#after tim drops out of high school maybe i think that would just be so funny

[sinigangrobot]

Timtober #2: Dress

[somnoir]

As a prompt Danny after he enters Gotham for any suddenly starts growing again for the first time since the portal incident and his body instead of slowly again decides to catch up all the missing years of growing at once so Danny goes from still looking 14 to suddenly having his father's height and looking his actual age.

Growing pains.... Literally

Since his death, Danny hasn't really... Grown. His parents think he's a late bloomer, that he'll grow later in life. But it's been four years since he's died and he hasn't grown a single inch in that time.

Frostbite is kind enough to tell me that... Well... He's stuck.

He's stuck in this form until something affects his physical form. Amity, even though it's considered the most haunted place in earth, doesn't have enough ambient ectoplasm for Danny. There are too many ghosts from the realm that feed of it, too many nevermores that need it to exist. Amity feeds it's ghosts but it doesn't have enough for a halfa like him.

When he moved to Gotham for the aerospace program (plus the scholarship) he doesn't expect much from it. People still question him about his age, it almost ends with him flinging his ID and birth certificate on people and cussing them out on his height.

He had even started exploring the city. There was this one cafe he found and the owner, Lily, was an absolute angel! With a shotgun. And he met a lot of people in Lily's Eden Cafe, like this weird kid that apparently dropped out of high school. Now, Danny ain't one to judge, so he's pretty okay with Tim. Except for the fact that he was so cool and smooth on a skateboard. Danny wanted one too.

Almost a week after moving, he's suffering. His body hurts, everything aches. It's as if something inside of him was trying to break out and it's making his bones strain. Everything about it hurts.

Many days passed of Danny being delirious from the pain, barely able to register what he was doing. A week and it's like he spent a coma walking around while his consciousness was asleep, practically dead by the lack of his memories.

The next time he woke up, it's been a week since he blacked out from the pain.

There's music in the background, almost familiar. The beat is something he heard Ember compose before his eighteenth birthday, then it was practically blasted through our the Ghost Zone when the day actually came.

"Shhh! Turn that racket down!"

"Hell nah! He likes it, see?"

"The little king seems.... To......change... Gotham..."

His eyes snapped open, gasping when he saw multiple pairs of eyes looking down at him.

"He's alive!"

Danny's instincts took over in that second and he's sending a blast of ecto towards the sudden scream. More screaming. Too much screaming. His head hurt.

"Holy shit, baby pop!"

He takes a moment before he's recognizing Ember... And the hole on his wall... And his glowing hand. Shit.

"Woah, woah! Calm down."

In Danny's confused state, he could barely register Kitty and Johnny in the room. Oh, and Shadow too. But still...

"I— What happened?" He groaned, blinking slowly. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

His voice... OH MY GOD HIS VOICE! Why was it so deep?! What was wrong with his voice? Did he have a cold or something? Or maybe it's just his morning voice—

"Congrats on your dawning!" Johnny congratulated, grinning like a madman.

"What?" ooh, that was weird, "What the heck is an dawning?"

"Ooh, baby pop!" Ember cooed, "Forgot that our little king is still pretty new to being all ghost. C'mon now, baby. Mama Ember will teach you all about ghost puberty."

"GHOST WHAT?!"

Ghost puberty was a thing apparently. He had hauled himself into the Far Frozen after yelling at the four ghosts to steal him some clothes that would actually fit him. Because his entire body felt wrong... So wrong.

He was taller now. Having shot up from 5'4" to a whopping 6'2". Everything still hurt and now all his clothes didn't even fit! Nothing looked right when he'd looked at the mirror. He was almost as tall a shis dad now—he looked almost exactly like his dad now actually. It was almost terrifying how much he resembled his dad. If he went to visit now, he's sure that his mother would have a heart attack from how quickly he had grown.

"Frostbite!" Danny practically growled and oooh... Yeah, now it sounded differently to whenever he'd end up snarling. The deepness of his voice almost intimidated him.

"Great one!" The yeti greeted, looking utterly ecstatic to see him. "Ah, I see you've finished your dawning. I offer my sincerest congrats, your majesty."

"Yeah, yeah. The fuck is a Dawning?"

Frostbite blinked, before his expression morphed into a grim one. "Oh dear... I had thought that the Observants would have deigned to explain this too you upon your coronation... Well, let us sit then, great one. This will be a long one."

To summarize it all, Ghost puberty.

A Dawning was a time every ghost went through, so long as there was enough ambient ectoplasm around them to help their forms morph into their preferred appearances. Usually, a ghosts appearance to their own mentality. Their maturity.

Apparently, Young Blood already went through a Dawning but remained in his child-like form due to his own mental age. He was a child in heart, mind, soul, and body.

Meanwhile... Danny who was still alive yet also dead, had followed on with his mental maturity. His body morphed, it changed, it adapted to how he saw himself, how he desperately wanted to become deep down in his core.

And this Danny Fenton was a 6'2" giant trying to control all his limbs that were suddenly too long, too heavy. Everything felt strange....

Tim Drake's favorite cafe was known for being neutral ground for both rogues and vigilantes. You don't fuck around Lilian's cafe or else she'll pull out a rifle and shoot you dead. So if course, Tim fucking loved the place.

Actually, many people frequented it.

He's familiarised himself with the faces of a lot of people by then. Even that scrawny new kid that arrived three weeks ago. Tim remembers Danny for how enthusiastic he was about going to collage, not even minding the madness of Gotham itself. It was like he thrived in it.

He waves at Lilian after ordering his usual, taking a seat in the corner before he's whipping out his laptop. Duke and Steph arrive soon after, immediately ordering before going off to join Tim.

Mundane things, something they all seemed to appreciate more.

The bell rings, more customers arrive and—

"Danny! Holy hell, what happened?"

Tim paused, immediately snapping his eyes towards— WHAT THE FUCK?!

Steph whistled, "Hot damn..."

Danny Fenton was a scrawny young man, shorter than Tim. Even more slim.

But whoever the hell entered the cafe was 6'2", almost as muscled as Jason, and slouching like Clark—as if he was in the wrong body. He almost dropped his drink if not for Duke gently guiding his hand down.

"Hey, Lils..."

God, what the fuck was that? What was happening? Who the hell was this awkward adonis with a voice as deep as the fucking ocean?

"Tim?" Duke waved his hand over his eyes, "Timothy? Timbers?"

"Duke, leave him alone. He's gone, never coming back." Steph snickered, shaking her head before her eyes went back to Danny, who was stuttering as he tried to order what he wanted. "But damn if I wouldn't act the same. Shoot your shot—"

Shoot his fucking shot he did.

"Hey Danny..." Tim slid up to him with a smile.

Danny blinked—woah was he tall and practically built like a fucking fridge—before his eyes brightened and a smile joined his expression.

"Hi Tim!"

Was this how Bruce felt like when he saw Clark?

Masterpost

[zerosbubble]

hii i absolutely love your rookie series!! would you be open to writing something with tim and his boot slowly moving in with each other?? they leave things around his house during their father-kid bonding sessions (although he definitely denies it to the others) and just slowly starts to stay over at his place more often than their own. it gets to the point where they just permanently move in for comfort sake, maybe after something traumatic happens??

sorry if this is too specific or long T^T. love the series!!! tysm for writing for us ♡

Let’s go home, kid.

Tim Bradford x Rookie!reader [PLATONIC] — Masterlist

A/N: Hi, sweetheart! Don’t apologise, I love when you guys are specific about what you guys would like to read! 💞 Especially because this idea is super cute! (P.S, this is a separate storyline from my series, Like father, Like rookie, but you guys can imagine that it is if that’s why you guys like!)

Summary: What started as casual hangouts turned into something unspoken. Your things ended up in his house, and he never asked you to take them back. Then, after that night, he didn’t take you to your apartment—he took you home. His home. Maybe it had been yours all along.

It started with a rainstorm.

A bad one.

The kind that turned the streets into slick, flooded hazards and made every shift feel like a fight against nature itself.

By the time you and Tim wrapped up your last call for the night, you were both drenched—cold, exhausted, and in no mood to deal with LA’s nightmare traffic.

Tim had fully intended to just drop you off at your place. But when you slumped in the passenger seat, shivering, eyes heavy with fatigue, he sighed and made a split-second decision.

“Alright, Kid,” he muttered, flicking the blinker on. “You’re coming to mine.”

You barely stirred, half-asleep against the window. “Huh?”

“You’re soaked, I’m not leaving you to get sick and have a snotty rookie in my shop tomorrow,” he said gruffly. “You’ll crash at mine for the night.”

You didn’t argue. Didn’t even question it. Didn’t even roll your eyes at the ‘snotty rookie’ comment. Just let out a quiet, “M’kay,” and dozed off to the soft platters of the rain against the windows again.

Tim tried not to think about how much trust that meant you had in him.

By the time he pulled into his driveway, you were awake again—barely. He tossed you a hoodie and a towel, pointed you toward the bathroom, and made sure you had something warm to eat before you inevitably crashed on the couch.

He hadn’t expected it to happen again.

But then the next time a shift ran late, it was “Might as well stay, kid. Saves you the drive and I’d rather not have you asking for gas money again like an overgrown 16 year old who just got their first car.”

Then it was “I already got takeout, no point in you getting your own.” Matched with a classic Tim remark—“I’m not surprised you didn’t listen to the lessons about saving money in high school.”

It wasn’t intentional.

At least, that’s what Tim told himself the first time he spotted something of yours in his apartment.

It was small—a phone charger, coiled neatly on his kitchen counter. He hadn’t thought much of it at first. Just a forgotten item from one of those late night shifts that had you too exhausted to go home, totally not one of your your so-called “father-kid bonding sessions” (which he definitely did not call or acknowledge them).

Then it was a sweatshirt draped over the back of his couch. A spare uniform shirt folded in the corner of his laundry room. A six-pack of your favorite energy drinks shoved into his fridge.

Tim frowned at that one.

He distinctly remembered watching you put it in the cart last time you’d gone grocery shopping—not together, obviously—but somehow, it had ended up in his apartment. He hadn’t even noticed you stashing it away.

Then, something else.

A toothbrush.

Tim stared at the new addition to his bathroom counter, arms crossed, mouth pulled into a tight line.

This was getting out of hand.

He’d meant to bring it up. Ask when exactly you’d decided his place was an extension of yours.

Somewhere along the way, the father-kid bonding sessions had stopped being something he tolerated and turned into something he… looked forward to.

Not that he’d ever admit that.

Not even to himself.

Maybe it was because, despite how much he grumbled about it at work, the house felt less empty with your things scattered around. Maybe it was because your presence had stopped feeling like an intrusion and more like something inevitable.

Then came the real kicker—the night you crashed without a reason.

No rainstorm, no late shift, no excuse. Just you, wandering into his house after work with a bag of takeout and a casual, “Hey, figured I’d stop by.”

Tim had stared at you for a good five seconds.

You blinked back, unbothered, before holding up the bag. “I got your usual.”

He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. “You do realize you have your own place, right?”

You shrugged, toeing off your shoes. “Yeah, but your WiFi’s better.”

Tim rolled his eyes. “Unbelievable.”

But he still took the takeout from your hands, setting it on the counter. And when you flopped onto his couch like you’d done it a hundred times before, flipping through his TV channels, he didn’t argue.

