#bruce definitely takes one or more kids along to the watchtower sometimes

[goldkirk]

Since you mentioned Superman in chapter 18 of Blackbird, I was wondering what the batfam's place in the Justice League is? Like, are the Titans or Young Justice still a thing? Also, I am absolutely in love with your narration style. It really brings Tim and the rest of the fam to life!

Aaaaahhh it makes my heart so happy that you love my style, thank you!

SO! Batman is a member of the Justice League, which is tight knit and very cooperative. Dick still runs with the Titans on a semi-regular basis whenever his day job and family commitments allow, and mentors younger Titans on and off. Jason never really got into the Titans hardcore, but he does run missions with them sometimes. He’s not big on leading them, he prefers being more of a flanker. (funnily enough, that’s what he likes to be when playing Overwatch with Roy, Kori, and Dick, too). Young Justice is BECOMING a thing, in the background—Tim will have his friend group making up the core four soon. I’m not really going to write that bc I haven’t read enough YJ to feel comfortable writing all their dynamics and voices yet, but at some point I’m sure it’ll come up lol. When the time is right. Cass isn’t going to join any group, but she will meet and hang out with both Titans and Young Justice, and everyone will like her. Of course! And Steph is a wild card but she’ll for sure run with the Titans a little bit if she ever has the ability to leave Gotham for longer periods of time once she’s back with her mom.

The big thing is that in this AU, Batman mostly keeps his own to his own, but when they really need help or one of the other JL members would be invaluable in a situation, he DOES call on them. He reaches out. And Gotham getting attacked like it did in the last chapter definitely requires the big guns lol.

[watchtower-feed]

Dating Bruce Wayne

Notes: Sorry for these drabbles. I’m working on something long and big and has something to do with Jason and the soulmate link. So enjoy these fillers for a bit.

✧ Dating Bruce Wayne is definitely what it has been advertised to be. He lives like he has his own timezone. He flirts and charms everyone he meets, man or woman.

✧ Most of the time you would find yourself waiting at a restaurant for an hour before Alfred would text you that Bruce can’t make it because he’s being held up. There are never any specifics as if you had no right to know.

✧ When he does show up, he’s late, he looks like a mess, and he greets you with a lop-sided smile and half-lidded eyes. And you melt because you remember that he did choose you and you do love him.

✧ “I miss you,” is his hello and his bitter goodbye, holding your hand for too long while he makes the car service wait. It’s minutes before he lets go and closes your door. But when you look back in the moving car, he’s already gone.

✧ Bruce’s absence is always outweighed by his affection. He loves touching you even if it’s just your shoulders or your fingers or your elbows. He always find a way to be close to you when you’re together.

✧ He doesn’t give you expensive gifts or take you out of the city or country impulsively. That part of the rumors and gossip is far from the truth. Everything he does is thoughtful and sincere. You have early dinners in cute little restaurants that feel like home. 

✧ You go hiking, rock climbing, rappelling, swimming, diving, and even skydiving. You’re convinced Bruce is definitely a daredevil. So you start running in the mornings and at night just to keep up.

     “You should be careful when you run at night. Kelley street can be dangerous on some nights. Why not stick to the main street?���

     Your eyes would widen, “How do you know I was there last night?”

     He’d grin and avoid your gaze, “I’m friends with Batman.”

✧ Never mind Bruce’s absence. What you really hate the most about dating this misunderstood billionaire is how often his life is in danger. He gets kidnapped twice a week, at least. By petty criminals, insane villains, and Batman himself.

✧ There was a time when Bruce had a welfare project for Arkham City that made him the target of every single villain so Batman had to kidnap Bruce himself and he was gone for weeks. When Batman finally returned him to his room, where you have been staying in his absence for your safety and sanity, you run up to snatch your man and punch Batman’s jaw. It hurt like hell and Bruce is quickly rubbing your knuckles.

     “Y-you! You stay away from him. It’s because of you that his life is always in danger and--”

     “Y/N,” Bruce holds you in his arms, tucking your head safe against his chest while you cry. When you turn back to the caped crusader, he’s already gone.

     “It’s not his fault.”

     “I know,”  you whisper.

✧ The next time you see Batman, you would stare at each for a while, wondering if you should apologize or say thank you. He holds up his hand and shakes his head with a smile before he disappears into the night. You were a little pissed that you didn’t even say anything and he just assumed things.

✧ One of your favorite things though is definitely seeing the family. Most of the time you see Alfred and always try to tease recipes out of him which expertly deflects.

✧ Whenever Bruce’s children are at the manor, he invites you because they love you and he knows you love them, too.

✧ What’s not to love? The eldest was the most proper gentleman and then a week after first meeting him, he turns into the cheekiest flirt that teases you and Bruce. You love to play along with him because it makes Bruce very uncomfortable.

     “So how’s his equipment these days? He’s getting old, might need to start baking in that oven soon.” Everyone around would spit out anything they’re drinking or just gape. Except for you.

     “Oh, the equipment is still in very good condition.” Dick laughs hard at that. “As for the oven… I think there’s enough of all of you to love for several lifetimes. Right, Bruce?”

     Bruce rolls his eyes with a smile as his children tease him and jump on him at the same time.

✧ You’ve never thought about having kids with Bruce because whenever you’re around his kids, it feels like they’re yours as well. Especially Damian.

✧ He would always tug on your clothes to get your attention (ever since he accidentally called you mom and his siblings never let him live it down).

     “You’re leaving now?”

     “Yeah, baby. I’m sorry,” you crouch down and hug him tight like a teddy bear, “but hey. When your dad goes away on business tomorrow, I’ll be staying here for a week. Does that sound good?”

      He hums and kisses you on the cheek before he walks back into the manor.

      You turn to Bruce, wide eyes, mouth open, and touching your cheek, “Did you just see that? He’s so precious.”

      Bruce nods his head and chuckles.

✧ Tim, Cass, and Jason were a different story. They were a lot more reserved and doesn’t really know how to talk to you first so you do it because you don’t want them to feel left out. You thought doing a puzzle with them was such a great idea. You thought wrong.

     “Tim, stay on your fucking side.”

     “It’s a puzzle, Jason.”

     “We’re supposed to be doing this together,” you instinctively say. Big mistake.

     Jason glares, “Who the fuck died and made you boss?”

     A slap rings loudly in the living room, making everyone gape at Bruce’s tall figure. You look between Jason and Bruce and then approach Jason. He quickly slaps your hand away and Bruce is tensing again. You quickly get up and hold Bruce in place until Jason leaves the room.

✧ You drag Bruce into the study and slap him hard. Your hand hurts but that doesn’t stop you from glaring and yelling at him.

     “How does it feel, Bruce? Do you feel shocked and embarrassed? That’s what Jason is feeling right now. He probably feels hurt too.” Bruce stays and avoids your gaze. “God! Jason didn’t even mean it. You know how he is, he’s just very expressive and there’s nothing wrong with that. But everything is wrong about hitting your child even if-- no. Especially if you say you did it for me.”

✧ You keep yelling at him and warning him not to hurt his children no matter their fault. Tim and Cass can hear you from the living room and look at each other with pained expressions. Jason hides in the hallway and listens to you berate Bruce, his hand on his cheek.

✧ When you get home from a stressful day at work and still no messages from Bruce after the fight days ago, you find three of his children on the floor trying to finish the puzzle. They greet you like it’s the most normal thing to come home to. You drop your things and quickly go to them, tugging them all into one hug until their faces are squished together and the puzzle pieces are in disarray.

    “I thought I would never get to see you again.”

    Jason rubs your back and you nuzzle your nose against his cheek.

    Tim laughs, “Are you kidding? Your slap pretty much made Bruce love you even more.”

    Cassandra snorts, “If that’s even possible.”

✧ Bruce is getting a little concerned at how violent you’re getting though. He thinks it might be his influence and you laugh so hard he pouts like a child.

     “You? I think it makes more sense to blame Batman. That freak just makes my blood boil and suddenly I have all this pent up rage and I don’t know where it came from.”

     Bruce blinks for a moment before he laughs, doubled over, clutching his stomach.

✧ Sometimes you’re sad when you see how Bruce acts around children. Whether it’s a charity event, Wayne orphanage visit, or just walking past them in the street, he always slows down and takes the time to converse with them. His eyes would widen as he listens to them talk and then his laugh would be the loudest.

✧ Sometimes you forget that Bruce Wayne isn’t just the playboy rich kid the media has pegged him to be. He was also just a child. A child who lost his parents too soon. Truly he’s a child of Gotham through and through.

✧ You would curl up against Bruce in the car and nuzzle your cheeks against his shoulder. He would smile but raise an eyebrow.

     “Something good happened today?”

