#Cause Bruce is like Cass doesn't need a break

[jalapainio]

Bruce and Cass are so not good for each other in the Batgirl (2000) run and I'm all for it. There's one scene where Bruce is talking to Cass, and he's like “Remember when I let you risk your life all alone bc you thought you needed to? Can you return the favor?” And Cass is like “Father figure, I gotchu."

[dc-gotham-instincts-wild]

Headcanon that Jason just kidnaps his siblings instead of asking them to hang out sometimes.

Sometimes he does the normal abduction thing and other times he has his methods.

Dick: Jason sneaks into Dick’s apartment in Blüdhaven at 3 AM, throws him over his shoulder, and drags him to his motorcycle. Dick wakes up mid-ride, half-conscious, groggily mumbling, "Jay, what the hell—?"

- Jason just shushes him and tosses a burger into his lap. "Shut up and eat, Goldie. We're bonding." (Jason, allowing his big brother to ruffle his hair? Nooooo, absolutely not...)

Tim: Jason straight-up drugs him asleep him when Tim refuses to take a break. He wakes up in Jason’s apartment with a cup of coffee and a sandwich waiting for him, while Jason sits on the couch reading a book.

- “You looked dead on your feet, Replacement. Either you napped willingly or I made you. Guess which one you picked.” (Jason totally doesn't rake a hand over his lil bro's hair during this time)

Steph: Jason knows Steph is a wild card when it comes to hanging out, so he has to be a little sneakier with her. He'd show up at her place unannounced, pretending to just be casually passing by, and in one smooth motion, he'd grab her and yank his little sister into his car or bike before she even realizes what's happening. (He totally doesn't do this in time with hard school, noooo)

Damian: Jason scoops him up mid-battle and just walks away with him. Damian kicks, bites, and yells, "UNHAND ME, TODD!" but Jason holds him like an angry kitten.

- They end up at a rooftop picnic with Alfred’s homemade food. Damian eventually eats while grumbling about Jason's “barbaric methods” but secretly enjoys the attention. (Jason maaayybe ruffles his hair a lot.)

Cass: She just lets it happen. Jason shows up, gestures toward his bike, and Cass just hops on without a word. They go on long road trips in comfortable silence, getting ice cream at 2 AM and scaring off criminals for fun. (Jason totally doesn't take the time to help her with her speech-)

Duke: Duke gets fake-napped. Jason tells him, "Be outside in five minutes," and when Duke says no, Jason still shows up, grabs him, and hauls him into a car.

- Duke just sighs and texts Bruce: "Jason's 'kidnapping' me again. Back later." (Jason totally doesn't get the names of school bullies from him and uses them, noooooooo)

Bruce knows this happens. He just sighs and lets it happen because, honestly? It’s Jason’s way of showing love. And at least the kids are getting along.

Jason kidnaps his siblings because it's his way of saying, "You're important to me, and I'm gonna drag you into ridiculous situations whether you like it or not."

He also, however, does it to Bruce.

In fact, it might be one of his favorite things to do, just because Bruce is always so serious and “responsible.”

Jason thinks it’s hilarious to force Bruce to take a break. He just shows up at the Batcave, probably with some kind of overly complicated plan to "kidnap" Bruce without him realizing.

Step 1: Jason would distract Alfred with a "Oh, just a quick check-in, you know, 'cause it’s been a while.’"

Step 2: He would wait for Bruce to get fully immersed in some case files and then sneak up behind him, tap him on the shoulder, and when Bruce turns around, Jason’s already got him in a headlock, pulling him out of the chair like, "Get up, old man. We're going to a diner. No arguments."

Bruce would protest, of course. He'd probably try to get out of it with his usual grumpy “I’m too busy” routine. Jason might fake-sigh and act like he's just trying to help Bruce loosen up, reminding him, "I know you think you’re invincible, but you still need to eat, Batman."

And if Bruce insists on not going, Jason would just drag him anyway. He might even grab the Batmobile for a joyride (he's always wanted to), making Bruce sit shotgun while Jason drives like an absolute maniac (Jokes on both because Bruce taught him to drive-)

Bruce would probably be scowling the whole time, but Jason would know his dad is secretly enjoying it, even if he won't admit it.

Eventually, Bruce would probably give in and get his grumpy little “dad” lecture—“You’re so reckless, Jason—” but Jason would just smile and be like, "Whatever. You’re welcome.”

Jason totally doesn't like it when his dad just ruffles his hair at some point.

[jaewritesfic]

Melon!AU Part 3

The creature's surprise surprises everyone else.

“It understands English?” Dick asks with a thoughtful tone lacing his voice.

“Or recognizes the motion of the wave as something benign,” Damian proposes, tense as a live wire as he keeps eagle eyes on Cass below.

Cass raises her hands, and though she does so slowly no amount of surprise keeps the creature from restarting that odd, piercing warning sound.

“Don't be afraid,” she says slowly and clearly, her hands moving to sign the words as she speaks. “I'm a friend.”

Despite there being no iris or pupil to be found in those glowing eyes, the way they dart back and forth between her hands and her mask is clear to see.

It doesn't stop growling, but it does shift uneasily. 

Cass's hands move to sign without speaking.

Do you understand me?

Nothing, save for the flicking of bottomless eyes.

“Do you understand me?”

The creature twitches, like being asked such a thing is a surprise. It takes a long moment - as if the question must be some kind of trap - before its head jerks in a jittery, hesitant nod.

More than one person's breath catches audibly over comms.

The set of Cass's shoulders softens in a way that telegraphs a smile, one that can't be seen past her mask.

“Nice to meet you,” she says with her voice.

Knows English but not sign, she says with her hands.

Smart girl. With that knowledge she can sign to the Bats without the creature realizing her hands are saying anything different than her mouth.

As soon as nice to meet you spills into the open air, the creature stops growling. For something with such an inhuman, blank face it telegraphs shock and confusion loudly.

Actually, it…it's almost like Bruce can feel those things himself, like something brushing against the base of his brain. It's disturbing and fascinating all at once.

Perhaps the feelings of dread and disturbance being near it causes is more than just fear of the unknown.

If it can project its own feelings, can it also sense theirs? Bruce isn't sure how he feels about that idea.

“Are you hurt?”

Definitely guarding chest. Bleeding.

“Bleeding?” Tim asks. 

“Chest hurts?”

Bleeding green.

“It's bleeding the Lazarus water?” Tim hisses. 

“I'm sorry,” Jason's voice cuts in on comms. “Your creature is bleeding what now?”

“Unconfirmed, but the color is similar,” Bruce says.

Jason is on standby, gracious enough to be patrolling a little further than his usual to cover the gaps while they deal with whatever this is.

Gracious is actually a stretch considering the choice words he'd had about the request when asked. Still, the protests had been more routine than truly venomous.

Bruce suspects he's mostly displeased with not being on site if his siblings need him in the face of a total unknown.

“Do you need help?” Cass's voice rings out softly again.

Doesn't want to admit injury.

“A doctor?”

There are flinches all around as that finally gathers a marked reaction, and a negative one. The sound is like nails on a chalkboard, like a million light bulb filaments breaking and fizzling out. The cadence is odd, almost like the creature is trying to speak.

