#and Jason still at one point chokes her - what does that mean for what the gods consider love to be?

[measureformeasure]

Medea book is approaching trauma from a deeply modern lens and I think it would do it good if the violence Medea experiences at the hands of Aeetes and Jason was explored without these really blatantly modern conceptions hanging over everything

[gilbirda]

Friendly neighborhood vigilante. Chapter 24

BatmanxDP crossover. JasonxJazz

Link to Jazz's armor design and ramble about ideas >>HERE<<

[Read on AO3] [Read on FF.net]

Based on this post

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Bruce sighed. Danny choked.

“You— You guys had bets going on?”

Dick stopped his celebratory dance to have the decency to look ashamed. “I mean… Maybe?”

Danny’s smirk replaced his worried face, and the mischievous little brother was back; wearing a heavy and clearly magical armor from another dimension, but still the same person.

“How much?”

“What?”

“How much was the bet?”

“There were a few,” Dick explained, ignoring Bruce’s tired sigh in the background, “But Stephanie thought Jazz was the King. She bet twenty bucks.”

Danny scoffed, crossing his arms. “I’m offended. I’m worth more than twenty.”

Jazz joined Bruce in the tired sigh department. She even placed her hand on her forehead.

“Wait,” Duke perked up, glancing at Jazz trying so hard to keep it together next to a smirking Jason, “if he’s the Ghost King…”

Jason was the first to catch on. “It means Jazz is—”

“The Crown Princess of the Infinite Realms, yeah!” Danny chuckled and pointed a finger at his sister.

“Don’t you dare!”

“Uh-huh!” He answered, the tip of his finger lighting in more green fire.

“Danny, I swear—!”

She couldn’t finish. Danny shot the fire at her, and immediately the flames spread across her body, revealing armor the same way it did for Danny. On her chest, her comfortable long sleeved blouse was replaced by a crimson red chest piece and dark metallic shoulder armor pieces. Her hands and forearms were covered by more red metal, dented and dull with use, up to her elbows.

On her legs, a pleated skirt made of the same dark gray armor reflected the sunlight when she quickly readjusted her legs to stand up, crimson red boots appearing down her legs from her mid thighs.

As the fire retreated over her face, Jazz was already baring her teeth at her brother.

“Danny!” She growled. “That was unnecessary!”

He chuckled again. “If I have to stand here wearing a stupid outfit then so do you.” He approached her and patted her on the back so hard she grunted and stumbled forwards. “What was the thing? ‘A true warrior shows their armor with pride’?”

She rolled her eyes and moved one hand to pull back some strands of hair that had gotten on her face. Jason followed the movement to the bright red headpiece framing her eyes, and extending into points on the sides of her head. They burned with green flames like Danny’s crown did, as if their transformation were condensed in the pieces of metal.

He also noticed the exposed skin of her arms, how his assessment of her turned out to be true, watching the muscles flex with the small movement — and the scary amount of scars she apparently hid under her clothes. He didn’t miss a big burn scar peeking from under one shoulder piece.

“Man, I wish Steph was here,” Dick took everyone’s attention away from the siblings, “because I was also right on the princess thing.”

“So… This is really nothing to you? Like, it does nothing?” Danny’s wide smile was more amused than it should be. “We are literally interdimensional royalty, here, standing in your fancy mansion,” he did a gesture encompassing the whole room, his sister, and himself, “and nothing?”

Jazz sighed again, the flames on the tips of her headpiece burning a little bit brighter. If one squinted, the vague shape of a circle was starting to form with the fire. Her crown?

“Danny,” Jazz made a gesture towards the not at all surprised Waynes sitting in front of them, “there is something you should know about them.”

“Aha?” He glanced at her, but kept his eyes on the others.

“The Waynes are also heroes. They are—”

“No fucking way.”

“Yep.”

“Jazz,” Danny crossed his arms again, but he was smiling, “you had one job. What was it?”

“To not be noticed by Batman.” She looked away, ashamed.

“And what happened?”

“It was— I was careless. I’m sorry, okay?” She closed her eyes and pinched her nose. “Can we drop it? Please?”

Danny was not going to drop it, but Jason got his attention and made a signal to cut it out. Fortunately, the young King made the decision to listen. The little frown told them it was only temporary.

“Okay.” Nobody missed Jazz’s shoulders immediately relax at the word. “So you guys are the bats and birds, and have known about us for a while—”

“Suspected.” Bruce spoke for the first time since reveals started happening. He cleared his throat. “Jasmine, she— She explained some things, but warned that there were things she couldn’t say due to safety reasons and needed to wait for you.”

Danny raised his eyebrows, looking back between Bruce and his sister. Did he know that there was more story behind those words? No doubt he would ask her more details about how they found out — that’s what he would do — so he wasn’t sure the siblings were going to be this amused and relaxed in their— in his presence anymore.

As much as it pained him, maybe this would be the last time they could get answers.

“She talked about the GIW,” Danny tensed, Jazz pursed her lips, “and warned us about Vlad Masters.”

Like the flip of a switch, any amusement left Danny and he donned a persona they haven’t seen yet: the King. It was subtle, but they were so used to reading body language that they could see the shift happen as clear as day.

“Is that so?” The flames of his crown flared for a second. He glanced at Jazz. “When you said the situation had changed…?”

“The GIW and potentially Vlad are… they know I’m here.” She winced. “They will, when they get here. And Jason—”

“I’ve noticed.”

All eyes went to the mentioned. Danny’s new attitude made his piercing green eyes drill holes on Jason’s skin. If he felt poked and prodded when Jazz watched him, it was nothing next to how he literally felt Danny’s consciousness somehow touch his.

He jumped. “What the fuck was that?”

“Interesting.”

“Don’t ‘interesting’ me! What—”

“Darling,” Jazz sat back down next to him, “it’s okay.”

She took his hand, which helped a lot, but still he glared at Danny as the presence came back. At least now that he expected it he didn’t feel so violated.

“What an interesting case.” He tilted his head. “You sure know how to find them, Jazzy.”

“Please don’t call me that.”

“What do you mean?” Jason tried to keep the conversation on track. “What’s interesting?”

Danny licked his lips and shifted his weight from one foot to another. The armor barely made a sound, even if it was expected from such heavy metal.

“You died.” It wasn’t a question. “And your resurrection was painful. What has been done to you was incomplete, tainted, and has left your ghost development stunted.”

That explained absolutely nothing.

“I gave him one of my vials.” Jazz interrupted before he could complain.

That didn’t please her sibling. “Jazz—”

“I know.” The hand that held Jason’s twitched for a second. “But it was an emergency. Would that affect him?”

Danny pondered the question, one hand on his chin. “Maybe. I don’t know. We should check with the yetis.”

“Thought so.” She glanced at her boyfriend. “Sorry.”

“Don’t say sorry. I told you if there’s no blood, there’s no need to say sorry.”

“As cute as this is, we need to focus on the important part here.” Danny got his sister’s attention. “Situation has changed.”

“Yes.” Jazz took a deep breath. “GIW is coming, Vlad may be as well, and I can’t just—” she rubbed her face, “We need to re-negotiate, re-strategize and move up The Plan.”

“The Plan?” Bruce leaned in, catching on the capital letters.

Danny looked at Jazz. Jazz looked at Jason before looking back at her brother.

“We… Okay. Okay.” She breathed in, breathed out. “We are at war. In the Infinite Realms.” She ignored Danny sitting down beside her and the fire when his armor was gone. “Danny is the King, yes, but he is not the only one who has a claim.”

“Vlad.”

Danny clicked his tongue at the name, but patted Jazz’s shoulder and now her armor disappeared in green flames. “He has been after power ever since he came back to life from his accident.”

“We’ve been fighting Vlad and his supporters, as well as trying to fix the mess left behind by the previous King, ever since Danny took the throne.”

“And this was…?”

The siblings shared a look before Danny answered Bruce: “A week after I graduated.”

He was just a kid.

That being said, Robins started fighting crime way younger than eighteen, Bruce considered. Not the same as becoming the ruler of a whole dimension, though.

“Something you guys need to understand about the previous king, Pariah Dark, is that he was such a tyrant he had to be put into the sarcophagus of Eternal Sleep. Everything has been a mess for millenia.”

Bruce pondered Danny’s words. An interdimensional tyrant they knew nothing about, a war they wouldn’t have learned about if it wasn’t for Jason’s neighbor. He got dizzy for a second.

“But that’s not all.” Bruce nodded along when the siblings did, clearly relieved he was catching on. “The GIW.”

“We have been trying our best. Those documents you found with our parents’ signature,” Danny’s head snapped towards Jazz so fast they confirmed he was not human, or he would have had some real damage, “they were the things we couldn’t stop in time. The research we couldn’t erase in time.” She continued, ignoring Danny’s wild eyes.

Bruce swallowed, trying to get rid of the knot in his throat.

“I have nothing to do with these!”

“Darling, listen to me. Jason, this is not true.”

“This is taken out of context.”

Her voice trembled as she tried to defend herself. How could she even sway him? He now understood there was so much at stake than mad scientists on the rise, but she couldn’t say the whole truth, and by principle he considered a half truth as a lie. Nothing she could have said could have convinced him she wasn’t a criminal he needed to stop.

He was ashamed now. How in his mind it made sense. How he was blinded by Jason’s hypothetical gratitude once he presented the report of Jasmine’s arrest. Maybe he could show him he still cared for him, that he still wished him the best even if it wasn’t with him.

It felt so stupid now. Meaningless. He glanced at his son, relaxed, one of his hands subtly on Jazz’s and tracing circles with his thumb without thinking. Jason, who never seeked physical contact, who didn’t like to be hugged even as a kid.

He would never have that, it would never be that easy for both of them to be comfortable together. He made sure of that.

“I— I understand.” He managed to say. He ignored Duke and Cass’ looks at his choked voice.

“That’s when The Plan comes in.” Danny leaned in. “We need help. With Vlad and the war and how much time it consumes running the show, we decided he had to suck it up and call the Justice League.”

Duke nodded. “Jazz mentioned that Amity Park folks don’t like the League?”

“Oh we hate them. With passion.” He leaned back with a grin stretching from ear to ear, apparently enjoying when Bruce tensed. “They abandoned us when we most needed it. They left a dead teenager in charge of protecting the city.” The grin grew bigger with each accusation. Jazz slapped him on the leg. “But we decided it was worth a shot to confront them and demand that help we were owed.”

Jazz sighed. “What Danny meant to say is, after I was done with my internship at Arkham the next steps were confronting the Justice League and negotiating help with taking down the Guys in White.”

“The Plan.”

She nodded at Duke. “We didn’t know what we would encounter but the situation keeps escalating and our parents… Maddie and Jack have to be stopped.”

Danny looked away, suddenly uncomfortable at the mention of his parents. Were they this bad? How much did Barbara’s research cover? How much were they missing?

“We thought— If it’s okay with you, Bruce — that those negotiations—”

“Of course.” He interrupted her. He straightened his back. “Of course we’ll help. I’m… I’m sorry we weren’t there before.”

Jazz nodded, satisfied. Bruce took it as he said the right thing and he was one step closer to properly apologizing.

“Just like that?” Danny didn’t seem that convinced.

“Yes. I’ll need to write a report and bring it up in an emergency meeting that can be as soon as…” he tried to remember everyone’s schedules, “next Tuesday? Could be earlier but I think the Lanterns were away on some Lantern business and this sounds like something they need to know. And they should be back on Tuesday morning.”

The siblings looked at each other and had another silent conversation with just face gestures and rapid fire microexpressions. After a moment Danny sighed and relaxed, letting his body flop back to the backrest of the couch.

“We’d be very grateful, Bruce. Thank you.” Her smile was genuine.

Bruce glanced at Jason, who was looking at Jazz. As if he knew he was being watched, he turned to look at him. He also was smiling a small smirk as he subtly nodded in approval.

“What a shame,” Danny’s tone was playful, “we had planned for the possibility of fighting the League.”

“Danny.” His sister slapped his shoulder.

“Who would have fought B?”

“Dickward.” Jason gave his brother a warning look.

Both ignored the warning and smiled at each other. “Valerie.” He seemed amused that the other bit the bait and asked. “She’s the best at adapting mid combat, has a hoverboard and a bunch of gadgets that neither of you can ever hack or disable.”

“Why?”

“Is ghost technology. Nothing in it, either the material or the code, is even close to anything you have encountered before. Batman thrives when having enough time to prepare, but believe me we wouldn’t give him enough time to figure out how anything works.”

“We have had access to alien tech before.” Bruce was curious now.

Danny was shaking his head. “Our weapons and technology may look like yours but in essence it isn’t. Since we are friends now I wouldn’t mind lending a few things to study. You know, as a token of my faith.”

Bruce glanced at Jazz. She nodded in confirmation. “Would be honored to.” He finally said.

Did he have to offer pleasantries? Danny was the ruler of a dimension, nonchalant about that fact as he was. Bruce chose not to since they weren’t in their armors anymore.

“And Jazz?” Jason asked Danny.

The mentioned hid her face behind her hands. Danny leaned in to look at Jason from Jazz’s other side. “Green Arrow. And of course, Wonder Woman.”

“I noticed the Amazonian armor.”

“I’m right here.” Jazz growled.

“She’s been trained by Pandora, back at the Greek side of the Realms. All the dead Amazons are over there and some were thrilled to participate in her training; so you could say she’s the closest of us all to her battle style. Also Jazz is the expert for close quarters combat and a wide variety of weapons.” Danny was obviously proud of his sister. And maybe loved embarrassing her too much. “Except guns.”

Dick’s eyebrows went to his hairline. Bruce hid his shock as best as he could, and tried hard not to look at Jason.

“Danny.” Jazz said through gritted teeth. “Stop.”

“What? It's the truth! You are the only one of us that doesn’t fight with ectoguns, but you make up for it really well.” He slapped her back so hard a bone should have cracked.

Jason cleared his throat. “No guns? For any particular reason?”

Duke choked. Would Jazz find Jason’s weapon of choice repulsive? It couldn’t be — she knew about Red Hood, she knew what he had done, how he had done it.

Danny’s smile was as bright as the Sun. “Because she sucks! I’ve never seen such a bad aim.”

“I’ve been getting better!” She groaned, her face crimson red. “I’ve practiced!”

“Oh yeah? I still have scars from the last time you ‘practiced’!” He lifted his shirt, showing his lower back and a very clear healed burn scar in there. “You definitely have dad’s aim!”

“Yeah? And you suck at sword fighting!” Danny flinched. “Do you think I don’t know how many training sessions you’ve missed?”

“Is not that bad…”

“Yes it is, Danny,” she crossed her arms, “since you rely so badly on your powers. What happens if you cannot use them?”

“That will never happen.” He crossed his arms too. “Most powerful being of the Realms here.” Danny shrugged, showing off his perfect rows of pointy white teeth, even in human form.

Jazz snorted and moved as fast as lightning, one hand going for her brother’s stomach to punch him square in the gut. She didn’t hit flesh, because at the last minute Danny’s chest went intangible and her whole arm went through like he was air.

“Ha!” He looked back up to laugh at her — finding her other hand waiting for him.

Jazz flicked his forehead so hard the others flinched at the noise it made, and Danny was sent back to the armrest of the sofa.

“Hey!” He rubbed his forehead. “That wasn’t fair!”

“This is what happens when you don’t pay attention, Danny!” She hissed, gesturing with her hands. “And when you rely way too much on your powers!”

“But—”

“But nothing! I bet since I’ve been gone you’ve skipped every damn sword fighting class. Ancients, I bet I could beat your ass even as rusty as I am now!”

Danny opened his mouth to protest, but no words came out. He knew she was right.

The others watched amused as the young man rubbed his forehead again and glared at his sister.

“Not my fault you are a freak.”

“What did you just say?” Jazz tensed, her body ready to pounce.

Bruce cleared his throat, and like magic, the siblings jumped away from each other and sat straighter. Jazz nervously chuckled and fixed her hair again. Bruce smiled. King, princess and all, they were still around his childrens’ age.

Said children giggled, amused by the familiarity of their chaotic dynamic.

“So,” Dick redirected the conversation, “what’s next?”

Jazz tilted her head, thinking. “With my identity revealed, we need to renegotiate with Lady Gotham.”

Danny clicked his tongue. “She’s not going to like it.”

“Well, she will have to if she wants her people protected.”

“Jazz talked about this Spirit,” Bruce nodded. “So there was an agreement?”

“Yeah,” she answered, “as I said, we were not supposed to get closer to Batman or any of the vigilantes, and she wouldn’t be opposed to the Princess stomping on her haunt.” Her cheeks tinted a slight pink as she glanced at Jason. “Obviously that’s void now, and if I’m going to protect this city I need to be able to use my abilities, so we have to chat with her before strategizing.”

“When do you think you are talking to her?”

“Why? Wanna come?”

Bruce’s silence told her that yes, he very much wanted to. She made a weird face, between amused and concerned. “Is it not allowed?” He asked.

Jazz glanced at Danny, who shrugged and was very unhelpful. “I mean… It’s her beloved Knight. Maybe she won’t try to obliterate us on sight if we use him as a human shield.”

“Hey!”

“Actually, it’s not a bad idea.” Bruce conceded. Apologizing for what he had done could also mean mediating when they talked with the sentient city.

He was also curious.

Hm.

“Okay then we could do it sometime tomorrow? Before I have to go back to the Realms.” Danny stretched his back and yawned.

“Are you leaving so soon?”

Danny stopped mid yawn at his sister’s tone of voice. “Why? Did you miss me?”

She didn’t answer, but Jason’s amused nod where she couldn’t see it made Danny chuckle. Jazz would talk your ear out about reaching out and being in touch with your emotional needs; but she also had a hard time admitting that sometimes she also needed her little brother as well.

“You could stay the week? I have work, but apart from that…”

“And we also have to prepare the report with Batman.” He answered, nodding.

“Bruce is fine.”

Jazz nodded at the older man and smiled back at her brother. “What do you think?”

He made a show like he was pondering staying or not, humming and crossing arms, and making a big sigh like a heavy weight was on his chest.

“I guess I can make the time in my busy kingly schedule.” Danny’s smile showed his true age — not a front, not trying to appear mischievous, not wanting to be strong for appearance’s sake.

Just a little brother and his older sister.

