#and cass is just like new brother

[necrotic-nephilim]

How do you think bruce would react to a Robin pile situation?

oooh this is a fun thought. i think it depends *entirely* if you're working with a morally stable Bruce or a Bruce who's a little fucked up and dead dove-ish. somehow, i think it's actually more fun if it's a completely stable Bruce bc that adds so much more drama and issues if Bruce is deeply unsettled by the idea. if it was maybe just Jason and Dick or Jason and Tim dating that's sort of understandable. Bruce knows that while he may see them all as his sons (except Steph bc do know Robin pile will *always* include Steph for me and tbh Cass too as an honorary member. they're all going in the pile.) but he understands that doesn't mean they see each other as brothers. he respects the nuanced and complicated relationships scattered across all of the Batfam.

but if all of them are *dating*? or at the very least sleeping together? that raises a lot of logistical red flags. the most obvious one is the age gap of it all- at the biggest gap you have Damian and Dick who are an easy fifteen years apart, meeting when Damian is a kid. not to mention how many of them have tried to kill each other at some point. it shouldn't work and Bruce doesn't like that it does. Bruce has a history of wanting to control the relationships of the Batkids when he disapproves. and so he'd absolutely try to break them up. at first, he paints it purely as a logistical issue. saying it's smartest not to bring feelings into work and that this is dangerous. i think it's especially fun if this happens at a time when Bruce doesn't approve of Steph or Jason so that *also* plays into it, he doesn't want either of them near the ones he currently considers to be his family. he says he wants to protect them and wants to keep them safe. he tries to appeal to who he thinks would be more logical and listen to him the most. first Dick, and then when that doesn't work, Tim. and when neither of them listen, i *do* think Bruce would stoop to the low of trying to break them up by fabricating internal conflict between them, hoping to divide and conquer the weird polycule it's become.

while i don't think Bruce would be jealous in the sense he wants to be included, i *do* think he's wildly dislike the Robins having this close bond that makes them trust each other implicitly more than they trust Bruce. they will defer to each other before him and clearly keep things from him. he'd despise that. it's an inner circle he's not let in on and it makes him lose aspects of control over some of them, especially Damian who's the youngest and his son, who Bruce deserves the most control over. he would drive himself mad about it. at first for genuine reasons over the perceived fucked up nature of the relationship (even when each of them have confirmed that it is entirely consensual and they're happy) and to protect them. but he becomes so bitter over being ignored. they openly prioritize each other over him when the truth comes out because they see no point in hiding it. and i could definitely see Jason gloating about how he's back in the family whether Bruce likes it or not. Bruce would be beyond pissed about it. he's just never recovering. trying to stop them gets nowhere, even if he manages to cause some internal conflict.

eventually, Bruce would be forced to accept it for fear he would lose all of them. but he's *not* going to be happy about it and he keeps making side comments, hoping to get through to one of them eventually. it doesn't work, but he's definitely not going to stop trying. i also think on some level it would just disgust him a little bit in a visceral way, since they're his kids to him and he doesn't like to picture them in that way. esp when Jason or Steph lean heavily into PDA just to fuck with him. ass grabs, cuddling, sloppy kisses, the whole nine yards. Bruce will not have a moment of peace.

[redrobin-detective]

“While dick is not acting like a doting parent but an f up 20-something year old” you’re brain is so big how does it feel to be so correct

Broke: Dick has Eldest Daughter Syndrome and feel personally responsible for all his younger siblings

Woke: His younger siblings have assigned Dick Eldest Daughter Syndrome

[clover-the-awesomest]

OH MY GOD.

I forget about Tumblr for 2 days, then I come back and I find this. MAN what a find it was!

Part 13!

For the last few days the only time I can function, draw and work is at night. And summer nights are so fucking short jfhfhf

I hate summer -_-

Anyway. All the brothers are in the past now. In one way or another, at least haha

Part 1

[incorrectbatfamandfriends]

The absolute angst of Jason coming back and seeing Tim interacting with Dick and realizing just how close they are. They do stuff together, all the time, stuff Dick never did for Jason no matter how much he begged. He’s put off with it- doesn’t want anything to do with Dick. He died and Dick got a new perfect little brother he actually liked. Hell, he even comes to Sunday Dinner- something not even Alfred could convince him to do when Jason was still alive the first time.

It gets worse as the others show up- Dick showers them with affection. If they question whether they belong or not, it’ll never be because of Dick. No, Tim, Damian, Cass, and Duke will never know the Dick he knew.

But he doesn’t know that the reason Dick tries so hard is because of him. He felt he’d failed Jason- and when he died he left this gaping hole in Dick’s life. So yeah, he shows up to Damian’s Art Shows, and takes Tim skateboarding, never misses Cass’s ballet performances, and drives Duke four hours to see his favorite band. And yeah he’s at every single Sunday dinner, even if him and Bruce are at each others throats- he shows up and he sits down, and he listens to his siblings as they tell him what’s going on in their lives. Because of Jason.

[blueboybot]

Oh My God Another One

Danny: *laughing like a maniac after discovering a new power he could use to torment Vlad*

*Batfam arriving at the scene*

Danny, a bit high on chemicals: HI DAD! :D

Batman: ?!?!?

Red Hood: God not another one.

Red Robin: Black hair and blue eyes combo number four, now with meta powers.

Robin: Father your knowledge of basic intamacy practices needs to be revisited.

Batman: !?!?!?!?!?

Nightwing: Jeez B, don't you have enough already?

Stephanie: Right! It's just getting ridiculous at this point old man, pack it up!

Duke: He just blew up that construction site.

Cass: New brother.

Batman: ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!?!

[mary-dawn]

I LOVED THIS ((Also, Cass i love you))

Also, Jason died and suffered brain damage, he has the right to not remember (or not want to remember) some things. However, this only ends up reinforcing the family's strange reactions to conversations that mention the past. The way they slightly manipulate the conversation to lighter topics, things Jason liked, news, meeting the new siblings, etc.

Not that Jason knows that these reactions are strange, though (you would think so, but look, the family's intelligence only remains when they are in costumes). Because despite being initially confused by everyone's reaction, he thinks it makes some sense??. Of course he would think that, he never met Cass or Tim, he was never close to Dick and it is clear that Bruce has changed over the years, so he does not judge how they act (he is already confused and overwhelmed enough with the fact that his room still exists).

Meanwhile, the family is a mess (but good, at the same time??). They are in denial, but deep down they all (at least they think) know that Jason is an impostor (even if he is harmless). And because of that, they avoid getting into topics related to Batman and Robin, both for safety and fear, they don't know how the new Jason would react to the knowledge that the original Jason was Robin and was brutally murdered. The "new" Jason is not like they original, but them ended loving him anyway (Cass mostly, and Tim too).

They become protective and treat Jason so well that he doesn't know exactly how to react for the first few weeks. (He is afraid to do something and they will show him how wrong he was for believing that they would want him back).

