#anyway yeah. tim & steph thoughts. you can just say you like them you don't have to do all that

[welcometogrouchland]

I'm going to be so real I do not understand tim & steph shippers who feel that Steph dating Tim again would save her character. You can make an argument that giving Tim a more compelling love interest would be beneficial for him! And you can at least make an argument that the fujo mischaracterization of Steph would stop. However she'd still, inevitably, be treated as a prop character/extension for someone more popular 😭 it also wouldn't make her appear in more books! Tim doesn't have many frequent appearances at the moment either! You can just say you like the couple and want them back together without acting like you have some kind of moral stance

[suzukiblu]

NaNoWriMo fic, day one: obligatory sugar daddy Tim/sugar baby Kon AU.

Tim Drake had absolutely no intentions of ever becoming anyone's sugar daddy when he met Superboy.

This would have worked out better for him if Superboy had ever had an actual legal identity or an actual legal guardian or just . . . literally anything whatsoever in life. Ever. At all.

Just a bank account, even.

"You're working for Cadmus," Tim says slowly. "Cadmus, as in the lab that stole Superman's body and cloned him without his consent. Cadmus, which you had to break out of so they couldn't put mind control code words in your head."

"Yeah," Superboy replies like that's not literally insane. Tim stares at him.

"Why?" he asks incredulously.

"Food and shelter?" Superboy shrugs. "And I mean, I dunno, where else am I gonna go?"

Tim is not okay with this situation.

"What did Superman say?" he says.

"Just to like, keep an eye on things," Superboy says with another shrug. "Make sure they're not up to anything shifty."

Tim stares at him.

"Superman," he says. "Told you to just . . . 'keep an eye on' the dubiously ethical cloning lab. The specific dubiously ethical cloning lab that tried to put mind control code words in your head. Specifically."

"Yeah," Superboy confirms.

Alright, Tim is actually even less okay with this situation than he thought, apparently. Like, impressively less.

"Okay," he says. It is absolutely no kind of okay in any way whatsoever, of course, but he doesn't want to put Superboy on the defensive. That'd make effectively interrogating him a lot harder, for one thing. Cooperative subjects are best in these situations. "What are they paying you?"

"I mean, like, they gave me my own room and they're feeding me and whatever, so I don't really need much money," Superboy says. "There's a discretionary fund I can use if I need to go on an undercover mission or anything like that? But I'm not really the undercover type anyway."

"Sure," Tim says. So . . . no way for Superboy to save up to move out and get an out-of-lab life, then. Great. That's not fucked-up or crazy or horrible at all. "Do you like it there?"

"It's okay," Superboy says, shrugging again. "Better than literally everybody in Hawaii yelling at me every time they see my face, yeah?"

Tim wants to set the world on fire, but he's trying really hard not to go supervillain before he's thirty and he'd hate to throw out all that hard work.

"They just let me do whatever, mostly," Superboy adds. "They don't really care as long as I'm around when they need me."

He'll go supervillain as soon as Bruce dies, Tim promises himself. Just–he'll give his share of the eulogy at the funeral and then he'll blow up three-fourths of Arkham and the entire GCPD while Commissioner Gordon is on his lunch break. He can time that out, that'll be easy. And then he'll go and personally murder the Joker with the very specific combination of a rusty crowbar and a shrapnel bomb, and then he'll just . . . well, he'll just go with the flow from there, he figures. Do whatever feels natural.

Seriously, the world as it is does not deserve to exist. It really just does not.

Tim figures he can probably convince the rest of Young Justice to tag along for the whole supervillain thing and hopefully Dick and Steph and Barbara too, and ideally also Alfred, in the unfortunately likely event that he outlives Bruce. He's got time to lay the groundwork with them all and all, and also everything really is awful and horrible and really does deserve to burn.

"Are they sending you to school or anything? Or tutoring you?" Tim asks with what little scraps of hope he has left. Higher education would be . . . well, something, at least. And actually it probably wouldn't hurt for Superboy to learn a bit more about genetic engineering from the same place he got genetically engineered, just in case anything goes wrong with his DNA again. Cadmus should at least be good for that much, right?

"Ew, no, thank fuck," Superboy says, making a face. "Like I said, they mostly let me do whatever until something needs punched."

So . . . no furthered education or learning any usable job skills or making real money or literally anything that could, again, lead to Superboy ever getting any kind of an actual out-of-lab life established.

Great.

Just great.

"I see," Tim says.

"It's a pretty sweet gig, considering," Superboy says, and grins brightly at him. It's a very nice grin. Normally being faced with that particular grin would make Tim need to beat down the highly unprofessional urge to kiss it.

Right now, though, he's a little bit more concerned with the fact that his teammate is just . . . living in and working for a fucking lab. As a matter of course. Just as a thing.

And Superman of all people thinks that's . . . fine, for some reason? Like, normal and ethical and okay? Somehow? In some way?

What the actual fuck, Tim thinks to himself.

"You said Superman told you to keep an eye on things?" he asks.

"Yeah," Superboy says, his grin widening. "He took me to his fortress and asked me to do it there. Showed me around a bit, too."

"That sounds really interesting," Tim says, wondering in vague disbelief if that means Superman had never taken Superboy to the Fortress of Solitude before. He must've, right? And just . . . inexplicably not shown Superboy around then.

Yeah. Sure.

"It was awesome!" Superboy says with more enthusiasm than Tim's seen from him since they met Nina Dowd's . . . endowments, seemingly forgetting the need to be "cool" for long enough to lean forward in his seat and outright beam at him. Tim is gonna need a minute to recover from the sight of that expression, probably. "It's seriously freaking freezing up there, but there's so much cool shit in the place. Like, from all over the universe, but from Krypton, even! The only thing I'd ever seen from Krypton before was kryptonite!"

Tim considers moving up his supervillain timeline after all. Like. Just possibly. Just a little.

Maybe he can convince Bruce to take an early retirement off-planet and just go from there.

What the hell is wrong with Superman?

"Oh, wow, really?" Tim says, simultaneously pretending he didn't already know what Superman has in his fortress and trying not to be screamingly obvious about the internal calculations he's running on figuring out how to weaponize red sunlight. Or like, maybe he could look into learning some magic. That's technically an option. Probably more time-consuming and harder to hide the process of, though. Still, it's on the table.

"Yeah. He showed me some of it. Told me some stories and stuff, even," Superboy says, and that excited grin turns just a little bit shy and soft and somehow even more distracting than usual. He ducks his head just a little, and then that soft grin is more like a soft smile, and Tim suffers. "And I, uh–and he gave me something, too."

"What did he give you?" Tim asks, praying to God that the answer is "an emergency contact number" or "an allowance that can cover a semi-decent Metropolis apartment" or "an offer to live literally anywhere but Cadmus, including in the thirtieth century or on a hostile alien planet or inside an active volcano". He's technically an atheist, so the praying thing is probably moot, but times of desperation are times of desperation.