“No doctor! Okay, no doctor. It's okay.”

Afraid. Terrified.

The sound stutters out again, that odd feeling against the base of Bruce's skull and the wide eyes of the creature projecting confusion and disbelief over the easy acquiescence. 

This is not an entity that expects to have its desires or fears cared about. Bruce has a bad feeling it's an expectation borne from experience.

Once again, he thinks with a sick feeling about the fact that he hadn't stopped to consider the creature might be reasoned with until Cass stepped in.

“Can I come closer?”

The creature whines as if it's a frightened stray, not a shadowy nightmare. Its claws click against the pavement in a manner that feels distinctly nervous. 

“Please? I won't hurt you.”

Tired. Can't go for much longer and knows it.

They all watch closely as the creature's eyes flicker up and towards the line of police cruisers and officers at the very end of the alley, then back to Cass.

Its claws keep clicking. 

The pool of green below it might be bigger, or it might just be the new knowledge that the substance is like blood messing with Bruce's nerves.

“I'm coming over. Slow. I won't hurt you.”

Weighing their options. Either me or cops. Knows that too.

True to her word, Cass moves slowly.

The creature's tail lashes and it grumbles its unrest, but it doesn't snarl like before and it doesn't lash out even when she's certainly close enough for those long spindly arms to reach.

Cass sinks to her knees just feet from it, posture intentionally open. Carefully, she offers another wave and a pleased, “Hello. See? All okay.”

Bruce's heart seizes. For just a moment, the wide glowing eyes angled to look up at Cass read as painfully young. Like a frightened child.

“You need help,” Cass almost whispers, hands laying on her thighs in plain sight. “No doctors, I know. But maybe a safe place? Come with me?”

Surely the comms have never been so silent as they are while Cass turns her hands over and extends them, like she's inviting the creature to place its own in her palms.

“Keep you safe. I promise.”

For a long few moments, the creature is so silent and still it may well have frozen in time.

Then there's a mourning keen that nearly buckles Bruce at the knees and the creature is moving. 

Instead of taking her hands, it drags itself forward and grabs at her to a chorus of panicked shouts on the comms. So quickly nobody has time to react, it's dragged itself up to cling to her shoulders and bury its face in her neck.

The shadowy frame trembles when she holds it in return.

Masterpost

[luludeluluramblings]

A meme for feral basis if I may:

*babies first kidnapping*

Criminals: "We have you're daughter now give us 12 million or she dies."

Bruce: *sweats* "WhIcH dAuGhTeR!?

Criminal 1: *describes feral mc whose actively biting through her restraints*

Bruce: Good luck! *laughs and hangs up*

Criminal 1: What the?! dang kid your dad must hate-

*notices they're gone*

Criminal 2: Where I'd she go?!

*They hear feral laughter from everywhere*

Criminal 3: She's in the walls. SHES IN THE WALLS!!

Mc: *Appears behind them like the undertaker* Boo!

Criminals: *horrified screams*

Actually this is baby's third kidnapping.

The first kidnapping Feral!Reader was on their best behavior. They had just moved to Gotham and the whole family had been pounding into their head that they needed to behave and show some decorum.

So Feral!Reader managed to keep all intrusive thoughts under control that one incident.

Bruce (and the rest of the family) freaked the fuck out. Their little abomination was kidnapped for ransom. They're monstrosity had some thugs holding a gun to their head.

Of course, Feral!Reader doesn't flinch or anything. They stay very mindful and demure.

After the whole incident, Feral!Reader does get grazed with a stray bullet. But, they were so excited that they did such a good job even if Bruce was in cardiac arrest from the possible close call.

Bruce makes the decision then and there that Feral!Reader is allowed to go ape shit ONLY when kidnapped.

Which leads us to the second kidnapping. Well, attempted. The idiots tried to kidnap Feral!Reader from a gala. High society has given Bruce so much space since.

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

*Goons break into Gala to hold everyone hostage and steal shit*

*Villain of the week monologging *

*Bat Fam hidden in various locations around the Gala with com-links*

Bruce *hidding in a closet* : Who's on patrol tonight?

Barbara *in the BatCave* : Jason, but he's twenty minutes away.

Damian *Under one of the tables* : We can take them.

Stephanie *By the dessert table* : Not if we want people to ask questions.

Duke *back at the manor* : I can maybe swing it in fifteen if I use the Bat mobile.

Damian: Now who wants to drive it?

Tim *stuck with a group of investors getting their luxury watches stolen* : Shut up you two.

Jason *Driving on his motorcycle* : I'm on my way. Cass can be my backup.

Bruce: Good, we can manage until-

Dick *at a random table* : Feral!Reader vanished on me!

Stephanie: How did you lose them?!

Bruce: Does anyone have visual on them?

Damien: No, but I have a bad feeling.

Barbara: I'm pulling up security footage of the venue.

Jason: I'm booking it.

Duke: I'm heading to the Cave to suit up.

Tim: Wait, I think I saw them. Their by the buffet table.

*Feral!Reader ginning manically while they steal the fuel pots from the food warmers.*

Tim: Oh, that's not good.

Bruce: What's not good?

Tim: Babs, get the fire department on speed dial.

*Feral!Reader manged make a pipe bomb with a few things they found. Then used some random fabric they ripped from their clothing hog tie the villain and their goons.*

Villain: You little bitch!

Feral!Reader: Don't call bitch or you ain't gonna like what I do to you!

Villian: Do your worst, bitch!

Feral!Reader: Bet.

*Feral!Reader proceeds to procure a bottle of maple syrup and a fire ant farm before shoving both objects down the villains pants.*

Feral!Reader: My cousin once said that this was a good hack to make your dick bigger.

*Villain screaming.*

*Goons screaming cause the ants are getting on them too.*

*Gotham elite looking in horror.*

Bruce: ...

Bruce: Well, I'm sure this was just a one time incident.

*It was not.*

Tim: Someone needs to check on that cousin…

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

Halloween prompts year 2 day 5

Danny slid in through a sliding glass door, soaked to the bone and practically salivating at the smell of whatever the butler guy-Alfred, his name was Alfred-had in the oven.

"Master Damian, would you like a towel?" Danny nearly jumped when the man spoke, "Yes, please." Danny replied without thinking. Alfred raised an eyebrow before Danny hurriedly corrected his posture, "I mean, that would be lovely Pennyworth. Thank you." He managed to slap on a pretty convincing 'Damian Wayne' accent if he did say so himself but the butler didn't look convinced.

Danny silently chastised himself. If he wanted this to work out he needed to be convincing! Luckly Alfred didn't really question it and just went to go get him a towel.

Aka: Damian Wayne runs away at the beginning of summer break and homeless and starving Danny Fenton shape-shifts and takes his name and place.

