#I tried Damian’s solo run and I couldn’t do it

[whalehouse1]

So I’m reading Tim’s 1993 Robin run (the longer one) and I’m on issue 10 and does he get any better? So far he’s treated Ariana like crap, cheated on her with Steph (it was just a kiss but still), told Steph she basically isn’t up to this, complains about hating the mask and secret identity despite forcing himself into it (I know he was younger when he did it but you chose this and you had to have known this with how much effort they put into their secrecy) and I was told that this is a good series if you want to get to know Tim and I’ll admit he faded into the bg a lot for me in YJ98 but he still had some fun stuff. Here, he just is striking me as a whiny douche and I’m hoping he gets better.

[caffeinatedvigilantewriter]

Soulmark AU again

So in this AU, Dani was born to look 8 (I never understood why she looked 12 but whatever. Danny was 14 in this AU) and Damian arrived at Gotham when he was 10.

Dani traveled the world for around a year before she meet Damian when they were 9. Damian is with the League at that time

Obviously, they are soulmates. You can decide their mark.

As per League custom, any heir must kill or destroy any distractions.

And that includes Soulmates (because Ra’s is an ass)

So, Damian’s first solo mission, he has to track down his soulmate and kill her.

But when it was time, he couldn’t do it.

He let her go, telling her to never contact or try to find him, and he would do the same. Dani leave, very angry (Poor Baby bat didn’t think he had another option)

He burned the body of a dead deer, and told his mother that he scattered Danielle’s ashes in the river.

Years go by, Damian moves to Gotham, and never mentions Danielle to his family. He didn’t even tell them that he knew who they were. He was ashamed 9f what he tried to do. Even if he didn’t manage to succeed.

When they’re both 16-17, Damian comes across Danielle in Gotham (she doesn’t know he was there. She never tried to look for him)

And because she was left dry by her soulmate when she was 9, she’s kind of bitter.

So she leaves, but she told him he would have to deal with her presence because she and her older brother are in Gotham for the foreseeable future.

Damian sees this as a golden chance to get her forgiveness and gain her trust.

The only way for that to happen is if his family doesn’t meddle. The only ways that’ll happen is if they doing know.

So Damian never tells them.

Dani doesn’t tell Damian she’s a ghost, nor why she and Dante are in Gotham (GIW got a hold on Danny and he’s healing in the GZ)

Dani attends Gotham Academy with Valds money. And she and Damian share a couple of classes. Meanwhile, the GIW is in Gotham searching for the High Princess and High Prince. Siblings of the King.

Shenanigans include

-Damian and Jason becoming a regular at the bookstore Dani works at, but they come at different times.

-Steph and Cass are on a date when they run into Damian and Dani, also on a date. It quickly becomes a double date.

-Alfred and Clockwork are old friends and Alfred is either a ghost or extremely liminal.

-Titus and Cujo friendship.

-Wiggles the dragon. I recently found out he existed and live him already

-Bruce getting shot while on Patrol and the closest place was Dani’s and Dante’s apartment

-Peopel can sense when their soulmate is about to die/get extremely hurt. Dani senses Damian is in danger and kills(?) (at least gravely injured) his attacker

-Sam visiting Gotham and strangling the Joker with Undergrowth powers

BONUS!!

Each member of the Royal family needs their own Knight (typically their soulmate/lover of choosing. Sometimes not)

Dante decides to have Fright Knight as his Knight (as soulmates or friends you chose)

Danny has Sam and Tucker, so he’s extra safe.

Dani has Damian.

The reason this is funny is maybe there’s a trademark summoning scene and maybe the knight shows up with the royal member, or maybe they show up first to scout if it’s safe.

So there’s a summoning and Damian pops in the middle of the circle looking confused

If he didn’t know he was Dani’s knight, even better.

[damiansgoodgirll]

Hi gorgeous how you doing? I have a request for a few things so just hear me up on this. I just had this in my mind by the way jey uso x reader Rhea and Damian has been friends with the reader since NX T but when the Yeet master comes along they started to be friends but the reader gets hurt  badly not so good judgement day ( i’m sorry to say that but the new judgement day nah) and who comes out and saves them terror twins and jey

jey uso x reader (romantic) / terror twins x reader (platonic)

likes, comments and reblogs are always welcomed !!!

‼️ a little angsty, fluff, the new judgment day being awful (just like they are)

forever my girl

the bond between you, damian and rhea was unique. you’ve been friends since the old days at nxt, where the three of you tried to make it up to the top in the company. if you had any problem, any doubt, any question, you knew that you could count on rhea and damian, the same way they could count on you.

you all made it big, being drafted from nxt to smackdown and raw where you all gained more respect and success.

being on the big rosters meant that you all got to make more friends and so a few people started hanging out with you.

rhea and damian got lucky that they got paired together for being a part of the judgment day while managers thought of giving you a solo push. it was working really good for you as you have been both raw and smackdown woman’s champion. you won your matches at wrestlemania and summerslam, so everything was really working out for you.

even if you were all pretty booked, you never stopped seeing each others outside work. a few people joined you too, especially jey uso who couldn’t stop teasing and annoying rhea. you thought it was funny and you pranked her a few times together.

jey was nice to hang out with. he was kind and funny and never fail to make you laugh. you were all like one big happy family, the judgment day members too. but when the judgment day broke up at summerslam you knew that rhea and damian were going to be alone. jey was busy with the whole bloodline mess again and you knew that you had to pick a side.

so you went ringside at bash in berlin and stopped finn when he tried to ruin the match for rhea and damian. you helped rhea when her leg got stuck over the ring and you were ringside again when, much to your surprise, jey joined damian in a tag team match.

but now it was you facing liv morgan. one on one. and it was an easy match as you were basically destroying her. she wasn’t as strong as you were and it was easy for you to pin her down quickly. she was mad that she lost and of course, in judgment day style, she started hitting you. she hit your back while the ref held up your arm as you won the match. your back immediately feeling an intense pain, you tried to get up but she shoved you on the ground. finn, dom, jd and carlito circling the ring, so now you were trapped. live kept hurting you and it felt like hell.

suddenly, rhea’s music echoed in the arena and she tried to run as fast as she could to help you inside the ring.

but she was alone and hurt so she was an easy target for the group. only a few minutes later both damian and jey ran out and followed rhea’s lead.

as rhea tried to stop dominik from running away, finn and damian began fighting. jey ran inside the ring and liv, as the coward that she is, ran away and tried to save dom from rhea.

you were laying there, hurting.

jey kneeled next to you, trying to see if you were still conscious “y/n…” he softly whispered “are you still with me love?”

you wanted to answer but no words came out of your mouth, instead you nodded but the slightest movement made your head pulse.

“medical staff is coming…we got you, i got you love” he gently whispered, moving some hair from your face.

“everything hurts…” you whimpered, a few tears rolling down your cheeks. jey’s heart broke, he couldn’t stand to see you in pain.

he didn’t understand why. it’s not like you were dating but the idea of seeing you hurt and crying made his blood boil. he was so mad and at the same time so conflicted because he couldn’t do anything to help you.

medical staff got there immediately and when they tried to move you, a soft scream left your lips that made jey shiver.

“i got you love…” he whispered “let me carry you backstage okay? the stretcher is too uncomfortable for you…” you nodded at his proposal and even though you felt like your whole body was in flames “hey shh…i got you, you’re safe with me” he gently whispered leaving a kiss on your forehead “i got you” he kept repeating, mostly to himself because he needed to be sure that you were okay.

once he brought you backstage, rhea and damian followed along, both worried about your condition. jey followed the staff instructions and he gently laid you down over the stretcher waiting for you in the medical room.

“she will be okay” one of the nurses tried to reassure the trio but non of them dared to leave the room.

rhea and damian were pissed. it wasn’t fair for you. you won your match without cheating and yet they cheated and doing so, you ended up badly injured. jey was stressing out, he couldn’t really understand what he was feeling. he always thought that you were beautiful and kind but he never thought about you in a romantic way so why was he so angry? why was he hurting? he hated seeing you barely conscious on that bed, doctors working on you. you shouldn’t be there, no, you should be backstage happily celebrating your victory with your friends and family.

“is she okay?” jey asked, pacing back and forth around the room.

“we are still checking her out…she has a concussion from the hit on the head she got when liv attacked her from behind…probably a few broken ribs but she should be fine…we still need time to finish all the tests” one of the doctor spoke and jey felt like fainting. he was beyond mad.

rhea and damian watched how stressed jey was and they couldn’t really understand why.

“uce” damian called him “what’s going on?”

“what you mean?” he pretended everything was fine.

“we mean, why are you so stressed? rhea stepped up.

“why aren’t you? she is your best friend and you’re here without saying or doing anything…” he said, passing a hand over his hair.

“uce you gotta stay calm…” damian tried one more time.

“i can’t…” he whispered, trying not to break.

“what is going on jey?” rhea was confused. she never seen jey so agitated and uneasy.

he took a chair next to them and shook his head “i don’t know…when i saw her in the ring and she couldn’t move, i felt like someone was ripping part of my body off…i don’t know how to explain it but it hurts seeing her like this…and when i brought her backstage she was softly crying in my arms…and i couldn’t do anything to help her…”

damian was still confused but rhea immediately understood why jey was acting like that. a smirk appeared on her face, shocked that none of the men were able to understand the situation.

men - she thought.

“you have feelings for her jey” rhea said, a little smile appearing on her face.

“what?” he was shocked. he knew he had feelings for you but hearing someone saying that out loud made him unsure.

“you like her and it’s pretty evident. you can’t even stay sit for five minutes, always checking on her or what the doctors are doing…you have feelings for her and that’s okay…she’s my best friend and if you hurt her i’m gonna kick your ass, but you like her and that’s normal…” rhea tried to reassure a very confused and scared jey uso.

he looked at rhea with a confused look. maybe she was right. he couldn’t understand the sudden pull towards you. but all the time you’ve spent together, pranking rhea, flying together, watching movies and training together, he never realised how much he actually liked you and now, seeing you hurt, laying on a hospital bed made him feel so helpless. he wished he realised it sooner, he wished he could tell you how much he likes you.

“she needs to rest…at least one month at home, no wrestling, no training, just rest so she can get better” the doctor said to the three adults. all of them nodding their heads before medical staff left the room, leaving them alone for some privacy.

“do you wanna stay alone with her?” rhea asked jey. he nodded, moving the chair next to your bed while the duo left. you were still unconscious. jey didn’t know if you actually fainted or if the doctors gave you some painkillers to ease your pain and to calm you down, but anyway, both cases sounded bad to him as he wanted to see you awake and smiling.

he gently stroked your cheek, his calloused hand moving delicately on your face “you’re so pretty y/n” he smiled to himself “i wish i realised sooner what i feel for you…”

you, on the other hand, woke up when the doctors explained that you had a concussion to the team. you heard rhea talking with jey, you heard him confessing. you didn’t know what to feel. you’ve always had a little crush for the twin but the idea of him actually being in love with you never crossed your mind.

your body was still on fire, your head hurting but you needed to let jey know that you were there, that it wasn’t his fault, that you were in good hands and that you were going to be okay.

“jey…” your broken voice caught his attention.

“hey…” he whispered, a soft breath escaping his lips, relaxing a little bit.

you coughed a little before opening your eyes. they were burning, meeting the strong and white light of the room. it took you a few minutes to get adjusted to the ambient light and temperature “by the way, i think you’re very handsome…” you took him off guard and you saw it by his embarrassed face.

“how much did you hear?”

“pretty much everything” you tried to laugh but you coughed more and jey, trying not to panic, handed you a glass of water “thanks…”

he smiled “so you weren’t sleeping uh?”

“i was but you all couldn’t keep your mouth shut and you woke me up” you made him laugh. that’s what he always liked about you. your sarcasm and funny personality, the way you always tried to find the good in bad situations. you were so similar and yet so different at the same time.

“everything i said it’s true…i like you, i should have realised it sooner…but i really, really like you…” he confessed once again, making you smile. you tried your best to not to laugh but he was jey uso, always trying to be funny and sarcastic, so a few laughs escaped your lips “girl, im trying to be serious”

“sorry sorry…” you smiled, making him chuckle “but i think you’re pretty cool too…”

“just cool?” he teased you.

“cool, funny, very good looking…” you were playing his game and he loved it. you were making him go crazy “and i think i like you too…fuck, i’ve had a crush on you since rhea introduced us…”

“oh wow, you’re good at keeping secrets uh?” he winked, making you laugh again “would you like to be my girl?” his voice got a little bit too serious now “i’m serious when i say that i like you, a lot…i’m probably just too stupid because i could have realised it sooner…but i promise you that i’ll be here for you, i’ll help you heal and you’ll get stronger than ever…”

“this means a lot to me…it sucks not being able to be at bad blood though…i needed to see liv crying after she loses the title” you faked being disappointed, earning a laugh from the uso.

“i’ll take care of you girl, my girl, forever my girl if you let me…” he whispered, looking into your eyes.

“how can i say no when you look at me like that?” you matched his serious tone, making him smile.

“then say yes…be my girl” he moved closer to you, sitting on the bed instead of the chair next to you. his hand gently caressing your cheek, brushing delicately over your lips.

“yes…” you whispered meeting his smile.

he felt relieved that you were okay. probably not okay mentally and definitely not physically but you were there with him. comfortable in his touch and that was enough for him.

[plaidpajamallama]

(You scared me ) RHEA RIPLEY X JEY USO

Chapter 13

________________________________________________

Rhea was lying in a hospital bed when she went to NXT to welcome Zaria and the other women.

As she was leaving, Liv and Raquel had jumped her with baseball bats.

She was beaten pretty badly; she had fractured her right orbital socket, which means she was going to be out for a while.

She didn’t know when she would be able to get back in the ring.

Her body hurt like hell. She was just trying to say hello, and she just jumped and put out the game.

God, she was so done with Liv she can’t wait to get her back.

She heard some noise coming from down the hall.

She tried to see what it was but couldn’t.

It got louder. She could hear someone yelling

It got closer, and that went. She realized she knew who it was; it was Jey.

She sat up looking; she could see him and some doctor or something arguing.

She waved her hands to get his attention.

She saw Damien pop up behind Jey talking to the doctor.

She waved some more, getting Damien's attention.

He pointed at her through the window, talking to the doctor.

The doctor walks in her room with both of them behind her. I’m sorry to bother you, ma'am, but do you know these men?

Yes, I do, thank you.

Okay, I’ll leave you all be. She turned around, walking away.

They both walked in her room. Jey immediately gave her a hug. You okay? We came as soon as we could.

Yeah, I’m okay. I have a fractured right orbital socket, so I’ll be out for a while. Her face soured.

Damien came to the other side of her bed.

Don’t worry about all that; just worry about getting better.

Yes, exactly; just get better. Jey chimed in

She signed. I know it just stinks.

It’s going to be alright. You're going to get better and come back stronger and show them what’s up. Jey grabbed her hand.

Damian sat down on the edge of her bed.

How did your match with Dom go?

He sucked his teeth; he won, but I beat the shit out of him after we have fatal four-way next week.

Alright, did everything go well with your brother?

Rhea Don’t worry about us; we’re good. You got to focus on you. When did the doctors say you could get out of here?

I can leave tomorrow.

Damian stood up. Ok, I’ll go tell the doctor we’re going to stay with you.

Oh yeah, thanks, Uce.

You don’t have to do that, Jey.

I know I’m going to do it, baby. We care about you. We just wanted to make sure you're okay.

Ok, thank you, baby. She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

__________________________________________________

Rhea and Damian were in Saudi Arabia in her hotel room watching Crown Jewel.

Watching Jey’s matches always made her stressed; it didn’t help he was fighting the new bloodline either; she knew Jey still didn’t fully trust Roman; he was helping them this one time, and then he was done.

There was something; it started off pretty well until Roman wanted Jey to tag him, then it all started falling apart.

Solo ended up pinning Roman, then Sami came out trying to help, which didn’t go so well.

She turned it off before Liv and Nia match; she didn’t want to see that.

Damian turned to her. You okay?

Yeah, it just that could be me. I could be out there right now because the first woman’s Crown Jewel Champion, but here I am sitting in my hotel room, not even on the damn match card!

Hey! You get your title back, and you become the woman’s Crown Jewel Champion because you're the best of the best. You don’t need a title to tell you that Rhea

I know I’m the best, but I have nothing to show for it!

Rhea She cut him off. No, all you're going to say is that it’s fine and I’ll get my title back! She stood up, pacing back and forth.

Well, I’m not fine; I'm hurt; I’m out for who knows how long! And when I do get back, you know what Liv is going to do?

She’s going to fucking run like she always does; she's going to go to Raquel or Dom, and I’m going to lose like always! She yelled

Your right It’s always the same shit over and over, so what are you going to do about it?

She looked at him, rolling her eyes. I don’t fucking know!

Well, you need to figure it out; then you can’t be a champion if you don’t try!

She sucked her teeth. Fuck you!

They were both yelling at each other, arguing.

They argued for a while before Damian left, slamming the door.

She scoffed, shaking her head. She sat down, back on the bed.

It has been a couple hours since she was watching TV when she heard the door lock click.

Jey walked in, setting his bag on the ground. Hey baby, how’s your day been?

It has been alright. I watched your match; you did great.

Mmm, I bet Roman would disagree. He walked over, lying down, putting his head in her lap.

She put her hands in his hair. What are you going to do about Sami?

Shit, I don’t know Jimmy is trying to fight; he’s pissed Roman upset too.

Ok, how do you feel about it? She said as she played with his hair.

I mean, Sami, my dog, he’s family. I’ll always bat for him. I’ll talk to him Monday about what’s up.

Did your brother and Roman leave?

I know Roman left for sure. One thing he’s going to do is get on his jet. Jimmy is probably still here.

Her phone buzzed. She looked at it, seeing it was Damian. She rolled her eyes.

What’s up, baby?

Nothing I’m fine

He sat up, Rhea. What’s going on?

Nothing; I just got into an argument with Damian.

About what?

About Liv being the Crown Jewel Champion about her making history, and I’m here doing nothing.

She brought her knees to her chest.

Rhea You're going to get your title back and that new title shit. You could win all the titles if you wanted to. Don’t let Liv get in your head.

But what if I can't? What if she’s right? She laid her head on her knees.

She’s not! Don’t believe what she says; she is just trying to get in your head and mess with you.

Rhea He tilted her head up so she was looking at him. Rhea baby, I’m serious, you're the best in the world. No one does what you do.

Don’t let anybody tell you you're not, and if they don’t believe you, then show them why Mami is always on top.

She grabbed his hand. Thank you.

You never have to thank me. He gave her a kiss.

I can’t leave knowing your sad.

Uhh, why do you have to leave again? You just got back.

