#Best/worst batkid team | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bigskydreaming · 3 years

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Which Batkid do you think Dick feels is the favorite?

Quick caveat here just to clarify (not assuming anything about you here, just clarifying for my own purposes) that like, I'm hugely not a fan of DEFINITIVELY declaring that Bruce has a favorite kid, or that Alfred does, or even that any of them have a favorite sibling. Because I honestly think that's pretty much impossible to ever fully separate just from our own fannish character preferences and preferred character rankings. And like....I don't think that ever meshes well with the idea of a found family that doesn't actually benefit from or explore anything via a forced hierarchy of favoritism that's like....based entirely on which characters any given fan likes best and thus WANTS to be their other favorite characters' faves in turn.

BUT. I'm not saying that has anything to do with your ask or that I think that's what you were asking, I just wanted to include that upfront just for like....context for my actual answer.

Because all of that said, that doesn't mean that the characters don't ever have ASSUMPTIONS about someone being someone else's favorite, that sorta thing. That's born largely of insecurities and like, is totally natural and understandable. I'm totally down for exploring that. Its just validating or confirming those fears of favoritism via like....Word of Author that I'm opposed to.

As far as Dick goes......having known Bruce the longest and probably having the FULLEST understanding of him, not necessarily the best but just the most varied, the understanding that contains the most time, context, variables to factor into his view of things Bruce-related....

I think Dick does absolutely at times think or assume or fear that someone is Bruce's favorite and its definitely not him. But I think WHO that is tends to be fluid.....

And its always whichever kid is the FURTHEST from Bruce at any given time.

Because the thing about Bruce is that he is undeniably brilliant. He's smart as fuck, meticulous, well-reasoned, and I actually think he understands people a hell of a lot better than a lot of us give him credit for. Given that like.....it tends to be largely agreed upon, that Bruce is good at manipulating people or getting them to do what he wants/needs them to do....and to accomplish that you actually do need to understand what makes people tick, what they've got going on under the surface.

No, Bruce is absolutely a genius, just as I believe everyone in that family is, and while he's not the most emotionally intelligent of the family, I don't think he's as ill-equipped there as he tends to be advertised being.

BUT. I also think this is the EXACT THING that so often gets in Bruce's way, and causes a lot of conflict between him and his children specifically.

Because the danger inherent in all of the above, is I think Bruce sometimes is a bit too quick to make assumptions. To assume with all that he does know, the information he does have, the understanding he does possess of what motivates people and makes them behave the way they do....

AS WELL AS.....being someone who absolutely IS aware of and reflective upon a lot of his own worst flaws.....

I think Bruce has a tendency to act upon what he THINKS he 'knows' about what his children are thinking or WHY they did something....before he bothers actually asking them, or talking it through with them. I think he too often leans into the commonalities he shares with his children, the things he builds upon as a foundation for his entire relationship or dynamic with them....before remembering that his kids have influences other than just him, many that PREDATE his influence in their lives, and like.....the things he seems himself reflected in when he first meets most of them are like....a starting point, at that fixed point in time.

They can and do all grow beyond just who they are then and there, and that growth includes a lot of overlap with him and his own views and characteristics....but it also includes stuff totally divorced from him and coming entirely from their own history, their own beliefs, their friends, teams, etc, etc.

And so the problem this creates is Bruce - who very much is a man of action, even given as much time as he devotes to thought, planning and contemplation - I think Bruce is so often so eager to leap into 'fix-it' mode, and tackle any problem that arises between him and his children....and he's so USED to leaning on his own intellect and knowledge as the tools he uses to address or fix problems, as well as leaning on his own awareness of people and of HIMSELF, who he sees as so often overlapping with who his kids are....

That sometimes he charges headfirst into a problem that isn't remotely what he assumes it to be, and he tries to handle it with a plan of attack/action entirely unsuited to addressing the problem it ACTUALLY is, relying on tools that are just.....not what the job in question actually calls for.

And when that happens.....he's like....stumped. This is when and where he defaults to just freezing up and doing nothing or breaking off and avoiding further acknowledgment of the problem whatsoever. Because he doesn't know WHAT to do, because he's not sure where he went wrong in the first place. He's not sure which of his calculations he got wrong, and why the tools and plan he defaulted to as the necessary 'fix' were such a poor choice....and without understanding that, being able to identify where he missed the mark....he doesn't know how to come up with a NEW plan to ACTUALLY address the situation. And a Bruce who doesn't have an actual plan, is a Bruce who doesn't know what the FUCK to do with himself. And it shows. And it gets awkward, and he gets snappy, and everything devolves into more and more of a trainwreck from there.

And so to bring this back up to your question.....I think Dick at least perceives Bruce's favorite as usually being the one furthest away from Bruce at any given time....because Bruce tends to romanticize his dynamic or history with his kids when they're NOT right in front of him.....actively contradicting his assumptions of them and what they need and want, and throwing him offcourse and into uncharted waters where he doesn't know how to swim.

Because the kid who isn't right in front of Bruce.....Bruce can reimagine/reinvent his dynamic with to be anything he wants it to be. That kid is the one Bruce GETS.....because they're simply not present to act or behave in a way that Bruce DOESN'T get. There's no conflict. No indication that Bruce doesn't actually know them as well as he assumes or that they don't actually have as much in common with him as he takes for granted (and which he defaults back to as seeing the root of the sapling he grafted into his own family tree to make one...super...tree).

And that....Bruce knows what to do with. That's a status quo he can work with, be comfortable with, take comfort IN.....because it doesn't NOT align with what he takes for granted or assumes to be true....and thus it can't ever create problems that he can't fix because he doesn't know how and hasn't ever stopped moving long enough to wait and listen to his children actually explain where he assumed incorrectly and they all got offtrack.

And to be fair, all of this is like, my headcanon for what Dick would answer AFTER the family is like...full grown. I do think that when he was younger and it was just Dick and Jason for instance, Dick likely assumed Jason was Bruce's favorite due to specific things like Jason being both Bruce's partner and his adopted son at a time when Dick was distinctly neither of those things and lacking reassurance as to his place in Bruce's life and heart without definitive MARKERS to show what that place was, like adoption or wardship papers or the linked names of Batman and Robin. But by the time the family includes multiple siblings, I think this is Dick's assessment of things.

He does know Bruce loves him, loves all his children. He does believe, I think, that Bruce doesn't CONSCIOUSLY favor one child over the others. But I also think he knows and understands Bruce well enough that he can see Bruce better knows how to relate to people - his children especially - when they're acting in ways he GETS and understands.....and his kids all have a tendency to throw him off and do the unexpected in person. So its always the one furthest from Bruce that reaps the (largely intangible) rewards of Bruce temporarily favoring them simply due to them being less.....complicated in his mind. Less another inevitable seismic upheaval waiting to happen, reminding the man who really really values knowing what the hell is going on and how exactly to deal with it, that like.....his children are not often obliged to cater to that tendency of his.

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jasontoddiefor · 5 years

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Title: Manor-Dad lets me drive the Batmobile Chapter 6 Summary: The Batkids think Bruce is dating Batman ft. Jason being the best big brother ever to Tim AN: BET YOU THOUGHT YOU’D SEEN THE LAST OF ME. Yeah I updated!!!

Jason felt pretty shitty for the first week Tim was staying with them. He knew the sharp claws digging into his throat and head as well as nausea accompanied by them were all symptoms of jealousy trying to establish its place in Jason’s heart. He was sixteen for crying out loud. He should be above feeling jealous of a thirteen-year-old, who, most of the time, wasn’t even trying to get anyone’s attention. It was almost pitiful to witness Tim startling every time some addressed him because he wasn’t expecting anyone to really ask him about his day at dinner.

And yet Jason was hiding away in his room because he couldn’t stand Bruce paying attention to someone else like a spoiled little brat. He would have gone to the Cave, but Alfred had banned all of them from sulking in there. He figured it was only a question of time until Alfred got Batman to switch into civilian clothes and stay in the manor.

Groaning, Jason buried his head in his pillows.

Don’t be jealous of the new kid, don’t be jealous of the new kid, don’t be jealous of-

The door creaked.

“What’s up, Little Wing?”

Dick.

Right, it was Saturday morning. Of course Dick would be here.

“Nothing,” Jason replied, but even to his ears, his voice sounded wobbly.

Dick honored his horrible nickname and took Jason’s annoyance as an invitation. He let himself fall down onto Jason’s bed and stretched like a cat, taking up all the space. He stayed as silent as a bat while he waited for Jason to gather his courage. It was dumb, but when Dick wasn’t being a dick, he had this annoying quality that made you want to talk to him. He was good at giving advice that didn’t boil down to “money” or “batarangs” or random actually helpful bits about social cues. Jason knew he could trust his brother, he had kept his mouth shut about Sheila for months after all.

“I’m jealous,” Jason finally admitted. It was strange to say it out loud

Dick laughed. “Of my charming good looks? Don’t worry, you’ll get there.”

