#adventures of batmom

[writing-blog-iguess]

Oswald Cobblepot

Summery: Cass and Steph requested a story about her and Penguin. How they met, Bruce trying to convince her to quit working for Penguin, and her last day.

Warning: really bad description of a fight, fluff maybe, angst maybe

A/N: I’ve had this in my drafts for months and it’s finally finished. Go me. As always feedback is welcome! And feel free to let me know who or what kind of story of Batmom you want to see next.

Ao3

-------

Given her job at the hospital and the clinic she sometimes volunteer’s at, she doesn’t get many days off. And when she has them, she takes them with a smile and relaxes outside underneath her favourite tree at Wayne Manor.

She’s happy and content at reading, and she smiles when Stephanie and Cassandra join her. They plop down on either side of her, and she starts reading out loud. Her smile only widens when the boys come out of the house to play a game of football.

And her morning is spent in a peace that she hasn’t seen in a while and she’s happy. It isn't until Alfred carries lunch out that Stephanie gets the ball rolling. “Mom, can you tell us a story?”

She raises an eyebrow at her, and laughs when she sees her boys tripping over themselves as they run towards them at the sight of food. “What kind of story would you like to hear?”

The two girls think about it for a minute. It’s Cassandra who spoke first. “Penguin.”

She shouldn’t be too surprised. The girls were away on a mission when the boys asked about her history with Harley. And when they got back, they were disappointed that they missed it. So they demanded their brothers to give them cliff notes of the stories.

“What about penguins?” Tim asked, as he plopped down beside Cass and grabbed for a plate of food. Stephanie promptly smacked his hand away. “Ow,” he whined, rubbing his hand. “What was that for?”

“You have to wait until everyone’s here, Tim. Otherwise, we don’t get food,” she said simply.

“Yeah, but if I don’t get a plate, Jason will eat everything,” he said just as Jason walked up behind him. Smacking the back of his head, Jason sits down beside Stephanie.

“I do not.” Tim, Steph and Cass gave him a pointed look causing him to huff. “So maybe I do. Can’t help it if Alfred’s food is better than my own.”

“Didn’t Alfred teach you?” Dick asked, taking a seat.

“Yeah, but before him Ma started teaching me. But that was before…” he trailed off. Jason’s death was still a sore spot for her. She hated talking about it, hating thinking about it. Hating herself and what she became when Bruce came home that night and told her what happened.

When Jason came back from the dead, she wasn’t the same. Don’t get it wrong, she was glad she had her Jason back. But there was a part of her that died when Jason did and it never came back. Since then, there was an unspoken rule of never talking about it around her. She appreciated the gesture, but sometimes it was unavoidable.

Clearing his throat, Tim repeated his question before their mother could spiral. “What about penguins?”

“Not penguins, Penguin. We’re trying to get mom to tell us stories about him,” Stephanie answered.

“Out of everyone Ummi knows, why him?” Damian asked, going to sit in front of her. She moved her legs and he sat down, leaning onto her chest. Stephanie shrugged, and grabbed a plate after getting an okay from Alfred.

“Why not? Besides, I want to know if he was always like that. Or if he changed once he became Gotham’s most wanted.” That had caused her to snort and everyone turned to her in question.

“You don’t want to wait for Bruce to come?” she asked instead of answering their question.

“I’m afraid Master Bruce is tied up at Wayne Enterprises,” Alfred said before anyone could, “but he did say he’ll be joining you later once the meeting is finished.”

So much for a perfect morning. Oh well, it can’t be helped.

“So, what exactly do you want to hear?”

---

“Come on Pumpkin,” Harley whined from her bed, stretching her arms out. “When was the last time you went out and had fun?”

She peered over her book, and raised an eyebrow at Harley. “During the summer when we didn’t have school. Harley, you should know this. You were there, and so was Selina.”

“Yeah, but we’re halfway through our second year and you need to let loose a little,” Harley retorted, “you can’t worry about school all the time.”

“Harley’s right,” someone else butted in before she could say anything. They looked towards the door and found Selina leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed. “You need to let loose once and awhile. It’ll help you relax so you’re not stressing over homework. Who knows, maybe you’ll even get lucky if we go.”

She flushed at the meaning and hid her face in her book. “No, I don’t want to. Besides, even if we did go out, it’s not like we can go out to bars. We’re underage.”

“I know a place that let’s minors in,” Selina supplied. Harley squealed and rolled off her bed, landing on the floor beside her roommate. She pulled the book away from her and pouted.

“Please?”

Her resolve crumbled as she sighed. “Fine, I’ll go out with you tonight. But only for tonight!” she promised. Selina rolled her eyes while Harley clapped her hands in victory.

“Yay! Now we have to find something for you to wear.” She only groaned as she watched her friends raid her closet.

“The Iceberg Lounge?” she questioned as she looked up at the building where they stood in line. “It sounds classy. Are you sure they let minors in?”

“Positive,” Selina purred, looping her arms through hers and Harley’s. “I’ve been here before; I think you’ll like it.”

She hummed but looked unconvinced. “If you don’t like it, we can always leave. Just say the word and we’ll go somewhere else,” Harley said, smiling brightly, she returned it in thanks. Her heart thumped quickly at the thought of Harley looking out for her, but she ignored it in favour of trying not to ruin the night.

Soon enough they neared the front of the line. The bouncer raised an eyebrow, but Selina did most of the talking. After a minute or two, he sighed and let them in after telling them the rules.

The lounge was quiet when she stepped in. not the quiet that libraries have when one wants to study. It wasn’t loud like the clubs she used to sneak into with Bruce. It was somewhere in between, a respectable level of quietness/loudness that she found herself relaxing. This was a place she knew she would visit again.

“Selina! Baby, it’s been awhile,” the bartender called once the three of them walked closer to the bar.

Selina smiled and brought her arms to her side before leaning on the bar. “Hey Joe,” she greeted and ordered drinks for the three of them. Harley had dragged her away when she noticed Selina started flirting.

“Wonder if she never not flirted.” Harley mused as she found an empty table. Sliding into the seat beside Harley, she laughed.

“I don’t think she knows how,” she said. Harley looked at her and she shrugged as an answer. “I’ve known her since high school, I’ve seen her with anyone she deemed interesting.”

“Has she flirted with you?”

She flushed at the thought of her best friend ever flirting with her, but merely shrugged. “Don’t know.”

“She was too busy with her nose in a book,” Selina said from behind them. She jumped while Harley giggled, and turned to look at Selina in question. “But it wouldn’t have mattered, I didn’t really like her like that so my feelings weren’t hurt.”

She flushed again and turned back to the table with a small pout. “I wasn’t that bad,” she mumbled. Selina hummed and walked around in front of them, sliding their drinks to them.

“Right. But the stories I have, tell otherwise.”

The red on her cheeks darkened and she took a sip of her drink to help cool her down. “Can we not? I don’t want to go down memory lane. It’s embarrassing.”

“Awe, but Pumpkin,” Harley whined, giving her puppy dog eyes. She looked away and shook her head firmly. Harley pouted when she refused to look at her. “Fine. I’ll leave it for now.”

“Thank you,” she said, giving Harley a smile. She didn’t notice the blush creeping on Harley’s neck, but Selina did.

“Come on Harley, let’s go dance,” Selina said, standing as Harley nodded eagerly.

“Are you coming pumpkin?”

“She doesn’t dance,” Selina answered, grabbing Harley by the hand and dragged her towards the dance floor. She floundered for a bit but didn’t try to defend herself.

“You guys have fun. I’m fun here,” she called after them instead.

“If you’re sure,” Harley called, looking unsure. She smiled at her roommate and only then did Harley feel comfortable leaving her alone.

She watched her friends dance for a bit before pulling out her phone. Opening the internet, she scrolled through hoping to find a part time job. But nothing seemed to appeal to her.

Sighing, she closed the phone and set it down. Crossing her arms on the table, she rested her chin on her arms and smiled as she watched her friends dancing.

“Shouldn’t you be over there dancing instead of sitting here by yourself?” someone asked, and she trailed her eyes over to an older man sitting beside her with a hooked nose. She shrugged and looked back at her friends.

“I can’t dance very well, and I don’t want to be the reason why we go home early,” she replied. “I might step on their toes or something. I think it’s a mood killer.”

“Still, it’d been fun to dance for a bit.”

“Maybe.”

They lapsed in silence for a while before it became too much, she introduced herself. “Nice to meet you, Oswald Cobblepot.”

“Pleasure’s all mine,” she replied, and still thinking about finding a job, she took the plunge and asked if he knew someone looking for people.

—

“Hold on,” Dick interrupted, waving his arms in front of him as the story faded. “You worked for Penguin?”

“Yup. Stayed there until I was done with my residency,” she answered, chewing on a strawberry. “Honestly, the best job I’ve ever had.”

“But why?” Tim asked, moving his plate to the side and went to lay on his stomach. She leaned back on the tree and wrapped her arms around Damien once they were done eating.

“Med school isn’t cheap you know, plus everything else. I needed the money,” she said, tilting her head a little. “But I had some conditions while working there, don’t worry.”

“Bet Dad didn’t like that.”

She laughed and shook her head. “Oh you have no idea.”

—

“Seriously? Penguin?” Bruce exclaimed, following her as she walked behind the bar. She rolled her eyes and bent down to pick up a crate, only for Bruce to take it out of her hands once she stood up.

“Bruce!”

“No, Bug. You need to listen, you can’t work for someone like Penguin,” Bruce stressed out. She gave him a look and grabbed for the crate, tugging. He didn’t let go.

“No Bruce, I can listen to you but I’m not doing what you want me to do,” she answered, tugging on the crate with force, this time he let go. “And besides, I don’t even know who Penguin is.”

Bruce gaped at her and watched as she moved the crate to the storage room. When she came back, she huffed. “What?”

“Do you watch the news? It’s everywhere,” Bruce said, and she tilted her head scrunching her nose in thought. “Seriously? You don’t pay attention to the news?”

“No? That’s why I have Harley and Johnathan for,” she teased, he gave her a pointed look. “What? I’m busy with school and work. So forgive me if I don’t have time to read what’s going on in Gotham and who’s fighting who.”

“You were never too busy to pay attention to the news growing up,” he countered.

“Things change, Bruce. You of all people should know that,” she said, and let it sit in the air as she picked up the clipboard with all the things she still needed to do before opening.

“Do you even know what he does? What secret meetings he has while you work out in the front? I can tell you, his next meeting is with Zsasz about-”

“Nope!” she shouted a little too loudly, dropping the clipboard with a clang and hurriedly covered his mouth with her hands, stopping him before he could finish the sentence. “No, don’t finish whatever you’re going to say.”

Bruce raised an eyebrow and stared at her, waiting for an explanation. “I am aware of what he might be doing,” she said slowly, ignoring the look of disbelief. “Shut up, Bruce. I know it sounds dumb, but if I don’t know what’s going on I can live my life.”

“That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard,” Bruce mumbled behind her hands. She shrugged and dropped her hands. “He’s a crook and you know that. And yet you still work for him?”

She turned around and picked up the clipboard, looking it over. “What I know and don't is fine. It works in my favour if I don't. You know, plausible deniability. Besides, I work out here serving drinks and cleaning and stuff. He knows that and won’t get me involved.”

“You’re already involved! You’re working for him. Besides, you can’t live your life like that, it’ll get you killed.”

“Oswald won’t let that happen,” she answered. It was almost comical how wide his eyes were when she said his name. “And I’m sure you won’t either.”

“You call him by his name?”

“Of course, what else would I call him? Mr. Cobblepots? That’s a mouthful and he insisted I call him Oswald. And calling him Penguin just feels weird.”

“I think you’re a weirdo.”

“Geez, thanks Bruce. You really know how to charm a lady,” she said, voice flat. “The money I earn here is clean.”

“You can’t possibly know that,” he said, moving out of the way as she shooed him. She walked behind the bar and began wiping it down as Bruce sat on one of the stools.

“Of course I do, I do the book,” she said. Bruce leaned against the bar causing her to stop. She looked up and raised an eyebrow. “The books of the bar, not whatever Oswald is in.”

“You hate math.”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t do it,” she countered, trying to push him off the bar. “Move.”

“Come work for me,” he said, freezing her in place. She gripped his arm where her hands stilled, as if he just asked her out on a date.

“What?” she whispered. Clearing her throat, she let go of his arms and stood back, arms crossed. “And do what? Be your secretary? Be Batman’s? No thank you.”

“Why not? The pays probably better, good benefits too. And you'll be working for your best friend.”

“Exactly why I do not want to work for you,” she said. “The commune is longer-“

“I’ll get you a driver.”

“My schooling is important and I can’t miss classes-“

“We’ll work around your class schedule.”

“No, Bruce. I don’t want to work for you and you won’t be able to convince me otherwise,” she said, stubbornly.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t need people saying I’m sleeping with you just to get a job, or why I got promoted,” she finally caved and Bruce stared at her in shock.

“Why would they think that?”

She raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief and shook her head. “Bruce, you are and I quote ‘Bruce Wanye, Gotham’s next playboy billionaire’,” she said and snorted as he gaped like a fish. “Seriously? Don’t you look at the tabloids?”

“No! Is that what they’re saying about me?” Bruce asked, crossing his arms and waited.

“Don’t know what else they’ll say about you going on dates with different people every night,” she said, “but I’m sure that’s what you wanted right, so people can’t accuse you of being, well, you know.”

“Yeah, I just didn’t realize that’s what they settled on,” Bruce huffed, moving to lean his arms on the bar. “Is that really why you don’t want to work for me?”

“Yes. I want to make a name for myself, and to do that I have to distance my name with yours. I mean come on, growing up we were always together. If your name was in the paper, so was mine. What was it that they called us? Gotham’s sweethearts? They even predicted that we’d get married once we were older. So coming to work for you, would just add fuel to that burnt out fire. Besides, I like it here Bruce.”

