored in a regular classroom.

“Maybe I can find special programs to put him in,” Jason mumbled to himself, suddenly unsure of his plans. “Not to mention that Tadoussac was a French-speaking province, so Danny would have to learn a new language.

Thanks to Bruce and his league training, Jason already knew French, but he doubted Danny knew any.

Jazz patted Jason’s leg, “You’ll figure it out. You always have Danny’s best intentions in your mind.”

Jason wondered if Bruce ever had Jason’s best intentions in his mind. Jason remembered all the baseball Bruce would take him to, all the piggyback rides, and the late nights he would stay up helping Jason with his homework when he needed help. All the tears he would help dry, and nightmares he would soothe.

Jason had to believe his dad Bruce had loved him, right? Before Jason had died and returned as a twisted version of the boy he used to be, Bruce had wanted him, right?

“What’s wrong,” Jazz asked.

“I’m just wondering, did Bruce love me when I was younger? Did Bruce ever feel for me what I feel for Danny?”

“What do you think,” his actions before my death tell me yes, but if that’s true, why did he stop loving me after? If Danny ever did any of the things I did, I would be disappointed, but I would never stop loving him. I would move heaven and Earth to bring him home. Bruce never did that with me. He washed his hands of me and left me.”

“When I was younger, I never idolized my parents, never thought of them as perfect. They left us to our own devices. Honestly, their attack on Danny doesn’t surprise me. It hurts, Ancients does it hurt, but I’m not surprised.”

Jason frowned, his eyebrows creasing.

“Did you ever think of Bruce as perfect when you were younger?”

Jason thought back. His dad was Batman; he was infallible. Bruce had been larger than life, and he could never be wrong in Jason Todd’s younger eyes.

“Maybe,” Jason said.

“Parents aren’t perfect. There comes a time in a child’s life when they figure that out. Unfortunately, you found out your dad wasn’t perfect in the worse way possible.”

Jason put his hands over the scar on his throat.

(He could still see the Batarang coming toward him.)

“Do you think he would have ever accepted me back?”

“I don’t know,” Jazz answered, “I do know that thinking about the what-ifs can drive a person mad.”

“If it weren’t for Danny, I would’ve stayed and waited for God knows how long, just hoping for a crumb of their acceptance. Not even love, just acceptance.”

“Do you think you’ll ever talk to them again?”

Jason thought about it. A part of him would love to reconnect with his family. To show them how much better he has gotten. To brag about Danny. But he was scared. Scared Bruce would take Danny away from him. Scared Bruce would see Jason as unfit and throw him in Arkham.

“You don’t have to say anything,” Jazz said, “I always used to fear my parents would take Danny away from me, too.”

Liminal’s abilities were useful sometimes.

Jason sighed, “Thanks. I needed this talk.”

“No problem,” Jazz paused for a moment, “so, when should we tell them we want to go on a trip this weekend?”

Jason smiled. He loved having a family again.

____

Tim couldn’t believe it.

Tim and Barbara had gotten a ping on the anomaly North of Gotham, close to the Canadian border.

Even though Jason was hiding behind a hat and had painted his hair, Barbara and Tim recognized him.

Who they didn’t recognize was the kid holding Jason’s hand.

“Bruce is going to freak,” Tim murmured.

“Which is why we won’t tell him yet.”

“What, why not?”

“Jason left for a reason. What do you think Bruce will do when he finds out Jason has been spotted at the Canadian border with a kid in tow?”

Tim frowned. Bruce would leave at the moment, find Jason, and demand answers.

Tim’s silence was enough confirmation for Barbara that he understood.

“I’ll find and see what’s going on. If he’s alive and well, we let Bruce know, but we don’t tell him where he is,” Tim said.

“Tim, this is proof that Jason is alive. That’s all I needed. I can guess why he left, and it has to do with the kid. I say we leave him be until he comes to us.”

“And if he never does,” Tim snapped. It wasn’t fair. Bruce was hurting; he deserved to know his son was fine.

“Then we honor his wishes,” Barbara said and disconnected the call. Tim gritted his teeth. That wasn’t good enough for him.

He would find Jason and bring him home. It was his fault he was gone. Tim would make it right.

So, I brought up a family trip because a. it would be cute, b. I've been researching Tadoussac, Canada and it looks like a fun place, and c. it's gonna transition into a big plot point.

Hope you liked.

@idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit @skulld3mort-1fan @theauthorandtheartist @emergentpanda-blog @jaggedheart11 @fisticuffsatapplebees @booberrylizard @fantasticbluebirdfan @thegatorsgooseoose @cyrwrites @kjoboo91 @crystallicedart @amaramizuki666 @spekulatiusmuffin @meira-3919 @kilasmess @bubblemixer @lexdamo @wonderland-daisy @mj-arts-n-stuff @amyheart19 @dolfay @the-church-grimm @undead-essence @aph-mable @lizisipancardo @purrloin77 @writer-extraodinaire @charlietheepic7 @sinfulloccultist @nootherusernameworked @coruscateselene @chaoticchange @itsberrydreemurstuff @gmkelz11 @feral-bunny31 @paroovian @thatonegaybitch68 @d4ydr34min9 @overtherose @fandomwandererer @vipower001 @thordottir45 @blackrabbitt3t @rosecinnamonbun @bianca-hooks123 @epilepticnerd @dat1angel @consouling @flamingenchiladadragon

[confusedshades]

Eventually Alfred just wades into the mess, wraps the boy up in a blanket and plonks him on the most comfy stool in the kitchen with a cup of hot chocolate. Bruce and Jason are relegated to sitting at the kitchen nook. Jason gets a cup of tea. Bruce gets nothing.

Danny sees the two acquiescing to the older man, and follows suit. Mostly because Alfred reminds him of Clockwork a little. It's comforting. He also knows how to comfort him without fussing which is nice.

Once everything settles somewhat, Alfred nods Jason over to the kitchen island (Bruce is banned from cooking for a reason. The only time the man is allowed to enter is to eat, or grab something ready to eat from the refridgerator) with a pile of vegetables to peel. While Jason's peeling his share, Alfred decides it's a good time to start broaching subjects. That's when the story comes out piecemeal.

The three Bats in the room read between the lines and manage to put together enough to realise Danny escaped from his parents place and moved to a different city because he was scared for his life simply because of what he is now. It doesn't explain the scene with Jason, but Jason simply hums and says, "You're safe here, you know that right? It doesn't matter what or who you are, this place is a Fortress. No one gets in without permission, even Superman."

Danny smiles a little at that, but keeps staring at his mostly empty mug. "Besides," Bruce shrugs, "I already started the paperwork so this is your home too." Jason just groans at that and glares him. "You couldn't have waited till the morning old man? I just lost the best to Cass and Steph." Both Danny and Bruce blink at that.

"What bet?"

"The bet about when you'd start the paperwork. I swear your empty nest syndrome gets worse every day. Damian's still in school you know! He hasn't even left the house, and technically speaking you've got 3 kids living here full time..." Jason's spiel keeps going but Danny relaxes at the fondness thrumming in his tone, and the amused exasperation in Bruce's expression.

Alfred in one of his rounds around the kitchen to grab something, stops near Danny and quietly asks if there's anything about his being ghostly or a Halfa that would affect his diet or medical. After all, Alfred is the one who keeps everyone running, and having information about their health and requirements makes it easy to keep a large family happy.

Danny smiles and ducks his face a little. He feels safe mostly, and maybe after the whole conversation about Jason's own ghostly status, depending on how things play out, he might write a letter to Jazz and let her know he's ok. Better than ok actually.

dp x dc idea

Danny had to leave Amity Park, it was no longer safe for him. His parents found out and were all too eager to see the inner workings of a half ghost. He ran until he had ended up in Gotham, spent some time on the streets. He was too tired and weak to fight ghosts again so soon, so instead he tried his best to avoid conflict. Imagen his surprise when he somehow he caught the eye of Brucie Wayne (perhaps it was the hair and eyes, maybe it was his scrapy, sarcastic attitude). After getting gently coxed into going to Wayne manor, Danny is getting shown around when he bumps into Jason. As a cloud of mist leaves Danny's mouth and plume of smoke leaves Jason's. Jason is confused as to where the hell that smoke came from and Danny is staring in a mix of fear and shock. Just as Bruce was about to introduce them to each other Danny turns around and does a mad dash to the door. Danny can't fight another ghost right now and trespassing on another ghost's haunt is considered one of the fastest ways to get on a ghost's bad side. Bruce and Jason are both equally confused but simultaneously trying to get Danny to stop running and explain while also trying not to scare him any further. When they finally catch him (which was surprisingly hard for the vigilantes) all they hear is frantic mumblings of "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't know, I'm sorry, please don't hurt me." Now Bruce and Jason are even more confused, why is this random street kid deathly afraid of Jason Todd-Wayne? Jason had never even seen this kid before.

idk how to continue it lol but i was just thinking this would be a fun interaction, i think Jason would have a fire core (cuz of the explosion) hence the smoke for his ghost sence, feel free to continue if you get ideas :]

[iguessthisisanewobsession]

This is in response to the "Jason pretending to be/gaslighting himself into actual pregnancy" thread.