     You shake your head, “Every day is good when I’m with you.”

✧ Things are getting way too serious and public between you and Bruce, and the day he has dreaded the most has finally come. You’re kidnapped and held for ransom for Bruce Wayne’s head.

✧ Bruce has prepared long and hard for this. It was part of the reason why he decided to date you seriously. Because he can handle this.

✧ You scream at him that he’s an idiot for coming to get you alone. He smiles and says he’s missed you. 

     You cry, “They’re going to kill you, Bruce.”

     He smiles, “They can try.”

✧ Of course, you mutter. He has backup. Batman saves you first and you’re already yelling at him for picking up the wrong person.

    “It’s Bruce they’re after!”

    Batman only groans and leaves you on the roof with Robin. He comes back with Bruce Wayne, suit slashed and hair disheveled, but no wounds. They leave you there while they clean up the thugs in the warehouse.

✧ “Bruce,” you call out to him in a low voice and it makes him panic, assessing where your injuries are. You hold his arms, “Marry me.”

✧ Watchtower Masterlist ✧

[goldandbluesmiles]

Blood Soaked Petals

Summary: Bruce loves Hal...right? Except that Hal is coughing up bloody petals.

Note: I know this is a little for the Batlatnern week but I really wanted to write something and just got the time

Link to ao3

XXX

Hal knew that Bruce loved him. He really did.

Until he didn't.

It had started with a small dose of the fear toxin. Well, a small dose of the fear toxin right after being awake in space for 45 hours straight.

The vision and whispers had driven him to tears and screams and he had woken up in Bruce's arms.

And it had been fine. Really it had. Bruce had hugged him and told him to go to sleep and that he would be there.

But he hadn't been. And that wasn't the problem. Damian would always come first, just like the rest of Bruce's children.

It really was fine.

So, maybe it started when he left the manor too early without a goodbye.

And when he came back and Bruce was too busy to kiss him and forgot to tell him that he loved him.

It was okay, really it was.

Bruce forgot sometimes. He wasn't as sensitive as the majority.

He'd remember or Hal would remind him.

It's what he did in the past.

They had talked about it. Bruce picked up on cues but didn't always know what to do about them so, Hal had to tell him. And if he was a little too busy to notice the cues, Hal had to let him know what he wanted, what he needed.

That's what they always did and Bruce always gave him what he needed.

Give me a kiss, Spooky.

Bruce snorted, "Alright, come here,"

Come on. Take a little time off. I need a cuddle.

Bruce sighed but tucked him close, "You're a menace you know,"

Give me some attention, Bruce.

Bruce laughed and kissed his forehead

I need you.

"I'm right here, flyboy,"

Tell me you love me.

"Love you," he murmured into Hal's hair, "Love you so much,"

So yeah, all he had to do was ask.

That's what he should have done but his chest hurt and the words got caught in his throat.

And Bruce said 'I love you' and kissed him and hugged him.

But something was wrong. The words seemed empty, the kisses felt hollow and the hugs left him aching instead of warm.

But he just smiled and thought that Bruce would notice that it was strained.

He didn't. Maybe Hal was just good at hiding. He didn't really wanna think about the other option.

He should say something, they should talk. Bruce would listen. He always listened. He cared about Hal after all.

But the words got caught in his throat and he was coughing and coughing and there was blood on his hand and oh... that's a flower.

A sword Lilly.

And Bruce noticed too. Hal was paler, coughed a lot more and seemed to be more tired than usual.

Hal should say something. He should really say something.

But there's blood and there are flowers and he doesn't think Bruce loves him anymore.

And then the bathroom door is opening and Bruce is staring at him with cold eyes, at the flower in his hand.

"Bruce- I-,"

Bruce turns and walks out.

And Hal thinks.

So this is what it feels like to completely shatter.

xxx

Bruce feels...

He doesn't know what he feels exactly.

The flower. The goddamn flower.

Hanahaki disease. His boyfriend, the man Bruce loved, had Hanahaki disease.

Oh god. Did that mean-Hal couldn't- was there...was there someone else? He was already in a relationship with Bruce which meant...

There was someone else. He didn't love Bruce.

Hal didn't love Bruce.

It hit him all at once and he nearly doubled over.

Oh, God.

"Father," said a voice behind him, "Father, are you okay?"

Slowly, he straightened himself up.

"Damian," he said, turning toward his youngest, "Of course, I'm alright,"

Damian narrows his eyes, "No you're not, Father. Do not lie to me,"

Damn this and his perceptive children.

Brue sighed ad nodded, "You are right. I'm not feeing a hundred percent but it's not anything for you to worry about. I will handle myself,"

Damian doesn't look away though, just keeps assessing him.

"Does this have anything to do with Jordan's rapid flying away from the manor,"

Bruce pursesdhis lips, "As I said, there is nothing for you to worry about,"

Damian narrows his eyes for a second but then shrugs.

"Fine. I'll see you at dinner then,"

He walks away before Bruce can say anything. After a little contemplation, Bruce turns back toward his previous path.

"Alfred," he calls out as he passes the older man, "I'm going out. I'll be back for dinner,"

xxx

Clark was on monitor duty and Diana was working on reports. They both kept shooting him concerned looks.

Another half-hour later Clark finally to him.

"Okay, I can literally hear your heart, Bruce," said Clark, "You're driving me mad and you're definitely driving yourself mad. What's wrong?"

He stayed silent.

"Bruce?" said Diana, tone gentle

"Hal has Hanahaki disease,"

Both their eyes widened.

'Um, Bruce," said Clark, "The way that works- does that mean..."

The other man trailed off looking at Diana helplessly. Before she could offer her own words, the watchtower announced the arrival of The Flash and Green Arrow.

"BRUCE WAYNE!" said Oliver marching into the control room, Barry right behind him. For one he wasn't running at top speed.

"What is the meaning of this Green Arrow?" said Diana, annoyed at the loud tone

Oliver, on the other hand, was glaring straight at Bruce.

"You know, I get that people fall out of love and all that but to string someone along? That's despicable. You could have at least let him know you wanted to toss him aside,"

"What the hell are you talking about?" growled Bruce, taking a step closer

Barry put and hand on Oliver's shoulder.

"We're just trying to understand," said Barry, "If you didn't love Hal anymore, why didn't you just break up with him?"

His voice is much calm and controlled but Bruce can see the underlying anger in his eyes.

But he's still very confused and he didn't like it.

"What do you mean? Of course, I love him. I don't want to break up with him,"

Now both men looked confused.

"Then why is he coughing up flowers, Wayne?" said Oliver, arms crossed

"I don't know, okay!" said Bruce, "He's been a little off, doesn't want to be too affectionate but that happens sometimes, especially with people like us. I didn't think too much of it but then I found him coughing up flowers and trust me those are not for me,"

"Uh," said Barry, sharing a look with Oliver, "Pretty sure they are,"

Bruce was just about to explode when Diana stepped up.

"I might have an explanation,"

"What?" he said, suddenly feeling very exhausted

"How does the curse know the love is returned?"

"A confession," says Clark, looking confused as to where this was going

"Right," said Diana, "But the confession doesn't change how the person confessing felt. The cruse isn't all-knowing. Its knowledge depends on the cursed person's knowledge,"

It took a few seconds for it to click but when it did, Bruce felt his heart clench.

"He doesn't think I love him anymore," he whispered

"Bruce," Clark murmured in sympathy

"I don't-" he said looking at Oliver and Barry, "I know I don't say it as much as normal people but I do say it. We share everything in our life. My kids love him, even Damian. I just- I don't. Why would he-"

Barry moved to put a hand on his shoulder. Bruce let him.

"I don't think it's entirely your fault, B," he said, "Hal- he gets lost in his head sometimes and it's hard for him to come out. And I know you're supposed to be the World's Greatest Detective and all but he's pretty good at pretending,"

Bruce took a deep breath and nodded. Self-deprecation could come later. Hal needed him right now.

"Where is he?"

"My place," said Oliver

"I'll take you," said Clark

Bruce nodded and let Clark lead him to the tubes.

He was going to fix this.

xxx

Bruce found him curled up on the floor of first-floor bathroom, Dinah kneeling beside him.

After giving him an assessing look, she nodded and left them both together.

"Hal?" whispered Bruce

The other man stirred and opened his eyes. They were red and already filling with tears.

"B'uce?" slurred Hal, letting out a sob.

Bruce instantly knelt down and took him in his arms.

"Shhh," he soothed him, "Shhh. I got you,"

Bruce had been ready for the other man to pull away, but instead, Hal just curled closer and cried. All the while Bruce whispered how much he loved him.

Later, he and Hal would talk. Later he would make an appointment with a couple's counsellor and Damian would tell Hal what an idiot he'd been. Later, they would both curl up in bed together. Later, Hal would cough up the remaining dead flowers while Bruce rubbed his back.