Jason rolled his eyes but cracked a small smile nevertheless.

“Not of that, Dickhead. And I’m already taller than you anyway.”

“Lies! Slander! How could you even just attempt to break my heart like that?”

Dramatically, Dick put his right arm to his forehead and closed his eyes, reminiscent of a shocked Victorian lady.

“Uhu, just consult the measurements on the kitchen entrance door. I’ve officially surpassed you.”

Even if Jason couldn’t really believe it. Leslie had estimated his height when he’d first gotten to the manor and back then it had seemed like he’d be lucky if he ever reached Dick’s height. Personally, Jason was blaming that alien plant fertilizer goo he’d gotten dosed with a couple months ago for his growth spurt, but he sure as hell wasn’t telling anyone that. Except for Alfred, in case he ended up growing flowers instead of hair.

“But no, I’m jealous of the kid.”

“Tim?” Dick asked.

His voice wasn’t judgmental or anything, but Jason still felt like apologizing.

Jason groaned and fell back on his bed. “I know! It’s stupid! But Bruce has been busy with him practically the whole week! I know it’s ‘cause they have to get his guardianship finalized and everything, but still. And he’s so smart too! Even Batman’s noticed! I lived in this house for weeks and I didn’t figure out the big batty secret, but the kid did it from a distance!”

“You know, I was pretty jealous too when you showed up.”

Jason definitely hadn’t known that. Honestly, Dick’s sunny attitude around Jason had almost freaked him out the first times he interacted with Dick.

“What?”

Dick shrugged easily.

“I mean, I wasn’t talking to Batman at all. And then there was you spending so much time down in the Cave with him. Of course, I was jealous. You were all cute and tiny and knew basically everything about Gotham already. I swear, I had to study boring maps for months and you already knew Gotham’s streets.”

“How did you deal with it?”

“I considered your situation and I tried to get to know you. Figure out your interests and stuff.”

Jason frowned.

“Wait. Was that the reason you went everywhere I wanted with me? Passive-aggressive exposure therapy in a mall?”

Dick grinned mischievously. “Well, it worked, didn’t it?”

Surprisingly, it didn’t take much to get Tim talking about himself. After reassuring him that, yes, Jason didn’t have anything more important to do and no, Bruce really was expecting Tim to decorate his room, Tim could not be stopped.

He talked.

So much.

About skateboarding, how much fun the keyboard was, his more challenging school classes, photography, Pokémon, his favorite comics, exciting facts he learned, the heroes conspiracy blog he was apparently running, and Robin.

Whenever they were alone, Tim would talk about Robin.

The sky was blue, the sun was hot, Timothy Jackson Drake didn’t shut up about Robin.

He got super excited and cheerful then, retelling Jason cases he had actually worked and wondering about how all the cool gadgets worked and just Robin.

Tim’s case of hero worship hadn’t gone unnoticed by the manor’s other residents either, but Jason wasn’t sure if Alfred or Bruce understood the way Tim talked about Robin. Like he was more than just a vigilante, like the role was a symbol.

“Batman needs Robin,” Tim said seriously. “It makes him better. I mean, Batgirl and Nightwing and Magpie, you’re all amazing! But it’s not Gotham without the Bat and his Robin, right?”

Tim looked unsure, but Jason realized the kid understood it.

And then Jason began to think.

Barbara couldn’t believe it took over a month for her to finally get to meet one Timothy Drake in person. She had researched him, even exchanged a few words with him over the comms once, but she had yet to actually meet the kid. Even Dick had met him, and he lived in Blüdhaven.

But Barbara had finally managed to clear enough time in her busy schedule – she was coordinating two vigilante teams and operating as Oracle after all – and driven up to the manor. If she used her time there to update the Bat-Computer as well, then that was only her business. She wasn’t a workaholic and she had a life outside of her duties when they allowed it.

She had the work-life-balance figured out, honestly.

Tim was a cute kid. A bit shy at first, but he warmed up to her quickly enough. Jason must have expected it because he was grinning when Tim started chattering about video games.

“So, what do you think?” Jason asked.

“He’s a good kid.”

“Aaaand?”

“You’re being awfully noisy. What do you want to know?”

“Batman talks to you about my training, doesn’t he? How much longer until I can go solo?”

Barbara leaned forward in her wheelchair. “What do you think?”

Jason deflated. “I don’t know. I feel like I’ve been ready for it for ages. I haven’t needed B’s back up in a long while, but imagining him being halfway across town is… unsettling still.”

Barbara nodded slowly before replying.

“Honestly? You’ve been ready for two months already at least. Batman just has a hard time letting go. He’s never really been without one of us for a very long time.”

“Right,” Jason said. “Which is why we can’t leave him alone.”

“What are you thinking?”

Jason pointed at Timothy, eagerly throwing batarangs at a target.

“He said that Gotham, that Batman, needs Robin. I’m thinking we should take advantage of the kid who already knows our secret and has a hard time falling asleep when we’re out.”

Bruce knew something was up, but he allowed himself to live in blissful ignorance a little longer. He let Dick sneak forensics lessons into Tim’s self-defense classes, allowed Jason to teach Tim about the various gangs ruling Gotham.

It wasn’t like these bits of information weren’t useful, the every-day citizen just didn’t particularly need them.

And Bruce definitely wasn’t thinking about who did need this knowledge and more.

Tim Drake was his ward for as long as his parents weren’t in Gotham. Nothing more and nothing less.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Bruce could see Alfred observing him while the kids (“I’m a twenty-year-old woman, B.” “And I remember babysitting you as a teenager, your point?”) bickered about some movie.

Ignorance was bliss, that was a lesson Bruce had learned early on. And sometimes you were allowed to indulge in it.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Tim asked from where he was sitting on Jason’s bed.

“Absolutely,” Jason replied, grinning way too cheerfully for six in the morning. He’d only gotten back from patrol two hours ago, he shouldn’t be so awake yet, or so Tim thought, yet Jason looked like he could take on the world.

“But we’re breaking one of The Rules.”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry about it. They’re more like guidelines than rules. Besides, Aunty Diana and Kate already agreed to help us. This is a surefire plan.”

Tim honestly wasn’t so sure about it. He wanted to trust Jason, but what if Bruce and Batman didn’t think it was funny to be tricked into a date?

“But-“

“Jason’s right, Tim,” Barbara’s voice echoed from the laptop sitting on Jason’s desk. “Besides, the worst that will happen is that you get grounded because Bruce and B are caught up in the romantic bliss that was relaxing on Valentine’s Day in Paris.”

“That’s right!” Jason said. “We’re setting up dates for them at least twice a year if we can. It would be suspicious if we didn’t try to get them away.”

Tim pulled his knees to his chest and rested his head on them. “If you say so… I still don’t get why we need both of them out of Gotham for so long. Can’t they stay here?”

“I do say so, Timbit. Just you wait, they won’t know what hit them. And if they stay here, they’d just take their paperwork to bed.”

“Eeww.”

Bruce absolutely knew what hit him. Diana and Kate were good actors, they had to be if they even just wanted to operate as vigilantes, but they didn’t even bother to hide it from him.

“It’s cute,” Diana said. “How much they try to make their parents happy.”

“Very funny. What if something actually happens, though?”

“Then your Super-Bro will pick you up from Paris,” Kate replied. “And ten years ago you were working alone. Now you’ve got me and Dick and Jason and Babs to look over Gotham. We got this.”

Her words would have been more encouraging if they weren’t followed up by her narrowly avoiding a brick being thrown at her.

Nevertheless, he still pretended to buy WE having an emergency in their Paris branch and one of Gotham’s smuggler rings operating from Paris as well.

The kids’ happy expressions were worth it.

Dick felt maybe a little guilty for lying to Tim. It was true, they tried to give Bruce and Batman some alone time once in a while and Valentine’s day was perfect for it. This time though, they needed the two men away so they could properly get to Tim.

Truth be told, he’d been skeptical when Barbara and Jason had pitched the idea to him. Training Tim and giving him a home was one thing, bringing him into the active side of the vigilante life a whole other deal.

The longer he watched Tim though, the more could he see it. The teenager was smart, dedicated, skilled and – like Jason had said – he knew what Robin meant.

Though, seeing him be questioned about the law, recent gang activity, weapons, the Justice League, and various Gotham residing companies by Babs all while sparing with Jason, made Dick pity Tim.

Dick’s Robin training had been way more relaxed, but he also hadn’t had three older siblings.

If not for the fact that Jason had made Tim’s favorite smoothie for him, Tim would assume the older boy was trying to murder him. It was day three of their spontaneous ‘sibling-bonding weekend’ and Tim was pretty sure his whole body was dying. He had never had to think or work out this much. He was sore all over. The training mats he was lying on were becoming his favorite spot to be, right after his bathtub and his bed.

“And how do you feel?” Dick asked.