I know I hate leaving you too, but the UK is going yet to plus imagine what’s going to happen when I get back, he grinned.

Oh well, then maybe it won’t be so bad, but what about while you are gone? What am I supposed to do then? She said, moving closer to him.

Mmh, maybe I’ll just have to leave you with something before I go, he said, grabbing her hip and pulling her into his lap.

Mmh, I do love getting gifts, baby.

I’ll bring you back something he said before kissing her.

You better She giggled before kissing him again.

________________________________________________

Roman gonna get Sami on Friday 🖤

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Busted?

by MyPride

Bruce had noticed that Damian had become more affable, socializing much more than usual at the charity evenings, and it was not uncommon to see him surrounded by beautiful young girls who seemed to hang on his every word, and Bruce, he admitted, couldn't help but wonder if any of them were interested in or dating his son. Damian had never exactly given the impression that he wanted to jump headlong into a relationship, but there was no question that he seemed very comfortable when he was around them. [...] "I was thinking about watching a movie tonight, how do you want your pizza, son?" Bruce asked him quickly, and Damian stopped his run only to look over the doorframe and give him a quick glance. "I'm not eating at home. I'm going out." Bruce gasped. Did he really hear what he heard? "You're going out? What do you mean, you're going out?" "What I said. Don't wait for me, Father." "Wait, Damian, what-!"

Words: 1717, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Batman (Comics)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen, M/M

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Damian Wayne, Jonathan Samuel Kent

Relationships: Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne, Jonathan Kent/Damian Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth & Bruce Wayne

Additional Tags: My english is bad as always, What-If, Naturally aged Jon, Slice of Life, Father-Son Relationship, Friendship/Love, Fluff and Humor, Bruce has the empty nest syndrome, Damian is just as big as Jason, muscular, Parenthood, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Fluff, Attempt at Humor, May I write 2023, Facebook: Non solo Sherlock - gruppo eventi multifandom

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/47132929

[xmalereader]

Dad Bruce Wayne X Adrian Chase X Son! Male Reader

-

|| Masterlist ||

-

Finished peacemaker and just had to write about Adrian because that man had my attention, but I also had to make it ANGSTY so be prepared! I didn’t know which Batman to choose so you can decide.

Summary: Reader is Bruce’s Wayne’s son, living with his family and the rest of siblings isn’t easy. But what happens when he keeps a secret from his family to the point where he can no longer keep it hidden?

Warnings: Angst, Adrian being soft, dad Bruce, Bruce trying to be a good dad but also not so great, sexual tension, mentions of murder, blood, reader just wants to be happy, overprotective Adrian.

-

-

Bruce knew something was wrong with Y/n.

No one else seemed to notice but him. His son has been acting off lately; running late to meetings, getting distracted during there nights out, but most importantly he stopped smiling. Bruce remembers him smiling and laughing with the rest of his brothers and causing trouble together. Now and days he pulls a fake smile here and there, his real one suddenly gone.

Bruce was a father of five boys and wanted to make sure they were all doing fine. So, during Dinner he made Y/n sit next to him on his left across from Damian who shift his gaze to Bruce and then to Y/n and back to Bruce. Damian was slowly catching on, he knew something was wrong.

Bruce clears his throat, startling Y/n to look up from his food that he was poking around. “Everything alright?” He asks. Y/n sits up straight and gives Bruce one of his fake smiles and nods. “Everything’s fine, just been stressed with some stuff and haven’t been able to focus.” He responds, taking a bite of his food before pushing it back and standing. “Excuse me.” He politely says as he leaves the dinning room.

Both his father and siblings could only stare in confusion. Y/n wasn’t one to leave the family dinner early and he usually finishes his meals first before anyone.

Y/n had made his way back to his room, apologizing to Alfred about not finishing his meal, not wanting to offend his cooking skills or anything. He simply couldn’t eat after everything he’s done. Once he arrives to his room and locks the door behind him, he slowly sits down, burying his face in his hands.

Y/n was panicking. A few days back during his night missions he was instructed to infiltrate one of the drug rings locked near the harbor. His father trusted him on taking this mission alone and knew he could handle it. This mission was Y/n’s first and couldn’t help but grow excited, wanting to prove Bruce that he was capable of doing things alone.

During his mission he had a run in with Vigilante, one of Evergreens most wanted criminals. He’s read about Vigilante before, knowing how brutal he can be when it comes to killing others. He had his own code but yet again, most of the time his code wasn’t very clear or made much sense.

Y/n had tried his best to hold Vigilante back from killing any of the dealers, keeping them tied up and away from his reach. Both Vigilante and Y/n had a rough start, always running into each other during Solo missions and dealing with his chaotic personality, always causing him trouble but finding a way to get it fixed before Bruce found out.

When Y/n was alone patrolling he wouldn’t sometimes find Vigilante following him, trying to be friendly with him and befriending him. Y/n at first didn’t want to be friends with a wanted criminal, he was working for the Batman and he couldn’t taint the bat symbol with being around vigilante.

But he couldn’t help but grow a liking towards him. The two continued to meet during there late nights to the point where they became more than friends. Most of the time he would invite Vigilante to one of his solo mission but, of course, set some ground rules. He was still apart of the bat family and he couldn’t risk being caught.

Vigilante at first refused to follow his rules, preferring to kill his targets than locking them up in prison only for them to escape later on or to be released due to a short sentence. Y/n was able to beg Vigilante to not do anything stupid, the other had no choice but to listen.

After doing this for months the two grew closer to the point where Vigilante was the first to ask him out. From then on the two have been together for almost a year now and Y/n was panicking.

He was able to keep this relationship a secret from his family for a year now but lately his relationship with vigilante has been growing serious and he can’t keep it bottled up anymore.

Y/n stays in bed all day until the sun goes down, making him get up and head downstairs to the bat cave where everyone else was getting ready. He blocks out his brothers bickering as he puts his suit on, adjusting his mask over his eyes and collecting the weapons he will be using.

He doesn’t notice his father watching closely as he ties his boots, sighing to himself. Y/n bites his lip and tries to keep himself distracted before heading out.

“You should visit Evergreen.” Said Vig. The two lied on there backs, staring at the stars from the roof top. Y/n raised a brow at Vig and chuckles, “Why? There’s nothing there.”

“You’re right, it’s a shitty town—but I get to kill anyone without getting caught!” Vig laughs, placing a hand on his stomach as he continues. Y/n had grown used to his weird and crazy behavior that all he can do is roll his eyes.

“Does he knows?” Vigilante suddenly blurts out, catching Y/n by surprise. He understood who he was referring too. He sighs to himself and turns his head to face Vig. “No and I don’t think it’s a good idea too.”

“Why not? Come on—we’ve been working together for two years and have been together officially for a year!”

“You know why, Vig.” Y/n shot back, giving him a small glare. “If I tell him he’ll—“ He tears his eyes away from him. “He’ll tell me to leave and I don’t want that.”

“So why continue to be with me? I mean, your hot and intelligent and every time you fight I sometimes get turned on—“ Vigilante rambles on. “Now, I’m not very good when it comes to feelings but lately being around you has changed me. I enjoy being with you and care.”

“I know.” Y/n whispers, leaning his head against his shoulder. “I’m sorry Vig, but I don’t know what to do anymore.”

Y/n remembers the conversation they had two weeks ago. Vigilante wanted him to come clean to Batman but he couldn’t do it. How would his father react when he tells him that he’s dating a criminal, let alone one who kills? He couldn’t do that to him.

“Y/n.”

He is pulled out of his thoughts by Bruce calling out to him and nodding towards the others. “Let’s go.”

“Right.” He finishes getting ready and follows the others out, getting ready to do some patrolling. He usually rode with Bruce but this time he decide to switch with Damian and ride with Dick instead. He wouldn’t be able to stand being next to Bruce for a few minutes without breaking down and confessing.

Damian crossed his arms as he sits in Batman’s mobile. He watches Y/n closely before asking his father. “Something’s wrong with him and it’s starting to get annoying.”

Bruce huffs, sitting in his seat as he glanced over his shoulder to see Y/n joining Dick in his own car. “I know, will figure it out soon.”

—

During patrol they encountered a group of thieves trying to steal from Gothams museum, they were armed and very well trained. Both Batman and Robin were busy handling the ones inside while both Red hood and Nightwing chased after the ones outside, knocking them down and fighting them off while Y/n checked around the area for anymore thieves.

He circled the building, not finding anything or anyone else. He tells himself that they must’ve gotten them all as he heads back to reunite with the others. On his way back he began to think about Vigilante and him and there relationship and way to tell his family about it. He couldn’t keep it bottled up anymore and knew that he had to tell them today before they figure it out on there own.

He didn’t know how his family would react once he tells them. He feels like his father would be devastated on finding out that his son was not only going out with a criminal but sleeping with one as well.

Y/n continued to run back to the museum, not seeing one of the thieves hiding in the shadows as they held a gun in there hand and took a shot at him. Y/n’s hears the gun go off and pain in his side, stopping in his tracks he breathe softly and looks down to see blood pouring out.

He didn’t know how to react, he’s never been shot at before and he’s always careful. He was distracted in his thoughts that he didn’t see the thief lurking in the shadows. His body slowly grows weak as he stumbles to the ground.

He hears his family calling out to him, he hears a familiar voice next to him as his gaze shifts up to see Vigilante standing over him.

“Holy shit your shot!” He hears him exclaim as he bends down to help him.

“You—“ Y/n croaks out, he looks towards the thief who lied dead on the ground. Vigilante must’ve followed him like always and gotten the man killed, he knows that Batman would not be pleased about this. “You have to go.” He murmured out, reaching out with his hand and trying to shove him away.

“What?! I’m not leaving you, your bleeding and dying—wait don’t die, you can’t!” Vig rambles on as he helps him up, placing his own hand against the wound and applying pressure to it.

“They can’t know.” Y/n hears himself saying, his vision growing weak.

He hears his family approaching, Robin is the first to see Vigilante. He glared at him and pulls out his katana. “Let him go!” He commands, pointing at him as Vig rolls his eyes under his helmet. “He’s injured!”

“You probably injured him.” Robin accuses.

Y/n slowly shakes his head. “No, stop—“

“I wouldn’t do that! He got shot and handled the situation myself!” Vig shouted.

Batman had arrived and looked over at the dead thief before turning back to Vig and Y/n. His stare is cold as he steps up. “You killed him.” His voice is hard and stern, startling all of the brothers. Knowing that something bad is to happen.

“Who cares, he’s dead already and he’s bleeding out!” Y/n turns slowly to face his family, his eyes dropping closed as he blacks out. The last thing he hears is Vig calling out his name.

The next time he wakes up he’s in the batcave with everyone else, Alfred had removed the bullet and stitched him up, bandages wrapped around him as he slowly sits up from the medical table. He catches everyone’s attention, his brothers approaching him. “Whoa, take it easy.” Said Jason. Helping him up a little as he checks his bandages while Damian stood next to him with arms crossed.

“You should be resting.” Damian grumbled out, causing Dick to chuckle at Damian’s behavior.

Y/n looks around the room and frowns. Everyone was here but Vig, he understands that Batman wouldn’t bring him here but where did he end up going after finding you bleeding out?

“Where uh—where’s vigilante?” He asks, his voice coming out soft as he eyes his brothers who all gave each other looks.

“We arrested him.” Bruce is the first to speak up, sitting at his computer as he typed away. “Adrian Chase, warned for multiple murders and different states. Somehow he found his way to Gotham and we were able to take him in.” He explains.

Y/n’s listens with wide eyes. He’s warned Adrian about being here and that he could get caught by one of the bat members. In the end he did get caught and it’s all his fault.

“But he—he saved my life.”

“We know but he’s still a criminal, what he did was wrong.” Said Dick.

“We didn’t know if he was going to try and kill you, take advantage of your weakness.” This time it was Damian who spoke up.

“But he didn’t, he was helping me.”

“Yes, we are glad he helped you but again, he’s a criminal Y/n. Wanted for murder.” Jason speaks up.

Y/n shakes his head. “But he helped me, can’t we just let him go?”

“Let him go? Y/n do you hear yourself, he’s wanted for murder!” Damian clarifies but Y/n continues to deny it. He knows that Vig has don’t bad things but he did it to save him, Vig Is protective and would’ve killed anyone who messed with him.

“Why do you feel pity for him?”

“Because—“

“Because what?”

“Because he’s my boyfriend!”

The room grows silent.

“Your what?” Bruce stands from his seat, walking over to him. His brothers look away and allow Bruce to pass him as he stands in front of Y/n.

“He’s my boyfriend.” Y/n whispers back out to confirm his relationship with Bruce.

“How long.”

Y/n bites the inside of his cheek. “I—“

“How long, Y/n.” Bruce repeats his question again, his voice growing dark as Y/n responds back. “One year.”

He could hear his brothers murmuring behind Bruce as Y/n avoids there stares and comments. The tension grows between them, Y/n opened and closed his mouth.

“Dad I—“

“Don’t.”

Y/n flinches, gasping softly as he looks up with wide eyes. He sees the anger and disappointment in Bruce’s eyes as he slowly shakes his head. “Vigilante is in prison, whatever you two had is over. I don’t want you anywhere near him.” He states.

Y/n is silent, lowering his head in shame as he tries his best to hold back tears. “I’m disappointed in you Y/n.” He hears Bruce mutter before turning his back on him and walking back to his computer to finish his reports.

Y/n felt like screaming, he wanted to break down and beg for Bruce’s forgiveness but he knows that he won’t be able to earn it back. Not after waiting for a year on tell him about his relationship with Vig.

He slowly stands up from the table, wincing to himself as he makes his way upstairs. Avoiding his brothers looks, not wanting to see there disappointment too. As he climbs up the stairs he walks back to his bedroom, closing the door softly behind him, making sure that it’s locked before finally breaking down.

He lets himself cry for the rest of the night, curling up in his bed. He wished he was with Adrian right now, he would probably pull him close and wrap him up blankets. Keeping him safe and warm but, he wouldn’t be able too. Adrian’s in prison, could be a possibility of him being released soon and he’d want to see him. Bruce warned him to stay away, but he knows he can’t, he’s in deep with Adrian.

The next morning he was attended by Alfred, working silently as he checked in Y/n’s wound and provided him a tray of food for breakfast. He would usually eat downstairs with his family but after what happened last night. They probably won’t stand being around him.

He wanted to ask Alfred how everyone is doing but knew that nothing would change from asking. Once Alfred is done he puts away the bandages in a bag. “Master Bruce told me to bring you breakfast, after you are done he wishes to speak with you.”

Y/n sits up against his pillows and nods. “I understand, thank you Alfred.” He whispers, taking the tray from him as he sets it in his lap. He hears Alfred leave and stares at his food. He wasn’t hungry, he was to anxious to be eating. He didn’t know what Bruce wanted to speak to him about. The conversation last night was enough for him.

Bruce is a complicated man but he never had an issue with it. He was always on Bruce’s good side, everyone knew that Y/n was the good one. The guy who was nice and caring, who loved patrolling at night and always cracked jokes with his brothers. Bruce even admired him, always looking out for him.

Y/n wasn’t adopted, he was Bruce’s first blood son before Damian came into the picture. His father and mother met at a restaurant, she was a waitress and he was just having lunch with his workers. The two got along and next thing you know there happily in love. His mother got pregnant and on the day of his birth she passed away.

Bruce was alone on raising Y/n, he was a good father on raising him and giving him time. As he grew up he was seen as the good son of Bruce Wayne. The son who always smiled brightly.

But after last nights rejection he didn’t know how to feel. Y/n felt sick to his stomach as he gets out of bed and sets the tray aside, taking in a deep breath as he leaves his roof and heads towards the living room where his family would be.

Upon entering, he catches the attentions of his brothers who were talking amongst each other. They grew silent once he stepped inside, y/n avoids them and turns to see Bruce sitting on his chair near the window, reading the paper as he slowly approached him.

“You wish to speak with me.”

Bruce’s attention is still on the news paper as he asks. “How’s the wound.”

Y/n hesitates. “It’s better, Alfred helped this morning.”

His father goes silent again. Y/n’s anxiety Can only grow worse as he fidgets with his fingers and opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry, dad.”

Bruce slams the papers on the coffee table, causing Y/n to flinch and to step back as Bruce stands from his seat and towers over him. “No, your not.”

“I—I am.”

“If you were sorry you would have told me about this a long time ago instead of having to wait a year.”

“I did want to tell you but didn’t know how!” Y/n says back.

Bruce chuckles. “So you decide to wait a year to tell us that you were dating Vigilante, a criminal and a murder.”

“Well—“

“Y/n, I’ve already told you. You and Vigilante are to no longer see each other again. I don’t want you anywhere near him.”

Y/n looks down. “I understand.”

Bruce sighs deeply. “You are also to give up your suit and name.”

“What—?” Y/n’s head shot up, staring at Bruce with wide eyes. “You—I can’t give that up.”

“I’m not asking, I’m telling you.”

“But—“

“Y/n, you are to no longer work alongside your brothers and I. You’ve proven to me that you are not to be trusted and won’t be having you in the field anymore.”

Y/n shakes his head. “You can’t do this—“

“I Can and I will.” Bruce steps closer, giving Y/n a glare. “From now on you are to stay away from Batman’s business.”

His brothers stood behind him, all in shock at Bruce’s statement. They know what he did was bad but that didn’t mean he would be stripped away from his name and suit. Y/n was the smart one on the team and they needed him.

“Dad—“

“Don’t.” Y/n flinches at the word again. “After what you did, I don’t think you deserve to be calling me that.” Y/n feels his heart break, looking down as Bruce’s shuffles above him. “I’m late for work.”

With that he leaves the room, heading out of the mansion. Y/n stays frozen in place, his hands gripping his pants as he silently tears up, biting his lip and stopping himself from sobbing out. He hears Dick approach him slowly.

“Y/n.” He placed his hand on his shoulder which Y/n slaps away, startling Dick. He keeps his head down and leaves the room, rushing back to his own. He knew he screwed up, his family was disappointment in him. His own father rejected him and won’t ever trust him again.

Y/n won’t be able to stand being here any longer, he knows that he isn’t suppose to be anywhere near Adrian but what was the point? He’s already lost everything. He knows that Adrian has friends at high places who would easily take him out of prison so, he quickly packs a bag of his own and gets changed into some warm clothes before sneaking out of the manor.

He knows all of Bruce’s security and is able to go through them without being detected. He arrives to the city and hauls a cab and provides them the address of where he wishes to go. The car ride is quiet, leaning his head against the window as he watches civilians walking down the streets and doing there own thing. Upon arriving an apartment building he pays the cab driver and steps out, holding his bag close.

