#Damian trying to explain his family: My father sucked and being a dad so now hes my grandfather

[g1rlr0b1n]

Does anyone else ever think about how Damian might have had a semblance of a normal childhood if Dick had just like chosen not to relinquish guardianship of him? Because, I think about it a lot actually.

Like I know why he did but what if he didn't? Like what if Dick and Barbara raised him together? Like what then? Sure, it would be awkward because your bio-dad would also technically be your granddad and your father would also be your brother, but overall I think it would have been better for Damian.

I'm sure there are fics about this, drop them in the comments for me, will ya?

[robinrequiems]

mmm more clishes.... Idk reverse background or personality kind of au? :/

ill do you one better 1 of my favorite mutual, reverse & personality au, they’re the same age bc I have a tiny idea *shy hands*

this is uh. a really long one thay started to lag my phone too

• oh god guys I got vivid memories of ra’s being a good grandfather and I can’t get it out of my head

• i hate it ur honor

• but ok. krypton didn’t get blown up, instead, they all migrated to earth, more specifically kansas.

• the kryptonians are angry and enraged, they are treated as if they are monsters when they arrived peacefully. they tried to kill them.

• so in return, the aliens killed the humans.

• they created a secret underground. that secret underground is to help aliens or meta humans and kill humans.

• all of them hated aliens and sought to destroy them. until kal el found a reporter trying to help aliens who were injured due to an explosion the government did to take out one of their bases.

• kal el.. fell in love with her. lois lane, she is an reporter fighting for alien rights.

• he met with her. in secret. and they.. had formed a connection. an amazing one.

• and then they had a baby.

• at the alien base, but.. she was human and people did not like that. so they wiped her mind and made her believe that they never had a kid. like the last few months.. wasnt real. she had gone missing those months since the aliens didn’t want her trying to hide the baby, they made her believe the last few months was spent in a coma and kal had found her and taken her to a hospital.

• he couldn’t see her anymore. he mourned for her lost presence, but they would have killed her if she stayed.

• but now they had precious jon el. he would be the highlight of their cause.

• they noticed his powers came in faster than kal’s, so they perfected his powers.

• he was going to bring humanity down on order of his grandfather, jor el

• kal saw his son break slowly. loses that childhood innocence that kal tried to maintain.

• his sons amazing bright blue eyes dulling, loses the spark that he cherished.

• kal was going to get him out of there, try to refuge the remaining childhood he had. even if it killed him.

—

• damian wayne! the bright bubbly and prodigal son of bruce and talia wayne ( b & t are married, suck my— ). the press loved him, he was just.. him. he was the baby and was cute, the cutest ever

• he was an expert in martial arts due to the training his grandfather, father, mother, & so much more gave him

• ra’s owns a farm. he’s.. sorry all i get is farm ra’s vibes due to.. something:) think endgame thanos, yk?

• he was the baby robin, one that you never messed with due to the herd of heroes who would come save him

—

• kalel left jon with Lois, a brief note explaining the current situation

• it was weird, jon was ten and was meeting lois for the first time

“Hi, honey.. I’m lois.”

“I know.. Dad told me about you.”

“Oh.. right. What do you want for dinner?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You have to eat.”

“No! I’m not hungry!”

• an explosive, superpower alien. Lois is way out of her head.

• he had outbursts, a lot of them. it was hard, really hard for Lois; she took some time off from the planet and focused on jon

• he broke a lot of stuff. he sometimes could not control his strength, but she was working with him

• but then one night he ran away, or flew away. he felt remorse for making Lois cry. she saw this as a win, but she lost her kid

• but then a little robin found him

“Um. Are you okay?”

“Huh-what- what do you want? Why are you talking to me?”

“Because you look sad? Yknow - hugs make people feel better. My ahki ( brother ) hugs me when I’m upset and it makes me feel better.”

“Don’t touch me.”

*Damian walked to him, smiling softly* “cmon, i won’t hurt you, silly. I’m robin.”

“A bird?”

“Haha- no, a vigilante- i sorta snuck out. My family can be a bit overbearing- and I sorta embarrassed myself at this theater thing.. some person—“

“Did I ask?”

“No.. sorry.”

“Hey— what are you doing - !”

“Hugging you.”

Jon won’t admit that he likes it, it’s different and weird, like this traffic cone in front of him. Jon pushed him off though, making himself stumble and fall on his ass.

“Ow..”

“Don’t touch me.” With rhat, Jon flew off into the night. Damian didn’t know who this boy was. But he intended on finding out. Even if it killed him. ( maybe not that extreme, but- )

• look damian was smart, right? smarter than average, and smarter than everyone in his school. teachers included ( ha ha )

• so he had to find this boy! so he started looking into aliens. until his family put an end to it

“Damian, this is dangerous.”

“But baba ( dad )”

“No. Go to your room.”

“Ugh!”

• he did slam his door shut if you were wondering

• he will find the mysterious alien boy, okay? he will!

• his brothers teased him and said he had a crush

• no he didn’t! the boy was really mean, he pushed damian- why would he do that? whatta jerk!

• but damian did find him again when he ventured off to metropolis to visit an old friend, colin.

“Alien boy!”

“That’s not my name, bird boy.”

“And that’s not mine. You didn’t tell me yours!”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“It’s safer for you.”

“I can defend myself. You sound so silly, please tell me your name?”

“No.”

“‘Least the first initial?”

“Fine. J.”

“J it is.”

“Yours?”

“Wha- what? I told you my code named.”

“It’s only fair.”

“.. Okay. D.”

“D. Okay.”

• damian talked to him for a bit before jon did fly off when damian was talking about the stars, damian knew he was getting closer to him

• but he got grounded. whoops. he wasn’t supposed to go out

“Give me your phone, Damian.”

“What if I go out? I need a phone, baba.”

“I.. Your computer”

“School work.”

“Switch.”

“What! No- but-!”

“Damian.”

• yeah damian was very mad, but what made him madder was that apparently, his family was listening to the secret conversations between J and him. but d didn’t know that yet..

• his family needed to track down J, they didn’t care if people were aliens, the JL had aliens.. but they had no idea who this boy was, and the way damian was looking into the underground alien sanctuary, that worried rhem. Damian was smart and cunning, but he is able to portray an innocent persona, they all had the habit of undermining his intellect, so if damian began looking into this, it was for a reason

—

• jon found that D rambled. A lot. Even when jon didn’t respond. Jon doesn’t even know how D always found where he was. It’s so weird.

• but Lois noticed a change in jon.. he was. calmer. she didn’t know how, but when he went out, he came back calmer.

“I have to go to Gotham for a gala hosted by Bruce Wayne, would you.. like to come?”

“Do you want me to?”

“I’d like you to, but you don’t have to.”

“.. Fine.”

—

• lois walked to bruce with Jon in tow.

• “bruce.” “Lois, looking lovely as always.. who is this?” “Jon, my son. Say hi, Jon.” “Hi..” “He can hang around one of my sons— Damian, if you want? I’m sure him and his friends would love to have Jon around.” “What do you say Jon? Would you like that?” “Not really..” “I assume you, Damian doesn’t bite. Not anymore. And he’s pretty accepting.” “.. Fine.”

• damian was called over by his father and he did a double take. J. Was here. In front of him. Damian just internally shrugged and held a hand out, “Hi! I’m Damian! Wanna go play with my friends! there’s a game room so we don’t have to be with the gross adults.. you can also just.. sit there. My friends are pretty.. Loud?” “Okay.”

• jon had to take his hand back from damian since damian began eagerly tugging him.

“Damian seems to be accepting him pretty easily.” “I hope they can be friends, Jon.. doesn’t have any. I have only recently got him from his.. father.” “Odd, does he go to school?” “No, not yet, I’m still trying to get him adjusted.” “Ah.. Damian goes to West-Reeves. Maybe he could go there?” “That private school? Bruce.. I cannot afford that- not all of us are millionaires.” “Mhm.. I could pay.” “I can’t let you do that.” “He could get a scholarship.” “In what?” “Academics or athletics.” “Ill.. Talk to him about it. “ “well, ms lane, I just go talk with potential partners, I’ll see you later.”

—

• j got accepted into west reeves under a athletic thingy.

• that was cool. they became best friends!

• sorta

• flashforward 5 years to 15, their dynamic only grew. Damian told Jon his identity, jon didn’t become a hero, but did learn how to stitch damian up because tje idiot showed up bleeding a lot.

• everything was going great

On the phone, Damian: J! J! Guess what’

J: you’re so loud, D, what?

D: I got the lead! In the play!

J: no fucking way?

D: way!

J: Good j—— *crash*

D: J-?

D: J- Jonathan?

D: oh no.

• the call was ended abruptly. Jon always finished his sentences. Something was wrong. Something was really wrong.

• so damian called Lois quickly and ran downstairs to the batcave, lois wasn’t picking up either, she normally always picked up or at least sent a text. She did neither

“Baba!”

“Damian? You should be asleep.”

“Something’s wrong! Somethings really wrong!”

“Jon and Lois- Jon- I heard a crash- and- and”

“Habibi.”

“Mama?”

“Breathe; tell me what’s wrong.”

“I was on a call with Jon.. I told him about the play since I wanted him to go and stuff. Then I heard a crash. And then the line went dead. I’m scared— what if something happened!”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions, what happened with Lois?”

“She didn’t pick up the phone— she normally does! Or she texts me and says she will call back!”

“Maybe she is asleep.”

“No! You need to believe me!”

“Damian, calm down, I do, we will go to see if they’re okay, you get back to bed.”

“No. I’m coming with.”

“No you arent.”

“But!”

“Listen to your father.”

• okay fine. He’ll listen, damian went back up to his room for half an hour before calling his friends to do a rescue mission. He had an extra suit in his room, he can do this.

• with his team, it consisted of shazam, abuse, nobody, and green lantern, himself too, of course.

• captain marvel picked him up once he was ready and they met up with the other 3.

Maya: you said he’s in trouble?

Dami: Yes.

Colin: than let’s go save him!

• they went and saved the bestie, nearly got killed too

• oh and now damians sorta probably grounded when batman shows up 🤡

J:You came for me..?

D:We all did.. why are you so surprised?

J: * wraps his arms around damian * thank you

D: i- yeah.. anytime. what’re friends for?

• friends. Jon liked that. Jon also liked the way Damian’s cheeks went red when jon hugged him

• jon knew he chuckled before Damian’s arms wrapped around him. hard. Damian was a hard hugger

• jon became a superhero at 16. Damian had even more of a reason to sneak into his window every night now! Lois had began thinking the two were dating

D: Us? Dating? Please! He is way too good for me!

J:

L: awwww, gosh, how haven’t you been swept off your feet yet?

J: he has, but he has rejected them all

D: what can I say? I’m a gay theater kid ( this is a /j i promise a big big joke ) so they gotta be dramatic enough to put up with me, AND they need to do something big and bold to actually catch my eye

L: *laughs* take notes, jon

J: mom!

• jon has gone to a few of Damian’s plays and to dress rehearsals

• he was also there to watch damian wreck a car during his drivers test

D: there was a fricking squirrel there, J!

J: are you sure? maybe you’re just a shitty driver?

D: you’re a shitty driver!

J: cmon don’t pout

D: ‘m not!

• he was pouting. oopsie. jon did get him ice cream after

• jon goes by abnormal, because he’s an alien and because I don’t have any other ideas

J: this girl asked me out

M: oh? who! tell us!

D: ..what?

J: yeah, in my physics class

T: ooh! get it, jonno

M: give us a name, coward!

J: her name is Charlotte— but she goes by charlie. she’s.. different. red head. pretty freckles—

M: pretty freckles? does Jonny have a crush?! Oh my gosh, our sons growing up, Tai!

T: im about to start sobbing

J: fuck offff— D?

D: huh?

J: you’re being quiet, you plotting??

D: uh. yeah! duh- *he nudged jons shoulder with his, forcing a grin* figuring out ways to embarrass you in front of your girlfriend.

J: sucha brat- * jon ended up putting Damian into a playfully chokehold *

• damian just played along. he just smiled and watched as jon began walking with her instead of their friend group

M: hey- kid- you alright?

D: I’m onto a year younger than you Maya.

M: tou didn’t answer the question

D: I’m fine, why wouldn’t I be? You’re silly.

• tai ended up pulling him aside

T: when are you going to tell him?

D: how am I supposed to when he basically has a girlfriend now?

T: are you just gonna sit there and pine all day??

D: yes, thank you for understanding

• he’s a stubborn little shit and will absolutely not confess, his best friend is happy, who is he to ruin that?

T: he’s totally jealous.

J: so- do you- do you think it’ll work? That he’ll be surprised?

T: totally

J: thank you for lending me your girlfriend, Maya

M: anytime- not literally- you aren’t having her again

• this was all a trick, sorry, d.. jon does like you

• ( hope you all saw that foreshadowing earlier :) )

• damian needed big and dramatic. jon was gonna do that. even if he was uh. sorta aloof and shy.

• he learned how to sing and play the guitar for Damian. maya and tai were gonna scatter flower petals onto the floor for Damian to follow ( they will tell him too too )

• the whole school will probably watch as Damian finally gets a big dramatic proposal

• damian will love it

M: just follow the petals!

D: I’m confused

M: trust us

• damian did and followed the petals and low and behold, jon kent with a guitar and small smile

D: j-jon?

J: hey. I wrote you a song

D: no you didn’t

J: shut up and listen dumbass

*after that amazing song of how Jon asked damian out to homecoming*

D: that was amazing

J: dramatic enough for you?

D: YES! ( damian went and sprinted to jon, hugging him so tightly before leaning in to kiss him ) we are boyfriends now right

J: yeah, idiot

D: ur the idiot

• I can’t add anymore because myphones really laggy, I hope you enjot

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

Worthy of Everything - fic

Characters: Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson Summary: Grayson, who had left them. Grayson, who didn’t remember a single thing. Grayson, who Damian had finally let himself accept was out of his life. Forever. Dead to him. Gone. And now his ringtone was going off. A/N: One day I’ll stop writing post-Ric/post-Robin reunions happening over the phone for these two, but not today. Wrote/edited this in an hour, and literally all based around the three paragraphs of Dick professing his love. I got that dialogue stuck in my head all week and needed a reason to write it. Sorry it sucks/is disjointed. I just want Dick to hold his son in canon again dammit. Also reminder that I tend to write Damian as a reflection of myself for cathartic/coping reasons so take that for what you will about my mental health/self image ha haAA~

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

~~

It surprised him, when his phone rang.

Not because it rang. Oh no, it was practically ringing off the hook these days. Once, his phone went dead without him ever touching it because it rang so often in just the few hours of that morning.

People trying to find him. People pretending to care. Pretending to be his family. His friends.

Whatever.

But no, his phone ringing this time…it was surprising. Shocking, actually.

Because it was Grayson’s ringtone.

Grayson, who had left them. Grayson, who didn’t remember a single thing. Grayson, who Damian had finally let himself accept was out of his life. Forever. Dead to him. Gone.

And now his ringtone was going off.

Dick was the only one he ever took the time to change a ringtone for. Everyone else was the default, even his parents. Because he didn’t care enough. And they didn’t care enough for him either.

Because it’s not like anyone else called him.

(Jon did. But Jon was now thousands of years in the future, and reception there is spotty at best.)

The short song was going through its third repetition now, phone twisting as it vibrated on the table. The screen was clearer now. The name Richard Grayson shone brightly.

He’d been avoiding calls. Avoiding this phone. Now it was like an out-of-body experience, watching his hand reach out and grab it.

He hit the button to answer, and slowly brought it up to his ear, but didn’t say anything. Still wasn’t completely sure it wasn’t a trick. Wasn’t completely sure he wasn’t dreaming.

He heard breathing on the line. He breathed back.

Finally, softly: “I know you’re there, kiddo.”

Damian’s breath hitched, and he swallowed the sudden lump in his throat.

This wasn’t real, he decided. Because Grayson was gone. Grayson wasn’t coming back. He accepted that. He’d finally, finally accepted that.

So instead of a greeting, he demanded, albeit dumbly, “How did you get this number?”

There was a moment of quiet, then Dick laughed.

“It’s the same number you’ve always had.” Damian could hear the smile in Dick’s voice. “So it’s still saved in my phone.”

“…If you’re looking for Batman, I’m not with him.” Damian deflected. Because, still, this couldn’t be real. This wasn’t. It was not. “Call Superman for his contact.”

The sense of joy vanished immediately. “I know.” Dick murmured blankly. “I know you’re not with Bruce.” A pause. “Tell me where you are.”

And Damian’s muscle memory was, of course, to tell him everything. Spill your life and your heart and your soul to this man like you have so many times before. Tell him how much it hurts, breathing. How much it hurts to exist anymore. How lonely you are, how lost. Tell him your fears, listen for the hope he always so freely gave.

But then his brain caught up.

Don’t do that. Because Grayson is gone.

This…this isn’t Grayson.

This is a trick.

He inhaled sharply. “You’ve always been bad at imitations, Father.” He spat. “And this is your most pathetic attempt yet.”

“No – no wait, Damian.” A near gasp. “Please don’t hang up!”

Damian found his hand tensing around the phone. Found himself, inexplicably, obeying.

“It’s not your dad. I’m not your dad. I.” Dick seemed to stumble over his words a little. “I came home, Damian.”

Damian narrowed his eyes. “Liar.”

“Why would I lie to you?” Dick demanded. “When have I ever lied to you?” He huffed in annoyance, and maybe…maybe a little something else. Pain? Desperateness? “Look, it’s not something to explain over the phone, okay? But I…I remembered. I remembered and I came home, and Bruce…” Dick’s voice changed now to anger. “Bruce told me what happened, what he did to clearly fuck it all up again, and that he hasn’t found you yet.”

Damian didn’t respond to that.

“I want to find you.” Dick whispered. “I…I need to find you, Damian. I need to see you.” A sigh. “I just need to make sure you’re okay.”

Damian glanced out the nearby window, stared across the Gotham skyline. He saw no silhouettes of vigilantes. No shadows that he could convince himself were moving. It was still too early. The sun wasn’t completely set yet. Not time for anyone to start patrol.

He didn’t realize he’d spoken until after he did.

“…Why?”

“Why…?” Dick breathed in a mimicry. “Why do I need to…” More sounds that weren’t words. Just confusion. Just disbelief. “Because I love you, Damian.”

Damian immediately scoffed. Opened his mouth to respond. “You-”

“And you know what’s great about that?” Dick cut off with a frustrated drawl. “You don’t get to tell me I can’t.”

Damian’s mouth snapped shut.

“You don’t get to tell me if I’m allowed to love you or not. You don’t get to control my emotions, or give me reasons you think I shouldn’t. Because I’m going to anyway. Because I do anyway.” There was a manic-ness in his voice now. A panic. A near-fury. “And because I love you, because I miss you, I’m going to find you. Whether you want to be found or not.”

There was no other sound on Dick’s end of the line, but Damian found his eyes darting across Gotham anyway, looking for a weightless man. Looking for Nightwing.

“I only called as a courtesy. I thought…I thought maybe you’d want to see me too. So you’d tell me.” Dick was calm again. Quiet. Thoughtful. Hiding the sadness. “But that’s fine. I was just hoping for a hint. But I’ll find you without one. That’s fine too. You know me, I love a challenge.”

Damian felt his lips tremble. Tears well into his eyes.

With Father, it was easy. Because Father didn’t use words. Father barely looked at him. So there was never that awkward moment of love being professed to him. He knew, deep down, maybe, that his father, his family, loved him. And most days, that was good enough.

But assuming, hoping, dreaming you were loved was never good enough for Dick Grayson. He had to let you know, be 100% sure you knew. He had to tell you.

And he’d told Damian that before. Many times. But it’d never hit as hard as it did right now, as he stood in an empty apartment, on the phone with the person he cared for most. With the person who…with the only person who found him worthy. Who he thought was gone, out of his life for the rest of eternity.

And even after all these years, it was so much. Too much.

And he just didn’t deserve it.

Knew he didn’t deserve it. Just as Grayson knew how much he loved him despite that anyway.

“…Grayson?”

Because this wasn’t a trick. This wasn’t a dream. This was real.

He sounded so childish. So weak. He closed his eyes and scolded himself, even as the tears leaked through and down his cheeks anyway. Let disappointment wash through him even as his breaths became ragged and snot filled his nose.

Grayson had come back to him. Despite everything he was and everything he’d done, Grayson came back to him. Grayson still loved him.

“I’m here, kiddo. It’s me. I’m coming to get you.” Dick murmured gently. A second to think, then try again. “Just tell me where you are.”

