#It start with Selina calling her 'kitten' or something

[haveihitanerve]

Hair

Talia Al Ghul had let him braid her hair sometimes. Whether it was for a special event or for a holiday or just when they had time to spend together, without the threat of being overheard or interrupted.(Not that the interrupter would get away with it.) But for an hour, or however long they were granted, at least once a month. Damian Wayne didn’t have to be Ra's Al Ghul heir. He could just be Damian. Braiding his mothers hair. But mother was not around anymore. And Damian had no plans of ever being around her again. Even though he had enjoyed those days. She had been kinder then. Softer. More like a mother. But Selina had shown him what a real mother was like. And Talia had not been that. But he missed braiding hair. So his feet led him to her door. 

Selina opened it on the second knock and smiled when she saw it was him. Talia had never smiled just by seeing him. He had to have done something good, something to make her proud to get her to smile at him. But Selina smiled. At him. Because he was there. “Hello kitten.” She crouched to be at his level. Another thing no one had ever done in the League. They found arrogance in their height over him. But Selina, and Bruce, and his siblings all knelt to be eye level with him. “Hello Selina.” He said back. “What do you need?” She asked, still smiling softly. What do you need? Not, what do you want? Not, not now Damian. No. What do you need so I can help you? Damian smiled and Selina lit up. “I would like to braid your hair.” He said softly. Selina stood, nodding. “You came on the perfect day.” She headed back into her room, beckoning him. Damian followed her into the very back of her room, where she pushed a panel in the wall to reveal a second room. Damian blinked. The room was painted a soft black, stars and bats and cats stenciled every so often. It had a few dark red couches and beanbags, along with a black cupboard. But the most shocking thing of all was Cass, Steph, and Babs were all seated on the couches, talking and laughing. They stopped when they spotted him, but still smiled warmly. “Hey baby bird!” Steph called, scooting to one side of her seat. “Come join me!” “No me!” Babs called, shifting as well. Cass signed a few words and Damian smiled, heading over to sit with his sister. Steph and Babs pulled a face and Cass grinned in triumph, pulling Damian onto her lap. “Hello Batladies!!” Selina grinned. “Welcome to our own personal spa room. I already did this spiel but since we have a new member, Damian Wayne, I thought I should go over it again.” She winked at Damian. “This is a place where we can talk and gossip and laugh and cry. Any emotions and rants are welcome. Vent if you’d like! Sit in silence too! No judgment. Just relaxation and girl time! Plus Damian of course!” He smiled. “We should be expecting three more guests…” she trailed off as another door opened and Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy stepped into the room. 

Cass tightened her hold on Damian, just in case he wanted to attack. But he was perfectly content in her arms. “Damian, I’d like you to meet two of my best friends, Ivy and Harley.” Damian waved and Ivy and Harley gave him matching smiles. “Hey!” Steph called. “Love y’all’s hair.” The two women grinned and walked over, sitting down across from them. “Looking for ideas Steph?” Ivy mocked. Steph snorted. “Yeah right. Like I’d go fire red or crazy cotton candy.” The two women laughed and plopped down onto the sofa. “Now we just need Lois and we’ll be ready to start!” There was a knock and Lois Lane walked in. “Sorry! Am I late?” Ivy laughed. “Just on time Lane. Like always” Lois smiled. “Thanks Ivy.” She took a seat next to Babs at the girls' invitation and Selina grinned, walking over to the large cupboard. “Alright! Pick your favorite color gals and let’s start!” The cupboard was filled from bottom to top with beauty products, nail polish, hair curlers, face masks, eyelash curlers, and more. The women all jumped up, rushing to grab a color, Steph and babs climbing over the other to grab pink and Ivy and Lois arguing over the right shade of red. Selina laughed, a loud joyful thing and Damian smiled as he watched her. Cass just grinned, still sitting. Steph grabbed a hot pink and walked past, plopping a navy blue into her sister's hand. Cass smiled in thanks. Selina caught Damian’s eye and winked, beckoning him over. He slipped off Cass’s lap, walking over to her. She picked a color off the wall and knelt down, holding it out to him. “How bout it baby bird?” Damian examined the color. 

She had picked a nice bright forest green. Green was his favorite color. “It’s- a bit bright.” He said slowly. “I have an idea!” Steph was next to them, looking for a bright purple. “How about-!” She pulled a few colors off the shelf then settled on two. “Here.” She squatted next to him as well. “You can put the green down as the bottom layer, then put this black layer over top. So it looks black, but then in certain lights, it’ll shine green.” Damian considered it, then nodded. “Okay.” Steph squealed and hugged him, grabbing the colors and his hand. “Perfect!” She hurried over to her couch and threw babs feet off(causing babs to shout a string of words Bruce had pretty much banned in the house) and sat Damian down instead. “Hold out your hands.” She ordered. Damian did as she asked. “You’re gonna look so good Dami!” She said, grinning. If Damian didn’t know his sister was a wonderful person who only wanted the best for him he would’ve thought she was joking. Babs blew on her bright red nails, having lost the fight for pink, and reached for a face mask. “Wanna do a mask babe?” She asked him. “It’ll cleanse your pores. Make your skin soft and clean.” Damian nodded. “Okay.” Babs grinned and Damian allowed her to apply it to his face. “Ooh!!! No he didn’t!” Harley exclaimed. Ivy gaped at Selina. The woman nodded sagely, holding a glass of champagne. Ivy had painted her nails a dark green and was doing Harley’s in a mix of pink and blue. Selina hadn’t done anything yet, but looking at her he remembered why he was here. Steph had finished his nails, still forbidding him from looking at them, and was now gently blowing on them to dry them. 

“Wheres Jason by the way?” Babs asked Cass, putting curlers in her hair, a mask on her face. Cass shrugged, signing “he comes and goes.” “Todd does these?” Damian asked, looking between his sisters. Cass and Steph snorted. Babs grinned. “Oh yeah. All the time.” “He has some good gossip.” Harley drawled in her Boston accent. Ivy and Lois laughed. “Yes he does. It’s most interesting.” Selina laughed. Damian hadn’t seen her this relaxed in a while. “He’s off with his father right now.” She rolled her eyes. “Something secret.” Ivy wiggled her eyebrows, holding Harley’s hand. “Maybe he’s trying to be cute for you!” Lois said, laughing as Harley did her nails in a deep purple. Babs, Cass, and Steph were quiet. Selina gave them a look. “Maybe.” 

“Alright!” Steph announced. “You can look.” Damian looked down at his nails. They were painted black, but when he rotated his wrists a bit, he could see a green shine glowing underneath. Selina came over and ooohed. “Can you do that for me too, kitten?” She asked Steph. Steph lit up. “Sure!” “Can I braid your hair while she does?” Damian interjected. Selina nodded. “Of course baby.” She sat on the ground and Steph sat between her legs, taking her hands in hers. Damian sat on the couch behind her, running his hands through her thick brown hair. As he separated the strands into sections his nails glowed every so often and he smiled, looking at them. The chatter started up again, each woman talking over the other, laughing as drinks were poured easily. Cass handed him a juice box and he smiled in thanks, stopping his braiding for a second. Selina’s hair was soft, softer than Talias, and thicker too. But it was so much fun to braid. “Wowza birdie!” Steph exclaimed, looking at Selina’s head. “Holy.” Babs muttered. “Can you do my hair next bebs?” Cass asked. Damian smiled, nodding. “Sure.” And in that moment, surrounded by the women in his family, Damian felt he now understood the true meaning of family. And from then on Selina was given the title of Mother. 

(Talia became Talia)

[meritatem]

Look, Selina is smart. Brilliant. An artist in her field, capable even of outsmarting Batman when the opportunity arises. She has enough skill and knowledge to maneuver the day-to-day in this cursed city, to not only survive but to thrive.

She knows all the rules of this game, she's alive because she knows how to play it well. So why, oh, why is she letting this unknown kid into her apartment without stopping to think about how much of a bad idea this is? She's blaming Jason Todd for this; it's true that her life was a bit in disarray before her encounter with Jason, but she's choosing to put more fault into him because he had to mess with her while wearing a Batman suit, so the personal offense feels warranted. Besides there's not much she can do when the kid actually knows where she's staying at the moment, only worsen by the fact that he calls her by her name - or well, last name - as soon as they get inside. It's not like she had doubts about the kid being adjacent to Batman in some way, not with all the kevlar and the expert roof surfing, but she wasn't expecting him to actually know things. Maybe this is a sign that she needs to step away for a little while, you know? To rest, heal and all that jazz.

Damian, of course, doesn't have time to wait for Selina to sort her internal conflicts, so he just takes the throw pillows from her couch and makes a little nest for the kittens on the floor, depositing them carefully in it and putting the cape back almost in one fluid motion, he then turned around and without waiting for Selina, went directly to the kitchen, prompting her to finally react.

“Where do you keep the dishes?” He asked even though he was already opening the cupboards. “And what kind of food do you have? They look old enough for something else besides milk.”

“Hold on,” and acting like this wasn't not unusual at all, she took off her goggles off and left them in the counter, tapping with her hand in passing one of the cupboards. “The bowls are there.”

Selina didn't have a cat of her own but she had the habit of feeding the stray cats that sometimes visited her balcony, so she had more than enough cat canned food, even if said food was more suitable for adult cats but going to the pet store wasn't an option at the moment, so for now it'll have to suffice. As soon as she poured the food into a bowl, Damian seized it, hurrying back to the cats while she took off her cowl, leaving it in the same place as her goggles before running her fingers through her hair, shaking it. For a moment she considered that maybe a glass of rum was in order, I mean, it was past two in the morning and she had an unnamed vigilante child sitting cross-legged in her living room, happily helping some kittens to eat from a feeding bowl that was a bit big for them... that surely entered in the territory of “I need alcohol for this”, but that also seemed exactly like not the thing to do with a kid present, especially when said kid apparently knew all her secrets.

“So,” she started, like she was continuing with a previous conversation. “What's your name?”

“No One.” He answered like he did that first time when he met Colin again. “That's what I go by.”

“Really? Sounds a little uninspiring.”

“I won't take criticism from someone calling herself Catwoman.”

“I hope you have this opinion for Batman too.”

“Batman is a simple and evocative name, easy for the vermin to remember and cower to. It's not the same.”

“You're biased because he's your boss.”

“He's not my boss, I answer to no-one but myself.” Which was a lie, because he did ask for Pennyworth's authorization for some things, but Kyle didn't need to know that. 

In the course of the conversation, Selina started to move in the kitchen after finally deciding that tea would be best, maybe with some luck it'll really help her relax; seeing the situation she was in, seemed doubtful but it was worth a try.

“Do you want some tea?” She asked out of politeness, even if there was nothing polite about this.

“I'd accept hot chocolate, if you have it.”

“Sorry, dear, not at this time. How about milk with honey?”

“No, thank you.” He said, turning his nose with disdain.

Selina was sure this was the first time she hear someone showing so much contempt at the simple mention of milk. It was kind of funny coming from a child that definitely needed the calcium.

“So,” she said again. “How did you end up as Batman's associate?”

“By misfortune.”

Yeah, no, on a second thought she's not going there. “Ah, don't we all? It's always like that when he's involved, isn't it?” And there was a sense of nostalgia in her words, but it was only momentary. “But enough of this, let's talk about what are we going to do with these kittens,” that had to be a safer topic, right? “What was your plan? I'm sure you weren't thinking about breaking into my place before I found you.”

“I was going to temporally house them until I found a proper place for their reallocation.”

“Not adopting one yourself, uh?”

“I'm not in a position to care for an animal at the moment.”

With everything that was happening in his life, acquiring a new army of pets wasn't an immediate priority for Damian, that aside, he still had the intention of locating his old four-legged friends, if possible, so what was a little more of solitude after so many years of it?

“What is your protocol for cat rescuing?”

Selina wasn't a fan of the implication that this meant No One knew enough of her to know that she, in fact, was on the habit of saving furry critters from the streets when able. It wasn't like she actually believed a kid could be a terrible threat to her wellbeing, at least not one that claimed to be bat aligned, but it was unsettling that someone she never saw before had so much information, so clearly next time she saw Tim she'll have to ask him what was this all about.

She took out the cup she put in the microwave - with tea bag and sugar included - and made her way to the couch, letting the cup over the coffee table so she could get her boots off. It has been a long night, alright? Selina definitely was past caring about keeping appearances in her own home, intruding child or not.

“Just the usual, I feed them, take them to the vet if they need it and I drop them later at the shelter.”

“What shelter?”

“The one in Gillams Avenue.” 

Selina chose to name that one because it was the one closer to her current location. In truth, Selina favored the one she personally sponsored, but she wasn't going to offer more information about her life, god knows what else de kid knew already.

“Paw Friends has allegations of animal mistreatment. Management says the issue has been resolved but I remain doubtful, I would recommend the one in Holroyd Close instead, at least until I verify the administration's claims.”

“Oh-ho?” she expressed melodically. “Is this your thing then? The big bad bat saves people, so you save animals?”

“I've broken bones bigger than yours.”

She couldn't help the laugh that escaped from her, here she was worrying about her secrets being in possession of a child with undisclosed intentions, while said child seemed more invested in dealing with animal welfare.   

“Now, now, there's no need to be mean, we're practically on the same side here.”

“As if, we share very little in common. You don't even know what side I'm on.”

“Well, go on, enlight me.”

“My own, obviously.”

“See? That's something smart we can agree on.”

There was a very unfriendly answer ready in Damian's lips but he decided to kept that to himself, because he had no interest in continuing with such a pointless conversation, instead he was more interested in the kittens, that were done with their meal and looked now like tiny balls of fur. He felt very tempted to rub the kittens' fat little bellies, so it was a shame he couldn't take off his gloves to do that, but such were the injustices of life he had to accept.

Selina used the silence that followed to drink her tea and carefully observe her guest. Putting aside the suit and his idiolect, he didn't seemed all different from a kid taking enthusiastic care of a stranger's pet because he couldn't have one of his own. She wondered about what kind of life he had, because people usually didn't end in Batman's company for happy reasons and she wasn't blind, he was well trained, not in a way that some gymnastics in the community center could do, but something methodical and precise, in a manner that could only take years to learn. If he was saying the truth about Batman, was that the reason Bruce took him under his wing before everything? Because this was better than the alternative?

Her second mistake should be blamed on Zatanna, clearly something went wrong when she magically healed Selina, because at least that'd explain her past restlessness and now this sudden lack of common sense.

“I think it'd take a couple of days to get them a spot at the shelter, so, if you want, you can come and see them before that.”

“Tt, while your lack of effectiveness doesn't surprise me, your authorization is unnecessary. I've seen farm pens with better security than this place.”

If Selina were on a TV show, this would be the moment she'd turn to look at the camera with a unimpressed expression.

Damian had no problems with ignoring her again, this time so he could start moving the cats back to their pillow made enclosure. “They need appropriate accommodations.”

“I have a cat bed somewhere, dear,” she said, taking the last of her tea. “I'll make space for them in my room.” With that, Selina stood up, empty cup in hand, walking back to the kitchen without caring about being barefoot. “Do you have a curfew or something? As you can assume, I'm a very busy woman and if you're coming tomorrow,” she left the cup in the sink once she was in front of it before turning around. “I need—”

And just like that Selina found herself alone in her apartment, with only the meowing kittens for company and an open window, mocking her.

“You've got to be kidding me.”

From the long list of traits Damian wasn't especially proud, being a sore loser was one of the many. He liked to think he was better at it now, but it was a little difficult to measure such thing when the past years of his life had been about endurance and remorse. His current life was lacking of that too, because he wasn't competing with anyone: not for his place in the Wayne household, not for his right to be recognized as a Robin and not for his father's acceptance.

So he was trying to figure out if he was bothered because he was losing the current chess game he was having with Pennyworth or if it was the man's smug countenance, so proper and entertained, what was annoying him.

“Did you know,” said Pennyworth apropos nothing. “That the donation you made through Mrs. Wayne's Foundation has been accepted?”

Damian did in fact know, because whatever his plans were - big and small -, he was always paying attention; although he had more pressing matters than concerning himself with St. Aden's Orphanage's Easter celebration, it was still something he cared about. From the research he did the first time he met Colin, he found out that St. Aden was one of the many orphanages that was run under the Wayne Foundation and like all that fell under his father's charity, it was well founded so it wasn't in a dire need of Damian's own charitable efforts. But just like everything he did, this was just something purely for his own selfish reasons.

“As it should,” he answered without taking his eyes from the chessboard. “Are you trying to distract me, Pennyworth?”

“I would never,” he sounded convincingly offended by the accusation. “That would imply I need the advantage.”

Alfred was lucky Damian was so fond of him. 

“I brought it up because I'd like to know if I should be preparing a customary Easter Hunt for you, sir.”  

His first impulse was to scoff at such ludicrous idea and say no, because he wasn't a child. But it was just that, an automatic response from years of never considering himself a kid, not even in his earliest memories; it wasn't what Damian wanted now. He promised to himself that he'd stop rejecting the little joys of childhood, because it was the least he owed to the child he never had the chance to be.

“That would be acceptable,” he said, trying to sound indifferent. “Nothing too extravagant, simple yet tasteful would do.” And with that, he finally made his next move in the board.

“Of course, Master Damian, we wouldn't want the colorful eggs made for children to be anything but stylish.”

“You're always so hilarious, you should consider joining Grayson in the circus. You have the talent.”

The only reaction Damian got for his words, was a small amused twitch in the corners of Alfred's lips. “We should always strive to bring smiles to the ones around us.” And as if he had planned it, he made his move, successfully ending the game. “Checkmate.”

“Well played, Pennyworth,” said Damian after a moment. “You deserve to be rewarded for this, so I'll be on charge of making dinner today.”

Alfred's disapprovingly raised eyebrow was Damian's own victory... so maybe he was still a sore loser, but just the tiniest bit. 

The computer in the Grave was a work in progress, while it served its main purpose, it had a lot of limitations compared with the Batcomputer, which was the reason why he had to sneak out from time to time in the cave -  and more recently in the bunker - to get what he needed it. Of course, given the kind of people he lived with, sneaking out usually meant going on little infiltration operations. The safest time to do things he was trying to hide, was to do them when Grayson and Drake were too busy patrolling; the second was to do them when they were out cold after coming back from said patrolling.

Hypothetically, past four o'clock in the morning, should be a safe time to go in the bunker without having to worry much, at least in normal nights, when they didn't have wild situations going out of control by Gotham's standards. But Damian would've done well to remember that he also lived with a self-inflicted insomniac, so getting his plans ruined by Timothy Drake was frustratingly typical; at this point he really needed to install is own secret cameras in the bunker, if only to help him not waste time.

Going back as soon as he noticed that Tim was on the computer would be too suspicious, something Damian didn't need to add to when Drake already was distrustful of him, so he decided to do the first thing that came to his mind and started to walk confidently to the lockers, hoping Drake would just ignore him.

Of course he wasn't that lucky, because Tim seemed to have a natural disposition to go against his wishes. “What are you doing here?” He asked, as soon as Damian passed behind him, even if he was at a considerable distance.

“I came for my sword.” Was the disinterested answer.

Tim let out a sigh but kept working on what he was doing. “Why do you need it at this hour?”

“I can't sleep.”

“Training won't help, you're just going to overtire yourself.”

While part of Damian wanted to call out the hypocrisy, he was more focused on the fact that this was the first time he heard Drake say something that could be interpreted as worry for him, so probably at this point he was working on autopilot if he didn't mind sounding like he cared for Damian.

“It's not for that, is to help me sleep.”

“Are you seriously thinking about putting that under your pillow?”

“Not under my pillow, I just need to have it close.”

“The penthouse is up to Batman's standards, if something manages to pass that, you're going to need more than a sword.”

“It's not for defense, this is my emotional support sword.”

At this, Tim finally stopped typing and for a few seconds he just stared blankly at the screen in front of him. “I feel like I'm always asking you this, but, what?” And almost immediately he shook his head. “Forget it, don't answer, I know you're just messing with me.”

For a change Drake wasn't wrong when it came to him, so Damian wasn't going to argue. After he secured his sword and gave a quick but discreet look to the places that could be appropriate to install cameras, Damian naively thought that this will be the end of it, but when he got close to the stairs, Tim's voice made him stop right on his tracks.

“Damian.” It was just his name, but the way it was said felt too deliberate, like a command.