Later, they would fix this.

For now, Bruce just rocked Hal in his arms.

"It's okay, Sweetheart. I'm here. I love you,"

[toughguywithbossygirlfriend]

Athena coming to make Diana the new Goddess of Truth or to make her see it ?

I recently watched the episode of Justice League Action “Troubles with Truth” and It had thinking about how much the Gods of Olympus seemed to root for WonderBat.  XD

Honestly I didn’t really want to watch the show cause I learned Wondy and Supes were dating in it ... and I was like : “Please, not that again !” ... later I learned Supes was flirting with Lois and I thought : “OK maybe they got smarter and I should give it a chance ... sometime”. One day, one of my kids was watching this episode and after getting a glimpse of some Athena/Bats interaction I knew I had to check it out. I replayed it and wasn’t disappointed.

The story was about HIVE master trying to detonate a cobalt bomb to erase Metropolis. while Wondy, Green Arrow and Bats where searching for it in the watchtower, Superman appears on the screen and asks about the threat to his Town. Diana sharply shuts him down, ordering him to stay focused on New Genesis ...

(All the following pictures of DC Comics’s Characters are extracted from the episode “Justice League Action : Troubles with Truth”)

Suddenly, Athena appears with her Owl Boubo. Diana recognizes her and pays her respect immediately. A clueless Ollie asks Batman who that my be. Of course Bats has already a file on her and shares part of it to Ollie : “Goddess of Wisdom, Strategy, Victory, and half a dozen other things”, than turns his back and returns to work as if it wasn’t relevant... ignoring completely the Goddess. Considering Batman is a master of “strategy” ending up every time in the “victory” of the JL you start to get a link between himself and Athena... not only between Diana and Athena ;)

Diana then stand up and uses a reverent language to ask Athena why she came to the Wathchtower. Obviously, Athena misunderstood Diana and starts a rant about how Diana could change her hair and spruce up a bit... Girl talk.

Not even looking around, an annoyed Batman feels the need to make the translation of Diana’s question : “She means : Why are you here ?” ... After everyone stares at him shortly, Athena rather dramatically explains Diana that she is asked to become the new “Goddess of truth”.

Understanding that this means she has to leave earth and her Friends forever, she turns around looking at them. If you look at it carefully you see that she doesn’t look up to her “Boyfriend” still on the screen. This was made on purpose if not for WonderBat at least because of the funny effect at the end of the Watchtower scene. Diana only looks silently at the men (Ok, maybe only at one specifically, I let you guess who). Speaking of the men, Athena’s revelation seemed to be more than enough to attract Batman’s attention and he faces them. He doesn’t like it one bit and narrows his eyes into slits to make it clear. After another long sad look from Diana, thinking about what she will loose, she turns around and accepts the decision of the Gods but wants to stop HIVE master first.

The way Athena accepts so easily and how she seems to annoy or look at Batman with those half closed mischievous eyes makes you think she has at least a second agenda.

The funny but telling scene at the end of that part shows Superman still on the screen looking at a now empty monitor womb, in a “Hello ? Guys ? I’m still here ... hello ?” kind of way. Everyone completely ignored him since the moment of Athena’s arrival, but he witnessed every bit of it of course. Including Diana’s reaction, or rather lack of... No “Oh Kal I am so sorry we will never see us again”, No “My heart will still be with you”... not even a glance ... aside from the sad ones she offered Bruce ... err, I mean of course Bruce and Ollie ... but I don’t think Superman is that naive ... maybe that’s the reason why he flirts with Lois later this season...

All 4 jump into some Javelin and Athena takes the front seat next to Batman leaving the back seats to Diana and Ollie.it doesn't take long for Athena to invade Batman’s personal space ... asking him if he knows how to fly this thing as if she was ignoring who was in front of her .. That’s already enough for Bruce, he makes an angry face, looks at her but she just ignores the Batglare, he thinks about his options and considers for a moment pushing the "Eject” button (I was dead from laughing!).

He surely regretted that he didn’t conceive the aircraft like a James Bond car (can usually eject the passenger seat alone). So he asks her with the same mischief to get out and fly along the vehicle... the looks of Athena to Batman are really provocative, mischievous, I’d say even seductive .. there is no way she doesn’t know exactly who she talks to... She answers smiling with a “Not all Gods can fly ...”

Then she drops the Bomb : “...like not all Super Heroes can fly, right Batman?”. Now he knows for sure that this whole thing was intentional provocation because she knows who he is and what he can do ... the angry face just gets a lot worse  ... And the reaction of Diana in the Background is absolutely precious. Until that moment she was looking out of the window, surely considering her future life as a God and listening absentmindedly but her inner “Bat alarm” rang a bell as soon as she heard Athena’s sentence. Ollie’s comment to Diana : ”I swear I can almost hear his blood pressure rising !” is priceless. Diana thinks about the situation and says : “the Gods test us in many ways ...”.

That may be right ... but who exactly are they Testing ?... Diana ? or Bruce ? ... maybe both ? ... Diana already got “the job” so there is no need “testing” her,  but what’s the need for Diana’s pantheon to “test” Batman ?...

I don’t know if Athena really can’t fly but after their aircraft got shot down and Batman had to Eject them all for real .. Athena, Green Arrow  and Batman are gliding down with their parachutes while Diana  tries to save some lives. Athena drops in a free fall after her parachute got cut off thru some hostile shots. Batman instantly pulls off his own parachute and dives after her to save Athena. in the last moment he catches her Bridal style and uses his batwinged cape to glide them to the shore ... but not without hitting the water several times and landing them both unceremoniously but safe on the docks. Of course Athena cannot help it : “That wasn’t a very dignified landing !” but that despisefull comment from a Goddess won’t frighten the Dark Knight : “Next Time I let you swim !” ... Is she trying to Test if his he can put up with a family of male hating Amazons ??.

While Bats saved her Goddess, Diana was busy saving people at the docks. She shows off what a Hero and a leader she is, how she inspires others. At a distance Bats and Athena just stare in awe at the Princess’s overall prowess's.

Finally arriving at HIVE master’s hiding location they search for him and Athena tries to attract their attention to the entrance. Batman is elsewhere and neither Diana nor Ollie get the hint. Athena tries it again more Obviously but  nothing ! Batman coming from their Background just knows : “Its Underground” ... You get the feeling that to get together all of Athena’s perks, you need both Bruce and Diana. Alone they are Good, both of them, ...but together they match easily a God.

Other sweet little detail : While they load the remaining soldiers onto the escape vehicle. Diana carries the last one when Bruce appears at the door and takes the package from her ... even if she can carry much more weight then him he is always the gentleman ... at least with Diana, because neither Athena nor Ollie got that lucky.

In the end, Athena praises once again her Champion, at the same time she gets incredibly cozy with Bats in front of Diana, (leaning her elbow on Batman’s shoulder and he doesn’t even react!!) ... Kind of sending a message to Diana ? ... something like “Hey Girl, see that Guy ? ... that’s the one we want to see coming with you, next time you come to Olympus.. got it ?”.

After telling Diana she “belongs here” and how proud she is of her, she leaves but not without another seductive look at Batman and a “See ya later, Grumpy...”. Kind of “sooner or later Diana will get you and drag you to mount Olympus ! don’t even try to resist...”. Doing a last pirouette for the Bat, she nearly bumps into Green Arrow still trying to get a job as a God himself...

Athena definitively doesn’t send the same messages to Bruce and to Ollie.

The episode is absolutely delicious and totally worth its title: “Trouble with Truth” but It surely has more than one layer of troubled truths... and the “Goddess of Truth” job seems more like a set up to interact with Diana AND Bruce ... Ollie being the thing you drag with you because you cannot shake it off.

Now I Need to see the rest of the serie...

[ellana-ravenwood]

“You’re...You’re Bruce’s father !” - Bruce Wayne x Reader

Summary : Batmom is thrown into an alternate timeline where Bruce died, years ago, in Crime Alley, and his father, Thomas Wayne, became the Batman. 

Just an idea that popped in my mind at work. Hope you’ll like it :

You can find my masterlist here : @ella-ravenwood-archives

__________________________________________________

You wake up in a dark alley and your thoughts are a mess. 

Everything is blurry and confusing. 

You were at the League’s Watchtower, talking about...something. And then you heard Bruce screaming your name and...Here you were. Laying on the cold floor in an alleyway that you were pretty sure was in Gotham (you’d recognize your hometown amongst anything).  

What the hell happened ? Was that all a dream or...were you sleep walking ? 

Bruce said you were talking in your sleep and sometimes kicked or punched him but...to your knowledge, you never actually walked out of your bed. 

