#Batman voice this is my boy and he said if I didn’t include him he would never forgive me

[mothman-stolemyeyebrows]

The Batboys on a Gotham version of Celebrity Family Feud. Is this anything?

[writing-ca-ira]

HASARDER — PART 3

YJ/Teen Titans Dick Grayson x Reader

Part 2 << MASTERLIST >> Part 4

There’s a logical explanation for everything… even the illogical. And sometimes, the illogical includes the idea of your dead best friend dropping by… from another dimension.

Reader is gender neutral.

Contains: civilian reader, mentions of death (your own), spoilers: you’re actually alive… kinda, classic Dick vs. Bruce argument, the heavily autistic-coded Tim agenda.

“Dick—”

“I think you owe me an EXPLANATION or TWO, BRUCE. Because why did I get a frantic phone call from Tim telling me that a stranger with (Y/N)’s face is walking around, while you KEPT ME OUT OF THE LOOP, huh?!”

“… I knew you would be too emotionally charged to handle—”

“No. No, stop. I don’t want to hear that dumb spiel anymore. This isn’t Tony Zucco, Bruce!! This is my BEST FRIEND. I knew (Y/N) better than you EVER did, and you mean to say you didn’t give me a heads up about this faker, because, what? I’d be a little surprised that there is a FAKE (Y/N) WALKING AROUND?!”

“Dick—!!”

“WELL, COLOR ME SURPRISED, BRUCE. AND KEEP ME POSTED ON THE NEXT CASE UPDATE, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW HOW GOOD YOU ARE AT DOING THAT.”

“THIS (Y/N) ISN’T THE (Y/N) YOU KNEW, DICK. You have no BUSINESS knowing anything about this (Y/N)—”

“I HAVE NO BUSINESS?! I HAVE NO BUSINESS KNOWING WHO’S OUT THERE PLAYING (Y/N)-DRESS-UP, WHILE MY REAL BEST FRIEND IS STILL 6 FEET UNDER IN A GRAVE THAT, BY THE WAY, I KNOW YOU TOOK UPON YOURSELF TO DIG UP?! NO ONE HAS BUSINESS DOING THAT. NOT BRUCE WAYNE, NOT BATMAN, NOT ANYONE.”

“We had to know for CERTAIN—”

“WE… There’s that MAGICAL ‘WE’ I keep HEARING ABOUT!! Because Batman the loner can’t even TRUST NIGHTWING with anything, but he’ll reach out to ANYONE ON THE JUSTICE LEAGUE. WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT? IT’S A MIRACLE ANYONE EVEN WANTS TO WORK WITH YOU AT THIS POINT, SINCE YOU DO NOTHING BUT DRIVE PEOPLE OUT OF YOUR LIFE!!“

“Dick!! Dick, wait!!”

“Nightwing’s back!!”

Before Dick could even turn around, a tiny green monkey perched itself on his shoulder, offering a toothy grin. A couple of cheeky chirps came from the creature as the corners of Dick’s mouth twitched upwards. “Good to see you too, Gar,” he chuckled, letting the freshman team member crawl to his other shoulder.

An exasperated sigh rang out from behind them. “Gar!! What did I tell you about running off in the middle of conversations?!”

Dick watched as M’gann landed next to him, her hands on her hips and a brow quirked. Though her tone was admonishing, she did have an amused smile on her face, so she at least wasn’t seriously upset with her pseudo younger brother. And speaking of whom, the green monkey leapt off of Dick’s shoulder, transforming back into his human form.

“Sorry, M’gann,” the boy exaggeratedly sighed. A wide grin then broke out on his face as he said, “but look!! Nightwing’s back!!”

M’gann’s gaze turned from Garfield to Dick. “I can see that,” she remarked. Her face still held a smile, but it softened a bit as her expression turned from amused to somber. “Welcome back, team leader.”

“It’s good to be back,” said Dick, returning M’gann’s bittersweet smile.

The Martian gave him a reassuring look before herding Gar back to the sparring floor. Just as he was about to turn away, however, M’gann’s voice entered his mind. “I’m… glad to see you’re doing better.”

Dick mentally sighed through their mind link. “Thanks for taking over, M’gann… I just—”

“You don’t to explain yourself,” M’gann quickly interjected. “I completely understand. You’re still… healing.” She took a second to collect her thoughts before continuing. “If you ever need to talk... or just need more time… I’m here.”

“I know,” said Dick. He watched as she glanced back at him, an uncertain expression plastered on her face. It was a very quick glance, only lasting about 2 seconds as to not raise suspicion from Gar, but it practically screamed the words she wanted to say; do you?

The link was then dropped.

Dick had to take a deep breath in before finally walking off. His psychic conversation with M’gann left a giant weight on his chest, though he couldn’t exactly pinpoint why. Maybe it had something to do with the walls he built up to keep his friends out. Even though it’s been 2 years, he hadn’t really talked about your death with anyone; not even to Wally, or Clark, and definitely not with Bruce. “I’m fine,” he’d tell them all, hoping to finally get them off of his case. Therapy sessions with Dinah practically went in circles, since they consisted of him repeating “I’m fine” over and over again. There were still days — weeks, even — where he just can’t find it in him to get out of bed, and his response to all of the missed calls, texts, and teammate wellness check-ups; “I’m fine.”

He’s fine. Dick Grayson is fine. He doesn’t need to talk about your death because he’s fine.

But that’s not what he wanted to think about now. Making his way to the library, he kept his eyes peeled for a particular red-and-black uniform. And sure enough, at one of the farthest tables, the latest Boy Wonder was tapping away at his wrist computer. There were miscellaneous papers and books strewn about, and 2 laptops — one closed and the other open with some note-taking application up — were on the surface of the table.

Someone’s been busy, Dick thought with a humorous smirk.

The older male made sure his footsteps were heavy enough for Tim to hear, just to give the teen a small heads-up. Sure enough, at the sound of footsteps, the Boy Wonder’s head shot up, and the open laptop was immediately sealed shut just as his wrist computer blipped away. “Nightwing,” was his curt greeting.

“Timmers,” Dick greeted back. The nickname was intentional; he wanted to make sure that the young teen knew that this wasn’t a team-related matter. This strategy proved fruitful, because Tim’s shoulders lost some tension as a coy smile stretched across his lips. Though it only lasted for a couple of seconds, as a more serious expression crossed Tim’s face. “Have you… talked with B? Since your argument?”

Dick hummed. “Just last night. Talked with him on patrol when—”

“I didn’t mean Nightwing talking to Batman.”

“… No.” A shallow sigh tumbled from Dick’s mouth. “I was thinking about talking to him after paying this so-called (Y/N) a visit, but…”

“I think you should,” said Tim, a rare firmness in his tone that honestly spooked Dick a bit. But his voice soon turned into something more timid, as he added, “uh… but only if you feel up to it. I… um... anyway, I… found out where B’s keeping (Y/N). Fake (Y/N), I mean.”

Dick leaned pulled out a chair, ignoring the awful scraping noise it made against the ground as he plopped down on it. “What rules did you have to break to find the address?”

“Don’t remind me,” Tim mumbled, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. “I did what I had to do, and I’m praying Batman doesn’t take away my costume for it…”

“He won’t, trust me.” To accentuate his reassuring words, Dick put a hand on Tim’s shoulder. “This dilemma is between me and him. Besides, if he wanted you off of patrol, he would’ve done something by now.”

Hearing this, Tim let out a shaky sigh. “… Okay.”

There was a short bought of silence as the young Boy Wonder fiddled with his wrist computer. Dick assumed it had something to do with (Y/N)’s location, and his hypothesis proved correct when an alert pinged from his own wrist. Quickly checking the address, Dick brought his hand from Tim’s shoulder to his neatly combed hair. “Thanks, Tim. This… means a lot to me.”

“I know it does,” the teen responded. “I mean, If it were my best friend… I’d want to know who their mysterious doppelgänger is, too.”

A sad smile formed on Dick’s face. The thought of Tim doing all of this for him… well… he couldn’t help but feel guilty. Even though Tim was the one who initially brought everything to his attention, this should’ve stayed between Dick and all of the Leaguers and scientists who were involved. It was unfair for Dick to use Tim as his little proxy. Wanting to express his guilt on the matter, he opened his mouth to say something when a book on the table caught his eye.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BLACK HOLES.

Black holes?

Since when was Tim interested in black holes?

Dick was aware of Tim’s habit to go down rabbit holes of information, but they usually revolve around technology and cold cases. The only interest the boy had in space — that Dick was aware of — was Martians (he holds the memory of Tim spouting out Martian facts on patrol very close to his heart). Perhaps this was for a school project, or to debunk a claim that a classmate he finds distasteful made (again)?

The more Dick studied the books and papers around him, however, the quicker the dots were connecting in his mind. Another book titled Parallel Worlds was opened face-down next to his laptop with a bunch of orange sticky notes marking certain pages. And next to that was a page from a notepad labelled with “quntm hypo” (shorthand for quantum hypothesis, Dick assumed) in Tim’s handwriting. What really solved this puzzle, however, we’re the printed copies of the (Y/N) (L/N) file, a picture of you paper clipped to the first paper in the stack.

… Someone’s been busy alright.

Picking up the one of the file pages, Dick gave it a quick skim before looking at his successor. “Been doing a little research of your own?”

Tim’s gaze went to the floor. “Just a little.”

“Just a little,” the acrobat echoed with a tone of mirth, surveying the sea of papers and books around the table. “So… you’re thinking that this stranger (Y/N)’s from a different dimension?”

“Adam Strange did an MRI on them not too long ago,” Tim explained. “Found traces of Zeta Beams in their body. Doppelgänger (Y/N) said they’ve never heard of a Zeta Beam or a Zeta Tube. Which doesn’t match up with our (Y/N)…”

“Because our (Y/N) is registered in the JL Zeta Tube access system,” finished Dick.

The younger male nodded. “And these Titans… fake (Y/N)’s description of them was finally added to the Bat Computer’s records, and they’re apparently a team of young superheroes who are based in Jump City, California.” The screen of his wrist watch popped up with your given statement. “The Teen Titans. They’re my friends. We all live in Titans Tower in Jump City. Where’s Robin? Is he alright? I have to see him. Please let me see him.” He then looked up at Dick. “When Batman asked for them to identify Robin, they… said Dick Grayson.”

Dick had to swallow the thick lump that was forming in his throat. You wanted to see him. And though you weren’t his (Y/N), he wanted to see you, too. Just to see who’s parading around with his dead best friend’s face, of course. It would be unwise to think he would receive closure from your mysterious clone. “So, they lived with a group of young heroes in both worlds, but in our world, it’s in Mount Justice, and in their world…”

“It’s the Titans.” Tim closed out of his wrist computer and picked up a paper from the (Y/N) file stack. “That would also explain why they ended up on the other side of the country. If they lived in Jump City, and then somehow… got… transported or warped or whatever to our universe, then according to Strange’s Pinpoint Zeta theory, they would theoretically show up in the same area from their own universe.”

“Never heard of this Pinpoint Zeta theory,” the older male commented.

“Strange just came up with it,” answered Tim. “The basic gist of his hypothesis is that an object using Zeta Beams to travel from one timeline to another will show up in a destination with Zeta energy that’s closest to their original location from where they initially left from.”

Dick couldn’t help but quirk a brow at this. “And where did alternate timeline (Y/N) show up?”

The paper in Tim’s hand was soon replaced with another, the new paper outstretched for Dick to see. “SOTO Labs. Used to be an industrial research laboratory before STAR Labs nailed them with that huge lawsuit years ago. Long story short, the head scientist of SOTO Labs was caught red-handed smuggling Zeta tech all the way from Taos.”

“I remember that,” Dick commented, taking the paper from Tim to read over it himself. “Jorge James-Mendez. Got put away for a long time… among others who were involved.” A deep frown formed on his face. “What does (Y/N) have to do with SOTO Labs?”

Tim rested his head against the palm of his hand. “That’s the thing. While (Y/N) said that they know of a SOTO Labs, as far as they knew, there weren’t any lawsuits or anything that shut the place down, and they don’t recall being anywhere near SOTO Labs to begin with… though it doesn’t help that they don’t remember much period.”

“A parallel universe… an alternate timeline…” Dick rubbed his temples. “Do you really think it’s possible…? That this is a (Y/N) from an entirely different world from our own?”

“Theoretically… anything’s possible,” was Tim’s answer. “This isn’t the first time we’ve had to look into dimensional travel as a probable answer. And with all the weird details from this (Y/N)’s situation…” the teen interrupted himself with a sigh, “I’m inclined to believe it’s true.”

This… was too much to process. Just a week ago, Dick was trying to wrap his head around the idea of a whole other (Y/N) existing, and now he has to consider the idea of a whole other universe? Sure, he’s had conversations like this with Wally in the past, but that was all theoretical. This… was real. And his dead best friend just so happened to be the one to make it real; to prove that it was real.

… He’s fine. Dick Grayson is fine. He doesn’t need to talk about how an alternate version of his dead best friend somehow ended up in this universe — coincidentally a few weeks after the anniversary of your death — because he’s fine.

Snapping out of his deep thoughts, Dick looked up at Tim again. “So… you’re on board with the idea. And I’m guessing Adam Stange is, too. But What about Batman?”

A simple shrug accompanied Tim’s reply. “According to his notes, the evidence is enough to back up the notion of alternate world (Y/N). Manhunter and Fate feel the same way.”

Dick smirked. “Because they told you?”

“… Because Batman was kind enough to write their thoughts along with his own… in a file that’s triple password-protected.”

Classic Boy Wonder struggles.

Although Dick wanted nothing more than to stop asking questions — he’s learned enough information as it is — there was something in the back of his brain that was bothering him. Letting his eyes drift to Tim’s primary laptop, he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something else. Something that Tim wasn’t telling him. “What were you looking up?”

Tim only stared dumbly at his senior. “Huh?”

“Earlier.” One of Dick’s hands motioned towards Tim’s laptop. “You had your laptop open. What were you doing?”

“Nothing,” said Tim. “Why?”

… The kid’s gotten better at keeping a poker face, Dick mentally noted. “So, nothing to do with alternate (Y/N)?”

“No.”

“… And nothing to do with our (Y/N)?”

“…”

So he IS hiding something.

Before Dick could press further, however, Tim sprang out of his seat and began to gather his belongings. “Look, I’ve got a lot going on,” he explained. “This whole alternate universe thing spawned some crazy theories, some of which are half baked at best,” he tucked his primary laptop underneath his arm, “and they’re not ready for me to share. If one of them leads somewhere, I’ll tell you, but… for now, I can’t risk giving out bogus, okay?!”

Dick carefully put a hand out to calm the third Boy Wonder. “Tim—”

“I told you the concrete facts, Dick.” Realizing his voice was raising in volume, Tim took a deep breath. “I… I told you everything that Batman knows. I promise I’m not keeping you in the dark, it’s just…” another deep breath, “I don’t want to be wrong about anything on this.”

Any questions Dick had died on the tip of his tongue, and all he could respond with was, “it’s okay, Tim... I believe you.”

There was no response from the third Boy Wonder. Quietly, he gathered all of his belongings and stashed them all in the duffle bag hanging off of his chair. Slinging it over his shoulder, Tim turned towards his predecessor and mumbled a quiet, “… I’m sorry,” before making a b-line towards the exit.

Tim was weirdly… defensive. Dick wasn’t sure if he’s ever seen his successor get this way, but he definitely didn’t like it. Tim was hiding something, and whatever it is, it must been big; something not even Batman knows. And while it hurt to know that Tim of all people was withholding information from him, he at least had faith that the teen would eventually tell him (unlike… y’know… Batman). It was just a matter of waiting until Tim was fully sure of… whatever this crazy theory was.

Timmy was the one who told me about the other (Y/N) in the first place, Dick reminded himself. He’s not going to pull a Bruce on me.

In the meantime, Dick had other things to worry about, like returning to his duties as team leader, patrolling Blüdhaven, and…

… Guess it’s time to pay (Y/N) (L/N) a visit.

[new-revenant]

Thief au

Danny gets hurt during a heist, the wound requiring stitches but he refuses to go to a hospital so he ends up in the bat cave's med bay. He ends up having to pull the top half of his suit down and take his shirt off so Batman and Alfred can look at the wound. Danny reluctantly agrees and takes his undershirt off revealing battle scars, his arm, chest, and part of his neck and face were covered in litchenburg figures, there were scars from some of his worse ghost fights, under all the battle scars are top surgery scars, and overlapping all other scars is a giant Y shaped scar that stood way more vividly. Danny is only about 21-22 years old and the scar looked fairly recent. Batman is pissed that someone vivisected a kid

Danny tried to play the vivisection scars off as no big deal, because to him, it really is no big deal. He doesn’t say who did it, other than just saying “the government” and that his organs didn’t get pulled out or anything. He does blatantly say that the other scars-sans the top surgery scars-were all from ghosts. Ghosts that are usually tangible all the time, tangibility comes naturally to them, a signal that they are much more powerful than normal ghosts, Danny told them.

Naturally, the fact that Batman has seen Danny use some ghostly powers-that Danny tried his best to hide-and the fact he goes by “Ghost,” and steals back artifacts that belongs to the Ghost Zone, Batman asks if Danny is a ghost.

“You know, that reminds me of something this ghost-Spectra was her name-asked me a long time ago,” Danny started, “She wasn’t a good person, in fact, she pretended to a counselor at my school and fed off the despair of all the students there.

“I tried to stop her, and I succeeded, but she asked me this one question, this one question that I can’t stop thinking about, that I can’t figure out the answer to, no matter how hard I try.

“She asked me, ‘Are you a ghost trying to fit in with humans…or a freaky little boy with freaky little powers?’” Danny let out a shaky breath, daring not to look at Batman in the eye. A single, agonizing second passed before Batman responded.

“Does it matter what the answer is?”

Danny finally looked up at Batman, whose face and body was unreadable as always. Yet, his monotone voice was laced with compassion and sympathy. Danny tried not to cry as tears started to lace his eyes.

“Maybe, but…I think I just want to help people right now. Help them from what the GZ artifacts could cause.”