---

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[twoidiotwriters1]

The Curse of Oenone (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: The Jacksons make me feel so warm and giddy -Danny Words: 1,968 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter Listen to: 'Brother' -by Vraell

LVII: Not to Self-Diagnose or Anything but I Need a Nap

Ara is still recovering from giving in to her murderous urges when the sea attacks them. Everyone except Jason is on deck trying to keep the ship afloat, but Ara realizes they can't spare the son of Jupiter, so she goes to get him.

"Alright, Ken, rise and shine!" Ara crashes against the doorframe. "On a scale of one to ten, how much do you wanna die today?"

Jason pushes himself up. "Eight."

"I was joking and now I'm concerned!" Ara sounds too enthusiastic for her words to sound genuine. "But I'll take it because we need you, so come die like a hero and not like a Victorian child!"

Ara helps him leave his bed, carrying him through the stairs until they're above. "You know, Jace," she grunts as the ship sways violently. "I think therapy would lessen your near-death experiences, something tells me they're related..."

"Shut up or I'll puke on you," Jason groans, unable to keep his head upright.

She looks at him, her voice turning serious. "I can't let you help unless you promise me you'll fight for you, Jason! Not for us!"

The boy locks eyes with her and he tenses his jaw. "What do you think I'm doing?"

"You're drowning in guilt," she can barely hear him above the storm. "But that wound won't close unless you start to respect yourself!" The ship screeches harshly and Ara looks around. "Let's go to Percy!"

The others look at her like she's gone crazy as she walks past them holding Jason, but when Percy sees them he nods casually and points ahead. Something below the ocean's surface is causing the storm and he wants to swim down and attack it directly. He asks Ara to stay and keep the ship afloat.

Percy doesn't need to speak a lot for her to understand, a few gestures and words, and Ara gets the general idea. Jason looks a bit worried yet eager to help. "Are you sure you can work alone?"

"I'll throw you overboard myself!" She scowls. "Go!"

Ara summons Poseidon's blessing the moment both boys jump into the sea, stretching her arms out and doing her best to create a current that balances out the tides that hit it from every side. Using one blessing at a time for long periods no longer drains her, but now, even after almost half an hour, her arms aren't even shaking.

"It's over... I think," Annabeth approaches her, drenched from head to toe.

"Jason and Percy," Ara leans over the handrail. "Should we look for them?"

"That's them!" Piper calls from the other side of the ship. "Leo, help me!"

"So you're a priest now?"

"Pontifex."

"And that healed you?"

"Basically," Jason says happily. "Good as new."

"If you're a priest does that mean you'll be celibate forever?" Leo smirks.

"I said Pontifex, not son of Hephaestus."

Hazel chokes on her ginger tea and Frank pats her back and scolds the two boys. "Guys!"

"You are infuriating," Ara says with her mouth full. "I can't get my own special label because then you go out of your way to get your own! That's so rude—"

Festus sets off an alarm and everyone jumps, Leo takes a moment to listen to what the dragon is saying and translates it to his friends. "Sea serpent again, Percy..."

The boy nods, looking slightly green—he got poisoned again—and waves at the others. "You keep eating. Birdy, care to join me?"

Ara gets up without arguing, perhaps he feels too weak to handle it alone. Once on deck, Percy stares at the sea and points at a bright yellow creature. "There."

"Cool, a banana. Do you want to talk?" Ara draws out her flintlock. 

"Whoa! Since when do you own a gun?" Percy asks, staring at it with horror.

"You hadn't seen it?" Ara raises a brow. "I've got it for a couple of weeks now."

"And you know how to use it?"

"No, Percy, I lost four fingers and left Frank in a wheelchair," she replies with a straight face.

Percy frowns. "Alright, I walked into that one." He watches the serpent and tilts his head. "Banana wants to fight—I can get us closer and you can use your Nerf gun."

"Sweet."

"Let's wait a bit, I'm still woozy..." Percy makes a face. "And let's tackle everything, while we're at it," he leans on the railing. "Jason told me what you said to him."

"It worked, didn't it?" She replies, thinking he's about to scold her.

"I've been feeling the same way," Percy confesses. "I don't wanna freak out Annabeth, so... you can keep the secret, right?"

There is a lump in her throat when she realizes the wall between them has lost height, and now she can meet his gaze. "You almost died again, drowning," Ara acknowledges, referring to the fight with his half-sister.

"Jason saved me by making that deal... he also saved himself, but I don't know if Annabeth told you what happened with the goddess of Misery..."

"Yeah," Ara replies, understanding where this is going. "I get why you did it, though. Sometimes you're over your head and it's so tempting to just..."

"Be cruel?" Percy submits.

"Someone has to be the bad guy," Ara sighs, staring at the serpent. "And we'll always be the lesser of two evils, Percy."

His eyes sadden a bit. "When I was about to kill Misery... it didn't feel like that."

"You were angry," Ara reasons. "None of us want to die, but we both know that the people we're thinking of when we're fighting death aren't ourselves."

Her brother runs a hand through his hair, a bit stiff from the sea salt. "We got attacked by the arai too... I got curses from all the monsters I've killed and other beings I've hurt... and as I suffered, it felt fair. It made me wonder..."

"If that's how I feel about my curse?" She guesses with a sad smile. "The way I see it, I got the opportunity of a lifetime—literally—and the price to pay is all I have."

"And you think it's worth it?" Percy questions, it doesn't sound like he'll judge her if she says yes.

"I don't know," she confesses. "I wanna say yes, but that's only because Leo is entangled in it. If it were about me only, I'd probably think it's shitty."

Percy prepares to jump. "Banana's getting closer."

The boy summons a tide to carry them, Ara keeps talking but she raises her voice to be heard over the water. "I think the lack of empathy for myself comes from the fact that someone always had it worse. In the orphanage I was one of the pretty ones, Leo thinks I would've been adopted in no time—at camp, I was an Aphrodite, I was overlooked. The list goes on..."

Once they're close enough to the sea serpent, Ara tosses the Greek fire vial she took from a box on deck, then points her flintlock and shoots, exploding it on the serpent's face. Percy summons a tide to protect them from the blast and they wait a few seconds to see the golden dust vanish in the ocean. They go back to the ship.

"So you risk your life to validate your feelings?"

"No," they reach the Argo and Ara seizes a rope to climb. "I'm saying everyone else had something bigger going on, so it was only right I took care of the chores no one wanted. I had it better than most."

"Who was saying these things to you?" Percy grunts, climbing after her.

"The voices aren't real, Nemo, they're in my head," Ara clarifies. "Someone might've said it once or twice and I took it to heart. I don't know."

He gets on deck. "This... is probably the most depressing conversation we've ever had."

"Yeah..." They share a look and Ara pats his arm. "That means it's naptime!"

Ara wakes up to Leo cussing on the cabin across the hall, the ship is making a weird sound like it's sailing through the gravel and she leaves her room quickly only to crash against Leo in the hallway.

"Easy, doll!" He catches her. "Had a nightmare?"

"What's that sound?" She asks drowsily. 

"That's our daughter getting wrecked by the mighty power of a rock," Leo scowls. "Every time I fix something, another thing breaks. You hear the engine, begging to be put out of its misery? That's how my brain sounds nowadays."

Ara rubs her eyes, too sleepy for his ranting. "You know, I had the saddest talk with Percy the other day, and weirdly enough, I've been sleeping like a baby ever since... and yet I still feel like I've been run over by a truck every time I wake up."

"Leo, we're unstuck!" Percy calls from outside.

"I should do a checkup to see what we messed up this time," Leo sighs. "Wanna come?"

"I should," she mumbles, walking after him.

Proof of how exhausting this last stretch has been is that none of them have the energy to fuss or ask how they're doing. Their sanity is hanging by a thread that gets thinner the more hits the Argo II takes.

"Maybe you're always tired because you're carrying eight blessings?" Leo continues their talk as they get to the control board. "Hercules said more than ten would make your body act up, but that doesn't mean having eight will do nothing."

"There's always some stupid monster to fight or something to fix, that's what's killing me," Ara picks up her hair in a ponytail and reads the monitors. "It's the fifth tube again."

"Dammit!" Leo complains. "Can you take care of it?"

"I'll need some of that black tape, pincers, and—"

"Safety gloves," the boy places all the tools in her hands. "Insulating tape. Pincers."

Ara nods without excitement. "You're the love of my life."

"I know," Leo replies, an enduring scowl on his face as he focuses his gaze on the monitors. "Please don't kill the engine or I'll kill you."

Percy drags Ara out of the engine room to enjoy ice cream on the upper deck with the rest of the crew. She's been working like crazy, motivated by the fact that in two days, whether for better or worse, this is ending.

Ara sits on the rail and observes the town of Mykonos, absently eating an ice pop as she tries to enjoy the breeze. She keeps thinking of her conversations with Nike, Leo has run through the plan with the goddess looking for advice, and the goddess seems to be trying her best, wanting Leo to be her chosen champion.

"So, the island of Delos is right across the harbour," Piper says. "Artemis and Apollo's home turf. Who's going?"

"Me," Leo replies promptly. He's wearing a pirate hat Percy got him during his visit to the town, so he doesn't look exactly trustworthy. When the girls stare at him reluctantly, he pouts. "What? I'm diplomatic and stuff. Besides, it should be me, right?"

"Some of us should go with you," Hazel declares.

"Well, Ara said she wanted to rekindle the old flame with Apollo," Leo nudges her leg. "You still want to come, right? It's gotta be us."

Ara taps her palm with the wooden stick of her ice pop, nodding absently. "I guess..."

Leo watches her in awe. He remembers when the girl jumped off that golden chariot and glared at him with those dark-brown eyes that made his knees weak. Now he knows her in and out better than anyone, but the feeling of inferiority persists.

It's like meeting the pope—you know that's a person, but you still feel extremely out of place and there's nothing you can do to match the vibe, so you endure the absurdity. Ara has always been his miracle.

"Leo?"

The boy gives a start and turns to Jason. "What?"

"I said I don't feel comfortable letting you two alone. You know, since technically speaking, you are the ideal pair Gaea could use to wake up?"

"I'll go with them," Percy offers. "But I'll, uh—I won't interact with Apollo and Artemis if I can help it."

"That's fine," Ara hops off the railing and checks her compass. "Nemo, Firecracker, time to meet our executioner."

Next Chapter –>

Taglist.

@siriuslysirius1107 @ask-giggles1303 @im-planning-something-look @bandshirts-andbooks @coolninjapaper @thewaterlily @whenisthefall @1randomcomic @you-bloody-shank @sunflowergraves @owlalex44 @taylordaughter @typicalsolangelolover @writingmia @espressopatronum454 @slytherinnqueen @orbitingpolaris @obxstiles @ellipsisspelled @thepixiechicksh @ebony-reine-vibes

[wildlife4life]

WIP Wednesday

So i was tagged by @buddiearemydads and @911onabc before it was even Wednesday here. Like hadn't even gone to bed yet, 3 hours before midnight, and literally put my 3 year old to bed. But love the enthusiasm! So here is some more from my a/b/o verse for buddie. I am very much in the groove with this one, but no promises yet of when I post it.

“Shannon what did you do?” Eddie’s voice broke, garbled with anger.

His wife couldn’t even look him in the eye, but Eddie could see the tears streaming down her face, “He told me his name was Jason, I didn’t-I wasn’t,” she choked on a sob.

“What did you tell him? What does he know?” Eddie asked.

Finally, Shannon met his gaze.  Her entire face pinched with guilt and sadness, “Everything.” She whispered.

Maddie screamed out in rage again before losing all her fight and dropping her entire weight into Eddie’s arms, sobbing. “Oh God. Evan.”

Shannon slid to the floor and let out her own sobs.

And Eddie stood in the middle of it all, stock still in the eye of the storm of emotions. Because he couldn’t break. Not now. Buck and his unborn pup needed him to be strong, to push every useless emotion aside and ignore all other problems. Including Shannon.

Giving Maddie’s arms a gentle squeeze, he softly told her, “It can’t just me. You need to call Athena, tell her everything. Go to the bathroom, clean yourself up and call her. I’m going to call Bobby and the team. They deserve to know and with Buck’s condition, were going need more than just my medic skills.”

Maddie nodded and Eddie directed her where the bathroom is. Before shuffling away, she paused, looked back at Eddie, and said, “I have to call Doug. He told me to call when I get to L.A. for the next step.”

Eddie’s jaw clenched tight.  The bastard was calling all the shot apparently. “Okay. Then that means there’s a chance he’s hiding Buck here. We’ll find him Maddie and bring him home.”

The omega sniffed, “We don’t have a home.” Then walked off to the bathroom.

I want to quickly point out that I am not making Shannon a bad person. She is flawed like anyone else and in desperate times, bad choices are made. But she is also not this innocent young mother either. Hope you all enjoyed!

Tagging (not to be pushy!): @ebdaydreamer @elvensorceress @alyxmastershipper @bekkachaos @destielbuddiepipeline

[castillodeleon]

An Unserious Serious Conversation Who: Leo and Seb What: The two have a talk about Sebastian's relationship. Where: The Castillo Deleon residence When: May, 2024

A/N: Mentions of @rebecca-anderson & @salvadorquiroz

Leo began packing his books into his bag along with some Pokemon cards gifted to him by Henry and some board games he had begged his father for. Even though his birthday was three months away, Leo already had a long list of games he wanted and was excited about playing with Henry and Jason when they had the chance.

"You're the only kid I know that packs books for a sleepover." Seb bit into his apple and leaned against their dining room set. "Isn't that a little heavy?"

"That's not true. You know Henry and Michael Sin. Literally, all my friends are giant nerds."

Seb almost choked on his apple and laughed. "Excuse me?"

"We figured it's best if we embrace our natural selves. Me, a possibly queer boy from San Fransico who reads at a college level, loves spreadsheets and Dungeons and Dragons. Henry, the language and arts wizard with an emotional quotient that would shame just about anyone, and Jason---he's just cute. I don't know. I've got nothing, dad."

Seb shook his head. "Speaking of, will you be asking Jason to the summer soiree? I hear Mr. Escobar will be chaperoning."

"Meh. Dad, I don't think he sees me that way and Uncle Thomas says that's okay and I can move on when I'm ready. Maybe we'll do a group thing. Henry refuses to talk tot he girl he likes and Jason is too busy trying not to go to summer school for third time in his academic career. Do you think that'll be weird?"

"Um, I don't think so. You're all still so young. Not saying I didn't try to date in middle school but there's a lot that comes with all of that."

Leo nodded and zipped up his duffle. "Trust me I know. Xavier is getting us all sundaes today and Winter is going to come with us to the comic book store in town before we grab dinner and go back to Henry's house. So, you can call me on my cell phone or text me. Don't set the house on fire while I'm gone."

"Who's the kid again?" Seb walked back into the kitchen to toss the core of the apple into a trash can. "And Winter will make sure you all stay together?"

"I'm 12, dad not 4. Besides, Winter is really mature for her age. " He smirked. "Are you going on a date with Rebecca or Salvador tonight?" Leo was curious about the information his dad had given him last month and now that they've done the appropriate research, Leo understood it better.

Seb smiled as he began the dishes. Xavier would be here any minute to pick Leo up but he wanted to answer any questions his son would have for him. "Both of them." He shut off the water for a moment and reached for his dish towel to wipe his hands. "Did you understand what I meant the other day when I said I was dating them both?"

Leo nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I understand it better now. I think. I just wonder what it's like to be in love with two people. I know you're not in love yet but when it happens, like will it happen for both of them at the same time?"

"Um, that's a good question. I'm going to say maybe not. Maybe in a perfect world it would but I feel like it's very possible for me to love them both at the same time at some point which is why I'm in the relationship to begin with. I see them both as two individual people but at the same time, it's like being with one person so all the rules o f dating still apply."

"Huh. What about when it gets more serious? Will you marry them both?"

"Perhaps. But it's too soon to tell any of that. Again, if it does get more serious, it would be a strong consideration. Is that something you'd be open to knowing more about?"

"Yes." Leo replied quickly. "I like seeing you happy. That's what matters most to me but I also want to understand it all. Do you think they like me?"

Seb reached out for his son and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "What's not to like?"

Leo shrugged. "I know, right? I'm delightful." He giggled and looked up at his dad. "Do you think people will say mean things about you all?"

"It's possible. People are unpredictable but I do know that there are nice people and there are mean people. I can't change that or their mindset but if I'm happy and Becks and Sal are happy and YOU are happy, I feel like we'll be okay."

Leo took a moment to take that all in. "You know they're like really rich, right? like Henry is rich but they're rich rich. I looked up their profiles. It wasn't hard..."

"Whoa...Lee. No hacking my boyfriend and girlfriend, okay? I know them pretty well by now. There isn't anything you've discovered that I don't know. I promise. We're open with one another like that."

"And they're okay with us having a savings fund for new brakes?" Leo asked genuinely, not wanting to sound unkind. He was just a realist.

"I mean, they don't know about the needing new brakes part but they're not opposed to dating someone middle-class. Would it make you feel better if I brought them here for a dinner date? And you can join us. You can bring Henry as your emotional support friend."

Leo nodded. "Yeah...that would be helpful. I want them to see our house and maybe they can play Scrabble with us."

"Maybe." Seb wondered when he could make that happen.

"If they don't care that we eat out of takeout boxes and play Scrabble on Sundays and have a brake fund then they're great in my book. They already make you happy, dad." He looked over his shoulder when he heard the doorbell. "That's Xavier. Do you want to come out and say hello?"

Seb nodded and ran a hand through his cirls. "Yeah, I do. You know, your uncle Xavier is the reason I met Sal and Becks. And your aunt Cel."

"Yeah, aunt Cel was ready to kidnap you and throw you to the auction." Leo giggled again as he shouldered his bag. "That was funny."

When they headed out the door, Xavier was standing in front of a car he's never seen before and Seb let out a low whistle. "Whoa. Riding in Style!" He did the Fresh Prince handshake with him as Leo and Henry began their banter about Pokemon. "He knows now."

Xavier arched a brow and looked over his shoulder at the chatting boys. "Oh yeah? Good. That's good, Seb. You deserve all of this. And I happen to know Sal and Becks are excited about you three." He extended his hand to shake Seb's shoulder slightly and then chuckled. "I gotta get Winter before she kills me but tomorrow you can tell me about your date and we can chat some more when I drop Leo off."