"A name," Superboy says, and his smile widens helplessly. "Like, you know, a real one."

Tim might hate Superman, he thinks. That might actually be a thing now.

Yeah, he's definitely going supervillain after Bruce dies and doesn't need an emotional support sidekick anymore. Better start stocking up on the kryptonite.

"That's great," he says with a very carefully not-forced smile of his own instead of anything more along the lines of "wait, you've been alive and active as a superhero for all this time and no one ever actually named you?!" Superboy would probably take it the wrong way, not in the least because that genuinely never actually occurred to him as being a thing before. Like–he really did just assume Superboy was keeping a lid on whatever his real name was for personal reasons or Superman reasons or something. "Are you allowed to tell me it, or is that a no-go?"

"Oh, yeah," Superboy says with a sheepish laugh, rubbing at his arm. "It's like, a Kryptonian name? Not like a secret identity one. It's, uh, Kon-El."

Of course it's not even a damn secret identity, Tim thinks in absolute frustration and abject loathing. Of course not! Why would it be?! Fuck forbid!

"I like it," he says, because he lies to Batman and therefore there is no fucking way that he's going to let Superboy–Kon–see any sign whatsoever of the metaphorical 9.9 on the Richter scale that is currently happening in his psyche. "It suits you."

"You think?" Kon grins all the wider. Tim can't even calm down enough to want to kiss him, except in the sense that he always wants to kiss him.

"I do," he says, and smiles at him again.

Kon smiles back.

Tim hates everything. All the things. There is nothing that Tim doesn't hate right now, except maybe Alfred's snickerdoodles because he might be having a nervous breakdown but he's not, like, criminally insane or whatever.

Yet.

"Yeah, it's kinda cool," Kon says, straightening up in his seat and then leaning back, clearing his throat and slipping his sunglasses back on like they're not in a literal cave right now. Tim doesn't call him on it, because he has a supervillain timeline to work out and that's much more important.

Also because the teammate he has an inadvisable crush on is in a much, much shittier situation than he ever realized and he has to reconcile that with his worldview and also his opinion of Superman. Tim doesn't especially idolize the man except in the sense of knowing he's one of the greatest heroes on Earth and a very, very good man that Bruce thinks incredibly highly of, one of the best men on the League and maybe even on the planet, but . . .

But if he's such a good man, then why the hell is Kon living in a lab that tried to mind-control him and why has he only just seen the Fortress of Solitude for the first time?

Why didn't he have a real name?

"So do we call you Kon or Kon-El now?" Tim asks, which is a bit of a senseless question but also at least a bit of a distraction. He wants to say this whole situation is a horrible idea, who the FUCK convinced you this situation was a good idea?!, but there is no possible way that Kon would respond well to that. Ever.

Also, Kon had a point. Where else is he gonna go?

Clearly not the Fortress of Solitude.

Seriously, would it be that hard for Superman to give him a room there? At least a place to stay sometimes, so he wasn't exclusively relying on the mind-control cloning lab for food and shelter and basic comforts?

"I think just Kon?" Kon says, frowning consideringly. "'El' is like Superman's last name, I guess? So I think just Kon."

"Makes sense," Tim says, internally seething. Superman gave him the "El" name but not a secret identity? A name from a dead civilization with a bit of sentimental value, maybe, but nothing usable on this planet? Fuck, you'd think Kon didn't already know his secre–

. . . Kon doesn't know Superman's secret identity, does he.

Tim had thought he was lying, when he'd said that stuff about Superman not having one, before. Thought it was supposed to be a cover or a misdirection or something. But Kon actually thinks that, doesn't he. And Superman has just . . . kept letting him think that.

Becoming a supervillain actually might be an underreaction, in retrospect.

"Just Kon sounds less formal anyway," Tim says instead of so just in theory, do you think tactile telekinesis could trigger a heart attack or stroke in a full-blooded Kryptonian, if you could REALLY concentrate on doing it? like not FATALLY, just dehabilitatingly?, because he still has some groundwork to do before they get that far into potential supervillainy. There's steps to the plan. The steps need to be followed. They're very important steps. "You don't want Bart full-naming you every time he's looking for the remote."

"Like he'd even bother, it's faster for him to turn the living room upside-down than actually ask anyway," Kon says with a laugh, dropping his head back on his neck. Tim has some thoughts about climbing into his lap and figuring out if the TTK makes him hickey-proof, and then buries them. Not appropriate. Not professional. Just not.

. . . technically, if Kon wanted a hickey, he could just let his TTK down and ask for–

Tim buries his thoughts deeper.

Much, much deeper.

"Point," he says. "So what time does Cadmus expect you back?"

"Dude, it's a job, not a boarding school," Kon says, giving him an amused look. "I don't have a curfew."

Tim, technically, hasn't followed his own curfew any way but accidentally once in his entire life, but for god's sake, is Cadmus even pretending to be raising a teenager or are they really just being that flagrant about ignoring all the child labor laws they so clearly do not give a fuck about? Like, there must be something illegal about this. There has to be.

If there's not, Tim will be adding "burn down Project Cadmus" to his list of supervillain plans to set up in advance. In red pen. Underlined.

Twice.

God, why is the world like this. Why are people like this?

"I guess that'd be convenient," Tim says, internally ranking various methods of combustion. "Though I guess it depends on the cafeteria hours, too."

"It's whatever, I can always eat later," Kon replies with a shrug. "I think I've still got a couple protein bars in my room anyway."

"Just protein bars?" Tim asks, mentally upping the amount of explosives he was considering going with. Cadmus is going to be a crater by the time he's done with it. "Don't you need more calories than that?"

". . . well, sort of," Kon says, folding his arms and looking very briefly embarrassed. "Superman doesn't have to eat, apparently, but, uh, guess I'm not Kryptonian enough for that. Actually I kinda need to eat more than normal humans, it's weird. Like. A lot more."

"I'm ordering pizza," Tim says, upping his mental explosives count again. "What do you want on it?"

"We're the only ones here," Kon says, looking puzzled.

"More pizza for us, then," Tim says.

[puddingcatbeans]

timkon; one quiet night, among many more to come.

When the credits starts to roll, Conner stretches, and looks over at Tim. They're on the couch, awash with the soft blue of the television screen. Tim's feet are tucked under Conner's thigh, head tilted back at an angle that shouldn't be comfortable, but Conner's pretty sure that bones are optional with Bats.

It's a quiet Thursday night—not their usual date night, but Tim stayed in anyway once he was convinced that Conner really had no other plans beyond ignoring his homework that night. Tim's never really been one to ask for what he wants. He either just gets it, as one of the youngest billionaires in the world or as one of the smartest detectives in the world, or he beats around the bush like it's on fire. Through exposure and sheer force of will, Conner has learned to read between the lines. And today, Tim was definitely asking to hang out, even if he wouldn't admit it.