“Don’t forget to help yourself. That’s something that everybody needs to be reminded off,” Batman glanced over at Alfred as he said this, who nodded with a smile.

“And ‘everybody,’ includes you Sir Ghost,” Alfred said.

Danny cried.

[kovacs-of-courage]

Nesting Fears

I made this fic based off my dear friend @yys002's art! Check out her blog(the art below is hers)

He was walking in a dream, fading memories echoing around his lucid consciousness. 

There were voices around every corner, whispers of his loved ones, honeycomb promises behind unending walls. He was trapped in the manor, wandering up and down its lonely halls.

Dick tried to enjoy the experience, a sleep beyond nightmares was rare for him, if he remembered it at all. Life had thrown him too many dangers to rest softly, though he’d come to terms with that reality long ago. He was too proud of his life; what with the people he’d helped, the lives he’d saved, the friends met.

He missed his parents more than the world, but if they were forever doomed to die—-there was nowhere else Dick would rather be. Being Robin honored their memory in a way that doing circus tours for the rest of his life never could, to turn his tragedy into a force for good--Dick knew they’d approve.

So why did he feel so uncertain? Why was he so afraid?

Dick put his hand on the shadowed wall, his fingers flat against the ancient timber. A sigh of passive exasperation left his incorporeal form, the strain of his worries weighing harder on the young vigilante than any physical hardship. The manor had contorted a direction through his memories, winding corridors of past glories and future anxieties.

It’d taken him through miles of it, or so Dick assumed. Dreams tended to play fast and loose with reality, the forest infinitely more important than the trees. Dick just wished he’d wake up already, but it seemed that wasn’t what his subconscious had in mind.

The room shifted around him, a blurring mass of colors and whirring sounds that passed as soon as it arrived. Dick didn’t feel alerted by this special change like he would in the real world, staying in a plain state of confused discomfort.

He recognized the room he’d landed in immediately, foreboding sinking into his chest like poisonous worry. Cautious in his step, he approached the lone statue-head in the center of the rectangular room--more fit to be a windowed coffin than a place for the living.

The marble carved features of Thomas Wayne stared back at him, set on a similarly expensive pillar-- confirming Dick’s worst suspicions.

This was Bruce’s study.

There was history to the room, an importance that lent it a weight closer to crime alley than simply a place where the Wayne family liked to read. Bruce had told Dick close to everything there was to know about his mission, about Batman, including where he’d originally gotten the inspiration for it.

Dick looked back to the head of Thomas Wayne, the stone where his pupils should be staring daggers into his being. Righteous judgment radiated off it like smoke from an SOS flare, a wordless indignation towards Dick being in his presence.

“I don’t know what you want from me, I don’t even know why I’m here,” Dick said, disregarding the insanity of choosing to talk to a lifeless statue. He chose to not look it in the eyes, opening the curtains to observe the rolling greens of the Wayne estate.

Dick tried to enjoy the view, his mind’s admittedly imperfect recollection of his childhood home, as the imaginary sun slowly rose on the distant horizon. He closed his eyes, grasping at some sense of peace in the half nightmare around him.

“You know exactly why you’re here, boy.”

Gone as soon as it came, the silence overtaking the room shattered, the rumbling baritone of a voice unknown acting like a sledgehammer thrown across softened glass. It’d caught Dick off guard at first; as deep and guttural as trigon, the avalanche-like vibrations of each enunciated word a death sentence in its own right.

He looked to his left; at the only thing he could imagine as the source of the noise. 

The Statue spoke again, it’s stoic expression unmoving, it’s lips motionless: 

“Bruce should have never let you join his crusade, a child has no place in war.”

Dick gritted his teeth, aggravation flaring like hot fire within him, figment of his imagination or not--hearing the same tired spiel of Bruce’s boneheaded arguments made him want to scream.

“Oh put a sock in it, rock pile,” Dick said, looking the statue dead-on, “If you can’t even come up with your own points, then there’s nothing you can say that’ll change my mind.”

A laugh roared through the air, it’s intensity like an earthquake to a withered coffin; shaking the room so violently as to carve gaps in the floorboards and throw books from their shelves.

Dick struggled to stay afoot, his trained grace doing little in the fantasy of the dream. 

“And yet you argue with me still!” The Statue laughed, “I’m not here to convince you of anything, little bird--only to remind you of a truth you so pathetically avoid.”

The condescending tone clicked all the wrong buttons for Dick, draining his vast well of patience to an exceedingly shrinking pool of agitation. He wanted to be as far away from the manor as possible. He’d prefer the worst patrols in Gotham, the deadliest missions with the titans, at least then he’d be doing something productive.

Not this.

“And what truth is that, oh hallowed prophet?” Dick leered, sarcasm etching his sentence’s end, “Go on, what cold truth do I need repeated? What wise wisdom of the batman have I forgotten? Is the eighteen-year-old apprentice still too young to be taken seriously?

The Statue remained impassive at the surface, betraying the hostility it so flagrantly spoke with, “Quite the opposite in fact. You are an apprentice in name alone, what use does Bruce have for a student he cannot teach, nor listens to his orders?”

It pained Dick to admit, but the statue, whatever part of his mind it represented, was right. Bruce and him didn’t need one another anymore, and that was a knife to his heart that kept on twisting. He was quiet for a tense few seconds, his fists balled and breathing slow.

“Batman and Robin are partners, we’re a team...he knows that,” Dick muttered, his hot anger turned to frigid vulnerability.

He waited for a response, the risen moon beaming through the glass, shining bright his open fear.

“Nothing lasts forever, even the brightest stars fade,” The Statue said, “Bruce knows this more than anyone, as should you.”

Dick tilted his head, disbelief plastered across his face, “We don’t just lay down and accept it! Bruce calling us quits isn’t gonna stop me from helping people. I’m not a kid anymore, I can make my own decisions.”

“I find that hard to believe, boy wonder, when you spend so much of your time tracing his footsteps,” The Statue said, holding it’s views like a scalpel to Dick’s life, “Robin is no more his own hero then when you were eight years old, or leading a team of second-rate sidekicks that pales in comparison to what your mentor helped create.”

The insult at the Titans salted the already bleeding wound, Dick’s emotions bubbled to a chaotic boiling point--no one hit his friends without going through him first.

“Keep the Titans out of this, or I’ll kick you off that pillar myself! We’ve earned our place, time and time again,” Dick said, his volume nearing a yell.

The statue didn’t waver, if it was bothered by Dick’s threat--it hid that fact well.

“Your defensiveness merely emphasizes my point,” The Statue explained. 

Dick’s squinted his eyes, his stance tense and rigid. 

The Statue continued to elaborate, dispassionate as always, “What is the tale of a squire without their knight? What is a son who never surpasses the father? You must grow beyond these trappings of youth, not retreat within them.” 

“Robin is my creation though,” Dick stressed, motioning his palms to his chest, “It’s the last thing I have of my parents, of my history...Who am I without it?”

The question elicited a hum of laughter from the statue, baritone and rebounding, though without malice, for once. Dick’s cheeks flushed red, embarrassment at his open vulnerability like salt on a bleeding wound.

“Am I to hear that the Flying Grayson is afraid to take a leap of faith? Is it not defiance of fear that creates the heroics you so revel in?”

Dick sheepishly rubbed his arm, “Well when you say it like that, it sounds stupid.”

“The path you walk, you’ve known it’s course for far longer than your visit here,” The statue said, “The confusion you face in regards to the future is temporary, if you still have the bravery to persist.”

“Then what is this conversation supposed to be?” Dick asked. “My subconscious motivating me to keep going?”

The Statue said plainly it’s clarification, “Close, but no cigar. That moment will come in a short while; any moment now, actually.”

Dick shook his head, puzzled and uneased, “And what that’s supposed to be?”

“A taste of skies yet flown. You’ll see.”

Before Dick had the chance of questioning the statue’s cryptic answer, an invisible force had thrown him on his back; the shrill cry of a beast sounding life or death danger in his pained eardrums.

He struggled to regain his composure, his heart-rate jumping to his throat as he watched spider webbing cracks infect the floorboards; the noise of the unknown beast quickly reducing the room to literal splinters.

The dream was quickly becoming a nightmare, that much was plain to see. Dick swallowed the lump in his throat, the primal fear heightened by the reality around him coursing shivers from head to toe. He pushed past it, the courage of all his years dancing away from death’s grip reminding him of his true strength.

Dick pulled himself to his feet, gritting his teeth in concentration. Real or not; He’d never turn tail from danger, nor the future. The view from the window pane had brightened to an immeasurable degree, a near blinding wall of sunlight swallowing the space that the manor’s land had formerly occupied.

Another cry broke the air, just as earsplitting and hope-stopping as the last, but this time Dick could see the source...and it was flying right at him.

The creature was monstrous, an ever changing avian patchwork of leather-stitched sinew and brown and gray feathers. The details to its appearances were like a mirage, changing at the slightest glance, blending into a variety of patterns in the seconds of it’s current flight path.

Dick watched the bird in amazement, aware of the danger it presented and finding himself unable to move; completely mesmerized and terrified in equal measure. It molted it’s feathers to new patterns in ways that made Dick want to jump out the window and join it.

It roared again, it’s callous beak now a rallying cry for a cause that Dick felt deep in his heart. He blinked and it’s coat had darkened from the humble colors of the robin; the kiss of a midnight river drenching it’s dozen foot wide wingspan, adorning sleek slings of golden pride on it’s chest. 

There was beauty in the change, the transformations from one mode to another. For every reinvention there was horror lost, a terror thrown aside. Dick couldn’t help but admire that, envy it’s adaptation to something more.

Dick blinked again, the large talons of the bird mere inches away from the fragile glass. 

It’d changed once more, molting it’s dreamlike austerity to streamlined nobility. Darkness drenched it’s form, the touch of the space holding stars; yet it did not consume it. There was light in it’s eyes, grandness in it’s purpose, freedom in it’s flight--Dick looked into the brilliant sapphire streaking it’s breast and found hope, not despair.

He found a symbol he could believe in, a soul that longed to soar as much as his own.

Dick had found something more valuable than anything in the skies and wonders above.

As the glass shattered, and the bird’s mighty talons embraced him--Dick understood what it was.

And he was never letting go.

[smileyallthetime77]

Yandere!Damian Wayne x Reader Pt.3

⚠️Warnings⚠️: Mention Of Rape/Murder, Stalking, Abuse, Death, & Anorexia

🇺🇸Word Count🇺🇸: 666

👾Characters👾: 3,631

But little did you know that none of the males in front of your unconscious form where going to keep that promise.

************************************************

“Uhhh Bruce”? Cyborg spoke.

”Yes Victor” Batman sighed deeply.

“Where did you find her again”? Victor asked.

“I told you already, Joker decided to keep a few girls hostage and she was the only one who survived” Bruce answered.

“I don’t think she’s the only survivor of just one of Jokers attacks” he mumbles barely herd by Batman.

“What”?! Batman asked in a high pitched tone yet slightly shaky.

“According to her file she’s been through a lot. From rape to body damage”. Cyborg answered slightly scared of what Batman’s response would be.

“What the hell does that mean”? Batman asked.

“According to her file, when she was ten years old she was taken for two and a half years by some man named Chris Peterson. It says he brutally raped her, but she found a way to escape. He is currently spending a life time in prison. It also says this isn’t the first time Chris has taken girls and raped them. Some of them were even unfortunately killed”. Cyborg answered in a shaky voice.

Batman could only wonder to himself what more you could have gone through without a single word being brought to him, the justice league, or even his civilian form.

“What else does it say”? He questioned.

“It says that she did (s/n) since she was kid. Her coaches forced her into eating less, and she even received a few injury’s on her body from the sport”. Cyborg said with a “damn” placed after it.

“But that’s not all. Her mother went missing when she was a baby, and apparently because of that she doesn’t have the best relationship with her father at the moment”. Cyborg once again spoke.

“Maybe we could get her into therapy. Or something that will help her relax into her life”. Cyborg suggested.

“I swore to my family that we were never to meet or speak of her” Bruce said quietly.

“The kids only thirteen, Bruce. She needs a proper adult to take care of her.

Then it hit Batman. Maybe you didn’t need a parental figure, but more like a friend (or a new family). Someone around your age who could get you the help you needed. And who was better then his own son. The best of the best.

Damian Fucking Wayne.

_________________________________________

“Boys” Bruce shouted in the house.

They all came in to the room a little confused on why Bruce was yelling at 1 in the morning.

“What’s up”? Jason asked.

“That girl we saved last night, she….., she needs our help. I know I said that we shouldn’t speak or see her ever again, but I have come to the realization that it is best for everyone if we keep a close eye on her. At least for now”.

“Why, what happened”? Dick asked.

“She is going through some pretty damaging stuff right now. I won’t get into to detail right now because when she speaks to you. All of you. That is how you’ll know she trusts you. Tim, I want you to send a letter to [Address]. This letter will include that all expenses of her new school at Gotham Academy will paid for. I want you to make it look like the government wishes for her to go there. In the letter you shall not state who the money is coming from, just make sure she comes to this school”. Bruce said firmly.

There stood all of the boys smiling like idiots (some smiling on the inside) ready to take on who might become like a little sister to them. Or more.

Written: Tuesday, July 25, 2023

[samgirl98]

It had been a normal Wayne family dinner (including flying cutlery, bad puns, and a tired dad voice saying “kids”)

Just as they were about to eat dessert and portal opened, one that looked suspiciously like the Lazarus Pits.

“We are looking for the one named Red Hood!” A man (?) in all white shouted. He was followed by a hulking metal machine, man thing with a Mohawk, a punk girl with flaming blue hair, a teenage boy that looked to be a stereotypical bad boy from the fifties (deathly pale with a shadow behind him twisting) and girl with green hair (it looked so similar to Joker’s hair color) and a red leather jacket, a small chubby warehouse worker, and behind them a being made of pure shadow with a feminine figure.

It took a few seconds for every member in the table to notice every detail before they got into defensive positions.

“Who are you,” Bruce asked in his Batman voice, ready to defend his family from the threat in front of them, “what do you want?”

“Are you deaf, punk? We want Red Hood. We know he’s here we just don’t know which one of you it is.”

“Why do you want Red Hood,” asked Dick, looking ready to tear the intruders a new one. They had finally had a time to be a family and eat dinner (even Jason was here. JASON! And he wasn’t in a bad mood or ready to kill anyone) and these assholes had shown up to ask for his little brother.

“We won’t say for what purpose we are here until we know the hero Red Hood is here,” the floating junk of metal said

“I’m Red Hood,” Jason stepped up a bit surprised anyone not from Crime Alley would call *him* a hero, “what do you want from me and my family”

“Not your family, just you,” the blue haired girl said

“A member of our community has been hurt and as much as we love the kid..” the green haired girl trailed off only for the bad boy to put his arm around her and finish the sentence, “we don’t have the resources to take care of the kid.”

The whole family has tensed when they heard ‘kid’

“What kid, hurt how,” Jason asked in a low dangerous voice, the green slowly tinting his vision of the thought of a *child* hurt.

The…beings nodded, looking at him with approval. All of them parted for the shadowed woman to step forward, she put her arms out as if to show them something…

Jason almost vomited.

In the woman’s arms was a thin boy bleeding greens and reds. He had a Y-shaped cut on his chest (mirroring the one that Jason had but this boy was ALIVE) and barely breathing (how, HOW was he breathing)

Actually it almost sounded like a death rattle instead of actual breaths

“We saved him from a pair of monsters,” the shadowed woman said, “we didn’t know sooner or we would’ve, we could’ve prevented this,” she said miserably

The blue haired girl put an arm around the woman, “it’s okay Spectra, we got Baby Bop out.”

The first man spoke again, “listen here, punk, we would keep him with us but he’s still half human and needs human care, especially at his age. His home life is no longer safe. So, we entrust him to you, Red Hero. Many of the scums you have killed have spoken of you as I put them in jail for the rest of their miserable afterlife.”

“You have no problem getting justice for the living… or the dead,” the man’s smile made him look like a deranged warden skeleton, “take care of him.”

Jason automatically held out his arms as the woman, Spectra, handed the boy to him.

“His name is Danny,” she whispered before going back to the small group

“BEWARE IF ANY HARM COMES TO THE BOY, I THE BOX GHOST WILL HAUNT YOU FOR ETERNITY”

One by one the beings went back into the glowing portal. The last one to enter, the blue haired girl, looked back

“We will be keeping watch. Don’t hurt him,” her eyes seemed to blaze, “or you won’t know peace in the land of the living *or* the dead

And she disappeared as the portal closed behind her

Jason looked down at the small boy in his arms and felt something in his chest shift (protect him at all cost). He would die, but most importantly, he would kill for this kid

Ok normally i just send stuff like in asks but i liked my idea enough to attempt this so

Danny does a reveal to his parents and it goes badly his parents capture him and start dissecting and experimenting on him

Tucker and sam are out of town on family stuff and jazz is at college

So who notices Danny's gone for a few days? His rouges

So they meet up because what happened to the kid i mean they got free reign now but the kid was powerful where was he (definitely not because they were missing him no not at all)eventually they all decide to investigate the Fentons because they're theost likely candidates

So they investigate and find the horrific sight of danny pinned open with the Fentons experimenting in stuff about his body

So they do what any self respecting ghost would do they save him because ancients he's a kid no ghost deserves to go through that especially not a kid so they save the kid and take him to the realms to heal but he can't stay in the realms forever he's Human as well he needs human food and sunlight and water

So they Brainstorm who could look after the welp the 2 friends were out they lived in the same town as Fenton he'd be found in a second. Plasmus no just no they'd rather not

Then boxy give them a good idea what about a hero phantom was considered a hero wasn't he? So why not a hero they aren't in amity so the Fentons would have less chance to find them

But which hero who could help then walker has an idea the ghosts of criminal had talked as he was booking them there was a hero he killed he was freeing spirits who wanted revenge so it was decided danny would go to this hero

But they had to make sure this hero knew they were watching him so they made an entrance

-----------

The batfamily were having a family dinner it was as peaceful as a wayne family dinner could be: in short chaos

That changed when a swirling circle lazerus water opened up above the table releasing multiple figures who as one turned to jason

"Hero Redhood you have been chosen for a great mission." One of the figures said "your mission is to help the hero phantom" the 2nd figure declared "BUT BEWARE SHOULD YOU FURTHER HARM HIM YOU WILL FACE THE MIGHT OF THE BOX GHOST" the third figure yelled "if you harm the welp i will hunt the bat clans pelts" the large metallic figure threatened and with that the figures disappeared leaving behind a young boy with stitches all across his body

[outoftheframework]

my proposal for tropes we as a fandom should adopt in all fanworks going forward: Duke Thomas edition

So every fandom has tropes and characterization quirks that have been generally accepted into fanon and, like, maybe? they were originally based on some obscure comic panel from the 80s or something but it doesn’t really matter because we’re all just,,, cool with it? Like for example- in the dc comics fandom, an art piece could show 3 of the bats that look virtually identical except one of them is holding a box of cereal so that one is obviously Dick Grayson. . . Y’know?