But... Bruce acts like a father and is near him, Dick is nicer and expends more time there with they, Tim is not adopted yet, but he´s cool and little brother shaped, and Cass is a calm and amazing to hangout with. Jason can't lie, he is very happy, even if he don't know is a trap or not) Now, the problem. He came to Gotham to get revenge, fight Bruce and maybe shoot the new damn Robin, however, he can't stay that angry anymore since the accident. (The greenish-tinted outbursts of rage and violence are less frequent and quiet enough for him to keep them hidden). So how can he keep going when Bruce seems so happy to have him back? Or when Tim ends up being a surprisingly fun kid, talking about skateboarding, music or being an annoying genius (Like, Jason doesn't even know when "replacement" turned into Tim in the first place). He doesn't know if it's real, but he's been missing his family since before he dug out of the ground. He has the right to enjoy a bit of this, right? He tells himself is a trap hide with honey and smiles, but he's having the best time there and when the time comes, he can fight back, show that he was also planing on them, and go full Lazarus Rage on them (he is also in denial, is a family thing , after some weeks he must know deep down is not fake).

So he puts his plans aside (for a while, at least, he knows that Bruce's way is not working and Red Hood might apear in a close future to fix this), and just lets himself enjoy this. He is, as the time passed, more hopeful that this time things can last.

Prompt:

Brucie Wayne gets into a mild accident in public (read-got hit by a car). And Batman would just walk it off (“it’s barely a bruise”), but Brucie obviously… can’t.

So he has to suffer the ordeal of having civilians call paramedics, getting fussed over, and having-

Having his dead son get into the back of the ambulance with him.

Oh- oh no. He must have hit his head worse than he thought. He thought he was past this…

[corkinavoid]

DPxDC More Shit Fae!Danny Has Said While Living With Waynes

Dick, opening his arms wide and going for a hug: hey, Danny!

Danny, looking him in the eyes without blinking: did you know that centuries ago fae really liked to crawl inside human bodies and use them as nests? I heard human insides are really warm and squishy.

Dick, sweating, frozen in place: ...no?..

Danny, smiling and cheerfully jumping to hug Dick: I didn't either!

Jason, because he is feeling adventurous today: I have a question. Where do Fae come from?

Danny: Ah, so B hadn't had the Talk with you yet, what a shame. So when a woman and a man love each other very much-

Damian: Enough of your foolish jokes, I do not wish to hear the sex talk from you. To answer your question, Todd, Fae come from the dreams.

Jason, deadpan: ...really?

Danny, very awkwardly: Um. Dami. Brother to my soul. I'm so sorry.

Damian: What?

Danny: I told you we come from dreams only because you were four. That's not actually how it works. We just fuck.

Duke, narrowing his eyes at Danny suspiciously: So, for the past week and a half, I've been having this recurring dream about you eating my brain with a fork like spaghetti. I was wondering, is it, like, a you thing or a me thing?

Danny, very offended: Duke! Not every weird thing that happens in this house is my fault! That is very rude of you!

Cass, after Duke had apologized profusely and left: You.

Danny, rolling his eyes: Yeah, okay, I did do that. In my defense, his fear tastes like the perfect greasy cheeseburger, and I have to get my fair share of junk food somehow.

Cass: >:(

Danny: Okay, I'll stop. Eventually.

Bruce, in his nth attempt at gaining information from Danny: How do you know if someone is a Fae or not?

Danny: Throw a fish at them.

Bruce: ????

Danny, not even looking up from his phone: Fish are scared of the Fae. So if you throw a fish at someone and the fish gets scared, they are Fae.

Gotham Rogues a week later: We have no idea why Batman keeps throwing guppies at us, but we collectively suspect his new child is to blame.

Danny: Oh, I'm forbidden to enjoy caraoke nights.

Steph, who suggested he join: What? Why? Is it some kind of punishment for the pizza incident?

Tim: No, it's because if he starts singing, we all lose our grip on reality.

Damian: And our dignity.

Danny: They mean they start dancing whether they want it or not, and I have videos to prove it. Wanna see Jason twerking? Or I have one with Tim and Bruce waltzing through the manor.

Steph, as everyone else bemoans their fate: With great pleasure.

| <- prev | next ? |

@violet-foxe

[incorrectbatfam]

Jason has the vibes of the older brother who will do everything for his brother "but only for a price"

I mean: Jason will help Tim and Steph in their homework because they give him $10 or Jason once saw Dami and Jon breaking into a lab that was illegally using animals as guinea pigs, the two boys bought Jason's silence with half a KitKat and Jason even helped them because the candy is edible

Jason likes to help his siblings, he just does that to mess with them

Even better: it's casino-style. If they want something from him, they gotta place their bets and hope they win.

Jason: Since you're filing taxes, can you do mine?

Bruce: Sure.

Bruce: *squints*

Bruce: Why do you have a casino under your name in Atlantic City?

[earlier]

Jason: Hey, Roy, just stopping by to check in on everyone. How's the new Poker table coming?

Roy: See for yourself.

Barbara: *deals the cards*

Steph: I'll raise you two. I need that midterm project done more than you need that stupid mission report.

Tim: You're forgetting who has more disposable income.

Tim: *slaps a stack of bills on the table*

Tim: I can do this all night. I even brought leftovers from the buffet.

Jason: *goes to the Roulette wheel*

Damian, explaining to Jon: If we place our bets on black, we can maximize our chances of borrowing the laser lockpick to free the crocodiles.

Jason: *goes to the machines*

Cass: Third time's the charm. Give me his case file.

Cass: *pulls the lever*

Duke: I'll take a stab at the Wheel of Fortune. It'd be nice to have Jason clean my room. Or buy me snacks. Or whatever it lands on.

Jason: Well, everything's looking good around here.

Dick, walking in: Hey, I heard about this place. What's this about placing bets to get favors?

Jason: What are you, a cop?

Dick: Actually, I was wondering if I could try. My bike's in the shop and I really need to borrow yours.

Jason: My bike? Alright. Follow me.

Jason: *takes him out back*

Jason: *pulls out his gun*

Jason: Get on the ground and give me all your money.

Dick: Jason, what the hell?!?

Jason: The house always wins.

[satoshy12]

Eldtrich classmate Danny

Tim and the few of the Batkids looked out their new classmate Danny.

They met his sister who was pretty normal, but not Danny, he once had a tentacle for a hand and then fingers!

But everyone seems to ignore it except Tim!

And Steph and Cass talking/flirting with him doesn't help Tim much. And Jason has found a literature fan in his sister.

Gym class

Tim: "His hair was just the cosmos and his hand was a vacuum! Look at Basketball". Teacher:" Stop profiling your classmate and the ball must have had a hole! Tim:" Ahhh!!" Steph:" Don't feel sorry for Tim. He didn't get enough sleep." Danny:" Oh okay."