“I never knew,” he whispered, resting to put his chin on his arms. She leaned over the bar and patted his head.

“You did, we joked about it for a bit. But then the mugging happened, and then you pushed me away.”

“Fat lot that did,” he said but couldn’t help but smile. She returned it and reached over to squeeze his hand.

“I’m just as stubborn, Bruce. Too bad you found out the hard way.”

They were silent for a moment, both lost in the past. A few seconds later, Bruce cleared his throat and dragged his gaze to her.

“So does that mean you, if I asked, that you’ll say no to being my informant?”

“Bruce!”

—

“You tried getting Mom as an informant?!” Dick asked, leaning forward as he saw Bruce make his way towards them.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Bruce said, coming to a stop beside Dick.

“Oh come on! Mom was telling us how she worked for Penguin. And that you tried to get her to quit,” Tim elaborated. Bruce made a face as memories from back then resurfaced.

“I still can’t believe you worked there until it shut down,” Bruce said, joining her by the tree. Cass, Stephen and Damian shifted so her and Bruce sat next to each other.

She looked up and smiled. “Like I said, plausible deniability.”

“I can’t believe it worked,” Bruce said, leaning down and kissing her cheek.

“Yeah, and the commissioner didn’t believe me when I said I had no idea what was happening. I’ve spent so much time in the interrogation room, I didn’t think I was ever going home.”

“It wasn’t too bad.”

She raised an eyebrow and gave Bruce a pointed look. “I was there for the rest of the night. All because we were waiting for Oswald to wake up. Harley and Selina almost came to get me by force if you hadn’t stopped them. Gordon ended up having to release me before all three of you could do something about it.”

“What did you tell them?” Dick asked, leaning over and snatching a cookie before Tim could grab one. Ignoring Tim’s hey! and took a bite.

“The truth,” she said, turning back to everyone. “That I work behind the bar. That I'm not allowed to go into the back and if I needed something, to ask someone else. Or call him for something and he’ll have someone bring it out.”

“Did you know Zsasz?” Jason questioned.

“Mm. But only as a customer. Was a huge flirt though, loved to make Harley jealous when they came out to bug me. Selina got a kick out of it too and joined in. I’ve never been so flustered in my life then on nights like those.”

“It’s still so weird that you and Harley dated,” Steph sighed, leaning her full weight on her mom. “Must have been the love of ages.”

“It was," Bruce answered for her. She turned to look at him, expecting to see jealousy, anger. But instead all she saw was love, admiration and gratitude. For what, she did not know, but had an inkling it was meant for Harley. Bruce slipped a hand in hers and squeezed, she returned the gesture.

“Wait, hold up,” Tim said, backtracking. “What do you mean Gordon kept you at the station?”

Bruce chuckled and Y/N blew out a breath. “That day wasn’t the first time I’ve spent time at the police station being questioned. But it was the last time, and it happened after Batman’s fight with Oswald. I told both of them if they wanted to fight, they were free too. Just not in the place I work. But neither listened.”

“You’ve been questioned before?” Barbara asked, knitting her brows together. “Dad never mentioned you.”

“Oh yeah. When Penguin first started up his criminal enterprise or whatever, Jim wanted to bring him down. Pulled me into the station a few times, asking what I know. Ooh I frustrated him so much because I knew nothing. And he didn’t have anything on me to book me, so he watched me walk away. Every time.”

Bruce snorted, gaining the attention of everyone. “He even came to Batman and Bruce, asking if I knew anything or had anything on her that she was in on whatever Penguin was doing. But true to her word, she stayed far away from it. It was starting to piss me off too.”

“What can I say? When I set my mind to something, it sticks.” Bruce grunted with mock annoyance.

“So what happened on your last day of working at the club?” Damian asked, interrupting whatever was going on between the two.

“Right. Well, it started with Ed.”

—

“Hello Peaches!” Edward Nigma called as he walked through the door.

“You know, I’ve never understood why you’ve nicknamed me Peaches,” she said in greeting, moving behind the bar as he walked towards it.

“You like peaches,” Ed said with a shrug.

“Just because I like peaches doesn’t mean anything,” she pointed out and smiled when he gave her a look. “What?”

“I said peaches and you answered without thinking twice about it,” Ed answered, “so it stuck.”

“Stuck indeed,” she hummed, laughing a little as she thought of all the nicknames she’s acquired. They range from types of animals to foods. She didn’t mind of course, she found it endearing.

“Oswald around?” Ed asked once there was a lull in the conversation.

“Probably,” she answered with a shrug, before going back to counting inventory. Ed paused in his walk and turned to face her, studying her.

“He doesn’t know you’re here, does he?” Ed asked, and watched as she froze in her task. She turned around and smiled guiltily.

“...no he does not,” she said, “it was suppose to be my day off, but Harley was busy and everyone else was too. So I figured I could catch up on stuff I’ve been slacking lately. Feel free to tell him when you see him though.”

Ed shook his head with a laugh. “Yeah. One day you’re going to get in trouble and I won’t be there to stop it. Probably should go home, Peaches.”

She waved away his worry before turning her head on him. “Don’t worry, it feels like I have a guardian looking after me anyways.” Ed chuckled, saying goodbye before leaving for the back room. “Oh and Ed?” she called, stopping him from walking through the door. He hummed in acknowledgement. “You know the rules.”

“You know, for someone who doesn’t want to know what Oswald is doing, you sure are a stickler for rules,” Ed pointed out and dropped his phone in the basket on the bar.

“What can I say? I’m a rule follower.”

Once she heard the door open and closed, she took out her headphones from her pocket and put them on. Scrolling through her music, she found her work playlist and hit play.

And that’s how she spent the next few hours, music blasting in her ears, oblivious to the world outside. Soon, the sun had set and with the lounge being closed for the night, it allowed her to finish up inventory and cleaned the place.

As she swept the floor, there was a commotion that started in the back rooms. Her music was loud enough she couldn’t hear the breaking of boxes, or shouting coming to her friends and boss. It wasn’t until someone was thrown through the back wall, and landed near her. Missing her by a few feet.

She shrieked, holding the broom close to her chest as she watched Batman groan from where he landed. “Bruce?” she whispered to herself, but loud enough that Batman could hear her. She saw his eyes widen before whipping around to find her standing there, looking frazzled.

“What are you doing here?” Batman asked, grunting as he stood up. She ripped off her headphones, mouth open to reply. But before she could, a cackling sound came from the gaping hole. They both turned to see Oswald standing there, with a machine gun pointing at Batman.

“Oswald?!” she squeaked out in surprise, clutching the broom so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She watched as Oswald turned towards her in surprise, grip slacking slightly on the gun.

“It’s suppose to be your day off?!” Oswald shouted, lowering the gun. “What are you doing here?”

“I had mentioned I was gonna come here and catch up on some work the other day!” she shouted, grip loosening on the broom handle. “I even told Ed to tell you I was here! Clearly he hadn’t.”

As if he was summoned, Ed walked up behind Oswald and stood beside him. “Why the sudden quietness?” he asked, not noticing who all was in the room.

“Edward Nygma!” she shouted, adjusting the broom in her hand, as if she was about to go and hit him with it. “What the hell?!”

“Peaches, I didn’t know you’d be here,” Ed said in mock shock. She went to take a step forward but stalled when Oswald shifted the gun in his hands. “You should have gone home when you had the chance.”

“I call bullshit, Edward.”

“Well, I did tell you would get in trouble one day,” he said with a shrug. He shuffled towards Oswald, hanging off his shoulder looking a little unhinged.

“Somethings wrong,” she whispered, once again her grip tightened on the broom as she shuffled a bit closer to Batman. From the corner of her eye, she saw Batman slowly move towards her as well. “Ed’s not usually like this. What happened?”

“What happened dear Peaches,” Ed started, leaning over to grab the gun from Oswald, “I’ve just been hit with a dose of reality,” he finished as he checked the magazine. When everything seemed alright, Ed threw her a smile. She shuddered at the look he was giving her. “Now Peaches, let’s see if that guardian angel is here now.”

And before she could process what he meant by that, Ed pulled the trigger. Everything happened in slow motion as she watched in horror as he pointed the gun at her. She felt a stinging feeling in her shoulder before having her breath knocked out of her as Batman tackled her to the ground.

She groaned as they rolled across the floor, and Batman threw down a table as coverage as he pressed her close to his chest. “What are you doing here?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“What am I doing here?! What are you doing here?!” she whispered-yelled, looking up to glare at him. “I thought you normally don’t fight at the lounge.”

“Only when I know you’re not here.”

—

Bruce cleared his throat, interrupting her story. She turned towards him with a raised brow and dared him to continue. He had the decency to look sheepish and ignored the glares that were sent his way.

“To be fair, I didn’t know you were working that night either,” he said and raised his hands in surrender when she leaned over and punched him. “It was your day off!”

“Doesn't mean I have to tell you every time I’m working.”

“She has you there, B,” Dick said. Y/N gestured to him and smiled.

“I mean it would be nice. I wouldn’t have to worry about you at night.” She scoffed.

“Back then maybe. But you're not my keeper, Bruce. I can take care of myself.”

“Don’t I know it,” he sighed out, eyes softening as he stared at her. There were a few oh gross and get a room and there are children here! thrown around. The two laughed and turned back to the group.

“Okay, where was I?”

“You were being shot at,” Damian supplied.

“Right. Well…”

—

“Seriously?! Is that why I come to work sometimes to see the lounge all trashed up and having to spend hours cleaning before opening?” she questioned and her eyes only narrowed when he shot him a look that screamed, not now. “Oh I’m sorry. It’s not like I go to your work and tell you how to run things,” she said bitterly.

“You could have if you accepted my offer,” Batman pointed out. She huffed, pushing out his arms only to cross them. She faintly heard Oswald and Ed arguing over the gunfire, but she paid them no mind. She was angry, with whom, it was anyone’s guess. But it seemed she was taking it out on Batman.

“Doesn’t matter now,” she sighed out, “so what now?”

“Now, you stay out of the way so I can stop them from hurting anyone,” Batman said, ignoring that look she was giving him. “And then I’m taking you home.”

“No shit,” she said, and peeked her head over the table when the gunfire had stopped. But she was quickly pushed down and she shot Batman a look. “What?”

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

“Like you would let that happen,” she quipped back. “And even if you did, Alfred would have your head. He likes me more than you.”

“First of all, no he doesn’t,” he grunted trying to mask his annoyance, it wasn’t working. “Secondly, you need to shut up or I’ll let it happen.”

She gasped mockingly and covered her heart with her hands. Instead of saying what she wanted too, a wince left her mouth, drawing Batman’s attention to her.

“You're hurt,” he said, his annoyance with her was replaced by worry. Grabbing her arm to look at her shoulder better. She winced and tried to pull her arm back, he didn’t let go.

“I’m fine,” she countered, tugging her arm with more force. She stopped when a sharp pain shot through her arm and hissed.

“Doesn’t sound like it,” he grunted.

“It’s just a scratch,” she tried to argue but knew it was a losing battle when Batman shot her a glare. “It missed anything important.”

“You’re shot and I’m pretty sure the bullet’s still in there,” he pointed out. When silence settled into the room, Batman looked over the table and cursed. “Great, now I have to go find them.”

“Sorry for getting in the way,” she mumbled, cradling her injured out. Guilt seeped its way in her stomach, and she hunched into herself.

“It’s fine, they’re probably out back,” he said, standing up, he bent down and picked her up with ease. She made a noise in surprise and wrapped her arms around his neck without thinking.

“What are you doing?”

“Taking you somewhere safe while I finish up,” he said, walking towards the bathroom. He shouldered the door open and moved to place her on the counter. He leaned over and grabbed a wad of paper towels and pressed it against her shoulder. “Keep the pressure on it.”

“I think I know what to do, Bruce,” she said, groaning as she pressed the towels onto her shoulder. “I am a doctor.”

“Not yet you aren’t.”

“Oh Batman!” They heard Ed yell from the other side of the door. “Come out, come out wherever you are!”

“What’s gotten into him?” she asked, watching Bruce move towards the door.

“Stay here until I come get you,” he said, ignoring her question.

“Are you always this bossy?”

“Are you always this annoying?” he shot back.

“Yes,” she said in a heartbeat. Batman shook his head but she didn’t miss the small smile dancing on his lips.

“I mean it, stay here,” he said, staring her down until she nodded.

“Yes boss,” she said. With that, Bruce turned into Batman as he slipped through the door.

As she sat there, the adrenaline from the night wore off and the pain from her shoulder started trickling in. She tried to ignore the pain and let her mind drift to the events that happened that night. Ed was all about riddles and quizzes about trivial stuff. Not whatever happened tonight. And it scared her.

She groaned and slumped against the wall, trying her best to ignore the yelling and fighting that was happening in the other room. “I quit,” she mumbled to no one in particular.

She closed her eyes and tiredness of the day seeped into her body. Thinking it would be fine if she rested a little bit without falling asleep.

She didn’t know how long she'd been sitting there, it could have been seconds, minutes, days, and if she was feeling dramatic, years. But soon enough, the door to the bathroom opened. Someone said her name but she didn’t have enough energy to acknowledge them.

A hand gently slapped her cheeks and she blinked open her eyes only to see a blurry Batman standing in front of her. She blinked a few times until he wasn’t so blurry.

“Bruce?” she questioned, “what are you doing at my house dressed up as Batman?”

“Where not at your house, Bug. We’re still at the lounge,” he said, taking the bloodied towels away from her shoulder. He applied fresh ones and the sharp pain that scattered throughout her arm was enough to wake her up.

“Is the fight over?” she asked, moving to sit forward. “Are they okay?”

“You’re still worried about them even after what happened tonight?” She only shrugged in response, feeling like if she explained it, he wouldn’t understand. “Yeah they’re okay. Nygma was hit with something, but he should be fine in a few hours. The police and EMT’s are on the way, so I should be leaving soon.”

