#Especially this one‚ they tell “funny” stories

[pluckyredhead]

Do you think Dick has a favourite brother?

I LOVE THIS QUESTION. I'M GOING TO ANSWER IT AT UNNECESSARY LENGTH.

But for the tl;dr crowd: yes, 1000000%. It's Damian. Dick would not admit this under pain of death, even to himself, but it's Damian.

THE LONG VERSION:

So Dick and Jason are not close and never have been. I always sort of blink in bewilderment when people say they are, or were when Jason was Robin, because they are demonstrably not, and that's what's interesting and tragic about them.

The fact of the matter is that Dick simply wasn't around very much when Jason was Robin. The Doyleist reason for this is that he wasn't really being treated like a Bat character: he was a Titans character, appearing in Titans books, with only the occasional cameo in Batbooks. He and Jason get along very well in Jason's first origin story (when Jason was a circus acrobat and his parents were eaten by crocodiles); in fact, Dick tells Bruce he wants to adopt Jason and Bruce is like "Not if I adopt him first!" But after that, Dick simply...wasn't there very often.

If you need a Watsonian reason for this, it's pretty easy to extrapolate one. Dick and Bruce were not getting along well during this period, so of course Dick would avoid Bruce and Gotham. And yeah, I think it's fair to assume Dick felt some kind of complicated feelings about Bruce having a new Robin, especially post-Crisis when Bruce made Jason Robin without Dick having any say or even a warning that it was going to happen. I tend to headcanon that he resented Jason a little, but was mature enough to know that it wasn't actually Jason's fault, and partially decided to stay away so that he didn't take that out on Jason. But Jason, a smart and sensitive kid, interpreted this as Dick avoiding him because he didn't like him.

And then Jason died.

Dick took that hard, and I think it was less "my brother who I had a close relationship with died" and more "this child followed in my footsteps and it killed him and I wasn't even there for him when I had the chance." To me, that absolutely forms the subtext of the relationship he develops with Tim.

Not at the start. At the start, once "A Lonely Place of Dying" is over, he's as checked out with Tim as he was with Jason. The Doyleist reason is the same - Dick literally just wasn't supposed to be in Batbooks too much - but the way it plays out is sometimes really funny in an awful way. Like in and just after Knightfall, when Bruce gets his back broken by Bane and is like "I've known Jean-Paul Valley for two weeks and he barely has any training, most of it done by my extremely new 13-year-old Robin...I think I'll make him Batman." And then Tim's dad and Tim's dad's doctor, Shondra Kinsolving, get kidnapped, and since Bruce has been aggressively romantically pursuing Shondra to the point of it being uncomfortable and inappropriate, he's like "Okay going to rescue Shondra! I mean, your dad! I'm taking Alfred with me! Tim, you're in charge of Gotham and Jean-Paul byeeeeee!" And then JPV immediately gets unhinged and violent and tries to kill Tim and Tim keeps calling Alfred like "Um can you please come back and help" and Alfred's like "No" and Tim's like "Okay well did you at least rescue my dad?" and Alfred's like "Also no." Anyway Dick finally comes to Gotham and Tim is like "THANK GOD, HELP, BRUCE MADE AZRAEL BATMAN AND HE'S TRYING TO KILL EVERYONE, I NEED AN ADULT" and Dick is like "He made someone who isn't me Batman??? 😡😡😡" and then just...fucks off back to New York and leaves Tim to deal with it. Very out of character, VERY funny.

BUT ANYWAY. Then we get to around 1996 and 1. Dick is no longer on the Titans which has a whole new lineup and 2. there's an editorial shift emphasizing the Batfamily. This is where the line really expands: Robin (started in 1993, but still pretty new), Nightwing, Birds of Prey, Azrael, eventually Gotham Knights in 1999 and Batgirl in 2000. Dick moves to Bludhaven and spends way more time in Gotham.

This is when Dick looks at Tim, says "Is anyone gonna big brother that?" and doesn't wait for an answer. All of a sudden he's behaving in a way that suddenly feels in character for him (although the idea of Dick as a big brother/mentor...really wasn't a thing for him prior to this era, so it's more of a new development that feels correct in retrospect). He's training Tim, he's giving him advice, he's teasing him about girls, he's coming up with inside jokes, he's giving him noogies. It's like he watched a bunch of 80s sitcoms to learn how to be a big brother and applied his research accordingly.

And Tim? Tim absolutely blossoms under the attention. Tim, who has been adultified by every other adult in his life since he was, like, eight, is getting treated like a kid. Tim, whose parents are never around, and don't pay attention when they are around, has an adult he looks up to who wants to spend time with him, for fun. Tim, who has hero worshipped Dick Grayson since he was...well, according to the math, he was one (1) year old so let's ignore the math, but he was small, is now basking in the full force of Dick Grayson's off-the-charts charisma. This is the best thing that has ever happened to Tim. This is the dream.

I want to be clear here: I think Dick's extreme reversal here is a delayed reaction to Jason's death, but I don't want to imply that he doesn't care about Tim as an individual. He loves Tim as much as Tim loves him. Tim's good opinion is incredibly important to him. This relationship goes both ways.

Annnnd then both of their lives fall apart extremely rapidly, and Damian shows up, and Bruce dies. And Dick tries to get out of it, but ultimately it ends how it has to: with him accepting the mantle of Batman, and responsibility for Damian.

The relationship Dick has with Damian is nothing like the relationship Dick has with Tim. Tim is his little bro. Damian is his baby. He's fourteen years older than Damian and as much of a parent figure as a sibling figure. And Damian is difficult and exhausting but Dick slowly, slowly coaxes a degree of trust and affection out of him that even Bruce will never achieve. And he can only do that by making Damian Robin, which means Tim has to stop being Robin.