Featuring: Alfred knowing something is up but not entirely sure what

Tim fully convinced Damian has been replaced Pod Person style but no one believes him

Bruce thinks Damian is making a bid for independence, especially since he's refusing to patrol with anyone and doing it solo (in reality Danny doesn't have any Robin training and he knows everyone will notice the difference)

Jason finds Dannys hidden stash of stolen food and survival supplies and thinks Damian believes they're gonna kick him out of the family or something and is bing extra nice and offered him a place to stay if things got too rough between him and Bruce. Danny accepted as Damian but was crying inside cause he knew this offer was for Damian and not him

Cass was in Hong Kong so Danny didn't have to worry about her but Talia caught wind of a second Damian acting as Robin and confronted him alone on a rooftop on night

Steph just thought Damian was maturing and becoming nicer

Damian himself had run away to the Kent farm and occasionally having adventures with Jon, unaware that any of this was happening

[femmehaljordan]

Me again! Thanks for the correction on the man cass broke out of prison, I was not entirely sure.

But i think cass' and by extension the rest of the bats' moral code brings a really interesting juxtaposition to jason's in how selfish it seems in comparison.

Because the whole judge, jury, executioner bit is bullshit, sheer hypocricy at its finest because the idea of vigilante justice is built on acting as a judge, jury and executioner OUTSIDE the bounds of the law. But the bats get to judge, and punish anyone THEY deem worthy, in extreme ways in some cases, baring death which is the much more merciful route sometimes, but not have the GUILT associated with casting that judgement. It also reeks of 'once a criminal, always a criminal' with no opportunity for reform OR understanding and nuance to the circumstances/cause of the crime itself. To them crime is the root problem, whereas to jason, crime is the symptom, the effect of dysfunction within the wider system.

His brand of justice is much more selfless in that regard to me. It places the burden of both guilt and action on him. He bears the role of judge, jury and executioner because there are victims. Because hurt is being caused and he want THAT to be reduced. Not necessarily crime itself, but harm. And he understands that uplifting and doing right by people will reduce crime in turn. To me jason's moral code and character motivation speak to a much more nuaned and empathic understanding of crime than any of the bats.

The extremeism of cass', or the ultimately gross inaction of bruce's moral code hinge wholly on THEIR GUILT and THEIR wellbeing. The lengths they go to to prevent themselves from feeling that guilt is astounding.

I personally don't feel like (in fanon and fanfic especially) Jason should be framed as feeling guilty for killing, or breaking the bats' rule. Because he doesn't. His moral code demands safety, and comfort for the hurt, and he has no problems removing anyone in opposition to that. His lack of guilt and the really interesting point that he includes himself in the collective of victims of both the Joker and Gotham's crime at large, speaks to me to a selflessness that I can't help but admire.

He'll protect them, no matter what it takes. Beacuse he knows no one else will bare that burden. He made the mistake of thinking otherwise already.

-🪼

YES EXACTLY.

Jason including himself in victims of the Joker is soooooo important to his character. Because he IS and he UNDERSTANDS. In ways the others never will. Because they all see themselves a survivors. And the core of Jason’s character is that he DIDN’T. It doesn’t matter that it didn’t stick, that he came back. Because he is a tally in the Joker’s death toll. And he’s able to empathize with other victims because he was there.

It’s sooooo. And it tied into the people that are like “why is Jason always talking about his death? The others have died too”

A) he’s not always talking about it? A lot of the time it’s the others like

B) his death is completely different and you know it

Jason Todd’s victimhood is sooooo important and it needs to be addressed more.

Frankly I find Jason’s moral code much more understandable than Bruce’s or Cass’.

[microwavesaferat]

I've seen multiple hcs of English Teacher Jason Todd, I've also seen multiple teacher aus in general. I would like to propose a 3rd Option:

Secret Day Jobs

All the Robins and Batfam extended universe (aka, until I get bored) have started doing day jobs as they get older, but they are all worried Bruce will bench them if they find out they're burning the candle at both ends, so they keep it secret.

We all know Dick is a cop in some comics, but I would like to propose they all go into teaching in some way. They don't tell the others, and gradually all end up transferring to the same school. We're also assuming they are all adults here.

We have:

Jason Todd - English Lit Professor. Doesn't like dealing with college kids, so moves to high school literature. Sometimes covers drama lessons if it's Shakespeare plays.

Dick Grayson - Health and Wellbeing (don't know if this is just a UK thing, sometimes called PSE). Basically teaches kids the dangers of smoking and how to stay healthy mentally and physically. He also runs the schools gymnastics club and helps at some other sports clubs.

Tim Drake - Computing. One of those teachers that doesn't care if you swear or call him the proper title. Does not care if you are misusing the school computers. He figured out the others are all teachers and hacked himself onto the payroll cause he thought it would be funny. Hacking emails to change names to see how long he can keep the others from figuring out they all work in the same place.

Damian Wayne - Biology. He kind of wishes he went into chemistry, because he despises the giggles and childish behaviour whenever something mentioned in the course is even mildly sexual. Refuses to do the frog dissection and nearly gets into a physical fight with the head of department. This event is what clues Dick into his presence, "Did you hear the new biology teacher threatened to kill Mr Smith over something? Apparently had a Katana or something in his desk".

Cassandra Cain - Guidance Councilor. Very good at interpreting the body language of the kids. Also does some work with ASL interpretation when needed. Thought everyone was aware of each other and isn't really trying to hide. Tim still has no idea she's here. Dick gets jumpscared when Cass shows up to one of the after school clubs he helps at.

Stephanie Brown - Somehow in a different position everyday. She appears as a janitor one day, then she's doing the school bus run the next. On Fridays she works in the Canteen cause the food is good on Fridays. There explicitly to annoy Tim who knows she's there, but can't find her in the payroll.

Duke Thomas - Politics/Modern Studies. The sort of teacher to say he's putting on a documentary, then pauses every 30 secs to go on a tangent about something. Disagrees with half the shit in the curriculum, so does his own thing. The projector in his classroom hasn't worked for months, but no one needs to know that.

Also, the moment they all figured out they are all there.

Dick hears about the frog incident and very quickly catches on.

Duke goes to the office to pick up jotters and Stephanie is working there.

Jason used the guidance councilor's room to take a minute and chill. Cass was on top of a cupboard for 10 mins before revealing herself.

Dick goes to grab the first aid kit after a kid falls at gymnastics and Stephanie is the Custodian in today.

Damian needs some supplies and the lab tech is Stephanie.

An Arkham breakout happens during a parents night and all of them run to change into costume. Issue is they all hid their costumes in the janitors closet.

WE runs a scholarship fund for students and Bruce has to show up to the awards ceremony for successful students. He gets a tour of the school only to slowly run into all of his kids. To start with, the tour is run by Stephanie who is refusing to break character.

Stephanie: Thank you for coming Mr Wayne

Bruce: Stephanie wha-

Stephanie: Please, Miss Brown, Stephanie was my father.

Steph: Anyway, here is our lovely new labs that WE do graciously funded.

Damian: *Yelling at a child to follow safety procedures*

Bruce: What? Dames?

Stephanie: and down to the left is our English department.

Jason Todd: *Animatedly discussing the influences of Romeo and Juliet in modern culture*

Steph: This is our lit teacher Mr Todd Peters

Bruce: *makes a note to remind his kids on good undercover names*

Well I'm tired but will probably add to this at some point.