+ The school and the teachers know that their new classmate is an Eldtrich horror.

But who cares with in school for more then 3 months no villain attacked and every broken piece was fixed in a minute or less.

Now how to stop Tim from confusing poor Danny.

+ For Danny. He is also Eldtrich now. But he is good at hiding it! Like he did in Amity Park!

Jazz is just happy to see people accepting her little brother.

[frappegoddess]

Batfamily as Tiktokers but it gets progressively worse with each time they post:

Bruce, coerced by his PR intern and corporate underlings: Doing trendy tiktok dances at galas with his kids to appeal to the youth, except he's a beat off and 'Pop like this' involves too much hip movement apparently. + An occasional drunk post about having once given Oliver Queen head.

Dick: Posting work out routines and complex aerobic pieces except theyre really just thirst traps.

Jason: Roast Gotham's criminals with me (Politicians with receding hairlines are featured too...)

Tim: Creating elaborate conspiracy theories upon the secret hideouts of Gotham's supervillains, all turn out to be true. + Bruce Wayne Batman theories

Steph: Accidentally starting trends and dance challenges while poorly attempting to sneak into Wayne Manor undetected.

Cass: Break my new ballet shoes with me + Only communicating through intricate expressive dance routines to confuse my millennial dad.

Damian: Why my dog is better than you + how to paint The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli, because the hooligans on the internet lack artistic competence.

Duke: A tiktok as to why my brother duck-taped me to a chair because he didn't want me to see what flavour kool aid he was making.

Babs: Crazy shit that only happens in Gotham - a 35 minute compilation.

Alfred: Day in the life of a butler for a billionaire I've raised since he was 8 + How to make sure your bruschetta doesn't go stale.

[clockwayswrites]

Gotta birb them all, Part 6

masterpost

"Almost there,” Batman said through the comms.

Cass danced a little further away from their new friend and closer to the Batmobile. This was a fun game to stay just out of reach of the long arms while still being enticing to the bird. It was like slow motion tag. She spun just to make her cape flair.

“I can’t believe this is your plan,” Pamela said as she watched.

“It will work! Remember to call the cops and not kill the criminals!” Nightwing called cheerfully from inside of the plumage, only his legs visible before they too disappeared.

“Yes yes,” Pamela said dismissively.

“I’m messaging Harley to ask you about it so you better!” Hood grumbled.

He had tried to escape just a moment ago.

It had failed.

Cass was fine with that, not biggest brother wasn’t in the Batcave often enough. She missed him.

Pamela huffed and crossed her arms. “I’ll call the cops, okay? And in return you better actually show up for your therapy appointment Tuesday. Harley pouts when you don’t.”

“Fine, deal, whatever.”

Their bird friend warbled.

“Even it agrees,” Red added with a wide yawn.

“You do not speak to birds, Red robin,” Robin said haughtily.

“Robin powers,” Red replied. “You must not have them yet.”

“…what?”

“Oh, Baby Brat can’t speak to birds yet?” Hood asked. “Weak.”

“They’ll come in eventually, probably,” Red said.

“Gotta give it time!” Dick chirped.

The bird squawked back happily.

Cass did another spin to recapture their attention and hopped up onto the roof of the Batmobile. Slowly she backed up down the hood as the bird friend followed her. Once the bird was fully on the roof, Cass finally stopped and stood still. That long, feathered neck stretched out and the head pushed gently against Cass. She laughed and hugged the bird back.

Once she had been very gently lifted and set on the birds’ back, she said, “Move slowly.”

Batman ‘hn’ed back and started to drive. The bird gave a little squawk and flutter. Quickly legs emerged to grip the sides of the car. Batman started to speed up some until they were moving at a decent pace.

“Agent A,” Batman said into the comms. “We’re going to need… a nest.”

[luludeluluramblings]

Smalltown!Neglected!Meta!Reader x Yandere!Batfam ☁️ Part Four

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Part One ☁️ Part Two ☁️ Part Three ☁️ Part Five ☁️ Part Six ☁️ Part Seven ☁️ Part Eight

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Warning: Obessive behavior, Yandere tendencies, su*c*de/death.

A/N: Finally adding warning labels. We’re getting somewhere. I’ve had some of this written out, but had to add some stuff in to drive it home. Reader’s coping skills are failing, but everyone’s starting to get obsessive. Also, I’ve been fighting myself on drawing art for this. (I’m a bit out of practice.)

☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️☁️

Reader has basically called befriending Damian and Jason a lost cause.

Bruce still avoids reader. And, everyone else is still busy with what Reader assumes is Batwork. (Which is fine, Reader is fine. It’s not like they’re stuck in the manor pacing the halls every damn day.)

Cass and Duke’s get back from their respective missions. They weren’t gone too long, but they’re come back a bit roughed up. They debrief with Bruce and then have to go back to being civilians.

Reader is waiting to comfort them. Not to confront them. Reader’s more concerned with how Duke has a mild limp and how Cass’s knuckles have some bruising than them ditching. Plus, reader is still not completely sure that her family is Gotham’s vigilantes. They need to confirm.

But, Duke and Cass both appreciate Reader checking on them and not asking questions. Cass suspects Reader suspects something, judging by Reader’s body language. But, it’s nice for someone who’s naturally soft to be soft with you.

Duke appreciates how Reader treats him so, normally. In a way it reminds him of his childhood, when things were easier. He has a normal friend now, completely mostly free of Gotham’s crazy.

Reader is happy their back, but disappointed that they won’t be going to the school gala. In fact, a few family members make comments about how it sounds like a waste of time.

Bruce, however, is actually happy Reader is excited. And, Reader gets even more excited when one of their new friends ask to be their date. Reader’s date is so genuinely excited about going to this Gala with Reader. (Uh-oh, that’s not good.)

Some of Reader’s other friends, the more haughty and wealthy ones, tell Reader that they should’ve picked someone more… refined. Which Reader defends that their Date is perfectly sweet and good looking to boot.

But, this leads Reader to decide not to tell anyone in the family about their date. They don’t want to hear the same thing from their Gotham family. Reader does inform BFF, younger brother, and Nana of their date. For some reason, BFF was a bit disgruntled, and even Nana tried to convince them it was probably best not to go. Younger Brother was encouraging reader to have fun. (But he was whispering into the phone, and asking Reader if he could come visit them soon. Please. People are acting weird here. Is everything okay, do you need me to come home. No. No. Don’t— It’s fine. I just wanna come visit you.)

But, reader was committed to going and enjoying their date and wearing their custom made outfit.

That night, Reader was given Bruce’s permission to get ready at one of their friends’ houses. Reader was practically spoiled by their friends, it was almost a bit overwhelming. Their date meet them at the Gala escorting them inside and having a wonderful time. (I hope it last. It’s not going to though. How sad.)