As much as Tim would’ve liked to keep it under wraps that you and him have somehow slipped into the routine of you being at his—Mid-Wilshire wasn’t as gullible as he’d like.

The teasing started slow.

At first, it was just Lopez giving Tim a pointed look when you and him walked into roll call together, both holding coffee cups that looked suspiciously like they came from the same place.

Then Nyla got in on it. “So,” she mused one morning, eyes flicking between the two of you, “you two just happened to arrive at the exact same time? Again?”

Tim didn’t even look up from his clipboard. “Traffic.”

Jackson, always the instigator that knew just how to add the right amount of fuel to the fire, smirked. “Yeah, traffic. Right, Boot?”

You just took a sip of your coffee, completely unfazed. “If I say yes, do I still get a good eval this month?”

Tim shot you a flat look.

Lucy was the one who finally pushed him over the edge. “You know,” she started, an innocent lilt in her voice, “it’s funny. I lived with you for a while, and I still got called ‘Boot.’ But them?” She nodded toward you. “Kid.”

The room hummed with interest.

Tim set his clipboard down with a sigh. “We’ve been over this before. They act like a kid, they get called one.”

Lucy snorted. “Sure, Dad.”

Tim’s jaw twitched like he wanted to just quit right then and there, God forbid. “I’m not their dad.”

Lopez grinned. “Oh? Then why do you two carpool?”

“Because I—” Tim clenched his jaw. “We don’t carpool.”

Jackson laughed. “Oh, yeah? Then why’d I see you waiting outside your truck for them the other morning?”

“I wasn’t waiting for them.”

Lucy crossed her arms. “Mhm. And why’d I hear them say, ‘I left my charger at home’ the other day, and then magically a charger appeared at their desk five minutes later?”

“Coincidence.”

Lopez tapped her chin. “And why did I hear them say they didn’t have food at home last week, and then, the next morning, hear them say, ‘Tim, your fridge is looking kinda empty’?”

Tim scowled. “We don’t live together.”

The whole room went quiet.

Then Grey’s voice cut through the silence. “Yet.”

Tim’s head snapped toward him. “Sir.”

Grey just raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

You, meanwhile, were quietly enjoying your coffee like this had nothing to do with you.

And then, a few weeks later, the teasing stopped.

Not because it became routine to those back at Mid-Wilshire for you and Tim to live together.

Not because Tim snapped and told them to shut up about it. Not that they’d ever listen to him anyways.

Because something happened.

Something bad.

And suddenly, it wasn’t just you leaving things behind.

It wasn’t just staying over for convenience.

It was necessity.

Because after what happened, you couldn’t go back.

It was supposed to be a routine call.

Simple, in and out.

But those were always the ones that went sideways.

It happened so fast. One second, you were clearing a room, and the next—

Gunfire.

Searing pain in your side.

The world tilting as your legs gave out beneath you. You barely registered hitting the ground, too busy trying to force air into your lungs as panic clawed at your chest.

Then Tim was there. Dropping to his knees beside you, pressing his hands hard against the wound.

“Stay with me, kid.” His voice was sharp, but his eyes—his eyes were afraid.

You tried to stay calm, tried to keep your face blank like he’d taught you. But the pain was overwhelming, and your breath hitched, and suddenly, tears were pricking at your eyes, hot and unwelcome.

Tim’s expression barely shifted, but his grip on you tightened. “Hey, hey. You’re okay. We’ve got you—I’ve got you.”

His hand shook.

The sirens in the distance blurred into white noise.

You tried to speak, but all that came out was a ragged breath.

Tim swallowed hard. “I need you to breathe, kid. You hear me?”

You nodded weakly, trying to focus on his voice.

Trying not to focus on the blood pooling around you.

And then, darkness.

The hospital was quiet.

Tim sat at your bedside, staring at the IV in your arm, jaw clenched so tight it ached.

He hadn’t moved in hours.

Hadn’t let himself breathe properly since the second you hit the ground.

And now, as he sat there, watching the steady rise and fall of your chest, all he could think was:

This is my fault.

He should’ve checked the room himself. Should’ve had you cover the door instead. Should’ve done something different.

He ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. “I shouldn’t have let this happen.”

Silence.

Then—

A weak, hoarse voice.

“…wasn’t your fault, sir.”

Tim’s head snapped up.

Your eyes were barely open, heavy with exhaustion and pain meds. But there was no mistaking the way you looked at him—so sure, even now.

His throat tightened. “You got shot.”

You huffed a small, breathless laugh. “Yeah, I noticed.”

Tim’s jaw worked. “You almost—” He cut himself off, shaking his head. “You should’ve never been in that position.”

You blinked at him, tired but steady. “And if it were you? If you got shot, would you be sitting here blaming yourself?”

His silence was answer enough.

You gave him a small, knowing smile. “Didn’t think so.”

Tim exhaled slowly, rubbing his hands together. “You scared the hell out of me, Kid.”

“Sorry,” you murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

He shook his head. “Don’t apologize. Just—” He swallowed hard. “Just don’t do it again.”

You let out a weak chuckle. “I’ll try.”

And for the first time in hours, Tim let himself breathe.

You didn’t go home after you were discharged.

Because when it came time to leave the hospital, your legs still felt unsteady. Your apartment felt too empty.

And the nightmares—

Well. You weren’t ready to face them alone.

Tim didn’t ask questions. Didn’t make a big deal out of it. He just grabbed your bag and said—

“Let’s go home, kid.”

And somehow, that was enough.

The ride was quiet.

Not uncomfortable—just quiet.

Tim’s truck rumbled beneath you, headlights cutting through the dim evening, but neither of you said much because there was nothing to say.

Something unspoken had already been agreed upon.

When Tim said, Let’s go home, kid, you knew.

Knew that the home he was referring to wasn’t your apartment. It was his. And neither of you needed to say otherwise.

And so, the stop at your apartment was quick.

You moved through the space with a detached sort of efficiency, grabbing only what you needed. Clothes, a toothbrush, a few things you’d be annoyed not to have later.

Tim stayed quiet, standing near the door, arms crossed. Not pushing, not rushing—just there.

Watching.

Making sure you didn’t hesitate on whether or not you wanted to stay here, or go to his.

You didn’t. You never were one to when it came to staying over.

But when you went to grab your bag, slinging it over your shoulder, the sharp pull of your wound made you wince.

It was subtle. Barely even a flinch. But Tim caught it.

And without a word, he stepped forward, plucked the bag out of your hands, and slung it over his own shoulder instead.

Like it was the most natural thing in the world.

His free hand ruffled your hair as he passed. “C’mon, kid.”

You huffed but didn’t protest, following him out the door, and never once did you look back.

Tim’s place felt…

Safe.

Not in the way a fortress felt safe. Not in the way an apartment with deadbolts and security cameras felt safe.

It was different.

The kind of safe that was quiet. Steady. Unquestioned. Like you could close your eyes here and not feel on edge.

Tim dropped your bag in the spare room without ceremony, moving through the house like it was just another night. He tossed his keys on the counter, opened the fridge, pulled out a couple of bottles of water.

“You hungry?” he asked, like you hadn’t just gotten out of the hospital. Like you hadn’t just been shot. Like you were just here because—

Because you were here.

Like it was normal.

And maybe, in some way, it was.

You shook your head, taking the water he offered. “Not really.”

Tim just nodded, popping open his own bottle. “Let me know if that changes.”

It wasn’t a command. Just a quiet acknowledgment.

An unspoken you’re allowed to need things here. And for the first time in days, your chest felt a little lighter.

Moments blurred as the two of you settled in. The weight of the contrast between the last time you were at his and now was heavier than the two of you expected.

The TV flickered, casting dim light across the living room. Some random movie played in the background—not that either of you were really watching it.

You were curled into the corner of the couch, a blanket draped over your legs, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion but stubbornly refusing to sleep.

Tim sat on the other end, one arm resting along the back of the couch, water bottle still in his grip.

The room was quiet, but it wasn’t empty.

Not like his house usually was, not with you here.

He glanced over at you, taking in the way your shoulders had finally started to relax, the way you looked comfortable for the first time in days ever since the days you spent in the hospital before being discharged.

And something settled in his chest.

At first, he’d thought he was letting you stay because you needed it. Because you needed space, needed to feel safe. Because, after everything, you deserved that.

But sitting here now, watching the way your breathing had evened out, the way the tension had finally bled from your frame—

He realized the truth.

He needed you here.

More than you needed him.

Tim sighed, shaking his head to himself, a bittersweet revelation that hit him like a truck rooted from you quite literally bleeding out in his arms.

He reached over, ruffled your hair just enough to be annoying.

Your tired grumble made him huff a quiet laugh.

“Go to sleep, kid.”

And this time?

You did.

Taglist: @its-ares @nevereclipse @chezze-its @mcckunty

[clockwayswrites]

Rumors of a Prince

“You could always ask Jason to pay her a visit,” Dick said from where he was lounging, mostly upside down, on the couch in Bruce’s study.

Bruce frowned at him. “I am not going to have Jason kill Vickie Vale.”

“Hey, you’re the one who said kill!” Dick held his hands up or, rather, given his position, down. “I just meant puts some fear into her. Maybe kidnap her for a few days so that she can’t write any more libel.”

Bruce found himself smiling, slightly and against his better judgment. It faded away when he looked back at his laptop. “At least in this case, it wouldn’t do much good. The stories is already out there and, unfortunately, Vale’s take on it has captured the public’s attention.”

“Tim knows I bet… and Babs.”

“Undoubtedly by now.”

“And if those two know, Steph knows. If Steph knows, she’s ranted to Cass.”

“Yes.” This family was impossible to keep things secret in.

“Welp,” Dick said and swung himself to be sitting up normally— or as normally as Dick ever sat. “Then I guess we better tell the others. How do you want to divide this?”

Bruce was grateful that Dick was willing to be his partner in this. “You would be best to take Jason. I’ll speak with Damian. Either of us can catch Duke when he returns from his patrol.”

Dick nodded. “And Tom?”

“I think perhaps it would be best to have as much of the family in the manor as possible,” Bruce said after a moment. “If he destabilizes, I want him to know that we are around and that he is still safe.”

“Alright.” Dick slapped his knees once and stood. “I’ll drag Jason back then. You know he’ll come if it’s for Tom.”

“Make sure he reads the article before he comes over.”

Dick grimaced. “Yeah. Yeah, that would be best. I’m going to bring some food too over with me. Good luck convincing Dami that he can’t go and stab Vickie Vale.”

Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose. “Right. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Dick chirped as he left for his task.

Bruce dropped his hand.

‘Gotham’s Pale Prince’ stared back at him from the screen.

-

“Seriously?!” Jason burst in through the kitchen door. “Have you read this swill?”

“Yes chum, of course I have,” Bruce said. He shot Dick, who trailing behind Jason’s fury, a look. Dick was supposed to get Jason to read the article before coming over.

Dick just shrugged helplessly and motioned in a way that conveyed Jason had read it and was still clearly quite upset.

“One of the biggest questions is,” Jason said, clearly reading now from the article with the air of Bristol accent he had put on, “perhaps, why the newest Wayne is not in school. Bruce has proven himself to be a champion of the educational system. This is despite the man himself being a college drop out’ like what the fuck?”

“To be fair, I am,” Bruce said.