“Like Superman decided I was a threat and went several rounds in the ring with me because I couldn’t recall that the Kryptonite is locked with a special key, and three different locks behind the secret entrance-“

“Woah, woah, Timbit,” Jason interrupted. “That’s enough trivia. Didn’t think you could learn this much in three days.”

“Mhm,” Barbara muttered from the desk of the Bat-Computer. “You own me fifty bucks.”

Tim frowned. “Wait. You bet on this?”

“Oooh, yeah. This has been two months in the making?” Dick glanced at Jason, who nodded in confirmation.

“Yeah, putting together a time table for three days wasn’t fun, I tell you, but the results are pretty amazing.”

Jason smiled and dropped down on the mats right next to Tim to mess up his sweaty hair.

“Urgh, gross,” he cursed and rubbed his hands on his sweat pants.

“But- why did you do this?”

The three heroes in front of Tim shared a look and Tim got the distinct impression that he was missing a big piece labeled ‘context’ in bright neon colors here.

“Your parents will be back in a few hours,” Barbara said.

(Tim wondered what it meant that his first instinct wasn’t to think about his own parents but-)

“I guess that means it’s time,” Dick said and walked over to the display cases in which the various Robin uniforms were kept. From in-between them, he pulled forward a small gift-wrapped box.

“Catch!” He shouted and threw it in Tim’s direction.

Heart beating fast, Tim jumped up to catch it. The package wasn’t bigger than his palm and surrounded by Christmas themed paper.

“Christmas? Really?” Jason snorted, but Dick just shrugged.

“Didn’t have anything better at home. Go on, Tim, open it. If you want it, it’s yours.”

Carefully, Tim unwrapped the gift, revealing a cardboard box. He could feel the others’ stares on him but didn’t dare look up. They had put a lot of thought into this and spend so much time with him. He couldn’t disappoint them.

Tim opened the box and came face to face with a shiny black and gold emblem.

“What…?”

“You said it yourself,” Jason said. “Batman needs a Robin and I’m not putting on the green tights again.”

“What Jason means,” Dick added, “is that we really can’t be responsible for Batman running around without a talented little pipsqueak cracking masterful puns. So if you want to be Robin, you have our blessings. You only need to convince the other two overprotective idiots of this house.”

It took all of Tim’s strength not to burst into tears right then and there. He was thankful though that Jason and Dick dragged him over to Babs for a group hug.

Bruce didn’t even know why he had assumed it would end differently. Tim had been skittish the whole week and Bruce had watched the Cave’s security tapes, just to make sure they hadn’t tried to hide an explosion from him again.

“I‘m fairly skilled in a multitude of martial arts now,“ Tim began his speech.

“No,” Batman replied.

At the other end of the Cave, Nightwing and Magpie were supposed to be sparring, but they couldn’t be listening in more obviously.

“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

Tim pouted.

“You’re not becoming Robin, Tim.”

Tim crossed his arms and held his chin high. Batman recognized that stance instantly, he did it fairly often himself. Maybe Clark had been right when he said that it was freaky to work alongside his kids because they all had the same body language during missions.

“I already talked to Bruce and he said that Batman needs a Robin.”

Honestly, what was it with his children lying to him?

Nevertheless, Bruce couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Did he really?”

And Tim had the audacity to nod, all serious like he wasn’t lying straight to Bruce’s face. His poker face was pretty already, not too many cracks in the mask. The kids had done an excellent job training and it would be a shame if that training went to waste.

So, Bruce really couldn’t argue against Tim, could he?

#dc #DC comics #bruce wayne #Jason Todd #Tim Drake #dick grayson #barbara gordon #fanfic #manor dad verse

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maliciouslycreative · 4 years

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for the ask: DC fandom

Yes, thank you for asking about my eternal obsession!

001 | Send me a fandom and I will tell you my:

Favorite character: Harley Quinn, Jason Todd

Least Favorite character: The Joker, because everyone seems so hell bent on shoving him into every single thing and treats him like the only villain that Batman has ever had

5 Favorite ships (canon or non-canon): jaydick, harleyivy, batcat, dick/kaldur (YJ), midpollo

Character I find most attractive: Dick Grayson

Character I would marry: Barbara Gordon

Character I would be best friends with: Jason Todd

a random thought: Harley and Jason need to team up to take down the Joker

An unpopular opinion: Black Mask is the best villain in Batman’s rogues gallery

My Canon OTP: harleyivy

My Non-canon OTP: jaydick

Most Badass Character: Koriand’r, Lady Shiva

Most Epic Villain: idk about most epic but I just really love Black Mask

Pairing I am not a fan of: batjokes

Character I feel the writers screwed up (in one way or another): like with spn I feel like I could write a very long essay on this. I’m certainly quite miffed currently though with the current state of the batfam. Like... can something nice just happen please. To any of them. One of the worst offenses still is not letting Kate and Maggie get married in N52.

Favourite Friendship: all of the batkids with each other. Yes it’s an evasion. No I won’t be less vague.

Character I most identify with: This is really hard to answer? I see parts of myself in a lot of different characters. Certainly I find Jason the easiest voice to write out of them all.

Character I wish I could be: I really admire Jessica Cruz. She’s a really amazing character and really inspiring.

#replies #ask meme #dc #batfam #Anonymous

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forlornmelody · 5 years

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Three Robins Rose Has Kissed And The One Who Kissed Back

Rating: Explicit (there’s smut, and lots of swearing, and some implied drug use.)

Fandom(s): DC Comics

Ship: JayRose (Jason Todd/Rose Wilson)

AO3 Link: Here

Summary: Rose Wilson has a type and it is former protégés of Batman.

Note: For the sake of this story, I'm assuming both the events of the Crisis continuity, and the New 52, happened. (But we're just gonna pretend DC didn't nerf Rose for daddy-fodder, kay? Kay.)

-*-*-

“Rose.” Nightwing stares down at her, narrowing his eyes, but his grin betrays him. “Something tells me you’re doing this on purpose.”

“What makes you say that?” The mat presses up against Rose’s back.

“That’s the third time today I’ve swept you off your feet.” Dick’s got her in a full nelson, one of his escrima sticks pointed at her throat. He’s not actually going to bust her, though. Nightwing, the former Boy Wonder, is too good for that sort of thing. It frustrates her to no end.

“Maybe I need more practice.” Rose can’t help the playful lilt creeping into her voice. The blue and black look good on him--better because they hug his body in all the right places. All she has to do is tilt her hips--there. One flip and Rose leans over him, pressing both his wrists against the mat.

“You? You’re better than this.” Somehow it sounds like Dick is commenting on more than her training room flirting tactics, and the smile slips from her face. Like he hasn’t hit on half his opponents already. Hypocrite. She’ll show him.

Time slows as Rose closes in, so close she can hear Dick’s heart speeding up. Just as her lips are about to brush against his--Dick turns his head and her kiss lands on his cheek. “Oh come on.” Just like that--Dick’s on his feet, launching Rose off him.

“Focus, Rose.”

Their sparring session continues, and Dick never once brings up the kiss. He drives her crazy, in more ways than one, but she seems to have him off-balance for now. Rose presses her advantage, and she pins Dick face-first against the Robin costume on display. Freezing, Dick sucks in a breath. Before Rose can ask what’s wrong, he shoves his elbow into her sternum, pushing her away.

“Dick?”

“Not now.” He doesn’t even look at her as he slams the door behind him.

What’s his hang-up with his old costume, anyway?

-----

Rose’s only on this team because of Dick, because even though he doesn’t lead the Titans anymore, what he says goes. Even when the Titans hate his decision. Even when they hate their newest member with a passion. Even though she tried to kill them before.

But Rose knows more than just martial arts. And she knows just how to get under Tim’s skin. Or on top of it, rather.

Click. Tim’s got her pressed face-first against the mattress and her hands cuffed behind her back. Somehow Rose suspects this isn’t a bondage thing. Too bad. She really liked the feel of Tim’s lips against hers.

“Hot damn.” Eddie stares at them through the open door and Rose can literally see steam coming out of his ears. That might be normal for him. Rose hasn’t been paying attention, at least not before now.

“It’s not what it looks like,” Tim says quickly.

“Yes it is,” Rose says even quicker. Sometimes Rose’s visions don’t help much. People’s choices determine the future and people can be oh so finicky. It drives her nuts. Fights are one thing--people either want to kill her or they don’t--the rest they have ingrained through practice or the lack thereof. Knowing whether someone wanted to get in her pants--well. Apparently, she hasn’t quite figured that one out.

Tim pulls her cuffs off, extracting himself from the bed and putting some distance between them. “Put some clothes on.” Damn. She’s 0-2.

But with the way Eddie’s eyes linger on her as she slides her armor on? Maybe it’s not a total loss.

----

First Stephanie giggles, and Rose can hear it echo across Gotham’s rooftops. “What are you doing?” Then her smile slips, and the silence is deafening.