Drake, of course, wasn't looking at him when Damian turned around. He knew what kind of game the other was trying to play, so he just clicked his tongue with annoyance. “What?”

For a moment Tim acted like he didn't heard him or even spoke to him in the first place, so maybe Drake was fancying a kick in the shin this early in the morning, because he seemed to be asking just for that, however what he finally said next made Damian forget completely about any irritation.

“Do you still believe Bruce is going to come back?”

The unexpected question didn't surprise him that much, instead he was more curious about what thing in their interaction made Drake think about his father all of a sudden. “Yes, I do.”

At this, Tim turned the chair to look at him clearly. “Why? What proof do you have?” And his tone had a trace of mockery.

“I grew up surrounded by the legacy of a man obsessed with cheating death, I've seen the impossible become mundane.”

“That's it?” He said in a mix of disappointment and disdain. “Just because Ra's refuses to stay dead doesn't mean Bruce is somewhere out there, we have his body.”

“For all we know that's a magical clone.”

Probably it would be for the best if Damian wasn't so close to the truth, but given how utter ridiculous their lives were, his conjectures could pass just as a lucky guess.

Tim then let out a mirthless laugh, one that Damian knew very well. “That's the best you can come up with? Not like it matters,” he put his elbows in the armrests of the chair and interlocked his fingers, giving Damian a look of unmistakable condescension. “But what if you're wrong? What if all this time Bruce has been really dead and you're just in denial? What then, Damian?”

Drake's mind was a mystery. Damian couldn't even begin to fathom what triggered this, how they went from him reasoning his visit to the bunker to Tim talking like Damian was a fool, all in the blink of an eye. But he did have a theory as to why Drake, of all people, would act as if it was stupid to believe Bruce was alive.

Well, Damian was always up for theatricality, because that's what his life has always been at its core: a perpetual portrayal of what his parents wanted him to be. His life was still on a stage, the only difference was that now he was free to choose his role and how to play it.

“If my father is dead,” he started, sounding already bored. “There's only two paths for us to follow,” he unsheathed his katana and raised it at the same height of his shoulder, holding it horizontally in front of him. “We can defy the laws of nature and wage war on life and death alike,” with a subtle change of his wrist, he positioned the sword vertically, with its end pointing directly towards Tim. “And we search in heaven, hell and in-betweens until the universe kneels before us and has no other choice but give him back. Or,” in a blink-and-you-miss-it kind of movement, he sheathed the sword again, setting it firmly on the ground, resting his hands - one top of the other - over its handle. “We accept that he is gone and begin to come to terms with his loss until we learn to move on.” And he waited for his words to settle before finishing his little scene. “I already know my path. What's yours?”

And as if a switch had been flipped, Tim's whole demeanor changed; he practically slouched on the chair and gone was that air of taunting and somberness. He lazily studied Damian for a moment before just sighing with fake disappointment.

“You were less annoying when you were just homicidal.” Despite his words, his tone wasn't really antagonistic. “And I bet you think you looked cool just now.”

Damian hid his amusement, finally abandoning his imitation a general in front of his army. “The fact that you think that's what I was trying to do, denotes that you indeed thought I was, as you said, 'cool'.” Tim just rolled his eyes and turned the chair going back to his work, looking like he didn't try some kind of strange test on Damian just a moment ago. “You shouldn't stay so late, you know how Pennyworth feels about that.”

“Mind your own business and go cuddle your sword or something. And you better not tell Alfred you saw me here.”

“I don't need to, he always knows.”

Considering how true that was, Tim's lack of retort was expected, unlike the whole exchange they just had, but psychological warfare aside, that had been one of their most civil conversations, so overall Damian was counting it as a win.

⪻Chapter 12

Chapter 14⪼

[raaorqtpbpdy]

Mother Gotham and Her Beloved Children

This is yet another fic I wrote for the @batfam-big-bang, this time for @red-hood-redemption's gorgeous artwork, which they posted here! This one is a one-shot, so I'm posting the entire thing here, but you can also go read it on AO3 if you want.

[Warning for minor violence]

Selina had never been the sentimental type. Through a significant stretch of her life, everything she owned had fit in a single suitcase. Ever since her mom died and she was left alone, she'd never gotten attached to anything. If she left something behind somewhere, it was lost to her forever. She didn't grieve. She didn't linger. It was hers and then it wasn't. That was how her life had always gone.

When she left Gotham behind, she thought she would never look back. Her whole life, she'd been trying to get out of that god-forsaken hellhole of a city, to get away from the wretched slums she was forced to live in, from the skeevy club where she had to work with rancid, drugged-up men eyeing her like a piece of meat, and especially from her scumbag father. Although... he wasn't an issue anymore, was he?

Maybe she should feel something about that, anger or depression or whatever those stages of grief were supposed to be, but all she felt was relief. Now that he was gone, she felt freer than she had ever been, and the very first thing she'd done with that freedom was get the hell outta dodge. Her dark and ugly past was in that dark and ugly city. Her bright future was supposed to be anywhere else.

She had a whole world at her fingertips, so why would she ever go back to the rotten apple that was Gotham? Because she was born there? She'd been raised there? Because her mother, completely inexplicably, had loved that city? Ha! Of course not.

Sentimentality was the kinda thing that got a girl like her killed running back for something she left behind someplace in the middle of the night, or baselessly believing someone who fucked her over in the past could turn a new leaf. So why in the hell was she going back to Gotham? For one score? It wasn't any better than the DC job she could be pulling right now, just closer.

She could deny it all she wanted. She could pull out any excuse in the book to justify her choice to return. But she knew the real reason she was going back wasn't some ancient treasure in some museum.

It was Gotham.

It was like the city itself was calling her back, drawing her towards it, trying to bring her home—no matter how much she wanted to leave and never think of the grim, grisly town again. It was like, even with Falcone dead and her debts paid, the city still had some kind of hold over her. Even though it had killed her friend, and her mother, and chewed her up and spit her out, she owed it something, somehow.

Less than a year had passed, but a lot of the city had already been rebuilt since the Riddler flooded it. The stadium at Gotham Square Garden had been drained and torn down, but construction had already started on a shiny new one. The sea wall had been the first thing to get fixed, patched first as a stop gap, then rebuilt taller and stronger. Given actual security measures so no one could drown the entire city with seven rental vans and a few homemade explosives ever again.

The fact that it had happened even just the once was a testament to what a shit-hole the city was, and how downright awful the people who lived in it were. Not that Selina needed any more evidence than her own personal experience had already given her. She had known that all her life, it was why she wanted out so badly. And she'd gotten out. She'd had exactly what she wanted after the flood. She was free, and gone, racing away as fast as she could, like a cat outta hell.

Now, here she was, driving back across the Brown Bridge on her motorcycle.

Driving ever closer to the hell of her nightmares.

And yet, rather than feeling like she was a helpless kitten, trapped in a sack and drowning in a river... she felt like she was coming home. Like the city was embracing its prodigal daughter.

It made her stomach turn.

She wouldn't be staying, she told herself. She was only there for that museum exhibit, the Jewels of Jeresta, which was on display at the Gotham History Museum, on loan from a small country in South America whose name she couldn't rightly pronounce. God only knows why anyone would let a valuable treasure like that within a hundred square miles of Gotham City, but she sure as hell wasn't about to let this golden opportunity slip past her. Gotham was her home turf, and she knew that museum top to bottom, backwards and forwards, inside and out.

All she had to do was make sure she didn't run into Vengeance and she would be in and out and gone like a whisper on a breeze before the police knew the treasure was missing. Of course, avoiding the Batman was easier said than done.

Even having met him, the Batman was a mystery to her, almost, but not quite, a myth. They said he was the shadows, that he could be anywhere at any time, and that he knew every single thing that happened in the city of Gotham. And though she knew that wasn't entirely the truth, a part of her, however small, still sort of believed it.

Once, Selina had even heard some batty theory that he was the soul of the city itself, a physical manifestation of it. She had laughed at it then and she laughed at it now. Batman was smart, and strong, and resourceful, but he was just a man. Albeit a strange, obsessive, mysterious man, but a man nonetheless. And she was an expert cat burglar. And Gotham was a big city. Surely, she could hide under his nose for a few short days without too much of a problem.

Once she was in the inner city, she got herself a hotel room. She could afford a pretty swanky one these days, between the money she had stolen from Falcone and the jobs she had pulled while she was away, and she wasn't about to deny herself any luxuries after a lifetime of struggling to get by. As soon as she had her cat taken care of—Patch, the only one she'd been able to take with her—she prepared to case the museum.

Selina already knew all of its standard security measures, of course, this was hardly her first time around the block, but there were bound to be some extra features set in place for the jewels.

There was going to be some big, fancy, charity party at the museum to reveal it. Several of Gotham's elite had already been invited to it, but anyone could buy a ticket, and the proceeds and donations were all split fifty-fifty between a foundation for the cultural restoration of the country who'd loaned the exhibit, and another one for cultural enrichment right there in Gotham. Selina, of course, had bought her ticket online in advance.

A year ago, before the flood, she might have been pretty worried about some of the people there recognizing her, and there was still a decent chance that some would, but since Falcone's death, and the inauguration of Mayor Reál, a lot of the city's old fat cats had been replaced with new ones, ones who wouldn't know her face, or at least not as well. Still, she had decided that a new wig and some heavy contouring were in order.

She had chosen the name Catarina Abbot as her cover, and she'd been practicing a traditional southern belle accent as well. No one would ever suspect it was really her, of that, she was all but certain. Or at least, no one who wasn't already in on the con.

It didn't take her too long to get ready, although the stark contrast between the sleek black gown with its rhinestone trim extending down to her ankles, and the tight club outfits she once wore that never dropped below her mid-thigh, would take a little bit of getting used to. She took a taxi to the museum, stepping out onto the long, maroon carpet that had been laid out from the curb all the way to the front door. Clouds hung low in the sky, but the weather forecast had promised that it wasn't going to rain, and it hadn't yet. Selina wasn't about to start holding her breath for it to stay dry though.

Gotham and rain were like cats and claws, to remove the latter from the former would be inhumane. Gotham needed rain like it needed gargoyles, and lead paint, and the sound of gunshots varying distances away every half-hour. These were the things that made it uniquely Gotham, and not some other urban city that smelled like pollution and hot garbage, and looked haunted beyond belief.

Selina smiled at the news cameras, waved, said nothing. As soon as she was inside, her shoulders drooped with relief. Hopefully the makeup was enough that no one would be able to recognize her in the photos, at least not for long enough that she could make her getaway with the goods. She unconsciously tightened her grip on her clutch purse, her sharp, expertly manicured nails digging into the black satin, and sashayed confidently toward the wall.

The main hall of the museum, where the party was being held, had high, arched ceilings with a row of short, wide, windows at the top of the walls. Colorful paintings of nature by a long dead local artist of some renown hung liberally on the cream colored walls, with little brass plaques next to each, declaring the titles and some commentary of the paintings. In the center of the room, was the same tall, black marble statue that had been installed when the museum first opened, decades ago, of a woman cradling a pair of snarling grotesques like babies in her arms.

If Selina's memory served, there had been quite a lot of controversy around the statue. The artist had been commissioned to create a statue which encapsulated natural history in Gotham, and there had been a minor uproar about what the artist had actually delivered not fitting the bill. The artist had argued intensely in the statue's favor, and in the end, refused to make a new one, but accepted a reduced payment for the commission provided they actually displayed it, and as the museum had not had enough money to hire another sculptor, the statue remained.

It was called Mother Gotham and her Beloved Children, and as the years passed, patrons and employees of the museum alike grew quite fond of the marble woman and her monstrous young. Selina herself had stared at it in awe for nearly an hour when she'd gone on her first field-trip to the museum as a schoolchild. She couldn't help staring at it a little, even now. They sold smaller versions in the museum gift shop, when the museum was actually open—paper-weights and key-chains. Perhaps she should come back during normal hours and buy one.

She tore her gaze away from the statue to take in the crowd of guests. Women in luxurious gowns, and well-dressed men in suits mixed and mingled throughout the room. Many of the men stared at her, even here, but not in quite the same way they did at the Iceberg Lounge. Their lasciviousness, though certainly present, was much better concealed. It was a nice party, after all, and they had to be on their best behavior. A woman in a dark purple gown, one with layers of tulle and ruffled shoulders, stopped Selina to compliment her on her dress.

"It suits your figure so well, dear, wherever did you get it?" the woman asked.

"Versace, I believe," Selina laid the accent on thick, but spoke casually, as if she couldn't be bothered to remember which luxury clothing brand had made the most expensive gown that she had ever worn in her life. "But of course I never wear anything that I haven't had fitted by my personal tailor. I do say, she's an absolute miracle worker."

"I can see that," agreed the woman, looking Selina up and down enviously. "Although with a waistline like yours I'm sure it's not too hard to be. Delia Maracus," she introduced finally, gesturing to herself with one hand, and then to the rest of the museum with the other. "My husband, Simon, is the museum curator."

"Catarina Abbot," Selina introduced, placing a hand delicately over her sternum and tilting her head politely, "Collector of fine things."

"Ooh, well doesn't that title have a nice ring to it," Delia remarked, her golden curls bouncing as she leaned closer with interest and then back again with a gentle shake of her head. "I wish I could call myself something that classy, but all I collect are vintage perfume bottles and dusty old books." She laughed at herself, and Selina smiled gracefully.

"Those things are plenty fine, Miss Delia," she said kindly. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all. I just so happen to be partial to a cat's eye."

"That's nice of you to say. I've got more of a sheep's eye, most of the time, ha ha." Delia's attention was diverted by something over Selina's shoulder. "Looks like I'm needed elsewhere. It was so lovely meeting you, Miss Abbot, do enjoy the party, won't you."

"Please, Catarina," Selina told her, stepping aside so she could walk past. "And thank you, I intend to."

The Jewels of Jeresta were displayed under bulletproof glass casings in a smaller exhibit room off the main hall, all the way on the far side from the front entrance, and Selina began to make her way toward it as inconspicuously as she could—slowly, keeping to the edges of the floor, smiling politely and making idle small talk with those who approached her, putting forth a concerted effort not to be too reciprocal of their interest in her, so as to discourage them from taking too much of her time.

Then a small voice spoke from behind her. "You look beautiful." Selina turned to see who had spoken, and when she saw him, she blinked in surprise. Though he was quite a bit taller than her, the slope of his shoulders and the angle of his head made him seem slightly smaller than he actually was. His eyes were fixed on her face, but didn't quite meet her own eyes. "My name is Bruce."

"I know who you are, Mr. Wayne," she told him. Reclusive as he was, or had been before she skipped town, everyone in Gotham knew who Bruce Wayne was. She had heard that he'd started making more public appearances ever since the flood, but she definitely hadn't expected to run into him herself during the brief period while she was back in town. He smiled when she spoke, a small, sweet smile, with a hint of humor in it.

"Bruce is fine," he told her, his eyes finally locking on hers for a few seconds before they shifted away. She thought it reminded her of someone else, but wasn't sure. Maybe it was more of a vague aura than an actual person. He certainly had an air about him. "And you are?"

"Catarina Abbot," she said in answer. "You may call me Catarina, if you'd like."

"Catarina," he repeated, and that hint of humor flickered a little brighter behind his blue eyes, like somehow he got the joke, even though there was no way he could have. "That's a lovely name."

"Why, thank you."

"Are you an aficionado of culture, history, or rare and beautiful treasures?" Bruce Wayne asked, swirling the honey-colored drink in his champagne flute. "Or are you just here for the champagne?"

"I have been noted as a collector of fine things," she answered after allowing the joke an airy laugh. "An experience like this one is a fine thing indeed."

"So the treasures, then. Have you seen the exhibit yet?" he asked. "It's quite a sight to behold."

"I've been moseying that way," she admitted. As a guest, she was all but expected to go back and look at the exhibit at least once. There was nothing suspicious about that. "I have been looking forward to it for some time."

"I'd be happy to escort you," he offered, extending an arm for her to take. Though a bit surprised, she accepted, and allowed him to walk her back to the exhibit room where the Jewels of Jeresta were being displayed.

The jewels were breathtaking, and she couldn't wait to steal them. Unfortunately, with Mr. Wayne in the room, watching her with that dopey look on his face, she couldn't look too closely at the security measures without arousing suspicion. Selina made mental notes of the ones she could see without being too obvious about looking. Cameras, of course, motion sensors, the glass casings were sealed against the display podiums, but she couldn't see the release mechanism from where she was standing, and trying to look behind or under would be too obvious.

"Gorgeous aren't they?" Bruce Wayne asked her, and she was struck again by just how soft his voice was. She'd never imagined a billionaire CEO would speak in such gentle tones.

"They are just ravishing," Selina agreed. "Some of the most stunning pieces I have ever laid eyes on. Why, it's a privilege just to look at 'em. I ought to thank the museum curator for his good work."

"I'm sure it was no easy feat, convincing the country of Sanamiguay to loan a collection like this to Gotham," Bruce said. "They've loaned these jewels to museums around the world before, but Gotham's... reputation tends to deter some."

"A reputation well deserved," Selina scoffed, her accent almost, but not quite, slipping as she said it.

"Perhaps," Wayne agreed, nodding and looking back at the jewels behind the bulletproof glass. "But I have faith that Gotham can change. At least, I think it's worth the effort to try."

"Why, Mr. Wayne, you're much more of an optimist than I ever imagined you'd be," Selina remarked. "Listen to you, all starry eyed and dreaming of sunshine."

"Have you lived in Gotham long, Catarina?" he asked. "Judging from your accent, I'm guessing you're not from around here."

"No, I'm from Georgia, the city of Savannah," she told him, "but my family's done business in Gotham since I was a girl. I've seen the city you have faith in, and I wouldn't be so bold as to say that faith is misplaced, but... well, let's just say that I am not of the same opinion."

"I guess you're not entirely wrong to disagree." Wayne shrugged and shifted his weight so he further obscured the camera she was trying to see behind him. "Most people disagree with me. I just don't think everyone should be so quick to write this city off as a lost cause. At the very least, we can have a little hope, can't we?"

"I suppose."

Wayne kept her talking for some time before someone finally interrupted them and dragged the man away, his face scrunching up in displeasure for a moment before he visibly forced a more pleasant expression and allowed them his attention. When the opportunity presented itself, finally, to properly inspect the room, Selina took it. Then she slipped away, out of the exhibit room, and out of the museum, before Wayne tried to engage her again.

It wasn't that she didn't like the man, but he seemed to like her a great deal, and she couldn't afford someone like that getting attached, not when she was planning to disappear without a trace after the job was done. Men with his resources could find her anyway, if she wasn't careful, and in her experience, no matter how polite and seemingly respectful they were, wealthy and influential men could not be trusted.

The next few days, she spent planning her heist. Marking up her entry and exit routes, acquiring or making the necessary tools to enact her plan without any snags. She had every detail accounted for, from the entry to the escape, as meticulous as her pointed nails, and as clear as her objective.

She broke in through one of the high windows, scaling down the wall on a rope she'd tied to the roof. Those windows didn't lock, since they were considered too high up to present a viable security risk. The room with the Jewels of Jeresta had no door, just a wide arched entryway with motion detectors near the floor which activated when the museum closed, but were laughably easy to step over.

Upon inspection, she saw that the sealed glass covers required a key-code to unlock. Lucky for her, she had no intention of unlocking them. She had gotten her hands on a diamond-edged cutter, which she used to slice a circle into the bulletproof glass and reach inside for the jewels. Diamonds really were a girl's best friend.

So far, everything had gone off without a hitch, which of course meant it was time for someone to throw a wrench in her well-oiled machine.

"I'd almost be impressed if I wasn't so disappointed in you, Selina," came a voice from behind her, and she whipped around to see the Batman standing there. "I've already set off the museum's security alarm. The cat's out of the bag. Police are on their way now."

"Then I guess it's time for me to go," she said, snatching up the jewels from the case she'd already opened and sprinting at the Bat. She had hoped that, by rushing him, she could catch him off guard and slip past. She should have known better.

Her back slammed hard against the wooden floor as he hit her in the chest and shoved her down. She was only pinned for a moment before she wriggled out, wrapping her legs around his neck and forcing him sideways before he wrenched her off of him.

They continued their little back and forth with Batman snatching the jewels from her grip one after another and Selina slowly rotating the fight until their positions in the room were switched. Her hands were empty by the time she was on the other side of the archway with her exit route finally clear, at least until the cops arrived. She wished she could nab at least one of those jewels, but if she didn't split now, she'd be caught.