What exactly is Alfred’s and Bruce’s reaction to the…news? Like, how did they get told? Did the batkids (-Todd) sit them down, bring the board out, and try to quickly explain the ‘hey your son/grandson may be pregnant, yes it’s possible, halfa biology is a fun thing isn’t it?’ and all that jazz?

Or did Jason announce it randomly in the middle of chaotic family dinner and acted like he didn’t say anything odd, or did he bring it up offhandedly before waking away and ignoring any calls for him to return

Lmao maybe in a different world Jason chooses to announce it during a gala, Peeta ‘if it weren’t for the baby’ Mellark style, and then just let hell ascend.

Or did Danny break it by just simply asking Jason how the baby was

The first time the other boys breakdown.

It’s decided that Jason would tell Alfred at his own time and so they focus on Bruce.

They sit Bruce down in the cave and lay out their evidence the best they can.

And when the others come in later to suit up Bruce tries to bench Jason and that does not go down well.

A full screaming match that hasn’t happen since Jason’s switch, that ends with Bruce just shouting,

“I don’t care what happens out there right now, I can’t allow a pregnant person to put themselves in danger!”

And Jason just freezes in place, the cave is dead silent. Half of the clan is just looking on in confusion. The other boys are refusing to look in their general direction. Stephanie folds herself in half with a laugh and Alfred just raises an eyebrow.

Jason’s has to catch himself on the table to stop himself from falling over from the stitch in his side.

~~~~~~~~~

The second time is after the Desiree incident he goes to talk to with Alfred alone.

The what ifs were keeping him up, he needed to talk to someone who wouldn’t judge him.

They sat together under the island lights with tea and Alfred gave him a gentle hug .

Jason admitted that he didn’t know why he was crying anyways. It was his choice, he knew it was for the best.

Maybe it was just how bad he’s been feeling for the last week.

Alfred doesn’t judge and reassured Jason that he was allowed to feel such ways.

~~~~~~~

The third time it was real casual, so casual in fact that they others just through he was joking.

When the others realized he had completely kicked the last of his smoking habit and just said “for my baby” they thought he had quit during the prank.

When he declined a drink with Bruce and Dick he just said “baby” and they assumed he didn’t feel like it and was joking.

When Jason said he wasn’t going to patrol for awhile they assumed he was taking a well deserved vacation.

It wasn’t until he was a good four months along did they take a hint.

Dick, poking Jason side jokingly: Man little wing, not so little now. I know you’re on vacation and all that but you’re starting to let yourself go.

Jason not looking up from his writing: Gee Dickhead, thanks. Not like I’ve been growing your first nibling or anything.

Dick:…. What?

Jason: you know? My baby? Little thing making a mess of my guts rn?

*The others tuning in at the breakfast table*

Jason: guys, seriously. Did none of you take me seriously?

Damian: it was hard to after the last time

Jason: why’d you think I’ve sat out all the breakouts the last two months???

Tim: I just thought you were being a dick man.

Jason: Thanks. Old man, you good? You have been staring ahead for quite some time.

Bruce, mildly choked up: hmmm

Jason: ok good anyways what do you think about the name ‘Martha Jane Todd Wayne’ for a girl? I thought Jane Martha first but I think Martha Jane sits better on the tongue.

Bruce with an even more choked up expression: hmmm

[long-live-astronerd-ghost-king]

Danny and Danielle definitely love to mess around with people guessing their relationship.

~~~

Duke: Danny, who is that girl with you?

Danny: Oh, she's my cousin. Long story. Anyway...

~~~

~Gala in honor of a new victory of the Young Titans.~

Batman hands the adoption papers to Phantom.

Danny: Look, man, I already have parents and I'm a self-sufficient ghost with a job and...I'm really not a fan of creepy billionaires with a lair under the estate.

~Danielle literally appears out of thin air~

Elle: Hey, dad. I don't want to interrupt, but father is dead ahead, coming right at us.

Danny: What, is that crazy fruit loop here too? Call Clockwork, tell him to lend me the thermos I left in his lair. I might as well get child support for both of you.

Batman looks stunned, then nods. The 1+2 action is very successful, Alfred will not be able to resist such cute faces.

~~~

~ Danny pointing at the phone screen~

Danny: Here. Jazz and Elle. My sisters. They are so cool.

Dick: But isn't the ghost girl your cousin? Or daughter, according to Bruce?

Danny:...Not to change the subject...Show me a picture of Jason in pixy boots!

~~~

Danny: This is Elle, my no-love-but-hate product with my nemesis, and this is Dan, my youngest. Who knew that when you play with timelines, you have to use protection!

Flash: Yeah, rookie mistake.

~~~

~Dining room, Wayne Manor~

Dan: I'm not going to play along with your crazy ideas! It's humiliating!

Alfred: Master Dan, your attitude towards your father upsets me immensely. Kindly sit down and have a cup of tea with your family.

Dan:...I still don't understand how Jazz and Pennyworth make me do what they want.

Oracle: No one dares to resist Alfred and upset older sister. These are the laws of the universe. Would you like another cup of milk oolong?

Dan: *sighs*

~~~

Nightwing: So you and King Phantom and Chronos...

Vlad: No! Disgusting! We're just raising kids together. I have them every Thursday and I curse the day I thought I needed an heir. Your father has a whole bunch of them...I thought I could keep one under control, but now my house is like a battlefield and I'm losing. What is this, gum on the chair?!

~~~

Danny: I’m so tired of this job.

Dan: You know what, I used to want to kill you and your whole family for revenge, but now...you must suffer. Have fun with the paperwork. Now the whole Ghost Zone thinks you’re my father, so I don’t want to inherit that stupid ring and crown if I crush your core. Elle and I are gonna go to Starbucks, and then I’m gonna teach her to terrify Vlad. Good luck trying to stop me.

Danny: ...I hate this family...

~~~

Danny and Elle are just having fun. :D

Dan and Vlad:Why do I have to participate?

Clockwork: Everything is going as it should be. Nice.

[primeemeraldheiress]

What are your favorite Jason headcanons?

Sorry for the super long delay in answering this. Part I, Part II

Some of these are expansions on headcanons in the first two parts.

Jason can dance. He was taught his basics in ballroom and jazz swing by Alfred. It honestly something he enjoys. His education was filled out by Talia. The Batfam actually go out dancing periodically. You can read more on this here. 

Jason can sing and sing well.

Alfred was the one that fostered Jason’s appreciation for tea. They tried a wide variety of blends together. Talia was the one that refined it. 

Jason sees Talia as a mother or older sister. Talia looks out for him as family, as well. 

Ra’s seems Jason as threat. Both to the stability of his family and to the League. If he gets the chance, he will destroy Jason unless he can guarantee he can control Jason. 

Jason reads “trashy” novels to destress. He loves his classic literature but he will take something more modern and mainstream as well. He just won’t admit it. 

Jason has a college degree or two that he got while training under Talia’s purview. It was part of her stipulations. She wouldn’t allow him to lapse in his schooling. While he was angry about it at the time, too full of the Pit to care, he appreciates it now. He’d always wanted to go to college. 

Jason still hasn’t kicked the habit of hoarding food. In every safehouse he has a small stockpile of non-perishables and he keeps several protein bars on his person in uniform. He had managed, at one point, to ease up a bit. But then there was an incident in Russia during his training that just ramped it up again.

As much as he pretends to, he doesn’t actually have favorite weapons. He runs through them too quickly and they’re all unreliable in their own ways. Some of them are sentimental, though. Those he keeps in special places. (Though he can admit that some of them are very fun.)

He thinks their collection of names is ridiculous. Robin, Red Robin, Red Hood... how can anyone know who’s talking to who half the goddamned time? If you call “Red” two of them answer. If you call “Robin” two answer. It stupid. As the one in the middle, he blames Tim for this. 

[the-witchhunter]

Danny sat next to Alfred in the kitchen, a light spread of tea sandwiches and a pot of lapsang tea to share between them. Alfred read his book, his free hand laced with Danny's while the other man appeared lost in thought. Soft jazz crackled over the old radio.

Almost everyone had offered to replace that radio, but Alfred had always declined. There was a very specific feeling listening to music on a shitty radio Invoked. Ther soft buzz and crackle over the music was almost comforting. Bruce never really understood it, but he respected Alfred's wishes and the old radio stayed. Dick didn't understand it either, nor did Tim or Damian. Jason seemed to get it though, the feeling of home and of simpler times, of sitting in the kitchen while your mother cooked you dinner and maybe it wasn't a lot but it was enough.

Danny also liked that old radio.

"Alfred?"

"Yes dear?"

"Would you still love me if I was a worm?"