“Leaving me so soon?” she asked. He shook his head and helped her down off the counter.

“I’ll still be around, you just won’t be able to see me.”

She nodded and the two of them made their way out of the bathroom. She looked around the lounge and grimaced at the thought of cleaning it up. Tables and chairs were thrown around, bullet holes littered the walls and everything.

“You know what? I quit,” she said again, leaning onto Batman’s arms. “I think I’ll make due without a job for a while. Besides, I’m almost done with school.”

“Thought you liked working here.” Not a question, but she answered all the same.

“I do, but cleaning this place up after one of your fights gets exhausting after a while. I’ve had my run at running a club, it’s time for my next adventure. Hopefully one where I’m not in the middle of one of your fights.”

Bruce huffed a laugh and shook his head in amazement. “Sometimes I wonder how we became friends and stayed friends.”

She looked up and squinted. “We fought over crayons in the second grade and I couldn’t get you to leave me alone since.”

“Mm, I remember it being the other way around.”

She stuck her nose in the air and huffed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Right,” he said with a laugh. Once they made it outside, she widened her eyes as she took notice of Ed and Oswald tied up together and unconscious. Though if she didn’t know any better, she would have thought they were dead.

“You didn’t kill them, did you?” she whispered as if that would get him to admit that he did. She couldn’t help a small smile when he shot her a look.

“You know me better than that,” he grunted, and she could feel him rolling his eyes, even if she couldn’t see it. “But they’ll be fine. I have to leave for now, but I’ll come find you later.”

“What? Why?” she said, turning to him in alarm. With the adrenaline finally leaving her body, she felt her body crashing, and she was worried and scared of being alone.

“The police are on their way along with the EMT’s,” he elaborated, squeezing her uninjured shoulder in reassurance. “You need to get your shoulder checked and I’m pretty sure Gordon has some questions for you.”

She groaned and moved to sit on the steps of the lounge. “You called the commissioner?”

“Only because he’s the only one I trust to keep you out of harm's way.”

“Very reassuring,” she said dryly. Bruce patted her head before taking out his grappling hook, he shot it at a building after reassuring her that he’ll be back. Just not in the bat suit.

She sat there, and watched as police cars and an ambulance came speeding towards them. They stopped just before the lounge, and got straight to work. She watched as one of the police officers made a beeline towards her, and she scooted back at the look he sent her. But before he had the chance to question her, or arrest her from the looks he shot her, Commissioner Gordon stopped him.

Gordon sent him to do something else, and turned and made his way towards her. “Good evening Commissioner,” she greeted, attempting to wave but stopped when pain shot through her.

“Evening,” he greeted, looking over her form. “Anyone taken a look at your shoulder yet?”

“Not yet.” At her answer, Gordon waved over the paramedics. They looked it over, and she was relieved that Bruce was wrong. It ended up being a through and through so all she needed were stitches. Which they did, and bandaged her up, telling her to go to the hospital if it was getting worse. A little confused, she nodded and watched as they packed up and left. “Shouldn’t I get a ride to the hospital with them?”

Gordon shrugged, not having a clue. “You up for answering a few questions or would you rather get those stitches?”

She thought about it before answering. “I’ll answer some questions, the thought of going to the hospital right now sounds tiring.”

Smiling, Gordon helped her up and escorted her to his car. “We’ll do it at the station, more privacy.”

The ride to the station was quiet and so was the walk towards the interrogation room. Though she could make due without the stares or glares.

“Sorry about them,” Gordon said, letting her in the trim before closing the door behind him. “They’re not the biggest fan of your boss.”

“Can’t understand why,” she said, and sat down. Gordon hummed and went straight to questioning her. They were standard questions, if she was aware what was happening, if she was working for Oswald in his side business.

A couple of hours had passed, and Gordon looked as tired as she felt. “And you had no idea what Cobblepot’s was doing while you worked at the front?” he asked again.

“Yup. I was in charge of everything that was pertaining to the Lounge. I was one of the bartenders, I managed the front, made sure everything was okay. I did inventory, did the books for Oswald, and made sure everyone was paid. Cleaned the front of the Lounge, decorated accordingly to the seasons and holidays. I did everything. The only rule was that I wasn’t allowed to go in the back rooms. The only room I was allowed to go into was the storage room and the cooler where we kept the decorations and where we stored the drinks.”

Gordon sighed and rubbed his face before nodding. “Okay,” he said slowly, standing up.

“So I can go?” she asked, watching as he made his way to the door.

“Not yet,” he said and her shoulders slumped into disappointment. “I need to collaborate your story with Cobblepot. And that all depends on if he’s awake or not.”

With that, he left, leaving her in the room with her thoughts. She was really regretting not going to the hospital when he offered.

She sat there and tapped her fingers on the table, puffing out her cheeks as she thought about Harley. “Oh man, she’s gonna kill me,” she groaned, sinking into her seat. “Selina too, I just hope they don’t hear anything about this until I’m out.”

But the commotion that she could hear coming down the hall, proved her wrong. Straining her ears, she could hear Harley muffled yelling and Selina’s worried tone. She was afraid they’d get in trouble if they continued. Soon, she heard Bruce’s voice rumble through the room.

“Good, with Bruce here they’ll be fine,” she sighed, crossing her arms, waiting.

An hour or so later, the door finally opened revealing a sheepish Gordon. “Sorry about that.”

“I’d say no worries, but I’d be lying,” she said, sitting up straight. “Everything okay out there?”

“Yeah, you friends sure know how to make an entrance,” he answered. He opened the door for her and gestured with his head. “Go, with how many times I’ve questioned you, I have no reason to doubt you.”

She smiled and stood, making her way out the door. As she passed Gordon, she patted his arm. “I’m sorry for the headaches I’ve caused you. I hope to not cause you more in the future.”

“Trust me, you’re one headache I don’t mind having. You’re better than the bat and the criminals we have to deal with,” he said, with a smile. She laughed and shook head.

“Good luck,” she said as a goodbye. As she walked towards the front of the building, she could hear Harley.

“You can’t keep her here,” Harley whined, “you either have to charge her or let her go. She didn’t do anything.”

“She’s only here to answer a few questions, Ms, Quinzel. She’s free to leave once the Commissioner gives the all clear,” the officer at the front desk explained.

“It’s been hours though,” Selina pointed out. “You have nothing to hold her on. So either release her or charge her.”

From where she stood, she couldn’t see the expression on the officer's face, but the slumped shoulders told her they were tired.

“I’m sure your friend is finished any moment now. Please have a seat until then.”

“If you don’t, I’m going to riot and nothing can stop me,” Harley stated, moving to jump on the front desk. Bruce wrapped his arms around Harley and picked her up, holding her to his chest.

It was quite the sight to watch Harley being carried like a baby, thrashing around demanding to be let go.

“I don’t think she wants to stay here any longer if you're thrown in lockup,” Bruce commented, moving back a little so Harley couldn’t hit the desk. Selina looked on in amusement while Harley pouted.

“Do I weigh nothing to you?” Harley asked, turning her head to look up at him. Bruce shrugged and sent her a smirk.

“It’s like holding a couple of grapes,” he answered, causing Selina to laugh.

“Don’t quote Brooklyn 99 to me,” Harley squawked, wiggling until she was free. Before anyone could do anything else, she walked through the door.

“Can we go home?” she asked, interrupting whatever else they were planning. “I’m really tired.”

The three of them whipped their heads towards her, and she could see the officer physically relax.

“Pumpkin!” Harley shouted, darting towards her, almost tackling her to the ground in a hug. “I thought I’d never see you again!”

She winced when Harley pressed onto her shoulder and hoped no one noticed. But luck was not on her side tonight and Harley immediately let go, looking at her in concern.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Harley asked, she shook her head and gestured to her shoulder.

“Nygma was shooting up the place and I got a bullet to my shoulder,” she answered, “it was a through and through though, so the paramedics gave me a few stitches,” she said, giving Bruce a pointed look. Which he ignored completely.

“You should still go to the hospital,” Harley said, leaning over to study her shoulder. “At least to get it checked out.”

“I’m fine,” she said, waving it away like it was nothing. “I just want to go home.”

“No, Harley’s right,” Selina said, and stood beside her, wrapping an arm around her waist and she leaned into her touch. “It needs to be looked at properly.”

“Come on, I’ll drive,” Bruce said and ushering the three of them out of the building and into the car.

“More like Alfred will drive. I’ve never seen you behind the wheel once in our entire life,” she said as she climbed in, saying hello to Alfred.

“That is because he's a terrible driver,” Alfred answered for Bruce. She laughed, and leaned her weight on Harley, feeling sleep pull at her.

“I have no doubt about that,” she said, closing her eyes.

“To the hospital, Alfred.”

“Thanks again,” Harley said, snuggling closer. “Come on Pumpkin. Sleep, I’ll wake you when we’re at the hospital.”

She mumbled something incoherent and let sleep claim her.

———

“It was the shortest drive in my life but I had it looked at properly,” she finished. “Took forever though, I almost fell asleep while waiting.”

“You did fall asleep,” Bruce pointed out, “and you fell asleep while they redid your stitches, and while we were leaving. I ended up having to carry you so you didn't fall. Alfred insisted we bring you here, it was closer. Alfred was worried and he made sure Selina and Harley could stay too.”

“Oh that makes sense now,” she mumbled. “And you can’t blame me, it had been a long night and I was exhausted by the time Jim was done questioning me.”

“No one blames you,” Bruce said, “if anything, I blame myself.”

“Don’t even go there. No one could have known what was going to happen,” she said.

“So, do you have a scar?” Dick asked before the two of them could go into the blaming game.

She made a face and nodded. “Yeah, it’s small though but it’s there. No you cannot see it.”

“Awe.”

“At least now you're in the scar club,” Jason joked, she snorted.

“Boy, I joined that club long before any of you showed up,” she said and they all turned to look at you.

“You mean that’s not the last time you’ve been in the middle of a Batman fight?” Damian asked the question they were all thinking.

“It was my first yeah, but not my last.”

“Tell me more,” Steph pressed, resting her chin on her moms shoulder.

“Another time, my dear. I’m all storied out,” she said, patting Stephanie’s cheek gently.

There was a collective awe mans, but they all moved to get up, restarting their game of football.

“The amount of heart attacks I’ve gotten because you somehow ended up in the middle of those fights is astonishing,” Bruce said, moving to sit beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and she leaned into him.

“Yeah, I’d say sorry but-”

“But you're not,” Bruce finished, leaning down to kiss her head with a smile.

“Not my fault fate has issues with me,” she hummed, watching her children run around. Jason had the ball and both Duke and Dick were trying to tackle him for it.

“No, but it is when you keep tempting it.”

“What can I say? I live for the adventure.”

[alisonwritesimagines]

Wayne Family Garden ~Batmom Imagine~

Summary: Your plan on growing a garden. However, you don’t have a green thumb. Luckily, you know someone who does.

Author’s Note: I'm obessed with the Wayne Family Adventures on WebToons. Like you don't know how obsessed I am with them.

BatFamily Masterlist

Reader’s Pronouns: She/Her

Warnings: fluff, Poison Ivy and Harley know the Batfam's identies (its canon)

Side Note: This is a secondary blog. If you comment a question down below, I will not answer since this is not the main blog. Please send the question to my inbox if you want a response back!

Do not repost this anywhere!

"What do you think Alfred?"

"I think having a lemon tree could really benefit the garden and our groceries," Alfred tells you.

"Maybe we can have an apple tree too?" You said.

"Sounds delightful. And Master Bruce agreed to your garden?"

"Yup. Said we can have it on the side in the backyard. And we can grow whatever we want," you smiled.

"We should start off small then," Alfred said.

"Right. So then a lemon tree, an apple tree, and carrots?" You asked.

"Sounds good to me," Alfred smiled.

You had been growing more bored around your home now that most of your kids were adults and had moved out of the mansion. So after seeing a good amount of gardening TikToks, you wanted to start your own little garden. But there was one slight problem, you didn't know how to garden.

So there was one person you could think of who could help you start off. You didn't want to bother Alfred more than what he has to deal with so you used your husband's technology to find a certain someone.

The apartment complex looked a little run down but yet again, you knew this was where they would be laying low. You knocked on the front door, only to see Harley Quinn opening it up.

"Mrs. Wayne? Whatcha doin here?" Harley asked you.

"Hiya, Harley. I'm looking for Ivy. Is she around?" You asked.

"Yeah. What's going on?" Harley asked.

"Harley. Who is it?" You heard Ivy ask.

"It's Y/n Wayne! Batman's wife!" Harley said excitedly.

"Hi, Ivy. I came here to ask for a favor," you tell her.

"Uh sure. What's up?" Ivy asked.

"I am currently planting a garden at my home but the problem is, I don't know how to garden. I was wondering if you can help me out," you asked her.

"Don't you have a butler who also knows how to garden?" Ivy asked.

"Yes but I don't want to bother him more than my family already has. And besides, I need more females around the house," you mentioned.

"What are you trying to grow?" Harley asked.

"I would like to start off with a lemon tree, an orange tree, and an apple tree. But I know those take a couple years to grow but I would like to begin growing carrots, tomatoes, and green beans as well," you tell her.

"Those are good to start off with," Ivy mentioned.

"Thanks. So will you come by my house with me and help me get started? I have the tools and everything to start off," you asked her.

"Yeah. My schedule is clear for today," Ivy shrugged.

"Thank you! Harley! You can come over too," you invited.

"Oh sweet!"

Whenever it was a light night, meaning that there was barely crime for once in Gotham, the whole family would get together for dinner. However, they were surprised to see two new comers joining you all in dinner.

"I expect you all to behave yourselves for the night. Ivy and Harley are my guests as they helped me with my garden today," you tell your family.

"Yes mom."

"And no hero or villain talk in the table. I would like a dinner where we can just eat like normal people for once," you say as you prepped the table.

During dinner, everyone ate peacefully but kept a close eye on Harley and Ivy. It was mainly you talking about the garden and your plans for it.