Jason rolled his eyes and continued. “His oldest ward’— Dick is fucking adopted now, bitch!”

“Boo!” Steph echoed and tossed popcorn at the tablet Jason was holding.

(Bruce was neither sure when Stephanie had arrived nor where she got the popcorn.)

“Never going to college,” Jason said with a jab of his free hand, “and the second oldest never completing high school.’ I was dead you narrow minded shew!”

“Well, I mean, all she knows is that you were supposedly kidnapped by terrorists and tortured for years,” Dick said. He had moved over to help himself to Stephanie’s popcorn and paused raising the next handful to his face. “Okay, no, that’s actually worse.”

“And you are clear on your line that I cannot stab this woman for the dishonor she implies about the family?” Damian asked, again, as he joined them in the kitchen.

“Unfortunately we have to handle this the proper way, with a press conference,” Bruce said. Stabbing was looking increasingly appealing though.

Jason dropped into one of the open chairs. “I’d call it a battle of the wits, but I don’t think Vale has any left with this trash she’s writing!”

“Alright,” Tim said as he entered the kitchen with almost as much fury as Jason, just more contained. Cass followed in his wake. “I am sure that B has already run through no killing, no stabbing, no maiming, no poisoning—”

“No poisoning Vickie Vale,” Bruce said, feeling so tired.

“Way to go, Timbit, now we can’t poison her,” Jason groused.

Tim sighed, “Fair, I shouldn’t have assumed. I really thought someone else would have brought it up already.”

“People went for more bloody options,” Dick explained.

“Also fair,” Tim said, pointing at him. “Anyways, since we can’t do all that, can I ruin her reputation?”

“Tim,” Bruce sighed.

“Now come on old man, let’s here Timtam out,” Jason said, holding out his arm. “You said yourself we had to handle the proper way and I’m sure that our little socialite here knows just how to ruin her through something like a press conference.”

“You I can stab,” Tim said with a shark sharp smile towards Jason.

Jason returned it with a smile like broken glass. “You can try.”

“Oh, if you keep calling me a socialite I will try and I will manage.”

“Boys, please.”

“Are people threatening blood and violence again?”

Every head in the room swiveled towards the door to the hall.

Tom almost recoiled at the sudden attention of all of the family, taking a half step back and looking a little wide eyed.

Cass walked forward and wrapped her arm around Tom’s. “Tim is. To Jason.”

It took a moment for Tom to tear his eyes away from the family to look at his sister. “Of course. What’s… it about this time?”

“Jason is reminding Tim that he’s a rich society brat and Tim hates to be reminded about that even though it’s true because Tim is also a little freak and the upper crust would be applaud if they knew even a fraction of it,” Steph said before she stuffed his mouth full of more popcorn.

Everyone in the room paused for a moment.

“No, yep, I think that’s pretty much spot on,” Dick said. He wasn’t even pretending not to laugh.

The laughter was infectious and almost everyone was either snickering or outright laughing. Bruce even quirked up a little smile. Tom still looked mostly confused but at least less nervous.

“Come sit by me, little shadow,” Dick said with a smile.

When Thomas settled next to Dick, who immediately wrapped an arm around him, the room settled again into that slightly somber mood.

“What is going on?” Tom asked, voice small. There were times when he still seemed unsure if he could be a presence in a room or consternation. It was something that they were still working on as a family.

Bruce sighed. “A reporter found out about you and wrote an article with mostly speculation. Unfortunately, because of who I am in the city and my existing tendency to adopt, it’s getting attention.”

Tom chewed on his lip and Bruce just hoped he wouldn’t worry it so much it bled. “Bad?”

“Not bad towards you, but unkind. She made a lot of guesses and fact reasons about why the public hasn’t seen you,” Bruce explained.

“Oh. Am I…?”

The dropping of words wasn’t the best sign. Dick pulled Tom into his lap.

“No. Most of the children didn’t attend the press conference announcing them and you don’t have to either. But I will need to make one simply to clear up some of rumors. I wont say anything that you don’t want me to say.”

“Bruce and I can plan it out,” Tim said, “and then run it by you if you want to look over it.”

“Can… will… if anyone wants to help…”

“Of course!” Dick said cheerfully. “We can make a lunch of it or something. It will be the best press conference yet.”

“Yeah. And you don’t even have to watch it,” Jason said. “We’ll plan something fun for that day. The old man can go and do the hard work and we’ll enjoy ourselves.”

“Thank you, Jason,” Bruce said dryly, pretending he wasn’t warmed still whenever Jason refereed to him as anything approaching father.

“It’s what you deserve,” Jason said and tossed his tablet, cleared of the article, on the table. “Come on, let’s plan what we’re going to do.”

“The zoo is always enjoyable,” Damian said.

“You always say zoo,” Cass pointed out as she perched next to Jason.

“What about the park?” Steph suggested. She joined the others at the table and passed around her popcorn.

“Nah, Ivy has a new variety of tulips. I’m worried some of them might turn man eating again,” Dick said.

“We could head out of Gotham I guess,” Jason pointed out and pulled up the map.

Bruce slipped quietly out of the room with Tim on his heels.

“You can stay with them and help them plan,” Bruce offered. Tim was always too grownup, had been since before he came to Bruce.

Tim just shook his head. “I’m never the best distraction. I’ll be more use to you. Besides, I have some plans to run by you that doesn’t need the blood thirsty contingency hearing about.”

“Of course you do,” Bruce said with both a sigh and a smile.

“Nothing physical,” Tim defended himself. “I can ruin her legally.”

“That I have no doubt of.”

No matter what, Bruce had absolutely no doubt that the family would be there for Tom. They were a family, after all.

---

AN: Vickie Vale won't know what hit her. Esp after what she wrote.

Don't know if this will become a full sequel or not, but it was fun to revisit this universe and see how they've progressed!

[kieran-granola]

Material Boy

(This one is available on AO3)

When he’s not busy being a vigilante, Tim likes to think that he’s a pretty simple guy. He has normal, civilian friends. He's awkward when he talks to people he wants to bang. He likes skateboarding and playing Warlocks & Warriors. He dropped out of high school.

He also, like many kids of his generation, grew up collecting superhero merchandise and memorabilia.

And yes, maybe he never got out of the habit of collecting super-trinkets even after joining the vigilante game — a fact he keeps between himself and God, he can only imagine how much shit Steph and the others would give him if they knew — but it's not like he steals stuff from the heroes he knows. He just... buys things. A lot of things.

Which brings him to his current problem: the amount of merchandise created depends a lot on a hero's popularity. This means that Superman has insane amounts of merch. Wonder Woman and Batman too, to a lesser extent. In Gotham, Robin does pretty well for kids' stuff, and Nightwing has inspired more than one, uh, adult line of toys.

…But Red Hood? As tacky as brands can get with their products, they know better than to create merch of mass murdering rogues and villains, and unfortunately people aren't sure whether Red Hood qualifies a good guy. This means that Tim's haul is Very Poor when it comes to Hood. Which is an issue on account of Tim's massive crush on Jason.

How is a man supposed to pine in dignity when he can't even find a decent body pillow to warm his lonely bed? How?!

Tim obviously has to fix this problem. He has to rehabilitate Red Hood and ensure a steady supply of bling for his display cases. And shelves. And furniture. And possibly wardrobe, he's not picky.

He has to.

Which is why he ends up raving about Red Hood, his crime-fighting exploits, and his charity work on social media. He uses all of his covers' accounts and even creates a few more, enthusing people and posting praise until, finally, his amateur PR campaign snowballs.

He knows his job is done when his hashtags start trending outside of the Gotham metro area, and the first Red Hood plushie comes out of Build-A-Bear.

___________________________

Jason is bemused when he first gets wind of his rising popularity. Sure, it's nice to be appreciated and the genuine testimonials from Gothamites warm the cockles of his dead, dead heart, but where did the hype come from? And why are people trying to ask him for autographs? He's a crime lord! He's dangerous and scary, and people should definitely not feel comfortable enough to ask him for selfies!

…Oh fuck, is that it? Is someone trying to sabotage his reputation?

Disturbed, Jason reaches out to Oracle for some help with finding the person behind this heinous plan. He's not entirely sure why Babs laughs for five minutes straight after hearing his question, but she eventually tells him that the original accounts extolling his virtues belong to Red Robin's covers.

Shrugging to himself, he suits up and heads to Tim's nest. He busts in, ready to deliver the wrath of the Hood on Tim for making him look like a hero when he's a Very Mean, Very Dangerous Badass… only to find Tim eating Froot Loops out of some violently lime liquid, while wearing what looks like chibi Red Hood pajamas, complete with little cat ears over the stylized helmet.

Suffice to say, that display takes the wind out of Jason's sails. He holsters his weapons back and takes off his helmet so Tim can properly appreciate how appalled he is before speaking.

"Okay, what the fuck, Timbo?"

Tim blinks. "You wanna be a bit more specific there?"

"I wouldn't even know where to start. Just. What the fuck."

"Well, I'm having dinner?" Tim tries, shoving a spoonful of cereal in his mouth.

"Froot Loops in, what is that, cucumber juice? That's dinner?" Jason stares harder.

Tim swallows his spoonful thickly. "It's Mountain Dew, actually."

"Okay but that's worse. You get how that's worse, right?"

"Did you seriously come here to talk about my meal plans?"

"I came here to ask why you decided to ruin my street cred, and to kick your ass—" Jason winces as Tim eats another mouthful, "—but apparently you're doing a great job at hurting yourself on your own."

Tim gives him a blank look. "I ruined your street cred? How?"

"You told people I'm a hero," Jason says accusingly.

"Ah, I see what the problem is. Look, Jason, this might come as a shock to you and I understand if you need to take a minute to process this very new piece of information but… you are a hero, dumbass."

Jason seriously considers throwing his helmet at Tim but, with the state Tim is in, he's pretty sure it would feel like pouring water on a drowning man.

"I'm not the kind of hero they make jammies of! I mean, what the fuck are you even wearing?"

Tim pulls on his shirt to show off the design, perking up. "These? They're Red Catting Hood limited edition PJs. They're cute, right?"

You're cute, Jason mutters under his breath, before taking a few menacing steps forward. "They're ridiculous. I'm not a cat. And I'm definitely not cute."

"We're going to have to agree to disagree there."

Jason stares at him. "You think I'm cute?"

"No, I think you're a cat," Tim deadpans, still eating his disgusting mixture.

"I… I tried to kill you, remember?!"

"Yeah, you did. And now I have little cartoon kitties of you on my jim-jams. Life's full of curveballs, isn't it?"

Jason is pretty sure he's having a minor breakdown in Tim's kitchen. He opens and closes his mouth silently several times, confusion robbing him of his words. Tim watches him for a couple of minutes, then he stands up and shuffles closer to pat him on the back.

Jason lets out a very unmanly squeak of horror when he spots matching Red Catting Hood slippers on Tim's feet.

Tim shushes him. "Hey, it's okay, dude. I understand that you don't know how to deal with people expressing positive emotions in your direction after getting the Bruce special growing up, but it's gonna be fine. Just breathe. You'll get used to it."

Jason stares at Tim with wide eyes. Then he gently takes him by the shoulders.

"Timmers. Tim. You crazy little birdie. Telling me I'm cute, talking about emotions... Are you okay? Is this a cry for help? Talk to me."