And definitely not into the night all the way to some place in the city ! 

Besides, Bruce and your boys always had their eyes on the tracker they put on you (they thought they were being so damn sneaky about this while you knew all along...and never minded. It was pretty cute.) But the fact that they had that tracker on you meant that they’d see you go to Gotham and one of their overly protective ass would be around and...

Suffocating. 

You’re suffocating. 

And because your mind is still in some sort of unnatural haze, you don’t register right away that what makes you suffocate are a pair of hands around your neck. Squeezing. More and more every seconds.

You already starts to see black spots form in front of you when...The sound of a gun. Three shot. Followed by bodies hitting the ground. 

And here he is. Your Bruce. Did he get hurt when whoever was attacking you shot him ? It’s the first thought that comes to your mind, as you drift slowly in unconsciousness. 

But...why is the Batman logo on his suit red ? He never had a red suit before... 

He approaches you and...the way he walks is so unfamiliar. What is going on ? And...is that a gun in his hand ? 

He catches you as you finally faint, and the last thing you see is how his eyes widen as you murmur : “Bruce ?”...Everything goes black. 

************

 And here we go again. You wake up more confused than you ever been in your life. Why are you tied down ? You’re pretty sure you’re in one of Bruce’s safe place that he scattered all around Gotham...But there’s something wrong. 

It doesn’t take you long before you realize what feels off. The walls are covered with guns of all kind. You’re pretty sure there’s even a bazooka. And Bruce ? He’d never have such a place. Though it really looks like one of his safe place...Maybe Jason got hold of it ? But Jason doesn't use guns anymore either...

And again, why the fuck are you tied down ?! 

A shadow spreads over you and...here he is. The Batman. And by now, you’re pretty sure it’s not your Batman. 

Bruce always said you were a smart one, that your brain worked faster than most people and that you were more intelligent than him sometimes. Of course, you’d always dismiss anything he said, because that man spend his damn time praising you and you could be just too insecure to even listen. 

And sure enough, faster than you realize, your brain actually makes all the connections it need to and...You know where you are now. You’re still not sure how things happen as you can’t properly remember, but you know. 

It’s that timeline Barry was talking about. The one where he saved his mother, and instead of Bruce’s parents dying in Crime Alley that fateful night...Him and his mother died. Thomas Wayne became the Batman. 

-Why did you call me “Bruce” ?

Is the first words you hear coming from him. No “Who are you ?” or “ You’re welcome for saving your life” or whatever. He’s just standing there, staring at you, and the only thing that counts is his son. 

His voice is nothing like your Bruce’s. Bruce has a low, deep and soothing voice. Whenever he speaks even when angry, it’s always of that pleasant tone...His dad though ? His voice is also deep, but there’s a harshness to it, it sounds almost mean...And damn, your “father-in-law” is actually extremely scary. 

He’s standing in front of you, a bit further away, and you know he’s about to say something else. But you don’t leave him any time to talk and say, voice shaking : 

-Oh my God...You’re...You’re...You’re Thomas Wayne ! Bruce’s father ! 

He turns his head brutally towards you and narrows his eyes at you, making you shrink in your place. 

Ok, your husband was intimidating, but his “Batman persona” never worked on you, he never scared you or anything, even before you started dating, you never took any of his shit but...his father though ? It was another story. He was just so...so...so frightening.

You can't help but shake out of fear when he asks :

-How do you know my son ? 

He doesn’t even ask how you know he’s Thomas Wayne. No. He directly ask about your Bruce, and it breaks your heart...You know the pain you feel when you loose a child. 

When Jason and Damian died...it’s the worst. It’s unnatural and unbearable. And you were lucky that your babies came back to you so...You understand him. Really. You can’t even imagine loosing one of your boys forever. 

You just can’t. And so you understand. 

So this is why he brought you back to his safe place with him. You said “Bruce”. Actually, even better, you called him Bruce, of course he’d want to know why. 

-Hum...Now it’s gonna sound crazy but...Hum...I’m actually...uh...I’m a...I’m a friend of your son.

There’s a sadness in his eyes that you can’t ignore. 

He appears stoic and collected, but you know those Wayne guys...You know how to read between the lines, how to detect their feelings through their apparent emotionless faces. He takes his cowl off and...It feels as if you’re faced with an older version of Bruce. Damn they look so much like each others...His voice brings you back from your daydreams :

-You’re too young to have even met him...How old are you ? 30 something ? He died over 40 years ago. You couldn’t possibly be an old friend of his. 

-Haha I am indeed 30 something, and he is an old man...My Old Man. 

-If this is a joke it isn’t funny. And I’ve never been to found of jokes anyway. At least, not anymore. 

There’s something dangerous in his tone and...of course. 

You get it. 

You’re being completely insensitive. 

You’re joking about your husband being older than you when...in this timeline, he died while he was barely 8 years old. You realized it’s actually cruel how you almost laughed in his face...You have to set things straight. 

-It’s not a joke. 

-Explain yourself then. And fast. Because patience has never been my strong point. And because I ran a test on your blood, and you appear to have died almost fifteen years ago in an arm robbery, which is not suppose to be possible. Explain yourself, and fast. 

Wait what ? You died in this timeline ? Oh...But of course ! You remember the armed robbery, but it was such a small thing. Bruce arrived, kicked everyone’s asses and...Bruce. Bruce arrived. He saved you. But in this timeline, Bruce was dead. And the only reason he arrived was because it was at the beginning of your relationship beginning to be very serious, it was when he realized he was in love with you and...the first time he put a tracker on you. He knew you were in trouble because he heard the police report on his hacked radio, and saw that you were at the place they were talking about, and so he came to save you.

But in this timeline ? Well he wasn’t there. And you were...dead. Wow. Ok. But you guess there really can’t be a (Y/N) without a Bruce. 

-Ok. I’m going to explain. But hum...This might sound a bit crazy. Here we go. First, I do know your son. Well, maybe not the son you remember I...uh...I’m your son’s wife. 

************

It takes you way too long to be able to explain everything. You keep loosing track of things you were saying, you keep digressing off the subject and talking about little anecdotes that are unimportant. But Thomas seems captivated by everything you got to say. 

When you’re finally done, you just look curiously at him, and you can see how your story shook him to the core. He’ll deny it of course, just like his son, but Thomas Wayne was beyond moved by everything you said. 

After a short moment of silence, he turns to you, and you just know he thinks his face doesn’t show any emotions but...Well, you know those Wayne men. You can read between the lines. And in his eyes, you see more feelings than you can count. Hope, happiness, sadness, despair...Conflicted. That’s how he feels. It’s nice to know that somewhere, his son lived. But...it’ll never happen where he’s from. He’ll never see him again. 

Finally, he speaks, and asks you : 

-I know he became Batman instead of me, that kid, Flash, he told me...Did he ever receive my letter ? The one I gave to Barry ? (if you want to read it, click here (x))

-Yes he did. 

-Is he still Batman ? 

-...Yes.

-Oh. So he didn’t listen to me...

-That’s not entirely true. That letter, he received it a long time ago. Now, it didn’t stop him for continuing to be the Batman, yes but...It did change his life. 

You could see in his eyes he attention was completely focused on you, and you tried not to shiver at the intensity of his gaze. Yup, something Bruce definitely took from his dad. 

-He...He...He’s still the Batman but he allowed himself to live. To love and be love. I think it’s thanks to your letter he finally let me enter his life, stopping all those bullshits about how he was too old and dangerous for me. Also, he takes at least a day off in the week, he’s not Batman for one night, to stay home with me or the boys and...

-The...the boys ? 

That’s unexpected. Very unexpected. At your words, you can see tears slowly welling up in your father in law’s eyes, and you suddenly feel more relax. Just like your Bruce, he is, after all, just a man...

-Yes. The boys. Our boys, we have four sons. Richard, Jason, Timothy and Damian. 

-You have...four sons ? 

-And one on the way...

You touch your belly slightly, and a single tear runs down your father-in-law’s cheek (it doesn’t even seem like he noticed it, as if he was too focused on the news you just gave him to feel himself cry). You don’t even mention the fact that they’re adopted sons, because it doesn’t matter. They’re yours all the same. 

-We decided to call him Thomas if he’s a boy, Martha if she’s a girl...

He turns away. Because he refuses to show you his tears. Because he refuses to show you that all this touches him more than ever...But you know. Of course you do. You don’t say anything though, you’re used to it with Bruce. He’d sometimes hide his feelings from you, though you know how he actually feels and...you’d just hold him. Brush your fingers through his hair lovingly. But somehow, you’re pretty sure that hugging and caressing Thomas’ hair isn’t really the thing to do...

Finally, he turns back to you and asks : 

-Bruce...how is he like ? 