"What are you planning on growing in the garden ummi?" Damien asked you.

"I would like a lemon, orange, and an apple tree but I know those take a while to grow. But I'm also planning on growing some carrots, green beans, and tomatoes to start off," you say excitedly.

"Just make sure to follow the instructions I gave you," Ivy said.

"Of course. And I'll call you in case anything happens," you smiled at her.

The next few weeks, you were proud of your work. The trees were starting to form slowly but surely. You kept notes to check your progress as well as making sure everything was going smoothly. So it wasn't a surprise for the batfamily to see Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy come to their house every week to help check on your garden.

"They're growing good," Ivy tells you,

"Thank you!"

"If you want, I can help you speed up the process for the trees."

"I know I should wait but I do want to try baking an apple pie and make my own orange juice."

"As long as you keep maintaining it you should be fine."

"Mmm. Okay. Let's do it!"

Cassandra and Stephanie quickly rushed over to Harley's and Ivy's place with the bag from their mom. It had been a couple weeks since Ivy and Harley last visited you and your garden. Cassandra knocked on the door, waiting for one of them to answer.

"What do you kids want?" Ivy asked as she opened the door.

"wanted us to drop this off to you," Stephanie said as she handed her the bag. Ivy looked into it before smiling. A fresh apple pie along with a pitcher of orange juice and lemonade were placed in the bag.

"Tell her we said thank you."

"We will!"

"Let her know that if she wants to start something new, have her call me," Ivy tells the girls.

"We will!"

[bluebellhairpin]

Thou So Long Hast Mourn'd

Bruce Wayne X Batmom!Reader

Summary: After Jason's passing, your grief and anger combined causes you to leave Gotham - swearing only to return when you have a perfect chance to kill the Joker for what he did to your son. (Part 2 to 'Hell Hath No Fury')

Warnings: Loss and Grief (Mentions of a funeral and repeated mentions of Jason dying. We miss Mumma's Boy Jay a lot :( ). Bad coping mechanisms all round. Clark Kent acts as a marital buffer. (Reader is fem coded; has she/her pronouns; is referred to as ‘wife’ multiple times. Has the hero name of 'Valentine'.)

Listening to: 'Skyfall' By Adele - "I know I'd never be me without the security of your loving arms keeping me from harm."

Series Masterlist || Masterlist || Ko-Fi

Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past Distress, - 

Jason’s funeral was attended by a very small number of people. Yourself, Bruce, Dick, and Alfred all front and center. 

For days, weeks, the media pestered asking question after question. “A tragic accident.” Commissioner Gordon would reply. It became you answer too, like a well-rehearsed prayer. 

A tragic accident. Tragic. Accidental tragedy. Accident. 

Except it was no such accident. Someone killed Jason. A man, who still walked free, murdered your son. 

Even now, a month after you buried the child, as you sat listening to rain pat against the window panes in Wayne Manor, you remembered what you’d told Bruce the night he brought Jason home for the last time. 

“I’m going to kill him.” you said. “I’m going to kill the Joker.” You told Bruce you’d do what you’d vowed to never do again. You promised yourself to avenge your son, to make sure no one else would ever lose a child to that monster ever again. 

Ever since that night you’d felt a wedge slide between you and Bruce. Dick, only sixteen and having lost the closest thing he had to a brother was feeling it - you could see it on his face, and they way he held his shoulders at dinner. How you were feeling, how little Bruce was doing about it - none of it was doing Dick any good. 

Aside from the anger, you didn’t know how you were feeling. You never thought you’d ever be a mother - you had no idea what to do to help anyone. So you left. 

Bruce was out on patrol - he dove into Batman head first, a bitter feeling in your stomach had you thinking he was compensating. Dick was out - gymnastic practice, which Alfred was in charge of tonight. You were left alone in a huge house, and you couldn’t stand to stay there any longer. 

A small bag was packed with basics - clothes, cash, a few weapons from the cave, and a single family photo taken while on vacation just that past summer (stolen from its frame and folded into a jacket pocket close to your heart). As you walked past the main living space, you stopped, and looked up towards the item hanging above the fireplace. 

The sword - Excalibur - a god-given gift to humankind to exact true justice, now resting as a collectors antique catching dust. You knew if you took it that you would be able to do what you needed to. During your time using it there was no greater pull than to execute Joker - yet something always stopped you. 

You knew it was Bruce. 

Even already, your own guilt over what you meant to do wouldn’t let you take it with you. 

Naturally, on that night, Alfred brought Dick was home first. It was already nine thirty, and while Dick would be up for a long while, he knew the boy wasn’t sleeping proper anymore. 

Alfred sent him up to his room anyway, reassuringly with a hand on his shoulder, telling him to go try and get some rest. 

But Alfred knew something wasn’t right in the Manor the moment he stepped inside. It was too quiet. Like it had been empty as long as they’d been away - even though he knew full well you should’ve been there to keep the house alive. 

Although not trained, the butler had a sixth sense for a lot of things - he was a natural at whatever he sent his mind to (in his youth it was acting, and hence so seeing through lies and reading rooms (for improvisation, obviously) went with it). He set out to find you. Looked in all the usual places, and the unusual ones, in the big rooms and the small ones. 

In the last week or so you’d taken to spending time sitting in the walk-in-fridge. He worried about you a lot. While Dick still had school and his friends, and Bruce threw himself into Batman, you only really had yourself. It wasn’t healthy. 

But no matter how much he looked, or where he looked, you were nowhere to be found - not in the house, nor in the grounds. You’d said nothing about going out when he left, he would’ve remembered. In a last ditch effort to find you, he looked in one last place. 

But you hadn’t been in the Batcave since Jason came home. 

It was there, as he walked down a set of stairs, that he noticed a piece of paper haphazardly taped to one of the center computer monitors. 

He grabbed it, and flipped it open, reading quietly to himself the words inside, scrawled in your handwriting. 

‘Bruce, Don’t look, you know I won’t let you find me. I’m going to do something you will hate me for - probably forever. I can’t keep living like this knowing Jason’s killer is out there killing more mother’s sons. Take care of Dickie. Don’t take Alfred for granted.’

The older man found himself sinking into the chair beside him.

He had a hunch this was coming - he wasn’t in the cave the night Bruce brought Jason home, instead at the time he was upstairs taking a call from an excited Dick who was recalling his day spent doing a treasure hunt around Blüdhaven for a school camp trip that lasted the whole week. Alfred had no idea how you first reacted - he didn’t know how Bruce reacted to your reaction. 

He knew it wasn’t good. Especially since in your note you didn’t even say goodbye to your husband. 

You’d been hiding in a place you knew Bruce wouldn’t ever look - he always hated visiting Metropolis, the city was too bright.  

You knew no one there would snitch on you - most didn’t even recognize you, and the one person who did, conveniently the man who was the closest thing Bruce had to a best friend, wouldn’t ever snitch on you. Not for this. 

‘I needed a break,’ you’d lied, ‘Couldn’t handle being in Gotham after…’ You never finished, and you knew Clark could see through a lie like glass - but the grief he could see. He could also see the anger simmering underneath. He never called you out for it though. 

You’d been there a while, waiting, watching Gotham from a distance Bruce wouldn’t see you from. You kept tabs mostly on Batman - although interviews with Bruce having to explain where his wife went were entertaining (in a sick, satisfying way). Sometimes you were sick, others you were out of town, most times you ‘weren’t feeling up to it’ - the latter two would be closest to the truth, not that he’d know that. 

You often looked fondly at whatever information came though about Dick - he took out the gymnastics first place for his age bracket in the Gotham state. The picture made your heart ache - his smile was wide and toothy, but even though your printed newspaper you could tell it wasn’t reaching his eyes. 

Who you were watching most, though, was the Joker. You combed through old reports and new ones. Even called up Harley Quinn a few times, just to get a perspective on him from someone who was - at one point - much closer to him. She asked you why you wanted to know. 

“I need to know.” 

“O-kay. And where exactly have you been Val?” she’d said, voice crackling down the hotel landline, “You ain’t locking yourself up in that Mansion are ya?” 

“No. I’m not in Gotham right now.” 

“So what’s even the Joker to ya if you ain’t even here huh?” 

“When I come back,” you said, “I’m going to kill him.” 

You became a Joker expert in almost one night.

You got a late night visitor less than a week after that phone call. Clad in red and blue, with a gaudy cape and that stupid ringlet you and Bruce would always bitch about on late nights under bed covers. 

You were a little happy to see Clark - you actually had nothing against him, it was all just in jest (or solidarity because Bruce was your husband). He was let in pretty quickly. Mostly to avoid questions from the nosey couple who’d been staying in the room next to yours for the past three days. 

He stood around awkwardly while you watched him from the seat next to the room’s microwave, posture screaming Clark Kent, journalist, even though he looked like Superman, world-know superhero. 

“I’m, uh -” he started after you stared at him hard, wordlessly willing him to speak, “- I’m worried. I think you should go back to Gotham soon. To Bruce, specifically.” 

“And why’s that?” He looked at you like you’d just said you had Kryptonite in your pocket. 

“Because you’re in trouble.” 

“I’m here in Metropolis, I’m with you right now, I couldn’t be in less trouble if I tried.” 

“You know I have super hearing.” he said sheepishly. It was like he was telling his Ma he ran over her peonies with a bicycle. You put two and two together quickly though. 

“You’ve been spying on me?” 

“For me!” He said, stepping back with his palms towards the sky, “I feel better about not telling Bruce if I know what’s going on with you.” 

“And so what part of your spying brought you here tonight?” Both your arms and legs crossed, you could tell from his face he didn't mean for you to get so offensive so quickly. 

“You were talking to Harley Quinn?” 

“Oh that,” you scoffed with a wave of your hand, “Even Bruce does that. She’s not so bad. Taught me how to roller-skate you know.” 

“About the Joker?” 

“That happens often when my husband is being a pain in my ass,” you said, “Reminds me he could be much, much worse.” Clark motioned his head - ‘fair’, but then he returned serious once more. This time it wasn’t a question. 

“You said you were going to kill him.” 

You knew he couldn’t read your mind, but he could hear how your heartbeat picked up. He had to know you knew you’d been caught. He sat down on the edge of the bed, waiting for your answer in the most approachable way he knew in that moment. 

“I’d be doing everyone a favor.” 

“Bruce - I don’t know what he’d do. He could hate you.” 

“I’m sure he hates me right now anyway.” 

“You can’t believe that,” Clark said, looking up at you with blue eyes that almost looked like Bruce’s. “You don’t really believe he hates you right now?” You took a great interest in the patterned carpet. Clark said your name, and you reluctantly looked back at him. 

“He misses you.” 

“I miss my son.” You bit back at him bitterly. His face remained hard. This was suddenly no longer Clark. You were talking to Superman now. 

“I’m not sure how to say this kindly,” Clark said with a firm voice, “But you’re so focused on the child you lost that you’re abandoning the one that’s still here. Bruce misses you, but Dick misses you even more. He doesn’t need to lose another Mom.” 

His stare was hard, stubborn - he wasn’t going to let up. Your stare was hard too - sour and angry, not because you didn't believe him, but because you knew how right he was. 

“I think you can leave now.”

Two weeks later, after a late night grocery run that consisted mostly of chicken noodle cups and instant coffee, you found a lump of black sitting in the dark with its back against the door of your room. 

Clark told Bruce. 

He didn’t seem to notice your approach, but once you stood toe-to-toe with his polished Oxford shoes, you kicked his leg. 

“Get up.” 

His head of messy hair lifted, and when his brain fully processed you - his wife, finally! - standing before him, he almost jumped to his feet. Uncharacteristic of him outside his prior - and now ditched - playboy persona. 

He breathed your name, stepping forward with hands outstretched as if to hug you. You took a step back. Clark, apparently hadn’t told him everything - if he had, he was taking it very, very well. 

“Where’s Dick?” 

“With Alfred,” he said, hands falling to his sides again after you hummed in acknowledgment. You both stood in silence for a while, before you gestured to a door with a full hand. He got the hint, stepping away, then taking the bags away from one hand as you fumbled for your keys. 

The quiet continued as you let yourselves in, you sat the shopping on the bench, and he made himself at home at the table near the door. You sat back down in the microwave chair, the furthest place from him you could be while still staying in the room. 

“Been keeping busy, Bruce?” you asked, he turned to fully face you in his seat. 

“Not really,” he said, “I’ve been looking for you. Never thought you’d be here,” You almost smiled, thinking about how right you were for coming here. Almost. 

“Heard you went to Saudi Arabia while I’ve been gone.” 

“It was nothing. Really.” 

“You couldn’t have been looking too hard if you were able to take a ‘nothing, really’ trip to the Arabian Mountains.” 

“I’m not here to fight with you,” Bruce said, resting a palm on his knee, “I’m here to ask you to come home. We all miss you.” his last words came out very quietly. “It’s been months. Nothings going to get easier if you stay away.” 

“Are you listening to yourself?” you said with a soft scoff, “He who literally spent every single night after Jason died away from home. He who spends every moment he can down in a dark damp cave rather than with his family - I don’t think you get to tell me where I should be.” You felt tears well in your eyes - hot and fat if they fell, but you willed yourself not to let them. Bruce’s shoulders softened, and he stood and walked closer slowly, coming to kneel before you with his fingers just touching yours. 

“We both haven’t been doing well, have we?” his head shook and his voice was barely audible. It was like he was speaking to himself. His admission - finally, his own pride and stubbornness aside, and it made yours disappear like dust in the wind. 

“You need to see my bathroom,” you said. His head cocked, a sly smile twitched onto his lips. 

“Oh?” he said, “And what might I find there?” But you weren’t smiling. You were trying to be honest.

“Just go look.” you said, turning away from him, bringing your hand away. Telling him with your actions that you weren’t going to be talking until he did. 

He stood, opening the bathroom door behind you and flicking on the light. You could feel how still he was. Taking in the room, and what was inside it. 

