#Child Neglect

[pomegranatelifethis]

Why doesn't anyone see me?

Warnings before you start There are disturbing elements, self-harm, eating disorders, and implicit mentions of harassment.

The grand hallways of Wayne Manor looked magnificent from the outside, but to you, they were nothing more than cold stone. You were sixteen, and in this house, in this family, you had always been just a shadow. The man you called your father — Bruce Wayne — had left you to drown in his darkness. The marks on your body, on your arms, back, legs... each was a silent scream. Each one reminded you how a world you once trusted had torn you apart. And the worst part? The one who did this wasn’t a stranger. It was someone who had existed in the background of your life, like a ghost.

You tried to speak up once. That night, you opened the door to his study. Bruce sat at his desk, surrounded by files and glowing monitors. His Batman suit hung in the corner — as if that costume was his real face.

“Dad,” you said, your voice trembling. “I need to talk.”

He looked up, his blue eyes tired, distant. “What is it?” he asked, but there was no real curiosity in his tone.

You took a deep breath, trying to ease the tightness in your chest. “I... Something happened. A while ago. And it still…” The words got stuck in your throat. You didn’t want to show him the scars — but maybe, just maybe, he would understand. Maybe he’d see you.

But Bruce lowered his head back to his files. “Now’s not the time,” he said, voice flat. “A lot’s going on in the city. We’ll talk later.”

Later. Always later.

You closed the door behind you, and tears began to slide down your cheeks. Batman could save Gotham — but he didn’t even try to save you.

The next day, you turned to Jason. The rebel of the family, a soul forged in his own pain. Maybe he’d understand.

You found him in the garage, working on his motorcycle.

“Jason,” you said, stepping closer. “I need to ask you something.”

He looked at you, wiping his hands with a grease-stained rag. “What do you want, princess?” he said with a mocking lilt.

You swallowed hard, gathering your courage. “Something happened to me. Something bad. And no one’s listening. I have scars—here,” you said, pulling up your sleeve slightly to show a faded mark.

Jason fell silent for a moment — then laughed.

“Everyone’s got issues, little lady. Go outside, see what I’ve seen. Then come back and cry.”

His words hit like a blade.

“But this is serious!” you cried, your voice cracking.

“Serious?” he snapped, standing and getting close. “You mean your little princess trauma? Grow up.”

Under his sneer, you felt yourself shrink. He didn’t see you either. He left you, too.

You decided to try Damian. Despite his young age, he had a sharp mind. Maybe he had noticed something.

You found him in the training room, practicing with a sword.

“Damian,” you said from the doorway. “Do you have a minute?”

He turned to you, green eyes cold and calculating.

“What do you want?” he asked, stabbing the blade into the floor.

“I… Something happened to me. And it’s hard to carry,” you said, choosing your words carefully.

He frowned, then smirked. “You’re weak,” he said, flatly.

“What?” was all you could manage.

“If you can’t carry it, then you don’t belong in this family. I know pain — but all you do is complain.”

His words were poison. His scorn felt worse than Jason’s mockery. Because Damian saw you as a burden. And in that moment, you felt the final thread tying you to this family snap.

You found Tim in the library, headphones in, eyes on his laptop.

“Tim,” you said, sitting beside him.

He pulled out one earbud. “Yeah?” he replied, eyes still on the screen.

“I need to ask you something. It’s important.”

“One sec, let me finish this line of code,” he mumbled.

Minutes passed. You sat there, waiting.

Eventually, he said, “Just tell me later,” and put his headphones back in.

He hadn’t even heard you.

Dick seemed different — or so you thought.

You found him in the lounge, laughing, mid-conversation.

“Dick, can we talk?” you asked, voice faint.

He turned to you with his bright smile. “Of course, little one! What’s up?”

But before you could say more than “I…” his phone rang.

“Hold that thought — I gotta take this,” he said, walking away.

He never came back.

That night, in your room, you stood before the mirror. You looked at the scars — each one a story no one wanted to hear. Tears wouldn’t stop. This house, this family, was a prison. Bruce didn’t see you. Jason mocked you. Damian belittled you. Tim and Dick didn’t even notice you were there. You might have been Batman’s daughter, but in this place, you were nothing.

You walked to the window and looked out at the lights of Gotham. Maybe it was time to leave. Maybe you couldn’t escape your family, but you could escape this silence. You packed a small bag — a hoodie, some money, a long-sleeve shirt to cover the marks. At the door, you paused. Maybe someone would notice. Maybe someone would stop you.

But the hallway was quiet. No one came.

As you stepped into the street, the cold air slapped your face. Were you free? Or just stepping into a different kind of shadow? You didn’t know. But at least now… now, you were trying to find your own voice.