Seb nodded and then knocked on the passenger window to get the boy's attention. "Be good! listen to Xavier and Winter!"

Xavier rolled his eyes playfully, before placing his sunglasses back on and getting into the driver's seat. "Should have left it at Xavier. Winter is too bossy as it is." He smirked and asked the boys to put their seatbelts on before driving off.

Seb pulled his cell phone out and text Sal and Becks asking them if they wanted to do Sunday dinner at his house and yes, they were still on for tonight.

[allinmycorner]

So, I've been slightly annoyed that ABC put Dancing With the Stars on Tuesdays. I am on a hybrid schedule at work and Tuesdays are one of the three days I'm in the office. So that requires getting up early, driving to work, working eight hours and driving back home. I'm sometimes tired after all that and sometimes just fall asleep when I get home. Which means I can miss the show and have to catch up on Disney+ while trying to avoid spoilers.

I fell asleep and so had to watch the semifinals after the fact. All I saw was that there was a TWIST during the show so I watched it, waiting for the twist. I honestly was anticipating a double elimination or maybe the return of the judges' save. I didn't expect no elimination so I was surprised. Maybe I shouldn't have been but I was.

But more on that later.

Our semi-finalists had to dance individually in two rounds. They performed one ballroom dance they had yet to perform in an individual round and one Latin dance they had yet to perform in an individual round. Everyone did their best with dreams of the finals in their eyes. We also had a performance from some of our pros to promote the DWTS tour that was gorgeous. It all added up to a spectacular show.

Let's see how it went!

Xochitl and Val: Xochitl and Val danced the samba to "Samba" for their first round. It was a fun routine that had some sensuality to it though still appropriate given Xochitl's age. She is still amazing to watch and I'm honestly going to miss her when the show is over. Her second dance was a Viennese waltz to "La vie en rose" and it was just the definition of elegance. Derek got choked up as he said that Len would've loved that dance. Xochitl showed her versatility and is no surprise she walked away with perfect scores for both dances.

Charity and Artem: In the first round, Charity and Artem danced a rumba to "Love the Way You Lie (Part III)" and it was her stronger dance of the night. It was likely also her strongest dance in a while and I think had more emotion than she's been letting us see. I wasn't a big fan of the end with her looking directly into the camera and felt she was a bit dead in the eyes at that point but it was just a blip in an otherwise strong routine. Charity's second dance was a quickstep to "BO$$." She started strong though I didn't really see as much emotional connection this time. And it seemed like she started to tire out toward the end. I think two dances, including a fast one like this, might have caught up with her. But she still finished in second place so kudos to her.

Ariana and Pasha: Ariana and Pasha first danced a jive to "Runaway Baby" and absolutely killed it. Carrie Ann did notice that her arm extension and follow through wasn't as fluid as it has been and she asked if Ariana has an injury. Ariana did injury her back and is in pain but dancing through it. Honestly, I don't think anyone else can tell she is in pain. For her second dance, she danced a foxtrot to "Trampoline" and it really showed her range. She went from fast and fun to slow, sensual and dreamy. Ariana was the definition of elegance as she danced with Pasha, who put some great footwork into the routine. She also is a big supporter of Pasha and said that she hoped to make it to the finals because he deserved it. That was just so sweet.

Jason and Daniella: Jason and Daniella's first dance was a Viennese waltz to his own song, "I Won't Give Up." It seemed pretty appropriate for his journey. The dance itself felt like something from a classic Hollywood movie and Jason channeled those classic actors/dancers. Their second dance was a paso doble to "Diablo Rojo," which Bruno noted has a more syncopated beat than is traditional for the dance. He and the other judges praised Jason for keeping up with it and handling the footwork perfectly. I am really glad he's made it to the finals and that he has kept fighting. I look forward to seeing what he does in the finals.

Alyson and Sasha: Amazed that she made it to the semi-finals, Alyson wanted to continue fighting to possibly make it to the finals. Sasha also took the judges' comments to heart and their first routine, a jive to "Footloose," was just a minute and a half of dancing. Alyson continues to show how much she's improved and while she may still not be at the same technical level as the others, she makes up for it with charisma. She's just fun to watch dance. (It was also cute when it seemed she forgot there had been a remake of Footloose when Sasha noted that Julianne had been in the movie). Their second performance was a waltz to "Come Away with Me" and it was just beautiful. It was simple and understated, just highlighting Alyson's talent as she and Sasha danced across the floor. If she had been eliminated, it would've been a beautiful and perfect final dance.

I also jotted down a great quote. Derek revealed that he and Alyson spoke before the show and she made this comment about the jive: "Whoever invited the jive was drunk and hated human beings."

I love it.

As I stated earlier, no one was eliminated this time. Alyson and Sasha were called safe first and she looked so surprised. She even started crying, amazed she was now a finalist. Jason and Daniella and Charity and Artem were called safe next. Daniella jumped up and down, Jason looked relieved, Artem hugged Charity and she just beamed. That left Ariana and Pasha and Xochitl and Val as the apparent bottom two and I think that's when I figured both would be safe but I thought the judges would intervene. However, Julianne declared them both safe and Ariana started crying while Val hugged Xochitl tightly. Later, Ariana told Julianne that she nearly threw up from the nerves and she was still crying as was Alyson.

So for the first time, we'll have five finalists! The finale is going to be 3 hours long and will feature all the eliminated stars in at least one group number. Jason will also perform as well as dance and we'll get to see the redemption round and the freestyles. I still think anyone can win the mirrorball trophy and that Tuesday's show will be very interesting.

I should get a chance to watch the finale live as I took Tuesday off (for other reasons) so I won't be tired when it's on. I can't wait to vote for my favorites and see who ultimately wins the trophy.

See you when I recap the finale!

[more-cardigan-than-woman]

And they were roommates. 1-4

Summary: Your roommate comes to save you from a bad date and ends up saving your whole night.

Pairing: FemReader x Jason Todd

Words: 3.9k

Warnings: SMUT 18+ ONLY, choking, teasing, swearing, praise, asshole men, drinking, plot? whos she?, Friends to lovers, Roommates!AU, Jason is the hood but his roommate has no idea. Mean names for mean men.

AN: OMG they were roommates. Soft Jason is getting me through my days right now.

Edit: Apparently I need to put numbers on theses, because I live in this world now and as of right now there are 2 more chapters in my drafts.

“Hey roomie, what's up?” Jason's voice is somehow the only thing calming you down as you cower in the stall of the ladies room. This was supposed to be a nice date, the guy was a doctor for fucks sake. But if he isn't the creepiest guy, with the worst vibes in the world, you'd eat your own shoe. 

Shit, how are you going to tell Jason that you’re an idiot. The smart thing to do would’ve been to call Cass or Steph, but you’re not quite sure how they would react. Jason on the other hand, you know he will come. He might be one of the biggest assholes you know, but he’s got a soft spot for you. He did let you move in with him after you got kicked out of your last place and well, you panicked. So now here you are hiding in the bathroom, calling your massive roommate to come rescue you because you're terrified of what's going to happen when you turn this guy down.

“Princess? You there? Are you alright? You're breathing kind of heavy.”

“Jay, I need you to come get me.”

“That bad huh?”

“Yes, please. Were at-”

“I know where you are. Give me ten minutes.”

“Thanks,” you end the call. Ten minutes ok. You can wait ten minutes. You've just got dessert left. That should give Jason plenty of time to show up and you can just say Jay will give you a ride home and that will be that. No worries.

5 minutes to go, you think as Dr fuckin douchebag, stands from the table. “I can't wait for you to see my apartment  I just got the new-” Blah Blah Blah.......Fuck does he ever shut up? you think. Your eyes stay focused on the door. Maybe you could go back and hide in the bathroom until Jason gets here?

Shit, he's staring. Did he ask you a question? Who cares? You stand up peeking down at the message on your phone.

“1 minute away.”

Thank all the fucking gods for Jason Todd. You follow Dr douche outside, onto the busy street. His gross hand on your back makes you recoil into another passer-by. "Sorry, ma'am," 

"It's ok dear," the old lady says, brushing past you with her groceries, "are you ok?" 

“Yeah, thanks.” You say sincerely, hearing the echo of Jason's bike from down the street. Any second now.

“Don't worry about that old bitch. She needs to watch where she’s going,” Dr douche says, “my car is this way,” he starts to direct you. But you stand in place, he looks at you with his brow furrowed, “this is Chanel,” he points at his coat, “I need to get inside before it rains. Lets go.”

You just stare at him. Completely flabbergasted. Where the fuck is Jay? The Doctor reaches for you but you take a step back. “I think I'll walk home,”

“Don't be ridiculous, I can drive us back to my house.”

“Nah I'm good,”

“What! I buy you this expensive dinner and nothing? Typical fucking female.”

“The lady said she's good,” a gruff voice comes from behind you before an arm wraps around your shoulder. You lean back into the touch, letting out a deep breath.

“And who the fuck are you?” Dr D-bag shouts.

“Ready to go Princess?” Jay asks, handing you his spare helmet. You nod in response and Jason turns to lead you back to his bike when he suddenly stops. Turning around so fast you don't know what's happened until you see Dr douche on the ground cradling his face. “Fucking prick. Keep your hands off me,” Jason sneers over at him. “You ok?” he asks, as you step away from Dr D-bag who’s still shouting obscenities at you both.

“Yeah good, can we go home now?”

“Right this way Princess.”

Xxx

“So what happened?” Jason asks when you walk through the door of your shared apartment. He’d be silent the whole way home and you’re not certain if it’s because you wouldn’t be able to hear over his motorcycle or if he was trying to calm himself down. He was gripping the handles of the bike so tight you thought they might snap off.

“You saw him. He was awful. Nearly dragging me back to his house wasn’t even the worst of the things he did. Sure, the not letting me get a word in bugged me, but when he started talking about OUR plans for the future I knew I needed an out.”

“That’s gross. But what I don’t understand is-” he pauses as if thinking over his response, “Why call me?”

“I ah-” you're not really sure what to say or why he's so shocked that you would.

“Noone ever calls me for help. You must be out of your mind,”

“I didn't know who else to call,”

“Dick, Steph, Cassie. Geeze I even thought you’d call the demon spawn before me.”

“I panicked and well, I knew you'd come.”

“Because I have no life?”

“No, because even though you're a jerk sometimes there's a reason you let me move in here when I was desperate.”

“Because you're hot?”

“No, because we're friends. You like me,” you tease,”you think I'm cool.”

“Not true.”

“Liar.”

“I would not.” he dramatically rolls his eyes at you. 

You ignore him, walking over to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of wine. With a little jump, you sit yourself on the kitchen counter and take a swig. Jason throws his favourite jacket off onto one of the stools, leaning himself next to you on the counter. He stares up at you, like he’s still very confused about why you called him instead of one of the others. The favourites, but he doesn't want to push you.

“May I?” he asks and you recall the dozens of other times you have sat like this together. So much easier and equal when his face is in line with yours and his massive frame isn’t hulking over you.

“For my rescuer? You can have as much wine as you want,” you smile, handing him the bottle.

“Rescuer, I like that. Though I am wondering why you went out with him in the first place.”

“He seemed fine when we were texting. But-”

“He wasn't.”

“Exactly. And honestly I'm so pent up that if he wasn't such a walking red flag, I probably would have gone home with him.”

“Asshole is lucky I only hit him,” he mutters under his breath, “Should’ve at least stabbed him a little,”

“Enough about him. What are we going to do tonight?”

“I could call Roy and Artemis, we could go to the club? We could prowl the streets to find this guy and I'll hit him again for good measure? Or we could stay in, do a girls night?”

“Dancing does sound good, but I'm not really in the mood for other people right now.” You slide further down the counter, before flopping onto the floor, “mogjt I wntd t gt ld tdy,” you mumble into your arm.

“What was that? You’re mumbling,”

“I said!” You shout, “MOSTLY I JUST WANTED TO GET LAID!” Jay peers down at you, his eyes  going wide and a tiny bit of shock on his face. “But apparently I'm picky and gross. No one I ever want, wants me.”

“Hey, I won't have you saying shit like that,” he bends down in front of you, his hand firm on your chin. You want to look at him but you can feel the shame on your face. “Eyes on me, Princess.”

“I can't,”

“You can. Come on now, just look at me.” You slowly raise your gaze until your eyes meet his. “There you are, now tell me about your problem.”

“My problem is being so horny I feel like I'm gonna burst.” you admit, “So, not so much a problem as an inconvenience.”

“That’s a really big one,” He says leaning back on his heels, “do you want my help?”

“What?!” you say, very taken aback by his offer.

“I said,” he stays where he is giving you room to think. But you know how fast he can move when he wants to, “Do you want my help?”

“I -” Shit, you can feel all your conflicting emotions swirling around in your head. Sure Jay is kind, sweet even. But he can be such an jerk. Is he going to hold this over you? Bring it up all the time? Is it going to change your friendship? You admit you always had a tiny bit of curiosity about what it would be like, how he would taste, what his big strong arms would feel like wrapped around you. But would this change everything? Would it be better or worse?

“Last time I'm going to ask Princess, you want my help or not? We can just sit and watch a movie or something.” he throws his head back towards the couch, “Clocks ticking, better decide fast.” He smirks, pulling away slightly like he’s about to get up and leave.

“Yes,” the word whispers on your lips.

“Going to need you to say that a bit louder, Princess.” He teases, watching you intently.

“Yes, Jason. I would like your help,”

“Good girl,” he takes your face in his two hands, pulling you into him. His lips meet yours and it's like nothing you've ever felt before. The sweet wine on his breath, his calloused thumbs brush along your cheek, his lips firm while not consuming. It's a great fucking kiss.

“Are you sure about this?” You ask when he stops to take a breath.

“Second guessing yourself already Princess? Coz we can stop. This is all it could be, just a kiss between friends.” He bites down on his bottom lip, his eyes raking over you in the tight red dress you'd worn for your date. “Be a shame, but we can stop.”

You take him in, the grey sweats that just cling to his thighs. The black tee that looks like it's been painted on and those beautiful curls that have gone all frizzy from his helmet. 

“Yes”

“Yes you want to stop.” he confirms, backing away.

“Yes, I want to keep going.”

He smiles so wide at that, “then get up,” he wraps an arm around you hugging you close to his body, “I'm not about to fuck you on the floor.” Your legs bind around him, even though you know he isn't about to drop you, “see now isn't that better?”

“Much.”

“Love this dress by the way,” his fingers graze along the underside of your thigh, “Red looks good on you,” he carries you down the hall. Stopping when he reaches your opposite doors, his eyes glancing between the two, “Yours or mine?”

“Mine.”

“Damn, was hoping I'd get to smell you on my sheets tomorrow.”

“Maybe next time,”

“Oh,” he raises his brow, “going to be a next time is there?”

“If you're lucky,” you wink.

“Well, I’m shit outa luck.” he jokes as he takes a seat on the edge of your bed, placing you on his lap. His hand drift’s closer and closer to your pussy. “Maybe I don't need luck,” he kisses into your shoulder, “maybe I can convince you based on pure talent.”

“That's a big maybe,” you squirm rubbing yourself down into his groin,

“Not for me,” he hooks his knees under yours, spreading you open for him, his mouth dangerously close to your ear. His nose brushes along your neck, his fingers matching the movement on your inner thigh. 

His other hand reaches around, massaging your tits. A quick swipe of his fingers over your panties, you hide your face, knowing what he's going to find. “Fuck, you're wet already,” his finger slip up, moving your panties to the side as he dips his fingers into your wetness. 

You let out a small moan, his fingers feel so intense, slowly drifting up and down your pussy lips. You start to squirm aching to have them inside of you. “Jason please,”

“You want my fingers princess?” 

“Yes, shit that feels so good.” His hand rises from your tits circling your neck. His other hand moves your thighs up, your feet landing on his knees and making you fall further back unto him, 

“That's a good girl, spread open for me. I got you,” he says when he feels you tense, “relax into me.”

You let your muscles go loose, your hands wrapping around his huge biceps as he brings his free hand closer to where you need him. His hand slips into the band of your panties, ripping them from you and in seconds his hand is back on you. 

“Shit, can’t believe you’re so wet already. Do I turn you on Princess?” His voice teasing as his middle finger presses onto you. “Slides in so nice,” he presses it deeper, “fuck, I can feel you clenching on on it already,”

“Jason,” you thrust your hips up, “move your hand,” you reach down, pressing your hand ontop of his.

“Oh, like this,” he pulls his finger out, then puts two back in, “Show me how you like it Princess,”

“Yeah,” you moan, “like that,” guiding his fingers, exactly how you like it.

“That’s it, show me how to make you cum,” he moans, his stubble grazing your cheek as he peers over your shoulder to watch you, “You like that? How about this?” he tilts his head, lips sucking on your shoulder, his thumb moving how you're directing it while his fingers fuck into you.

“Yeah, that's amazing,” you move your hips in time with his thrusts noting the hardness growing under your ass. Relishing in the soft nip of his teeth as they graze up your neck. His other hand reaches round, slipping under your dress and pinching at your nipple.

“That's it, take it from me.” He moans in your ear, “take your pleasure from my hand Princess.” Your hips start to buck, your knees shake from trying to get his fingers deeper and deeper inside you. You feel a surge inside and suddenly your legs collapse, your feet tingle and your head falls back right into his shoulder.

“Jay, that was-” you're lost for words as you stare up at him with only half your brain left.

“Fuck, you made such pretty sounds, let's see of I can get some more,” his hands tighten on the bottom of your dress, tugging the material over your head and throwing it onto the floor. The chill of the night hair hits you and sends goosebumps all over your skin.

You're still basking in your post cum haze when he flips you. Landing on your hands and knees and before you can even ask what he's doing his face is on your pussy.

“I just have to, if this is the only time. I want it all,” his tongue thrust's into you, licking all of that sweet cum from inside you. “Fuck you taste so good,” he moans, the vibration of his voice sending jolts of pleasure through your body. “So fuckin hot when you twitch, Princess,” His fingers thrust back into you as he sucks down on your clit.

“FuucK Jay, yeah like that,” you quiver, over-stimulated from your first orgasms. You press your ass into his face and he growls in response, grabbing you by the hips to force you even closer. 

“That's it Princess, fuck yourself into my face. Give me all-” he stops, staring up at you in awe, “are you going to cum again?”