This is where Dick and Tim fall apart, because what they need in this very vulnerable moment is so diametrically opposed, and neither of them are wrong. To Dick, asking Tim to step down - or up, from Dick's perspective - from being Robin is a compliment. Dick fought to free himself from Bruce, to become his own man with his own name, and so asking Tim to do the same thing is a show of faith in Tim, in his skills and experience.

Whereas Tim's hero-worship has always been for Robin, not Batman, and every glimpse he has had of a future beyond Robin has always been a dystopia. But more importantly, Tim has just lost his father, his stepmother, his mentor, his girlfriend, and his two best friends. He desperately needs to be able to lean on Dick, the grown-up he admires the most, and instead, Dick is kicking him out of the nest.

In other words: Dick is saying, with all the love and trust in his heart, "I need you to help me by being a fellow adult." And Tim is saying, with all the love and trust in his heart, "But I need you to be my adult." And they both get a no.

This is water under the bridge now, and they've healed even though they've never really talked it through because Bats don't do that (although what I wouldn't give for a Nightwing/Red Robin miniseries where they do everything but talk about it). But I do think Tim looks at the closeness and affection between Dick and Damian and feels some kind of way about it to this day, because it's so clear to everyone that Damian is Dick's favorite...but Tim remembers when he was Dick's favorite. And what Tim doesn't see is that Dick values him as a genuine partner in a way he will never quite achieve with Damian, because to him, Damian will always be his baby, even more so than he is Bruce's. (Dick is Bruce's baby, actually, not Damian. In this essay I will...)

(I could see a really interesting dynamic developing between Jason and Tim here, as the ones on the outside of that mutual appreciation society, but sadly the comics have never gone there. Alas.)

Finally, I think the relationship between Dick and Duke is very much "I just work here." Like, Dick is grown, he's out of the house, he's largely matured past the Bat-drama. He likes Duke but he doesn't feel the compulsion to brother him the way he did with Tim, and Duke doesn't need the mother henning Damian did.

IN CONCLUSION, and hooboy, sorry anon, most of this wasn't at all the question you asked:

Duke and Dick get along fine but aren't particularly close.

Damian is Dick's precious baby and always will be, even when Damian is an adult and annoyed by this treatment (but privately kind of loves it because he is a princess at heart).

Tim is Dick's buddy, his pal, his equal. If Dick were ever going to talk something through with a sibling, it would be Tim. (But that would require Dick admitting that everything isn't perfect or asking for help, so it'll never happen.)

Jason and Dick can't be in a room together for five minutes without fighting and Dick finds him wildly frustrating, but they will throw down for each other. When they aren't punching each other.

(And to answer the corollary: Damian's favorite brother is Dick. Tim's favorite brother is also Dick. Duke's favorite brother is Tim by default, since he doesn't know Dick very well and Jason and Damian are both too annoying, but really he's closest with Cass. Jason's favorite brother is Ace and he has communicated that often and loudly (but really it's probably also Dick).)

[waifuoftomonori]

First of all, if realism is your primary consideration when reading smut— well, I was going to say something snarky but I guess that’s fine, like what you like, but keep in mind that your priorities aren’t necessarily the same as everyone else’s. People enjoy smut for a bunch of reasons, probably as many reasons as there are kinks (and there are a lot of kinks), and then you have all the reasons that aren’t sexual / driven by pure horniness on top of that. Maybe the writer wants to explore the characters’ relationship in this fictional scenario which may or may not align with canon. Maybe they want to write something profoundly emotional and heart-rending and intimate between characters (or even in one character’s head as a masturbation fantasy), and they’re using sex as a vehicle to do that. Maybe they want it to be funny, and sex has so much opportunity for comedy because a lot of it is inherently humorous, and it can be fun to embrace those elements and stop taking it so damn seriously. Maybe they normally don’t write this kind of thing but want to try writing outside their comfort zone because they think it’ll be good for them, as a writer and/or as a person (to help get over shame, etc.). Maybe they want it to be unrealistic: sheer fantasy fulfillment rather than the kind of sex they could or do experience in real life. Maybe unrealism is the whole point.

Some smut writers have had sexual experiences similar to the ones they write about and try to portray it semi-realistically. Some have, but don’t care as much about realism as the main reason(s) they’re writing the fic and choose not to research or double-check facts because it doesn’t matter as much to them as the arousal / romance / character study / humor / whatever, and they’re still sharing this thing they wrote for themselves because they enjoy it and they’re trusting (or hoping) someone else will too. Some are virgins, but still do their research and/or have people with similar real-life experiences look over it because they care about it being portrayed realistically. Some are virgins who don’t care about the realism, or they don’t care enough about it compared to other factors to research shit like how to safely and efficiently tie someone into a giant ball, and y’know what? They don’t have to care. The end result can still be a story that’s brimming with the writer’s love and passion and creativity (and possibly horniness too, of course). That’s the beauty of fiction.

Someone could even write smut about beings and creatures and events no one could possibly experience in real life, and then who are you to tell them that their goblin / kraken / unicorn threesome involving sex pollen and body-swapping and magic mushrooms that made them all hypersensitive isn’t realistic or beautiful in its own smutty way? What would even be your reasoning there?

(Side note: if someone actually has written this fic, please send me the link, it sounds amazing. Especially if the goblin is the Top, either in their original goblin body or in one of the others.)

If you are a virgin and you want your smut to be plausible or realistic, you can accomplish that by doing your research and/or finding beta-readers who have experienced the kind of sexual shenanigans you’re portraying. Inexperience is not a barrier to realism. But nor should realism be seen as a requirement for smut, or as the only method by which to gauge smut’s worth.

