#but Bruce and Dick actually behave like father and son

[littlefankingdom]

So, in World's Finest: Teen Titans, there's this scene where Bruce and Dick are discussing why Dick cannot go to the Teen Titans Convention with his friends, while Bruce is working on the Batmobile. (It's weirdly domestic even if they are in costume and speaking about being vigilante, because it's literally a teen being "Yeah, I know it's dangerous and a bad idea, but I still want to do it and hang out with my friend! Pls, let me go???" to his father who is fixing the car. I love it.)

And I couldn't stop thinking about how Jason loves cars, and all the time he and Bruce must have spent together working on the Batmobile. Dick sticks around but he isn't helping, and neither does Tim or Damian later, they aren't interested. Jason "stole the Batmobile's tires" Todd, Jason "told Two Faces his car is tacky" Todd must have asked if he could look and learn, and help, and Bruce taught him and let him with a small smile. Numerous good times between father and son, working on the Batmobile, while Jason talks about his day at school.

Jason who comes back and knows the Batmobile so well he tries to blew it up to kill Batman, before changing his mind (it's because he loves the car, he tells himself). Bruce getting a brand new Batmobile after Jason's death because working on the one he worked on with Jason hurts. Now, she sits in a conner of the garage of the batcave, and when Jason comes by for the first time, he recognizes the old car. Bruce breaking down everytime he works on his car in the months following Jason's death, because he is so used to having the kid helps and chats with him. Bruce offering to Jason to help him fix the Batmobile when they are trying to fix their relationship, and father and son falling back into the comfort of working together on the car.

[clockwayswrites]

Birb in a box Part 14

masterpost

By Thursday Danny was feeling much more human, or at least closer to human as he ever felt. Had tonight been anything more active than sitting in a seat and watching a ballet, Danny would have had to beg off. He figured this much he could manage. Besides, pushing it a little so not as to disappoint Cass on her big night was worth it. She was a sweet girl and Danny had the feeling that she could use more people celebrating her.

Not that Danny expected to actually see Cass that night beyond her time on the stage.

Still, Danny figured he should at least look the part of a ballet patron and dug the cobalt blue suit that he had gotten for Jazz’s wedding out of its bag in the back of his closet. He might as well be presentable, even if his hair never quite behaved. He kept it much shorter now, mostly so that it was out of the way, and hoped that tonight a shower and some hair gel would be enough. At least the little start shaped sapphire studs Tucker and Sam had gotten him for passing his dissertation looked good. (Bless his piercings never seeming to close fully up.)

A quick pat of his coat pockets to make sure he had everything and Danny was off. Gotham was thankfully quiet that night— or as quiet as Gotham ever was— and Danny even managed to catch an earlier connecting train. It left him enough time for a leisurely walk to the the opera house.

The lobby of the grand building was buzzing with excited patrons that Danny did his best to slip through. He really just wanted to find his seat. Which was apparently was upstairs and all the way down a hall that became narrower than expected as he continued. There was another ticket check, which Danny thought as odd until he realized as he passed by an open curtain that these were the theater’s box seats.

Which was odd.

Danny glanced down at his phone. Was he in the wrong place?

“Ah, Danny, I see you found us alright.”

Apparently not, because that was definitely Bruce Wayne’s voice. Yep, and that was Bruce Wayne himself, looking far too handsome in a deep grey suit. Danny really hoped he wasn’t blushing because damn did the man cut a dashing figure. A little part of Danny wanted to reach out and run his fingers across one of those impressively broad shoulders.

“I did,” Danny said, head ducked down slightly as he rubbed at the back of his neck. “Though honestly, I didn’t expect this to be what you meant when you offered to get the ticket for me. I don’t mean to intrude on your family.”

Bruce chuckled and Danny felt he might melt a little. “Nonsense. It will be a relief to have another adult around.”

“Hey, some of us are adults!” Someone from in the booth said. A moment later Dick Grayson appeared with a large smile and wearing a suit that was the brightest magenta that Danny had ever seen.

“That remains to be seen,” Bruce said dryly, though his mouth was quirked in a smile.

His son ignored him.

“Hi, I’m Dick Grayson, Bruce’s oldest and totally an adult,” Dick said, offering his hand. “Bruce was practically a teen dad when he adopted me.”

“Please don’t spread rumors like that,” Bruce said with the long suffering sigh of a tired father.

“Luckily, I think it’s all pretty easy to fact check,” Danny said before he thought better of it and shook the offered hand. “Nice to meet you Dick, I’m Danny Fenton.”

“It’s good to meet you. I think Cass really liked meeting someone who could sign with her just out in the wild.”