“Yes, so close.”

“Fuck, you must've needed this. So pent up, just needed a real man go take care of you,” his fingers work faster his whole arm wrapping under your hips to keep you upright. “So fucking delicious,”

“Yes Jay, yes I need to-”

“Cum then. Cum on my face,” his words muddled by how well he is eating you right now

“Jason fuuuucckkk,” you scream as you let go, your body shaking, held up only by the arm underneath you.

“Such a good girl,” he says, slowly easing off you, “take a rest,” his weight leaves you and you feel the bed rise as he stands.

“Where are you?” You turn your head with maximum effort.

“Can't fuck you with my pants on Princess,” he smirks at you, “do you still want me to fuck you? Or are you blazed out?”

“Yes, please,” you smile sweetly at him, even though your face is still smooshed into the mattress.

“Such manners for such a bad girl,” he says, working to get his clothes off a bit faster, “Can you tell me what you want?”

“Want you to fill my achy pussy, so fuckin empty Jay, please.” you pout your bottom lip at him.

He smiles so bright that it almost lights up the room, ”Since you asked so nicely,” he grabs your hips lifting and spreads your ass cheeks, “do you want it right now or?” His cockhead swipes through your soaked pussy.

“Yes, now. Please fuck me,” you try to back into him but he his massive hands hold you in place

“I wanted this for so long, can you let me enjoy this,” teasingly slowly he swipes his cock through you, slapping his head onto your pussy. You jolt up, so fucking sensitive, you legs start to twitch and your back arches your ass into him.

He lets out a pleased giggle to himself. He presses just the tip into you, slowly opening you up and pressing himself in deeper and deeper. His huge cock stretches you out wonderfully. You feel every vein, every inch of him, until he's fully inside of you. “Holy fuck, you feel so good,” he moans, leaning his body over yours and kissing into your neck. Goosebumps cover your skin and you can feel your pleasure starting to build again.

You try to move again, but his strong hands hold you in place, “Inpatient aren't we Princess. No need for squirming, I got you.” Drawing out slowly, he slams back into you. 

“Jason, holy fuck,” you pant, biting down on the blanket below you.

“Shit, you're pussy, holy fuck is right,” he keeps his movement consistent, the slow draw out before he thrust hard back into you. “You're so fucking slippery princess, it's so fucking good.”

His pace speeds up, your breath becoming raged and hoarse as he fucks into you. “Holy shit, I can’t believe we waited so long for this,” His cock worshiping you from the inside while his mouth rambles "so good, too good. Taking me so well, Fuck I want to live here,”

Your about to come again when he stops, his hand latching into your hair and pulling your back to his chest. The zing of pain almost, fucking almost sending you over the edge. But he’s still, holding himself inside you.

“From now on Princess,” his voice is almost a growl in your ear as you clench around him at the mention of your pet name, he shivers in response. Tugging tighter on your hair, “You come to me ok. No more fucking assholes that can't treat you right. No more late night rescues, just this.”

“Jay,” you pant, “is this-”

“I want you to be safe and if this keeps you safe, then we'll do it every fucking day,”

“I want that,” 

“Good girl, now roll over. I wanna see those pretty eyes when I make you cum on my cock.”

“Jason, fuck.” You squeal when he takes your ankles over his shoulders, his hands coming down to rest on either side of your head. 

He leans down pressing his forehead into yours, “kiss me Princess,” you reach up wrapping your arms around his neck and plant your lips on him. It's hungry and sloppy and it sends shivers down your legs. You only stop to let out a low moan when he pushes back in.

“You're so deep,” 

“I know, shit. I want to be all the way back in.” He pushes harder, “do you feel how well I'm filling you?” He grinds his pelvis into yours, “how well you're taking me? Fucking hell, hold on to me,” He tightens your grip around his neck, He moves faster, fucking into you like some wild animal let loose, his pace all over the place as he looses himself in you. “Princess, you're-” he grips your throat tighter holding you in place, “that should stop ya slipping away from me”.

“Jason, tighter,” you move your hand over his, pressing his fingers in harder. 

“Like that?” He confirms and when you nod he takes your hand back, “hold onto me. I need to cum, I need it so fuckin bad.” His hand moves back to your throat, "But I don't want to stop fucking you," his hips pressing yours higher and higher until your ass is fully off the bed, his other arm holding your thighs to his chest. 

“Jay, fuckin- oh my shit,” you pant as he cock reaches parts of you, you didn't even know existed. “I'm gunna cum Jay,”

“Me too Princess, want me to count us down?”

“Yes, yes whatever.”

“5, shit you're so fucking sexy like this,” he moves your head with his thumb  pointing your face right at him, “4, were definitely doing this again,” you feel your legs begin to shake and your world start to spin as you try to hold it at bay. “3, shit, shit, it's so good, too fuckin perfect,” his grip tightens on your throat, and you close your eyes trying to focus, “2, open your eyes Princess, look at me when I make you cum,” your eyes zap open and your met with that cocky smile, you feel your insides start to flutter, to squirm and buzz and all that good shit, “1.” You start to convulse like you've been possessed, the only thing holding you in place is Jason's massive body while he cries your name and buries himself in you.

“I didn't choke you too hard did I?” He asks rolling off you and gently putting your legs on the bed.

“I liked it,” you joke, turning on your side and slipping your elbow under your head. “How are you? Do you need some water?”

“Yeah, that'd be great,” he takes heaving breaths, not even sitting up to drink from your water bottle. “That was something else.”

“You got that right.”

“So have I got the skills or what?”

“Are you really fishing for compliments right now?” 

He shrugs at you, throwing the water on the ground. 

"Yes, oh great Jason Todd, you got the skills."

“Knew it,” he winks, “I meant what I said, you come to me, you cum on me, whenever you want.”

“Noted,”

“Good night Princess,” he says, rolling over and tucking you into his chest.

“Hey! I didn't say you could sleep here,” you protest jokingly trying to push him away.

“Good luck with your whole pushing me away thing,” he yawns, his arms tightening around you as he presses a little kiss into your forehead and snuggling down into your hair.

“Asshole,” you mumble as you press yourself in closer, throwing a leg over his.

“Yeah, this asshole rescued your whole night Princess, So I think you'll let it slide this time.”

Part 2. OH MY GOD, THEY WERE ROOMMATES

[justrandomfanfictionskh]

Mary Todd pt 4

ao3, beginning, previous

Jason watched as a fluttering of red skirts disappeared into the crowd. He couldn't believe it. He just couldn't believe it. That was her. That was his sister. This was not how they were supposed to meet. This was not how it was supposed to go. They were never supposed to see each other. She was never supposed to know about him. A gambit of emotions churned inside his head and stomach. One minute he thought he was going to throw up, the next he thought he was to kill everyone around him. He fought with the pit madness as he began taking deep breaths. He closed his eyes, and focused on Dr. Leslie's words. "One emotion at a time Jay. Just focus on one emotion at a time."

Well he was proud, obviously. Mary had grown up to be a beautiful, intelligent, skilled, and incredible young woman. She was everything he knew she could be and more. When she had gushed over her friends and her designs, Jason thought that his chest would burst. Each piece was remarkable, and her eyes lit up as she described every hidden detail and frustrating effort. Getting out of Gotham was the best thing that could have ever happen to her, and Jason refused to think otherwise. 

But of course, Roy had to ruin it. He was flirting with his sister! Granted he didn't know about their relationship, but still! Jason was furious. He was tempted to give into the pit madness right then and there, if it meant that Roy Harper would stay the hell away from Mary. He was trying to keep her away from danger, not drag her into it blindfolded. And if Roy was just having a laugh, then that was worse! The more he thought about it, the more murderous he became. So he let the emotion wash over him, and tried to focus on the next one. 

Unfortunately, the last emotion was the worst one of all. It was disgust. He was feeling complete and utter disgust. His little sister had died. She had died! The whole point of staying away and making sure no one could ever connect with them, was ensure her safety. Instead she had died! She had died repeatedly, and he had been none the wiser. No, that wasn't right. He had known about the akumas. Two years after finding her, he had learned what was happening. But there were no casualty reports, no collateral damage, and Ladybug had fixed everything. He had checked the LadyBlog religiously, to make sure that Mary was never akumatized, and he took that as a sign that she was happy, and well loved. He thought she was safe. But she wasn't. She had died, and he hadn't been there. She had been hurt, and he hadn't protected her. She had suffered, and he hadn't even thought to go to Paris himself to look over the situation. His stomach twisted at the thought, as the bitter thoughts of self loathing threatened the pit madness again. He could already see the tinge of green creeping into his vision. 

"Hey," Roy said with equal parts annoyance and concern. "What is up with you? Do you know that girl?"

"No," Jay muttered into his drink, his voice was choked and strained, but he forced the words out as he focused on Roy and the feel of the glass in his hand. "No, she's a total stranger."

Roy looked at him suspiciously, but he didn't push. Jason downed his drink. It wasn't a lie. She was a stranger. Her name wasn't Mary any more, it was Marinette. They had spent a life time apart, on completely different paths. She didn't even recognize him. How could she have? She probably didn't even remember him, and that was ok---Liar! a part of him that sounded suspiciously like Dick thought, You want her to remember you. It hurt you, when she didn't know you. You wanted her to recognize you! Stop lying to yourself. She does remember you! She remembers the story!" But Jason just shook his head and said, "It doesn't matter. We should focus on why we're here."

Roy shrugged and let him change the subject. "Alright, but I don't know why we're bothering. I mean it's not like the entire Justice League isn't here! And besides it's not like we're in Gotham or anything. Not even the Joker would be crazy enough to attack this party."

"Maybe not," Jason said as he watched Oliver and Bruce disappear from the socialite crowd. "But you know B."

"Hmm," Roy agreed and they sipped their drinks as the ceremony began. "Not that I can complain. I've always wanted to visit Paris."

Jason almost killed Roy again, when he noticed that the archer was not watching the stage underneath the Tower, but scanning the crowds with a dopey smile, and a mischievous look. "forget about her, Roy," Jason scowled.

"What--" Roy began but Jason interrupted.

"Just forget about her! We have a job to do."

Roy gave him an incredulous look, but Jason decided to focus all of his attention on what was happening on the now bustling stage. He didn't want to commit murder that night, but their wasn't much to distract him. The Mayor said some words. The President said some words, and then introduced the Justice League. They arrived in typical dramatic League fashion, descending from on high amidst billowing capes and glowing auras, and Superman said some words to the President. Somehow Big Blue managed to be apologetic, dignified, and cheerful in under ten words, and Jason was impressed. The crowd applauded politely (they seemed less than impressed with the League) before the Mayor introduced the guests of honor. 

Now this part Jason was interested in. He had never seen the heroes in person, and he wanted to know how they would handle the spot light. The answer was, with dignity. They swung in by leaping off the Eiffel Tower, and the reserved polite crowd of the elite screamed and cheered for their arrival, when they had greeted the League with polite applause. However, nothing went amiss, and nothing particularly shocking happened, except for Chat Noir declaring that, "Due to complications as a result from the final battle" he was no longer fit for fulltime duty, and would therefore be stepping down from a fulltime roll, to a parttime roll. The crowd cried their support, as Ladybug accepted his resignation. And the cries quickly turned to cheers, as wonder Woman formally invited the young heroine into the League as a senior member. Both women had the biggest smiles on their faces as Ladybug shook Wonder Woman's hand, and the fireworks started.

All of Paris would be celebrating tonight. All of Paris would be toasting their heroes and the defeat of their enemy. But Jason. Jason just wanted to go home. He watched the the League usher Ladybug and Chat Noir to the "Heroes only party" and decided that it was time to go back to Gotham. He had tempted fate one too many times tonight, and it was time to throw in the towel. He had seen his sister. She had suffered. There was nothing he could do about that except to redouble his efforts in protecting her. Starting with making sure she never saw him again. Everything about him was too dangerous. He was too dangerous. This night just proved it. She was better off without him. 

Two Weeks Later (Literally the day after Ladybug officially joined the JL)

Ladybug strode down the halls of the Watchtower with a purpose. She waved to those heroes she knew and smiled to those she did not, but she was not stopping for anyone or anything. She was now officially a member of the Justice League International. Not only that, but she was a senior member! She had a personalized chair at the big fancy conference table and everything. Most Leaguers, only sat in or helped when their expertise was required. She would be involved in every major decision, and event as a leading member. She had fought the decision at first, content to just be another random super hero among the ever growing ranks. But Diana had argued that she had earned the right to have a chair at the table. Apparently, she had fought an enemy that would have given Superman pause, which combined with her age, the power she wielded, and her rank as Guardian, meant that any lower position would be seen as an insult, to any worthy warrior. 

Ladybug didn't know about all that, and to be honest she didn't care. At least she didn't care at that moment. Because right then, at that very moment, all she cared about was getting to the computer room and looking up her adoption records. She had tried with Chloe's resources, but apparently they were sealed. She didn't know by whom, so the heiress had no one to complain to. However, that didn't matter anymore, because now Ladybug was the one with the infinite resources. And the first thing she was going to do with them, was find her brother. 

She was surprised when it didn't work. She did everything right. She went onto one of the private computers, typed in her login, searched for Marinette Dupain-Cheng. She found her name, her address, her social media, her business, her medical history, her school records. But when she tried to access her adoption records...nothing. Ladybug blinked and scowled. This was not how this was supposed to go. She tried again. And again. But still nothing. she tried form different computers, different logins, different IP addresses, different database. Still, she could find nothing that she couldn't find from a visit to the courthouse. Ladybug huffed and scowled as she sat back, trying to decipher what it all meant. The fact that she couldn't find information, that she knew was there was...concerning. What did it mean? She was stewing over the problem, staring at a screen that declared, "Information not Found" when a friendly face interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey LB!" Wonder Girl said with a smile. "What are you doing here? Looking for Miraculous?"

"Not quiet yet, Merveille," Ladybug said with a smile, "But they're on my list. Why have the Amazons heard anything?"

"No," Wonder Girl said leaning against the desk, "You just seemed super frustrated, and I usually only see you like that when your dealing with a Miraculous, or a liar, or Queen Bee. Or all three. You want to tell me what's up? Maybe I can help!"

Ladybug considered it, and smiled. She liked Cassie, and Diana. All of the Amazons had become very dear to her, since they had offered to train her. Cassie had even come to Paris to help train the rest of her team. Not that the League needed to know that, since their guilt over abandoning Paris had led to some pretty interesting results. So she nodded and gestured to the monitor. "A friend of mine was adopted, and is now trying to find her birth family. Well her brother specifically, I don't think she has any interest in meeting her birth parents. But every time I try to find the records..." She let the blank screen finish her sentence. 

Cassie furrowed her brow looking between Ladybug and the screen. "This isn't good LB. I don't know why, but genealogy research tends to take some pretty dark and complicated turns in the hero community. It's like fate or something. Just ask Super Boy."

"Which one?"

"Exactly...Look do you trust this friend?"

Ladybug smiled, "With everything." 

"Ok then I'll give you my honest opinion. If the records are sealed so deep that not even the JL servers can find them, then that can only mean one thing. Your friend did not have a normal adoption. This can mean a few things. One: They have family that's a hero and she's being hidden from the villains. Two: They have family that's a villain and she's being hidden from the heroes. Or three: some sick wacko is running an experiment and she is being hidden from the heroes and villains. Or some twisted version of all of the above. Either way, this doesn't look good for your friend."

Ladybug frowned in concern, and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She couldn't deny it. The Watchtower servers were keyed into every single database in the world, and as a senior member she had unrestricted access to all of those servers. And yet, here she was with nothing, over what seemed to be a random adoption case. Or at least it would be random, if it wasn't Marinette's case, or in other words, Ladybug's. She sighed and turned to her friend. "Thank you, Merveille. To be honest, it's hard to imagine my friend being anyone of those things, except perhaps the first one."

"Maybe, it's nothing," Wonder Girl said cheerfully, "Maybe, it's...Oh, umm...LB why is Batman coming over here? And is it just me, or is that his I'm about to kill the Joker face?" 

"I'm pretty sure that's his normal face," Ladybug said as she turned to face Batman. But even as she said it, and plastered on her usual carefree smile, she knew something was different about Batman. He was walking straight towards them, and everything about his posture screamed as if he was getting ready for war. As Wonder Girl straightened and looked as if she was about to flee, Ladybug forced her spine to relax, as she smiled at the Dark Knight. She tented her fingers in front of her, like a cackling movie villain, and let the plastered smile form into a smirk. "I think I'm about to get some answers," she said as the empty screen flashed out of the corner of her eye. 

Next 

Taglist: @laurcad123 @craftgremlin @toodaloo-kangaroo @blackroserelina @maanae @kitsun369 @idkamt @aksartisticlife

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Teddy!verse Jason and whatever batfam people going to a convention while reader is working

Jason adjusted the baby carrier he was wearing and scanned the crowd, "Let's find mom, huh?" he said to his son. "I don't see-"

"Wait," Teddy said, holding up his index finger and cocking his head, listening. A gesture that made Jason smile a little. It was the same thing you did when you were listening for something specific- an imperfection in an audio track or a suspicious noise coming from where ever Teddy happened to be. "Over there," he said pointing to the south of the building with absolute certainty.

"How does he do that?" Steph asked.

"He listens for her laugh- I think," Jason said, tightening his grip on Teddy's hand and letting Bruce take the stroller.

"This is a security nightmare," Tim muttered.

"It's been worse," Jason said, following Teddy. "Some of the conventions they go to have multiple hotels attached to the convention center."

Approaching the booth, Jason let go of Teddy knowing he'd bound straight to you and he frowned a little. You look a little frazzled and it's only the first day of the first leg of this tour. And not for the first time, he wishes you could have taken more time off. Still, when you scoop up your son and kiss his cheeks until he giggles, he's satisfied when some of the tension leaves your face.

"Gimme," you demand, kissing him hello and taking your sleeping baby to snuggle before someone takes her from you to hold when you have to sign something.

"Ready for the show?" he asked.

"It's a cross-over with Knight's Sabbath," you answer nodding, waving at a fan, "Which is nice. We haven't actually worked with them in forever."

He nodded and waved at Irina when you broke off to greet the rest of the family quickly, before having to dart away to make it to a panel you'd been booked for.