"Thanks for mucking everything up for me again, Vengeance," she sneered at him, and sprinted full-tilt back to the rope she'd climbed in on, scaling it with record speed and cutting it behind her, letting the Batman, who was climbing up after her, fall to the floor. "This was supposed to be easy. Damned Bat."

She wouldn't admit, or even acknowledge, that it had been kind of nice to see him again, despite the circumstances. To see that he hadn't gotten himself killed on his stupid mission just yet, to fight with him, that little back and forth that constituted the first contact she'd had with the man since leaving. No. She was too frustrated to acknowledge any of that.

She ran and leapt across the city rooftops with feline grace, and was halfway down the block before she saw him chasing after her. Apparently the setback of the rope being cut hadn't slowed him down for long. She cursed under her breath and sped up, running as fast as she could as long as she could.

Glancing over her shoulder every few minutes, she kept going, and going, waiting for one of them or the other to trip, let coincidence decide her fate, whether he would catch her and turn her in, or whether she'd escape to steal something else another day.

Finally, she came up against a rooftop with nowhere to go. She couldn't turn, the gap between the roofs on either side was too wide for her to jump it, and she couldn't keep going straight unless she wanted a three story drop into a face-full of sand, broken glass, and whatever other shit ended up on Gotham Beach. Selina skidded to a stop before she accidentally hurled herself over the edge, and looked frantically around for another way out, finding none.

Taking heaving breaths, she tried to recompose herself, and she looked back at the man in pursuit of her. Once he got to her, she'd have to fight her way out again, and she didn't really like her chances, if she was being honest. Her experience and lithe body gave her the edge over a lot of opponents, but not Vengeance. He was bigger, stronger, just as fast, and as much as she hated to admit it, more skilled. His training must've been a lot more extensive than hers.

By the time he reached her, she still hadn't caught her breath, but she stood her ground nonetheless, and lashed out with her nails, aiming for the few square inches of flesh his suit left open. He blocked her easily and countered with a fist, which she narrowly dodged. Their exchange of blows continued, back and forth, a kick blocked, a swipe dodged, an elbow landed, but the recipient recovered quickly.

"You ruined everything!" she complained through labored breaths. "Do you have any idea how much money I would have made on that job?!"

"Is money more important than a nation's cultural treasures?" Batman asked. "More important than your city's reputation?"

"This city's reputation is garbage already," she insisted harshly. "You don't get to decide how I live my life, Vengeance."

"I'm not," he said, dodging another slash of her nails and countering with a sweep of his legs which she somersaulted over before launching herself into his abdomen. "But your life circumstances don't make you above judgment," he grunted, forcing her off of him, "or the law. You're free to do what you want, but not free of consequences."

"You couldn't have left me alone for one damn job?" Stumbling slightly, she regained her footing, but was too winded to attack again. She thought for sure he would be on her as soon as she stopped moving, but he wasn't. He allowed her to catch her breath, his imposing figure blocking any exit, but not making any attempt to catch or cuff her.

"No. Because stopping crime in Gotham is my job."

"Well, you've done your job now, crime stopped," she panted out. "You can go now, unless you plan to put me in handcuffs. That could be fun."

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" His voice was as deep and even as it ever was but she would almost think those thin lips of his turned up at the corner, ever so slightly.

"Isn't that what you law enforcement types are into?" she asked, smirking back at him. "If that's what you wanted, you didn't have to go through all this trouble." He took a step forward and she almost took a step back, but she stood her ground.

"You seem... different now," he told her, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" she asked. He took another step forward, and she straightened her posture, almost daring him to keep closing in on her and see what would happen. He'd already chased her across two and a half miles of rooftops. It was a challenge she knew he'd take.

"Since you've left... you shoulder less," he said. Another step closer, and this time she had to fight herself not to meet him halfway. "Or you carry it differently."

"I like to call it financial security," she purred, then shrugged vaguely before adding, "and the knowledge that the bastard abuser who probably killed my mom, definitely killed my friend, and tried to kill me, is six feet under. I sleep a lot better these days."

"You really feel that much more comfortable knowing he's dead?" Batman asked her, disapproving but obviously unsurprised.

"I really do," she confirmed, and finally took a step his way. The sky was growing lighter, she noticed. The sun would be rising soon. "Don't you sleep better knowing a bastard like that is off the streets?"

"Someone else has already taken his place," came the response, and he took another step. The space between was only a few feet now, but it felt impossibly wide. At the same time, she wanted to close it and wanted him to stay far away. "That's how it goes. A falcon, a penguin, there's always someone that needs to be stopped."

"And a Bat's gonna stop them?" she asked, a light scoff on his name as she edged ever closer, but never quite close enough.

"I'm gonna try," he said. "Although, you certainly don't make it easy."

"Oh, come on, Vengeance, if it was easy, it wouldn't be fun," Selina teased, resting one hand on her waist and reaching the other up to his face. They were so, so close now, almost pressed up against each other. All she had to do was dig her claws into that pale flesh of his face, and she might distract him long enough to disappear. Her internal debate didn't come to any sort of conclusion before he caught her wrist and held it in a firm but gentle grip, rendering the question moot. "You do know what fun is, don't you, Vengeance?"

"I've heard of it," he answered, his voice so deadpan she let out a huff of laughter. Ever so gently, ever so sweetly, she pushed her hand further, caressing the side of his face, his mask, and his own grip loosened, his heavy black glove sliding down her forearm to settle on her bicep. She had to lean back, to look into those sharp, bright eyes of his. Absently, she wondered if he was wearing those strange video contacts he'd had her use to scope out 44 Below. If he was—and he probably was, since he was a paranoid son of a gun—they really weren't visible from the outside.

The sun was rising. Though the sun itself was hidden behind the city's ever-present cloud cover, it bathed the Gotham skyline in a beautiful orange-yellow glow as it crept up over the churning sea. The scene was too perfect, too beautiful, and Vengeance must have thought the same, because as she stood up on her toes, he leaned down to meet her, and their lips pressed together in a kiss, soft, but needy, gentle, but charged with emotion.

She deepened the kiss and he raised no complaints.

Then, finally, after a very long moment, which felt simultaneously like not nearly long enough, they broke apart. He searched her eyes, and she searched his, but what either of them were looking for, Selina didn't know. Then the Batman took a small step back, and released his steadying grip on her arm.

"Don't try to steal the Jewels of Jeresta again," he said firmly.

"What?"

"They should be appreciated through glass, and then returned to their country," he said. "Leave them alone from now on."

Selina looked at him curiously, wondering what was going through that head of his. "Alright," she agreed at length.

"Then go." She blinked at him in shock.

"That's it?" Her shoes clicked against the rooftop to punctuate her surprised step backwards. "You're letting me go? Are you even gonna call the fuzz?"

"I can still change my mind," he reminded her, and that was all the incentive she needed to walk slowly back toward the other edge of the roof and climb carefully down the drainpipe to the ground.

Once safely back on the sidewalk, she took off at a run toward where she'd parked her motorcycle. It was still there, even after several hours, which was a bit of a wonder, given the locale. She straddled it, revved the engine, and took off toward her hotel to pack up and get out of this city once again.

Patch greeted Selina at the door of the hotel room. He meowed softly and she knelt down to stroke the silky fur between his ears. "It's time to leave, again," she told him, stepping past the cat with purpose. She gathered together all her things, and packed them neatly away in her suitcase. This time, when she left Gotham, she really wouldn't be coming back. This time she'd go somewhere farther away, Metropolis maybe, or maybe somewhere even farther than that, like Chicago, or Detroit.

Anywhere but here.

For years Selina had been telling herself that same thing. Anywhere but here.

"Come on, Patch," she said, scooping up the cat once everything else was in her suitcase. He didn't complain when she gently placed him in the cat carrier. He'd always been so well-behaved when it came to traveling. It was what enabled her to take him with her when all the other strays she had taken in had to be left at an animal shelter. "Time to go."

It took one trip to take everything she had down the elevator to check out of the hotel. She secured Patch and her suitcase to her motorcycle, and she was off again, driving down the streets of Gotham, still early enough to beat commuter traffic. Skyscrapers flew past as she rode down the city streets, neon lights blurring in her periphery. Mist from the perpetually damp streets rose up in a plume behind her.

She was ready to leave this god-forsaken city in her rear-view mirror for good this time. Or so she thought.

The sea wall was in her sights, and Selina didn't slow until she'd almost reached Brown Bridge. Then it was looming in front of her, its towers a gateway to a greater world than Gotham, and yet... she veered to a stop, staring at it. She'd told herself that across the bridge was freedom, was a new life, but she'd already crossed it once, and already, she was back on the Gotham side again.

She'd had her freedom, and with it, she had returned home. She had enough money for now to live the life she pleased, to steal what she wanted and make even more without having to worry about resources. Freedom meant she could do or have whatever she wanted.

And yet... all her belongings still fit in a single suitcase.

She could carry everything she owned in the whole world on her motorcycle.

Maybe freedom wasn't packing up and leaving, going somewhere new every week, and never having any place to come home to. Or maybe it was, after all, what did Selina really know about it? She had been trapped under the thumb of rich assholes, of poverty, of debt, fear, and shitty circumstances her entire life. But if it was, maybe that wasn't the kind of freedom she really wanted.

Maybe freedom was traveling the world, stealing what she wanted, and then coming home, to a nice apartment with more than just Patch, who would get lonely all by himself while she was away. She twisted in her seat to look at Patch in his carrier, at the black duffel bag that held all her mortal possessions. His big yellow eyes stared back at her, glistening in the early morning light.

As a kid, living in an orphanage, the thing she'd wanted most in the world was an actual closet, and not a black garbage bag stuffed under her bed. She had wanted to be one of those women she only saw in movies and magazines, with a new dress every day and dozens of pairs of shoes, and jewelry for every occasion. That had been her idea of decadence, of luxury. She owned two pairs of shoes now, six outfits, three wigs, and hardly any jewelry. It wasn't like she couldn't afford it.

Maybe it was time for Selina to try being a pampered house-cat for a while... after all these years of being a stray. If she didn't like it, she could always go back. If she kept running, she might not have this chance again, this chance to have an actual home. Her hands moved before she had consciously made up her mind, revving her motorcycle and making a U-turn back into the city.

She could spend another few nights at a hotel while she looked for apartments, then once she was settled in, she could look for her next score, and it could be anywhere in the world. And when she finished the job, she would have someplace to come back to. Back in Gotham. Back home.

She rode back past the dingy buildings, past the broken signs and flickering lights, past the cracked sidewalks, past the boarded windows. It was a shit-hole of a town, and that would never change, she was sure. But she'd never truly hated Gotham for what it was. It was a filthy, crime-ridden city full of wretched, awful people.

But it was also full of empathy, of compassion. Not from the crime-lords, and gang-bangers, and skeevy, greedy socialites who cared only about themselves, of course. But the general population of Gotham understood better than most that they were all in the same rotting boat. And if that boat was sinking, and lord knew it was sinking, they'd teach each other to swim.

And Selina? She knew how to swim.

Her bike roared down the road as the city began to wake up.

On a rooftop, overlooking the streets, the Batman smiled.

[officialbruciewayne]

ooc. dialogue co-written with @official-clark-kent, this is a thread sum up.

Even speaking at what could be generously called growled subvocal, Bruce retreated back into more mundane topics; asking after Clark's family, and very readily discussing his own. He even brought out a handful of photographs and shuffling through the prints, narrating now and then-

There's Tim and Damian trying to milk Batcow, you remember when we called you in for advice on that...

Cassie and I did our nails together. Bit of a spa day together...

Oh look, there's Dickie at prom in Jump City- young lady named Kitten, I don't think they really got on.

Bruce's avoidance was communicated in a single, shared look that suggested the real conversation was not a public diner one. Standing to leave, Bruce carelessly tossing money around (what sort of tip required a money clip?) he found himself tensing as he reached for his coat, separated ribs complaining at the torsion. It was the discomfort, almost pain that justified not snapping at Clark for helping Bruce shrug the coat on.

As it turned out, Bruce didn't even want to have this conversation on the ground. Which was weird, because Bruce tended to sulk about airtime. Paranoia leaking off the man in waves, and dearly wishing they were eating their food and letting Bruce pore over the family album Bruce apparently kept in his pocket.

They were two miles up, before Bruce even said anything- and the man really didn't enjoy airtime -craning his head to eye rooftops two miles below them like he might just wriggle and jump out of Clark's grip. Satisfied, in some way, by the sharp whistle of air in his ears, and finally sure they were not going to be eavesdropped on, Bruce announced:

"I'm broken and incapable of love." There were several solid moments, before Bruce craned his head again, "right. Now you can put me down." He started to point out a promising square of concrete and the hem of Clark's shirt pulled in the straining wind.

Dumbfounded, Clark hovered, "may we discuss this first?"

"I don't see what else there is to discuss," Bruce lied. Like a liar. And knew it, judging by the askance eye narrow he offered. "I'm incapable of human connection."

"So what about your kids and friendships? Because I'd say they're human connection. I'd say you love them."

"I do," now Bruce was looking at Clark with a flash of anger, bristling in Clark's arms.

"I know you do," Clark said calmly. "You love them so very much."

And Bruce's gaze slid off to the side, head turning slightly. "I meant that... relationships. Romance." A pause, voice soft and stolen by the wind. Clark caught it effortlessly. "I don't love her the way she deserves and the way I wanted." Bruce's word was a fragile bird, alighting in his throat. "I've tried."

He'd tried too many times, over too many years, and yes- yes there was connection, yes it mattered to him, yes he would throw himself into danger to save Selina, or Harvey, or Talia, but-

"But why does it matter?" Clark asked earnestly. "You have so much love to give, why does it matter what kind it is?"

"...even if it didn't matter to me personally," and there was something very painful in admitting that, "it matters to other people." Bruce's gaze was faraway now. "For many people, it's proof that they're a human being; that they can fall in love, that they feel desire, that they find lovers to make families and build homes and spend their lives together and without it, I am- impaired. Insufficient."

Selina is going to leave me. The thought occurred, without fanfare. There was some proof to suggest it, anecdotal, an awareness that Bruce was withholding something Selina had every right to want, and yet it ached to contemplate.

He loved Selina very much. She knew many parts of him. It hurt badly to think of all of this- his love and his affection and the contentment he felt curled around her at night -as not enough.

"Is this kind of love something you want to feel, or something you feel obligated to feel?" Clark asked, and Bruce blinked back into the moment. He squinted at Clark, who looked back apologetically. "I don't think I understand fully. I'm sorry. I think that's a me issue though."

"Don't apologise," Bruce grunted.

"Only that I think you're enough as you are." Clark's eyes didn't waver. "You're a dad who tries very hard because you love your kids, and I feel loved around you."

A small hn, and Bruce looked away again. The sort of thing Clark had probably learned not to take personally.

"...your parents love each other. Martha and Jonathan. Right." Bruce didn't wait for a confirmation. "Haven't you... looked at what they have. And wanted it for yourself. Waited to grow up and wanted to feel that way about someone."

Then almost inaudibly. "Wanted to hear the music too."

The gears churned behind Clark's blue eyes, saying carefully, "I guess?"

"...do you ever wish you were human, Clark?"

Bruce wouldn't even look at him. It was an insensitive question. Five or six years ago, he might not have dared.

"...sometimes. But I'm not, and that's okay too."

"Then it's like that," Bruce said with finality, like he was utterly certain and utterly spent. "I apologise. I shouldn't have asked that."

The air curled around them, a cradle of wind currents that traced against their skin and even in his thermals, Bruce gave a small shiver.

"But you're not broken if you're not human," Clark said even more certain than Bruce. And really, he would know. "People should be more accepting of differences. I'm sorry if they're not... but you deserve to feel loved as you are."

A small swallow, "they're not. I'm sorry they're not as accepting of differences." A pause. His own words insisting that they were not strangers to one another, but kin. "You read my article."

And Clark's smile was all sunbeams. "I did. It means very much to me."

"Well. I wanted you to know."

A flyer was stuck under his door by a well meaning coworker. A new restaurant on Gotham. Mouse Munchies boasting a pet friendly atmosphere and safe haven for those in need. A coupon! 25% off or 50% if you bring at least one friend. Food is best enjoyed together! - MM (( @matron-of-pancakesmilly ))

Clark had texted @officialbruciewayne the address to Mouse Munchies, and taken a seat in one of the booths carefully. He'd dressed quite casually, a brown plaid shirt thrown over a black tee, with frayed gray jeans and sneakers. His glasses were pushed up as he glanced over a slightly sticky menu that had been left on the table, curious as to their offerings.

[littlebatsimagines]

By Your Side (Arkham Asylum! Bruce Wayne x Fem! Reader)

Request: So if its all right with you I’d love to request a Bruce Wayne Arkham asylum game Bruce Wayne to be exact if female reader was working with him to help clean up the island and she gets injured and he gets a bit worried but is still strict about it because its Batman for peace sakes and he confesses his feeling for reader and they kiss so like an angst fluff please and thank you again love your writing💕💕💕

Sorry this took so long to get out! I actually went back and replayed Asylum so it was fresh in my mind then all my stuff showed up from moving so I had ALL my Arkham books 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

MasterList

(Y/n)= your name

(Y/nn)= your nick name

(Y/ln)= your last name

(ec)= eye color

���First Joker tries to kill the mayor and now he's caught. If Bruce doesn't think something is wrong here he's losing his touch.’ (Y/n) thought as she turned off the news. ‘Nah Bruce is too smart too be fooled so easily.’ her thoughts continued as she started to make herself dinner. Half way through making her dinner she turned on the radio.

“This is Jack Ryder with breaking news in the Gotham Bay. We are getting reports of an armed siege on Arkham Island. Two minutes ago, Joker broadcast to all news channels this chilling message.”

Dinner now forgotten (Y/n) turned her full attention to the radio as Joker’s voice echoed through her small apartment. “Greetings Gotham, this is the voice of your new master. Oh hang on…I’ve skipped a bit. Joker here! I'm in control of Arkham Island and you can all consider it out of bounds. If I see any lawmen, vigilantes, or do-gooders in tights coming this way, I'll start detonating random bombs around the city! What'll it be? A kindergarten? A hospital? A billionaire’s mansion? Choices, choices, choices.” Joker’s speech finished as (Y/n) looked down at the busy city streets to see police and fire crews rushing around the streets in search of the bombs. ‘Joker’s bluffing, he just doesn't want anyone else on the Island. I'm sure Bruce will have it all covered.’ she thought before her phone dinged with a text.

Dick: Hey (Y/nn) I heard what's going on, I'll be in Gotham soon to help. Suit up we have work to do.

(Y/n): copy that see you soon

Going into her room and into her room she moved all her clothes to reveal the hidden panel that held her black and red catsuit, being Selina's younger sister had its perks. Once suited up (Y/n) climbed out the window using the fire escape to get up to the rooftops of Gotham. Moving a few roofs over (Y/n) patched into the police radio frequency and listened to the chatter to see if the police made any progress while waiting for Nightwing. “Hey kid, find anything?” came Dick’s voice. “Nothing. I think he's bluffing.” (Y/n) said as she turned to look at him. “Maybe so, Bruce would kill us both if we just assumed.” Dick mentioned making (Y/n) nod and hum in acknowledgment.

Hours of searching the city the two vigilantes found one of Joker's bombs downtown. “Well this looks fun.” (Y/n) said as she looked down at the bomb in the vent. “You want to get it or should I?” Nightwing asked making her shrug. “I got it, just make sure everyone is at a safe distance.” (Y/n) said as she shimmied down the vent to the bomb. Taking a deep breath (Y/n) calmed her racing heart before taking the top of the bomb off gently to be met with a small meow and a little orange paw batting at her fingers and the smell of sugar. “You good down there?” Nightwing yelled. “Peachy! The bomb is filled with kittens and marzipan!” (Y/n) called back as she climbed up with a few of the kittens. “At least we get to see these cuties" (Y/n) said as she passed some of the kittens to Dick, who helped her carry them out to the police.

Dick and (Y/n) made sure there were no hidden bombs left and took care of the street crime that plagued Gotham. While subdoing a group of criminals an alert came through on the gauntlet Selina gave her.

Selina: check the news now!