“I just wish I wasn’t so rusty,” Danny said, feeling mildly embarrassed at the praise over his poor skills. “I’ll have to brush up on some things.”

“I’m sure that would mean a lot to her,” Bruce replied. “The family knows how to sign, of course, but sadly she isn’t so lucky mostly places. It’s nice for her to have others to talk to on days where her voice isn’t around.”

“I can only imagine. I wish that it was taught in schools. You’d think with all the advancement and proof of concept with baby sign language they would—” He cut himself off with a flustered little laugh. “Sorry, my sister is a behavioral psychiatrist with a two year old daughter. I get to hear a lot about things like baby sign language and color perception and the stages of personality growth.”

Luckily Bruce just laughed and motioned for Danny to enter the box. “A stage I’ve sadly missed with all my children. So your sister is another doctor Fenton in the family?”

“Fourth, actually. Both my parents are also Doctor Fentons. It’s five if you count my sister-in-law, but she kept her last name for publication reasons. I guess you looked me up if you know about my phd?” Danny wasn’t offended at that. If he had a daughter who befriended a random older man at work, he would sure as hell look them up too.

Bruce, however, smiled apologetically. “I asked Lucius about you. You’ve made quite an impression on him. He’s promised to have my head on a platter if I, or my horde of children, do anything to drive you away.”

Danny laughed at that and gratefully sunk into the seat that Bruce indicated. He was starting to feel the walk here now. “Knowing Lucius, he’d get it too. I think he always gets his way eventually, at least if my work-life balance has anything to say about it.”

“Not good at that?” Dick asked.

He sat down catty-corner to Danny. Danny turned carefully to look at him, ignoring the twinge in his back as best as he could. Danny would have shrugged if he thought he could have.

“Classic engineer with ADHD problems. I can lose track of time a little too easily.” Danny glanced to Bruce with a wry little smile. “Apparently WE is big on us not spending all our time at work.”

“Not really,” Bruce said with a little quirked smile. “You all work hard, but work shouldn’t be everything. It’s something that I’ve had to learn myself.”

“No kidding,” Dick said.

Bruce gave a little snort. “As if you aren’t as bad as I am.”

Dick just smiled serenely at his father before turning back to Danny. “No one for you to go home to then? No partner or pets?”

“Just too many plants,” Danny admitted. “One of my oldest friends is a botanist doing medical research and every time I see her I end up with another one. They’ve sort of taken over my apartment now that I’ve been in one place for a few years. Some of them are drama queens about getting watered, but I have a little system rigged up for the really thirsty ones. It helps if I need to be away for more than a day or two. And that is probably way more about my plants than you needed or wanted to know. Sorry.”

Bruce’s low rumble of a chuckle felt like it settled warmly in Danny’s chest. There was no way that he wasn’t blushing a least a bit now.

Why was Bruce affecting him so much? Yes, it had been a rather long time since Danny had been on a date much less more. Yes, Bruce was Gotham’s eternal most handsome bachelor, which wow does the city have that right. Yes, other than a handshake, Danny hadn’t touched another human since waking up in the still so weird cuddle pile of superheroes. Yes to all that, but really, Danny should not be blushing like a he was still in his twenties at a chuckle.

“It sounds to me like your friend picked the right person to give plants to. It’s obvious that you care for them,” Bruce said with a soft smile that Danny tried not to look at.

Danny glanced out over the edge of the balcony and down into the crowd. “Ah, well, I try. They’re living things, you know? They deserve the best chance I can reasonably give them.”

“A very nice way to look at it. I—”

“Shit,” Dick said suddenly, softly, and with conviction.

Danny twisted around quickly to look back at Dick, wincing as his back vehemently protested the motion.

“Sorry,” Dick said quickly. “It’s just that it seems the elevator is down so Babs won’t be able to make it up here.”

“It’s down?” Bruce asked with a confused frown.

“Apparently. I’m going to go sit down on the ground floor with her,” Dick said. He tucked his phone into his coat as he stood. “Sorry for bailing on you, Danny. It was nice to meet you.”

“No, go, spare yourself anymore plant talk,” Danny joked at his own expense.

“If any of the others aren’t too settled, I’ll send them up,” Dick said to his father. “But you know how they are.”

“All too well,” Bruce said dryly.

Dick squeezed Bruce’s shoulder and vanished back through the curtain.

---

AN: This part had me real caught up for some reason, but hopefully it's all good (enough) now!

[lazaruspiss]

sladedicktalia??????? i am LISTENING

there's like. 5 fics. im so starved. i think theyre so hot and funny together!! im obsessed. also this got long so im adding a readmore. whoops.