At the end of the night, their Date escorted them home. To end a near perfect night Reader got a kiss. A long and pretty heated kiss. Right in front of the Entrance camera.

Tim had pulled up the camera feed when Reader got home, at Bruce’s request, just to check on Reader. (He was going to do it anyway.) The entire family was winding down from Patrol in the Batcave when the feed came on. Leaving them all to get a front row seat to Reader’s little act of rebellion.

(That’s all this was, right. Just a little act of rebellion. This won’t happen again, obviously. They won’t fucking let it.)

Bruce is livid. It doesn’t help that Jason wolf-whistles to further enrage him. (Jason is making plans to break someone’s leg though. Possibly the Dates. How fucking dare they corrupt you, that’s his job.)

Stephane is honestly impressed, didn’t think Reader had it in them. (How cute! I wonder what we could get up to together.)

Duke, sweet Duke, didn’t want to see that. His (best) friend getting tongued down on camera. He’s going to need bleach and therapy. (Why would you do that? When you can just game with him. You’re his bro. Gross.)

Cassandra is… understanding. Reader has needs. Reader wants affection. That’s fine. But, not that one. Pick someone else. (Llet her pick, actually. You can’t read people like her, you need someone better. Someone you she can trust. She needs to approve of them first.)

Dick is more disapproving, but he understands. Still, this changes how he sees Reader. Sweet innocent helpless Reader has a wild side. (But still reader is clearly helpless, obviously they don’t know what they’re doing.)

It also changes how Barbara sees Reader. Or confirms. Barbara runs under the assumption that Reader is more like Bruce than anyone realizes. (She’s not wrong, but it’s not in the way she thinks.) Bruce is a bit of natural flirt, he just hides it in his ‘Brucie’ persona. Reader apparently takes after that. (Damian sure didn’t.)

Damian, is disgusted, disappointed, and disapproving. He doesn’t doubt Father will scold you, but your date needs to be dealt with and all other suitors as well. (He’ll take care of it. He’s your brother, that’s his job.)

Tim, however, is legitimately jealous. He wanted to see this side of reader first. He got a glimpse of it before, but he wants it for himself now that he sees the full thing. (Also, right in front of the camera? Did Reader know it was there? If they did, would they be okay with Tim filming them more? Just to observe, please.)

Tim immediately starts pulling up all the information he can about Reader’s date. Without Bruce’s prompting this time. Bruce does nod in approval before marching to the entrance. Intent on putting an end to this and giving Reader a firm talking to.

It goes, horribly. Date is forced to leave and Bruce tears into Reader. (What happened to the outfit I bought you? Why didn’t you tell me you had a date? I didn’t approve of this. I don’t care that you’re back on time or that you’re old enough, you’re my child! Mine! You get my approval first.)

Reader stays composed, barely. The good news is that the brutal scolding is the only consequence Reader faces. (Bruce is more upset about Reader not seeking his approval than doing something he disapproves of. He’s your father. He should have a damn say. Would you have done this to D̴̖̞͑̊̓a̷͎͗̇d̸̜͍̩̓̎d̸̪̩̟̆̎y̶̛̼̌? Why are you doing this to him?)

The bad news, Reader’s date’s life is over. With just a few clicks from Tim and approval from Bruce, Date’s family company falling apart. Reported to the government, lawsuits filed by third-parties. Hidden debts needing to be collected NOW. Any misfiled taxes? Found and reported. And, most importantly, all calls and ways for Date to contact reader again, blocked.

Socially and financially, Date’s life is ruined in less than twenty-four hours. Worst of all, Reader doesn’t know. They’re still on cloud nine about the night, despite Bruce’s lecture. But, come Sunday morning, two days later, things fall apart.

Date is reported dead. Apparent suic1de just the night before. The financial implosion of the family was named the apparent reason.

Reader is distraught, confused, and hurt. What happened? What’s going on? This can’t be happening. I don’t want to lose anymore people I care about. I don’t want to lose someone like Momma and Daddy again.

Reader’s Gotham friends console Reader, saying it’s not their fault. That Date struggled with thought before. Don’t blame yourself. (They weren’t worth your time.)

Surprisingly enough, it’s Dick that finds reader having a borderline breakdown.

Dick clings and coddles and coos, but this time. Reader clings back. Reader clings back tight. Desperate for comfort. Which is surprising for Dick.

Most of the family tends to brush off his attempts at comfort until they hit rock bottom. For once, this isn’t someone hitting rock bottom before they need him. This is someone that’s just genuinely sad and overwhelmed and needs wants him.

Dick also ran under the assumption that Reader was allergic to affection, like Damian and Bruce. But, apparently, that wasn’t the case. It’s a nice feeling. To have someone not fight him when he tries to be comforting. Someone who is happy to take it. Of course, he doesn’t stay long. Once Reader pulls themselves together he’s got to get back to Buldhaven, but this time he leaves a bit slower. (But, him leaving somehow makes Reader feel worse.)

[call-me-strega]

Dc x Dp Prompt #23: The Custody Battle Turned Romance

A freshly resurrected Jason is found by Single Dad Danny raising a de-aged Dan and Dani who goes "surely one more kid can't hurt?" and takes him in. Danny helps him deal with his catatonia, trauma amnesia, and other side effects of being undead without the need for a Lazarus Pit.

He takes the kid to a therapist Jazz recommended and supports him thoughout his recovery. They did some bloodwork and found out pretty early on he was The Jason Todd-Wayne but then he decided not to reach out and let Jason decided what he wanted once he was recovered.

Danny, Ellie and Jordan love and treat him like family in a way he's never quite had before even with Bruce. They’re just so open and honest about their feelings and never make him feel out of place. So when Danny ask if he’d like to reconnect with the Waynes or stay with the them, Jason chooses to stay with them.

The world has moved on around them, and so has the Batfam. Jason knows about Tim (and talked through his feelings in therapy). He knows about the foundation Bruce created in his memory and the way he very publicly grieved. He witnessed the news over Nightwing nearly beating the Joker to death. He knows enough to decided it’s better to let the dead remain dead. Instead, he becomes Jason Nightingale, eldest adopted son of a mechanic in the Narrows. The family welcomes him with open arms officially accepting him as a brother and son.

Danny supports Jason to finish his high school and college education and Jason decides to be a doctor as an homage to Thomas Wayne and aspires open a free clinic like Leslie Thompkins. They get his death certificate revoked under circumstances of resurrection (which is a thing that actually exists in public documents due to the resurrections that tend to happen in the DC universe) and legally adopt him so that he can go back to school. However, Batman monitors public records to a degree and this gets flagged in the system bc it’s Jason’s death certificate.

Suspicious, but optimistic Bruce informs the rest of the family what he has found out and ask them to come as back up for when he goes to find Jason. He’s investigated and is sure that the family who helped rehabilitate Jason is clean and nice people but he wants his son back. They others also wanna see Jason but are worried if this is a good idea since Jason hasn’t reach out himself and there is paperwork for an adoption in the system. But Bruce decides to track them down anyway.