Gotham’s streets swallowed you whole. You had escaped Wayne Manor, but the darkness inside you came along for the ride. What you thought was freedom was just another kind of prison — this time, one built within your own mind. With your bag slung over your shoulder, you walked under the flickering streetlights. The cold concrete beneath your feet was a warning: No one here is coming to save you. But you weren’t expecting to be saved anyway. Your family had never seen you; maybe you really were invisible.

Days passed. You holed up in a cheap motel, using the credit card your father once gave you. You knew the money would run out — but you didn’t care. Under the dim lights of the room, you stared into the mirror. The scars were still there — on your arms, your back, your legs. Each one whispered that you were something filthy, something ruined. You clenched your fists, nails digging into your palms.

“Why me?” you murmured.

No answer.

The reflection staring back filled you with disgust. This body, these scars… it was all your fault, wasn’t it? If you had been stronger, if you had spoken louder, maybe your family would have heard you. But you hadn’t. You were weak. Damian was right.

---________________________________________---

Days blurred into weeks. Gotham’s gray sky felt like a mirror to your soul. In the motel’s small bathroom, you sat with a cheap razor in your hand. You stared at your scars… and added new ones. Thin lines of blood appeared — but they didn’t bring relief. Pain couldn’t fill the emptiness. Every cut echoed the rejection you’d endured. Bruce’s cold “Not now.” Jason’s mocking laugh. Damian’s “You’re weak.” Tim and Dick’s silence. It all etched itself into your skin.

Every time you looked in the mirror, the hate grew.

“This is my fault,” you whispered.

Your eyes were swollen. Hair tangled. You’d stopped eating — your stomach turned at the thought of food. Sleep brought nightmares. Again and again, you relived the trauma — shadows, hands, the silence of your unheard screams.

When you woke, clutching your pillow, all you felt was emptiness.

Your family hadn’t called. Maybe they didn’t notice. Maybe they didn’t care.

Batman saved Gotham.

But not his own daughter.

Depression wrapped itself around you like a blanket — cold and heavy. Hurting yourself became a routine. Your arms were covered in cuts, but even that wasn’t enough.

“I’m worthless,” you said one night, your voice breaking.

“No one wants me. Not even me.”

You punched the mirror. Glass cracked. Your knuckles bled.

Still, you felt nothing.

Then, one day, everything stopped.

You lay on the stained motel bed, razor in hand again. Sirens wailed outside, but your world was quiet. You looked at your scars one last time.

“It’s over,” you said.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

Tears slid down your cheeks as you thought of your family — Bruce buried in files, Jason fixing his bike, Damian swinging a sword, Tim staring into his screen, Dick laughing…

None of them had seen you.

None of them had heard you.

This time, you used the blade one last time.

There would be no coming back.

The blood soaked the sheets — slow and silent.

You stared at the ceiling. Through the window, Gotham’s gray sky watched over you.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered, though you weren’t sure to whom.

Your breathing slowed.

Darkness closed in.

The sirens faded.

Bruce Wayne’s daughter vanished into the shadows.

---________________________________________---

The next day, the motel worker knocked, but there was no answer.

They opened the door — and found you.

The police report was brief:

“Female, aged …, suicide.”

When the call reached Wayne Manor, Bruce finally put his files down.

Jason went quiet.

Damian dropped his sword.

Tim turned off his screen.

Dick’s smile faded.

But it was too late.

They hadn’t seen you.

They hadn’t heard you.

And now… they never would.

---________________________________________---

[girlyteengirl16]

it is what it is (i want to die so bad)

[sramoonlight]

Little brother

What about if Damian started to notice how his family is neglecting his sister?

Content you’ll see here : Kid neglect, fem!reader, neglected!reader

Damian loves his older sister, probably because she is very similar to him in the way they enjoy talking about art or animals, that’s not the only reason why he does love her

She’s also the only person who sees him as Damian and not a weapon or Robin, it’s so pointless for her than usually she apologizes about forgetting about him

And Damian? He doesn’t know why his heart feels warm, it’s like he likes being seen just as a kid.

One of his favorite things to do is lay on her sister bed reading books from her university, that’s a thing he enjoys too, his sister is in a medical career so he can read whatever homework she’s working on

He improved his skills, and also find an excuse to be around her, don’t get him wrong

He enjoys his time at the manor but he loves how his sister’s room is always smelling like cinnamon and apple, or how she has a mess but organized at the same time, maybe it is because he loves seeing her art

He admires how she didn’t choose one of her dreams, she’s going to be a doctor and she still enjoys painting, don’t make me start about how proud he feels going to her art presentations.

That are just dumb things he likes about his sister, and because he spends so much time at her side he started to notice

How she doesn’t talk to the other members, or how she calls his father by his name

He’s sure she’s a blood daughter.

That makes him upset, his sister is an amazing person who wouldn’t want to be by her side? Maybe he’s just tired.