SlaDick: classic enemies to lovers. they may try to kill each other half the time but they respect each other more than anyone else. OBSESSED with each other, Slade knows he's weird about Dick and couldn't care less but Dick is so in denial about it. they could both give explicit consent but be so antagonistic about it that it becomes unclear if "yes i want to have sex with you" is actually code for "die right now" and i think that's beautiful.

SladeTalia: they fucked! in canon! there was some bullshit plotline where Talia tried to give Slade Damian and pretend he was his son instead! ex fuck buddies who show up just to make each other's lives harder bc they wanna fuck so bad it makes them have stupid brain. also they're both hot as hell. i'm weak for big strong milf/dilf idk idk.

DickTalia: LISTEN TO ME. TALIA WOULD TREAT HIM RIGHT. THEY BOTH KNOW HOW EMOTIONALLY DEVASTATING IT IS TO LOVE BRUCE. LISTEN TO M- ok aside from that. Talia is someone who tried so hard to be good, to choose to be kind. She loved Bruce because she saw how hard he tried to do good in the world. Her character has gotten considerably colder over time, in huge part due to a certain writer writing about her despite knowing nothing about her, but in universe i try and rationalize it as a growing cynicism stemming from both her father's gradually increasing cruelty and Bruce's failure to support her or commit to her or to even just respect her. She hasn't been shown to have very many people in her life who she can really trust and be close to. She used to have a good relationship with Ra's, she used to have Bruce, she's even lost Damian at this point. She feels like such a lonely character to me. And I think Dick would be able to see that, be able to understand it better than most. He's always had people who loved him, people he could turn to, but he's also ended up perpetually isolated for one reason or another. Dick and Talia both feel to me like characters who are so lonely the further they get in their lives. I could see a silent understanding there. The kind of people who would be able to find solace in simply sharing a space with each other. Neither of them like to talk about what they've been through, I think they'd like to have someone who just gets it. Trauma for trauma, you know?

SlaDickTalia: several angles available here.

1) Dick deserves some sexy older lovers who would wine and dine him and also rail him within an inch of his life and also kill for him. i am not immune to the aesthetics!! to the allure of a hot older duo double teaming their young spitfire partner!!!

2) corruption arc. u know u wanna.

3) Dick's fear of abandonment x the 2 most devoted people on the planet. if they were dating nothing bad would happen to Dick again, Slade and Talia just wouldn't allow that. smth smth, couldn't get rid of them if he tried <3

4) Bruce would hate it and that's always fun :3 not that that's hard tho, Babs is like the only one of Dick's partners that Bruce liked and that's bc he wants to keep it in the family.

5) healing.... sobs...... esp when it comes to feelings around parenthood. Those three have shit to work out and i think having some company would help.

6) They all need more people time but 2/3 of them don't get along with anybody so they're kinda stuck with Dick. that kid will forgive anybody if u bat ur eyelashes and behave well enough. He's also more likely to still see them as people despite everything they've been through, and when you're a military experiment and a semi immortal daughter of an immortal terrorist... It can be hard to find someone who looks at you like you still have a chance at humanity.

7) Slade and Talia playing a Cat Vs Dog type game with Dick in the middle. I think it's funny.

[dairy-farmer]

I'm sorry but you know what would be funny? Tim being dad-shaped instead of wife-shaped or mommy-shaped or son/daughter-shaped. Jason just makes a small little insult and Tim just rolls his eyes and says "I'm gonna build a time machine and become your dad" and now everyone just daydreams for a little moment and next thing you know they're all competing to have Tim spend time with them, be proud of them, etc.

no because as much as we joke about tim being mommy material and mommy shaped and mommy coded- the amount of daddy issues the entire batfam has (primarily because of bruce) is absolutely ENORMOUS!!!!!!!!

and tim well...if you look past all that soft outside and how much smaller he is- tim is...pretty dad like.

he's into sports and often invites members of the family out to games that he has season passes to.

tim will spend hours changing oils, fixing engines, and repairing equipment for someone. aside from bruce the person they go to for mechanical issues is tim.

tim is the most unbiased person they know. and if they go to him with a personal or professional problem they know that tim's response will have everything that they need.

tim rarely gives out compliments or words of approval but when he does they know he means it.

tim is different from bruce, the only father figure they have. he doesn't have invisible expectations of them, he isn't this brick wall that needs to be deciphered, tim's love isn't conditional, he cares for them no matter their past mistakes.

even bruce feels an odd sort of shift in his gut when he hears the murmurings of how tim would be a nice dad to have and sees his sons behaving....off, seeking tim out more- reporting to him the way they used to to him, seeking out his attention and validation and love- all that bruce had never been able to really give them.

