#Bruce is grumpy

[awhitehead17]

Whumptober 2022: Day 27 - Pushed to the limit

Prompt: Stumbling

Summary: Bruce has had a long few days and it’s catching up with his body. Unfortunately rest isn't an option yet because he’s got to make his way out of the maze he's currently trapped in no matter how much he wants to go to sleep instead.

Enjoy! :D

When he hits the wall for the umpteenth time Bruce finally takes the hint and stops moving. Slumping against the cold concrete he forces himself to take a deep breath and tries to get his bearings together.

He’s been going non-stop for what feels like years but in reality it must be close to four days. He’s had very little sleep, next to no food and water and he’s now running on his reserves, feeling completely exhausted and ready to drop at any second. That also being the reason why he keeps smacking into walls as he walks, he can barely stand up right let alone walk in a straight line. He’s staggering around like he’s a lost drunk unable to make his way home at the end of a night out.

He wishes that was the case. It would certainly be better than the reality he’s facing.

For just over two days his attention was focused on Gotham, rumours of an underground drug ring had spread and while looking into it Bruce found out that some of Gotham’s socialite’s were involved with the ring. So not only was Bruce working on the case at Batman but he also ended up getting involved in the case as ‘Brucie Wayne’ too. His time had been completely occupied and he didn’t stop until he solved the case with Commissioner Gordon and moved on.

Naively he thought he may get a day’s break after that. Of course he was wrong. He didn’t even get to go bed before he got a call alerting him how the Justice League is needed for an emergency happening in Buenos Aires. The last two days have been constant running around, figuring out and talking battle strategies and always being on guard.

Bruce ended up chasing one of their prime targets into an underground labyrinth. Being at the disadvantage and not knowing where he was going, paired with the fact he’s completely exhausted, Bruce ended up losing sight and track of the target. Frustrated with himself and at the situation Bruce didn’t have any other choice but to start trying to make his way out of the maze he was lost in. Regrettably he wasn’t Theseus and he didn’t use a string to guide his way through the endless corridors meaning he walking blind until he reaches topside. How long he’s now been underground for he has no idea, but it’s certainly not helping his drained body and mind.

After a moment he prepares himself to get moving again. Taking a deep breath he pushes himself away from the wall and starts the treacherous journey back through the maze. Unsurprisingly his strength doesn’t last long, within moments he’s tripping over his own feet and crashing into the wall yet again.

Maybe he shouldn’t stray away from the wall. Isn’t there a rule or something saying if a person keeps their hand on a wall and follows it they’ll eventually make it out of the maze, even if it takes you on a horribly long route it’ll help you to escape? Using that as his excuse Bruce leans on the wall for support and continues on with his journey, hoping to get out of the maze as soon as possible.

Bruce loses track of time as he wonders. Everything becomes a blur and it takes all of his willpower to keep going instead of stopping and sliding down the wall to rest.

“Batman!”

Bruce grumbles to himself. Great, he’s got to that point in his exhaustion where he’s begun hallucinating. Thinking about it, he’s surprised that it hasn’t happened before now.

“Batman! Can you hear us?”

Huh. He doesn’t know if it says a lot about him as a person, or a father, that the voice he's imagining is his eldest son’s voice. He has no idea on what that could mean.

“He’s here!”

Suddenly it’s not just voices he’s imagining anymore, it’s developed into him hallucinating actual people now.

He blinks rapidly as he tries to work out what he’s seeing. In front of him was his son, Dick dressed up in his Nightwing gear. Movement happening behind him grabs Bruce’s attention and when he looks over his son’s shoulder he blinks again and finds… is that Clark? Not only is he imagining Dick but he’s now imagining Clark too. He’s not telling anyone about this once he’s out of the maze.

“Batman are you injured?”

Dick’s voice pulls his attention back onto his son. He frowns, regarding the question. He’s not injured, just severely tired. “Are you actually here?” He ends up blurting out, apparently the exhaustion means he’s got no filter.