All across the mirror and walls were taped up newspaper clippings and photos and articles printed off from the library, old and new, a few of him - Batman - but most of the Joker. Beside the toilet was a case - one he knew would hold parts of a rifle (parts he'd seen you pull apart and put back together in a minute flat) - and across the sink were knives and gun magazines. 

Bruce stepped off the carpet and onto the tile. There was a little list in the center of the mirror, written in red and with the last line underlined.

‘Kill the Joker’. 

When he returned to you, he was holding the list in one hand. 

“When were you planning on doing this?” he asked. You weren’t able to meet his eyes when you answered. 

“Whenever I go back to Gotham.” His body went rigid beside you. Audibly, he let out a breath.

“I’ve thought about it too. Just getting rid of him like that.” he admitted, voice quiet and with a rough edge, “But I know it won’t help. It won’t bring him back.” 

“This isn’t about bringing him back. If I knew it could bring Jason back I’d have done it weeks ago.” You looked up at Bruce as you spoke, watching as his face crinkled in disbelief. 

“You’re so serious about this.” 

“How could you still think I’m not serious?” you said, standing to help convince yourself you weren’t as unsure as you felt. “I will do it. A time will come when that monster dies - wherever it is I will be standing by watching.” 

He watched you. Analyzing your face and the way your eyes moved. His face set like stone, hard and sure and you knew he was much more upset now having found out than what he was when you were missing. He took a step back. 

Bruce was moving towards the door. 

“I won’t stop you. I couldn’t bear to.” he turned, hand on the door handle, “But Batman still will.”

As far as you knew, you’d made it back into Gotham City undetected. 

You knew the route’s Bruce - no - Batman, took while out on patrol. You knew the surveillance he constantly would check. You knew because for years you’d helped him do it all. 

Thankfully, you had a not-so-little little helper - Joker assassination aside, Harley was more than happy to put you up for a while. After you’d killed Joker you’d planned to turn tail and leave again - maybe hide someplace in Australia where no one barely goes. It wasn’t like you had to put up with her long anyway. 

Harley was great, but you’d have to love her a whole lot to live with her longer than a week. But you weren’t planning to stay that long. 

You’d tracked Joker to an apartment complex near Arkham - you knew he wouldn’t stay there forever, so you needed to act fast. 

Your weapons of choice were clean and ready to go, your escape routes A through to D were memorized, a hood and bandana combo were acquired to hide your identity long enough for no one around to know it was you. By all means and definitions you were ready to go. 

You left Harley’s place wordlessly. You were sure she didn’t even know you left. 

A cloak and the shadows of night concealed you from most passersby. Slowly, slowly you stalked towards where you knew the Joker to be. When you climbed the fire escape to find your vantage point, you almost didn’t make it all the way there because you saw Him. 

Sitting, lounging. Acting like there was not a single thing in the world to worry about. It made you so angry you could scream, claw your eyes out, you could do so many things all because that man couldn’t care less about your son dying. 

In fact, you didn’t make it to your original vantage point. 

You settled right there, three levels lower than planned, and took the rifle off your shoulder. Clipping on the scope, twisting the silencer on, packing the magazine in. Settled your body into a comfortable position, then raised the gun to look at your target through the scope. 

With greasy green hair and yellow teeth, you watched him smile through the crosshairs. With a sneer you flicked the safety off. You were ready to take the shot.

A flash of red, green and yellow came in front of the Joker. You frowned, confused. Pulling the scope back you looked again with a wider range and saw something that made your heart drop. Someone was tied up and presented to him like a present. 

The Joker had Robin. 

Your Robin. Your son. Your Dick Grayson. 

Suddenly this was more than just a chance to avenge Jason. A switch flicked inside your heart. This wasn’t a chance to avenge Jason anymore; this was you, saving the son you had left. This was you not giving that monster the chance to keep you in black. 

The lethal rifle was ditched right there on the fire escape, not caring if a lowlife found it before you could return. The knives you’d stashed - ‘just in case’ - were now your swords. Their piercing blades becoming the only thing shielding those who stood in your way a feral beating from bare fists. 

No one was standing in your way of taking Dick home safely. 

Your veins pumped white hot, you saw red all over. This was not going to happen a second time. It wasn’t ever going to happen again. 

A goon at the door stood in your way, he was met with a knee to the crotch and a wound to his shoulder to keep him down. More on the stairs were thrown over bannisters. One had his head smashed into the doorway of the Joker’s apartment. Another was given a hard elbow to the back of his neck. 

You weren’t aiming to kill - you were aiming to get them out of your way, and keep them that way. 

When you reached the room which window you saw through, there were only four other people aside from yourself, your son, and that murdering bastard. They all stayed quiet, goons waiting on a call to action from their boss. You missed the way Dick’s eyes widened as he realised his Mom was here. You were busy staring down the Joker, trying to make him feel just how much pure hate you had for him without a single word. 

“Give me Robin,” you said, voice low, venomous. Dangerous. 

“Well if you want him so bad, and since you asked nicely,” His smile spread wide and uncanny. “Come and get him.” 

So you did. 

Like a blur of back and blue, you had all four men either out cold or groaning on the floor. The Joker himself was under your kneeling form with his teeth now stained red and an eyes swollen shut. 

“Listen well because I’ll only say it once.” You said, your hand a rough fist in his hair to make sure he looked into your eyes and saw exactly how much of a threat your promise was. 

“I spared your life today. I will never do it again. I am not the Batman. The next time I find you trying to pull something with one of my Robin’s and you see me coming you'd better run the other way because I will kill you.”

After untying Dick, retrieving your abandoned gear, and throwing Joker into Arkham, you reconvened with Dick on a nearby rooftop. 

You barely stood upright on two legs before he barreled into you, arms thrown around your waist with his face squished right into your collarbone. He’d grown taller in the time you’d been away. You felt tears fall as your arms wrapped around him in kind. 

“I’ve missed you Mom.” he mumbled into your shirt, “Please don’t go away again. Please.” 

A hand raised to the back of his head as you pressed your covered nose into his hair. You took a deep breath with your eyes closed, then opened them, peeling you both apart just enough to take in each other's faces. Even with his mask on you could see how much he was pleading with you to stay.

You brushed his hair away from his face - he needed a haircut soon. 

You wanted to stay, you never wanted to leave him ever again, not after tonight. But would Bruce let you? 

Out the corner of your eye you saw a black drop fall onto the rooftop a little ways off. Batman. He stood, tall and intimidating. In that moment you had half a mind to take a step back even though he made no move closer to you. 

Instead you just held Dick a little tighter. 

Bruce's hand reached out to you, palm open, outstretched, and empty. Waiting for you to take it. 

“I think we can go home now.” he said, “We all can.” Like that, Batman disappeared. Bruce was here. You guessed he bluffed - when it came to you Bruce was always there. 

Things were not going to go back to normal. They weren’t for a while. But the best thing you could do was stay together, all together. As a family. 

Nothing was going to push that away from you again. 

- And all those Ills which thou so long hast mourn'd;

[jewelt]

Into The Phantom (working title)

A/N: Hello lovely readers, this is my first story here on Tumblr so hope you enjoy it. As a disclaimer, all of the characters involved (except the OC's) do not belong to me. They belong to DC and Kōhei Horikoshi respectively as well as HYBE LABELS with Webtoon. Pictures are from Pinterest and from their respectful owners, they will be used as references for how the characters wear or look like. This is a major crossover and there will be a lot of characters. I will try to disperse them all equally when writing the first chapter and the following after that.Im sorry if I butcher some Korean and Japanese organizations, I sometimes am an idiot and just go by how they sound. You can comment if I did a misspelling as well. The first character introduced will be our protagonist! Enjoy this sheet and there will be more to come! Synopsis will be introduced once characters are introduced. Happy reading! -Jewel

....................................

Ariana Martha Bakugou Wayne

14 years old

Adopted by Katsuki Bakugou (DynaMight) and Do-Geon Bakugou (Shadow) at the age of 10

Daughter of Bruce Wayne and Aurora Wayne

Was stolen by Selina Kyle to take revenge on Bruce for marrying her arch enemy.

Was raised by All For One, Selina, Joker and Harley Quinn

Was used for experiments by All For One and Selina, her current husband

Joker and Harley surprisingly treat her well. Teaches her about heros and villains. Especially about the Batfamily and Team Chakho

Speaks English, Japanese, and Korean (thanks to both adoptive fathers)

Joker and Harley save her from the incident that leads her to Do-Geon and Bakugou

Goes to UA

Part of Team Ryusei

Loves hot chocolate (especially with Marsmallows)

Favorite foods: Ramen, Pizza, Tonkatsu, Kal-guksu and Tteokttboki (Korean rice cakes with spicy sauce for those who dont know) and Army Stew (Buddijjigae)

Dislikes: Celery, Carrots, Coffee, Bullies, and leaving to events late

Likes: animals, horse riding, painting, drawing, reading, acrobatics, knives, and Red Hood (platonically)

Quirk: Blood Manipulation (more on quirks once all main characters are introduced)

Weapons: War fans, and katana

A mischievous little brat sometimes (more with Bakugou around)

Selectively Mute

Hero name: Phantom

Wears a mask during hero assignments

Has a "tattoo" sleeve thanks to All For One

Has a puppy named Kosmo

Hero Outfit V1 (Version two would be a surprise):

Kosmo:

[superhero--imagines]

My Fanbook is officially up for sale!

If you’ve been following me for a while you know I’ve been trying for a while to make this book, and I even did applications a few years ago for artists.

The book includes ten amazing fics, some old ones that were well received (like the Miscommunication series which was Dick Grayson x reader, Damian Wayne’s sweet sixteen which was a headcanon list, and a few of the batmom headcanon lists re-written as fully formatted fanfictions) and a blend of new stories! Two of these fics do have a AFAB reader, with one explicitly using she/her pronouns, the other 8 however are gender neutral.

A bonus for this book is that it’ll have the first part of waking up in Batman!

Other than that there’s also several pieces of artwork from five different artists, and a choose your own adventure style quiz <3

Preorders for the zine will close on August 25, 2024, and production is anticipated to take about 4-6 weeks :)

You can see the merch bundles here or below <3

Full Bundle

This bundle comes with a physical copy of the 100+ page, PUR bound, book, four die cut stickers, and a sticker sheet!

Physical Book

This includes a physical copy of the book. It has 100+ pages, 10 stories with accompanying spot and page art, and choose your own adventure style quiz.

Digital Book

This includes a Digital copy of the book. It has 100+ pages, 10 stories with accompanying spot and page art, and choose your own adventure style quiz.

And of course, you can’t have a project without…

Stretch goals!

Stretch goals are basically complimentary items that are unlocked at a certain order count. For example at 25 orders we’ll unlock the first stretch goal and it will be included in all physical orders.

Thank you for reading this far, hopefully if you order this little book it provides you with a small reverie on hard days <3

[t4tails]

i find the ppl who make 'wayne family adventures'-esqe/ wholesome rouge + batfam headcanons so annoying. silly jokes are fine and dandy but if i see another 'selina is the best batmom' or 'robin goes out to eat with harley and poison ivy after patrol' post IM GOING TO LOSE IT.

i suppose this is why i have thousands of ppl in the batman tags blocked 😅

any time selina gets called a mom in relation to somebody that isnt literally her child like helena (ESPECIALLY IRT DAMIAN) i kill another hostage. that kind of hc specifically drives me so insane. and it hurts because i would like to explore her relationship with bruces kids but it feels like 90% of people are incapable of doing that without making her their step-mom

[the-daydreaming-show]

𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐬.

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐬: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - Epilogue (you are there).

English is not my first language, please be patient.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: Like post credits scenes in movies, this epilogue is short, but I hope you like what it reveals. To all who are on the Tag List, I will use the same list for when I post things about this universe, if someone is there and does not want to know if I post any other ideas about this or updates let me know, and if anyone wants to be added please do not hesitate in asking. There's still a lot more of Batmom!ScarletWitch to see, so see you on the next adventure.

Sequel: 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞

𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭: @some-lovely-day @simonsbluee @yuki-chan23 @miyakana @myst3batz @otchae @d3m0n8ch1ld @marsenbie @mynameisnotlaura @igotmessymind @andieperrie18 @randomboostsofmotivation @totallynotme420 @igotmessymind @amarawayne @calsjack

It was after midnight when you woke up with a cold sweat running down your back. Frightened, you quickly used your magic to check on your children: Dick was in his room, sleeping with his bags ready for his trip back to Blüdhaven the next day. You found it fascinating that, before you woke up, both Bruce and you, Alfred and Dick, were all asleep, which is the higher number of family members sleeping together in the mansion at the same time. And then there was Tim. You almost jumped in place when you noticed he wasn't in his room, then you felt his mind under the house.

“It's fine, I'm fine” you quickly assured, squeezing Bruces hand, who woke up instinctively “I freaked out for a second, but it's okay, go back to sleep” you assured him before leave the room.

Tim was in the bat-cave, sitting on the catwalk that was displaying the costumes of the three Robins that had ever existed, a steaming cup of straight coffee in his hand. But he hadn't touched it yet, which worried you when you appeared at his side. The boy showed no sign of acknowledging your presence, just staring straight ahead, staring blankly at a point behind Jason's tattered suit. He was still wearing the pants from the suit he'd worn to the funeral that afternoon, but with the pajama top and his robe.

You sat silently next to him on the cold metal of the platform, staring at the suit for a few seconds before looking back at your youngest son. Janet Drake's funeral had gone well until one of the woman's prestigious friends decided to comment that Tim's speech would surely be beautiful, wincing when your son told her he wouldn't do the part of her speech. The woman proceeded to make sure the whole room knew about it, as if it were some outrageous gossip about the neighbor's daughter. Most of the people in the room understood why, they weren't judgmental, and you saw it in their minds, but that didn't stop Tim's seething anxiety. That feeling consumed him at the end and on the way back home, then the boy had locked himself in his room for the rest of the day. He didn't cry, but he didn't talk at all, he hardly even made a sound to breathe for the rest of the day. Alfred cooked for him, and you made the tray of food appear on his nightstand, but you never got in. You gave him his space

“I was also at my own mother's funeral” you began to relate softly, seeing how your child processed that information in a second and turned to look at you in surprise, the first expression on his face since that afternoon. Curiosity winning as usual.