Bruce shows up as the Nightingale’s door and asks to see Jason. Danny, sympathetic, agrees on the condition Jason wants to see him. Jason is hesitant, but decided it would be good way for both of them to get closure and agrees. Bruce and Jason have a tearful reunion and a long heartfelt conversation at the end of which Bruce says “Let’s go home son”. To which Jason has to awkwardly break it to him, but he has no intention of leaving the Nightingale’s and returning to the Manor. He lets him know that he’s open to meeting the rest of the family at least once more but that Danny is his dad now and Ellie and Jordan are his little siblings.

Bruce is devastated.

He lets the rest of the family know and they all make their visits while Bruce wallows in despair. Normally he wouldn let it go, but he just can’t stand to lose Jason another time. So he decides to take Danny to court in the hopes of getting visitation rights if not split custody.

It’s one of the weirdest cases to hit the Gotham courts: two dads who were never together in any capacity but aren’t antagonistic of each other, are trying to come to a custody agreement over their adopted resurrected child in family court.

Over the course of the court case Bruce sees what a good dad Danny is and bonds with his two “bio” kids. Meanwhile Danny gets to meet Dick, Tim, and Cass (Bruce’s legal kids as of rn) and gets to talk to them about their experiences with Bruce and how much they want to form/reform relationships with Jason. They do form a healthy respect for each other, and accept each other’s places in Jason’s life.

Court case ends up working out in favor of Danny. It’s split custody but he gets custody of Jason majority of the time (as per Jason’s own wishes) and Bruce and the Wayne's still have partial custody and open contact with the Nightingales.

Over the years kids all start to see each other as siblings and both Bruce and Danny as their dads. By the time Damian shows up Bruce and Danny have been functionally co-parenting each others kids for years. They provide support to each other’s kids that the other parent may not be well equipped to, but helping each other improve.

When Damian does arrive his superiority complex is quickly curbed and Bruce puts him into counseling on Danny and Jason’s recommendation. It takes a while, but Damien slowly finally opens up and gets to act like a real kid. Ellie and Jordan, who are around the same age (maybe a bit younger?), love having him over to roughhouse and play princesses/knights/dragons (but with politics and consequences). Sometimes they’ll go out and trick people into thinking they’re triplets.

It’s actually Damien who first suggests parent-trapping Bruce and Danny so that they can be one big family. He obviously gets Dan and Ellie to agree first. Then the three of them bag Tim and Cass. The five of them approach Dick next. Jason is actually the hardest to convince but the manage to get his approval. Thus, these guys try to set up the Oblivious Danny and the Emotionally Constipated Bruce.

And for Flavor, just when it looks like they’re about to get together, one of their past love interests comes into the mix, re-entering their parents’ live just to stir the pot. (Which ex is up to your imagination: Sam, Talia, Val, Selina, Tucker, Wes, Minhkhoa, Harvey)

[faeriekit]

AU where Danny is Lady Shiva's second kid/Cass's twin who gets kicked out as soon as womb eviction is over and David Cain takes his pick on which kid he wants to raise as an evil superweapon. Is this anything. ⬇

Since most of Cass's everything is upbringing dependent, it would make sense if Danny was just like some Wasian kid in the middle of a midwest suburban town making his way through life. Nothing is inherently mystical about him. He's just Some Guy. He got yeeted into the foster system at birth and adopted rather young with some minor attachment issues while growing up— which might even be an impetus for Jazz to start learning psych from a young age, if it's being modelled around her as Danny's growing up. It would also be entirely plausible that Danny would completely forget that this ever happened to him (he was p young) but that Jazz would have this as like a core foundational part of her young life— entirely entwined with the mildly traumatizing experience of New Baby Brother that a little kid would have to adapt to.

On the other hand, this would be great or Cass to angst over: firstly, because it was literal chance that he got a normal life and Cass did not, and having a mirror to look directly into the eyes of the person Cass Almost Was would undoubtedly fuck her up completely for at least a while; secondly, because when investigating him (out of fear of ruining his life)(or even just ruining Cass's perception of herself), it would eventually become entirely clear that there is something Cass's twin is hiding, and that the secret has the potential of ruining all the lives around them—

—Possibly including Cass's new family that she's so desperate to protect—

—Or possibly including Danny himself.

And that would be fucked up. And Sad :) It's not fun stop smiling [ :) ]

Also:

Jazz: Hey!! Nice to meet you! You're our new sister? :) Jazz's body language: IcanfixherIcanfixherIcanfixh— :D Cass: *mental air raid sirens start wailing*

[atiyasnake]

Part 3 with fluff :p

~

The world felt muffled when Danny woke up. His eyes were heavy and there was a haze to everything. But not enough to erase the fact that he could tell he was in a bed that did not belong to him. Too big. Too soft. Too grand. He could see the wooden frame and walls that were nothing like his bedroom walls with dents and posters. 

Too fancy, too grand. A room all too much like Vlad, but the man was known for redecorating for better rooms and not every room of his was a shrine to the Packers. 

Where was Vlad? He wouldn’t want to miss Danny waking up and taunting him with the unease he felt. Danny tried to make his eyes look around and move his head, there was a dull ache. He saw some machinery to his side, white. White didn’t mean anything good. 

Vlad…Vlad was near and so was…Dani-or was it Dami? Danny frowned as the thoughts themselves felt like cotton. Light from the window made him want to scrunch up and hide, the ache in his head wasn’t the only one he felt. There was pain in other parts of his body, he could feel the familiar sensation of bandages. 

Vlad was good at hurting him (a trait he shared with Danny parents). 

Vlad knew very well how to hurt Dami. Danny tried to sit up, pushing past the discomfort and how things still felt muffled. He needed to find Dami.

The room was empty, there was other medical equipment around. Maybe Vlad decided on another spot in his mansion for medical. Maybe to trick him considering Danny never reacted well in the too-cold, too-clinical area down below. 

Where was Dami?

He slipped out of bed, wincing at the movement, and stood there trying to think. His head made him want to close his eyes and but there was something insistent in him. He needed to find Dami, there was a tug inside of him and he looked at the door. 

Danny was quiet as he slipped out. On guard for any small ghostly guards or security measures  Vlad might have decided to put in his house. He followed the tug from within his chest. Everything was telling him to find Dami and to leave. To go somewhere safe. The fancy carpets and wood banister only made that more insistent. 

There is a chill in his throat as he crept down one hall and when he looked and saw a baby ghost hiding in the shadows. She was very good at it, the shadows welcomed her in their hold. 

Vlad shouldn't have baby ghosts but then Danny remembered that Dami found baby ghosts last time. He’d make sure they’d get somewhere safer too. 