With that message (Y/n) went to a storefront that had several tvs on display showing the Gotham news. “Oh my god.” she said with (ec) wide eyes as she watched Bruce fight several of Joker’s goons and bombs while a hulking, monstrous version of Joker showboated for the news choppers. “What’s up?“ Dick said but all (Y/n) could do was point to the tv. “You’re seeing that too, right?” she asked as Dick slowly nodded. “He will be ok, right?” she asked the nervousness clear in her voice. “Yeah of course. He's Batman." Dick said as they watched. Before long Bruce had beaten Joker with an explosive gel punch knocking the monster back into the exposed electrical wires. "I know he fights Bane and stuff but I don't think I can handle watching something like that again." (Y/n) said with a sigh. "Ha, I think he'd love to hear your concern for him." Dick said with a small laugh making (Y/n) shake her head.

"New reports from Arkham Island, Batman and local authorities are helping evacuate all injured personnel and inmates for proper care." the voice of the news reporter caught (Y/n) attention. "I'm going to go help out on the island you have everything covered here?" she asked turning to Dick as he passed off a thug to the police. "Yeah I have it covered don't worry. Robin will be here soon anyway." he said with his charming smile and with a nod (Y/n) was off making her way to Arkham Island.

The island was in chaos but it was the good chaos of helping those in need. Bruce wasn't hard to find. "Hey Bats need some help?" (Y/n) asked making Bruce turn to her. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in Gotham helping Robin." He said sternly only for (Y/n) to sigh. "Nightwing is with him and I figured you could use the help after the night you've had. Besides I had to see myself that you were ok." she said the last part quietly moving closer to his side. "I'm fine get back to Gotham I have it covered." He said moving away from her only for (Y/n) to grab his arm and gently pull him into a side hall out of the way of the rushing doctors and first responders. "Bats you can't do everything alone. I'm worried about you, its been one hell of a night and you're exhausted let me help." she whispered as she looked up him pleadingly. Bruce studied her carefully before nodding and walking away. (Y/n) quickly followed after him splitting up to different parts of the hall to help those who needed it most.

Everything was going great until...it wasn't. (Y/n) was helping a young doctor when she was suddenly pulled back by her hair. She could feel heavy breathing down the back of her neck while something cold was placed at her neck while the person behind her let out quiet giggles. "You're no Batman...but you'll do." they said softly making (Y/n)'s blood run cold. She knew that voice, she knew it too well, it was a voice that always gave her nightmares that Bruce had to come in and calm, it was the voice of Victor Zsasz. She began shaking uncontrollably. Zsasz was so distracted by her that he didn't notice the young doctor run out of the room. Zsasz rambled on and on and on about how he would kill her, how he would do it, where he would put the mark but she heard none of it all she heard was her terrified heart pounding in her ears. It was over all to quickly, she was on the floor, Zsasz was knocked out and being dragged away by staff and Batman was standing over her. Looking up at him the mask of the Bat fell away and she could see in his eyes Bruce was asking if she was ok but he already knew the answer. "No." was all she needed to whisper before she was picked up and carried away by Bruce.

He took her out to the Batwing was and sat her down. "I've told you how many times be carful when you're here! This is why I didn't want you here!" He angrily snapped at her. "I'm sorry I should've paid more attention." (Y/n) said quietly as she looked down at the ground. Bruce let out a deep sigh before pulling her into a tight hug. "I can't lose you too...not like Jason. I won't be able to take it." He said quietly being vulnerable about the young Robin for the first time in almost a year making her instantly wrap her arms around him tightly. "I'm right here...I'm not going anywhere." she said looking up at him rubbing his cheek as she gathered up all her courage and after a moment she kissed the Batman and to her surprise he returned it with the same passion and longing she had been dying to show him. "I'm by your side...always Bruce." she whispered as she laid her forehead to his only to be pulled into a deeper more loving and desperate kiss. "And I'm by yours."

[thealtoduck]

Being the son of Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne and becoming Catlad…

Batfamily x Male Reader

Warnings: None

Summary: Riddler robs a charity event and your kind of pissed about it.

(A/N: This is based on the ”Catwoman’s revenge” dlc from Batman Arkham Knight)

(A/N 2: This is a part 2 of Being the love child of Selina Kyle and Bruce Wayne…)

——

9 months after moving into the manor…

You were attending a charity event hosted by your dad to raise money for Gotham’s east end which was partly your idea because you had vented to him about how crappy it was there.

So Bruce decided that it might be a good to throw a charity party to raise money to try make the east end less horrible. He invited all of the richest families in Gotham to attend and of course they all came, not because they wanted to help the east end but so that they could kiss Bruce Wayne’s ass.

You stepped through the crowd of rich people chatting to each other. You were trying to find any of your siblings so that you would feel less out place amongst those snobbs.

You soon managed to find Damian who was standing in a corner looking intimidating as usual, you joined him and the two of you watched the crowd as they did their best to catch a glimpse of Bruce Wayne.

Soon enough Bruce started holding a speech about how important it is to help your fellow human while the crowd nodded along with the speech as if they were saints.

Bruce was just about to open a safe that was supposed to reveal the flash drive that contained 27 million dollars worth of donations that were going to be given to help the east end.

But when he opened it a few gasps were heard. There was no flash drive only a letter with a big question mark on it.

So it turned out the flash drive had been stolen by the Riddler. The police were called and the guests were sent home as they started investigating the missing flash drive.

Bruce also started his own investigation as Batman. You had found out about his Batman identity after about a month of living in the manor, you got confused that people disappeared without actually leaving the house and whenever you brought it up they changed the subject. So one day you spied on Jason and followed him into the batcave.

Alfred had driven you and the others home from the event, when you got back to the manor the others had hurried into the batcave to start cracking Riddler’s riddle to get the flash drive back.

You went up to your room, which you did in these situations to stay out of their way as they worked.

You laid down on your bed planning on going to sleep but before you could go to sleep your phone lit up from a text from an unknown number saying ”Meet me at your favourite diner. Now. - Mom”.

You hadn’t seen your mom in the 7 months so you were excited at the possiblility of seeing her so you changed out of your fancy clothes and changed into something more simple. You headed down stairs and found Alfred in the kitchen and asked him ”Hey Alfred, could you take me Ol’ Nanna’s Diner?”.

”Master Y/n isn’t it a bit late for going out to a diner?” He asked in return. You told Alfred about your mom’s text and Alfred thought for a bit. ”Are you sure it’s her?” He asked. ”Yes” you answered. ”Are you bringing the bullwhip?” he asked. ”As always” you answered quickly. ”Then go wait in the car” Alfred stated.

You entered the diner with your hood up. You went up to the counter and ordered an apple pie. You went and sat down in a booth looking around for your mom.

Just as you got your slice of apple pie a woman entered the diner wearing a shawl and sunglasses. She looked around the diner and till her eyes landed on you, she walked over to you. She lowered her sunglasses and said ”It’s been a while my kitten”.

You stood up from your seat and gave her a hug, she hugged you back and gave you a kiss on the head. You chatted for a while and caught up, she mostly asked you how it was going living with dad.

You told her everything that had happend so far and asked her how everything was going for her. She told you it was fine but that she wanted to discuss something else.

”I’ve heard about everything with Riddler and i’ve got some information that could be of use to your father, as he probably knows Riddler is currently locked up in Arkham, but somehow he managed to get flash drive.” She stated.

”I don’t know much but i do know he has an old hideout hidden under an abandoned toy shop and i’ve seen that there has been some activity there recently” your mom informed you quietly.

”Thanks Mom” ”Anytime Kitten”

You told Alfred all of the information on the ride back and he tried to call Bruce to tell him but there was no answer.

When you got back to the manor Bruce was nowhere to be found in the batcave. You tracked the batmobile and it was on the other side of Gotham, you assumed that’s where the others were as well. They were probably seaching for clues for the Riddler’s riddle in his newer hideout.

You and Alfred had tried to contact all of them but none of them answered, you tried calling Dick one more time and he finally picked up, you could hear a lot of loud noices in the background as Dick said ”Hi kinda busy right now”.

”Dick! What’s happening over there?” you asked worriedly. You heard Dick struggle and then say ”There are a bunch robots in Riddler’s lair it’s like a robot factory— wait no… it’s an actual robot factory”.

”I can’t talk right now were trying to figure out how to shut it down” Dick said quickly and ended the call. ”What if it’s operated from the hideout under the toy store? Mom said there’s been activity there recently.” you asked Alfred and he answered ”Not completely out of the question” he said and tried to find the adress for the abandoned store.

”Here it is” Alfred stated and showed the abandoned building. ”Let’s send them the adress then” you suggested. ”They’d have no way to get there in time” Alfred said trying to look for a solution and all of a sudden you had an idea ”Do we have any leather jumpsuits and helmets with cat ears?”

Alfred gave you a knowing look and said ”Absolutely not Master Y/n”. ”Oh come on you know i can hold my own and plus i can be in and out in less than half an hour” you pleaded. ”Alfred please, you know just as well as me that i’m the only one available to help”. Alfred let out a deep breath…

You unscrewed the ventilation grate and pushed it down on the floor and jumped down on to the floor. ”Why did i agree to this?” Alfred asked over the comms. ”Beats me” You answered playfully. You walked over to a computer that was flashing with green light that said ”Winslow’s Toy Shop” .

”So unless mom was wrong, the entrance to Riddler’s lair is hidden in here” you said and started tapping the keys to make your way into the computer. Suddenly the computer showed the words ”Access Denied” in red letters and it showed symbols of three cards with question marks on them. ”Keycards on the goons, of course” you said annoyed at the inconvinience. ”Eddie’s in prison and he’s still wasting our time”.

You sneaked out of the room climbed up on ceiling so that you were hanging upside down, you had managed this from using some equipment you had found in the batcave to replicate your mom’s equipment.

You dropped down behind one of the guards roaming around the toy shop and pick pocketed his keycard and them jumped back up on the ceiling. You managed to sneak up behind another goon and nicked another one of the keycards.

You just needed one more, you found one more guard with his back turned and made you way to him but just as you had swiped his keycard he turned around and caught you in the act. You did some quick thinking and kicked him in the back of leg bringing him down to his knees, you then brought out your whip and wrapped it around his throat.

You choked him until he quietly passed out and you dragged him into a nearby closet. You quickly but sneakily made your way back to the room containing the computer and you connected all the key cards to unlock the computer.

”Three keys, why is it always three keys?” You asked Alfred through the coms but before he could answer you had unlocked the computer and granted yourself access to a hidden door. You watched the security camera monitor show a guard who was suprised to see the hidden door opened so he called out to the others that someone was here and they needed to find them. ”Them” of course being you.

”Better take them out before heading in” you thought to yourself and snuck out of the room once again. You silently took down the guards one by one without a single mishap this time, maybe a few close calls but nothing you couldn’t handle.

You then proceded to solve the little puzzle required to enter the hidden door you unlocked with the keycards. You walked though the entrance which led you through a hallway twisted and turned until you were met with an elevator. You stepped onto it and pressed a button that took you down into the Riddler’s lair.

When the elvator stopped you could hear a devious voice speaking to a computer that was doing it’s best to comprehend what Riddler was saying. You listened quietly as Riddler loudly planned his escape through the jailbreak protocol which he told his computer to run over the phone, which quickly turned unsuccessfull as the computer didn’t understand the word run.

You got tired of standing there and waiting so you walked up to a panel with buttons that controlled the floor you were standing on which needed to lower to another level for you to be able to get to his computer and all the other good stuff. Just as you did the computer said calmly ”Elevator manual override activated, beginning descent.”

”What?!” he yelled suprised. ”Hey Eddie” you said remembering you mother’s nickname for the psychopath. ”Who’s this?!” he yelled nastily. ”Aren’t you in prison?” you asked in a mocking tone.

”Ha! No prison can hold me… hang on a second. Why yes Officer Cash, i’m just talking to my lawyer” he said innocently. ”Get out!” He then yelled at you.

You then decided that Alfred didn’t need to hear more and you hung up on the coms. ”Calm down, Eddie, here’s what i’m going to do, i’m going to steal all your money and destroy everything you’ve built here. M’kay?” You said.

”No… i don’t approve of that defence stratergy, good sir.” He said making the cop guarding him think he was still talking to his lawyer. ”Riddlerbots! Attack”

He then dropped down about four robots from ceiling which you made quick work of as they weren’t really built good or good at fighting. Riddler then asked ”You! I can’t see! Are you dead?”

”Nope…” you answered quickly causing Eddie to throw a tantrum, quickly followed by ”I mean, that’s an outrageous bail price.” The floor you were standing on began to lower it self to a lower level, which made the computer say ”Destination, sub basement level reached” and just as it finised more riddlerbots began dropping down and attacking you.

You started using your claws to cut right through them one by one and you occasionly used your whip to slash at them. As you were fighting them Riddler said ”You’re not getting your grubby, thieving claws on one cent of my money.” he also mentioned something that his computer better be recording this which you didn’t have a problem with as your identity was well hidden under your makeshift Catwoman suit.

You continued smacking your way through the robots which was tough work but you needed to save your family and get the money for the east end which helped motivate you.

After you finally kicked off the head of the final robot you walked towards the small gate to his computer. You then once again heard Eddie saying ”Riddlerbots?! Riddlerbots?!!! I deny all knowledge of ”Riddlerbots”, my legally versed friend. Hello again, Officer Cash, you’re on a remarkably efficent patrol route this evening.”

You then pushed a button which turned out to be a voice activated lock so you said out loud ”Oh gee, it’s locked.” which got you exactly the response you wanted ”And encrypted! So good luck”

”Voice print accepted. Welcome The Riddler” the computer said making you smile deviously. ”Nooo” Eddie moaned.

”Thanks Eddie” you said brightly and entered the small room containing his computer. Eddie continued his act of speaking to his lawyer by saying ”No i won’t accept a plea bargain.” and then he started crying.

Meanwhile you took the opputunity to get on the computer and end all the manifacturing of his robots and shuting them down hopefully ending the continuning waves of Riddlerbots attacking the others. You then entered his file called accounts where you found all the charity money in a seperate file which you then transfered back in to the old flash drive.

Then you went in to his personal account which held a proud amount of $2,730,000. You then asked mockingly out loud ”Eddie, you’re not going to need $2,73 million in jail, are you? They feed you for free”. ”Stop” he yelled as you started transfering all his money into your account.

”And what are you going to do with a robot factory while you’re in there? Arrange some sort of elaborate prison break?” You asked like a mom who found their kids hidden prank toys. Then came a pleading ”Please, do you want me to beg? I can beg!… Mercy, please!”. You then heard another voice saying ”Alright, Nigma, time you calmed down. Get off the phone.”

You then found a file which would cause the lair to permenantly shut his whole factory and super computer down for good so you activated it and left Eddie’s lair.

As soon as you left you turned on the com again and said to Alfred ”Mission complete, factory down, money ours”.

When you got back to the cave Alfred was their waiting for you and started patching up some minor scratches. When the others came back and found out you were the one who had saved them their were multiple reactions.

Bruce was silently proud but probably a little disapointed that you had gone with your mom’s cat style. Dick, Cassie, Stephanie and Tim were all really proud of you. Jason isn’t happy that your now part of the crime fighting thing cause he’s a bit protective but he’s still proud. Damian denies needing to be saved. Barbara told you how proud she was over the coms.

Alfred was probably the proudest as he had watched you step up to save your family and get the money to help your home area.

They’d all probably be a little disapointed that you then had proceded to then personally rob the Riddler but hey what they don’t know won’t hurt them especially not when you use the money to buy them christmas presents.

You then went back up to your bedroom to finally get some sleep but before you fell asleep you got another text on the phone. It was from the same unknown number your mother had used and it said ”Well done my little Catlad. - Mom”.

[hufflepuffwritingstuff2]

Gotham City Sirens Sickfic- part 2

Part 1

Y/N stirred as she heard voices coming from somewhere in the apartment.

“Kitty! Ivy! You’re home!”

“Harley, why is there a girl in my bed?” A voice asked.

“She’s sick, Selina! I found her on the street, I had to do something!”

“If she’s sick, Harley, then why didn’t you take her to a hospital?” Another voice asked.

“Can you really see me rolling up to the ER in my clown get-up, Ivy? Besides, I knew the best medicine was here. That new plant you were working on has great healing properties-”

Y/N groaned before she could stop herself. She just wanted to go back to sleep, where she wasn’t sick and her entire body didn’t hurt.

“Girls, she’s waking up,” The second voice said.

“Great,” the first voice added, “just what we need- someone to know where our base is.”

“She wouldn’t tell anyone, Kitty- why would she? She’s got no reason, not after we help her get better. Besides, maybe she could be one of us!”

“Harley, you can’t just go around and adopt the first stray person you see.” The second voice said, “she probably has a family that’s looking for her.”

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” the first voice added, “we’re going to wait until she falls asleep, then we’re dropping her off at the hospital, okay?”

Y/N struggled to sit up. She opened her eyes and saw three of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals arguing about what to do with her. Harley Quinn, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy. Slowly, Y/N slid out of the bed and crept across the room. She didn’t get very far before a string of coughs gave away her position. The three women turned their heads in the direction of Y/N’s coughing.

“Doll, I thought I told you to stay in bed!” Harley said.

“Please,” Y/N said, “I need to go. I have to get home. I-”

“You sound terrible,” Catwoman winced, “Harley, did you take her temperature?”

“One hundred and four as of a few hours ago,” Harley replied.

“Let’s check it again,” Poison Ivy said, “she looks awful.”

Poison Ivy approached Y/N, thermometer in hand.

“Please, don’t hurt me, I-”

“Quiet, Flower,” Ivy shushed, “no one’s going to hurt you. Open your mouth.”

Before Y/N could react, the thermometer was back in her mouth. Y/N watched cross-eyed as the number quickly climbed higher and higher until it reached its peak at 104.6 degrees. It started beeping, signaling for Poison Ivy to take it out. She read the number on the thermometer, then shook her head.

“Well, what’s it say?” Catwoman asked.

“It’s one hundred four point six. I don’t know, Selina, I wouldn’t try to move her at this point.”

Catwoman let out a dramatic sigh.

“Fine,” she said, “but as soon as she’s well again, she goes.”

“I-I’m sure I can just go home,” Y/N piped up, “I don’t want to take up any more of your time, and I’d really rather just go back to my apartment.”

“Sorry, Kitten,” Catwoman said, “You’re way too sick to go anywhere right now, except that bed.”

Catwoman looped Y/N’s arm over her shoulder and escorted her back to the bed.

“Besides,” she added, “you’ve seen way too much of our base for us to let you leave right now.”

Catwoman set Y/N down on the bed and pulled the covers up to her chin.

“I need to make a call,” she said.

“Anything we can get for you, Doll?” Harley asked.

Y/N shook her head. She was too scared and too tired at the moment to ask for anything. Y/N let her eyelids drift closed. Maybe this was all a dream, and she’d wake up tomorrow, safe in her own apartment.

Part 3

[paintball-writes]

Day 3 - Identities

Day1 - Day2 - Day3 - Day4

Marinette had been living with the waynes for over a month now. The reason? Tom and Sabine sent her away to her biological father. Apparently To Dupain was not her biological, but Bruce Wayne was.

Marinette had a sliver of hope, A really, really thin one. Which had faltered by the month.

Marinette had defeated Hawk Moth with Chat Noir. Apparently Plagg found the brooches along with two sleeping kwamis accidentally. At night when Gabriel and Natalie were asleep, He had stolen the miraculous. On the patrol that night, Chat had told her that the miraculous were right under their noses. He gave her the two brooches and told her that Plagg had found the brooches in his father’s study. He told her that Gabriel was Hawk moth and Natalie was Mayura. Then he de-transformed and handed her the ring saying that he wanted to continue his life as a civilian.

Later that week it was announced that Chat noir found out who Hawk Moth was and he had stolen the miraculous at night. He then said that Gabriel and Natalie were the Villians. He then revealed himself saying that he was innocent, and he had no idea that his father was Hawk moth. Marinette had thought that with Hawkmoth gone she could beat Lila, But no, it Backfired. That was the reason she was Shipped off. Like an object. She was replaced just like an object.

Her only wish was to die. But she had tried to do that multiple times. Someone always managed to save her. So no, that option was unavailable. She had thought that she would finally be able to die in Gotham by sucide, But no, Selina, Cassandra or Jason always managed to save her.

By now she had started to see the woman as a mother figure. The Waynes hated her. They didn’t even listen to her side of the story. Only Cass and Jason had seen that there was more to the story. Selina and Alfred too, of course. The waynes saw her with disgust. They laid out certain rules.