[ultimate-marysue]

My personal body headcanons for the Batfam

Bruce: He is a tank made of pure muscle. Like many other users have put forward (recommend especially @frownyalfred posts on the matter), that's not an easy feat to pull off. It is a testament to Bruce's willpower and dedication to Batman that he's even able to maintain it. Also, I think he took really good care of his scars in the beginning so they would be as inconspicuous as possible when sleeping around as Brucie. Once he gets older and leans more into the father persona he stops caring as much for anything that's going to be covered by his suits and shirts.

Barbara: I hated the fact that her disability got completely erased, so that's the first difference. If you want to have her be Batgirl again, you should do what Gotham Knights did and make it so there are lasting effects and limitations. I'm sorry, but it feels so cheap to me that they just erased disability rep cause they didn't know how to write a strong disabled woman. Skill issue. Also Barbara is built like a brick in my heart of hearts, she's a rectangle with the density of a neutron star. I also think she has one of the healthiest and normal diets of the Bats, mainly cause the physical requirements of Oracle aren't nearly as demanding.

Dick Grayson: I'm not going to reinvent the wheel here by saying Dick Grayson has the perfect acrobat's body. My headcanon is that he gets it naturally. Not that he can just do whatever you want, sadly with their line of work you need to meet a series of requirements. I mean it in the sense of 1) proportions 2) really high metabolism from constant exercise since he was a child, probably the fastest tied with Cass 3) he doesn't need to work out as much outside patrol as the rest to keep his body mass. Every single robin after him low-key hates him for creating a fighting style that only he can do effortlessly.

Cassandra Cain: like mother like daughter, my girl is thick. None of that waifish, delicate ballerina shit. She's short and she has muscles most humans haven't heard of. Average goon tries to knock this 5 feet nothing girl only to be met by an unmovable object. Also, probably contender for top most scarred bat of all. She just looks like she could fuck your shit up without breaking a sweat and that's probably because she could. Also I think she has short legs, giving her an even lower center of gravity. She's just a brick wall.

Jason Todd: my man is one of the few bitches in this family with a normal, healthy, percentage of body fat. He's built like a strong man instead of a body builder, and the fact that he can be sneaky with all that mass is terrifying. I think for a minute there he wondered what he was doing wrong and why he didn't look as lean as Bruce. Then he figured what Bruce had to do to keep Batman's body in line and Jason said "fuck that, I'm not doing all that". In his villain self destructive era that waist was snatched, but the second he started taking actual care of his body it did what body's do. Considering how he mixes so many fighting techniques I can see him building his fighting style around his needs instead of the other way around.

Steph: she's the curviest of the Batgirls, which is why she favors so much the "indistinct blob" silhouette. As any woman with a boobs size above an B cup will tell you: people get disgusting really quick. I think part of her struggles with Robin was trying to wrangle her developing body into a fighting style designed for a very naturally lean boy. Balancing is harder when you have a large set of bazonkers, they don't tell you this in the comics but it is the truth. She also lacks the super fast metabolism other Bats have, and I can see her trying really hard to fit in the mold only to realize as she grows older that she can do her own thing.

Tim: I think Tim, growing up as society kid and then forcing himself into the Robin role, never learned what eating healthy is. I headcanon him having some sort of ED (I think he would evolve through a few of them as he grew up), not because I like throwing angst at characters (though I do) but because it makes sense to me giving his background and personality. EDs are not only about "looking thin", but also about feeling in control. Also, Tim hanging onto the Robin title reminds me of child actors trying to force their developing body's to stop at a kid size so they can keep playing their character. I could write a whole post about it, but for what's relevant, the ED headcanon doesn't mean Tim is just super thin. I think his body is fluctuates the most out of any of the Bats, depending on where he's at mentally and age wise.

Duke Thomas: my boy is built for parkour. He's got the longest limbs in the family, he's got the reach. He keeps waiting for puberty to hit him like a train and give him Jason/Bruce levels of muscle mass, but he's just too tall. Like, yes, he can bench press Jason, but proportionally he's so much taller than all of them by then he just looks noodly. When he puts on the body armor though he makes Batman look like a Barbie doll. Anytime he's looming about, Jason accuses him of overcompensating. Duke just pretends to not be able to hear him from up above. Also pls DC give him long hair that floats around him in the same way Batman's cape does?? Pls, just give him magic girl hair that defies gravity.

Damian: I've said this before but this poor child grew up being told he'd one day be as huge as his dad but grows up to be Talia 2.0. I think he does inherit Bruce's height, but is distraught to never be hulking mountain of muscle like OG Batman. Little does he know Bruce isn't naturally that big either, and it's only through frankly unhealthy means he maintained that body. Everyone else agrees to never tell Damian about it so he won't even think to try it, and instead focus on reassuring him he's more than strong enough to inherit the title if that's what's bothering him. It ends up playing in his favor, Cass is proof that you don't need to be huge to instill the fear of God into people. And the way he moves, like a panther stalking his prey, is more than enough to make the rogues quake.

[brucewaynehater101]

okay, but if Tim is heavily parenting Bruce, then how does he treat everyone else??? Like, yeah, siblings, but does he also have moments where his need to parent shine through? Do they ever notice?

Tim has some wacky relationships with the Bats. He doesn't necessarily put labels on his relationships and tries not to let other people's relationships with each other affect his relationship with them too much. Here's how he would define them if he was pushed:

Alfred is both Tim's equal and an authority in his life. They both parent Bruce, but Alfred will tell Tim he isn't allowed to patrol when injured. He will tell Tim to go to bed and to knock it off with some actions. Tim is still a teenager and does make some stupid decisions (kids have a harder time with impulse control due to brain development). In return, Tim will ask Alfred to take breaks and help him when needed. Alfred has more power and respect, but they usually work together to help the household.

Tim does see Dick as an older brother and allows himself to be treated as a younger brother. Because Dick is independent from Bruce, this is easier.

Barbara is in a similar position to Alfred. Tim will defer to her judgment, but they work together to keep the Bats running. Tim does more of the emotional work, Alfred does more of the physical care work (cooking, cleaning, etc.), and Babs does more of the vigilante support. They will help the others in their areas, but they do the majority of their own fields.

Cass is Tim's sister. Tim kind of sees it like they have different dads and usually mentally blocks out that her dad is his son. Cass understands in a way Dick doesn't (cause Dick also doesn't know), so it's easier in other areas than it is for Dick.

Steph is Tim's platonic soul mate.

Jason was Bruce's son until after the BruceQuest. Because Jason attacked Tim, Tim refused to have a personal relationship with the man. He was his son's son, not Tim's brother or grandson. After Tim and Jason started getting along, he started to see him as his little shit of a grandson.

Damian was on a similar boat to Jason. After the BruceQuest, Tim started to see Damian as his nephew (or as Dick's son).

Duke is Tim's friend, but he's starting to see him as a brother as well.

Those would be the more rigid definitions Tim would assign if he gave them thought, but he typically let's the vibes be and allows the others to make decisions on how their relationship is defined.

But yes, he does accidentally slip into parenting them. I imagine, if the batkids found out how he truly feels about them, shit would hit the fan (so to speak).