"You ask me that now?" Tim gives him a judgmental look. "I can't believe that's where you draw the line. I mean, where's your 'Be my Robin' enthusiasm?"

"It drowned in your bowl of Mountain Dew next to the Froot Loops. No, but seriously. If I'm your last resort, then you can tell me what's wrong. No need for tacky PJs, I'll listen."

Tim's eyes narrow. "Okay, then listen to this. First of all, my PJs aren't tacky. Second, I like you, dumbass, and yeah, I think you're cute. And third, I hyped you up on social media because I wanted Red Hood merch for my collection."

Jason takes a second to let that confession wash over him. He regrets removing his helmet. He's blushing, he knows he's blushing. In fact he must have been a redhead in another life, because he must be reminiscent of a tomato at this point, and oh no. He's a grown-ass man, why is he blushing like a nerd for this incredibly sleep-deprived, adorable maniac?

"You have a collection?" he squeaks.

"Uh, yeah. I started it when I was 4." Tim raises his eyebrows. "But nevermind that, are you seriously going to leave me hanging? I just told you I like you, man."

"I don't know what to say," Jason chokes out. "This... You're—I'm not good for you."

"Sorry but the entire internet would disagree. You're a hero, remember? And I can take care of myself, thank you very much. I don't need to be patronized."

Jason gestures at Tim's dinner. "That is demonstrably false."

Tim pouts. "Well. If you were my boyfriend, you could make sure I eat properly."

"Is that what you want? To be my b—" Jason's voice breaks. He swallows before trying again. "To be my boyfriend?"

"I mean, yeah?" Tim shrugs. "That's not why I hyped you up, I'm not kidding about the merch thing. But. Yeah. That would be… Good. Nice."

"Oh."

"Is that something you'd like too?"

Jason licks his lips. "Yeah, I—I think so. Yeah. There's just one thing though..."

Hope sparkles in Tim's eyes. "What?"

"It's just... I can't let people think you like me more than I like you."

"What does that mean?"

"It means—" Jason tugs on the fabric of Tim's PJs, "—that for every Red Hood item you own, you have to get me some matching Red Robin merch."

Tim grins a wide, bright, genuine smile that almost offsets the deep purple bruising under his tired eyes. "It's a deal."

___________________________

(They show up to the Manor together two months later to announce their relationship. They walk in hand-in-hand, Jason wearing a Red Robin hoodie, Tim in a Red Hood henley. Damian doesn't even have to pretend to gag at the sight.)

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

Hi! I saw you wanted some JonDami idea sooo:

• First time they hold hands

• First time Damian felt safe enough to fall asleep on Jon

• Discussing baby name when still in high school (which I did lmao)

• Seeking help from their siblings on how to ask the other in a date

• Eloping right out of high school to get married because they're idiots in love

• First kiss!! How did I forget that!!

• During patrol while high on adrenaline or maybe they were at the farm relaxing under the sunset or after playing video games and laughing with each other!

• One of my soft favourite to picture: leaning on each other, forehead against forehead or cheek against cheek, just existing and feeling the other's warmth

I have ton of other ideas and some hc but I think it's enough rn lol

Thx u byye!!

LET'S DO IT. (assume all ages are 16+ I guess, idk does it matter?)

First time they hold hands: pre-romance. Jon's powers shorted out and he fell outta the sky. Damian caught him by his hand just in time, and when he pulled him to safety he just...didn't let go. Jon noticed but didn't say a WORD.

First Time Damian fell asleep on him: Probably right after the relationship started/became official. They'd both had a rough hero week and Damian had been on edge just, forever. So they sit against a wall in the cave and one second they're sitting there in silence and the next, Damian's dropping against his shoulder already konked out. Jon panics for half a second but then Dick sees them and says 'He only sleeps when he feels safe.' and those words shake Jon to his core.

Baby names: This is all Jon. Jon just starts rambling about it one day. "How would we honor both our cultures? Or do we at all? Do we go with an -El name, or a name from your mom's side or just call him Bob?" Damian is endeared for a while but quickly gets so fucking annoyed because every name is more ridiculous than the last.

Siblings help: Jon obviously asks Kon and Kon is SO. JACKED. TO. HELP. He hesitates a little when he finds out it's Damian but, honestly, the kid is at least alright. Damian, much to the Kents surprise, does NOT ask Dick or even Tim. He consults Cass first, who asks Steph to standby as she gives her advice, and Jason, for reasons mentioned in previous asks in that he's a sucker for a classic romance novel so, clearly, he is An Expert.

Eloping: Honestly? Yes. And it happens at the same time one of them (I'm thinking Jon) says I love you for the first time. The other reciprocates (Damian) and one of them (Jon) sarcastically says 'really? well damn let's just go get married right now.' and Damian just goes. "Okay." and.......................they do. Maya officiates, Kathy is the witness, and the only family in attendance is the pets. (Goliath is flower girl)

First kiss: First kiss is at a Wayne Holiday gala/Justice League xmas party not long after they started dating and the end up under mistletoe. They do the hesitant peck thing first but then oh boy they like it and mmmmmm Clark and Bruce might have to rethink allowing sleepovers anymore.

Chillin': Jon gets so entranced when Damian laughs he literally just stops functioning. He will stop and stare and was even caught drooling a little bit once. (by Jason, no less.) If he's with Damian/it's just them, if Damian's laughing, he'll start laughing and just pull Damian as close as he can and they just keep laughing together.

SOFT FOREHEADS: There's some world-ending situation and they've been separated for most, if not all, of it. The day is saved and they're finally reunited on a rooftop somewhere. And they run desperately at each other but when they reach, they know the whole League is watching them and Damian's not big on PDA (and tbh neither is Jon, if only for protective reasons) so they just grab each other's hands and stare deep into each other's eyes until one of them well up with tears and closes his eyes and they just ~gentle forehead touch~

[pumpkinsy0]

can you feed us some angsty fluffy heart wrench but also heart warming tarry hcs PLEASE

ok so this acc had me realizing that i always talked about curly and angela when they first moved to the us but not tim and yknow what??? THATS what we r getting today!!for the most part lmao

idk if this exactly follows what u want but look its SOMETHIN

•the way i framed it im sure tim woulda had to b like 16???? when they came to america??? and darry was like 18 so he was still hangin out w paul n em

•when it comes to them actually interacting, i dont think it wouldve happened THAT much, tim was even more of an introvert back then and darry just didnt rlly talk to em, like yea he heard whispers OF him, but other than that, there was never a chance for them to actually interact, especially being in different years of hs n all

•plus i feel like from the JUMP tim didnt like paul n the other socs, so he just assumed darry was just like em too and stayed clear of him, for his own safety and sound of mind

•if tim is like 16 that would mean that angela and curly r 13, they were def in school the same time tim was, and each day they would all find each other in the middle of the day, for a multitude of reasons, mostly bc they missed each other and sometimes darry would find em and think about that for a while (what a weirdo)

•also made him think of soda and pony, tim would see him and thought he was crazy tho LMAOOO

•only person in that whole building who knew fluent french AND would give tim the light of day was the french teacher there, tim wouldnt talk about anyone specifically cause hes still very personal, BUT darrys french actually wasnt THAT bad and sometimes he would catch parts of the convo while walking by, nowadays, sometimes darry brings that up to tim outta curiosity

•there was this one time where darry tried talking to tim in english and tims english rlly wasnt that bad so he understood what darry was saying somewhat, but he didnt feel like talking so he spoke in french thinking darry didnt speak it but darry DID respond back in french and surprise was like the FIRST emotion darry saw tim have other than annoyance and slight anger

•angela and curly saw it haooen a few times and asked if that was his bf or somethin LMAOOO

•in my eyes, tim only gets close to darry AFTER high school, darry graduated and tim basically dropped out OR its after the curtis parents died cause tim saw that darry just needed SOMEONE and tim just reached out

•its SO rare, but darry will speak to tim in french, is his french kinda shit??? yea, but it makes tim chuckle and he can respond back so maybe its not all that bad

[orphanheirs]

WIP Questionnaire

Thanks for the tag, @transthadymacdermot!!

What’s the first part of your WIP that you created?

The characters. They existed as deviantart ocs that I used to roleplay with in chatrooms before any semblance of a story existed. This was back in high school.

If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be?

I'll give a few examples here because there's a lot of songs I think fit the vibe of the story (I have a 4-hour long playlist of "soundtrack" songs)! All of these are based on pure vibes, not necessarily lyrics. For a TV show, I think a folk revival type song like "Over Again" by Stick in the Wheel or "Cannily Cannily" by Maddy Prior and Tim Hart would be sick. If it was a short instrumental intro song, an eerie tune like "More Bones to Sort" from the OTGW soundtrack or this song would work well. To get more general Rasputina is an artist whose overall sound is something that would work great for the story. If you don't know them they're a band that makes rock music with cellos and is very weird and goth about it.

What are your favorite characters that you made? Why?

I love them all, but right now I have to admit my favorite is Tristan. It's definitely partially because he's the most developed right now, but also because he's the reason I revived the story after dropping it almost 10 years ago. I remembered him and thought he had potential and fell in love with him all over again. Coming up with ideas for his arc and his backstory got me excited for the overarching story again, and I changed him from a side character to a main character. I have a lot of fun with his personality and I relate to him a lot on a personal level.

What other pieces of media do you think your fanbase would share?

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow, Over the Garden Wall, Labyrinth, possibly Interview with the Vampire? and people who grew up with things like Hocus Pocus and A Series of Unfortunate Events. Maybe fans of Neil Gaiman? It's kind of hard to say though; I have no idea how the story would be marketed because it's..pretty weird lol.

What has been your biggest struggle with your WIP?

Not sure what the biggest of them all is, but my big three I guess would be plotting, research, and actually writing. I feel like I'm hitting my head on a wall when I try to outline story beats or whatever, so I think I'll just have to fly by the seat of my pants and plot as I go. Research also feels like a hurdle I need to get past because I want to base the story itself on actual mythology and folklore, and root the "real-world" parts of the story in the real historic regency period. Right now I know enough to share fun facts in a conversation, but in reality I don't know shit. I have a lot of work to do in that regard. Actually writing has been a challenge due to a combination of annoying factors including having very little free time in my life, executive dysfunction, and being? scared? of writing? because what if it comes out bad? Which I know is silly but it blocks me from writing a lot of the time nevertheless.

Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them!

Right now I'm thinking Crispin has a pet bat named Sparrow. Crispin named the bat Sparrow because he literally thought it was a sparrow, that being the only flying creature he knew of at the time. Now he knows better, but Sparrow is still Sparrow. I haven't thought much about it, but I think Crispin's keeping of a pet is one of the things that indicates he's different from his family/species, i.e. he experiences empathy and longs for companionship. The demon Tristan summons can shapeshift, and takes the form of many different creatures throughout the story.

How do your characters travel/get around?

Considering the time period, the options are limited. There's a lot of walking in this story, but also getting from place to place by carriage or cart. There's likely to be some horseback riding as well. In terms of the supernatural, Crispin can "teleport" himself from point A to point B using magic--but not very far. I still need to figure out the specifics of that though. Tristan is greatly aided in getting around by the demon he summoned, who transforms into a flying black steed Tristan can ride on.

What part of your WIP are you working on right now?