"Considering you're currently worm food I suspect that might be a step up." Alfred remarked dryly. Danny barked out a laugh. Neither one of them said anything for a moment before Alfred broke the silence.

"Now are you going to tell me what's really on your mind or are we going to keep pretending something isn't bothering you."

"I never can get anything by you ever, can I?"

"No, not since our days severing together. Believe me, many in this household have tried."

"And I suspect they're better at it than me." He smiled ruefully. "It's just... I've been thinking."

"A rare enough occurrence. Perhaps I shall bake a cake to celebrate the occasion."

"Hey," he laughed "I think. At least sometimes. It's not just rocks up here." He knocked on his head.

"Are you saying you don't want the cake, darling?"

"Now hold on, I never said that." He shook his head. "It's just... do you ever wish things could have been different? For us?"

"There are a great many things I would like to have turned out differently." He glanced at a photograph of Thomas and Martha holding a smiling Bruce. "Things that I might change given the chance. Lord knows what we have hasn't always been the best that things have been far from perfect. There are things that I might desire to change, my dear, but what we have is not one of them." At his words, something in Danny's gaze softens,

"I wouldn't change what we have either my love. It's just... Things are so different now. Not just for us, but for people like us. Not having to hide who we are... what we are..." Danny brought Alfred's hand to his lips and planted a soft kiss on the knuckles. "who we love... I look at the kids and see them smiling and laughing and just openly loving who they love, and it's just seen as another part of who they are. They never had to live through what we did. They don't know how different things were 30 years ago, or what is was like growing up when police regularly raided gay bars. The world is so different from just 10 years ago, and they can just be who they are."

"And that's a good thing."

"Yes, it is. The only thing is... They can be who they are, we can be who we are, and I can finally be who I am... and it's been so long since I was just Danny Fenton, no, just Danny, that I'm not entirely sure who that is anymore. Before I retired, I just had to be a good spy, or a good counter intelligence agent. I just had to fallow orders and be whoever they said I was. Before that, I had to the muzzled beast for the higher ups. Considered less than a person, a hound to be pointed to a target and told to sic them. During that I had to pretend I wasn't desperately in love with you. Before that, I was a scared kid hiding his own dead body, afraid his parents would hurt him if the found out he died. I was already dead and was worried about them doing something worse. Before that I was afraid someone would find out I like kissing other boys and beat me.

It has been so long since I have been just myself, I don't think I know who that is anymore." Alfred let out a soft hum as he thought.

"Well, let's start with what I know about Danny Fenton. I know two things. First, he's a kind man doing his best. Second, I know that I love him very much."

"and I know that I love you, more than anything. I know I want to spend the rest of our lives together, to be by your side while I figure myself out, to be here with you and Bruce and the kids. I want to be a part of your family. I also want to see Jazz more. I want to see how my nieces and nephews grew up. I missed so much as an intelligence agent. I want to live my life, well, as much as a dead man can, and I want to live it with you." Danny leaned over and kissed Alfred square on the mouth

His mouth was warm against Danny's, and it tasted of the smokey tea. It was all at once familiar and strange. They had shared kisses many times, going back to their days working together. Never so openly, always behind a closed door with whispered words of affection under hushed breaths. It was nerve wracking. It was exhilarating. Danny wanted more. He broke the kiss eventually, and for once Alfred looked a little flustered. They settled back into their seats and listened to the old radio. Baby steps. There was only so much Danny could make himself do at once.

"Oh," Danny said, remembering something. "Tim finally found out I'm dead. I thought you said he was one of the best detectives in the world?"

"He is. Sometimes his brain stops working when family is involved,"

Short DPXDC Prompts #919

Danny worked as a British Secret Intelligence Agent alongside Alfred. The two did missions together and were an incredibly good team. Even after Alfred left Britain and started working for the Waynes, he kept in touch with Danny. Notes of longing and love they wish they had stayed hidden under a loose floorboard in Alfred's bedroom. The two never got together in fear of reprimand from their supervisors but they still held a very special place in their heart for each other. Now without having to worry about being fired, their long distance friendship blooms into a very sweet and sappily romantic relationship. Alfred has been working with the Wayne's for decades now. Bruce is Batman, Jason is Red Hood, Damian Wayne arrives at the Manor. Time has passed and Danny and Alfred still keep in contact. Alfred gets a letter from Danny. One that says Danny is moving to Gotham as he has finally retired and wants to settle down near his love. Alfred invites Danny to move into the Manor. Danny declines the offer, rather wishing to have his own apartment in the Diamond District instead. Alfred still sets up the joint room next to his just in case Danny changes his mind. It's been a bit over half a century since they last saw each other face to face. Danny is arriving in Gotham in ten days. Finally, He can be with his love once more.

[alifeasvivid]

tagged by @americapersonified and @astralastrid

The USUK headcanon... quiz? Thingy? XD

In what decade did they officially become involved?

Officially? Like publically, the answer is obviously post WW2. Probably a lot of crashing together and falling apart before that though, I’d say as far back as the revolutionary war. I view their age gap as smaller back then actually and it’s likely that something happened, England freaked out, America got hurt. Idk, I know American history from so many different perspectives now that I’m willing to hear out any theory on this subject XD

Who tops? (USUK or UKUS?)

Whoever wants to on any given day. *sly grin*

Was either of them a virgin before their first hookup?

Otoshigo makes a good argument for America being a virgin before it happens, but I have this headcanon that everyone except me hates (which is fine) that America lost his virginity to France in exchange for help with the revolution. As for England, he is the erotic ambassador so I’m gonna have to say hard no on that one. I actually have a fair few headcanons about their other sexual/romantic relationships.

Obviously I (really) low-key ship PortEng. I would also buy England having affairs with France, Spain, India, China, and Japan. For America, I’d say France (see above), Mexico, Russia, Japan... someone made the case for Israel once somewhere and I’d buy that under the right circumstances.

If not, to whom did each lose his virginity?

I don’t have any solid headcanons about this (even the one above I subscribe to always), I’m willing to go with whatever works in context of the art/comic/fic/what have you.

Are they more patient with each other in private, or do they bicker/tease each other all the time?

I think it ebbs and flows. Their general mode of communication is kind of snarky and most people would probably be low-key concerned to hear it. But if someone’s having a bad day, it turns right off and slips straight into gentle “Hey babe, whatcha need me to do?” or soft “How can help you, love?”

I would say they are more patient with each other in private than in public if only to “keep up appearances,” since neither would want to be seen as “weak” (an unfortunate reality), but I also maintain that if you give them both the same target, they’ll unite and fire at that poor bastard instead.

Will they ever get married?

Uhh.... no. That’s just not how things are done anymore.

If so, where will the wedding be held? (Add other details if you wish.)

N/A lol

At whose house do they most often stay together?

Probably America’s? If only because the UN headquarters are there.

Do they refer to each other by their nation names or human names?

Nation names in private/around other nations, human names whenever actual humans are present. The human name is the disguise, the nation name is their real name.

This is another one I’m super flexible on, make the right case and I’ll roll with it.

What pet names do they have for each other?

Arthur (uses pet names less often): Love, My Darling, Dearest, Pet

Alfred (uses pet names more often): Babe, Baby, Artie, Sweetheart, Darlin’ (but it must be said with a drawl)

Who drives?

LOL this one’s easy. Obviously this depends on where they are. If the location has right-side of the road driving, Alfred. If it’s left-side of the road, Arthur.

Is Alfred good at making Arthur’s tea?

Yes, actually really good at it, BUT he only does it as a plea for mercy after he has deeply, deeply fucked up OR if he really, really wants something, otherwise hot water + tea bag = close enough for jazz, babe.

It’s universally accepted that Arthur sucks at cooking. Does Alfred enjoy cooking? Is he good at it? Or does he usually stick to McDonald’s and fast food?

I heard way back when that they were gonna make an anime, but I never saw anything come of it (XP), so I stick with the strips in that England is a very, very exceptional baker.

I love the idea of America as king of the bbq and I’m with @historihet in thinking he can follow a recipe, but isn’t super creative normally (unless it’s to make something Actually Unholy like “deep fried butter”... but that’s shock/novelty value more than serious). On the other hand, there are probably several dishes he does very, very well and has them commited to muscle memory and feels comfortable taking a few liberties with.

Do they shower together? (Often; not specifically for sex.)

Not for sex. It’s annoyingly difficult to have sex in the shower. Otherwise, I think Arthur at least would want to draw boundaries about personal care/grooming. Alfred probably agrees once he’s shown why it’s sensible. They shower alone.

Baths are another matter entirely.

Who smells better? (In your opinion.)

I can’t bring myself to be this cliche. P: Scent is a huge thing for me so I have a pretty extensive headcanon for this, but... typing it out is like making a blind person watch a silent film.

How vocal are they in bed?

They are both very vocal, but Alfred is louder. Arthur does the dirty talk* and the moaning. Alfred does the crying out and gasping.

