#Hey if Sparrow Ghost killed so should I Bruce

[lionwitch]

Adding to this, Oliver taught Tim to use a bow when he was tiny, think Merida of Brave? Kinda like that. Little baby was small and Ollie got him a tiny bow and taught him, so that was actually his first weapon. So, despite leaving the bow skills mainly in Star City and using more bo staff as Robin or Red Robin, his best weapon is in fact the bow, because he's got more experience with it (Bruce refused to teach him or acknowledge their vigilante personas until he was confronted directly) and is actually as or more skilled than Roy, seeing as he's had his whole life of experience, but he only uses the bow as a hobby, he enjoys it, but doesn't use it as primary weapon. That said, his upper body strength is insane, he does have an archer build.

Now, if he did stalk the bats, I don't think he'd do it without something to defend himself with, so he took a bow and some arrows. This happens only during the few nights he was left with a nanny he could fool, because Janet did not leave him alone and her friends weren't always available. It's mainly school nights, where he couldn't get to and from another city so easily and Bruce wasn't able to take him in (bc of patrol mainly). This is before either he found out their identities, or he got the guts to confront B.

So this kid ran around with a bow and a quiver, and when he ran into trouble and the bats couldn't help without him compromising his position (especially after he figures it out, he's not willing to be seen because he WILL be recognized), he shoots the threat. Now, this boy spends a LOT of time with Lex, and while Lex refrains from sharing his most evil plans with the kid (or Janet will stop trusting him with the kid, he doesn't want that, he loves his nephew), he does challenge morality. As a result, Tim has no qualms about killing.

So before Tim joined the Batfam, the Bats occasionally found arrows on corpses. Batman interrogates Green Arrow, because an arrow or two are very evidently his or at least his style (Tim did not mean to shoot those, he uses more generic arrows, but sometimes he's in a rush and they mix), and Ollie absolutely knows the moment he sees the arrows that it's Tim. He's no snitch, though, and Tim is not associated with Green Arrow, so "No, Batman, what would I be doing all the way over there? I have my own city". This starts before Roy joins him. Tim is far too young, and Oliver will have a talk with him, but hey, at least he's safe. He'll also train the kid harder, just in case.

Tim does try to aim for injuring and not killing upon Oliver's request, "try" being the key word. He still does kill, but not as much. He only really kills if he finds it necessary (if he's heavily outnumbered, for example)

Tim Drake is not a vigilante before Robin. He's a kid that defends himself with arrows. That's it. It's not his job (yet) to interfere with crimes, he only does it when it's too bad to stand by and watch. Only to keep his uncle Ollie happy, he whistles a warning before shooting, a chance for the criminals to stop and walk away. If they take it and stop, he doesn't shoot. If they keep going, he shoots. Again, he tries not to kill, only because Ollie will know and be disappointed. So word spreads quickly, that if you hear a particular tune whistled, you better stop and run.

Instances of him shooting are rare and far between, and those of him killing with the arrows even more so. Batman kinda stops looking for the shooter, because 1 he has no lead, and 2 he has much more pressing matters and worse criminals.

There's a window of time before Jason passes down Robin but after Tim confronts them about their identities, where they train him but naively believe he's going back to bed like a normal kid.

During this period, this is a kid with a bow and arrows, and training to be sneaky and stay in the shadows. He follows the Bats, like he's always done, with a black hoodie, cargo pants and combat boots. Occasionally, he still shoots, and hides in the shadows immediately after and changes position.

The Sparrow Ghost (named by those who heard the eerie whistle, a play on the bird vigilante theme and the arrows) becomes a myth amongst criminals. Some believe it, some do not. You cannot see the archer (hence, Ghost)

Once, Batman, Nightwing and Robin were outnumbered. A trap. Smart, well-executed, and coincidentally well-timed. Robin is injured, Nightwing has a bad case of the flu, Batman is a concerned parent. None is at 100%. But they did not take into consideration the kid watching from the rooftops.

A whistle echoes. Some goons drop their weapons. Some do not.

Thwump

An arrow flies, piercing the shoulder of the guy holding Robin.

Thwump

Another pierces the hand of the goon pointing a gun to Nightwing.