You didn't talk much about your origins, not even Bruce had much idea about your family life before the events that led you to travel through the multiverse until you reached the world that is now your home. It was a mysterious subject for your children. Being that you were such a wonderful mother in his eyes, the idea that you had seen your own mother die shattered the idea he had assumed of your childhood. You knew that, so you smiled sadly at him while you nodded slowly while you let him process what he said.

“She wasn't the best.” you continued to explain to him “When she was fifteen, my grandfather to whom she was very close died, and she ended up running away from the small town where she lived with my grandparents to the city. She disappeared and returned almost two years later, fresh out of rehab and pregnant. My grandmother was just happy to get her back and excited about the idea of a grandchild, so I arranged for him to stay there with her again, finish school and get a quick job to take care of me. But the thing is, my mom never liked the idea of staying in a small farming town, she dreamed of big cities. That was the reason she ran away in the first place, and when my grandmother tried to help her stay, she only got more scared. So once I was born, she went away again, leaving me with my grandmother.” Tim blinked in surprise, his head processing the reality that you had lived through, setting the coffee cup aside, “She ended up going back to drugs, having no support system outside my grandmother. She appeared every once in a while, I have memories of her visiting me and I knew she was my mother. But she was never my mother in the way that other people see a mother, what a mother supposed to be was fulfilled by my grandmother. She took care of me and raised me. Mom died of an overdose when I was six” you looked again at the suit in front of both of you.

“How did it go?” Tim asked, genuinely curious how you had handled the situation and eager to get some guidance on how to move forward, those were the first words he had said since the funeral. 

“It was weird, at the moment I remember crying inconsolably and not knowing why. The woman was almost a stranger to me, but she was my mom, even if she didn't fulfill the role” you looked at him sympathetically “Later I understood that sometimes mourning a loss isn't about the sorrow for what you had, Timmy.” you stroked his hair, arranging it on his head, and the boy lowered his head. “But about what you didn't have.” 

After that, it only took a few seconds before the hold broke and Tim began to cry, his shoulders shaking as you pulled him close to your chest.

"She was your mom" you whispered affectionately.

“You're my mom,” Tim replied between sobs “It's not fair.” He burrowed deeper into your chest, tightening his arms around you as if afraid you'd run away soon.

No, it wasn't fair that a boy as wonderful as Tim had been born to parents who didn't take the time to notice his greatness. Janet and Jack didn't notice when he disappeared almost every night when he was out on patrol with your husband. They didn't appreciate that their neglect didn't lead him in a wrong pat, but it made him want to do better. As if he wasn't just a kid. They didn't care how mature his little baby was, they didn't care that his child wasn't a child, but a mini adult. It wasn't fair at all.

“I know, I know, my love” you pat his back while hugging him, trying not to curse the dead because you knew they felt it. “But it's okay to feel it, even when you don't know what you feel, because at the end of the day there was something there even when it was hard. It only remains to let it go“

Tim cried for a long time, he ended up with his head resting on your lap snoring softly, and you didn't have the heart to wake him up, looking at him fascinated by how calm he looked. Eventually, your own head fell back against the platform railing, and you fell fitfully to sleep. 

MOM. MOM, HELP ME. MOM. MOM, GET ME OUT OF HERE. MOM.

You woke up suddenly, covered in a cold sweat. You've had the same dream for a while now, Jason's voice screaming for your help, but you knew it wasn't real. Don't make that mistake again. You looked at you and used your magic to take him to bed-

MOM, HELP ME. MOM.

It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't-

MOM.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: I want to thank all of you who read this story. The story of the loss of Batmom coincided with a time of mourning in my personal life, it has helped me to continue with everything despite the pain, to process it and to move on. You with your interactions and comments have helped me to continue as well, even when it takes me a long time to update because of the university, for which I apologized and I thank you a thousand times more. Finally, I hope that if anyone has suffered a recent loss and feels like ScarletWitch!Batmom and I have felt throughout this story, know that you can do it and I hope this story will at least give you the ease to distract yourself a little for a moment, while you keep resisting.

With love, Ella.

[teddypines]

Main Masterlist

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

( Note 12-9: Masterlist had a little design change.)

MARVEL / X-MEN MASTERLIST

\-> The adventures of Cat and the Avengers Masterlist.

\-> x Reader and other stories

\-> avengers family x child!reader

<----------------------------------------------------->

DC BAT / WAYNE FAMILY MASTERLIST

\-> Batsis and Batmom Reader

<----------------------------------------------------->

CALL OF DUTY MASTERLIST

\-> PolyTaskForce141 x Reader

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Batmom! adventures?

"God is merciful," the man gasped out, holding his hands above his head. Beaten and bloodied. Refusing to give you the information you wanted.

Clinging to unearned loyalty to the father who left you to die.

"I'm not," you hiss. Teeth clenching. So far. Your finger had stayed off the trigger. But it was getting itchy. He hadn't spared River. Or Rain. Or you. Or any of the other innocent children that had been chewed up and spat out in the name of his god.

Fury raged through your body. It felt like the heat of the flames coming off the compound. Comforting. Fury felt better than sadness and pain. The empty ache. Hollow and cold that sat in your chest. A space nothing could fill. Echoing with things you couldn't forget. Screams spoken and silent.

"I know nothing," he said. "Father gave us each a mission to carry out in the event of his death. And I have failed-"

"You're welcome," you tell him. Lips curving in a beatific smile.

"Satan's whore," he hissed.

"Better than being a prize heifer."

And when he looks up at you. Realization dawning on his face, you smile. The heat of the flames- the fury bubbling up and turning your beatific smile into a rictus of cold mockery.

"76-"

"Shadow. My name is Shadow."

And before he can plead, you squeeze the trigger. If he knows nothing, then you'd better find the next name on your list.

[vee-crytraps]

But wait! There’s more!

How bitter it must be for Batsis when she realizes that when Bruce and Dick took Robin away from her, they also shut the door on so much potential in her life. It’s like a punch in the gut every time she realizes she will never experience the things in life her brothers did. She will never be able to join superhero teams and forge life-long unbreakable bonds with her teammates, she will never be able to accomplish death-defying feats, she will never have exhilarating near-death experiences and laugh and brag about it with her friends, she will see outer space and go on galaxy spanning adventures. Never experience the rewarding feeling of a day saved, a crisis averted, a life saved from certain peril, of knowing you’re making a tangible difference in the world. Of course, she knows it’s not all sunshine and roses for superheroes, but she’s still bitter about not getting to experience the scary things either like recovering from injuries or mourning a death, or dealing with a traumatic experience. It may sound weird to others but Batsis wants to experience even that because she is so sheltered. She is aching for a little adventure where she can run the risk of getting hurt without the hovering of her dad and brothers. 

But the most bitter realization of all is knowing she’s shut out from half of her family’s life, the most important part of their lives.You said that their civilian lives is where they cut corners and their alter egos is where they bring their A-game. “So then where does that leave me?” Batsis must ask herself, a fully civilian person in a vigilante family. No longer can she connect with them on such a fundamental level. She will never understand their inside jokes, their knowing glances, falling in perfectly in sync in a fight, see Gotham from the rooftops, tease each other on patrol, hide under Batman’s cape, go get Batburger after patrol. Nothing can equal the hurt she feels when someone cracks a joke and everyone but her laughs because “you just to be there.” But she wasn’t there and she never will be there because you (Bruce and Dick) permanently stopped her from that. 

Just…Batsis realizing there is an entire part of her family’s life she will never be able to connect to them on. At one time she could, at one time she did know what all that was like. But that little taste of it only turned bitter when it was all taken from her. And now she has to watch from the sidelines. Forever the one not laughing, forever the one left out, forever an afterthought.

Dude you’re on a roll!

lmao if you don’t stop you won’t enjoy the next few chapters when she’s trying to communicate this exact same stuff. I was reading this and legit was like WOAH did I accidentally post my Google drive notes haha

As always it’s so cool to have someone understand exactly what I’m going for when I’m writing the readers gripes!

I’ll be posting the first installment of the new angsty AU (just a small one shot) this week, but to avoid literally just rewriting GLB/KMM it’s going to be a timeline split in which Bruce successfully convinces Batmom to tell Harvey about their kid not long after getting diagnosed terminally. I had soooo many cool ideas for it yesterday and I’m stoked.

[alisonwritesimagines]

Picture Perfect ~Batmom Imagine~

Summary: Damien wants to take the perfect photo for you.

Author’s Note: Posting this from my drafts because it is time for it to come out of hiding.

BatFam Masterlist

Reader’s Pronouns: She/Her

Warnings: none, fluff

Do not repost this anywhere!

"Dick, sweetie. Please go tell Damian that he's going to be late for school. He's been upstairs for a while," you tell your oldest son as you tried to feed Martha.

"On it!"

Dick found Damian standing in front of the bathroom mirror, combing his hair to his idea of perfection.

"Damian. Mom said you're going to run late for school," Dick tells him.

“I wanna look good for picture day for Ummi,” Damien tells Dick.

“You know mom will love your pictures no matter what.”

“I know that but I want this to be extra special. After she had Martha, she’s been busy,” Damien explains.

“You know mom loves us no matter what. Sure she may be busy with Martha but that’s because Martha’s a newborn. She needs the attention at the moment. But you know mom will give you attention again soon.”

“Yeah. I know.”

“Just make sure you’re in the car in ten minutes,” Dick told Damien.

“Of course.”

“You look so handsome, Damien!” You tell your son as he rushed down to the kitchen. “Cassandra, honey. Your ballet is divine but please be careful.”

“Sorry mom.”

“Have a good day at school, Damien! I look forward to seeing your pictures when we get them!” You smile sweetly at him.

“It’ll be the best you’ll have,” Damien tells you as he rushed out of the house with a bagel.

The moment Damien stepped into the school, he felt victorious. He succeeded in going into school without messing up his hair. That was until a student tripped and spilled their water bottle onto Damien.

——

His picture was anything but perfect. Damien handed you the framed photo before looking down in shame.

“Aw. I love it!” You chirped happily as you hugged Damien.

“You do?” Damien asked, looking up at you surprised.

“Trust me Damien. I have at least one awkward photo of all my children and you have added to my collection,” you say as you kissed his head.

“You really like it?” Damien asked you.

“If you want to do a redo picture, that’s fine with me. But I will be keeping this one no matter what,” you tell him.

“So when Martha has an awkward photo…”

“I’ll keep that one too. As long as I continue to have photos of my children, I’ll love them all.”

“I’ll do something even more special for you to make up for this!” Damien promised.

“And I look forward to it. But for now, let’s go ahead and hang this up,” you tell Damien as you put it with your other children’s pictures on your wall. You admired the photo before looking back at Damien.

“As long as I have pictures of you all, I don't mind how they look," you tell him.

---

“Come on. What’s taking so long?” Tim asked as he walked into Martha’s room.

“Martha doesn’t want to wear the bow!” Stephanie tells him.

“Come on Martha. Put on the pretty bow. Please,” Tim asked. Martha stared up at her older brother as she shook her head.

“What’s going on?” Damien asked as he walked into the room.

“Martha doesn’t want to put on the bow,” Tim said.

“Let me try. Come here Martha. Let’s put on the bow,” Damien said as he put the headband on his little sister. Martha smiled up at her older brother before reaching up for him to hold her.

“Why does she like you more?” Stephanie asked.

“Because I spend more time with her. Now let’s hurry. Mom and dad will be home soon and I want this photo to be perfect."

Your birthday was always celebrated lavishly. Bruce would fly in your closest family and friends for a dinner and anything else you wanted to do. So Damien thought this would be the perfect time to make up that horrible picture he took for picture day. As well for his siblings to also make up their own awkward school photos.

“Thank you Bruce for throwing me my birthday party. And thank you all for coming and celebrating with us,” you say out loud to everyone at your party.

“We would actually like to surprise our mom with a present gifted to her by her children,” Dick announced after you. You and Bruce looked at them as the kids brought in a wrapped gift.

“From us to you Ma. Happy birthday,” Jason said. You opened up the gift to see a framed photo of all the kids dressed in suits and dresses with a smile on their faces. You teared up as you stared at the photo.

“I love it!” You say.

“Now you can have all of us in one picture,” Damien said.

“I love it. Thank you sweetie,” you tell him as you kiss his head.

“We also took some individual photos to make up for our awkward school pictures,” Tim mentioned as he handed you another present.

“Thank you. I love it so much,” you say as you cried from happy tears.

Bonus:

“Come on you guys! Damien promised me we’d go to the arcade after this,” Martha said as she dragged two of her older siblings into the room.

“Sorry! Traffic was bad,” Tim said as he stood in between Jason and Damien.

“Remember how Martha didn’t want to put in her bow until Damien asked nicely?” Stephanie asked Tim.

“Those were the good ol days,” Tim sighed.

“Alrighty! Ready?” Cassandra asked.

“Perfect! Okay kids. Smile right over here,” the photographer said before taking the picture of the batkids.

It had been a tradition for the kids to take a picture all together every year for your birthday present. It was to show how each of them have grown over the years. No matter what was going on, each batkid had agreed to meet up one day a year with no excuses to take the photo for you.

"I think this is our best one yet," Damien said as he looked at the photos.

"Aright, see you all next year," Jason joked as he walked out.

"Come on! We gotta go!" Martha told Damien.

"Okay. Okay."