Rose leans in closer, both their asses teetering on the edge. “You and Tim are on a break, right?” Her lips part, and she can smell the lavender in Spoiler’s shampoo. Their breaths intermingle and she’s so close to--

“Rose, I’m straight.”

“Seriously??”

----

Honestly, Rose had given up trying at this point. Jason Todd--Gotham’s best, or perhaps worst bad boy--should have been an easy target. Except he wasn’t Rose’s target, not this time. Her employer wanted Roy Harper out of the picture--Jason was just in her way. And he rarely left his best friend out of his sight. And Rose thought Koriand’r would’ve been more of a problem. And with her out of town--possibly out of planet--this should have been a piece of cake. Just get off The Red Hood’s radar by getting into his pants. How hard could it be?

Way harder than Rose ever imagined.

But the price on Roy’s head? Too high to pass up. With that kind of money, Rose would be set for life. No more relying on her dear dad to help with bills every so often. Or his car. Or his safehouses. She could even get her brother the care and protection money to keep him away from all those bent government agencies and mad scientists who wanted to dissect his brain, or worse, use him for their own ends.

So, Rose stayed. Even after Jason turned her down, more than once.

The first time, it’s on a mission in Hong Kong, where Rose just so happens to be going after the same target. The Jade Dragon--Kingpin and Slum Lord who owned half the Indian Ocean. Roy waits for them on the roof with their getaway ride, and Rose joins Jason in the elevator. Halfway up it just so happens to stall. She really outdoes herself.

Jason’s blue eyes stare not at her, but at the emergency hatch. The back-up lights cast a soft glow on his skin as Rose closes in. “It’s probably a power failure. No way they don’t have backup generators in this place.”

“Yeah. But they don’t run the elevator when the power goes out--in case of a fire.”

Jason swears under his breath, eyeballing the distance from his feet to the ceiling. “So what. We’ve got about ten, maybe twenty minutes before they fix it?”

“Something like that.” Rose touches his shoulder. “Relax. Where’s your slumlord going to go? The roof?” The stairs don’t go to his penthouse. She checked. Something about a security risk. Rich wackos like him like to be airlifted out in case of emergency.

Pressing his lips together, Jason lets out the breath he’s being holding for two minutes. “You’re right.” He slumps against the back of the elevator, staring at buttons like they’ve personally wronged him. “I just hate waiting.”

Rose slouches next to him, not quite touching him, but close enough to where they can feel each other’s heat. “I know how we can pass the time.”

Jason blinks, finally giving Rose more than a passing glance. “...You’re kidding, right?” He laughs softly, and it’s the softest she’s ever seen his expression. “We just met.”

The batkid who got hired for jacking the Batmobile’s hubcaps, who had a reputation of going just a little too far when beating up bad guys, who actually killed more than one villain who got under his skin. Jason Todd--the guy on ten international watch lists--a prude. Who knew?

----

Except Jason isn’t really a prude, now is he? Nah. Rose’s caught him stealing glances at Kori more than once--always looking the other way when Kori’s boytoy Roy stands nearby. Hell, the way Jason and Roy fool around sometimes—Rose’s not completely convinced of the joke. She’s even found some saucy text messages in his phone, and more than one picture of a gorgeous flight attendant. An old flame--Rose guesses.

But he doesn’t spare her a second glance.

And it’s not like Rose doesn’t know what she’s doing. Infiltration isn’t her favorite--she’d much rather blow up The Starfire with a heavy payload. Simple. Quick. A big, beautiful explosion to light some fire in her eyes. But the fucking employer wants Roy’s head as proof. Says he and his friends tend to walk away from this sort of thing. Her employer seemingly has all the time and money in the world--so long as Rose completes the job. She’s starting to wonder what Roy did to piss him off. But she knows how to get under a guy’s skin--the right clothes, the right words, simple gestures to lure him in.

The second time it’s after the mission, when they’re celebrating with drinks--with sparkling cider instead of alcohol (what is it with these guys?) Rose dons a bikini with his favorite colors--red and black and lounges on the deck chair next to Jason. Roy and Kori have the right idea--already having forgotten their bubbly beverages--drinking instead from each other’s lips. And Jason’s staring up at the stars.

Rose kind of envies him in that moment, floating on the water with nothing but wonder on his face. She swan dives at the opposite end, swimming her way toward him. The splash does stir his floaty, and Jason turns over to glance her way. Maybe, just maybe she has a chance.

“Nice moves out there today. You dad teach you that?”

Rose shrugs. “My mom taught me a few things, too.” Mostly how to draw in close without her mark noticing. But nothing seems to slip Jason’s attention.

Jason eyes her as her arms brace themselves on his thigh. “You really want me, don’t you.”

“Can’t fault a girl for trying.” And damn her, he’s gorgeous, and cut like a rock. Was it all his years in the batcave or his time with the All-Caste?

But that’s not want hooks Rose the most. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not like that.” It’s the softness in his eyes. She’s only seen it a couple of times in the past few days, but each time he looks at his friends like that Rose swears she’s being let in on a big secret.

“Do not tell me you’re gay.”

Jason laughs, laughs, and Rose immediately knows she’s in too deep. “Gay? Straight? Labels. Who needs ‘em?” He stretches out on the pool mattress, and he lets the leg Rose’s leaning on slip into the water. “They’re just more rules.”

“Then why…?” Rose doesn’t say it. Doesn’t voice the rejection sinking into her brain. Admitting it out loud would mean admitting failure, and Rose Wilson does not fail.

Shrugging, Jason murmurs. “Don’t know you well enough, yet.”

----

Rose should’ve given up at this point. Gone for the easier kill, damn the consequences. Just snapped Roy’s neck while Kori was in the shower. And why hasn’t she? She hasn’t the foggiest idea. But if she’s honest with herself--Rose knows exactly why.

Roy is Jason’s best friend.

Jason would never forgive her if he found out.

And why does it matter if Jason hates her?

Damnit, Rose.

This was exactly the kind of fucked up shit her dad warned her about. Don’t stick around too long. Don’t make friends. Don’t let your mark get under your skin. And what did Rose do? Exactly that.

Her employer doesn’t care if she seduces Jason Todd or not, so why does Rose?

Damn it all to fucking hell.

Rose beats the hell out of the punching bag, shaking the chain it hangs from with every strike. Each punch she lands inspires a new idea. Slip some arsenic in his drink. Stab him from behind. Throw him off the roof of the ship. Press a pillow into his face. Snap his neck. Snap his fucking--

“Rose?”

Her fist freezes midair, and she pants, not bothering to turn around. “Yeah?”

“It’s Roy. Something’s happened.”

Fuck. “Is he dead?”

Jason’s eyes tighten as he shakes his head. “We need to find him. Fast.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

----

Rose should be happy. Roy did all her hard work for her. Someone found him while he was on a bender, tied him up, and has been carving up his skin as if the answers themselves will bleed right out.

Amateurs. A professional knows only to interrogate a sober target. Establish a baseline of what the hostage knows and then break them down with intoxication if need be. Break them slowly, only as much as needed. Dead hostages can’t answer questions.

“Arsenal?” Jason whispers, tilting up Roy’s chin. He doesn’t respond, and his head flops down, heavy against his chest.

Kory shoots the nearest window, a low growl escaping from her throat as glass shards rain down the side of the building. Rose jumps a little, despite herself. She doesn’t want to imagine being on the receiving end of one of those star bolts.

“C’mon, Roy. Answer me.” Rose never thought she’d hear Jason beg, not like that. She can’t stand it.

Walking over, Rose check’s Roy’s pulse and sighs in relief. It’s sluggish, almost too faint to feel. Rose could put him out of his misery right here and now and his friends would have no idea who killed him. Just slip her knife in to hit his artery and bam. Problem solved. Her fingers slip toward the knife on her belt, but Jason’s pleading gaze stops her cold.

“Is he…?” Oh fuck. Jason has tears welling in his eyes.

“Alive.” Rose can just see the barrel of the gun her employer will use to tie up loose ends. “Not for long, though.”

Between the three of them, Jason, Rose, and Kory carry Roy back to the ship where they can apply first aid, and the ship’s alien technology can perform a synthetic blood transfusion. Roy’s pulse slowly returns to something recognizable, and Rose sinks in her seat. She’s deciding between her safe houses when Jason’s fingers graze her jaw.

Rose jumps out of her seat, using everything in her power not to deck him in the face. “The fuck…?”

“Hey.” Oh. Jason’s nose is so close to hers that she can feel his breath on her face. She can smell the mint he just put in his mouth. Never once did Rose imagine Jason could be such a sap. The heat of his fingers sears her skin, but she doesn’t pull away. Rose dares a glance down his lips and when she looks back up Jason’s already tilting his head to meet hers.

His kiss is softer than she expects, lightly brushing his lips over hers, holding her jaw just enough so she can slip away if she wants to. Rose freezes, never expecting this after all this time, all those refusals. Jason starts to pull back before her brain finally stops dividing by zero, and she grabs the back of his neck, crushing her lips against his. Swearing softly, Jason meets her tit for tat, and they stumble out of the med bay and into the hall.