Now without his boys in immediate danger, Batman can act. The Sparrow Ghost turned the tides, the bats did the rest easily. Tim remains hidden, just in case they need him again. They don't.

After being offered Robin, Tim doesn't really stick to his bow and arrows. It's not the Bat way. Sparrow Ghost disappears— Mostly. Occasionally, when he shouldn't be patrolling (school nights, for example) but he's restless, he still takes his bow and quiver, puts on his hoodie, a mask now that he has one, and goes out.

Ok, hear me out. An AU where Janet Drake is best friends with Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen.

They met in school, and she's a high society girl, not expected or allowed to be much more than a pretty face, but there's this trio of smart idiots (they did all sorts of stupid stuff at school, but they are overall very, very smart), and they're in all sorts of cool classes and extracurriculars, and she wants to learn

So, she snakes her way into the group with well-timed looks and blushes. They eventually include her in all their activities, and so she learns all sort of stuff that she usually wouldn't be allowed to learn, because they help her keep it in the down low. No, she's not taking classes with them, she's being a proper lady and cheering her smart friends on through the oh-so-hard classes.

At some point or another, they all develop a crush on her, fleeting as it may be (they're hormonal teens and they're required to flirt, it was bound to happen)

They flirt publicly, as it keeps the media from pressuring them into relationships— or so they thought. It backfires when they're adults, the media is demanding Janet settle down and stops leading all three of them on. But there would be a scandal if she picked any of them, so she picks Jack, someone who doesn't love her or she loves, but someone desperate enough to climb the social ladder to care if he loves his wife.

When he's not allowed to flirt anymore, that's where Bruce realizes that he actually liked her.

When Tim comes along, and Janet has to go on trips, she leaves him with her trusted friends. So, Tim learns a lot from his Uncle Lex, learns to shoot a bow from his Uncle Ollie, and loves staying with his Uncle Bruce and his children. He figures him out far too easily and does become Robin when Jason figures he's ready to pass on the mantle to his little brother (because they're brothers. Tim spends a lot of time in their house)

Bruce adores Tim, he really does. It just kinda hurts, that he's Janet's kid, but not his.

Eventually, Janet divorces Jack, and she gets to spend a lot more time in Gotham. But by now Tim is as much Bruce's as he is Janet's, so they co-parent the gremlin that is her son, which leads to a lot of time with Bruce.

Bruce treats her better than Jack ever did, and she trusts him far more. They have the memories of years together. Eventually, Bruce tells her the truth— that he never truly moved on from his best friend.

When they marry, sure it's a media circus, but also not a surprise.

She's also a good mom, to Tim as much as to Dick or Jason.

When Jason finds out Catherine is not his mom, sure he gets curious, but he has a mom already, he's happy. He does want to meet his bio mom, but he agrees to do so safely, not go alone. Fine, B, you can come with.

Joker never happens. Jason is disappointed when he finds his mom is not at all what he expected, and he has a much better one at home.

Eventually, when Damian comes into the picture, he's snappy with Janet. "you will never be my mother, you harlot!" but Janet simply puts a hand on his shoulder and speaks calmly, yet sharp as the blade he threatens her with

"You will not speak to me like that, boy. No, I am not your mother. But I am married to your father, and I hold the authority as such, so you will go up to your room, you will cool down, and you will never threaten or insult me again, or you will be grounded."

"You can't do that!"

"She can. She has my full permission to discipline my kids, Damian. In this house, she holds as much authority as I do." Bruce interjects

Damian, begrudgingly, learns to respect Janet, and eventually he does see her as a second mom

The amount of times Oliver or Lex visit the Wayne-Drake household is absurd, but sue them, they like their friends. This leads to a lot of chaos, because every time Oliver visits so does Roy, and Roy hangs out with Dick and Jason, while Damian sticks to glaring at everyone.

Meanwhile, they dote on Tim, because they sure as hell have a favourite nephew, and it's the one they watched grow inside the belly of one of their best friends, the one they all changed the diapers of, the one they've taught a lot of skills to, the one they helped raise in a way they never helped raise any of the other Wayne boys. They don't even try to hide their preference. Now, of course they like all their nephews, but it's always hilarious because when Tim is around his uncle Lex, he's ten times the evil mastermind he generally is, and Oliver encourages it, simply for the chaos, and so does Janet, while Bruce is downright terrified of the idea of Tim as a villain (everyone is)

[leah-halliwell92]

Clint (And a half)

(Note: I fully blame @queensdivas for this. BTW!!! Here’s part 1 if you haven’t read.)