(dick had always jokingly asked bruce for a hug before he left for work each morning but now he practically bounced on the balls of his feet as tim hugged and kissed him goodbye and told him he'd be back in a few hours. damian had been having tim attend parent teacher conferences in bruce's stead. jason 'jokingly' bought tim a 'world's best dad' mug but looked choked up when tim actually used it (bruce learned very quickly he could lose a hand if it was the only clean mug and he tried reaching for it))

bruce's dad had been loving but he'd also been the one to dish out the punishment when he misbehaved. bruce recalled when he was small and his father would call him into his office when he heard about how bruce had thrown a book at a girl's head in daycare. or about how bruce had been keeping a family of ducks in his locker.

he'd never spanked bruce but he'd had a disappointed furrow in his brow and shook his head like he couldn't believe it when bruce would admit to having purposefully hurt someone.

tim had the same look in his eye when bruce would admit a deceit or underhanded move. that same headshake and long, drawn out sigh as he said "oh, bruce."

bruce couldn't explain why but after tim left the room, bruce's hands shook for several minutes. a strange and rare sense of shame filled him.

tim and bruce had their disagreements. they were rare but they still occurred. but tim and bruce's fights were different than the harsh yelling and tensed insults that were flung when bruce fought with his sons.

between him and tim it always felt like tim took the highroad, shaking his head and just being quietly disappointed in bruce.

tim never really expected bruce to change or even to apologize. and normally bruce would ignore the small flicker of guilt.

but seeing how he'd praise damian for a good test score or jason for not getting the new jacket tim got him dirty, or dick for helping alfred with dinnner.

meanwhile he'd ignore bruce. keeping silent at the dinner table and only discussing work matter with him....

the next time bruce screws up and tim is asking him about it.

bruce apologizes. it's quiet and short. but tim's eyes widen all the same, his eyes staring at bruce for several moments before a small smile blooms across his face.

"apology accepted bruce, i'm very proud of you for telling me."

tim's hand is small and warm as it strokes bruce's cheek and something....something in bruce shivers at the sensation, tilting his head in the direction of tim's hand as it retreats.

bruce does register on some level that he's competing with his children for tim's affection. if he stopped for a minute to analyze he'd probably compare himself to the 'difficult' child of a parent. he's tim's jason.

bruce is the child that doesn't like sharing, that lies, that hides away from his family, that refuses to communicate-

so when bruce 'turns a new leaf' and tim starts praising bruce more- bruce can see how his children all go a bit sour at it.

maybe if bruce had eyes on the back of his head he would've seen the gleam in their eyes when they were all lounging at the pool one day and bruce was getting ready to leave to a midday meeting with tim.

children do have a tendency of being envius when their caretakers attention is taken off them.

bruce's back was to them which was the fatal mistake and before he knew it he was upside down and underwater.

he broke the surface quickly to the sound of riotous laughter from all three, even damian.

normally bruce would feel irritation, maybe even annoyance.

but the only feeling that flooded bruce was humiliation at the laughter, a strange sting in his eyes also had him turning away from the three and focusing on trying to push himself out.

but bruce's suit was a silk blend and he just slipped right back in with a splash.

the three of them laughed louder until-

"what did you do?!"

tim didn't yell often. tim wasn't a yeller. but now his voice was raised and as bruce inched his head up he could see the fury painted on tim's expression. his tie was still undone and his hair was unbrushed.

none of them had a chance to say anything before tim was at the pool edge and trying to tug bruce out.

"did you three seriously push your brother in right before his meeting that we're already late to?"

tim is fussing over bruce's ruined hair stcking to his forehead and shooting looks over the three ashamed fingers floating in the water.

dick looks like he's on the verge of drowning himself. jason is biting on his bottom lip and damian is refusing to meet tim's eyes.

tim's eyes are narrowed for a second before he shakes his head and points at the three of them.