"Jesus Christ," Stephanie said watching you go, "Does she get to breathe?"

"Cons are worse than just straight shows," he said, frowning again. "This one especially- it's where they started so they're always super in demand."

"So what do you do all day?" Bruce asked curious.

Jason shrugged, "Entertain Teddy, watch the panels if there's any good ones, Watch Y/N slowly lose her fucking mind- and then we get dinner before she crashes."

"Dad can we get a churro?" Teddy asked

"Oh hell yeah," Steph added, "Snack break!"

_____________

"And you guys thought I was stupid for multiclassing to Bard," you huff.

"And that I was dumb for taking a level in Cleric," Ty added, voicing the party Bard, Rodrigo.

"No, babe, they think you're dumb for other reasons," you snort.

"Oh- HEY!"

"Why did you muticlass?" one of the guys from Knight's Sabbath asked, chuckling.

"Duh," you scoff, "Loot."

Teddy, sitting on his shoulders at the back of the hall was beaming. Jason knew it without looking at his face. And Jason would have been too. Had it not been for the guys in front of them.

"Ugh," one of them, a doughy blonde with a mall ninja sword in a plastic shopping bag groaned, "Y/n is just too fat to be hot now."

"Didn't she just have a kid?" the other said.

"It's no excuse, she could have at least tried to look decent-"

He had to move away after that. It would have attracted way too much attention for him to just casually choke him out. Even if he'd love to. And now more than ever he understood why you didn't spend much time on social media. As a rule, your company had a pretty balanced relationship with your fans. You cultivated a pretty non-toxic environment as far as internet fanbases went. But that didn't mean you didn't see the negative comments. And he hated that.

Especially now. Sure, you'd filled out a little, as people were wont to do when they created and birthed a human. But it wasn't as if you'd changed THAT much. And who the fuck was that asshole to- He stopped that train of thought before he could be tempted to hand Teddy to Bruce or Irina and go slash some tires. Instead he made a mental note to spend a little extra time getting you ready for bed. And to have Teddy be the one that brought you snacks- A nifty trick he'd figure out on a trip to Austin, Texas, once. If Teddy brought it to you, you'd stop and eat it- if only to keep from hurting his feelings.

[bitimdrake]

I could talk in length about Bruce's emotional abuse and manipulation of Stephanie Brown too. She's not his kid, but he pushed her around like a pawn fairly often in the early days, and used her as a tool to emotionally abuse and manipulate Tim. Super fucked up and not talked about enough.

YEAH. (I'm pretty sure this was part of a string of asks about the other kids from the same anon, but I kept it separate so I could talk about it on its own.)

Sometimes I include Steph in posts talking about Bruce's failures and abuse as a parent and sometimes I don't. Because she's not his kid and never has been (and imo doesn't even have the same level of almost-parental as pre-adoption Tim and Cass, though maybe that's colored by hindsight), but she is a young vigilante he sometimes trained and a Robin, so there are still many parallels.

imo there are basically three things about how Bruce sees Steph, which are what ultimately inform how he treats her (pre-Batgirl, at least; after that he's alright to her and (because?) they rarely interact):

Bruce doesn't want Steph to be a vigilante, is convinced he gets to control that, and pushed it in very cruel ways. This one has little parallel with Bruce's kids, but a lot of parallel with Helena Bertinelli/Huntress, who was a big Gotham player in the same era as Spoiler originally. Basically, Bruce is convinced he is and should be the ultimate controller of all things vigilante in Gotham, that he gets to unilaterally decide who is and isn't allowed to operate in "his" city, and that anyone who goes against him on that is automatically in the wrong. (In fanon, this turns into "no metas in gotham" and I still don't know where that's from, but I digress.) In canon, this typically means Bruce tries to force any vigilante who is not him or the legion of proteges sworn to his oath to give up. For Stephanie in particular, it's because Bruce thinks she simply isn't good enough as a vigilante. (Which, like, come on, dude; that is the most fixable problem you could have.) With someone like Huntress--whose code allows for killing--Bruce is more likely to directly intervene, but with Steph, he mostly just insults her and tells her to go home, and then leaves her alone while she inevitably doesn't. Part of this is simply due to Steph being a Robin supporting character in this era, and therefore Bruce not appearing in a lot of her issues, but the point still stands. He doesn't think she can cut it, and he thinks she is likely to get herself hurt, but it's seemingly not such a huge deal that he has to constantly intervene in person. Even when Bruce does try to fully, 100% blacklist Steph (post-Bruce Wayne: Fugitive), it takes the form of him instructing Tim and Cass to steer clear (or trying to lmao), choking off her supply of equipment, and trying to prove the point to Steph herself so she'll want to quit. (Eventually, Steph becomes Batgirl and Bruce returns from time shenanigans to see her succeeding, and he finally endorses her and approves, even recruiting her to Batman Inc, which is nice for Steph and the ultimate post-Crisis resolution to their relationship. But doesn't erase all the shit before it.)

Bruce, I truly believe, deep down likes Stephanie. This is maybe a harder sell to make, but listen. On the rare occasion he stops stonewalling her--during the first period he trained her, or when she was Robin--Bruce genuinely enjoys her company. I think of the issue where she chattered all night on the comms and he admitted it was nice to listen to, or his enthusiasm in her Robin training montage. Steph is a determined, usually upbeat kid with him and like. That's the essence of Batman and Robin. Of course he likes her. Unfortunately, this does not make things any better. Also unfortunately, or perhaps tied into the last ‘unfortunately’, Steph (canonically) reminds Bruce of Jason, in the era when Jason was dead and gone. If Bruce were someone more willing to deal with his emotions, this might be painful but something he doesn't take out on her--or maybe even sweet and cathartic--but uh. Bruce is. not. a person who deals with emotions. So.

Bruce knows Steph is important to Tim (and vice versa), and knows he can use that. Unlike point one--wanting Steph to quit--where Bruce is fully convinced he's right, I think...he probably knows this part is shitty. He knows that trying to manipulate your (future) son with his (ex) girlfriend is a shitty thing to do. But it's useful to him! It might get him the things he wants! So he does it anyway. Sometimes Steph is a person to him in her own right, but sometimes she is just part of Tim's supporting cast to him, and his manipulation of her is more about manipulating Tim than about Steph herself.

And so you end up with a Bruce who is just constantly jerking Steph around. If he stayed consistent in his insistence that she quit, he would still be a jerk, but I think it would be so much less upsetting? Because instead, he will do all that--and then he’ll suddenly turn around and decide to engage with her and make her part of the team. Only he does this (pre-Batgirll) EXCLUSIVELY when he is unable to have Tim around so it’s. I mean. He’s just blatantly using her as an emotional substitute. And as a tool to try to manipulate Tim into returning.

And then he’ll abruptly decide that actually, you know what, maybe he was right all along as she shouldn’t be a vigilante, and he’ll go back to trying to cut her out. As if he’d never encouraged it in the first place! Most infuriating of all is after he briefly trained her the first time and then would use “she’s not trained enough” as a reason she shouldn’t be Spoiler like! Whose fault is that B!! Because Steph is determined as hell and trying her fucking best to get anyone to train her!

(And then he will stop trying to push her one way or the other at all, but only because he is now focused on manipulating Tim instead and she is just a pawn in that game.)

It’s like. He keeps her on the hook juuust enough for her to still feel like his approval is possible, while revoking it at every turn--and maybe that’s not intentional. It reads to me more as Bruce changing his mind (and probably not even admitting to himself when he’s using her as a replacement crutch, or as a tool vs Tim) than him intentionally trying to foster that feeling in her. But it’s undoubtedly cruel either way.

[hintofelation99]

The Justice League Hangs out with Duke

Bruce: Duke, it's time we had the talk.

Duke: Uh... nope. No thank you. I'm not getting the sex talk from Batman.

Bruce: What? No! The Robin talk.

Duke: But, I'm- I'm the Signal now? Isn't it a bit late for a Robin talk?

Bruce: Son, it's never too late, not for this.

Duke: Um. Ok.

Bruce: When Dick, Jason, and Tim first started as Robins they created a tradition. A tradition that continued with Stephanie, Damian, and now you.

Duke: And that tradition is?

Bruce: Taking down the Justice League. By being annoying and slightly terrifying.

Duke: OHHHHHH. Is that why no one from the Justice League talks to me?

Bruce: Yes, yes it is. But don't worry. I made an arrangement that will allow you time alone with league members to continue the tradition. You have a week to prepare.

——————

Duke: Cass, what do I do?

Cass raises an eyebrow at Duke.

Duke: For the Robin tradition thing. I have to take down the entire Justice League in a night using creative, outlandish, and original methods. But it's already been done by Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian, and Steph. So what do I do? How can I be better than all of them.

Cass smirks: Take them down too.

Duke looking at Cass like she's crazy: What?

Cass: Take. Them. Down.

Duke: Holy shit, you are terrifying.

Cass just smiles and leaves.

-> One Week Later <-

Wonder Woman, Superman, Flash, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian, and Steph gather in the Watchtower.

Duke: Hey guys, Batman just wanted to go through some training exercises with everyone. He'll be a little late. Harley and Ivy escaped Arkham and are trying to grow penis shaped shrubs in all the public parks. But, don't worry he asked me to go ahead and start with out him.

Green Lantern: Why are you leading this meeting?

Duke: Batman is running late and he wants me to practice leading meetings.

Green Lantern, glaring suspiciously at Duke: Are you about to do that stupid Robin tradition where you torture all of us?

Duke: What Robin tradition? Also, I'm not even a Robin? I'm the Signal.

Green Lantern continues to glare at him.

Superman: Calm down Green Lantern, the Robins never do this in front of each other.

Every League member seems to relax at this.

Duke acting confused: Uhhh, yeah. Ok, we have a few housekeeping things to do according to the list Batman left. So, I'll have everyone pair up for sparring while I handle these individually.

------

Everyone is in the training room working out or sparring. Duke approaches Tim.

Duke: Hey Tim, Bruce wanted you to look in to that Bludhaven case. Is that ok with you?

Tim: Yeah, why wouldn't it be?

Duke: Oh, I just thought it might be difficult considering what Dick did.

Tim: ...What did he do?

Duke: Wait, you haven't noticed? Oh no, I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything.

Tim: Duke. Tell me what he did.

Duke: Well, Jason said that he replaced all your coffee with decaf.

Tim: THAT BASTARD. No wonder I've been feeling so tired! I'm going to kill him!

Duke: Wait, just stop! I heard that he hid all of it in Green Lantern's room.

Tim: Wait, why there?

Duke: Something about you being afraid of him.

Tim: WHAT?! I'm not afraid of the Green Nightlight! I'm gonna find that coffee then make Dick pay.

Duke: Oh, well cool, good luck!

------

Green Lantern: Um, what are you doing in my room?

Tim: Where is it?

Green Lantern: Where's what?

Tim: You know what I want. Give up now or face the consequences.

Green Lantern: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Tim: Fine. Consequences.

------

Steph, sparring with Duke: So, what's it like being the first meta bat?

Duke: Not too bad, but I could do with out the whole 'predict the future' thing.

Steph, laughing: What? You can not see the future.

Duke: I bet you $50 I can

Steph: Your on.

Duke, makes everything around him light up and uses a weird voice: In the next thirty minutes Green Lantern will flee the Watchtower in fear. Soon after Dick will be attacked by Tim.

Steph, snorts in obvious disbelief.

Steph: That was so fake-

Green Lantern runs out of the tower looking terrified.

Steph: No way.

Tim tackles Dick and they start fighting like three year old's on the floor.

Steph, handing Duke $50: Holy shit Magic Man.

Duke makes things light up and does the voice again: Oh my god.

Steph, looking excited: What?!

Duke: The- the sushi. The sushi you brought today, it's made from-

Duke pretends to choke back a sob.

Duke: It's made from the fish who was the maid of honor at Aquaman's wedding.

Steph: HOLY SHIT.

------

Steph and Aquaman sit beside each other for lunch, she pulls out her sushi and looks at Aquaman sadly.

Steph: I am so, so sorry for your loss. But just know that her sacrifice is not in vain.

Aquaman, looks confused for a second then sees the sushi: NOPE. Not this again! I'm leaving.

Steph: Wait! I'm sorry!

Aquaman leaves as Steph tries to chase him down.

------

Jason is laughing and filming as Dick and Tim fight.

Duke, whistles: Man, imagine if that video went on YouTube.

Jason, looking confused: What?

Duke: I'm just saying if the video of Red Robin and Nightwing fighting like kids ever got on YouTube, it'd go viral. Oh and they would be so pissed!

Jason, laughs: Too bad B would kill me if I uploaded this.

Duke: Yeah, I guess so. And you can't upload it here because then Superman would get in trouble.

Jason: Why would the boy scout get in trouble?

Duke: Cause he always uses his YouTube account on the Justice League computer. So it'd look like he uploaded it and B would find out that Superman watches cat videos while he's on monitor duty.

Jason, smirking: Huh, so you're saying if I upload this on the League computer I'd piss off Bruce, Tim, and Dick and get Supes in trouble?

Duke, acting innocent: Huh, I guess so.

-> A Few Minutes Later <-

A call from Bruce comes up on the main computer.

Superman: Hey Batman, what can I do for you?

Bruce: You, Red Hood, cave now.

Jason: What? Why me?

Bruce: Because I saw that little home video you uploaded of your brothers.

Jason: What, that wasn't me!

Bruce: I could hear you laughing while you filmed.

Jason: Dammit.

Jason and Clark leave for the cave pouting like kids.

------

Duke: Hey, Black Canary?

Black Canary: Yes Duke?

Duke: I'm sorry to do this on such short notice, but I'm very worried about Dick and Tim.

Black Canary: Why?

Duke: Well, Tim keeps claiming that Dick is out to get him. Something about Dick messing with his coffee? And Dick feels like he's just being attacked for no reason and is worried about Tim's health. Is there anyway you could intervene?

Black Canary, looking sighing and looking exhausted: Usually I have three days of preparation before dealing with bats.

Duke: I know it's just-

Duke gestures to Tim and Dick rolling on the floor fighting.

Duke: They really need help.

Black Canary: Alright, I'll see what I can do.

Black Canary attempts to intervene only to get pulled into the fight. Now the three of them are tangled in a huge, confusing fight, that's filled with yelling and hair pulling.

------

Duke: Damian! Quick!

Damian: What is it Thomas.

Duke: I think somethings wrong with Dick and Tim and maybe even Black Canary. They're all fighting and won't stop! Can you help me contain them so that we can figure out what's going on?

Damian: Fine. I shall help.

Duke: Ok, just try to herd them into this containment cell.

Damian joins the fight managing to get everyone, including himself, into the containment cell. As Damian is trying to leave Duke closes the cell. Damian angrily yells and bangs on the sound proof walls.

Duke: What? Sorry, can't hear you! My hand slipped!

------

Wonder Woman: Very well done Signal.

Duke, acting innocent: Hm?

Wonder Woman: You tricked Red Robin into scaring Green Lantern away, then into fighting Nightwing. Once that fight broke out you tricked Red Hood into uploading a video to the internet using the Superman's credentials. By uploading that video he caused both himself and Superman to face Batman's wrath. You also used the fight to trick Stephanie into annoying Aquaman to the point of leaving. Then you involved Black Canary in the fight, which was her downfall. And, as a final touch, you managed to get Robin into the fight and trapped all in a containment cell. You successfully eliminated 9 foes with one trick.

Duke: You mean 11.

Wonder Woman: What?

Duke: 11. You see, I didn't trick Red Robin, I tricked Nightwing. I had a week to prepare. In that week I convinced Dick that Tim needed to cut back on the caffeine and that Dick should help by switching all of Tim's coffee with decaf. I also convinced him to hide that coffee in the watchtower, in Green Lantern's room. So that was all true.

Wonder Woman: But, that still does not make 11?

Duke: It does. Because This morning I moved the coffee. I replaced the Flashes decaf with Tim's ultra caffeinated coffee. You see Tim has it specially manufactured to increase the caffeine levels. And, while Flash doesn't usually drink his coffee in the morning, he's always running late and forgets, he does drink coffee during training breaks. Which is now. So in about five minutes we will have an incredibly caffeinated speedster in the Watchtower. And since you're the only one around right now with a chance of catching him, that's your problem.

Right as Duke finishes Flash runs by, majorly hyped up on caffeine.

Duke: Checkmate.

------

Martian Manhunter: It appears that I am the last remaining League member.

Duke: Yeah, I don't really understand this tradition but apparently every Robin ends it by picking a favorite league member.

Martian Manhunter: Out of all the League members, why have you chosen me?

Duke: Your smart and have a lot of cool powers. Also, I dunno, I hear you sometimes feel like an outsider with the league. Cause, the whole martian thing. And I know it's not the same but, sometimes I feel like an outsider with the bats, being the only meta and all.

Martian Manhunter: You have chosen me so that we may bond over our lack of connections?

Duke: Uhhhh, yeah?

Martian Manhunter: Hm. Very well, I assume that this is your “Robin Weakness”. Apparently every Robin has one.

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

<- Previous |

[xoxoavenger]

I Promise

pairing: Jack Thompson x Reader

summary: When Y/N gets shot instead of Ana, Jack is the one to make the promises.

word count: 2105

warnings: major character injury, cannon typical violence

masterlist

Jack Thompson didn't cry.

Not when he found out that he had killed people for no reason, not when Chief Dooley died, and not when he lost his war buddy. Life happens. Death hurts. It sucks. But it was a part of war and life.

That was before Y/N was hurt.

Daniel and Peggy had never seen anyone in the state that he was in, much less Jack the way he was. They hadn't even known Jack could have a soft spot for Y/N. They thought she was just a girl that Jack was sweet with. They wouldn't have kept her alone with Jason if they knew how important she was to him.

~

Y/N could see Jason getting taken by Whitney. She couldn't let this happen. So, she ran outside.

"Hey!" A gun was pointed at her before she could even finish talking, and she held her hands up and stumbled back.

"No! We can't shoot her!" Y/N could barley heard anything they were saying as she stared at the gun. It wasn't pointed at her anymore, but it was still in their possession.

"He will die if you take him. He needs-" She said, even though she was scared out of her life. She didn't want to die, to leave Jack behind.

"He needs answers. And I'm gonna help him get those." Whitney cut her off, and she became brave.