-Physically, it’s exactly you. Except he has Martha’s blue eyes. And he’s taller. But other than that...all you. Our youngest, Damian. It’s the same. Except his eyes are green and his skin is far from pale like yours. And mentally...oh he’s the best. He’s compassionate and passionate. He always stands up for what he believes is right. He helps people in more ways than just being Batman. Bruce Wayne does a lot of good too and...there’s so much I could tell about your son. So much. 

-Please. Tell me everything. Please. 

And you do. Because there’s something almost desperate in the way your father in law just asked you to tell him everything about your Bruce...and you can’t deny him. 

It takes a few hours, and the worries of being thrown into another timeline completely leave you. 

He would never admit it of course but...Thomas Wayne is more than glad that his son found someone like you. Oh yes. You seem like the perfect woman for his son, and oh you remind him so much of his dearly missed Martha...

************

Almost twelve hours later, you’re in Thomas’ batcave and...you recognize the place. Bruce told you about it more than once. It’s not where his Batcave is located...it used to, but became too small over the years. 

It’s the well he fell in as a kid. The well his father went to fetch him. You’re sure of it, it’s exactly like he described it. It’s still big, but...yes. Not big enough for the Batman he is. 

But it seems good for Thomas’ Batman. A few guns. Other suits. Pictures of Bruce as a kid, and of Martha. A gun in a glass case...the gun that killed Bruce and his mother in this timeline. 

Your father in law is about to say something when a bunch of lightning appears out of nowhere and...Your Bruce. 

Your Bruce is there ! 

You don’t hesitate, you jump in his arms, and of course, they’re already open before you collide with him, and wrap themselves around you in a tight embrace. 

-My love. 

-My heart. 

You stay like this, close from each other, your face in the crook of his neck, his buried in your hair, and don’t say a word. Oh you’re so glad Barry brought him here. So glad. You didn’t even had time to worry about a way to go back home...

-...Son. 

A voice Bruce thought he’d never hear ever again tears him away from you. He still has his arms around you but...his focus is now all on the white haired man in front of him. 

You step aside, and have to untie Bruce’s hands from you. He’s clutching so hard at your clothes that it’s difficult, but you manage to do it anyway. 

You step aside and...the two men fall in each other’s embrace, as you and Barry witness, a small tear in your eyes.

************

-You two remind me of myself and your mother...

Thomas says to his son. They’re both sitting in his cave, a bit further away than you and Barry. You two gave them some space, and are speaking lowly with each others. Barry probably explains what happened...that a time portal exploded right as you walked by and...Well, you’re just unlucky sometimes. 

Bruce and his father spend the last two hours talking, and they know it’s soon time to say “goodbye” once more, as Barry warned them they can’t stay long, risking to fuck every timeline up (he would know...). The Flash actually calculated that they have about two hours and half before things will go south and...they took advantage of it to talk. 

Thomas asked about Bruce’s life, and though a lot of things he said were the same than the things you said...He doesn’t mind. He’s just as captivated. Hearing about Bruce’s life in this other world...His boys. Alfred (who unfortunately died years ago here). You. His love for you, and the love you have for him. 

It feels good to know his son, somewhere, is loved that much. That someone helped him go through his parents’ death. That this someone will always be here...From the little he talked to you, Thomas Wayne just KNOW you’ll never give up on his son. 

And Bruce confirms it. He talks about how stubborn you are, how you always put up with his shit and keep him grounded. And oh the way he talks about you, so adoring, full of awe and love...it warms Thomas’ heart. 

And his grandchildren ? He wished he could meet them too. They all sound so amazing. And he wished...

-Time’s up. 

Barry’s voice shatters all his wishes. 

What he actually wants can’t happen. His son and Martha are gone for good here. And the person he’s talking to ? It’s not actually his Bruce. 

His Bruce was taken from him while he was just a little boy. Just a small and precious child, that was just so nice and...Yes. He needs to stop wishing. 

It’s good enough to know that somewhere, though Bruce isn’t the carefree child he used to be and falls in the same Dark path his father took...He’s loved. He has a family. He has a life. It’s not like him, it’s not just darkness and sadness. 

It’s brighter.. And though it’s sure seems like they have tough time in that other world too...There is still so much love and support. It’s good. 

But he, Thomas Wayne, Thomas Wayne of this particular timeline...he cannot have that. It’s impossible. Everything died the day Bruce and Martha did, and he wasn’t lucky enough to have found someone like you to brighten his days. He didn’t look for it actually...you were his son’s “Martha”. You were the love of his life. And if one day you died, he just knew that, just like him, Bruce wouldn’t be able to move on from you. Ever. 

Oh he wished you’ll always stay safe...it was clear his son needed you. 

-Goodbye...Father. 

-Goodbye my son. Remember what I told you in this letter. Never forget it. Take care of your family...like I wasn’t able to take care of you. 

-No father, I went through the same thing and...it’s not your fault. It’s not. Just like your death wasn’t mine. The only one responsible is the man who pulled the trigger. 

-I killed him. 

-I didn’t...

-It’s good. Don’t take my path. Don’t go dark like I do. Never kill. And keep your family safe. 

-I...I will. I love you father. 

-I love you my son. And you, (Y/N)...take care of him. Don’t let him go. 

You smile weakly at your father in law, as Flash take your hand to bring you back to your original timeline, and say : 

-I won’t. Believe me. Even if he wants me to. I’m too stubborn to ever let him go. 

And for the first time in years, Thomas Wayne smiles. Actually smiles. And as you, his “son” and the young Barry Allen disappears in a storm of Lightnings...He feels lighter than ever. 

But soon enough, the weight of his existence downs back on him, and he falls on his knees. Because he just witnessed something he’ll never see again. He just met people that were dead here, and would never come back...The life his Bruce had in another World, was ripped away from him in this World and...it’s too difficult to bear. 

Thomas Wayne puts his Batman cowl back on, and takes a few weapons, ready to get back in the streets...Because the only way he knows how to deal with all this, is getting rid of every criminals in Gotham. 

Fin. 

_______________________________

This isn’t what I wanted it to be. Uh. MEH ! I feel like it’s rushed, and the conversation between Thomas and Batmom just plain sucks. Not believable and shit. MIGHT DELATE AND REWRITE LATER ! Or like, add scenes...sorry if you’re disappointed...

[camsthisky]

I’m Here for a Pick Up

Here’s the one shot I promised for my birthday (which is still super weird and I’m not going to really think about it)!

Summary: Tim has the unfortunate task of picking Dick Grayson up from the police station while Damian tags along when Bruce is out of town. It doesn't turn out exactly as he thought it would, and honestly, he might just be okay with that.

ao3 | ff.net

“ — not here at the moment,” Bruce’s secretary is saying into the phone as Tim and Damian make their into the vestibule before Bruce’s office. Her expression is pinched, her lips pulling down at the corners, and Tim wonders who the phone call is from. When that look comes out, it usually means that some evil business tycoon wants something big from Bruce. “I’m afraid that’s just not possible, sir. Mr. Wayne isn’t in the country at the moment.”

Damian shoots Tim a sharp glance, but Tim can only shrug. It makes sense that Bruce told his secretary that he’s out of town on business. He couldn’t really tell her that he’s up in a secret Space Station orbiting Earth, now could he?

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience,” Ms. Davens says, “but I can’t get ahold of him. I do, however,” Ms. Daven’s eyes meets Tim’s, and Tim feels his stomach sink, “have two of his sons here. One of them is over the age of eighteen.”

Tim’s eyes bug. “Ms. Davens—”

She holds a finger up and Tim’s mouth snaps shut, and that’s probably why Bruce has kept her on for so many years. She’s not afraid to exert her will, even if it’s usually with as much respect as possible.

“I will,” Ms. Davens says to the person on the other line. “Thank you, Officer. You, too.”

“Officer?” Damian asks, his tone curious. “The police?”

Ms. Davens sighs as she hangs the phone up. “Yes, it was the police. Specifically Officer Peterson. He says he has your brother locked up in a holding cell, and he needs someone to come get him.”

Damian looks offended. “As if we would go get To—”

Tim elbows Damian in the arm. Hard. He glares at the demon that’s his little brother, trying to convey shut the heck up without actually saying it. Damian rolls his eyes, but he seems to get it, only taking a moment to glare dramatically at the wall like the teenager he is.

“Did Officer Peterson say why Dick was arrested?” Tim asks, ignoring the way Damian sucks in a sharp breath and glances between Tim and Ms. Davens. It’s not Tim’s fault that Damian forgot that Jason is still legally dead, and that no one would call Bruce about him. They would, however, call about Dick Grayson.