Right now I'm bouncing around and writing snippets of scenes that come to mind/interest me most. I'm considering everything experimental at the moment, and not committing to anything actually being in the final novel. This is helping me get over my fear of writing, and I like it because sometimes I end up liking what I write more than I thought I would. I also *might* write the story in novella form first, try out some things with that, learn from it, and then expand and/or rewrite it as a full novel. Other than that I'm researching and brainstorming and drawing (which is part of my process)!

What aspects (tropes, maybe?) will you think draw your audience in?

Hmmm I think the fact it's a dark fantasy/horror story and the fact it's set in the regency period will attract people. The regency period and fantasy are both really popular right now (as far as I can tell). Also the fact that it has found family, which seems to be a popular trope. The fact it has queer characters might be appealing too. Other draws might be the Halloween aspect, and the deal with the devil trope. And if anyone likes enemies to friends and twist villains. There's also heavy use of gothic tropes and subverting them/combining them with folk horror tropes. Regency media (cough cough Jane Austen) tropes will also go under the knife of subversion.

What are your hopes for your WIP?

I hope to make it a published novel! Ideally traditionally published, but who knows if that'll happen lol. I also want the book to be illustrated, and to illustrate it myself. Besides that, I'd love to do some comics featuring the characters and maybe even short animations. (She said as if she had endless free time...)

Tagging: @ceph-the-ghost-writer, @finchmomentwrites, and @kaylinalexanderbooks !

[adultswim2021]

Childrens Hospital #10: “Give a Painted Brother a Break” | September 13, 2010 - 12:00AM | S02E04

I simply must dismiss this program out of hand, despite liking it sometimes. It is the only sane way to approach this. Wouldn’t you agree? In this episode, Paul Scheer is Rob Corrdy’s no-good brother, coming around looking for a lone. Meanwhile, a scary giraffe is dropping off children at the hospital who’ve been mysteriously injured. Also, and this doesn’t really pay off in any way shape or form: The Fonz makes the hospital double as a youth hostel. This merely facilitates a Fat Guy Stuck in Internet reunion. More like, Fat Guy Stuck In A Slightly Better Show… LOL!

I liked the following jokes: two beautiful women make out with each other (very funny), the bit with the doctors being in high-school-like cliques, the part where David Wain says “put him on morphine, that’d be funny” and then his wife is like “you’re a monster”. Wait, did I say it was David Wain? I don't know why I typed that. It’s Rob Corrdy and David Wain’s wife. Man, imagine that. Imagine his head on her body... !

This one was less offensive than the last one. That Halloween one! Man, that really was an obnoxious episode. Didn’t even have Kevin Sussman in it.

EPHEMERA CORNER:

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! - Season Four DVD (September 14, 2010)

Tonight after the Tonight Show Dave laughs it up with Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, falling desserts, and celebrity prankster Richard Kind

MAIL BAG:

Did you know Doc Hammer named the Butter Glider after the Butter Burger from Culvers which he called "the most disgusting thing America has ever produced?"

I don't think he'd say such a thing. He probably likes American fast food products. You're lying

Hello. I didn't watch Adult Swim at this time (I mostly started during The Jellies) but I'm finding it fun to read. What shows that you covered so far would you say are must watch. Sorry if this has been asked before.

Every now and again I'll make a year-end post where I rank all the shows, and I'll probably do one of those when I finish 2010. I might wait until Adult Swim's tenth anniversary in 2011. But I like the idea of writing up a guide for "early" adult swim for newcomers because a lotta shows are better enjoyed skipping certain episodes or watching it in some other prescribed way. But when I finished 2008 I did rank every single original program (including one-off specials/aired pilots) that I'd covered up to that point. Take a look at that in the meantime: Part one / Part two

I was gonna wait until after season 2 because season 3 is really bad but I have to say something now: in 2012 jon glaser made an appearance on Pete Holmes You Made It Weird podcast and attacked him relentlessly for "taking" a job as the voice of the eTrade baby away from him. It ruined the show. It made Eric Andre upset. I've never forgiven Jon and you shouldn't too. You should hear the nasty things he says about Tom Scharpling!

I did remember this, it was just plain you-made-it weird. I can't believe he would say rude stuff about Tom Scharpling, he seems like a cool guy. They both seem really cool. I would love to have them on my podcast and maybe make a movie with them :)

Adam Sandler should've been in the Adult Swim block at this time with all the Jew jokes that were going down with the Glaze, Wainy and the Krollster!

Good to see another fan my friend 🇮🇳

Are you going to do this blog for MTV in the future?

What I wouldn't give to review Undressed in it's entirety. I would rank each episode by how wankable it was and instead of a star rating I'd simply post a picture of how much kleenex I had to use. Some of those women were beautiful

[stiles-hoodie]

Life With Derek and Taylor Swift Songs

Songs I associate with Life With Derek, mainly Dasey, from Taylor Swift, and the stories I imagine in my head instead of properly writing them (until now, I guess) If there's any I missed that you have ideas for let me know, and yes this is long.

Tim McGraw: Casey Mcdonald and the way her blue eyes shine. Honestly, this is the type of song Casey would write. It’s cute, storytelling, and detailed. I imagine her writing this song not based on her experience but on a day when her hopeless romantic side feels sad. She imagines what she hopes to have but does not have. She wrote it when she first moved in with the Venturi’s or before Nora and George met.

Picture To Burn: There’s the obvious answer, where this could be about any of Casey’s exes. But honestly, I imagine Casey being dramatic and writing this song after Vicky kissed that boy she had a crush on. Or Vicky dating another guy Casey liked after the guy used Casey to get close to Vicky. 

Tear Drops On My Guitar: Another song about Casey being dramatic. But also Derek sad boy hours. He’s glumly playing his guitar and that inspires Casey to write the song, since she doesn’t own a guitar. But don’t tell Derek she wrote a song inspired by him, and don’t tell Casey what that implies… she’ll figure it out eventually…

A Place In This World: Casey Mcdonald. I think this one doesn’t really need an explanation, to be honest.

Cold As You: Could possibly be about Dennis or Abby walking away, but I honestly can’t think of anything for this one. Maybe Casey writes something like this about Vicky after being really mean at one point.

Tied Together With A Smile: Derek Venturi. This could be seen in Casey too a little bit, but she doesn’t try to appear as perfectly fine a lot of the time. She does when it comes to school stuff, but not with her emotions. Derek is the one to put on a fake smile, make a joke and manage to hide what he feels a lot of the time. Even if he isn’t hiding it well, he still isn’t as open about it right away.

The Outside: When Casey first starts at her new school

Stay Beautiful: Cory’s eyes are like a jungle and his butt is gonna sue! I regret nothing. Could be a cute Dasey song, but I just keep remembering Corey Plunkett.

Should’ve Said No: Truman or Scott the cheating scums

Mary’s Song (Oh My My My):  Dasey or Nora and George. I personally imagine Casey finding an old journal of Felicia’s and writing this about some of the entries. Maybe it was about Felicia and her husband before the divorce or an old high school romance.

I’m Only Me When I’m With You: Smarti and Smerek. Or the entire family together

Fearless: Dasey. Enough said.

Fifteen: “In your life, you’ll do things greater than dating the boy on the football team.” This song is just so Casey coded and with everything that happened with Max I feel like Casey just really needed a song like this at the time and i see this being one of her favourite songs from Taylor. 

Love Story: Dasey. I have this idea called The Shakespeare Debate it’s still a working idea, but it is Dasey. It’s basically Casey being really into plays and thinking Derek doesn’t respect them, Derek being really into film and script analysis and actually enjoying the dark tragedies of shakespeares plays. I also kind of made a whole debate scene where Derek manages to bring up Carrie while talking about Romeo and Juliet just to confuse Casey and end the conversation, but it actually makes sense and that confuses her even more.

White Horse: I just find this song so pretty and Casey being very into fairytales she would totally be into white horses

You Belong With Me: Emily whenever Derek is seeing a girl that isn’t her. Especially when he was dating Kendra

The Way I Loved You: Dasey

The Best Day: God smiles on my little brother, inside and out he’s better than I am. Makes me think of Derek and Edwin. I see Derek actually thinking very highly of Edwin and with his self esteem he probably thinks of everyone very highly compared to himself.

Change: Casey might be scared of change, but I see this song with her. 

Superstar: Derek Venturi

Crazier: “Not telling her is driving me crazy.” Dasey. After the whole Scott thing and Derek  realises he likes Casey. He hates himself for writing such a sappy song, but he also likes that he managed to write a song.

Mine: So freaking Dasey coded are you kidding me!

Back To December: Derek and Kendra

Speak Now: Derek when Casey married Peter. The kids are against George and Nora getting married in the beginning. Everyone going against Fiona’s wedding because dear god that was awful

Mean: Seems like a song Casey would write

Never Grow Up: Smarti and Smerek

Enchanted: Imagine after junior prom Derek with his guitar in the white jacket. Or maybe it’s sitting nicely draped over the foot of his bed as he is sitting on the floor at the foot of his bed after leaving early once Sally’s boyfriend comes to whatever diner they ended up in. He hears Casey, Max, Sheldon and Emily pull up from his windows at the front of the house as he writes a song about how he realised he’s in love with Casey that night when he saw her coming down the stairs to the living room in a beautiful dress that he actually found, not Emily. 

Better Than Revenge: Dedicated to Vicky and Truman. CD Rock totally performed this and Derek was very encouraging of the anger.

Haunted: My favourite song on the album and I mainly think about Dasey just because of the sound. The orchestra rock sound is a perfect combination for Derek and Casey.  It can be loosely inspired by Derek and Caseys anger towards Dennis and Abby after they left. It could simply be a song one of them wrote or they both wrote together, after a breakup. The fic idea i have is Derek writing this based more so on an actual haunted experience and from hearing ghost stories. Casey's classical did inspire him a little bit.

Last Kiss: I imagine this being a cute song for Sally and Derek when she moves to Vancouver. But also “I'm not one for dancing but for you I did.” Works for both Dasey and Sally and Derek. He did take her to the dance.

Long Live: Just Life With Derek as a show 

Ours: Cute George and Nora song. Felicia was against them, the kids had to grow with it. It just a cute song for them too me.

Electric Touch: A CD Rock song sung by Casey and Derek. The first time Derek manages to actually sing in front of people properly without psyching himself out.

I Can See You: Dasey. But also (even though I don't ship them) I can see this as a Truman and Casey song when she's in her rebellious phase

Castles Crumbling: After Casey breaks up with Max and she quits cheerleading,  and she is trying to find herself again. Also her transition from being popular at her old boarding school and starting at a public school. The haunting feel to it makes me think of haunted and since its a duet makes me think of Derek and Casey working on this song together after her and Max breakup, which is after the episode where Casey helps him write a song for Sally. They work together on a few songs after the episode.

Timeless: The epitome of Dasey for me. Just like Mine. I see both Casey and Derek writing this song by themselves, but I really like the idea of Derek writing it though.

Safe and Sound: In Life With Luca Skylar mentioned that Derek would sing her to sleep because the dark freaked her out. I just imagine this as a lullaby he would sing to her and Marti with his guitar.