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

The Adventures of Batmom

by alisonsfanfics The beginning to now of Batmom!Reader. All of my imagines from Tumblr into one whole fanfic. Words: 3102, Chapters: 2/?, Language: English Fandoms: Batman (Comics), Batman - All Media Types, Batman: Wayne Family Adventures (Webcomic) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M Characters: Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake (DCU), Damian Wayne, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Duke Thomas, Alfred Pennyworth Relationships: Bruce Wayne/Reader, Bruce Wayne/You, Bruce Wayne & Reader Additional Tags: Marriage, Married Life, Married Couple, batmom, Fluff, Angst, Wayne Manor via https://ift.tt/Yp7liBA

[bluebellhairpin]

fans of 'The Adventures of Batmom'! (or just batmom fans in general) - I have a question for you!

Thank you so much for your votes! Feel free to drop into my ask box if you really like a particular idea, or have one you'd like to suggest for the future!

[a-reader-and-a-writer]

Fic Rec Tag

Rules: Recommend us 3 of YOUR fics: 1 that is "most popular" and 2 that are "hidden gems!" Then tag some folks.

Thank you so much for the tag @anniesocsandgeneralstore! I appreciate it! 💖

Most Popular: One Bad Day....

Official Series Summary: The Joker killed your son Jason, but your husband Bruce refuses to break his code in order to get revenge. Too bad no one told the Joker that you don’t share that code. However, how will you deal with the consequences of your actions?

Basically, Batmom (reader) kills the Joker for killing Jason Todd, her adopted son. She is thrown in prison for it and abandoned by the man she loves. 5 years later, the mysterious Red Hood breaks into the prison and helps her escape. Now free and reunited with someone she thought she lost forever, Batmom has to find her place in her new reality and confront her former family.

It is a story filled of betrayal, heartbreak, love, loss, family, and forgiveness. I am extremely proud of this series and am still flabergasted at the love people have shown it 💕

Hidden Gem 1: Eternally Yours

Official Series Summary: As a vampire, you have walked the Earth alone for thousands of years, resigned to the fact that everyone you ever meet will perish in what seems like a blink of an eye. That is until you find the one person who you can't bear to lose....

This is a planned series of interconnected one-shots that tell the story of Vampire!Reader as she meets the love of her life after millennia of being alone. Eventually, she is forced to turn him and together they have adventures as a kickass vampire couple.

I only have posted one part so far, but I am OBSESSED with the reader in this series and her relationship with Rick. She is unlike anyone I have ever written before and it is a nice change of pace. And I have very exciting plans for the future of this series.

Hidden Gem 2: Treading Water

Official Summary: Bradley Bradshaw is only six-years-old so he doesn't understand Uncle Mav's strange behavior when the canoe they are riding in flips over. But sometimes ghosts from the past never truly leave us.

I usually only write reader inserts so this was a big change for me since it is all in Rooster's POV as a child and the only other characters are Maverick, and Carol. However, I was really proud of how this one turned out and I think it felt really realistic and believable based on what we know from both Top Gun films.

Tagging anyone else who wants to share!

[ao3feed-jaydick]

BATMOM II : LA IRA DE UNA MADRE

read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/59899546 by Gigi_Jks Esta es la parte dos del libro Batmom, es después del final triste, transcurre 5 años después de la muerte de Jason. T/N esta furiosa con su ex esposo Bruce Wayne no por no llegar a tiempo a salvarla a ella y al bebé, si no por que no salvo la vida de Jason y por no haber cobrado venganza. Ahora ayuda de Red Hodd a tomar control sobre la ciudad y clamar por la tan deseada revancha con el payaso loco que termino con la vida de su hijo Jay.   No es indispensable leer el libro 1, pero aclara dudas sobre la relación de T/N con el Joker Words: 213, Chapters: 1/?, Language: Español Series: Part 3 of BATMOM Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), Batman (Movies - Nolan), Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010), Batman: Wayne Family Adventures (Webcomic) Rating: Explicit Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con Categories: F/M Characters: Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake (DCU), Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Alfred the Cat (DCU), Batcow, Joker (DCU), Original Characters, Original Female Character(s), Roy Harper, Kal-L | Earth-2 Superman, Jonathan "Jon" Kent (Superman & Lois TV 2021), Batman's Team (Young Justice) Relationships: Dick Grayson/Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Dick Grayson & Jason Todd, Tim Drake/Jason Todd, Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd & Damian Wayne, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne & Damian Wayne, Jason Todd/Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd/Reader, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Jason Todd & Damian Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth & Jason Todd, Batfamily Members & Jason Todd, Batfamily Members & Rogues Gallery (Batman), Gotham City Residents & Rogues Gallery (Batman), Joker (DCU)/Bruce Wayne, Joker (DCU)/Reader, Joker (DCU) & Bruce Wayne, Joker (DCU)/You, Joker (DCU)/Original Female Character(s), Batfamily Members & Batfamily Members (DCU), Batfamily Members (DCU) & Reader, batmom - Relationship Additional Tags: Anal Sex, Oral Sex, Vaginal Sex, Rough Sex, Sex, Semi-Public Sex, Public Sex, Rough Oral Sex, Penis In Vagina Sex, Underage Sex, Shower Sex, Hate Sex read it on the AO3 at https://archiveofourown.org/works/59899546

[writing-blog-iguess]

Harley Quinn

Summery: The batfamily hears three stories about batmom and Harley. How they met, how they started dating, and how they ended.

Warning: fluff, angst.

A/N: This bish is 4847 words. I did not mean to write that much.

Man, the amount of love I got from Stories...I'm so happy people enjoyed it. So, I hope you enjoy this one just as much.

Feedback is welcome! And feel free to let me know who or what kind of story of Batmom you want to see next.

-------

There were only two weeks left of summer, and she wanted to move onto campus as soon as possible. But her friend, Selina, had made it a little difficult for her. On the first day the campus was allowing their students to come, Selina had come over and stopped her from packing. And they spent the day together shopping, seeing a movie and eating. Selina ended up crashing at her place after they had binged a show.

When she started packing the next day, Selina did the same. But after a promise of hanging out when she was settled in her dorms, Selina conceded and helped with the packing. And after some whining and pizza, Selina came with her to campus to help as well.

Struggling to keep the heavy box in her hands, she made her way towards her dorm. “You can help me, you know,” she grunted, shifting the box as it was slipping out of her arms.

“I am,” Selina said, holding up a couple of garbage bags full of clothes. “My hands are just full to help you carry your box.”

“You’re funny,” she deadpanned. Selina flashed her a smile, to which she returned one of her own.

“And that’s why you love me.”

“No, no I don’t think that’s it,” she mused, looking at each dorm number. “I think I love your cat more. And that’s why we’re friends.”

Selina gasped mockingly, and bumped her shoulder. “I knew it!” She laughed just as she found her dorm room.

Fishing out her key from her pocket, she handed it to Selina and waited until Selina opened the door. The minute she walked through the door, she was eloped in a hug. It caught her by surprise that she dropped the box she was holding.

“Hiya! I’m your new roommate!”

“And they were roommates,” Dick gasped out, interrupting the story.

“Oh my god, they were roommates,” Tim finished, and three out of the four boys burst out laughing.

“You two are hilarious,” she said, slumping into her chair. They had just finished dinner when the boys started bombarding her with questions about her and Harley. And after teasing them a little about which story. She started with how she met her ex-fiancé.

“Are you two done?” Bruce asked, and the laughter slowly downed a little. Until they caught each other’s eyes, and it started again.

Damian rolled his eyes, and turned to his mother. “I didn’t know you and Selina were in a relationship,” he said, and that had caused Dick, Jason and Tim to stop and look at her.

“No, no we weren’t dating,” she answered, shaking her head. “I didn’t know my sexuatilty until I started dating Harley.”

“And how long did that take?” Jason asked, rolling his cup on the table.

She blew out a puff of air and sighed. “When we were twenty-one. Even then I needed help.”

“I don’t think I’ve heard this one,” Bruce said with a smile. She flushed in embarrassment and looked away before recalling the story.

——

“Pumpkin,” her roommate sang from the other side of the room. She hummed, blinking at her homework trying to keep awake. She was currently laying on her stomach with her chin sitting on her hand. “Maybe you should take a break. You’ve been at it for hours.”

“Pft, I’m fine,” she answered, though the words were starting to blur together. “Hey!” she said, as Harley yanked the book from her. “I need that.”

“And you need a break,” she pressed, closing the book with a snap. “Come on Pumpkin, let’s get something to eat.”

She pouted trying to grab her textbook. Harley giggled and held it out of her reach. “Harley,” she whined, “the test I'm studying for is supposed to cost half of my grade.”

“You should know that taking care of your body is more important than school, doctor,” Harley teased. She stuck her tongue out, causing Harley to poke it. “Come on, we’ll go to your favourite café.”

She lit up and quickly got out of bed, almost tripping on her feet doing so. Harley laughed and tossed the book onto the bed. “You gotta be more careful, pumpkin.” She made a face, and grabbed her stuff before the two of them left their apartment.

She looped her arm through Harley’s as they walked. Talking about everything and nothing that came to mind. On occasion, she would check her phone, hoping for any messages from Bruce. But there were none.

She hasn’t spoken to Bruce since the last time they hung out, and she wondered if it was something that she did. Though the thought was ridiculous. They’ve only met up a handful of times since he’d been back. And even then, she couldn’t think of a reason why he was avoiding her.

The only thing she could think of was their first conversation they had together. But that was back when he first arrived in Gotham.

Bruce had found the apartment she was sharing with Harley, and decided to pay her a visit before the tabloids caught wind of him being back.

It had caught her by surprise when Harley called, saying there was a billionaire holding pizza. Confused on what she meant, she rounded the corner to find Bruce Wayne standing in her hallway.

After giving him a hug, and a little catch up, the three of you spent the night hanging out. And it felt like nothing had changed between the two of you.

It wasn’t until Harley had gone to bed, that Bruce told you everything that happened since leaving Gotham when he was fourteen. He told you how his training had gone, and all the people he’s met.

It was one thing reading about them through Bruce’s letters. But it was a different experience hearing them from Bruce. When he had finished, he told her it was time to start fixing Gotham his way.

With a sigh, she had hoped that he had changed his mind. Instead of talking him out of it, she suggested waiting a little bit before doing so. Make Bruce Wayne into a public figure, or more then he already is. And then have his second persona make an appearance. Only so people didn’t connect that the two were related.

That had been two months ago. And sure, she’s been busy with school and midterms were just around the corner, and Bruce was busy running a company and….well, being a playboy from what she’s read in magazines. She didn’t read the articles, it hurt a little reading them.

And he was also busy with being Batman. She laughed at the name the media had dubbed him, it almost made her call him up just to tease him about it. But she refrained from doing so. She was unsure where she fit in his new life, and at this point she was too afraid of the answer to ask.

When they arrived at the café, she found a table for them while Harley ordered.

Harley looked over the rim of the coffee cup in her hand when her friend sighed again. “You’re in love with Bruce!” Harley accused.

She dropped her bagel on her plate and stared at Harley in shock. “I am not!”

“You totally are! You keep checking your phone like your love sick, waiting for someone to call you.”

“I am not in love with Bruce,” she stuttered out, “why would I be? He left to go to school abroad, and shows up eight years later! And so what if I thought about him during those years, and was worried about him. That’s what friends do, they worry about them. It’s not like I noticed how much he’s changed or dream about holding his hand or...or kissing him or…or...” she trailed off as she thought back to all the times her heart hammered in her chest when he smiled at her.

Or all the times Bruce made her blush. She thought back to how she smiled when she saw Bruce’s letter in the mail, or how happy she felt as she read them. Or how relieved she felt when she saw Bruce in her apartment or how hurt she was when she saw him with different girls every night.

Then she thought about all that when she was with Harley. Could she be in love with Harley too? But she quickly dismissed it, thinking it wasn’t possible.

She slumped into her chair as Harley set her mug down, and smirked at her in satisfaction. “Holy hell, I’m in love with Bruce Wayne.”

“There it is,” Harley said, giggling as she received a glare. “You’ve known Bruce since you guys were little, how is it only now that you're realizing this?”

“I don’t…” she trailed off, hands picking up her cup. She twirled it around the table as she tried to come up with the right words, “I’m not...when I can’t pick up the cues when it comes to stuff like that.”

“So someone has to tell you that they love you. Like your parents loving you,” Harley mused, she shrugged.

“I know they do and I can see that they love me. But for whatever reason, when it comes to romantic feelings, I have a blind eye,” she explained, letting the cup go in favour of pulling apart her muffin. She huffed out a laugh. “It’s funny. Back in high school there was this guy who asked me out on a date. But he didn’t use those words, he used ‘wanna hang out?’

“I said yes. It wasn’t until he kissed me that it was starting to click. Even then I didn’t fully understand. Selina told me what it was that I knew. I was so embarrassed I couldn‘t face him. I feel like there’s something wrong with me.”

Harley leaned over and took her hands, she stilled her hands and her eyes flitted up to Harley. And her heart stuttered as Harley looked at her. “Nothing’s wrong with you pumpkin. People process things differently, you just happen to need someone to tell you.”

Relief washed over her and she smiled. “Thanks, Hars.” Harley hummed and leaned back, letting go of her hand. She missed the warmth of Haley’s hands, but didn’t think anything of it, especially when she noticed a twinkle in Harley's eyes.

“So, are you going to tell Brucie?” Harley teased, she made a face and shook her head.

“No, I will not,” she said.

“But he might love you back!” Harley exclaimed, “pumpkin, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He looks at you like you hung the moon every night.”

“Even if that’s true, I don’t think it’ll work. At least not right now,” she mumbled, and quickly added when Haley gave her a confused look, “he’s not interested in anything serious right now.”

Harley nodded in understanding, and she looked away when she saw pity in Harley's eyes.

That weekend, she found herself in the school library with Harley and Jonathan doing homework. Harley had just left for drinks, leaving the two of them alone.

Jonathan looked up from his homework and studied his friend. She hunched over her books and tapped her pencil on her head as she was going over a question.