Anyway, these things usually come up naturally I guess but I’ve been here a while and it’s finally time to put my foot down. It’s high time for Duke Thomas to be more in fanon than “the sane one.” Because he might be the relatively new guy but he is certainly fears no gods or laws of the land just as much as the other bats, lemme tell ya. 

TL;DR here are character quirks (”canon-based” or otherwise) that we should all really latch onto seriously I’m begging y’all to make at least one of these happen-

Duke “Habitually Jumping Out of Moving Vehicles” Thomas

This one’s actually based in canon y’all; Duke did indeed yeet himself out of the back of a cop car and off of a bridge (in We Are... Robin). Normalize Duke’s wearing knee and elbow pads as Signal because jumping out of a car turns out relatively fine once and then suddenly Batman’s rooftop disappearing act seems mellow compared to the amount of times Gordon has whipped his head around to see a now Signal-less backseat. 

Like, he’s going 60 mph?? And he didn’t even hear the door open?? and tHE DOORS ARE STILL LOCKED??

Imagine this leaking into civilian life and Bruce waking up to a blurry photo of Duke mid-escape from a limousine on the front page of the Gotham Gazette.

(more under cut)

Duke “Puzzles are my Passion” Thomas

Duke is ~canonically~ very skilled at both solving and concocting riddles (as a child during that time where The Riddler just,,, controlled Gotham, he worked non-stop on riddles, trying to make the perfect one). Please y’all- let Duke solve puzzles. Have the other bats ask him for help after 36 hours straight of brooding over some brainteaser that Duke works out within the half-hour. He texts a picture of the solution scribbled out on loose leaf in the margins of his pre-calc homework because this boy shows his work. 

My guy is a word-cross FIEND. A mind-sweeper speed-runner. That guy who mails into the Gazette to correct a solution in the “fun & games” section and also ps that photo is not of me I am simply a polite young man who is much too busy writing into the paper in the year 2021 to jump out of limos-

I also would love to see this integrated into the type of cases he investigates / runs into on his daytime patrol. Like, obviously the criminal activity is going to dramatically differ before and after sundown, but that doesn’t make Duke’s work any easier or less important. It’s a different skillset; he has to work differently. Instead of jumping into fights, halting mob meetings, saving civilians in dark allies, etc. Duke has to sort through all of the moving pieces before they all converge into something catastrophic. 

It’s a known fact that criminal organizations in Gotham make and execute a lot of behind-the-scenes plans during the day specifically not to run into the bats. And Duke knows and monitors this shit all by himself; his work is crucial to logistics and information gathering for the bats as a whole. Now criminals have like, a 2 hour gap between bat-shifts to try and get stuff done. But Duke would 100% set traps on timers or lead them on this pre-set convoluted goose chase  to distract them until the night bats come out and to let himself enjoy the whole thing playing out on the news while he finishes homework that’s due at midnight.

Duke “I Know a Guy” Thomas

So in going off of the basic concept for the “We Are. . . Robin” run in combination to his general likability, Duke has a lot of friends all around Gotham. Okay, sure, he doesn’t have a Super best friend or a Speedster on speed dial, but he does know this guy who details cars up on West 35th and will tell them all about the new mods on Black Mask’s transport vans if they come through the third floor window and bring takeout. 

Bruce and Tim will be waiting for the facial recognition software to identify at least a partial match off of security cam footage when Duke pulls into the cave, takes one look at the screen, and says “Oh, that’s <insert name, address, abridged life story, and known associates here>.” This also brings in the opportunity for Duke to have some sort of perfect recall for faces, voices, names, etc. which I think could be a really cool element for his position as the batfamily member who has a lot more personal interaction with the people of Gotham.

I’m also into the idea of a lot of people knowing/telling stories about Duke. Not to reference the Chuck Norris meme but almost like the Chuck Norris meme lmao. Think about Jason mentioning his brother to someone and she replies, “Duke Thomas? Like that Duke Thomas? The one who swam across the harbor because he said it’d be faster than the subway and it actually was?” These stories have varying levels of truth to them but Duke will never confirm nor deny when he gets random calls from family members yelling “you dID WHAT”

So those are my top three, and the following is a little speed-round of headcanons :)

Duke has a super expressive face. Like when he’s relaxed around family, you can tell exactly what he’s thinking and how he’s feeling by his visual reactions to things

Duke rotates through picking up new and revisiting old hobbies at a pretty rapid pace. Some hobbies include: bullet journaling, origami, viola, cello, synth, conversational basics in multiple languages, up-cycling and embroidering clothes

Duke has a really fucking adorable smile. He can’t help it. He’ll try to grin sarcastically or smug to be annoying but his smile just cannot be anything other than endearing. He also has a very specific booming laugh that’s an absolute treasure to hear, because it’s the most genuinely happy thing ever. 

Duke unironically enjoys Signal by Twice even though the first time he heard it was after Steph had set it as his morning alarm.

So.

Come and get your food, I guess.

Feel free to add on if you’d like! I’d love to see anything you guys write/draw/etc. based on anything from here if you feel compelled to do so!

Stay safe and be well :) 

[arguablysomaya]

batfam fanfics that don't have enough fucking attention

alright i'm finally doing it gents listen up

1. Bang, bang by @Ididloveyou_once

Summary: ‘You shot me!’ Jason gasped, stunned, ‘Holy shit, you actually shot me.’

Tim’s eyes widened and he froze. They stared at each other for a second, dumbstruck and then-

‘Don’t tell Bruce.’

Or: The family enjoy a normal movie night. Except Jason has a gunshot wound and Tim’s the only one who knows and oh- that’s because Tim’s the one who shot him and they really, really need to find a way to leave before anyone finds out.

This fic is fucking hilarious and the characterization + banter is on point. i have a bit of a soft spot for schemes <3

2. four brothers, one crush, and absolutely zero braincells to be found by @Ms_Trickster

Summary: Tim: i need to know what’s the best way to a boy’s heart

Damian: Easy. The best way to someone’s heart is through their ribcage. Everyone knows that.

Damian: Come on Timothy, I expected better from you.

Dick: I-

Dick: Try again

Tim is having boy troubles.

Tim goes to his brothers for help.

Tim...did not think that plan of action through.

(In which the batbros give Tim advice on relationships, told entirely through texts.)

Again, fucking hilarious. the chat titles are SUCH a nice touch and it really feels like authentic sibling silliness

3. Night at the (National) Museum by @collectivefandomstuff

Summary: Tim finds himself having, once again, been dragged into the social event of the season. As he slowly dies of boredom and the physical exertion of not rolling his eyes, he bumps into his fellow prisoners brothers and they decide to do something about Bruce’s tendency to trick them into going to these things. More specifically, they decide to cause as much trouble as possible in the hopes that Bruce will just straight up stop inviting them. [cue mission impossible theme]

“We could call in a bomb threat?”

“That’s imaginative.”

“Ok, then we get paintball guns and go to town.”

“Also unhelpful.”

“No, wait! That’s actually a good idea!”

“Really Dick? You don’t think people are going to ask questions if the Waynes start literally hunting socialites for sport?”

I. Love. Schemes. also the writing style is so good omg if i could write like this i'd literally die happy lmao

4. Cingulomania (Sometimes, Dad Needs a Hug) by @charleswaterloo

Summary: ‘Right,’ Tim said, in the voice he used on missions, ‘we’re going to have to call in an expert.’

*

‘Hey guys!’ Dick said, voice slightly crackly over Tim’s phone speakers. ‘What’s up? I’m not supposed to visit until tomorrow - is something wrong?’

-

Something is seriously not right with Bruce. They’re a family of detectives and no one can figure it out. It’s kind of embarrassing.

They’re all starting to get worried.

-

(Sometimes, Bruce needs a hug.)

ok this fic is just really fucking sweet and sometimes a bitch is soft okay?

5. After the Fall of Olympus by @/killthespare

Summary: The League has fallen. The team is dead. All that’s left is for Dick Grayson to pick up the pieces and move forward.

Easier said than done.

this fic is literally a must-read in the dc fandom it's not done yet but holy shit. basically goes through young justice and other arcs if the league had died while dick was robin. perfect if you liked young justice and convoluted plotlines, and this fucking fic kicked my emotional ass SO hard

6. And The World Came Crashing Down by @One_annoying_bird

Summary: When Dick and three of his siblings find themselves within the wreckage of a collapsed building, Dick makes the executive decision for himself to be rescued last.

Even if his injuries really demand for him to be first.

Not that he'll let anyone know that last bit.

Fuck me dude. i'm always a sucker for whump

7. Asimov's Integral by @sElkieNight60

Summary: Tim is an unwanted android, a Robo-Child. After being sent back by his parents, his last and only hope rests in the hands of a man still grieving the loss of his own son.

“I didn’t ask for a replacement,” Bruce barked. “I don’t want a replacement! You can go back and tell the RCO I don’t need a replacement.”

Bruce Wayne didn’t want him. If Bruce Wayne didn’t want him, he’d be sent back and dismantled.

this one hurt me <3 android AU, tw for tim absolutely abysmal mental state and attempted suicide

8. Midnight Book Club by @badwolf36

Summary: “Dick is a lying liar who lies,” Jason declares, drawing his knees up to his chest. His ribs are screaming in that very special way that lets him know at least one or more is bruised (or, more likely, cracked).

“Dick wasn’t the only one who turned you in.” Cass says, now tracing ‘moron’ onto his forehead. “Also, Alfred.”

___________

Cass and Jason discuss books as they wait for Jason to be able to stand up after taking a brutal hit.

this one's a really sweet, quiet piece about jason and cass's relationship (which i absolutely love) and cass's characterization is spot on perfect

9. You fuck with them, you fuck with me by @oclark1226

Summary: When Batman's out of the country for Justice League business, it falls on Dick to find his missing brothers. Once he does, however, he nearly loses control fighting their kidnapper. He has to deal with both the mental and physical consequences of that fight while helping his brothers heal. Includes some soft Bruce tending to both of his eldest boys because they need some hugs and they support him in return.

now this one is simply criminally underrated. hella protective dick, which is my lifeblood, and some of the most well-written hurt/comfort i've read

10. Conflict Resolution by @anicomicqueen

Summary: It started off as a quiet Sunday morning, until Timothy and Damian decided to take their argument outside.

who would i be if i didn't end off with some fluff?? this fic is literally catharsis and i cherish it so much plus its hilarious

[mochegato]

Even the Losers

Chapter 18

Chapter 1     Chapter 17

Mari waved up at Nightwing before turning toward the café.  He grinned and waved back.  No sense of embarrassment at getting caught like Red Robin had the day before.  She didn’t know enough about him to know if it was because he wasn’t hiding, Red Robin had given him a warning that she knew someone would be there, or because he had no sense of embarrassment, or most likely, a combination of all of those.

Adrien looked up and grinned too.  “What time did he take over?”

Marinette shrugged and cut through the café’s outdoor seating.  “Later than yesterday.  When did Dick leave?  It was some time after that.”

Adrien looked at him for a moment and shook his head. He looked back at Marinette before the memory of sleep deprived Marinette hit him.  He grimaced.  It was hit or miss whether she would be funny, emotional, or a danger to herself. If Batman was the same… “I really hope Batman doesn’t have a day job because with all the all-nighters he’s pulling, he would have to be a zombie at work.”

Marinette giggled at the idea.  “Can you imagine Batman with a day job?  What do you think he does?  Like, could you imagine him as a kindergarten teacher?”  Marinette’s giggles grew into full blown laughter. She finally was able to gasp out, “Batman complimenting some little kid’s rainbow and assuring them that making the entire rainbow the same color was extremely creative and beautiful.  Or trying to guess what animal they drew.”

Adrien laughed and patted her arm to get her to stop.  “Wait, wait. Batman crouching next to a toddler and explaining for the eighth time in the last three minutes that Pete the Cat is in fact a cat, not a dog before patting them on the head and walking away to scream into a nap mat.”

Marinette Laughed hard enough she almost missed the door handle.  She jumped when Adrien suddenly grabbed her arm.  She turned to him wide eyed but she immediately relaxed.  He was bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitement.  “No, no, no.  A PA to some… NO, to M. Wayne!  Batman as M. Wayne’s PA.  Oh my God, can you imagine?”

Marinette giggled and shook her head at him, pushing through the door.  Well, that would certainly explain why the bats seemed so close to the Waynes.  She spotted Duke and waved.  He jumped up and waved them over.  “Hey, Duke.  I hope you don’t mind that I brought Adrien.”

“Not at all,” Duke gave them both a hug.  He looked toward the bathroom with a smile. “Good to see you again, man.  I hope you don’t mind that Cass and I both brought someones too.”  Cass and Stephanie were walking toward them with a red headed woman in a wheelchair. Duke leaned toward them and lowered his voice so the women approaching couldn’t hear him.  “Brought is a really liberal term for what happened.  I am so sorry.  I knew we shouldn’t have mentioned meeting with you in front of Stephanie.”

“Hey Cass,” Marinette called out.  She and Adrien waved at her.  “Good to see you again, Stephanie.”

Cass waved back and nodded with a wide smile. “Marinette!” Stephanie chirped. “I’d say what a coincidence we ran into you guys here…”

“But that would be a lie,” Barbara finished for her. “Hi,” she held out her hand for them, “I’m Barbara.”

Marinette smiled and stepped forward to shake her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.  I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Well yeah we crashed,” Stephanie rolled her eyes and dropped into a seat across from Marinette.  She sent a playful glare toward Duke.  “You guys have been keeping her all to yourselves all week.  It’s our turn to hang out with her again.  Not to mention I wanted to catch up with the woman who fed the Riddler’s own balls to him for everyone to see.”

“And we wanted to see how you’re doing after it,” Barbara added with a chastising look to Stephanie.  She turned to side eye Duke.  “We tried to check with the boys but they were less than helpful.”

Marinette shrugged and leaned back slightly, not enough for anyone else in the café to notice but everyone else at the table picked up on it.  “I’m fine. It wasn’t bad.  More embarrassed he caught me in the first place.”

Stephanie waved her off.  “Please,” she scoffed.  “He had to knock out like an entire block just to get you.  That’s better than some of the bats.”

“Well, you look like you’re healing well,” Barbara nodded with a supportive smile.

Marinette smiled as naturally as she could and tried to control how much she was shifting in her seat.  She really, really hated talking about the whole thing with not only people who didn’t know she had been a superhero, but with the Waynes after that dinner, so that was two strikes against discussing this right now.

She’d been able to joke about it and moan about how contrived the whole setup with Alya and Nino.  They’d laughed all night about the audacity.  Not only had he thought he could stump her with a question about Chat Noir, he thought he would win against her in a game that relied on luck or rather bad luck not striking.  It was almost enough to make her forget the way the dinner had ended.  It was exactly what she had needed.  But she couldn’t do that here.

“Yeah,” she chuckled anxiously.  “My cheek seems to be doing well.  I’m hoping I can cover it with makeup by next week.”

“How’s your shoulder?” Duke asked motioning toward the shoulder she’d rammed into the doorframe when she was running away.

Marinette blinked at him a few times before she quirked her head to the side, her face scrunching in confusion.  “How did you know about that?”

She could see the rest of the table tense up, Adrien included but for the same reason as her, confusion on how he’d known. She had no idea why the rest were tensing up.  Duke chuckled awkwardly, sending looks over to the women at the table.  “He’s covering for me,” Barbara finally spoke up.

“Why is… what is he covering up for?” Marinette asked cautiously.

“My father is the police commissioner,” she said quietly.  “I may have snuck a look at the police report… slightly illegally… and read about your injuries.”

Marinette shook her head.  “But, I didn’t tell them about that.”

“No,” Barbara acknowledged, “but Signal did.”

Marinette nodded, trying to process that information. “Huh,” was all she managed to eke out. Her mind raced trying to figure out what to say next.  She was saved from trying to figure out how to move the conversation along by the waiter. The topic seemed to fade away naturally as everyone put in their order.

As soon as the waiter left, Duke clapped his hands with a bright smile.  “So, Steph, you said again.  I take it you guys have met before?”

“At the gala,” Adrien nodded.  “Only briefly though.  We,” he motioned between him and Stephanie, “spoke for a little bit, but Marinette only spoke with her for a few seconds.”

Stephanie grimaced at the reminder.  “Yeah… not exactly the ideal meeting.”

Marinette waved her off.  “Not your fault.  Don’t worry about it.”  She sent her a sincere smile.

“No,” Stephanie agreed.  “It’s Bruce’s.”

Cass pulled out a credit card with a wicked grin. “On Bruce.”

Barbara nodded.  “Exactly.  Therefore, this lunch is on Bruce.  Maybe we should go shopping after this too?”  She raised an eyebrow at Marinette.

Marinette giggled and shook her head.  “No, thank you.  That’s okay.  I’m good.”

Stephanie’s eyes lit up.  She leaned closer to Marinette like she was sharing a secret. “Speaking of the gala, how did you get tickets to the gala anyway?  We never figured it out.”  Barbara groaned lightly and smacked her on the shoulder.  They had just changed the subject.  Marinette probably did not want to talk about the gala, where they raved about their family and the newest member, which was not her and did not did not include her.