State of Grace: Dasey

Red: Casey reflecting on her relationship with Max possibly. Derek and Casey write it together and that's where we get the guitar solo 

Treacherous: Dasey

I Knew You Were Trouble: Casey dedicates this to Truman 

All Too Well: Someone made a really good edit to the 10 minute version for Dasey

I Almost Do: Derek almost tells Casey his feelings multiple times. Wants to call her multiple times while he's out of the country as well, and she wants to call him multiple times despite being with Peter.

Never Ever Getting Back Together: Casey and Sams on again off again relationship

Stay Stay Stay: I can picture Derek showing up in his hockey helmet after his first fight with Kendra.

Last Time: Dasey duet… possibly

Everything Has Changed: “freckles in your smile” Duet with Derek playing guitar. 

The Moment I Knew: change up a few lyrics this can be used for absent parents on someone's birthday. I picture this one from Derek's perspective, though since it mentions Christmas lights and I'm Sixteen Smartplugs aired on November 5th, making him a November baby. I don't know the date production wise. 

Better Man: Same as The Moment I Knew, but with Casey and Dennis. Some minor changes and the song works well with a dad who wasn't around.

A Message In A Bottle: “You got me hypnotised, by freckles and bright eyes.” this entire song I feel like Casey would dedicate to Derek. She might've been late in telling Derek her feelings before he left for Paris, but this was the best she could do.

Welcome To New York: Casey's year in New York

Blank Space: I think this works for Derek's persona he had in the beginning of the show. Casey definitely viewed him this way before finding out he's actually a really good date.

Style: Dasey. Sidenote: I also picture Derek having his bisexual moment in College with this song. Derek can have his James Dean and his feelings for Casey at the same time.

Out Of The Woods: Dasey

Shake It Off: Someone made a really good edit for Casey to this song. But also Dereks crazy legs. That's enough said.

Wildest Dreams: Dasey

This Love: Dasey

I Know Places: Dasey. Also Derek's secret boyfriend while his band takes off. I have a full story idea about that. I guess his hidden relationship with Skylar's mom works as well. 

Clean: Derek eventually having to let go of Casey after she marries Peter and has Luca. 

You're In Love: Dasey

Dancing With Our Hands Tied: Dasey. There's a nice edit to this song someone made as well.

Cruel Summer: “He looks up grinning like the devil!” I'd so Derek coded you can't tell me otherwise. 

The Archer: Casey and her anxiety, but also Derek and his which isn't as obvious then Casey's but she can see through him when it does come up the same way he can see through her.

Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince: Dasey. “Ripped up my prom dress.”

The 1: Dasey

Exile: “you never gave a warning sign” “I gave so many signs.” I feel like this part in particular is very Dasey coded. But Derek is Taylor's POV and Casey is Bon Iver's. Derek gave so many signs about his feelings for Casey, but Casey took longer to noticed then took even longer to finally think about the possibility to actually give it a try, by then though Derek left for Paris. I don't believe he just up and left with no warning, he definitely had his warnings Casey was either in New York or wasn't taking them seriously. Our boy tried leaving for Spain and Vancouver he was wanting to leave for a while, once he finally had a good reason he took it and the reason was 100% Skylar's mom going to Paris while pregnant. 

This Is Me Trying: both Derek and Casey can relate to this one. Lizzie can throw into the mix too, especially in Vacation With Derek.

Illicit Affairs: Dasey. Theres a really good edit to this as well.

Tis The Damn Season: Dasey

Tolerate It: Even without knowing too much about Peter, I think this works for how Casey feels about her marriage. This could also work for a lot of her relationships on the show as well. Max and Sam were simply tolerating her feelings, but that's really it. 

Anti-hero: both Casey and Derek coded

You're On Your Own Kid: I see this more for Derek. 

Midnight Rain: I can see this working for Dasey

Question…?: I can see this working for Dasey as well.

Paris: I think this one is pretty obvious.

Hope you enjoyed this!

[modernliterarywitch]

S2E10 - The Dark Side Alt Ending (Fanfic)

After a long shift at work, I decided to hit the bar with a friend and catch the game on TV. Sitting at the bar with the Greg watching the football game I ordered a beer. We chatted, he cracked a couple jokes, and I enjoyed the game. I was in my own world, zoned in on the game when Greg elbowed me.

"Hottie, 5 o'clock," he warned me. "She's coming your way."

I glanced over my shoulder, not really interested in getting hit on right now. I was here to not think about my love life. Matter of fact, I was happy avoiding it altogether.

So you could imagine my surprise that the hottie Greg was talking about was in the form of Lucy Chen coming over to talk to me.

She smiled as she approached, "When you told me to go get a drink after work, I didn't realize you would be here too." She said to me, as she quickly cast a glance at my old high school buddy, Greg.

"Uh," I stuttered, "Yeah, I guess so. Are you here with Nolan and West?" I asked, looking around for them. I didn't like being seen with my rookie off shift.

"No," she shook her head shyly. "I'm meeting Caleb here."

"Oh," I replied, my stomach dropping as I scanned the room for him but didn't see him. "Well, don't mind me…"

With a little over one beer in me, I hadn't anticipated having to fight my jealous feelings. They were stronger than I remembered. But I couldn't tell Lucy about that, it would be wildly inappropriate. But maybe I could cock-block her date for the night.

"Unless you guys want to hang out with us for a bit," I suddenly suggested before I could think to deeply about it.

Her surprise was visible. "Are you sure? I don't want to bother you."

I nodded my head. "I'm sure." You could never keep your enemies to close.

She sat in the bar stool on my other side and I introduced her to Greg. The two began chatting as I took another pull off my beer and asked God for strength for what I was about to endure. Greg and Lucy seemed to hit it off, and by that I mean Greg was cracking jokes at my expense and she seemed to enjoy them. I started to feel like a third wheel, and if that wasn't bad enough, Caleb showed up, siddling up next to Lucy.

"Hey, I didn't know we were hanging out with your co-worker?" He said announcing his arrival.

"Caleb," she greeted him. "This is actually my training officer, Tim and his friend Greg, I just happened to run into them waiting for you." She smiled over at him. I fantasized about drowning him in the sink on the other side of the bar.

"You guys are more than welcome to hang out with us, we're just watching the game." I added, pointing my beer at the TV.

"Come on, it will be fun." Chen invited Caleb to stay and my chest puffed out a bit. It made me feel like she wanted to hang out with me, like maybe she wasn't hot to trot to be with Caleb alone.

He sat down next to her and ordered a drink and I could feel a dark cloud hanging over him. He must not like the competition, so I made it my mission to drive him away. She deserved to be happy with someone better than him. I knew he wasn't good enough for her.

Suddenly she was cheering, her attention on the TV. "Go, Weddle, go! Touchdown!"

I smiled over at her. "You like football?" I asked realizing we have never really talked about it. We had talked about how Rachel didn't like sports, but never about if she did.

She smiled back at me, Caleb forgotten on the end. "I had a boyfriend that played in high school. I went to every single one of his games. I realized after we broke up that I liked the game more than him." She chuckled.

I was surprised. I didn't know this about Lucy, but it made sense. Of course, she went to all of his games, she was unconditionally supportive.

Feeling like bragging, I smirked. "I know Eric Weddle, I played against him in high school. He was the rival quarterback."

She gasped. "Are you for real?"

"Yeah, I got Angela a signed jersey a few weeks back when West and I did that football clinic." I replied, sipping my beer.

"No way, Jackson told me you guys met him at the clinic, he didn't tell me you were friends with him!" She was eating up the gossip and as I glanced over at Caleb, I saw him glaring at me.

He knew what I was doing, but I didn't care. Matter of fact, I was loving it, even though this was wildly inappropriate, it was for a good cause. I just didn't trust this guy, there was no way I could let Lucy go home with him.

Suddenly his mood shifted, like some sort of chameleon, as he engaged Lucy in the conversation. They started chatting and I just watched, wondering if I really saw what just happened because I was certain I was the only one who saw it. Greg chimed in occasionally and to the outside observer we were just a group of people talking about football, but underneath all that it was just me and Caleb, fighting for dominance and who would go home with the girl.

We continued to watch the game, talk about the plays, and finish our drinks until our team finally won. Weddle brought in the winning touchdown. We all celebrated and as the energy died down I knew it was late and Lucy was already tired. She had told me so as much before we left work, and now was a good time to remind her of that.

"Well, it's late, Boot. I think we should get out of here. We have to work tomorrow." I said, shifting in my seat.

"Yeah, you're probably right," she smiled over at me, Caleb forgotten again. He didn't let it slide.

"You can come back to my place tonight," he suggested quickly.

She cringed. It was hardly noticeable, but I knew her and her reactions. She shifted to him. "Thank you for meeting me tonight, but I'm going to head home." She let him down gently.

I smirked over at Caleb. I won. I didn't need Lucy in my bed tonight, I just needed to know she wasn't in someone else's. He growled and I glared at him.

Lucy's head cocked to the side as she took in his new attitude. "What was that?" she asked.

He cracked a smile, "I just cleared my throat."

"Okay then, I'm heading out." she said.

"Great," I chimed in, getting off my stool. "I will follow you to your car, make sure you get there safe."

I threw a few twenties down on the bar and followed after Lucy as she left. I walked behind her out of the bar and beside her back to her car in the parking lot. Outside she looked over her shoulder back to the establishment we just exited.

"He was weird, right?" She suddenly asked.

I chuckled, "I didn't know how to say something. I hope you don't mind." I stuffed my hands in my pockets, confining them to a space that couldn't accidentally touch her.

We arrived to her car. "I'm glad you were here tonight," she smiled up at me.

"Me too." I nodded awkwardly, the pressure of wanting to kiss her goodnight weighing on me.

"We never get to hang out like that," she replied, looking at me sweetly.

I shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. "I had a good time." I nodded, unable to look away from her. I leaned in just a hair closer, and she leaned in toward me. I wanted to kiss her, indulge in a sin I can't have.

"I never knew you could be so fun to be around." she smirked at me. she was being flirty, and alone with her in this parking lot, i liked it a lot.

"I guess I am more fun off the clock." I agreed.

She giggled. "Oh, yeah." She nodded. "I wish I saw you this way more often."

"I um," I stuttered. I didn't know what to say. Professionalism had long since exited this interaction. My greatest temptation was standing in front of me, and I didn't know if I could say no.

"Would you like to come back to my place?" She asked. "Make sure I get home safe." she smiled deviously. She was making me an offer I couldn't refuse, and she knew it. Her wording was sly but her meaning very clear.

Suddenly someone came out of the bar and was walking towards us, we both glanced over and saw it was Caleb. He had made eye contact with Lucy, staring her down as he walked over to his car, got in, and drove away.

"Yeah," I nodded, as I watched him drive away. "I'd like that, just to be safe," I agreed. She looked up at me with a mix of emotions, and I wondered if she felt as creeped out by him as I had, but then she smiled and leaned in to kiss me. Her lips landed on mine and I kissed her back, my hands left my pockets and found her face to hold her to me. Breathless, I pulled away, and looked into her eyes.

"Thank you." She said, smiled, and jumped into her car.

We settled on her couch together, both with cold beers in hand.

"So where's West tonight?" I asked, looking around the place that was bright and colorful and very obviously Lucy Chen.

She smiled. "He's staying with Sterling Freeman."

I rolled my eyes. Right, his celebrity boyfriend. That made sense. I nodded sipping my beer.