— So Damian, what about if we go grab lunch with the others? — Dick asked placing his hands on the chair were Damian is sitting

He takes a sip of his water before looking at the man

— Very brave of you to plan lunch when we are going to (Last name)’s presentation — he chews his sandwich seeing how Dick expression becomes confused

He checks the date on his phone before sighing

— Was it today? Well, she’ll have to excuse us for today —

Damian didn’t like how it sounds, actually he hates it

— I will go to my sister’s presentation, you can not go if you want — He took his things leaving the dinner room

If there’s something he hates is when people try to push their will on him, why do you mean he has to go? Of course not, he made a promise and he will keep it.

It wasn’t a surprise when the only ones who arrived at the presentation were him and Pennyworth, it still upsets him

He hides it, you’re too happy talking about how nervous you were and he can’t but listen to it on your way home.

That was an important thing for you, even if it is going to happen again in a couple of months, he would be mad if his father failed to train him even if they’re going to do it anyways the next day

So when you two went home, when he saw how everyone was laughing on their pijama he couldn’t be more mad

— Father, I request to know why you didn’t come today — his usual militar pose is not there, instead he approached the old man

— Come to what? — He ask in a nervous way, that’s enough to send a strong feeling to his head

He doesn’t even know! He’s sure you told him! He was there when you gave him the invitation!

— Father, Are you stupid? Or just dumb? — and he could hear how everybody scold him about talking to his father that way

He doesn’t care, not when he can see how you’re looking at the edge of the stairs with a little smile, you’re happy that someone finally spoke out for you

— I will not apologize, his responsibility as a father is to attend to his child’s important duties —

Dick is scolding him until you came back to the room, the smile on your face isn’t something for them to not notice

— C’mon Damian — The way you called his name was enough for him to follow you

You didn’t cared about the way everyone shut down when they say your fancy clothes, a reminder about the thing they didn’t attended to

And the reason why Damian was so mad, but you don’t care

Because all you need is your little brother.

[littlemeow]

childhood neglect age regressor flag

for those who age regress/dream due to experiencing childhood neglect (whether it be physical, emotional, or any other type), or use age regression/dreaming to help cope with childhood neglect

the green/browns are supposed to look like murky or muddy water, and the blues are meant to look like clear and clean water

[mothofmyth]

Steve getting kicked out with nothing but the money he had on him and the clothes on his back...

He goes to the thrift store to get some more clothes and days later Eddie's heart stops when he sees Steve Harrington walking around in a Corroded Coffin T-Shirt...

[letoasai]

Vlad- Alternate Obsession

Simply if Vlad hadn't been so obsessed with Maddie. How priorities might have shifted.

~

Daniel was dead. Great god almighty… He was dead. Half dead. Whatever. That didn’t matter. The little details were just there to make a horrible situation more tolerable. For one brief moment, Vlad hoped he was wrong. Hoped that this was merely exposure to ectoplasm or a sign that Daniel would become liminal faster than previously predicted, but no. He was sure. Daniel was dead. 

He watched as Daniel’s ghost sense was triggered, the teen coughing a second later. He looked around warily, holding himself rigidly. He was alert, but inexperienced enough to not realize Vlad was right in front of him. 

“Daniel, my boy!” Vlad greeted, finally untangling himself from Jack and Maddie’s latest tirade on being validated in their research. “How is school?”

It wasn’t uncommon. 

He was Daniel’s godfather after all, and had done what he could to be present for both Daniel and Jasmine since they were born. The children were exempt from his contempt and his affection for them was genuine but he’d never feared for them until this moment. 

Vlad tried to block out as many memories from his college years as he could. After his accident and subsequent half death, he had raged for a while. He’d been in despair, learning to mourn himself while handling abilities foreign to him. He had to learn things from scratch opposed to normal ghosts who knew things instinctively. 

He’d only briefly lost track of Jack and Maddie after his hospital stay but the urge to look them up again had gnawed at him. He had notebook after notebook filled to the brim with his own research on ghosts and ectoplasm but he would have been remiss to shun their research just because he couldn’t stand the sight of them. It was Jack’s blunder that had changed him after all. 

The pair had gotten married, and had a baby girl, but Vlad found himself more interested in their labs than their domestic life. The fondness he’d felt for his best friend, and the passion he’d once directed at Maddie had died with him. 

Jasmine had been a bright spot, and a wonderful distraction in those early visits. A small child also kept the Fentons busy enough that he could slip into their labs undetected. Copying their work and altering their inventions to ignore his own ecto-signature was essential. As far as he could tell, they’d never suspected a thing. 

Daniel coming along had been a blessing, even if it had confused Vlad at the time. Jack and Maddie loved their children but they were always complaining about not having enough time for their research. It had always been to Vlad’s benefit but adding a second child into the mix would only draw out their parental duties. 

However it baffled it, it benefited him. He only had to offer his jovial congratulations and time went on. 