Instead of freezing up or withdrawing, like Barbara worried she would, Marinette started laughing.  Her eyes were sparkling with mirth.  She leaned closer to them over the table and lowered her voice. “I pimped out my friend,” she confided with a smirk.

The rest of the table froze until Adrien groaned and Stephanie and Duke started laughing loud enough to draw disapproving looks from neighboring tables.  Cass raised an eyebrow, but her lips were quirked up in amusement.  “Say that again,” Barbara prompted.

Marinette shrugged and took a sip of her drink.  “I don’t know if it counts as pimping if he did it willingly.  He was willing to do it for Max.”

“Oh my God, Marinette.”  Adrien ran his hand over his face in exasperation.

“What exactly was he willing to do?” Barbara’s voice was now less amused and more wary.

“That was the worst possible way to say it,” Adrien groaned.

“You know, maybe I don’t want to know the answer to that…” Barbara hedged.  She leaned away from Marinette cautiously.

Marinette laughed at Adrien’s frustration and bumped his shoulder with hers.  “I offered up a date with Luka Coffaine to Audrey Bourgeois’ PA in exchange for the tickets she turned down,” she explained.

There was absolute silence for a few seconds until Stephanie broke the silence.  “You know Luka Coffaine?” she yelled.  

Everyone in the café turned slowly to look at them. Marinette’s eyes widened and looked around at them.  She gave them an awkward smile and a wave before turning back to the table.  Before she could chastise Stephanie, Cass was already on top of it.  She pointed sternly around the restaurant and back at Stephanie.  Stephanie nodded guiltily.  “Yeah, yeah.  Sorry.” She turned back to Marinette excitedly. “I just…” she lowered her voice and leaned closer to Marinette.  “You know Luka Coffaine?”

Marinette rolled her eyes at her excitement.  It was always so bizarre to see people’s reaction to Luka.  It was Luka. Just Luka.  Calm, reserved, laidback Luka.  The hysteria around his name just never seemed to fit.  “Yeah, I mean, we dated for a while so… yeah.”

“You dated Luka Coffaine!” Stephanie yelled again, receiving glares from everyone at the table.  Marinette shrunk down in her chair and gave a strained, apologetic smile to the rest of the café.  Cass slapped Stephanie’s shoulder and shook her head.  Stephanie waved her off and focused back on Marinette.  “Yeah, yeah.  Discretion.  Whatever. She dated Luka freaking Coffaine,” Stephanie insisted, motioning to Marinette.

“You dated Tim Drake,” Duke pointed out.

Stephanie snorted.  “That’s just Tim.  He’s just a big dork.  She dated…”

“Yeah we got it,” Barbara cut her off.

“Really, so is Luka,” Adrien shrugged.  “Probably more so, just about music.”  Marinette cocked her head to the side in thought for a few seconds before nodding in agreement.  He really was.

“Holy shit.  Did he introduce you to his dad?”  Stephanie was bouncing in her seat at the idea and the potential for an inside scoop on Jagged Stone.

“No,” Marinette answered.  She smiled internally at the way all their faces, except for Adrien’s fell, just a bit, almost imperceptibly, as if trying to hide their disappointment.  “I already knew him.”

“You know Jagged Stone?” Stephanie yelled. Marinette cringed as she sent the other patrons another apologetic smile.

Duke leaned over closer to her so he could whisper in her ear, though his voice intentionally carried across the table. “Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this anymore.”

“No!” Stephanie screeched, before catching what she did and settling down, a mask of composure settling on her face.  “I’m fine now.  I just needed to get that out.  I’m calm.” She stared at them for a few seconds before almost lunging across the table.  Adrien deftly moved his and Marinette’s drinks before she knocked them over in her zeal.  “Please tell me more.”

Marinette’s eyes widened and she started laughing.  “You realize you’re basically a daughter to the richest man in the world.  If you wanted to meet Jagged Stone, you could.”

Cass shook her head.  “Different.”

Barbara nodded.  “She’s right it is different.  You dated his son.  That’s a different type of knowing someone.”

“So you met Luka through Jagged?” Stephanie pressed.

Marinette suddenly looked uncomfortable.  She was not really excited to talk about their family dynamic and secrets.  It was a little too close to her own and she really, really wanted to move past that, not dwell on it more.  “No… I met Luka through my friend Juleka, his sister.  We went to school together for ages.  They’re both some of my best friends.”

“And she introduced you to Jagged?” Duke asked curiously.  He could tell something was off about this based on the way Marinette responded, but he wasn’t sure what.

“No… um…” she stuttered.  “I met Jagged through a school project.  Designed some sunglasses for him and we’ve been close ever since.”  Adrien grabbed her hand and squeezed it under the table

Stephanie looked between the two of them and plastered on a bright smile.  “So what I’m hearing is you can hook us up with some tickets next time he comes into town.”

Marinette laughed lightly.  “Either one of us could, yes.”

“Or for Clara Nightengale,” Adrien added in. “She loves Marinette, too.  She wanted her in one of her videos.”

“She wanted you in it too,” Marinette reminded him.

“No,” he corrected her, “Gabriel got me into it. She just had to deal with it.  She didn’t choose me.  She chose you.  She worked to get you in the video.”

Marinette opened her mouth to refute that but snapped it shut quickly as the words resonated in her head.  She meant more because Clara chose her.  He was thrust on Clara.  But it didn’t mean he was unwanted.  She looked down at her food and took a bite, trying to cover her sudden inability to breathe.  Trying to give herself time to process.  She needed to pack that away for later when she could properly unpack that statement, deconstruct it, and then finally reconstruct it in some skewed, perverted version of the original situation.

Adrien immediately froze seeing her reaction. He opened his mouth to say something but Marinette squeezed his hand under the table before he could, a silent message they could talk about it later, when they were alone, or at least not with an audience comprised of Waynes.

“So how did you meet Mons…” she stuttered.  It felt strange to call him M. Wayne when everyone else at the table was calling him Bruce.  Should she call him Bruce too?  Like they did.  Like Dick did?  Or B, like Jason did?  “…M. Wayne?” she finally settled on.

Duke grimaced.  They had a cover story, but was he really going to give Bruce’s daughter the cover story?  The truth involved Batman.  But Bruce hadn’t told her about that part of their lives yet, and even if he had told her, he certainly hadn’t told Adrien.  “It’s a long story…”

Marinette smiled encouragingly at him.  “We have time.” She saw him falter and felt her own smile falter.  She took note of the way the women had frozen up as well.  God, what was she doing?  M. Wayne had said how they met.  Why was she bringing that up now?  What was she thinking?  Even if he was okay discussing that trauma, he probably didn’t want to open up about it with a stranger.  

“You don’t have to tell me,” she assured him.  “It’s… it’s fine.”  She looked around desperately for something else to talk about, a change of topic to make the conversation not so awkward.  “You graduate from school next year, right?”  Duke blinked a few times before he let out a breath and nodded.  She let out a breath as well when the rest of the table seemed to relax at her question.  “Do you have plans for after you graduate?  Are you going to take a gap year or go to university or get a job?”

“I haven’t really decided yet.  Go to Gotham University, I guess,” he shrugged.

Marinette smiled disarmingly at him.  “You don’t have to decide now.  You have time.”

The waiter interrupted Marinette’s response with their food.  They gave their thanks and started eating.  “So what have you missed the most while you’ve been here?” Barbara asked.

“My parents’ cooking definitely,” Marinette grinned as she looked at her food. It didn’t look bad, but compared to her parents’ cooking… well not much compared.  “And the atmosphere.  Gotham is…” she looked around them as she thought of an unoffensive way to end that sentence.

“Dreary as Hell,” Stephanie finished for her.  “Yeah, we know.”

“I swear you guys have more gargoyles than we do though, which is just strange to me,” Adrien added.  “We were supposed to have the market cornered on gothic architecture.”

“Oh, you still do.  We just took the most depressing, dismal, gloomy, nightmare inducing parts and ran with it,” Duke grinned.  “But I would like to see Paris sometime.  Go see the Eiffel Tower… and jump off it.”

Barbara, Stephanie, and Cass all groaned at him.  Barbara gave him a stern look and pointed a warning finger in his face. “Not during the day.”

Duke laughed at her.  “Well I’m not going to do it at night.”

“Do it at sunrise,” Marinette advised.  “Less gendarmerie around then and if you angle it correctly, you get the most gorgeous view of the sunrise.”

“Bring sunglasses if you jump that way though.  I didn’t and I saw spots for hours.  Oh, and stretch first too,” Adrien added.  “You’re going to have to parkour for quite a while to try to ditch the GN.”

The rest of the table stared at them, jaws dropped in shock.  There was absolute silence at the table except for the sounds of Marinette sipping her drink and Adrien chewing his food. “You’ve…” Duke started almost too in awe to be able to finish the sentence.  “You’ve jumped off the Eiffel Tower?”

Marinette nodded and motioned between the two of them.  “Both of us have.  Both during an akuma attack and not.  Not was much preferable to during.”

“Isn’t that illegal?” Stephanie asked slowly.  She was like 90% positive it was but during akuma attacks, who knew what was legal anymore and Hell, maybe they had days where they gave exceptions. Stranger things have happened.

Marinette speared a bit of food and pointed it at her.  “Only if you get caught.”  She popped the food in her mouth with a triumphant grin.

Barbara blinked at her a few times and shook her head because dear God, there was another one.  She was going to fit right in.  No wonder she and Duke got along so well.  Both creative, smart, kind, thrill seeking, dumbasses.  “I’m pretty sure that’s not how that works,” she deadpanned.

Adrien shrugged and took a sip of his drink.  “I don’t know.  We didn’t get arrested, so I’m pretty sure it is.”

Duke and Stephanie started laughing hysterically.  They looked over at Cass with raised eyebrows when they settled down. Cass stared intently at Marinette and Adrien for a few seconds, staring into them like she was reading their souls. Marinette and Adrien looked at each other with identical unsure looks and subconsciously leaned back at the same time, shuffling in their seats.  Cass stared at them for just a few more seconds before she nodded.

“Holy shit,” Duke muttered in awe.  “You were telling the truth.”

Marinette looked back over at Adrien for an explanation he clearly didn’t have, judging by the blank look on his face before looking back at Duke.  “Uh… yeah?”

“What just happened?” Adrien asked tentatively.

“Sorry about that,” Barbara sent them a disarming smile.  “Cass is kind of like a human lie detector.  She is exceptionally good at telling if someone is lying.  She just confirmed that you two were not.”

Marinette blinked at Barbara a few times before turning to Cass and blinking at her.  “Huh… good to know,” she nodded slowly.  Her eyes stayed on Cass but it was clear her mind was running a mile a minute behind them.  After a few seconds she spoke up again.  “Can you tell the lies people tell themselves too?”

Cass quirked her head to the side and studied Marinette for a moment and shook her head.  “Have to know.”

Marinette nodded and silently took a bite of her food. “Well, that has to come in handy,” Adrien chirped.  “Remind me to take you with me when I meet people.”

Marinette could feel eyes boring into her.  She looked back over at Cass and raised a curious eyebrow at her.  “Hero,” she finally said.

Marinette coughed for a second and looked back at her with her most convincing blank look.  “I’m sorry.  What?”

Cass nodded toward Marinette.  “Eiffel Tower.”

Marinette chuckled disarmingly and shook her head. “You think I’m a lot more honorable than I am.  You think it’s more likely that I was a hero than that I knowingly, intentionally, purposefully violated the law for fun.”  She leaned closer to Cass with a smirk.  “But I can assure you, I regularly did.”

The others at the table looked to Cass.  She quirked her head to the side and gave a small smile before nodding.  “Truth.”  Cass pointed to herself.  “Next time.”

Marinette grinned and nodded excitedly. “Absolutely.”

Duke cleared his throat.  “And Duke,” Cass added.

Marinette chuckled.  “Of course.  We can make a New Kids Club event out of it.”

“And me!” Stephanie chirped.

Barbara sighed and turned to Adrien.  “Dick said you had a job interview yesterday.  How did it go?”

Marinette beamed at Adrien as he responded. Adrien’s face lit up.  “It went well I think.  I think I’d really enjoy working there!  I met the department chair and other professors.  It looks like a really supportive department and University, very research oriented.”

“Where is it?” Duke asked between bites.

“Metropolis,” Adrien answered, his fondness he’d already developed for the city bleeding into his tone.

“Oooh, Conner lives there.  If you’re still deciding if you want to live there or if you need a tour guide, or recommendations on where to eat, he’d be more than happy to help,” Stephanie offered.

Marinette’s smile turned into a pointed smirk and Adrien groaned quietly.  “Conner, did you say?”

Stephanie looked between them, her brow furrowing in confusion.  “Yeah?”

“That wouldn’t happen to be Tim’s single friend would it?”  Her eyes never left Adrien as she asked, her smirk somehow getting even sharper.

Adrien groaned even louder when he looked over and saw Cass’ smile matched Marinette’s and Duke and Stephanie both had devious, familiar looking glints in their eyes.  This was clearly payback for all his attempts to set Marinette and Chloe up with different people.  “Why yes, yes it is.  How about that,” Duke grinned.

Cass pulled out her phone and moved her finger around the screen for a second then finally looked up with an innocent looking smile.  Adrien groaned and dropped his head into his hands.  “I’m not even in this family.  Why am I being punished?”

Barbara laughed and popped a bit of food in her mouth. “That’s funny.  You think just because there’s no paperwork, you haven’t been adopted already.  I made that mistake at first too.”

Chapter 19

Tags:

@maribat-bdbwm @jayjayspixiepop @redscarlet95 @alice-hazelwood @deathssilentapproach-blog @unoriginalmess @alyssadeliv @emotionalsupportginger @frieddonutsweets @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks @toodaloo-kangaroo @colorfulmongerpsychicranch @iloontjeboontje @wolf-for-life @maribatserver @aespades @prettylittlebutterflie @imarivers8  @ certainmuffinbagelcalzone @ritacrow-blog @unoriginalmess @demonicbusiness @kking13 @lady-bee-fechin @blur-of-colours @kittenmywaythrulife @kashlyn @loysydark @nerd-nowandforever

[stressedoutcanary]

Family Matters - Batfamily x Reader

Summary: A surprise birthday party and Batfamily being chaotic.

“That's it Dick just a little to the right...No the other right...No! Not there you goofus! Just...Just get down from the chandelier before it comes crashing down on the rest of us and For God's Sake let Duke handle the ribbons before you somehow strangle yourself with them”

Warnings ⚠️: Fluff, lots of it, angst because I can’t help myself, Reader has got some parental issues. Hurt/Comfort.

Word count: 2.4k

A/N: I wanted some good dad Bruce content so I did it myself. Also I might have been influenced by a post I made a while back about Bruce and his children. I haven't used reader's pronouns anywhere so it's kinda gender neutral.

I don’t know where I was going with this, my imagines are often like a train derailed from its track but I think it’s fine. So Enjoy ;)  

•°•°•°•°

"Focus (Y/S/N), don't jump in in blind, assessing what action your opponent is about to undertake and countering it out before they can complete that action, this is the key lesson for you today", Batman's commanding voice echoed in the enclosed area of the batcave as he observed you attempting to roundhouse kick the boy in front of you. It was rather rashly executed with the hope of knocking him down which, for obvious reasons, only ended up with your leg connecting with nothing but thin air.

'Damn he is fast when he actually tries.'

"Easy for you to say Old Man! You aren't the one dancing with Mister Duckboy, the teen wonder over here!", you exclaimed, panting as your chest heaved from the exertion.

"Duckboy?!", Tim looked near scandalized as you grinned in return, stealing a glance towards the giggling crowd gathered near the stairs.

Everyone was already in the cave, it was a rare occurrence, it happened only when the issues of upmost importance were being discussed. Today was one of those days; The planning of Alfred Pennyworth's surprise birthday party.

However things usually went a lot less violent, this day every year. The sparring session this year was the result of you messing up, real bad while on patrol last night and since you were around the same age as Tim, he was found to be the most appropriate partner for it. The only drawback was that he had a staff in his hands while your weapons were confiscated, because in Bruce's words 'you rely on them too much'. You were already tired and Tim had a huge advantage over you, if you wanted to win this match you had to be quick and efficient at the same time.

Distracting Tim by your comment allowed you to have an opening, gathering all your strength you went in for a forward strike. Unfortunately he was more than ready to take you on, he crouched down, narrowly missing your punch then proceeded to swipe your legs off of the ground with his bo staff making you fall butt first on the floor.

"Congratulations you've managed to hurt both my ass and my ego, Timbers", You said laying back on the ground, hands and legs spread out and instead of helping you up, Tim joined you on the floor sitting next to you. You gave him a look that was equivalent to 'next time I get the chance, I am going to push you off a roof'.

"Your skills need improvement", Bruce said in his monotonous tone as you grunted knowing that a full ass lecture was gonna follow, but before he could get another word out, Jason chimed in with a statement no one ever expected to hear from him,"You know (Y/N), he's not wrong in fact I think the old man's actually got a point."

Jaws dropped to floor, Tim looked like he just saw a ghost, Dick who was standing near Barbara pinched himself to see whether he was dreaming or not, Damian snapped his neck up from where he was sharpening his katana, even Titus and Ace perked their heads up at the sudden silence that settled over the place. Barbara, Cass, Duke and Steph looked equally shocked.

"Before you all get any ideas, what I'm trying to say is you better pay attention because B over here won't be able to save your ass, 'cause if you slack off the next thing you know you would be in a warehouse with a maniac, getting blown to bits", Jason looked at Bruce with accusing eyes.

'And here I thought he was finally going to say something sensible', you thought to yourself as he continued,

"Take it from someone who has had that experience, you guys remember right? The fact that I--"

"Died, we know!!", everyone groaned at the same time and Bruce looked like he had to physically restrain himself from faceplaming.

"Okay! Guys how about we go ahead and do the thing we all actually came here to do instead of... whatever this conversation was", you suggested, getting up and patting the dust off your clothes.

"Well then someone has got to ask the important question here", Barbara looked around as she worded her sentence,"who is going to be the one to keep Alfred busy while we get everything ready?"