He went up to her and when he got close enough she turned her head and looked his way. It was good that she was an observant baby ghost. That would keep her safe. She should be in the ghost zone though. He reached out a hand for her and she eyed it. Tilting her head, but there was a sound coming from the hall. He insisted, there was some relief once she placed her hand in his hold and he pulled her back. 

He still had to find Dami, and he was sure there was one more baby ghost too. 

____________

Cass watched Danny as made his way around the manor. His hand was gentle but firm holding hers and pulling her along. 

He had been scared but insistent when she noticed him coming up to her. Even more when a noise came from the direction where Dick and Alfred were. She didn’t want him to disappear again like at the mall so she took his hand, and saw how relieved he was at the action before pulling her away. 

It was interesting to see Danny able to sneak around. His feet didn’t make a sound just as she learned how not to do that when she was young. He moved with the shadows and quickly. Not at all faltering despite the worry she could see he carried along with pain. The other interesting thing she noted was that he was mindful and protective of her, keeping her back and positioning his body in a way that he would be the one to face any threat should they come across one. 

He probably shouldn't have been moving but she didn’t think it would be good if she tried to stop him. He seemed to be looking for something and she had a clue as to what 

It was only confirmed when she saw the way his shoulders untensed and he seemed to become lighter once Damian was in their view. 

As they came closer, Damian of course noted their presence and he was surprised (his eyebrows had raised slightly for a small moment). Cass simply put her finger to her mouth before he could say anything and instead Damian was watchful as Danny finally came close. 

With the same gentleness, Danny extended his hand but instead of waiting he grabbed Damian’s. There was a familiarity in the movement that wasn’t there when he did it with her. Not waiting for a moment before pulling the two of them along, clearly expecting the two of them to follow. Both Damian and Cass didn’t resist, more than capable of going with him but Cass saw the question Damian sent her way. 

Cass only gestured her head to Danny. Damian stared at her for a moment more before giving in and looking at Danny. She was sure that he’d be able to see what she had done. 

It was amusing to see Damian’s small reactions to the way Danny maneuvered, never once leaving a sign of his presence and somehow avoiding running into anyone. It was so different from the sluggish playfulness at the mall and panicked demeanor that she heard Danny had when he was brought home. 

Here was a strange teenage boy moving with such practice and ease that belonged to well-trained assassins around the home of Batman. It would have been concerning if she could not see that Danny meant no harm and only had concern for her and Damian. 

Eventually, they made their way into the family wing of the manor. Danny still didn’t pause as he moved like someone on a mission. Not even pausing as he pushed through one of the doors and into Jason’s room. 

Cass hadn’t been in Jason’s room too often. The room used to be frozen in time according to Dick after Jason had died years ago. That had changed over the years. Now, there was life in it. Jason still stayed somewhere else a bit seeing as Crime Alley always had something going on. But more and more Jason was at the manor and slowly breathed life into his room.  

Still, he was private and not exactly known for inviting anyone inside. Not that Danny knew that. 

He still held their hands gently as he finally came to a stop in the middle of Jason’s room. His head swiveled around before looking back at her and Damian. He looked over the faces and was pensive. Thinking something over and she wondered what it was. 

She could tell that Damian was itching to ask something, to say one word but he remained silent.  They would continue to watch and hope that Danny’s actions would give them an answer. 

Though as Danny let go of their hands and went over to Jason’s bed, pulling off the blankets and pillows before heading inside Jason’s closet, the answer wasn’t clear. Especially not how he came out and once again grabbed hold of their hands before pulling them into the darkness of the closet either. 

With the care that was unexpected from anyone else but came so easily from Danny, he pulled them into a makeshift cushion. Flitting about moving pillows and blankets until Cass and Damian were as Tim would say ‘cozy’. Only then did Cass see Danny relax. 

Finally, with cushions pushing from his sides even a blanket disrupting his hair Damian frowned at her. “Explain,” he said lowly. 

Cass shuffled herself to be deeper among the cushions, a small smile tugging at her lips. 

_____________

Jason had managed to sneak some of the baked goods Alfred had baked without running into a much too energized Dick. He had stayed up late the night before and any sleep he got was plagued with unkind thoughts about what exactly had happened to Danny. He thought back to the different odd comments Danny had made that time at the mall. How easily he had laughed and said “I’m me” as if him just being him was enough to garner being shot at and being hurt. There was no hesitation or break in resolve when Danny offered himself in exchange for Damian’s safety. 

But Danny was there now and being treated. He was safe.

Jason spent some time in the library with a book after eating. It was quiet in the manor. Eventually, though he needed to get going and he started to go to his room to grab some of his things before heading out. He’d make sure to ask for updates in the family group chat about Danny. Maybe he’d even drop by where Duke was during his daytime vigilante activities.

When he went to his room he paused at the odd feeling, it felt like walking into a room where a cooler or refrigerator was left open. Something felt off and only more so when he saw that his bed was stripped of various comfortable blankets and pillows. 

The others knew to not come in as they pleased, room were something that was typically respected. All rules went out the window if you were found snooping or messing with the others' things in their room. 

Other than his bed, nothing else showed signs of being messed with, but something kept drawing his eye to his closet. It only grew stronger as he walked over to it. 

He reached out and opened it. 

The sight made him pause. 

There on the floor among blankets and pillows were his two assassin siblings and Danny who should be resting. Who he hadn't even heard had woken or was missing from the room they placed him in. Who was playing with Damian’s hair as he did at the mall months ago. 

Danny was looking at him, his eyes a bit showing that he wasn't all there. That along with the look on his face and soft voice as he said “The last baby!”

Jason looked at Cass who was snuggled up in one of his weighted blankets and then at Damian who was glaring at him despite his hair being played with.

“Join us, Todd,” Damian said with a tone that promised a threat if he didn’t do as said. 

“Now why would I do that?” Jason asked, cocking his hip to the side. 

Damian looked to where Cass was and they shared a look. 

Not missing it Jason started to protest but was cut off by the quick and effective movement from both of the little brats. In no time since there was no use in resisting, they had pulled him down. Cass specifically positioned him on a pillow that rested on Danny’s lap. Then she was grabbing Danny's hands and placed them in his hair. Effectively switching out Damian with Jason. 

“You little shi-”

A shiver ran through Jason as Danny’s fingers began to move and play with his hair. He could feel little tugs and at some moments, his fingers softly touching his scalp before backing off. He couldn’t help but take a deep breath and for some reason, he felt as if he was going to cry. 

He looked at Cass who was softly smiling and looking at him with ease. He watched as she moved and sat next to Danny. Danny let out a sigh of relief at the contact and continued to play with his hair. He looked happy from the action, at least from what Jason saw from his position. 

Jason looked at Damian who was watching him carefully, a small furrow in his eyebrows. 

“Was-was this how you felt at the mall?” Jason asked remembering how Damian had looked so confused but comfortable with Danny’s treatment when they first met him. 