Vlad…was aware that he was not who he once was. He’d either lost something when he half died, or gained something. He wasn’t sure. He was no longer naive. He’d done things in the last twenty or so years. Not all of them he was incredibly proud of. He had amassed a fortune, but it had seemed the natural progression of things at the time. He’d been young, desperate and dead. He’d need money to further his research so money needed to be acquired. 

He’d had medical bills…. Then he had ambitions. 

He might have been something of a thief, a criminal, but he’d never hurt anyone…to his knowledge… 

It was easier on his conscience when it was only stealing from Jack and Maddie. That felt like recompense for what Jack had done to him. He’d had a working portal a full four years before the Fentons. 

He’d never said a word about it and delighted in the secret of it. His wealth of knowledge was greater than theirs. When the pair had recently called him, gushing about their achievement, he’d been skeptical, but he’d seen Amity Park’s newspaper articles on the ghost of a lunch lady at Casper High, and the poor picture quality of a white haired menace that chilled him. 

“Hey Uncle Vlad.” Daniel greeted him with a smile, but his eyes were wary and stressed. Dark circles were beginning to form. “School’s, uh, good? Same old bullies. I gotta read Pride and Prejudice. Aced my last math test though.” 

Vlad hummed and nodded. “That about sums up my memories of high school as well.” It pulled a smile from Daniel. 

“And a ghost sighting! To think we’d find one so close to home! We’re pulling out all our weapons out of their testing stages!” Jack’s voice boomed, overly excited at their find and completely missing the way his son shrank back. 

“A stake out might be in order.” Maddie said, a smile in her voice. Her excitement was more contained but was very real. “Who knows, we might be there to capture the next one.” 

Vlad made a show of rolling his eyes and focused on Daniel. “What is freshman math anyway these days?” 

“I’m taking geometry.” Daniel said, latching onto the topic. “I got the hang of it pretty quickly. So far at least.” 

“You always did have a head for numbers.” Vlad said conversationally. 

“Vladdy! Come take a look at the newest prototype!” Jack was beaming, far too excited over the notion of ending a creature that was already dead. Vlad didn’t care for the sparks of fear that settled in his throat. An ending after the end was final, and terrifying. 

“Jack.” Vlad laughed good-naturedly. “Surely there’s time for that later. I did just arrive. I’d love to speak with Daniel for a while. High school will pass by before you know it.” 

Maddie just sighed, perhaps nostalgic. “It sure does. It won’t be long before Jazz is graduating.” 

“And entering into the ghost hunting business!” Jack declared. 

“Oh, Jack.” Maddie just laughed. 

“Where is Jasmine?” Vlad asked, his need to check on her…sudden. 

Maddie looked thoroughly. “Oh, hm.. She’s…” 

“Tonight’s the night she tutors.” Daniel said, sounding exhausted. “She’ll probably eat dinner before coming home.” 

“Oh, that’s right.” Maddie smiled, but she was already distracted with the toaster she was dismantling. 

Vlad hummed, oddly relieved. As the children had gotten older, their well being came into question more and more. “Well… Jack, you and Maddie seem to have your hands full this evening. Why don’t i take Daniel to dinner? I’d love to hear about his freshman year anyway.” 

“Can we get Nasty Burger?” Daniel perked up. 

Vlad snorted. “Not my first pick, or my second, but why not?” He’d eaten more burgers than he could count in college.  

“Really!? Yes!” Daniel grinned, “I’ll grab my hoodie, be right back!” 

“Danny sure loves your visits.” Jack laughed loudly. 

Maddie just hummed, still focused on what she was doing. “Don’t spoil him.” She said vaguely. 

“You won’t have to worry about a thing.” Vlad said, already turning back to the door. "I'll take care of him." By the time he got there, Daniel was behind him, practically pushing him out the door. 

“Let’s go, let’s go.” 

~ 

Vlad felt himself relax once he had Daniel in his car. He would definitely need to sneak back into the Fenton’s lab and grab whatever new information was available. He would also need to add in Daniel’s ecto-signature to their equipment before something automatically shot at him. 

He needed to address this. He couldn’t let the Fenton’s mistake harm anyone else. He’d shut their research down if he had to. He'd shut his own down if he had to.

He cringed at the thought. 

“Daniel, wait.” Vlad said after he’d parked in the most secluded spot the parking lot to Nasty Burger provided. “Before we eat, i would like to talk to you?” 

“Yeah? Sure.” Daniel said. His tone was light and playful. Normal. The color however, drained from his face. “Do i even gotta bother to tell you to call me Danny again?” 

Vlad smiled faintly. “I quite like the name Daniel, you know? That’s not however, what i wanted to talk about. Let me be clear, this conversation does not leave this car. Not by you. Not by me.” 

“Oh, uh. Yeah? Yeah, of course.” Daniel said, turning sideways in his seat to face him. “What…are we talking about?” 