[orionremastered]

do you think you would ever do a wingfic? cause i LOVE your writing style and your shifter fics have lead me to believe that you would be super good at it :]

like brucie would obviously have batwings cause ✨drama✨ and maybe for the rest of the fam they have wings that match their hair colors and personalities? if that makes sense 🫠 and maybe the reader has just super duper soft wings :}

if you ever decide to do something wingfic esq. just know that i would be the first to read :3

with love - @gothammybeloved

Rising from the dead with this one (I have twenty asks in my inbox)

Happy Holidays you mfs

Masterlist

Bruce

Def a bat. Causes him problems with the press having similar wings to Batman sometimes but there's a lot of other people with bat wings so it's generally a baseless accusation. This likely goes for the entire batfam because lots of people have similar bird wings. Ye

I'd think that he and Lucius Fox probably designed some kind of protection for bat wings (and then later of feather wings once he adopted Dick etc) because criminals would purposely or accidentally rip the membrane/break the bones of batfam wings.

Dick

Dick is a Blue Jay because;

A) blue does it need explanation

B) Blue Jays have elliptical wings which are shaped in a way that "allow birds to maneuver tightly in confined spaces and minimize drag for rapid ascent and descent". And it makes sense for Dick who is flexible to concerning degrees. So. Neat

Jason

We have two options here:

A) secretary bird bc they beat the shit out of snakes. I promise. Snakes = dirty criminals yk??? Also that bird looks like it reads Jane Austen

B) Andean Condor which is the largest bird of prey

because Jason is a brick shit house

Tim

Crow/Raven. Doesn't matter cause they're both smart and have been known to use things like tools and other stuff etc.

Also black would fit with the Red Robin suit I'd think so yeah 👍

Damian

Like father like son, so bat wings too. In the League I'd think they would treat the wings of the Al Ghul (I'd wanna say all have bat wings too? Cant see Ra's with bird wings) family as...

Idk but see the vision ok: painting the membrane with special paint that doesn't weigh them down, in gold intricate patterns. They'd have people do it for them but when moving to Gotham, Damian would probably keep doing it himself.

Steph

Red (or yellow) tailed black cockatoo. Cockatoos have a fun personality I think and the wings of the red tailed black cockatoo are black, fitting in with her suit, but also have a fun sprinkle of yellow colouring.

Idk what birds have purple wings I sorry

Cass

An owl with black wings (black banded owl, black barn owl etc.) because:

A) black . Black bat? Like?

B) owls are silent in flight which makes sense for Cass because she's very stealthy and quiet.

Duke

Keeping a trend of Australian birds I think he'd be a rainbow lorikeet. Lovable colourful birds that no one can find a reason to hate except for when there's fifty squawking next to your bedroom cough cough

Have mostly yellow wings. Bonus their chest feathers reflect in ultraviolet light to signal (! See what I did there) to other birds. Let's pretend their wings do that too

Alfred

Some kind of albatross. This man went from British special forces to a butler for billionaires in America. He has travelled. He has seen shit. He makes it look easy

Bonus most albatross species live up and over of 50 years which isn't the longest but still pretty cool.

[sparkypantaloons]

Metronomics

Sometimes it's too much, Gotham. Too much putting his body on the line for a city that can't and won't change.

Bruce imagines what his life could have been, what his children's lives could have been, if things had been different.

~~

Sometimes it's too much. Gotham. Too polluted, too populated, to poor...

Morally poor, he should say. The money's never been more than a means to an end for Bruce and he's never cared who has or hasn't got it. Even if he knows that's evidence enough of how out of touch he really is. To not be, and never have been, the levels of desperate so many of his fellow Gothamites have. Are. But he can't change that now. Not after a lifetime of more money than he could ever hope to spend (and God knows he's tried).

And it's not that he thinks poverty equals moral corruptness. Of course not. But God, if it doesn't cause a rot that's hard to escape. An agony deep in the bones, like an atomic bomb. Almost a century since, but still poisoning the ground and the air and the lives where it fell.

It's too much, sometimes. Gotham. Decades of putting his body, his heart, mind on the line for a city that doesn't change and can't change and... Won't.

Part of his Brucie-rich-boy-bit has always been a pretend man of the people. 'Billionaire spotted on Chicago's L-train', a picture of him in $5,000 jeans, throwing a peace sign on the platform at Quincy. 'Bruce Wayne joins the commute on Bangkok's BTS Skytrain' sunburned and sweaty and grinning like a moron. Public transport is easy when you don't need it. The delays, the overcrowding, the cost. All part of the big adventure when you're rich and famous.

He's deliberate in his appearances. Shows up too big to be allowed and always lost. Asking fellow travellers for directions and breaking every unspoken, local rule. Stopping at the bottom of escalators and standing on the right and never having his ticket ready at the barriers... but he's deliberate in his anonymity too.

He's ridden the New York subway and Shanghai's metro and Vienna's U-bahn more times than he can count. Undercover, trailing marks and tailing suspects, slipping past local police and resident gangsters alike. Just another nameless face in the crowd.

But then there's the times he's just there as himself. Times he rides the lines as Bruce. Not the billionaire, not the Bat. Just Bruce. Grey Ghost fan, hates mushrooms, loves dinosaurs. Father, friend, son. Just another traveller amidst the millions. Nobody wanting anything from him, nobody talking to him, nobody even noticing him. It's freedom unlike any he's ever known.

It makes him wonder what his life might have been. If he hadn't been born in the South Wing's master bedroom of Wayne Manor. What his children's lives might have been, if their father had just been a man, and not this man.

Dick for sure, Olympic medallist. There's no doubt. Even without the money and the training and the classes, his boy was destined for greatness. Gold medals and podiums and adoration. Coaching and teaching and leading. And, Bruce fancies, probably the ESPN correspondent for major competitions. Team USA coach. International Olympic Committee. Whatever Dick wanted; in any life there's nothing he couldn't do.

Cass, Bruce likes to think, would have been an architect. If she'd ever been afforded a normal life, ever been given the tender love and care she so deserved as a child. She reads people with ease, drilled into her as it was by Cain; a skill as crucial as its learning was cruel. But given a normal life? Architecture, Bruce is sure. The way she navigates space, the way she uses it and understands it. What better way to make a life than creating in the space she so fully inhabits? Designing structures that change the way people live, challenge how they think. She'd have been glorious.

Tim, on the other hand... Tim. If Bruce thinks about him too long the guilt starts to set in. His brilliant boy, just next door; alone for so long. Bruce was intimately familiar with the experience, though at least he'd had Alfred when he'd been young. If only he'd just paid more attention, he could have— anyway. In another time, one where Bruce rides the subway and to work and Tim doesn't spend the first decade of his life by himself, surely he'd be some fintech billionaire wizz kid by now. He'd have created a Facebook or eBay or Venmo. But better. Kinder. Richer probably than Bruce, now. And he'd still ride the metro next to his old man.

Damian, Bruce's youngest, sweetest boy. Who knows what Damian could have been, in a life where Bruce and Talia kissed each other goodbye every morning and sweet dreams each night. He's a gentle soul, really, fierce as he is. Shows it in his affection for animals. Gives them the tenderness he never had as a child. Who knows what he could have been in a life filled with light instead of shadow. Warmth and love instead of the League's relentless dark. A scientist maybe, or an astronaut. A teacher, a vet, a nurse. Whatever he wanted. A gardener, a piano tuner, a cab driver. Happy, whatever it was. And safe in the knowledge he was loved.