Damian looked at Danny before back to him. “I do not know to which level you are feeling, but yes it made me feel comforted and…”

“Safe,” Jason finished for him only for Damian to nod slowly in agreement. With that, Jason looked away and tried to hold back that choked-up feeling in his throat and took a few more deep breaths. He tried to ignore how it felt like he had been finally able to breathe after all these years. 

___

It was much later when Jason wasn’t even sure if he was still awake that there was a pause in the fingers moving in his hair and he heard a whisper from Danny. 

“This isn’t Vlad’s house is it?”

Danny’s voice was soft and hesitant. Jason could hear the fear behind it, whoever Vlad was wasn't good. 

“No it isn’t, we’re in Bruce’s house,” Jason said remembering how Danny had seemed relieved when he realized it was Bruce before. “We’re in my room or my closet specifically.”

“Good…that’s good.” Slowly the fingers started to resume their soothing movement in his hair. “Who are you?” Danny asked. 

Jasons snorted at the fact that despite him being a stranger, Danny didn’t seem at all concerned that he was playing with his hair. “Name’s Jason, girl to your side is Cass and the other brat is Damian.” Jason looked and saw Danny looking at Cass and then at Damian. His eyes looked a bit more lucid than before but still heavy with whatever was going on in Danny’s mind. 

“Babies.” The word came out of Danny’s mouth. 

Jason screwed up his face in confusion and shifted to get a better look at Danny. “Why are we babies?” he asked. “You keep calling us that, and I don’t know if you noticed but we’re not exactly baby sized.”

Jason didn’t exactly get an answer to his question. Instead, he suddenly found his face slightly squished in Danny’s hands. It was a gentle hold and Jason flicked his eyes to Cass who holding up her phone, God knows when she took the damn thing out. He moved his eyes back to Danny who was smiling at him softly. 

“Baby,” Danny whispered before he leaned to press a kiss to Jason’s forehead, right under his tuft of white hair. When Danny leaned back he looked to his side to where Cass was before giving a kiss on her forehead as well. He then turned his head to Damian who was watching with wide eyes clearly unsure, but with one look from Cass, Damian didn’t pull away as Danny leaned to give him a kiss on his forehead either. 

Seemingly more content than before, Danny returned to paying with Jason’s hair. 

~

@antagonisticly @rin1sakami @56thingsinaname @naluforever3 @dxrksong @meira-3919 @readerkayden @may-rbi @alienzil @pupstim @permanentlyhighonlife @magicalcollector @wolfjackle @longlivethefallen  @a-salty-sal @echoednonny @addie-lover-of-stories @ritzocha @moons-cat @plant5318008 @xxchasingstarsandthemoon @lirubuswavi @screamingtofillthevoid @photosynthefish-12 @hallowsden @enderglace @8-29pm @saltyladynightmare @vythika96 @cheesymarmite @overtherose @emergentpanda-blog @ashoutinthedarkness @corfinnsunrise @halfblackwolfdemon @bitt-better @i-do-not-dislike-fudge @meira-3919 @fellowflowers @bonebrokebuddy @stealingyourbones @lazy-bouqet @antagonisticly srry if not all tags work :(

Was there an idea where Danny mistakes Bruce’s as Jack and get like different reactions depending on the au.

Running away? Panics and either runs with terror in his eyes or starts begging that “dad it’s me, pls dad, it still me!” and will make Bruce invested in this small hurt child because his adoption alarm is ringing.

Normal everyday? He will just walk by his side thinking Bruce is his dad while Bruce would think it’s a commonly known sleep deprived Tim and let him be before they both make eye contact and think “wait a minute…”

Personal it be funny if Bruce is actively avoiding Danny to try and not adopt him because he already had enough teasing from his children as it is, unfortunately, Danny also had to have a tragic backstory that only makes him want to keep him even more.

[corkinavoid]

Thank you, @aceinacorner, for this gem:

You are the inspiration for

DPxDC Ring of Rage? More Like Ring of Engage [pt. 3]

[<- part 2]

Duke narrows his eyes.

He swears Tim was not in the Cave just five seconds ago, and yet, in the brief moment when Duke wasn't looking, he just materialized out of motherfucking aether. Smelling like Chinese food and holding a chicken skewer that looks so good that Duke's mouth waters.

"Can I have a piece?" He asks, the divine smell of food overriding the urge to ask 'where did you get it' or 'how did you get here'.

Tim nods, smiles, and hands Duke the whole skewer before going for the elevator.

Is it Duke's hallucination, or is he really humming something as he goes?.. Actually, that doesn't matter. The chicken tastes even better than it smells, and Duke is perfectly willing to keep his mouth shut in exchange for food.

You don't talk with your mouth full, after all.

~☆~

Cass watches Tim over the table. She hasn't heard him coming into the dinner room - no steps in the hall, no rustle of clothing or breathing. It's like the boy has somehow appeared right in front of the door out of nowhere before entering.

What's more, he seems obviously not hungry, picking at his food with an absent, if a bit dreamy, expression. Granted, Tim always picks at his food, but Cass can see the difference between 'Tim's mind is busy with a new case and therefore too distracted to eat' and 'Tim already had dinner elsewhere and is too full to eat now'.

The bags under his eyes are also not as dark as they usually are. Come to think of it, Cass hasn't seen him in a bad mood for a few weeks now, which shouldn't really be that strange, but it's Tim. The smallest of inconveniences can put him in a bad mood.

Tim notices her looking and raises an eyebrow.

Cass blinks and goes back to her plate. Whatever is keeping her brother happy, it deserves her full approval.

~☆~

Jason is... not so sure as to what is happening.

He did notice that Tim was really chill lately, but this is going a bit overboard.

"Did you spike it with arsenic, Replacement?" He asks, suspiciously looking the offered cup of coffee over without taking it. Tim - surprisingly, actually - doesn't react to the nickname in the slightest, instead giving Jason a deadpan look. Then, he brings the cup up to his mouth, takes a sip, and hands it back again.

Okay, well, that proves no arsenic, at least. It's still very weird. Tim doesn't just buy coffee for people, and he especially doesn't buy coffee for Jason.

"Am I going to owe you something for it, or what?" He asks, slowly reaching for the cup. Tim sighs.

"No. It's just a drink - my boyfriend loves it, and I think you'd like it as well," he explains with a shrug, and Jason is honestly too befuddled to ask about anything. Including the boyfriend part.

No, but since when does Timbers have a boyfriend? He sure hadn't mentioned anything about it to any of the others.

The drink turns out to be not coffee but something else, tangy and thick, and when Jason takes the lid off, it's green like Mountain Dew.

It does taste great, though, and later Jason considers asking Tim for another one. He hadn't had anything better in ages.

~☆~

Damian strikes through the last one of the training holograms, breathing heavily. And yet, just as the 'simulation complete' message pops up in the air, he hears a step behind him.

He turns around faster than a lightning, and-

Finds Timothy's neck at the tip of his katana, with his hands up in surrender.