“Ghosts.” 

Daniel sighed. “C’mon Uncle Vlad. Don’t i get that enough from mom and dad?” 

Vlad shook his head and reached out to grab Daniel’s shoulder. “No, listen to me. It’s safe to talk to me, and i will not ask about… whatever accident you must have had-” Horror was all over Daniel’s face. Enough time hadn't passed for him to mask his reaction to his death. “But i understand, Daniel.” 

“I don’t know what you mean?” Daniel muttered and winced when it didn’t sound the least bit convincing. For just a split second, he turned invisible. He probably hadn’t even realized he’d done it. Most would assume their eyes were playing tricks on them. 

Vlad leaned forward and opened the glove compartment, pulling out the article of the ghost attack on Casper High. “You’re not in trouble. Not with me.” 

Daniel only glanced at it before looking away again. He’d seen it already no doubt. “It’s not what you think.” 

“I’m very sure it is.” Vlad said softly. “I know all too well what ectoplasm and trauma can do. I can sense death around you.” He paused before pushing forward. “In time, i’m certain you’ll be able to sense it on me too.” 

Daniel’s lips tightened, but he wasn’t stupid. He knew what he heard and was proceeding with caution. “What do you mean?” 

“We’ll get some dinner to go and we’ll head back to my house here in Amity.” Vlad said. “And i’ll show you my own ghost form.” 

“Yours…” Daniel sounded winded. “When did you…?” 

“Long before you were born.” 

“My parents…?” 

Vlad just tsked. “They were dear to me once, Daniel, but they are fools. No, they don’t know about me, and i will not tell them about you.” 

“Don’t.” Daniel said, somewhere between agreeing and begging Vlad to mean what he said. The tremor in his voice told Vlad all he needed to know. He was well aware of how his parents would react. He was afraid. 

“It will stay between us.” Vlad said calmly. “I won’t ask. It’s breaking all kinds of ghost etiquette to be so nosy but if you ever want to talk to me about what happened, you can. I can also help you adjust.” 

“Can you?” Daniel asked immediately, the closest he’d come to admitting Vlad was right. 

“I’ve never had to teach anyone to use ghost powers before, but yes, I think i can offer you some insight.” Vlad said. “Falling through floors?” 

“Yes.” Daniel said with feeling. “I keep dropping things. My clothes…” 

Vlad nodded along, all of it sounding familiar. “I know all about it. You just need to get used to it. Gain control over what you can do.”

Daniel swallowed, looking like he’d have a meltdown any second. “You promise?” 

“I do.” 

He inhaled slowly. “I…died.” 

“Yes,” Vlad said softly. “I’m so sorry…” 

“You’re…” He watched Daniel’s expression crumble. He didn’t have to ask why. How did you mourn your death when you were still half alive? It had taken Vlad years… “Sorry.” 

“So sorry, my boy.” Vlad said, sounding choked up. “It never should have happened. Not to someone else. Not to you.” 

Daniel bowed his head only seconds before he started to sob. It didn’t matter why. Was it stress? Was he starting the process of mourning? Was it the knowledge that he’d lost a piece of his family? It didn’t actually matter… 

Vlad leaned closer as far as he comfortably could in the car and pulled Daniel to cry against his shoulder. It was all the comfort he could really offer. He couldn’t make it better, he could only put a band-aid on it. He couldn’t change the Fenton’s minds. Not for Daniel and not for himself. They were always going to be in danger, but he could listen. He could be everything for Daniel he didn’t have. He could let the boy cry. He was only fourteen. 

God, at least Vlad had been in college. Daniel was a child… 

“Does your sister have any idea?” 

Daniel shook his head, hiccuping in an effort to catch his breath but he just cried still. 

“At least she’s still safe. You and i will work up a few safety protocols and… i’ll stay in Amity Park.” The castle in Wisconsin had really been the height of his arrogance. 

There was so much to teach the boy. Not just how to use his powers but ghost manners and taboos. He’d learned a lot himself in the last few years of having his portal up and running. Access to the Ghost Zone had made things a great deal easier on him. 

Daniel wrapped his arms around him, clinging in a way he hadn’t since he was a much younger child. He hadn’t had any time at all to come to terms with his own death, but this was a start. 

If Vlad needed to cook up a few excuses for getting him away from his parents, well… he’d been bored anyway.

Master List

~ It'll hit differently when Skulker shows up to hunt the halfa welp and is instead met with a fully grown, pissed off halfa in mama bear mode.

[yukiwhitetm]

Tim, defensively: My parents didn't neglect me! They were just busy! With work! And that's normal!

Dick, Jason, Cass, Steph, Barbara, Duke and Damian: Share a look like 'Can you believe this level of denial?'

Ɓruce, soothingly: Of course not, sweetheart. Gesturing at Alfred, whose face is stony. Would you like another cookie?