*Arthur’s dirty talk is legendary and Alfred is weak and he can often finish just from Arthur murmuring devilishly in his ear.

Who has the more active libido?

You might think the obvious answer is Arthur, but... Alfred’s 19. I had a cis boyfriend at 19 and uh........... like you can’t turn that shit off for anything. 

I imagine they’re really about the same, which is ideal, but Arthur generally has more control over how much or how little he gives into it, whereas Alfred might tend to get a bit... overheated. Arthur probably encourages it, just to make Alfred crazy, because whether he’s topping or bottoming, sex is always better if Alfred’s really riled up.

Is spending time together easy, or are they forced apart for long periods at a time?

I prefer to think that it’s fairly easy for them to move around. It’s just more convenient that way. Long distance stuff makes me sad. Also, if they’re apart for 2 years or something, that might not feel like much to them, all things considered.

Are they wealthy? Or do they live modestly?

They probably live fairly modestly, though I’d imagine America has houses or apartments in a few different states for convenience. In terms of outward material wealth, I’d say they’re supposed to keep a low profile, but since a Nation-tan’s personal possessions don’t age, their houses are probably treasure troves for historians, particularly England’s library.

For Alfred specifically: Glasses on or glasses off?

On. Sometimes even during sex. England likes how they go all askew.

How often do they break up?

They’re tsundere, but not emotionally unstable I think, so not often. If they do, it’s serious and lasts awhile, but they always come back together.

Open relationship?

Absolutely not. They are both imperialist and incredibly possessive.

Did Arthur actually care for Alfred before the American Revolution?

Uh... of course? I’ve talked about this at length before, but the short answer is yes. Was he in love with him? I don’t think so. You’d have to make a really compelling case for that one for me to believe it. Attracted to him? Maybe (see above). Was America his favorite colony or particularly special? No way, but that doesn’t mean England didn’t care.

I’m too tired to tag anyone, but please please do this if you want! And tag me in it so I can see!

[bluboothalassophile]

Hey Blu I'm reading Runaway Bride and I have to say the soul bond between Jason and Raven is making my JayRae heart flutter. Now I'm imagining a really fluffy re-incarnation AU and obsessing lol. Kind of just requesting a one shot though. Doesn't have to be with HfaB.

Hello,

Not sure about re-incarnation AUs, but I do hope you enjoy this one! =)

Proper This Time…

Soulmates, it was an anomaly science couldn’t figure out.

People would remember thousands of years of life with their soulmate, which was rare for them to find each other, it was an overwhelming anomaly in life. Whether by Fate, Design or Free Will, it was a mystery, one no one really had an answer for. It was difficult to understand as well.

The people who had soulmates, and continuously found each other, they could document centuries of life, all in one meeting. They also always described life before they found their soulmate to be something akin to waiting, waiting for that partner to be at their side.

He thought it bullshit, but he couldn’t deny it felt right to describe soulmates as waiting.

He was always waiting, he didn’t know what for, but he felt the ache in his heart and a pain in soul when he felt lonely. It was like there’d been thousands of years of life in his heart, but it was all locked away awaiting the key, awaiting her.

Jason had never mentioned this waiting sensation to anyone. No one in his family had soulmates, and he felt beyond unworthy of such an honor to fall onto him. The only person aware of this was Alfred Pennyworth, but Alfred had lost his soulmate in a war, and Jason felt comfortable talking to his adoptive grandfather about this feeling of waiting he had. Bruce, Dick, Tim, Cass, Duke, and Damian didn’t get this feeling, they still had soul identifying marks, they were still looking for their other half, Jason wasn’t.

Jason was waiting for them.

He could feel it, and he hated it. He hated this sense of waiting, but he also sensed that he didn’t mind, if they met in this life they met, if they didn’t they didn’t. He wouldn’t stress it. Still, he had this ache for them.

Which was why this morning, he was home on leave, and reading in an offbeat café; The Invisible Man, by H.G. Wells; having agreed to go to the movie coming out with his sister. He was in San Diego, and the café was a little surf café close to the beach but just enough off the beaten path that he could enjoy the peace. His original plan was to go out to surf, but the rainy overcast had deterred that; this was a first edition book and he didn’t have anywhere to put it safely.

He knew his father would cringe at his reading a first edition, but Alfred would applaud him; in the famous words of Alfred ‘Books Are Meant To Be Read And Cherished!’, and Jason was doing just that this morning. He had a cup of black coffee, and some quiet, he was tempted to pop in his earbuds and listen to some jazz or classical piano, but today he couldn’t. There was this deep sensation in his gut that something was going to happen, and he should be alert, pay attention. The rain started coming down harder when the door chimed and a small girl walked in, he lifted his head to see her throwing away her newspaper umbrella.

She wasn’t tall, she was rather short, even in her heeled boots, her hair was braided loosely, black as midnight almost void of all colors, and her skin pale as ivory. She was stunning as she looked around, his breath hitched when her eye caught his, and everything around them disappeared.

Suddenly he was a Prince, she was a slave, he was a warrior, she was a witch, he was a street rat, she was a goddess, there were flashes before him as he watched a thousand years flood his mind. She was his, he was hers, and she was a godsend, in every lifetime.

Her lips curled as she walked over to him.

“The Invisible Man?” she asked. “I believe I got this for our anniversary,” she chuckled softly.

“I got you the Great Gatsby,” he replied remembering that, when their love was divided by the times, race and status, but it felt just as magnetic and inevitable. “Jason, Jason Todd.”

“Raven, Raven Roth,” she smiled.

“Tea?” he asked, she had an affinity in tea when they had last been together. He remembered that, back in 1942 just before he was deployed. They had both been in Hawaii, he had asked her to marry him, and they had both spent a weekend in the finest hotel he could afford. He had been deployed then, killed at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

“I would love some,” she admitted, sitting down and smiling.

“Honey, not sugar?” he ventured.

“You remember!?” she blinked.

“I’ve waited thirty long years to remember,” he admitted softly. He finally remembered everything he had been missing.

“I’ve waited  twenty-seven years,” she murmured as he got up and pulled out the seat for her. “Still a gentleman?”

“For you, always,” he chuckled as he gently seated her and went to get the tea. He remembered all of their lifetimes together, and walked back to the table to see her reading his book, he smiled as he sat across from her. Her dark eyes flicked upwards to him, then a shy smile curled around her lips.

“Is it too bold to say I have missed you,” she asked.

“No, I’ve waited a long time to see you again,” he chuckled.

“You owe me a dance, Sergeant,” she warned.

“It’s Lieutenant now,” he informed her. “I went to college this time, became an officer, I work in the Navy.”

“That is an improvement,” she chuckled.

“No, cause I’m still doing all the dangerous shit,” he chuckled.

“Of course you are,” she mused. “I’m a teacher this time,” she said softly.

“What grade?” he asked.

“Third Grade,” she mused.

“I bet you’re great at it, you always were great at teaching things to people,” he said. She was patient, she was kind, and for the first time in a lifetime he felt whole with her sitting across from him.

“I love it,” she mused.

“Would it be forward of me to ask you on a proper date?”

“You wish to court me?” she asked.

“Properly this time,” he replied.

“And the last time wasn’t proper?”

“The last four times haven’t been proper little bird,” he reminded her.

“You may try,” she conceded.

“You have no idea how much I missed you,” he whispered staring at her in wonder. So maybe soulmates weren’t complete and utter bullshit.

“I’m so glad I found you this time,” she whispered, her hand hesitated a minute before she reached over to grasp his. She was always shy and uncertain with giving affect, but he grasped her slim fingers in his hand and marveled at seeing her again.

[tgwltw]

[headcanon] batboys

This was a tad bit hard for me to do without repeating myself over and over to be quite honest so it’s short and I don’t quite like how it came out and also, I didn’t do the entire batfam – just did the batboys but nevertheless, thank you for sending this request in and I apologize for the shortness. Anyways, hope you enjoy!

First thing Dick decides to do when he notices your habits is to have a long talk with you about your issues or rather, your auto-destructive tendencies. You probably will tell him it’s a little bit complicated and it’s habits you simply cannot break at will. Dick will be very supportive of you and will always try to make sure you have enough to eat – whether it is stocking up on groceries or having to ask Alfred for recipes so that Dick can cook for you too. Dick drops by to your place whenever he can to check up on you and to spend some time with you too and sometimes the two of you will end up chatting about this and that. More often than not, you tend to not get a lot of sleep but Dick occasional tries to get you to take naps every now and then throughout the day just so you can rest a little bit.

You can always count on Jason to be your enabler. Sometimes instead of helping you break your habits, Jason comes up and finds ways to make it easier to deal with instead of tackling your problems head on. Nap times are whenever you want it to be and Jason is definitely always down for some time with you on the bed – no funny business, just the two of you together on the bed. Jason is a great cook so meal times are always filling and Jason makes food in small bite sizes so that you are able to eat them easily and at any time.