Rose presses him against the wall, slipping her hands inside the opening of his favorite jacket, feeling the heat rising off his chest and the rush of his heartbeat. Part of her still expect to wake up from this dream in her bed alone, heart hammering, skin flushed, thighs damp with need. She mouths a silent prayer into his lips, to the god she never bothers to answer to, pleading to make the dream real, just this once.

Jason’s hands wander across her shoulders, down her arms, and around her hips to her back. Rose steps between his legs, pushing his jacket off his shoulders. Breaking for air, Jason’s words come out ragged. “We...we should pick a room. Yours or mine?”

Instead of answering him with words, Rose guides him to his door and shoves him inside, tossing his jacket to the floor. Jason stares at her breathlessly, and she hesitates. “Too much?”

“Never.” His fingers wind in her hair, pulling her back into another kiss.

Rose drinks him in like she’s parched for thirst, scratching the edge of his hairline from the tips of his ears to the base of his skull. Jason sucks in a breath and Rose grins into his mouth. She tastes him, gasping softly as his fingers twist in her curls, pulling at her hair just enough. HIs other hand wanders just south of her waist and he freezes. Stepping back, Rose loosens her hold, looking him over from head to toe.

Jason pants, taking her in too. “...Are we…?”

Leaning against the closed door, Rose folds her arms. “Are we what, Jason?”

“Is this a onetime thing or…” Jason’s eyes trail back in the direction of the hospital room and suddenly the tension between him and the other Outlaws make a lot more sense.

Damnit. “I’m a merc, Jason.” Really, she should be happy with the kiss, more than the kiss, but this--former Robin proves hard to let go of. “I’ve stayed here too long as it is.”

Jason’s eyes narrow ever so slightly and Rose plasters on her poker face, hoping he hasn’t found her out tonight of all nights. “Why do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Push me away.” His voice wavers as he speaks, and Rose’s heart plummets to her stomach. Damn him.

“What do you want from me?” And damn her too, that waver is apparently contagious.

Jason steps closer, sliding his hand in to cup her jaw, the edge of his thumb grazing the bottom of her cheek. “I don’t want to just fuck, Rose.” His eyes close, and he brushes his nose against hers. “I want to--” He clamps his mouth shut, trembling slightly in his touch.

The word teeters on the edge of his tongue, but it doesn’t come out, so Rose pulls it out with a snarl. “Loving me will get you killed, Jason.”

A sloppy grin forms on his face, and Jason nods at her. “Death isn’t as final as you think.”

“So what. You’re immortal now?” She’s grinning too, and she knows she’s fallen too far to get back up.

Jason brushes his lips against hers. “I sure feel like I am when I’m around you.” His next kiss probes deeper, and one hand tugs on her elbow. “Stay. After this is over.”

Her answer is right there, just inside her mouth, but Rose says something else instead. “Oh? You’re that sure I’m a good fuck?”

His lips smack against hers. “I’m not here to fuck you.”

“Jason--”

He silences her with a finger, and then he traces the edge of her lips with his fingertip. Rose resists the urge to pull it into her mouth and suck on it. She’s doomed. “I’m here to make love to you.”

Rose swallows, freezing on the spot. “I can’t promise you anything.”

His smile slips, and she desperately wants to put it back on his face. Rose doesn’t want to break his heart, not anymore. “Rose--”

“No one can.” Tracing the space where his heart hammers in his chest, Rose whispers softly. “Someone could break in ten minutes from now and shoot me in the head.” Standing up on her tiptoes, she kisses his forehead. “Nothing’s guaranteed.” Then she kisses the back of his hand. “Doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it while it lasts.”

Jason watches her, his face inscrutable as ever.

Shit. Did I make things worse? Rose opens her mouth to murmur another apology but Jason kisses her before she can say a word. He pulls her close, his hands seemingly everywhere at once, and yet she craves more of him. Daring to slide her hand up Jason’s shirt, she grins into his lips as he leans heavily into her touch, a groan escaping from his lips despite himself. She grazes the lines of his abdomen with her nails. “Oh,” Rose says softly.

Jason Todd. Blushing. As he watches her. “Like what you see?” he says just as soft.

“I haven’t seen anything yet.” She ducks down, pushing up his shirt and following its path with her mouth.

“Fuck.” One of his wandering hands finds its way back to her hair, holding her head as she breathes against his stomach. “Rose.”

Rose stands up, grinning against his collarbone. “Getting there.” She finds the hollow where his neck meets his shoulder and lavishes her attention there, charged by the tightening of his grip.

Jason pushes her to arm’s length, taking a ragged breath. He drags down the zipper of her jacket, taking in the sight of her skin inch by inch. Rose presses into his touch, admittedly reddening a bit herself. His lips part with hunger, but it's the wonder in his eyes that stops her in place—like he sees the stars flickering across her skin. With his fingers he traces the scar on her shoulder and the ones that line her arms. Sucking in a breath, he circles the mark of a bullet on her chest. “That must’ve hurt.”

“Like hell.” Rose mutters, only to gasp when Jason presses his lips against it. “Jason.”

“Shh,” he says softly, breathing in her scent as he edges his fingers beneath her bra and the plastron it holds. He traces a path up her neck and across her throat until he makes it to her ear. “Let me take care of you.”

Why does the thought of him being gentle make her heart beat faster? Part of her wants him to have his way, and take his time exploring her body. Another, much louder part wants to rile him until he takes her fast and hard. Rose grabs the edge of his shirt, looking up at Jason. He nods, and she bites her lips as she pulls it over his head.

Holy shit.

Rose thought she had a lot of scars. Jason has so many she doesn’t even know where to start. There are the bullet marks, the punctures, the rhythmic signs of torture, the line going up the side of his neck and into his hairline where a crowbar must’ve bashed his head in. It’s not until Jason tilts her chin up that Rose realizes she’s been holding her breath. “I’m still here,” he whispers, pulling her into another kiss. She wonders how many times he’s kissed Death on the lips, only to pull back when it wanted him most.

“Soon, you’ll in bed.” She grins against his lips, finding the latch on his belt. “Booby traps? Really?”

He laughs once, running a hand down her breast, feeling the softness of her skin there. “Safety first.” When he gets to the lines of her abdomen, he swallows, drawing a grin from Rose’s mouth.

Stepping back, Rose eyes the latch, her brain already processing the potential catastrophes, and the configurations that would enable them. “Gotcha.” The belt clicks open, without a single explosion or poison released.

Jason blinks at her as she sets the belt aside. “I can’t decide if that’s hot or terrifying.”

Rose stands up on her tiptoes, whispering in his ear. “Why not both?” She punctuates her question with a bite on his ear lobe. The rumble of his groan stirs her chest, sending shockwaves between her legs. Hooking her thumbs in his belt loops, Rose pulls him closer, grinding up against him.

“Rose--” He says, in pleading or in warning, Rose isn’t quite sure.

“What do you want, Jay?” She runs the tip of her tongue up the ridge, shivering at the way his ragged breaths stir her hair.

“Bed,” he says hoarsely, “now.” He pulls her with him, and they tumble into the sheets, boots still on.

It’s a race, then, to see who can get the other’s off the fastest. Four thunks, laughs, and tangled sheets later, Rose climbs up his body, guiding his hands to her belt. Jason’s removed plenty of belts, that Rose is sure, but it’s like he deliberately fumbles his hands against her skin, just so he has an excuse to graze his knuckles there. And damn him, her skin jumps every time. Fine. She’ll make him lose track for real. Rose plants a wet kiss against his lips, running her hands down his shoulders and his arms, guiding his fingers until her belt clangs against his bookshelf before sliding to the floor. “Better,” she murmurs.

Jason runs his fingertips along the edge of her jeans, drawing his touch up and down her spine. “I could stare at you for hours, you know that?”

Rose snorts. “I can think of better ways to spend your time.”

Tilting his chin in challenge, Jason sits back. “Oh? Like what?”

Biting her bottom lip, Rose catches his wandering hand, and takes it to the button of her jeans. “Lemme show you.”

Jason holds his breath, unbuttoning her jeans and drawing the zipper down. He’s so quiet Rose starts to doubt what her late-night visions have been telling her for months. Maybe they weren’t her precognition talking. Maybe they’re just the wet dreams so many guys and girls have had ever since Jason donned a mask. Searching his eyes, Rose says, “We can stop--”

Holding her gaze, Jason replies, “I don’t want to.” HIs fingers follow hers inside her jeans and inside her underwear, and he sucks in a breath. “Shit, you’re wet.”

Rose blushes, despite herself. “You really all that surprised?” She presses his fingers in slow, small circles, holding onto the headboard behind him for balance. Then she moves his touch faster, harder, gasping against his shoulder. “Nn, fuck.”