"You won't get away with this. She won't stop coming for you." Y/N said, getting closer. She could hear the car. She just had to wait.

"I don't doubt that. I can, however, slow her down." Y/N didn't have time to think before Whitney raised the gun and shot. Y/N heard the loud noise as she screamed, reflexively wrapping her arms around her abdomen. Pain erupted. She unwrapped her arms and looked at it, blood covering the pale tan dress she was wearing. Jack's favorite dress on her. She could only hear echoes of sounds as she fell to the ground. The car pulling up, the sound of tires screeching as a car made it's escape. Y/N moaned as she grabbed her stomach once more, wishing the pain would just stop. She could hear the footsteps of people, their voices clashing together. She heard them calling her name, but all she could do was moan in agony. Nothing had ever hurt this bad. She wished Jack were here; he would know what to do. He would take the pain away. She just wanted to see him.

Peggy and Jarvis were screaming. Peggy was pressing her hands into Y/N's side, and her vision was fading in and out. The pain was becoming numb, and Y/N didn't think that was a good thing.

She just wanted to hear Jack's voice one last time.

~

Daniel had been the one to call Jack, after he had been called to the hospital. He was unaware just how close Jack and the girl were, but he thought Jack should know what had happened.

"Jack,"

"Sousa? To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Jack, this is serious. It's Y/N."

"What happened?" Jack's tone was suddenly deadly; he wasn't asking a question, he was commanding something. It was a tone Daniel only heard in grave situations, and he supposed this fit.

"Daniel," Jack was running out of patience as the other chief stayed silent.

"She was shot." Daniel choked out, and the receiver was so silent, he wondered if the call had been disconnected.

"Where?"

"Excuse me?"

"Where is she?" The tone hadn't dropped.

"We're at the Hospital on Twenty-second." As soon as Daniel had told Jack, he heard the phone slam onto the hook.

"How'd he take it?" Jarvis asked, and Daniel looked up to him, away from the phone.

"A lot worse than I expected."

~

When Jack arrived, he was already so torn apart. His eyes were red and swollen, his hair array, in his pajamas.

"Christ, Thompson, you couldn't put on some actual clothes?"

"Where is she?" Jack ignored Daniel, instead asking Peggy, who looked a little worse for wear herself.

"She's in surgery. What's going on with you?" Peggy looked Jack over, and he sat down, rubbing his face.

"What happened?"

"Jack, seriously, what,"

"What the hell happened?" Jack asked more forcefully, looking over to her. Peggy's eyes widened as she stared at Jack.

"Dr. Wilkes was taken by Whitney. When we arrived, we watched her get shot on the front lawn. We drove her here as quickly as we could." Peggy retold the events in a manner that gave away no emotions. She studied Jack, watched as a tear slipped out of his eye before he put his head in his hands.

"Have they said anything yet?" Jack asked through his hands, and Peggy put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm beginning to think that Agent L/N is more than just an Agent, Thompson."

"Margret, I don't have time for this. Have the doctors said anything or not?" Jack looked up at her, face wet, and Peggy felt her heart sink.

"They took her into surgery. They still don't know if she's going to make it out." Peggy said quietly. Jack stood up and walked away. Peggy, Daniel and Jarvis all shared a look before Daniel went after him.

"Jack, look,"

"What if she's already gone?" Jack's back was to Daniel, but it was obvious how much he was hurting. He looked like he was staring at something in his hands.

"No, you can't think like that." Daniel didn't know what else to say.

Silence. He could only see Jack swaying, which was weird, because he was always so uptight and put together.

"Jack. Jack? Are you o," Daniel couldn't even get the words out before Jack was on the floor. "Jack!" Daniel crunched his way to Jack's body. He shook Jack, who blinked up at Daniel after a few seconds. Daniel sat back and looked around, not knowing what to say. His eyes caught a white box, which had been partially opened. Daniel didn't need to see the contents to know what was in the box.

"Jack, were you going to propose to Y/N?" Daniel didn't know Jack and Y/N's relationship was that serious and intimate. Jack didn't say anything, but sat up and grabbed the box. That must've been what he was looking at in his hands. "Woah, pal. Be careful there." Daniel said, putting a hand on Jack's should to steady him.

"Jack! Jack! She's out." Peggy yelled as she ran down the hallway to Jack.

"Jack, wait! You shouldn't be getting up yet!" Daniel said, but Jack was already standing up on shaking legs, making his way to Peggy.

"Y/N," Jack whispered when he approached her room. The binds were open, meaning he could see her laying lifeless on the bed. She looked so peaceful. So beautiful. Jack immediately went for the door, but a doctor stopped him. "Let me see her."

"I will. But first, I need to inform you of a few things."

"Do it in there."

"Jack, let him finish." Peggy said, and Jack stood still, a hand still on the doorknob.

"We don't know the effectiveness of the surgery. It was successful, but she hasn't woken up yet. There is a chance she,"

"Let me see my wife!"

No one knew what to respond with. Y/N and Jack weren't married, but no one wanted to correct him.

"Chief Thompson." Jarvis said from behind them. Peggy turned, but Jack just opened the door.

"Sir,"

"Oh, Y/N. Baby." Jack fell to his knees as he reached the bed, grabbing her hand. Her head was rolled toward him, and he just wished she would open her eyes then and there.

"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." He cried, putting his head down against the bed.

"My only job was to protect you, and I failed. This is my fault." Jack had his head in his arms, still holding onto her hand and the ring.

~

"Fibber McGee and Molly. Fibber McGee and Molly." Jack whispered over and over and over. Peggy came into the room with two coffees, but Jack didn't notice.

"I beg your pardon?"

"This damn radio won't tune into anything." Jack said, but it sounded as if he were talking to the radio. Peggy put the drinks down, but Jack didn't notice. He was stiff on his knees, not even blinking. Just as Peggy was about to interject, Jack raised a fist and punched the radio, the static cutting out.

"Jack, I think you should sit." Peggy grabbed his shoulders to help him to his feet, but Jack turned in her grasp.

"How can I sit, Marge? How can I sit when I don't even know," Jack trailed off, but they both knew what he was going to say.

Jack had looked bad last night, but he looked even worse today. His shirt was wrinkled from running his hand across it, and his eyes were bloodshot.

"Look. She's out of surgery. She has color in her cheeks." Peggy said in a soft, uplifting voice. Jack stared at Y/N, face neutral.

"They can't even estimate when she'll wake up. If she wakes up." Jack said, his voice quiet.

"She wants to hear your voice. She doesn't care about anyone else's." Peggy stood closer to him, but Jack still didn't look at her.

"I just want to hear her's." Tears began to flow out of Jack's eyes as he scrunched up his face. Peggy felt her heart shatter.

"I'm going to go to your hotel room and pick up your clothes, tooth brush, razor," Peggy gently lead Jack to the chair, talking in her quiet, calming voice. "So that when she does wake up, you will look like Chief Thompson." Peggy smiled down at him, but he continued to stare at Y/N. Peggy left the room, but Jack didn't look at her.

He just kept staring at Y/N.

~

"I promise I'll wear that green suit you like to all of our dates, even though I hate it." Jack had his hands wrapped around hers, back on his knees next to her bed. "I promise I'll cook more when I stay at your house." He watched the rise and fall of her chest.

"I promise not to leave my dirty clothes on your floor." Jack pulled out the ring, still holding onto her with the other hand. "I promise we can get those sheets you like when we move in together." He flipped open the box, revealing the ring inside. "I promise to like your purple dress." He looked up at her face. She hadn't moved.

"I promise we can try that restaurant you wanted to go to since we got here." He looked back at their hands, the ring. He grabbed her left hand, looking at it for a moment. "I promise I will be the best husband." His voice started to crack as tears made their way down his face once more.

"I promise," He paused to let out a sob before looking to her. "I promise I will protect you until I die, that nothing like this will ever happen to you," Another sob. "Just please, Y/N," He put his head down. "I'll never let this happen again." He cried, his voice raising.

"Please, wake up!" He practically screamed, throwing his head back. He sunk back down, crying into his arms.

"I don't know how I could be asleep after that." Jack's head snapped up, looking at Y/N's face. Her eyes were barely open, but Jack could tell she was awake. She had a small smile on her face.

"You're awake." Jack whispered, letting go of her hand and the ring. He moved closer to her face, putting a hand on her cheek and brushing her hair away.

"I woke up at the sheets," Y/N said, and Jack smiled. "But I wanted to see what else I could get." Her eyes closed again, but Jack could tell she was awake.

"I'll go get the doctor." Jack could barley speak, he was so happy she was awake.

"Jack, wait." She said quietly as he stood. He turned to look at her and immediately knew what she wanted. He smiled before grabbing her face, bringing his lips to hers.

"I love you."

"I love you too." Jack smiled at her, and she weakly smiled back. He turned to walk out and get the doctor.

"Jack," He turned and looked at her with a big smile.

"Don't forget the ring." His face dropped and she still had the weak smile on her face. "You gotta keep your promises."

[percabeth4life]

Nico and Percy

Okay so I’ve received a lot of asks about Nico and Percy and how Percy treated Nico and someone else sent me a link to a post that had more stuff.

90% of the stuff I’ve seen is either inaccurate or taken out of context.

Lets start with the choking scene.

This scene happened right after Nico lied to Percy to trick him into coming to see Hades so that Nico could learn more about his mom. They were meant to go to the Styx in order to give Percy the Achilles Curse so they had a chance at winning the war. This resulted in Percy being locked up by Hades.

Nico did not intend for this to happen, but he did knowingly lie to Percy. Percy understandably did not trust Nico after that.

The mountain of darkness loomed above me. A foot the size of Yankee Stadium was about to smash me when a voice hissed: ‘Percy!’

I lunged out blindly. Before I was fully awake, I had Nico pinned to the floor of the cell with the edge of my sword at his throat.

‘Want – to – rescue,’ he choked.

Anger woke me up fast. ‘Oh, yeah? And why should I trust you?’

‘No – choice?’ he gagged.

I wished he hadn’t said something logical like that. I let him go. (The Last Olympian page 60).

As you can see, the initial action was taken before Percy was even awake. After he was awake, and got through his initial anger at the betrayal with Nico’s comment, he released Nico and they escaped.

He acknowledged silently later that he didn’t trust Nico anymore and Nico was aware that his actions meant he wasn’t trusted.

So the choking scene: not Percy being unreasonably cruel to Nico.

Threats is another common thing I see people bring up and... I’m genuinely baffled by that one. The closest I can think of is the scene I quoted above? But that doesn’t seem to fit? Anyone want to quote some threats Percy made to Nico? Because I don’t know any.

Next up! The claims that Percy said they should leave Nico to suffocate. Funnily enough he actually says the opposite, multiple times.

Percy stared at his jelly donut. He had a rocky history with Nico di Angelo. The guy had once tricked him into visiting Hades’s palace, and Percy had ended up in a cell. But most of the time, Nico sided with the good guys. He certainly didn’t deserve slow suffocation in a bronze jar, and Percy couldn’t stand seeing Hazel in pain.

“We’ll rescue him,” he promised her. “We have to. The prophecy says he holds the key to endless death.”

Is this first time kind? Not necessarily. But it’s certainly not saying to leave Nico. For multiple reasons, he didn’t deserve, Percy didn’t want Hazel to hurt, and (what he says outloud) Nico is an important figure in the war.

Percy also makes a comment later when they feared they’d be too late

The vision zoomed in again. Inside the jar, Nico di Angelo was curled in a ball, no longer moving, all the pomegranate seeds eaten.

“We’re too late,” Jason said.

“No,” Percy said. “No, I can’t believe that. Maybe he’s gone into a deeper trance to buy time. We have to hurry.”

Funny, this doesn’t sound like someone advocating to leave Nico to die. In fact it sounds like someone almost desperate to save him, or at least hoping strongly that they’ll succeed.

Interestingly there were comments about leaving Nico, but not from Percy. They came from Jason and Leo.

“Uh…” Leo shifted in his chair. “One thing. The giants are expecting us to do this, right? So we’re walking into a trap?”

Hazel looked at Leo like he’d made a rude gesture. “We have no choice!”

“Don’t get me wrong, Hazel. It’s just that your brother, Nico… he knew about bothcamps, right?”

“Well, yes,” Hazel said.

“He’s been going back and forth,” Leo said, “and he didn’t tell either side.” Jason sat forward, his expression grim. “You’re wondering if we can trust the guy. So am I.”

Hazel shot to her feet. “I don’t believe this. He’s my brother. He brought me back from the Underworld, and you don’t want to help him?”

Frank put his hand on her shoulder. “Nobody’s saying that.” He glared at Leo. “Nobody had better be saying that.”

Leo blinked. “Look, guys. All I mean is—”

“Hazel,” Jason said. “Leo is raising a fair point. I remember Nico from Camp Jupiter. Now I find out he also visited Camp Half-Blood. That does strike me as… well, a little shady. Do we really know where his loyalties lie? We just have to be careful.” (Mark of Athena page 125)

How interesting that they’re the ones making comments about leaving Nico...

Next of course I’ve heard the wonder bread brought up? And I had to key word search wonder bread in the books to figure out what that was about and it appears to be a single thought Percy had while they were trying to rescue Nico.

Nico started to crawl away, groaning. Percy wanted him to move faster and to groan less. He considered throwing his Wonder bread at him. (Mark of Athena page 357)

Percy did not actually throw the bread for anyone wondering, and I hardly see how the panicking thought of trying to get them all out of there and keep Nico from being noticed by the people he was escaping from is even something for you to hold against him.

Finally the thing I hear the most, Percy calling Nico creepy and spreading rumors.

Creepy is used in MoA 5 times, in HoH 2 times, and BoO 8 times.

In MoA it’s used by Percy once, and that time is describing Persephone’s garden, not Nico. This comment is also only made in his thoughts, not outloud.

Funnily enough Leo does mentally refer to Nico as creepy in MoA

Nico and Hazel shared a look, maybe comparing notes on their Hades/Pluto death radar. Leo shivered. Hazel had never seemed like a child of the Underworld to him, but Nico di Angelo—that guy was creepy. (Mark of Athena page 396)

In HoH it is used once by Jason in regards to Nico, not at all by Percy.

Nico gave him a thin, creepy smile. ‘Ah … that legend.’ (House of Hades page 164)

In BoO it’s actually used by Nico about himself.

By now, Will Solace realized just how creepy and revolting Nico di Angelo was. Of course, Nico didn’t care what he thought. But still …  (Blood of Olympus page 317)

And once by Reyna about Nico

Reyna had stitched up the gashes on his biceps, which gave Nico a slightly creepy Frankenstein look, but the cuts were still swollen and red. (Blood of Olympus page 140)

So uh, no Percy did not call Nico creepy. And I have found no evidence of Percy spreading rumors so like with the threats, feel free to find me quotes proving that claim.

Concluding all of this I will point out that prior to book 5 (TLO) Percy was doing everything in his power to find Nico and protect him. After book 5 Percy only had one physical altercation with him (when he was half asleep and right after the betrayal occurred) and otherwise did not hold it against him beyond having his trust broken. As time went on we know from Percy’s thoughts that he doesn’t trust Nico, but he makes no comments saying such and agrees to help rescue him and does everything he can to do so.

Their conflicts are understandable due to their history. Percy’s feelings on Nico are complicated but understandable and he has not let it interfere with their jobs, if anything it interfered in a negative way making them risk the quest to save Nico (though Nico was a key figure needed to succeed in the end).

Overall I don’t know where these claims come from beyond people wanting to find issues with Percy (to the point they make stuff up).

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

All Men Have Limits - VIII

Character: Dick Grayson x Reader x Bruce Wayne

Summary: A certain bat believes that Y/N is in way over her head, that she’s too naive to act in her best interest. So, whether she wants it or not, the vigilante family is going to help and protect her before she gets herself killed.

Word Count: 3,600+

Warning: Mention of sexual assault 

Previously on…

“Going along with this plan seems rather unlike you,” Tim finally pointed out to Bruce.

It was the two younger boys and Bruce sitting in the cave. 

“Without her help, we would have never been able to get the evidence we need to take down The Court of Owls,” Bruce sighed as he looked up at the screens.

“Yeah, but like you said before, we never use our own as bait,” Tim countered.

“Y/N knows what she’s doing.”

Tim and Damian shared a look.

“Are you certain things have not gone too personal, father?” Damian finally asked.

The personal question finally forced Bruce to tear his eyes away from the screens and look at his son.

His gaze shifted between Tim and Damian. From their looks alone, Bruce realized that his feelings towards Y/N were not as subtle and secret as he wanted.

But Bruce knew better than to answer Damian. 

The boy had never been invested in his father’s personal relationships before. Why did he have to start now? And with Y/N?

“What happens if things go south?” Tim challenged.

But Damian answered for his father. “You know he has a plan B and C, Drake. He always does, even if he doesn’t share it.”

Bruce was not about to have a conversation about his love and sex life with his two youngest sons. So, he thought of something to escape and he thought of it fast.

He stood up quickly and faced them. “Mandatory family dinner. Tonight.”

“What!?” Damian screamed in outrage.

“I don’t want to,” Tim whined like a baby, even though he was very much a young man standing at the ripe age of 19.

“Mandatory,” Bruce repeated solidly before leaving the cave.

Damian and Tim shared a look.

“This is your fault,” Tim accused.

“How is it my fault?”

“You couldn’t keep your mouth shut about the sexual tension we’re all choking on in this damn mansion!”

“But you don’t disagree. You’ve noticed it as well.”

“I was a little late to the game, but yes,” Tim admitted.

“She’s not like the other ones,” Damian muttered so quietly that Tim almost missed it. 

“No, she’s not,” Tim confirmed. 

——————

Bruce was slightly surprised to find Y/N sitting at the outdoor pool, reading a book.

She wasn’t in a bathing suit – just shorts and a t-shirt.

Bruce walked over with his hands in the pocket of his slacks.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think that you’re starting to like it here.”

She looked up from her book with a smirk. “For the record, I still think we should ‘eat the rich.’”

Bruce smirked. “Right. Of course.”

Y/N eyed him. “Did you need something?”

“Are you sure about this?”

Of course he was coming to try and talk her out of the plan once again.

“Bruce, I’m not changing my mind.”

“Figured you would say that.”