Y/n makes his way up the stairs and towards Adrian’s apartment room. He had a copy of his key with him, Adrian had given it to him once there relationship started to become serious. He unlocks the door and steps inside, heading a startled cry as Adrian stood on the other side, a knife in hand.

Y/n shuts the door behind him and gives him a shy smile. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You barged in without knocking!” He exclaimed.

“You gave me a key.” Y/n shows him the key in hand, rolling his eyes.

“Oh, right I forgot.” Adrian lowers the knife and sets it down. “Looks like you got out early.” Y/n mutters out. “I’m sorry for what bats did—you know? Sending you to prison.”

Adrian shrugs. “It’s fine, I mean it was meant to happen and they’ll probably do it again.” He stands in front of Y/n and noticed the bag behind him. “Did something happen.”

Y/n nods his head. “I told them—about us and they didn’t really like it.”

“Oh, oh.” Adrian realized what that meant. He looks over to him and clears his throat. “Do you uh—want a hug? Or maybe a kiss or something, I don’t know.” He shrugs. Y/n chuckles and steps forward to wrap his arms around Adrian, hugging him close as he nuzzled his shoulder.

“He told not to see you anymore but I just couldn’t, for the first time in my life I actually feel happy and after telling them—“

“Everything Suddenly fell apart.” Adrian finishes.

Y/n nods, lying his head back on his chest as he sighs. “I don’t know what to do. My own family hates me.”

“They don’t hate you, they just have to get used to the fact that we are together.” Adrian clarified, pulling him closer as the two stayed standing in the hallway. Y/n began to feel better with just being around Adrian, “thanks.” He whispers, leaning up to place a kiss on his cheek.

Adrian grins, dipping down to capture his lips into a deep kiss. “Why don’t head to the bedroom?” He wiggles his brows. Y/n rolls his eyes, “seriously?”

“What? Not my fault your attractive and hot—god I’m getting hard just having you here.” Adrian trails kisses down his neck as Y/n laughs, feeling a lot better with Adrian’s weird personality and bold speech.

[dccomicsimagines]

When We’re Together - Batfamily Imagine

Requested by @awickedsinger​  - Hi there. First of all I wanted to say that I absolutely love your writing. Like not even exclusive to a particular ship or batch of characters, just all of it. If it's not too much trouble, in the spirit of the holidays, could you write a Batfamily one where they are at the Wayne Christmas Gala and the reader (daughter) is singing a special solo song as a surprise (When We're Together from Olaf's Frozen Adventure) and the family gets emotional hearing her sing it??Again, only if it's not too much trouble. Thank you!!!

***

You pinched Dick’s arm. “Ow.” He turned his attention away from Barbara and back to you. “What was that for?”

“Where’s Jason?” you whispered, glancing around. You went on your tiptoes, hard to do in the high heels Alfred insisted you wear, to search the room. The ballroom was crowded with guests to the Christmas Gala. “He’s not here yet?”

“No. I don’t think so, kiddo. Give him time. He’s always late to these things.” Dick’s hand moved to ruffle your hair, but stopped when you leveled a batglare at him. It took you hours to get your hair done. “Sorry.”

You left Dick to flirt with Barbara to go find Damian. He was off in the corner with a plate of food. He nibbled on a piece of cheese, eyeing the room. “Have you heard from Jason?” you asked, nerves eating at your belly. Why couldn’t he be here on time? You begged him to be.

“TT, no. Why would he contact me?” Damian snorted, rolling his eyes. “Ask Drake.” 

You grumbled, marching away to find Tim. He sat at a table with Bruce, Selina, and a couple of businessmen. You slid up to him. “Is Jason coming?” you whispered in his ear.

Tim glanced at you. “Yeah, but he’s always late. Don’t worry.” He rubbed your back. “Stop looking so nervous. It’s going to go fine.” You noticed your father glanced over. Swallowing hard, you tried to smile at him calmly. Tim was the only one who knew your secret because he walked in on you practicing. He was so nosy. 

Duke came over and took a seat next to Tim. “I saw his bike outside if that helps,” Duke whispered before you could ask him. You grinned, running off toward the door. 

Cass and Steph were by the door. “Have you seen Jay?” you asked, grabbing Steph’s hand. 

“He just parked.” Steph squeezed your hand. “Give him a minute.” 

“Awesome, just in time.” You looked at Cass. “Can you make sure everyone stays in the ballroom? I have a surprise.” 

Cass nodded. Jason stepped through the door, dressed in an untucked button down shirt and slacks. You ran to him and jumped into his arms. He grunted like you took the breath out of him. Of course, he was faking. “Hi princess.”

“Finally. You were late.” Jason spun you around before setting you down. “I was waiting for you.” 

“You were?” Jason chuckled, letting you grab his hand and drag him deeper into the ballroom. You put him next to Dick. “What’s going on?” Jason asked him. Dick just shrugged. 

You left them quickly and went to find Alfred in the kitchen. He was organizing the appetizers to make sure they were sent out in the correct arrangements. “It’s time, Alfred.” You tugged on his sleeve. “Everyone is here.” 

“Good, Miss (Y/N).” Alfred smiled, leaving the kitchen with you. “I will prepare the music.” He patted your back. “Go up to the stage and get ready.” 

You hurried over, slipping around people to get up to the stage. Alfred was talking quietly to the band leader. You greeted them shyly. One came over. “Here you go, honey.” He handed you a mic. You smiled at him. He stepped to the side and held out his hand to let you go onto the stage. You slowly walked out. Your family was in the front as Cass had dragged them all up there. 

Most were confused when they saw you on stage. Tim smiled proudly, sending you thumbs up. You waved back at him as the music started. 

Sure, it's nice to open a gift That's tied up with a perfect bow But the greatest present of all Was given to me long ago  t's something I would never trade It's the family that we've made

Everyone in the room stopped to listen. You kept your eyes on your family. Damian was blushing while Steph, Cass, Tim, and Duke started to sway together. Bruce was dumb stuck. You had to swallow back laughter. Jason just grinned. Dick looked teary-eyed. Barbara patted his arm to comfort him, sending you a wink.

'Cause when we're together I have everything on my list And when we're together I have all I wished All around the Christmas tree There'll be dreams coming true But when we're together Then my favorite gift is you

Alfred caught your eye from the side of the stage. He nodded his head to the tune, smiling when he saw you watching him. 

I would travel miles and miles And I would follow any star I'd go almost any place If it's any place you are

Bruce crossed his arms, the pride shining in his eyes. You smiled brighter than before.

'Cause when we're together I'll forever feel at home And when we're together We'll be safe and warm Doesn't matter where we are If you're there with me

You took a deep breath to sing the next part only to feel someone’s hand your shoulder. “We got this sweetheart,” Selina whispered in your ear. You looked at her in surprise before grinning. She sang the next part with you.

'Cause when we're together That's my favorite place to be 'Cause when we're together It's a holiday every night And when we're together Then the season's bright

Selina kissed your cheek. Your family was still in awe. Their love and pride flooded over you.

I don't need the bells to ring I don't need the bells I'll know when it's here I'll know when it's here 'Cause when we're together I could stay forever And when we're together It's my favorite time of year

Applause filled the air. You grinned up at Selina, panting slightly. She hugged you tight. “Thank you for joining me.” 

“Well, you needed an Anna to your Elsa and I don’t think anyone else is up for the part,” Selina teased, kissing your cheek. 

You giggled, turning to be swarmed by the rest of the family. Dick kissed your cheek, tossing you in the air for a flying hug. Barbara, Steph, and Cass stole you from him and gave you a big group bear hug. Duke and Tim patted your back once you were freed from the girls. Jason grabbed you from them and flipped you over his shoulder. You screamed, laughing when he tickled you. Damian just nodded at you with a rare smile on his face. 

“Enough.” Bruce saved you from Jason. He hugged you tight. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” You melted into his arms. “Thank you.” 

“I wanted to surprise you all and show you how I felt.” You buried his face into his neck. “I love you, Dad.”

“I love you too.” Bruce kissed your cheek, setting you down on the ground and turning you to see Alfred. You ran to Alfred who opened his arms for you. 

“Thank you, Alfred. They were so surprised.” You hugged him tightly. Alfred rubbed your back, kissing the top of your head. 

“You’re welcome.” Alfred turned you to face the crowd. “Now I think your fans want an encore.” 

“An encore?” You blushed, but you looked at the rest of the family. “I suppose we could do something.” You giggled, taking the mic again. “We wish you a Merry Christmas.” The entire family joined in. Bruce scooped you up again. Selina hugged you from the other side, smashing you between them. You never felt so happy. 

[catxsnow]

YOU NOT HIM T.D.

Request: Can i request reader liking dick but he reject her because she is too young or something lol. But then tim has a crush on her and she slowly starts to fall for him. Then dick regrets it. Pretty please? 🙏 Thanks!

Warning: angst, mentions of blood, if you squint really hard mentions of sexual content, fluff

A/N: This might be one of my favourites 🥺����

Word count: 5.1k 

Bruce Wayne was somehow able to adopt all attractive children. Every single kid that he had living under his roof turned out to be ridiculously handsome later on in life. Dick, the oldest - a ladies man through and through. Jason had his whole 'bad boy' persona - though you knew him well enough to know he was nothing but a sweetheart.

Tim was nothing but lovable. He was kind and sweet to you since the beginning. Even Damian who was still young was going to grow up to be just like his father. They were all incredibly good looking people - all of which had made you weak in the knees.

You had been running alongside Bruce and his family for a couple years. Long enough to have known their identities and long enough to be an equal with them. It was had being a sidekick to the great Batman, but you had made do. Being partners with Tim worked fine, but the moment he left, you did too.

Years of training, hard work, and pining over Dick Grayson. The only problem being - he was twenty-six and you were just past the age of eighteen. Far too young for him and in his eyes, way too immature. That didn't stop you from liking him more and more every time you saw him.

You had even gone out of your way to move to Bludhaven to be closer to him. Working more cases in the night with him, getting every chance that you got to be with him. You were hopelessly yearning for him.

Dick Grayson was perfect. He was kind, patient, a total badass. In all your time of knowing him, he always took his time with you no matter the situation. If you couldn't get a proper training move down, he'd stay with you until you got it. Having trouble with your school work - he'd sit with you and figure it out.

He truly was the perfect man, and you wished nothing more to know if he felt the same way. So, the next time you saw him - you risked everything. You told Dick of your feelings for him, how you wished to be together and be the one to love him. You spilled your heart out to him, hoping that he would accept you.

As you should have known, he didn't. Dick saw you as nothing but a little sister he never had. You were far too young for him. His love for you was always there, just not in the way that you had hoped. Heartbroken, you assured him that you understood him and that everything was okay. As long as you didn't lose him forever, that was what mattered the most.

You were thankful that Dick didn't make things awkward between you. Every time you saw him it seemed just like old times - but now you knew not to get your hopes up anymore. Dick had made his choice, and he wasn't going to change it.

With a broken heart, you moved back to Gotham. Back to working with Batman and Robin- neither of which you were fond to be back with. Things weren't the same, Bruce and Damian didn't need you anymore. You would fly solo unless it was some sort of big raid - often times having to go home to an empty apartment where you would have to sew your own wounds.

You missed what your life was like in Bludhaven. Going back would be too hard, you needed to distance yourself from Dick, let these feelings simmer away until there was nothing left. At least, you hoped that was what was going to happen.

Another night of Gotham and another night of blood soaking through your suit. It had only been a few weeks since you had been back but it felt like a lifetime. Gotham was draining and you forgot how terrible it treated you.

"Heard you were back in town," a voice called out. You were in the bathroom, trying to stitch up the cut along your torso. The sudden arrival had caused you to jump, making your wound even worse. "Oh fuck, sorry."

Tim Drake stood at your door. He wore jeans and a t-shirt that showed just how much stronger he had gotten since you had last seen him. You glared at him between winces of pain. Tim carefully grabbed the needle and thread from your bloody hands, wordlessly taking your place and finishing the job.

"What the fuck, Tim," You snapped. Since being home, you were in no mood to speak to anyone of the Wayne family. It was nice being on your own for a while. Besides, he was supposed to be with the Teen Titans right now. "What are you doing here?"

"Heard you were back in Gotham," He repeated earlier. His stitching jabbed you a little too violently and you jerked at the pain. Without realizing you had latched onto his thigh to try to dim the searing hurt that ran up your body. You never noticed Tim's breathing catch in his throat and the heat that crawled up his neck. "Thought I'd come by and see you."

"How'd you find me?" You asked. You never told anyone where you had set up your new home. Tim only gave you a look - of course. He knew how to find you, he could find anyone if he so wanted to it wasn't too difficult. You appreciated him for going out of his way to meet up with you.

Tim finished the last stitch and wiped away the rest of the blood that stained your skin. He placed a white bandage over it and stretched his back from being crouched for so long. Without missing a beat, he followed you to your room, watching you rummage through your drawer to find a t-shirt to wear.

"I'm guessing you didn't just come for a visit," You continued. Tim leaned against your door, arms crossed over his chest. While he explained himself, you went out to clean up your weapons used from the night, something to keep you busy and your mind off the idea that he might bring up Dick's rejection.

"I came to see if you wanted to join me," He announced. You raised an eyebrow at him. So many times you had explicitly stated that you wanted no part of any team. After learning everything from Batman, you picked up on his undesirable trait of not wanting to be part of a team. Whether it was the Justice League or the Teen Titans.

You scoffed and pushed past him to retrieve your bloody suit. It would need to be fixed and cleaned up before tomorrow night. Tim followed you through your small home. He had wanted you to join for a long time, now that you were done your little escapade in Bludhaven, it was the perfect chance to convince you.

"Come on, you're coming home with wounds every night and I'm worried about you," Tim tried to change your mind. Your eyes narrowed at his words - this hadn't been the first time that he had seen you in Gotham.

"You've been following me?" You asked, but more so looking for confirmation. Tim hung his head in shame. He felt like an idiot for letting that slip - you shouldn't have known about it. It had been several days that he had been in Gotham. Bruce knew, he never told you until now.

"I was worried about you," Tim confessed. "I heard about what happened with Dick and I didn't want you to do anything drastic." More like he was hoping that he could be the one to swoop in and win your heart. You were only a year older than Tim, but while you were pining after Dick, he was pining after you.

Those years as being partners he had fallen in love with you. He loved the way that you were so excited to save people, how you were so easily able to solve problems, and the way you smiled when you were excited. This whole time, you hadn't noticed because you were so busy with trying to sway Dick.

You cringed at him revealing knowing about what happened between you and Dick. That was the last thing you wanted to hear come from him mouth - it was embarrassing. You didn't even want to think about what it would be like if Damian found out what had happened; he would never let you hear the end of it.

"I'm not going to work with a team of kids," you kept up with your answer.

"They - we - aren't kids. I just thought maybe you'd like some fresh faces," Tim argued. The selfish part of him wanted you to come just because he wanted to see you. He wouldn't tell you that, not yet anyways.

You had to admit, the idea of getting out of Gotham and seeing some fresh faces sounded a little too perfect to you. It would be nice to put Batman and Co. on the back burner until this stupid flutter in your heart for Dick went away. As much as you didn't want to join a team, it was your best option.  

The bloody suit in your hand dropped to the ground. Maybe it was time for a completely new revamping. New name, new suit, new team, new city. You had been the same vigilante for years - Dick, Jason, even Tim had all grown out of their original stage and into something new. Maybe it was time for you to do so too.

"You know what? Fuck it."

><

"Tim!" You screeched. Your face was bright red from all the blood flowing to it. Everything was viewed upside down and you were starting to get dizzy.

It had been well over a year since you had joined the Titans. They were all excited to see you there, many faces that you had never seen before and even more that you liked to consider friends. Bart, Kon, Cassie - you were all so excited to see them. Joining this team seemed like a pain but the second you stepped into the tower you knew you made the right choice.

Your new persona made you feel alive again and you were more ready than ever to get back out on the streets to kick some ass. This new life that you created here, it was something that you never thought you would be able to do. For the first time in a long time, you felt happy, at home. Something that never truly happened at the Manor.

"Tim! Let me go!" You laugh echoed through the massive room. The two of you had been training - though at that moment neither of you were taking it seriously in the slightest. Tim had grabbed you by the thighs and hauled you over his shoulder, running around and not letting go.

You slapped his ass, hoping that it would be enough to get him to let you go. Instead, he slapped yours even harder. Thankfully he set you back down on the ground, but didn't considering letting you out of his hold. Tim pulled you against his chest, kissing you long and sweet to make up for his behavior.

"Sorry, my love," Tim smirked. No he wasn't.

Maybe the reason that you were so happy with you new life was because of Tim. Tim Drake had been the one to convince you to change homes, and the one to wiggle his way in to mend your broken heart. He had stood by your side through thick and thin, doing everything in his power to make you feel better.

Along the way, he had also gotten you to fall in love with him. Dick was out of your mind, every thought now consumed by Tim. The first year you were there, it was incredible to see such a change within you. Everyone saw it - Bart making the most fun of your growing feelings for Tim. Feelings that you denied for a very long time.

Everyone could see how hopelessly in love you were with each other. You hadn't been able to believe if for a long time. Tim was your friend, your partner - not a lover. There was no way that you saw him like that, right? You had never been so wrong in your entire life.

Maybe these feelings for Tim had always been there. Maybe you were just too busy following Dick around that you didn't have the time to realize it. Or maybe he had brought out a side of him that you hadn't realized existed. You saw him differently than you had when he was Robin.

It was one night that the two of you were alone in the tower - a first since you had been there - that had gotten you to admit your feelings. The night was calm and you guys took the opportunity to play a movie on the big screen. Unfortunately for you, the whole movie you had been consumed with the idea of kissing him.

A perfectly timed sex scene had given you a strange amount of courage. You couldn't take this tension with him anymore. So, you had nearly leaped on top of him, pressing your lips against his. Tim didn't hesitate to react to it, kissing you back and pulling you onto his lap. You straddled him, fingers threading through his hair as he desperately tried to peel your clothes off.

After a very embarrassing, almost naked, confrontation with your teammates that had suddenly arrived, you and Tim became inseparable. Several months of dating and you knew that you had made the right choice with him. Tim cared about you in ways that you never thought a man would do for you.

"Yeah, yeah," You waved him off. Your face was finally going back to normal as the blood flow balancing out. "There's a lot of ways you could make it up to me, you know?" You grinned, hands trailing up his bare chest.

"Oh yeah?" Tim placed his hands on your hips, pulling you completely flush against him. He trailed soft kisses up your neck, eager to hear what you were thinking. "What'd you have in mind?"  

Suddenly, your foot hooked into his ankles and you pulled his legs out from right under him. Tim groaned as his back painfully hit the training mat and a disappointed look filled his eyes. "Buying me lunch."