Damian silently shook his head, slowly crumbling to the floor. He pulled his knees to his chest, hid his face in the crook of his arm.

“I’m not taking you back to Bruce, or the manor, or anything. We’ll go back to my place. You’re coming with me. You’re staying with me. No matter what. I promise.” Dick continued. Then repeated, softer, “Just please tell me where you are, Damian.”

So, sitting on the floor, sobbing, feeling relieved and hopeful and loved and knowing he didn’t deserve a second of any of those emotions – Damian did.

[its-a-novelist-girl]

Never Have I Ever

Summary: A virgin, 20-year-old Damian with too many trust issues to let a girl get too close is constantly teased by his brothers for spending so much time with his female best friend, Y/N. During a game of never have I ever, Y/n is shocked to find that her incredibly good looking best friend has never had more than a brief kiss. Y/n starts to think and she might have a proposition that Damian can’t say no to. 

(Disclaimer/Notes): I own nothing of DC characters. This will be partly comic cannon and partly my own. I have never posted like this on here so please be patient with me as I learn. 

(Tags): @theyellowfeverexperience​, @ginevraxrogers​, @lilsxtan​, @idkmanicantenglish​, I’m sorry if I missed anyone! 

Rules to Never Have I Ever. A person says something they have never done or experienced, if the other players have done it they put a finger down, if they have also not done the thing they leave their fingers up. 

It was Tuesday night at Gotham public library, and your group was slowly but surely losing all focus at the task at hand. A small thud took your tired eyes from your book, to look across from you where the sound had come from. Alex, one of your project partners, had his head face down in an open book, and groaned loudly. 

“Ok my brain is at max capacity, I can’t do it anymore,” his voice came out slightly muffled by the book pressed to his face. You chuckled and shook your head, but you had to agree with him, you had all been there for four hours and desperately needed a break. You stretched and slumped back into your chair to look over at your best friend Damian, who was intensely focusing on his book.  

You met when you transferred to Gotham prep a few years ago and when Damian figured out you could care less about his money and fame, he, of course, a bit reluctantly, took the opportunity to make a friend that might actually genuinely like him for who he was. Spoiler alert you did like him and you quickly became best friends. After you graduated you both enrolled in Gotham University, taking whatever classes you could together, which lead to this mind-numbing project. 

“Let’s play never have I ever,” Tina suggested from her place in the chair next to Alex. Alex’s head shot up at that and responded, “Alright, put em up.” 

Three hands shot up, elbows resting on the table, fingers up. You looked over to Damian, and when he still didn’t look up from his book, you asked 

“Dami, don’t you want to play?” 

He took a deep sigh, one you knew was just to be dramatic, and raised his hand but refused to stop reading, and honestly, you called it a win. 

“Never have I ever fell from a tree.” You and Damian both put a finger down and you ignored the flicker of his eyes from his book to you in shock.

 Everyone took turns and after a few games, eventually, it was left with Tina with three fingers up, Damian with two, and you and Alex each had one. Tina was trying to think of one that would knock you both out of the game, and you raised an eyebrow at her when she grinned suddenly. 

“Never have I ever had sex,” She said smugly, and you threw a paper wad at her as Alex groaned, “Oh come on, not fair.”

You laughed and glanced over at Damian’s hand, which still had two fingers up. 

Suddenly he met your gaze, closed his hand into a fist, and said: “Come on Y/N, it’s late and we should both be getting home.” With that, he stood with a grace you envied and started packing his bag. You did the same and after saying farewell to your other partners, headed to his car. 

---------- 

You leaned back against the comfortable leather seats as you watched Gotham’s streets pass out the window. Damian, of course, was driving you home from the study session. You turned your head to look at him, studying how the light from the dash illuminated his features. How it casts shadows on his face that makes him look like the Son of the Demon he was trained to be. 

You had found out about Damian’s secret identity a year ago when he rescued you from getting mugged walking home one night. It was his eyes that gave him away in the end. He looked at you straight in the eyes and you could see the flicker of panic as he then checked you over for injures before his masked expression fell back into place. You asked him to walk you home, pulled him inside, and demanded to know if Robin was Damian Wayne. He had laughed and hugged you saying how grateful he was that you figured it out and he wouldn’t have to lie to you anymore. Since then you had spent more time at the manor, befriending his family and spending times with his brothers (much to Damian’s dismay). Damian even opened up a little about his childhood over a bottle of far too expensive wine he had stolen from a gala.  

Your mind wandered back to the library. Could it really be possible that the gorgeous man beside you had never had sex?  

“Can I help you, Y/N ?” he asked not looking away from the road and the corners of his mouth twitched up when you jumped a little in your seat. 

“Have you actually never had sex?” you blurted out before you lost your nerve. 

Damian whipped his head to look at you to make sure he had actually heard you right, eyes wide in surprise. He gapped at you before turning his attention back to the road, breathing deeply before saying 

“No, if you must know I have never had more than a brief kiss from a teenage socialite at a gala I was forced to attend,” he muttered, trying to sound intimidating so you’ll drop the subject. He looked back at you and your shock must have shown. 

“Why is that so shocking to you?” he demanded, switching between looking at your face and the road, his cheeks reddening under your constant gaze. Still, you could see past the wall he was trying to place up, he was embarrassed. This was something you were not expecting, you made Damian “I don’t have feelings” Wayne embarrassed. 

“Oh come on! Have you seen yourself!” The words pour out of your mouth before you could stop them, and suddenly it was your cheeks turning red. You turned to look at the road as you both let the silence take over, as soon as you were sure Damian wouldn’t comment on what you said you heard him whisper into the silent dark night. 

“I don’t trust anyone enough to ever be that vulnerable with them.” 

Now that was something you had never considered as you turned to look at him again. Damian was always incredibly private and while he had let down a few of his walls around you, you knew that had taken a long time. He was strong and could be scarier than Batman if he wanted to be, so knowing that being vulnerable terrifies him shocked you. You knew that his life with his mom wasn’t great and that he wasn’t incredibly close to his dad, so it made sense that he wasn’t used to being vulnerable with anyone. And yet here is this car with you, he talked to you about something that embarrassed him without fear you would tease him about it. Its how your friendship worked, you never expected anything more from Damian than to just be himself. 

“But you trust me, don’t you?” You couldn’t stop yourself from asking in a whisper that matched his own. 

He chuckled lowly and said, “You’re the exception, Y/N, not the rule.”. He pulled in front of your apartment building. He got out of the car to walk you to your door, something he has always insisted on doing because “come on Y/N this is Gotham.”. You both walked to your door in silence, only speaking to thank him for the ride and to ensure he text you when he got home. After he left you got ready for bed, crawled under your covers and stared up at the ceiling in thought. 

Damian Wayne, son of the biggest flirt in Gotham, has never had more than a kiss. The knowledge shocked you. He was gorgeous, build like a Greek god, with green eyes that could melt panties for miles. If you were completely honest you had admired his body more than once. Had thought of what it would feel like to run your fingers through his black hair, to feel his biceps that were bigger than your head. He has popped up in your dreams a couple of times; how could he not? Best friend or not, Damian Wayne was hot. 

Then another thought popped into your head. You were the only girl Damian trusted outside of his sisters. Now that you thought about it you realized how true that was, he had never allowed another girl to get very close to him. You were the only girl that you knew of that was allowed to hug him on a regular basis. You were the only one allowed to call him Dami. Another thought popped into your head. If you were the only girl he trusted, maybe you could help your best friend out? 

----------

Damian was getting ready for bed, after checking in on his father and Tim patrolling and making sure his assistance wasn’t required. Tim had made a snide remark about his study date with you, calling you his girlfriend for the millionth time. After the boys had met you, the teasing only got worse. Sometimes having older brothers sucked, he thought to himself as he remembered the countless times every one of his older brothers gave him crap about having you as his best friend. Tim and Jason were the most vocal but Dick tended to tease him when they were alone. Although none of them ever teased him in front of you. It was an unspoken rule amongst everyone because they knew how much your friendship meant to him. 

Damian settled into his bed with a book he had been meaning to read and tried not to think of how he embarrassed himself in front of you today. He had been hoping that you wouldn’t catch that he hadn’t put his finger down but of course you noticed. How was he exposed to explain to you that he was terrified of letting his guard down? That being naked in front of another person in such an intimate way was something that he wasn’t sure he would ever let himself relax enough to enjoy. He was trained as a child to not show weakness, to not let anyone be able to get the upper hand. He knew his mother seduced men to kill them before, so what would stop anyone else from trying it. Getting him in an exposed and vulnerable position to exploit. 

If he was being honest with himself though, the only girl he truly found fascinating was you. He loved the way you moved, clumsily compared to his trained gracefulness. He loved that you didn’t care his father was famous. He loved that you were smart enough to realize he was Robin and never once judged him about the questionable things he has done in his past. Not to mention you were beautiful and that his mind had wandered many times before he gets control of himself. He wondered what your bottom lip would feel like under his thumb. He wondered if all your skin was as soft as your hands. He wondered what it would feel like to hold you close and nuzzle his face into your neck. 

A buzzing sound next to him drew his attention away from his book. He put the bookmark in place before closing it next to him and picking up his phone. In all of his life, Damian has had many shocking things happen. He would count this in his top five.

[ragingbookdragon]

Forging Paths PT. 6

Batsis Story!

A/N: Okay, right next to the ending, this was my favorite part to write. Catharsis is what this is y’all. And even if I’m cringing, I’m proud of this. -Thorne <3

In the twenty-seven years that (Y/N) had been alive; she had only seen her father's wrath a handful of times. The first, when she was ten and blindly put herself in harm's way to protect him.

 The second, when she was nineteen and Jason was fourteen, and they took a joyride all the way to Panama City in Bruce's brand-new Maserati GranTurismo.

 The third, when she was twenty-one, and a screaming match occurred between them over who was to blame for the death of a brother and a son. 

The fourth and final, was when she was twenty-three, and she stared down her father's cold fury as she left Gotham City for good. Yes, (Y/N) had seen her father's anger, and she no doubt expected to see it once more when he returned to the cave. Upon arrival, she immediately took in the sight of injured Tim sitting on an examination table, with the other's gathered around. Hurrying over, she saw Alfred stitching up a bullet wound in his right shoulder. "What happened Tim?" He kept his eyes downwards, looking at the mug he'd been holding, a grimace on his face. Jason leaned over and spoke to her.

"We got to the bank after dropping Penguin off at GCPD, and Timbers was in the manager's office, putting antibiotic in his wound. Two-Face got him when he wasn't paying attention. I told Dick to take him back to the cave and I'd go after Two-Face." She glanced over at Dick who'd been assisting Alfred.

"And where is Two-Face now?" Jason finally looked at her.

"Sitting next to Penguin at GCP- Holy shit what happened to you!?" At Jason's outburst, all eyes moved to (Y/N) who leaned over to look in the mirror hanging in the medical room. Dried blood was smeared across the majority of her neck and face. Alfred, who'd been focusing on Tim, began expressing concern.

"Ms. (Y/N), why are you covered in blood?! Master Dick go get a rag and some antiseptic and start helping her." Dick went to go wet a rag, and (Y/N) waved them off.

"Don't worry about me, it's not my blood." At this, everyone stopped and stared at her. Jason's face morphing into a look of concern.

"(Y/N), what did you do?" She took the rag from Dick and began wiping the blood from her face.

"I survived. That's what I did." Jason's face dropped.

"Did you do what I think you did?" She looked at him and gave a small smile.

"Don't worry about me little brother. I can handle him." The four men in front of her all shared a look, before Tim spoke up.

"Yeah, I'm all glad we're concerned about (Y/N), but I'm still in pain. Can somebody do something about that?" Jason reached over in flicked him in the forehead.

"I can step on your foot and you'll forget about your shoulder." Tim reared up and eyed him irritated.

"Jason that makes no sense." Jason rolled his eyes and threw the towel he'd been holding at Tim's head, before grabbing (Y/N)'s arm and pulling her off to the side.

"What happened out there?" (Y/N) looked down, reluctant to explain anything, until Jason placed a hand on her shoulder. "(Y/N). What happened?" His pleading tone cut through her and she sighed.

"There were three warehouses at the complex. Damian took the first, I took the second, and Bruce took the third. When I got in, I took down the guards, but their leader got the better of me and I started getting the shit choked out of me. I did the only thing I could do. I defended myself. Next thing I know, I'm on a roof getting told I had to come back here and that I wasn't a part of the mission anymore." What started off as an explanation, ended in an angered rant. (Y/N) closed her eyes and dipped her head back, inhaling slowly, then exhaling, trying to calm the simmered fury. Jason placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I believe that whatever decision you made, you made it knowing it was the best you could've." She opened her eyes and stared at him; he smiled back at her. "I'm always on your side big sis." He opened his arms, and she leaned in, wrapping hers around his waist.

"What would I do without you kid brother?" He thought for a moment.

"Crash and Burn." She snorted and pulled away, whacking him in the ribs.

"Supernatural reference? Really Jason?" He shrugged.

"What? It's a great show." She turned and went to the refrigerator, pulling out a bottle of water.

"Yeah, cause you think you're like Dean." He placed his hands on his hips and responded.

"I'm not like Dean, Dean's like me. I'm better than Dean." She rolled her eyes and sat down at the table, propping her feet up.

"Just keep telling yourself that wayward son." His eyes crinkled at the name and he went to sit beside her, when the Batmobile pulled into the cave. He glanced at her and watched her sit up, a hard look in her eye. Damian got out first and went to change out of his uniform, eyeing (Y/N) as he walked by. Jason moved to her side and listened as she began to take steady breaths. She looked up at him, eyes clear, and he grinned down at her and quipped,

"Out of the frying pan." She snorted and stood up, smirking at him.

"And into the fire." Moving to the center of the room, she stood waiting for him to arrive.

He walked slowly to meet her and she could see the anger in his eyes as he removed his cowl. He stopped a few yards away from her and stood up straight. Jason might be tall, but Bruce was taller. He stared down at her, jaw set firmly. From a distance, one would've thought they were just staring at the other, but in reality, this was a silent battle of who was going to give first. He did; he always did. "Mind explaining why you decided to deliberately disobey my orders tonight?" The way he spoke to her, that condescending, holier-than-thou attitude, made her blood boil, but she wasn't ready to give in yet, instead choosing a tone of almost humorous apathy.

"No, not really." Wrong answer. She thought, as he took a menacing step towards her, face hardening.

"Excuse me? What did you just say to me?" She took a step forward too and crossed her arms.

"I don't particularly believe I owe you an explanation for what happened tonight, and frankly, I don't even think you deserve one." She watched the fire rage in his eyes, and felt a deep satisfaction at being the person who was pouring gasoline into it.

"It doesn't matter what you believe or what you think, the fact of the matter is, you murdered someone tonight." She rolled her eyes but stood her ground.

"No, I defended myself tonight." He reared back, almost disgusted.

"By killing someone!? That's not defense (Y/N)!" She would've flinched at him, but she had long ago grown out of being afraid of him.

"When someone has his hands wrapped around my throat, you better fucking believe that's a damn sure way to defend yourself!" By now, everyone had all but gathered around the two of the screaming family members, watching a long-anticipated eruption occur. "I made a choice tonight to kill someone who was hell-bent on killing me! I don't believe I'm in the fault here! But just because I'm your fucking kid and I killed someone, it's just eating you up inside isn't it?! But it's not even that! It's because I am the only person you can't indoctrinate with your twisted sense of moral justice and it drives you up the fucking wall!" He was seething now, his words twisting a knife deeper into her.

"Yes! Because that's not how I raised you!" (Y/N) watched red color everything thing she saw.

"News Flash Dad, you didn't raise me! I raised myself! I pulled myself out of the goddamned gutter and rose to where I stand right now! I did that! Not you!" She was almost hysterical at this point, fury burning brighter than the sun.

"You're saying that I didn't raise you?! That I didn't take care of you?! Me?! Your father?!" (Y/N) didn't know what happened, but something inside her snapped, and the next thing she knew she was launching herself at him, punches and kicks flying.

"My father?! You've never been a fucking father to me! You've always acted like a strict teacher, but never a father! You're a damn disgrace to good men who call themselves fathers! How dare you claim that you cared about me?!" The pain in her hands and feet let her know she landed some blows, until a well-placed kick to her torso sent her flying back, rolling a few feet on the ground. She rose and began to run at him again when Jason wrapped his arms around her middle, locking her arms to her chest. (Y/N) resisted, but the sound of Jason shushing her silently broke the dam inside and hot, angry tears rolled down her cheeks. The strength left her body and she let Jason lower her down until they were sitting on the floor, her sitting curled up between his legs. She stared beyond the tears at Bruce, voice thick with despondence and pain. "You never cared about me. You've never cared about any of us. You never have, and you never will. We're just pawns to you in this stupid war on crime." She was sobbing now, barely able to get the words out. "I have always tried to be good enough for you. To be a good daughter. But it is never enough. Nothing ever pleases you." She sucked in a deep breath, and calmed herself enough to speak, and looked at him, voice dripping with loathing. "I hate you." Bruce's eyes went wide as he stared at her. "I hate you so much. I hate your name, I hate your house, I hate everything you stand for, and sure as hell I hate the fact that I am related to you. You are a poor excuse for a man and a father." Everyone's faces morphed into shock at the contemptible confession. (Y/N) let the rest of her pent-up emotions flow free and she rested her head back on Jason's shoulder and allowed her broken sobs to echo in the cave.

When (Y/N) came to, she was laying in an unfamiliar bed. Sitting up quickly, she glanced around the room, until her eyes rested on a snoring Jason. She didn't remember what happened after her meltdown, all she remembered was someone carrying her. Jason must've brought me to his apartment in the narrows. She looked over and saw her gear resting on the dresser. Careful, not to wake him up, she got out of bed and started slipping it on. Once she was dressed, she pulled the sheet off the bed and draped it over his sleeping form, taking note of the half empty bottle of vodka next to him. She huffed a laugh. Guess little brother needed a break from his feelings too. She thought. Rummaging around, she found a piece of paper and a pen, jotting down a few lines on the paper before folding it and placing it where he'd see it when he woke up. Walking into the kitchen she pulled a glass from his cabinets and filled it with water, picking up the bottle of aspirin on the way back. Placing them beside the note she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his temple, freezing when he moved, but only to groan and roll onto his stomach, burying his face in his pillow. See you around sometime kid-brother. She thought as she smiled at him. Standing up, she took in one last view of the apartment before heading to the window. Cracking it open, she leaned out and shut it behind her. (Y/N) climbed up to the roof and sat on the ledge, looking out at the city as it began to wake up. Golden rays appeared over the outlines of buildings as the sun rose. She felt empty, but it was a good kind of empty. Like everything she'd been holding onto was finally gone. She may have burned a bridge to the ground, but she felt relieved by it. And as she watched the sunrise, she looked down at the city and for the first time since she was sixteen, she thought,

You know, in this light? Gotham doesn't look so bad after all.

[kimberly-spirits13]

Summer Vacation (Pt. 1)

Pairing: Damian Wayne x reader

Synopsis: When you were young, your mother was killed by some strange force, it was seen as an accident by the police, but your grandmother and yourself thought otherwise. You aren’t close with your father and are often sent home from Gotham back to your grandmother. One day, you get a call, your grandmother thinks she has the answers to your mother’s death

Notes: Okay so I have really weird dreams. Like, this is something you might wanna know about me. Often times, depending on the dream, I might be able to narrow down a plot or something and turn it into a story. The Summer Solstice Museum was a dream so yeah. Needless to say, I have an unhealthily vivid imagination. Also, Ik I make a lot of series, but it’s almost summer time for me so I have time lol. OH, important, if you don’t call your grandmother Mimi, I’m sorry cause it’s what I refer to a grandmother figure in this as since it was in my dream and fit the character well. I basically had this dream and it was a character that I made a while ago but I figured I’d use it here, the reader in place of the character.

Warnings: Mentions of parental death, cursing, crappy dad (no physical or mental abuse he’s just absent and garbage)

Word Count: 1921

            You were sitting in school at Gotham Academy the day you got called into the office. It was during History, a subject that you actually kind of liked in school. Damian, your best friend, shot you a look of questioning as you walked out shrugging your shoulders since you had no idea what this was about. It was probably another plan to ship you off to your grandmother’s house this summer. That was something that your father was very likely to do. It sucked not being able to see Damian during this time, but in the words of your father, “It is necessary.”. You walked out of the door with your hall pass and down a flight of stairs before turning left and then stepping into the front office. No one was there but the front desk lady and your father who had his similar look of indifference upon his face.