“Yeah Batman we are.” Dick answers with a frown of his own. “After you didn’t come back we followed you down here and have only just found you, we’re not far from the exit.”

Bruce grunts, slowly accepting the fact that maybe he wasn’t hallucinating after all.

“The target?”

Clark comes into his vision again as he steps up beside Dick in front of him. “We got him. When you came down here we knew there had to be another exit somewhere above and searched around, coincidently we were right next to the passage when he appeared. We apprehended him with no trouble. That’s when we came down after you when you didn’t return as soon as we expected.”

Bruce hums thoughtfully before letting out a long sigh. At least the target is captured and Bruce’s journey through the maze hadn’t been for nothing.

“Are you hurt Bats?” Clark asks him, his eyes roaming over his body, which of course was covered by his suit anyway.

“I’m fine,” he grunts and starts to make a move to push up off the wall. He’s got company now, he can’t afford to be looking as bad as he feels. “Let’s go.”

Bruce doesn’t make it more than three steps before he’s having to lean against the wall again. He’s quick to put a hand up to stop his companions from closing in on him when he senses them move after he reached for the wall.

“Batman…”

“B…”

Bruce waves off their concern and takes a deep breath to steady himself. After a few seconds he pushes away from the wall again and this time makes it six steps before he’s falling to the side. Instinctively he puts a handout to reach for the wall but he never touches it because another body is pressing up against his side instead. An arm wraps around his waist while the other takes his own arm and throws it over their shoulders. Even in Bruce’s addled mind he can make out that Clark’s come to support his weight.

Not having the energy to care or to protest against it, Bruce allows the man of steel to help him walk. He most definitely draws the line at being carried, but walking he can do. He also becomes aware of Dick hovering nearby as they make their way out of the maze.

As soon as he’s out of here he’s finding the nearest hotel and crashing, everything else can wait and anything that can’t, Clark or Diana can deal with it. The world can deal without Batman for one damn night.

[kartsie]

@batfam-au-zine is having their leftover sale now!! This was my Dr. Wayne piece I got to contribute ft. Teenage Dick and baby Tim

[superbat-love]

When you bring a friend over and they meet your cat for the first time.

[iguessthisisanewobsession]

Danny was being harassed in broad daylight.

He can’t get the guy to take a hint and frankly he’s going to be late for his new job if he can’t get through the door.

Just when he was starting to think that he would have to hit him, a hand gently rested on his shoulder.

“Hey Chum sorry it took me so long to get here but traffic was a killer! Is this man bothering you?”

Turns out His boss Bruce Wayne is actually a nice man.

Too bad Gotham gossips worst than a small town.

Seriously guys, this isn’t funny, it stopped being funny the third time he got picked out of a crowd as the “new Wayne.”

[capsrecedinghairline]

Dick: “I’m not his real kid. I’m the only one he didn’t adopt.”

Jason: “I’m not his real kid. He didn’t avenge me, he doesn’t really love me.”

Tim: “I’m not his real kid. I forced my way into this family when he was grieving his actual son, he never wanted me.”

Damian: “I might be the blood son, but I’m not his real kid. I’m the only one he didn’t choose.

Duke: “I’m not his real kid. I’m the odd one out in this family, and technically I still have my parents.

Stephanie: “…”

Stephanie: “Every day I thank God I’m not his real kid.”

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 174

Despite what people complain and snark about, Bruce does in fact have contingency plans for pretty much everything. And while he doesn’t have an exact contingency for Jason apparently accidentally kidnapping the apparently prince of the Realms- some infinite space where the dead resided according to Zatanna and Constantine, he’ll have an existential crisis about it later thanks- he did have one for his kids accidentally kidnapping someone. 

He just doesn’t think that exact plan will work in this case, seeing as that plan had to do with civilians and not very large kings that could obliterate the entire world with a hand wave, nevermind the fact that they have so many armies. Not to mention what is apparently both the king’s second-in-command and brother. 