Ms. Davens shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Timothy. All I know is that he’s not in major trouble, but they’d like someone responsible to pick him up.”

Damian snorts. “Because Drake is responsible.”

“I’m an adult,” Tim hisses, even though he would like to do anything but bail Dick out of jail right now. “You’re a teenager. That makes me the responsible one right now.”

“Come tell me that when you manage to actually take care of yourself.”

Tim blinks, because that almost sounded like— “Didn’t know you cared, Damian.”

“As if,” Damian seethes, arms crossing protectively over his chest, the look of disgust blatant on his face for the world to see. That’s all Tim sees when he looks at Damian, but if Dick were here, he’d probably say something like Go easy on him, Tim! Dami’s insecure when it comes to caring for other people, and yet. All Tim sees is hate. Damian, clueless to Tim’s thoughts, continues, “I just can’t stand how you upset Father and Grayson when you don’t sleep for days on end. Grayson comes crying to me.”

Tim’s right. Dick’s wrong. Damian’s not insecure, he just doesn’t want to be bothered. Good to know.

(And he’s definitely not fooling himself because Damian has never showed an ounce of interest in his well-being.)

It occurs to Tim then that Ms. Davens is probably watching this whole exchange. Good thing she knew the both of them well enough not to read too much into their bickering. She’s seen it too many times.

Tim sighs, turning towards the secretary. “Right. Well, me and Damian will just go get Dick, then. I’ll be back later for Bruce’s reports, Ms. Davens.”

Ms. Davens waves them out. “Goodbye, boys.”

As soon as they’re out of the room, Damian turns to Tim, his eyes narrow and calculating, and Tim can practically see the thoughts speeding through his mind. “This isn’t like Grayson. He doesn’t get arrested.”

Not that he’s going to admit it, but Tim can’t agree more. Dick’s a police officer and a vigilante. He should know how to not get arrested, and how to get himself out of trouble if he is caught up with the police. And yet, here they are, on their way to pick Dick up from the station after a phone call to Bruce’s office.

Damn. When Bruce gets back, he isn’t going to be happy.

“They said he’s not in major trouble,” Tim says, pushing any thoughts of the aftermath of this situation to the side, “so maybe it was just a wrong place, wrong time kind of thing.”

Damian side-eyes him, but Tim knows that Damian knows that it’s probably not anything like that. Because it’s Dick, and Dick doesn’t do anything half-assed, especially getting in trouble. He’s got a flair for the dramatics, and Tim just hopes that hasn’t landed his big brother in a pot of hot water.

“Maybe you’re right,” Damian says once they’re almost to Tim’s car, and Tim tries not to let himself react visibly—

—because that’s new. And it’s only obvious now that it’s not being directed at Tim.

Damian’s worried.

Maybe Tim had been fooling himself.

They get to the Gotham Police Department precinct in record time, barely avoiding breaking any traffic laws thanks to Tim’s ability to function somewhat with very little sleep. Damian’s a pest, of course, and it doesn’t help that he’s being such a backseat driver.

“Will you just shut up for two seconds,” Tim scowls as they pull into a parking spot designated for civilians. “I know how to drive.”

Damian scoffs. “Obviously not, otherwise you wouldn’t have almost hit that cat—”

Tim throws his hands up in the air. “It’s not like I wasn’t watching the road, Damian! It’s not my fault that it came running out like that!”

“I’m driving on the way back,” Damian declares as they both climb out of the car.

“You’re thirteen.”

“I know how.”

“That is most definitely not the point,” Tim says as they walk into the precinct. He lowers his voice a little bit so he’s not yelling as much. “Let me handle this.”

All Tim gets from Damian is a muttered “whatever” and then they’re both in front of the desk, the man behind the desk looking between them curiously. Tim tries for a small smile, knowing that it’s best to be polite and straightforward in these types of situations.

“Can I help you?” the man asks.

Tim glances at his badge. “Officer Peterson. I’m Timothy Drake. You called Wayne Enterprises about my brother being here.”

Realization dawns on Peterson’s face. “Oh. Oh. Mr. Drake. Thank you for coming,” he says, sliding around the desk and extending a hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Tim blinks but takes the hand. This is not going the way he’d thought it would. The officer almost sounds pitying in a way, and Tim wonders how bad Dick had to have screwed up to have warranted that kind of reaction to the escort out of here. “You, too,” Tim says, his tone conveying some of his confusion. “Is Dick…?”

“He’s not in any trouble,” Officer Peterson reassures him as he gestures for Tim and Damian to follow him further into the precinct. Tim’s honestly wondering if this guy is new to this or something, because he looks way to innocent to have been on the force long in Gotham City.

“He’s not?” Tim asks.

Peterson shakes his head. “No. Poor guy’s hurt, though. He refused a squad car trip to the hospital and told us to call Mr. Wayne instead.”

“Huh.”

Damian’s looking as confused as Tim feels, and their eyes meet in a single moment as they wonder, but then Tim’s looking around the precinct. Looking for Dick. Something about this is bothering Tim, he just can’t put his finger on it quite yet.

Dick isn’t stupid. He may act it sometimes, but Dick’s smart and talented and he should know that Bruce is currently pulling double duty at the Watchtower right now, not in his office at Wayne Enterprises. But if he got hurt….

Tim looks over to Peterson. “Officer, how exactly did Dick get hurt?”

“Oh,” Officer Peterson stops a few feet from where Dick’s chatting away with a pretty officer, an ice pack held to the back of his head. “Mr. Grayson was in a store when it was robbed, and one of the robbers was about to shoot a kid. Mr. Grayson tackled her to the floor, but she pistol-whipped him before he could hold her down. The police arrived just moments later and took care of the situation.”

So Tim was right. Dick had a head injury and hadn’t remember that Bruce was currently unavailable. Great. He really should have just called Alfred, honestly. Would have saved a lot of time, Tim thinks.

Dick catches sight of Tim and Damian, then, and he waves, his face lighting up even brighter than it had been just moments before, a loopy grin on his face and eyes slightly unfocused. Concussion then.

Damian slips away from Tim and Officer Peterson, making his way straight towards Dick, hissing a “You’re such an idiot, Grayson,” that Dick just laughs off. Tim lets Damian go.

Officer Peterson clears his throat, and Tim shoots him a questioning glance. “Sorry. It’s just, uh,” Peterson scratches the back of his head, “maybe you want to drive him to the hospital? There’s a nasty bump on the back of his head.”

Tim hums. He’s kind of surprised the officers didn’t call an ambulance. Sure, Dick’s had worse, but the police don’t know that.

Instead, Tim supplies, “He was probably hoping our private doctor would have a look at him first. If the media finds out Dick’s been admitted to the hospital, they’re going to have a field day.”

Officer Peterson looks sort of abashed. He scratches the back of his head again. A nervous habit. “He, uh, Mr. Grayson said the first part, about the private doctor, but I didn’t realize the media was so intrusive into the Wayne family’s lives.”

He doesn’t know why, but that startles Tim. The Wayne family. He forgets sometimes that everybody else is looking at their family from an outsider’s perspective, and of course they wouldn’t know that the Wayne family is really anything but. Too many bad memories stuffed into seven people, each with their problems, their own issues. They don’t deal with those issues like normal people, and really, the only person who even tries is Dick, and that ends up blowing up in his face more than half the time.

It’s odd, Tim think, that despite knowing how his family is, Dick still tries again and again to bring them closer. To try and actually make them all a family. He supposes that that’s just how Dick is. A heart far too big for the people he got stuck with as a family.

The thought kind of makes Tim sad.

Okay. Enough social interaction. Enough introspection. He needs to get out of his own head before he buries himself in it, and he still has to drive a concussed Dick and a thirteen-year-old Damian—who can’t legally drive a car yet no matter what he says—home.

So Tim walks away from Officer Peterson with a small, “thank you,” shot the policeman’s way, before he’s coming up beside Dick and Damian. Dick’s chuckling and he looks so fond as he watches Damian scowl and skulk that something heavy drops in Tim’s stomach.

He shouldn’t care anymore. But he does. It’s stupid.

Until Dick notices Tim, and then that look shifts from Damian onto Tim, and Tim can see the unconditional love for his little brothers that Tim’s not sure either he or Damian deserve.

“Ready to go home?” Tim asks, hoping his thoughts aren’t showing on his face—they probably aren’t. He’s too good at keeping his expressions neutral.

Dick nods enthusiastically, and turns back towards the policewoman. “Thanks for the ice, Officer Romero.”

The woman gives Dick’s hand a pat. “I’d say anytime, but I really don’t want to see you hurt yourself again.”

Dick’s too concussed to look sheepish—they should really have him checked over by Alfred—and all he does is wave and say goodbye to practically every police officer Peterson leads them past. Once they get back to the front desk, Tim extends his hand out to Peterson.