Y/N could see his mind racing. It was obvious he hadn’t stopped thinking about everything that could wrong with. Bruce needed control. And even if he was going into an inevitably dangerous situation, he always had multiple plans to get out alive. Y/N’s involvement made it harder for him to do that. 

“Careful,” she warned him playfully, “It’s starting to look like you’re worried about me.”

“I am,” he retorted.

Her amusement vanished. “I didn’t think you worried. Or got scared.”

He quirked an eyebrow. “I thought you had realized by now that both of those things happen when you’re involved.”

She didn’t know how to respond that. She really didn’t.

“I also came out here to tell you we’re having a family dinner tonight.” Yes, Dick and Tim were basically living at the manor while they handled this specific case. But it was rare that the whole family ate together. All the boys would come back from patrol at different times. Alfred usually made something and put each of their meals in the oven or fridge for when they got back.

But Bruce made a habit of having mandatory family dinners. They weren’t frequent. And the boys often viewed them as some sort of punishment. But Bruce saw it as a way to remind them all that they were a family. A chaotic and a strange one, but they were still a family.

“It would be nice if you could join us,” Bruce added politely.  

Y/N smiled at how obvious it was that he was choosing his words carefully. “It was really hard for you to not me tell what to do, wasn’t it?”

He narrowed his gaze at her from being caught.

She never seemed to miss an opportunity to tease him. 

“Yes. I’ll join you.”

Bruce nodded, clearly pleased with her answer.

“Will you miss it?” Bruce surprised her by asking as he looked around at the exterior of the manor, looking almost lost in thought.

“It’s a home,” Y/N sighed. “And even with all the secrets and dark pasts, it’s still filled with happy memories, too. And a family.” 

Then she smirked. “Even if it’s a highly dysfunctional one,” she added teasingly.

“Not sure all the boys would agree with you on that.”

“Are you sure about that?” Y/N challenged.

———————

Y/N walked out of her bedroom right as Dick was dragging Damian down the hallway.

“Come on. It’s never as bad as you think it’s gonna be,” Dick tried to tell the boy.

“Why did Todd come? He never comes to family dinner. He doesn’t even see us as his family.”

Dick smirked. “You and I both know that’s not true, no matter how many times he tries to convince everyone – even himself.”

Then both of them noticed Y/N’s presence in the hallway.

“You look pretty,” Dick complimented.

Y/N looked down at her outfit and shrugged. “Figured I could make a bit more of an effort.”

“Let’s get this over with,” Damian huffed before leaving the two of them behind.

Y/N and Dick both laughed lightly at his attitude.

“I’ve never told you how good you are with him,” she thought aloud.

“I don’t know about that…”

Y/N turned to him with an insistent look. “You are. Sometimes I think he listens to you more than Bruce. He looks up to you. I think it’s because…” her words die out.

“What? What you were going to say?”

Y/N still hesitated, but told him anyway. “I think it’s because you’re more available to him…emotionally, I mean.”

“Sometimes I feel like I have to talk to him the same way I do with Bruce. He’s a younger carbon copy of the guy. Just brattier.” Dick sighed. “Deep down, Damian has a good heart and he cares deeply about the people in his life. He’ll just never admit it.”

Y/N nodded.

It did sound like Bruce.

But Y/N never considered Dick would have a similar impact on Bruce that he also had with Damian. She wondered what Bruce would be like today if he had never taken in an orphaned Richard Grayson.

Sometimes Y/N believed Bruce would be completely devoid of any and all emotions if it hadn’t been for an adolescent Dick. His needs and wants as a child had prevented Bruce from turning completely into a callous vigilante with nothing tying him to his own humanity and life.

Y/N was about to continue her walk to the dining room, but Dick softly grabbed her arm.

“Hey, before we walking into the chaos…” Dick cleared his throat. “I just wanted to make sure we’re okay after the other night.” He shifted his weight and looked at the ground. “If I was too forward or I misread something or–”

“Dick?” Y/N interrupted with a smug look.

His head shot up to look at her. “Yeah?”

She had a wicked gleam in her eyes.

Then she moved into Dick’s space, closing the distance between their bodies and did not stop until they could feel each other’s body heat.

Y/N tipped her head as if she was about to kiss him.

But her lips stopped just a centimeter or two from his.

Dick’s eyes turned menacing once he realized she was messing with him.

“Yes,” Y/N whispered seductively, “we’re okay.”

Then she slipped away quickly and started walking away without him.

“That was cruel!” Dick called after her.

But her only response was her laugher from down the hall.

Dick shook his head, but couldn’t stop his smiling.

Maybe it was avoidance or a distraction from the reality of their relationship. But Y/N couldn’t deny that it was also fun.

—

Dinner was in the formal dining room of the manor. This was the first time Y/N had even stepped foot in the room. The fireplace was even lit. Even when Wayne Manor was hardly trying, it reminded Y/N how out of place she was.  “If I have to sit through this bullshit, you’re sitting next to me,” Jason said from behind Y/N, making her jump.

To her horror, Jason pulled out a seat at the head of the table. Two at each end and then two chairs in the middle on both sides.

“Oh, I don’t think–” Y/N stuttered out in panic.

“You’re the guest,” Jason cut her off and gently pushed in the chair when he finally got her to sit.

Damian was already sitting to the right, closer to the other head of the table– probably to be closer to his father.

Jason sat down to the left of Y/N. And when Dick finally caught up to her, he didn’t question Y/N sitting at the head and sat to the right of her.

“Perfect. You’re like our future step mom,” Jason declared.

Damian snickered, despite hating to laugh at Jason’s joke.

But Y/N looked horrified. She was about to jump up and take the remaining middle seat on the other side of Jason. But Tim’s timing was absolutely horrendous.

“Please switch spots with me,” Y/N leaned forward and hissed at Dick.

He smirked. “Absolutely not.”

When he saw her obvious panic, he leaned forward as well and whispered, “That’s payback for earlier.”

Y/N glared at him and huffed.

“Oh, I’m so glad I came,” Jason sighed.

Bruce walked into the room with his head held high. “Tim, no phones. You know better.”

Tim sighed in annoyance but slipped his phone into his back pocket.

Dick leaned to Y/N. “Bruce has a strict ‘no electronics’ rule for family dinners. Phones are forbidden.”

Y/N nodded, even though she would never be so rude as to bring a phone to dinner, especially when she was a guest and this was a literal “manor.”

Somehow Jason had pulled a bottle of red wine from nowhere. Or maybe it had been sitting on the table and Y/N had just missed it.

And Jason had already grabbed Y/N’s glass and gave her a heavy pour. “But drinking is highly encouraged,” he added with a crooked smile.

Y/N barely let him finish pouring before she grabbed the wine and chugged. 

When she put the glass back down, Bruce was watching her carefully. She at least had enough shame to sink lower in her chair and give him an apologetic look.

But Bruce was amused more than anything.

He’d never brought a woman to a family dinner like this. And though the situation was not that straightforward, it was still causing him a weird amount of anxiety.

“How are your lessons going, Damian?” Bruce broke the tension with the question.

Damian muttered off what sounded like rehearsed and generic statements about his personal studies.

“I didn’t even know he went to school,” Y/N muttered to Dick as Damian and Bruce talked.

“He doesn’t. He’s technically homeschooled,” Jason answered first. “Which is total bullshit seeing as all of us were forced to go to Gotham Academy with all the spoiled brats of the city.”

“As if it mattered, you died before you were forced to graduate from the stupid establishment,” Damian commented darkly.

Jason beamed and laughed lightly at the comment.

But Dick, Tim, and Y/N all froze and looked to Bruce.

They all knew it was a sensitive topic. 

Bruce was clearly trying his hardest not to scold them all night. So he just took in a deep, shaky breath.

“Why get your GED or drop out of high school when you can just get murdered?” Jason offered with enthusiasm.

“Jason,” Y/N warned lowly when she saw the pained look on Bruce’s face that he was trying so hard to hide.

Jason’s death still haunted Bruce and riddled him with guilt – despite the miracle of him being resurrected. Y/N probably knew that more than any of the boys. Maybe only Dick really shared that understanding.

“You’re right,” Jason agreed. “Tonight’s not about me. You’re the guest, Y/N. Why don’t you tell us about yourself?”

Y/N opened her mouth to protest, but the words got caught in her throat when she felt everyone’s eyes on her.

This was not how she imagined tonight going.

But Alfred – her savior – interrupted with the first course of soup and salad.

Everyone was momentarily distracted with the food.

Y/N hoped it stayed that way.

“Who taught you how to hack?” Damian piped up.

Y/N relaxed at that particular question. “No one. I taught myself.”

“Where’s your family?” Tim asked innocently.

Y/N flipped through all the possible lies she could tell, deciding to go with the one that would lead to the least amount of follow-up questions. And it wasn’t a lie at all.

“We’re estranged,” Y/N mumbled without looking up from her food.

“Parents are overrated,” Jason commented with a smirk.

Dick and Bruce glared at him.

However, Y/N couldn’t help but laugh along with Jason.

Little did she know that Jason could relate to her upbringing far more than anyone else at the table. Their childhood’s were parallel. Ones neither of them deserved. 

Tim instantly felt guilty for asking an uncomfortable question without realizing it.

“Y/N is not here to be interrogated,” Bruce warned the table.

“Well, why don’t you tell us about her, B?” Jason answered. “How exactly did you two meet again?”

Bruce narrowed his gaze. He knew what game this was. The more emotion and reaction he showed, the more it would encourage Jason to continue with such antics. “We worked on a case together a couple years ago,” was all Bruce supplied.

“More like she threatened you into working with her,” Dick mumbled as he tried to hide his smirk by licking his lips.

Y/N kicked him under the table.

“So, Y/N, have you always had a thing for older men?” Jason asked.

She gave him a death glare.

“Jason, come on.” Dick cautioned.

“I mean, you of all people should be curious, Dickie.”

Everyone went quiet.

Jason rolled his eyes and looked around the table. “Oh. Are we all pretending there’s not a weird love triangle going on?”

“I didn’t realize my sex life was up for discussion tonight,” Y/N mumbled.

But it wasn’t just sex was it?

“Why don’t we all go around the table and share!?” Jason suggested loudly. “Dick, you first. What’s your number?”

“Jason that is enough.” Bruce grunted.

But Y/N had it with Jason’s pot stirring and she wasn’t going to let Bruce fight her battles for her.

She snapped her head in Jason’s direction. “I hope you don’t have a sex tape laying around, because I will sell that shit to PornHub faster than you can jerk off,” she threatened.

The words slipped out of Y/N’s mouth so quickly that she had momentarily forgotten that a literal child was also sitting at the dinner table.

Her hand slammed over her mouth and her eyes widened in shock. 

Jason threw his head back with laughter. This was exactly the chaos he was trying to start.

Her eyes whipped to Damian with horror as she blurted out, “I am so sorry!"

“Please, I know what fornication is,” Damian rolled his eyes. “I’m not so innocent. After all, I was conceived from my mother drugging my father and forcing coitus onto him.”

“I also slept with said mother,” Jason chimed in.

Tim made a disgusted gag noise.  

Dick rubbed his face in exhaustion. Y/N’s jaw dropped at this new information. 

But when she looked to Bruce, he wouldn’t meet her stare, only further proving it was all true.

This was no laughing matter. 

Yet the whole family seemed desensitized by the subject.  

Y/N was processing that Bruce had gone through such an assault – and by the mother of his only biological son, nonetheless. “Can Jonathan come over soon for a sleepover, father?” Damian suddenly asked.

The subject change was like whiplash on the entire table.

Y/N couldn’t keep up. She couldn’t just move past what she found out like that. 

“I don’t see why not,” Bruce answered.

Clearly he was grateful for his son’s short attention span and his inability to read the room and realize he’d said something entirely inappropriate for the situation. 

But Y/N could also see the subtle happiness in Bruce’s eyes from his son asking him such a question. And for that split second, this felt like a normal family.

“Who’s Jonathan?” Y/N asked Dick quietly.

She was trying to follow Bruce’s lead and move on. 

“Superman’s son,” Dick provided.

“And literally Damian’s only friend,” Jason added.

“I heard that!” Damian shouted.

“I meant you to!”

“Put that knife down, Damian.” Bruce warned. “What have I told you?”

Damian lowered his head in shame. “The knives at the dinner table are for eating, and are not to be used as weapons under any circumstance.”

The table suddenly erupted into various conversations. Tim started talking Wayne Enterprises business with Bruce. Damian and Jason were shooting insults at each other. Alfred brought in another course.

Dick and Y/N shared a moment.

She sighed, realizing that the worst of it was probably over now.

‘Sorry,’ Dick mouthed to her.

‘It’s OK,’ she mouthed back.

The dinner continue with filet mignon, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, mushroom bordelaise, and – thankfully – more wine. 

Maybe Jason had helped them all in a way by airing out all their dirty laundry immediately and getting it over with so they could move on.

But as Y/N looked around the table, listening to the boys and Bruce talk, she realized that maybe – just maybe – she didn’t want to leave. 

—

Alfred put all the boys to work cleaning the dishes after dinner.

But he refused to allow Y/N to help. Once a guest always a guest.

Alfred handed Y/N a fresh glass of wine and told her to wait in the drawing room and that he’d bring dessert within the hour.  

Y/N knew better than to argue with him and did as she was told.

There was a roaring fire in the room, pulling her to it.

“Please don’t take anything Jason said personally,” Bruce said from behind her.

Y/N let out a breathy laugh and shook her head. “He loves to start drama. That’s for fucking sure.”

“He’s constantly trying to get back at me. You weren’t his target. I was. But I apologize that you were caught in the crossfire.”

She turned away from the fireplace to face him.

Her eyes were heartbroken and worried.

“You never told me about…” she hesitated, “about Damian’s mother. I-I had no idea.”

“I try not to speak of it. No matter what happened in the past, Talia is still Damian’s mother.”

“But she still–”

“I’m fine,” Bruce cut her off. “Really, Y/N. I came to terms with it long ago.”

He was irritated, but too preoccupied with comforting Y/N to face the dark truth of how Damian was conceived.

“Well, if you need to ta–”

“I know, Y/N. Thank you.”

Their moment was interrupted by the boys trampling in the drawing room.

Dick had Damian thrown over his shoulder as the boy screamed insults at both Tim and Jason. Clearly Dick was preventing a full-on brawl from errupting.

The bickering and teasing continued but wasn’t anywhere near as awkward or stressful as it was at dinner. Perhaps all the glasses of wine Y/N had were helping with that. She decided to simply sit back and watch the Wayne family.

Eventually it hit Damian’s bed time. Bruce insisted on tucking his son into bed. 

Jason took their leave as his cue to leave the manor. 

Tim went up to his own room. Except they all knew it wasn’t to sleep, but to get back to work and not stop until he was utterly exhausted. 

The drawing room turned relaxing as Dick and Y/N were the only two who remained. 

“You survived,” Dick pointed out with a chuckle.

“I did,” Y/N answered with a light laugh.

Dick let a moment pass before he asked,  “Why didn’t you ever tell me about your parents?”

She sighed, knowing Dick was going to bring this up at some point.

“Because I don’t tell anyone about them.”

“You told Bruce,” he countered.

Her brow furrowed. “And how do you know that?”

Dick at least looked guilty for answering, “He told me.”

She glared at him. “So is that what you two do now? You talk about me with each other? Swap notes?”

“Course not. But don’t you think it’s a little hypocritical getting mad about it?”

“Hypocritical?” She shot back.

“Yeah, hypocritical. You did a background check on every single member of this family. You know my entire past. You know every woman I’ve been connected to in my life. But the moment I know something about you, it’s not OK?”

“As if you wouldn’t offer that info freely if I asked…”

“That’s exactly my point, Y/N.” Dick sounded exasperated. “I’m trying to get to know you. I’m really trying. But now I know you’ve done it before. So I’m asking you to trust me enough to do it again.”

“It’s not that simple,” Y/N mumbled before walking out of the room.

Dick let out a groan of frustration and rubbed his face.

That definitely could’ve gone better.

But Y/N’s night wasn’t free of the Wayne men yet.

Just before reaching her bedroom door, Bruce crossed her path.

“Hey!” She snapped at him. “My past isn’t something for you to announce to whoever the fuck you want.”

“Y/N, that’s–”

“Save it,” Y/N snapped before he could get a word in. “Whatever broody and cryptic bullshit you’re about to spew…just…save it, k?”

And with that, Y/N slammed her bedroom door shut.

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

Part 9

A/N: I know a lot of people really hate the Talia/Bruce sexual assualt storyline. But that was the version of Damian’s conception that I was most familiar with. I didn’t want to make light of it, because we all know male victims of sexual assault are not taken seriously – and that’s fucked up. But I also didn’t want to linger on it too long since it’s such a disliked plot point

Let me know what you thought of this chapter!!! Pretty, pretty please. 😔

[marauderundercover]

Making Memories: Ch. 5

Day 5: Living Room/Patisserie

AO3

Prev

Marinette sits straight up in bed, gasping for air as she tries desperately to pull herself out of her panic attack. Does this birdy bleed as easily? He doesn’t give two shits about you. Nothing. I killed a Robin. Nothing. You aren’t a Robin. You mean nothing. The words dance around her head and she clutches her head, whimpering slightly as she tries to shove his voice out of her head. She doesn’t wanna think about it. Doesn’t wanna hear him anymore, ever again, never. Doesn’t want to think about it. He was wrong. He’s crazy, and wrong and he didn’t know what he was talking about- except, did he? Her dad never showed up. If she didn’t have the kwamis, she would’ve died. Just like Jason. Alone. Choking out a sob, she tugs at her hair with shaking hands, trying to force herself to stay grounded. To not panic.

“Shit. Okay, hey, Pix, I’m here. It’s okay, I’m here. You’re not there, Mari, I promise.” A voice says softly. She knows that she should know who it is, but with her eyes clenched shut and everything sounding distorted as she tries to shove the Joker’s voice out of her head, it’s impossible to guess who it is.

“I- I can’t- he said- I don’t wanna hear him anymore.” She whimpers, feeling completely helpless as she shakes. Suddenly, arms are around her and she flinches for a minute before relaxing into the soft hug. She was safe. She wasn’t there, not anymore. She was in the manor- no, in the cave. She was in the medbay. Blinking open her eyes despite the way her breath still shakes, she glances at the person holding her. Jason was with her. Joker didn’t have her, and he didn’t have Jason. They were both okay. For now.