Do you think people who are virgin should write smut? I feel like most of them don’t even know what they’re writing and just write what they think sex is

the implication this ask suggests that people who write about murders, cannibalism, politics, magic, royalty au, sci-fi, wars, supernatural, time travel, medieval era, werewolves, vampires, mermaids or goblins must be murderers, cannibals, presidents, wizards, royalties, astronauts, ghost hunters, soldiers, time travelers, knights, werewolves, vampires, mermaids or goblins in real life is so funny to me

[casscainmainly]

What I find interesting about Cass and ballet in Tynion's Detective Comics (2016) is not so much the communication or artistic expression aspect, but what it means for Cass' relationships to women.

From the beginning, Cass + ballet is heavily tied to her relationships with women. In Batman & Robin: Eternal #7, she first watches the ballet with Harper Row:

Ballet isn't just about "understand[ing] everything" (as Harper says), but about the physical and emotional connection Cass forges with Harper in this moment. The way their hands grasp onto each other symbolises the potential for ballet to form women-to-women bonds. Since this is N52, Cass' relationships with Babs and Steph have been sadly obliterated, so this is her very first connection to another woman.

Then, in Detective Comics #950, we meet Christine Montclair:

Christine is a ballerina who has been "handed" a key to the main stage by "the late Elaine Torsky," and who hopes to hand "that key to another young girl." Ballet becomes linked with a feminine legacy, one tied to "know[ing] exactly who she wants to become." The ideas of a female legacy and coming into one's identity strongly echo Cass' relationship to the Batgirl mantle, and the importance of female relationships to Cass' sense of self.

Ballet is, also, a storytelling medium - Tynion emphasises the importance of storytelling through #955's scene between Christine and Cass, where Christine reads her a story. She mentions that her mom used to read this to her. This is clearly an allusion to Shiva (since this arc is about Shiva), but more broadly this scene points to matrilineal connection through stories, something that Babs and Cass actually do in DC First: Batgirl/Joker. In that issue, Babs tells the story of her first encounter with Joker, which inspires Cass to do the same. Cass' mimicry - something she also does with Christine, copying her movements in the ballet school - showcase her desire for connection with other women.

(The book is also written by Carolyn Wu-San, another connection between women, stories, and family.)

And it's this connection to women that allows Cass to say her name, harkening back to Babs giving her her name in NML. This scene is also funny to me because Tynion created Orphan but he's aware the name is not something Cass actually likes - if anything, 'Orphan' feels like a punishment Cass imposed upon herself (especially in this arc, which doesn't reference that Orphan came from her dad).

It's just interesting that ballet and storytelling are mediums in which Cass finds an expression of herself, but it's not because of the communicative aspect - she never actually performs in front of anyone. Instead, it's the feminine community and legacy that allows Cass to discover herself beyond Orphan.

All this to say it's a shame Cass couldn't be Batgirl here because I really like the parallel of female legacy between ballet and Batgirl, but it gets lost without acknowledging Batgirl (2000) and DC First: Batgirl/Joker. But conceptually, Cass and ballet is about so much more than her 'communicating' via dance, and the role women and stories play in her love for ballet should be acknowledged more.

[starlightbuckk]

recents reads for me <3

Love You 'Til The End | perpetual_wallflower on ao3

summary: Buck offers up a date with a firefighter, himself, for a silent charity auction and ends up exchanging letters with a secret admirer and a first date set for Valentine’s Day several weeks away that will change his life.my thoughts: this was soooooo sweet, def one of my fav valentine fics i read this year. i particularly also was drawn to this characterization of eddie.

the rollercoaster | dqstcrdly on ao3 and twitter

summary: Buck has a manic episode. He slowly descends into the throes of mania, and the people who love him notice that something is wrong. All of them, particularly Eddie, are there to help him pick up the pieces in the aftermath. my thoughts: a fic you think about forever. buck's descent into the manic episode is deeply emotional and by the end i was crying.

I’ll tell them put me back in it (and I would do it again) | paleredheadinascifi on ao3/ palwritesfics on twitter

summary: Eddie doesn't know how to make his listening history private. Buck doesn't know what to do with the words in front of his eyes. Chris cannot believe he has to deal with either of them. my thoughts: i read lots of fun, lighthearted fics this past month and this one was no exception. silly boys who are in love with each other, one of whom does not understand how spotify works. chris was especially funny in this one.

the parts we play | @calinaannehart on ao3 and tumblr

summary: Buck isn’t a firefighter, he just plays one on TV, or at least that’s what he’s about to do. He’s offered the chance to shadow the 118 to learn what it’s like to be a firefighter. Eddie is fed up with these Hollywood types turning up and feigning interest in the job that he loves. Buck, however, is nothing like that and everyone can see the connection they have. my thoughts: okkkkk this is totally not what i would usually read (famous aus), but i loved it. it was interested to read a fic where eddie is the one confident in his sexuality and not buck, i enjoyed the dynamic and would love to see more of it done.

just like magic | weewooforever on ao3/ maydaydiiaz on twitter

part one of the witch eddie cinematic universe

summary: eddie diaz is a witch and his magic leads him right to evan buckley. my thoughts: have been LOVING!! this witch au, this is part 1 of i think 5?? and the series is ongoing. very lighthearted and sweet.

the mortifying ordeal of being known | Polish_Amber on ao3/ @the-amber-raven on tumblr

summary: the AU where miscommunication abounds as Eddie seeks advice about his new relationship, Bobby despairs over his adopted son's career prospects and his refusal to talk about it, and Evan Buckley-Nash juggles training at the fire academy, building a family with his new boyfriend, and trying to work out how to tell his overprotective dad that he's already chosen the life he wants, actually. my thoughts: this was fantastic. i need to make my way through the rest of the series. i honestly eat up any bobby and buck father-son relationship and this one was done in an honest, yet unique way.