Tim didn't let you get very far. He pulled the same move as you did and brought you down on the mat. Tim trapped you beneath him, his legs on either side of yours and hands by your shoulders. You could get out if you so wished - but you didn't.

You were thankful he let your hands free. You placed them on either side of his face and pulled him down so you could connect your lips. There were many times that you would be in the training room, Tim convincing you to make out and every time someone would walk in. This time you felt dangerously brave.

Tim gasped as your hands trailed down his chest and towards his shorts. "You really want to risk that right now?" He asked between kisses. You responded without words, and instead adding pressure to your hold. Tim groaned into your neck, there was no way that he could say no to you.

"Tim!"

You had never seen your boyfriend jump off of you so quickly before. The voice hadn't belonged to any of your teammates and the tone of it wasn't scolding, it was excited. Whoever it was, obviously hadn't fully seen what had been going on. You should have expected that you wouldn't get what you wanted.

"(Y/N)?" Dick Grayson faltered in his spot. It was the first time that he had seen you since he had let you down. Nearly two years without seeing how much you had grown.  He had heard that you had moved into the tower, but it had been a long time since you had gone home to Gotham.

Tim went without you, working with Bruce for a few cases here and there. No one had visited the tower while you were there and you had to admit that you were thankful for it. Leaving your past behind - besides Tim - it was refreshing. Seeing Dick again had brought back a tug in your heart that you thought was long gone.

"Dick," You half smiled. His hair was shorter than last time you had seen him. Muscles more defined than ever. The bags under his eyes were worse but his smile was still the exact same. Dick hadn't expected you to be with Tim, not romantically. You never seemed interested in him growing up.

Your breathing caught in your throat. After seeing him for the first time in a long time, you didn't realize the wave of emotions that would come. You were confused by everything flooding your brain - hope, guilt, desire, even anger.

"You look great," he complimented, bringing you in for a hug. It was true. You had grown a lot in these two years. Different hair, more fit than you ever been in your life. Being on this team had done you good in more ways than one.

"What're you doing here?" Tim asked. Dick stared as you interlocked hands with your boyfriend.

"I'm, uh, taking Kori's place as team leader for a little while," Dick explained. Kori had mentioned before that she was going to need to take some time away. She never said what for or when, but she must have had to leave sooner than anticipated. "You guys are together?"

"Yep," your voice strained. You never imagined that this reunion would be so tense. It was easier to see Dick right after he had let you down than it was now. For some reason, his appearance had created a tension. You weren't sure if it was from you, or if Tim was suddenly jealous of his older brother, or Dick was just uncomfortable with it all.

"Congrats," Dick nodded. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head. A sudden noise came from outside the room. "I'm gonna go see everyone else I guess. See you later tonight?" You and Tim both nodded in sync. It seemed like the moment that he stepped out of the room, you both let out a breath of air.

"That was weird, right?" You asked, staring at the door that Dick left from rather than up at Tim. You couldn't have been the only one to find that whole confrontation painful. Tim nodded in agreement. His jaw was tight and he glared at the door Dick just left from. "Wait a second, you're not jealous of Dick, are you?"

"No!" Tim defended. Unfortunately for him, you could tell that he was lying. "He was your first love! It's only been two years since he told you he didn't feel the same way. Besides, you didn't see the way he was looking at you. I just..." He trailed off, unsure if he was willing to say what was on his mind.

"You're worried I still have feelings for him," You finished. Tim wearily nodded. You placed your hands at the base of his neck, thumb brushing against his jawline. Tim was forced to look you in your eyes, as much as he didn't want to at this moment. "I love you, Tim. Only you. You have nothing to worry about."

You pulled him down for another kiss. Tim finally melted into your hold. He knew that you loved him, genuinely. However, it was still hard to have Dick be living in the same home as you once again. He felt childish for being jealous for no reason. Dick had already stated that he didn't have feelings for you - he didn't need to worry now.

At least he hoped.

><

Apparently Tim did have something to worry about - and it wasn't you.

Dick's time in the tower extended longer than he imagined it too. He was only supposed to be there for a week or two, now it had been nearly a month. While it was nice to have him around, especially on missions, Tim was eager for his brother to leave them again. He hated when the two of you spent time together.

Maybe it was just him being jealous, maybe he was paranoid. Either way, whenever it was the two of you alone, Tim got antsy. Kon was the first to notice. He assured his best friend that he had nothing to worry about - as far as his Kryptonian sense could tell, you didn't have any feelings for Dick.

Tim found himself spending more nights in your room, keeping you in bed longer than he normally would in the mornings. He even held hands with you more often; you had enjoyed his affection, even though you knew where it had stemmed from.

It was an afternoon of training did he finally have enough. Dick was using you as a partner to show off some new moves for all the team to learn. The two of you danced around the mat, anticipation running high. You were both drenched in sweat, breathing heavy from your previous spar.

"Come on, Big Bird," You taunted. Dick hated that name, it only reminded him of Sesame Street. He hadn't heard that name in a long time - not since he had seen you last. For some reason, it had caught him off guard enough for you to make your strike. Dick reoriented himself rather quickly.

Instead of you taking him down, he had roughly slammed you to the floor. Dick hovered over you, eyes soft as he met yours. Ever since he had been back with you in the tower, there was something eating him alive. Guilt? Shame? He tried to blame his feelings on those but he knew what it was: regret.

Dick regretted letting you go all those years ago. When he was asked to take over the Titans Tower, he was excited to see you. In two short years he had hoped that you hadn't moved on. Not seeing you nearly every day left a hole in his chest and he didn't realize what it was until seeing you again.

Upon realizing that you were with Tim, he felt his heart crack. Of course he had lost his chance with you - and it was no one to blame but himself. Dick pushed you away because he thought you to be too young, when in reality he was just scared of hurting you.

"Dick!" Tim's voice echoed throughout the training room. There was a harsh tone to it, full of jealousy and frustration. It had broken him out of his trance. Dick hadn't realized just how long he had been pinning you down. You tried to wiggle out of his grasp but he was far too strong to get of without hurting him. He had been completely lost in thought being that close to you again.

He shook his head to rid those thoughts, thoughts of you. Dick pushed himself up off the ground and stuck his hand out for you to grab. You didn't take it. Instead, you moved back to Tim's side. He instantly swooped down to kiss your lips. Dick knew what Tim was doing - he was being possessive of you. It was easy to notice with the glare that followed. 

"That's it for today," Dick announced. He left the training room, followed by the rest of your team. It was only Tim, Bart, and Cassie that knew about your history with Dick. Bart and Cass both gave you a weary look as they walked by you. For once, you felt uncomfortable under their gaze.

Finally, it was just you and Tim left. He stared at the floor, thoughts running through his head and keeping him in this trance. What was Dick thinking? Why was he acting like that? Like he regretted his choice with you? He was beyond angered at his brother for looking at you like he was.

You grabbed both of his hands, staring up at him as if he was the only thing that mattered in this world. Tim's gaze where Dick hovered of you wouldn't falter - and sadly you had known exactly what he was thinking. Dick was a ladies man, he knew how to flirt his way through everything and he certainly knew how to flirt with you.

If there was one person in this world that could convince you to leave Tim, it was Dick. He was the one to have your heart first, not Tim.

"Babe," you finally spoke. Your hands slid up his arms until cupping his face. Tim finally met your eyes with a broken look. "I love you, and only you. I need you to know that."

"I do," he whispered. It sounded as if he didn't believe himself, and in some ways, he didn't. All his life he grew up wondering how Dick got women so easily. Now, as soon as he finally gets you, Dick comes back with god knows what intentions. "I love you, too."

"Big Belly Burger?" You offered. Tim hinted at a smile, somehow you always managed to make a dark room light.

"You're buying."

><

You had managed to avoid Dick for the rest of the week. Patrol was exclusively with Tim, training you were paired with Cassie, even at dinner you would sit as far as possible from him. Whether it was because you were good at avoiding him, or if he was putting in the effort as well, you didn't mind the space.

It was your teammates that would catch Dick glancing at you at random points in the day. No one would ever say anything about it, but they all knew that something was going on between the two of you - or something had gone on. In all your time there, it seemed like Tim was the only one on your mind, they didn't think Dick had an important role as well.

It wasn't until the end of the week did Dick corner you. It was late at night, Tim was asleep in your bed and the others were all in their rooms. You found yourself in the kitchen for a late night snack and some tea. One of the few times that you were alone, he knew that he needed to talk to you and set things straight.

"(Y/N)," Dick startled you. Your back was towards him and the sound of his voice had caused you to jump - along with spill boiling hot tea on your hand. "Shit, sorry," he apologized. Dick ran cold water on the tap and gestured for you to put your hand under. Instead, you turned the water off and dried your warm skin.

You didn't want his help.

"What do you need, Dick?" You asked. Tired bags were under your eyes as you looked to him. What he had done at the start of the week had been keeping you up all night.

"I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry," Dick began. "I'm sorry for hurting you all those years ago, I'm sorry for the other day, I'm sorry for not realizing your feelings sooner... and mine. I didn't realize how much I cared about you until seeing you again, or I guess seeing you with Tim. I know that I'm a day late and a dollar short, but I needed to tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"Tell you that I love you," Dick revealed. His arms were crossed over his chest and he avoided your gaze. It took him two years to realize his mistake of missing out on you and he regretted it. He wished that he hadn't been so ridiculous to think your age mattered - now when in the grand scheme of things it wasn't even a big age gap.

Your breathing stopped for a second. Two years ago you would have been ecstatic to hear those words come from his mouth. That was all you wanted to hear from him. Now, now the words sent a chill down your spine and left you with a dry mouth. You didn't want to hear that from him anymore.

The grip on your mug tightened until you swore the ceramic was going to crack. You let out a huff of air, frustrated with his words. Why was he telling you this now? To ruin your relationship with Tim? To win your heart back? You loved Tim, and that was the end of the story. Dick was your friend, that was all.

"I think it's time you head back to Bludhaven, Dick," You met his eyes once more. The team would do fine without him or Kori for a few more days. Right now, you just wanted him gone. You didn't want to have to look Dick in the eyes knowing that he loved you and you no longer felt the same way.

The distance apart had done wonders on you, now he needed to do the same. Forget about you, find someone else. You wanted Dick to be happy, to be in love. He was still basically your family, you always wanted what was best for him. Being around you after this revelation? That was far from what was best.

"I'm sorry," Dick apologized once more.

"So am I," you placed a hand on his shoulder as you walked by. You paused at the doorway, debating whether or not to tell him that you wished him all the best. In the end, you decided against it and walked back towards your room.

Tim was still asleep in your bed. His back was exposed and the covers were down to his waist. Snores filled the silent room, muffled by the pillow that he was hugging. This was the love of your life. You were always meant to be with Tim, never Dick. It might have taken you over half a decade to realize it, but it was well worth the wait.

The mug of tea that you had made for yourself was set on your desk and long forgotten. Instead, you slipped into bed with Tim, who stirred at your appearance. The pillow he was hugging was replaced with you and he snuggled into the crook of your neck. Tim sleepily left a kiss against your skin, too tired to fully wake.

"I love you, Timmy. More than anyone," You whispered. He was already back asleep, unaware of the words you spoke. Unaware of the conversation that you had with Dick. It was best that he didn't know. You and Dick were adults, there was no childish rivalry needed. You didn't want to be the one to ruin a brotherly relationship.

Tim had you, that was all that mattered.

[good-rwbyaus]

Emerald Batgirl AU: has Emerald met the Red Hood yet? Has she met any of the other Robins yet?

If so, what does Emerald think of them? And how fid their first interactions go?

As time went by Emerald got to know pretty much all of Bruce's other kids and sidekicks, to... varying reactions

Nightwing:

He's the older brother she never knew she would want to have but now couldn't imagine losing

When she was still getting used to Bruce and his habits, Dick reassured her that it's just how he is and he does care about all of them in his own strict way

She learns a lot of acrobatic tricks from him, and he ends up becoming her preferred sparring partner when he's in town

He has lots of funny stories about Batman's earlier years and the learning curve Bruce had going from solo work to having a partner

Red Hood:

In Jason she finds a kindred spirit, and they bond over tales of street urchin life

He tried to flirt with her when they first met, and she slapped him for it. He laughed at that, and told her she had real fire. Still, he never tried anything like that again

She laughs harder than she has in a long time when she learns how he met Batman, because "Who just steals the tires off a random super car?"

Seeing someone so much like her is still welcomed and appreciated in the family gives her hope for her how situation

Being the most rough and tumble, he patrols in Vacuo so he always has crazy desert stories

They usually end up getting into trouble together, twin terrors of brutal justice on the streets

Red Robin:

Tim is an... interesting case. She's heard stories about him, what he's like, but for the longest time she'd never actually seen him

Empty coffee cups, crooks with broken bones complaining about a punk with a staff, and there seems to be a running joke about her getting "tested" one day... he's like a cryptid among vigilante urban legends

Finally she does meet him and... he's this wiry little geek with his face buried in his laptop and a mug always handy. It's rather disarming.

She hadn't even meant to stumble across him, she just came down to the kitchen in the middle of the night for an ice pack and saw him sitting at the counter working on a case like it was no big deal. She assumes he's an intruder until he gives her a nod and says "you must be Emerald. Tim Drake". She goes back to bed and dismisses it as fatigue hallucinations until she sees him at breakfast with Bruce the next morning

Once they do actually talk more often she gets a soft spot for the kid. He's got enough sass to match her, and she loves watching Dick cringe when Tim tells the story of how he cracked Batman's secret identity.

Eventually Jason drags Tim into her room and tells him "C'mon, give her the test." It went like this...

Emerald: The what?

Jason: As you heard with Wing Ding, Tim's really good at figuring out people's secret identities. So today, he's doing yours. We call it "the Tim Test"

Em: Is this really necessary?

Tim: No, it's really not but its like a rite of passage so let's get this over with. You fail.

Em: What, just like that? What do you mean I fail?

Tim: Bruce Wayne adopts a green haired dark skinned girl and suddenly Batman has a new sidekick whose costume exposes those same uniquely specific qualities? You're Batgirl, you fail.

Em: Alright, fine...

Robin:

Much like his dynamic with Jason, Damian is frequently at odds with Emerald and the two bicker often.

She called him a sassy lost child the first time they met, and he's taken that personally ever since. Meanwhile she resents that he's probably going to always be preferred in Bruce's eyes since he's the blood son. Still, she can't really hate him

They do bond over his veritable zoo of pets, and he helps her tame a pet snake. Her little brother is pretty chaotic, but he's alright in her book

She helps him play pranks on the others just to stir things up, and as the only other person with a bladed weapon they train together frequently

If you want her feelings on the prior Batgirls, feel free to ask for a sequel

[spooky-z]

In your pack au it says that the Fam know about everything since the pack thought that it would be easier this way instead of having to explain everything later, but what about the other superheros? What would happen if on a mission Damian is captured or hurt and the other heros/JL/Teen Titans members are panicking only to have this group of FERAL animal themed heros bust in to save the day?

Here it is. 1.3k of badass pack!

PACK’S FURY

Warning: blood. Lots of blood and violence. Gore (I think) and Dark.

Blood.

There was blood, a lot of blood.

Damian's blood.

Damian, who was as limp as a rag doll in Bruce's arms after being hit by a bullet.

Weak pulse, unconscious.

Everyone was fighting and she should be doing the same, but the sight of Damian, fragile and broken, was glued to her eyes. Burning like fire soaked in alcohol.

Everything Marinette was capable of feeling; anger running through every part of her body, from the sole of her foot, to the root of her hair. The fear of losing someone she loved. Impotence for not being able to prevent it from happening ...

She was ready.

Ready to finish.

To destroy.

To avenge.

And the pack, like her, wanted blood.

They wanted to hunt, bite, tear, crush, vaporize those responsible for this.

Viperion looked at Ladybug, he was barely able to control himself, wanting permission. A signal. Chat Noir had its claws embedded in the concrete. Queen Bee buzzed like an angry beehive. Ryuko had smoke coming out of her nose. Pegase and Roi Singe had murderous expressions.

They were waiting for the alpha prime command.

And Ladybug was already tired of waiting for Batman's signal.

They were losing.

A green hero - whom she vaguely resembles Damian calling him Garfield - had been knocked out by two villains. The shadowy girl in the cloak was overwhelmed looking after another group while trying to protect him.

Nightwing, Red Robin, Red Hood and Blue Beetle were trapped and injured by dozens of men.

Star Fire fought and tried to cover Batman, who protected Damian.

Meanwhile, the man who had shot Damian, watched everything as if it were the best comedy film he had ever seen.

"... Leave him to me." She says, her voice clinical and emotionless. “Make them regret hurting what's belongs the pack. I want them to suffer.”

It didn't take much more words for the group to come out of hiding and attack.

Chat Noir's cataclysm vaporized dozens at once; Queen Bee paralyzed everyone she could, while Roi Singe and Pegase destroyed them; Ryuko cremated everyone who dared to get close; Viperion took no care in breaking necks.

They paved the way for alpha prime to reach her goal.

American heroes - and aliens - looked horrified by the bloodbath. The mad eyes. The cruel smiles when blood spilled and the henchman fell dead on the floor.

"My God." Nightwing whispered, incredulous of what he was watching.

Children who were once pure sun and rainbows were now bloodthirsty demons looking for revenge. He felt his stomach churn.

Red Robin believed that it could only be a hallucination induced by some toxin, because it couldn't be real.

Red Hood had sat on the floor, worn out and not at all surprised. He knew what potentialized hatred was capable of doing to even the best of men.

Blue Beetle, Raven and Beast Boy - who had woken up - retreated amid the carnage. That group was an uncertain and unstable group, they didn't know if they could be trusted.

Star Fire was in a defensive position, even though she knew who they were, instinct speaking louder than reason. Her tension grew when one of them, all in green with scales, approached her and Batman.

The whole place froze watching the scene.

He held out his arms to the man, paying no attention to her.

"Give him to me." Demanded.

Batman stepped back as if to hide Robin from the other hero, but the angry whistle and the icy gaze held him in place.

"I said, give him to me." He waved his hands. “You don't want to face the fury of the pack, Batsy. We are not in our best mood right now, so you better cooperate.”

Batman hesitated for a moment, but ended up handing Robin over to the other hero.

"What-" Star Fire murmured confused when Robin was placed on the floor.

The boy did not seem to have heard her as he bent over Robin's body, placing his left hand over the bullet wound in the kevlar.

For a moment, she thought he was mourning over his body, but then his hand began to shine and the glow began to envelop the vigilant’s entire body. The light show didn't last barely five seconds before it went out and Robin stood up in panic, choking on the air.

The chest, where there should have been a bullet hole, now fully healed. No traces of blood.

He looked confused at everyone, before his gaze landed on the scaly hero.

“Viperion? What are you doing here?"