Once again the cave went silent. For a whole bunch of detectives, you all were very, very scared of Alfred, including Bruce even though he will never admit it, lying to The old-butler-cum-grandpa and making random excuses for the whole 3 hours was a thought dreadful enough to make all of you exchange petrified glances at each other hoping someone would step forward to do the job.

"I'll do it", dick raised his hand.

"NO!", everyone snapped and Dick's head tilted with a pout.

"You are good at doing a lot of stuff boy wonder, hiding things from Alfred isn't one of them", Barbara comforted Dick as Damian stepped up next.

"*tt* Since none of you imbeciles have the courage or the ability to do it. I shall be the one to handle Pennyworth. Gordon, Cain and Titus, I will require your assistance", Damian spoke or rather commanded as he went up the stairs, followed by the group he chose.

"Don't mess this up for us, you gremlin!"

"Tim!", you lightly jabbed him in the side with your elbow.

"Ow! What?"

"Be nice", you narrowed your eyes and he understood you were being serious.

"Fine I'll try, but don't blame me if he starts something", Tim shrugged carelessly. You shook your head and let out an audible sigh as you followed everyone else up towards the manor.

•°•°

"That's it Dick just a little to the right...No the other right...No! Not there you goofus! Just...Just get down from the chandelier before it comes crashing down on the rest of us and For God's Sake let Duke handle the ribbons before you somehow strangle yourself with them", you eyed him worriedly.

"Oh come (Y/N) it'll be fine!", the cheerfulness in his voice made you cock an eyebrow at him from below. Duke slid in beside you.

"10 bucks says he will somehow fall within the next hour"

"Oh Duke you should know better, 20 says he'll fall within 30 minutes", you turned towards him with an evil smile.

"What are you both talking about down there?"

"NOTHING!", you both said in unison on which Dick gave you a confused look.

"Oh Hey look Steph needs my help with the cake so, see ya!", you quickly moved to the other side of the room checking in with Stephanie and Tim. She gave you a thumbs up to signal that everything was going according to plan and the place was almost ready. Everyone was laughing, bickering, having fun, it was all very rare and seeing it, a warm feeling spread throughout you.

You smiled to yourself for a moment but it faltered and a frown pulled up at your lips, a sorrowful thought crossed your mind, something you always kept buried deep down. Looking around and seeing as nobody needed your help at the moment you decided to slip out of the chaos, taking slow steps towards the patio to clear your head.

•°•°

Leaning against the railing you thought back to how you left your house this morning telling your mother that you are going to stay at your friend's place for a while and how she just waved her hand at that, not even questioning you anymore. Your mind was completely elsewhere, despite the awe-inspiring dense forest right in front of you, your eyes were lost in space.

You registered, a bit too late, the presence of someone standing beside you.

"It is a nice view, but something tells me that's not what brought to out here, away from everyone else"

"Careful there Brucie or people might think that you are actually capable of some emotions which happen include caring for people", you retorted back at him. It was always a sort of defense mechanism for you, whenever you felt exposed you countered it with snarky remark.

You closed your eyes hoping that Bruce would just walk away. But he didn't. He stayed there.

Bruce leaned on the railing beside you and waited. You took a deep breath, contemplating you next move carefully.

"...Look It's really silly so can we drop it?", you whispered wondering why in the world would Bruce of all people, care about your feelings.

"Talk to me (Y/N). I can tell when something is bothering you, I may not be your father, but you are my family.", unlike usual, his voice was gentle and genuine when he spoke to you.

"I am really not a fan of surprise birthdays", you stated, starting off vaguely.

"And why is that?"

"Because I...It's silly but this one time I spent a whole week working on a birthday gift for my mom, it was like a craft pop up box which had multiple photos of us together, I made that from scratch! everything in it I made that, I worked hard for it, I did it out of love but when I gave her that surprise gift you know what she said Bruce! She said that I wasted my time that she would've been much happier if I had focused on my studies, she never even once said that she liked it and I--", you looked at him with tears brimming in your eyes, threatening to spill.

"I don't know Bruce, it-it just makes me feel sad you know? every little thing reminds me that my mother doesn’t seem to love me anymore. There is this constant thought in my mind that no one cares about me, about what I do for them and I don’t know what to do with a thought like that."

"That's not true, look around you kiddo, you are surrounded by people who would do anything for you, who love you from the bottom of their hearts", Bruce finally looked at you, placing a hand on your shoulder.

"That's the thing! I am not an orphan!", you blurted out and Bruce looked more confused than ever.

"I'm aware"

"No! No you are not. I am not one of those kids you picked up from somewhere, I don't live here, Like I am sure you people aren't even sane, hell! you all make up the most dysfunctional family I have ever seen! I don’t belong here, you people have no reason to care about", Bruce gave you a sideways look, slightly chuckling at your sudden description of the people in the manor.

"But I still love everyone, my mom, you, every dumbass inside the manor right now, no matter much pain they cause me and I don't get why", this time when he looked at you, you didn't look like the vigilante who sucker punched The Riddler in the face last night, you looked like a scared little kid who is lost.

Bruce stood up straight and wrapped you in a hug. Something you never expected to happen in a million years. The shocked settled in after a bit and you wrapped your hands around him, burying your face in his chest.

"The people we love are still people at the end of the day. They act out, and sometimes they let us down, hurt us even, but that doesn't mean we stop loving them. For every bad memory, there will always be a good one that will get you through it. I promise you that (Y/N)", Bruce pulled away and gave you a warm smile. You couldn't help but smile back, your face matching his.

"Okay who are you and what have you done with Bruce Wayne? because I don't recognize this man who is full of emotions and on top of that, is giving free hugs right now", you broke into a grin, making Bruce's face go back to the stoic version.

"If you tell anyone, I will deny it"

"Sure you will"

Suddenly a clattering sound came from the hall, alerting you both. This, however, was followed by a 'I'm okay!' By the one Dick Grayson, which in turn was followed by Duke's 'Oh no!'

"Any idea what that was about?", Bruce inquired raising an eyebrow as you burst out laughing.

"That, you big softie, was the sound of me getting my 20 dollars, now let's get back before they destroy everything."

•°•°

You and Bruce entered back into the hall, everyone was gathered around waiting for Damian and his group to signal the beloved butler's arrival. You stood next to Tim as Jason moved towards the switches to turn off the lights.

"Okay I'll bite why are you covered in frosting before the party even started?"

"Steph", Tim replied, too tired to elaborate, leaving you giggling.

Barbara, Cass and Damian rushed through the door, looking close to terrified, with Titus tagging along.

"He is here, HIDE!", Damian said quickly closing the doors.

After a few moments, the door creaked open and Alfred's voice came through, "Master Damian, you and I will have words for what you did to-- Oh my", he was stuck to his position at the door, too shocked to say anything more after looking at the decorations and bunch gathered around an enormous cake.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALFRED!!", you all exclaimed with extreme excitement.

As the party went on you noticed that there was, in fact, a broken chandelier broomed to the side, later on there were a few not-at-all-safe stunts performed by the boys, some really bad puns made by Dick, all sorts of shenanigans by the others and cake, lots of cake. You looked around, everyone was busy doing something but now you knew Bruce was right:

You have one hell of a family, original, found or otherwise. And you love them all no matter what.

°•°•°•°•

Tags: @thesesickfics-justmakemesick

[ur-favorite-queer-queen]

Protect

For Maribat March day 18 theme protect 

Master List 

“DEAREST BIG BROTHER! I’M HOME!” A female shout came from the foyer of the manor. 

Dick, Jason, Tim, Babs, Steph, and Cass were hanging out in one of the many rooms the manor held. Alfred had just walked in with a tray of drinks but froze at the sound of the voice.

“THE HECK!” Was shouted by the same voice followed by Damian’s voice shouting, 

“WHO ARE YOU!?!?! HOW DID YOU GET IN!?!?!” 

Alfred was out of the room in an instant. He was not sprinting but he might as well be with how fast he was walking. The batkids immediately followed after him. 

They walked in on a sight none of them will ever forget. Literally, Jason had taken a picture. A strange woman who looked like a female, miniature version of Bruce had Damian’s precious katana and seemed to be taunting him with it. 

“Miss Marinette!” Alfred called and got both the woman’s and Damian’s attention. 

“Alfred!” The woman replied, running over and giving him a hug, katana still in her hand. 

“Wait, Aunt Nettie?” Dick spoke up, walking over to the pair. 

“Little Wing! Wow, you got so much bigger since the last time I saw you.” She responded, giving him a hug. 

“Wait, wait, your Aunt Nettie?” Jason asked, crossing his arms. 

“Aww, Little Blue Jay, you don’t remember me?” She shot back, crossing her arms as well. 

“Blue Jay, why is that familiar?” Jason muttered to himself, not quietly enough since everyone heard him. 

“Aunt Nettie, you only visited once when he was here.” Dick reminded her. 

“Oh, well that will explain that. Also how many more kids did Bruce adopt? I thought it was only the 2 of you, the Drake kid, and his bio kid.” She questioned, motioning to each child she remembered. 

“The only other kid he adopted is Cass, Steph and Babs are family friends.” Dick clarified. 

“Babs, the first Batgirl correct?” She asked, turning to the girl in question. Everyone froze at that, this girl who was apparently Bruce’s sister knew who they were.

“It’s fine guys, she’s known since the beginning of his time as Batman.” Dick assured. 

“Yep, speaking of my big brother, where is he?” 

“Master Bruce is currently at a WE meeting, but he will be back in time for dinner.” Alfred answered for her. 

“How come father never told us about you?” Damian voiced, glaring at her and looking like he wanted to attack her again. Probably because she still had his katana. 

“I rarely visit nowadays and he’s probably still upset after last time.” Marinette smirked, like she had won some sort of battle. Noticing she still had his katana, she handed the blade back to Damian. 

“Last time?” Tim hesitantly echoed. 

“How about Miss Marinette shares the story in the living room? I can bring snacks.” Alfred offered, Marinette looked like she was about to say something but Alfred beat her to it, “You bond with your nieces and nephews, I will be fine.” 

“Come on Marinette! You can tell them about how you helped train Bruce! Oh did you bring any kwamis with you?” Dick rambled, pulling Marinette with him into the room they were hanging out in before her appearance. 

Once they were all seated Tim started the conversation, “So I’m not hallucinating, you are actually Bruce’s sister.” 

“Yes, Bruce is 3 years older than me. I know that he is Batman and you guys are the bats and the birds.” She calmly responded. 

“What did Dick mean by you helped train Bruce? And what is a Kwami?” Babs continued. 

“Kwami are basically magical beings, kinda like gods, that are bound to jewels called miraculous. Since I’m the guardian I protect these jewels. I trained Bruce by helping my old mentor from Tibet train him.” Marinette explained. 

“What happened last time? And why don’t you visit often?” Damian asked, carefully hidden curiosity in his eyes. 

“Back in my first year of highschool, Bruce was very protective of me. Like very protective. No boy he didn’t approve of, which meant I could never talk to a single boy, could get within 10 feet of me without him present. Asking me out, out of the question. Pretty sure this one guy, Adam, wanted to ask me out but Bruce interrupted before he could. I never talked to him again after that. I got pretty tired of it so I signed up for the foreign exchange program and went to school in Paris.” 

“Wait,” Steph interrupted, “Bruce was an overprotective brother?” 

“One of the worst kinds. I’m sure if our parents were still alive he might’ve been worse than my dad.”

“What importance does this have to the questions?” Damian sneered, annoyed that he wasn’t getting any answers. 

“Hold on I’m getting there. So anyways it was in my sophomore year of highschool at Paris that a supervillain attacked. He called himself Hawkmoth, he used the butterfly miraculous to transform people into his puppets by using their emotions against them. I didn’t think much of it since it didn’t concern me, my host family agreed thinking it wouldn’t last long. But when I got to my room there was a little box sitting on my desk and that’s where I found the ladybug miraculous. The most powerful miraculous besides the cat miraculous. I told Bruce, he wasn’t too happy about it, but there wasn’t much he could do. So much happened in that amount of time that I don’t think I could summarize it all before Bruce gets back but just know that in that span of time I met the current guardian. Hawkmoth gained an ally who used the peacock miraculous, Mayura. Also a miraculous that could manipulate emotions. 

After I and my partner had defeated Hawkmoth and Mayura, sometime during my senior year, we revealed our identities, dated for a few months before I ended things. Then I went back home and Bruce was getting ready to go on his soul-searching journey to be trained by masters or whatever and I suggested he be trained by my mentor who was in Tibet. I went with him, we trained for a couple of months before he left. I decided to stay in Tibet to train to become the next guardian. Eventually my mentor died and gave me guardianship. 

Then I returned to Gotham and Bruce had adopted Little Wing over there. So I stayed here for a while before I decided to go around the world doing guardian things. Bruce didn’t like the idea but there wasn’t much he could do. I ended up catching up with an old friend of mine on one of my travels and we started dating before I came back here. That’s when I met Little Blue Jay for the first and last time.

Before you guys had gone on patrol I tried to ask Bruce to give my boyfriend a chance but he didn’t agree. I’ve always been his little sister in his eyes, I think he couldn’t handle the fact I had grown up. Nasty words were exchanged between us and I haven’t returned since. In the end me and him didn’t work out but I couldn’t bring myself to return, until now at least.” 

“Why now?” Damian immediately pressed once she finished her explanation. 

“Dusuu was missing Alfred. It has been like a decade or something.” She remarked, pulling out a peacock shaped brooch. 

“Didn’t you say that the peacock miraculous was evil?” Cass signed, raising an eyebrow at the brooch. 

“No, I said it was used for evil. The miraculous are technically neutral, can be used for good or evil. Depends on who is wielding them.” Marinette bit back, as a flash of light emitted from the brooch. Suddenly a small floating peacock creature stood in front of Marinette. 

“Is that a kwami?” Steph asked. 

“Yes, this is Dusuu, the peacock kwami of emotions.”

“Hello! It’s so nice to meet you!” Dusuu chirped, “Where’s Alfred?” 

“I am right here Dusuu. It is lovely to see you again.” Alfred spoke from the doorway, holding a tray of snacks and drinks. 

“Alfred!” Dusuu cheered before flying over and hugging the older man. 

“In all honesty Bruce doesn’t sound like the best brother.” Jason pointed out. 

“I know it may seem like he’s a shitty brother, and at the time I totally thought he was and still is, but I know where he’s coming from. Bruce was always the more reserved and protective out of the 2 of us even before what happened to our parents. I think our parents' death solidified his need to protect me from anything and anyone. And we all know how horrible Bruce is at showing his emotions so I know his heart was in the right place. Plus, we’ve had years to cool off, I’m sure we can have a mature conversation now.” Marinette explained, a fond smile gracing her lips. 

Faintly in the distance they heard Alfred say, “Welcome home, Master Bruce.” 

“That’s my cue!” Marinette said before bolting off in the direction of the foyer. 

“Alfred something’s off, what are you not telling me?” The second those words left his mouth a weight connected with his back, arms wrapped around his neck and a familiar, 

“HEY BIG BRO!” Was registered by his ears. 

The weight slipped off his back and as he turned around he was met with the familiar sight of his little sister. “Marinette.” 

“Bruce.”

“You’re here.” 

“I am.” 

“I thought-”

“That I was mad at you.”

“You didn’t visit for 10 years.” 

“Life got busy.” 

They stood in silence for a minute. 

“I missed you.” Marinette whispered, so much different from the girl that was telling them a brief summary of her life. She seemed so much more vulnerable uttering those words than when she had revealed why she hadn’t come back in the first place. 

Turns out that was the straw that broke the camel’s back as Bruce wrapped Marinette in a hug as tears slipped from his eyes. They could hear him whispering over and over again, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I did all those years ago.” 

It was weird for them all to see, including Dick who knew how much Marinette meant to Bruce. Bruce kept his emotions so closed up, master of the stoic face, but here he was breaking down in front of the all. Here he was crying and apologizing. 

“I believe we should leave them alone for now.” Alfred spoke up heading for the dining room. They followed. Later Bruce and Marinette would join them, a little red-eyed with their cheeks tear-stained, but small smiles on their faces. 

It was then that all the batkids knew that they would be seeing this ‘Aunt Nettie’ much more often. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Look at that, I’m super late again! Nothing new, I think day 14 was a one time thing unfortunately. 

I’ve seen a ton of fics where Marinette was Bruce’s older sister but what about where she’s his younger sister? Bruce would so be an overprotective older brother. 

I hoped you enjoyed this! I’m planning on making a part 2 of this for ‘contest’. So stay tuned!

@maribatmarch-2k21 

[mischiefandspirits]

Nightwings and Talons

Nightwing's time with the Titans is short-lived when his father comes looking for him.

This is from an early draft of my story Gone where only the Robins were "kidnapped" by Batman, but the world knows he's the one who did it.

Click here for more of this AU

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The summer after he turned fourteen, Dixon “Dick” Wayne decided to go on a trip. His dad wasn’t happy about it, -- in fact, they argued for almost a month straight -- but he just had to get out of the house. He needed to spend some time outside of the cave in a way that didn’t involve his dad hovering over him or a cape and mask.

Although, the cape and mask weren’t completely separate from the trip. They and the rest of his gear had been packed away into the hidden compartment of his motorcycle at the same time that his clothes and identification were tucked into the bike’s saddlebags. He didn’t go out looking for trouble, but he did occasionally let Nightwing fly as he spent the summer traveling across the country. He was careful, though. He never stayed anywhere more than a few days and if he had to go out as Nightwing, he always left as soon as the problem was solved.

That changed a week before he was meant to head home when an alien invasion interrupted his apprehension of a jewel thief. Nightwing had combated the invading force alongside four other teen heroes who’d been in the area and an alien princess that had been held captive by the invaders. As they’d split up to sleep off their victory, the makeshift team made plans to meet up on a rooftop to celebrate with pizza the next day.

Dick had been hesitant to join. He’d barely managed to keep out of the news in regards to the invasion and he didn’t want to push it.

Even still, he met them on the rooftop.

He almost immediately regretted it as he became the first topic on the table once the pizza had been passed out.

“So you’re the real Nightwing, right? Like the Nightwing?” Beast Boy said, staring at the dark hero with the same awe he’d given Nightwing right after he’d charged in as backup. The other boy had held in (most) of his questions during the fighting, but now they looked ready to burst.