plant new seeds in the melody | @bibuckleyforever on ao3 and tumblr

summary: Eddie's all but given up on dating when he meets Buck at the scene of a call. Chimney and Hen think of it as a sign from the universe. Buck and Eddie think of it as a chance to finally get the love story they've always wanted. my thoughts: sweet, different first meeting alternate universe. love when one of them isn't a firefighter because i love seeing what jobs authors have them do instead. this will be reread.

fill me full (of love and desire) | tiredwrites on ao3

summary: when buck comes in stormy-eyed and brimming with anger, they all confront him to get the full story and find out he's fresh off a breakup, has blue-balls, and is reeling from the reveal his ex has a micropenis, so what does eddie do to make it better? he loves (and fucks) buck better than tommy ever could. and finally makes buck realize he's been eddie's this entire time. my thoughts: this was Everything. i went from giggling to in awe of how well-written this smut was. i am so sorry tommy (not really), but i am not sorry for how well buck got fucked.

Look How They Align | allyasavedtheday on ao3/ @littlespoonevan on tumblr

summary: In which Buck has a crush on the hot dad of the new kid in his daughter's class. The hot dad who also happens to be his new co-worker. Yeah, this is fine. my thoughts: there is a scene in chapter two of this fic that made me cry. i love single dad+different first meeting aus. the relationship that grows between the 4 of them is simply so special and i loved reading it.

hope I make it through the night | arcanaphora on ao3

summary: Eddie and Buck go on an awkward first date. my thoughts: hehehehehe this is kinda canon for me. idc if its not realistic. i am a firm believer that buddie's first date will be awkward as hell bc neither of them know how to date someone they have actual feelings for (let alone their best friend).

as always, give a reblog, a follow, or share your fic thoughts.

later this week i will be posting my first rec for a specific prompt/trope. i'm excited for this one, it's one of my favs.

if you have any requests for a specific prompt/trope recs, leave it in my ask and i'll add it to my list <3

[hazbinhotei]

sense of style.

warnings: none

word count: 1106

summary: Alastor finally snaps after days of catching you staring at him, convinced you're smitten—only to find out you've just been admiring his sense of style.

alastor x gn!reader — can be read as platonic or romantic! thank you to the anon who requested this story! after writing four fics so far, i've come to the sudden realization at how often i use the same words. time to open a thesaurus i guess.

Of all the things Alastor expected in the wretched Pride Ring of Hell, being stared at so persistently was not one of them.

For days now—days!—you had been watching him. He'd feel it like an itch at the back of his head, a tingle up his spine that made his fur bristle and his grin quiver at the edges. Whenever he turned, there you were, eyes fixed on him, expression unreadable, so intense it made his stomach twist into knots.

At first, he thought—Well! Isn’t this fascinating! Perhaps you had fallen for his undeniable charm! Who wouldn’t after all? Alastor wasn’t foreign to the concept of others falling for his appeal, even if most of his admirers met him when he was more human-like. But Alastor was never one to judge, especially when the good graces favored him.

However, the more your glances continued, the more wrong it felt. You never swooned, never batted your lashes or fumbled over your words. No dreamy sighs, no pink in your cheeks. Just that look; the kind that made him feel exposed. He could never tell what you were thinking, his mind going into overdrive every time he saw your eyes land onto him with that indiscernible expression.

And now—oh, now, he was at his limit!

Bursting through the doors of the hotel lounge with a flair of dramatics, Alastor snapped his staff against the floor, a red flush creeping high on his cheekbones. His grin strained, stretched thin like a radio signal struggling to reach its audience.

“Alright! Spill it. What, pray tell, is so absolutely captivating about yours truly that you feel the need to stare at me like some lovesick fledgling?” His voice, usually laced with mocking amusement, had a sharp edge to it, and his ruby eyes burned as they pinned you in place.

He watched your head turn from your spot on the couch, those damn eyes of yours moving from your smartphone to his with confusion. But instead of looking caught or embarrassed, you just… laughed.

A bright, bubbling laugh that took him entirely off guard. His ears flicked back, his brows twitching as his mind reeled like someone scrambling to understand the punchline of a joke. What was so funny?!

“Oh my God—” you wheezed, trying to collect yourself, but the look on his face only made it worse. You waved a hand in front of your face, gulping down air before managing to explain, “I—I wasn’t staring at you because I like you like that! I was looking at your outfit!”

That seemed to take Alastor completely off guard. He blinked owlishly, his entire form twitching as if you had just rewritten reality. “…My outfit?” he repeated, stunned.

“Mhm. I was just admiring your style,” you hummed with a casual shrug, sitting up. “It’s… well, it’s classic! Old-fashioned, sure, but stylish. I like that you dress more on the modest side, too. Made me wonder where you found such clothes when most boutiques in Hell seem to prefer, uh… less clothing.” You finished with a little laugh, gesturing to his attire.

Alastor felt something short-circuit in his brain, continuing to blink repeatedly at you with wide eyes. He suddenly became hyperaware of himself; his high-collared waistcoat, the neatly buttoned shirt beneath, the long, tailored coat that hung off his shoulders. He had always prided himself on dressing with dignity, despising the scandalous displays so many demons indulged in these days. But the idea that you—a fresh soul, meaning you hailed from the generation he found far too provocative—also preferred a more refined sense of dress?

That, for Alastor, was certainly unexpected. And, dare he say it… utterly delightful!