Tim, pouting: I wasn't, OK! I wasn't. More quietly. I had a perfectly normal childhood before I became Robin.

Everyone else: Shares a disbelieving look.

Tim: ... And, yes, I would like another cookie. Thank you, Alfred.

Alfred, placidly and politely: It's no problem, Master Tim.

[chronicsymptomsyndrome]

Please take kids seriously they are actually people. sentient intelligent beings believe it or not. they know when they’re being blatantly lied to.

They might not understand it, but they know when grownups are being shady.

They know.

Please stop acting like it’s inconsequential if you lie to them or ignore them or dismiss their thoughts and feelings. It’s not. It stays with them forever.

Please take kids seriously.

[girlyteengirl16]

they said it’d get better, it’s been years and it’s still the same

[kakosbogey]

Love this show bruh

[oftoxicparents]

Still grappling with the fact that I wasn't allowed to express negative emotions as a kid.

Not in a "smile more! Cheer up!" sense, but in the sense that I was constantly walking on eggshells around my parents emotion, and any perceived negativity, even/especially in response to their own negative emotions and volatile behavior, only made things worse and increased the length and hostility of their outbursts and abuse episodes.

So I simply learned never to express negative emotions, especially in response to other people's negativity.

[kernsing]

never over the fact that han yoohyun remains also a victim of child neglect/abandonment/having adult responsibilities foisted upon him too young even as he grows up under yoojin’s care. it’s not yoojin’s fault, he did his best and he did good raising yoohyun but. you’re not supposed to be able to hurt your parent, you’re not supposed to learn how to manage your parent’s emotions/wellbeing/public image, you’re not supposed to have to fear for their physical safety and desperately try to figure out a way to protect them, you’re not supposed to be capable of real cruelty toward them, not supposed to be able to fuck up their life. but your parent is your brother who is only five years older than you, and suddenly the new and dangerous world demands you (you who are new and dangerous too) in its spotlight, and you are just a child and he was just a child. the world is so wholly unjust to both of them and i will never fault either for how their relationship was in shambles for three/eight years, even when han yoohyun makes his terrible decisions with terrible consequences, paving the road to hell. you’re not supposed to be able to hurt your parent like that. you’re not supposed to be a brother that he needs to rely on, just as much as you rely on him, both of you abandoned.

haven’t even mentioned yet how you’re not really human you don’t understand humans you try your best for your brother but you Don’t Get It, how and why society works and the full emotional harm its hatred can wreak. you might see it but you don’t get it like physical danger and there is so much of that latter danger in the world now. you might see him and keep tabs on him but you don’t get your brother, that he needs you like you need him because of the very fact that you need him and children realizing their parents are complete emotional beings is not something that should happen before you learn to stand on your own. and learning to stand on your own, paradoxically and inevitably, takes much longer when you are forced to grow up too fast. you are forced to mature too early and so you are immature in ways invisible. so many flavors of terrible responsibilities foisted upon them that no one should ever bear (raising a child while you are a child/the world is on fire and so are you/your parent also needs you to bear your shared emotional burden).

it’s so unfair. i’m bundling them both up in a blanket. han yoojin’s childhood was stolen away so he could give this simulacrum of a childhood to his brother but the world is terrible and yoojin is just a child too and it’s not possible it’s not his fault that the wonderful beautiful childhood he built is not, cannot be the bulwark in the face of brutal reality, that delicate childhood shaped by hands still so small too.

[goopcatz]

Living with Shige (Teru special!!!)

Teru has a complicated relationship with his mom, as one does, confusing feelings, he wants to be protected but he doesn't want to leave with her, he wants someone to take care of him but he doesn't remember what its like to be taken care by other people

He is trying his best to not let Mrs Kageyama know anything, he is saying as much information as to explain but as little as to not say anything that would get him in trouble

Things that didn't make the cut: Teru has a step dad, he has no idea abt his dad's whereabouts

Fics that inspired this one!!!

Shots by Phia: this one made me CRY its so well written and it has permanently changed how i see teruki hanazawa, the way I cried in the middle of the night when I had work the next day is not something im proud of, but also not something im ashamed about

A Pair of Parents (or lackthereof) by @toastytoaster22 (BECAUSE WHEN DO I NOT sorry toasty i keep tagging you on things): WHEN I TELL YOU omg holy sheet this and many of toasty's works are the reasons why i am obsessed with Mrs Kageyama, she is an intriguing character for me and the way Toasty gives her depht makes me just *throws myself to the floor* oh lord

MOM by @tsukish11ma : I dont have enough words to describe the appreciation and respect I have for this series, do you ever see someone you know in a fanfiction the way i see people i know in the way Teru's mom is depicted on the MOM series, for better or for worse, this fic made me empathize with a lot of people in my life and sometimes i lay awake at night thinking abt how Mother will end lmao

If you like my work with Living with Shige I HIGHLY encourage reading through all these wonderfully written works, show them all your love!!!