“Are you and Harley dating?” Jonathan blurted out. She froze and lifted her head to look at him in surprise.

“Excuse me?” she asked.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow at her reaction, and stifled a laugh. “I think you heard me.”

“Oh I heard. But what made you come to that conclusion?” she clarified, squinting her eyes at him.

“The way you two act around each other,” he explained, “you're all in love and shit. It’s a wonder you haven’t kissed yet.”

“I don’t….but I can’t….” she trailed off. The words weren’t coming and she wasn’t quite sure if she did or not. “Friends can act like that platonically!”

“That’s true. But with you two, it’s hard to tell. You both have heart eyes every time you either talk about each other, or just being in the same room.”

She stayed quiet, she didn’t have anything to say.

“You know, when Harley told me you process feelings differently than most people, I thought she was joking,” he mused, this time chuckling.

“It’s great to know you talk about me,” she deadpanned, setting down her pencil.

“But I’m serious, do you like her or not?” he asked, and she let her head drop on her textbook and groaned.

“I don’t know. The other day, Harley helped me discover I’m in love with my childhood best friend. And now you're making me question my feelings for Harley.”

Jonathan held up his hands in surrender, though she wasn’t paying attention. “Wasn’t my intent, I just figured you needed to know.”

“Thanks,” she said dryly, and lifted her hand and flipped him off. He laughed and gently patted her head.

“I’ll ask a question or two, maybe it’ll help.”

She nodded but kept her head on the table. Jonathan's smile grew wider, enjoying this a little bit too much.

“When you see her, what do you do?”

She took a moment to ponder the question. “My heart starts to beat faster and I can’t help but think how pretty she is. And I get all flustered when she gets really close or she gives me a compliment. And when she’s happy and smiling and laughing, and my butterflies explode in my stomach when that happens because I did that. And sometimes, when she’s pouting or just sad, I just want to pull her into a kiss.”

Jonathan raised an eye at her statement, and had no doubt that she was blushing. “What about Bruce?”

“The same thing! He winks my way and the next thing I know I’m a blushing mess. And when he gives me a certain look, it’s like I gave him everything and I melt and just want to kiss his stupid face! And I hate him for that, but not really and….hhhhh!”

“Damn,” Jonathan huffed out, staring at her. “You have it bad for both of them.”

“But I can’t love two people at once!” she exclaimed, getting shushed by other students. She paid them no mind, head racing on what she should do.

“Who says?” Jonathan asked, and she paused to think about it. “There's no rule saying you have to like one person at the time,” he continued when she didn’t answer. “Now the question is who are you going to pick? Bruce or Harley?”

“What if they both don’t love me?” she whispered, lifting her head up slightly. “What if it’s all in my head and they laugh if I tell them?”

“I don’t know about Bruce, but Harley won’t,” he answered, going back to his homework, “trust me.”

She spent the next week pondering over her conversations with Harley and Jonathan. And there were a few things she’s discovered.

She’s bisexual.

She’s really bad at feelings and seeing them for what they are. Though this wasn’t anything new, still she hated that she needed help when it comes to emotions.

If she did choose Bruce over Harley, it wouldn’t have worked out. Not only because of him being Batman, but because she didn’t see it as a long term relationship. And she didn’t want that.

And if she chose Harley over Bruce, she didn’t want to make Harley feel like she was second pick. She didn’t want that either.

By the weekend, she still doesn’t know what to do.

Sighing, she fell on her bed. She stared at the ceilings and groaned, pressing her palms to her eyes. “Why is this hard?”

“I don’t know pumpkin, maybe I can help?” Harley suggested, startling her. She sat up quickly and turned to see Harley leaning against the doorframe.

“Help me with what?” she asked, nervously laughing. Harley smiled and walked further in the room.

“Whatever you’re having trouble with,” Harley answered.

She sighed and fell onto the bed again, she took a pillow and hugged it to her chest. “I don’t think this is something you can help with,” she mumbled, closing her eyes.

She felt the bed dip, and felt Harley shift around until she stopped. “I could listen to you rant about it?”

She hummed, but shook her head. “It’s something I need to figure out.”

Silence fell around them as she thought. Harley brought her hand over her face and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. She tensed at the sudden touch, but soon relaxed into it.

“Does it have something to do with what you and Jonathan were talking about last week?” Harley asked after a moment.

Her eyes flew open and she stared at Harley, panicking a little. If Harley knew, there’s nothing she could say that wouldn’t be a lie.

“But I…did he tell you?” she asked, Harley nodded. She groaned and stuffed her face into the mattress. “Damnit.”

Harley giggled and slowly moved her face so they could look at each other. “If it helps any, I love you too.”

She flushed, and looked anywhere but Harley. “But I don’t want to make you feel like a second choice. I don’t want you to resent me because you know I love Bruce too.”

“Hey I won’t,” Harley reassured. Biting her lip, she shook her head. Harley sighed, and moved to press her forehead against hers. “Can I tell you a secret? I loved you before I knew you loved Bruce, and I still love you knowing that. I just hope you can give me a chance.”

She studied Harley for a moment before closing the distance and kissed her.

——

“Ew! Mom! Gross! We don’t need to hear about that!” Dick interrupted. She looked up to see her boys looking at her in disgust. Jason and Tim gagged mockingly as Dick shuddered.

“What? It was just a kiss,” she answered, amused.

“Yeah but you kissed Harley. And that means you’ve done more than kissing,” Jason said.

“You knew this when your father told you I was engaged to her.”

“It’s one thing thinking about it, it’s a whole different thing to hear it from you, Mom,” Tim said, leaning back into his chair.

She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Shrugging, she picked up her glass and took a sip.

“So Harley figured out you loved me before you did? And this after meeting me once,” Bruce asked, amused. She felt her cheeks burn and looked away.

“Wasn’t my proudest moment, but yes she did,” she said with a shrug.

“And she was okay with it?”

She nodded, smiling a little at the memory. “Yeah. She didn’t seem to mind too much about it. But I didn’t spend too much time being hung up on Bruce. I was too busy with Har-”

“Ma!” Jason exclaimed, stopping her from finishing the sentence.

“I wasn’t even going to say anything bad!” she defended.

“You went to school with Crane?” Damian asked. She turned her attention to the youngest and nodded.

“We had a few classes together, and Harley just sort of adopted him into the friend group,” she mused.

“What I can’t get over, is the fact that Crane had to tell you about your feelings for Harley,” Dick put out.

“Like I said, I have a hard time deciphering emotions. Especially when it comes to romantic feelings. But once I know, then I’m okay.”

“How long were you together before getting engaged?” Damian asked, though it was still hard to believe his mother had someone before Bruce.

“And who popped the question?”

She looked at the clock and back to the boys. “Doesn't the patrol start soon?” she asked. The boys looked at Bruce with their best puppy eyes. Well, Dick, Jason and Tim did, Damian seemed indifferent but Bruce could tell he wanted to hear the story as well.

“If it’s okay with your mother, we can listen to one more story,” he said, and she raised an eyebrow at her husband. “What?”

“And I thought I couldn’t say no,” she said with a mumble.

“Shut up,” he said, but smiled slightly.

“So Ma, what’s the story?”

Her hand went up to her necklace and started playing with it as she thought back. “We’ve been together for almost eight years before I asked her.”

——

She fell on the couch once she got home from the hospital. It had been a taxing day, and all she wanted to do was curl up with Harley and sleep until the morning. But they had dinner plans they needed to get to, and if everything turned out as planned, she and Harley would be engaged.

Over the years of dating, conversation of marriage would come up. Whether it be just then asking about it, or their friends. They both wanted it, but they silently agreed that they wouldn’t take it seriously until they both finished school.

Harley had already finished her last year of residency, and she was one you last year. Granted, she still had a month left, but she figured it would still count.

“Pumpkin, I’m home,” Harley called as she walked in.

“Living room,” she answered back. A moment later, Harley walked in the room and plopped beside her. Harley laid her head on her lap and sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair. “Tiring day?”

Harley nodded and closed her eyes. “I know we had plans to go out, but can we stay in? Arkham really took me out.”

She scrunched her nose, her hands stopped moving. “I thought you didn’t start there until next week?”

“I did, but something happened with the inmates,” Harley answered.

“And they needed a psychiatrist?”

“Apparently some of the inmates needed help and they couldn’t wait until next week,” Harley said, and sighed happily when she resumed playing with Harley’s hair. “So can we stay in?”

“Yeah, we can. We can order take out and watch a movie or something,” she mused, trying to think of a new plan. “What do you want?”

“Chinese.”

She smiled and reached over, grabbing her phone and ordering food. Once finished, she set the phone before turning back to Harley. She stared at her loving, watching as Harley was slowly falling asleep.

“You’re staring,” Harley mumbled with a smile.

“I can’t help, you’re just too gorgeous to look at anything else,” she teased. Harley blushed and snuggled into her legs.

“Shut up.”

Thinking it’s the perfect time, she went for it. “Marry me?” Harley’s eyes flew open, and she quickly sat down and looked at her.

“What?”

“Marry me,” she repeated, smiling at the bewildered look Harley was giving her. “I know we talked about it a few times. And since I have a month left of residency, I figured why not. So, marry me?”

Harley looked at her for a minute before smiling widely, and threw her arms around her, laughing. “Of course I will, pumpkin!” Harley said, kissing her all over her face.

And just like that they were engaged.

As the months went by, they planned a wedding. They had decided who was going to be in the wedding party, where the venue would be, and who was going to cater for them. They just needed to book everything, but they weren’t going to do so until they picked out the wedding day.

And for a while everything was perfect. Up until Harley started seeing Joker as a patient. She didn’t see it, not a first. She took it as Harley having bad days or long tiring days at Arkham. And with doctor patient confidentiality, Harley couldn’t talk about their problems.

But Harley could tell her how the day went. If it was bad, she’d drop it and offer to make Harley's favourite foods.

Then Harley started to become distant. She would come home later than normal, and would snap for no reason. She had tried to get Harley to talk to her, but she wouldn’t. She kept saying she was fine and it had been a long day. It was worrying.

All at once, it stopped. Harley stopped talking to her, and stopped coming home.

She was out of her mind, worrying for Harley. She hoped her fiancée would come home. It was to the point that she went out and looked for Harley.

But Bruce had stopped her before she could leave the apartment.

She had found him waiting in her living room after a long shift at the hospital. It had startled her seeing Bruce dressed as Batman standing there, he cowl down.

She was about to greet him, but the sad, pitied expression Bruce had stopped her. “No, don’t…don’t say it. I don’t want to hear it.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, taking a step forward, she stepped back. “But something happened to Harley.”

She shook her head frantically, covering her mouth with her hands. “Nononono, she can’t have…please,” she begged, as Bruce wrapped her into a hug when he was close enough.

“I’m sorry, but Joker got into her head,” he started, tightening his grip as she choked back a sob. “Convinced her that they were meant for each other. Made her fall in the chemicals he fell into. She’s alive, but she isn’t Harley anymore. Not the one you knew anyways.”

She broke down crying before Bruce finished his sentence. She clung to him like a lifeline as the words sunk in.

She expected to hear that Harley died, that someone had killed her. Not this. But this? This was so much worse.

——

A heavy silence fell once she finished. She was clutching the ring that was threaded on a chain. It helped keep the tears at bay. She didn’t want to cry, not now, not after so many years.

“The next day, Bruce told me the full story,” she whispered, and grimaced as the fight flashed before her. “We fought. Okay, I yelled and he just took him. I said some things I shouldn’t have and I avoided him for a while.”

“I remember that,” Dick said, leaning onto the table. “Bruce looked heartbroken during that time. And every time I tried to ask what happened, he shut me down. Even at gala’s when you were there, he looked like he wanted to go and talk to you.”

Bruce looked at him in surprise. Dick was only eight when that happened, he didn’t think he was paying attention.

On the other hand, she felt guilt crawling in her stomach, and slouched into her chair. She hid her face in her hands when Dick continued.

“That falling out thing happened for a few years, didn’t it?” he asked. She opted to stay quiet, letting Bruce answer the question.

“Three or four years, yeah.”

Tim was about to ask what had happened, but Jason nudged him and shook his head. Tim gave him a look, and Jason gestured to their mom, practically saying I don’t think she wants to talk about it.

“Sorry for bringing up the past Ummi,” Damian said softly. “We didn’t know.”

Rubbing her face to get rid of stray tears, she dropped her hands onto the table. “That’s okay sweetie. I wouldn’t have told you anything if it still hurts.”

“So, how’d you fix your friendship with Bruce?” Jason asked. She shook her head and stood.

“Bruce can tell you,” she said, stretching, “I have the night shift tonight. And I need to get ready.”

With that she left her boys staring at Bruce, waiting.

“It’s time for patrol,” he gruffed out and followed his wife. The boys groaned, saying that wasn’t fair.

“Are you okay?” he asked when he reached their bedroom. He leaned against the doorframe, watching her quickly change and grabbed her stuff before pausing. She clutched her keys and sighed.

“Honestly? I don’t know,” she sighed, dropping her shoulders. “After ten years, it still hurts. Not as much as it did, but still.”

Bruce nodded, and pushed off the frame and wrapped his arms around her. Holding her close. “I’m sorry again for everything.”

“You know I don’t blame you anymore, you don’t need to apologize for it.”

“Feels like I have too. You don’t deserve to have gone through that.”

“No one does but life sucks that way,” she said, giving him a smile. “I have to go.”

Bruce frowned, tightening his hold a little. “I wish you didn’t.”

“I’m a doctor Bruce, but I’ll be careful,” she said, reaching up to kiss him. “You be careful too tonight.” He nodded and dropped his arms and watched as she left the room.

“I love you,” he called. She popped her head back in and smiled.

“I love you too.”

Running out of the manor and to her car, she didn’t notice a figure standing in the distance. Harley signed as she watched, glad that her ex-lover found happiness again. And promised she’d do whatever it took to keep it that way.