"It's late," Conner says, glancing out the window. Despite the pitch dark gloom of the midnight sky, Gotham's still lit up. Flickering streetlamps, sirens, strobe lights, the Bat signal...

Tim hums. He picks up the controller to back out of the autoplay. Without looking at Conner, he says, "You don't want to disturb the Kents going back too late."

"Yeah..." Conner scratches behind his ear. He watches Tim fiddle with the controller. Sitting there all slouched in a shapeless pair of sweatpants that must have been Steph's at one point, and a worn hoodie of Conner's that is one size too big even for him, he looks soft. Tired, like a long day of running and finally sitting down to eat. Small, in the way that Conner only thinks about him in the safety of his mind.

He looks like home.

"They're probably asleep already," comes out of his mouth before he can think it through. He shifts on the couch when Tim turns to look at him. "I mean. It's cold. And I have study hall first period, anyway." And you look like you really don't want to be alone tonight, he thinks.

Tim blinks at him. He relaxes slightly, enough for Conner to realize he has been tense for the last while.

"And," Conner adds, one last push, "you know you're just going to be texting me until you pass out at 5 am."

Tim huffs a laugh. He shuts off the tv and stands. "Okay. You win. Let's go to bed."

"I call little spoon!" Conner plasters himself to Tim's back as they make their way to the bedroom. Tim's heartbeat thuds steady against his chest, his hair smelling like the gentle lavender of his shampoo. He feels warm and wonderful in Conner's arms, as he laughs, for real this time.

A stray thought: what if we moved in together? He thinks about being able to hold Tim every night so neither of them have to suffer through nightmares alone. He thinks about bickering over what's for dinner, and then making out in the kitchen while washing the dishes. He thinks about the future, and sees something he very much wants to stay for.

But Tim is tugging him onto the bed, bullying him onto his side so Tim can wrap his limbs around him like a limpet. Conner holds him back with TTK.

The question can wait, he decides. He looks forwards to it.

[imaginespazzi]

Yeah no that definitely makes sense and agreed - I think at that stage in her life and career, she'd only have a child out of circumstance rather than on purpose.

P would be trying real hard not to let her favouritism show while she's coaching, but everyone knows anyway that she's extra soft for Stephie. Imagine a game where Stephie gets a little hurt and P's ready to fight another 6-yr old kid lmao.

I keep imagining how soft and cute P would be with a mini Azzi 🥹

Ooo yep, I definitely vibe with staying as close to irl UConn lore as possible, plus I'm never gonna say no to another cruise scene haha.

Oh imagine when P comes around to Storrs during Azzi's final year to visit the menaces or even just when she's facetiming any of them and that inevitable awkwardness of broaching the Azzi topic, or Azzi accidentally walking in while the others are on the phone with her.

I realise I've just kinda assumed that they break up after P's final year 😅 Would that mean that the public never knew about their relationship? At least, not officially?

If that's the case, do the media or public ever question their "friendship" and why they don't seem to be close anymore?? Like when P gets traded, and there's talk about the two "former best friends" being reunited?

Also, do they still kinda fall into each other at times after breaking up? Maybe especially that first year or so after the break up, like during Azzi's final college year and then slowly fade into no communication? Or do they immediately cut off all connection and only interact at public events and games? Or just barely interact at all?

Oh and I know I've been advocating for Tim to still always be checking in on P, even if it's just at games but I am super curious in general about the dynamics between Azzi and P's family and P and Azzi's family after they break up. Especially Azzi and Drew, cause you know I'm a sucker for a Drew cameo and Azzi + Drew interactions!

A Steph appearance! Just don't make Stephie into a Warriors fan 😫😂

Ooo a possible divorce situation with P??? Ugh I'm so curious about other relationships they had after breaking up! Although idk about P getting married to someone else (only cause I'm selfish and just can't see her marrying anyone other than Azzi lol) - what if she got engaged and came close but in the end, she just couldn't go through with it?? Or we can go with divorce, that's cool too, it has been 9 years after all haha.

I mean… I may or may not have a playlist where I drag songs into if they give me the exes to lovers fic vibe 😏. I need a title for it though!

Ngl, I actually was thinking "oh I wonder what Taylor song Nivi's gonna go with for this one?" 😆 Last Kiss seems like a pretty perfect choice. But now that just makes me think that we're about to go through even more pain than we did with the UCLA fic before we get a happy ending. We are gonna get a happy ending, right?

Speaking of Taylor songs - why do I feel like loml could potentially be one of the songs used for a chapter - "what we thought was for all time was momentary" or "you shit-talked me under the table, talking rings and talking cradles. I wish I could un-recall how we almost had it all."

Oh btw Nivi, you totally don't have to address all or any of my questions!! I literally just chuck in whatever comes to mind but please feel free to tell me to just wait for the fic to find out the answers 😅

And pleaseee, your "NO NO NO NOPE NO" in response to that ask about you having kids had me dead 😭

ALSO, Tatum and Ella Mai expecting a baby?! Talk about private but not a secret, they did a fine ass job keeping the pregnancy quiet as long as they did though!

-🙋‍♀️

EVERYONE HAS ME SO CONFLICTED I have no idea what to do lmao maybe I'll just leave it open-ended and we don't have to go into how this child came to be lol

LMAO all the other parents whining about playing time and their child not getting a starting role meanwhile Azzi's out here giving Paige a talking to about how they're literally 5 year old's, this is not that serious and Stephie doesn't needa start every single game

I actually haven't decided the exact time for when they break up but it's definitely before Azzi gets to the W I think but I haven't really thought about the media reaction yet, other than that it's obviously a big deal when they end up on the same team again in the sense that it's a huge deal that two mvp's are teaming up

So....mayhaps a little spoiler but there might potentially be just a little bit of Drew and Azzi angst at some point because let's just remember she was in his life from very young and then she wasn't.

Well if I go with the Valkyries, it only make sense babes. Trust it's gonna be as hard to write for me as it is for you to read but Stephie is very likely gonna be a Warriors fans (that hurt to write oh lord)

LMAO give me a title?

Happy ending? Hmmmm what's that?

YES LOML WOULD HIT SO GOOD. Maybe I'll use that in chapter but I gotta add it to my playlist asap for sure.

I literally got that ask and was like, y'all I am literally in college, no I do not have a child thanks!

I SAW THAT. I'M SO EXICTED FOR THEM!! They really did such a good job and aww Deuce is gonna get a little sibling.

[originaltyphoonkryptonite]

Chapter 25: Planning

Zella pov

"Well I......", I start to say.

"It's OK Zelly. We're behind you.", Dick says as he gives my shoulders a squeeze.