And then... and then, Jason. Bruce thinks of his second son the most, as he rides the rails. Takes the Bakerloo south from Marylebone and the Tanamachi west to Hirano. What Jason could have been, if things had been different. It doesn't seem fair to dwell on it. To imagine the darling, sweet boy who had been Robin as anything but. To disrespect the incredible fucking gift he's already been given of a second chance, by imagining it as any different. So instead he thinks that Jason would still be Robin. Still Red Hood. Still saving people, still putting himself on the line to make the world better. Even if Bruce didn't love the way he did it, he still loved Jason. Gods did he love him. It's too much, sometimes.

Gotham. Sometimes she's too much. But most of the time, most of the time she was everything. His home, his children's home.

To see the sun rise from the east corner of the clocktower with Cass and swing between the crumbling art deco blocks of Coventry, Dick by his side. Racing down her labyrinth of alleyways and side streets with Tim and even negotiating her sewers with Damian. And Jason. Just seeing Jason's face, scowling at him though it usually is, as he waits outside the Collins Street station for Bruce to arrive.

"Your late." He grunts, as Bruce climbs the steps of the subway. He looks at his watch irritably. "If we miss brunch, you're paying."

"Of course," Bruce says, a warm hand on Jason's shoulder as they begin to walk. "Anything for you, chum."

She's too much, sometimes. Gotham. But most of the time? She's exactly where he wants to be

[frownyalfred]

How much violence do you think Batman should be able to get away with and still remain a hero or vigilante while also not losing his characterization?

There are times where no lives are in immediate danger and he only needs to get information but then he just casually breaks bones, effectively torturing someone. Like in the videogames Telltale Batman or the Arkham games' verse or even the movies and comics where he dishes out way more violence than necessary. That scene where he threatens to crush a guy's head with the Batmobile and actually has the car start rolling over his head, cracking it slightly. Or the interrogation of Eli in the Telltale game where Batman can pretty much brutalize and torture an already frightened criminel if the player so chooses. Or the comics, where he sometimes says he enjoys hurting criminals and sends them to the ER without a second thought.

Also, do his kids know just how brutal Bruce can be on a Tuesday just cause he feels like a criminel deserves it? After a patrol, he'll reprimand them for breaking someone's collarbone or if he thinks they took it too far even though he does that all the time. It's not like the Batkids never do it themselves, but when they do, they're mostly in extremely emotional states and not a cold clinical mindset. One could argue Jason and Cass are exessively violent too but, well, Jason is an anti-hero (or villain) and Cass is still learning how far is too far.

And if the kids didn't know/realise, what would happen if they saw a recording of Batman absolutely dismantling a criminal in a detached sort of way (maybe a rogue maybe not, whatever would be worse ig) and then having to reconcile that that's the man who's like a father to them.

It's a very interesting question, and I suspect you'll get a different answer from everyone you ask.

My take is that it comes down to two things: intention and likelihood. Bruce's line for injury/torture/death sits somewhere between probably won't kill them or cause grievous injury and could cause death or grievous injury.

Throwing a guy off a high-up roof isn't just likely to kill someone, it was likely intended to do so. As we see in Batman Begins, you can throw someone off a (low) roof and not kill them, without the intention of killing them, and without the high likelihood of the act killing them.

Breaking a man's leg for information probably won't kill him, but it could! The break could be done wrong, or heal wrong, and cause a blood clot that killed the man. But was breaking the man's leg intended to kill him? Was it done with full knowledge that the break would likely result in death? Is that something a reasonable individual can even evaluate on their own?

The argument can be made that hitting someone in the head could result in death. So is Bruce risking his no-kill rule on a technicality when he punches people into walls? Does dying from a complicated TBI years later count?

I find the branding example in BVS a fascinating discussion of this point. Bruce doesn't kill the men he brands, but he effectively sets the men up to be killed in prison. Is it the same? Does he intend for the brand to kill the men? Does he have knowledge of the likelihood of death as a result of his brand? Does Lex's meddling actually change any of that when it's revealed later?

The third thing I haven't brought up but that you did is Bruce's enjoyment/active participation in all of this. Does he hurt people because it's effective? Is it ever gratuitous? Is he detached from the suffering he causes, viewing it as a means to an end? Does Gotham play by different rules -- i.e., is torture and grievous bodily injury ever acceptable in Gotham when it wouldn't be in other cities? Is Bruce a man willing to do what it takes at the end of his rope, or is he a man who resorts to violence when there are still other viable options? Somewhere in between?

I do agree that, with the addition of Robins and other family members, the violence likely tones down unless absolutely necessary. Hurting people shouldn't be enjoyable, but it is downright painful for some people (not Bruce) to witness firsthand.

[celaenaeiln]

what do you think are the Batfam’s enneagram types? Specifically Bruce, Dick, Jason, Cass, Tim, Damian, Barbara and Steph, And anyone else you think important (l think Dick is mostly a type 2 and 1. Haven’t looked into the others yet) I’m asking because I think knowing a character’s personality type (OC or not) can help you write them in character, and I know a personality test probably isn’t going to fit them 100% just like real people but it could be a great guide

Ennegram Chart source

Bruce

Bruce is a 5 no doubt.

I feel like this is pretty self-explanatory. The description is a checklist of his personality traits.

Dick

Dick is 1, 2, and 3.

I would say 3 is his overarching personality, 1 is a secondary/support of the main one - 3 - and 2 is the other half of his personality. The thing about Dick is that he feels an almost pathological need to keep succeeding, keep doing better, and break every limit. It's not for anyone else, it's for himself because he doesn't feel like himself if he's not perfect. All of 1, 2, and 3's traits

Jason

Jason is an 8.

Ever since his Robin days, Jason has always been more on the willful side. As in, I want to do my own thing. Deal with it. And after coming back as Red Hood he wasn't initially self-confident but he's grown into it. No one can influence him to do anything and he's ready to throw hands if someone pushes too much.

Tim

Tim is a 5 or 6.

Smart, genius boy detective obviously (he's no isolated tho) so that explains 5 but Tim leans more towards 6. He's loyal to the cause and he's very responsible. But he's also a huge cute dork who's always on the look out for something that is off and he's always worried and thinking about what's wrong and what could go wrong. He's mainly a 6 with a little bit of 5 added in (perceptive, innovative, sometimes secretive).

Cass

Cass is a 5.

Cass and Bruce are identical. The way they think and act, Cass is a like a Batman 2.0 but better.

Steph

Steph is a 4.

DC really wants her to be a 7-

But I wrote a whole essay on why she's not a 7, but a 4 instead. She's not self-absorbed in the "I only love myself" way, she more of a "How can I constantly improve myself" type. When something bad happens her mind can get really down in the dumps about it but she tries her best to be positive - she's not withdrawn but expressive, dramatic, and temperamental definitely.

Damian

Dami is 3 or 8.