The hero sighed in relief and smiled.

"We came to take what was ours, Ure."

"We...?" And then he noticed the unusual color in the place.

Queen Bee strangling the last henchman on the floor.

"Did you come to Gotham because of me?!" He complained.

Viperion opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted.

"We would go to hell for the pack, my love." Ladybug replied.

She was standing in the center of all the carnage. The red-spattered face and the black gloves of the suit, dripping blood on the concrete floor. At her feet, Harvey Dent – Two-Face - lay dead. The jaw completely broken, the left eye missing and the right arm at an unnatural angle.

Damian's heart raced at the sight.

His angel had become a demon and all he could think about was how he wanted to kiss her breathlessly.

"We have a rule of not killing, Ms. Ladybug." Batman cut Robin's line of thought. "You and your... pack... just killed thirty men without mercy."

The pack made a mocking sound.

Ladybug raised an eyebrow at the man.

"And...?" Her voice was icy. “They took what is mine. They hurt and almost killed him.” The Parisian heroes - except Viperion, who still held Robin - approached her. "No one who hurts the pack, survives to tell a story."

Batman sighed tightly.

"Even so. We don't do that in Gotham.”

Ladybug put a finger to her chin, eyes away; seeming to ponder the man's words before focusing on him again. The face contorted in an animalistic expression.

"So, the next time Robin is sent on a solo mission, keep in mind that if he suffers any serious injury, it will happen again." She smiled bestially. “You're lucky that I'm not around your neck, Batsy. Because that's what I want to do.”

And everyone felt the truth in those words.

She was prepared to burn the whole world if the pack was attacked.

BONUS:

"Bro, Robin's girlfriend is scary like him." Beast Boy whispered to Blue Beetle.

"Her friends too." The bluish hero replied. “And what is this about a pack? Does it have to do with those animal suits?”

They didn't notice the presence behind them, until it was too late.

"You are very curious, huh." Chat Noir put his arms around the shoulders of the two heroes, who jumped in fright. He had a smile that would seem docile, if it weren't for the sharp look. “But I think it's better if you keep that curiosity for yourself. It's just like that proverb: curiosity killed the cat and I'm sure you don't want to die, right?"

Beast Boy and Blue Beetle nodded violently.

Chat Noir smiled even more.

"Great!" He released both of them and clapped his hands, passing them. “It was nice to finally meet the other Ure partners. I hope to be able to fight alongside you again in the future. Have to go now! Bye!" He waved and a portal opened in front of him, swallowing the hero and disappearing.

The american heroes were paralyzed by what had happened.

"I really hope I don't have to meet them again."

"I agree."

I hope I have met your expectations.

[flying-nightwing]

Act IV: The Finale

Hi people! Finally the last part of this short serie! Honestly I had no expactation for it but I think it might slither into my all time favourite things I’ve written. I won’t lie, I think I’m in love with this last chapter. I feel like it’s the part we really understand both characters and their motivations in relation to each other. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! 

Edit: I realize I have kept this gender neutral! so I change it on the infos on the first part and this one

Parts 1-3 in Masterlist!

Pairing: Tim Drake x gender neutral reader

Word count: 3456

Warnings: language, mention of violence (non-graphic)

“... And this is why I have taken the decision to repeal the vigilante act. All measures taken by the city and GCPD to collaborate with vigilantes on the matters listed are to be repelled at this instant. We will no longer tolerate criminals telling us how to protect our city and all arrest mandates out for vigilantes are to be reactivated--”

Tim passed a hand in his face after Bruce turned off the TV. There was some serious tensions going on in the batcave, especially after this gruesome live tape of the mayor, visibly held hostage in some kind of basement, delivered the new order to cancel all the work they had achieved to at least stop the cops from trying to hunt them down instead of focusing on actual crime. 

The first thing he had done once he came back to the cave was to research you in any database he could hack into. He started in the state registry, knowing you had told him you had been an orphan. He had no idea what was a lie and what wasn’t in what you had told him, but that was apparently true. The picture attached was a younger version of you, that was clear, but any update on your whereabouts stopped at age 11. Then, he tried to look for a driver’s license, passeport, any ID documents you could have. He also hit a dead end with that too, so he looked into less savory types of repertories. 

He finally found you in the mercenary databases, with a clear, recent picture and your… Impressive record. As he scrolled down your list of confirmed hits, he felt his stomach sink further and further. Marco Rizzo, the philanthropist, the kidnapped mayor, and it went on and on. What truly put him on the floor, however, was to see your credentials. You were Falcone’s main gun and you had trained under various mentors including Slade Wilson, out of all people.

You were the real deal and he had let himself fall for you, hard.

He felt stupid now. Did you even know who he was at night? Had you gone to him to throw him off your scent? Even after discovering all of this about you, a part of him still hoped you had no clue. It would hurt less to know it was a coincidence you bumped into each other rather than a calculated move from you. 

“So… Your date uh?”

Tim cringed when Bruce spoke up. It was even worse to hear it out loud. 

“I don’t wanna hear it” He mumbled, keeping his eyes dead set on the wall. He knew he had acted irresponsibly, he knew he should have seen the signs sooner, he knew he should have remained alert and not let himself be charmed by you, or let himself be sidetracked from his mission. It was a rookie mistake. 

“Talk about sleeping with the enemy” Damian snorted from behind them. Tim turned around, glaring at him. He was sitting in a computer chair, casually eating noodles with chopsticks and watching the exchange like it was a movie. Of course, the demon had spied on the conversation.

“Damian!”

“What?” He looked at Bruce, shrugging nonchalantly.

Bruce sighed, shaking his head. He returned his attention to Tim again. “What do you want to do now?”

Tim didn’t reply straight away. He was conflicted, angry, sad, disappointed; he had rarely felt such a cocktail of emotions like that. On one hand, he wanted to wallow in self pity. It seemed like the one thing left to do, as life finally sent someone he could see himself get with but made them the exact opposite of what he stood for. But he couldn’t, he had to put a stop to this madness. He had to confront you. 

“We’ll need to set a trap” He finally spoke, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “A contract that can’t be refused, draw them out. I’ll take care of it, it’ll be better that way”

“Are you sure you’ll be up to it?”

“Yes” Tim snapped, and Bruce took a careful step back. “I won’t be fooled twice. I can do it”

“Alright, just making sure” Bruce wasn’t convinced, but he still trusted his son. He knew he'd do the right thing if push came to shove. “What did you have in mind?”

Tim took a deep breath. “50 millions for a bullet in Bruce Wayne’s head”

---

It was too good to be true, and your suspicions of foul play were confirmed when your eyes spotted the red and black sticking out of the grim portrait of Gotham’s roof tops.

You knew something was up when you were offered a 50 millions solo contract. You usually went out for 15 millions for high profile targets, but curiosity got the best of you. The only thought of potentially pocketing that much money was enough of a motivation for you to at least find out what was up. But now, it was clear it was a set up as Red Robin himself was waiting for you. It was too bad for the money, but the prospect of facing a real Gotham vigilante for the first time was exciting. 

“I’ve beaten you twice already” You smirked. “You called me for a third?”

A scowl set on his masked face. “Trust me, there won’t be a third” He spoke up in a gravelling voice. “Either you come with me here and now, or we do this the hard way”

“Oh, now you’ve got me interested” You teased as you circled him. “Do tell me more about this hard way of yours”

He deployed his staff. Your eyebrows raised at his challenge. “You’re arrogant” He stated. He wasn’t wrong. “It’s gonna be your downfall”

“... Or not” You shrugged, not stopping your assessment of him. “Still waiting on the monologue detailing your plan to stop me, by the way”

“There isn’t one”

He lunged. He did it so quickly and smoothly you almost didn’t see him move. Your reflexes allowed you to roll out of the way just in time, and the way the staff collided with the cement told you it wouldn’t have been a long fight if that had hit its intended target: you. You looked at him and you regained your footing, reevaluating the situation. You were skilled, but you doubted it would be enough to go toes to toes with Red Robin, now that you had had a glimpse of what he could actually do.

You raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Catch me if you can”

Before he could process your world, you turned around and jumped off the building, landing on the roof a dozens of feet lower. You didn’t waste time taking off, knowing he would be right behind you. You ran across the rooftop and leaped off the ledge and above the alley to grab onto the fire exit on the next building over. You hurried to climb it, ending up on yet another rooftop. You ran alongside the pool and jumped over the tables, kicking them back to try and slow down Red Robin, who was little by little gaining on you. Fuck, he’s fast, you thought. You weren’t even tempting to look back, but you knew with the sound of his footsteps alone. 

You hadn’t planned on him being able to follow you that easily, not even cursing behind you as you took another jump over a considerable gap between buildings. You were fast, faster than most. Making exits had always been your strong suit, whether it was on foot, by car or otherwise. However, the only times you had faced him were when you had a rocket launcher as a deterrent or when you were driving an actual race car. Now that the field was levelled, you didn’t have the advantage anymore. You knew you wouldn’t be able to outrun him if you kept going on that way, so you had to change your strategy.

You took a sharp turn to the left and grabbed a clothesline, pulling out a knife from your belt and severing in behind your grip. You took a good running start and let yourself fall on the building on the other side of the street, pausing to glance at Red Robin standing where you had just been seconds ago. He was trying to find another way to cross, but there was none and even he couldn’t make that jump. You gave him a wave and a wink before taking off again. However, on the corner of your eyes, you still could see him tracking you relentlessly, not letting you get away so easily. 

You jumped over an alley, and instead of landing on the next roof, you aimed for the first balcony from the top. With your shoulder first and your head tucked in, you went straight through the sliding door window and rolled on the landing to smooth your fall. You glanced beside you at the terrified man in his underwear who was cowering on the couch and looked behind you, shrugging.

“Sorry for the mess” You didn’t wait until he replied to walk out the apartment. You jogged down the stairs, knowing Red Robin would have lost your trace now. Or so you thought.

You halted your steps when you noticed him waiting at the bottom of the staircase and leaning on the rail with a nonchalant expression, like it had been easy to predict you would come out that way. He returned the little sarcastic wave you had given him minutes earlier, making your face fall. You turned around and climbed back the steps back to the first floor, barging in and running across the hallway until you reached the window at the end. You took the time to open this one, seeing as he had not yet reached the floor. You slipped through it and climbed down the wall to land into the back alley. You were about to head for the streets when an already too familiar red and black figure blocked your way.

You took off in the opposite direction, well, until you came face to face with a brick wall. There was nothing to climb onto, no fire exit to use, no way to get away. You closed your eyes and cursed under your breath as footsteps reached you. He wasn’t in a hurry, his pace was tauntingly slow and confident he had you trapped. You recomposed yourself before turning around to face him.

“You forced me to make a mistake” You stated with a sigh. “Impressive”

“Told you” He said, taking a step toward you. “Arrogance did end up being your downfall”

“I don’t suppose we could have a rematch, uh?” You tried, smiling coyly. “That staff didn’t seem such a bad idea in hindsight”

“If you thought you could win then, you wouldn’t have dragged me into this pointless chase” He scoffed, and your eyebrows raised. He was right, but damn. “Unless you want a beating at that too”

“Ouch” You chuckled. “That really hurts my pride”

“Good” He smirked. “Now that you know you won’t get away from this one, just do the logical thing and surrender. There’s nowhere to go”

You held eye contact for a moment before slowly raising your hands. “Alright” You complied with a nod. “You earned that one”

He took careful steps toward you, alert to whatever quick move you would do. But you could recognize when you were beaten, so you didn’t plan any surprise move. Getting caught by a vigilante was an eventuality, even you knew you wouldn’t escape them forever. You just didn’t think it would have been this soon. He grabbed your wrists, and once he was sure he had you solidly enough, he twisted your arm behind you and pushed you rather roughly into the brick wall.

“Woah there champion” You coughed out in surprise. “I feel that spark between us, I really do, and I admit I am partially to blame for it, but I’m kinda seeing someone? And I’m really into him so if you could just. Stop manhandling me that way, that’d be great”

You felt him take a considerable step backward, and his grip on your arm dropped. You frowned, carefully turning around to face him. You didn’t understand why he had let you go, and his blush combined with his bewildered expression only made you more confused.

“Okay, what is going on, now?” You asked, not taking your eyes off him. It was like he was a completely different person now, and you couldn’t point out exactly why it was suddenly so familiar. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, jeez”

“I’m not” He defended too quickly, his voice wavering. Your eyes squinted even more as you took one step forward. He didn’t move, it was like he was frozen in place. “It doesn’t matter. It’s over for you”

“Uh” You took another step, and he squared up, trying to cover the fact he had totally lost his edge over you. You could have made a run for it, you knew it would have been ridiculously easy at that moment to evade him, but something held you back. You scrutinized him, your head tilting to the side. He gulped, and suddenly it all pieced together. That reaction to your flirting, you knew it all too well. Your eyes widened, before you gave him a sympathetic smile. “You know, while this mask does suit you, I prefer to see your eyes, handsome”

His muscles tensed for a second or two, but his shoulder sagged soon after. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. “How long have you known?”

Your eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean, how long?” You asked. “Thirty five seconds ago”

“You didn’t know before?”

“Uh, no” You replied. “What does it matter?”

“You… You didn’t go on a date with me to distract me from your trail?”

“No, I went on a date with you because I like you?” You raised an eyebrow. “I would have been way more careful with my lies if I had known, fuck I was so obvious, no wonder you figured it out. Besides, I just told you I’m really into you--”

You were surprised by the sudden movement of his arm that sneaked behind your neck and brought you flush against his lips. Okay then. You returned the kiss without hesitation holding on to his shoulders under the sheer force he was applying against you. It was a lot different from the shy boy you had met at the racetrack, but then again, he was Red Robin right now, more so than Tim Drake. You could have never connected the two if it hadn’t been from your flirting from up close. Before you knew, he tore himself from you and jumped back like you were actual fire, cursing under his breath. You blinked slowly at his sudden absence from your immediate vicinity, then rolled your eyes. Dramatic much?

“What is it now?”

“You’re still a criminal” Now he refused to meet your eyes. 

“Are you-- Is this because of what happened in the alley the other day?” You sighed, throwing your hands up before letting them fall back and slap on the side of your thighs. “I’m sorry, okay? I wouldn’t have ran you into the garbage pile if I had known it was you. And I wouldn’t have threatened you with a rocket launcher either-- Shit okay I see your point, I’m really sorry about that too”

“No!” He yelled. “I mean, yeah, kind of. But you kill people for a living, I can’t--”

“What does it change?” You asked. “You liked me before you found out. You were about to hand me to the police, I still like you! In fact, if you could ram me into the wall once again like you just did, I wouldn’t--”

“Please stop talking”

You grinned. “Does it turn you on?”

“Y-No” He replied, correcting himself last second. You raised a subjective eyebrow. “Stop that”

“Stop what?” You asked innocently. “I’m just saying it’s on the table. If I had known it was you when you did it, I would have enjoyed it so you’re welcome to do it again”

“Do you ever stop flirting?” He deadpanned. He crossed his arms against his chest, but it definitely didn’t have the intended effect. Instead, you just checked him out even more, since his muscles were very well defined in that suit. You liked it.

“With you? Not a chance, handsome”

And here came the blush again. He looked away and gulped, ignoring your self satisfied smile. You could do that all day and never get bored of it. Still, you regained a somewhat serious expression for the conversation that was inevitably coming.

“So now what?” You spoke up. “You give me to the cops? We pretend nothing happened between us? Because I’ll be honest with you, I don’t want that. I meant it when I said I liked you”

“My job is to stop crime, and the people who commit it” He began with a sigh. “I just can’t ignore the fact that you are one of the bad guy”

“That’s valid” You nodded slowly. “But this is just a job. I don’t do it for the power trip of taking people out, I do it because I’m good at it, and because I like the money that comes with it. Although, I’ll admit I do enjoy making dramatic exits from time to time--all the time”

Tim snorted. Of course you liked your exit, that had been obvious from the start. But even if he did not agree with your job, or with the lack of morals that came with it, he had to recognize the difference between you and the typical Gotham criminal. From what he had found out so far about you, you never caused casualties in any of your contracts. You always kept the mess to a minimum. You were a far cry from the Joker or Poison Ivy, for that matter.

Even if you couldn’t see his eyes clearly, you could just see the gears turning in his head. Would it be so bad if he let you go? What if he kept seeing you? He could agree with you on one thing: behind his reluctance because of your job, he really didn’t want to pretend nothing happened. He liked you a lot, and it absolutely frustrated him that the one god sent person he instantly clicked with was on the other side of his moral spectrum. 

“Tell me” You said softly, bringing back his attention to you. “If you had never found out about my job, would you have asked me on a second date?”

“Yes” He didn’t hesitate in his answer. It was like you could read his mind, reminding him of how well you fit together. He wanted both to scream and to kiss you again. 

You took a deep breath, letting him think some more. You could very much suspect the news of your activities was harder on him than his were on you, so you understood the need to let him a little space while he figured it all out. You had half expected him to go ahead with his initial plan though, so you prepared yourself mentally for him eventually binding your wrists and dragging you to the nearest precinct. 

That’s probably why you were surprised when he took a step aside, no longer blocking you from leaving. You didn’t move, only stared at him.

“I won’t give you a free pass if I catch you doing shady stuff” He sighed, gesturing to the exit of the alley. “ But for this time, I guess I’ll see you next time you do something stupid”

“Not before?” You raised an eyebrow. The corner of his lips slightly lifted.

“Maybe before”

“Is that a yes on the second date?” You asked, hopeful. “7:30 next Friday at that lobster place you mentioned?”

“Will you be working that night?”

“I won’t!” You hurried to confirm. “I swear I won’t”

He let out a long sigh like he was reconsidering his entire life. “What the hell, sure”

“Great!” You grinned wide, stealing a quick kiss on his lips. 

“Go, now” He ordered, gaining back his more authoritative vigilante voice. Oof, that was hot, you thought, but you kept it to yourself for once. “Before I change my mind”

“See you on Friday, handsome!”

He watched you run out of the alley, finding himself suddenly excited at the prospect of seeing you again, whether it would be as Red Robin or as himself on a date with you.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Busted?

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/PgItodR

by MyPride

Bruce had noticed that Damian had become more affable, socializing much more than usual at the charity evenings, and it was not uncommon to see him surrounded by beautiful young girls who seemed to hang on his every word, and Bruce, he admitted, couldn't help but wonder if any of them were interested in or dating his son. Damian had never exactly given the impression that he wanted to jump headlong into a relationship, but there was no question that he seemed very comfortable when he was around them. [...] "I was thinking about watching a movie tonight, how do you want your pizza, son?" Bruce asked him quickly, and Damian stopped his run only to look over the doorframe and give him a quick glance. "I'm not eating at home. I'm going out." Bruce gasped. Did he really hear what he heard? "You're going out? What do you mean, you're going out?" "What I said. Don't wait for me, Father." "Wait, Damian, what-!"