"Honestly...........I think it would be best to meet them at least ONCE. And maybe learn a bit of grandma's side of the family.....I...just....."

"I understand", Bruce says as he gets up from his chair to take the spot Gus was sitting down on. "After your experience with your...'mother', you would be hesitant to meet more family that just suddenly appeared."

"That and......just this feeling..that I NEED to visit their home....as if something was calling me."

"Calling you?"

"It's....kinda hard to explain....but I am getting this gut feeling that I NEED to find something there."

"Alright....they said she doesn't have to revel her secret identity right?", he asks Dick.

"That's right.....I don't think they can tell from our shadows either."

"What makes you say that?", Duke asks.

"I saw from the corner of my eye, one of them sent a shadow to touch mine, and considering they didn't say my real name, I don't think they know who Batman and his family is either."

"Oh.....I might know why....", I say while biting my lip.

"Yeah?"

"I may have...asked Zatanna to help work on finding a way to block info from getting gathered from your shadows with me......So she and Cippia made shadow charms that he then placed in your shadows.....sorry if I overstep. I...just thought what if we face a foe with shadow powers that could find out who you are by gathering intel from your shadows......"

I blink as I hear Bruce chuckle. "What?", I ask.

"If you weren't already married to Dick, I would be helping Alfred and Gus in trying to set you two up. Or if that didn't work......figure out a way to adopt you. You didn't overstep don't worry."

"Oh come on Old man.", Jason groans. "You already have enough kids, not to mention a grand-kid on the way."

"Zella does deserve better then Grayson though..........what? I can not call her Grayson as well.......and I do find her much more tolerable then the rest of you, with the exceptions of Pennyworth and Hodges.", Damian says with a smirk as the other stare wide eyed at him.

"I thought you only called her by the first name to make a point to that doctor!", Jason cries out shocked.

"See! Zella is meant to be in this family!", Steph cries out with Cass nodding beside her. "She got Damian to call her by her first name!"

Duke and Tim are just snicking.

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

Bruce pov

"Back to the matter at hand.", I start to say. "Zella is right...we should at least meet them once.....if nothing else to make sure they have nothing planed against her."

"Right B,", Dick says as he kisses Zella's side of her head.

"If they are willing to be family with her, then alright. But if not......well...I am sure I can get Mother to do something about them staying away.", Damian says with a smirk.

"Let's just leave that as a last resort type of plan.", I say. "Anyway, I'll ask Batwoman, Huntress, Batwing, Bluebird, and Superman to watch over Gotham and Bludhaven."

"Wait why?", Jason asks.

"Simple.", I say with a smirk. "Dick, Zella, Cippia, and I will be meeting them. And be the ones to go to Germany should it come to that."

"What?!",' No way!", "Unfair", "Aww.", Lame!", Damian, Tim, Jason, Duke, and Steph say all at once.

Cass says nothing but she is frowning as she gives two thumbs down.

"Trust me, it's for the best that the ones who go is a small number."

"But why do I have to stay behind father?", Damian asks. "I would think Cippia would like me to come with."

"Might as well B.", Dick sighs. "He'll just bribe Cippia to bring him with anyway...."

"Fine...you can come as well Damian."

I chuckle when I hear Zella giggle and Damian sticking his tongue out at his siblings. "We'll go looking for them tomorrow night. Zella, can Cippia stay in your shadow and use his powers to make it look like you still have yours?"

"He can Bruce, we did that once before when I was sick for patrol."

"Wait.....are you talking about that night about a month before you rescued me with Artemis and Barbra?! You went on patrol while sick!? Please tell me you aren't doing that right now while pregnant!", Dick exclaims.

"Yes but only because it was a slight fever and well you needed the help that night, so many bad guys to take out at that time. And no, I have not been doing that. Gus and Alfred already gave me a lecture about it the next morning after our wedding when I went to the kitchen to get a early breakfast. So Phantasma is benched until I get a clear bill of health from Leslie."

"That's good.", he says as he let's out a sigh of relief.

I just chuckle as I pat his shoulder. "Now you know what I felt when raising you.....well.......you will soon when the kid is born......it's going to be fun watching you having to deal with what is basically a younger you like I did."

"Yeah. Just...no spoiling the kid please? That goes for everyone."

"I have no idea what you mean, chum."

"Not like you can stop all of us Dickwing.", Jason says with a smirk.

"Remind me WHY I want you guys around my kid again?"

"Because you love us.", Steph says with a smirk. "So teaching the kid to make chaos with their powers."

"Teach them to be stealthy.", Cass says with a smile.

"Hey maybe when they're older, they can be a day time hero with me.", Duke suggests.

"We'll see. But that might not be a bad idea should they want to join the family business.", I say with a thoughtful look. "Might be a good way to see if they want to see what it is like, and go from there."

"Let's wait until they are at least maybe ten?", Zella asks. "No sooner unless no other choice and no way at age five! Am I clear?"

I smile as I hug her. "Crystal clear Zella."

[evilminji]

The way I see it? John is TOTALLY at his most hungover Trash Racooniest? Just? In his boxers and the Trenchcoat, half on the couch, face pressed to the highly suspect carpet of some shitty motel in a puddle of drool, reeking of sulfur and the cheapest gin he could find. SURROUNDED by bottles and cheap, awful, what-can-i-get-for-this-highly-singed-dollar take-out. Ass in the air and legs damn near falling off the cushions to join him on the floor.

Headache fit to kill GODS.

You know, real glamor shot. Lookin his best. Fit for guests and ready to entertain them. Definitely NOT haunted by the nightmares of those he's failed and the screams of Hell, a realm he JUST pulled himself out of and then promptly decided to drink to forget.

And finally, FINALLY just as he's slipping into that badly needed Deep Dreamless Sleep? *obnoxious herald trumpets!* *Death Energy and pretentious assholes!*

No.

No, he refuses to do this. Go away.

But not ONLY do they not? They get in a SNIT. Oh how DARE! They're so OFFENDED! Blah blah blah! Like THEY didn't break into his motel room. Yeah, yeah, he's going back to slee-

WHAT.

Says The Laughing Magican, from the floor, suddenly not only awake but paying an ALARMING amount of interest in these current events. Ah. So he DID hear you correctly. Hold that thought.

He sits up. Gets off the floor. Sits down on the shitty couch. And takes out a cigarette, which lights itself. No, no, please. Continue digging yourself deeper. He's paying ATTENTION now. What's all this about? Threatening kids? Binding unwilling souls to contracts? No, no, see, marriage IS a contract at its most basic. Don't try dressing that up all pretty. But, continue.

And he calmly, Politely even, listens. Nods when appropriate. And when they're done?

Well... a FEW manage to make it back to the Realm. Crafty little buggers. What can he say? Splitting headache, his aim was off. Anyway, who wants a now heavily cursed motel mirror?