“Breathe.” Jason chuckles softly, pressing a kiss into her shoulder. He moves his fingers more independently now while she’s distracted. And Rose breathes him in, awash in gunpowder and amber, and that salty scent he bears after a fight. Always so uniquely Jason Todd that the smell of it sends Rose right over the edge. He shakes them both with his laughter. “And our pants aren’t even off yet.”

“Shut up.” Rose pulls back to look at him.

He smirks. “Make me.”

Jason doesn’t need to say it twice. Rose assaults his lips with hers, pushing him down into the mattress. Making quick work of his jeans, she pulls them down as he shimmies out of them. Boxers briefs, huh? They’re just a simple grey with a black waist band--for some reason she’d expected some sort of smart-alecy words printed on them. Sliding down, she runs the tip of her nose up the line of his bulge, grinning as he writhes beneath her. While she sits up, Rose edges her fingers inside, feeling along his length, breathing in Jason’s unsteady gasps. Always so coy and cocky, and now he can’t form a single word. “Cat got your tongue?” she murmurs against his ear.

Jason turns his head, kissing her long and deep, rolling them over. Rose lifts her hips so he can get her jeans off, and he kisses just south of her belly button. “Mm.” Glancing up at her, Jason grins, kissing harder against that spot, lavishing his tongue until she squirms beneath him. But she doesn’t beg, not yet. The lines in his back are coiled tight, so tight his body might burst at the seams, but Jason takes his time, kissing down her hips, her thighs, her calves. Swallowing her whine, Rose reaches for his shoulder, but Jason takes her hands, placing them back at her sides.

“Patience, Rose.” He silences her protests with a kiss, diving back between her legs, edging them apart so that he has room. His lips find her ankle, the back of her knee, and Rose heart pounds as he gets closer and closer to her underwear. There’s no hiding her need for him now, with the way it soaks the front of her boyshorts. Jason samples the taste of her through the fabric, giving her one long lick.

“Oh fuck.” Rose gasps and twists, and Jason has to hold her down with one arm slung across her abs. He peels her underwear off, testing her with different pressures and strokes. Every so often, she catches him looking up at her, assuring himself he’d doing it just the way she likes. Her insides clench, and she twists in bliss, but Jason doesn’t stop, only pausing briefly to come up for air. Even then, his fingers fill in while he wipes his mouth.

“Shh.” He whispers against her mouth, reaching over into his bedside drawer for a condom. Did she say something?

“Yeah?” Rose asks, and her voice comes out hoarse. Fuck, she must’ve been screaming. While he slides on the condom, she’s reaching over for a bottle of water, downing half of it without giving a fuck to whom drank from it last.

Jason returns to her, surprisingly shy when they’re so close to merging their bodies. He gives her one chaste kiss, then another, letting her lead the pace. She winds one hand around the back of his neck, scratching the skin at the base of his skull. The other she uses to thumb the scar next to his eyebrow, the sharp line of his jaw, the sheen of sweat running down his neck to his collarbone, and that delicious line that runs down to the thatch between his legs. Guiding him inside her, Rose closes her eyes, letting his groan wash over her shoulder.

Rose traces circles across his back as he thrusts in and out, only to grip his shoulder when he picks up the pace. Jason grins against her mouth, sliding his hand between them, and Rose jolts, clinging to him as she whimpers into his neck. “It’s okay,” he murmurs against her mouth. “You can let go.” His tone meanders between loving and teasing, and maybe for Jason there is no line between them.

She doesn’t want to, not again before he does. But then Jason has to fucking whisper sweet nothings in her ear.

“You’re so beautiful when you let go,” he says softly, and her world flashes white, much like it does on the cusp of a vision. Her body coils like a spring, and Rose hooks her ankles around his hips, drawing him deeper inside as she clenches around him.

Jason’s eyes pinch shut as he loses his tightly held control, and Rose rolls her hips until he falls to her side. “Holy hell,” he gasps softly, muffled by his pillow.

“Yeah.” Rose shouldn’t, but she can’t help but kiss his left temple, tucking them in and tossing the spent condom aside.

She spends the night committing every line of his body to memory. And it helps soothe her in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

---

The next morning, Rose rolls to get closer to him, only to find his side of the bed empty. In his place, Jason left a small, folded piece of paper, and Rose takes her time undoing all the creases.

Rose,

You’ve no idea how amazing you are. I hope last night isn’t the end of it, but I understand if it is.

--Jason.

Beneath his name, Jason’s inscribed his number, and though Rose memorizes it within seconds, she always keeps the note close, in her utility belt or between her bra and her plastron, next to her beating heart.

#dc comics #jayrose #jason todd #rose wilson #demisexual jason todd #bisexual rose wilson #actually everyone in this fic is bi unless stated otherwise #melody writes #enemies to lovers #friends to lovers #and they were teammates #lemme know what you think!

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aviatrickss · 6 years

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Duke Headcanons

Please give this boy the love he deserves

Duke has BY FAR the best British accent out of the Batkids (which comes from all the dinosaur/nature documentaries he watched as a kid). Alfred would never admit it (bc Dick and Jason literally begged him to teach them and Tim and Cass have a game of Who Can Do the Worst Accent) but sometimes he gives Duke pointers on pronunciation.

Being the only one who had a normal childhood, Duke is also the only one who gets driven insane by the fact that no one in the goddamn family goes to normal grocery stores or wanders around Target or the mall or whatever for fun. He calls Steph at least once a week to complain about this.

Duke is VERY protective of the Jurassic Park movies. Like, he definitely roasts them for scientific inaccuracies, but he’s the ONLY ONE who’s allowed to do so. Anyone else who tries gets a *Jason Mamoa voice* ‘speak up you got a problem with my man?’

If Titus is mad at Damian (usually occurs after nail clippings or baths) he goes and hangs out with Duke. Damian is enraged by this, but as far as he can tell, there’s no trickery or bribery on Duke’s part; Titus just loves him.

The We Are Robin crew hangs around the manor a lot because Duke invites them over. Bruce has lowkey adopted all of them in his heart, which is going to come back to bite him when Duke inevitably ambushes him about getting his own superhero team a la Young Justice or the Titans.

Duke, Tim, and Cass go thrifting a lot. They like finding weird and cool shit. They had an anonymous Instagram where they’d post pictures of their best finds along with a little made-up story about the item and the name of the shop. Of course then someone (Tim) leaked the account to someone else (Conner) and that someone else leaked it to their Reporter Mom, and suddenly it’s a Verified Wayne Account. Didn’t stop them though, now they just have to wear ridiculous disguises to go out.

Duke doesn’t mind blood and injuries in the heat of battle, but he has a rough time learning first-aid, as all the Robins have to. For some reason just looking at a broken bone or big gash without all the adrenaline of fighting makes him crazy sick. Whenever someone has a wound for him to practice on, he has to keep a bucket by his feet, just in case.

Duke’s still in that awkward 15-year-old phase where he obviously curses, but he doesn’t really want his parents to know that. All the other Batkids are old enough/comfortable with Bruce that they curse around him a fair amount, but Duke’s not quite there yet. He yelled “Shit!” in front of Bruce after Scarecrow jumped out at him in a cornfield, and he still feels kinda bad about it.

Duke plays DnD with Tim, Harper, Luke, Jean-Paul, and Kate, with Babs as a DM. Cass likes to watch, and both Dinah and Selina have recurring PCs. Duke has a ton of characters, but currently he’s playing a dragonborn on a quest to find his father.

Duke’s always been kind of interested in the piano, and after hearing Damian practice on his violin, he brings it up to Bruce. Bruce remembers most of his lessons from Martha, and so he starts to teach Duke. They’ll have to hire someone once Duke gets past the basics and Bruce’s knowledge runs out, but for now it’s a nice little bonding time for the both of them.

#duke thomas #headcanons #trix-fix #text #support duke or perish

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batfam-imagines · 6 years

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Paper Hat Awards:

Not sure if you guys have ever done this, but this is something that my old sports teams used to do. We’d make paper hats and write the award names on them. This is the Batfam edition.

———————————————————————————————

Dick Grayson: Worlds Clingiest Sleeper – If someone is close to him when he falls asleep prepare to be cuddled. Dick is like an octopus and will not let his victim go until he wakes up. He’s been given this award because somehow, he’s managed to cuddle with Bruce and Jason, on two separate occasions of course, and even made them stay the whole night. His cuddling even extends beyond his family. He’ll cuddle his family, friends, just whoever happens to be around. Not even Superman is immune to Dick Grayson’s clinging.

Jason Todd: World’s Angriest Cinnamon Roll – Of course Jason is pissed when he gets this, but that’s until Dick explains why. Jason might kill criminals and even threatens his family at least once a week, but he follows his own moral code. Jason won’t hurt kids, even goes out of his way to make sure the kids on the street have some food, shelter, and protection. He makes sure that the prostitutes in his part of the city know that they can come to him if they need help. And as much as he might claim to hate his brothers he’ll be damned if anyone but him is the one hurting them.