And of course she figured out they were Bat family. She may not be from Gotham, but she wasn’t certainly stupid. She had to admit, The Waynes were really good at hiding the Batfam thingy. But what gave them away? Misplaced Batarangs by Tim. Then Tikki had also found the cave. She wasn’t stupid, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne were good friends and certainly Batman and Superman. The people of Justice league stopped by often at the Manor too.

Speaking of the Justice League, They had given her an offer to join the League, but she declined. They had given her a satellite phone for emergencies to contact the league. They had praised her high and low. Batman was even Concerned for her when he found out her age range. Concerned! If they knew that Ladybug was their new sibling who was claimed to be a bully, she’d be declared a threat and her take Miraculous away.

Her routine was the same. Wake up. Eat breakfast in silence as she was being glared at. Study something. Do commissions while talking to her boyfriend, Luka and the others. Eat Lunch while being glared at. Study the Grimoire with Alfred. Sketch some designs while talking to Selina and Cass. Draw illustrations while Jason talks. Eat dinner in Silence. Stay up till 3 am doing commissions. Sleep.

Last week she had introduced Luka to Cass, Selina, Jason and Alfred. It went really well. Especially when Jason found out he was Jagged Stone’s son.

She was thinking how she could step up her game with the Waynes. In her thoughts she didn’t see Selina coming in.

“What are you thinking about Kitten ?” Selina asks, seeing the half sketched dress.

“Gah! Selina don’t scare me like that! Anyway I was thinking, ``What do I do to annoy the waynes?” Marinette asks the Master of scheming Cat-woman.

“Hmm, what about going to your true self? Being in headphones, ignoring them, Snide answers, and stuff like that?” Selina says thoughtfully.

“Selina, that's brilliant! You’re the best Mom!” Marinette says. She covers her mouth with her hand realizing what she said.

“Aww, Com’ere Kit. I love you.” Selina says softly.

“You’re not mad?” Marinette hesitantly asks.

“Of course not!” She says.

“You’ll be more of a mother than Sabine will ever be to me.” Marinette says with a small voice and hugs the older woman.

Then the Chaos was unleashed. Whenever the Waynes wanted to ask her something she’d ignore them and she always had her headphones on.

- - - - - - - -

“Marinette, tell me why did you hurt the poor girl?” Bruce asks in a stern voice. Of course Mari didn’t hear him because of the blaring music.

“Marinette, Why did you hurt the poor girl?” Bruce asks again, obviously annoyed.

“MARINETTE-” He was cut off from Alfred of course.

“If I may Master Bruce,” he says, earning a nod. He gently taps the girl’s shoulder. Marinette moves her hair away and removes her Airpod. The music is loud enough for everybody to hear.Meanwhile Bruce flushes in embarrassment. “Miss, Your father wants to ask you something.” Marinette nods. She turns to her Father.

“What?” She asks.

“I asked, Why did you hurt the poor girl marinette, around two months ago?” He asks, patience bearing thin.

“Oh? I didn’t know that I could make a clone of myself and Send one to the fencing class and the other to beat her up at the Seine?” She says in a bored tone. Jason and Cass, not being able to hold their laughter any longer, burst out laughing.

Later that night they checked her attendance, sure enough she was in the fencing class.

- - - - - -

One day Marinette got a call from the Justice league, Stating an emergency. She quickly transformed to Ladybug and Portalled to the Watchtower.

“Ladybug, welcome to the Watchtower,” Wonder Woman welcomed, standing at the head of a group of heroes. Interestingly enough, Batman and all of his brood were among them. Nightwing, Red Robin, Black Bat, and Robin and the others.

“Wonder Woman,” she greeted back. “What’s the problem?”

“Your former partner has been kidnapped.”

Ladybug’s face turned pale, but she took a deep breath instead of panicking. “What do we know?”

“Ra’s al Ghul has taken the former Chat Noir in an attempt to convince the Guardian of the Miraculous to turn over the jewels to him,” Batman reported.

Her face turned up into a snarl. “The League of Assassins,” she spat.

They were surprised that she knew Ra’s. But they hid it well.

“I take it you understand why we cannot allow the Miraculous to be surrendered to his control,” Batman continued.

Wonder Woman stepped in before Ladybug could reply. “Ladybug, we need you to tell us who the Guardian is so that we may protect them.”

Ladybug let out a cold laugh. Shivers ran down everyone’s spine. “Wonder Woman, you misunderstand. The Order of the Miraculous is all but dead. I’m all that’s left. You want the Grand Guardian of the Miraculous?” She spread her arms wide. “You’re looking at her. And Ra’s al Ghul can have them over my dead body. ”

The gathered heroes looked stunned. “Now where is Adrien?”

Red robin started, recovering first. “You’re not going alone.”

“You’re right,” Ladybug cut in. “I’m not. I’m gathering my team.”

“What Red Robin meant to say is that Batman and his assembled partners are going with you,” Wonder Woman soothed. “They have experience dealing with Ra’s and would be a great asset.”

“I’ll be back in ten minutes, at the most.” She said. Everyone nodded. She portalled away to gather her team.

Five minutes later a portal opened and stepped out Honey bee, Dragoness and Cobra in the Glory. The portal snapped shut when Ladybug entered.

“This is not enough! We’re dealing with Ra’s al Ghul and the league here!” Ladybug said. “We need her. She’s the last resort if we lose!” Dragoness exclaimed. The Justice league was confused. Who were they talking about?

“You’re right. Bee, you’re the only one who knows where she is. You’re her best friend. I can't find her in all of paris!” Ladybug asks, turning to Honey bee.

“You’re right, I do. It’ll be easy to find her. She’ll be in her room. She’s always Isolated, so don’t worry about getting caught.” Honey Bee answers.

“Isolation! I thought I told her to Socialize!” Ladybug exclaims.

“Yeah, but her family treats her like a pariah except some people. But Ladybug I don’t know if she’ll be able to fight.” Honey bee says.

“Rossi?”

“Rossi.”

“Now location please.” Ladybug says.

“Right. Wayne Manor, Gotham, New Jersey.” Honeybee whispers. Earning surprised looks from Ladybug and the Supers.

“Alright.” Ladybug portals away. This was all staged of course. She had recently found a spell to make a clone of herself.

“Why won't the hero be able to fight? She’s a hero!” Batman exclaims.

“Depression, you overgrown furry, Depression. She’s tried committing sucide several times. We saved her.” This earns many shocked looks.

Cue opening a portal. All of the Paris heroes Gasps. All in glory Multimouse is standing there.

When Honey Bee saw Multimouse, she gasped and enveloped her in a hug, muttering French endearments and saying how much she’d missed her. Dragoness stole Multimouse for a hug next before passing her on to Viperion who also received an extra peck on the lips in return, while Ladybug watched with a soft smile.

With Kaalki involved, it was child’s play to get into the assassin stronghold. Team Miraculous filled the gaps and worked seamlessly in their own right, simply a step away from Gotham’s Bats. They beat assassins on their own. The Bats just watched in awe.

It didn’t take them long to make their way to Ra’s.

The man wore a self-satisfied smirk on his face as he greeted him from his throne. A bruised and bloodied but otherwise intact Adrien was being restrained on the dias a few feet away.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Team Miraculous,” Ra’s mused, looking down the line. His eyes paused on Multimouse and his expression shifted to intense amusement. “And if it isn’t the latest in the Detective’s brood. I suppose heroics truly do run in the family after all.”

A number of shocked and confused gazes snapped to Multimouse, who simply stared at him down with cold eyes growling quietly.

“And yet she isn’t why we’re here,” Ladybug cut in coldly, shoving that problem in a box for later.

Ra’s shifted his oily attention to her. “Yes, I believe I requested the Guardian, young Bug.”

“And here I am,” Ladybug said simply. “But I will never cede the Miraculous to you.”

“Well, then I suppose the Blonde Cat dies.” The assassin near Adrien tried to kill him only to turn to orange smoke. Ra’s growls when he realizes he was tricked.

“Your reign is over. Your crimes won’t continue much longer. Tell me, just how long have you been using the Pits to keep yourself alive?”

“Goodbye, Ra’s al Ghul,” Ladybug intoned. “We’ll leave you to what remains of your empire.” She turned and motioned for the Fox to open the portal to the Watchtower. The Bats followed behind.

Adrien was at the fringes, attempting to escape a hero that was trying to get him to the Medbay for medical attention. He only had eyes for Multimouse.

“Marinette!” he called.

The Bats were shocked at both the name and the blatant outing of a secret identity.

Adrien broke free from his wounds. “Marinette, I’m so sorry,” he said brokenly.

It was quiet for a moment. “I take it they told you why I left, then,” Multimouse said, carefully devoid of emotion.

“I never thought-”

“Don’t, Adrien,” Queen Bee snapped.

Adrien gaped at his friend, shocked at the venom her words carried against him.

“But her Lies, they weren't hurting anyone!”

“How?” Multimouse snapped, her voice cracking. She took a deep breath. “How was it different? Because you told me I had to ‘take the high road?’ Because her lies would unravel themselves? Because she wasn’t hurting anyone? Bullshit, Adrien! They were hurting me!”

“She followed your advice at first,” Queen Bee said sharply. “She shouldn’t have, but you were her friend and she trusted you. By the time she realized that it had been a mistake, it was too late. Everyone else was in too deep and you did nothing . When Mari tried to tell everyone that they were being lied to, she was made to look like a liar. A bully.”

“Do you realize that the rest of us had people on watchlists?” Ryuko said bluntly. “People at risk of Akumatization that could bring the city to its knees. Aurore, because of Stormy Weather II. Ondine, because of Syren. But do you know who was on top?” She let the silence sit. “Marinette. Marinette was on top of that list. The only reason she was above Ladybug was because Marinette was drowning. But any time she tried to get through to the others, Lila hit back harder and you would ask Mari to back down. Because we don’t want to upset Lila, right? We don’t want her to become an akuma. Again.”

“My parents believed her, Adrien,” Multimouse said quietly. “They sent me away because I was ‘out of control’. I’m treated like a criminal where I am now! So I’m sorry, Adrien, but I can’t forgive you. You said you didn’t want to live with more lies, but then you stopped telling the truth when it threatened your ‘peace’. Even when that ‘peace’ might have ruined my life.” She took a deep, steadying breath. “But you know what they say, right? Never meet your heroes.” She turned and looked straight at Batman. “They’ll always just disappoint you.”

- - - - - - - -

The next week was tense at the Wayne manor. But eventually they apologised to marinette. She became close with them. She and her family then sent lawsuits to the Akuma class.

The saying is true then. “All’s well that ends well.”

@maribat-bdbwm

[serenescribbles]

Somebody to Hold

For MGI Civil War 2022

Co-written with @folk-ever-lore

NO BETA THIS IS WAR

"This turned out really well, I think, so I hope y'all enjoy it. also thanks to aya (@the-coffee-fandom) for telling us to write this fic, it was really fun to write. so thanks for that wifey. (was planning to just throw this at you, aya, in a dm but Anne wrote something sweet and I refuse to let her be the only one.)" - raven

"Special thanks to @the-coffee-fandom for inspiring us to write this in the first place! The original exchange was a combination of text and emojis that Raven and I sent each other. They read through it and said we should write something out of it!" - Anne

CW: Encanto (2021) Spoilers, Emotional Hurt/Comfort

AO3 | Masterlist

一

“Kitten? Where are you?” Marinette was becoming more and more worried when she couldn’t find her baby brother. (Well, it wasn’t like Jason was her biological brother but that didn’t matter. She said he was and he agreed and that was all that mattered. Anyone who dared to touch him would have to have a little talk with her.)

Jason had gone missing right when her mentor, Selina, had told her Ivy had broken out of Arkham again. Ivy was one of Selina’s friends, and Marinette had met her before as Lady Noire. She had met Harley too, and it was as clear as day just how much the two of them cared for each other. But the Joker kept getting in their way.

Although Marinette knew Ivy and thought she was really cool (Ivy called her Marigold), sometimes Ivy could lose sight of the important things when she became really angry. That sometimes resulted in forgetting the lines between friend and foe.

One time, Ivy had gotten really angry at something the Joker had done. Marinette could feel her murderous aura and knew something bad would happen if she wasn’t stopped. Well, it wouldn’t be too bad if the Joker ended up strangled to death by Ivy’s vines but then she would have to go to Arkham again, and that wouldn’t be good.

So Marinette had taken it upon herself to stop Ivy. But even with her powers and strength as Lady Noire, she wasn’t able to stop Ivy and ended up hanging upside down by one of her vines. It took Selina arriving at that scene to calm her down.

After that, when Ivy had come to her senses, she apologized profusely and frankly, it flustered Marinette very much. She didn’t hold it against Ivy though. Marinette knew Ivy didn't mean to hurt her in any way. But still, that didn’t mean she wasn’t worried whenever Ivy was on a warpath. Especially since tonight, her kit was nowhere to be found.

Jason had never met Ivy before. He didn’t know her like she did, and Ivy didn’t know Jason either. What if he got caught up in whatever scheme she had this time?

Jumping from rooftop to rooftop, Marinette quickened her pace. Everywhere she went, she called out his name, but no one responded. She’d even visited the street kids and working girls she knew Jason was close with and asked them for help to find him. Selina was on the prowl, too.

Together, all of them searched for her kit for what felt like hours on end. Still, Jason never turned up. It was getting to the very, very late hours of the night and the others all had things they needed to do. Marinette understood. They’d taken time out of their day to help her and for that she was grateful. She continued to search by herself.

At last, when Marinette finally finished searching every inch of Gotham and her kit wasn’t there, the desperation that had been steadily growing inside of her took hold. She collapsed on the rooftop.

No, Jay, no, where are you? Please tell me you’re safe. You have to be.

Tears started flowing without any warning and Marinette buried her head into her knees. She had tried. She’d tried so hard and her kit was still lost. What kind of a big sister was she? What was she supposed to do now?

Sobbing uncontrollably, Marinette didn’t bother to muffle her wails. Let the whole world hear her anguish. It’s not like there was anything that could be done now.

But, just then, she felt the presence of someone else on the rooftop, and her senses flared. Who was it? Who was here?

Gritting her teeth and forcing her tears to go away, Marinette gripped her staff defensively. Trying to put on a strong voice, she snarled, “Who is it? Show yourself!”

A few moments later, a figure emerged out of the shadows. It was a small boy, younger than Jason, and a camera was slung around his neck. Startled, Marinette lowered her staff. “Tim? What are you doing here?”

“H-hi Mar- I mean, Lady Noire ,” Tim said, giving her an awkward little wave. !I heard you were looking for Jason. I think I know where he is.”

Marinette gasped as she heard his words. Would Tim really know where to find Jason? No one else had. “Where is he?” She asked quickly.

Nodding carefully, Tim quickly said, “Yeah. I think so. I saw loads of new plants in an old Drake Industries warehouse that I had planned to take photos off. I think Ivy was destroying the machinery inside. And she’s the only recent escapee so it's probably her that took him right?”

Forcing a weak smile onto her face at the prospect of finding her brother, she stood up and ruffled Tim’s hair. “You did good kiddo. Now run along home, we wouldn’t want you to get caught too, would we.”

“N-no,” he stuttered out. “Happy to help.”

“Shoo,” she said with a tiny bit of laughter in her voice, it couldn’t be seen from her eyes though. Those were blank. “I already have one brother to save, I don’t need you getting hurt too.”

“Alright,” he waved bye to her as he disappeared back into the night. God. Him and Jason were going to be the death of her. Who knows what they’d get up to if they spent significant portions of time together.

“Come on, Marinette,” she muttered to herself. “You have a brother to go save.”

Pouncing from rooftop to rooftop, now with a renewed energy, Marinette made her way to the old warehouse Tim had told her about. He was indeed correct that Ivy had been there. Plants and vines were everywhere. Ivy had already moved on to somewhere else.

Argh! She’d been too late!

Focusing on her ears, Marinette tried to see if she could hear anything in the surrounding distance. Nothing. Maybe if she tried focusing on scents it would be better. Now focusing on her nose, Marinette perked up when she found the path in which Ivy had gone through. Jason’s scent was mixed in too, subtle and faint, but there. Following the trail, Marinette was led to a place where both Ivy and Jason's scents were jumbled together. There were scuff marks on the ground and a few leaves from Ivy's plants were scattered, too.

Had Jason tried to fight back against Ivy?

Worried, she tried to see if the path still went on. It did. Only now, the two scents were split. Jason went one way while Ivy went another. Breathing out a huge sigh of relief Marinette didn’t know she had been holding, she began tracking the way to her kit.

The path that led towards her kit stretched on for ages, but Marinette didn’t let that out her off. She was going to find Jason, she was going to kind her kit. Not even Ivy’s latest murderous outrage could stop that.

She was going to find Jason.

After a while the thin path started to widen out, and Marinette couldn’t help but get more hopeful. This was a good sign. Right?

With each step she took, Jason’s scent became more prevalent to the enchanted sense of smell the black cat miraculous gifted her.

He was near.

She just had to find him. She was so close. She couldn’t give up. Not now, not ever. Not for her kit.

“Jason,” she dared to speak cautiously, “are you here?”

She had somehow ended up in an abandoned alleyway. It was dark but Marinette could still see. But the only thing in sight was a few cardboard boxes all piled up together. Was Jason really there? No. This was where his scent had led her to.

Taking a few steps towards the boxes, Marinette called out again, “Kit? It’s me, your big sister! Are you there?”

Nothing happened. Marinette felt like crying again. Where was her kit? Her senses had never failed her before, and they told her he was there!

Suddenly, Marinette’s ears perked up. She could hear some soft rustling coming from the cardboard boxes. Getting closer, Marinette removed one of the boxes to reveal Jason nestled between them! A huge wave of relief crashed through her. Her kit was found at last!

Looking over her baby brother to see if he had any injuries, Marinette saw that he had some red marks around his wrists.

Probably after being grabbed and held by Ivy's vines.

Jason was also shivering uncontrollably. He clutched himself by his sides. Putting a hand to his forehead, Marinette found his temperature was stable. However, something she noticed when she put her hand on him was that Jason instantly leaned into the touch. It wasn’t unusual for him to do so, she knew her kit was touch starved, but as soon as she removed her hand, he began to whine and tremble even more .

“ Cold ,” he cried, “ so cold .”

Leaning down, Marinette gently picked Jason up, cradling him in her arms. She pressed a kiss to his forehead. Jason instantly latched himself around her into a tight hug. It was a little surprising, but Marinette reciprocated it. Gently patting his back, Marinette could feel that her kit was still trembling. Tonight must’ve taken a toll on him.

Or perhaps … something else was at play here. Removing her hand for a second, much to Jason’s protest, Marinette felt some sort of powder or formula on her hands. Jason was covered with it. This seemed like Ivy’s doing.

It didn’t seem like it was doing much, at first, but then the effects hit Marinette.

Cold … so cold … she was freezing, like her insides were ice …

She craved warmth, and Marinette now understood how Jason had felt earlier. Without touch, the ice was unbearable. Hugging Jason tightly, Marinette felt like the pain was alleviated for a few seconds, but it was still burning and itching away at her underneath her skin.

This was a special type of Ivy’s pollen. Cuddle pollen, it was called. It made you crave the touch of people. The only cure was physical contact.

Internally, Marinette cursed at herself. Hugging Jason had gotten all of the cuddle pollen on her, too!

They needed to- They needed to get to her secret warehouse. There was one nearby, right? She couldn’t quite remember. But the two of them couldn’t stay out here like this, that would be far too dangerous.

Staggering to her feet, Marinette tried to walk forward, but it was no use. She felt weak, and all she wanted to do was stay in that alleyway cuddling with Jason.

Maybe if she held onto him, hugged him, as they travelled to her warehouse that would be good enough for the pollen to let off a bit. Maybe. Either way it would be worth a shot.

“Come on, kit,” she murmured. “We need to get somewhere safe.”

Removing his head from the warmth from her embrace, although they both felt extremely cold now, he shook his head. “Cuddles.”

“I know,” she replied sympathetically, “I know. But we really do need to get somewhere safer.” She ran her hand through his hair, Marinette liked the familiar action. The fact that it brought relief from Ivy’s pollen was just an added bonus.

God. She was going to kill that woman after this was all over. Not even Selina could stop her. Not after what Ivy had done to Jason - and her, but that wasn’t important.