The following morning, you woke up in what you could only guess is one of the many rooms in Stark tower between its name sake and the Winter Soldier wrapped in the fluffiest and softest blanket you’ve ever seen and felt. For the first time since finding you that your words led to heart break you felt safe and warm in the cocoon Tony and Bucky had form around you.

“Morning pretty lady,” Bucky said as he too woke when he felt you shift.

“Morning,” you said and go to snuggle up to him.

“What no hug for me?” You heard from behind you and you chuckled as you turned to give your other bed buddy a good morning hug.

“How are you feeling?” Tony asked gently, odd since all you’d heard of the genius is that he’s a brash often the asshole-ish type.

You shrug and snuggle back into the blanket.

“Don’t go,” Bucky said as he spooned you from behind, “I know it can kill you to be rejected by your mark.”

“But we know a guy who could help stop that,” Tony finished.

You gave another shrug as you felt the ghost pains of what promised to be a hell of a day.

“What’s your mutant name anyway?” Tony asked trying to keep your mind distracted.

“Sparrow,” you said your grin growing into a smile as you remembered who gave you the name, “I was given the name Sparrow.”

“Well Ms. Sparrow...let’s go meet Doctor Strange,” Tony said getting up.

You were being helped to walk by Bucky as Tony kept a look out for Cl...him with F.R.I.D.A.Y’s help.

He knocked on a harmless looking door, which opened on its own to reveal a floating man “sitting” crosslegged. 

“Hey Doc,” Tony greeted.

“No jackass smart comment today Stark?” The floating man asked.

“Not today Stephen, please,” Tony said pleadingly.

This caught Stephen’s attention before looking to where you are standing and saying, “You can’t break soulmate bonds.”

“I know...I just want her to have a second chance. That’s all,” Tony said.

He nodded in understanding before moving his arms and opened what looked like a portal and going through. 

“Do we follow him?” You asked curiously looking at the building.

“No need,” he said as he came back through the same portal.

Stephen made his way to you and fastened a necklace with a special crystal on the end.

“This will curb the side effects of the bond’s rejection, you’ll still feel them but won’t feel as if their taking your energy fully. It’s been medically, and magically, proven that those that have survived a rejection to have a sort of new lease on who their other will be,” he said tenderly.

You understood where he was coming from when you saw a second chord around his neck. You nodded and almost jumped out of Bucky’s arms to pull the good doctor into your arms in a tight hug.

“You’ll find yours too you know,” I whispered into his ear before pressing a kiss on his bearded cheek, “If I will then you will as well.”

He blushed at that and nodded.

“Join us for breakfast Dr. Strange?” You asked him with a gentle grin.

Tony and Bucky looked on a s new bond of friends was forged between the normally solitary doctor and the newby. 

Stephen looked as if he was going to politely decline when his cape flew from him to you enveloping you in a warm embrace.

This made you giggle as the cape snuggled you up in itself and patted your cheeks like an anime meme causing all in the room to laugh.

“Ok ok we’ll go,” Stephen said letting out a laugh.

The cape floated back to its master and together you went to the main area for breakfast, where Mrs. Barton was helping Nat make the buffet of food needed to feed the Avengers.

“Good morning!” Laura said brightly as she dished up the last of what looked like pancakes.

Your stomach clenched and what little hunger you had disappeared as the happy face of your mark’s wife beamed in honest kindness and openness. 

“Morning ma’am,” Bucky giving you a trained nudge.

“Good morning Mrs. Barton,” you say extending your arm to shake.

“You must be (Y/N)!” she said taking your hand and giving it a friendly shake, “Clint’s been talking about this liaison between the X-Men and the Avengers for weeks now going on about who they would send as ambassador and please call me Laura, Mrs. Barton’s my mother in law.”