The achiever was instilled in him by his mother to constantly work to be the best at whatever he tries and now it's just a part of his personality. He's very self-conscious. 8 because like Jason, he does what he wants when he wants. No one can tell him what to do (unless it's Dick but gosh Bruce really tried).

Duke

Duke is 9.

Duke is extremely strong-willed but he does it in a nice way. He works towards heroism and every action he takes, it's aimed at helping people. He has a very strong sense of right and wrong and nothing will stop him from doing what is right. That being said, he gets along with everyone and is very easy going and caring, it's just that he won't compromise his morals for it. He's very loving in like a familial way.

Barbara

Barbara is an 8.

Dominant. She has a strong need to be in control at all times and know everything and when something gets in the way of that control, she gets very angry and persistent. She's confident in her abilities and makes decisions in which no one can influence her. She knows what she wants and she will get it whatever may come.

[jon-cantlain]

what is your opinion on each of the Wayne's?

oh that'll be good

bruce is a bit slow and i never understand what he's saying when he goes on about some rich stuff, but he's cool to my dad and always gives me candy

dick is awesome he always shows me cool tricks and acrobatics shit when I'm there and he knows all of my secrets, so if we ever stop being friends I'd have to wipe his memory

jason is cut off but in a good way, he's like the emotionally unavailable teenage sister i never had

tim is kind of annoying sometimes but he's a great friend when needed and is very smart and knows how to fix almost everything

damian is my best friend so of course I'll say he's amazing although sometimes he doesn't get my jokes and i gotta stand there waiting for him to just not laugh at all

cass is cool, she's all quiet but is very sweet and i know she'd beat anyone's ass if needed

steph is like that single aunt that's always around for the food and alcohol, but i like her she's fun

duke is chill, he always has some nice stuff to say and never gets mad at me for breaking his stuff. or maybe it's cause dick takes the blame every time

alfred is like that ancient creature that everyone knows is real but doesn't know why or how, so we'll obey him otherwise who knows what that old fella is capable of

conner is my stepbro but he's also dating tim so ig that makes him a wayne too. he's a jerk when he's awake, but he's still my bro and I'd do anything for him

bart is dating connor and tim and tbh idk much about him just that he always looks like a caffeinated squirrel

roy is cool but i get the feeling he's up to some criminal stuff like jaywalking

wally gotta be the most normal guy there, maybe one day I'll wake up and find out that he's a government agent undercover or something

barbara is not a wayne but shes always in the gd manor so she either works there as tech support or shes cursed to never leave

and now there's ric.. don't know him that much yet but he's with duke, so how bad can he be?

[purpleprincessonfyre]

OUAT AU - I Gave My Blood, Sweat and Tears For This

Characters: Liane St James, Cassandra Sean, Belladonna St James

Mentioned: Bruce Banner, Melissa Wallace, Alexander, Rochelle Romanoff-Felton

Location: Fighter-Town, Cursed Modern Day

IB: Once Upon A Time, You're On Your Own Kid by Taylor Swift

"You did what?"

"Cass you've been saying for years that he doesn't treat me right. It's almost all we talk about!"

"Yeah but I didn't expect you to-"

"Wow so you tell me to stick it to the man and then when I actually do, you freak?"

Liane sighed, sipping her tea. Cassie stirred her tea busily, trying to get her head around it, her gaze landing on Liane's bandaged nose every so often.

"He really hit you?"

"I hit him back. Pushed him over his desk."

"Lia..."

"Okay I lost it but can you blame me?"

Liane questioned. Cass just lowered her head and sipped her tea. Everyone knew Liane could lose her temper, she just hadn't really done it in a while. She could be pretty volatile when she lost it. She had a history of breaking things, screaming and generally just going a little mad. But Cassie had never seen Liane get violent. It was not her style. Cassie very delicately tried to change the subject as she drank her herbal tea.

"So are you still gonna be a lawyer?"

"Of course just...on my terms. I'll be my own boss. I'll be fine."

"Well I'm here if you need me, you know that."

"Oh I know. But I'll be alright. Bella will keep babysitting, I'll find clients..."

"You don't have to do this alone."

"Don't worry Cassie. I'll get by."

Liane relaxed into her chair and reached into the fruit bowl for a snack pulling out a shiny red apple. She was a little confused since she hadn't remembered buying apples at the grocery store but maybe Cass had brought them. She plucked it from the bowl and raised it to her mouth when Cassie stopped her suddenly.

"Don't eat that!"

"What? Did you want it?"

"No I just....I uh thats wax. Its a wax apple I thought your fruit bowl was for decoration."

"Oh shoot! Damn." She put the apple down on the table, instantly seeing Cassie's shoulders relax as she did so.

"You okay?"

"Yeah sorry its just I didn't want you to break your teeth or something."

"You're good hun." Liane smiled, finishing her tea as she saw the time on her watch, realising it wasn't long until school ended for Belladonna.

"Oh shoot, school let's out soon! I told Bella I'd pick her up. I should go, this has been lovely Cass but I gotta shoot off."

"Oh not at all, go right ahead I gotta do the books at the shop anyway."

"I'll talk to you later."

Cassie got up and slipped the apple into her pocket as she left the house, taking it towards the trash can and throwing it in. That had been close. She looked over her shoulder and checked no one had seen her before she headed down the road back to her florists shop. It was clear that Liane would need watching a lot closer for now.

Liane waved off Cass and shut the door to get ready to pick up Bella from school, getting in her car as she saw a bottle of apple juice sat on the front seat.  She didn't recognise the brand in anyway but it looked pretty fresh. She assumed it was probably Bella's and decided to leave it until she saw her. It was a little odd though as she thought about it. Maybe she'd left it this morning. That made sense.

As she finally pulled up at the school she turned on her tunes with the windows up, just waiting patiently for Bella to walk out. She was just nodding her head at first but as she got into it she was singing at the top of her lungs when Bella opened the passenger seat car door.

"Cause you got that James Dean, daydream, look in your eye and I got that-"

"Mom."

"Thing that you like and when we go-"

"Mom!"

"We never go- Oh sweetheart! I'm so sorry!" She instantly turned down the music as Bella climbed in the car, aware she might be embarrassed by her.

"Sorry sweetie I got caught up. Oh here's your juice."

"Thank you and I- what? What juice?"

"Oh yknow, this one. I figured you forgot it in the car this morning."

"That's...not mine."

"Oh well. Waste not want not." Liane uncapped the bottle and lifted it to her lips as Bella's eyes widened and she slapped the bottle out her hands and it flew out of the window onto the road.

"Bella!"

"Where did you get that?"

"It was on your seat, kiddo."

"Don't drink things you find! Especially apple flavoured things..."

"Bella stop it-"

"What did you say to the Mayor?"

"I...I told him I quit. Hence my nose. But I got my own back I shoved him over his desk. He deserved it."

"Mom now he's got it out for you, he's going to poison you!"

"Enough! Enough with this fantasy stuff, I'm glad you worry about me and I know he's an asshole but he's not some evil king in a high castle! He's just a guy that has too much power that sucks. Okay?"

"Just- be careful."

Liane smiled, stroking Bella's hair kindly, kissing her forehead gently. As she drove out of the school parking lot, a thought did cross her mind as she headed back towards home.