She lifted her brother up and pulled him close to her chest. “It’ll be okay, kit. I promise. We just need to get to safety. Can you manage that for me?”

She refused to think of anyone but Jason right now. She had to make sure he was safe. Her safety was always going to be a lesser priority than his, always. Sure, she was suffering from the pollen too but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t going to make sure that they were safe, that he was safe, before allowing herself to succumb to the effects.

“I can do it,” Jason promised, his words slurred. “Just hold onto me.”

“I will,” she soothed, “I will. Now let’s get you out of here.”

When they did eventually reach her nearest safehouse, all both of them wanted to do was cuddle. The journey to the safehouse hadn’t been the most pleasant - for either of them.

“We’re here now, kit,” Marinette assured him.

“We home?” Jason slurred slightly. “Cuddles?”

“Yes, kit,” she promised. “We’re home. But unfortunately I’m going to have to get you to change out of these clothes before we can cuddle. They’re all dirty.”

He frowned before nodding, “Alright. Stay close.”

Marinette shrugged. “Of course,” she said like she had any intention of keeping her word. “I’ll be right outside your door the whole time.”

“You promise?”

She would have felt bad but- “I promise.”

As soon as contact between the two of them was split, both of them could feel the cold and the pain and the uncomfortableness come crashing back quickly.

When the door closed behind him, Marinette forced her to go through the motions needed. To make hot chocolate and set up his favorite film.

With each step, each movement, each second the pain intensified but she refused to give up. She was going to do this for her brother. After everything he’d already been through today he’d definitely deserved it. He always deserved it, in his opinion though.

When he finally stepped out of the other room, wearing some warm pajamas that she’d gifted him over the holiday period, it was clear to Marinette just how much pain he was going through. Of course, then, she realized that he’d been exposed to the pollen for much longer than she had, and he’d gone without human touch for much longer than she had. How had she forgotten about that? Of course, he was in more pain.

“Hey buddy,” she said with a forced smile as she ruffled her freshly brushed hair. “I set up Encanto for you, and there’s some hot chocolate ready too.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Thank you, Mari,” his breathing became less erratic for a moment when his hand made contact with him. “Thank you so much.”

“Anytime, anytime,” she murmured as they settled down with their hot chocolate and started the film.

During the course of the film the sibling pair spent as much time as possible cuddling up with each other, it helped with the pain.

Marinette cried when Mirabel sang ‘Waiting on a Miracle’ and also when Luisa sang ‘Surface Pressure’. She gently hummed along to the tune of ‘We Don't Talk About Bruno’ and ‘What Elsa Can I Do?’ When the argument between Abuela and Mirabel started and Casita was destroyed, tears flowed steadily and even more so when Mirabel ran away and ‘Dos Oruguitas’ started to play. Her tears started to dry near the end of ‘All of You’ and she smiled.

Glancing over at her side, it seemed Jason hadn’t cried at all. His eyes did look a little watery though… Marinette squeezed his hand and her baby brother did the same to her in turn.

Shifting her body so Jason could lay his head on her lap, Marinette gently played with her kit’s hair. It seemed the pollen’s effects had dialed down a little for her but Jason was still affected. Fiddling with strands of his hair, she patted his back soothingly. Jason’s hair was unruly and wild. It didn’t want to be tamed. But at the same time it was silky and soft, and it was a pleasure to run her fingers through.

Every so often, Jason would twitch and reach out for her and Marinette reassured him that she was there. After some time, her baby brother was asleep. Carefully shifting again, she picked Jason up and brought him to his bedroom. Laying him down on the bed and tucking him in, Marinette pressed a kiss to his forehead.

Just as she was about to leave, a hand latched onto her arm. Looking back at Jason, he whispered, “Stay, please .”

And who was she to deny her kit? Joining him in his bed, Marinette pulled Jason close to her.

She hadn’t been able to stop Ivy from hurting Jason, but she was here now, and she was here to stay.

She kept an arm around him the whole time. She was never letting him go again.

Although the pollen had worn off on her due to her shorter exposure time and near instant human contact, it clearly hadn’t worn off on Jason. She wasn’t going to let him suffer so she stayed with him all night, allowing him to cuddle up to her as much or as little as he wanted.

Although he sometimes fidgeted during the night, Jason mainly stayed calm and without nightmares and in the morning the pollen had seemingly worn off. “Thank you,” he said gratefully as he woke up.

“Anytime,” she replied with a smile before giving him another hug. “Anytime.”

一

@mgi-events

Marinette: I'm going to murder Ivy with my bare hands! Selina: Kit, no Marinette: Yes Selina: No Marinette: She hurt my kit. What would you do if she hurt me? Selina: ...

Hope you enjoy it! See you for more fics soon enough, this is war after all.

🔥JASON SUPREMACY🔥

[marauderundercover]

Taking Chances Ch. 18: Girl’s Night (Heroes/Villains)

AO3

Prev

First

Teleporting back into her room in Gotham, Marinette flops onto her bed. Passing Kaalki sugar cubes and Tikki a cookie, she suppresses the urge to scream into her pillow. She was sick and tired of Hawkmoth. Sick and tired of being the one who has to fix everything. She just wanted one week with no Hawkmoth, no akuma attacks. But no. Of course not. Of course he just had to send out a stupid akuma every single day. Because why not. How’re people supposed to know he’s still being the main villain of Paris if he takes a freaking day off? Once she finds out who he is, she’s going to punch him in his stupid face. A knock on her door pulls her from her plotting ways to get back at Hawkmoth. 

“Come in.” She sighs, sitting up and forcing a tired smile on her face. 

“Marinette, your father wanted-” Selina starts, pausing as she looks her over. “Come on kitten, we’re having a girls day.” She says. Marinette raises an eyebrow. Sure she’d met Selina before, but they hadn’t really hung out yet. 

“What?” She asks. 

“You look exhausted and angry, sweetheart. Spending too much time with these boys isn’t going to help. So you’re gonna grab anything you need for an overnight trip and we’re going to go watch movies and eat junk food til we’re sick.” Selina instructs. Marinette grins, jumping up and shoving stuff into her backpack. She puts Kaalki’s glasses into her purse and lets her and Tikki fly in before she turns to Selina. 

“Ready!” She says, practically bouncing up and down in excitement. It’d been ages since she’d had a girls day with anyone. She was so ready to just take a break and be silly. 

“Well come on then. Harley and Ivy are going to adore you.” Selina says, slinging her arm around Marinette’s shoulders. Somehow, they manage to not see anyone on the way to Selina’s car. Which is weird, but it is a weekday so everyone probably had something to do besides sit around the manor. Pulling away from the manor, Selina flips on the radio, the new Jagged Stone song blasting full volume.

“Nice taste in music.” Marinette says with a wide grin. Selina smirks. 

“I have to like the man at least a little, his designer is one of my kids after all.” She says. Marinette smiles, a warm feeling flooding through her. Selina didn’t have to accept her with open arms, she didn’t have to treat her like she was her own daughter. But she did, and Marinette was so thankful for that. Thankful that even so far away from her Maman, she still had a Mom there for her. The two nod along to the music, scream singing the chorus together as the car pulls to a stop in front of an apartment building. Marinette glances at the building, suddenly nervous. Would Harley and Ivy like her? Or would they just tolerate her for Selina. 

“Don’t make yourself nervous, sweetheart. Harley and Ivy are two of the sweetest people I know. They’re gonna love you.” Selina says reassuringly, reaching over and squeezing Marinette’s shoulder. Marinette lets out a breath before nodding. 

“Okay, let’s go.” She says, grabbing her bag and jumping out of the car. She follows closely behind Selina, not wanting to give anyone the chance to get between them. You could never be too careful in Gotham. They walk into the building and go straight into the elevator, Selina pushing the button and leaning up against the wall while they wait. Marinette bounces on the balls of her feet, excitement and nerves bundling together. The second the elevator stops, Marinette’s out, following Selina down the hall. She pulls out a key, winking at Marinette before turning and unlocking the door. 

“Honey, I’m home!” She calls, and Marinette’s jaw drops. The apartment was quite literally covered in plants and vines. They were beautiful. She grins as one of the vines near her leans towards her, a small flower blooming at the end of it. 

“And who did you bring with you?” A tall woman with red hair asks, walking into the room. The designer inside of Marinette instantly has a million questions about the woman’s outfit. It seemed to be made entirely of plants, but she could also tell that they were still alive. She had no idea how the woman had managed that, but she guessed that it was something that couldn’t be replicated for someone else. 

“I’m Marinette. Nice to meet you!” She says with a wide smile. The woman, who Marinette assumes is Ivy, grins back. 

“Nice to meet you, Flower. I see you’ve already made a friend.” She says, gesturing to the vine which was now wrapped around Marinette’s wrist. Marinette giggles. 

“Well, I was hoping they liked me and that’s what this was. I have a garden back in Paris, and I’d hate to find out plants actually hate me.” She says. Ivy shakes her head. 

“No worries there. They adore you, it’s a little odd if I’m honest.” Ivy says, dodging Selina who tries to flick her. 

“Did I hear Selina?” Another voice asks, a short blonde woman walking into the room. Her hair was short and choppy, the small pigtails at the top of her head dyed pink. Marinette grinned at the woman’s outfit- a Gotham Amusement Pier t-shirt, Batman pajama pants, and hot pink fuzzy socks. She wondered if her dad knows that Harley Quinn has Batman pj pants….probably not. 

“Yes, with a guest.” Selina says, plopping onto the couch and gesturing over to Marinette, who was still standing by her new vine friend. 

“Hi! I’m Marinette, it’s nice to meet you.” She says, smiling and waving with her free hand. Ivy whispers something and the vine squeezes a bit before letting go, letting her move away from the door. 

“Well aren’t ya just the cutest!” Harley squeals, running forward and giving her a big hug. “Didjya finally join your boytoy’s adopting habits?” Harley adds, still clutching onto Marinette. Selina snorts. 

“No, he beat me to her. But she’s definitely mine, too.” She says, making Marinette’s face turn red. Harley coos at her, ruffling her hair before stepping back. 

“So what brings ya here? Get annoyed with Bats already?” Harley asks. Marinette blinks in shock. Harley knows? She thinks about it for a minute, and realizes it just makes sense. They’d been fighting long enough and then he started his relationship with Selina, who was one of Harley’s best friends. It just made sense that Harley (who was extremely smart) would put two and two together. 

“No, just thought that Mari could use a girl’s day. She’s been stuck with just the boys for over a week.” Selina explains. Harley gasps. 

“The horror!” She says, making Marinette giggle. “Come on pumpkin, I’ve got the comfiest jammies ever. Oooo, and we can paint our nails! Ivy, find the movies, Selina, you’re on snacks. This is gonna be so much fun!” Harley orders, grabbing Marinette’s hand and tugging her along to one of the bedrooms, Selina’s laugh echoing throughout the apartment. 

“I did bring pjs, ma’am.” Marinette says, once Harley stops tugging her and starts searching through a drawer. 

“Bet that can’t be comfier than the ones I’ve got for ya! And call me Harley kiddo, or Auntie Harley if ya wanna.” She says, looking up from the drawer to smile widely. She looks back and cheers in victory, pulling out a pair of bright red pajama pants. Marinette snorts when she notices the logo all over the pants. 

“Really?” She asks, giggling. Harley smirks. 

“We’ll have to take a picture of us and send it to your old man. Really get ‘im riled up.” She says. Marinette nods excitedly, taking the Robin pants from Harley. This was gonna be awesome. 

---

Bruce sighs, looking at the news report from Paris from earlier. The damned butterflies were hard to track. He was used to figuring out problems quickly, and this one was taking too long for comfort. It wouldn’t bother him as much if it was anywhere else, but it was directly impacting his daughter. She was being hurt daily, and she’d even died and now she was plagued with nightmares. All because of a man with some magic jewelry. God, he hated magic. A knock on the study door stirs him from his thoughts. 

“Come in.” He says.

“Hey B, have you seen Mari? I was gonna ask her if she wanted to go get ice cream with me and Little D.” Dick asks, leaning against the door frame, Damian standing next to him with his arms crossed.

“Not since breakfast. There was another akuma attack earlier, but it wasn’t a bad one. She wasn’t injured.” He says, remembering the completely strange battle from earlier. It was some man with pigeons, and apparently this was the 34th time the man had been akumatized over pigeons. 

“Did you not check her room after the battle?” Damian asks, eyebrow quirked. Bruce sighs. 

“It was the pigeon one again. I assumed that she’d want to take a nap, if anything. She still hasn’t been sleeping well. Tim said she’s awake every morning when he comes up for coffee, whether it’s three or five, she’s up.” Bruce explains, frowning at the thought of his youngest daughter’s sleep habits. He certainly didn’t need another sleep deprived coffee addict like Tim. It wasn’t healthy. 

“Well I already checked her room. She wasn’t there.” Dick says, and Bruce frowns, pulling out his phone to send a text to Tim and call Jason. One of them had to have seen her. She never left the house without telling one of the family, unless it was for a battle. 

“What.” Jason says gruffly, Bruce is just grateful he answered. Up until a couple of months ago, Jason would have rather thrown his phone in the river than answer one of Bruce’s calls. 

“Have you seen Marinette?” He asks, getting straight to the point.

“No? Why? What’s wrong?” Jason asks, and Bruce hears shuffling as Jason rushes around wherever it is he is. 

“Nothing. I’ll call you back.” He says, hanging up. He glances down at his texts and notices Tim hasn’t seen her either. He frowns, but doesn’t panic yet. Pulling out his computer, he pulls up the tracker that was on each of his children’s phones. He scans the map, frowning when he sees that her phone is still in the manor. In her room. He stands and swiftly moves past his sons to get to his daughter’s room. He knocks, waiting for an answer. None. 

“Marinette?” He calls, knocking again. “I’m opening the door.” He warns, pushing it open. He frowns at the empty room, nothing appearing out of place. 

“Do you think she had to pop back to Paris for something?” Dick asks, coming up behind him. Bruce shakes his head. 

“No, she would have told us. Suit up, she has to be somewhere in-” He stops as his phone chimes. He looks at it and feels all of the tension leave his shoulders. 

Took our youngest daughter for a girl’s day, back tomorrow XO. Of course Selina had her. 

“She’s with the Sirens. She’ll be back tomorrow.” Bruce says, suppressing a smile at the annoyed look on his youngest’s face. She was safe, and that’s what matters. Even if he was certain he’d have to listen to Damian complain for the entirety of patrol. 

---

“Make all the boy moose go WAAAAAAAAA!” Harley says with the movie, laughing loudly. Marinette chuckles, passing Tikki a cookie in her purse before sticking another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth. 

“I still like the first one more.” Selina says, taking a sip of her wine. Harley sticks her tongue out at her before turning her attention back to the movie. 

“Do you think Mia is secretly a superhero?” Marinette asks, frowning in thought. 

“What on earth are you talking about?” Ivy asks, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Even Harley pauses the movie to turn and stare at her. 

“Stan Lee.” Marinette says with a shrug. 

“Is that s’posed to mean something to me, kid? Cause I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.” Harley says, obviously confused. Marinette huffs. 

“Stan Lee makes a cameo in this movie. And Stan Lee is the creator of Marvel, right? He’s made a cameo in like, every single Marvel movie. So is Mia secretly a superhero? Is that why he’s in the movie?” Marinette rambles, almost flinging ice cream at Selina as she gestures crazily. 

“Sweetie, how much sleep have you had in the past three days?” Selina asks after a few moments of silence. 

“Not important. Is Amelia Mignonette Thermopolis Renaldi, Princess of Genovia, also a superhero? Does she secretly work for SHIELD? Or is she more like Iron Man, like a freelance superhero? Was she a hero in San Francisco too? Or did she take over a hero's mantle when she moved to Genovia? Cause she was really clumsy in the first movie and also super awkward, but now she’s less clumsy and she seems to be more put together, but are heroes really put together? I don’t think so. I think sometimes heroes pretend that they’re put together to make everyone else feel better when in all reality they’re seconds away from a breakdown themselves. Is Stan Lee coming to recruit her for SHIELD? Is that why he’s in Genovia? Does SHIELD have any jurisdiction there? Is there a Genovian branch of SHIELD?” Marinette rambles, suddenly stuck on the topic. Seriously, why is Stan Lee in Princess Diaries 2 if Mia isn’t a hero? Why would he-

“Kitten, take a breath.” Selina says, her hands on Marinette’s shoulders helping her to ground herself. Marinette takes in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She blinks a few times, instantly feeling bad. 

“I’m so sorry.” She says, frowning. 

“What for?” Harley asks, looking confused. 

“For ruining girl’s night.” She says quietly. Selina pulls her into a tight hug and Marinette sinks into it. 

“Sweetheart, you didn’t ruin anything. I don’t know everything that’s going on. But what I do know, is that you rambling out a conspiracy theory about the movie we’re watching is not ruining girl’s night. Trust me. One time, we invited your brother Dick, and he ate all of the cookies by himself.” Selina says, Marinette snorts. Of course he did. “Now that’s a way to ruin girl’s night.” She adds, squeezing her once more before leaning back.

“Let's watch something that we can just get lost in and not have to think at all.” Ivy suggests, looking through the stack of dvd’s. Marinette glances over, eyes instantly catching one of her favorite movies. 

“Legally Blonde?” She suggests, Harley squeals. 

“That’s it, you’re officially ours. Brucie can fight me.” She says, putting in the dvd. Marinette laughs, laying her head on Selina’s shoulder, grabbing a handful of popcorn. She could get used to nights like these.

Next Chapter

Bonus chapter: Harley Vs Bruce

Drawing of Harley and Mari’s pajamas

Tag list: @maribat-bdbwm @vixen-uchiha @stainedglassm @liquid-luck-00 @jayjayspixiepop @jjmjjktth @mizzy-pop @trippingovermyfeet @queenz-z @thepaceperson @iloontjeboontje @waiting247 @laurcad123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @ritacrow-blog @deathssilentapproach-blog @kittenmywaythrulife @nerd-nowandforever @tazanna-blythe @jaybird-and-co @jumpingjoy82 

[haveihitanerve]

The Phone Call-

Selina Wayne hates the phone calls. Hates anything that isn’t a call from Bruce. Because if he isn’t calling, then that means he has been hurt. Hurt badly enough that he can’t call her. Sometimes she hates it when he calls her too. Because he cancels a date, or tells her Ivy or Harley have gotten hurt. But she wasn’t as worried about them. Because Harley and Ivy, for their good hearts, were villains. And the hero’s would almost never try to kill the villains. They were too good. But the villains would almost always try to kill the heroes. So Selina hates the phone calls. 

Except, it was a call from Bruce. From his phone. But, he wasn’t the one speaking. Selina should have been suspicious. They were on a long mission, almost no one in the league had a phone. Bruce was one of the only ones who carried one, and definitely the only one who brought it on missions. So she should have suspected when she picked up the phone that it wouldn’t be her husband. Should have thought ahead. But she hadn't. She had been hopeful. The voice on the other end is tired. Sad. 

“I’m so sorry Mrs. Wayne. Bruce, he didn’t make it.” Selina couldn’t breathe, couldn't hear, couldn't think. All she could do was sink to the ground, clutching that phone so hard her knuckles turned white, as that phrase echoed around her skull, rattling her bones and chilling her to the very core. ‘Bruce didn’t make it’ 

She doesn’t even notice it when her mouth opens and the wail begins. Just one note of pure, unbridled agony. It is where they find her. Dick and Jason and Tim and Damian and Cass and Steph and Babs. Even Duke is there. She doesn’t want to tell them. Doesn’t want to watch as Damian fights the emotions. Doesn’t want to see that light inside her oldest son shatter. Watch Jason’s heart break. She can’t. She won’t. But she has to. She is their mother. So slowly, Selina stands. Slowly, she sets the phone down. “My kittens.” She whispers. Her voice is hoarse. She clears her throat and starts again. “Darlings.” She can see the dawning realization on Dicks face. Can see Jason start to shake his head. Can see Cass start to mutter ‘no’ although it’s only mouthed. Cass doesn’t speak. But she is. She’s muttering. Over and over and over. No. And Selina’s heart breaks as she says the fateful words and watches her children’s worlds shatter. “Bruce. He didn’t make it.” She sees it in their eyes. Sees dick start to tremble. Jason starts to shake. Damian frowns, shakes his head. Says no. No one listens to him. Cass is still muttering. Steph sinks to the floor, clutching her chest as though to stop her heart from breaking. Duke is silent. “No!” Damian repeats more forcefully. Selina pulls him into her arms, presses him against her body. “No! No! No!” He wails, fists slamming into her, trying to break free. But Selina just holds him tighter. He collapses, sobbing. Selina can just hold him. Dick is crying, Jason is shaking with subdued sobs, Tim can’t seem to speak, moving his mouth but no words coming out. Cass is still muttering. Babs is frozen, just staring at the wall. Steph is on the floor, eyes closed, as though this was all just some nightmare and Bruce would come home any second. But he won’t. Selina knows, in her heart, that he won’t. Not this time. There’s a knock at the door and Duke walks over, mutely, opens the door. Superman and Wonder Woman stand there. Holding.