           “Father, why are you here?” You asked as he handed you his phone.

           “Your grandmother wanted me to get you to call her. She said that it could not wait until 3:15.” You looked at the clock seeing that it was now 2:55p.m. and school would be out soon.          

           You took the phone and dialed your grandmother who picked up instantly.

           “Mimi, is something wrong?” You asked sitting down in one of the leather chairs that were placed in the lobby.

           “Hello Y/N!” Your very peppy grandmother cheered, “How are you sunflower?”

           “I’m doing great, school’s about to be out for the week, is everything alright at the farm?” You questioned as you heard the Queen playing in the background. It sounded like she was painting again.

           “Oh, everything is... well let’s just say that I’ve found something on your mother, honey.” She paused for a moment thinking as what to say next and the music stopped.

           “M-mom?” You asked, your face paling and voice hushing, “What is it?”

           “There are mysterious things happening around right now. A strange older house has been spontaneously built up in an abandoned old farm land and my book of spells led me straight to it.” Your grandmother explained, “I know for certain that this has to do with whatever killed her Y/N/N. Finals are next week for you right?” She asked

           “Yes, then we have summer.” You answered.

           “Good, why don’t you come over and we can solve this entire thing?” Mimi asked giving you a second to think about it.

           “Sure. Sure, I’ll see you then.” You smiled some remembering what the farm was like, “Will you just call me if anything changes?”

           “Of -course sunflower!” She said, a smile in her voice, “Alright Y/N/N, I love you and will see you next week.”

           “I love you too Mimi.” You hung up and went back to class, your father stating that he would wait for you until the bell rang.

           Quickly, you made your way back into your class. It was weird walking back in. You saw Damian giving you a different look, rather than questioning, it was some -what of worry. You assumed that he saw the look on your face as you sat down.

           “Later.” You mouthed.

           The bell rang 10 minutes later and you and Damian headed out of the classroom, trying to beat the rest of the class out before the waves of students hit.

           “What was that about Y/N?” He asked.

           “My grandmother wants me to come to her farm this summer again. Uh- family matters.” He nodded thinking that this was over your father like it tended to always be over.

           “You know you could always come live with me at the manor. Father is ... less than present sometimes like your father, but you would have Brown, Cain, Gordon, and myself as well.” Damian’s eyes lit up when he thought about you coming to live with him at the manor. It was something that he had thought about many times before.

           “That would be nice Dames, but I just don’t want to go through all of that until I have to.” You answered thinking of the legal logistics.

           “If you’re concerned about legality, we could just kidnap you Y/N.” He said opening up his locker.

           “Oh yeah because that’s much better.” You rolled your eyes when he chuckled.

           You grabbed what homework you didn’t finish during lunch or your break hour and walked out of the school with Damian for afterschool carpool (pick up). He walked you to your father’s car and gave a darker look upon seeing him. Damian didn’t like that he just left you alone in the massive apartment of yours for so long on “business” and basically acted like you didn’t exist. How could someone do that? You were one of the most amazing and complex people that he had ever met and it was inconceivable that someone would just toss you to the side in such a manner.

           “Bye Dames.” You smiled some as he bid you farewell and got into his car when your father drove off.

           “So, what was that call about?” Your father asked in a monotone voice.

           “Mimi wants me to come to the farm this summer with her.” You saw his face light up some at the mention of this, “I guess you won’t have to worry about me getting in the way of your business trips now even though I could have stayed by myself being 16 and all.”

           Your father didn’t reply and in his place was one of your own sighs as you two drove to the apartment complex that housed your penthouse. Your father owned a penthouse in the city after gaining a high position in his company for international business. While he did have business trips, you knew that in reality, all of the free times on those were spent with various women. You figured this out after tracking his phone on an app to the Red- Light District in Amsterdam during one of his “adventures”. This was proving to be a long next few days, and it was only just starting.

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

           It was Tuesday night, the second night of exams. Damian could tell that something was more than wrong as you sat on his bed with him, papers out studying for your literature and history exams that were happening in the morning.

           “Y/N are you alright?” He asked finally seeing your gaze drift to the top of the paper, your eyes setting in like you were starting to zone out in deep thought.

           “Y/N.” He said once more snapping you out of your trance.

           “Mhmm?” You hummed flipping the paper to a new one.

           “What’s the matter with you today?” He asked, “These past few days in fact.”

           “Nothing is wrong Damian.” You replied, “I’m just stressed for exams, that’s all.” You looked up, shooting him a fake smile.

           “That was one of the fakest smiles I have ever seen in my life L/N.” He scoffed as if you took him for a fool, “Seriously, what’s wrong?” He stopped, his gaze darkening once more, “Your father didn’t-“

           You cut him off, “No, Dames, nothing is wrong with my father more than it usually is.” You stopped thinking some, “M-my” It took looking around and lowering your voice to a whisper for you to continue as if something or someone was listening that shouldn’t be, “Mimi saw something on my mom, she thinks that she found something on her.”

           “Y/N/N...” He looked at you in sympathy and understanding, using the nickname that he had given you used only in special circumstances.

           “It’s fine. I’ve been expecting something like this.” You reasoned more with yourself than him, “I-I love the farm, it’s quiet, peaceful, beautiful, Mimi is there...” You started to tear up some and he grabbed you, wrapping you in his arms, “I don’t know what’s going to happen and it’s just going to be my Mimi and I on a farm in the middle of a new hotspot for this thing that killed my mom and I won’t have anyone. I don’t know what to do anymore.”

           “Y/N/N, you’re going to be okay.” He said softly before pausing, “If you’ll allow it, I can come with you.”

           “D-Dami, you can’t. You have Robin and a life here.” You sniffled burying your face into his neck.

           You did admit there was a blush creeping onto your face. It was strange being like this, yet it felt so right. You guys weren’t dating, not at all, but you guys were best friends and hardly left each other’s side. You wanted it to be more but didn’t want to mess anything up after seeing your father the way he was when your mother died. You didn’t think he would do that if something happened to you, but you also didn’t think that way of your father but here you were.

           “It doesn’t matter. You need someone with you, and I intend to be that person Y/N.” He remarked running his fingers through your hair, his face turning bright red.

           “I-I’d have to ask Mimi.” You pulled back and he let go of you, “You really don-“

           “I will.” He gave you a determined look as you calmed some and nodded before smiling for real this time once more.

           “So, wanna talk Napoleon?” He laughed at your remark flipping through his notes before nodding.

           “Whatever you say L/N.”

           After your study session, Damian went to tell his father that he would be leaving for the summer. He knew that Bruce wouldn’t be happy about this but also that he couldn’t say no. Bruce knew how close you two were. Plus, if Damian was abandoning his duties to go out to protect and be with someone, he knew it was serious.

           You stayed behind, opening up your phone app to call your Mimi. She picked up immediately with a very peppy voice for this time of night.

           “Hello sunflower!” She chirped, “How are you?”

           “I’m doing good Mimi. I finished my math and science exams this morning and Damian and I are studying for Lit. and history.” You said smiling some.

           “Ahhh you and Damian?” You could tell just from her voice that she was smiling at his name.

           “Mhmm.” You giggled some like a child blushing, “I told him about what you said, about mom and he told me that he didn’t want to leave me at the farm without him.”

           “Well we could always use someone else around here.” Your grandmother said knowing how much he meant to you, “He can 100% come.”

           You smiled wanting to squeal in excitement at this response. “Thank you so much Mimi!” “Trust me, you’ll love him.”

           “I don’t doubt it one bit. Now you’d better hurry off to bed so you can do well on your tests in the morning.”

           “Okay, I love you Mimi.” You said sweetly.

           “I love you too Y/N.” She hung up and you saw Damian waiting at the doorway, not wanting to interrupt anything.

           “Uh, how long have you been standing there?” You asked seeing a small blush on his cheeks.

           “Just came up. So, what did she say?” He asked coming inside and sitting by you.

           “She said and I quote, “He can 100% come.”” You laughed doing an imitation of your grandmother as he chuckled, “And Bruce?”

           “Father understood and has permitted me to leave Gotham for as long as needed.”

           “This is amazing.” You smiled brightly, “You’re going to love the farm.”

           “I don’t doubt it.”

I hope you guys liked this one. I’m working on requests once again and I think I’m going to post them on queue because I liked how that worked lol. Anyways, I hope you guys are having a marvelous summer and week and send in any requests if you have them!

[bisexualsforprompto]

Teen Titans AU Part 10

OMG I JUST REACHED 100 FOLLOWERS! Wow! Thank you all so much for your support! I’m so happy to be writing and have others enjoy it! Without further ado please enjoy part 10 of the Teen Titans AU!

She woke up in a dimly lit warehouse tied up and gagged on a chair. The first thing that came to Marinette’s mind was Adrien. She quickly checked to make sure she could still feel the necklace which she had fashioned to hang Chat’s ring around her neck. She was relieved that it was still tucked away safely, but she wasn’t sure who tied her up if not Adrien. Marinette had left Tikki in her room when she had gone to shower, which meant she couldn’t transform. Marinette surveyed her surroundings and heard a small thud, she turned to see Adrien, it had been him after all. He must not have realized she had his miraculous. Adrien ran towards her and took the gag out of her mouth. Before she could scream he shushed her and whispered in her ear, “Puzzler is in the next room, he took you but I’m here to rescue you!” Marinette sighed, it made some sense, especially since she had bested his father. She wasn’t happy with Adrien’s appearance though, she knew he’d only make matters worse. Adrien brought his face to hers and before he could kiss her she spat in his face. Adrien was extremely angry, he looked like he was about to blow a fuse, even slap Marinette, “First you go around kissing some random guy and cheating and now this?!” Adrien growled as Marinette realized that he must’ve been watching her when she was in Gotham. But how did he know I was in Gotham? She wondered to herself. She didn’t have time to dwell on it though, Adrien was too unpredictable to not be watched. She looked back at Adrien and saw his eyes glued to her chest, she scowled, what a pervert. Then she realized that he was focused on the ring shaped lump peeking out of her shirt. Oh no… Adrien held her by her throat and ripped the necklace off her chest. “I can’t believe you would bring me this present back Mari, you’re redeemed princess.”

Adrien took the ring off the chain and slipped it on his finger. Plagg materialized and looked in horror as he saw who donned the ring of the black cat. “Plagg claws out.” Adrien yelled. “Kid no wayyyyyy” Plagg said as he was sucked into the miraculous, the kwami’s were slaves to their owners.

Just as Adrien had been transformed Edwin came out in a rage. “So you’re here for her huh? Just try to beat me little cat, I’m not as easily bested as my dear old dad.” Chat ran after him, turning his focus away from Marinette as Puzzler ducked out of the way. Marinette heard a thud from behind her as the boys fought. She felt her ropes being undone hastily and she felt a strong, warm arm draw her close. She knew who it was immediately.

Robin was standing in front of her as he gazed into her eyes, he was beyond relieved that she was okay. Marinette held onto him tightly as he shot off his grappling hook onto a nearby balcony in the warehouse. The two villainous boys who were fighting over her realized she was gone. “Where’d she go?!” Puzzler asked. Chat was proud, he had saved his princess, she would definitely love him now. Chat snapped out of his thoughts when Edwin threw another punch at him and they were immersed in battle once more.

Marinette looked at Damian, her boyfriend? She was happy he saved her, but she was also panicking. “I have to take his miraculous back!” She said in a low whisper. Damian clutched onto her tightly, he didn’t want her battling that freak. He knew she had a duty but for god sakes she gave him a heart attack! When he couldn’t find her he could barely think straight and it didn’t help that his brothers and father had to fight the Joker at the same time Marinette was discovered missing. Joker was too unstable and they couldn’t risk going into battle without more than one member of the batfamily, so they left him, with dissatisfaction, to let him handle Mari himself. Thank god for Tikki and his tracker. He understood that his family couldn’t help, really he did it’s just he knew he couldn’t lose her, so it annoyed him when more of his family couldn’t help.

He slowly let her go to get Chat’s miraculous back but a portal opened and Slade pulled Adrien forcefully back through it. “Damn it!” Marinette screamed.

Puzzler was a bloody heap on the floor and Chat had gotten away. Damian held her in his arms as he shot another grappling hook and headed straight for the batcave.

His brothers and father were there, a little bruised from their run in with the Joker, but all in one piece. Marinette was thoroughly, and rightfully pissed off. One of the most dangerous miraculouses was back in the hands of Adrien fucking Agreste. She huffed as Damian gently laid her down on the cave floor.

“Care to explain Robin?” Asked Batman, he knew Marinette had been missing, but with even Damian left leadless, it was up to Robin to storm in blind, without information by pinpointing her tracker’s location once again. Damian scowled, “Not particularly father. Can this wait?” He motioned to Marinette who had gotten up and made her way to the computers, searching vigorously. “God damn it!” She screamed, “How did Adrien know where I was?!” She bowed her head down in defeat as Damian walked over to her and massaged her shoulders soothingly, he’d never seen her like this. The batfamily could only watch as Damian tried to calm her down, “Angel, take a breath...Now, please tell me what you are upset about other than some different freak taking you.” Marinette sighed and tried to stay calm, for Damian, she thought. “Adrien has been watching us since at the very latest, yesterday night in Gotham. We didn’t tell anybody we were coming here besides your family and the Titans, so how did he possibly know?” Damian hadn’t thought about that, to be fair he hadn’t had much time to think, “He’s working with Slade I think...Now that you mention it, he has been really ahead of the game lately, always knowing where the Titans will strike next, even knowing our moves, so that rules a tracker out...” Marinette looked up at Robin, he wore a calculating look on his face, under better circumstances Marinette might have called it cute. She could see the dots connecting in his mind, and she desperately wished she could know what he was thinking about, her wish was granted though, by Batman who had realized exactly what had happened. He narrowed his eyes and spoke,

“Looks like the Teen Titans have a mole…”

Tag list (again please let me know if you’d like to be added or if I missed you!):

@zebrabaker

@2sunchild2

@northernbluetongue

@violatiger8

@mochinek0

@beaversuenightly

@poshplumcot

@queen-of-the-trash-planet-tm

@heaven428

@worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry

@indecisive-mess-named-me

@captainmac6

@mandy984

@emjrabbitwolf

[ranger-jedi-knight]

A New Hero Ch 6

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/20887313/chapters/53294245 Tag List: @vixen-uchiha

Ok, so here’s the next chap! Sorry bout the wait, most of it was cause I was writin a fic that ended up bein scrapped. Ya, not fun. It was the little mermaid au I talked bout briefly in the fic I posted. Then I sorta got sucked into a few new ships. And then life(or would it be considered mind/brain?) happened once more. Heh, life really enjoys buttin in huh? But no matter, here’s the next chap and Mari is officially Ladybug to Paris! (Ok, so here Adrien is going to be chaotic, he’s seen that his father is actually breaking laws and holds that over him to do what he wants finally. Later on I will explain what will be happening with Lila ok?, k). I hope you enjoy the chap!!

Chat here is based off this: https://unmaskedagain.tumblr.com/post/189337423122/chaotic-chat

Mari had been hoping for a peaceful first day of school. But apparently, fate decided against that. She scowled as she watched the stone beings walk around. Nino and Kim were next to her, they were nervous but ready to help. “Did any of you see what got hit?”

“I...I think it was a piece of paper,” Kim replied and Mari nodded. She looked around and saw they were alone.

“Got it. Tikki, spots on!” Mari shouted and quickly changed into Ladybug. Her suit was looser being all black. She had knee-high red boots that had black spots placed strategically to not overwhelm. A cropped red jacket that was always zipped only went to her elbows also with black spots placed strategically. Finally, she had black gloves with red fingers and a red mask with five black spots. She pulled her yo-yo off her hip and threw it out the window and went to find the first stone being, Stoneheart.

As she swung around trying to find him, she saw a black figure walking on top of the roofs. She lands in front of him, startling the boy. “So, you’re my partner, Ladybug,” she introduced holding a hand out to the boy.

“Uh, Chat Noir at your service M’lady,” Chat said and Ladybug rolls her eyes.

“Uh-huh. You know what to do?” she asked.

“Take down the bad guy and I have the ability to destroy anything I touch,” Chat said and Ladybug nodded.

“You can, but you need to remember you only have one chance to use it and after you have 5 minutes before detransforming,” Ladybug said, having a feeling that Plagg may have not told him everything. “These bad guys, aren’t bad guys, Chat. They’re innocent people being used by the real bad guy. So don’t be reckless or try to permanently hurt them. Got it?”

“Got it,” Chat agreed and they started running trying to find Stoneheart who also had Mylene and Chloe captive. They find Stoneheart on the Eiffel Tower, police had set a perimeter and were trying to get Stoneheart to let the girls go. The mayor was even pleading for Stoneheart to return his daughter.

“You want her? You can have her!” Stoneheart shouted and threw Chloe. Chloe screamed as she flew through the air. She was used to it when with Dick and the others above a net with things to help her. But here, she had nothing to help her. And she didn’t know where Ladybug was.

“Chloe!” Ladybug shouted as she swung to the girl and caught her. She landed on the bridge on one knee, sliding towards the police cars a few feet. “You ok?” Chloe nodded hesitantly.

“Y-yeah. I-I’m going to get a grappling fun or something. Don’t want to be in that again,” Chloe said and Ladybug nodded.

“That would probably be smart. You can text Tim and ask him to make you one,” Ladybug replied and Chloe nodded agreement. There was a choking noise and they watched as Stoneheart shocked and tons of butterflies left him and formed a presumably Hawkmoths head.

“People of Paris, listen carefully. I am Hawk Moth.” the head began.

“Hawkmoth?” Ladybug asked sharing a look with Chat who said it at the same time.

“Ladybug, Chat Noir, give me the ladybug earrings and the black cat ring. You don’t want to make these people suffer more than they have too?” he asked and Ladybug slowly clapped walking forward.

“Nice try, Hawkmoth, but we know who the bad guy is. Let's not reverse the roles here. Without you, none of these innocent victims would be transformed into villains. Hawkmoth, no matter how long it takes, we will find you, and YOU will hand us YOUR Miraculous!” Using her yo-yo, Ladybug jumped up to where the butterfly swarm was. “Time to de-evilize!” She swung her yo-yo and caught every butterfly and turned to look at the people who were watching shocked. “Let me make this promise to you. No matter who wants to harm you, Ladybug and Cat Noir will do everything in our power to keep you safe!” she opened up the yo-yo and held it up. All the butterflies flew out, going in every direction, going into cameras. People cheered but stopped when Stoneheart got up. He yelled before climbing up the Eiffel Tower until he reached the very top, hanging from the tip.

The two swung up after him and Ladybug and Chat landed above him. “Lucky Charm!” She swung her yo-yo up into the air and a parachute landed in her hands. She and Chat shared a look.

“A parachute?” he asked confused and she could only shrug. She looked around and snapped a finger. “Got an idea?”

“Get ready to catch, Ivan,” she said and Chat nodded. Ladybug swung her yo-yo around Stoneheart and onto the first holding both Mylene and the object. She pulled and Mylene’s lips pressed against Stoneheart. Stoneheart gasped out letting go of Mylene and the object. Chat hit the object with his baton over to Ladybug. She grabbed the object and crushed it. She then dived off the tower and caught Mylene and threw her yo-yo up to catch the akuma. She pulled the cord and the parachute opened.

Meanwhile, Chat jumped down and caught Ivan quickly. He then got them down safely after ladybug and Mylene landed. “Bye-bye, little butterfly!” She said opening her yo-yo and the white butterfly flew out.

The people that were there still cheered as everyone changed back to normal shortly after. “What about all the damage?” Chat asked and Ladybug smirked.

“Miraculous Ladybug!” Ladybug shouted as she tossed up the parachute. Millions of ladybugs left the item and swirled all over Paris, fixing all the damage done by Stoneheart and his minions.

“Whoa!” Chat exclaimed watching as they went about fascinated. The people near them shared the same sentiment. Mylene and Ivan nodded thanks to them before turning to each other and talking quietly. “Pound it!” Chat said excitedly and holding a fist out to Ladybug who then hit it with her own. They smiled at each other until beeping happened.

“Bug out!” she called and threw her yo-yo and swung off. Chat followed after her as his ring started beeping as well. “Chat, we can’t know each other’s identities!” Ladybug said when they both landed on the roof of Mari’s home.

“Don’t care,” was all he said before detransforming in front of her. In front of her was Adrien Agreste, the new student that missed the first day of class. She pinched her nose and sighed.