“Thank you,” Tim says honestly. “For not sending him to the hospital. And for going out of your way to help my brother.”

Officer Peterson firmly shakes Tim’s hand, a smile on his face. “I’m glad I listened to my instincts. I wouldn’t want any trouble for the guy that just saved people, you know?”

Tim nods, and then prods his brothers out the station doors. They’re caught up in an argument about what the proper protocol is for taking down a clan of ninjas, and the only reason Dick seems to be winning is because his ideas are so ridiculous that even the Demon Brat is having trouble keeping a straight face.

“You’re joking, Grayson. That wouldn’t take down even one ninja, let alone a whole clan,” Damian insists as he and Dick climb in the back seat.

“Would, too,” Dick pushes. “Besides, if it doesn’t work then you can just ask nicely to surrender.”

Tim snorts out a surprised laugh as he slides into the driver’s seat. “Dick, I don’t think—”

“And if that doesn’t work you can always give them each a hug.”

“They are ninjas, Grayson!” Damian grounds out. Tim pulls out of the parking lot and starts back to the office to pick up those reports. Damian sounds absolutely scandalized now, a million miles away from amused. “Ninjas! They will not accept your stupid offers of a hug.”

Tim can almost hear the frown in Dick’s voice as he asks, “Why not?”

Ridiculous. Completely and utterly ridiculous. It’s probably just from the concussion, but Tim still finds it so Dick Grayson that he wants to give a ninja a hug to make it stop fighting. It’s so ridiculous and so sad at the same time.

He wonders if he’ll ever be able to see things the way Dick does.

Probably not, he thinks as he makes a right turn. Because Dick is an abnormality in their brooding circle that is the Wayne family. Sometimes it really seems as if Dick’s the only one trying, even though they all try to make it work to some degree (well, all except Jason, who still isn’t even ten percent on board with this whole thing quite yet, but that’s getting better the more time passes).

“Whatcha thinking about?” Dick asks, leaning forward to lean his forehead on the passenger seat. Tim can see him from the corner of his eye, and he looks concerned.

Tim decides to be honest. Takes a leap. “You,” he says and pretends like he doesn’t regret it the moment it comes out of his mouth.

Dick hums. “What about me?”

“Just…wondering how hard you hit your head,” Tim covers, and it’s awful that he can’t even open up slightly when all Dick would have said is, I was thinking about our family, and that would have been that. “You seem kind of out of it.”

They’re all trained to diagnose themselves, but Tim still takes it with a grain of salt when Dick says, “I don’t think I’m too bad. I mean, my head hurts, but it doesn’t feel very foggy, you know?”

“Sure,” says Tim. “You think you’ll be okay if I leave you two for a bit?”

Dick furrows his eyebrows. “What do you mean? Where are you going?”

Tim pulls into the parking garage of Wayne Enterprises. “Just into the office to grab those reports and have a chat with Tam. It won’t take too long,” Tim tells him. “You’ll have Damian with you.”

Damian scowls at Tim, but doesn’t object. The kid’s been quiet for the most part this entire experience, and Tim wonders what’s going through his head before dismissing it. He doesn’t want to know. He doesn’t even want to know what’s going through his own head.

“Okay,” Dick says, relaxing, and Tim notices now that they’re parked that Dick’s gripping Damian’s hand like a lifeline. “See you in a bit?”

Tim nods, opening the door but leaving the keys in the ignition. “I’ll be right back.”

Tim picks up the reports, talks to Tam and Lucius, and then he’s back in the parking garage ten minutes later.

Damian and Dick are playing rock paper scissors, and to Tim’s utter delight, Dick is crushing the kid. The atmosphere, despite Damian’s scowl, is playful, teasing, and warm, and Tim slips into it with an ease he’d never thought he would before. The rest of the drive home is the same. Dick creating this atmosphere just with his smile, and Tim and Damian falling right into it like they always do.

It’s family. A little messed up and skewed, but Dick pulls them together. He’s not trying, he’s doing, and Tim honestly can’t believe that he hasn’t realized it before just now.

When Dick smiles at him later, when they’re back at the manor, Tim surprises both of them by offering one of his own.

[aeranethwrites]

To all the new followers and people who liked/read my superbat drabble: You are awesome <3

Anyway, have a continuation? I’m a sucker for reactions

“Clark Joseph Kent, I cannot believe you bothered to show up to work!!”

“Um. H-Hi, Lois.”

“Gah!! I could just-!” While Lois pantomimed strangling the soul right out of his body, Clark adjusted his glasses and tried to not listen too much to the whispering.

Who was he kidding, he was both ‘curious and obscenely nosy’, as Bruce liked to put it.

“Braver than he looks, if that’s real-”

“Actually sleeping with Batman, holy shit-”

“How did Batman pick that up? I’m surprised Clark didn’t faint at the sight of the Bat.”

“-cannot believe we spent all these years one cubicle from each other, and you have the audacity to keep something like this from me- hello? Clark?!” Lois snapped her fingers impatiently, and Clark blinked several times.

“Sorry. Spaced out.” Lois pinched the bridge of her nose. She breathed very slowly.

“Smallville,” she growled. “You have one- just one- chance to tell me that this was a hoax. That Jimmy saw something completely fake, that some other weirdo in a bat costume was hanging out on the rooftop, and you gave him the friendliest hug on this side of the Atlantic.” The whole floor was quiet, everyone holding their breaths. While also trying very hard to pretend they weren’t listening.

Clark sighed very quietly. “It’s my fault,” he admitted. Lois sucked in a breath- “If I was going to kiss my boyfriend, I probably shouldn’t have done it on a building full of photographers.” Her jaw hung slack, and the whispers exploded back in. Then Lois snapped out of it and began shaking him back and forth, spluttering incoherently.

“Enough!!” The floor quieted. “Kent!” Perry snapped. “Office! Now!”

“Yes, sir,” Clark said meekly, gingerly squirming out of Lois’ hold. She sputtered quietly as he shuffled into the open door, eyes still huge.

Perry walked stiffly to his desk, indicating Clark sit. Clark sat, watching him pace for a few moments. After a long while, he turned around, eyes sharp.

“I almost told Jimmy to hell with that picture,” he finally said. “If that kid wasn’t so damned positive that he was the real thing. If it were anyone else, Kent- anyone, I would have thrown them out on their asses.” Clark winced.

“I wouldn’t do something like that.”

“That’s just the thing. I know you wouldn’t. You never have before, and if you were about to start, it damn well wouldn’t be with Batman. He may not do PR, but he’s still the kind of person that gets the message across.” Clark nodded absently. He really was. “Still, all exclusives aside…” The editor sighed, rubbing at his forehead. “Seriously, kid? Batman?” Clark shrugged awkwardly. “How long has this been going on?”

“... Some years, now.”

“How the hell did that happen?” I met a man in Taiwanese prison, then followed him across Asia and fell in love. Clark coughed, adjusting his glasses.

“Through Superman.”

“That’s it?”

“It’s… a long story. Essentially, through Superman.” Perry eyeballed him for a long moment, then harrumphed.

“I guess asking for an interview is too much.”

“Batman wants his privacy, and I won’t break that.”

“Uh-huh. I don’t suppose you talked with him about this mess.”

“We did.” Clark grimaced. “I think he’s more upset with himself for not noticing Jimmy sooner. But he doesn’t want me to retract anything.” Perry raised an eyebrow. Clark sighed. “He… knows my career is important to me. He respects that. Said if nothing else, exposing him as a gay superhero will be beneficial.”

“I didn’t think he cared about that sort of thing.”

“He cares a lot more than you’d think, sir. Believe me, if you knew him, you’d wonder what he ever saw in me.” Perry scoffed, leaning against his desk.

“No, I wouldn’t.” He shook his head to himself. “You’re not allowed anywhere near this story. Neither is Lois, for that matter.”

“She’s going to strangle you.”

“Probably. It’s too late to take back either way.”

“I understand. Batman does, too.”

“Good. Go find Jimmy when you can escape the mob. He’s probably still hiding in a closet and having a crisis. Like you do sometimes, only more dramatic.” Clark snorted very quietly.

“I’ll find him.”

“And- Clark,” Perry called, before Clark could go out the door. “... Be careful, kid.”

“I’m always careful.” Perry’s expression bordered scathing.

“No, you’re not.” Clark could only shrug sheepishly. He went out the door anyway. “... Batman,” Clark heard him mutter to himself. “The goddamned Batman.”

Lois peered at him over the top of their shared cubicle wall as he returned to his desk. He sighed. “Neither of us is allowed near the story,” he recited.

“What?!”

“Sorry, Lois.”