You smiled warmly at her, she isn’t at fault that her husband just happened to be your mark. And by the looks of it she doesn’t know who you are yet...and you weren’t going to be the one to tell her either, it’s not your place.

“I see you’ve taken the liberty, and challenge to make this hoard food,” you say lightly.

You shared a laugh with the woman and was surprised with how easy it was to get along with her. It gave you hope that at least one good thing would come out of this. 

You gave Tony, Bucky and Stephen a look and nod before going to the kitchen and helping Laura and Nat finish up breakfast. You sat next to Laura, who insisted you do so she could talk to you without having to yell over the gaggle of testosterone that was sure to show up. All was going well laughs were being had, conversation is flowing lightly and you found yourself having more in common with Laura than you initially thought.

The atmosphere seemed to take a nose dive when Cap said, “Good morning Barton.”

You looked up to see Clint walk up to Steve and greet him a toddler in his arms and his to oldest children at each side as they ooh and ahhh at being not only in avengers tower but with THE actual Avengers. You forced yourself to keep eating while at the same time subconsciously touching your aching mark.

Laura noticed this but kept her opinions to herself. She is smarter than she looks, she has to be to deal with a combat trained SHIELD agent and his Russian Assassin sister. She also knew it would be a matter of time before the world brought him and his mark together. 

Laura noticed how withdrawn you’d gotten when Clint approached the sizable kitchen island to get some food. You became reserved, robotic almost, in your movements as you slowly ate. Meaning, you were faking...

Faking enough to pass as though you’re eating and engaging when in reality you’re not. Laura wondered why you hadn’t said anything about you being Clint’s mark. And why do this whole thing of being nice to her and getting along with her when she’s the one married to your mark.

“Morning (Y/N),” Steve said with a grin dishing himself up some food.

“Morning Steve,” you said with a bright smile before taking a drink of your now lukewarm coffee.

“Morning...(Y/N),” Clint said with a tentative smile.

You nodded with a small grin at him and toyed with the idea that maybe excusing yourself a bit early from the breakfast table wasn’t such a bad idea. 

‘I mean...I’m having a lovely time with Laura. I can holdfast for a bit longer before leaving, its fine...I’m not in pain,’ you thought as you put your marked hand close to you but no less ready to leave just in case.

Your three protectors looked on and were ready to give an alibi should you need it.

All was running smoothly till Bucky, who was sitting next to you, stood to take his dishes to the sink and wash them. He excused himself to the restroom allowing Clint to take the now empty seat.

This got Tony and Stephen on high alert. 

Natasha who, had gotten the truth out or Clint, was also on high alert at the sudden shift. She didn’t know you, but she knew that you wouldn’t ask anything of Clint now that you knew he is married. Whether he’d have rejected you  or not.

“So,” Clint said as he dug into his food, “Did you enjoy the party?”

You resisted the urge to roll your eyes and noticed that your suddenly four body guards, bar Tony, had resisted the urge to roll their eyes.

You force a grin and say, “It was a Tony Stark party in full just as the rumors and stories say.”

He nodded and resisted the urge to ramble to fill the silence between you.

Tony took the initiative and stood giving a dramatic bow saying, “Thank you, Thank you.”

You laughed at his antics and nearly fell from your seat as you looked around to see marked couples enjoying their time with their friends as well as each other. Steve’s sitting next to Sharon, Bruce is keeping an eye on Nat whilst she never really stopped reaching for his hand, Pepper came to sit next to Tony and plopped her head on his shoulder, Dr. Foster’s with Thor and so on. You felt suddenly ill, or worse than you did when you woke up, at the sight of so many paired marks together clearly in love and happy to be together. While yours rejected you out right.

“You feeling ok (Y/N)?” Laura asked as she saw you shrink into yourself further.

You nod fighting to keep the easy grin on your face before forcing yourself to eat another bite of food.

Laura felt you tense when Clint sat next to you, but what could have had such a profound effect on you? She looked around and saw what you’d seen. She could have slammed her head on the counter at realizing that the room is filled with marked couples. The pieces fell into place and Laura couldn’t help but feel for you. And to a certain extent understood the feeling. Her own mark’s passing had had the same effect on her that she felt as if she was floating on air when she met Clint.

Bucky came back and with a quick assessment of the situation made his way to you.