“I’m so proud of you, kit,” Plagg said floating in front of Adrien who had a smug smirk on his face. Ladybug let her transformation fall as well and Tikki flew in front of her.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Tikki said looking disappointed but Plagg just shrugged.

“Ok, fine. What do we do Tikki?” Mari looked over at Tikki who gave a small shrug and hum.

“Well, we will just need to hide it from Master Fu. You were bound to find out about Chat’s identity eventually since you’re training to become a Guardian. It’s only Chat that shouldn’t have known,” Tikki explained.

“But how come? Doesn’t that seem a bit unfair that I can know but he can’t?” she asked and Tikki and Plagg shared a look.

“I don’t know. This hasn’t exactly happened before. Especially since you two cannot be akumatized under any circumstances since it’d be dangerous for your family and friends,” Tikki replied and the two heroes shared a look.

“Well, knowing each others identities will help. We can help keep each other calm, and perhaps help each other with excuses when an Akuma happens,” Mari said and Adrien nodded agreement. “We should get back to class now.”

“Oh, we should,” Adrien agreed.

“Yup, and you can meet three other people who know about me,” Mari said walking them out of her family’s apartment and through the back door. They walked up toward the school when Mari looked over at Adrien curiously. “Aren’t you a model for your father?” she asked and Adrien nodded.

“I was. Then I figured out my dad was breaking child labor laws and whatnot. So, I’m holding that over his head to be able to do what I want finally,” Adrien explained as they entered the school and went to their classroom.

“Ah, ok,” Mari replied as they entered the classroom. Ivan and Mylene hadn’t arrived yet. Alya was grumbling in her seat, she had only managed to get little footage of the villain and heroes before getting stuck behind a car. Chloe looked sorta shaken still. “Nino knows, sit next to him. Chloe needs me,” she said and Adrien nodded and sat next to Nino in the front. Chloe and Mari sat behind them, Mari watched silently as Nino and Adrien fist pumped.

“Hey,” she said softly and pulled Chloe toward her. Chloe hugged her tightly, tensed up, ready to bolt. She gently hummed under her breath and ran a hand up and down Chloe’s arm. Ms. Bustier came in then and shakely began class.

The class was done soon and Mari took her friends, and Adrien, to the bakery. She led them upstairs and into her room where they all sat down. Tikki flew out and Plagg did the same. The others nodded at that. “So Adrien is Chat, figures,” Chloe said rolling her eyes and Adrien just smiled at her.

“Yup. Broke the one rule we had. But no matter, I should tell em what happened,” Mari said and they nodded as she pulled out her phone and started dialing.

“Who?” Adrien asked.

“Friends in Gotham that trained her. They’re friends of the Guardian,” Nino explained and Adrien nodded at that.

“Hey, Damian. Can you get your family gathered? I’d rather only say this once,” Mari said once he picked up the phone. “Hey, ya. I have some news about Paris. The Peacock Miraculous is now active. Do you think you can monitor the situation and make sure any hero that wants to come has permission from me, ok?” she hummed as she heard the response. “Thank you. Ya, don’t worry, I will,” Mari replied with a smile.

“Who were you talking to Marinette?” Adrien asked tilting his head. Mari smirked as she looked at him.

“No one else outside this house, including my parents and the Guardian, know about them and their secret. So do not tell anyone, got it?” she said and Adrien nodded, slightly scared. He could tell that he’d regret it if he crossed Mari. “I was talking to the Wayne’s, aka, batfamily. I’m only telling you this since you would probably join me in my usual weekend visit for training. They typically join me too,” Mari said gesturing to the other three and Adrien nodded.

“Ok, got it,” Adrien replied and Mari smiled.

“Good. Now, we’ll start with the basics then.”

Cracked but Healing @proudgothamite

Proud to say I’m doing better now! Bee here has helped a lot! Alster is proud and says she has a surprise in store. Kinda wary, but I trust her! Thank you everyone helping! #thankyousomuch #stillhealing #butwaybetternow #whatdoesntkillyou #makesyoustronger *pale red head smiling hugging a pale black haired girl with brown eyes, both smiling happily with a college behind them*

Tagged @bibumblebee

Ok, so here’s the next chap finally! Just in case you were confused(cause tbh, i was a little myself before i remembered) rn Mari is 14 almost 15. Like, im going with her bday is in a few months. I’ll do a few more time skip chaps until Mari is 16. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it. Next chap will be a little purely because I’m writin two one-shot fics for a new ship I got(tech two but eh. One is only one time) but I do hope you enjoy em too! -Love Willa<3<3<3

[amnachil]

The College Society Chapter 3 Part 7

I’m back ! Holidays were fun but it’s time to go back to my very serious schedule. (Believe it please).

Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey Monday February 11

The blond lad moaned when he felt the girl's tongue lick his balls. Softly, she grabbed his prick, and put it in her mouth. He grunted. It was good. That's what I'm supposed to do. It was exactly his place. Here, on his feet, while someone was sucking his cock. With an ultimate groan, he came. His dick had a convulsion when he ejaculated. With both hands, he forced the girl to keep it in her mouth. For a moment, they stayed like this. Then, he let her go. Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey was extremely satisfied. I'm at the right place. Yeah, this is me.

"Was it good ?" asked the whore.

"Shut up stupid. I told you, I don't like your voice."

She lowered her head. What an idiot. He had finished a lesson half an hour ago, and decided to take some good time. His timer rang. The pancakes are ready. He let the stupid girl put her clothes back on. They were doing it in the kitchen, because he had these pastries to do. He put them out of the frying pan and tasted one. Good. Not my best shot, but I hope it'll be enough. He had made quite a generous amount.

"It's so hot when you're cooking in the same time." the girl said.

"Just shut up already ! Your voice make me nauseous and I don't want to puke on the pancakes !"

She stood back and mumbled an apology. The Dean's grandson couldn't wait to see Liam. I hate to admit it but... It was as enjoyable as sex. His boyfriend was so lovely, so cute... And I'm worried for Nate. I think he must tell the truth, but I can't force him. It was a real disappointment. Him, Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey, the king of the hunter, couldn't force someone to do what he wanted. Just because he respected Liam too much. Me. I respect this baboon.

"You're still so hard." commented the girl. "I should take care of this..."

"Cut it out ! It's not... I mean I'm not... Whatever, you can't understand."

Even think about Liam was making everything awkward. He told to this bitch to leave, and then put on some clothes. When he looked at himself in the mirror, he pouted. He had always been a chameleon. Sometimes skinny, sometimes chubby, sometimes athletic. As the best hunter, he was adapting at his prey's taste. And for Liam, his frame started to fill out again. He had this bad habit to taste everything he was cooking, and since his boyfriend asked for a lot of bakes, there he was. He patted genltly his butt. As always, the weight made it rounder, softer. Same for his belly, which had a little curve, he noticed. It had been only a bit more than two weeks since he had begun to date Liam, one month since he had begun to cook all those pastries. But I'm not doing any sport at all at the moment. Well, except sex. A short moment, he thought it was fine as long as Liam liked him. But he was the hunter here, not the prey. Stop thinking this way. I'm gaining only to catch him. Yeah, that's it.

Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey was going to his ferrari when Theo came to talk to him. All around, some students looked at them. Especially hunters. The newbies... They all think this was an important war. They don't realise it was nothing but daily life among the hunters. You're always fighting for a meal.

"I'm sure you've heard about my withdrawal." started Theo without a hello. "You won the bet."

"Of course I did." smiled the blond lad. "I gave you a chance to give up before, but you refused."

"Well, Liam is such a special prey... I was desesperate. Of course, D.R. didn't like my last strategy and punished me. I can't come next to Liam nor his relatives. Otherwise, I would be kicked out of the hunters, and even the university. And I'm not allowed to hunt for the end of the year. Will you still try to catch him ?"

The Dean's grandson hesitated. For now, nobody knew about the boyfriend stuff. They all were thinking he was still hunting. But honestly, I'm just happy to be with him. I'm not looking for sex. Which is weird. For a hunter like him, it was a shame.

"He's my prey." he eventually ansewered. "You all know that, so don't approach him."

He knew there were hunters interested. A prey who escaped to Theo and made Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey struggle ? Some people would maybe try their luck. That was why the blond lad had to be clear.

"Well, you don't have to worry about me anymore." mumbled the dark-haired lad. "However, I have a question. Did you do something to Laura ? She said you talked together."

"I intended to but I changed my mind, lucky bastard."

It's Liam fault, again. His boyfriend asked him to not punish Theo. And they had this condition... I'm not allowed to have sex with people he knows. I'm lucky he's not a star athlete or somethin' like that.

"Thank you." whispered the swimteam captain. "I don't know why you decided to be nice all of sudden, but thank you. I can survive without Liam or Nick but Laura... You know like me what she went through. She shouldn't be involved with hunters anymore. D.R. has been clear about it, I'm supposed to protect her."

"Yeah, I know. And you did quite a bad job here. Are we done you idiotic stupid pig ? I mean, I don't like you being so nice, it make me uncomfortable."

Theo just smiled. Such a sexual smile. If I had time, we would do sex for peace but sorry man, I have a date.

Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey waited Liam outside a building in town. His boyfriend had this session with a shrink. God knows he needs a treatment. The guy was believing in unicorns, ogres and aliens. And me, I'm waiting. Not normal. I'm never waiting anyone. He masturbated discreetly before Liam arrived. When this one entered in the car, he had a bad expression. He was upset.

"What happened baboon ?" asked the blond lad.

"Ms. Hang wants me to see my father and to learn from him. I don't like this." explained the freshman. "It's like going to hell to learn from the devil."

"Why ?"

They never really talked about their respectives families until now. I know he has issues, but not much more.

"My mother brought up my siblings and me all by herself. He was never here. She sacrified everything for us. And then, last summer, he showed up and decided to take the custody. They've been in trial since, and he's winning everytime. Even now, I thought Theo's father would help, but it seems like he didn't. My mother will have to pay 800$ per month as child support !"

"Hold on a sec. Mr. Meyers is your dad's lawyer ?"

"Yeah, why ?"

"You're Isaac Stucker's son ?!"

Why Nancy didn't found that ? Bad. Bad. Really bad !

"You know him ?" asked Liam, surprised.

"My father and yours worked together a long time ago. Let's say they have a little argument still ongoing..."

Fuck it. My dad will kill my boyfriend. Let's forget about any form of introductions before he dies.

"You know what ? I'm gonna come with you next weekend to see your father. Will you feel better that way ?"

"Yeah. But I would feel even better if you give me these delicious pancake I smell."

Liam Wednesday February 13

"I got a call from your parents. They said to me they got a letter from your college..."

The chestnut lad sat next to Nate, in their shared bedroom. It had been a week, and things weren't getting better. His bestfriend wasn't eating well, he stayed inside, mostly alone. He started to grow a beard, and looked sloppy. And now Liam had got this call. According to Nate's parents, the university was asking where he was, because he was missing lessons. Which means he's not expelled. It was good news, but also meant the short guy had lied. I just don't know why.

"Bro, you can talk to me, you know that right ?"

"Yes." mumbled his bestfriend.

The unicorns were using her whole power to cheer him up. Nick was doing his best too. But still, Nate looked depressed, and Liam didn't like it. Dami had told him to give it time. According to his boyfriend, it was extremely important to be there and wait.

"Can I get you something to eat or drink ? You ain't eating enough."

It showed. Nate was melting like icecream in the heat. For Liam, it was another source of stress. He felt bad for his friend, and didn't know why.

"It's not necessary." assured the dark-haired lad. "Stop worrying for me, I'm fine."

He said that, but the unicorns could guess a lie. Nate remembered to Liam how himself was after all the stuff with his ex. When he had been sued for attempt of involuntary manslaughter.

"You shouldn't feel guilty." he whispered. "Whatever you did, I'm sure you had a good reason. Please, stop punish yourself, you're the best man I know."

Nate looked at him with anger.

"Maybe you know craps Liam. Just... let me alone please. Thank you for being nice, but I don't need nor deserve your pity."

The words hurt the chestnut lad's feeling, but he said nothing. I'm sure he doesn't mean this. To see his bestfriend like this was heartbreaking. He had tried to bring him to some event in order to take his mind off this darkness, but never succeeded. Liam stood up and left, respecting Nate's demand.

This late afternoon, he decided to go to the pool before his date with Dami. It wasn't exactly date anymore, they just saw each other at least one hour per day minimum and a lot more when they had time. It was hard to manage the lessons, his workout routine, Nate and his boyfriend, but until now, he did. (He had also to feed the unicorns with his dreams, which meant he had to sleep a lot). (They got their magic from his dreams, yes). Anyway, he started to do some lenght when he glimpsed Nick, near to the water, looking scared. I promised to help him too... (Liam had this bad habit to promise things to a lot of people). (Besides, he didn't know how to help his roommate against his irrational fear. He didn't know any mermaid eager to show him it wasn't dangerous).

"Dude. Do you hear me ?"

He turned towards Colton, surprised.

"Sorry, I'm preoccupied and didn't see you."

"No problem, I'm used to it now." smiled his friend. "You're just in my way for my lenght. What's the matter with Nick ?"

"Sorry again, I can't tell."

He had promised to keep it secret.

"Is it because he can't swim ? Rebecca told everyone." revealed Colton. "She was laughing at him until Laura showed up."

Oh. It wasn't good. Why she turned so mean ? Liam looked at her : she was hanging with Matthew. This latter was said to be the next head of the club, when Theo would retire. Once the freshman heard someone call him a "good hunter". What did that even mean ?

"You know... I think I can help him." whispered Colton. "I already teach youngs kids in my town how to swim."

"Really ? It would be wonderful !"

They decided to try. Colton was so nice and considerate. At start, he reminded me of Raphaël but the more I know him, the more I can see their differences. He's just a real teddy bear.

This evening, Liam and his boyfriend had agreed to meet at the second's apartment. The chestnut lad had been there only once before. It was a vast flat in the campus, provided by the Dean. (Dami and this old man had a connection, but he couldn't figure which one). Before, Liam had thought the apartment would be decorated with photos of all the conquest of his man. But it wasn't the case. In fact, it was austere, with only the most necessary. Well, except one room : the kitchen. Dami had such an impressive equipment. (Liam had also noticed a lot of boxes full of condoms. A whole closet to be honest). (He had freaked out a bit, but he had made himself a reason, his boyfriend was a clairvoyant and a succubus). Anyway, when the freshman entered, Dami was cooking some aromatic plates.

"You're early baboon !" he yelled. "It's not ready."

"I never thought you were feeding the army." laughed Liam, impressed by all the food he saw.

He kissed his beloved and took off his jacket and shoes. I shouldn't have worn this jeans.

"By the way, I'm coming in France with you." announced Dami. "I asked the autorisation this afternoon."

They had talked about this yesterday. Liam really wanted his boyfriend to come. But with Nate...

"I don't know if I'll go." he confessed. "I'm worried for Nate, and I don't want to let him alone."

His partner rolled his eyes.

"Look, there's still more than two weeks." he recalled with reluctance. "I'll talk to Nate, and we'll try to find a solution. I think I can even manage to make him come with us in the worst case."

"Really ? You're so sweet."

Dami mumbled something incomprehensible. (He often did, it was weird but cute). (Liam assumed it was visions). The cook put all his plates onto the table. He sure did a lot.

"Dami, I have a question I wanted to ask for a while now... Would you prefer me fatter, or are you just cooking this to please me ?"

He had decided to be straight. He needed to know, not that it really matter. But if he likes me soft, I'll go for it. His boyfriend remained silent for a while. He seemed on the point of screaming. (Vision again).

"I cook because I like it." he eventually replied. "And I'm glad you enjoy it. But your physique ? I'm not a chubby chaser but I'm not particulary fond of muscle and abs either. I guess I... like change. Sometimes soft, sometimes ripped. I would say both can be attractive. Your physique isn't the first reason why I... appreciate you."

He almost said it. He almost said love. Liam blushed. They both did. (The tomato couple, it was a good movie name wasn't it ?)

"So you're fine if I stick to my workout routine ? I have nothing against a bit of belly, but I would like to remain in a relatively good shape."

"Baboon, you do whatever please you. If you feel more confident like this, so be it. But I count on you to be okay with my softer figure too. All the cooking is taking a toll on me, and I definitely don't have time for exercise at the moment."

"I think you're cute." replied Liam. You know I love you."

And again, they blushed.

Barbara Thursday February 14

Irina Peskov was a tall and beautiful young adult. Barbara wouldn't have been surprised if she did modeling. To meet her, the blond girl had gone through assault course. As a senior, she had a lot of work, and Barbara had to take an appointment. For this, she had met three different secretaries from different departments. She doesn't want to be found, I can tell this. And Javier hadn't been helpful, since he had refused to give her an adress. According to him, it was too risky, and Summer could have find out. But after all, I succeeded eventually. Now she was in this little work room with Irina, the previous queen of the university.

"So, why are you here ?" asked the russian after the introductions. "I'm not involved in these things anymore."

"I know, but I've heard you have some rancor against Summer." Barbara confessed. "Since I'm gonna run against her for the next election, I thought you could give me a hand."

Nothing official yet, but Summer would stand, for sure. For now, the freshman had Steve Callagan, Ms. Linda Weber and Amber at her side. This latter had said she was perfect for the role. I can guess she wants to manipulate me, but she'll end up disappointed.

"It's not that simple." stated Irina. "I'm not allowed to do whatever I want. I'm under surveillance."

She probably was speaking about Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey, or his greatfather himself. It could explain why she had shut herself away.

"Well, can you at least give me information ?" begged Barbara. "Nobody will know it's from you."

Irina pouted.

"What do you know about the hunters and the community exactly ?"

"We use it to refer to people who are hunting for sex or power." the blonde girl supposed.

"Not exactly." contradicted the old queen. "The community is a closed group of people who are specialized in hunting for sex, power or whatever as long as their hunt is more enjoyable than the outcome. You for example, you want to become more powerful. You like each stage which make you stronger and better. You can't stop. It's the same for all the hunters, they like the difficulty, the struggle."

Barbara nodded. It was right, she liked the ordeal. The fight.

"In our college, it had been reducted to sexual hunters, mostly because Damian Nicholas Smith-Carrey is a perfect specimen, but there are also other sorts. Anyway Summer's what we call a collector hunter."

"Wait. Do you mean there are different names ?"

"Of course, only for sexual content there are collector, alpha, omega, exlusive, voracious, satisfied and home-hunter... And you have to take note of their sexual preference, hetero, gay, lesbian ect... there is a list but I don't have it. Besisdes, we're running out of time, I have a presentation in five minutes. About Summer, her kind of hunter is known to have between three and five partners at the same time. They're all official, which means they don't know each other, and she pretends to be in a relationship with each."

"So if I manage to make two of them meet..."

"Yeah, it would be explosive. Summer can't handle the break-up part, like a lot of hunters. They start a collection, and sometimes, it implode. And before I leave, I'll tell you a name. Samuel Bayers. He was the first boyfriend of this bitch when she arrived at this college, and she never get rid of him, even if he's himself a collector hunter too."

When she left the old queen, Barbara felt pretty proud of herself. It was more interesting than I expected. Now, she could attack Summer personally. She just had to meet this Samuel as soon as possible. She entered her apartment with a smile. I'm gonna be the queen even before the next election if I deal with it well. The youngest queen ever of this college.

"Hey Barb." greeted Jessy. "Your sister came by two hours ago. She looked pissed."

Damn. Not her.

"What did she want ?"

"Well, she asked why you left Colton, and assured you would regret it later." related her roommate. "And she also said she was ashamed by your weakness. According to her, you should've already take down Summer. I don't know what it mean, how can you take down the summer ?"

"Forget it." mumbled Barbara.

I shouldn't have told her I was at war with another girl. Her sister could be quite annoying when it came to make a war. Anyway, she had a strategy and a head start. I can't lose. It's impossible.

Barbara headed towards her bedroom, and called Javier. This little roach answered almost immediately.

"Hey dude." she greeted. "I need your help."

"Well, you know what I want in exchange."

Always the same. Men were pigs. Stupid pigs. She could've asked Ms. Weber or Amber, but it was safer with Javier. He was devoted to her.

"First, did you send to Archie the expensive gold ball I bought ?"

"I gave it to Oliver. He said he would pass it, but it wouldn't change his quaterback's mind. Seems like he's quite stubborn."

"Yeah, I knew this."