"we'll talk about this when i get back home but right now i need to get your brother a new suit and pray that traffic is light."

tim shepherds bruce back into the house with him in a daze.

brother.

brother.

he called bruce their brother.

bruce had always known he was a lousy dad. he just...he couldn't do the things that all parents seemed to already know what to do.

he used to take dick out to galas lasting up until the morning light and only when articles were published about him being an irresponsible father did he realize that wasn't appropriate.

he allowed jason to sneak liquor from the locked cabinet and bought his cigarettes for him and it was only when the school called him about confiscating the pack they'd found during the monthly 'randomized' locker searches that he was told it was inappropriate for jason to have them.

he allowed damian to stay out all night and even travel to other states on his own because...because damian was responsible so it should've been okay.

bruce knew he wasn't a good father and he was only a somewhat competent mentor.

the only thing he'd been semi good at had been...being someone's son.

his dad had never had to have the same talk with him twice. bruce was always polite and remembered his manners. he brushed his teeth twice a day and made his bed every morning. he picked up his toys and took care of all his things.

being a son...bruce had known what to do there. he'd known how to do it right. it was why tim had started praising bruce so often, stroking his hair and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

"your brothers i swear, they have no idea what it means to take a joke too far!"

tim is pulling out clean pairs of socks while bruce squishes pool water on the carpet below.

bruce had never really been very good at the dad thing.

tim tugged a fresh suit out of the closet.

but maybe...he could...

"they didn't mean any h-harm...father."

tim doesn't blink, instead focusing on undoing all the buttons of bruce's shirt.

"maybe not but i'm still going to be telling alfred to only serve you dessert tonight- those rascals know better, i've taught them better!"

bruce feels something like amusement tug at his lips. that and bubbling happiness as ti- father. as father laments his soaked suit.

father.

that word hasn't left bruce's lips in a long time. yet it still came out as naturally as anything else.

[jellyfitzjelly]

directory's commentary on the sladick series? ('Tis but thy name that is my enemy)

HOHOHOHOHO okay so! I don't know where to start....

Originally this was supposed to be a one-shot to relieve the pressure of my oncoming finals, and then stress made me write a sequel, and things just got out of hand.

I think if you follow me you've seen me reblog posts critical of the B*tfam (doing this to avoid my post showing up in searches) becoming a nuclear family, so I am aware I do look hypocritical making Sladick a nuclear family. The truth is that the trope has always appealed to me as equally if not more than the found family trope. I have been brought up in a deeply hetero-normative environment where starting a family was kind of the ultimate goal even if members of my immediate family never did so. It took a lot of time in that situation to even figure out I was queer. So I think it has conditioned me a lot on the subject!

Nonetheless, I still rationalized my choice to make Dick and Slade form a "traditional" family though I never explicitely explored that in my series. Since I've been heavily influenced by my pre-Flashpoint reads, I wanted to portray the B*tfam as anything but a family. Bruce never fostered that kind of environment with any of the kids, with Jason being the relative exception to the rule. Bruce has always seen Dick as his equal, though he is not entirely conscious of that. They shared a deeply traumatizing event of their life and that made Bruce relate to Dick intensely. Dick got parentified at a young age and held to the same unrealistic standards Bruce holds himself to. Bruce grew up without a traditional family structure. Dick, on the other hand, had a deep need to find in his new environment the dynamics he had with his parents before their death. While Dick never consciously considered Bruce as his father, this man was the father figure of his childhood. The thing is that Bruce never behaved as a father or as a caretaker, instead pushing Dick in that role. It left a deep wound on Dick, who found himself without the parental structure he so desperately needed. It deeply impacted his adult and love lives. Dick subconciously sought to recreate that familial environment he so desperately lacked, be it with the Titans or his romantic partners. His romantic failures and the disband of the Titans dealt a huge blow to him and his stability, and after that it was a slippery slope to depression. Slade, on the other hand, had grown up in a traditional familial environment, but one that was violent and abusive. Like many, Slade took the first opportunity to escape his situation. The military offered him a stability he had never known with the familiarity of violence. And again like many, Slade vowed he wouldn't be the father his own was, though he did end up like him in many ways. Slade is a family man. His family is deeply important to him, and losing it was a huge traumatizing event in his life and something he never got over. Grant's death only drove the knife further in the wound. While Addie and him have a truce, he is not on speaking terms with either Joey and Rose because he has come to see himself as a threat to them and, deep down, as worse than his own father which brings a lot of self-loathing. But Slade still subconsciously yearns for that stability that a traditional nuclear family represents. I also think Slade has weathered enough shit in his mercenary career to be able to actually settle down for good. So it's only logical that both Slade and Dick would eventually start a family of their own, even if they have to navigate this blind and do things in their own way.

Jason was the "relative" exception in that Bruce did treat him more like the son he never had before his death. Jason idolized Bruce. After his return, there was a definite rift between them. Jason never forgave Bruce for not avenging him. His relationship with Dick was more "in absentia" before his death, an impossible standard Bruce held Jason to. Concerning Alberto, I have a lot more to say, but I don't know if I will ever write a spin-off centered around him and Jason.