Him. Selina lets out a strangled sob and stands, Damian switching to Dick to hold. Selina can’t breathe. She lets her hand glide over his chin. Slips the mask off his face. His beautiful face. She runs her hand through his dark hair. He can’t be gone. Can’t be. And yet it is. His chest is still. No air moving in and out of his lungs. No heart beating. Clark is silent. Holding him. She would offer him something to drink, somewhere to put Bruce down, but something tells her he would refuse. He wants to hold his best friend. Just a little longer. So she lets him. The children shuffle over and Selina leans against Dick, taking his hand. It should be Bruce in his place. Stabilizing her. Keeping her upright. But Bruce is dead. Another sob slips out of her. Damian is crying, hand pawing at Bruce’s. Tim gently slips his glove off, allowing Damian to link his fingers with Bruce’s. The way he always did as a child. “It was a ray.” Wonder Woman says softly. She is holding his head upright. Holding her friend. “We couldn’t stop it. It was going to kill the hostages. Bruce.” She swallows. “Bruce was the only one who could get there in time. We were all occupied.” Selina wants to scream at her. Demand her to tell the whole story. Say that she could’ve gotten there in time. But she knows they all tried to. She knows that every single member of the Justice League would have chosen to trade their life with Bruce’s. Knows that Bruce would have been proud to go out, defending those that could not defend themselves. “Did they live?” Dick asks, voicing Selina’s thoughts. When it’s apparent Clark won’t(or can’t) answer, Diana nods. “Yes. He saved them.” Jason nods. “He would’ve wanted it like that.” And while it breaks them to do it, the other kids all nod. “To go out protecting those who cannot protect themselves.” Damian whispers pitifully. His eyes are red and puffy. “Do you-“ Clark rasps. He slowly lifts his eyes from Bruce’s body. “Would you like his secret to remain?” Selina nods slowly. “Yes.” The kids nod as well. Steph brushes a strand of hair out of his face. Cass signs something, tears slipping down her cheeks as Bruce’s hands don’t move to sign back. “He’s dead.” Tim whispers. Clark closes his eyes. In two strides he’s at the couch. Setting Bruce’s body down. “I’m sorry.” He whispers, then he flees. Flying out. Diana watches him go, sorrow in every line on her face. “We-“ she swallows. “I’ll let you know when the funeral is.” Selina says. Diana nods her thanks, closing the door behind her as she leaves. Leaving the Wayne family in darkness. Crowded around the man who was their world. 

“His name was Bruce.” Superman’s eyes glow. “And he was my best friend.” The enemy's eyes widen in surprise. “You killed him.” There is no hint of kindness, not a single hint of the Wonder Boy in his eyes. “He was my brother. And you killed him!” He bellows, pulling back a fist, ready to slam it into the enemy’s face. “Cal!” Diana screams. “Don’t!” Clark turns to her. “You’d let him live?!?!?!?!?” His face is livid, eyes glowing, fists clenched. Anger and sorrow etched in every line of his body. “No.” Diana says softly, coming closer. “No. He deserves death. He deserves every bad thing in this world.” She glowers at the man. “He deserves his place in hell.” She hesitates. “But it’s not what he would have wanted.” Every bit of fight goes out of Clark. He sinks to the ground. “No.” He whispers, looking at his hands. “No. He wouldn’t have. ‘You bruise but you don’t kill.’” He quotes softly. “What would he think of me now?” He asks, hands fisting in his lap. Diana places a gentle hand on his shoulder. “What he always thought of you. That you are a good, strong man. A man he respects and loves as his brother. The best man he had ever met. And his best friend.” Clark closes his eyes. And for the first time since Bruce had died, one year before, Clark allows himself to cry. 

[soulmate-game]

“Are you paw-sitive this is alright?” Selina half-purred half-asked. The slender cat thief was dressed casually— for her, anyway— in a floor length amethyst purple gown that swept just barely above the floor, accentuating her curves and coming down in a deep V neck that was just barely within the constraints of being acceptable for public appearances. Her companion, almost half a foot shorter even in her short heels, was a stark contrast. It was as if all the two women had in common was their hair color, a rich deep black that shimmered blue in the right lighting.

Marinette, with her hair done up in two buns and wearing a sensible pink-and-white cheongsam top with apple blossom embroidery paired with an ankle-length denim skirt that had a knee-high slit in the front, nodded even as she eyed her friend’s choice of outfit with a small frown.

“Of course. Bruce is in the media’s eye all the time, and he knows I don’t have a care for the spotlight. But you do,” Marinette stopped talking for a second, snapping her fingers and reaching into her purse. She pulled out a gorgeous inch-thick collar necklace that was made entirely of thick panels of flawless silver and high-quality diamond. At the very center of the collar necklace, where it would hang right in the center of Selina’s collarbone, was a diamond-and-obsidian cat face. “I knew I was forgetting something! Bourgeois owed me a favor for doing the outfit for her last magazine cover pro bono, so I asked for this as payment. It’s exactly what your outfit is missing.”

Just because Marinette didn’t like revealing clothing didn’t mean she couldn’t appreciate someone else wearing one well, after all. And Selina wore her dress perfectly.

Selina quirked an eyebrow, eyeing the necklace with her expert gaze. Gently, she trailed her fingertips over the tops of the diamonds in the thick bands of the collar as a small smile flicked over her lips. She raised her eyes up to Marinette’s, light green eyes sparkling with mischief and knowing.

“You got this as a bribe for me, didn’t you kitten?”

Marinette smiled unashamedly. “I know you’re a proud lesbian, but would you mind playing the role of Bruce’s girlfriend, just for the media? And only while you’re single, of course. If you ever want out, you only have to say the word. Bruce already agreed, but he also doesn’t mind continuing to play the careless bachelor if you aren’t willing.”

Selina scoffed, rolling her eyes and grabbing the necklace. Effortlessly, she swung it around her neck and clasped it in place. “Please, darling. You and I both know it drives you up a wall when Brucie is hounded by gold diggers every time he steps foot out of that mansion of his. I’ll play the camera-girlfriend, but only for a maximum of a year. And you two can only call on me one a week at most, a girl’s gotta have some time to herself.”

Marinette nodded eagerly. “That’s fine! We probably won’t even call on you that much, Bruce is planning to play the ‘we want to keep our relationship pretty low-key’ card for now. Just an appearance once a month or two ought to satisfy those vampiric paparazzi.”

Selina just smiled. She had practically adopted Marinette years previous, during a trip to Paris where she had found out she apparently had a male doppelgänger. Now the two were sisters in all but official (Not-forged) legal documents. And because of that, Bruce had somehow become her brother.

Which Bruce later found out, meant that Selina would relentlessly tease him every time she needed to appear as his “girlfriend.”

Relentlessly.

But Marinette and Bruce had a Plan. She wasn’t quite ready to make a public appearance as his real girlfriend, mostly because of loose ends that still had to be tied back in France. She was making so many trips back and forth between the two countries that they couldn’t see each other in person much to begin with, so they also didn’t want their few in-person meetings tainted by greedy D-rate journalists.

But yes, they had a Plan. One year was the perfect time frame for the last stretch of said plan. Marinette would tie up the last few things she had to do in Paris, start an official branch of her fashion company in Gotham, and they would stage an entire break-up with Selina, a three-month “break” to “recover” and then a suitably dramatic, romantic “meet-cute” between the two of them to start what the media would see as a love-at-first-sight, fairytale relationship.

Nobody needed to know about Marinette and Bruce’s five-year pining session, or their one-year fumble through figuring out how to date one another before actually getting it right, or the most recent three-years of dealing with the fact that they were both highly experienced hero/vigilantes, the leaders of their own hero teams, and highly accomplished business people.

It was a hard relationship utterly riddled with drama, but they had finally reached the stable point where they were ready to commit. Sort of. They just needed Selina to fake-date Bruce in the public eye for a couple months, and then everything would be fine.

—*—*—*—*—*

One year and three months later.

Marinette shifted her purse on her shoulder. This would be her first time in over five years actually setting foot inside the Wayne Manor. She was excited to see Alfred again, and to hash out the last details for her and Bruce’s public “meet-cute.” But Alfred didn’t open the door this time, a short green-eyed boy with an all-too-familiar frown on his face did.

And once again, Marinette knew that Selina was not the mother. Her pseudo-sister was, as she had said so long ago, a very proud lesbian. But Marinette did know of a past fling of Bruce’s who did possess the proper genes to help create a child of this age.

Marinette smiled, pushing her inner rage at the thought of Talia Al Ghul out of her mind. She was still pissed beyond all rational thought when she heard about what Talia had done to Bruce. But this child was not at fault for any of it, only an innocent by-product.

“Hello. My name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Would you mind telling Alfred I’m here?”

“Tt. Why should I?” The apparently bratty boy asked, crossing his arms and glaring straight at her. Marinette felt her eye twitch.

“I am a close friend of Bruce— Would I be correct in assuming he’s your biological father?” Immediately upon her question, the boy’s eyes widened ever so slightly in shock before his glare intensified. Marinette chuckled. “He didn’t tell me that he adopted any new children, and he always tells me when he adopts. Which means he didn’t have to adopt you, suggesting you are related to him directly. You can’t be a cousin or nephew, he has no living blood family. And all his pseudo-siblings are alive and fine, so you weren’t left to his care in anybody’s will,” she deduced out loud for him. “Plus, the green eyes and tan skin— I know of exactly one of Bruce’s past… suitors… who happens to fit the timeframe and features necessary.”

The boy raised an eyebrow. “Most assume that I am that harlot Selina Kyle’s spawn,” he snapped, but it lacked the same heat this time around. He was now analyzing her face closely, and Marinette noticed. She was careful to keep her eagerness toned down. She really just wanted to see Bruce and be able to hug and cuddle him for the first time in almost a year, and this child was her only obstacle at the moment. A very stubborn one.

Marinette sighed. “Selina is like a sibling to me, don’t call her a harlot. If Selina was ever pregnant, I would have known. Hell, Selina would have given me her baby to raise because she doesn’t have any interest in being a mother. Now, the polite thing to do when someone introduces themselves is so introduce yourself back. Not interrogate or intimidate them.”

The boy huffed, straightening his emerald turtleneck and rolling his shoulders back. “I am Damian Wayne,” he replied imperiously. “And Father has never mentioned a friend by the name Marinette. Which leads me to believe you are yet another no good hopeful suitor, and Father is still recovering after he and Kyle finally split up for good.”

Marinette froze, and slowly her eyes narrowed. “He never mentioned my name? Ever?”

“Tt. I already said no.”

Finally, the shape of Alfred Pennyworth came into view behind Damian. He had obviously heard the last bit of the conversation, because he just sighed and shared a long suffering look with Marinette. It was that look that made Marinette’s eye twitch a second time.

“Alfred,” she said slowly. “Has he mentioned me at all to any of his kids?”

“He has not,” Alfred replied. “And furthermore, Miss Selina would not stop giving him a hard time whenever he had to call her out for an appearance. It seems all of the children mistook their relationship for actually being of a romantic nature.”

Damian spun to the butler, eyes wide and swimming with a multitude of emotions. “What do you mean, ‘actually’, Alfred?”

“He means,” Marinette began before Alfred had the chance. Her eyes were narrowed, matching storms of dark, furious blue. “That Selina was only pretending to be Bruce’s girlfriend so that the press and gold-diggers would leave him alone. And apparently I need to beat some sense into my stupid, idiotic boyfriend, who I should have known would do something like this,” she looked up at Alfred, jaw clenching. “That man would never be able to pass for a functioning human without either you or me keeping his head screwed on. Where is he?”

“Not at the manor currently, Mademoiselle Marinette.”

“Alfred.”

The butler gave Marinette a rather mischievous little grin. “Master Bruce has forbade me from telling you where he is currently, he wanted you to stay at the manor and sleep the jet lag off until he got back. But I can tell you that he is not currently on Earth or on a mission.”

“Alfred!” Damian hissed, shocked that the man would say something so revealing. Alfred was the perfect secret keeper, why would he tell someone Bruce had never mentioned something so telling?”

“Oh, calm yourself Master Damian,” Alfred soothed. “Marinette has known about Master Bruce’s nighttime activities since before you were born. If anything, I believe he rightfully deserves the wake up call he is about to receive.”

Marinette nodded, eyes still stormy and determined. “Alright, so he’s at the Watchtower. The Zeta tunes are still in the Batcave, right?” When Alfred nodded, Marinette wasted no time. She easily slid around Damian and stormed into the manor, finding her way to the Batcave on pure muscle memory and rage.

“Wait, Alfred! I demand an explanation!” Damian’s loud voice slowly grew quieter as Marinette stormed down into the cave, ignoring how Alfred began to calmly explain the situation to the boy. She just slid right in to the Zeta tube, and commanded the computer to send her to the Watchtower.

“P-001, codename LADYBUG, recognized.”

—*—*—*—*—*

Batman pinched his nose from where he stood at the head of the meeting room in the watchtower. The briefing was supposed to start over an hour ago, but Hal Jordan had been twenty minutes late. No surprise there. But still, SuperMan had insisted that they wait until everyone arrived. And really, normally Batman would too. Except that his long time girlfriend was going to be landing in Gotham any minute now, and he would rather be back at the manor to greet her.

And the asinine argument that had been going on for the past forty minutes was finally going to end, even if Bruce had to hogtie every last one of his insufferable coworkers himself and force them through the rest of the meeting strapped to their chairs.

“Okay, can we PLEASE begin the meeting now, or so help me I will break out my kryptonite restraints,” he threatened darkly. He might have only mentioned Kryptonite, but everyone knew that that threat was actually aimed at all of them. Batman knew every last one of their weaknesses and was not above being petty when they strained his last nerve.

Quickly getting the hint, the entire room rushed to fill their seats and at least fake at paying attention. But of course, nothing goes quite right in the life of Bruce Wayne. Right as he turned on the slideshow he had prepared and began the meeting, the sound of an enraged woman’s voice echoed down the hallway in a deafening roar.

“BRUCE THOMAS WAYNE, YOU ARE IN SOOOO MUCH TROUBLE!”

Batman felt as if someone had just shoved him into a cryogenic freezer, a harsh shiver of dread running down his spine. There was exactly one person who could terrify him with a single word, and it just so happened to be the woman he was hiding a wedding ring from.

For the past eight years, but that’s neither here nor there.

“Oh shit,” Bruce breathed, but found he was unable to move from his spot. Yes, he wanted to see Marinette so badly that it hurt. But he also would like to stay alive.

SuperMan leaned forward, not really concerned since Batman would have reacted much differently had the voice been coming from a real threat. Instead, the man leveled his old friend with a very teasing smirk.

“Why is your heart suddenly racing?”

Bruce could only glare daggers at Clark before the door to the meeting room swung open, a tiny French woman standing there in a long, formal white-and-pink knee-length gown with a cheongsam neckline and one of her leaf-green heels held in each hand threateningly.

“You absolute idiot! When I said I wanted to keep our relationship out of the public eye, I didn’t mean to keep me a secret from EVERYBODY!”

“But darling—“ Bruce cut himself off as he was forced to dodge one deadly-accurate piece of flying footwear. “You don’t understand. The boys cannot keep a secret to save their life.”

“They have secret identities, don’t they?” She slipped her other shoe back on. She had known that her shoe never had a chance of hitting, and with Bruce in full Batman gear, even if it had hit him the high heel would have felt like she had only thrown a pillow. Had it been otherwise, she wouldn’t have even joked about throwing her shoes at him. But as it stood, she knew none of the normal things she had on her would be able to so much as make Bruce say “ow.”

Marinette placed both of her fists on her hips, marching up to Batman and pulling him down the full foot it took for him to be able to look her in the eye. His resulting gulp was clearly audible, and visible, to everyone else in the room. “You absolute, emotionally dense moron,” her voice had dropped from a yell to a mildly fond, but still very annoyed, grumble. “Your kids are mostly adults now, you know. And you never told me about Damian either. Did you honestly think I’d be mad?” Bruce looked away from her, which was honestly all the answer she needed. Marinette sighed, letting him go and softening her voice. “You need to trust your kids more, Bruce. I never wanted you to keep me a secret from your family, or even your close friends. Just the annoying ass paparazzi. And trust me a little bit more, yeah? I know it isn’t exactly your strong suit, but I’ve known you long enough that you should know I’m not gonna run for the hills just because you have a biological kid that wasn’t with me.” Marinette risked giving him a slightly vulnerable, lopsided smile. And Bruce immediately deciphered what it meant. His shoulders slumped.

The cost of using the Ladybug Miraculous for so long was that Marinette had to give up her fertility. She could never have children of her own, and Bruce had felt guilty that he had had a biological child, even though he hadn’t exactly consented to it, without her. But now he could see where he went wrong.

Marinette was just happy to have another piece of him to take care of. She never would have resented him for what had happened with Talia. And, seeing all of those facts written on her face now, he felt more than a little blind.

“... sorry.”

Marinette just huffed out a short, soft laugh before grabbing Bruce by the bicep. She turned to look at the other heroes still in the room, half of them uncomfortable with seeing such an emotional display while the others looked like they were incredibly invested in a good soap opera. She shot them a grin.

“I’m stealing him for the next few days, okay? Don’t worry, I’m sure you can make do with making Diana read the slideshow. I know from experience that it has everything you guys need to know and more. Don’t call us, I’ll field all your contact to Agent A!!” With that, she dragged Bruce by the arm out of the room.

To be fair, he wasn’t exactly resisting. Even if the reunion was far from ideal, just having this little bit of contact was extremely relaxing for the vigilante. When they reached the Zeta Tubes, he stopped Marinette and pulled her in for a kiss.

When they inevitably pulled away for breath, he smiled at her. “As soon as we get back, I’ll call everyone in and explain the situation,” he promised. “And then, we can spend the rest of the night doing whatever you want.”

Marinette smiled back, shoving him into the Zeta Tube. “Then get ready, because I wanna sleep off this damn jet lag and I plan on cuddling you like a koala the whole time. No escape.”

“B-001, Codename BATMAN. Recognized.”

“Can’t wait,” he replied right before he was whisked off. The sound of the love of his life laughing followed him through until he reached the other end of the teleportation.

—*—*—*—*—*

@maribat-writing-and-prompts

[miraculous-trinity-leo]

Tᕼᗴ ᑕᕼᗩOTIᑕ ᗩᑎᘜᗴᒪ

(Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3) (Part 4) (Part 5) (Part 6)

Chapter 3: Au Revoir Gotham My True Home

•—–—–·†·–—–—•

Marinette explained what happened and that she didn't mean to cause trouble, she didn't know why the bats were looking for her (author to audience... it's because she looks like one of his bat kids gone rouge.) When she asked how they knew the Bat was looking for her, she found out that Selina was actually dating the Bat... So Marinette was very surprised at that, her family talked about it and a few days after her birthday she'll be going to Paris, France with Selina to be with a family friend of hers. Marinette was now really thinking she was cursed, but she made sure to take it in stride and spend as much time with her friends and family as possible.

"Doan wawhry suguh, we'll make sure tuh visit as much as possible, yuh can even visit us durin' summuh and wintuh break." - Harley held back the tears as she hugged Marinette, Bud, Lou, Ivy, Selina, Ed and even Frank joined in on it.

……… ………

Marinette was out with her friends still not sure how to tell them, she started with the obvious.

"Sooo... tomorrow I turn 10... the double digits." - Marinette

"Soon you'll be one of us!" - Garfield gave Marinette a side hug with a big smile, god he made it harder to tell them

"So what do you want to do? We can celebrate, tomorrow and the day after that, and the day after that, heck we can celebrate for the whole week while we're at it!" - Garfield

Rachel noticed the sad smile Marinette had as Garfield continued talking.