"Honey?"

"Yes?"

"Why would you be worried about me eating something apple flavoured?"

"Well...the Mayor has an apple tree."

"Okay...and why is that bad?"

"The apples...aren't normal."

"I know there are tiny apples that you can't eat because they're for the birds. And cooking apples you shouldn't eat raw.

"Wait, so you think he juiced one of those bad apples, bottled it, wrapped it in a fake brand label, somehow broke into my car and planted it on your seat for me to find?"

Bella rolled her eyes, tossing her braid over her shoulder. Liane chuckled and continued to drive as they reached the front of their house and saw a basket on the porch. A wicker basket with steam escaping from it. Liane immediately panicked, worrying something was on fire and rushing to open the basket. But when she looked closer she realised there was a steaming strudel inside, a gorgeous golden crusting coated in toasted brown sugar.

"False alarm! It's a strudel, Cassie probably baked today."

"A strudel? Does she normally drop food on our door?"

"Well, no but I guess she feels bad because of the- yknow quitting." Liane scooped up the basket and carried it inside as Bella followed quickly.

"Did she leave a note?"

"Uh...no. But it probably is from her-"

"Mom! Don't eat it!"

"Sweetie-"

"Mom please don't eat the strudel!"

"I'm not gonna waste good food young lady."

Bella rubbed her eyes in an affected manner, really wanting to get her point across.

"I know you think everyone in this town is good and kind and nice but do you really know everybody? Like realistically how well do we actually know these people?"

"Pretty well I'd say since they trust us to watch each others kids and the parents trust you to babysit their kids."

"Just...let me have the strudel. I'll....feed it to the twins tonight. Just if you're gonna eat a pastry, get it from the diner. We can trust them."

Liane considered, staring at the golden pastry then seeing the look in her daughters eyes. There was real concern there. She relented at last, leaving the strudel be.

"Fine. I won't eat it. But don't throw it out either. When does Rochelle want you?"

"5pm. She's gotta talk to Cole about something and needs me to watch the kids until she's back."

"Alright. Maybe I'll eat at the diner then since you suggested it."

"Yes. And please no moping. I know what you get like." Bella responded, packing up her bag for spending the night at Rochelle's House. Babysitting often meant sleepovers which also meant telling the twins more stories about their fantasy lives. Bella went to fetch some pyjamas, leaving her Storybook on the table by Liane's phone.

Whilst Bella was gone, Liane peeked inside the pages and saw an illustration of a blonde woman with large black horns, sweeping dark purple wings, a long trailing wispy dress and purple eyes. Her face looked incredibly familiar but she couldn't quite place it and something in her mind felt different as she looked at the image longer. As she heard Bella's footsteps though she closed it quickly, going back to her phone.

"You need a ride?"

"I'll take my bike. I'll see you on Saturday."

"Alright sweetie, love you!"

"Love you too, be careful!" Bella called, clipping on her helmet and heading out the door. Liane sighed and waved her off at the window before grabbing her car keys and heading off to Bruce's Diner for a nice meal. She deserved this. And it did feel nice to get out of the house. She parked up and headed for the door, the warm lights feeling inviting as she stepped inside.

The little bell on the door chimed and Bruce himself raised his head from by the coffee maker and smiled at Liane as she walked in. She sat herself at the bar and waited for someone to take her order, just taking space to relax.

"Hey Ms St James, good to see ya. What can I getcha?"

"Hey Melissa, uh what's the pie of the day?"

"Oh uh it's a fruit pie tonight. Is that okay?"

"That's absolutely fine. Uh in that case I'll have the pie."

"A slice? Or..."

"Melissa. Honey. A whole one thanks."

Melissa nodded and headed into the kitchen and went to go and put in her order as the door's bell went, alerting the staff to a new customer arriving. Liane turned her head and beckoned them over, smiling.

Thanks for reading! Watch this space for Part 2 to see who just walked in and see if Belladonna is right about Alexander.

Tagging: @jackiequick @gcthvile @rooster-84 @blueboirick @cherrysft @meiramel @askstevella @ask-missparker @ask-starrk @therealdaydreamstark @thechoooooosenone @wizzzardofoz @finlayholmes @missstrawbs2001 @rickb-chaos @luna-d-marsh

[gulliversgambit]

Jason: Why's Cass always catfishing me!?

Tim: Mums the word.

Jason: 😱

Steph: What, too soon?

Cass: Yeah, we're both in stitches.

Jason: You get autopsied ONE time...!

Dick: 🎶 don't speak 🎶

Tim: iknowwhatyouresaying

Kon: 🎵 and I don't knead know reason 🎵

Rose: 🎶 Spoiler, have Alfred brew decaf 🎶

Raven: Cause Building Sevens always a ::hahaha:: laugh

Joker: That doesn't even fit the rhyming scheme. You ruined the punchline.

Cass: Right, cause you're a veritable Helen Keller!

Huntress: What is this, the OED? Seems like old white men have enough say in this familia.

Joker: Hey, I'm just wearing Geishaface! To Sing Sing, WuTang!

Duke: ha (yuppers)

Jason: There's never a Crowbar around when I really need one.

Babs: 🥴

Terry: But when will then be now?

Tim: 😱 Kk, sorry...really need that coffee fix now.

Damian: There is no fix for all that is wrong.

Jason: Tim, he didn't say, "with you."

Damian: Ahki?

Steph: Come little one; let us away.

Jason: We'll acquiesce yet spoil his request. Steph, have Alfred fetch Le Sleepy Time!

Dinah: We could at least gateway him into Hot Toddies!

Jason: I can't batcest tonight Fam! WE got shit to do tomorrow!

Alfred: Hydrate. Rio and Lu - plumbers for a reason.

Donna: I could Castor Troy for hours...?

Gordon: Speaking of Ravaging - the pipes are clean...?

Bullock: Secret code...?

Dent: The hills have eyes...?

Bruce: WATER, Helen, WATER! It's like I need it to live. 🙄

Joker: Turn around and ASK me for a Heffer with...

Quinzel: first of all, egg-a-mooby-muffin, please. Secondly, SAVE THE INFANTALIZED BIMBOIFICATION FOR ME!

Ivy: This is definitely The House of a Thousand Rejects. Makes me wanna root for the damn dirty apes.

Grodd: So long as we can stop King Shark from stealing our bananas.

Talia: Come mister tally man, tall...

Shiva: Stop...

Selina: Right meow...

Arthur: But no one's comes to the defense of these fishes being catted...? This MaCau bird is Flemming right.

Damian: I Am Number Four! No roots to the Slaughterhouse 99 but the rotten!

Floyd: Your Atlantean friend is lyeing to you!

Marcel: Mother of all Bombs was talking about Rio, not Batcow; but, thanks for ending all the anthropomorphscene...fin!

Batcomputer: How about a nice simulation of Old Maid, instead.

Slade: Should we totally break the fourth wall and get Weissman to reblog us with their favorite ahi ahi recipe, just to put the pissed off cherry on top of too many chefs in Todd's kitchen?

Whole ensemble ::deadpool shocked face::

Fisk: One doesn't need an Edgar suit to climb out of the Thirteenth Floor...?