Tim had parents and so never considered Bruce more than a mentor. In fact, the one he idolized was Dick. They really bonded together, in part because Tim already adored him but also because Dick felt guilty about Jason's death and had many regrets, and felt like he had a chance to "make up" by becoming Tim's older brother of sorts. Their relationship was very affectionate, and they had a solid friendship. Bruce got jealous, and felt Dick was trying to take his place. Eventually, Dick and Bruce had a huge fallout that ended up permanently damaging their relationship, and Tim had to pick a side. Dick felt betrayed and deeply hurt to see Tim chose Bruce over him, and their relationship never recovered from that. While they did stay in contact, and Dick eventually forgave Tim, things never went back to how they were. This is one of Tim's biggest regrets, and he holds himself responsible for Dick's depression. Dick actually made a suicide attempt at some point, but Tim rescued him in time. It traumatized Tim, and scared him quite a lot, especially since Kon had just recently died. Eventually, Tim distanced himself from Bruce and became Red Robin to pursue his vigilante career in another city, leaving the mantle to Damian.

I don't know enough about either Cass or Stephanie to write about them, so I've left them out of the story so far. It can def change in the future!

Joey might make an appearance too, mainly because I want to explore Slade's past.

Uuuh hope this long ass infodumping pleased you anon!!!

[chocor0se]

Hal Jordan/Green Lantern: Is this kid’s parents really letting you take him out crime fighting?

Dick Grayson/Robin, age 11: My parents are dead.

Hal:

Dick, pushing it even further: They died right in front of me, actually.

Hal:

(years later)

Hal: You got a new kid?

Jason: Who the you calling a kid, old man?

Bruce: Robin, behave.

Hal: Yeesh, I miss the creepy nice one. You kiss your mother with that mouth?

Jason: My mom’s dead.

Hal:

Hal: Seriously Batman?! Again?!

(more years later)

Hal: Oh god please tell me you’re not an orphan.

Tim: I’m not a orphan.

Hal: Fucking finally! At least you have two parents that love you and stay with you.

Tim:

Hal: Y-you do, right?

Tim: ..they love me in their own way. They do!

Hal: Fuck.

(i think like one or two years later?)

Hal: Do you have two loving parents kid?

Steph: I mean my dad’s a criminal and my mom tries but is also a drug addict soo-

Hal: WHERE ARE YOU GETTING THESE KIDS?!

Steph: I was gonna make fun of you but you seem generally distressed dude. Would it help if I tell you that my mom’s going to rehab and is getting better?

Hal: ..yes.

(not that much later)

*Orphan appearing suddenly*

Hal: WHAT THE-ANOTHER ONE?!?!

Cass: Yes. I am Orphan.

Hal:

(more years later)

Damian: Greetings peasant.

Hal: Oh for fucks sake, another orphan Batman?!

Damian: Oh please, I am nothing like my so called predecessors. My blood parents are alive and well.

Hal: And they love you?

Damian: Of course they do, why wouldn’t they? I am the perfect son. It is set that one day I am to inherit the mantle of Batman from my father.

Hal: Thank goodness!

Hal: Wait, what?!

i love the trope where someone mentions a character’s parent(s) and said character is like, “actually i’m an orphan” and the person is just, deeply regretting what they said.

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Heeey! Can I request for the Father of Mine universe? Something along the lines of hickeys, maybe smeared lipstick all over their faces at an event, family dinner or something like that?

“Just skip it and stay here with me,” Jason offered as he leaned against the bathroom frame, shirtless and with his arms crossed.

He had been watching Y/N get ready for at least 15 minutes.

She was currently putting on blood red lipstick that went perfectly with her black winged eyeliner.

Jason wasn’t a big lipstick guy – mostly because it prevented him from kissing his girlfriend the way he wanted to. But he couldn’t deny that it looked incredibly sexy.

“I can’t. I promised Bruce,” Y/N explained as she looked at him through the mirror.

“There will always be other charity events,” he answered with a roll of his eyes.

But he’d had enough of keeping his distance and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He started peppering kisses on her shoulders since her dress was leaving the skin completely exposed and he just couldn’t help himself.

“You know,” she began, “you could always come with me.”

Jason stopped his kissing.

“Guess that’s a no?” Y/N sighed with a shy grin.

But she didn’t really care.

Y/N understood that Jason hated these events. To be honest, she might hate them just as much. But Bruce kept asking her and she tried to go when she could. Sometimes she needed breaks and her father understood that.

Jason ignored her question and his hands started roaming heatedly across her body.

“Don’t even think about it,” Y/N warned, immediately pushing him away.

“What? I didn’t do anything,” Jason laughed innocently.

“Not yet,” she spun around and pointed at him. “But you were going to!”

“And is that so bad?” He asked with a crooked smirk.