“Yeah,” Nightwing answered hesitantly. “It’s really not -”

“Dude, how’d you get away from the Bat?” Cyborg asked.

“Aaaaand we’re done here.” The bird dropped his pizza back on his plate and stood.

“What? No, you cannot leave! We have barely started the celebrating!” Starfire said, grabbing his arm before he could get far. “What is wrong?”

“Don’t mind him. Stockholm just gets upset whenever anyone talks bad about his boss,” Speedy snorted.

“Watch it,” Nightwing growled and glared at the archer, who smirked.

“Why did you call Nightwing Stockholm? Is that another name he goes by?” Starfire asked, looking between the two boys.

“He’s referencing Stockholm syndrome. It’s a condition where a captive comes to care for their captor,” Raven said in a monotone, not looking up from her pizza.

“Why would he call Nightwing that?”

“Because he’s an idiot,” Nightwing growled.

“Calm down, birdy. I’m just teasing.”

“You’re not funny.”

“Is this some Earth humor I am not getting?” Starfire asked Cyborg, who shrugged.

“I’ll explain,” Speedy said and Nightwing gave him a look. “Nicely, kid, calm down. Put the Bat-Glare away and grab some food.”

“I’m only a year younger than you!” he muttered, sitting back down. Two, actually, but the archer didn’t need to know that.

“Whatever, shorty. As I was saying,” Speedy started, voice growing louder as Nightwing tried to cut in. “Five years ago, Wing’s boss, Batman, rescued this kid, Richard Grayson, from his wack job parents. Only he didn’t exactly do it the legal way since the parents are part of this group that includes some really rich people and there were enough connections between them to halt the investigation and keep the kid with his parents. So everyone started saying Batman had kidnapped the kid when he’d really just set him up somewhere safe. Then Nightwing appeared on the scene, so everyone jumped to the conclusion that Nightwing was Grayson and that Batman had brainwashed him into being his sidekick.”

“Partner,” Nightwing corrected. “The Bats and I are partners.”

“Uh-huh, sure. Anyways, it got so bad that the Justice League -- a team of Earth’s most powerful heroes, Star -- stepped in to try and rescue Nightwing.”

“We kicked their butts,” the bird chirped. “Then I had Martian Manhunter -- a member of the League -- read my mind so he could see that it was all a big misunderstanding. Now the whole League and their affiliates know. B even works with them sometimes.”

“Then why does everyone still think you’re Grayson?” Cyborg asked and Beast Boy nodded.

“We can’t exactly prove it, not without revealing my actual name. And B doesn’t want to risk the League’s credibility by having them back us up without proof.”

“Nightwing is not your actual name?” Starfire asked.

“The heroes of this planet use fake names and disguises to protect their loved ones from their enemies,” Raven explained. She pulled her hood down and her skin shifted to a warmer tone while the darkness faded from her eyes to reveal they were blue. “For example, I go by Raven, but my civilian name is Rachel Roth. I don’t really have anyone to protect, but it felt fitting to have a name.”

“The bats and bird don’t tell anyone their names. Even the League doesn’t know who they are,” Speedy said, then gave Nightwing a look. “Though they all know who we are.”

The bird shrugged. “B isn’t called the World’s Greatest Detective for no reason.”

“Wait, you know my name?” Beast Boy asked.

“Maybe,” Nightwing said slowly. “I don’t recognize you, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a file. You were with Doom Patrol before this, so I’d have to check. We didn’t keep as close an eye on that team.”

“They’re paranoid,” Speedy stage whispered. “The reason they kicked the League’s butt is that they’ve got contingency plans for all of us in case we go dark.”

“Mind control! It’s in case of mind control. Mostly. Do you guys realize how many villains there are in Gotham who use mind control? Spellbinder, Poison Ivy, Mad Hatter, the list goes on! Batgirl and I have had to fight Batman plenty of times and vice versa! Contingency plans are necessary! It’s not paranoia and it’s not an insult.”

“You’re already preparing one for everyone on this roof,” Speedy said pointedly.

“On second thought, it’s an insult for you and Arrow. Your plans are literally just smash the bows.”

The archer flipped him off.

“I’m with Nightwing. Mind control is a dangerous art form and being prepared for it is smart,” Raven said.

“It’s all fun and games until the plans get turned on you,” Speedy argued.

“You didn’t even become Speedy until a year after that,” Nightwing snorted.

“Do you really need plans for us? We’re just going to go our separate ways now, right?” Cyborg said.

“Unless we didn’t,” Beast Boy said, jumping up. “We could totally be our own team!”

“A team?” Nightwing asked.

“Yeah! We did great against the Gordans!”

“Gordanians,” Starfire corrected.

“Right, them. We kicked their butts! We could kick other bad guy butts too!”

“I don’t know,” Nightwing said.

“Sounds cool to me.” Cyborg accepted Beast Boy’s high five with a chuckle.

“I’m with Wing. I just got free of one tagalong. Not sure if I’m ready for another,” Speedy said.

“Oh, but Beast Boy is right!” Starfire began to float a little in her excitement. “We make a marvelous team! There is no one I would rather kick the butts with!”

Raven glanced between Speedy and Nightwing and shrugged. “I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”

Beast Boy threw an arm around Nightwing’s shoulders. “Come on you two! It’ll be great!”

Cyborg did the same to Speedy. “It seems like we could all use some new friends.”

Nightwing tilted his head. “You could say that.”

“I’m pretty sure this is the first time Wing’s even left his cave.”

It was thanks to his training that the bird didn’t react to just how close Speedy’s joke came to the truth. Instead, he rolled his eyes and elbowed the older boy.

“So?” Beast Boy lead.

“Could be fun,” Nightwing admitted.

Speedy looked around at the group -- team -- and sighed, “Alright, fine. I’ll give it a test run. No promises.”

“Oh, how joyous!” Starfire giggled floating up and doing a spin.

“Boo-yah!” Cyborg put out a fist and Beast Boy, Nightwing, and Speedy all bumped fists with him.

“So if we are to be teammates, then do we get to know each other's names?” Starfire asked. “As I have said, I am Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran, but Starfire is acceptable as it is my name in your tongue.”

“Rachel Roth,” Raven repeated with a half-hearted wave.

“Well, I don’t have much of a secret identity for obvious reasons,” Beast Boy joked, waving at his green skin, “but my name’s Garfield Logan. You can call me Gar or Beast Boy or BB. I’m open to whatever.”

“Wait, we’re actually doing this?” Speedy whispered to Nightwing, who was looking on in horror.

“Good thing we stayed, they wouldn’t last a day on their own,” he whispered back.

Cyborg looked more reluctant, but said, “Victor Stone. Vic’s fine.”

The team turned to the bird and archer, who shared a look.

Speedy shrugged. “Screw it. Roy Harper.”

Then all eyes were on Nightwing.

“I…”

At his continued hesitance, Cyborg said, “You don’t have to.”

Nightwing glanced over them and shook his head. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”

“Figures.” When Nightwing flinched, Speedy set a hand on his shoulder. “I’m joking. It’s fine. Batman would probably kill you if you did.”

Starfire looked confused and Beast Boy disappointed, but they all agreed that Nightwing could keep his secret.

Unsurprisingly, Bruce was not pleased when he found out Dick was going to be spending a lot of his time in Jump City. They fought again, but Bruce still agreed to help fund the Teen Titans since he knew Dick wouldn’t be relenting. He contacted Oliver and he agreed to help as well so long as Roy wasn’t told. He was relieved that his foster son wasn’t running around on his own without backup and knew Roy would take off again if he thought Oliver was interfering.

They put together a base for the team, hidden beneath the facade of an apartment tower. Roy, Kori, and Gar all decided to live in-house while Dick and Vic both had rooms for when they were in Jump City as Dick still went back to Gotham often and Vic visited with his dad occasionally. Rachel, wanting a bit more privacy due to her powers, got a small house nearby with Dick’s help.

The team worked well together, even if they had their arguments here and there. Due to his experience and with a few missteps along the way, Nightwing slipped into the role of the field commander, though the team maintained a more equal standing between the group otherwise.

Their popularity quickly grew, their age making them more approachable than the likes of the Justice League (and if it had the drawback of people underestimating them, Nightwing knew how to use that to their advantage). Of course, their popularity meant Nightwing being on the team quickly got out and speculation began. He kept his head down, staying away from the press, while the others refused to comment on anything to do with his relationship with Batman. That didn’t stop the press, though, and the news was soon flooded with stories of Nightwing’s “escape from captivity.”

The moment he heard that, he immediately went back to Gotham and teamed up with Batman on the most conspicuous case he could find.

Alfred was pretty sure Dick’s spite shouldn’t be what helped the two reconnect, but he took what he could get.

The press weren’t the only ones to notice Dick’s relocation, unfortunately.

Five months after they'd gotten together, the team was flitting about the city in what could be called a patrol, but was honestly just a bunch of friends hanging out. Speedy and Cyborg were in the latter’s car while Starfire, Beast Boy, and Raven flew overhead. Nightwing had chosen to run across the rooftops to get some energy out. It was relaxing and fun.

Until Nightwing’s emergency beacon went off and they realized they’d lost sight of him.

They doubled back and found their friend unconscious at the feet of a man in a black suit.

“You messed with the wrong bird,” Beast Boy said, transforming into a pterodactyl.

The man turned to them, hands raised. “Peace, Titans. I’m not here for a fight.”

“Well you’ve got one,” Speedy said. “You attacked our friend.”

The man pulled his mask off to reveal a man with pale skin and brown hair. “He is simply asleep. All I want is for him to return home. My name is John Grayson.”

“Richard Grayson’s father,” Cyborg said.

“His father.” John gestured to Nightwing.

“He’s not your kid.”

“He and Batman really tricked you all, didn’t they?” John said sadly, looking down at the youngest Titan’s unconscious form. “It’s not his fault. Who knows what Batman has done to him over these years. I’m grateful you Titans were able to separate them enough for me to get to him without the Bat interfering.”

“He’s not -“

“And what proof have they given you that he isn’t?” John asked, turning his focus back to the team.

“Martian Manhunter read Nightwing’s mind,” Speedy said.

“Yes, Richard’s mind. If he believes it to be true, why wouldn’t the martian as well? Has the martian read the Bat’s mind?” When the team didn’t respond, he nodded. “They have no proof, but I do. It’s in my very blood. He is my son, check for yourselves.”

The team shared a look.

“I do not like this,” Starfire said.

“I don’t either, but I don’t sense any deception,” Raven said.

“All I want is the best for him,” John said.

“I don’t know,” Beast Boy whispered.

“Batman would never tell anyone where Grayson is and Wing won’t tell us who he is under the mask,” Speedy admitted reluctantly. “He’s right, we don’t have proof.”

“Nightwing is our friend. He should have our trust,” Starfire said.

“Nightwing’s honesty isn’t the one in question,” Raven argued.

Cyborg hesitated, then stepped forward, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. “We’ll do the test, but you’ll have to go in a cell until we figure out the truth.

John nodded and held out his wrists. “Anything to bring my son home.”

When Nightwing woke up, he was in the infirmary. Kory was sitting on the bed next to his while Gar and Roy were on chairs between them. Vic and Rachel were off to the side looking at something on one of the computers.

He jerked upright, hissing when he tugged at his injuries.

“Woah there, Wing,” Gar said, trying to get him to sit back.

“What happened to Talon?” Nightwing worried, ignoring him.

“Who?”

“The man who attacked me.”

The team glanced at each other.

“About that…” Vic started and Nightwing stiffened.

“He got away? I’ve got to call B.”

“Woah,” Roy said, pushing him back onto the bed with Gar’s help. “We know where he is, and you’re not calling Batman.”

“I have to. If they sent Talon here -”

“Wing.”

“- they might have sent the talons and I don’t have the -”

“Dude.”

“- gear to take them down on -”

“Richard.”

Nightwing froze, staring at Kory. “Why would you…”

“The man who attacked you was John Grayson, your father,” Vic said.

“John is Tal-” The bird shook his head. “He’s not my father.”

“Wing, we checked his identity and did a blood test. The results just came in. You’re Richard Grayson.”

“That’s not my name.”

“I noticed you keep saying it’s not your name, but you never actually deny being him,” Roy pointed out and Nightwing glared at him. “Maybe a part of you knows the truth.”

“All of me knows the truth.”

“I’m sure you think that,” Rachel said. “But we’ve run the tests.”

“Those tests don’t mean anything. You guys have to trust me.”

“We do,” Kory said, standing up. She grabbed his hand and held it between both of hers as she tried to meet his eyes. “We are trying to help you. Your father -”

“He’s not my father.”

“He is,” Cyborg said.

“No, he’s a monster. A talon. You can’t trust anything he says.”

“I’ve read his emotions,” Raven said.

“He’s a talon!” Nightwing repeated in a hiss. “He’s the Talon! He doesn’t have emotions. At least not any that the Court doesn’t tell him to have. You haven’t seen the things they do to talons. The things they want to do to me.”

“And you have?” Speedy asked.

“Not in person.” Bruce and Barbara would never let him anywhere near their labs and risk giving the Court exactly what they want. “But -”

“Batman told you. He filled your head with all kinds of horror stories, didn’t he? Made you want to stay. That’s how they do it. He’s controlling you, Wing.”

“No. He’s. Not! Why won’t you just listen to me?”

“We are and we are going to help you, even if you don’t realize it right now,” Gar said.

Nightwing looked around at them, then down at his lap. His free arm wrapped around his waist.

“The Batman is not who you think he is. I’m sorry.”

Nightwing met Kory’s eyes and sighed. “So am I.”

Suddenly smoke filled the room and his hand slipped free of hers.

“He’s running,” Speedy said when Raven banished the smoke to reveal an empty bed.

Across the country and an hour later, Bruce was working on the Batmobile when Alfred announced, “Master Bruce, a call for you on the Justice League’s line.”

“An emergency?”

“No, but Mr. J’onzz said it was urgent all the same.”

“J’onn?” Bruce rolled out from under the car. “Barbara, answer it.”

She gave him a thumbs-up as she pulled on her cowl. She opened the call on the main screen. “Been a while, MM.”

“It’s good to see you again, Batgirl. I wish it was under better circumstances. Where’s Batman?”

“Getting changed. He’s listening, though. What’s up?”

“Sir, Nightwing has just entered the cave,” Alfred called as he read an alert that came up, then shared a worried look with Batgirl.

“Nightwing? He wasn’t supposed to be home for another week,” Batman said as he finished suiting up.

“Good, he managed to get away,” Manhunter said with relief.

“Get away? From who?” Batgirl asked just as Nightwing’s cycle came to a stop next to the Batmobile.

The boy slid off the bike and onto the floor.

“Nightwing!”

“You were right. I’m sorry, B,” Nightwing groaned as Batman dropped down next to him.

“What happened?”

“Talon attacked. It was John. I don’t know what he told the Titans, but they ran a blood test on me and now they're convinced you’ve got me brainwashed.”

“Unfortunately, they’re not the only ones,” Manhunter said. “Speedy called Green Arrow after you took off while the others tried to track you. I’ve tried to talk everyone down, but they think I was tricked by your so-called grooming.”

“I’m sorry,” Nightwing panted, leaning against Batman. “I should… should have listened to you and… stayed in Gotham.”

Batman shook his head and carefully picked the boy up, looking him over for injuries. “None of this is your fault. You were right to want to get out. I just wish it was safe for you to do so. You’re hurt?”

He nodded. “The fight… with Talon. The Titans patched me up, but… I think I opened a few things back up during… my escape.”

“Let’s get you to the infirmary.”

“I’ll try and keep you updated if the League decides to move against you,” Manhunter offered.

“Thank you, MM, but don’t risk your own position for our sakes,” Batgirl said.

“I’ll be alright. I know how to stay under the radar.”

“Thank you, again,” Batman said. “For your warning and your trust.”

“My powers are not as easily tricked as the others seem to think.”

“Wish Raven had… your confidence,” Nightwing muttered just loud enough for the call to catch it as they passed the computer.

“Empathy and Telepathy do not work the same. False emotions can become real in a way false memories and thoughts cannot. She likely knows that and is just working with the same information the others are.”

“Yeah, false infor…mation. Do you know what… they did with Talon?”

“They let him go. Apparently, they offered to let him stay for the search, but he knew they wouldn’t find you.” Manhunter looked offscreen. “I have to go. I will contact you as soon as I have news.”

“I’ll contact you. I have a feeling the League’s lines aren’t going to be safe for any Bats soon,” Batgirl said.

“You’re probably right. Take care.”

Dick pulled off his mask once Batman had set him on an infirmary cot. “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“If I hadn't joined… the Titans, Talon wouldn’t have… come for me in Jump and you wouldn’t… wouldn’t have lost your place in the League.”

“No team is worth your safety, or your happiness,” Bruce said, pushing down his cowl.

“But -”

“It’s fine, Dick. I never intended to be on the team in the first place. And if they’re this quick to turn on us, then we’ll be fine without them.” Dick flinched and Bruce squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry about your friends.”

“Can’t be mad. Want to protect me,” Dick sighed, and Bruce was relieved that his breath was evening until he realized the boy was starting to look dazed. As he glanced over to make sure Alfred was gathering medical supplies, Dick pulled out his T-Communicator and tossed it to Batgirl. “Get rid before Cyborg tracks.”

“He’ll never be able to track it here, but it’s a good idea all the same,” Bruce agreed, running his fingers through the boy’s hair.

Batgirl tossed it from hand to hand and shook her head. “I’ll disable any tracking abilities, but you should keep it. I know you’ll want to talk to them. Maybe you can knock some sense into them while you’re at it.”

“Doubtful,” Dick snorted. “I’m poor mindless minion. Everything is cry for help or result of grooming.”