“Did I ever tell you the story of the time I painted the Batmobile hot pink?” Jason asks suddenly, tugging Marinette out of her thoughts that had started to spiral once again.

“No...did you actually?” She asks, her breathing more even as her hands start to shake less. She puts all of her focus on her older brother and his story. One that she isn’t sure if it’s true or not, but at this point she doesn’t care. She just needs to think about something else- anything else. Especially now that the panic is gone and she can once again feel the pain all over her body. She must make a face, because Jason suddenly stops talking.

“How bad?” He asks. She forces a smile on her face, trying not to flinch at the wince he gives in return. Even her smile was broken.

“What do you mean?” She asks, though she knows she isn’t fooling him. Not Jason.

“Don’t lie, Pix. It’s better if we know how much pain you’re in so we can give you more pain meds.” He says and she immediately shakes her head.

“No, please. I don’t- I don’t wanna risk falling asleep again.” Marinette pleads. Jason sighs.

“Mari, you have to sleep. It’ll help with healing.” He says. She shakes her head, tears springing to her eyes once again.

“I can’t, Jay. Please don’t make me sleep. Please.” She begs, clenching her hands into fists. “Every time I close my eyes-” She stops herself, not wanting to add to the stress she’s sure he’s already under.

“Pixie, you don’t have to censor yourself.” He says softly. She laughs bitterly.

“What am I supposed to say, Jason? Oh hey, the Joker taunted me with the fact that he hurt you before he started beating me with a freaking crowbar and comparing me to you and how he wanted to see if I’d bleed like you.” She snaps, eyes widening at the pissed off look on Jason’s face. “Wait, no- Jay, please. Don’t go out there. I didn’t mean- I didn’t want to just drop all that on you.” She says softly.

“Were you gonna tell anyone? Or was your plan to keep it locked up?” He asks with a knowing look. She winces.

“I didn’t wanna hurt you guys.” She says weakly.

“Kid, we almost lost you. I got to the building in time to scan it, see you, and then have the damn thing explode.” Jason says, his voice barely above a whisper- as if he couldn’t say it too loud or we’d all be back there. “I had to try and make the decision to run into a burning building and find your body, or let your body turn to ash. I- I was so lost. And then Alfred called- Marinette, I get it. God, if any of us are gonna get that this is complete and total bullshit and the anger and the pain and- I get it. But just- just don’t try to work through this by yourself. It’s awful, and it’ll make you fucking miserable.” He says. She nods in understanding, but decides not to tell him everything. Not yet. Because she knows, deep down, that her dad was looking for her. That he would’ve cared if she died. But the little voice in her head that tells her no one cares, it sounds like the Joker now. And she’s not quite ready to talk about that.

---

Sighing, Marinette lays against Jason’s shoulder, barely watching the movie on the tv. She’d been desperate to get out of the medbay. Thank god for Jason. He’d helped her get out of the cave and upstairs to one of the many living rooms. He’d turned on one of her favorite comfort movies- Legally Blonde- and sat down with her to watch it. Not making her talk about it, or anything. Times like these made her glad that she had siblings.

“Todd! Have you seen Marinette? She’s-” Damian yells before walking into the room and freezing. His eyes zero in on her and narrow. She winces. He may be younger than her, but he was still probably her scariest brother. “What are you doing out of bed?” He asks with a scowl.

“I was tired of sitting in the stupid medbay.” She says, sticking her tongue out at him for good measure. Sure, it was childish, but she already knew she’d be getting a lecture from both her Dad and Dick. And she’d seen the exasperated look on Alfred’s face when Jason had helped her limp into the room (Jason had tried to carry her, but Marinette had drawn the line at that. She was injured, not helpless).

“I- you- Todd? Did you assist her with this?” Damian sputters before turning his glare on Jason. He just rolls his eyes.

“Sure did, Demon Spawn. What’s the first rule of the Resurrected Bitches club?” He asks and Damian frowns.

“Don’t...talk about Resurrected Bitches club?” He asks unsurely. Marinette snorts, winces at the pain in her ribs.

“That’s fight club, Dames.” She reminds him. “The first rule of the Resurrected Bitches Club is that we will always help each other no matter what. Even if it sounds stupid. Well, I’m not on an IV or oxygen anymore and I was getting anxious sitting in the medbay.” Marinette explains, knowing her reasoning was faulty but also knowing her little brother would allow it. Damian lets out a long sigh before sitting down on the other side of her.

“Very well. Then I will also stay nearby, just in case.” He says. She grins at him, wanting to ruffle his hair, but knowing he’d probably hate it (not to mention the fact that she can’t really lift her arms up very high without pain right now). They sit in silence for the rest of the movie, Marinette just relishing in the safe feeling she gets from being near her brothers. Once the credits start, Damian takes the remote and silently puts on Lilo and Stitch. Marinette grins. Not only was it one of her favorite movies, she knew it was also one of Damian’s. He even had Lilo and Stitch themed ears from Disneyworld. Just as Jumba and Pleakley are first arriving on Earth, a sharp gasp behind them makes her jump slightly.

“Marinette Dupain Cheng Wayne what are you doing?” Dick’s voice rings throughout the room and she winces. Damian sighs and pauses the movie.

“Watching a movie, Grayson. Surely you have heard of them.” He says, his tone flat. Dick narrows his eyes.

“Don’t give me attitude right now, Little D. Marinette, why the hell are you up?” He asks, turning to her with a Dad Glare™.

“Because sitting in the medbay with nothing to do kept sending my thoughts spiraling.” She huffs. Dick sighs.

“Kid, I’m not saying you have to do nothing. But even sleep-”

“I can’t.” She interrupts, shaking her head. Dick sighs again.

“Marinette, you have to sleep.” He says.

“Nope.” She says before laying her head back on Jason’s arm and squeezing her eyes shut to ignore Dick. She loved him, really, she did. But she couldn’t- there was no way she could go to sleep right now. It would mean facing the Joker again. And everything that’s happened over the last thirty six hours, and she couldn’t handle that right now. She just couldn’t.

“I-” He starts, but stops. “Fine. Can I at least stay in here with you guys?” He asks, his voice a little softer. She opens her eyes and glances back at him, the frown lines on his face too prominent for her usually cheery brother. She nods and a tired smile appears on his face. He ends up sitting on the floor, leaning on the couch closest to her and Jay. Smooth. Damian silently starts the movie again and they all get lost in the story. Marinette glances up briefly when Tim walks in, two coffee mugs in his hands. He passes one to her, wordlessly, before sitting on an armchair and pulling out his laptop. She shoots him a tired smile, sipping on the coffee and hoping it’ll be enough to keep her awake despite the way exhaustion has settled into her bones. She feels safe right now, so her body is trying to get her to sleep. But her mind knows what waits for her. And she knows, she can’t handle it. Not yet. So she sips her coffee, rolling her eyes fondly when Lilo and Stitch ends and Dick puts Mamma Mia! on.

---

Selina Kyle liked to think of herself as a perfectly normal woman. Sure, she had an alter ego, but all the best people did. Take for example her best friends. Or her fiancé and the rest of their family. Even the daughter that didn’t start as a Bat had an alter ego before joining the family. But still, she was normal. And as a perfectly normal woman, she was certain that her response to her fiancé waiting to tell her until after the fact that their youngest daughter was kidnapped and beaten by the ex of one of her best friends, was perfectly valid. It just made sense to try and hunt down the Joker and kill him. He’d almost killed another one of their kids. Selina thought it made perfect sense to try and just take the fucker out before he had the chance to try again. But of course, her damn fiancé didn’t agree. Which led her to her current predicament.

“You can’t just try and hunt down the Joker. Oracle is already searching-”

“For what? To stick him back in Arkham? To give him the chance to break out again? And do this again?” Selina snaps, her veins pulsing with anger. Ivy had vines climbing the building to join them on the roof, but Selina could tell by the tension in the woman’s shoulders that she didn’t even realize she was doing it. And Harley….Harley was practically rabid. Not that Selina could blame her. She felt the same.

“You’re a fucking idiot.” Harley says flatly, glaring at Bruce. “And now that you actually have partial custody of her, I’m requesting visits. Either at my apartment or your house, I don’t give a damn.” Harley starts, glaring at him as he tries to interrupt. “No. I don’t want to hear it. Are any of the boys in therapy?” She asks. Bruce frowns.

“No. But they have all been given the option-”

“I. don’t. care. I know, firsthand, how that man’s words can root themselves into your head. How he picks and pokes at every insecurity and every little thing he can to try and hurt you just right. Hurt you so that you start to believe it, because no one else realizes that you were even insecure about those things. He’s a fucking psycho, Bats, but he’s a damn good one.” Harley spits out, her knuckles white as she clenches her fists.

“I understand-”

“No!” Harley yells, her voice cracking before she clears her throat. Selina’s heart breaks at the tears in her friend’s eyes. “You don’t get it, Bats. But I do, and sure, my degree was revoked because of questionable practices, but I can still be a great therapist. All that time I spent in school wasn’t for nothing.” She says softly, and Selina stares at her fiancé, silently daring him to do or say anything stupid right now. She was already pissed at the man for neglecting to tell her that her baby was unconscious in the medbay until after she’d woken up. If he dared to turn down the opportunity for Marinette to talk to someone who might understand, she wouldn’t let him hear the end of it.

“Do you really think it would help her?” He asks instead, his voice the softest she’s ever heard while he has the cowl on. Harley nods.

“If nothing else, I’m not technically family. She doesn’t have to put up her walls to try and protect me like she does with you and the boys.” Harley says. Bruce nods.

“I’ll talk to her.” He says.

“And I’ll make sure he talks to her. Since communication isn’t his strong suit.” Selina adds. What? She never claimed she was over it.

---

Marinette lets out a shrill scream, sitting up straight and scanning the room with wide eyes. Her eyes land on Dick, who had immediately leapt up at her scream. Ignoring the sharp pain from her ribs, she pulls her knees up to her chest and hugs them, sobbing. She pushes past the pain and just cries, trying desperately to shove the thoughts and memories out of her mind and away. She didn’t want them. Didn’t need them. Arms surround her, and though she knows she’s safe in this group hug with her brothers, she still cries. Joker’s words bounce around her head yet again, the sound of the crowbar scraping against the concrete adding to the hellish symphony in her mind.

“Oh, kitten.” A sad voice says, and Marinette gasps, pulling away from her brothers to look at Selina.

“Mom.” She chokes out, moving off the couch and running into her arms, wrapping her own around the woman. They sink to the ground, and before Marinette can pull back and try to insist that she’s okay- that she can breathe on her own (she can’t, it hurts and the residual panic from her dream threatens to drown her)- her brothers join in on this hug. Sitting on the floor, in the living room of a house that truly felt like home and in the arms of her brothers and bonus mom, Marinette felt safe. And the panic finally started to melt away.

Next

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[nightingaelic]

Not a good idea, maybe, but still... NV Followers' reaction to how the Courier tells the follower that sometimes all their adventures seem like a kind of deathbed dream to them (a bullet in the head after all...)

Just know, anon, that I am strongly resisting the urge to go full Shane Madej and Ryan Bergara with every single one of these reactions.

"Maybe this is all just... me." The courier waved their hand through the scorching air, tracing the shimmering line of the horizon that sang false promises of water. "A mirage. An oasis in the desert that I can't quite reach, but my eyes keep telling me is there if I just walk far enough."

Their hand went to the scar on their forehead. "I don't know. The things I've seen, since Goodsprings... if I told them to half the people in the Mojave, they'd toss me in the same shack as No-bark. HELIOS One? The Burned Man, in the crispy flesh? Jason Bright and his followers? Hell, the Sierra Madre? How do I know I didn't actually bite the dust in that graveyard, and all of this is the work of the bullet Benny put in my noggin?"

Arcade Gannon: "I guess there isn't a very convincing way I can answer that question," Arcade admitted. "But the fact that I know exactly how close you came to dying could be some evidence to the contrary. I doubt you were walking around with much medical knowledge about cranial vulnus sclopetarium prior to encountering it firsthand."

The courier looked somewhat interested, so the researcher continued hesitantly. "Did that doctor who checked you out not explain what happened to your brain? It's honestly a miracle that you're still walking around."

"I might've been a little preoccupied with the shock of being awake," the courier admitted. "Here, show me."

They guided Arcade's hand to the wound site, which he felt gingerly, trying not to awaken any pain. "Okay, close, very close range, left side... trajectory was too high, so it missed the speech center... probably sustained the most damage in the frontal and parietal lobes... well that tracks, that would affect problem-solving skills and spatial relationships..."

"Arcade?"

"Mm-hm?"

The courier grinned. "Just keep talking to me in Latin and I'll stop caring whether I'm dead or not. It sounds nice."

Arcade blushed.

Craig Boone: "Mmm." Boone pondered the thought, but immediately felt the shadow of guilt fall over his shoulders. Had any of his targets felt that way as they lay dying? Had Carla? He tried to shake the feeling off before it reached his face.

The courier, for their part, didn't notice, or at least knew enough to pretend not to notice. "That snake Benny was using a handgun, too, and who knows what caliber," they said, looking off into the distance.

"Low," Boone offered.

"Come again?"

"The bullet," Boone clarified. "It's still in your head. Slow and small caliber, if you're not already dead from it."

"But I could already be dead from it."

"Nah."

The courier looked as though they wanted to probe further, but Boone straightened his sunglasses and walked past them, signaling that the conversation was over. Headshot wounds, hypotheticals, they weren't his strong suit, but he did know one thing: The orders he had followed and the lives he had ended were far too real to be the figment of some Mojave wastelander's imagination.

Lily Bowen: "Come now, dearie, you're giving your imagination too much credit." Lily patted the courier lightly on the shoulder. Well, as lightly as a nightkin could. "Grandma's seen many strange things too, ever since she left the vault behind."

The courier smiled. "Stranger than the ones I've seen? Like what?"

Lily made an ugly face. "I saw many things when working for the Master. Golden geckos in Klamath. Ghosts in Baja. The Master himself, with his brain in the computers and the computers in his brain."

"Eugh." The courier mimicked the face Lily was making. "One of those, huh? Always seemed unsanitary to me."

"Good things too," Lily went on wistfully. "I saw Marcus' first city, when it was big and full of people. Humans, but also super mutants, ghouls. How I would have liked to take Becky and Jimmy there."

Her voice faltered a little, remembering the grandchildren that had been lost, left behind long ago. The courier reached out and took her hand. "I'm here, Lily."

After the memory passed, Lily returned to her smiling self. "You are, pumpkin. We're here together."

Raul Alfonso Tejada: "I know how you feel, boss." Raul sighed. "There are plenty of things in my past that I can't help but question the authenticity of. All I can say is that after a while, you stop asking and just go along for the ride."

"Right." The courier crossed their arms. "I suppose it's not that different a mindset from becoming a ghoul. Time stretching on in front of you, no clear end in sight, no expectation there will ever be one."

"Eh." Raul shrugged. "That might just be a mindset of mine. I stopped worrying about dying a long time ago. Or maybe I was looking for it, but never managed to find it. Either way, time doesn't bother me the way it used to."

"But it still does?"

"Sí. Now I worry more that I'll forget the crazy things I've seen altogether, or that they don't mean anything."

The young courier looked like they weren't quite ready to ponder that possibility. They stood together in silence for a while, watching the horizon's haze.

"Should we keep going?" the courier finally asked, shouldering their pack.

"Desde luego."

Rose of Sharon Cassidy: "Sometimes I wonder the same thing," Cass replied with a nod. "Well, not the exact same thing, but somethin' similar. Plenty of times in my life, I've woken up in someone else's bed or on the floor of a bar and wondered if I actually survived the fight I was in the night before, or if I finally drank enough to make my heart stop. It's a strange feeling, but then someone douses me in water or slaps me too hard on the ass and the pain of the wakin' world creeps back in, little by little."

"Do you slap them back?" the courier joked, chuckling.

"Them and the world," Cass confirmed. "I always figured if I'd actually died in my sleep, why bother makin' up some desert full of sadness and sunburns to fill my time? Had enough of that in life, so I can't see my mind keepin' it around. Much rather conjure up a house by the beach somewhere, with a basement full of caps and enough booze to last me 'til the bombs fall again."

The courier eyed her mischievously. "Maybe you're in hell."

Cass held her canteen up. "Well then. To bein' stuck in hell with a true friend."

She drank, long and deep, and the courier retrieved their canteen to do the same.

Veronica Santangelo: "Oh, Six." Veronica's face filled with sympathy. "Is that really what you think about, when you're trying to sleep at night in the casino and Cass is snoring in the bed next to you?"

The courier blinked. "Cass snores?"

"How have you not noticed?" Veronica pulled her power fist off and flexed her fingers, re-stimulating her circulation as best she could. "Arcade said he wanted to trade with me, after Boone had his second night terror incident, but he changed his mind again after one night of her racket. At this point, I'm used to it. When she's not around, I have trouble sleeping, can you believe that? Brotherhood bunks really prepared me for the Lucky 38."

"No, I hadn't noticed." The courier sat down on a nearby rock and stretched their legs out. "I guess I haven't been there much, lately."

Veronica sat down next to them. "You know, the more often you're gone having adventures around the desert, the more crazy things you're going to see. People who rest on their laurels and stick to the Strip don't lie awake wondering if they actually died back when they choked on those buffalo gourd seeds at The Gourmand."

"Touché."

ED-E: The eyebot let out a few beeps of disagreement and rolled from side to side in mid-air, indicating as best it could that in its experience, being shot in the dome was a good method for scrambling circuitry but was actually terrible for fusing new connections. The courier laughed and reached out to rub the robot's side. "Thanks, buddy. Maybe I'm right, or maybe reality is just a weird place."

ED-E beeped its satisfaction and bounced forward as if chasing the mirage. The courier trailed after the eyebot, their giggles blowing out with the wind into the desert for all to hear.

Rex: The old cyberdog whined and licked its companion's hand, uncertain what they were asking. Any dreams the canine had were good ones, long runs over grassy plains and prey that was always a hair too slow. Life with the courier was good too, but full of many more dangers than a savannah dotted with rabbits and deer. The courier scratched the dog on his ruff affectionately, before continuing over the hot sand toward their destination. Rex followed behind, happy and panting.