She could see he was a dangerous and famous hunter. She expected the same kind of aura from Amber, the captain of the cheerleader, but it appeared she wasn't that much impressive. That's why I need Archie, and the whole football club with him.

"I'll come to your flat." she said. "But you've to find for me everything possible about Samuel Bayers. I need to meet him."

To be continued

As promised, it gets better. A long part again because there are a lot of thing going on.

Damian and Liam are evolving as a couple. It’s weird and confusing but they manage. Our hero deals with his friends and family at the same time. Damn, did he become mature ?

No surprise but Barbara is ploting again. Nothing good will come from this.

There are still 6 part for chapter 3 !

And To the Perfection is back ! Chapter 2 on monday.

[bluboothalassophile]

I honestly don't understand DC always trying to undermine Raven's powers. I read the current comics that she's in and it is so poorly written and boring. They suck at character development and its so fucked up that she's always brushed aside. And also I'll never forgive them for killing Roy and they keep fucking up Jason. These guys went through a lot and I just wanna see them be happy and I want to see more batfamily moments and team ups like in Batman and Robin Eternal.

Hello,

Reasons I am mad about Canon Raven:

She’s ALWAYS depowered; always, and she is literally the very definition of an over powered character. 

When they attempt to over power her again they fuck it up; like in Titans with Raven’s ‘telepathy’; she’s a fucking empath! NEVER has she been a telepath!

She has never been utilized outside of the Titans; which is infuriating on many levels. Because she needs to go solo; with a big comic or go to JL Dark or hell, team her up with Lucifer! I don’t know, but something outside of the fucking Titans!

Her solo series, while hold much promise are always cut short, or tie into nothing about her canon life.

They just severed her connection with her aunt and cousins, further isolating her again.

I am royally pissed that her connection with Victor Stone, a.k.a. Cyborg, (which I think is canonly her BEST familiar relationship EVER, their dynamic is amazing; it’s also an amazing dynamic for Victor too! So why was it cut!?) has been severed, was briefly rekindled only to be discarded again.

She’s always de-aged; sorry @chromium7sky, but I really hate that because I really think she should be about Jason and Tim’s age, hell, I’d even settle her being Dick’s age, just enough de-aging her! At this rate; and I’m sorry @impulse-goblin, she’ll be a RobRae with Carrie Kelley or Matt McGinnis! Which is so not okay because DC is screwing her over royally.

Marv, her creator, can no longer write her well to be engaging; which is sad.

She’s been royally dumbed down; which really fucking pisses me off, because even though N52 SUCKED BALLS, Raven, while bitchy, was always eager to learn; it’s one of her defining traits! She’s super smart, she’s engaging, she’s empathetic and kind, and rebirth has made it so she struggles with school. -.- Explain that to me, please, she’s never been stupid or struggled learning before. And I get trying to connect with modern readers, and making characters relateable, but that was just plain fucking stupid. There are other characters you can do that with, using Raven does not help in anyway.

I will not get into my issues with N52, there’s many, but mainly: WTF is up with Raven’s Entire Personality!? I mean don’t get me wrong, I loved the design she had, and I loved her on Tim’s team, also their entire friendship was amazing, but WTF, what a Bitch. I wanted to smack her.

They either forget she is a magic user, or they forget she’s a demon with demon abilities or something, but it always seems like one or the other is missing with her.

Off side key irritation too: How come her father doesn’t play a larger part of the DC universe and getting heroes to fear him? I mean come on! Titans plays him up to be like Darksied or Lucifer level of terrifying, and the DC universe: Who’s Trigon? WTF is that about!? You want the Only Daughter Of Trigon to have meaning, to show her power, then why the fuck isn’t Trigon more widely known and feared!? Come On People! We have Darksied’s ENTIRE Family feared, but you want to play Trigon off as eviler than Darksied but the entire DC universe outside Titans is like: Who the Fuck is Trigon!?

Kay, Metal hinted at her connection and importance to the Multiverse, but the DC, I don’t know… Forgot? And somehow the entire reason for her being captured, isolated and singled out by the Batman Who Laughed was forgotten. Granted my favorite panel of her and Victor happened because of that, but seriously; MAJOR PLOT HOLE DC! Come on, we aren’t Marvel, cease these plot holes in your big labels! Be grown ups!

Mainstream Raven hurts my Raven loving heart. But her counterparts are pretty cool, like on Earth 1 or Bombshells or the recent Titans movies, definitely liked her in the Titans live action show, and obviously I loved her in the cartoon; not Titan’s Go as that has helped in destroy her and the Titans. 

Now, my issues with Heroes Crisis:

King. Fucking cock teasing bastard tormented us with BatCat for over a year, getting them to the fucking alter then he did that fucking stunt; hell yes I am pissed still, and I am no less angry going into Heroes Crisis.

Kay, now for real.

I have major issues with the plot, thus far, because there doesn’t seem to be one.

Killing Roy and Wally did nothing to further a plot, or even engage in the plot and has just furthered to hurting surrounding characters.

Killing Roy was fucked up and senseless; as a writer I find that appalling.

Killing Wally was unnecessary; especially after all the fucking trouble we had gone through to get that speedster back! I mean COME ON! It’s like you brought him back solely to kill him off, and if that’s the case, someone smack a brain into King’s fucking head.

While the premise of Heroes Crisis was engaging and interesting to read the idea for it, it has been a dismal affair.

Why the fuck are your only suspects Harley Quinn and Micheal Carter, a.k.a. Booster Gold? No seriously want to explain that!? 

There is NO WAY Harley would ever hurt or kill Ivy, just no, and DC I don’t care about trying to cater to people and convincing all of Harley and Ivy are straight, it just wouldn’t happen. Ivy and Harley are in love, and I sincerely doubt, that despite EVERYTHING Harley has done in her life, that she would ever kill the woman she loved.

Also, Micheal Carter has selflessly saved the timeline multiple times, and done so without recognition. Yes, he can be full of himself, but where the hell did King come to the conclusion that Carter was a sociopathic narcissist? Someone please explain the basics of human nature to King; PLEASE! For the love of God, someone! I expect this crap from Lobell!

Now to my fury with the Batfamily in it’s current state:

Rebirth presented us with fairly healthy dynamics between the Batfamily members; which was refreshing as all get out, but now… I’d like to rip DC’s heart out and shove it up their ass for what they’ve done.

First, they allowed King to be the ultimate cock tease! Bastard built up the fucking BatCat wedding to be the wedding of the goddamn century; going to make comic history! And he fucks us over like we’re a two cent whore whilst simultaneously destroying the Batfamily.

Second: who the fuck even ALLOWED Lobdell into DC again to write!? I mean really!? Did you asshole not learn your lesson the first time!?

Third, wtf is up with Ric Grayson; I get it, we’re all exceedingly immature for taking an actually socially acceptable nickname from the 1930′s and perverting it into penis jokes. But news flash, Dick’s character has evolved with taking that in stride and laughing it off. Changing his name only pisses us off and furthers our desires to make dick jokes. 

Fourth: What the fuck are you guys even doing allowing Lobdell near Jason? I get it Lobdell is some ‘big shot’ good ‘big name to have on a comic’ but his writing is shit, I’ve read better stories from Kindergartners. Lobdell is like the Russo brothers of DC, please remove him from our premise, and I petition for us, the fans, to take custody of Jason from Lobdell for the sake of global comic peace. The Dude Can Not For The Love Of God Write. I’m surprised he even knows how to arrange letters on a piece of paper to form words honestly.

Why aren’t Duke and Cass B’s kids? No seriously? Why!? We all know those are his favorite two kids, so wtf are they doing… anywhere else but with the Bats?

Why is Babs Batgirl? Don’t go with that female empowering crap answer, just don’t, she was a better icon as Oracle than as Batgirl. She’s long since outgrown the role, and she had grown beautifully into the role of Oracle, so run this by me again: Why did we take a beautiful survivor, who created empowerment for people with disabilities while remaining a strong female lead and turn her back into Batgirl? Seriously? Someone explain that to me!?

Thank God DC hasn’t fucked up Tim yet, but Can We Please Stop With Evil Batman Tim!? Tim doesn’t even want to be Batman! He Never Has Wanted To Be Batman!

WTF did you do with Damian’s character development? He is not this baby raging Bat anymore who seeks to kill everyone who crosses him. Also what the hell was up with the whole Dami’s got a secret prison thing? That lead to nothing and has since been dropped, but seriously people, who is the lead brain in DC right now allowing this shit!?

Again, I must ask, what’s up with evil Bat futures; have we NO HOPE that these boys can grow up and actually be decent people!? Really. I want to know. I don’t get the options you’ve given these heroes.

Why does B have a double standard when it comes to Kate and Jason; and don’t say it’s because Jason’s killed, Damian’s killed and B is trying to be a good dad to him, so what’s up with this shit!? Is it really so much easier to have the rift between B and Jay than attempt to amend it!? If B has a problem with Jason using guns then the same problem should be applied to Kate; I don’t care about her likability, she’s a bitch and the double standard should cease.

And why is Jason trying to connect with Willis Todd? Willis was an abuse fucker or did Lobdell for get his own canon material again? Someone please remove Lobdell from DC premises! PLEASE! Send him to Marvel or something, I don’t care, but stop allowing him to fuck over Jason because he wants to!

Now, again, I’m brought to the double standards B has and his own reckless behavior. DC please, either find a ethics and morals person to join your writing team, or grow a fucking brain because you are precariously close to having Batman become the killer and the villain.

Why are we isolating the Bats again, when they were so connected at the start of Rebirth? I want to read about the Batfamily BEING A Family! Not this divide and pit against each other crap. 

The worst part of all this is, Rebirth actually started off great! Now it’s a flaming pile of wreckage and I almost wish we’d go back to N52 if only to stop watching the same trainwreck over and over happen.

[damijon-supersons]

Damijon Week Day 1:Slice of life? Very poor choice of words… - A DamiJon Fic

Notes:

Heyo! So DamiJon week is here and here’s my meager contribution. So this is gonna be an entire week and imma do my best to write for every day...cuz this fic right here is the first chapter of  a series I’m making that follows the prompts for each day of the week. This one is the middleschool au prompt (er, not so au anymore cuz the comics are doing it, but in my version, Damian and Jon are classmates :p) and I’ll continue this with the next prompts and days as much as I can. So yeah, I hope you guys like it, and help support the week by submitting and tagging content! ( Jondamiweek2018, or Damijonweek2018)

Part 2  Part 3 Part 4

 “Mr. Wayne,” Mr Tomas called out firmly. His tone wasn’t overly pissed as all hell, but it was definitely in the range of ‘you-are-in such-deep-trouble’.

Jon winced as he glanced back two rows to his left. Although it wasn’t his name that was getting called out for a grade-A chewing-out, he couldn’t help but cringe as he watched Damian stand defiantly, meeting the teacher’s glare with a steely look of his own.

“What have I told you about giving unsolicited comments to your classmates?” the elderly man snapped.

“That you discourage my efforts to take over your job,” Damian quipped coolly.

Jon could see a vein throbbing on the side of Mr. Tomas’ head. The young Kent buried his face in his hands as he felt what can only be explained as shame on behalf of his friend.

“I said,” the teacher declared with an even louder voice, “that you leave the teaching to me. Your preferred method of teaching doesn’t conform to our school’s…standards of decency.”

“I was under the impression that I was doing Gino a favor by correcting his mistake with a succinct explanation,” Damian countered smoothly. There was no doubt that he could match the older man’s stiff formality, albeit with a hint of insolence.

“You wrote on his test paper,” Mr. Tomas raised the sheet in front of him and adjusted his glasses, “only an idiot would confuse Steinbeck’s symbolism for the pearl as anything other than greed and avarice. How stupid can you be?”  He looked daggers at Damian, who merely shrugged in reply.

“I’m not wrong,” Damian insisted.

“Mr. Wayne,” Mr. Tomas sighed deeply and heavily as if he was regretting his choices in life, “I’ll need to have a word with your father for this…”

“And I wish you the best of luck with that…sir.” Damian added the epithet as a lazy afterthought. “My father is very busy with his work and if you can grab his attention with something as trivial as this, you deserve a medal.”

Mr. Tomas gritted his teeth. Jon knew that his teacher was just itching to give Damian a harsher punishment, but couldn’t because Damian was the son of the school’s largest donor and honorary chairman, Bruce Wayne.

Damian sat back down with a satisfied look on his face. If Damian were anyone else, the class might have laughed appreciatively. But Jon could see how the other boys and girls either glared at Damian or inched away from him. It was almost like Damian was surrounded by an invisible force field of suck.

***

Jon had been extremely excited when he’d found out that he and Damian were going to the same school. He’d fantasized about being locker buddies with Damian, eating lunch with him, doing homework, doing phys ed…everything, really. It was like Jon’s best dream come true. Everything was going to be fun, amazing, and infinitely awesome. But whatever giddiness he’d had back then had been replaced by a dull painful ache inside his stomach, one that would tug at his insides whenever Damian did…well…anything.

They’ve been enrolled at West-Reeve School for two weeks. Two Weeks. But for Jon, it felt like forever as he witnessed Damian’s not-so-simple adjustment period.

On the first day, Damian had been late, and someone had already taken the seat Jon that had saved for him. He’d been looking forward to being seatmates with Damian, too… When he’d asked Damian what the reason was for his tardiness, Damian had said that he’d gone out on patrol and ‘enjoyed’ himself before he was ‘shackled down to the education system’.

On the second day, they were grouped up in social studies to present in class. Damian had loudly protested that he should have been the leader of their group, because he was smarter than any of his groupmates. He had been voted out of the group, and the teacher had let him do the presentation alone. He’d still gotten the highest marks.

On the fourth day, some would-be bullies—some 8th graders—started to put the moves on Damian. It was nothing serious, really. They’d just started crowding around Damian and kind of coerced him to strike a conversation with them, because he was the ‘famous secret son of Bruce Wayne’. Then they’d made unflattering remarks about the fact that Damian’s mom had never been publicly identified. They’d left Damian after that, but the next day, the student body was abuzz about three 8th grade boys who’d had to be rushed to the hospital for broken limbs.

Three days ago, during an experiment in science, Damian had…almost assaulted their classmate Ben Percy. Damian had thrown a metal stirrer at the beaker Ben had been holding, shattering it, and staining Ben’s clothes with its contents. Damian had argued that Ben was about to ‘stupidly’ inhale the acrid vapor coming from the concoction like ‘an idiot’, which could have corroded his nostrils, so he’d taken action. Damian had narrowly avoided trouble because Ben hadn’t denied it, but he also argued that Damian could have used less violent methods.

Jon couldn’t do anything but wring his hands in exasperation, as Damian failed to realize that most middle-schoolers couldn’t throw objects with deadly accuracy like say, a batarang. That, and Damian’s little stunt was definitely in the list of ‘things that will make it obvious we’re actually superheroes’, which included, among other things, using their powers—Jon’s powers, mostly—for anything while in school.

He’d talked to Damian about that during one lunch period, but Damian had given him his usual stubborn replies. Today, he tried again.

“Damian,” Jon began as he bit into his sandwich and swallowed, “could you at least try to not be a jerk to the other kids?”

“Not my fault if they’re too slow to keep up with me,” Damian grunted in-between sips of orange juice. “Besides, I don’t see why they should have an issue with my attitude…I mean, you can take it.”

The pair sat on the school’s roof deck with their backs pressed against the wall of a maintenance closet. Ever since day one, Damian had refused point-blank to eat at the cafeteria with the other kids. This is how Jon found himself up the roof with Damian, eating their lunch, even though no one was allowed there. Damian had assured him that nothing will happen to them, because his dad practically owned the school—which wasn’t wrong.

“Damian,” Jon sighed wearily. “I’m used to you. We’re friends and we’ve known each other for a long time now. Our classmates didn’t have that time. You gotta be a little patient with them...just…play ball, y’know? How can you be a student in school if you make all the students in the school hate you?”

“I’ve infiltrated a school before…” Damian grumbled.

“You’re not pretending to be a student, dummy!” Jon chided. “You are one! This is real! We’re students! And you really should try better to be one…”

Damian stood up with a frustrated look. “You can’t imagine how irritated I am with all of this!” Damian snapped at him. Jon dropped his sandwich in surprise.

“When I was a toddler I was already taught resourcefulness and independence, to get what I need by myself. Under my father, he taught me the same, but also ingenuity, and not a small measure of willpower! Now, these…children,” Damian spat the last word out. “They expect their hands to be held at every turn. And they’re praised for it! Even you consent to it!”

Jon knew Damian wasn’t really angry at him. Damian directed his fury to the sky, the floor, and the horizon, as if he blamed the whole world for its shortcomings. Damian wanted Jon there to listen…and that’s exactly what he knew Damian needed.

“Damian…” Jon stood up beside Damian and joined him in staring at the landscape below them. They could see the school parking lot and the main road leading back to downtown Metropolis. Students milled around the grounds and some of the younger kids ran around chasing each other.

“You know, the whole point of school is to hold hands…” Jon began. He grabbed Damian’s hand until their fingers intertwined, and then raised it in front of them.

“W—what are you on about?” Damian asked. If Jon hadn’t known any better, he could’ve sworn that Damian gulped.

“Sure, school teaches us…stuff…” Jon said with a cheerful tone. “But even you’d say that all the things they teach us in class are stuff you can look up online—or read in books,” Jon hastily added after seeing Damian’s disapproving look.

“But the whole point of being in a place with all these other kids learning the same things is that, you also get to see and learn stuff books will never tell you.”

“And pray tell, what are those?” Damian scoffed, his hand still clasped in Jon’s and growing warmer.

“It’s hard to explain…” Jon mused as he stuck his tongue out in thought. “But it’s a lot like our hands, see? We both have the same hands, but when we put them together…”

“We have two hands. Amazing,” Damian said flatly.

“No, dummy!” Jon insisted, shaking their combined hands emphatically. “It’s bigger together, is my point! Learning together with others is better than learning alone because you get a lot more learning done by seeing how everyone else gets it.”

“What…?” Damian asked, completely confused.

Jon stuck his tongue out again. “You get to see how what you learn is important to other people by how they learn it. Like say, Pete? His family has a farm like we used to before, so when we learned about proteins and stuff in science the other day, remember he said that they grow crops with that? Now with Gene, he’s in the track and field team, so he could be interested in that because remember, they gotta have a diet in the team.”

“Okay…?” Damian replied slowly.

“Damian…what’s the point of knowing a lot of things?” Jon asked patiently

“Knowledge is power…an advantage over your enemies,” Damian said confidently.

“No…knowledge isn’t just a sword you swing at bad guys Damian…the things you learn only matter if you know how they matter to other people. And if you know what matters to other people, only then can you help them,” Jon finished and then looked straight into Damian’s eyes.

Damian tried to hold his gaze, but something in his eyes—and frankly his gut—made him feel awkward and he chose to stare at the floor instead.

“You sound like your dad,” Damian said simply.

“It took me a while to understand that when he talked to me, to be honest,” Jon said with a grin. “I asked him why I still have to go to school when he’s Superman and I’m Superboy anyway. So he gave me this whole lecture, and I just gave it to you.”

“So…” Damian started to say, “when you study, you try to see how it’ll be useful when it comes to helping people?”

“I guess…?” Jon replied, wondering where this was leading.

“Did you study me?” Damian asked in a small voice. “Is this what you’ve learned? How to help me? Because I’ll have you know that I don’t—!”

Jon gripped Damian’s hand tighter and placed it on his chest. It promptly shut Damian up.

“You’re my friend, Damian,” Jon said with a fond smile. “You can’t stop me from wanting to help you. And I always will even if you think you don’t need it.”

“Is holding my hand really part of helping me?” Damian said finally.

“Did it help?” Jon asked.

“Yeah…it did.”

[camsthisky]

Batfam Nov (2017) Fic Recs

So, I want to try and start doing monthly fic recs. I figured it would be fun to try out, and maybe it’ll stick long enough to actually become a thing. But I’ve read a bunch of wonderful fics on ao3 and since I know a lot of people aren’t very comfortable scrolling through fics, even with filters on, I wanted to give people a chance to read some batfam fics that these authors have put so much into.

Where I Stand by DawnsEternalLight Words: 2,821 Summary: Clark comes home one night to find Dick Grayson in his kitchen in need of some advice. Comments: I’m a sucker for Dick going to his Uncle Clark every time he has a problem he doesn’t think he can go to Bruce for. And this fic does a really good balance of both dialogue and action, so it’s pretty easy to get sucked into but also follow along at the same time.