Words: 1717, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Batman (Comics)

Rating: General Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: Gen, M/M

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Damian Wayne, Jonathan Samuel Kent

Relationships: Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne, Jonathan Kent/Damian Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth & Bruce Wayne

Additional Tags: My english is bad as always, What-If, Naturally aged Jon, Slice of Life, Father-Son Relationship, Friendship/Love, Fluff and Humor, Bruce has the empty nest syndrome, Damian is just as big as Jason, muscular, Parenthood, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Fluff, Attempt at Humor, May I write 2023, Facebook: Non solo Sherlock - gruppo eventi multifandom

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/PgItodR

[jasonrae117]

Night at the Wayne Casino

Part 1

Word count: 1,732

Pairings: Damirae

Rating: Mature/eventual NSFW

Casino AU

The first night he saw her casually playing at one of the craps tables. She had been placing sloppy bets and then somehow hitting is big within a few more tries. He strolled by, inspecting the table, the dice, her, but he came up empty handed. It didn't make sense. Or maybe it did and it was luck for the beautiful woman. He hadn't seen her at this casino before nor any of the other ones he worked at but there was something off. He received the tip from the surveillance guy, Tim Drake. While he wasn't particularly fond of his coworker, he had never been wrong on one of his calls. Drake felt something was off too. 

"Jon, I'm going to run a sweep of the Titan room. Keep eyes on Lucky and report any suspicious activity immediately." Damian made his way to the other side of the casino for his regular walk of the floor. He couldn't be distracted by the suspect and leave the rest of the casino unguarded. 

Damian took his job very seriously. He was head of floor security and he had been protecting his father's casino since he'd been eighteen, five years later and he was the best of the best. He trained hard in many forms of combat to be ready for anything and he regularly kept up on psychological studies to better inform him on the subtle tells of body language and master mental manipulation to make him the best man for the job. His father was skeptical of putting his son on this task instead of on the business side of things. Damian excelled at analyzing profit margins and cutting expenditures where needed that would make the casino run more efficiently, but he didn't get the same satisfaction as he did when he caught a con. 

His floor partner, Jon Kent, was both his best friend (not that he had any other friends) but also his right hand man. Where he lacked in focus sometimes, he made up in enthusiasm and physical strength. Jon was sometimes too nice for the job and would often question Damian about the tactics he used to get information out of people or even if the suspects themselves were suspicious at all. The man was still good at his job albeit still somewhat inexperienced. 

Damian stopped by the surveillance room to have a word with Tim before continuing his sweep. Tim looked focused on the many monitors in front of him, sometimes muttering into his walkie to guide one of the other security teams. There were already three empty cups of coffee and another in his hand. Damian scrunched his nose at his coworker's unhealthy caffeine addiction. 

"Drake." 

"Woah, Damian scared me there."

"You can't be very good at your job if you didn't hear the keycard chime or the door opening." Damian narrowed his eyes, he was not one to play games.

Tim rolled his eyes. "Easy Damian, I was kidding. What do you need?"

"The suspect 'Lucky'. When did you deem her to be a potential threat?" He walked further into the office and started looking over the monitors.

Tim spun in his chair to another desk and picked up a notebook. He flipped through the pages until he found the notes he had on the woman. "Let's see. Attractive woman, fair complexion purple dyed hair, sexy powder blue dress, not wearing underwear….didn't need to say that out loud." He mumbled the last bits to himself. 

Damian snapped around, his temper starting to flare. Did Drake think this was a joke? "I didn't ask about her appearance or your sexual attraction to her. I asked when she was deemed a threat Drake." 

Tim nervously chuckled and turned the page. It seemed that he had taken quite a few notes about her appearance. "Here it is, 7:40pm. She had been previously seen roaming the rooms, never staying at a table for too long before moving on. She won or broke even 12 of the 15 times she played. Her behavior was what threw me. When she won she had almost no change in emotion, like she expected the outcome every time. She also made eye contact with every single camera over the course of 3 hours."

"Did she have a particular game she played most? Did she have anyone with her?" Damian snatched the notebook out of his hands and continued reading the notes.

"She spent a lot of time at the black jack tables. And fortunately nobody came in with her." Tim unabashedly grinned.

"Why is that fortunate?" Damian didn't even look up.

"Uh..because that means she's fair game, she's single, flying solo."

Damian looked up and glared. "She is suspected of conning our casino. Your only thoughts of her should be when and where she'll strike harder."

"Oh I know where I want her to strike harder."

"This conversation is over. Report any new information." Damian turned on his heels.

"Was that what this was? A conversation? I always felt like I'd be more excited when this day came." Tim stroked his chin looking amused.

"Shut up, Drake." Damian called over his shoulder before walking out and slamming the door behind him. Was he the only one that took his job seriously? 

Damian crossed the casino floor to the Titan room, which was known for lower stakes bets. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his current number one suspect leaned casually against the side of a slot machine occupied in conversation with the oncoming bartender, Jason Todd. That imbecile was a constant flirt and would cost the casino thousands by giving 'hot' women free drinks and sneaking himself and his budding freebies too. It looked like Damian's suspect was Todd's target and Damian was pissed.

He stayed back watching their interaction for a few moments to see what the woman was playing at. She seemed to be too intelligent to fall for any of Todd's bullshit, so she must be the one playing him. Todd had one arm propped up on the machine just above her head and the other was toying with the spaces her dress left. Damian swallowed and an unwelcome heat rising to his cheeks and somewhere lower. 

The woman was attractive, there was no denying it. Her skin was ivory and it contrasted well with her shoulder length raven hair. Some strands were dyed a dark purple hue but blended well within the black and was only noticeable when the light reflected off it in just the right way...classy. Damian was accustomed to scantily clad women, short dresses were almost the dress code in Las Vegas and more importantly in the Wayne Casino. Women from all over knew how handsome the owner is and would try anything to be noticed. 

This woman's dress, although it was borderline slutty, something he despised, Damian couldn't help basic emotion of lust flow through him as he took her all in. Damn it, Drake was correct once more. She wasn't wearing underwear. Her powder blue halter dress had a deep v-neckline that showed her full breasts through thin strands that were corseted over the opening. He knew how Drake had come to the conclusion that she had no underwear on, the sides had the same corset look but with a wider gap between the sides of the dress and wider ribbon, this showed much of the skin of her hips and ribs with no obstruction of panties or a bra. The bows at the bottom reached mid thigh,  allowing her smooth shapely legs to remain on display. Her silver strappy heels elongated them even more so and added to her height, she couldn't have been taller than 5'5" without them. The material of her dress looked soft and expensive, not like the cheap clothes most other women here wore. The dress hugged her alluring curves perfectly and made her look like a fucking goddess. 

Damian mentally berated himself for eyeing his prime suspect like that. What annoyed him more was that he didn't want Todd to touch her like he was. Jason's fingers traced the pale skin in between the gaps of ribbon on her hips, leaning in and whispering something in her ear and making her blush and smirk. She reached up and smoothed the collar of his button up shirt, saying something softly back earning a returned smirk from Jason. Jason slid his fingers beneath the ribbon and under the fabric covering her ass. He could see the bartender's attraction to the woman too easily from the way the fabric of his pants stretched. Pathetic. Damian's blood began to boil. Not only was this against policy but that woman was his. His suspect...someone that shouldn't be getting special treatment. 

Damian heard the click of his earpiece as Drake's voice rang through. "That damn bartender. How does he always get so fucking lucky?" 

"Drake, focus. She's under surveillance not available to win her heart. Get back to work and only use this line of communication for work purposes only." Damian growled at him. The other line went silent and Damian refocused himself too. He was about to stop the inappropriate behavior but it seemed that he didn't have to.

He had thought the woman was about to lean up to kiss Todd placing her hand on his chest and he looked ready for it. However, she instead firmly pushed Jason away, cocking her hip and folding her arms. She said something that made Jason's eyebrows fly up and a flush of embarrassment cross his face. The woman cast a glance downwards before casting another remark at him as she patted his shoulder and turned on her heel. 

Damian was shocked to say the least. He had never seen any woman turn Jason Todd down and leave him looking like a wounded puppy. He heard Jason call out to the woman but she made no move to acknowledge him. Suddenly the woman was walking right past Damian slowing briefly to look him in the eye, a playful smile on her pretty lips. She reached up and touched his bicep delicately.

"Would you mind showing me where the ladies room is? I get so lost in here sometimes." Her voice was smooth and low, sultry even. What game was she playing?

Thanks for reading! This is my second ongoing story! The other is a Timrae fic❤

[incoherentbabblings]

An Endless Hope (1/9)

After a horrendous blizzard falls over Gotham, Tim undergoes a sharp change in character before disappearing. Upon discovering what has become of him, Stephanie sets off on a solo journey in a magic realm to bring him home, meeting some faces which seems awfully familiar along the way.

New fic time! Archive Of Our Own Link Click Click!

“Can’t believe he’s gonna be forty-five.”

“I know, right?”

“Bruce’ll be an old man soon.”

Tim tutted, herding Stephanie down an aisle with the metal cart he was pushing. “Don’t tell him that.”

Stephanie scoffed. “What? Has he got a younger clone of himself in a giant egg somewhere ready to pop when someone utters those words?”

Tim stopped pushing the cart, turned ninety degrees, and gave Steph an indescribable look.

“I was being sarcastic, Tim.”

Tim said nothing, then slowly rotated back to push the empty cart, Stephanie trailing behind.

They’d gone to the garden centre because Stephanie was willing to look everywhere and anywhere for inspiration for Bruce’s upcoming birthday. Tim, ever dutiful, followed along. It was a rubbish time of year to go to a garden centre – late January – as the entire place was filled with on sale Christmas decorations and half dead flowers that would no doubt complete their journey to the grave if buried in the frigid soil. The poor choice of plants was reflected in the number of customers, of which there were maybe three others trailing up and down the greenhouse aisles.

“I guess that’s not fair,” Stephanie continued to voice to the relative silence, only the distant tinny music and the dodgy wheel squeaking as they rolled along filled the lulls in conversation. “That would make Alfred positively decrepit.”

“And that he is not.” Tim said very firmly.

“No…Oooh?” Stephanie became distracted. “Oh, Tim look at these!”

Heaving the cart round the corner after her with an almighty sigh, he found her standing next to small potted flowering plants. Stephanie was pilfering through them, looking for particular colours.

Tim peered at one of the little cards slotted in the soil and chortled.

“Roses? Really? Steph I’m not sure roses are gonna cut it for Bruce’s forty-fifth.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that you big baboon—”

“’Scuse you.”

“– I’m looking at these for us, not him.”

Tim gazed at Stephanie. Stephanie, in her bright blue hand knitted beanie that she had made for herself over the Christmas break to distract from finals. Stephanie, in an oversized fluorescent plastic jacket (the kind that belonged in an early episode of Power Rangers) that somehow managed to make her look twice as wide than she truly was. Stephanie, with her flushed cheeks from the cold and little pearly teeth showing off in a big grin, golden hair bunched up into two pigtails that fell down her back.

Tim couldn’t help it; he melted a little at the sight of her.

“You’re staring.” She murmured, not looking away from her task.

Tim sucked on his teeth. “Maybe I want to. That allowed?”

“Sure. You have my permission.”

“Gracious.”

Tim pecked her on the cheek, causing Stephanie to laugh like a snorting pig. With a little happy noise, she found the two plants she wanted. One lilac and one deep red bunch. They didn’t look like ordinary roses to Tim, not like the kind you would pick up from a convenience store in a small bundle for an anniversary. No, these roses were flatter and broader, and he could see a number of buds on both sets of plants.

“I want these.” Stephanie said. “Help me pick two nice boxes to put them in?”

“Do we have space on the windowsill?”

They didn’t have a garden. Not truly. Though Tim’s apartment did allow roof access, it was not really the place to be growing a little garden. They also didn’t really have a balcony to fill with plant pots. Places for greenery were limited in their home.

“They’ll fit.”

Tim nodded, and she sat them down in the cart. A moments silence passed, and she pouted.

Sighing, Tim breathed, “What is it?”

“Ask me why I want them.”

Nodding with his entire torso, Tim moved off, heading towards glazed plant pots and boxes.

“Why do you want them?”

“’Cause they’re pretty.” She skipped after him and saw as he ran his tongue along his teeth, amused at her glib nature. “Aaaaaand, I wanna do an experiment.”

“Experiment?”

“Yes. I gathered you like those.”

“Steph.” His tone was a gentle warning.

“’Kay, ‘kay. Sorry. I just thought…” She paused, tapping her nails against a terra cotta pot. The sound was nice to listen to. “Well, you know how people say you should live together before you get married? To make sure you can actually stand being around each other twenty-four-seven?”

Tim clenched his jaw and nodded. “Yes?”

Stephanie said nothing, gnawing her lip. Tim tried to comfort her, to reassure her, by smiling, but even he felt it come across more like a grimace. Setting the empty pot back down, Steph leaned over and selected two narrow glazed boxes, ones long and slim enough to slot on their windowsill.

“It’s the same with kids. You gotta do a test run first. A proper test run. And I don’t mean what I did when I was fifteen.” She laughed uncomfortably, then looked very sad. Tim went to grab her hand, but she snatched it back and snorted, bravado back in place. “It’s a challenge. We can’t have a kid until we can keep a pet –”

Tim couldn’t help it, he finally butt in, exclaiming, “Who said we’re having children?”

But Stephanie soldiered on, “—And we can’t keep a pet until we can look after a plant. Both of us.”

“I… I’m nineteen Steph. We can get a plant in ten years or so.”

Weird conversation.

Stephanie sighed, setting the plant pots in the cart. “I feel old. Much older than twenty sometimes.”

“We’ve been through more than what some people experience in a lifetime.”

She patted his cheek. “I guess so.”

“You can still be a kid.” Tim said later as they loaded up his car. No luck with finding anything for Bruce, but at least their living room windowsill would look nice. “There’s no timeline for this kind of stuff. Well, in your own head at least… society may side eye it but honestly –”

Stephanie slapped the trunk down with a loud slap and changed the subject. “I’ll think of something else. Don’t suppose he’d want a scarf or anything?”

“If you made him one Steph, I’d think he’d like that.”

“Huh.” They both got in the car, Tim in the driver’s seat, Stephanie googling nearby craft stores. “There’s a thought. I can pick up some nice wool round campus on Monday.”

Tim paused after he lit the ignition, eyebrows furrowed in thought. A moment passed, then he turned the car back off, and rotated to look Stephanie in the eye. Warily, she watched him.

“You mean it,” He asked, “about the whole plant thing?”

She growled, growing defensive. “I want to look after something and do it well. Sue me that it’s just starting off with a plant.”

“No, no. I get that. I mean do you not feel like a kid anymore?”

The bubbling anger melted away, and she cooed sympathetically. “Do you?”

“Did I ever?” Huffing, he tapped the steering wheel, then he looked distinctly guilt ridden. “No. That’s not fair. I did. Especially compared to you.”

“My childhood was mediocrely bad, Tim, but I did have one.” She tugged his earlobe. Tim frowned at her downplaying her pain, as always. It was impossible to get her to be serious about herself nowadays. Tim’s pain she took seriously. Cassandra’s pain she took seriously. Damian’s pain she took seriously. Her own pain though… “No comparing hurt. How does that help you or me?”

“I know, I know,” He conceded. Then he was silent, musing something still.

Stephanie’s hand moved from his ear to his jaw, cradling it. Lowering her tone, she asked,

“Where’s your head taken you?”

“I’m gonna be twenty this July.”

“Mhhmm! It’s a big one. The end of your teenage years.”

“I just… don’t know if we’ve got to do everything we should have done. I mean, so much of our adolescence was taken up with…” He trailed off. “And what makes an adult an adult anyway? I mean, look at Bruce.”

“I try not to.”

Tim actually giggled. “I just mean, he has the emotional maturity of a ten-year-old.” A sudden idea came to Tim, and he perked up in his usual manner once hit by his clever notions. “Hey, how about we travel over the summer?”

“What?”

Tim started the car back up and began the drive to his apartment on Park Row.

“It’s your final year at college, and you’ll be turning twenty-one in August. I’ve got my twentieth in July. Let’s do one last hurrah. Go to Disneyland.”

As they exited the parking lot Stephanie burst out laughing.

“Is that what childhood is? A trip to Disneyland?”

“No!” He exclaimed, face red. “No, that’s not what I meant… I just mean… I just mean…”

“Be selfish for a while. Forget all those responsibilities for a few weeks?”

“Yeah. You deserve that.” Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled. Stephanie had a knack for cutting through to the bone of an issue. She understood what he was trying to say.

“So do you.” She smiled and tapped his cheek fondly, then settled in for the drive.

They got stuck for twenty minutes trying to cross from one island to another, but it didn’t bother either of them. Stephanie playfully being bad at singing at whatever nineteen eighties anthem came on over the radio. Tim knew she was just playing. She was as good a singer as she was a pianist – unpractised and a little clumsy – but it caused Tim to stop and watch every time. Her screeching to Take on Me was not her best effort, but it made Tim smile all the same.

She snatched the keys and rushed inside when they got back, leaving Tim to trundle behind her, balancing pots and flowers in his arms.

“I seriously have to look after this plant?” He moaned. With a grunt he got down on the floor by the window, setting everything out in place.

“Yes,” muttered Stephanie, throwing towels on the floor and reading instructions online of how to transfer plants from pot to pot. She had thought ahead – for once – and realised that maybe flinging dirt around would damage the living room rug.

Stephanie had moved into his apartment last August, about four months after they had returned to being a couple. For honest and goodness for real this time.

Dick and Babs had made many a teasing (but fond) comment. Cassandra and Duke had been happy, but largely unaffected by the decision. Damian had not been impressed. Jason really didn’t care.

Bruce had said nothing, which was somehow more worrying than his usual disapproving grunts.

So they had, for the most part, been left to it. Stephanie had swiftly turned the apartment (and the Nest) into as much her space as Tim’s. He didn’t mind, as she had a knack for clutter which made the town house feel less like a base and more like a home. Nothing made him feel more happy than coming home from Wayne Enterprises to see Steph sat on the floor, battered laptop on the coffee table, highlighted pages and mugs scattered everywhere, as she screwed up her face trying to write another essay on John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau’s theories on social contracts. The normality was an anchor, one he had so desperately needed in recent years.

Stephanie, meanwhile, had relished the chance to have her own space. To leave her mother had been hard, harder than she had realised at first, but it wasn’t like she wasn’t on the phone with her twice a week, and still compelled to attend scrabble night every Friday (Tim semi reluctantly in tow occasionally). She just hadn’t realised how difficult it would be to leave again. Even if it was, this time, under totally normal circumstances. Every kid has to move out, right? And it’s not like she’d never see her mother again, right? Stephanie’s mother was an adult, she could take care of herself. Steph wasn’t needed to watch her night and day.