"Is there something you need to tell us?" - Rachel's words stoped Garfield in his tracks, he then looked at a slightly teary Marinette, and he felt a slight tinge of pain in his chest.

"I- um, I'm moving this Saturday... I'm sorry I really don't want to, but- *hic* I-" - Marinette was cut off by Garfield giving her a hug, he rubbed small circles on her back as she let out a few sobs. Rachel patting her shoulder to try and comfort her.

After they were like that for a few minutes, they decided to get ice cream

……… ……… ………

"I'm sorry." - Marinette eating her chocolate chip ice cream

"It's not your fault Mari, besides, we can officially say we have a pen pal in Paris." - Garfield with his chocolate mint ice cream trying to lighten the mood, managed to get a chuckle out of Marinette.

"We can still video call, or text you. And your parents said you can visit on summer and winter break." - Rachel just starting her strawberry ice cream

"But what if I need a friend to talk to when I can't sleep? Or if I need a movie buddy? Or gaming buddy?" - Marinette

"There are online multiplayer games we can play you know." - Rachel

"Yeah, and I'm sure you'll make friends over there really quickly, I mean you already know a few other languages, including French, so there isn't any communication problems." - Garfield

"I wish you guys could come with me..." - Marinette almost done with her ice cream

"... Didn't you say you always wanted a hamster, maybe one that's unique, like a the rare Green Gotham Hamster?" - Garfield with a mischievous grin

"Selina's family friends own a bakery, so no pets allowed. Sorry Rare Green Gotham Hamster, I'm afraid you're staying native to Gotham." - Marinette said patting his shoulder.

"Wait they own a bakery?! As in you can be on a sugar high 24/7?! Take me with you!!" - Garfield

……… ……… ………

Soon it was time for them to go home, when Marinette got home, she continued packing what she would need, making sure that her Siren plushies where safely secure, and then went to eat dinner.

The next day she made sure to get up early, Garfield and Rachel knew where she lived, and wanted to make sure everything was ready for them, setting up the games they would play into the night, and the movies they would watch after that.

She then went to the Gardens to greet her Mom and the plants, doing the usual routine of checking all the plants, complimenting and watering them. During which a sleepy Harley walked over giving Ivy and Marinette a morning kiss before going to make her coffee.

At breakfast she didn't see her Aunt yet, she assumed she was robbing someone rich again.

……… Over to Catwoman ………

"Come ta mama." - Catwoman mumbled as she used her claws to cut the glass surrounding an old elegant purple sapphire that belonged to one of Gotham's founding fathers' wives.

……… Back to Marinette ………

About an hour after breakfast Garfield and Rachel came over, holding Marinettes' rapped presents, they started the day off with trivia games, which they called the MIQ (which can mean either Marinette Isley-Quinzel or in this case Memory Intelligence Quiz) which Marinette and Rachel came to a tie followed by Ivy, then Harley, and Garfield. They then moved on to board games, Marinette decided to play The Game of Life rather than Monopoly (because lets be honest, who has ever finished that game in the time of a signle day? An extreme speedrunner... maybe.) while the adults got the cake ready. Surprisingly Garfield won, he got the acting career, a sports car, a nice old fashioned mid modern house, a wife, and 3 kids... Marinette got the fashion designer career, got a motorcycle, and a small, but nice victorian house, a husband, and one kid... and Rachel got the scientist career (because science is just simplified mortal magic), a delorean car (and even said "Since science is magic I can make it fly, so technically, I don't need roads where I'm going."), a modern cabin in the woods, single (she didn't want a significant other to interrupt her magic science) and got a pet bird.

Once Selina and Ed came over, they began the party, playing games like DDR, Ultimate Mecha Strike 2, and Racing games.

When it came time for Marinette to blow out her candles, she wished that everything would be okay, and that she will be able to come back to Gotham permanently, and blew them out.

She then got to open her presents, she started with Harley's, and got a custom baseball bat that was a dark steel blue, with a light grey handle grip, and it had the words "Quinn For Da Win" on it, putting a smile on her face, when she opened Ivy's gift she got seeds of her favorite flowers to plant over in Paris. She then opened her Uncle Ed's gift, which was a small watch that had special A.I., it had a cover over the inside screen that would flip open to reveal another screen. The cover was silver with a blue question mark, and when it opened, it showed the time, and the location you where in, it could also act as a GPS, and a phone (it could even play music AND had an incredible battery life span). She then moved on to her Aunt Selina's gift, finding a small purple sapphire in the shape of a cat paw, surrounded in silver. She then opened Rachel's gift, it was a travel mug that said "Coffee lives in my veins." (Marinette started drinking coffee recently) which made Marinette laugh, and then she got to Garfield's gift. When she opened it, she found a handmade charm bracelet, it had animals that she really liked around it, and there was one that was a small tiger, with it's eyes and nose having a light green peridot stone, to represent the first day they met. She put the bracelet on her right rist and thanked Garfield for it, and gave everyone a big hug.

She spent the rest of the day playing with her friends, having a wonderful time, and getting a massive sugar rush from all the cake they had. When it came time for dinner they were running low on energy, but were back to normal after Harley snuck some coffee into their food... The only thoughts that went through Garfield and Rachel's minds where "That's why Mari drinks this stuff..."

After dinner they played all kinds of video games, and ended it by watching Back To The Future. They fell asleep some time after 2am.

……… ……… …….

The next morning they all had breakfast and then spent the day playing parkour tag over roofs and playing I spy games. And at the end of the day Marinette gave her friends a big hug, before heading back home. She spent her time with her moms, Uncle, and Frank, playing more boardgames and discussing what she should do to make friends...

"Just be yawhself, we love yuh fawh who yuh are, and I'm sure everyone in Paris will love yuh too... if dey doan, den dey most likely have a massive defective reject of a brain." - Was Harley's opinion

"Riddle the f-ck out of their brain, if they can solve all of them, and like you for you, then they are worthy." - Which was Ed's opinion

"Use a chemical based compound from the magnolia flower, combined with three tulip petals, one rose petal, and pollen from a lilac to create a befriending potion." - Ivy's words made everyone silent before Ed spoke up

"... Harley if you're being mind controlled blink." - Ed deadpaned, which had Marinette cackling

"I'm not bein' mind controlled, also yuh nawhmally say ‘blink once or twice’ not just ‘blink’ I could blink at any random interval and yuh woun't know what tuh tink, and here I thoughtcha were a genius." - Harley with her head on Ivy's lap as Marinette starts wheezing.

"I think y'all broke her." - Frank just pointed to Marinette as she was still cackling and wheezing while in the fetal position.

That's when Selina walked in...

"What the hell did you guys do to Kitten?!" - Selina dropping the bags she got from some high end shop, and after they made sure Marinette was still alive they continued their game... and Marinette may have actually written the list of ingredients for that position, but only as a last resort. When it was time for them to sleep Marinette spent the night with her moms, like she use to when she was 4.

She got up early to make sure everything was ready, she had her sketch book in her backpack, as well as some pencils, ear buds, snacks and a picture of her with her family and friends. She decided to wear her new watch and charm bracelet as she finished checking her bag, she then went into the garden to say goodbye to all the plants, and to give Bud, Lou and Frank one last goodbye. She had about 3 hours before her and her Aunt were to head to the airport, and she spent that time with her moms, almost never leaving their side.

……… ……… …….

As the plane took off she looked out the airplane window, saying goodbye to Gotham, until her next visit home....

•—–·★·–—•

Chapter 3 complete, also just in case I didn't describe her B-day gifts good enough, here's what they look like (꒪꒳꒪)

Hope you're all having an amazing day, staying safe and rockin' all positive vibes,!BUG-OUT! 💮🐞💮

〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜Tag List〜(꒪꒳꒪)〜

1st Place★: @jumpingjoy82

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@fandom-trapped-03, @zorua-adorable, @blueblossombliss, @thefangirlwholiterallydies, @woe-is-me0, @lady-bee-fechin, @jayjayspixiepop, @kashlyn, @toodaloo-kangaroo, @buginetye, @our-preciousss , @vroomtaka, @alessialeone6997

[lifeexperience]

MariBat March 2021 - Enemies to Lovers

Masterlist - Previous

*

Selina Kyle was called always a femme fetale, a beautiful woman with dangerous skills. Nevertheless when she wore her Catwoman suit she felt so much more. Her instincts were much sharper. and she had a confidence which easily pulled her out of a lot of trouble. Like she really adapted some cat instincts. Still she never thought she signed up to be a Batmom when she started dating the big bad Batdad.

When Tim called her with ‘Damian was able to escape to Paris’ she almost stepped on a cat. Like really. How the freaking way he was able to go Paris when he had two babysitter in Red Hood and Nightwing? Like these two - of course along with the little Tim, - could take over the world if they wanted! Yeah, when they are not miserable idiots.

“Mademoiselle Kyle, can I help you with something?” the receptionist broke her out her thoughts, when she finally got rid of her luggages in Bruce’s overdecorated room.

She nodded absently. “Can you name one good vegan restaurant?”

“One moment, please.”

“Of course.”

While she waited she absorbed the many people in the waiting hall to distract herself. There were some teenagers with too much positive energy, a honeymoon couple and some old woman with expensive outfits. If Damian didn’t have a fit… Ugh, she just wanted one week without her kittens. One week!

“Mademoiselle!” the receptionist called out to her. “One of the most popular vegan restaurants right now is Sense, it’s one of that the mayor’s daughter visits often.” he began explain. He even got a map where it was and how she could get there. Dedicated employee.

“Merci.” Selina nodded with a forced smile, then walked out the hotel. She took some calming breath before got her phone out and looked through the menu. Her little baby bat needed some protein to live through this stress, and she bet the big birds and bats kind of forgot about the need of eating.

And Bruce can fight with me on this.

A few hours later she successfully got some portion of vegan food then took the direction to the bat’s Parisian base. She was kind of surprised by the city’s peacefulness on her walk. If she remembered correctly there was a super magic villain, still the streets were full of happy vibes. There were no demolished buildings or areas demarcated by police tape. Hmm, later she would ask about it from Bruce. The passersby were all cheerful and normal.

However when she finally arrived at the basement the happy bubble burst out and she totally forgot about her own curiosity. Since what greeted her was the real chaos.

Why didn't I stay a catbulgar?

*

@maribatmarch-2k21

Next

[afriendlyblackhottie]

Anon who submitted the femdom idea.

One of my toxic traits is that I would literally write out a story outline and then stop there! Also personal in the scenario I would want to be kitten because being spoiled and taken care of is low key a turn on.

But because I like thinking up stories and sometimes having those stories have toxic drama I was thinking…

What if mistress puppy and kitten’s relationship starts off great and everyone is happy with the dynamic until mistress fucks it up so badly that puppy gets so pissed off to the point where he is just disgusted by her and kitten is just heart broken by what mistress did so they break up except for Puppy and kitten who moves in with one of puppy’s friends until they can get a place of their own! And they try to make a new routine for themselves. Puppy falls into the Dom role something he has experience with (he is a switch that just got into a relationship with a femdom who likes having all the control) and becomes kitten’s new Daddy Dom who is soft but teasing (because he can’t help but to be) and they end up having a really good dynamic and they become protective and possessive over each other not wanting another 3 party relationship! But mistress can’t get over them leading to them cutting off contact with friends who they shared with her (the ones who decided to still be friends with mistress) and a restraining order from being stalked. Idk maybe Mistress tries to black mail them with the explicit content she took while being their Dom (even though I picture Puppy and Kitten owning their own business). And when Mistress hears about their engagement and then the elopement she snaps! Because she still loves them (the idea of them) and what they had! How dare they make such a commitment without her by getting married! Picture the honeymoon tho 💦💦💦💦 two freaks in a really romantic setting! The drama would make it like a dark fic?

Extra:since kitten is an obedient sub who is use to asking for stuff (sexual) nice and sweetly that changes when puppy refuses (teasingly) to do any of it unless she asks him in a filthy and degrading way so he could still have the element of his degradation kink. And after she says those filthy words puppy would praise her for it and then agree with her while repeating her filthy words if she called him a degrading name. Something like “Yeah Daddy is your filthy fuck toy. Your fucking slut , kitten” while he has her legs over his shoulders mind you! And he just smirks down at her as she moans against his lips. “Yes Daddy, you’re my slut…” 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

😈😈😈😈😈😈😈😈 I really want to be kitten in real life! ✨manifesting✨ but without the whole mistress drama of course! I’m to pretty to be stressed out like that!

I’m so addicted to this idea Omg

And I came up with a crazy pairing that I think this could work for

An au Selina Kyle and Bucky Barnes like imagine!

[dangerousconnoisseurdonut]

Magical Thieves AU

In a Gotham where about 40% of the population have some sort or magical ability and only something like 13% have two abilities, Bruce is a street rat with his honourary sister, Selina, and the two are excellent cat burglars, known as the Cat and the Bat. Selina is a Shadow Magic user; she can blend into the shadows as well as bring her shadow to life in extreme circumstances. She is called a Night Stalker, and is not trusted by many of those gifted with Light Arts. Bruce though, if anyone knew what his real abilities were, he would be locked up in the interest of public safety; he is often referred to as simply a Chaos Courtesan, despite not being a Chaos Mage.

Bruce is one of the 13% that has two abilities; the first one alone would have him be monitored for the rest of his life, Technomagic, an ability that allows him access to computer files, all kinds of electrical data, and possess mechanical devices, and those are only the surface of his abilities, but they are enough to warrant the government being worried about him. His other, arguably stronger ability, however, would have Bruce either locked up in a special facility where he never saw another living person ever again, or killed; Blood Magic. An ability that is hard to regulate as the user can literally use their own blood or that of their attackers/victims against them. They can turn a person’s blood into acid so they are eaten away from the inside out, they can track a person as well as those with Animal Magic, and they can supposedly even control people by binding their blood.

Selina and Bruce have been siblings since they were nine-years-old and Selina found Bruce wandering around, looking for something to eat. Bruce’s parents were from feuding families and when they fell in love, they were both disowned, and they became rather good thieves themselves, until the police caught up with them and killed them in a shoot-out. Selina and Bruce have stuck with each other and managed to become two of the most sought after professional thieves around, and they have been saving for the chance to get out of Gotham for the chance of a normal life. They need just one more good payday and they ca leave for good; unfortunately, that opportunity comes in the form of Roland Daggett and Rupert Thorne (Sofia and Theo work as well, I just thought something different). They are offering the pair a huge payout, in return for what others would call a suicide mission; rip-off the King and Queen of Gotham themselves, Oswald Cobblepot and Barbara Kean. Bruce is all for ignoring this job as this is beyond dangerous, but the pair are also offering papers that will identify the pair as harmless, low-level White Magic users; papers that would cost upwards of $50,000 a piece.

Selina talks Bruce into taking the job and they stake out the place to prepare for Gotham’s social event of the year; The King and Queen’s Masquerade Ball. Selina poses as someone called to do a repair job to get access to the house and they learn the layout of the house, particularly the room that holds their prizes; two beautiful rings that identify Oswald and Barbara as the King and Queen. The night of the ball, Selina attends as a low level socialite and Bruce is a waiter, both wearing one of his blood glamors to help add to their anonymity. Soon, however, a hush falls over the crowd as the King and Queen make their entrance with their respective courts. Barbara enters with her consort Tabitha, her botanist, Ivy Pepper, and her two bodyguards, Bridgit Pike and Ecco Valeska.

Then there’s Oswald with his consort, Captain James Gordon of the GCPD, his engineer, Jeremiah Valeska (Ecco’s half brother), his advisor, Jervis Tetch, chemist, Jonathan Crane, his own bodyguards Jerome Valeska and Victor Fries, his informant (and not-so-secret assassin), Victor Zsasz, and his Chief of Staff, Alfred Pennyworth. Each of them have dangerous magical abilities and none were meant to be trifled with but, if Selina and Bruce want that big payday and those papers, then trifle they must. Some time passes and the pair actually find themselves talking to members of the courts; Bridgit hates these things and enjoys talking to those who feel as uncomfortable as she does, and Bruce finds himself saving Jonathan from an embarrassing situation. Still though, once the Ball really gets going, Bruce and Selina break away to the room where the rings are housed and just as they grab the rings, Bruce feels a frisson of unease shoot up his back; they’ve been caught.

The two Courts enter the room, and Oswald reveals he’s actually flattered that Gotham’s infamous Cat and Bat Thieves have not only targeted him, but gotten so far, though he was suspicious when a random repair worker appeared at the house, given that Jeremiah always takes care of such problems. Still, as he’s an admirer of their skills and he’s in such a good mood from the party, all they have to do is put the rings back and tell him who hired them, they can leave peacefully. Bruce and Selina both know, however, if they show up empty handed, let alone give up who hired them, they will be a pair of dead ducks. When Bridgit throws a small fireball at the pair to scare them,  Bruce and Selina show their magic to protect themselves, and now Barbara finds them very interesting, offering them a fair percentage of what they would have made if they pulled off the heist. The pair still refuse to give up so easily as not having to buy those papers themselves, would save a large chunk of their savings.

Things go from bad to worse however when Jim and Alfred notice the blood charms and there’s just something too homey about them not to be handmade, and they realize that one of the pair is a Blood Mage. Once Oswald is informed of this, he’s ecstatic and informs Jerome to test the pair as the psychotic ginger is a chaos mage, and the only thing that can stand up to them are those of Order magic and Blood magic. Thanks to Jerome, they quickly figure out that Bruce is a Chaos Courtesan, and Oswald and Barbara know they need these two in their Courts. Not knowing this, Bruce and Selina make a break for it, which is helped by the fact Bruce managed to get a small sample of everyone’s blood, giving him a slight edge.

The two are about to take the staircase heading to the front door when Ivy manages to trip Selina, sending her careening down the stairs, thankfully only knocking her out. As Bruce reaches the bottom of the stairs to grab Selina, he instead is grabbed by the two Victor’s, Jim, and Jervis, who are quick to hide him in a small alcove as the other guests come to investigate Selina’s scream from her fall. Oswald and Barbara are quick to act as concerned hosts over the ‘poor dear who had a touch too much champagne and lost her balance’, a story corroborated by Bridgit and Ivy. When no one comes forward to claim her, Tabitha is quick to suggest they look after her, so they move her to a secure room.

Oswald meanwhile joins the other males, and Jervis tries to compel the truth from Bruce, but Bruce still has a vial of Jervis’ blood, and smashes it so that he can temporarily be immune to Jervis’ power. Zsasz and Fries however are quick to point out that Selina is very vulnerable at the moment and it wouldn’t be hard to...

Bruce is quick to reveal everything and give the rings back, not willing to let anything happen to Selina. Oswald orders some of his men to go to the meeting spot where Bruce and Selina were to meet Daggett and Thorne and take care of things. Bruce hopes to be able to leave with Selina once she regains consciousness, but Oswald naturally has other ideas;

Oswald: Let an injured kitten and obviously malnourished bat go wondering off into the night?! The ASPCA would have my head on a platter! Not to mention Barbara would have a separate one for my balls.

Jim: She is an avid animal lover, especially when it comes to cats. Same with Tabitha.

Oswald: Yeah, and I do not want that woman coming after me with her whip.

Bruce, starting to struggle between the two Victor’s: I will look after her; she’s survived worse falls than that! We both have!

Oswald: You see?! The kitten and no doubt baby bat, uh, what do you call a baby bat, anyways?

Jervis, enjoying himself: A pup.

Oswald: Thank you, Jervis; a kitten and a pup who are constantly being abused on the streets of Gotham?! Obviously they need someone to look after them! Do you like bats, Victors?

Victor Z: I think they’re adorable.

Victor F: Yeah, and this one is a real cutie.

Bruce: You can’t do this! Selina and I are people, not pets! We can look after ourselves!

Jim: And I’m the Captain of the GCPD, and I don’t think you can!

Alfred appears: Oswald, Ms. Kean has seen to it that her new kitten is properly situated in her new room, and I have prepared one for our bat whenever you’re ready.

Oswald: Thank you Alfred, if you would please? I wonder how much harder it is to train bats than birds?

Victor F: We’ll figure it out; besides, you always did love a challenge.

Bruce tries to cast one last spell, only to feel a sharp pain in his neck, and know no more.

For all those who liked my Underwater Gotham AU, I thank you and hope you’ll like this one just as much. Please leave a comment if you do!