Breather by audreycritter Words: 2,274 Summary: If it feels like you’re always fighting, sometimes you need a break. And if you’re sick, it doesn’t matter if you’re trying to prove you can be a responsible adult— you just need your dad. Comments: Basically the entire first half of this fic was me holding my breath. I have a weakness for Bruce being a dad and Dick being sick or injured and just wanting someone to take care of him. This had both of those things. In short, this fic made me pretty much die.

Collector’s Edition by audreycritter Words: 2,599 Summary: Bruce Wayne overhears some things about Stephanie Brown that are a little bit confusing and it doesn't help at all that his memory is pretty much shot. Fortunately, Alfred is there to help. Comments: There’s not enough fics about Bruce getting old and having problems because of how long he’s been Batman, but Audrey stuns me once again by writing just that and writing it well. The fact that it revolves around Stephanie is great, too.

Watercolour series by Novaviis Words: 97,143 (in 11 fics) Summary: A series of Birdflash, Batfam, and generic DCAU ficlets. Comments: This whole series make me weak. Dick and Wally in puppy love as they try to figure out their relationship. Some of the fics in this series left me an absolute wreck, I swear.

Worlds Apart by Fernandidilly_yo Words: 51,826 (4/10) Summary: Dick's world is falling apart. With all the heroes and Batman gone, the teen thinks this is the end, that is until Dick miraculously end up in an Alternet Universe where the world is whole and there's a family waiting for him. Comments: Oh, man. This fic gets updated every month or so, and this author already wrote one of my favorite Spider-Man fics, so I figured I’d give it a try. And holy cow. The sheer amount of detail given to the flashbacks and each character is stunning. Especially the amount of attention given to Dick as he develops in this new world. The only thing is the occasional tense switch or typo, and they’re pretty easy to ignore.

Horns by HoodEx Words: 2,830 Summary: “What’s with the pet carrier?”

“What’s in the pet carrier would be a better question,” Tim says. He pushes forward on his knees until he’s eye level with the carrier, brows furrowed in concentration. “It’s hiding in the back corner.”

“It? I was hoping you brought me a Halloween kitten.”

Tim leans away from him so they can look at each other properly. “Is that a thing now?” Comments: This fic absolutely blew me away. From the beginning I was hooked, and then I was absolutely cut in half in the middle of it, all the way to the end. I had to literally reread a part because I did not want it to end. I was trying to hold onto the initial emotions that hit me, and I think I’ve read it more than a few times since it was posted.

Middle Winter by jerseydevious Words: 1,788 Summary: When the red, red robin comes bob, bob, bobbin' along, there'll be no more sobbin', when he starts throbbin' his sweet old song. Comments: I will be the first to admit that this fic scares so me so much, just because of how Bruce is acting and the way he seems to be in this state of stasus. There’s so much emotion in this, and jersey does a good job holding your emotions hostage until you feel like you’re about to burst.

Incomitatus by Lightsider Words: 28,391 (12/?) Summary: After the invasion, Dick just needs time to process on his own. Unfortunately, Bruce has been overprotective since Jason's death, and Tim notices more than he should, so Dick pushes everyone out. He should feel guilty - he just feels numb. Comments: Holy crap. This fic really hit me hard, and I loved the way it seemed to accurately capture everyone’s emotions. And Dick’s POV. Just. Woah. The one thing that I would warn about is to be aware of the warnings and the tags. I’m definitely looking forward to an update.

Like Fudge by CaptainOzone Words: 10,167 (3/?) Summary: You know how they say "family is like fudge: mostly sweet...with a few nuts?" Well, this family has more than a FEW nuts.

A "Bat Fam in the Young Justice Universe" oneshot collection. Comments: This is super good. I’m a sucker for the “batfam raised altogether” trope, and the first chapter had me hooked. There’s cuteness and fluff and angst, and a few things that I hope will be explained soon. It’s pretty good!

Frozen History by Aingeal98 Words: 24,112 (7/?) Summary: Bruce Wayne is used to one of his family or co-workers occasionally getting de-aged. What he doesn’t expect is all five of his children reverted to the age of ten. Keeping them all safe is difficult, but he’s Batman, so he’ll handle it.

(He lasts less than twenty-four hours before calling Barbara for help) Comments: THIS HAS ME HOOKED. I love de-aging fics, and to see the entire batfam de-aged all at the same and Bruce having to dad all over the place is honestly amazing. Damian really steps up in this fic, too, and I’ve suddenly got a lot of feelings for the kid. (Also Dickie is so cute in this.)

Reforging the Family by Aoibheall Words: 8,562 (4/?) Summary: In order to become whole again, the family must gather its shattered pieces and journey through the fire once more. A series of one-shots set after Bruce's supposed death. Comments: This is an interesting one. It has a lot of family bonding as the boys try to move past Bruce’s absence and try to adapt to their new situation. Dick is exasperated a lot, and this series definitely has a lot of potential. Each chapter has simultaneously killed me and proven that Dick honestly just needs a break.

A Father’s Return by Aoibheall Words: 2,397 Summary: The burdens borne by his sons in his absence have not left them unmarked. Bruce stands guard over his children and reflects. Comments: A sequel set after Reforging the Family, where Bruce comes back and all of his children are in one place. There’s a lot of emotions in this one, too. It makes sense without reading the prequel, too!

What reveals itself once night has fallen series by Mellaithwen Words: 15,205 (in 2 works) Summary: A trilogy, as the Batfamily makes their way into the DCEU. Comments: A BvS AU where Nightwing was half of the reason that Bruce went down such a dark path. I really love this series. It’s descriptive, well-written, and makes me want to cry my feelings out. Lots of Bruce worrying over Dick and Dick worrying over Bruce and Alfred worrying over both of them. Literally one of the best BvS AUs I’ve ever read.

[micahrodney]

Thread; Chapter 5 - Fantasyland

This was a commission for MatthewCaveatZealot. There was a terribly familiar thump as Neil's head hit the ceiling above his bed. The same precariously rigged alarm clock on his loft bed was blaring, and the disorientation that came with it. Neil wanted to believe that what he had experienced was a dream, but he knew better by now. He was awake, for certain, but he had not truly been asleep.

The question now was how he made it back to his dorm room, though he feared the answer was obvious. Another day or so of him running on “autopilot”. Let alone what that must have been like for his family.

His family. God, he missed them so much right now. In the past week, his universe had expanded a thousand-fold, entirely against his will. All Neil wanted was the safe surroundings of his old family home. He wanted Travis's insufferable theatre music blasting at all hours of the night. He missed Dawn spending every hour of the night playing on the NES they had. Just as comforting were the random pop-ins from Kim, and the sight of his father hard at work, with papers sprawled all over the coffee table.

He wanted his mother. Just his mother being there. Her presence.

The hole in his heart was warmed by a bit of metal. It was then that Neil noticed that he was wearing an amulet of sorts. It was on a chain of silver and ended in a pendant made of some otherworldly metal. It shone as brightly as freshly pressed steel but had faint transparency to it. Etched into it with crystalline blue lines were several stars, connected by points: the Crossroads, of course. Roughly, they formed a constellation similar in appearance to the Southern Cross.

“Can you hear me?” Rem asked, directly into his mind. 

As the Somni spoke, the blue lines glowed faintly.

“Yeah,” Neil replied, dazedly. “Are you going to explain this?” 

“We simply moved this one to a more convenient position along this thread. But fear not, you are in your original world, as Nox promised,” Rem explained. “To this one's family, the transition was natural. That is to say, this one did not do anything untoward or unexpected in its absence.” 

“If we're going to be communicating regularly,” Neil said, exasperated. “You could try being a little easier to understand.”

“What does this one mean?” Rem asked, as patiently as Neil had ever heard him. 

“For starters, you could stop calling me 'this one.' You know, use 'you' and 'your',” Neil replied. 

Rem waited for a moment to respond as if he were trying to wrap his head around the new mode of communication. “Very well. Neil. I will attempt to speak more plainly to... you.”

“I appreciate the effort,” Neil praised faintly. 

“It is difficult for me,” Rem added. “Somni are not accustomed to dealing with other races. Your presence is honestly slightly confusing to me. It upsets our natural order.”

“Well, I can't exactly stop existing to make things convenient for you,” Neil retorted, thinking back to their first exchange where he had nearly been reduced to atoms by his soon-to-be mentor. 

“Indeed not,” Rem agreed. “Now are we going to spend the rest of the day discussing our feelings on the matter, or shall we get down to business?”

Rem was consistent, Neil had to give him that.

“Alright, boss,” Neil said, leaning his head back against his pillow. “What's the game plan?”

“The Crossroad we are concerned with is a crucial event that will take place this evening at your friend Damian's house. Something will happen, we know not what, but you must be there to witness it occur,” Rem explained. 

“Wait, that's it?” Neil asked. “You don't have any more information than that?” 

“We observe only the surface level information about these changes. I may as well ask you about the inner workings of an ant colony. It is up to you to be at the right place at the right time. The event should be significant enough that you will not mistake it if that is any consolation,” Rem said, without any sign of sympathy. 

“Cool,” Neil sighed. “And then what am I supposed to do?” 

“Binders can read the movement of the Crossroads and correct their course. When you finally do enter the critical moment your perception of events will be rather metaphysical,” Rem began. Here, for the first time ever, his tone softened somewhat, though it retained every ounce of its original rigidity. “The experience can be quite frightening. Just know that I will be watching over you and you will not be in any personal danger. However, if you fail-”

“I get it,” Neil cut him off firmly. He didn't need to be told. Thousands of timelines erased in an instant. Trillions of lives cut short. 

“Good,” Rem uttered. “Now what is your plan?” 

“I just have to get to Damian's house, and I know the perfect way to get there.”

---

Angie stirred her coffee idly as she listened to Neil's proposal. The tiny booth at The Junction was not an ideal location for the chat, but it was her lunch break and the poor boy seemed so desperate. It was quiet enough for two in the afternoon, with a drizzle keeping most people off the streets.

“So you finally want to join my game?” Angie summarized. 

“Yeah, I mean,” Neil rubbed the back of his neck. His own coffee was barely touched, but the aroma was satisfying and kept him alert. “Damian always talks about how great it is.”

“Normally I wouldn't let you just pop in last second. I mean our session starts in like four hours,” Angie began. “But honestly Jack and Violet can't make it tonight so it will probably be a good one for you to test out the waters a bit.” 

Neil knew about Jack and Violet but was not familiar with them personally. Honestly the fewer unfamiliar faces the better for his purposes.

“Is this just about the game?” Angie asked, leaning into Neil slightly across the table. There was a peculiar expression on her face which Neil couldn't read. 

“What do you mean?” Neil asked, somewhat defensively. He had made the decision to wear a blue sweater today and he felt like he was drowning in it under her gaze. 

“I mean... a little birdie told me about Erica,” Angie replied, tilting her head slightly. “Do you wanna talk about it?” 

In all that had happened over the past week, Neil had completely forgotten about Erica. The girl he loved for years, and who broke his heart completely out of nowhere. He guessed he should still be feeling sad about that, and yet when the fate of the multiverse was at stake, a young romance seemed pretty insignificant.

“Oh, well yeah,” Neil shrugged. “I mean, I'm okay and all. It was just so sudden.” 

“Take it from me, breakups suck, but they also just kind of... happen, you know?” Angie said, leaning back in her seat. “It'll hit you every once in a while. You'll get reminded of them and what you had, and then, boom, you're crying into your pillow again for no good reason. But it gets easier, bud.” 

Neil coughed uncomfortably. He wasn't sure how to process this new and unsolicited advice. Naturally, his brain defaulted to asking the worst possible question.

“You've had a breakup recently too, huh?” 

Angie rolled her eyes at him. “Tactful.”

“Sorry, I'm just really bad at this,” Neil laughed. 

“Utterly hopeless. Too bad I can't teach you how to talk to women since that requires a brain,” Angie teased. 

The two chuckled nervously and there was a brief silence, during which a thousand possible conversations could have happened if either party knew what to say. Neil wondered for a moment how many different threads had just been created at this moment involving either of them being just a little bolder.

“So who all will be at Damian's place tonight?” Neil asked, as casually as he could manage. 

“Trying to meet somebody?” Angie teased. 

Neil blushed slightly. “I mean, I just wanna get a sense of the crowd, you know. Usually, when I'm at Damian's house it's just his folks and kid sister. And they have a pretty quiet household usually. It's-”

“Settle down, champ,” Angie said, knocking her fist on the table to get Neil's attention. “It's gonna be Damian, Ash, and Victoria. And now you, I guess. Which reminds me, do you already have a character created?” 

“Oh, uh,” Neil's blush intensified. Perhaps this was a bad idea after all. 

“Hang on, I always carry the Rules Cyclopedia with me in my backpack. Hope you don't have any plans for the next hour and a half,” Angie chuckled. 

---

Damian's house, or more accurately his father's house, was practically a castle. The post-modern nightmare was rigid white walls with wide bay windows and a wrap-around patio. It looked more like the office space of some high-tech startup than it did a residential home. To complete the effect, the home was surrounded by twelve acres of dense woodlands with neatly lined cobblestone paths. If Damian's dad had the power, he would have evicted the animals too. 

The main ground-floor living space was technically called the “sunroom” but all the shades had been drawn and track-lighting illuminated a rectangular mahogany table. Six comfortable leather desk chairs were arranged around the promising assortment of battle maps, books, bowls full of various flavors of chips, soda bottles, and even a tray of deviled eggs, courtesy of Damian's mother.

Angie sat at the head of the table, a beautifully illustrated dungeon master's screen creating a sense of distance between her and the players. She had dressed up for the occasion, with a grey wizard's robe draped over her shoulders and clip-on elf ears.

The players were more casual, the only one who really got into the spirit of the event was Damian himself, who was wearing a maroon vest and bracers to mirror his half-elf rogue character: Quem. He was sitting just to Angie's left and fidgeting with his dice.

Opposite Damian was Neil himself, who had, after considerable effort of grasping the rules of this strange new game, had settled on a gnomish wizard named Frobozz the Magnificent. This was definitely not his usual scene, and he much preferred games on a computer screen to those played with pen and paper.

But duty called.

At the end of the table were Angie's friends Ash and Victoria. Ash sat beside Damian, his chiseled features and slight stubble capturing the image of the rugged Marcus, the human fighter he played. He wore a black t-shirt bearing the album artwork from Metallica's “Master of Puppets”.

Victoria was dressed somewhat plainly in a grey v-neck and jeans but wore a black pick around her neck as a sort of talisman. Damian had mentioned that she was the guitarist of a local garage band, and the connection between these two and Angie started to make more sense. She was controlling Elwin, the halfling bard.

“Alright guys,” Angie said waving her arms in a grandiose bordering on the satiric gesture of welcome. “As you all know we are joined by a new face tonight. This is Neil.”

“Hey, man,” Ash nodded respectfully. 

“Welcome, welcome,” Victoria greeted. 

“Uh, hi everyone,” Neil replied nervously. “So yeah. First time.” 

“It'll get under your skin,” Ash said. 

“He's not wrong,” Damian chuckled. “I was just gonna play a session or two to see what I thought. Now I host the game.” 

“Yeah, Damian, I gotta say, this doesn't seem like your scene,” Neil said, feeling slightly bolstered by the presence of his friend. 

“Hey, I get to spend five hours a week pretending to be the world's greatest thief. What's not to like?” Damian shrugged. 

“He only started playing because he was trying to sleep with my friend Liana,” Angie corrected. 

“Lies and slander!” Damian chuckled a little too brazenly. 

“I mean, fair enough, you stuck around after she moved, but you were not subtle about it,” Angie added, fiddling with a sheave of notes behind her screen. 

“Get used to this,” Victoria said conspiratorially to Neil. “D&D is about 80% game to 20% trash talking.”

“Don't forget the snacks and beer,” Ash added. 

---

When the game finally began properly, Neil had to admit the appeal. Gone were the five random strangers sitting around a table. In their place were a team of four heroes being led through a fantasy realm through Angie's skillful story-telling.

The heroes had been tasked with the recovery of an ancient artifact from the ruins of a long-abandoned castle. Elwin, Quem, and Marcus began the session already at the gates of the castle, where they had left off the previous week. Angie used this as an opportunity to introduce Neil's character. Frobozz was a former wizard of the fallen kingdom who had been magically sealed away in the castle dungeon for many years. Now Frobozz was helping the heroes while he decided what to do with the rest of his life. It was a simple story that allowed Neil an out in case this wasn't for him.

But it was hardly necessary. Within the first hour, he already knew he loved the world that Angie had created. The castle was filled with deadly traps and terribly clever puzzles to solve. And when they reached their first combat encounter and Angie broke out the battle map and clay miniatures it went to the next level.

“I don't have a gnome wizard mini yet, so you'll have to be a goblin for now,” Angie said apologetically as she placed the figurine on the map. 

The battle was fierce, with the four of them facing off against four undead warriors, each one mirroring the players themselves. A hulking zombie still in plate mail led them, followed closely by two skeletons, one wielding a dagger and the other a bow. In the rear was a spell-slinging shade. And considering Neil did not know what he was doing, the battle was especially hectic.

It was about halfway into the melee when there was a knock on the sunroom door. Ash was explaining the finer points of the Magic Missile spell to Neil, while Victoria was desperately searching through her character sheet to see if she had any Potions of Healing left.

“Come on in!” Damian called. 

The door slid open and his little sister Talia entered the room. She was wearing a set of lime green pajamas and holding a stuffed Babar the Elephant.

“Talia, what's up?” Damian asked, walking over to the young girl.

“Mama needs your help,” Talia said. “In the kitchen.” 

The plan was for their family to have a traditional dinner around this time, but Damian would be excused to bring his plate back to the sunroom. As for the others, Mr. Levant had ordered them a couple of pizzas out of consideration for their palate.

“Hi, Talia,” Neil greeted politely. 

Talia froze in place and gave the unmasked expression of shock that only kids can truly manage. She then covered both of her eyes with her hands, and meekly muttered, “Don't talk to strangers.”

“Stranger? That's Neil,” Damian laughed. “You're being silly, kiddo.”

“Sorry, I'm not trying to frighten you, little miss,” Neil apologized, scooting his chair back in. 

Stranger... maybe I am a stranger. What if this isn't my thread after all? 

“It's about dinner time, isn't it?” Ash asked. 

“One-track mind,” Victoria teased. 

Damian ignored both of them and took his little sister's hand. “Alright kiddo, take me to her. Angie, I'll just be a few minutes.”

Neil leaned back in his chair a bit as he tried to consider what he would do as soon as Damian got back. He was in a tough fight and had no idea how to get out of the mess they were in. As his brain whirred with the possibilities Ash and Victoria were debating, he felt a pulse from the amulet.

“You are near the Crossroad now,” Rem informed him. It was clear that nobody else in the room, except him, had heard the voice. “It's not in that room. Somewhere else in the house. We still don't have a clear picture.”

Neil was taken aback. For a moment he had almost forgotten why he was there. Now that he was reminded, he needed a way to excuse himself from the group.

“Uh, I'm gonna go see if Damian needs any help,” Neil explained. 

“You can just say you're using the can, dude, we're grownups here,” Ash said. 

“Allegedly,” Victoria smirked. 

“I'm not the one who tried to seduce a dinosaur, okay?” Ash shot back, referencing some prior adventure of theirs. 

“It's a valid strategy, I'm a bard. I'm sorry you don't understand our love,” Victoria laughed. 

--- Neil slunk down the narrow T-shaped hallway from the sunroom in the southeast corner of the house into the open-layout public space. The western side of the house was an open space, with carpet for the living room half and tile for the dining room. Around the corner from this, facing the front door, was the stairwell leading up to the bedrooms. On the opposite side of this were the stairs leading down into the basement. The kitchen was off to the side of the dining room, on the opposite side of the house from the sunroom.

“So any bright ideas?” Neil whispered. 

“It seems likely that it is in the floor below you,” Rem offered. 

“I was afraid you were going to say that,” Neil sighed, moving towards the basement door and placing a hand on the basement door. 

“Talia!” shouted Damian's mother from the kitchen. “Don't touch the pan, it's still hot!” 

Neil jumped at the sudden shout, and his fingers rattled the doorknob. Footsteps approached from the stairs above him and he quickly let go, attempting to act casual. He was temporarily frozen as Anders Levant rounded the corner.

Damian's step-father was an impressive-looking man; bald but with a neatly trimmed beard that lined features nicely. He was wearing a black collar shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and draped in grey suspenders that connected to his matching pants. The man looked constantly ready for action, and this was no exception.