Well, if none of his usual contingencies won’t work and Constantine’s attempts at making a deal isn’t working, nor is the other’s attempts to talk the two down, then it’s plan Z time. Seduction it is. 

[piedpiperart]

DC x DP prompt

Danny is hanging out with Dora, and gets caught in a trap by Aragon. He takes the dragon amulet and phases it into Danny’s chest, which turns Danny into a dragon, and then sends him through a natural portal to cause chaos.

Aragon tries to take over the zone while Danny is gone but Dora beats the crap out of him.

Meanwhile Danny is a dragon now, smaller than his human form because he’s still a baby ghost, and his core reflects that. Baby dragon Danny was sent to the DC universe and lands (un)gracefully in an alley in Gotham.

He could be feral like little baby man but he could also just be regular Danny brain power as a ghostly dragon. Who is like three feet long. He does his best to get his bearings, roams around a bit, hides from people, and scrounges for food as he tries to find a way back home. (Might not realize he’s not in his universe)

Danny catches the attention of some not so great people and runs and hides in an alley, digging into the trash or under a dumpster bc he is Smol.

Meanwhile Damian is out on patrol and hears commotion on the streets. He swiftly beats up this gang of guys chasing someone(or something) into an alley. After running them off he hears rustling amongst the trash in the dark alley. He thinks it’s a cat, as it usually is, but is surprised to find an actual, baby, black and white dragon with bright green eyes.

Obviously he plans to take him home, but has to coax Danny out from underneath the dumpster. Maybe he uses some snacks from his cool pouches on his belt. Eventually he wins over Danny, but Damian has to keep him a secret from the batfam.

The secret does not last long. Keeping a dragon in your room is not a good hiding spot. But, he found that Danny likes to cuddle, so obviously the little dragon had to stay with him.

Alfred found out first, promised not to say anything and help feed the dragon. Not sure who finds out next but Danny probably tries to bite Dick when he tries to pick him up a bunch.

Damian plans to train Danny to be his sidekick. If Batman gets a batdog, obviously Damian needs a bat dragon. Name is a work in progress, but Damian still makes Danny a lil bat outfit to match Ace.

Eventually everyone finds out and Bruce especially is trying to figure out where the dragon came from and why he’s just chilling with the fam. The tamest dragon he’s ever seen tbh it makes him worried

Damian finds out about some of Danny’s powers and shenanigans ensue. Danny gets comfy with the bats and is treating the whole thing like a vacation away from his troublesome life. Dragons probably purr, right?

Eventually maybe Danny finds a way to communicate that he’s actually a teenager trapped in dragon form and he needs help. The batfam collectively lose their minds when Danny’s revealed to have black hair and blue eyes.

[mac-n-cheese-art]

low effort inking + flat coloring of a doodle i did

[myloveforfanfictonisendless]

Them meeting after a protracted period of time due to taking individual solo missions Superman lifts his lover with love and affection with the first chance he gets holding no restraints of it being in front of his other teammates.

Bruce: *frown* Put me down or I will throw this on you

Clark: I missed you too Bat.

Bruce: It is made out of Kryptonite.

Clark: Still not going to let go so try better.

Bruce:........*grumpy but secretly happy to see his bf as well*

Picture from Pinterest

[mantareidraws]

Brainrot batman stickers 🦇🫐 I finally watched the movie, and I'm sold on emo broody battinson 🫶!!

Still feeling unsure if I should print and sell them later on aaaaa. I rarely see DC merch at local conventionsss 🤧

[nelkcats]

Summer Camp

Fighting ghosts had caused his grades to drop, to the point where some were barely passing. That's why Mr. Lancer recommended him to get a tutor or attend a remedial course, something Danny considered quite absurd, how was he going to be able to get away from Amity without it getting destroyed?