“If I could just get five minutes alone with-”

“Lois.” Clark frowned. “Please respect his privacy. He’s not a story, he’s someone that’s important to me.”

“Clark-”

“Please,” Clark repeated, softening his voice. “As a friend.” The reporter faltered, visibly wavering. Clark almost felt bad, but there was very little else that would throw Lois Lane off the scent of a good story.

“... The second you break it off, he’s mine,” Lois finally growled.

“We’re not going to break it off.”

“Oh? Long-term, then?”

“Lois.”

“Fine, fine.” Lois waved him off. “Fine.” She still didn’t leave. “... So is your boyfriend a good kisser? Just out of friendly curiosity.”

Clark sighed.

Bruce was the center of attention the moment he stepped foot on the Watchtower. He expected it, but it didn’t make it any less irritating.

The main hall immediately went quiet as he walked through. Mostly because Flash had switched off the main monitor so quickly along with the conversation dying off. He ignored it, along with the stares that followed him. Everyone was gathered around the blank screen, watching him intensely.

“... Hey, Bats!” Flash attempted. “Hey! Buddy. Pal. W-What’s happening?”

“Probably crime,” Batman replied flatly. “Where’s my monitor view?”

“Oh, that’s- that’s a bit on the fritz. There’s, uh, some weird connection that keeps popping up, best to not mess with it-” Bruce pulled a remote from his pocket and switched it back on. The show continued playing.

“-right here in Smallville, where Clark Kent was raised. How did you two know each other, Miss Suzanne?”

“Oh, you know, we’ve been best friends throughout our childhoods. That’s just how small towns are, though, you know? He’s basically my brother.”

“You dumped milk in his lap in sixth grade and called him a stupid dork.”

“Shut up, Pete!”

“Annnd back to you, Jeff!”

“The Daily Planet reporter that’s been sweeping the headlines as a topic himself, Clark Kent, has so far declined comment on his relationship with the world-famous hero Batman-” Another click and the monitor switched back to his crime watch. Bruce rolled his eyes as he went up the walkway to his station. He settled in to get some actual work done.

The League followed him to the computer.

“Sooo… on the topic,” Lantern began. “Is it true?”

“Yes.” Bruce frowned at the screen. “There’s definitely crime happening.”

“... No, Batman. We mean-”

“We mean,” Hawkgirl cut in, “that we are only curious if this ‘Clark Kent’ is spreading false rumors in an attempt to damage your public image.” Batman paused. He’d been planning on ignoring them, but the question rankled.

“And just how would me having a boyfriend damage my public image?” he challenged, bristling.

“Whoa, whoa, that’s definitely not what she meant,” Flash insisted hastily. “Not what she meant at all. Look, we just know Kent is close to Superman, and he does a lot of coverage for the Justice League. She was just asking if he might be going rogue on us.”

“What else would I mean?” Hawkgirl muttered. Green Lantern raised an eyebrow. “... Oh.”

“... No,” Brucefinally grumbled, turning away his glare. “He’s not going ‘rogue’ on us.”

“So he’s not lying?” Wonder Woman confirmed. Bruce had the feeling of being tricked, though he couldn’t say why.

“... He’s not lying.”

“Oh-ho, Bats!” Flash cheered, clapping his shoulder. “Good on you! Rooftop makeout and everything!”

“Congratulations,” J’onn offered. “He seems very nice.”

“He’s pretty cute,” Hawkgirl acknowledged. “In a dorky way. I wouldn’t have guessed that was your type.”

“So how long have you been dating?” Flash asked eagerly, leaning into his space. “Is he dating Batman, or does he know your secret identity?? How’d you guys meet? Did Superman hook you up? Wait, does Superman know about you two? I mean, I guess he knows now, but did he before?” Bruce sighed harshly.

“All of you have better things to do.”

“Yeah, but we wanna talk about you and your cute boyfriend!”

“I have a question, too,” Lantern added. “If you two were a secret, why’d you end up making out on top of the Daily Planet? You know, the building full of reporters with cameras on hand?”

“Oh, let him live a little,” Hawkgirl scoffed. “Some people like showing off.”

“Yeah, sure, but not Batman.”

“What not Batman?” Kal wondered, entering the hall. Batman felt somewhat vengeful as Lantern turned around.

“We were just asking the Bat about his voyeurism.” Kal choked for a moment.

“Excuse me??”

“What else do you call him making out with his boyfriend on a building of reporters?” Hawkgirl returned.

“W-Well, that- I mean-”

“It’s your fault,” Bruce informed him. There was a moment of silence as everyone stared between them. Kal’s mouth moved silently for a moment.

“M-Me? What did I do?”

“Suddenly he’s upset about some Watchtower gossip you shared with him. Something about supervillains constantly flirting with me and other women.” Wonder Woman’s face twitched violently. Kal coughed awkwardly as Flash and Lantern looked busy studying anything else.

“Well, I just- You know how often we talk-”

“You know he’s sensitive.”

“Yes,” Kal ground out, groaning. “Yes, I- do.”

“He took risks he wouldn’t normally and we got caught.”

“And you’re mad at me for it, I get it.”

“I’m not mad, Superman,” Bruce replied patiently. “I don’t blame either of you. You’re a weak man for gossip and he’s prone to bouts of jealousy. Do you really blame him?” Kal rolled his eyes to the heavens while Flash muffled a snort.

“No, Batman,” he intoned. “I don’t blame him. You’re a wonderful man and anyone would be lucky to have you. How can he stand not having you to himself twenty-four hours a day?” Bruce waved him off, returning to his work.

“That’ll do.”

“So you’re done?”

“For today.”

“For the month.” Bruce hmmed.

“The week.”

“Fine.”

“Then I’m going back to work.”

“So am I.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.” There was a long silence. Kal cleared his throat, then finally left. Bruce shook his head to himself as the League quietly dispersed. Flash lingered, leaning against the console.

“... You two really are close, aren’t you?”

“We’ve known each other too long,” Bruce replied. Flash chuckled.

“I guess he really did introduce you two, then? How long ago was that, anyway?”

“Why do all of you care so much about me having a relationship?” Bruce frowned at him, baffled.

“Well, it’s- I don’t know. You’re just… You’re always such a hardass. John was in the Marines and even he thinks you’re over the top.” The speedster shrugged. “It’s just nice knowing you’re human, I guess. You never seemed to notice anyone or show how much you care about things. It’s nice to know there’s a soft, squishy heart under all those layers of darkness.”

“He’s the squishy one,” Bruce denied immediately. “He’s composed of eighty-seven percent sunlight and rainbows.” Flash grinned hugely.

“Awww. And you love him just like that, don’t you?” Bruce muttered some Kryptonian swears under his breath. He hoped Kal was enjoying himself.

“... I like my privacy,” he finally said, when Flash still wouldn’t go away. “And it’s for his safety. Along with his family’s.”

“Yeah, but everyone knows he’s Superman’s BFF.”

“People like the Joker didn’t have a reason to care about that before.”

“... Point. Hey, so did Superman introduce you? Can I at least get the footnotes on that story?” Bruce held back a sigh. Still, of the rest of the League, Flash was… least suspicious. Just overly friendly. (He seemed to attract the type.)

“Superman didn’t introduce us,” he admitted at length. “We met before him.”

“Whoa- seriously??”

“It was a long time ago, we were still teenagers.” He shook his head to himself. “We had a habit of getting into trouble together, diving headfirst into mysteries. He wanted to take on the world through writing, I wanted to take on Gotham with my fists. We were together long before Superman came into the picture.”

“... You’ve known Superman for a long time,” Flash finally said. “Wow. You don’t have to answer, but have you ever considered getting married?”

“You ever consider not gossiping about the number of people that want to get into my pants?” Bruce retorted. Flash coughed awkwardly, but didn’t retreat. Bruce sighed his troubles to himself, but leaned back in his chair. He pulled off his left glove to give a lazy wave with it, flashing gold in front of the speedster.

Flash choked. Bruce slipped his glove back on. So he’d been feeling a little sentimental that morning, was all.

“Tell Wonder Woman that no, we’re not breaking it off anytime soon,” he said. “Even so, she really isn’t my type.” With that, he returned to work. He could feel Flash staring.

“... So how did you guys meet Supes, anyway?”

“It’s a long story,” Bruce answered pointedly. Flash got the hint at least, holding up his hands. He left with that, probably to gossip more.

Bruce’s handheld buzzed a moment after, and he glanced down.

Fine. You’re not sleeping on the couch tonight.

“I love you, too,” Bruce muttered in Kryptonian, rolling his eyes. He still sighed softly after a long moment, absently rubbing at the hidden ring. So, maybe it wasn’t so bad, letting the world know that Clark Kent belonged to him.

They’d deal with the consequences together.