Tim Drake: World’s Sleepiest Vigilante – Tim bursts out laughing when he is gifted this paper hat and continues to drink his coffee while wearing it. This kid can literally fall asleep anywhere, he’s even learned how to sleep with his eyes open. Between his brothers and his friends at Titan Tower there is a competition on who can find Tim in the weirdest sleeping position/spot. So far, the winner is Cassandra, who sent out a picture of Batman holding onto Red Robin’s cape while Red Robin sleeps standing up on Patrol. Batman’s talking to Superman and Red Robin is passed out asleep, would have fallen off the building if not for Batman’s grip on his cape.

Damian Wayne: World’s Grumpiest Animal Lover – Damian hates just about every human on the planet, but he loves every animal he comes across. The youngest Robin has been known to steal animals from other Superheroes, even Catwoman and Superman have fallen victim to Damian’s animal napping. There are very few people that Damian actually enjoys the company of, but he always seems to have some kind of animals near. Bruce has stopped trying to get him to stop bringing animals home because it’s pointless, Damian will bring home whatever animal he feels needs his help and then argue until he is allowed to keep it.

Cassandra Cain: World’s Best Sister – Cassandra might be the deadliest, the most skilled, and have the most training out of all the batkids, but she is also the most sensitive to everyone’s emotions. Her family doesn’t need to use words to express how they feel to her, she can read them like an open book. She isn’t one to make them talk about their problems, she’ll just sit there quietly, offering support to them if they want to talk or just making sure that they aren’t alone. Everyone unanimously votes her as the best sister, Bruce votes her as the best daughter as she’s his only official daughter.

Stephanie Brown: World’s Peppiest Vigilante – Damian’s idea of ‘World’s Worst Batgirl’ is quickly shot down by Dick. Stephanie is one of the few vigilante’s that have managed to keep her sense of humor and her relatively positive outlook on life throughout her crime-fighting career. She and Cassandra are best friends, and their completely different personalities absolutely terrify villains. A happy, smiling blond Batgirl and a menacing dark figure behind her striking fear in the hearts of Gotham’s crazies.

Barbra Gordon: World’s Best Hacker – Babs snorts when she gets this, her eyes flicking over to Tim. Tim just grins and tells her that’s true, no matter how good he gets he’ll never be as good as Barbra. Sometimes now the other’s will catch Barbra wearing her paper hat when she’s studying code down in the cave, or when they visit her and she’s busy being Oracle. Barbra even makes sure to keep the hat on the back of her chair so it’s readily available whenever she needs to hack something. It becomes her lucky ‘Hacking Hat’.

Alfred Pennyworth: World’s Most Amazing Everything – Alfred can, and does, literally do everything. He takes care of the house during the day, he monitors the comms while everyone is on patrol, he patched them up when someone comes back injured, he makes sure everyone is fed, Alfred is the one who keeps everyone alive. If it wasn’t for Alfred the Wayne household would have fallen apart years ago.

Bruce Wayne: World’s Best Batman – Bruce lets out a genuine laugh when Dick has Damian hand the paper hat to his father. Bruce is the original, the one who started this wave of vigilantes, and that makes him the best. He’s the one who trained them to be better than himself, who trained them to become independent. And even though he isn’t the best at expressing it he loves all of his children and pseudo-children.

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gobydana · 6 years

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The Vet Part 3

A/N: Next part of the Vet. Bruce’s kids trying to help out, much to his displeasure.

Catch up here: The Vet Part One, Part Two

After a long night of dealing with the stakeout gone wrong, Bruce was ready to head to bed. FIrst he had to make sure Duke and Jason were okay and getting the stake out patrol written. Turns out Duke was right in that the drugs might come earlier. Next time he was letting him lead.

After making sure everyone was headed to bed or to their respective apartments, he trudge upstairs. As he almost reached the sweet salvation that was his bed, his phone rang. Clark needed him to help with some league items. It happened to be the same day as Alfred the cat’s check up appointment. Well so much for seeing Dr. Y/N again he thought as he plopped onto the bed and fell asleep.

Dick volunteered to take Damian and his cat to the vet while Bruce was off on a meeting. On the way out he joked that he didn’t want to trade Bruce places. Bruce suspected he was using this chance for a day out with his little brother. With both of them in their respective hero activities, they didn’t get as much time together.

After a long, unnecessary meeting, Bruce headed back to the cave from the Tower. He was mumbling on the way up the stairs that the meeting was not needed. A simple email would have worked and Clark knew that. At this point he didn’t have a lot of time before patrol. Dick texted him asking if Nightwing could make an appearance tonight.

He got upstairs to see Dick and Damian with Batburger leftovers. Both were chatting about some video game. He could guess where they were disappearing to next. Apparently there was a two player game they had been trying to beat for the last two months when they saw each other. He cleared his throat to let them know he was there.

“How did the appointment go.” Bruce inquired while grabbing some leftover salmon and rice.

“Good. Alfred is a good kitty.” Dick replied.

Damian nodded. “Also I have invited Dr. Y/N to the gala. After all, you said this gala was to honor those who help animals. They has done well in that category.”

“Some of their collages are coming too.” Dick added in. “It was good seeing them again. Great vet.”

He almost choked on the food he was eating. Bruce couldn’t help but agree. Yet now he was nervous about the upcoming gala. It was his son idea, to raise money to help the local animal shelter and those who helped those animals. It also seemed now he might get some time to talk them. Why did that make him so nervous?

“You are coming to this one, right B?” Dick inquired.

“Yes, I am hosting it after all.” He replied.

“That has never stopped you before.” Damian remarked.

Bruce just hummed in response. The boys headed towards the media room to play their games until patrol. He was lost in his thoughts that at least he would get to see them. Suddenly, remember that Clark was suppose to be the reporter for that gala. Last thing he needed was one of the league's worst gossipers spreading unneeded rumors. Maybe he could ask Lois to cover it instead. Not normally her reports, but she wouldn’t be snooping in his life.

Thankfully that night was as normal as it could get for patrol in Gotham. Dick teamed up with Damian. It kept Dick from being chatty over the comns. Bruce was once again on his own for his side of town. His children weren’t as chatty on the comns compared to a normal night. Times like this reminding him that they didn’t need him as much. The days of one of the robins next to side almost over.

After patrol, when the others headed their own way, Dick stayed back. He had the half grin that gave away his thinking. He wanted to know something and was going to find out whether Bruce wanted to tell or not. It appeared he was in a good mood, which meant it wasn’t something Bruce had done wrong.

“What is it Dick.” Bruce said as he watched his oldest approach.

“Oh Dr. Y/N was just telling us how Batman helped her the other week. Getting kittens out of behind a dumpster.” He said while smiling.

“Yes. Someone tried mugging them. I was doing my duty.”

“Mmmm hmmm. The kittens are healthy and same with momma cat in case you are wondering.” Dick said.

“Did she tell Damian about the kittens.” Bruce inquired.

“Oh yes. He wants to make sure that someone takes care of them. Dr. Y/N said they were staying with them until they were grown. Warning now, I think he is plotting on taking once they are old enough.”

“I will warn Alfred to watch his backpack. Now was it before or after they mentioned Batman that you gave Damian the idea to invite them.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about. It was done out of gratitude for all they have done for the pets in this family. Amazing skills and should be consider top of Gotham’s vets.”

“Sure.” Bruce said as he headed towards the shower.

“Please make sure to actually come to this gala and stay most of the time. I can take on Batman duties if needed that night.”

“Oh, Alfred didn’t tell you? You are marked as coming to the gala.” He said with his signature smirk.

“You don’t play fair old man. I wonder if Clark is coming. He is usually fun.”

As Bruce headed out of the cave, he texted Lois. It was decided now, he did not need Clark and Dick both there teaming up.

The night of the gala finally came. Bruce was in a designer tux looking every bit the billion playboy. An imagine that was currently ruined by trying to get his children in line. Cass was in a black dress with a drop back and Stephanie in a dark purple, full length with silver accents. She was helping Tim with his tie as he was muttering ideas for the latest case. Duke was asking if he could have computer duty or even clean the batcave. He must have thought he had a winning idea since he was only in a tshirt and dress pants. His last argument was that Barbara got to miss for patrol, why shouldn’t he.

Jason wasn’t even dressed. Just sitting in a chair reading a book while informing Duke it would never work. Dick was actually dressed and helping Damian who was insisting that his pets should be able to come. Alfred was downstairs checking all the last minute ideas. Harper was commenting that she got in her tux quicker then the boys, while also tossing gummy bears at Cass who was catching in them in her mouth. Time like this made Bruce miss his days of getting dress and going. Now he got bigger headaches and a losing battle.

Once the ever growing family was as put together as they were going to get, they headed towards the main room. Since this was Damian’s idea for the charity, he took over some of the invites. Among the usual Gotham socialites were the top of the animal medical community. He made sure to greet everyone, but truth was he kept looking for one particular person.