Bruce squeezed his hand again. “Get some rest. I’ll call Leslie over to take a look at you.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

[liquid-luck-00]

Habits

Bio!Dad Bruce

Day 4: Habits

@biodad-bruce-month

First ~~~ Previous ~~~ Next

~~~~~~~~~~

The bat boys went out of their way to make Marinette feel included into the family. However she seemed to always get lost in the manor. Little did they know that she was using the horse miraculous to travel to and from Paris and still hasn't had enough practice with Kaalki.

Yet when they do happen to find her she seems to always be lost in thought while sketching or designing.

They had noticed early on that they could still hold a conversation with her and she would respond and remember the conversation.

---

Marinette hadn't been at the manor for two days when the first incident occurred.

It was Jason who first caught her completely focused and to say it was a shock was an understatement. He had walked into the living room, trying to find her and Tim to play Mecha strike, so when he saw she was designing and Tim was sitting on the other couch reading.

"Hey Replacement, Bluebell who wants to play UMS III?" Jason asked the room.

"I'll play," Tim responded looking up from his book. Both boys then looked at Mari, who seemingly didn't hear them. Tim got up and walked over to her along with him. While

Marinette seemed to be hyper focused on her design that she didn't respond when Jason asked her again. So Jason decided it would be smart to tap her on the shoulder to get her attention. That was a bad idea. . He had snapped her out of her thoughts, but as he did she glared at them.

"Holy Fuck" Jason screamed as he backed away from her.

"What is wrong with you. You break my concentration and then scream. Like seriously Jason." She was holding her head covering her ears while glaring at him.

That was when Tim seemed to find his voice again. "Well if genetics hadn't proved you were Bruce's daughter, you giving Jason his signature glare would prove it."

"Well I guess that explains a few thing now" she hummed.

"That is all you get out of this?" Jason asks.

"What else was to get out of this?" she asked tilting her head, "so what did you guys want anyways?" she went back to her sunny personality.

---

The second incident occurred later that same day but with only Dick. He had gone to find her for dinner, so he went to her room. He had heard from both Jason and Tim that she could pull out the Bruce 'Batman' Glare so he did the smart choice of first knocking on the door.

"Come in" was her only response.

She was sitting at the desk staring at one of her sketchbooks. Her chin was resting on her arm her nose was scrunched and eyebrows furrowed concentrating on the image in front of her.

It wasn't the Batman Glare but she looked just like Bruce when he was in deep concentration.

"Dinner is almost ready" he answered after entering the room.

"Dick thank goodness" She snapped her head up and looked at him with her full attention. "I can’t decide on a color for this blazer. It would look nice in an emerald or in a sapphire blue. I know I want to use gold as an accent around the main part that is black stitched with holographic music notes but I don't know maybe"

"Mari" he interrupted her. God she even over thinks like Bruce, that was why he had stopped her. "Breathe please. Now is this for a certain person or no one in particular?" He asked breaking her slight panic.

"It is for a commission so a certain person." she answered calming down.

"So would the person's hair or eyes clash with those colors" Thank god Barbara always dragged him shopping and complains how certain colors clashed with her hair.

"Neither would clash necessarily, but the sapphire blue would complement his hair and skin tone better" she finished writing something in on the page.

"Okay now that, that is settled why don't we go down for dinner Little B" Dick gave her a smile.

"Little B?"

"Little Bruce" be elaborated, really be meant little bat, but she doesn't know that yet so he improvised.

"Why?"

"The way you scrunch your nose and eyebrows when concentrating is just like him. That and completely overthinking and over analyzing things is just like him"

"It's a habit I've been trying to break" she answers sheepishly.

"Don't, just ask yourself questions to not get sided tracked, it is one of the best qualities a person can have" he answered honestly. "God only knows Bruce wouldn't come up with half of what makes up WE if he didn't overanalyze every little thing" she seemed to cheer up a bit at this and he is glad he could help his little sister.

---

The third incident happened with Tim to say he was surprised when he saw her awake in the kitchen at 3 in the morning as he came back from patrol was shocking.

Honestly the only people awake at that hour were either the Bats, criminals, or him well him or even Bruce who would still be working. But here she is completely awake making, wait is that.

"Is that coffee?" He ended up asking out loud.

She turned to face him "Yes. Want some?"

"Please!!" he practically begged.

"Fair warning this is my special blend, I haven't found anyone else who could handle it" she warned him, but he took it as a challenge.

"Try me" and she did, she set a cup down in front of him and also poured herself one. After the first sip he realized it was strong, much stronger than his usual, and that usually had an entire cup of espresso. "That is good. You are making this again if you don't give me the recipe" she giggled.

"Let's see if you can handle a cup and make it to breakfast." she countered and she left to her room.

When morning came he was still wired in fact he was practically bouncing in his seat while having breakfast and everyone was staring at him. Granted he was usually a zombie in the morning so this was new, actually functioning properly that is.

"You okay there Timmy" Dick asked him, and that was confusing.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Tim asked.

"Now your beginning to scare us. Wait did you actually sleep, Replacement?" Jason asked him.

"I don't think he did Jason" everyone turned and stared at Marinette. "Half a cup" she said staring at him.

"Care to explain Bluebell." 

"So turns out I'm not the only one awake late. Someone" she stared at Tim, "caught me making coffee last night, drank a single cup and still seems to be wired" she shrugged "so half a cup next time Tim"

"Wait, he is the most awake he has ever been in the, almost six years I've known him, and he hasn't slept." Damian stated bored. "what did you put in the coffee?"

"Nothing much, but if you know how to roast the beans right anything is possible" she rose the mug she was holding. That was when they all noticed the mug in her hand.

Out of concern, he is guessing, Dick and Jason moved to take the mug from her. They turned around to face each other with a smirk and they saw that they were both holding identical mugs to the one in, wait Marinette still has a mug.

"Enjoy the cocoa" she smiled as she took a sip from her cup.

"You really are Bruce's daughter if you can pull that with little to no sleep." Tim replied. Her only response was a head tilt. "I swear not sleeping and still being able to function absurdly well is genetic. You, Damian, and Bruce are alike in that."

---

The fourth incident happened and was witnessed by Damian. He was sure that he would be able to have the gym to himself as everyone was out on patrol but he was mistaken.

There was Marinette a headset on, with her hands wrapped moving between punching a bag and a sequence of movements. He watched her until she seemed to finish her set. She looked up and when she noticed him he walked towards her. She wasn't being her usual bubbly self, in fact it looked to him that she was upset.

"I didn't think anyone else would be in here" he stated."

"Oh, really" she answered lowering her headset ”I won't be a bother and did you want to take the punching bag." she said a slight frown on her lips. Okay he may not be the best at dealing with emotions, but he was extremely good at perceiving them on others.

"Something is bothering you, isn't it?" he was blunt sure but he wasn't expecting her to freeze and look around before taking a breath and schooling her features.

"No, everything is fine"

"It. As if I would believe that"

"Really now why don't..."

"Either you talk or we spar" he cut her off. He was expecting her to speak not take off her headset completely, set it down, and take a stance. The two began to spar and after almost two hours they were both lying on the mat exhausted.

"Thanks Damian, I needed a good spar"

"Any time you need, ask" he got up and began walking back to his room.

If he didn't already know she was a Wayne then that would prove it. Only a Wayne would rather not face their emotions and would rather fight.

His sister was his and he would be damned if he didn't at least help her. Albeit it he wasn't the most mushy of the family but she already was the most bearable of his sibling. Maybe he'll teach her to sword fight, then maybe someone would be an actual challenge for him.

Next

~~~~~~~~~~

Tag list:

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[fandomscombine]

The Hargreeves Kerfuffle  Part 1 : Disastrous Childhood (Prologue)

TUA Series Part 1:  Disastrous Childhood

The Hargreeves siblings x Hargreeves!Reader (Familial Relationship)

An idea came to me at 2am after binging TUA S2 and rewatching S1 right after!

BG: The Reader is Number Eight. It follows how you fit into the structure of Season 1 and the family dynamic of the siblings.

This part follows when the young Hargreeves Siblings had their powers manifested and the development of The Umbrella Academy.

Contains: Sibling Angst and Fluff. Reginald being a crappy father but sometimes not really?

The series will consist of 10 parts. Where the reader would have a focused interaction with each sibling. (Eg. After this part, it would be Luther x Reader, then Diego x Reader and so on! –Yes Ben is included)

WC:2649

A/N: This is my first ever TUA fic and I’m doing a series. WOw ambitious I know. Anyways I hope you enjoy! And tell me how you feel about it!

>>MASTERLIST<<

>>THE HARGREEVES KERFUFFLE SERIES MASTERLIST<<

READ: [PART 2]  [PART 3]  [PART 4]

>>JOIN MY WRITING CHALLENGE!<<

~

On October 1, 1989, 43 women across the globe gave birth despite them not being pregnant when the day began. In news of this mysterious happenings, Sir Reginald Hargreeves immediately went out of his way to find as many of these special babies. He has successfully adopted 8 of these children and you were one of them.

One might think that when a person adopts not one, but eight kids would have so much love to give but they would be mistaken. Sir Reginald Hargreeves—Dad, was not a loving father. It would be a miracle for one to see the man show any other emotion apart from anger. Sir Reginald Hargreeves was distant and treated the children like they were experiments that the dynamic felt closer to a doctor/patient relationship. The children weren’t given actual names, only to be called by their numbers based on the order Sir Reginald Hargreeves had procured them. It was only when Grace, their robot mother insisted they have a real name, were the children given them. And so, the children were:

Number One - Luther Hargreeves

Number Two – Diego Hargreeves

Number Three – Allison Hargreeves

Number Four – Klaus Hargreeves

Number Five – Five Hargreeves

Number Six – Ben Hargreeves

Number Seven – Vanya Hargreeves

And finally,

Number Eight -  y/n Hargreaves

For 6 years, the only special thing about the children was that they were miraculously conceived and birthed within a day, the same day. However, on the 7th year , October 1 1996, more strange things started to happen to the children.

It first started with Ben at breakfast. Dad as usual is cold and strict more so in the early morning. ‘Sit up straight Number Six.’ He directed without even a glance up from his newspaper at hand.

‘Yes Sir.’

Beside him you place your hand on his and whispered, ‘You alright Ben? You look sick.’

He gulped. ‘Yea y/n.’ Wiping the cold sweat off his forehead.

‘You sure?’ you questioned, not buying it.

‘Umhmm never bett-----’

You expected vomit to come out but what happen next is something you would never though was possible.

Screams broke out everywhere.

You feel yourself being raised above the table. Looking down, you were 5 feet off the ground held by what seemed to be tentacles.

‘Take that!’ You hear some shout then a thud. Diego had brought down a knife to the tentacle that had suffocated him and in now laying on the floor covered in green blood.

The sight finally snapped you out of your shock, your fight or flight reflexes kicked in.

A quick sweep of your surroundings showed Five and Klaus on either side of you, they too are struggling with the ever-tightening grip of the monstrous arm.

While on the ground, Vanya and Allison are making their way to Ben in hopes of helping him control whatever all this that was coming out of his body. While Luther is fighting off the arms away from Diego who seem to have broken his leg from the fall.

Dad, Mom and Pogo are nowhere to be seen.

You move your head to the left, knowing that Klaus doesn’t do well in small spaces. ‘Klaus it’s okay buddy, Dad would find a way to fic this. Just breathe’ You choked out ‘Just breathe Klaus, everything’s gonna be alright.’

‘mmmm!’ That was Klaus’ only reply but you were thankful to see him to fidget less. He seemed to have taken your advice – how much of the second part of that advice be true, you genuinely don’t know.

You try to move your head to face the right towards Five but no dice. The arm was wrapping itself closer to your neck. ‘Five’ you call out, but it was barely a whisper. ‘five..’

‘Y/N!!’ Five’s scream was the last thing you heard before everything went black.

~

‘She’s broken a couple of ribs and sprained her neck. But’s she’s gonna be okay. Just needs time to rest.’

‘And how long would that time Pogo?’

‘She would need to say in bed for 2 to 3 months, Sir.’

You open your eyes and are greeted with blinding white light. Dad, Mom and Pogo surround your bed.

Grace tucks a stray hair behind you ear. ‘My baby, y/n. How are you feeling?’

‘Sore.’ You reply, noting the coarse sound of your voice. ‘How’s Ben? Klaus? Vanya?—’

Grace cut you off. ‘They’re all fine y/n. Though Ben is a bit roughed up.’ She says truthfully.

‘Number Six has appeared to have powers of summoning monsters with his body and he is currently under supervision.’  Reginald stated.

But something didn’t fit right. ‘But how did you calm him down? The whole fiasco back there was in total chaos?’ Voicing out all your thoughts and questions. ‘No one could get him to take back control, unless…..’ You couldn’t continue the thought. Your eyes go wide. There was no way. It was too harsh, but it was dad after all, he would do whatever means necessary to get what he wants.

Your dad smiles proudly ‘Ah yes. Y/n ever the cleverest of the bunch.’ You had observed that he had addressed you in your actual name instead of your number for the first time in your whole existence.  ‘Unfortunately, I had to sedate Number Six. You do understand that it was the only way.’

You open your mouth to argue.

‘No buts, Number Eight!’ Ah and now we’re back to number, you thought.

‘I’ll have Grace by you side whist you recover and Pogo here would relay your recovery progress to me daily.’

He was almost to your door when he faced you again. ‘Oh and Number Eight, When you feel something different or unusual. Do inform me of it immediately.’ And with that he left.

‘Pogo? What does he mean by feel different?’ Your nerves go up, worried about your siblings. ‘Is anyone hurt?’

Pogo sighs, after much contemplation he begins ‘Y/n dear. Today’s happenings uncovered that there are stranger yet special things about you children.’

You nod, not wanting to interrupt but also wishing he would hurry up and continue.

‘Ben isn’t the only one who have gotten powers today. During the kerfuffle, Diego has shown skill with a knife, Luther immense strength and Five had shown ability to teleport.’

Once again you found yourself in shock.

‘Your father has gotten the idea that you children have varying power wish are “activated” so to speak when reached the age of 7.’

‘Haha-OW’ You clutch your side.

‘Careful y/n, try not to do sudden movements—yes and that includes laughing too.’ Mom says, caressing your cheek.

‘When can I see them?’

‘I’ll try to persuade Reggie to allow them for a visit dear. But now I need you to rest.’

~

Sibling Visits are limited to 30 mins a day, right before the bedtime curfew.

All your siblings (expect Ben who was still under strict supervision and is recovering himself) came to see you the following night.

Allison was the first one through your door and ran to give you a hug. ‘Y/n! We are all so worried!’

‘Aww thanks—OW OW OW’

‘Oops sorry’ releasing you from her death grip of a hug.

Seeing that movements still hurt you. The rest opted not to hug you, Klaus and Diego held your hand, Vanya is sitting on the edge of you bed, Luther gave you forehead a quick kiss and Five being Five, greeted you with the typical sibling teasing. ‘Glad to see you not drop dead in front of me.’

Diego showed off his leg cast and asked you to sign it, which you happily did so. Signing ‘Badass as always. -y/n’ beside Ben’s note of ‘Diego is cooler than Batman’

The 30 minutes consisted recaps of what happened the day before, the gushing of the boys showcasing their powers and debating on who’s the most powerful.

And just like that, the time was up and each had to go to bed. Everyone kissed your head for goodnights, even Five.

‘You know I love you right?’ His eyes softer than you ever seen before

‘I know’

‘You really scared me yesterday when you blacked out.’ Five had his tough façade down. ‘I thought you died y/n.’

‘But I didn’t.’ You reach up to wipe his tears away. ‘It’d take something bigger, if you wanna get rid of me.’

He chuckled. ‘Night, y/n’

‘Good night, Five.’

~

3 weeks had passed, and your siblings never failed to visit you. Over that time, Klaus and Allison had manifested their powers. Klaus can conjure the dead while Allison could ‘rumor’ people to her will.

Ben came by 2 weeks later. His color is back to normal, not like the blueish tint it had the last time you saw him. Though he still had a few remnants of bruises and scars across his arms and face.

‘I’m sorry y/n.’ He said leaning on your door frame.

‘Ben!’ You exclaimed. ‘I’m so glad you’re back up and running!’

Ben was caught off guard. ‘You—You’re not mad at me?’

‘Why would I be mad at you?’ You questioned, genuinely confused at your brother’s words.

‘Cause, Cause I almost got you killed. I am a monster.’

You sat up straight at those words, your ribs hurt a bit at the sudden movement, but you didn’t care. Your brother was blaming himself for something he couldn’t have controlled.

‘NO BEN!’

Ben jumped from your sudden outburst.

You motioned for him to come closer.

‘Ben…’ looking into his eyes. ‘Ben you are no monster.’

‘But—’

‘uuh uh I’m not done’ You held his hand in yours. ‘You are no monster what happened then was an accident, nobody knew, heck nobody expected powers to just show up. It was beyond anyone’s control. It took us by surprise.’

His shoulders relaxed.

‘It wasn’t your fault. I don’t blame you for what happened.’

He gave you a bone crushing hug. ‘Thank you y/n. You don’t know how guilty I was feeling.’ Voice muffled by your shoulder, which is now wet with his tears. ‘I kept thinking about the pain I caused you and I wasn’t allowed to leave my room even when I begged dad to see you and say sorry. y/n’

‘Shhh shhh’ Rubbing his back. ‘It’s alright Ben. What’s important is that we’re all here now. Alive, Safe and sound.’.

~

You still have a month left for recovery.

Only you and Vanya are the one left who haven’t had their powers revealed.

Dad had created a group called ‘The Umbrella Academy’ in which he trained your super powered siblings. He even given them codenames to go along with their newfound powers.

Number One - Luther Hargreeves aka Spaceboy

Number Two – Diego Hargreeves aka The Kraken

Number Three – Allison Hargreeves aka The Rumor

Number Four – Klaus Hargreeves aka The Séance

Number Five – Five Hargreeves aka The Boy

Number Six – Ben Hargreeves aka The Horor

With this new training program comes with the downside of spending less time with your siblings. Your traditional Sunday afternoon sister bonding time Allison and Vanya is basically non-existent now. Sure the rest of siblings still drop by to check up on how you’re recovering but it is not as frequency as they once were- you totally understand though, it must be tiring to be part of ‘The Umbrella Academy’ but girl were you still hurt and wanted more than anything to be a part of it.