"So," she asked, "Was all of that at the bar because of Caleb, or something else?"

I looked over at her like I was dumb. "What?"

"Oh, come on. You have never invited me to hang out after hours willingly. You only went paintballing with me because I set it up." She called me out. I forgot for a moment how smart she was, and that she was a psych major.

"How obvious was I?" I asked her, slightly embarrassed.

"I figured it out the moment Caleb showed up, you immediately started talking to me." she replied, sipping her beer.

I nodded in acknowledgment. She was smart.

"This wasn't my end goal." I told her honestly. "I just, didn't like him…" I grit my teeth.

"I know." She nodded. "You are a real life gentleman, you know. Don't see many of them around here."

"Well, you deserve someone better than him." I shrugged. She deserved someone better than me.

"Someone like you?" She asked, looking at me longingly.

"No," I sighed, "because I don't deserve you either."

She sat back and looked at me seriously. "Why not?" She asked.

"Well, for one, I am technically, kind of seeing, your college friend." I answered her.

"Rachel!" Lucy suddenly gasped. "You never talk about her, I completely forgot."

"I should go, we don't have to do this." I set the beer down and started to get up. Her hand landed on my forearm, stopping me.

"Tim, wait." She said. "We've both been drinking."

I sat there with her warmth permeating me as I considered my options. I had drunk more than a few beers at this point and getting pulled over for a DUI would be career suicide. I looked over at her.

I was keeping her safe, I told myself. We didn't need to get wild, we just needed to get through this night.

I looked over to her. "Maybe we should just get some sleep then."

She nodded. "I think that's a good idea."

"Can I get a blanket?" I asked. "I will sleep on the couch."

"Oh," she looked at the couch we were sitting on. "I don't have any extra blankets except for what is in Jackson's room." She confessed, and I was not about to use another man's blanket. "But, there is plenty of extra room in my bed." She glanced at her bedroom door.

I looked back to the door behind me, to the very private room that lay beyond. Why was I so nervous right now?

She got up and left her bottle on the coffee table, and walked over to her bedroom door. She stopped in front of it. Looking over at me, she asked, "Are you coming?"

I nodded, getting up from my seat, and followed her to her room. It was just as brightly colored as her living space was. She had what appeared to be a thick and fluffy queen sized bed in the middle of her room. I stood just inside the room, waiting for her direction. She walked around me to her dresser, opened the drawers and pulled out some clothes, before turning back to me.

"I'm going to get changed in the bathroom, if you want to get comfortable, the far side is yours." She smiled, walked around me and ducked into her bathroom.

Standing in her room alone, I walked over to the far side of her bed, and dropped my jeans. Feeling incredibly nervous, I quickly got into the bed and covered my boxer clad legs. Sitting in her bed, covered my her blankets, I was surrounded by the scent of her. I barely had time to consider the implications of my decision as Lucy returned to the room in a t-shirt and matching shorts.

She turned off the overhead light and crawled into the bed next to me. "Relax, Tim. We're just going to sleep." she chuckled as she laid down and got comfortable facing me. I slowly shifted from my sitting position into a laid down one, but I was still stiff as a board as I stared through the darkness at the ceiling.

"Goodnight, Tim." she said to me.

"Goodnight, Lucy." I replied softly.

I don't know how long I stared at the ceiling in the dark before I heard the shift in her breathing. My mind had be racing a million miles an hour trying to settle next to the woman I wanted more than life itself. She was so close, yet so far away. None of this was right, or fair. I needed to break up with Rachel immediately. I needed to change rookies with someone tomorrow. Angela would understand, but I didn't know if I wanted to take on the responsibility of Jackson West. Harper wouldn't understand and would have a million questions, so John Nolan was a no go. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Literally.

I was about to roll on my side away from her, when suddenly she cuddled up to me and her head landed on my chest.

"Lucy?" I whispered, totally caught off guard.

"Hmm?" she mumbled.

"What are you doing?" I whispered back, but she had already fallen back asleep. Unsure of what to do, I ended up wrapping my arm around her and held her to me.

I focused on her breathing, all other thoughts drifting away. I lived in the present moment where it was just me and her and the darkness blanketing us.

I don't remember when I fell asleep, I woke in a panic as I heard noise in the kitchen and dawn was poking through the bedroom windows. It was still early, but I needed to get out of here. With Lucy still on my chest, I knew the noise in the kitchen had to be West, which meant I needed to find a way to sneak out of here before he saw me.

Slowly I shifted Lucy off my chest and crawled out of the bed. I pulled my jeans on and holstered the gun I had set on the nightstand. My shoes were by the door, and hopefully West didn't recognize them. I heard him move to the bathroom as the shower started. I took that as my opportunity. I quickly but quietly snuck out of her room, shutting the door behind me, across the coffee filled kitchen to my shoes that I grabbed without putting on so I could quickly exit the apartment. Quietly, I opened the apartment door and snuck out, slowly closing it so no one would hear. Still afraid to get caught, I quickly and quietly jogged to the end of the hall and around the corner before slipping on my shoes and making my way to my truck.

Sitting in my truck at 5 o'clock in the morning, I was dazed. Sleeping with Lucy on my chest had been more fulfilling than 'sleeping with her' would have been. I wanted Lucy Chen, but more than that, I wanted to be with Lucy Chen. Her presence, energy, aura, whatever esoteric medium you prefer, made me feel…. at home. Lucy was a pureness that I didn't deserve.

I returned home to get ready for a shift where I would pretend that I didn't just sleep with my rookie.

We discovered when we arrived to work that morning that our escaped killer took someone else. After a full day of tracking connections to Rosalind, we located him and the victim. To our surprise, the killer was Caleb. Harper had shot him inside the farmhouse where he had been holding a gun to Armstrong's head under orders from Rosalind. We located the victim stored in a 50 gal oil barrel ready to be buried. She was traumatized, but still alive.

After getting the scene processed, the victim to the hospital, and Caleb's body to the morgue, Lucy and I sat in the shop, ready to return to the station. Alone in the shop, she looked over at me. We couldn't talk about it here, but I knew what she was saying. That could have been her…

[flashfuture]

I haven't done a character analysis in a hot minute. But I want to do one now because I woke up really early this morning with the thought I should catch up on comics. And I regret reading the Robin comic for the early art alone. Anyways it brought to my attention Bernard and Tim and I have thoughts.

I was actively keeping up when Urban Legends was dropping and was like holy shit is this a date are we doing this?? And we were.

Bernard Dowd first came into the comics in the early 2000s in the Vol 2 Robin run. At a pinnacle point in Tim's life one of lots of upheaval and change. He was starting his junior year of high school. His dad was awake. He has a new step mother. And to top it all off he's about to get forcibly pulled off the after school club of Robinhood by Jack Drake. So Bernard existed in this limbo of Tim trying to find his identity without Robin and to figure out what it meant to be a regular highschooler.

Bernard was there during the a breakup of Tim and Steph not that he really knew the situation. He knew Jack and Dana. His connection to Tim was purely about Tim Drake. Bernard was also a funny character in a pure absurdist way. He decided Tim didn't fit into the stereotypes of high schooler highlighting and could roll with him highlighting how Tim doesn't have an 'identity' beyond being Robin. And then Bernard's silly conspiracy theories about the Batman and Robin situation were really showing how ridiculous a life Tim was living. And was the backdrop to say Tim finding out Steph replaced him as Robin.

Bernard was originally present for an identity crisis of Tim's and faded out of the story when that was done with. It makes a lot of sense why he would be the first boyfriend that Tim would have. During the arc about Tim discovering himself outside of Robin and rethinking who Robin is... Again. The first date I think also missed the opportunity to adjust canonically the ages and call them both 21 and have them drinking but whatever.

What I do think is that Bernard was an absurd character and should be presented that way. For example, introducing him as being in a cult is perfect absurdity. Trying to drag him into painfully boring being gay is hard but also good is scrapping off his character. There is a real legit history to be referenced and built upon. Bernard only showed up for six issues I really think it should not be hard for writers to reference that and give us something more correct.

Even down to the way Bernard dresses idk like he wore baggy clothes and graphic tees. He wore his hair long and sunglasses on his head. Then his parents put him in private school which he didn't like. So why the preppy stuff Now wouldn't it make more sense when he even in modern comics has major altercations with his parents to rebel in that visual way again? Maybe some piercings? That tattoo that was really a cult thing could have been a permanent reminder of why not to join cults.

Biology and physics to be a chef I have no idea what to say about that my cousin just went to culinary school... but with the whole chaos demon thing they could have had Bernard studying metamorphoses and that's why he was wanted. And then they could have people be like Tim is your boyfriend an evil scientist? But that's really neither here nor there just a random plot complaint.

Anyways the point is, I understand using a previously transitional character again as the subject of self discovery. I just think that he should be the same character is all

[roadtogracelandx45]

Best Kept Secrets|1| Winchester Brothers

@ohnoitsthebat

Part One

Credit for the gif goes to Tenor

Sioux Falls High School

Sam and Ellie's junior year of high school

"You know there are rumors about Ellie going around. About how she is not only easy on the eyes. I mean if the girl wasn’t on the rag I would have had my time with her."

Sam Winchester's jaw flexed in anger, as he pulled his backpack out of his gym locker, some of the football players were talking about Ellie Scott, the girl that should be considered his sister, she was the daughter of his mother's best friend, and also in the care of Bobby Singer, who knew not only his father but Ellie's as well.

They were being raised to be family, they certainly fought like siblings, mostly after Dean stopped by for a visit when John wasn't keeping him busy on hunts.

And Dean spent more time with Ellie than him or vice versa, they fought constantly about it.

Both thought they were entitled to the time with him.

Him more than her because they were actually blood-related, and Ellie thought she was entitled to it because she knew that she was going to be Dean’s at the end of the day.

But maybe it was jealousy, but he couldn't understand why he was so jealous about it.

Was it the way Dean's face lit up when he saw Ellie coming down the stairs or climbing out of the car when he beat them home?

Or was it the quiet sighs, moans, grunts, and groans coming from behind Ellie’s closed bedroom door?

Maybe it was because he wished that he was the one that he was with her, having sex with her, sleeping in the same bed with her. And he knew that he shouldn't feel that way because of her being a family friend.

A girl that he was meant to see as a sister.

And who even said that she thought of him like that too?

"Dude, Sam, you got to tell us, what is the deal between you and Ellie?" One of the guys, Tim, asked, he had been one of the few boys brave enough to ask her out asked. "Nothing, she is just a family friend." He returned, 'Her mom was best friends with mine." Tim glanced at the other two boys and smirked "I mean if I grew up with a girl like that, I would take full advantage of it."

An unfamiliar course of anger went through him, he was used to Dean being the one that would get pissed on Ellie's behalf, but never him. "Don't talk about her like that man." He warned, "She is a sweet girl."

"Yeah, a sweet easy girl.'

"How would you know? From what I heard, she wouldn't let you go all the way?" Sam smirked, he had been the one that had been home when Ellie came storming into the house from her date with Tim, angry. More angry he had ever seen her and that was including when her maternal grandparents dumped her off at Bobby’s house without so much of a goodbye.