Jazz didn't seem to find it absurd at all, and despite his complaints, the halfa ended up at "summer camp" to boost his knowledge or something (Sam and Tucker seemed pretty sure they could handle the ghosts on their own while he was gone), at least, they had an activity about stargazing, for which Danny was grateful.

In the camp he found someone just as bitter as he was, but strangely excited. "Jason Todd" was grumpy about attending and having to be away from his family, but he was excited to learn new things. Danny found it endearing.

They both ended up becoming friends, and reminding each other of the things they were missing. At the end of the camp, it seemed that life had returned to the eyes of the tired halfa. It was during his last night at the camp, when Danny was showing the boy the stars, that Jason kissed him.

Unfortunately they didn't have much time left so they decided to keep in touch and send each other letters. Each headed to their respective city with a smile on their faces. The happiness Danny had earned was gone as soon as Jason's letters stopped coming.

He checked the Gotham newspapers with curiosity and was furious as soon as he saw the news of Jason (sweet, nerdy, and rude Jason) being killed in a fucking explosion. He flew at full speed until he found his grave, and helplessly began to cry. Whether he was angry or sad, he didn't know.

Ectoplasmic tears fell on the grave and unknown to the halfa, they were absorbed by the body. When Danny noticed that the tomb was beginning to glow the same toxic green he knew he couldn't help but feel hopeful. But it wasn't enough.

He didn't know if it would work, but on instinct he drew ectoplasm directly from his core and propelled it into Jason's tomb, hoping it would help. Danny wondered if he was breaking a rule in the Realms but he didn't care.

When he heard his friend's weak heartbeat (Boyfriend? Lover? He doesn't know, they never put a label on each other) he began to dig up the dirt around the grave, but before he could finish, time stopped and Clockwork looked at him with a frown. His mentor looked annoyed, but strangely comprehensive as he directed him to the Clock Tower.

[smoothiecas]

the street cat i nicknamed after tim drake just tried to sneak into my house when i was unlocking the door so to be fair i did bring that onto myself

[sarahreadstoomanycomics]

People can point out how bad of a father Bruce can be in the canon DC comics all they want. I’m aware I’ve read more Batman comics than anyway probably should. That doesn’t mean it still doesn’t feel good to see WFA ignore that and make Bruce be  kind, compassionate, loving, and most of all encouraging to all of his kids in WFA.

[superbat-love]

AU where Bruce is the proud owner and operator of a cafe known as the go-to spot for the finest coffee in the quaint college town. While majority of the patrons sing its praises, a select few who have unwittingly incurred Bruce's ire find themselves less enchanted.

Bruce's children often frequent the cafe for study sessions, occasionally accompanied by potential partners who are unknowingly subjected to Bruce’s experimental concoctions known as "contingency coffees."

One day, Dick brings Clark to the cafe. Clark greets Bruce warmly, unfazed by the seething look he receives in return. After thanking the man for the cup of coffee slammed onto the counter in front of him, Clark joins Dick at their table.

While he was tutoring Dick, Clark can't help but occasionally peek at Bruce over his cup of coffee spiced with Carolina Reaper peppers. As they left the cafe, Clark thanked Bruce once again for the delicious coffee, much to his chagrin.

Clark becomes a regular visitor, ordering the same special coffee each time. Though initially infuriated by Clark's presence, Bruce begrudgingly tolerates him upon realizing Clark's lack of romantic interest in his son.

Clark frequently lingers near the counter, making earnest attempts to engage the reserved owner in conversation. He treasures Bruce's brief, one-word responses as if they were pearls of wisdom. “What a strange man,” Bruce thought as he served Clark his coffee alongside a spicy chocolate jalapeno cake.

Clark’s order, dubbed the ‘Clark Combo’, becomes a secret menu item for the most adventurous customers.

[kartsie]

The Nanda Parbat Madonna

[riverdeansart]

red hood but he's a grumpy lil baby