Laura saw the former assassin approach and made a quick judgment call and said, “I heard from Sgt. Barnes he was going to the gym after breakfast.” 

You turned to Bucky and nearly ran to him at the suggestion. But you held back and responded kindly with a, “I heard that too,” and turning to Bucky and asking, “Mind if I tag along?”

Bucky gave you a grin playing along, “Sure doll.”

You grinned at that. Outwardly showing intrigue but on the inside feeling relief over being given the out.

Granted you didn’t go to the gym but to Bucky’s room for a long cry. No sooner had you left that you and Bucky were joined by Stephen instead of Tony, who was explaining the basic details to the rest of the team. 

//Break//

Over time (almost six months in), Clint tried to approach you. To what you didn’t know and didn’t give to flying fucks about. You’d been in contact with a close friend from back home and couldn’t be happier that he’s coming to visit in two months time.

Laura became a sort of pseudo-sister to you after Clint came clean to her about him and you being soulmarks. That didn’t help him any...

 Oh they’re still very married, you made sure to push them into counseling before anything were to happen, but Laura made it very clear that a second chance was slim for him. You on the other hand straight up didn’t care. You’d been left burned from your first encounter and have no desire for a repeat performance of that calibre. Should there be someone and they reject you...you fear it will be your end.

But he can’t leave well enough alone.

Two and a half weeks later...

“Can we please just talk?” Clint asked as you boxed with Tony.

“No,” you say simply.

Stephen, who was at the treadmill, looked his way pointedly and said, “What could you possibly want to talk to her abour now?”

“Stay out of this wizard,” Clint said annoyedly.

“He’s right,” you said giving Tony a nod to stop the activity, “What on God’s green Earth could you want to talk about with me? Your words said it all, I’m fine, by that I mean alive, and you’re alive. So there’s really nothing you can say about anything regarding our scam of a bond or lack there of.”

“But we are bound,” Clint said an agonized look on his face.

“We may be...and I am sorry this is where we are. But nothing you say or do will fix it, nor your help easy your guilt,” you said honestly and bluntly.

His constant appearances had been hard on you. Your mark still burned with every accidental touch you made as well as the attention he was giving you. It hurt, you just want to be left alone at this point.

“Come on Sparrow,” Tony said as he left the boxing ring.

You followed after Tony avoiding Clint like the plague as you made your way out of the gym Steve walked up to the both of you.

“When did you say the next group of X-Men would be in?” He asked curiously.

“Month to a month and a half,” you said, “Why?”

“Well...” 

You shard a look with Tony and made your way to the commons to find Logan, Colossus and Ellie.

Logan saw you first.

“Hey lady bird,” he said with a gentle smile as he pulled you into a hug.

You gave a quiet gasp as new words formed on your wrist where Clint’s words used to be.

“Hey, you ok little bird?” Logan asks worriedly after pulling away to look at you.

You nod afraid to say something, anything really.

“Come on little bird,” he said with a gentle nudge, “sing me a song.”

“She can sing?” The now present Stephen, Bucky and Clint asked in unison.

The three X-Men present nod much to your embarrassment.

“Logan here also has good singing voice,” Colossus said pointing to Logan, “I am Colossus but you can call me Piotr.”

“And I’m Negasonic,” Ellie said manners in full for the first time in a while.

“And I’m Logan Howlett also known as the Wolverine,” Logan said with a nod his arms still around you.

“Aren’t you the one with metal for hands?” Clint asked.

“Adamantium skeleton,” you said defensively, “And he’s a feral mutant, makes him quite the animal.”

Logan let out a deep rumble before pulling you close and rumbling in you ear, “Mine.”

“Not here wolfman,” you say as the mark hums at his acceptance.

“What the hell do you mean not here?” Clint asked in disbelief at what he had just witnessed.

“He is my second chance meaning that,” I stopped and took Logan’s hand in mine, “I am his.”

The feral growl that left him was panty drenching and I knew from then on things were going to be a hell of a lot more interesting.

Tag List: @deepestfirefun, @queensdivas, @buckyscrystalqueen, @bowieandqueen11, @brianandthemays, @disasterdeacy, @fandomgalcentral