Tim may not be a good help when it comes to trying to help break you out of your habits but he definitely will try his hardest in ways he can help. Since he rarely ever sleeps because of research and work and all that jazz, Tim will make sure to keep his bed is open for when you want to sneak in his room and just take a nap on his bed (which is what you like to do most of the time) so Tim occasionally will end up doing his work beside you. Sometimes you end up taking care of Tim too so between the two of you, the both of you are constantly supporting each other and helping each other out.

Damian will most likely be very strict when it comes to trying to help you. There would definitely be a lot of ‘harsh’ words coming from him but knowing Damian, it all comes from the heart. Whenever it’s almost time to sleep, Damian will make sure you are in the bed before he is so that he can cuddle you – this is the only time he is will to cuddle you or let you cuddle him because he is really not that big on showing affections but if it means it can help you sleep, he will definitely do his best to help you. Sometimes, if you still can’t fall asleep, Damian will simply talk to you about his day or whatever missions he has been on until you fall asleep to the sound of his voice. Tea time is somewhat of a thing between the two of you – Damian makes the best tea, in your opinion so he always makes sure to make some tea and sandwiches for you to snack on because he knows you sometimes forget to eat unless someone reminds you to.

Truthfully, all of the boys are very supportive and are very thorough when it comes to helping you whether it be by physically lending you support or giving you emotional support.

[spacedace]

I love the idea that Jazz is 100% aware of what Danny is doing, or even that Jason (as Red Hood) approached her about it when he heard Danny was asking around looking for jobs.

Because at first Jason was just checking in on them, from a distance. Keeping an eye on them and making sure no one gave them a hard time or any of the people they're so clearly trying to hide from show up.

But then he catches Jazz creeping out to the roof one night while Ellie and Danny are sleeping, taking a moment to herself where they won't hear her cry because she's doing everything she can and she doesn't regret it for a second but it's a lot of weight on her shoulders trying to balance it all. Danny and Ellie need her strong, need her certain and focused and to always have a plan be it for running from the GIW or scraping together enough money for rent.

And she's *exhausted*

And Jason isn't a creep, he hasn't been stalking them - at least by Bat standards - but he has been keeping an eye out and he doesn't *know* them but he's picked things up. From his check ins, from what other people say. The Nightingales are good people, kind people, dealt a shitty hand and getting through it all by the skin of their teeth.

So he takes a breath and a chance and joins her on the roof, awkward but trying as he asks if she's okay.

He should have thought twice about dropping down without warning or Tim's casual mentioning that she was armed during her interview a few weeks back. Stupid, but he wasn't really thinking and well at least she wasn't crying anymore - mostly because she was glaring down at him from where she'd handed him his ass while holding a gun to his chest, but he'd take what he could get.

Besides it was kinda cute when she realized just who she'd pinned to the gravel roof below her and went bright red and started to stutter in embarrassment, apologizing like crazy as if Jason wasn't the total idiot of this situation.

They spent a good hour just sitting and talking after that.

It was...easy. Comfortable in a way he wasn't used to conversations being. They talked siblings and responsibilities and the weight of taking care of the people you love and bad adaptations of their favorite books.

It became a routine.

A couple times a week they met on the rood and talked. Sometimes she'd bring up tea or coffee for them to sip on, she was always respectful of the mask. He'd swing by and grab them snacks and they'd eat while sharing pieces of their day.

When he heard that her brother had been ducking his head into places, looking for a job to try and lighten his sister's load well. He had an idea. Not one that he was willing to put into motion without her blessing though.

She sighed when he told her, leaning tiredly against his side as she pulled his jacket around herself a little tighter - the wind was biting up on the rooftops, and Jason has learned some amount of manners from Alfred over the years. He wasn't just going to leave a lady to shiver when he had a perfectly comfortable jacket to offer.

(Jazz never did bring a coat up with her for these talks. Jason never mentioned it either.)

"Is that why he's been studying so hard?" She leaned her head against his shoulder and Jason was helpless to do anything but settle an arm around her shoulders. For reassurance. And nothing else. "I thought he was finally getting excited about school again."

"Could be both." He offered, chest warm at the thankful smile she turned up at him. "Would you be okay with him working at my shop? I can have the guy running it say the position was filled if not, push him back to sticking to school."

Jazz gave a wry laugh. "Like it'd be that easy." She shook her head, smile fond and a touch exasperated at the same time. "No, if he doesn't work there he'll find somewhere else. Knowing our luck he'd end up accidentally working for a Rogue or something." Her smile lost the exasperation as she looked at him, the fondness only warmed. "If you're okay with it, I'd like him to work there. I feel better knowing you'll be keeping an eye out for him."

A few weeks later when Danny came storming triumphantly into the back office where Jason had been swearing his way through receipts it it was with his official paperwork in hand ready and excited for thr job that was still open for him.

He heard about how excited the kid was later that night, curled up against the Gotham chill on what had quickly become his favorite rooftop.

He would have done it anyway, Danny was a good kid. Bright and good hearted with a blind determination to help his loved ones that could easily get him in trouble in a place like Gotham. Jason made a point of looking after all the kids in the Alley and making sure they had someone watching their back.

He couldn't lie and say that the bright, sweet smile and the warm arms that wrapped around him in a hug didn't hurt though.

prompt 15.08 - Love and Protect

Tim sighs and stretches his arms. One more interview and it's over for today. The last interview for the day is with one Jazz Nightingale, a psychology major.

"So, why did you apply for the Martha Wayne Scholarship?"

...

She's an interesting person. A small town girl with good grades and impressive resume. Yet she's alert as any other batkid - her eyes scan the room, and he's pretty sure she's armed.

Interesting.

They finish the interview, and as they shake hands, she freeze and then start running away.

Interviews ARE stressful, but usually people don't come out running. He check the security feed, trying to follow her, and find a strange scenario:

There's a a small girl in a pink dress, seating on the floor and crying as she hold some stuffed animal (wait... is it a ghost?)

Bruce kneeling by her, quietly trying to question her about her family.

"GET AWAY FROM HER, FRUITLOOP!" Is suddenly ahout as Jazz enter the screen and pick up the crying toddler.

"What happened, dear? Where's your brother?"

"mommy," The toddler start crying louder. "I wake up and you are not home. I think they take you and they cut you and-"

"hush, hush, honey. I'm here. I'm safe". Jazz says as she hold the kid tightly.

.....

Or: Ellie was captured and vivisactwd for a short tet traumatic time. She still has nightmares.

As a way to keep her from melting, CW got her to be around 4/5 years old, and the kids run away.

The Nightingales move to Gotham. Danny (16), his older sister Jazz (19) and her daughter Ellie (5).

The bats find about them as Jazz apply for scholarship.

There identities are fake, but they seem to be under some kind of wetness protection.

(there aren't many reasons that leave a single mom teen and her younger brother in witness protection).

The bats have their theories. Red Hood try to check from time to time about them.

Shenanigans happen.

[I go with anger managment. But I ALWAYS go with AM]

[hellolittlefoxie]

With You - Part 1

Sometime in the early morning hours of December 31st, our first year together officially began. It was nothing extravagant, no flowers, no romantic dinner. It was just in the intimacy of sitting alone while the the city slept that it began.

Our first full day together was surprisingly casual, not to be surprised given the circumstances of the time but it was a day I cherish very much. Running errands, such as picking and dropping of your momma, a workout session along the Embarcadero, a meet up with a friend for dinner, and watching the city glisten from a new viewpoint as we brought the new year together in the calm and quiet of your living room, giving each other a smile as we looked out the window to your neighborhood. 

January

The first day of the new year was a bittersweet one. You took me to Chinatown, where you got me some hong kong milk tea, and some deliciously flaky egg tarts. And then drove me across the the bridge to show me Sausalito for the first time. Here I fell in love with the small town vibes, and serenity that came from viewing SF from the distance as the windows turned to gold while the sun set. But that night would be a lonely one as I had to say good bye to you a and drove down the darkness of the 5.

The 2nd adventure of the year took us to the legendary Bill Graham to see none other than your favorite trance DJ, with BJ and the rest of Norcal Anaho. A blurry night where we broke our necks you broke your neck as you complained about it for the rest of the weekend. Had some wonderful family time with Anaho as we did a photoshoot at an abandoned bunker, had dinner at my fave place in SF, San Tung, chilled at Amanda’s house, explored new areas of the city, and had one of the more memorable nights at Travelodge with our first wine and snack night. 

February

“Are we celebrating Valentine’s?” “No not really.” 