But still, there were days when she craved her mother’s morning waffles, or warm shaky hugs.

Tim was a pretty good substitute though.

Speaking of, Tim crawled over to her, snuggle bug that he was, not so subtly looking for affection. He grabbed one of her pigtails and tugged the elastic off so he could braid her hair. She really had let it grow to a ridiculous length, long enough for Bruce and Babs both to chide her. One day it would get caught, or someone would grab it, or it would catch fire or something. The honest reason for letting it grow was…well it was embarrassing and shallow.

Steph sat quietly, letting Tim very carefully and methodically Dutch braid her hair, as she read. Even now, after several months reunited, she could tell he was still testing boundaries. Not just with what she was comfortable with, but also himself. Casual intimacy. Frightening stuff. Well, maybe for him. Steph adored the attention and giving attention in return. Tim’s affections were not to be tolerated, or even endured. They were something to enjoy and indulge in. They were something to grow obsessively fond over, especially after the dry spell of their late teen years. She had got it back and was not going to let it go again so easily.

So, she let him hold her hand whenever he reached for it. She let him lean against her during long hours of stakeout during patrol. She let him kiss her whenever he wanted. She wanted it too. Constantly. Like she was playing catch up with the last three years.

Tim finished one braid then shuffled around so he could start the second. Stephanie sat still until he finished his task, then signalled for him to pay attention as she moved her lilac roses into their new home. He observed carefully, as Tim never half-assed anything, then he cautiously began to pack fresh soil into his glazed box. Stephanie watched him and his concentrated face. Furrowed brows, chewed lips, unsure but steady fingers. Very slow. Very methodical. Textbook job.

He looked at her when he was done though, expectant of some sort of comment. Still desperate for approval.

“Good.” She said, raising her eyebrows. She sat the two boxes on the windowsill, slotting them into place. “Now don’t let it die.”

*****

“Before you all head out for the night, I believe you have some gifts that require opening Master Bruce.”

Bruce peered over the half-eaten slice of cake Alfred had baked yesterday evening and swallowed dryly.

“Right.”

Tim could tell Bruce was just a little disappointed at the showing for his birthday. He would never admit it, no, no, but still. Dick, Jason, and Babs’ absence was noted. They had been good though and posted their presents ahead of time. Well, Dick and Babs had. Jason had sent a card. Which was both more than he had done some years and less for others, so the family all took a card as a good thing. Babs had wrapped up a large basket of bat memorabilia that would unironically get usage up and downstairs.

Dick had forwarded a photo album. Bruce’s lower lip had wobbled (once) on the first page, then he did not look any further into the album and shut it. Probably would cry over it at four am later this morning bundled up in bed. Or at least that’s what Tim imagined he would do.

Cassandra had made an actual teapot during her day classes. It was very cute, albeit just a little lumpy. Damian had done a painting. Duke had bought a pair of nice cufflinks. Tim had been as subtle as a brick to a glass greenhouse and had bought two vouchers for a fishing trip. Bruce had noted to check his diary tomorrow, hearing the pleading in the present for alone time.

Stephanie rested her present reverently on the table in front of Bruce. He eyed it and her a little suspiciously, which Tim tried not to get offended over on Steph’s behalf. He knew she had worked stinking hard on the present. Harder than anything she had ever made for herself. Not as hard as the gloves she had made Tim late last year though. No, he had seen her cursing up a storm trying to get those black and red fingerless mittens right, but she had – just in time for Christmas.

Point was, Stephanie worked hard when she sewed/knitted/embroidered, and Tim hoped Bruce wouldn’t do anything too callous when he opened the gift.

She had indeed knitted a grey-blue zig zag patterned scarf. It was thick, warm, and long. She had carefully embroidered the edges with golden thread. It was nothing short of a labour of love.

Bruce saw this, did the thing where his lip quivered, and quietly thanked Stephanie.

“Happy Birthday!” She replied, smiling brightly.

“It’s very well made.”

“I tried.” She teased gently. Tim squeezed her hand.

“Can I see?” Duke asked, to which Bruce handed it over. Duke whistled. “Can I get one too?”

“Sure.” Stephanie shrugged, still grinning. “It will cost you though.”

“Aw, no fair.”

The wind picked up then, howling louder than it had all day. The windows of the manor creaked, and even in the dark, everyone could see the sudden blizzard that had begun.

“Snow?” Cass asked. “Since when?”

“The weather does that. It changes.” Duke noted with a shrug. Even so, he seemed to regret speaking the more the wind screamed.

“No. Not like this. Rain sure. Sleet sure. Not a blizzard.” Tim peered out the window. “That doesn’t come from nowhere.”

Tim watched as there was already a solid layer of ice on the floor, the snow less like fluffy crystals and more like hail. The skies above churned rolled up clouds. It was harsh and ugly.

“No way.” Duke murmured, seeing the weather deteriorate.

Stephanie did not miss Bruce silently sigh at his pile of presents, the physical proof of how fortunate his life had become in recent years, despite the sometimes oppressive setbacks. It was just a moment, then the Bat was in place.

“Let’s head out. This doesn’t look natural. Split up and hunt for causes. Manmade or otherwise. Help anyone who seems stranded.”

Damian finally piped up. “Are we splitting into pairs?”

He crept towards Stephanie. Without Dick in Gotham she remained the person he was most keen (if Damian could be such a thing) to work alongside. Bruce notwithstanding.

“Damian go with Duke. Cassandra with me. Stephanie and Tim.”

Well never mind.

Stephanie pinched Damian’s cheek, and he groaned and twitched away, running downstairs.

They all made their way to the cave, Alfred opening up the clock, when Stephanie looked back, seeing Tim was still stood, still as a statue, watching through the glass.

“Tim?” She called.

His right hand twitched, hanging limp next to his thigh, at the sound of her voice. Almost reluctantly, he replied,

“…Yeah?”

“Ready to go?”

She held out her hand for him to take, though he was still looking out the window. Slowly he turned at the hips, head remaining still, staring at the storm. When her hand found his, he shuddered, like the warmth of her fingers and palm shot straight through his arm and up through his chest and head. He finally whipped round to look at her and smiled tightly.

“Ready. Sorry.”

Stephanie said nothing and pulled him away from the window.

[miss-choco-chips]

Soul shards part 2

This isn’t edited in the slightest folks. Wrote this in a LONG car ride and I’m beat. Tumblr was being difficult and wouldn’t let me copy an paste so I had to copy every individual paragraph, so there might be some mistakes.

Shoutout to @sideeffectsofwriting who suggested damitim and kicked the muse into motion and @the-quiet-carrotcake who let me cry about this on chat.

.-.-.-

He needed to do what not even the Batman could achieve.  

He would bring Drake back.

-.-.-.-

11  - 16

Damian’s first gifted soulshard came from his mother, when he turned five. It was a beautiful orange-red dagger, with flecks of gold here and there, and he wanted to hold it more than anything in the world.

Then his mother put it in his hand, closed his fingers around it and held a kitten by the scruff and hind legs in front of him, as an offering. An order. A mission. And, once it was carried, the slightest hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

Those were the feelings the dagger was imbued with; expectation, and pride. Not for who he was, but for what he did. A heavy weight, and a cold one, right until the moment the mission was complete; after that, a short-lived warmth crept up his arm, the starting point the dagger in his hand.

Or maybe it was the kitten’s blood what chased the cold (and his sleep) away. It should have been comforting.

It wasn’t.

When Grayson chose him as his Robin, he sealed the deal by giving Damian an R shaped soul shard in the form of a brooch. It should have been an ecstatic moment for him, his second ever soul shard being gifted to him by his Batman.

It wasn’t. 

While warmer and lighter than his dagger, it felt… off. Their bond was just growing then, no trust nor love giving shape to the soul given away. Instead, Damian was presented with Grayson’s feelings of responsibility (to the city), despair (because they both have just lost their father) and reluctant resignation (because even when Grayson choose him, it was obviously not what he wanted, it couldn’t be, not when there was already a Robin fully indoctrinated in The Mission perfectly available and… more loved), as well as the barest hint of hopeful fondness.

He doesn’t hold it against him; that was just their beginning, and it was the gesture what was important, a gift from the soul that Damian hadn’t yet earned, a trust at giving himself away to the child he had just decided to take under his wing. Were Grayson to give him a new soul shard, he was sure the feelings wouldn’t be so harsh now that they had formed and nurtured this bond between them. Still, he treasured his brooch for what it was: a chance to prove himself, a chance at a home.

Drake’s soul (not a shard, not a piece, but the remainings of his actual soul; his core) was an entirely new phenomenon. The moment he received it, clenched it in his hands for the first time, it was imbued with a rage and contempt that didn’t surprise him, as those were the grounds of their relationship. But, with every passing minute, the feeling just… calmed down, like… forgiveness? Acceptance? It was like a pat on the back after a hard patrol with Grayson, after he made a mistake and the man would just sigh and tell him ‘do better next time, but let’s just put this behind us’. But… from Drake?

It- that was- there weren’t actual words to explain it. Damian had never heard of it, of a change on the emotions inside the soul, but, he supposes, this wasn’t something Drake had sharded with an idea in mind, this wasn’t a love confession or a methaporical friendly hug. Drake had just… given himself away, entirely.

Damian wasn’t sure what it meant, but the mystery of that pushed him relentlessly to the batcave, to the monitors where he would watch and rewatch old footage of Drake’s training, read old reports, dig as deep as he could in search of information that might clear things up for him.

That might explain the clench in his heart when he held the tiny soul.

.-.-.-.

He is missing.

Bruce can’t process it at first. He has every camera, every metahuman, every genius hero at his disposal… and nothing.  No one could find Tim, and he’s been gone for over a week. Seven days and twelve hours, if he was counting. Which he was, because seeing the pretty ice blue watch on his wrist, warm with admiration, respect and adoration, slowly turning cold and red and black was high on the list of the scariest moments of his life. 

He was holding his son’s soul, soon it wouldn’t feel any different than the Rolex he might wear for a charity.

It terrified him.

The only piece of Tim’s soul he could find (and it had taken him a while, to track down everyone Tim ever gave a shard to, even going so far as to dig Janet and Jack’s graves, because there were so many pieces; too many, although his Titans friends had flat out rejected his request to give them to him) to remain icy blue was Damian’s. Which would be fantastic for testing, for figuring out what was wrong, maybe even for tracking Tim down…  If Damian weren’t so dead set on keeping it in his direct line of sight, on the little leather pouch by his hip or dangling from his neck.

The twelve year old had proven willing to stab any hand that tried to take his soul shard away, accepting only those tests that were safe and could be made in front of his eyes.

-We could try to, like… mesh my piece of soul with Damian’s? -had suggested Dick, once, earlier on the week.

-And how, pray tell, would you do it? Drake himself is the one that shaped your necklace. This are his soul shards, no one but him can bend them to their will. 

-I mean… Cass’s father, Cain, he made dents and bumps in her soul, so it’s not like its impossible…

-…after years of abuse, from which her soul has yet to recover! Of all the stupid/!

Dick, on very little sleep and with worry and guilt battling it out inside his heart, rolled his eyes at Damian’s objections.

-We won’t hurt him for the hell of it, but he could be in danger, or lost, or who knows what! There’s little to no precedent about soulless people. Since when do you care so much about Tim’s wellbeing, anyway?

-And since when do you *not*?

That had ended the argument quickly. Guilt had won in Dick. Damian’s gifted little piece of soul remained at it’s pouch.  And Tim was still missing.

Bruce wanted to pull at his hair, yell and throw fists. He did none of these. Damian needed him. He had already failed one son.

.-.-.-.

12  - 17 

Life goes on, after a tragedy. And this tragedy in particular was a silent one; there was no blood, no screaming, no tears. Just someone that left it all behind and disappeared on the wind. And, as much as the Bats wanted to find him, Tim going on a solo trip wasn’t alarming enough for them to ignore the day to day dangers of Gotham, the multiverse threats, the alien invasions. As concerning as multiple soul shards changing color and losing emotion had been, the fact remained that it… just wasn’t priority.

Timothy could look after himself; the civilians of Gotham and the world at large couldn’t.   At least, that was what father said.

Damian was of a different mind.

He noticed it at first during a Justice League meeting. He had taken to playing around with the little ice blue ball when lost in thought, or was nervous, a habit developed after hours, days and months sitting by the cave’s monitors studying his predecessor.

So there he was, idly rolling it between his fingers, careful to not drop it, when he catches sight of Superboy…

(The Titans were a mess, Wonder Girl, SB and Impulse running around like headless chickens, dropping everything, no matter how mission-important, at the slightest mention of anything Red Robin related, recruiting the help of old fiends from their Young Justice days, hurting so much not even him, usually indifferent to his peers’ drama, could remain untouched by their pain) 

…being scolded by Superman. Which, would normally not even phase Damian, impartial about the clone outside of his relationship with Drake as he was.

But. But. When Superman layed a condescending hand on Kon El’s shoulder, something spiked inside Damian, a sudden and strong desire to slap that hand away, to growl at the man, to protect his/ 

…his best friend?  

That thought it’s what gives him pause, stops him mid step, where he was unthinkingly approaching the aliens. 

Those weren’t his feelings, but Drake’s.

At the realization, the little soul in his hand glowed and warmed and almost jumped right out of it.  It seemed to say ‘finally’.

Damian couldn’t breath.

.-.-.-.

He kept quiet about this new knowledge, but it nagged at him. He had to test this out. 

He held the small soul while watching Grayson train by the Cave’s trapeze. Rolled it between fingers with little to no trouble while covertly listening to Cain and Brown tease each other. Made a protective fist around it when he stumbled across Red Hood during patrol, catching the -now reformed- antiheroe mid flight. 

Admiration and yearning (teach me, choose me, love me).

Fondness and familiarity (bond with me, laugh with me, stand by me).

Trepidation and want (please look at me, please stop hating me, please let me watchadmirelove you). 

Those weren’t his feelings, so. Confirmed then. Holding Drake’s soul, he apparently had an open door to the man’s feelings. An insight to the deepest parts of him. 

Weeks into his discovery, he learned a few things. For example, how annoyingly emotional the young man was. Did Drake always feel everything this intensely? It was exhausting, and Damian at least had the option to put the soul away at it’s pouch, stopping the flow of emotions. Drake… well, he did leave it behind, after all. 

Which made him wonder, if he had Drake’s emotions at hand, what did it leave his predecessor with?

.-.-.-.-.-.

13  - 18

It pained Damian to admit this, but Drake was… good. Too good. Unbelievable so, for someone that started his formal training way later in life than Damian.  

The footage in front of him was one he had viewed already dozens of times, and he still couldn’t believe his eyes. A gift requested to his mother, footage from the Cradle, about two years before.  

At first, Damian had just wanted to uncover the mystery of Drake’s time away during Father’s absence. What happened during those months, to drive one like his Gradfather from mild admiration to almost obsessive, possessive desire? What elevated the, by the time, teenager to a spot previously occupied by none other than The Batman, and even beyond? 

His in into the League allowed him access to the answer. And he understood.  The mixture of recklessly brave plans, creatively executed acrobatics, heart-stopping genius and iron clad morals. Fighting against the Spiders, protecting the innocent at his back, all the while under tight schedule on his plan to land an unprecedented hard blow to the League.  

It was breathtaking. The young detective, that unmasked the man many believed was no more than a myth, the novice hero that when told ‘no’ started his own team of fighters, that while no one else thought it possible defied Death itself for the life of his adoptive father. Barely older than Damian himself, with half his years of training, and still so far away. Leagues ahead of him. 

Out of his reach… 

A grimace,  an unfamiliar tightness in his chest and then Damian was cracking his knuckles and typing away at the computer.  If his Grandfather viewed Drake above Father, then maybe Damian was going about this the wrong way, in his quest to surpass every Robin before him. He needed to succeed where even Father had failed, reaching to a step below Drake instead of the entire flight of stairs he had ahead of him.

  …but not for long.  

He needed to do what not even the Batman could achieve.  

He would bring Drake back.

.-.-.-.-.

It takes some time. He studies for weeks under Gordon, shadows Cyborg’s steps for a while, even declines patrol once or twice claiming a stomachache when he feels he’s close to a clue. Has the Titans permanently hacked (props of connecting from the Batcave’s computer, no one questioned the backdoor on their system, assumed it was Batman checking on them) and an alert programmed on his phone for every time some reporter catches sight of the Drake-Wayne heir (none so far, but, like a voice that sounded like Grayson singsonged, cover all your bases).  

And even after all of that, it was still Drake himself that pointed him in the right direction.  

Damian was idly scrolling down some online headlines, mind numb with tiredness barely paying attention to the titles, when the little soul between his forefinger and thumb gave him a spark, so sudden it was like an electric shock, sapping him out of it and forcing his attention to the article on screen. 

Serial killer known as The Gardener found tied in the front lawn of his supposed next victims, after seven months evading the Parisian police force. Family claims they never saw nor heard anything until the morning, when the father was about to head for work and stumbled across the handcuffed man, hand clutching his signature weapon, unconscious and still bleeding from, what the police assumes, was a short lived fight… 

The soul pulsed again. Disgust, rage, adrenaline… pride, vindictive pride. The same emotions that soared through him when a would be rapist fell to his sword during patrol. 

Quick eyes scanning through the article, nothing pointing towards a vigilante, no pattern that he could see pointing to his missing predecessor. And still, Damian knew.

Energy renewed, he scanned through older news, titles. Nothing sparked the soul, until a thwarted robbery on Scotland gave him pause. Again, the article itself was generic, no common points except the mystery of whoever stopped the crime from happening, but… his gut, and Drake’s gut, they were both screaming at him.  

This was him. What was he doing on Paris? Was he still there? Two articles, separated by a few weeks, was more of a clue than anyone had found this far, but it was still nothing. And the last one, with the Serial Killer, was from two days ago. Even if he told Father and he dispatched a velocist or super, it’d still be too  late. Drake wouldn’t have been able to evade them this long if he iddled long somewhere. Sighing tiredly he fell back into the chair, raising the little soul so it was eye level.

After all this time, after all his training, after all of father’s efforts to track his wayward son, it was proved only Drake could find Drake. A little, sleep deprived smile broke his scowl.  

He was too tired to feel frustration.

Not too much for admiration, though.

.-.-.-.-.

That same night, oceans away, a slim figure dealt the finishing blow to some wannabe gangsters on a upper class Venetian neighbour. They had been armed, but only the slightest of scratches decorated his arm. The other guys… weren’t so lucky. They’d be lucky if their broken ribs didn’t pierce a lung.  