“Well now,” Alastor’s grin stretched wide again, his previous frustration vanishing like smoke in the wind. “I must say, I wasn’t expecting such an appreciation for good taste! How refreshing.” He tilted his head, his flustered frustration melting into something far more amused. “And here I thought you were simply admiring me!”

You snorted. “I was, just not in the way you thought.”

“Hah! How intriguing,” Alastor leaned forward on his staff, eyes gleaming as he inspected you in a new light. “And what? Are you looking to refine your wardrobe as well? Perhaps replace those ghastly modern rags with something a bit more respectable?”

“That’s actually what I was hoping for,” you admitted, placing your phone down in your lap as you tilted your head at him. “I was gonna ask if you knew any good places to shop in Pentagram City, since you’re the only one I know around here who dresses like this.”

If Alastor could wag his tail, it would be practically wagging out of its socket.

“Do I?! My dear, you are in luck!” He hummed with theatrical flair, the excitement in his voice practically crackling through the air. “There are plenty of hidden gems scattered throughout the city. Places where true craftsmanship is still appreciated, where one doesn’t have to settle for the flimsy, tasteless garments of the masses.”

Your eyes brightened at his boisterous tone. “Oh, that sounds perfect! I’d love some recommendations.”

“Recommendations?” Alastor tapped his fingers against his chin, then snapped them together with a click. “Why settle for mere suggestions when I can show you firsthand!”

You blinked, realizing you had just accidentally signed yourself up for a one-on-one shopping trip with the Radio Demon of all people. “Wait, you mean—?”

“That’s right!” He beamed. “An outing! You and I, gallivanting about the city in search of proper finery. What fun!” He threw an arm around your shoulder as he sat down next to you, his grin positively glowing with excitement as the couch shook from his movement. “We’ll make a day of it. And you, my dear, shall be my most esteemed guest!”

It was hard not to be infected by his enthusiasm, and before you knew it, you were grinning right along with him. There was something surprisingly charming about him when he got like this—when the showmanship melted into genuine excitement, his sharp edges softened by an undercurrent of something almost… tender.

“Alright,” you said, nudging him playfully, ignoring the way the radio static around you buzzed in response to your gesture. “I’m down. But don’t think you can just dress me however you want. I won’t try on anything too ridiculous.”

Alastor’s grin widened, but there was something else in his gaze now—almost like he was starting to see you as more than just a wayward Sinner seeking a half-assed attempt at redemption. He simply shook his head, chuckling under his breath. “We’ll just see about that, cher!”

[splinterofpandora]

Batman is dead.

I know it sounds vulgar.

Oh, you didn't like one comic book and now the character doesn't exist for you. Come on, we go through this every day! Stop clowning, you're not Joker!

But they actually did it in 2023. A year later, I realized exactly what happened. And I think I know how to change it. Hold on, because I'm going to tell you who Bruce Wayne was, and why death was good for him.

Chapter one. This is where the story begins.

Ok, we all know that. The alley. The boy next to his parents' bodies. No one hears his tears. A promise by the bedside. The training. Criminals are a superstitious cowardly lot. The Bat.

We rarely talk about Thomas and Martha because it was never their story. It was the story of a boy who found the meaning of life...no, at this stage, of existence...in fighting Evil. It was 1940s. The early years of The Dark Knight, in terms of plot, emphasized the common person's ability to overcome challenges and help those who cannot defend themselves. At first, the reader saw a “cool and intimidating” costume. The vigilante in action.

However, diving into the text we find that this Frightening Guardian is very...soft. He stays and tends to the victims of crime. Doesn't let people get discouraged. He is feared by criminals. He doesn't mind much that the police can do it either. But he's not an enemy of the society.

Later, Robin shows up. Alfred. Batwoman. Batgirl. The League...

But Batman remains their friend too. And so does Bruce Wayne, who...started life in the 1950s.

Chapter Two. Creating Identity.

Until about the early 70's(I'm using decades for simplicity, the actual timeline is a bit different) Batman's adventures explored the big issues people care about - corruption, war, crime. The wrapping of this was removed from reality. Took the form of evil clowns, spies in funny costumes, even aliens. Comics didn't want to pour complex things over our heads in their purest form.

But the important thoughts, the problems themselves and their possible solutions, along with the dreams of Mankind (flying cars, new discoveries in medicine, exploring the world), have always been the theme of the issue. For this reason, most of the dialog was directed at external things. The characters showed themselves through their actions.

We saw that Bruce can truly doubt, worry, and do crazy things. But he always cares about his young partner and wants to give him the best of what he himself has. Often in his interactions with Dick, Wayne shows pride in his son, his support. Many times he even risked Batman's life to save Grayson. And yes, the idea of separating man and suit, outside of formalities, didn't exist back then.

The idea of a billionaire wasn't a big deal yet, and 99% of the problems were solved by the masked vigilante, while the rich guy was a good cover for gathering information, which he did in the first issues.

Comics and media(audio, animated series, books) that recall this period especially emphasize the moment of complete father-son trust. As the point of supreme discovery of Bruce Wayne's mind. He wants to see a world where people are friends with each other. Openness. Sincerity. Idealism without drifting into absurdity. This is the Bruce Wayne of DC's first 30 years.

Chapter Three. Flowers are better than batarangs.

It's ironic, but with the visual darkness (relative to earlier works), 1970's Knight was the perfect middle ground between Bruce and Batman. The conflict of concepts was not yet seen from the angle of falling into darkness, but made many, not always consciously, afraid of their own protector.

My words should not be taken too literally. Gotham loved him. He openly cooperated with the police. Easily walked through the door of people's homes if invited. However, he could also be tough on crime and move like a shadow. That was troubling. But Batman doesn't cross the line. He's too kind. Everyone knows that.