Was basically the gist of one of our conversations. But that weekend after Valentine’s  had us back together, me dressed up a little nicer than usual, and you glowing in your pretty gray dress, and coat, as we spent our first “non valentine’s day celebration” in the middle of downtown. A night where we explored LA’s downtown night life together for the first time, where I pointed to to you the Denny’s I went to after prom, a geography lesson on LA’s layout on top of a rotating bar. Then home to celebrate with some sparkly you had given me as part of my gift. Our cravings the next day took us to Koreatown for KBBQ, with Evelyn and Steven, the nicer side of Melrose for some disappointing milk tea from Alfred’s Teahouse, and a spontaneous double date with Jazz and Danny to some pizza diner in Hollywood. A little detour to Little Tokyo, and to find the instagram hotspot with the red and blue lights and our weekend came to an end as we waved good bye to each other as your bus pulled away taking a sleepy you back home.

March

After a commitment that was made at Snowglobe more than a year before, this was the month we traveled across the country to finally walk the fabled grounds of Ultra. The whole month was full of kandi making and anxious anticipation of what would it be like to finally be at the festival both of us had only been able to experience from livestreams, and youtube videos. Finally on the third weekend of March we saw each other at the airport with Ben and Amanda cockblocking my hug to you. Waking up at 5 in the morning that day felt like a distant memory as I had gone from LA to Austin to holding your hand in Miami after a 12+ hour trip. That night as it is the usual for Anaho to do after a long time apart had everyone talking loud, challenging each other to drink more shots, and of course the night wasn’t complete without a few people throwing up. The next three days had us jumping up and down to Tiesto, vibing to Kaskade, getting wild for kayzo and being had us in awe at the reunion of SHM, and every night had us wandering through downtown Miami as we raced everyone else back to the airbnb to see who would be able to shower first. Dressing up as Jasmine and Aladdin, having matching outfits with your silver top and my gray camo for day two, munching on some expensive festival food, getting lost in the crowd of internationals while you held my hand, downed at least three red bulls a day, and I couldn’t have asked for a better rave bae or better way to experience Ultra. 

April

A few weeks back you had asked me if I wanted to go with you to the the AKPsi formal, not wanting to miss out on this I excitedly said yes, that weekend in April I flew in late in the afternoon where you drove us down to the outdoor shopping mall in San Jose, after not being able to go to the rooftop bar you initially wanted to take me to, we ended up at a different bar, you seemed flustered at that but it’s okay because we still had a great time, especially after a seafood dinner, and some ice cream. A boba pitstop later and our second road trip began we made our way to our hotel in the good ol’ Central Valley. Two hours of your Merced playlist, and singing our hearts out to some throwback songs, and before we knew it we were checking in and drinking wine at our surprisingly nice hotel, too bad for the squeaky bed though. The next day we found ourselves in Merced, a coffee shop and a creepy antique store later and we found ourselves at the banquet hall where I started to meet some of your Merced fam. We helped out for a while and realized how much it felt like college, helping out and setting up for a banquet, and it brought back good memories. After saying bye to my new friends we headed out to explore the bustling metropolis that Merced is, you were the boss and tour guide here as you showed me around telling me stories of where you would go hang out, where you used to run, your old apartments and every now and then I would interject telling you “HEY I’VE BEEN HERE TOO!” It was great hearing your stories from college and made it easier to imagine 2011-2015 Tiff and all the wonderful memories you made there. After a Tacobell snack at the park we went on to your little’s house to prepare for the banquet. The rest of night consisted of me admiring you in your little black dress, and hearing other people rave about how good you looked as well, seeing you with your line, and your fraternity and people saying, “I’ve heard so much about you!” Was heartwarming as we ate and danced for a bit at the banquet. However the real party would be afterwards and it felt like I was transported back to my college days as we stripped down to comfier and more fitting house party clothes. The pregame began, and the warmth from the alcohol went hand in hand with the warm night in Merced. It was amusing to see how our night unraveled as we snuck in the back of the house to avoid bouncers into a dark and humid room with a bunch of dabs grinding and dudes being bros. Then as soon as the alcohol ran out, we jumped over to the next party, until the college drama started and we ended walking out and back through the neighborhood to our pregame spot. A few shots later, and a few lines as well and everyone was having a great time with both new and old friends. After a the cops showing up, and people knocking out or being too drunk the party started to dwindle down and we found ourselves on the couch you and your hot pocket, and me in tears about how much I love you. After waking up and getting ready a quick photoshoot with my film camera and we found ourselves on campus for your little’s grad shoot. Some quick thai food after and a couple of good byes to both your littles we were back on the road to the bay. Our April weekend coming to an end up on the hills of Berkeley, with the sunset and some “vegan pizza.”

May

The first half of May, you found yourself halfway across the world, exploring the old continent. Your two week cruise vacation across Europe would bring you to Denmark, Norway, Germany, Estonia, Russia, Finland, and Sweden. You explored new and old cities, and we would be in touch sparingly as you were in and out of wifi connection, we would webcam at odd hours, but either way it made me happy you were back in Europe because you speak so fondly of it. And despite not having a good connection you still managed to send me constant videos, pics, and updates while I was sleeping or in class, and it made me excited to be able to webcam you even if it was for like 5 minutes. Once you were back in the States, it was a struggle for a couple days for you to make it past 8 without knocking out whenever we would webcam.

The second half of the month was filled with many adventures as we saw each other not once but twice! In a weekend full of firsts I can’t help but highlight how amazing it was to experience camping with you in such a picturesque part of California, the visuals in your car and just melting in your seat as the music took us to a different dimension, and then the journey through middle earth that we undertook while on shrooms, even though we probably only walked like 100 yards in real life, dying at Jared’s exaggeration of “Car… Car… Car…” and Steven’s “IT’S A MILLION MILES AWAY.” And then our intimate bath experience under a sky full of stars and the waves crashing beneath us was truly a magical moment. Showering naked in public and smelling the earthy body wash and looking over the darkness is something I will hold onto because it was such a unique experience. And coming back to cuddle in the tent until it was time for us to leave and do another mini road trip. A drive that took us to the little underwhelming McWay Falls, Sharkfin Cove, Carmel, Santa Cruz there’s nothing better than driving back to SF jamming out to Christian music. This time our good bye didn’t feel too sad because we would be seeing each other the weekend after.

The last weekend of May was wild as all of Norcal came down to “surprise” Ben for his birthday. Even though the surprise failed it was still a great way to show our best friend how much we appreciate him as we got lit to wine, met and fed a few friendly floofs, and rented out an Airbnb to continue the party for the rest of the weekend. Four full days of you and I was feeling quite spoiled. My favorite memories from that weekend were exploring the south side of OC, and playing spikeball as the sunset, all the cuddle sessions of sleeping for four nights together, letting you drive Aria down to our airbnb as I DJ’ed, and feeling like our time together was never going to end, playing table tennis, and basketball with you , and having the opportunity to share so many different plates of food with you everywhere we went.

June started off great as well as I saw you for the third consecutive week, this time you decided to pull of an Illenium like I had done last year and had decided to surprise me to go see my favorite dubstep DJ, MaRLo, at the almost legendary Exchange. We decided to surprise the trance fam squad after getting some dranks up somewhere in the LA skyline and then going back to the car so you could change and we could pregame a little more, and I remember that while Char spazzed out over you, some people weren’t that happy to see you *cough.* And even though our time this weekend was short lived I am grateful that you were so down to do something like that for me.

Our first official summer get together was coming up to see you! My first time at Temple, and to top it off having a table with bottle service, seeing Jazz get litty like we hadn’t seen, and then singing Cinema with Steven as lit you got the better of me and we ended up having an argument outside El Faro. A little funny now that I think about it, but like every other argument before this it always ends on a positive note with one of us seeing the mistake in their reasoning, apologizing or compromising and learning from our mistakes, a walk through the hood, and we found ourselves back at Evelyn’s where you accidentally stayed the night by knocking out on the couch after stuffing our faces on El Faro burritos. I remember the day after was a really warm one as we wandered the Castro to Dolores park a little high on brownies. Thinking how great it was to experience one of SF’s unique festivals with you and some matcha ice cream from your favorite spot. The day after was probably one of favorites too as we walked around the main parade but had to end the day early because Bryan had to leave early. But this didn’t stop us from coming back to the celebrations, except this time we had some fizzy Rosé to accompany us as we walked back to Civic Center where the main event was taking place. Taking in the atmosphere of such an event and having you there to talk about which one us would make it to 90K first made my flight down a happy one, as I reminisced about you, the cherry cooler we bought later on, our time in the backseat next to the park, and the delicious lasagna.

[piedpiperart]

One of the two puppies that survive go to each of them and they meet up regularly so the dogs can see eachother again and socialize.

The puppies absolutely love Titus, and since he’s so much bigger than them they *must* climb him. Danny and Damian go on dog walks, play dates, dog park, even watching eachothers dogs for them sometimes. Neither realize it’s kind of a date but soon enough they start hanging out outside of dogs.

The batfam are confused yet excited that damian has a new friend. They think he met Danny as a civilian and they bonded over dogs. They don’t know Danny met Robin and now knows the secret but doesn’t care.