And! Because I am both petty and want them to just? Have the WORST time? Since Danny couldn't possibly know Superman is weak to magic, therefor ghosts? He legit thinks he's sending them to fight a mortal God. #GetRekt etc. But you know who ELSE constantly harrases Clark? And infact has a STANDING APPOINTMENT to try and ruin his life?

A 5th dimensional Imp. Mister Mxyzptlk. His race is basically a step ABOVE Gods. But are bound by each other and their Rules. Like Clockwork if he could also bend reality and didn't give even the solitary fucks he currently gives. AND was not bound by Zone Law.

Mxy also has quite the temper. And Clark is both a tactician AND little shit. So CLEARLY, these floating eyeballs are SUCH a threat! Much bigger then Mister Mxyzptlk! Oh noooooo! Clark is MUCH more concerned about THEM then YOU Mxyzptlk, they have clearly shown how much STRONGER they are! He'll get to you later.

Those Observants do NOT return. They are confetti now. Clark then butchered Mister Mxyzptlks name so bad, pretending to not remember it, that he once again tricked him back into the 5th dimension. See ya next year!

(As for Diana? Visiting her Mother. Poor bastards showed up to the ACTUAL AMAZON ISLAND and announced, in front of everyone, that the PRINCESS would be taken as an unwilling bride, to be married to a CHILD, that they THEMSELVES heavily suggested did not wish to even marry, but that THEY were forcing too anyway.)

(It goes EXACTLY as you think it does.)

With Batman? Gotham eats half of them before they can get to him. Cursed City HUNGRY. Then they fuckin BOUNCE off Wayne Manor. Because it turns out? Being historically the literal ONLY good rich folk in the area? For centuries? Doing charity and helping the needy etc? People Bless your house and family.

Sometimes those people are Actual Witches.

Bruce gets to stand in his dining room and sip his morning coffee obnoxiously. Watching them try and FAIL to breach his walls. Tim joins him. It's nice. Good bonding moment. Steph wonders if Jason's "cool magic swords" can hurt them.

For Jason? It's a BEAUTIFUL firey blade filled morning.

Just? The Chaos. Righteously Pissed Superheroes picking up this Heroic Ghost Child and curb stomping Ghost Creeps. Knock knock mother fuckers. It's CPS:Heros division! We've invaded the afterlife and are not impressed.

I just saw a "You have to pick a Consort or we'll pick one for you!" Prompt?

And I must know? CAN they bind someone to Consortship who does not recognize their authority? Like... no really, The King Of The Dead(tm) lawfully would have NO claim upon the Living, unless they consented to his Rule. Not until they... you know... Die.

And in DP's case? Not even THEN is it guaranteed? They could just Peace Out and move on. Skip the Zone completely. So like? IS that a loophole?

A King from Nation A can not legally command citizen of Nation B. They aren't his. Only King B can. Citizen B's may CHOSE to obey King A, to be polite, but the have the RIGHT to say "fuck off, buddy". But if King A was legal cornered and told "pick a Consort Or Else(tm)"? CAN HE?

Like? Can he point to the biggest, toughest, warrior in Nation B (probably standing next to his equally terrifying wife), knowing FULL DAMN WELL this is not going to happen and planning on that, and say "Him. Fetch, you bloodsuckers."

Just FULL-ON pass the buck. And let his political opponents have time to reconsider their stances as they are dying under said warrior's Rightfully Furious Blade?

What I am saying is? Constantine. Superman. Fuck it! Batman too! You want Danny, A TEENAGER, to pick a CONSORT for ETERNITY or you'll FORCE one on him? In what feels like a VERY coercive Bad Touch sorta move?

Fine.

FINE!

He's gonna pull out his phone and look up that list Tucker made of the Magical Weirdos on the Justice League! In FACT! He heard that the Greek gods helped made Wonder Woman! Her too! He's "Consorting" the whole FOUNDING MEMBERS! And the magical ones! It's gonna be a HAREM up in this castle!

Now be good eyeballs and FETCH. He has Kingly Watching Paint Dry to get too. You can't expect HIM to do this? This is YOUR big concern, not his.

(It goes badly for the Observants, I would imagine. Those are grown Adult Heros being told to divorce their loving spouses and marry A CHILD. Or Else.)

( They Choose Or Else. And Unspeakable Violence. Unhand the child, you despicable eyeball faced cretins!)

[batpham-discord-highlights]

Tim Finds Danny's Memes AU

Source: #crack

L

You know those memes in universe where Danny makes super concerning memes about his parents. what if the batfam found out about him from those?

This one comes to mind

(by L)

Who would find them first?

SK

Tim

I

I feel like Tim

L

Yeah

RV

Someone asks what he means by the meme and he just sends a video of the sentient food or something similar

I

shows the proof

can see its a video of his family trying to kill the hotdogs

"I just wanted an easy dinner"

L

Danny’s looking into the camera 200% done with the world

MS

Makes it even more concerning if they try looking up his parents and find memes like this

(unknown, please inform us if you know of the creator so we can properly tag them)

L

Danny: It’s the infinite realm actually and I don’t want it here either.

I

and then thinks it’s a joke account until friends and others from the same city post random things about the Fenton’s or even a thread where each saying how the Fenton’s chased them because they thought they were possessed

RV

Is this an elaborate joke or is there a problem in Amity

They don't know of its multiple joke accounts or of its serious

I

Causing Tim to investigate

 further... amg imagine hacking into the satellites and get a good view of phantom chasing the box ghost being chased by the Fenton’s.

SK

MS

Even better

They find Wes' account

Because he would absolutely have one and the entire thing is just talking about Danny being Phantom

L

Tim is so worried about this kid that may or may not be a ghost

SK

Tim finding Danny's memes is now being added to the list of fics I'm going to write.

L

I’d read that

I

Can see Tim wanting to investigate on his own too just because he still isn't "sure"

but it’s not letting him sleep

MS

Imagine opening twitter and finding this

(@loop-hole-319)

I

maybe ask Steph or one other to come like a friend

SK

I'll put a link in update-alerts if I post it.

L

He goes to amity himself because he doesn’t trust the satellite

I

finds its absolutely real : I double checks to make sure it isn't because he's sleep deprive

L

Tim just wanted a laugh now he’s dealing with this

I

Tim in over his head but he couldn't even comprehend how to explain this to the others : I

L

He suggested they all go there for reasons and doesn’t say why

He’s still not completely sure he’s not losing it

I

amg imagine he fakes being broken down :I it’s an obvious lie but it makes the whole fam comes anyways because somethings up

L

Tim: cars broke come here

Dick: you can fix almost anything why do I need to go to you? Is everything okay are you in danger?

Tim: just get here, please.