Bruce is finally the man we know. Playful and frivolous, but the rich who loves beneficial initiatives for the city and its residents by day. And caped crusader by night.

He adores his children, starts many foundations and even a detective agency to help those in need and make police work easier. At the same time, Bruce's personal life is also going well. The authors are constantly looking for the man to be the love of his life, and the idea of retirement with the possibility of helping the world in some other way, without the cape, is increasingly glimpsed in stories about a possible future.

Unfortunately, the picture limit does not allow the narrator to continue his never ending battle, and so he will continue in the next post!

P.S. That and other themed post can be found under BrightKnightUpcoming tag.

[bears-sillybasement]

How do Bear and Lyney Meet?

How do they get together?

Do they have any pet names for each other?

OHHH MY TIME HAS COME..(thanks now I'm going to use you to throw out a lot of stupid info..AND WITH SILLY PICTURES. because, uh I like to draw)

this..looks like it's going to be longer than I planned..oopsuwu

can't guarantee that I've written everything correctly...my english is a nightmare.

ACTUALLY (🤓☝🏻), both of them met a few months after Bernadette arrived at Fontaine, however they did not speak to each other.

The two began to cross paths frequently, especially since some children related to Lyney started going to listen to Bernadette's stories. (he's a storyteller)

Lyney was the one who started talking to him, small dialogues and exchanges of words every time he went to pick up the children in his care,, sometimes he just stayed to listen the stories from afar.

Despite Lyney's personality and casual attempts to maintain some sort of bond, it actually took quite a while for Bernadette to begin to reciprocate in any way.

Though his personality seems intense, he has never been a very open person and prefers to avoid unnecessary stuff, like anything that makes him feel too observed...naturally trying to cut the conversations and leave.

Still, Lyney was NEVER pushy about anything in particular, letting things go at their pace. slowly the greetings turned into small talk, then long conversations. then outings together, a little help here and there...and they became friends.

HOW THEY ENDED UP TOGETHER IS A COMPLICATED STORY.

Lyney for his part was very open with his feelings, but at the same time he kept a lot of his personal life secret, afraid of harming him. and Bernadette simply denied feeling anything at all. He's not good at processing intense emotions, so not having anyone to talk about it just isolated him.

Oh, and of course, the

"why should I tell you anything about MY life if YOU won't?"

delayed things a little..

The moment that felt like a confession was in a late night conversation they had in secret. It wasn't formal. In fact, the subject wasn't even broached. But it was intimate enough to create a great silence.

(I'm not going to say what it was because in my head I have a whole comic for that OKAAAY??)

Still, after that there was a formal confession, but it was only as a final confirmation.

(the conversation was started by Lyney, the formal confession was made by Bernadette.) (technically my bear did the easy thing) (He already took it for granted so) (yeah)

After they started dating, the first week was funny to watch..Bernadette was as petrified as a scared goat. (If you don't know how goats look when they get scared, I swear it's funny)

He's not the type of person who reacts extremely SWEET to displays of affection, at least not in a conventional way (he will probably show his affection by making you fall straight to the ground every time you try to walk)

So,, the first few days he looked like a shy kid with his first girlfriend in kindergarten.

That mood didn't last long (though unlike Lyney, Bernadette is much more cheesy in private....Lyney seems to forget when he's in a public space)

(this was just an excuse to draw bro being the cuddly one) (leave me alone)

OH AND THE PETNAMES.........

Lyney seems to have a shotgun full of those, Bernadette responds more to the word sweetheart than to his own name at this point..All the cheesy shit that comes to your mind, whatever you think Lyney probably said it.

and Bernadette..sometimes uses petnames, BUT he has the habit of just calling him Lyney in a softer tone. he loves his name and thinks it sounds cute enough.

(also calls him honey) (haha its fun, because) (he's a bear) (haha) (haha guys why arent you laughing)

and following on from what I said, this also took him quite a few weeks to do it naturally..Lyney can still VIVIDLY remember his boyfriend of 2 weeks staring at him, in silence, after 4 long minutes of preparation to say something like "hey love" and ending up being a "hey dude"

I'm sorry to whoever is reading this, I got carried away LOL

[thevoicefromanotherworld]

"DO YOU WANT ME TO?"

I wrote another smut story with Bucky (I need him so bad is not even funny anymore)

I hope you like it!

Wakanda was unlike any place you had ever been before.

Its landscapes, its people, its culture, and the way they understood life and death was something that captivated you enormously.

King T'Challa had organized a small party to bond with the rest of the team. Steve, Banner, Tony, and even Thor were there, enjoying the food and drink while socializing with the rest of the people in the room.

You, on the other hand, only had eyes for the super-soldier.

The Captain's best friend was leaning on the bar of the place, his gaze lost in the drink that floated at the bottom of his glass.

You allowed yourself to observe him for a few moments, not for too long, since you were afraid that he would catch you looking at him.

He already knew that, anyway.

He hadn't turned his head to look at you either because he was afraid that your shyness would envelop you and you wouldn't look at him again for the rest of the night.

If he could hear your thoughts, he would have known that you couldn’t have done it even if you wanted to.

He was dressed completely in black, his leather pants hugging his strong legs, highlighting the shape of his thighs. On top, a short-sleeved shirt (also black) left his arms bare.

Your gaze fell especially on the metal one.

The new model that T’Challa had given him was really beautiful, with gold details along it, as well as on the fingers, which you tried not to look at too much.

It was then that you felt his gaze on you. His green eyes watched you for a moment, freezing you in place for a couple of minutes.

You knew you had two options: pretend that whatever that was hadn’t happened, OR momentarily overcome your shyness and go over to talk to him.