The scared girls that he saved from being jumped (or worse) rushed forward once their attackers hit the ground, sobbing between their heartfelt thanks and praises. Trembling hands reaching for his cap-less back, the slippery material of his dark shirt slipping from their fingers. Still, he carefully moved out of range and tonelessly told them to call for the police, letting them comfort each other and waiting only until he could hear the sirens approaching. Then, he was gone, lost to the night that had spited him out to fight the treath minutes before.  

On the back of his mind, something told him he should be annoyed. He had been good to keep himself out of the media’s attention, dealing with crimes where no one would be able to pinpoint exactly who had been their saviour, or how had they been spared from the danger. Like the Parisian family. Now that was a clean work. Found the killer, guessed his next target and caught him just before the crime. In, fight, out. Easy, untraceable.

Two scared girls might not have the clearest memories of their traumatic attack, but ‘young, black clothed man fights off gangsters with a staff’ would surely make the headlines, which meant hailing ass as far from here as possible before anyone could trace this back to him.  

People tracking him raised in his gut… the closest thing to emotions he had nowadays (something he hadn’t been bothered with for years now), namely annoyance. He had a goal in mind, rules he played by, things to avoid. Having all that endangered was troublesome, and even worse was how inevitable it was. He couldn’t exactly ignore the crying girls, not because he cared, but his body always moved on its own on situations like this, personal preferences overrode by muscle memory.

How inconvenient.

And speaking of…

He barely nodded in acknowledgement when a shadowed figure fell into step besides him, keeping up on his sprint from rooftop to rooftop.

-My Master wishes to extend an invitation to dinner. He demands your company.  

Not Pru then, but not so different from what he expected.

He hummed, for show more than anything else, eyeing the leather pouch by the man’s hip. A Soul Carrier, nothing flashy but firmly attached. Classic League.

The shadow flinched. They all did. Something in his lack of soul scared them shitless when he payed attention to theirs, as if he would snatch them and steal away with it.

Ha. Please. He didn’t even want his own soul back, why in hell would he take theirs? He’d never feel lighter before.

And even if sometimes the emptiness inside made him eye with attention the knife he carried on his boot as a last resort, those moments were few and easily forgotten.

-Depends. Is he ready to pay for the pleasure of it? It’s been a while, I’m on need of cash and resources, so my fee has gone up.  

A moment of silence while the shadow listened on his earpiece for his answer. Then, a nod.

-Okay then. Tell him to send me directions to the place once I’m out of this country. And that if he wants me to wear something pretty, he better chose a nice, camera-less place. Also, if he doesn’t keep his hands to himself, he’ll need one of those shiny green pools of his to regrow a few fingers.

.-.-.-.-.

14  - 19

Todd’s emergency beacon called from Tokyo, interrupting their post patrol debrief. Father had programmed all their distress signals so they would always come through, no matter what else was doing on or what Do not Disturb protocols he might have. Nothing would get in the way to saving his sons ever again.  

When they answered, tense and (in Damian’s case, reluctantly) worried, it was to the sounds of heavy breathing and clang of metal against metal. A fight.

-/ing hell! Fuck! Goddamned little/ anyone copy me?!

Father, cowless but every bit the Batman, pressed a finger against the keyboard and dropped his voice am octave. 

-Red Hood, here cave, we copy you. What’s the situation?

The sounds of fighting never stopped, and whatever could keep Hood on his toes like this and forced him to call for help was enough to have Damian reaching for his Soul Carrier, where two different (in size and colorthen) spheres guarded each other. It was a habit he needed to train himself out of, but for now, a needed comfort. 

-I /shit shit SHIT, YOU LITTLE FUCKER/ I found the bastard! Tim!

A needle dropping could be heard in the following silence. Cain steps as she approached the batconputer could be heard  and that was something.

The smallest of the souls in his carrier pulsed at the sight of Brown’s distress as she clutched Black Bat’s hand, her other going to the almost completely red locket hanging from her neck. If it followed the pattern of both Grayson and Father, it would soon turn dark.  

(Unlike the clone and velocist, those two’s soul shards still retained the icy blue color, and Damian couldn’t help but think it had something to do with the fact that the people that had betrayed Drake the worst were the ones that were losing their connection to him first; Cain’s own compass was still mostly blue) 

Damian’s own soul basically jumped to his hand at the implication of what Todd was saying (he ignored the flash of disappointment that he wasn’t the one to find Drake, the little spark of something on the icy blue little ball that still reacted to that idiotic Todd…).  

Grayson was the one that basically pushed father out of the way, so he could lean over the keyboard, as if that would make him be heard clearer, hand fondling with the chain around his neck that was Drake ’s first shard, both to be created and to lose it’s warmth. 

-A-are you sure? Our Timmy?

-You have eyes on him? -demanded father as he typed away, faster than Damian ever remembered seeing, probably sending some kind of message to the Justice League for assistance.

-Damn right I’m sure, stumbled across him during my mission here, don’t know anyone as annoying/ FUCK can’t you see I’m on the phone ya lil shit?! I can do you one better than eyes on the bastard, B, I’ll put my hands around his weasly lil neck/! 

A window popped on the Cave monitor (of course Gordon was eavesdropping) as Oracle traced the call and hacked the street camera closest to Todd’s location. 

The figure was all in black, taller and leaner than Damian remembered. Or was that because he spent so much time watching footage of his time as Robin?

Drake was smaller then, baby faced and bird-boned. A child. Somewhere along the line, lost in studying his formative years, Damian had forgot the fact that he was a man, now.

He certainly looked the part, now. Graceful as fought Hood off, tough a lot more brutal, if Hood’s grunts of pain everyone the shiny staff made contact could be believed. He seemed in a hurry, too, judging by his almost too fast to be seen movements. 

The fight moved a little (likely Hood’s doing), and they shifted just enough for them to see, in the grainy quality of the camera, a second of Drake’s face before before he seemed to sense that he was being watched.

Something was thrown the camera’s way, a little gadget, and everything turned black. The only connection the Cave had to Drake now was the still going sounds of fighting. 

-Hood, tell him to stop! We don’t mean him any harm/

-I do, the little fucker broke my left wrist! Imma gonna show him!

-Hood! -now not only Grayson, but Brown too, chided. 

-Just stall him -commanded Father- Clark is on his way.

-Easy for you to say! Whatever he’s being doing this last few years, it gave him a hell of a boost. I can barely/ 

Silence. Not just Hood shutting up, but no more breaths, no more metallic clang. The line had been cut, something that shouldn’t been possible after all the upgrades father made to their comms. 

By the time Superman arrived to Gotham, an hour had passed, and not even Gordon could re install the connection to either the street camera nor the comm. Not that it would do any good: Hood was unconscious and brutally beated up, and not even a full scan of the city by various metas gave them any hint of Drake ’s location.  

The icy blue soul pulsed with guilt at hood’s state, but also an undeniable pride at the fact that Drake got away.

Damian felt like throwing it against a wall. Instead, he cradled it in his hands, against his chest, as he went to sleep that night.

He dreamed of grainy camera footage, the face in the recording handsome and lethal, the coldness on pretty eyes replaced by the emotional icy blue of his soul.

.-.-.-.-.

He woke up in the morning and laid on bed for a while. 

Ignorant on the emotional side of things as Grayson might believe him, Damian wasn’t about to lie to himself. 

There was no denying the clenching on his gut when the camera displayed the video of the dark figure fighting, the disappointment  when Hood failed to bring Drake home, the spark of annoyance at the fact that the tiny soul still reacted to the second Robin, the flash of white warmth that crept up him when he saw the results of Drake’s power on Hood’s battle wounds.  

The craving pumping his heart was like nothing he ever felt before.

It was kinda like seeing his mother holding her soul shard his way, like Grayson hands fastening the R brooch on his cape for the first time, like giving Father a ring and Nightwing a bracelet, nervous in a way that was unbecoming to someone of the Al Ghul’s household.   

It was wanting to receive and to be accepted.

It was even more than that.

It was holding Drake’s entire soul in his hand, small and battered as it was, and thinking ’I’ll fix this’. It was masterfully twirling it in his hand, easy from practice, letting Drake's  emotions wash over him, his fierce protectiveness over his friends, his honest fondness over the family, the growing approval every time Damian cracked a case or figured out a mystery on his own.

It wasn’t Drake himself, but at the same time it was.  

Damian dropped his head back into the pillow and raised the hand holding the tiny soul, his own gold, green and blue one laying on the mattress by his hip. It had tiny specs of ice blue on it, influenced against his will by the soul that shared the soul carrier with for so long now, not too different from the way his mother’s orange red soul had some dark blue hues dancing near it’s core, or how Pennyworth’s silver one had the barest hints of yellow, which the butler once told him were remnants of his first love.  

He never would admit to be emulating Todd, but in that moment, he couldn’t help it.

-Fuck.

[thefightingbull]

Well... That Was Unexpected (Teaser)

Thanksgiving. It didn’t seem like much, but since Jason had made amends with the family, it had become the single most important holiday of the year. Spending time at the manor and eating a home cooked meal that Steph and Alfred would likely spend hours working on the day before and the day after was a requirement. Or maybe they’d just cater it this year… He thought he’d heard something about that.

The only problem Jason foresaw with the upcoming event was that he was without a date. The year prior only Tim had a date in Steph. Bruce, Dick, Alfred, and Barbara were all single. Unfortunately for him, Barbara and Roy were dating, Bruce insisted that Selina show up, Alfred and Dr. Thompkins were an item and Dick was officially official with Kori again. Hell, even Damian was “dating” some girl from school and of course all of them would be at the dinner.

He scrolled through his contact list and sighed. He did not want to be the only solo act in the manor. It was hard enough being the undead Robin. Harder being the only one who’d been an enemy to his family at one point. The one who’d nearly killed some of them… He shook off the thought.

He was over the past. So was his family. He just didn’t want to be reminded of yet another way he didn’t fit in. He had to find someone, anyone to date. But who?

With a sigh he pocketed his phone and walked into the diner. He needed to get his head in the game. Some asshat was running around casting spells and causing all sorts of havoc. He’d gotten an alert from Deathstroke earlier that morning asking that they meet up. Apparently, the magician was one of the assassin’s contracts.

He really, really didn’t want to be bait. Magicians, wizards, witches? They all sucked. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d been royally screwed playing bait for a magician. He’d been turned into animals, de-aged, shrunk, aged, and once he’d even been turned into a freaking action figure. Yeah, magic wasn’t anything he liked messing with.

Still, if Deathstroke asked, he would do it. Mostly because he owed the cyclops a massive favor. Nextly, because he actually liked working with him. If Dick had half the brain he claimed to have, he would have watched, listened and learned. He would have come out of the engagements stronger, smarter, and more capable.

Jason was seated in the back of the restaurant in a corner booth, his back to the wall so that he could see the men and women coming inside. He ordered himself a coffee, black. Ever since he’d watched Dick dump diabetes type 2 inducing amounts of sugar in his, Jason had avoided the sweet substance. He didn’t even let people put fake sweeteners in his caffeine.

His eyes glanced upward as a few people came into the restaurant. A few guys and a girl. He looked back down at his coffee and took a sip as a very attractive man approached him. He was taller than most with blonde hair and the brightest blue eyes he’d seen in a long time. His shaggy blond hair and grimace did look a touch familiar but it was the way the man moved that really caught Jason’s attention. He approached with purpose and took a seat at his booth.

“Uh, beach is that way, dude,” he snarked as he pointed toward the coast.

“Shut up, Jason,” the man hissed.

He blinked in surprise as he scowled at the blond before him. “Who…?” He shook his head as he looked over the stranger. Blond hair, like platinum blond hair. The guy had stood at least six foot four and he was built like a fucking terminator, or rather, built like The Terminator. “Holy shit!”

“Took care of a witch a few days ago,” he snapped. “Seems he had a few allies that took offense.”

Jason couldn’t do anything but stare at the man. Did Slade realize how gorgeous he was? Truth be told he’d always had a crush on the older man, but he’d seemed untouchable before. Now, all Jason wanted to do was touch. He tried to refocus on the conversation, but it was difficult.

“What’s your problem?” Slade snapped at him.

“Nothing,” he answered immediately. “Just a little taken back, that’s all.”

Slade sneered. “Yeah, that’s why I need your help.”

“Gotta kiss a real boy to turn back into an old frog?” He couldn’t help but tease the old man.

Those sky-blue eyes rolled as Jason was grabbed roughly by the collar. The speed and the skill warned that despite being a good two or three decades younger than he should be and forced to see out of two eyes, Slade was still very much a dangerous man who didn’t always appreciate the lip.

“Your fairy tales are crossed,” Slade growled low. “I don’t know what the fuck I need, but I do believe the spell will resolve itself eventually.”

As soon as Jason was released, he nodded. “How soon?”

“Couple weeks at least, couple months at the most.” Slade frowned.

“So… What did you need me for?”

“I need to lie low,” he answered quietly. “You’re one of the few capes that owes me a favor and one that won’t drag me to Arkham or Blackgate.”

Jason nodded, but then paused. Wait, did that mean? “Slade,” he whispered as he leaned forward to make sure no one else could hear. “Are your enhancements… you know?”

“Gone?” Slade huffed. It would have been funny if it wasn’t so terrifying. “It’s not something I’m willing to explain.”

“But it leaves you vulnerable,” he reasoned and when he saw the glare added quickly; “Or well, as vulnerable as someone like you can be.”

Slade nodded. “You gonna help me or not?”

He leaned back and nodded. “I’ve got a few places you can hide out, not all of them are dumps,” he explained softly. He noticed a few women were staring at Slade as they passed by, especially the waitress who looked like she was trying to hype herself up. “Do you see the effect you are having on people?”

To Jason’s further surprise, Slade blushed! Like actually blushed. His cheeks turned red and he didn’t even scowl or growl at Jason. Yeah, he was a master of self-control with his enhancements, but it seemed he didn’t have the molecular level of control over his body at the moment.  He wondered if Slade was even aware of the way his cheeks turned red.

He was about to ask when the waitress finally sidled over. “Anything I can get you, handsome?” She grinned.

Slade jaw ticked as his fists clenched on the table. “He’ll have coffee, black and a Denver omelet. I’ll have the biscuits and gravy.”

The woman pouted a little, but made off to get their order put in. “Thanks,” Slade grumbled.

“This is really throwing you off your game, isn’t it?” Jason didn’t smile. He absolutely bit back the temptation to continue pestering the man about his predicament and be an adult about it.

Slade didn’t answer, obviously working on trying to control himself. Whatever he tried; it didn’t work. If looks could kill, Jason would be a dead man. The narrowed eyes, the unholy sneer on his lips? It was intense and not something Slade had been prone to in the past unless he wanted to strike fear into the hearts of any surrounding him.

“Jason,” Slade started, but was interrupted by the shout of another.

“Jay!”

Slade turned and Jason looked toward the front where Dick and his partner Devon Peterson had just entered. His brother was all smiles as he and the other cop approached them. He looked down at Slade and Jason almost wondered if Slade’s non-existent cover had already been blown. To be fair, Dick had the most familiarity with the assassin. They’d been enemies, reluctant allies, and had briefly shared a partnership in which Slade had tried to be something of a mentor.

If anyone had known what Slade looked like as a young man, Dick would make the most sense.

“Who is this?” Dick smiled as he looked down at the younger version of his former antagonist.

Slade looked like he was going to tease Dick as he was so used to doing, so Jason kicked him beneath the table. “Hey Dick, this is,” he glanced at Slade to be sure there would be no retaliation and to try and think. “This is uh… Well, he’s…” Shit. Maybe he should have allowed Slade to speak.

The only problem was that Jason had never trusted Devon. He’d been Dick’s partner for a year and seemed shifty as fuck. He frowned and looked to Slade, trying to impress upon him the knowledge or paranoia he had about the other cop. Not that Slade was a fan of cops anyhow. They usually made his life a touch more difficult than necessary.

“Fuck, you know what,” he stalled as he formed a really half-assed plan. “This is my boyfriend.”

Devon’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re gay?”

“Wow, Jay, really?” Dick smiled. “How long?”

“C-couple of months. I just… you know how I am with relationships… I didn’t want to say anything until I was sure. You know what vultures the media can be.”

Dick nodded; the poor guy knew better than most, he really did. Jason almost felt bad for the oldest of Bruce’s kids. He’d been under a microscope the moment he turned eighteen. Tabloids ran a story on anyone they thought he might be dating and definitely anytime he’d broken up with them. Hell, there’d even been an article devoted to all of Dick’s one-nightstands a few months back.

“You gonna introduce me to your boyfriend?” Dick smiled, he and his partner still standing beside their table. Devon looked bored and a little irritated, but Dick was practically glowing.

“This is… Lance,” He almost cringed but frowned when he saw the furious expression on Slade’s face.

He couldn’t help it though. Slade looked like some kind of New Kid on the Backstreet or something. He was absolutely gorgeous and the first name that popped into his head was Lance. He was so fucking dead. Slade Wilson, who already had a porn star’s name, was now Lance.

“Hi, Lance, I’m Jason’s brother, Dick,” he offered his hand to Slade.  

Lance hid the rage from his eyes as he looked up at and took the offered hand. “That’s not my name. Your asshole brother just insists on calling me that because he thinks I look like a boyband loser,” Slade sneered. “My name is Liam, Liam Kelly.”

Dick laughed and nodded. “Yeah, Jason’s always been a bit of an ass,” he nudged Jason’s shoulder as he spoke. “Well, we’re just grabbing our breakfast to go, but it was a pleasure meeting you, Liam. I hope we see you at dinner this Sunday.”

“I doubt I’ll be in town,” Slade started.

“He’ll be there,” Jason insisted. “Now get outta here before your partner strangles you or something.”

Devon rolled his eyes before turning from them and walked back to the front of the diner without Dick. Jason really, really hated the guy. He wondered how corrupt the officer was. If he was just an asshole or if he was dirty, or maybe even a mole for someone.

“Sounds great!” Dick grinned to Liam. “Catch you later, Jay!”

As soon as he was out of range, Slade had him by the collar again. “What the Hell do you think you’re doing, Jason?”  

“Protecting you and doing myself a favor at the same time,” Jason explained. “Look, the family is always on me about not taking anything seriously. If they think I have a real boyfriend instead of some throwaway lover, they’ll stay off my ass for a bit. You dump me in front of them, like at Thanksgiving dinner at the end of the month? Dude, they’ll leave me alone for the rest of the season at the very least!”

“So, this will be your payment for allowing me to lie low? Putting my new persona in danger just so that you can have a date to some holiday functions coming up over the next four weeks?” Slade definitely looked against it. Still, Jason could only nod. “Fine, but you embarrass me or fuck me over in any way, and I swear I’ll gut you.”