“Evening, Neil,” he said with a smile, but with the grain of unflinching seriousness that coated everything the man said. “Break time from the grand adventures, eh?”

“Mr. Levant,” Neil nodded. In truth, Neil had only met him once or twice before. He was something of an enigma and wasn't one for large social gatherings. “Sorry, I was just going to see if I could help your wife set out dinner.”

“Were you?” Mr. Levant said, his voice raised slightly.“ I'm certain she would welcome that. You're going to make some woman very happy someday. My generation never got taught 'woman's work', you know.” 

Mr. Levant let out a deep bellowing laugh and patted Neil on the shoulder. There was a slight, reflexive grip as he reached Neil's neck. A tight pinch, and then he let go. His touch felt like lightning at the moment, but it was over as soon as it began.

“Right,” Neil nodded. “I mean, I figured. I guess I'd better go into the kitchen then, right?”

“You know where it is, oh grand explorer,” Mr. Levant nodded. It was a statement, not a question, and it carried the subtext of dismissal. 

“Yes sir,” Neil said, sliding past Mr. Levant and walking down the hallway towards the kitchen. He glanced briefly over his shoulder to see Mr. Levant sliding a key into the basement door and locking it shut. 

“It's him.” 

Rem's message was unnecessary, as he felt a powerful burning in his chest at the sight. The pieces were falling into place right before him, and now he just had to do something about it. He had to get into that basement. Something horrible was going to happen down there. But what? And how? And how did it relate to Mr. Levant?

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

“Pizza!” Talia cried. 

“Tiny one, that is for your brother's friends!” Mrs. Levant said. “You can have one slice after you finish your dinner.” 

“I'll get it!” Neil said, opening the front door. 

There was another way into the basement. A window on the lower level. It was narrow, but Neil was slim and he could probably squeeze his way through it. He just had to get outside and work his way around to it. This was going to require a distraction and the pizza man was perfectly timed. He opened the door to a haggard-looking college kid holding two large boxes and a couple of 2-liters.

“Hey sir, it's $18.78.” 

“I'll grab the food from you,” Neil said, taking the pizza. 

“You gonna pay for it too, Neil?” Damian asked, appearing from the kitchen and patting him on the shoulder. 

“I'll get you back for it, I promise,” Neil laughed, trying to hide his nerves. As he turned around, Mr. Levant was still standing by the basement door. 

Damian handed the guy $25. The window was closing, and he was being watched closely. He couldn't exactly bolt out the front door after the pizza guy. Holding the food and balancing the two-liters anxiously he moved towards the sunroom. Neil felt a knot forming in his stomach. His time was running out.

Then he considered another strategy. One born from desperation and recklessness.

“Rem,” Neil whispered, his lips hidden behind the two-liters. “It's Mr. Levant himself, right?” 

“Correct. What does that have to do with-”

Before Rem could finish his thoughts, Neil acted. Feigning himself slipping on his shoelaces, he barreled into Mr. Levant, food first. Pizza and soda went everywhere and Mr. Levant was knocked back against the rear wall, his head making contact with the molding of the dining room door-frame.

“Son of a bitch!” Mr. Levant cursed, as he reached back to his head. His hand came back bloody. 

Neil didn't look much better as he had hit the opposite frame, except his forehead took the brunt of it, leaving a nasty gash between his eyes.

“Oh! Daddy's bleeding!” Talia cried. 

“Dad!” Damian cried out, rushing past Neil to help his father up. 

“I'm sorry!” Neil blurted, doing his part to keep up the illusion. “I slipped, I'm so sorry!”

“Hey, is everyone alive?” Angie asked, poking her head out of the sunroom. 

“We've got to get you both to a hospital,” Mrs. Levant said, emerging from the kitchen. She had been through far worse and was doing a wonderful job of maintaining her composure. “Talia grab some towels. Damian, you start the car. Are you alright, husband?” 

“Looks like you got me,” Mr. Levant chuckled, calming down slightly as he sat up to stare Neil directly in the face. “Boy, you certainly do know how to throw a party, don't you?”

There was an understanding between the two of them at that moment. They were both going to play their part, certainly. But Neil felt it as sure as he felt the burning in his breast from the amulet, and the uncomfortable way the light glinted off of that phony smile of his. Anders Levant knew exactly what he had done, and – somehow – why he had done it. There was far more to this man than Neil could have ever possibly imagined. 

It's him, alright.

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

To Think Your Soul Isn’t Already Magical - fic

Characters: Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne Summary: Dick’s heard too much lately about Damian selling his soul. He doesn’t like it, not one bit. A/N: Based off of Tom King’s characterization in his Batman run of Damian constantly threatening/actually selling his soul. I feel like that’d upset at least one person in the family. A hopeful future of no more Ric Grayson. Writing hasn’t been a priority lately so sorry it sucks.

~~

He doesn’t know why he thought about it. Or, rather, why when he thought about it this time, the thought remained, lurking in his brain, picking at his heart.

Was it because of what Bruce has said so many times, about those visions he’s had? The future the world tells them is set in stone? Was it because of the constant attitude, or snarkiness? Was it that he so often pushed people away?

Or was it that moment in the desert, a few months prior? That conversation with Superman, where he exposed how smart he was, how slick and clever and downright conniving?

Or was it because their lives were hell? Because he adored him more than he could ever describe, or would do far more for him than he’d ever dare admit out loud?

It stuck in his mind this time, this thought. This possibility. And he found himself standing in the gate of the garden, watching his younger brother across the field, because of it.

Tim had said while he was gone, while he was Ric, Damian had brought it up again. Damian had actually done it this time, and Dick didn’t quite know why that hurt so much to think about.

“…Grayson?” Damian called, noticing him in the gateway. Titus, who was frolicking around him, jogged up to his side. Dick blinked and smiled at him, giving him a wave. “What are you doing here?”

“Wanted to see my kid brother.” Dick offered as he moved forward. “Is that a crime?”

“Depends on which brother.” Damian smirked, petting Titus’s head. “How’s Bludhaven?”

“Fine.” Dick hummed. “How’s Gotham?”

“As depressing as ever.” Damian sighed. “But Father actually went to a museum with me last weekend so…not too bad.”

“He gets a gold star.” Dick laughed, ruffling Damian’s hair. Damian laughed too, leaning down to kiss Titus’s head. Dick watched him a moment, felt his smile fading. “…Hey, Dames?”

Damian glanced up at him.

“Can we…talk?”

Damian’s own jovial mood dropped instantly. “Of course.” He nodded. “Something wrong?”

“Not…really.” Dick trailed off, leading Damian back to the short deck attached to the manor with a hand on his back. Damian quirked his eyebrow, but said nothing, calmly sitting in one of the deck chairs. Dick sat in the one next to him and sighed. Clasped his hands together and stared at the fist they made.

“Damian, I…” And he found he didn’t know how to start. “How much do you know about magic?”

Damian shrugged. “Enough for it to be useful.”

“…Enough to sell your soul?”

Damian thought for a moment, then shrugged again.

“You mentioned it to Clark, when we were looking for your parents.” Dick continued. “And I heard you claimed to have actually done it once, to get Klarion’s wand to defeat Gotham Girl.”

“So?”

“So you know what happens when you do that?” Dick pushed. Damian just stared at him. “You’re taken from us.”

“I’m…not seeing your point?” Damian tilted his head apologetically. “Or why you seem so distraught about it.”

“And that probably makes it worse.” Dick snorted bitterly. He stared at his hands again then looked up. “Damian, do you still not understand how much we don’t want that? We don’t want you taken away from us. Not ever.”

Damian remained silent.

“Damian, I love you. We love you. All of us. Yes, even Tim.” Dick added before Damian could make that joke. “And the idea that you would want to sell your soul to…to get to us, protect us, save us is…painful.”

Damian watched him for a moment. Then quietly, thoughtfully, honestly, he asked:

“Why?”

“Because losing you is the worst thing I can imagine.” Dick cried, almost hysterically. “God, Damian, you already died once protecting me. Do you think I could handle it again? And through something like selling your damn soul?”

Once again, Damian said nothing.

“And do you think your dad wants that either? Or Jason? Or Jon? That any of them would want you to sell your soul for them either? Lose you in the process of being saved? Lose you at all?” Dick whined.

Damian looked down, head bowed like he was in trouble.  And Dick realized he was all but shouting at the kid.

“I just…Promise me, kiddo. Please.” Dick whispered, reaching out to take Damian’s hand. Damian looked up at him with childish eyes. “Promise me you won’t use dangerous magic for us. That you won’t sell your soul for any reason, or let some wizard or demon or whatever take you from us. No matter what.”

“Not even if it’d save your li-”

“No.” Dick squeezed Damian’s hand, harshly. “Matter. What.”

Damian furrowed his brows, seemingly confused.

Dick smiled sadly. “And I know you love us too, Damian, and that you’re a good person. The best person.” He reached his free hand up to hold Damian’s face. To force Damian to look him in the eye as he said, “But we are not worth you. Not me. Not Cass. Not Gotham. Not the planet. Not even Bruce. Not ever.”

Damian just stared at him with big, soulful eyes that he was far too young to have. Didn’t offer an opinion, or rebuke. No real emotion. Just stared.

“…Make sense?” Dick asked after a moment.

Now Damian frowned. “No.”

Dick snorted a laugh. “Do it for me anyway?”

Damian pursed his lips. “I’ll…consider it.” He sighed. Dick dropped his hand from his face, but kept his other hand wrapped tightly around Damian’s. “It just means now I have to find a new way to save your sorry asses when I need to.”

“As long as you stay alive and with us in the process, knock yourself out.” Dick grinned. “But can I take you out for ice cream before you fall into your new studies about saving the world?”

Damian smirked. “I suppose I can allow that.”

“Good. Because I probably would have just kidnapped you if you said no.” Dick laughed as he stood, tugging Damian up with the hand he refused to let go.

Damian didn’t try to pull away either.

They walked silently across the yard, Titus trotting behind them. When they reached Dick’s car, and Dick finally let go, Damian just looked up at him.

“It wasn’t…a kind of suicidal mission or anything. And I admit I never thought about what you would all want for me, or that you would…grieve me or anything.” Damian explained softly. “I just always thought my soul, objectively, wasn’t worth much. Not after all I’ve done. So if it was a payment a demon or magician was willing to accept, it was something I’d gladly give. A small price to pay for the world, or you.”

Dick just watched him. And when Damian finished, he just silently wrapped his arms around Damian’s back, holding him as tenderly as he could. Damian just leaned against him.

“Well I’ll be the first to tell you that a world without you is not one worth living in.” Dick whispered, squeezing Damian harder. “And I have a long list of people who agree. Want me to call each and every one of them?”

Damian scoffed. “I think I just want the ice cream I was offered.”

“Done.” Dick laughed. He uncoiled from their embrace and walked Damian to the passenger side of the car. “Ice cream first, then proclamations of unconditional love, you got it.”

“Perhaps we can swap that second option with a stop by a book store instead.” Damian mumbled as Dick opened the car door for him. As he plopped into the seat, Dick caught a glimpse of the embarrassed heat in his cheeks.

“I’ll consider it.” Dick offered. “But don’t hold your breath, kiddo.”

He closed the door to the sound of Damian’s long-suffering sigh, and smiled as he made his way to the driver’s seat.

[ellana-ravenwood]

Don’t leave us... - Batsis x Batfamily (ANGST)

Would you look at that ? In the mood for a somewhat angsty story. Also, I promised more Batsis so...boom, here we are. Written in ten minutes (almost exactly) at 4 am so...UHUH. I hope you will still like it : 

You can find my masterlist here : @ella-ravenwood-archives

_______________________________________________

You didn’t intend for any of that to happen. It just...somehow did. 

If you had waited for him, you know it would have been too late.  

Damian was there with you but...there was no way you would have let him do this. Oh no. Not your precious little brother. 

You couldn’t bear it. Nor could you bear for your dad to do it really...

You know...You know it’s selfish. 

You can’t help but think that, at least, you wouldn’t be the one to suffer. You wouldn’t be the one with a bleeding heart...Yes. It’s totally selfish. 

But you wouldn’t have it any other way.

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

You were at your mom’s place for breakfast that morning, and, half asleep in your bowl of cereal, you didn’t notice your phone buzzing over and over again. Your mother, not totally awake either, also didn’t hear a thing. 

Your nose buried in your fifth cup of coffee, you don’t even have the energy to ask your mom if she sent a message to your dad stating that you were home safe, as you forgot to do so the night before...Oh well, it wasn’t much of a big deal, after all, you were a grown up now, it’ll be alright. 

It’s only when your father bursts into your mom’s apartment, followed by your brothers, that you finally fully wake up, and that you realize that maybe, not warning your dad that you got home safe wasn’t alright. 

It’s true that, usually, when you go to sleep at your mother’s, you send him a quick text to tell him you’re safe and sound but...did he really have to break your mom’s door down ? 

No. The answer was no. Oh God, ever since you were born, he just always had to be so damn protective ! Sometimes it was great, but most of the times, it was just extremely annoying. 

And right now, faced with your rather annoyed face, cup of coffee still to your lips, Bruce Wayne, your father, kinda miss those days when you were a child and would run to his arms whenever he came to pick you up at your mom’s...

-Really ? 

Is all you say, and the look on his and your brothers face says it all. Yeah ok, they know they totally overreacted but...Well, you were the baby of the family. Even though you were a few years older than Damian.

It seemed impossible for your brothers to understand you weren’t a kid anymore...

-Hum...you didn’t text and I thought that...Hum...

Your mother rolls her eyes, and just returns to her breakfast. Here we go again. She lost count of the time she had to replace her front door because Bruce thought you were in some kind of danger. Because you didn’t return his call, because you forgot your “traditional good night text”, because he just had a gut feeling you weren’t alright, because he heard someone saying they’d hurt/kill you...Any reasons really, to come and kick her damn door in. 

She was used to it. And she had to admit, though now that you were past the age of a teenager you thought it was incredibly annoying, Selina thought it was quite...endearing. It always made her smile and warm inside. And usually, him being so worried for you, for their little (not so little anymore) daughter...well it was a sure way for their “on/off” relationship to be on again. 

Which was gross to think about for you and so, ignoring their “looks” toward each other, you raise to your feet and, with a kiss on your mom’s forehead you take your bag (that contained your nightly activities costume of course...well, it was hard avoiding said activities when you were the daughter of Batman and Catwoman), and leave, rolling your eyes some more as you can see your brothers kinda making sure you’re alright by looking you up and down...Damn those boys. You still couldn’t help but kiss all of them (including your embarrassed dad) on the cheek though. 

And with a last “see ya later mommy”, you’re out...unaware that there would never be a “later” for you...

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

You and your mom were rather close. She was often absent, and her need of freedom would sometimes come between you and her but...it was a good relationship. Though you had to admit it was more of a “best friends” kinda thing, than a “mother/daughter” one. After all, she was quite young when she got you and...Well, let’s just say she wasn’t always up to be a mom. 

A friend though ? Sure. 

But this “on and off” thing you had with your mom meant that you were extremely close from your dad. The man wasn't always the best to express his feelings, but he had always been here..unlike Damian, he had you since you were a baby, as your mom dumped you at the Manor one night, only to return on your third birthday after a “change of mind” (meaning : she realized that even though she was young and didn’t really wanna be a mother...well you were here, and she loved you of a deep feeling she just couldn’t explain...she needed you in her life, your were her flesh and blood, she...She just loved you, and that was that, even if sometimes she needed her space). 

Yes. Your father had been there since day one. So has Alfred. Dick arrived in when you were barely 4, and then...Well let’s just say you enjoyed a lot having older brothers. 

When Damian arrived, it wasn’t easy at first but...Well, you were brother and sister no matter what you could say, and it ended up just clicking (if you had known that he would have been so clingy by the way, always making sure you were alright and awkwardly hugging you...you’re not sure you would have let things click haha). 

He trained you since a very young age and you were as skilled as any of your brothers but...oh he wouldn’t let you go out before you reached the age of 12. 

You were so mad when ten years old Damian was out and hopping and fucking killing people and shit ! Until you understood that...Well, Damian wasn’t as lucky as you. 

When Damian got hurt, people used to tell him to suck it up, his mother used to tell him to not be weak, his grandfather used to tell him to endure it because one day he’d be King of the World...When you got hurt, Alfred would kiss your booboo and with a hug, all your pain would go away. 

You understood that you had different childhood (not saying that yours was easy...you were the Batman’s daughter, nothing could be actually easy). 

But still, you were a bit frustrated that he wouldn’t let you go out and fight for the city you so loved...It’s only when he created the League, and Diana told him that it was unfair to forbid you to do anything that finally, you were able to go and protect people. 

He would always make sure to have your back though, even if it meant sacrificing his own health for you...which always made you furious. 

Oh the number of scars your dad had on his body because he threw himself in front of you (or of one of your brothers really). And oh the number of time your bros got hurt as they jumped to protect you...Of course, you also had countless scars and got hurt countless time protecting them but...It wasn’t the same thing. 

You had less occasions to do so because they would never let you...Like, that time Jason took a bullet you wanted to take for him by...yanking you behind him as you were jumping in front of him. 

They were impossible really ! 

Couldn’t they stop protecting you for a second, and let you save their damn lives ? 

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

Your wish came earlier than you thought. 

As you were coming back from your mother’s apartment, still slightly annoyed at your family for being so damn protective, a very special phone beeped in the car. 

The League’s red phone (oh the endless joke you and your brothers made about that...a “red phone” ? Were those people a hundred years old ? ...Well...some of them were...). 

Your father answered, and Superman’s super-worried face appeared on the screen. Oh, this wasn’t just a small alert, you could feel it. Because if even Uncle Clark was worried...

Apokolips. 

When this word was pronounced, you shivered.

Oh this place always creeped you out. You’ve been only once, when you and the rest of your family were trying to resurrect Damian, and it still haunted you at night. This place really had a fitted name.

It was a living nightmare. A planet where only violence, despair and darkness prospered. And to know that, right now, they were about to attack Earth and destroy every living things on it ? Oh you were freaked out alright. 

But of course, it was only a matter of time before Darkseid would put his eyes on Earth, were so many people who challenged him lived on. And in your head, you often repeated to yourself that you’d probably have to fight those creatures from Hell one day but...You were so not ready. 

A hand on your shoulder, squeezing lightly, brings you back to reality. Tim. And with that simple gesture, you know you’ll never be alone, and you’re ready. 

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

You knew. You knew as soon as you saw your father running from the opposite side of the battlefield that he wouldn’t be in time. 

Where was a Flash when you needed one ? ...Out. They were all out. Wonder Woman was getting them out of there, back to the watchtower. The fight was almost done but...

Yes. You knew. 

Darkseid had not intention on invading Earth. Too much of a hassle. No, the guy must have watched a bit too much Star Wars as his plan was to simply use a weapon of mass destruction on your beloved planet. 

It wasn’t exactly a death star, but still close. It was a giant laser like weapon, but instead of completely annihilating the planet, it spread a deadly gas on it and...killed every single living things on it. 

Darkseid wanted to turn Earth into a second Apokolips. Wanted to spread his territory. But in order to do that, he had to get rid of everything on it first. Everything alive, to be precised. 

And oh how cliché for a superhero...The only way to stop this machine, was to jump in it and destroy it from the inside. But of course, doing that...you’d get killed. No matter if your name was “Superman” or “Green Lantern”, you’d die all the same. And even more cliché ? The one that was about to sacrifice himself was your father. 

But he was too far, and you knew that. You, however ? You just had a few feet separating you from the weapon, and only a few enemies in your way. You were about to lunge forward when...A hand grabs your sleeve. 

-I won’t let you do it (Y/N) ! 

-You have to Damian, it’s the only way ! 

-I’ll go instead of you ! 

-Yeah, like I’m gonna let that happen. 

-And like I’m going to let...

-I’m the oldest one Damian, it’s my duty to protect you. And if I don’t do this, billions of people are going to die Dams ! I have to. You know dad won’t make it in time, and I won’t either if you don’t let go off me. It’s charging right now ! 

Yes. It was definitely charging to be ready to shoot. But Damian wasn’t letting go of your sleeve, clinging to it like it was a lifeboat. 

-I..I won’t let it...I can’t...I can’t loose you ! 

It breaks your heart, really, to know that you will hurt him more than ever. If the pain he’ll feel will be just a quarter of what you felt when he died...Oh you wished there was another way. A way where you could all come home happy and alive...But there wasn’t. 