Finally, he found them looking stunning. To him, they were the most beautiful person in the room. He started to make his way towards them to be stopped by Lois Lane. She had been trying to find him since he owed her for covering tonights report.

“Good evening Bruce.” She greeted.

“Thank you for coming.” He replied.

“No problem, just remember to hold up your end of the deal.” She pointly said.

“I have already arranged with Alfred to have Jon come over next weekend so that you can cover the UN assembly.” He stated.

“Perfect. Also I am assuming the reason that you didn’t want Clark here, might be the person Dick and Jason are talking to?” She said while directing his attention towards Y/N.

“Yes, now if you excuse me for a moment.” He said.

Lois waved him off as she made a point to find some of the animal experts to talk to. She could not deal with the socialites at the moment. She couldn’t help but let out a giggle as she saw Bruce’s panic face upon seeing the boys talking to Y/N. The poor man didn’t stand a chance with his children.

“So Bruce is chasing Ace around the house, trying to get him to drop the socks in his mouth. It wasn’t working as Ace was diving under tables.” Jason was saying as Bruce came up to the group, already modified.

“How is it going?” He stated while coming up behind Jason and putting his hand on his shoulder.

“Wonderful.” Jason said with a devilish smile. Dick must have informed him about Y/N.

“We were actually going to grab a drink.” Dick stated while steering Jason in the directions of the bar. Bruce silently hoping they remembered they had patrol tonight.

“Having a good time.” He asked nervously.

“Oh yes. Finally getting to catch up with colleagues. Sometimes I get way too busy for that. Though last I saw Dr. Hans he was explaining to someone the best type of dog to get for young kids.” Y/N said with a small laugh. A laugh Bruce wanted to hear more of.

“Would you care to dance?” He asked while holding out his hand.

“I’d love to.” Y/N replied.

The two of them made their way to the dance floor. The first minute was awkward as they tried to come up with something to talk about. Bruce decided to ask what they liked to do in their spare time. They went into a discussion on favorite movies. They were a movie buff to challenge Bruce. Soon the discussion turned to their love of helping animals. For the first time in a while, Bruce found a genuine smile staying on his face.

They had a few more dances together. Y/N was a wonderful dancer. One of the best he had the joys of dancing with. He was actually getting to enjoy the gala for once. Both talking about everything they could. The conversation flowing easy. He didn’t even bother to put on his Brucie persona for the night.

His and Y/N time came to an end as Kate Kane came up behind him. A slight tap on the shoulder and reminder he was needed for tonight’s speech. She then went back to dancing with her girlfriend. As she went back to dance, she gave a wink to the batkids who had been gathered in a area so they could watch Bruce.

“I am sorry, got to go play host.” Bruce said.

“Have fun. Glad I don’t have that job.” Y/N joked.

“I don’t blame you. Before I go, ummm next week, would you like to grab lunch?” Bruce asked as his heart rate increased.

“Let me check my schedule, but I would love to.” Y/N replied with a smile.

“Just let me know.” He said while going towards the stage were an impatient Damian was waiting.

As he left, he heard them say they would call him. It hit him then as he walked on stage which number they had. He was going to inform Alfred that no one minus him and Alfred were answering the phone. Especially since a few of his children were a little too good at sounding like him. With that he turned towards the audience, ready for next week to come.

Tagging: @superwhoteen @the-shadow-of-atlantis @fuckbuckyyy

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thebluewing · 6 years

Text

Shouldering the weight of the world

Lately, i have been thinking a lot about Dick´s tendency to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and how it started. I can say that the more i think about it, the more it breaks my heart.

Dick was just a little kid when his parents died. He was a happy child with two loving parents and a huge extended family, who lived in a colourful, noisy and happy place. He had a life he loved in a place he loved, until everything is taken away from him.

He was just a kid, but he saw his parents die, and he had to leave the only home he had ever known.I can only imagine how scared and lonely he felt. The worst part, is that Dick felt that he was partly responsable. In his mind, he was there and could have done something. This is the moment when Dick developes his sense of justice, but is also the moment when he starts taking the blame for everything that happens around him.

Dick had had a humble but very happy childhood, and he suddently finds himself living in a very big, very lonely house with a man that was completely emotionaly unavailable. At this pont of his life Bruce was a very Young and he didn´t have any relationships besides Alfred. Dick is the first person he opens up his life to, but, as a result, he doesn´t know how to treat him at all. Alfred is there, and from the begining he tries to make Dick feel at home, but he is just one person, and Dick had just lost an giagantic family (the circus). During his first year as Robin, he is tricked by Two Face and ends up being beaten with a baseball bat until he almost dies. This scares the hell out of Bruce, who decides that the best way to protect him is to fire him.

Bruce didn´t know waht else to do, but can you imagine how Dick felt? He was a twuelve year old who had just lost his family and thought he had found a new life, and suddently all of that was gone. He feels that he doesn´t have a plce in Bruce´s life anymore and leaves. He writes a letter to bruce thanking him for everything, but what really gets me about it are these lines:

“You don´t want a partner and you don´t need a son. I´m sorry i failed you” (Robin year one)

Dick believes that he doesn´t have a place in Bruce´s life outside of being his partner. He thinks that since he failed him at that, he is only a bother and it´s better if he leaves. How hearbreaking is that? After Dick catches Mr Freeze, Bruce takes him back as his partner, but the trauma is already there. Bruece did what he did to protect him, but he didn´t tell him why, and since that day, Dick will spend every moment trying to prove he is the partner that Bruce wants. He will spend his years as Robin carrying that responsability.

Dick will find the big family he yearned for in the teen titans, and will start to spend less and less time in Gotham. As i see it, Bruce realises Dick is growing up and that he needs distance, but at the same time he is afraid of being left behind. This causes big problems in their relationship and Bruce fires Dick a second time. Again he does it because he thinks it´s the best thing for both. Dick gets to have his own life and be his own man, and Bruce makes the move, so he doesn´t feel like he is being left behind. But Dick doesn´t see it that way.

In his mind, Bruce thinks that Dick being with the Teen Titans makes him inadecuate as a partner and he doesn´t want to deal with the responsability anymore. This hurts him deeply because even if he hasn´t said it out loud, he considers Bruce his father, Then, less tan two monts after, Jason becomes Robin.

Dick was convinced that Bruce didn´t want a Robin anymore and suddently, he learns he has a new one. Not only that, but months latter, Bruce adopts Jason. Dick had spend more than seven years by Bruce´s side trying to be the best partner he could be so that Bruce was happy with him. In all that time Bruce had never thought about adopting him, but he asks this kid in about a year. Can you imagine how that made him feel? (obvously this is not Jason´s fault and he had his own issues with Bruce, but i will focuse on Dick´s side).

All of this sends one message to Dick: he wasn´t good enough. The worst part, is that this couldn´t be further from the thruth, but is the way Dick feels anyway. He blames himself for not being good enough of a partner that Bruce would want to keep him around or adopt him. Then Jason dies, and once again, Dick feels responsable for something that is not his fault. He believes if had been around more Jason wouldn´t have died, He is putting part of the blame on himself. and He promises that he will do better if a third Robin appears.

Then, Bane breaks Batman´s back and he leaves the mantle to Azrael. Once again this is very painful for Dick. He feels betrayed by the person he loves the most in the world. Bruce doesn´t want to burden Dick with the mantle and Dick thinks Bruce does not believe he is good enough to wear it. When he decides to satay in Bludhaven, Dick puts all of his energy in showing Bruce he is good enough, and when he finaly gets his approval, he literally can´t believe it. This is another example of how big Dick´s expectations about himself are and how much weight he is willing to take.

When Donna dies saving his life Dick leaves the Titans. He blames himself for her death and he doesn´t feel that he is good to lead the team amyomore. The same happens when he accidentaly kills the Jker or when Deathstroke burns Bludhaven. Bludhaven was his city, the one he had sworn to protect, and now it´s gone and he couldn´t stop it.

He constantly charges himself with the responsability of everything happening arround him, He takes the blame and the guilt and shoulders it by himself. He is allways there to help everyone no matter what, but when it comes to himself, he choses to hurt alone. This is partly because he finds it eassier, but also because he feels he deseves it. After Bruce dies, he does the one thing he never wanted and becomes Batman to protect Gotham, and in the process takes care of Damián. He doesn´t want any of it, but he will neglect what he feels to help others. That is who he is.

Dick spends his life bearing all of this guilt and taking responsability for everything and everyone, and he is still capable of smiling. It amazes me that some people think his life has been eassier than the other batkids. Many people dont get that what is impresive about Dick is not that he has manage to have a happier life, but that he has manage to have a very difficult life while still smiling and remaining hopeful.

#nightwing #dick grayson #i am hearbroken #bruce wane #dick carries the weight of the world #Robin #life as robin

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