I

lol basically :I

L

He refuses to answer any further questions

I

Meanwhile he's going to find a hotel/motel to fall asleep and nap

to make absolute certain it’s not him-

L

Dick in a panic takes everyone available with him

I

be funny if Technus did take over his car after Tim went to go sleep =w= so he ended up not lying and pretends that what he was calling about.

which is also obvious was not the case :I but that's not the issue lol

RV

One of the bats: So why did you call us here?

(A guy claiming he's the box ghost runs past while a teen in a hazmat(?) Suit chases after him)

Tim:that

I

Fenton’s dangerously driving after shouting and shooting blindly.

Tim: And that...

Pulls out his phone and shows about the memes

Tim: And this.

L

Tim: hey what I only called dick? Why are all of you here

SK

A lot of this is going in the fic.

L

Batman doesn’t know till he’s looking for them and they’re in a whole different state

I

Tim explains what actually going on and how he got to this point.

Dick and the others like OH that's what had you so busy.

(by L)

From Danny

[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 |

[thattimdrakeguy]

I don't want to lament Fitzmartin's poor writing too much, but literally the interview with her in today's issue makes it seem like she thinks Tim discovered Batman's identity because he was looking to be Robin??

(Not to mention she seems to have those mainstream fandom ideas with Tim stuck as a perpetual teenager)

I know it's a small detail, but after her writing full of inaccuracies and errors in YJ, I can't expect much of her writing on a character who doesn't even know his origin correctly.

Sorry I got very long-winded since I haven't been on Tumblr much for months now.

A.K.A. in my months away I still haven't found a way to be quick about my thoughts, because I keep overthinking things. Yipee, yipee. Howdy-Hi-Hi-Ho.

--

Oh she entirely doesn't really get Tim as a character. She doesn't even get Bernard as a character. Not even Steph who she shoved into Robin Eternal upon her own desire.

She shows some superficial knowledge on Tim, but I think she's quickly shown that she really doesn't know what she's even talking about. Which is scary for any fan, who has to see their fav subjected to that kind of writer.

People stuck on Tim being a teenager for so long also numb me. Because he was 17, yeah, I think you know this at least, reboot happened, everyone's deaged besides the younger characters who wouldnt even be involved if they were any younger. So he's younger. I don't think it's this complicated or that important that he's a teenager anyways. If anything I think he might be more boring, because he’d just be stuck redoing stuff Dick has done. If they even choose to give him a personal life that consists of anyone more than one or two people.

The whole age thing, it's an issue made up, just to complain about something. And people will keep echoing it because they don't have an opinion of their own, or they assume there's merit to it, when really I don't think there is.

There's a difference between 'I want this' and 'This is an actual issue with the writing'.

But anyways, when I read an interview, she essentially just kept going "OH HE'S THE SMARTEST ONE, HE FIGURED THIS OUT, AND HE'S A DETECTIVE AND blah blah blah."

Super super thin, stuff. Like a piece of computer paper would look thick in comparison. It is worrying to me that that's what she's chosen to say.

And don't misread why I'm saying this, I'm not wanting to be harsh or anything of course, I have nothing against Fitzmartin as a person, I do not know her as a person. I only know her as a writer, so I can only talk about how she comes across through her writing. And all I can do is talk about the vibes, also because I don't know her. I likely don't need to specify that, because most people get that, but you'd be surprised and all that.

But if that's why she think Tim Drake's great, ignoring the part where she doesn't know what Tim's origin was to begin with, by itself it just that focus on his intelligence already shows she does not honestly understand him as a character.

That's the same kind of stuff that a person who doesn't really know much about Tim, but has heard stuff would spew about Tim Drake.

People really overestimate how important Tim's brain is so badly in my opinion.

He's a freaking idiot at times.

I can't even think of any classic Tim stories (As in 90s. The main Red Robin story highlighted it, but I don't like Red Robin so meh meh meh and hehehehe) that involve his detective skills with such a highlight to them. His grounded nature, and insecurity, and strain with his personal life was the focus. He was still a great detective, there were still plenty of stories focused on it. But there aren't many were it's treated as his best characteristic.

I don't care about what Tim is good at compared to who Tim is as a person.

If you think someone's skills are their most important aspect, I am IMMEDIATLY worried about that hypothetical person's capability as a writer. That is so dry. So damn dry.

I'd rather read a comic that understands Tim as a character, that never has a detective story in it, than read a comic that just focuses on how smart they believe Tim to be.

I'd even rather read a comic that treats Tim as mostly incapable and needs help all the time, over Tim's personality being misrepresented, because of people just pasting their desires over top of him.

Much the same way I'd expect any fan of Jason to freak out if his latest hypothetical writer started going "OH HE'S SUCH A GOOD AIM. AND TALENT WITH WEAPONS. DOING STUFF THAT THE BAT'S DON'T DO", because that's such a narrow, superficial analysis of a character study, that I can hear the canned in studio audience laughter, because its so ridiculous.

My expectations for the Tim Robin solo are incredibly low. They instantly went super low when I saw panels from the added Sum of Our Parts epilogue. But it's only gotten smaller. Like an atom couldn't see my expectations, because it's so insanely tiny. Tinier than Tim is even, just to really remark on how small my expectations are, because you know that's serious.

It seems like Fitzmartin doesn't know Tim found out who Batman was when he was 9, by noticing details almost by happenstance that he even remembered the Flying Graysons at all, going off of how she worded it. And I add that last part, because maybe she was describing two different things and put it together awkwardly closely. Not to get into semantics and what not. It's simply that, that is possible.

And I presume she has no idea that the first crime mystery Tim tried to solve, he completely got the answer wrong and would've sent an innocent man to jail as well. Since she has such a focus on his intelligence and detective skills.

She also doesn't seem to know that he asked DICK TO BE ROBIN, which is incredibly important detail, because it really highlights the humbleness the original Tim has at his true heart.

In fairness she seems to try to be saying Tim has integrity, but without knowing the level of it, you can still easily get a total different character out of there.

You think Tim automatically tried to be Robin, whether when he found out, or after Jason died, and you automatically can get the character very wrong. It is a very important distinction for him and how he feels about himself and the role he eventually signed up for.

But also within Dark Crisis Young Justice, it appears she doesn't know Tim doesn't want to be Batman, except--some other time it seemed like she sort of knew? I don't know if it's weird writing or what. And overall just ugh anyways. Tim shouldn't be in contention to be Batman, simply because he doesn't want to be. I don't know why this is such a focus. Tim shouldn't be in that discussion.

It is very lazy drama.

The Bat-Family when written well aren't robots that are pre-programmed with this idea that oh they all must want to be Batman, because I certainly know Tim didn't want to be. Marv Wolfman has said that in several interviews I'm sure. At least one. These characters are supposed to be written like real people. That's how you get invested. It's hard to get invested in lazy, ham-fisted, forced drama, that doesn't happen anywhere organically.