“It is when I’m running late. And the reason I’m late is because you couldn’t keep your hands off of me an hour ago.”

Jason tilted his head and narrowed his eyes playfully. “I didn’t exactly hear any complaints…”

Y/N couldn’t stop herself from laughing and shook her head.

No, there had definitely been absolutely no complaints from her.

“I won’t be there long,” Y/N promised.

Then she brushed past him and walked into the giant walk-in closet.

Barely even glancing at all the shoes, she grabbed a pair that matched her dress.

“Can we order pizza or something when I get back? I’ll be starving.” Y/N asked mindlessly as she slipped the shoes on, using the wall to balance herself.

Jason didn’t even realize he was staring.

But how could he not?

The dress was simple. Just a little black dress. It was a charity event after all. But it fit Y/N like a glove, hugging her in all the right places.

Her heels were at least 4 inches, putting her eye level with Jason – if not a tiny bit taller. She would be above the majority of men at the event, except for probably a small handful.

“What?” Y/N asked self consciously. “Too tall?”

“No such fucking thing,” Jason quickly answered.

Y/N usually wasn’t self conscious about her height. She kind of had to get over that back in high school when she was taller than most of the boys in her grade.

But that didn’t mean she completely stopped having slip-ups. Slip-ups that involved questioning her heels or outfit.

Thankfully, Jason was quick to remedy such situations.

“You just look so beautiful,” Jason added as he stepped forward and grabbed her hips possessively.

Y/N kissed him. “Thank you.”

But she opened her mouth to give another warning.

“You’re gonna be late,” Jason spoke for her. “I know. I know.”

Y/N tried not to laugh at her boyfriends desperation as she grabbed her clutch.

“Remember: pizza!” Y/N called over her shoulder as she walked out the door.

————

Bruce and Damian were waiting for Y/N at the venue.

Dick and Tim skipped, going to these things less and less as they became fully grown men with lives of their own.

“Thank you for coming,” Bruce greeted as he kissed her on the cheek.

Y/N was about to turn her attention to Damian and give him a hug.

“What the hell is on your neck!?” The boy cried out before she could.

She blinked in surprise, completely unaware of what her half brother was talking about. Self-consciously, her hand went to the sides of her neck, not sure what she should be hiding.

“Can Todd not keep his hands to himself for 30 seconds?” Damian growled.

That’s when it clicked.

Y/N had a hickey on her neck.

“Damian, lower your voice,” Bruce warned his son.

Meanwhile, Y/N started feeling hot from embarrassment.

“Father, make him stop,” Damian whined.

To her surprise, Bruce cleared his throat uncomfortably. “Damian, Y/N is a grown woman in a relationship. She can do as she pleases.”

It was the right answer, but Y/N was still sweating from the embarrassment.

“If you’ll excuse me,” she quickly mumbled, before disappearing to the nearest bathroom.

But Y/N swore she heard Bruce continuing to scold Damian for his rudeness and for embarrassing her.

When she reached the bathroom, she lifted her head to see that she very much did have a hickey on her neck. It was perfectly hidden in the shadow of her jaw, which was why she hadn’t noticed it while getting ready. If she had, she would’ve put 5 layers of makeup on it to make sure her family didn’t notice.

Thankfully, she brought some cover up with her and quickly started going to work.

After 10 minutes, it was invisible and Y/N let out a sigh of relief.

She pulled out her cellphone, glaring at it as if were her boyfriend.

“You better start behaving. Damian and Bruce just found a hickey on my neck. I’m so fucking embarrassed,” Y/N texted to Jason.

“Who cares?”

Y/N rolled her eyes. Of course he’d answer with that.

“Call me old fashioned, but I’d prefer not remind my father and younger brother that I do in fact have a sex life.”

“A healthy, satisfied, and passionate sex life *,” Jason corrected.

Before she could respond, he texted again with, “Did you cover it up?”

“Obviously.”

“What a shame. Maybe it would’ve kept the spoiled rich boys away from you.”

“You’re on thin ice, Jason Todd.”

“Ooo. I love it when you use the full name. Gets me all hot and bothered.”

Y/N sighed and tossed her phone back into her clutch.

She’d given up on making Jason feel any bit of sympathy. That man would never feel guilty about showing the world how obsessed he was with her.

—————

Jason was reading on the couch when Y/N returned home.

“Hey, beautiful,” he greeted before returning to reading his book.

“Ugh. I drank too much champagne. I have the worst headache.”

“I’ll order some pizza,” Jason offered and pulled out his phone.

Y/N sighed in relief when she took off her heels and then she collapsed on the couch, laying her head on Jason’s lap as he placed their order.