Damian meets Cujo goes surprisingly well, eventually they both have no secrets between eachother and start dating for reals. The batfam wonders where Damian is going all day and why does he look so happy.

Que batfamily stalking damian only to find a secret boyfriend!! Dick cries, they all confront Damian, spy on Danny, look into his background, and ofc all of them have to give him the shovel talk. Danny is pretty much unfazed.

Meanwhile all the ghosts and Jazz decide to give Damian a shovel talk of their own. Jazz was the scariest and Damian will never cross her.

Eventually Damian introduces Danny to the family and is a bit upset his boyfriend (and dogs) gets along with his siblings so well. Bruce is suspicious and suspects Danny is a meta but doesn’t want to upset Damian so he keeps an eye on it.

This is getting long but anyways. Shenanigans ensue. Danny meets Jason and y’all can decide how that goes. Damian goes on a trip to the ghost zone, meets the Fentons (yikes), and meets Dani. Things go well, until he finds out about the GIW👀

But yeah anyways they’re cute and I love them

The last thing Robin expected on this winter evening was to be in the river.

A dirty river where garbage, waste and corpses are thrown out.

And also a bunch of puppies, which, thank any extraterrestrial forces, continued to squeak.

Damian knew that it was frankly a bad idea to interrupt the patrol in order to save essentially already dead puppies. They obviously won't live long after that. But…

Maybe at least one will survive?

In Damian's head, for some reason it was a weighty reason to get into the river.

He took the bag and lifted it above the water. Dirty water trickled down from the cloth bag.

He was about to return when he was jerked out of the river.

– You'll get sick!, –Someone said, and then a coat fell on him, completely covering him.

The squeaking bag was brazenly taken away, and Damian, quickly throwing off his coat, just caught the moment when the stranger was untying the fabric, and one by one hid the puppies in his bosom.

The stranger was not much older than Robin, and under the light of a lone lantern and a snowy haze, he seemed strangely beautiful.

As if that's the way it should be.

Robin listens to this Winter Stranger swearing in an unknown language that was a bit like Latin, as well as cursing the "Ancients", whoever it was.

And it seemed right.

Even if he sometimes growled something towards Robin, it was expected.

Even when he was supporting the bottom of the jacket, and with one hand he was trying to put a discarded coat on Damian, it was familiar.

Even if he was constantly talking about what an idiot Robin was, and that he would definitely get sick, although Damian was not afraid of a cold. His immunity has been tempered by poisons that he has been taking since infancy. And a simple river can't make him come down with this very "cold" that a Stranger is worried about

However, this person didn't even try to listen to him. He jerked on Robin's coat, once again discarded, and with his free hand picked him up and dragged him to the nearest apartment building, which looked like an old broadcasting studio.

Small details filled Damian's mind.

Is the stranger dangerous?

No

No, definitely not. Damian felt it with all his "absent" heart.

This man clearly had experience with stressful situations, although by the fact that he did not recognize him, Batman's Pocket Demon, it is clear that he is not from Gotham… And he's not interested in the hero industry at all.

His steps were wide, and he moved as if he wasn't wearing any slippers and there wasn't ice on the street.

The Snow Stranger lived up to his title, and his body temperature was somewhat lower than the environment.

So much so that Damian was worried about the puppies, which abruptly quieted down.

Fuck! Puppies! To hell with the stranger!

–Give me the puppies, – he says, not letting go of the man's hand.

Damian's body temperature is a little higher than normal, and it would be better if he was that guy who could get lost among the snowdrifts.

The guy snorted, jumped on the icy steps, and opened the door of the house.

–You're cold yourself, I'm no better. Get in the house now! – He commands, and literally drags Damian into the house.

This can be considered a kidnapping. He will consider it a kidnapping. If he really hadn't been frozen to the bone, he would have already been asking the teenager for his whole background.

Damian was quickly seated on the sofa, where he was given a blanket and puppies, and the boy himself disappeared among the corridors to a strange big house.

Even their estate seemed smaller than this three-story house.

Strange.

In general, everything is strange…

He was in the river, but he's dry.

He's calm. He doesn't feel this hum at the edge of consciousness…

He doesn't feel any danger.

It's all weird. It looks like a dream.

A good dream, no nightmares.

This…

He rubs the puppies, trying to warm them up.

A few moments later, one of them stirred.

He put it down and picked up another one.

Rinse and repeat.

At some point, the Snow Guy joined him.

He doesn't know how long they've been sitting.

The sense of time is gone.

Was he

Puppies

Stranger

And the struggle for life.

...

Damian came home 24 hours later. In his hands is a puppy, in his pocket was a piece of paper with a phone number, and his biography could be updated in the section of personal life on "the case of custody of puppies with a man too good for me."

[wolfjackle-creates]

Can I just say I wasn't expecting people to latch onto Emily as hard as you guys did? I love all of you.

(Emily hates it and just wants to go home.)

Also, thanks to a lovely anon, this now has a working title: Empathy Verse. If you're interested, feel free to add to it! I'd love to see your thoughts.

Longest segment yet at 1.7k words. Bruce's POV and he will not let things go.

-----

Bruce didn't know what to make of the strange woman who'd caught Jason's attention so completely.

Dick tried to insist she was good for him. Damian and Tim were wary. Though Tim liked to stress that Jason had calmed down a lot in just the two weeks they'd been spending time together. Duke was just excited another meta might be joining the family. Steph's opinion changed based on who was present (always in opposition, of course) and Cass was still in Hong Kong. Alfred kept his own counsel as always.

Jason hadn't gone more than two days without seeing her since that initial meeting. And refused to tell him anything. Not even if he had accepted her offer to ingest ectoplasm. (He suspected Jason was drinking it. He'd taken to carrying a metal water bottle with him places and refused to share. But he'd do the same even if he wasn't drinking it just to mess with Bruce.) He needed more information.

He'd wanted to go visit her the night after she and Jason had met at the library, but Dick refused to let him leave.

Then the Scarecrow had gotten out, and they had bigger issues to deal with. But finally he convinced Dick it was time to talk to her directly.

Dick insisted that if this was happening, he was going to be there. Damian and Tim wanted to go as well, but Dick also refused to let them.

"It's a dorm room. There won't be room for four vigilantes and Jazz."

Bruce was relieved that even if they didn't listen to him, they listened to Dick. Damian had too much exposure to Lazarus water in his past, and he didn't want Jazz to bewitch him the way she had Jason.

"So, B, ready to head out?" asked Dick, already in costume despite the time only being 9:30.

"It's too early."

"We're visiting a student. I'm not going to authorize breaking into her dorm room after 11pm. Who knows how early her first class is tomorrow! Now, let's go."

"Fine." Bruce closed out of the files he'd been looking over on the computer and walked to the car. "Let's go. We'll catch up with the rest of you after our meeting. Damian, Tim, if I hear you've been fighting, you will both be barred from patrol for the rest of the week."

"Oh, come on, Bruce," protested Tim.

"Father!" said Damian.

"Nope," cut in Dick before Bruce could. "I'm with B on this one. We hear either of you picked a fight on patrol while we're talking to Jazz, I will keep you off the streets myself."

Bruce hummed. "Nightwing, let's go."

"Later, you two! Have fun without us!"

Bruce shrugged off Dick's attempts to take the keys and drove them to an alley a few blocks from Gotham U.

Ten minutes later, Dick was knocking on the window to Jazz Fenton's dorm room.

Oddly, the sound didn't even startle the girl who looked over with a large smile only for it to morph into a frown when she saw them. Was she expecting someone else to come via window? Still, she walked over with a shrug and opened the window.

"Batman, Nightwing. What can I do for you?"

Nightwing wasted no time in sliding into the room. "Hey there. I'd like to open with the fact that I'm here under duress and only came to keep him"--he jerked a thumb back at Bruce who was half through the window--"from going overboard."

Jazz raised and eyebrow but smiled back. "Glad to hear it. Is this a friendly visit?"

Before Dick could speak again, Bruce said, "That depends on you."

"Ah. That's how you want to play it. Well. This is a dorm room, so it's not the most comfortable. That desk is mine"--she gestured--"so feel free to take that chair. I'll be making tea. Would either of you like some?"

"Yes, please!" said Dick as he sat right on top of her desk.

Bruce remained standing. "It has come to my attention that you've brought a dangerous substance into Gotham."

Jazz hummed acknowledgement as she plugged in an electric kettle and pulled three mugs out of a drawer in her dresser. "You're lucky I brought three mugs with me. Danny, my brother, thought I was silly for taking more than one. But I wanted to pretend I'd make friends here." She sat on her bed.

"Why didn't you think you'd make friends?" asked Dick.

Jazz shrugged. "It's hard for people from Amity Park to get close to those outside our city. I presume the 'dangerous substance' you're referring to, Batman, is my supply of ectoplasm?"

"It is."