And he knew. He knew, as tears ran down his face, that you would never let him  jump in the laser, even if you had to fight him. He knew that if you did have to fight him, you’d win, and that the fight you had would probably make you waste precious time to save the World and...

Yes. The logical thing to do was to let you go, but...He couldn’t.

He couldn’t let you go. He couldn’t lose you. He couldn’t lose his beloved sister, the one that was always there to cheer him up, the one that understood he was a broken little boy that needed mending, the one that first, along with Dick and Alfred, showed him what love was really like, the one that helped him understand their father...His sister. 

His precious sister. 

He hated that his grip on your sleeve was getting weaker. But he knew he had to let you go. Because if he didn’t, it was going to be the end of all things...Oh but it would be the end anyway.

He knew that as soon as you’d save the world, as soon as you’d die for people that would never even know what you did for them...his heart would stop beating at the same time than yours.

Damian knew that, when your life would end, so would any trace of happiness in his being. But he had to let you go and, knowing he would forever have to live with the guilt of letting go of you, he releases your sleeve and...falls to his knees as he looks at you run toward the weapon. 

No creatures even attack him and, in a way, your little brother wished they would. He wished he would die too today...but he also knew that loosing both you and him would kill his father. And he knew that he would have to be there for him, because your loss ? It would be the worst. 

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

-(Y/N) W-What are you doing ?! 

You hear in your ear phone, the one connected to all your family. You thought you turned all the channels off, so that they wouldn’t try to convince you to stop, so that you wouldn’t be tempted to...But visibly, you forgot to turn off the most important one. 

Your father’s. 

-You know what I’m doing dad. 

-I forbid you to ! 

-You can’t, I’m an adult remember ? Besides, I have to. 

-No you don’t ! I’m almost there ! 

You can see your dad, right in front of you, trying to accelerate but...he’s already full speed. And so are you, with no intention of slowing down. 

You gotta do this. You gotta save the World. And you know your dad won’t make it in time...Every thing relies on you.

-(Y/N) please don’t do this ! 

His tone had changed. It changed from commanding to pleading. And once again, you could feel your heart broke bits by bits as you know this is inevitable, and for way too many times in his life, your father will once again have to live through the loss of someone he loved.

But you had to do this. 

-Please, please my little one don’t...

“My little one”. He called you like that since you were a baby. It was your favorite pet names, always made you feel safe for some reasons...But it didn’t stop your run. On the contrary, it only made each step stronger. 

You dodged many enemies, and didn’t falter once. 

-Please, don’t do this, please (Y/N) let the World burn, please, don’t leave me. You can’t leave me baby girl, you just can’t ! Please my little one, don't do it !

-You don’t mean it dad, you know I have to sav...

-I do mean it ! To hell with everyone else ! Don’t do this please ! Don’t do this ! Stay with me, with us, please ! Don’t go ! 

-I can’t let all those people die...

-Yes you can. Please don’t jump. Or wait for me, I’ll be in time, I’ll do it. 

-And then I’ll have to live without you...

Your in front of the pit where the weapon is. You can see what you have to destroy. But you stop for a few seconds, because you need to...You need to say goodbye. 

From where you are, you can see tears running down your father’s face, even through his breathing mask. You can see his steps getting weaker and weaker, but he doesn’t stop. 

-I have to dad. You know I do. Anyway, what will we do if there’s no world anymore ? We can’t live in the Watchtower just all of us together...

-Yes we can ! YES WE CAN ! TO hell with everyone, they’re ungrateful bastards anyway ! And I need you my little one, I need you (Y/N) ! Who’s going to keep me grounded ? Who’s going to make a snarky remark at me whenever I get too cocky or whatever ? Who’s going to hug my worries away ? Who am I going to tuck in ? What am I gonna do without your forehead kisses and your smile? Who am I going to go to to confess my feelings ? 

Your heart tighten. It’s time to jump. But he’s so close, oh your dad is so close...maybe you can wait for a last hug ? Or a last brush of his fingers on your cheek ? In the intercom of your mask, you can hear him continue, and you close your eyes as his voice, that you always thought soothing, resonates in your ears : 

-Who’s going to be my confident ? Who’s going to watch stupid movies with me ? Please (Y/N), please my baby girl, my little one, sweetheart, let me do this. Please just wait a little bit, I’m almost there, don’t do it please. Don’t leave us ! I love you (Y/N), I love you my little girl ! Please don’t...

It’s time to jump. You know it. No time for a last touch with your father, though he’s so, so close...He knows what you’re about to do, as he extends his arms in front of him, ready to grab you and put himself in your place. 

But he’d be too late. You just know it. 

His screams of despair and pain are the last things you hear, as you jump down and barely have the time to tear away the parts you need to destroy the machine. 

His screams. The screams of a father who just witnessed his beloved daughter die. His screams...The screams of a broken man. It’s the last thing you hear. And you almost regret doing it...but it’s too late. 

You wished you would have had time to feel his arms around you one last time. His protective arms. That were there for you all your life. That felt you grow and always loved you. But...There wasn’t any time for that. 

He wouldn’t have had time to save everyone. You tear away the parts, just as the machine was about to shoot, right on time and...Black. 

Everything is black. And you don’t hear your father’s screams anymore...

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

She didn’t utter a sound. 

She didn’t say a word. 

When your father arrived at her apartment, visibly shook to the core, bags under his eyes, puffy eyes as if he had cried for days...She knows. 

She knows what happened, and she doesn’t say anything. 

They stay like that for a long time, in front of each others. And they both know that from now on, their famous “on/off” relationship is definitely “off”. 

Finally, she moves. She calmly walks to him, and slaps him with all her might, to then say those simple words : 

-Get out. 

He knows. He knows what she’s thinking. 

It’s his fault. He’s the one that brought you there. He’s the one that trained you. He’s the one that allowed you to become a Robin, and then your own version of it. He’s the reason you died. It’s his fault. 

And so he leaves, without a look behind him. He leaves, to never ever come back to this place again. He ignores your favorite book half-read on the living room’s coffee table. He ignores your favorite plushy that you’ve had since you were born, and could never get rid off, laying there, forever alone, on the couch. He ignores your finished cup, your favorite mug, down in the sink. He ignores drawing you’ve made all over your years, and pictures of you and your mom on the walls...He ignores everything and “gets out”. Never looking back. 

And oh it was good that he didn’t look back, because the sight of the woman he loved (and would always love despite everything that has happened), down in a ball on the floor, crying silently the lost of their daughter...it would have been too much. 

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

It’s weird. A parent shouldn’t have to bury their own child. And yet...that’s exactly what’s happening right now. 

The entire league is here. Your brothers are here. Alfred too. And your dad. 

There is no speech. No one felt like they could do you justice with just words. There is no speech but a giant firework. 

You loved fireworks. 

Your father do not speak to anyone, and as soon as everything is over, he leaves. He cannot...He cannot do this. Too many losses. Too much pain...He clutches the picture of you he had on his nightstand, that he put right next to a picture of his parents, and other pictures of your brothers and..he doesn’t let go. He doesn’t let go for hours. And he would never let go of your memory. He keeps thinking that he’s going to wake up from a bad dream, that he’ll feel your little six years old hand on his face, squeezing it as you used to to wake him up, and that all that was just a nightmare. He keeps thinking that he’s going to wake up, and discover that he had a weird super long dream about a life that never actually happened. That little you is going to burst in his room to wake him up. That he was never going to train you, you were never going to be a night vigilante, you weren’t going to be on Apokolips that day and...Reality hits him right in the face. Without you, the World would have died. But...Why doesn’t that thought makes him feel better ? You saved billions of daughters and yet...he cannot for the life of him feel better about all of that. 

Because you’re gone. His little one is gone. Forever...

Alfred was devastated. Never ever again would he see you run down the Manor, be clumsy and fall, and ask for him to shoo your pain away with a kiss. Never again would you...nev...never...He can’t even finish his thoughts. Even in his own head he sobs uncontrollably. His little (Y/N) was gone. Forever. 

Your brothers are no better. If not worst. Especially Damian, because he let go of your sleeves. Dick, Jason and Tim try to console him but...he can feel in their voice their resentment, even though they’re trying to hide it.

They agree with him. It’s kinda his fault. Because he let go of their precious little sister. If it had been one of them instead...They would have hold on. 

But it wasn't fair to react like that, because he had lost a sister too, and he was so damn close from you...They all were. But Damian and you ? There was something special. And one day, one day they’d be able to tell him “It’s ok, it’s not your fault” and really mean it. But right now ? Right now they couldn’t. 

Because you were gone. Forever. 

___________________________

Hum...Yeah. Meh. Not enough feelings, I feel. Everything is going too fast Not sad enough, for the death of Batsis...Uh.. Also it’s 4 am. Good night, and sorry (cause obvs, I’m still posting this anyway). 

[sohotthateveryonedied]

A birthday present fic for my best friend @damthosefandoms. Happy birthday, Julie!!! ❤️

Xxxxxxxxxx

Burning. All he could comprehend was horrible burning. Fire rushing through him, soaking into his entire being until it was all he could think about

The sharp sting of a sword being thrust through his chest. Looking horrified into the Heretic’s eyes as he felt blood seep through his tunic and knew in his gut that they wouldn’t be able to save him in time.

Feeling himself drifting and not being able to make it stop. Black creeping into his vision, the once excruciating sting from the sword being replaced by a dull numbness, hearing Grayson’s voice screaming for him, and then-

Damian jolted awake just before the worst part of his nightmare. It took all he had not to cry out, but he soon realized that his threat felt sore, which probably meant he already had. He slowly sat up in bed, trembling. He clenched his clammy hands into fists, trying to calm himself.

It was just a dream, he told himself. You’re stronger than this. Calm down now.

Damian’s skin felt hot and sweaty, and he felt tears drying on his cheeks. He scowled and rolled his eyes in disgust at himself. This wasn’t the first time he’d had the Dream, but every time it happened he mentally scolded himself for his weakness.

Figured something had to get to him eventually, but he loathed the fact that it had to be this. His death…

Damian groaned. You should be stronger than this. You are stronger than this. Don’t be a baby.

He was halfway through his self lecture before he heard footsteps outside his room. For a horrifying moment, he wondered if it was Grayson again. Whenever Damian had The Dream, Grayson somehow managed to always sense it through whatever big brother instincts he had.

Last week Grayson had heard him screaming and came to his room to comfort him, insisting that some “brother bonding” would help. Damian hated it.

He quickly prepared a scathing refusal of help in his head for when Grayson would inevitably burst into his room and insist on “helping.” AKA cuddling Damian against his will for the rest of the night. Ugh.

But oddly enough, it wasn’t Grayson at the door. The hand that knocked was much too heavy-sounding. And Grayson always knocked in (what he thought was) a fun rhythm. This person simply pounded the door three times. Odd. Damian hoped it wasn’t Father. That would be embarrassing.

After a few seconds, the person at the door gave up and entered.

Damian narrowed his eyes when he recognized who the tall broad figure in his doorway was.

“Todd? What the hell are you doing in my room?”

Jason stood there in pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt. He had bags under his eyes, but he seemed alert. He held a pistol loosely in his hand, which, eyes narrowing, he slipped back into his pocket when he realized there was no threat.

“Sorry, kid. Heard screaming,” he said. “I was all ready to blow someone’s brains out, but I guess not.”

Damian crossed his arms. “I wasn’t screaming.”

Jason rolled his eyes with a smirk. “Sure you weren’t.” But then his smug look shifted into one of poorly concealed concern.

He leaned against the door frame somewhat awkwardly, checking Damian over. “But uh, you’re okay, right? Not like, dying or anything? I mean, I’d hate to be woken up five more times tonight because you’re screaming like a banshee.”

Damian scowled. “I’m fine, Todd,” he hissed. “Just go away back to wherever you came from.” A pause. “Why are you here, anyway? Last I checked you don’t live here anymore.”

“Late night on patrol. Didn’t feel like going back to my place, so I just crashed here.” He yawned. “Or at least I was until you decided wake me up with all your nightmare screeching.”

“I said I didn’t have a nightmare,” Damian protested.

Jason held up his hands defensively. “Hey, you don’t have to explain yourself to me, tough guy. I get it.”

Damian eyes narrowed into slits. He really wanted to punch him in the face right now. Maybe he could get away with a palm-heel strike…

Jason scratched his ear, looking at the floor. “So, uh, now that I’m up, if you wanna talk or anything…”

Damian scowled. “I said I’m fine. Get out of my room.”

“Listen, I hate being around you as much as you do me, but I know from experience that it majorly sucks having to suffer alone. So, since I’m already up, how about you shut up and let me be nice for once without complaining?”

“Or how about you shut up and get out of my room? I don’t need to be coddled, and you hate me as much as I hate you. So go away.”

Jason considered this for a moment. After a beat he sighed and turned around. “Follow me,” he ordered over his shoulder.

Damian sat there confused. What? Where was he going to take him? He considered just locking his door and going back to sleep. But that plan was crushed in seconds when he remembered that Jason could easily pick the lock and drag him from his bed. And right now he just wasn’t in the mood for a fight. He’d win of course, but his heart wouldn’t be in it.

Deciding that the first option would save him more dignity, Damian slipped out of bed and padded out of the room. He found Jason down the hallway, and he followed him cautiously at a distance until they were at the front door.

“Tt, where are we going, Todd?” Damian was already grouchy enough; he didn’t need to be dragged around like this all night. Especially not by Todd.

Jason tossed him his jacket and pulled on his own. “Out.”

“Tell me where, otherwise I’m not going,” Damian demanded.

Jason arched an eyebrow. “A place,” he answered simply. “Now come on.”

Damian balled his hands into fists. This annoying little… He sighed and threw on the jacket. Wherever they were going, it had better not be somewhere stupid.

“This place is stupid,” Damian huffed.

He slouched down in the diner booth with both arms crossed over his chest. The place was small and empty, and there was only a handful of customers there besides them. Damian wrinkled his nose. The place smelled of cigarettes and greasy food.

Jason leaned back across from him, throwing an arm over the back of his seat. “You’re stupid,” he shot back with a wry smile. “And this is a fine establishment, I’ll have you know. I come here a lot.”

“Well that’s how I know it’s stupid if they let you in here.”

A waitress came up to their table then, pulling out a notepad from her apron and a pen from behind her ear. “What can I get you boys?”

Before Damian could answer, Jason spoke up for him. “Two burgers and chocolate milkshakes, and a plate of fries.”

“I’m vegetarian, you ass.”

“Make one of those a veggie burger,” Jason corrected, ignoring the jab.

The waitress flashed them a smile and went back to the kitchen. Damian glared at Jason. “We have food at the manor, you know.”

Jason scoffed. “You think Alfred would let this kind of greasy food within a mile of that place? No way. And besides; after a nightmare, only real food can do the trick.”

“I told you I didn’t have a nightmare!”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Yeah yeah, whatever you say.”

Damian just scowled.

They sat in silence for a while, Damian sulking and Jason a pictures of ease despite the daggers Damian was glaring at him. When their food came, Jason immediately dug in, while Damian just stared at it in disgust.

“I would rather die again than eat this,” he said. But that thought suddenly sent a chill up his spine, which Jason didn’t miss.

He sipped at his milkshake thoughtfully. “Y'know,“he started, “the first time I came here was a few days after I came back to Gotham I think.”

“Good for you,” Damian grumbled.

Jason ignored him and continued. “It was right after I woke up from a really bad nightmare, and I just didn’t feel like staying at my apartment anymore. I had to get some air, so I started walking around for a while to clear my head. Anyway, this was the only place that was still open that late, so I came here for a burger and a milkshake. Something about comfort food makes it the perfect pick-me-up after a bad dream, huh kid?”

Damian just stared down at his burger.

Jason tilted his head and sighed. “Listen, all I’m sayin’ is that I get it, okay? I died, I came back, I got stuck with the bad dreams that came afterward. So you don’t have to play up the act or whatever, ‘cause I get it.”

“Tt. You don’t know anything, Todd.”

Jason folded his arms across the table. “I don’t? Well you know what? Compared to my death, yours was a freaking walk on the beach. So really, if there’s one of us here who doesn’t get it, it’s you.”

“Excuse me?”

“At least when you got killed, you knew that you had a family who loved you. At least you didn’t die alone in some crappy warehouse knowing you had only ten seconds to live.” His voice was steadily rising in volume. “At least when you came back, the first thing you got was a hug from Dad instead of having to claw your way out of a coffin. So as far as I’m concerned, your death was child’s play.”

In the back of his mind, Jason was glad no one else was in close enough proximity to hear them, otherwise this would be a very strange conversation.

Damian fumed. “You think dying was easy for me? You honest to god think that getting killed wasn’t the worst thing I’ve ever experienced? I remember everything, you asshole! Everything from the sword going through my chest, to knowing I wasn’t going to see father or Grayson again, to coming back to life. And now I’m stuck with the stupid nightmares that come with it. So shut the hell up, Todd - you have no idea how hard this has been for me,” he spat.

He was panting by the end of his rant, face red and expecting either a fight or just as venomous of a response. But instead, all Jason did was smirk.

“Oh, what are you grinning about?”

Jason smugly bit into a fry. “I told you it was a nightmare.”

“…Shut up.”

They ate in tense silence after that, Jason still relaxed while Damian mentally recited the different ways he could decapitate Jason right now in his head. They stayed like that until they finished their food and Jason cleared his throat. “For future reference, though, I just want to make sure you know that we all get them. Nightmares, I mean. Me, Tim, Dick, even Bruce.”

“So?” Damian was fed up with all this bad dream talk. Had he known that everyone in this family liked talking about feelings so much, he would have just stayed with the League of Assassins. At least with them, suffering in silence was perfectly reasonable.

“So, I’m just saying that when you get a bad dream, you don’t have to deal with it alone,” Jason said.

“Oh yeah, like I’m just going to come crying to Father, who already has too many problems on his plate to deal with this, or Grayson, who will probably just overreact and try to coddle me to death. Yeah, that sounds appealing.”

Jason raised his eyebrows. “Hello? What about me?”

Damian wrinkled his nose. “You? Why would I possibly go to you for solace?”

Jason shrugged and sipped at his shake. “Well I mean, I kind of am the expert on how to get over a nightmare, so…”

“Oh yeah? What do you know?”

“For starters, I know that some good old fashioned movie watching is perfect on nights like this,” Jason answered. He waved down their waitress, and when she got to their table he passed her a wad of bills. “Keep the change,” he said after thanking her. Then he turned to Damian and jerked his head towards the door. “C'mon kid, I think it’s time I introduced you to the Marvel cinematic universe.”

When Bruce arrived home at 3am after a night of patrolling, he’d expected Damian to be asleep. He poked his head into his room to check on him like he did every night, but this time he wasn’t there.

Bruce decided on checking the training room since that was usually where Damian spent most of his free time, but as he passed the living room on his way, he saw something he’d never expected to see.

There on the couch were his two angriest sons, cuddling and watching The Avengers together. Bruce froze and wondered if he was dreaming.

Jason was propped up on the arm of the couch with a bowl of popcorn beside him, his eyes locked the screen. Meanwhile Damian lay next to him with his head on Jason’s lap, already fast asleep.

Bruce was caught between wanting to take a picture and asking if Damian had been drugged.

Jason noticed him standing there in the doorway. “Hey, B,” he whispered, careful not to wake the sleeping ten year old.

Bruce gestured to Damian. “Is he okay?”

Jason shrugged. “Bad dream. But I handled it.”

Bruce smiled. “I’m glad to see you two getting along for once,” he said. Before tonight, he’d assumed that the only possibility of Jason and Damian ever getting along resided in some parallel universe, so this was definitely a welcome surprise.

The corner of Jason’s mouth curved upwards a little, but then he gave Bruce a dark look. “Tell anyone about this and I’m not coming by again for weeks,” he warned.

Bruce chuckled. “Noted. You going to bed soon?”

Jason looked down at Damian’s sleeping face. For a kid who usually has murder on the brain and has committed more than a few himself, Jason couldn’t deny that he looked chillingly innocent when he slept.

“Nah, I think I’ll stay here with the demon for a while.”

Bruce smiled and nodded. “Okay. Goodnight, Jason.”

“Night, B.”

As Bruce walked away, Jason relaxed back into the couch. As an afterthought, he put his arm around Damian and pulled him closer. Once again, he couldn’t help smiling at how cute he was when he was asleep.

He began carding his hand through Damian’s hair. “Don’t worry kid,” he breathed. “I promise no matter what, I won’t let you die again. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

And with that, he turned his attention back to the tv and settled in, making sure to stay as still as possible so as not to wake his sleeping brother.