"What are you doing here?" Damian sneers, lowering his weapon, and Tim swallows. Not because of surprise or fear, though, he clearly had some half chewed up food in his mouth.

"Inaccurate drop off," he says, looking Damian straight in the eyes, "I was aiming for the main floor."

He smells of Indian food and spices, and Damian almost sneezes.

"What do you mean 'aiming'?" He demands, but Drake just waves him off, heading towards the elevator up.

"No worries, I'll do better next time," he shoots a smile over his shoulder, "See you on patrol!" And with that, the elevator doors close after him, leaving Damian alone.

Drake has always been strange, but this is too much even for him.

Not that it's Damian's business. He huffs and starts the simulation over again.

~☆~

If Dick didn't witness it with his own two eyes, he would have never believed it. Alas, he did, and even though the swirling green vortex has already disappeared like it was never there, Tim, whom the strange portal just spat out on the floor of the Cave, is still here.

"What the fuck was that?" He nearly yells, and Tim looks up, a face of perfect innocence.

"What was what?" He returns the question, and Dick can't find the words to explain, so he just wildly gestures to the place where the portal has been less than five seconds ago. Tim blinks, "Oh, that. That was my date."

Dick chokes on his breath.

"Your date?" He parrots, hoarse and breathless, and Tim nods, like there's not a single thing wrong with anything that has just happened. "Since when do you go on dates? Wait, I thought you were engaged, you said it was cheating to date anyone else, even if you didn't know the spouse, you said-" he cuts himself off, feeling his own face slowly falling and his stomach sinking down in horror. "No. No, don't tell me."

But the shit-eating grin on Tim's face is already proof enough.

Dick clears his throat. Takes a deep breath.

Seeing that Tim is still in one piece, and, well, that he did just casually come out of a magic portal in the middle of the Cave, it's probably safe to say that it's not the first time.

And, judging by the mirth in Tim's grin, it's also safe to say he's been rather enjoying it.

Dick releases one long, loud breath and forces a smile on his face as well.

"So, how is it?" He asks, trying in vain to sound light-hearted, not suspicious. Tim's smile gets wider, and there's a glint of excitement in his eyes now, which Dick considers a good thing, all in all.

"Oh, I thought you'd never ask."

~☆~

Bonus Scene (that somehow turned out longer than I planned)

~☆~

"Where's Tim?" Bruce asks when all the rest of his kids are already seated around the table for breakfast.

"At Danny's, probably," Steph shrugs before digging into the waffles on her plate. Bruce frowns.

"Danny's?" He asks. He hasn't heard that name before. Is that a friend of Tim's?

"Drake's paramour," Damian clarifies, not bothering to look up from his own food, and Bruce's mind comes to a screeching halt. He blinks stupidly, looking around the table and sincerely hoping it is some sort of a prank, but Cass smiles and nods, and Dick has an expression of pure exhaustion on his face, and Duke is huffing a snort of laughter at him for it.

"Since when-" Bruce starts, but he is suddenly cut off by a glowing circle that appears just a few feet away from them all.

It grows quickly, morphing into a vortex, a green and ominous tear in reality big enough for a person to walk through, hanging in the air a few inches over the ground. The space around it feels staticky somehow, and the color is too bright to look at directly, and it definitely doesn't belong to their dining room. But before Bruce is able to say another word or do anything at all, Tim steps out of it, his hair and clothes ruffled.

"Oh, fuck," he mutters upon seeing them all, and turns around, sticking his head into the vortex just as it starts to close. The vortex pauses.

Bruce is almost too stunned to move.

His kids don't share the sentiment, though, most of them not paying the portal any attention at all. Bruce would have reprimanded them for the poor awareness of their surroundings if he didn't notice how Damian simply glanced up at it before going back to his food.

They saw the portal. They just didn't deem it dangerous. For some reason.

Tim's face comes back out, and he turns to Bruce. His expression looks different than before: a bit smug, a little mischievous, and just a tad bit nervous.

Then, another head pops up through the surface of the portal. A boy - or at least they look like a boy - with snow white hair that floats in the air and bright, almost neon blue eyes. His skin is far too pale for him to be human, and- he has freckles that look like constellations.

For some reason, that's the part that makes Bruce finally resign to the fact that this is just how his life is. With breakfasts interrupted by green portals and otherworldly boyfriends - because who else might it be, really - before he even had his morning coffee.

"Hi!" Said otherworldly boyfriend grins and waves his hand. "I'm Danny, Tim's fiance," he introduces himself, and Bruce conjures the last scraps of his scattered mind to smile and nod back.

"Good morning, Danny. I'm Bruce." He has no idea what else to say; it seems like a bit late for shovel talk, but a bit early for welcoming speech.

"Would Young Master Danny care to join us for breakfast?" Alfred's calm, but still slightly amused voice comes from the door. Bruce turns to look at the butler with a sense of exasperation - is he really the last one to learn anything in this house? - but the man seems... well, not surprised, at least not on the surface. But his grip on the pitcher of orange juice is just a little too tense for him to have been in the know all along.

Danny turns to him and smiles nicely - his teeth are also way too sharp for a human - before shaking his head, "No, sorry, I was just dropping Tim off."

"For God's sake," Tim rolls his eyes, "Just put on some pants and come out, I refuse to suffer through this alone."

Dick chokes on his toast. Steph gasps, her eyes snapping between Tim and Danny in delight. Cass snorts and kicks her under the table. Damian groans.

"Spare me from the details of your personal life, Drake. Need I remind you that I am thirteen," he narrows his eyes.

The constellations on Danny's cheeks shine just a bit brighter, and Bruce has no idea what that is supposed to mean, but his guess is along the lines of embarrassment. Especially when the boy completes it with rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

"You mean to tell me that, at thirteen years old, you don't know what sex is?" Tim deadpans, running a hand through his hair in a useless effort to smooth it and taking his seat at the table. Dick's coughing fit comes back with renewed force.

"We didn't-" Danny starts, still kind of hovering midway through the portal, but Damian pays him little attention.

"I do. Yet, I prefer my mind free of the knowledge when it applies to you."

"I want all the details, though," Steph pipes up, looking at Danny from her seat, "Can you, like, sprout tentacles or something, because I know for a fact Tim likes that kind of-"

"Steph!" Tim yells at her, face red, and then turns to Danny, who suddenly has a very interested, if a bit mischievous, look on his face, "Don't you dare."

"Yeah, okay," Danny snorts and disappears back in the portal. Bruce half-expects it to close after him, but the vortex stays.

Which probably means the boy - the King of Infinite Realms, Keeper of Unseen Worlds, Eyes of the Universe - is going to be right back.

After he puts on some pants, supposedly.

Bruce watches Tim rub his face in frustration while Steph giggles and elbows him in the side, and sighs. This is so not how he expected this morning to be.