Sorry for tagging everyone aaaa

[morbidology]

The story of Genie is one of the most tragic cases in the study of child psychology and linguistics. Genie's life began in conditions of severe abuse and isolation that left her profoundly affected. She had been born in Arcadia, California, in 1957, and was the fourth child of Clark and Irene Wiley.

Her early life was marked by extreme abuse and neglect. Clark Wiley, her father, believed she was mentally disabled and imposed a regime of isolation and deprivation on her from a very young age. For over a decade, Genie was confined to a small room, often strapped to a child's potty chair or bound in a sleeping bag, unable to move freely. She was deprived of normal human interaction, rarely exposed to light, and subjected to severe physical punishment if she made noise.

Genie's diet was restricted to baby food and liquids, and she was denied basic medical care and personal hygiene. The isolation left her with severe physical and mental disabilities. When she was discovered in 1970 at the age of 13, she could not speak, was severely malnourished, and had the social and cognitive development of a much younger child.

Genie was discovered when her mother, who had been partially blind, finally sought help and left her abusive husband. Authorities were alerted to Genie's condition, and she was placed in the care of the state. She quickly became the subject of intense study by psychologists, linguists, and medical professionals, eager to understand the effects of her severe isolation and deprivation.

Initially, Genie made remarkable progress. She began to learn to speak, although her language development never reached normal levels. Her case provided invaluable insights into critical periods in language acquisition and the effects of extreme social isolation on cognitive development. Researchers such as Jean Butler and James Kent, along with linguist Susan Curtiss, documented her progress meticulously, offering both hope and new knowledge about human development.

However, Genie's story is also one of ethical controversy and further hardship. As she moved through various foster homes and institutions, her progress fluctuated, often hindered by the instability and further trauma she experienced. The initial optimism surrounding her rehabilitation turned into disputes among the professionals involved in her care. Questions about the ethics of the research conducted on her arose, particularly concerning the balance between scientific interest and her well-being.

Eventually, Genie was placed in a series of foster homes, some of which reportedly subjected her to further abuse and neglect. The promising advances she had made in her speech and social skills largely regressed. As of the last reports, Genie resides in a private care facility for adults with disabilities, her exact location and condition kept confidential to protect her privacy.

[sendryl]

One of the Batman’s first cases is rough.

His first case involving a child – a baby.

The newborn is in a dumpster, and Bruce almost doesn’t hear him crying.

Who would do this? Who could ever abandon their baby like this?

What.

What does he do now?

[petitelepus]

What about an abused little girl gets sent to the Demon Slayer world while hiding from her abusive family?

She already has A LOT OF ISSUES especially towards adults and on top of that DEMONS?!

The Hashira try to care for her, but she doesn’t make it easy as she lashes out in a way to protect herself. It’s difficult but their hearts go out to this poor child.

Summary: You ran away from your horrible abusive family, but they were after you so you had to hide. You end up being found, but not by your family.

Warnings: Cursing, Angst, Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Happy Ending

A/N:  Reader, Girl Reader, Child Reader, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Giyu Tomioka, Muichiro Tokito, Mitsuri Kanroji, Shinobu Kocho, Kyojuro Rengoku, Tengen Uzui, Gyomei Himejima, Obanai Iguro

Where were you? What time was it? You looked around, scared witless. Were they still after you? You couldn't hear them so maybe they had given up the chase and let you be… For now.

"Oi, we have a survivor here!" You heard someone yell before there was a sudden flash of light as you were picked up and pulled out of your hiding spot.

"Let go!" You snapped as you flailed and kicked as hard as you could, nailing the guy's chin with your small fist.

"Fuck!" The man holding you snapped as he dropped you and you instantly scrambled to get away, but you lost your footing and fell face down on the ground.

You didn't stay down long, quickly getting up, but as you were about to start running again, someone grabbed you again and lifted you up.

"Hm! Fear not child, you're safe now!" The loud blond man holding you said, but you didn't believe a word he said.

"Let go, let go!" You screamed like a stabbed pig and the man you punched, a white-haired scarred and not to mention pissed off, approached you.

"Careful there Rengoku! This little shit has a nasty right hook!"

"Hm!" Rengoku nodded, "She is a fighter!"

"Let go, let go you stupid poops!" You screamed and that attracted more attention.

"What is going on here?" A beautiful purple-haired woman and her companions came. Rengoku turned to look at them and smiled, "This little girl here must still be scared!"

"Oh my!" The woman gasped as she looked at you and smiled gently, "Please don't fear. You're safe now. The monsters can't hurt you anymore."

Hearing this, you stilled, but you were still full of fight and so you glared at the pretty woman, "They are?"

"I promise," She nodded and you calmed down a little, and just in time as the rest of the group got together.