I'd rather someone think Tim is an idiot and get the rest of his personality perfect. Because I think the second someone focuses on his brain, they always tend to get Tim wrong.

Hardly anyone that liked Tim back when he was an actually successful character liked him specifically because he was smart. I'm sure it was an aspect at times, but I'm almost positive for the majority of people that was hardly the main reason.

They liked him because he was a small-fry, underdog, that didn't always make the right decisions, but still got up by the seat of his tights and tried again. They liked that he was empathetic, and a genuinely good soul, and a freaking geek, that had some really socially awkward moments, with a good assortment of insecurity they could relate to.

Ignoring the times Dixon made Tim come off like a middle aged grump, because Dixon himself is a middle aged grump anyways.

Sum of Our Parts, I think was a fluke, just made good because she actually read some classic Tim comics before writing it. So it came out extra good. Because Robin Eternals, and the added epilogue made the year after the original release for Sum of Our Parts, as well as Dark Crisis Young Justice have all been super thin, kind of embarrassing reads. That read like something I'd see on AO3, but nothing that has many views or anything, because it isn't that good. But maybe like, some curiosity reads, y'know?

The constant focus she brings on "I NEED TO BREAK OUT ON MY OWN" with Tim I think also, is a very worrying sign.

Because it reads to me, that we shouldn't expect a Tim comic that actually represents Tim well as a character.

I want to read about a comic that uses Tim as himself, and finds interesting situations to put him in that elevate his character. Not stuff to make excuses to mold him into what ever they want.

That's why I can't read anymore Batman comics, because it seems to be all anyone ever does. I'm not attached to the character's names, I got attached to who they are. Being a somewhat funny moment isn't going to make me enjoy it, or if it's cute. If it's going to be funny or cute, I want it to be because the character would naturally do that. I don't want cheap, easily made garbage, made with very little imagination or creativity.

Seriously, I don't want to read a character that's going to be different writer from writer. I'd like to read a character that changes naturally, not just because some writer or editorial dunce at random decided "I'D RATHER THIS HAPPEN". Good writing doesn't come from that mindset, and it's lazy.

So often with Tim I think I hear a writer in some way, whether outright saying it, or implying it, with "OH TIM WANTS--" it's always just what they want to write or were told to write, nothing that I've actually seen come from something that's a natural continuation of anything. Like it's just something they or someone pulled out of their ass.

With Tim's new Robin series I think we should be more so expecting a comic where Fitzmartin is going to put her desires in it. The same way she shoved her message in Young Justice, when Young Justice wasn't the comic to put it in. Or have Tim, Steph, and Bernard all get along, in the most fan ficcy way, possibly possible.

If I hear about it being a surprise joy I'll dive into it, but at the moment, I'm not keen to read a series written by someone who has done nothing but show she has no idea what she's writing, and is more focused on the superficial trait of his brain that's she's painfully exaggerating already, and the fact she made him live on a boat.

She wrote Tim to have a coffee addiction.

And I've seen people complain "UGH WHY DO PEOPLE HATE THAT SO MUCH".

It's because it shows she doesn't give a single fuck about taking any care into writing him, if she's just going to steal fandom ideas that came from no where, and put them into her comics.

That's a painful sign of a crummy writer, doing stuff just because they might get a pleasant reaction from a section of the fan base. And again, it's super fucking lazy.

The same way Tom Taylor will constantly write stuff, that isn't even good, but he knows it'll get a sort of "YAAAY" reaction. It's corny it's lame, it's uncreative, and you're probably not going to get very good character writing, when most people read about a certain character to get that character.

Like I still don't fucking care Tim and Dick were on a train again. Yes, I remember they were on a train once in an issue, I actually loved that issue besides a few sentences, but they already used it for lazy, crummy fan service in one thing, I don't need it done again. I want new stories where they do something fun that feels like a them thing.

I'd rather see them eating chili dogs at a racecar event or something, to show that they hang out often doing something they'd do. That's the joy of seeing these characters come together. You want to see them do something new to make paying for some new worth it. Something that makes you like this character specifically or this pairing specifically, because it's such a them thing, not a random generic thing that may not even fit. Doing something so lazy makes me feel nothing. I'm not going to make myself act like I care about something because it referenced a thing I like. I'm not that desperate.

Basically in long-form writing, what I'm saying is, there are so many signs that Tim's first ongoing Robin solo in over 20 years is going to suck ass, and it is a major sadness, and pain in the ass, because I really love Tim, but he seems to never get a break. And I'm not going to force myself to like anything anymore, just because I hoped for something, when I'm not actually getting it. Though I don't remember the last time I've done that anyhow.

As much as I hated the 'Drake' thing, and the TimSteph crap in Bendis' Young Justice, Bendis still understood at least enough of the basics about Tim for me to be happy most of the time (Even if ultimately I wasn't because boy did that TimSteph and 'Drake' stuff suck tremendously). Bendis knew that he was a friendly, helpful kid, that had a positive mind-set, the way Wolfman intended. It was such a breath of fresh air after James Tynion IV seemingly had Tim confused with Ultimate Reed Richards in the way he approached writing him.

I'm sure Fitzmartin was probably saying "Killed our childhood" in some relation to something like that. But I really don't think asking for basic quality assurance is the same thing. Like I didn't even grow up with Tim to fucking begin with anyways. Like for fucks sake, that's such a strawman argument.

I just want some freaking quality once in a while. I haven't even read new comics in ages past two freaking issues of Batman 'cause quality is so hard to come by. Even Spider-Man currently sucks from what I hear.

Bendis was at least someone who understood how Tim would act MOST OF THE TIME, even if he'd slip in some awful awful flaws. Like what kind of language he'd used, what his actual relationship with Steph was like, and I'm still pretty sure he was forced into that 'Drake' stuff since he still had people call Tim Robin anyways, and even sometimes just making him the generic leader because he put far too many characters into one comic for a spell there.

I'm not here trying to act like Bendis was perfect, but I am trying to say, that things just don't seem to be getting any better for Tim.

I love that he's Robin again. I don't really care about the people that act like every Robin has to be the same about getting a new role, like they're robots that have that made-up rule programmed into them. I'm a thinking human being. I can come up with my own view on things. But past him being Robin again, which happened 2 years ago now I think, I can't think of many positive things about him lately.

Because if I have to read another comic that's trying really hard to pretend it knows what it's talking about with stuff that I love, I am going to hate it.

I don't think I ask for as much as some people act like. Like seriously, asking for a character to stop being treated like a piece of clay so they can be focused and themselves again isn't that much of an ask.

I don't give a shit if they get a few minor things wrong. I just want it to mostly be right. But for some reason it's really difficult to get even that.

[comic-brew]

Bring your kids to work day (or whatever)

*Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian, Duke, Cass and Steph hanging out at wayne enterprises*

Jason: Hm...interesting. Very interesting

Jason: Guys

Stephanie: What is it?