You gathered your courage and opted for the second option. You walked through the crowd and sat on the stool next to him. He turned his head as soon as he saw you, making your eyes lock again for a few silent moments, before you broke the moment.

-How are you with the new arm? –you asked as a greeting, nodding towards him-

-It's different from when I was the winter soldier –he answered moving his fingers for a moment- there was no feeling, it was more like a sensation, a vague pressure that there was something there –he explained- they wanted me to feel less normal and more like… -A weapon –you murmured softly, he nodded slowly- -Yes –he affirmed- I remember the cold –he added looking at the place where the metal began- always cold

The way he said it made you feel like your heart was breaking into a thousand pieces inside your chest.

The damage that Hydra had done to him was irreparable, but you were glad that little by little with your help every day he managed to find a reason to keep going.

-But now with Wakanda and Princess Shuri I almost feel like it's real somehow- he laughed- if that makes any sense

-It does, Buck- you murmured making him look at you again- you don't know how glad I am that you think that- you said turning your head towards the crowd, avoiding the intense shine of his eyes- I think that… -you swallowed nervously- I think the captain wanted to talk to you… I'll go find him

You stood up, but he held you back by holding your wrist delicately with his metal arm. The coldness of the material against your warm skin sent shivers of pleasure throughout your body.

-Steve left a while ago with one of the girls who was in this room a few minutes ago - he smiled sideways - I have a feeling that two things could be happening right now - he listed - one is what you and I know, and the other is that my friend is explaining to the poor girl the story of when they found him on the ice - he laughed - he loves to tell that story - he murmured, more to himself than to you -

-Yes, he told it to me the day Tony introduced me to the team - you intervened, his green eyes observed you with delicacy and intensity in equal parts - What are you asking me to do, Buck?

-Please stay - he whispered kindly - I enjoy your company - he confessed raising the corner of his lips in a smile - besides, nobody wants to be with the half-man, half-machine guy - he snorted, taking a sip of his drink -

-Well, I'm here - you said, making him almost choke - I'll stay if that's what you really want - you murmured, working up your courage -

-I want it - he affirmed, gesturing you towards the hallway, where there were more glass windows - but maybe we could go somewhere more secluded - he said - so many voices talking at the same time make my head hurt

"Sure, that's probably it" you thought before nodding kindly

-Okay - you agreed - you go first, Barnes

You walked in silence side by side until you were in front of another huge glass window, from where you could see the enormous expanse of savannah in front of you. The way the moonlight silhouetted against the treetops was something unheard of, only visible there, in Wakanda.

You tilted your head to look at him, causing your gazes to clash again, because he was already looking at you when you did.

-May I ask why you brought me here, Sergeant Barnes? –you asked, turning to him-

-I haven't been a sergeant for a long time now, doll –he smiled, watching how the nickname made your cheeks blush- you can call me Bucky

-Okay, Bucky –you corrected- What are we doing here? –you questioned- I don't want T'Challa to think that we have skipped the party that he has so kindly organized for us

-Nobody is going to think that, honey –he whispered with a half-smile on his lips- I have asked Wanda to do one of her little tricks so that nobody notices that we are not there –he confessed- she has made with her magic two identical copies of us, who right now must be at the bar, in the same place where we were a few seconds ago

-Wait, Wanda has done that for you? –you opened your eyes wide, surprised- And she has listened to you?

The soldier shrugged his shoulders

-She owed me a favor –he said making you tilt your head as if it were hopeless- and she hasn't done it for me, doll, but for you –he corrected, making you stare at him-

-What are you talking about? –you asked nervously- look, if this is some kind of joke or something, I'll try to kill Maximoff with my own hands, even if it's the last thing I do

-As much as I like you when you get violent, I have to stop you there –he smiled- this is no joke, and Wanda… -he whispered- she's just helping a good friend, nothing more

You stared at him not knowing what to say

-I don't understand anything that's going on, Bucky –you confessed nervously by his sudden closeness- so please, I'd appreciate it if you explained it to me

-Your friend told me about your little obsession with me –he said making you feel like the ground opened up at your feet, threatening to swallow you whole- so I've taken out my pending favor on her, which has led us to be alone for a while –he explained- Wanda said that she can keep the projections up for quite a while, so there's plenty of time

You felt like you were running out of air. You didn't know whether to go hit your friend, or shout words of thanks at her in her native language. You had never contemplated something like that happening: I mean, you alone with Bucky Barnes? Not even in your wildest dreams had something like that happened, and yet there you were, you dressed in a dark green two-piece suit and he in his damn black t-shirt and pants set.

-Plenty of time for what? - you dared to ask-

He looked both ways down the hall, before gently placing his metal hand on your waist. The fact that you didn't move away made him take it as if you didn't mind his touch, so he left his hand there.

-So you can tell me more about your obsession - he said - When did it start?

His body was so fucking close that it stole your breath, the effort to breathe air into your lungs was increasing.

-I-I d-don't know - you stuttered nervously - God, this is… it's not possible that out of all the girls at the party you want to be here with me

-What do you mean? - he asked, staring at you-

-There are a lot of girls who have been staring at you all night, waiting for you to choose them - you pressed your lips into a thin line - the fact that I'm the one with you and not one of them makes me feel like I'm ruining your night

-Hey, hey, look at me - he whispered, holding your chin between the index and thumb of his flesh hand - you haven't ruined anything for me - he assured, placing his eyes on yours - I'm right where I want to be

-Really? - you asked, trying to reassure yourself-

-Really - he affirmed, as he placed his metal hand on your head. He looked you up and down for a moment - you look gorgeous tonight - he whispered - you always do

He wet his lips for a moment, before resting his gaze on your mouth.