"A child…?" A young-looking man with long black hair mumbled and a man with bright white-hair blinked, "There was actually a survivor?"

"We better get her somewhere safer," A calm-looking man stated.

"Oh my, how cute!" A young pink-haired woman nearly squealed as she moved towards you.

"Watch it, she kicks and punches!" The scarred man snapped, but his words fell on deaf ears as the pink girl grabbed you from the purple woman and hugged you close to her body.

"Don't worry, we are the good guys!" She said and you frowned, fully ready to lash out again… But you found yourself relaxing in the woman's hold.

You couldn't remember when someone held you so gently as she was doing…

"Oi, kid," A man with gauze wrapped over his lower face squinted his different colored eyes at you, "Where are your parents?"

It was like a light switch had been flicked on. Just mentioning them made you a fearful and anxious little girl again.

"N- No!" You cried out all of a sudden, pushing against the pink-haired woman's body as you tried to break free of her hold, "Not my parents! Please, don't take me back to them!"

"Namu Amida Butsu…" A giant man suddenly prayed as tears streamed down his face, "I'm afraid she doesn't have that close bond with her family…"

"What's wrong?" The pink-haired woman looked down at you, "Are you hurt?"

You nodded as you buried your tear-stained face against the woman's shoulder. She frowned as she gently tried to rub your back, but you flinched immediately when her hand made contact with your back.

"Ah-!"

"Oi, let me see!" The scarred man snapped but as he moved to grab you, you screamed bloody murder and he stepped back, "Shit!"

"Let me…" The purple-haired woman shushed you gently as she carefully grabbed your shirt and lifted it enough to show your back… And expose all the nasty dark bruises there.

"Oh my…!" She gasped at the sight and the scarred man scowled, "Shit… She has been not only neglected but abused also…"

"Please…" You cried as you tried your hardest to wipe your teary eyes, "I don't want to go back… Please don't take me back…!"

"Looks like Demons did a favor for her." The gauze man grumbled and the pink-haired woman started to gently rock you from side to side.

"There there…" She hushed as she gently held you, "No one is going to hurt you ever again… You're safe now."

"B- But my family-!"

"They can't hurt you anymore," She said and you sniffled as you raised your head and looked at her with your eyes red and puffy due to crying so hard.

"Y- You promise?"

"I swear on my life, that I- That we won't let anyone hurt you ever again!" She smiled, "Hashira's honor!"

"Hashira…?"

"We are all Hashiras! Our job is to hunt Demons and keep humans safe!"

"Demons?"

"Like your parents, kid," The flashy man said and you frowned. You knew your family was awfully mean to you… Maybe they were really Demons?

"The best we can do now is to take her to the Butterfly Mansion and let Kocho take care of her injuries…" The crying giant said and the calm-looking man nodded, "I agree with Himejima."

"What do you say, little one?" The purple-haired woman asked, "Would you let me take care of you? I have medicine that will make the pain go away?"

You pressed your lips tightly together as you considered your chances, and then you looked up at the young woman holding you, "Can you… Can you come with me…?"

"Oi-!" The gauze man was about to object, but the sweet woman holding you smiled, "Of course, if that's what you want then we can all come with you!"

You nodded and the Hashiras made up their mind and started to head toward the Butterfly Mansion where you would be taken care of.

As you walked, Mitsuri carrying you, your mind was in scrambles, but there was something you wanted to know.

"Hey…?" You whispered quietly and the young woman looked at you, "Yes, what is it? I'm not hurting you, am I?"

"No…" You shook your head, "Can I ask something?"

"Of course, ask anything you want!"

"Can I…" You swallowed, "Can I also become Hashira…?"

Mitsuri blinked as she looked at you, but finally, she smiled a little and nodded.

"Maybe when you're older, but hopefully by the time that happens we don't need Hashiras anymore," She said and you nodded a little, "I… I want to slay Demons also…"

"You still have lots of time to decide what you want to do!" The young woman smiled, "You're still so young, you have your whole life ahead of you!"

"Pardon me, but I couldn't help but hear your conversation," Shinobu said as she walked next to you, "If you want to help, I could always use more Butterfly Girls at my mansion."

"Butterfly Girls?" You blinked and she smiled, "Yes, they help the Slayers to rest and heal after hunting Demons. I could teach you how to use a sword and about medicine and poison also?"

"Yes," You nodded, "I want to kill Demons…"

"We are willing to teach if you're willing to learn," Shinobu said and you nodded, "I- I am! I want to kill Demons!"

"Then it's settled," Shinobu nodded, "I'll take you as my Tsuguko and teach you everything you need to know."

"Thank you…" You nodded, suddenly feeling exhausted as the day's events and stress caught up with you.

You pressed your head against Mitsuri's shoulder, wanting to rest your eyes for a second but you ended up falling asleep, and for the first time in ages, you didn't see nightmares.

No, your nightmares, both the dream and real life were over