Tim: Bruce has no pants on

Dick: uhm, what?

Jason: Bruce has no fucking pants on, here's what

Tim: Here are the facts: at 11.55 Bruce walked past us holding a hot mug of coffee

Jason: at 12.03 pm I heard him yell as I was coming in from the window next to his office

Tim: Then, at 12.07 he called Alfred into his office. He entered holding nothing, one minute later he left holding an opaque bag

Jason: B's pants were in that bag. His knees are in the breeze. He's in his undies

Damian: Tt, that is absurd. Father would not fall as low as to spill his coffee on his pants while he is working.

Jason: Oh, so you want visual confirmation

Duke: No, not really

Dick:

Cass:

Damian:

Stephanie:

Stephanie: I need to see this

Dick: Yeah, me too

*Damian, Tim, Jason and Cass all agree*

Duke: Oh god

Duke: count me in

----------

Damian, walking into Bruce's office: Father, I need you to sign this paper so that I can participate in the academy's annual philanthropic gala for baby koalas that lost their parents in the fires. I left it outside in the hall

Bruce, not even looking up: Just leave it on the couch.

Damian:

Damian: alright

----------

Steph: B! You're gonna freak! Adele is in the building, and she's giving out autographs!!

Bruce: Adele is on tour in Europe right now

Steph:

Steph: How did you know that!

----------

*Tim storms into Bruce's office, holding Dick, Duke following right behind them*

Tim: Bruce! Quick, come help! Dick is choking!

Duke: On fruit loops!

Bruce, merely raising an eyebrow: hn?

Dick, clutching his throat: Looks like I'm allergic

Duke, turning to Dick and whispering: Shit, dude he knows you're not allergic

Tim: Yeah, you've pretty much devoured entire boxes of every and any cereal that exists in the planet by now, why did you say that?

Dick: I don't know! I panicked!

*Tim slaps his own face, Duke just sighs*

Dick: I thought we were going with fish! Why did you say it was fruit loops! I'd never even think of spitting those, I'd just choke

Tim and Duke:

----------

Tim: Guys, this isn't working

Damian: It seems our suspicions have been correct. He didn't even offer to donate a few millions when I mentioned the charity gala!

Stephanie: My suspicions have been confirmed too. Bruce is a sucker for Adele and we got it on tApE! Just wait till you hear the media fighting about whether billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne sings 'Hello' or 'Rolling in the deep' while in the shower

Jason: So, you still don't have the video? Then what are we doing here?

Duke: Cass had been standing by that window outside the building for way too long. Someone would notice her eventually

Cass: Yes. I am very tired of filming your failed attempts at making Bruce sit up from his chair. The footage makes for a great movie though. Especially Dick. He looks very pretty on camera :)

Dick, tearing up: ... Thank you sis

Jason: ugh. Amateurs. Let me show you how it's done.

----------

Jason, walking in holding a batman shaped mug: Hey hey Brucie

Jason: I brought you some coffee since you spilled yours earlier

Bruce: Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do with the others

Jason: Pft, nonsense, can't I just do something nice for you?

Jason, sitting on the couch: especially since there is a tiny, teensy chance that I unintentionally let about a small dozen of inmates get blown to bits on my way here

Jason: Anyway if you want the coffee you're gonna have to get up because I don't feel safe to come any closer right now, no offense

Bruce, jolting up from his chair: YOU DID WhAT

Bruce's legs: have no pants

*cass thumbs up from out the window*

Jason: HOLY SHiT IT WORkED

The coffee: is spilt on his pants because he too jolted up from his seat in the thrill of the moment

Jason:

Jason: fuck.

----------

Alfred, entering the office with a suspiciously inflated plastic bag: Master Todd, may I ask what you are doing sitting in Master Bruce's desk?

*Jason has explained to Bruce that he was lying probably about the explosion and Bruce has shown admirable mercy*

Jason, sitting side by side with Bruce: What does it look like I'm doing? We're three people with pants on, having a normal conversation

Bruce: Yep

Alfred: *sighs* Perhaps with master Bruce and all the young masters being the 'saviors' of Gotham I have fulfilled my own role as a prophet.

Alfred: I brought two pairs of pants

Jason:

Jason: Nope, definitely the savior

[stxleslyds]

Truth be told the only "batfam" members I care about are Jason, Dick, Duke and Damian, I don't really care about the rest cause they really haven't peaked my interest or I just flat out don't care about them, that's not to say I hate them (Cass, Steph and Tim), I just can't bring myself to be invested in them.

Maybe I might change as time goes on but I highly doubt.

I really appreciate your blog and love reading your thoughts 😊

Hey there Anon, you are so lovely, thank you for the kind words! It makes me happy to know that people like the posts I make!

And about not being able to be invested in many characters from the “batfam”, I know exactly how you feel. There are just too many people on this corner of DC Comics and we as individuals cannot possibly keep up with all of them.

And sometimes we just don’t connect with characters an that’s completely fine, the reason as to why there are so many characters shouldn’t be because we have to pay attention to all of them (although I believe that’s exactly what DC wants), we don’t have the time and even less the money to be invested in every story these characters appear on.

And that is absolutely valid.

I received an ask similar to this one before, which I will link here! And there I said that we shouldn’t feel pressured to like all these characters or keep up with all of them. Some of them we cannot feel connections to and that is normal, nobody connects with every single character that they read about and that’s fine.

But here is the thing, the Batman side of DC has been built in a way where we almost have to be up to date with every book to understand what is going on, and I am not here for it. I absolutely hate this format that DC has got going on right now, the anthologies books, the backup stories…

Listen, I don’t think that Cheer was a good story, and I am going to be honest, I bought only the first four issues. The book was way to pricy for someone like me that only wanted to read an allegedly Red Hood story, and the story I got in return for that money wasn’t good! My need to buy those issues (digitally) disappeared as time went by.

Then we had the very excellent story “What the Hell is Task Force Z” but it was a back up in a Detective Comics book! Do you think I read the Batman story that came in those issues? I did not. I don’t care about Batman but I did go out of my way for 10 pages for a prelude to an ongoing book.

Was the story good? Yeah, it was excellent. BUT it could have been a one-shot. I would have gladly paid 5 dollars for a one-shot story that acted as a prelude to Task Force Z, but no, DC needs to sell all Batman related books, so they mesh stories from Batman-related characters in those books to keep the money flowing. It is a nightmare, and in the end, they are kinda playing with our money.

I only like Dick and Jason, well, I hyper fixate on them, and then through them I like certain characters but I am not going out of my way to read every piece of content that has them appear for one panel only. I can’t keep up and I don’t want to keep up with them in that way.

Maybe In the future, like you said, I can also be interested in another character as much as those two, but as of now, I can only handle to messy characterizations at once.

Anyway, I hope you have a great day Anon!