So, you spend most of your time with Vanya nowadays. You didn’t mind, it is nice to have someone along. Most of the time Vanya practices her violin in your room.

‘That was beautiful Vanny’ you commented after she finished a rendition.

‘Thanks y/n’ Her face flushed. ‘Maybe someday I’d be a famous violinist!’

‘I know you would.’ You say truthfully. ‘And I better get the best seats at your concerts okay? Nothing short of VIP treatment for your favourite sister!’

‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Allison would get that.’ Vanya teased.

Placing a hand dramatically to your chest ‘uhh I am offended! I thought I was your favourite sister!’

‘well... you thought wrong.’ Vanya tried to keep a straight face but failed. ‘You y/n are the VVIP guest!’

‘Now that’s more like it.’

~

That night you were tossing and turning in your bed.

In the training room, huge boulders were being tossed onto Luther’s back. He currently had 3 on him. ‘More’ he cried. It was an impressive feat to see. A 7-year-old carry the what had to be at least 5 times his weight.

It was at his 6th block when his legs start to shake.

‘Straighten up Number One!’ Reginald voice came through the speakers.

‘I-I’

‘Fix your posture! And stop babbling!’

He was trembling all over, the weight was far too much and carried far too long for just a young boy.

Any second now, he is gonna be crushed by the boulders.

‘LUTHER!’ You screamed. Cold sweat was plastered all over your face. You were still in your room- but it all felt so real.

You look over to your bedside table, 9:07

Training would have started an hour ago. You had time.

You took the stairs two at a time, bursting into the training room. ‘STOP’

Reginald stood from his seat. ‘Number Eight. What in the world are you doing here?’

‘STOP! Luther is gonna get hurt please stop it--.’ Ignoring his question.

‘Number Eight, what are you talking about? Number One is doing perfectly fine!’ He gestured towards the front.

He was right. Luther looks fine. In fact it looked like it was carrying a light backpack instead of 3 boulders. ‘But- But I saw—’ Then it hit you 3 boulders. 3 not 6.

‘More’ You heard him cried out, just like you had in your nightmare.

You stared at Luther, how could this be?

‘I saw him sir, he is gonna collapse from 6 boulders.’

At this, Reginald took interest. ‘You saw?’

‘Yes, I-I must have dreamt it.’ You slumped against the free chair, defeated. ‘but it felt so real.’

‘Let me everything you saw, and don’t miss a single detail’

And so, you did. By the time you finished, Luther was with his 6th block.

It was exactly like how things went down in your dream. ‘No No NOOOO!’

‘Release him!’ Reginald called at the last second. Standing he faced you. ‘Now y/n dear would you please come with me.’

He didn’t speak again until you were both in his office. ‘It seems to me Number Eight that your powers have finally manifested.’

‘what—’

‘A slight delay compared to your siblings, but I presume that it was due to you recovering from your injuries that your body had focus on your recovery first then powers.’

‘What about Vanya? Would she have powers?’

‘It seems that Number Seven has no powers gained.’ Standing in front of you. ‘But no matter now, what’s important is that you’ve got them.’ He placed his hands on your shoulders. ‘You would do great things Number Eight. To see into the future is a valuable asset to have indeed. For this I shall name you Foresight.’

This was it! You own codename!

Number Eight -  y/n Hargreaves aka Foresight.

‘I’m gonna be part of The Umbrella Academy?’ Overjoyed by your father taking pride in you that every other thought left your concern.

‘Yes Foresight. You will.’ Standing straight again. ‘However, your training would only start once you have fully recovered.’

‘Thanks Dad.’ Hugging him and for once showed the affection back.

You wish you could say that it was at this point where you and your siblings finally gotten a loving and healthy childhood. But you were wrong. Things only deteriorated from here on out with the Hargreeves household and by extension the dissolve of The Umbrella Academy.

END OF PART 1

READ: [PART 2] [PART 3]  [PART 4]

Taglist [All]: @gruffle1

Taglist [TUA]: @herecomesthesun1969  @ultraviolet-m​ @winterierwriter @lordofthunderthr​  @alabaster1223

[batmanie]

Worth it - Batman TAS

Out of the few books available at the Arkham rec room’s otherwise empty bookshelf Professor Crane had chosen to read “Pride and Prejudice” today. He had read it about ten times already but the small book collection was not getting any bigger and it was still better than reading the Bible.

“Alice’s adventures in Wonderland” had been banned from Arkham’s library quite some time ago for triggering a certain inmate, and “Christmas Carol” had lately been decorated with obscene doodles by the Joker which Jonathan did not wish to see ever again. The nursery rhymes book was always an option but currently, Harley had her fun with that, giggling each time she read a funny one.

Crane was sitting on the couch with his nose in the book, not bothering anyone with his presence. Next to him, Tetch was staring at the TV. The poor man looked so bored, mindlessly channel surfing, probably too high on medication to be able to entertain himself with any Wonderland plots.

With Joker not around, the rec room seemed calm, almost as calm as the sky before a heavy storm. And said storm came unexpectedly in the form of Jervis Tetch.

The bored man on the couch had switched to the Gotham’s evening news channel, listening in to the street interview with one of the new candidates for the city council, and then, out of nowhere, he threw a massive tantrum – his outburst included flipping the coffee-table and accidentally hitting Harley’s head with it. That, of course, resulted in Doctor Quinzel’s aggressive response. Not much remained left from the unfortunate table after Harley had finished with it.

Professor Crane watched in delight how Mad Hatter fought against a guard twice as big as himself, while Harley attempted to smash both of their heads with a table leg before two other guards managed to tranquilize her.

After a few more minutes, the rec room was calm again and Jonathan got back to his book. But as much as he tried to ignore the incident and focus on the plot, a little voice in his head, the voice of the psychologist who he’d never truly ceased to be, kept whispering a very important question. “What exactly has just happened here?” The voice asked, teasing Jon’s professional curiosity. He cast another glance at the tv. The candidate from the evening news smiled at the camera, still explaining how much he was helping the community.

Professor Crane had his suspicions. And who would have guessed? Mad Hatter broke out of Arkham no longer than three days after that event.

David Colton was in his mid-thirties and he was a man in his prime, looking exceptionally professional today in his expensive dark-blue suit, white shirt, and striped blue tie.

“Smoother than Bruce Wayne,” he thought with a pleasant smile, checking himself in the mirror.

Oh, yeah, he still got it! Still looking as youthful and handsome as the prom king he had been back in his high-school days.

“Almost ready Mr. Colton,” the make-up lady told him, and put some more powder onto his already fluid-heavy forehead. “No glossy faces on TV, that’s my rule. Those spotlights know no mercy,” she joked.

David chuckled. “The only thing that is allowed to shine tonight, is my charisma.”

They would have laughed some more, if not for a sudden knocking on the door to his private dressing room.

“Come in,” David called and took a deep, calming breath mentally preparing himself for showtime.

He was ready to present his best self to Gotham again, and at this rate of him constantly being invited to interviews, the seat in the council was practically his already.

His father was right, the ability to make a good impression and a thing for charity was everything that mattered in this town after all.

The door opened and a short man in a trench coat walked in, not a staff member judging simply by the lack of an ID. Yet, the man seemed familiar – Colton just couldn’t quite place him.

“Can I help you, pal?” He asked the newcomer, hiding his irritation behind a polite smile.

The man smiled brightly and took a few steps into the room. “Oh, yes, yes. I think you can,” he spoke with a quiet yet excited voice.

Colton caught his fake British accent right away – and again, it felt like he had heard it before.

“However, I wouldn’t call you my pal.” The man continued grinning. “Would I? Won’t I? Would I? Won’t I?”.

“Listen, pal,” Colton cut him off, not bothering anymore to be that polite. “My interview is starting in a few minutes. Can we get back to this conversation later?”

“I’m afraid that later will be too late,” the strange man shook his head and took out a silver pocket-watch. “It will take only a moment…”

David sighed, the intruder was really hard to get rid of – he hated those nosy people who worked for the press.

“Very well then.” He stood up from his seat and turned to his guest to shake his hand and introduce himself properly. “David Colton,” he offered his hand to the shorter man.

The man didn’t take it, which led to a very awkward moment.

“Oh, but we know each other,” he explained, staring at David with an intense glare.

Colton, confused as he was, took a closer look at the stranger – his blonde, messy hair, big nose, and even bigger front teeth. Suddenly it clicked. “Gotham High! Jervis, was it? Jervis the Jerkface,” he laughed at the old memories of those past, glorious days of his youth. “How have you been, Jerv?”.

“Surely not as good as you.” There was a hint of fake sadness in Jervis’ voice as he put on the black, old-school top hat that he had held in his hand behind his back the entire time.

That single move made Colton recall some very disturbing stories straight from Gotham’s underworld. He cast a worried look at the make-up lady – she looked terrified and about to scream.

Slowly, he gazed back at the small man before him – the man who used to be just a nerdy kid from his high school, a weird boy that everybody had laughed at – Jervis the Jerkface, Beaver-man, Ratter.

“They don’t call me names that often anymore,” Jervis said calmly, as if he had just read his mind, a nasty grin creeping back on his face. He held a card in his gloved hand. “They simply call me the Mad Hatter.”

-#-

Like every other Saturday, the rec room was hosting the four lucky high-profile inmates who had earned their right to be in here, thanks to their good behavior. This time it was Doctor Isley, surprisingly enough, Nygma and, even more surprisingly, Croc who accompanied Professor Crane during his well-deserved book-time.

Everyone was minding their own business, Ivy was occupied taking care of a small flowerpot of violets, Edward played chess with himself and Croc, well, Croc was currently using his claw as a toothpick to get rid of the remains of his dinner.

Jonathan relaxed on the couch that he had the luxury of having only for himself for once. He had tried to bury himself in a book but couldn’t concentrate on reading – something was on his mind ever since Mad Hatter had disappeared half a week ago. It was this tiny, little voice again, telling him to put the book aside and turn on the TV instead.

Slightly irritated by his own decision, he did as his intuition had told him to. The evening news was about to end and an interview with some philanthropist politician was about to start right after commercials.

When the show began, the fat, jovial host greeted his enthusiastic audience, gaining some applause in return, then he introduced the main guest of the evening, David Colton – Jonathan recognized the guy – it was the same politician who had been talking about the importance of charity just a week ago on the news.

Colton looked a bit stiff, smiling unnaturally wide. As the applause died out and the first question was asked, he didn’t move for a good few seconds, as if he didn’t even hear it. Jonathan couldn’t shake off the impression that the man was either on some medications or very, very stressed.

“David?” The host tried again as the uncomfortable silence dragged for too long. “Will you tell us about your foundation? We are all dying to know more.”

“No, Sam,” said Colton with a strangled voice, his face still kind of strange – more like a mask with a very fake smile and a dead look in his eyes. “First, I want to talk about my teenage years.”

“OK, let’s hear your story,” the host agreed, happily, probably determined to get anything at all from his non-cooperative guest. “I’ve heard you were an overachiever. A football player, a class president and even a prom king. Isn’t that right, David?”

“No. I was a selfish bastard who tormented less popular kids. I called them unfair names, put them in a locker, and made other boys beat them up just for a sake of it.”

The audience gasped at this confession. The host’s jaw dropped for a good five seconds.

Jonathan smiled to himself, satisfied that his intuition had not failed him.

“I was a popular kid so I never took the blame for my misbehavior,” Colton continued with a very calm and steady voice, his face showing no emotion. When the camera took a closeup on him, Jonathan noticed a tiny little detail – a 10/6 card sticking out of his boutonnière.

“I never cared for others' wellbeing either, this charity-thing is just for show. I only care for the fame and attention. In fact, you may say I’m not even a human being. I’m an ugly, stinking, lying chimpanzee.”

As soon as Colton finished his last line, an inhuman howl escaped his mouth. The audience screamed in terror. Colton suddenly jumped onto a couch he previously sat on, and he started to act like a real monkey.

Sam – the host – went utterly speechless, he jumped up from his own seat and just stood there, stunned.

Colton, screeching and howling like a mad chimpanzee, grabbed a glass of water from the tabletop and threw it at the host.

“Help, somebody help!” the poor host started screaming.

Meanwhile, Colton was jumping up and down on a couch, making “Ooh, aah!” sounds.

Before the security managed to catch him, Colton already had taken off his pants and his white, hairy ass was revealed for all of Gotham to see.

After that, the show was hurriedly cut off and the weather forecast started.

Professor Crane didn’t even notice that all the other rogues had joined him on the couch, and were now staring at the TV like a bunch of little kids watching their favorite cartoon.

“Well, that was definitely one way to destroy someone’s political career,” Nygma commented with a hint of amusement.

“A few more minutes and he would have started throwing his own poo,” Ivy added with a disgusted frown.

“Poo,” Crock giggled like a five-year-old and everyone else had to roll their eyes. “I like monkeys, monkeys are so stupid.”

“Well, actually, chimpanzees are…”

“Oh, shut up, Nygma!” Both Ivy and Crane growled as one and Edward went quiet.

“Anyway, Tetch should be back with us any minute now,” Pamela concluded with all certainty. “I hope his little revenge was worth a punch in the teeth from the Bat and getting dragged back to Arkham.”

Professor Crane didn’t say a word but he knew from an experience that yes, it was totally worth it.

[electronswrites]

Speedy's Chapter

It's been two weeks since I updated The Once and Future Batman. All of my free time has been devoted to moving, but I feel bad about leaving you guys hanging. As soon as I'm all moved in updates will resume. In the meantime, here's the beginning of Speedy's chapter.

Confrontation

Batman (Bruce Wayne??) turned to Black Canary and started screaming at her. “This is all your fault! I trusted you! I believed in you! I thought you were a hero!”

“Hey,” Ollie said in a stern voice. “Don’t talk to her like that. She’s done nothing but stick up for y-”

Batman cut Ollie off. “She told me to bring Dickie to meet these stupid Titans, and now one of them has gone and abducted him!”

Dinah turned to look at them. “Where’s Wonder Girl?”

Roy shrugged. “Dunno.”

“Roy,” Ollie began to say in his I’m-not-mad-just-disappointed voice.

“I don’t! She flew off.” Roy scowled at his dad. “She could be anywhere by now. She could be on Themyscira for all we know.”

“No, she wouldn’t take Dick there,” Garth said. “No man can step foot on Themyscira and live-”

“What?!” Batman shrieked so loud that Roy thought for a second he’s somehow stolen Dinah’s Canary cry.

“She wouldn’t take him there,” Dinah assured him. “Queen Hypollita wouldn’t execute a child, and Donna wouldn’t take him to Themyscira regardless. Robin is safe with-”

“You can’t possibly expect me to believe that! You’re just as bad as the rest of them!” His face, what they could see of it, went red. He looked around the tower. “Do you have radar equipment?”

“That’s not necessary,” Ollie said. “Wonder Girl will bring him-”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion, Oliver Obscene.”

Roy snorted with amusement. He wasn’t a huge fan of the new version of Batman, but he had to give credit where credit was due. The teen was awesome at dunking on Roy’s dad, and Roy appreciated that quality. Ollie glared at teenage Batman with more anger than he’d shown that time Roy stole his car.

“Listen, you-”

“I’ll take you to the equipment bay,” Dinah interrupted Ollie to tell Batman. “We will find Wonder Girl and clear up whatever misunderstanding-”

“There was no misunderstanding!” Wally and Bruce shouted the same phrase at the same time, and then they both turned to glare at each other, jaws clenched. Roy felt a smidge of apprehension. If teen Batman attacked Wally, Roy would have to interfere, and being punched by Batman was not on his bucket list.

“She kidnapped-”

Wally cut Batman off. “She rescued him! You want to erase everything that’s special about him! What’s the matter? Are you jealous of him, is that it?”

“Wally-” Dinah started to say.

“I’m trying to protect him from getting hurt! I saw what happens to- what happened to- whatever! I don’t want him to end up all battered and bloody! He deserves better!”

Roy frowned. He couldn’t deny that Robin had taken a lot of hits over the years. Donna and Garth had super strength, and Wally was hard to hit and quick to heal. Roy and Robin were the most vulnerable of their team, but Roy was a marksman, and it was rare for him to be in the thick of the fighting. Robin was tough and skilled, but Roy couldn’t pretend that Robin didn’t get hurt more than the rest of them.

“You don’t get to make that decision for him,” Wally said, voice shaking with rage. “You don’t own him.”

“He’s my son, and it’s my responsibility to take care of him.”

“You-!”

“Stop!” Dinah stepped between the two boys. “This is unnecessary. We all love Robin. None of us, including Wonder Girl, want him to come to any harm. This argument is pointless.”

Wally pointed an accusing finger at Batman. “He-”

“Whatever disagreements we might have concerning what is best for Robin can be resolved with a calm discussion instead of a shouting match and absconding with the child in question.”

“Dinah,” Roy said. He made sure to keep his voice calm. Dinah had been like a mother to him since she started dating Ollie. He knew she loved him, even when he made it difficult for her. “You won’t let him keep Robin as a baby, will you? Rob wouldn’t want that.”

“You don’t know that for sure,” Batman mumbled.

“We know more than you,” Wally shot back. “We know him better than anyone.”

“Batman,” Dinah said. “Come with me, and I’ll show you to the equipment.”

Batman gave Wally a parting scowl and then followed Dinah away. Roy turned to Ollie. “You can’t let him keep Robin as a baby.”

“It’d be like the Robin we know died,” Garth said.

“The situation is far more complex than that,” Martian Manhunter said. “Robin has suffered a great deal in his life. Batman’s reluctance to return him to his teenage state comes from a desire to protect him from all of the pain in his past.”

“But those things already happened,” Wally said. “Forcing Robin to be a baby again won’t undo them!”

“The same can be said of your friendship with him,” Martian Manhunter said. “He is no less the person you love just because he no longer remembers you.”

“This isn’t about me! What he wants to do would steal Robin’s memories of his parents! Those memories are the most precious things in the world to him!” Wally turned to Ollie. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”

Ollie sighed. “Dinah said that we need to let Bru-Batman work through this on his own.”

“That cat isn’t going back in the bag,” Roy said with a smirk. “We all know he’s Bruce Wayne now.”