-Bucky?

-Mhmm?

-Are you going to kiss me? –you asked, a smile appeared on his lips-

-Do you want me to, baby? –he murmured, you slowly nodded your head- good, because I want to too –he whispered- I've been wanting to since I saw you walk in with this damn suit –he growled pointing at it- I respect your stylist sweetheart, but I bet you look better without it –he pointed at the suit with his head- if tonight ends like I think it will, it will soon be on the floor of my room

He placed both hands on your hips, holding you between the wall and his body. You felt how the air between you was getting heavier and heavier.

-Bucky… please… -you sighed making him smile-

-My God, you're already so needy and I haven't even touched you yet –he whispered- don't worry sweetheart, I'll give you what you need

Then his lips were on yours. You almost burst into tears of happiness when It happened. He covered your mouth with a kiss that was halfway between needy and delicate.

You wrapped your arms around the back of his neck, pulling him closer, which made him let out a sigh against your lips. He pulled away from you for a moment.

-Should we… Do you want to…?

-Yes –you said, making him smile-

A few minutes later, just as he had said, your suit ended up on the floor of his room. His metal fingers entering and leaving you, making you scream, while you held onto his strong shoulders while moaning in his ear.

-Bucky… -you gasped- I'm going to cum

-I know, baby, I can feel you tightening around my fingers –he whispered- konchat’ teper’, lyubimyy (Come now, Sweetheart)

You unloaded hard against his fingers, and as you caught your breath he pulled you against his body and kneaded your hair gently with his hand.

Before you knew it, you had fallen asleep.

[valleymyristica]

theres a line in the sneak peak that left me wondering about something, so I decided to ask because heh, you're nice and answer everything!

just like humans get sick if they eat over a certain limit in a short amount of time, can fairies get sick from granting too many wishes at once?

That's quite an interesting question indeed! Thank you dearly for sending it

Gives one so many fun things to think about hehehe

What lovely fun we'll have indeed

A simple way to think about things is that wild magic is like water in a well and a wand helps bring it out like turning on a faucet. Can see it like water to a soup and then the actual wish is like adding ingredients. Organized magic is like the complete soup. You eat it, you share it and there might be some things left in the bottom.

Referring back to chapter 3:

""" School did say something about when granting a wish, you combine the wish with the wild magic in you and it multiplies, becoming organized. Part of it becomes the manifestation of the wish, part of it returns to you and the rest is sent to the big wand, with a little over-spilling on earth so that fairies don’t go hungry. """

Meaning that a fairy will eat part of the soup, filling them with organized magic, which can be used more easily. Part will be used like energy for everyday living, and part will be stored for later, like putting it in a fridge.

So, it isn't always to easy for a fairy to overeat, but if your fridge is full, and you are too, what about the rest of the soup? What is one to do?

Well, no one likes to waste food, so, of course one eats. Yet, too much, is still too much and it may come to a point it hurts. It's too much after all, and it is still a part of them.

It can be seen as a less dangerous form of magical backup.

Though, the only real difference is the simple fact that organized magic is easier to just use and get out of your system. Then again, it can be hard to just do that if you're focused on granting wishes, a lot of wishes.

But, hey, surely that would never happen, right?

Truly, it's very rare, considering the fact that the well would more likely run dry before one can get full. Most fairies do have a pretty reasonable size to their well.

Though, there are indeed some fairies that have quite a big well, not many, but a few. hehe. Some of which we may have met.

Hey, don't worry about it. I'm sure everyone will be fine. In the end. Whenever that is.

In addition, based on the show, it's reasonable to assume that granting too many wishes won't do a fairy well.

Either they become lethargic from their well running dry, or become too full from their stomach and fridge not having more space.

[le-agent-egg]

fellas. is it cringe to make a whole comic about your fankid?

god their relationship makes me INSANE. i am very normal. wahhhhh

yeah this is based off that steven universe episode

[parasitoidism]

Truly great moment was Ryo fresh out the hospital jumping out of his car and sucker punching this poor guy to steal his motorcycle. Imagine having to file that police report about how you got knocked the fuck out and your shit stolen by some shirtless blond severely injured 17 year old freak. I would just let it go. Thankfully that guy didn’t have to live with the shame for much longer though considering how the story goes

[bacchuschucklefuck]

sometimes doing art is a random person coming by u and winking at u and u absolutely do not know what they're doing that about at all. and sometimes they tell u and ur like that's so beautiful that u've found that in my art but I didnt put it in there

[clambuoyance]

I think I stopped watching them after 2010, pretty sure the mermaid one where she lives in Malibu was the very last one I watched

[floorpancakes]

heart-pounding immersive bocchi cinema solo trip experience 1-page report

[nadiajustbe]

Everytime a person reablogs my hmc book post as "#studioghibli" an angel loses his wings

[galacticlamps]

I just wanted to apologize to my classic whotuals for all the dead boy detectives spamming, but it's also important to me that you guys know two things:

a) I've become aware that a lot of what appeals to me about dead boy detectives is, on a kind of conceptual/thematic level, the same stuff that I love about my favorite eras of dr who, and 6b in particular

And I tell you this not as an advertising tactic but as a genuine PSA for anyone following me because:

b) Being me & having realized this, I know I'm definitely gonna wind up posting some unnecessarily long-winded analysis/comparison, pop it in the main tags for the sake of organization on my own blog, and subsequently confuse a hell of a lot of people there who either have no idea what I'm talking about or simply don't view either piece of media in the same light as I do to begin with

So I just wanted to reassure everyone that at least you're not suffering alone, as I will soon be inflicting the reverse bait-and-switch upon others!

That's all! continue w ur scrolling <3