And he had heard all about it. “Ha, you have no idea what you are talking about.” Tim laughed nervously. “I don’t? Who do you think she talked to when you dropped her off? Me.” He returned as he hoisted his backpack up on his shoulder. “SAMMY!” Her voice called from the entranceway for the men’s locker room, “C’mon! Bobby is gonna be pissed if we are late, again.” The taller Winchester brother smirked and jerked the bag up one more time, “Coming Elle.”

“Not worth it Tim.” One of the boys said clapping his hand on Tim’s shoulder, ‘I have heard stories about what Sam’s brother Dean,” His older brother went to school with the older Winchester brother before he dropped out of school, “You think Sam’s reaction was bad, Dean’s would have been worst. I am surprised that she even agreed to go out with you in the first place. My brother.” The boy paused when they all heard Ellie’s laughter coming from the entranceway, followed by a “Sam! Put me down!”, “Went to school with Dean, there are two things in the world that he loves more than his car, and that’s his brother and Ellie.”

Tim coughed trying to get rid of the sudden lump of fear that formed in his throat, “Ain’t scared of no one.”

**

“You okay Sam?” Ellie Scott questioned as he pulled open the truck door for her. “Fine.” “Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, what’s wrong?” He huffed as she climbed into the cab and settled into the middle of the bench seat. Her normal spot. “Nothin’,” “Let me guess then.’ She tapped her finger against her chin, “Tim said something about me being easy.’ His hand froze, keys halfway to the ignition. “Yeah, some of the girls were repeating them to me. They all seem to think that not only do I sleep with Dean but with you.” Sam covered up his surprise that she knew quickly, “What did you tell them?” “To shove up their scrawny asses. My relationships outside of school is none of their business. And if anyone is easy, it’s Brooke.”

Brooke was one of the girls on the cheer team that hated Ellie and always went out of her way to bully her. Ellie wasn’t like the rest of them, she was an orphan living with a family friend who owned a scrap yard and was known to be the town weirdo. And even the girl herself was weird, carrying a small pocket knife in her back jeans pocket and a flask of holy water. That wasn’t even going into the fact that she spoke Latin. Who knew Latin now a days?

“You know Dean.’ Sam started, glancing at her. “And Brooke, yeah.” She reached her fingers up and played with the end of her braid, “That’s why Dean hasn’t been back yet, and the verbal spat, I was just in.” “Why didn’t you start with that?” She shrugged her shoulders, “Already have Dean fighting my battles for me and I know you, Sammy, you would have jumped right in with it.” He went to volunteer that he wouldn’t have been but she was right, he would have rushed to her defense like he promised Dean he would. “Honestly, they are just words. They don’t know the truth and I am okay with that.”

[dp1nk]

attempting to join groups online about DID taught me something: those groups are terrible and don't help you with your actual symptoms. they like to romanticize them and make them out to be very different than they are.

i'm 99% sure most of the kids (the groups tend to be of people well under their mid-20s which was a red flag i should have noticed) are just kinnies roleplaying their favorite characters. any time i would try to explain something clinical about having DID and what it actually feels like for me, i would offend someone. one time, i explained that self diagnosing it is a bad idea when you're a kid, and it's actually unlikely because your brain doesn't really let you notice your symptoms (mine barely lets me do it even now!) and that apparently set off a chain reaction of "imposter syndrome" and someone even told me that i made them want to kill themselves. no i'm not kidding.

support groups or "communities" for DID/PTSD are anything but. you can't vet whether the members are actually dealing with a dissociative disorder because they actively discourage that and don't question self diagnosis. and maybe i just think that's so dangerous because i know my own disorder well enough after three years that i have only ever met and befriended one other system.

i'm sure i've met others, but not very many. the rest are just fantasy prone kids, which isn't an issue mind you - kids will be kids and i always appreciate creativity and relate to that on some levels. but consider having cancer and going through chemo, losing your hair, and being told by a healthy kid who just shaved their head that they understand your struggles. that's how i feel most of the time trying to join groups. it turns into a situation where it's almost like i'm feeding them information they didn't have about DID and many of them suddenly drop the act and realize they were actually mistaken about having it themselves. (ideal, in my opinion, because anyone seeking help for their mental health would be receptive to that, but very rare. but the fact that it happens in groups meant for people who supposedly already know they're going through dissociation and should be getting therapy is another red flag)

why do i bring this up? why am i ranting about this? it's just lonely, and it's really scary how misinterpreted and misunderstood something i have to live with is to others. but if i ever try to explain what it's like, or i want to share my experiences, i'm an asshole. my personality as a part of a system is misunderstood and i'm misread so much because i'm a "protector". (i'm used to most people thinking i'm too serious or even mean, but you'd think groups meant for DID would understand protective alters tend to be a bit emotionally constipated, and not give me a hard time for how i come across! well, no, they never do!) so maybe i just needed to vent a little steam i've had about it. i don't know if it makes sense to anyone.

i appreciate the few people who do understand what i go through and let me vent my struggles to them even if they may not be able to get inside my head. that's the most important thing i or any system could have.

still, it feels obnoxious to even talk about my DID because people have opinions and impressions about it that can be pretty shocking, and it really shows me why when this disorder is actually the most misunderstood and romanticized thing i've witnessed in a long time. and the fact that 'support groups' prioritize actual impressionable kids who couldn't possibly see their own symptoms over someone like me, for whom dissociation has destroyed my life, is disheartening. it doesn't feel very supportive. it feels like a high school club.

i'll try not to vent about this too much, but i know other people with DID actually feel the way i do, and it's only when my blunt ass mentions it that it's ever seen. and there's a reason for that. (they deserve to know they're not the crazy ones though. online groups fail us a lot of the time and they can be pretty dangerous.)

[mikittalabs]

ough i got the tim rogers boku no natsuyasumi review on and it's 12:30am so i'm in a sentimental mood lol.

idk like i've realized that i've met a ton of people, had conversations with a bunch of people, and just kinda drifted apart. and i kinda miss them all, but not in a sad way? like i'm glad i knew them, and i don't really regret drifting apart, aside from like a high school case which is a bit of an outlier.

in elementary school, i was friends with 3 different kids who all moved away at some point during the year. recently, i've found myself wondering how they are, how's their life been since 15 years ago?

or the kids who didn't move and we just slowly drifted away, or the people i've had maybe just one conversation with and never saw them again, or my old coworkers, or family members i saw once and never again, or teachers i had.

i remember all their names. i know their faces. i remember what they sound like, what i talked with them about, but i don't miss them.

one group that always comes back in my head are my old friends from high school. i graduated in 2021, and to say that covid affected it would be an understatement, i think. i don't remember much of my senior year, but i do miss my high school friends.

i've finally put it together recently that what had happened was that i essentially started dissociating at the beginning of covid. i don't remember why it started, and i don't know why it ended, but that's the best conclusion i have.

some of the only memories i have of my senior year are the times i cried on 5 separate occasions, 4 of those were all at the end of the year. i know i had to have begun ignoring that friend group, and to go and apologize now would be kinda pointless. what would it do?

be kind of funny, methinks. "hey sorry i dropped off the face of the earth, i was lowkey dissociating for a year and a half straight."

good conversation starter.

there's one girl in particular that i'm kinda worried will see this. i know she has a tumblr account. i don't know why she'd look for my blog specifically.

i think i'm worried cuz it's her that i'd most want to formally apologize to. i've considered it a couple times, but again, i'm not sure what use it'd be after 2 years. what's done is done and all.

i can't change it, but i don't think i'd want to.

which sounds kind of contradictory, i just spent 5 paragraphs regretting how my high school year ended.

i think it'd be interesting to see what would change, but i'm fine with the me i am right now. it's not perfect, it could probably be a lot better, but it's me and that's fine.

i think i'd get more out of getting to talk with my high school self. which sounds kinda wild, cuz that'd just be me but 3 years younger. idk man

so yea. sentimental mood moment

[faggotadeux]

i wish people put in more '60s accurate details in their fanfictions so i present some things from the '60s the characters in the outsiders would have seen/used/experienced.

school lunches

this is what the gang most likely would have had at school lunch. people don't really talk about school lunch in their fanfics but i really think they should. could you imagine the romance of eating "weiner wraps" with ponyboy?

these honestly sound disgusting no wonder dallas dropped out.

rip johnny cade you would have loved high school cheezy breadsticks.

EDIT: it said in the book that the greasers didn't go to the cafeteria for lunch!

halloween costumes

this one required two pictures because i wanted to show the true demon from hell itself that is the beatles mask halloween costumes. i wanna see someone write a fanfic about bob sheldon jumping johnny cade but dressed up as paul mccartney. now that would haunt my dreams.

'60s halloween costumes were honestly so scary even when they weren't trying to be.

could you imagine like a little baby four year old ponyboy going trick or treating and seeing those eyeball things? no wonder the kid has anxiety and ptsd.

60s fashion

i could make a whole post about clothing (dresses, housewear, school clothes, bathing suits, fuck even underwear) but for now i just wanted to highlight some of this stuff. if you're going for 1965, these looks are a bit more socy but cute! i wanna see cherry pop off in that orange dress.

if you're writing a few years after the main plots of the book (after 1966) that fashion could probably be seen with a lot of the characters! i could see ponyboy popping off with that sweater on the bottom left.

EDIT: fashion also depends on region! what people were wearing in Tulsa was different from what people were wearing in Miami, and vice versa.

semi-unrelated but we should acknowledge that mrs. curtis was a housewife in the 50s and for sure would have worn those pretty housewife dresses. she's so cool. we should talk about her more. EDIT: it's unlikely that she would have because of their financial status.

toys

i know that the characters are a bit old to be playing with toys- but they might still mention them in conversation. and these toys are perfect for any baby fanfics!

i know cherry would have SO played with those barbies. i would read a whole fic about cherry's barbie dreamhouse. could you imagine marcia and cherry playing barbies together? so cute. i could die.

if you're looking for toys the gang would have played with, i would look at toys from the 50s, especially for older characters like tim shepard and darry curtis.

EDIT: they most likely wouldn't have had that many toys! maybe only one or two.

christmas decorations

christmas in the '60s was so cute! i could so see cherry with one of those aluminum christmas trees in her house.

the second picture does a good job of showing what some kids might have gotten for christmas, along with what their tvs and other items looked like.

again, this is pretty soc-centered, but it can give y'all some good ideas for a nice '60s christmas fanfic with the gang.

conclusion

to start, a lot of the things here are revolve around the socs, and that's because they're rich. people idealize and remember the things that the rich had over the poor. even if the gang wouldn't have had these things, they still would have seen them around!

if you really want to go deep: look at boomer meme accounts. i know it sounds stupid, but trust me. you'll see tons of things like "no kids these days know what this means" and they think they're better than younger generations because technology has advanced. it's a great way to learn about some of the small things people had to do everyday that won't get talked about.

there were some parts of the '60s that were really cute. obviously, other parts of the decade weren't so i advise you all to be careful with how you write decade-accurate pieces. racism, homophobia, transphobia, misogyny, and many other issues were rampant at this time. (general psa: you can write gay characters in 60s fanfictions! gay people did exist in the 60s.)

i do this thing in my fanfiction i like to call "vintage touches" where in would incorporate things from the original text/60s like drive in theaters, music, record players, fashion, etc. but, i would still have the fanfiction take place in the modern day.

this was a very fun post to make and i hope y'all like it! if anybody wants anything they want to see, please shoot me an ask! this is just scratching the surface.