"I need it to stay healthy. Amity Park is located on a thin patch between this dimension and the Infinite Realms. My parents research the Realms and moved there before I was born. Due to a series of events I will not elaborate on, the thin barrier became almost non-existent a few years ago. The Realms bled into us and we bled into the Realms. Now none of us are fully human but neither are we fully of the Realms. We need both to thrive. You would allow an alien to bring necessary supplements to support their biology, I need the ectoplasm for my own biology. I have taken care with the storage of it and no energy can bleed through the case I store it in or the water bottle I drink it from. Once it enters my own body, it loses the ability to affect anyone else."

"Why won't you elaborate on what happened?"

Jazz shrugged. "We've already had to deal with one government agency that decided we were better destroyed than alive or dead. Many people were hurt. Ever since, we don't trust outsiders. Especially ones affiliated with the US government."

Dick leaned forward. "Alive or dead? What does that mean?"

"Many of the residents of the Infinite Realms were once living creatures who died and became ghosts. I don't know if most of them were once living or not, but certainly most of the ones who like to spend time on Earth were once human. They're our friends now. Friends and family. The first ghost-human marriage occurred last year. It was a huge event."

"What was this government agency that hurt you?" asked Bruce. He eyed Jazz and her relaxed posture. Too relaxed for an outsider faced with meeting the Bats for the first time, but there was no hint of attack. He sat in the chair. It was one of the most uncomfortable seats he'd ever sat on. Brucie Wayne might have to make a donation to ensure the students at least had comfortable living arrangements while studying here.

Jazz was about to reply when the kettle beeped that it was done. "Just a minute. Nightwing, all the tea I have is in the top drawer of the desk. I'll be having the white tea with peach, but you both can chose your own preferred flavors." She passed over the mugs of hot water and took the tea bag Dick offered her. "Thanks. And the government agency was called the Ghost Investigation Ward or Guys in White." She grinned showing teeth that appeared sharper than they had a moment ago and her eyes flashed Lazarus green. Bruce tensed and let his hand fall towards a batarang as she continued, "But they're not a threat anymore."

Bruce could tell Dick was remaining purposely relaxed next to him but that he'd be ready to jump into action in a moment if the need arose. "Glad to hear it. Can I ask--"

He stopped himself when they heard the sound of a key being inserted into the lock. All three turned to look and watched a girl open the door and stare at them.

A beat and then she squeaked out a "Sorry!" before slamming the door.

Jazz sighed and stared at her cup. "And I was just starting to get her to trust me."

"Uh, look, I'm sorry if we caused any problems for you," started Dick.

But Jazz just waved him off. "No, it's alright. She was never going to like me. And I was never going to like her."

"Why not?" asked Bruce.

"She's not from Amity. I can never have a full conversation with her. I can just use words and there's no emotion in words."

Both he and Dick knew what she meant when she said that, but she wasn't supposed to know that, so Bruce let Dick ask the necessary clarifying questions while he watched her. Everything she said to them lined up with what she'd told Jason.

They stayed for another hour. Bruce let Dick do most of the questioning as they were trying to keep this civil and people responded better to Nightwing than Batman.

As they were getting ready to leave, Jazz stopped them just as Bruce was putting one foot on the windowsill.

"Batman, can I ask you a question?"

"Hn," he nodded his head to indicate she should continue.

"Did something happen to you?"

That pulled him up short and he didn't have to fake the confusion when he asked, "What do you mean?"

"At time I almost get a sense from you. A sort of hint of empathy projection. But it's the softest touch I've ever felt and is pulled back almost instantly. Could you have come into contact with ectoplasm at some point?"

Bruce hesitated a moment and said, "I do not know." That shouldn't hurt anything. "If I have, shouldn't I be able to feel you?"

Jazz shrugged. "I'd think so, but I'm not a doctor. Let me try something."

She took a deep breath and then Bruce realized he could trust her, she was safe. His eyes widened behind his mask and he instinctively pushed on the feelings until he was back to normal.

Jazz stared at him with wide eyes and mouth half open. "Well," she said after a moment. "I think that's why. You close yourself off."

Bruce looked at her just a moment longer before turning and shooting his grapple without another word.

A minute later, Dick was at his side and they were opening up their comms to see where Tim and Damian were.

-----

So, here's another part! Some answers about how Bruce fits into all of this! (Idk if anyone but me was asking the questions, but I'm the one writing, so it's my call.)

Short DPXDC Prompts #823

Jazz first ran into Jason outside the library. Jazz was too busy on her phone and tripped straight into Jason. On instinct, Jason grabbed her in a hug and steadied her. Being wrapped in a hug suddenly isn’t something Jazz expected to happen today but damn the man had one comforting embrace.

[spacedace]

Jason keeps not asking Jazz out.

They sit and talk almost every night now, it's become how he ends his patrols. Jazz still doesn't bring a jacket up even though fall is creeping in and it's getting colder, just quietly let's him shrug his leather jacket off and settle it around her. She *has* started bringing a blanket up along with some tea, and they share both, legs and arms and shoulders pressed tightly together - the blanket isn't perhaps exactly big enough for the both of them - as they talk until late night tips into early morning.

It's driving his family a little crazy.

Even *Bruce* is "subtly" nudging him along at this point, commenting on how happy he seemed recently, talking about how he should get to know the Nightingales more, maybe introduce his civilian identity to Jazz.

Alfred is threatening to withhold post patrol deserts if Jason doesn't get his shit together soon, silver brow arched high as Jason stutters and stammers about Jazz not being interested.

Something has to be done, and as is so often the case when it comes to his family and his useless siblings, it falls to Damian to handle matters.

Jasmine Nightingale is clearly not expecting to see Robin perched at her kitchen window at three in the morning, but he would give it to the woman that she handles it surprisingly well for a civilian. She doesn't shreik or fling anything dramatically, she *does* duck behind the wobbling kitchen island and pull a gun on him, but she's quick to get back up on her feet and put the weapon away when she realizes who it is tapping on her window.

He would also grant that she clearly had proper priorities when, upon throwing the window open to speak to him, her first words to him were a worried question about Red Hood's well being, hand twitching for the weapon she'd holstered with a gleam in her eye that said she was willing to go out and fight should she hear anything had happened to Damian's brother.

Yes, she was indeed a suitable companion for Jason, he felt. Though that had been established the moment she laughed with bright sincerity at one of his god awful jokes. Now he just needed to get all this nonsense Jason had in his head about her lack of interest sorted out.

Jazz: You almost scared me the rest of the way to death, what's going on, are *you* okay? I have some medical supplies if your hurt.

Damian: Tt I'm fine. I'm here on an important matter, I need to ask you a question of the highest import and i need your complete honesty. Do no even think of attempting to lie, i will know

Jazz, nervous: O...Kay. What do you want to know?

Damian, ignoring his family losing their shit over the comms as they realize where he is and who he's talking to: I need to know your intentions for Red Hood.

Jazz, thinking this was gonna be about the Ghost stuff and now thrown: my...intentions?

Damian: Yes. I need to know if you see him romantically or not.

Jazz: ...what?

Damian, now able to hear Jason's heavy stomping feet storming over rooftops down the street: Answer quickly I'm on a time limit.

Dick, dejected over thr comms: Does this mean I won't get to sing Kiss the Girl after all?

prompt 15.08 - Love and Protect

Tim sighs and stretches his arms. One more interview and it's over for today. The last interview for the day is with one Jazz Nightingale, a psychology major.

"So, why did you apply for the Martha Wayne Scholarship?"

...

She's an interesting person. A small town girl with good grades and impressive resume. Yet she's alert as any other batkid - her eyes scan the room, and he's pretty sure she's armed.

Interesting.

They finish the interview, and as they shake hands, she freeze and then start running away.

Interviews ARE stressful, but usually people don't come out running. He check the security feed, trying to follow her, and find a strange scenario:

There's a a small girl in a pink dress, seating on the floor and crying as she hold some stuffed animal (wait... is it a ghost?)

Bruce kneeling by her, quietly trying to question her about her family.

"GET AWAY FROM HER, FRUITLOOP!" Is suddenly ahout as Jazz enter the screen and pick up the crying toddler.

"What happened, dear? Where's your brother?"

"mommy," The toddler start crying louder. "I wake up and you are not home. I think they take you and they cut you and-"

"hush, hush, honey. I'm here. I'm safe". Jazz says as she hold the kid tightly.

.....

Or: Ellie was captured and vivisactwd for a short tet traumatic time. She still has nightmares.

As a way to keep her from melting, CW got her to be around 4/5 years old, and the kids run away.

The Nightingales move to Gotham. Danny (16), his older sister Jazz (19) and her daughter Ellie (5).

The bats find about them as Jazz apply for scholarship.

There identities are fake, but they seem to be under some kind of wetness protection.

(there aren't many reasons that leave a single mom teen and her younger brother in witness protection).

The bats have their theories. Red Hood try to check from time to time about them.

Shenanigans happen.

[I go with anger managment. But I ALWAYS go with AM]