Without thinking, his free hand when to her head and started massaging it, hoping it would help with her migraine.

“Hmm,” she hummed with her eyes closed. “That feels better.”

“Order has been placed,” he confirmed.

“Thank you.”

“Arrives in 30 minutes.”

She didn’t say anything, knowing exactly where he was going with it.

“What could we possibly do with 30 minutes?” Jason teased as he inched closer to her face.

She opened her eyes and giggled up at him.

“Ya know, I heard that sex helps cure migraines…”

“Does not!” Y/N yelled out.

Before she could argue with him further, his lips shut her up real quick.

For as large as Jason was, he managed to maneuver his body very gracefully, until he was hovering above Y/N while she lay comfortably on the couch.

“You look beautiful with lipstick,” Jason said it as if it was law. “But I like it even more when I ruin it,” he added with an almost evil smirk.

It was hard for Y/N to have a clever quip when he said things like that to her.

“How about I mark you up even more?” He threatened.

“Jason…” she warned.

But they both knew Y/N was pretending to be annoyed by it – or against it. When in reality, she kind of loved how obsessed Jason was with the idea.

Just when Jason hiked Y/N's dress up and was tracing her legs, someone cleared their throat.

Jason squeezed his eyes shut in frustration and actually growled. Then he quickly lowered Y/N’s dress and tried to make her modest again.

Y/N covered her face and groaned. “Please, please, please tell me Bruce is not standing at the window right now.”

Jason smirked. “And Damian.”

Y/N pushed her boyfriend off of her and sat up to face them.

There stood Batman and Robin.

Tonight was just not her night.

“You have lipstick smeared all over you,” Damian pointed out to Jason smugly.

“I’d say one day you’d see the appeal, but I’m struggling to imagine anyone ever having that kind of interest in you,” Jason shot back.

“Jason!” Y/N scolded in a yell.

Then she quickly turned to Damian with a sympathetic look, “Dami, he didn’t mean that.”

“Yeah, I did,” Jason corrected. “What do you guys want?”

“Red Robin is missing,” Bruce stated darkly.

“So…go find him,” Jason replied.

“We need your help,” Bruce clarified.

Jason groaned and rubbed his face. “Fine. But we’re setting some fucking ground rules from now on. I’m sick of you guys invading our personal space. We have a door for a reason. Use it.”

Bruce just nodded.

Then he looked down at Damian and with a glare, got him to nod, too.

“I gotta change,” Jason told them, annoyance clear in his voice.

Y/N followed him into their bedroom, to give them a moment of privacy.

“You don’t have to be so rude,” Y/N sighed as she sat on the edge of their bed.

“They spent all night with you and now they have the balls to interrupt?” Jason shot back. “And I want my damn pizza.”

Y/N couldn’t help but laugh at him. “I promise I’ll save you some.”

Jason was in his full gear now, Red Hood helmet tucked under his arm.

He took in a deep breath, tension easing off of him as he saw how cute she was looking up from the bed at him. Her lipstick was half off her lips, but she still looked beautiful.

“Promise you’ll be careful,” her tone was nothing but serious.

“Don’t worry about me,” Jason dismissed as he leaned down at kissed her.

"And be nice to Damian."

"Never."

Jason went back to the living room where Bruce and Damian waited.

“You might want to rub some of that off,” Bruce mumbled as he turned and jumped on the window.

Jason glared at Batman’s back as he reluctantly rubbed Y/N’s lipstick off his mouth with his gloved hand.

Then he looked at Damian. “Say another word about it and I'll skin you alive.”

Damian gave him a dirty look, “I’m not scared of you.”

–––––––––

Let me know if you liked it!!!

[kyberphilosopher]

Bite

Batman’s newest Robin, Jason, has strangely obsessive tendencies over one specific enemy of the Batman. 

Word Count: 5690 Warning(s): reader with a personality, 2 year age gap, glorified task master villain, dumb superhero action dialogue, teenage boy does dumb teenage boy things for the androgynous villain of his dreams.

Real Warning(s): Mentions of weapons and crime, mentioned death of a r()pist.

☈ - ✮ ✭ ✮

Bruce Wayne sometimes worried about his current Robin. 

Not because he was incapable, or particularly stupid. It was because Jason was a hothead. Jason viewed the word ‘final’ differently than Bruce did. Jason seemed to have a knack for questioning everything that Dick hadn’t. Jason was just... something of his own. And Bruce never had a big problem controlling this- he could’ve just sent Jason away if he really felt like he did. But sometimes he wondered where Jason would be without Bruce. He wondered what Jason would do if he wasn’t right there behind him. He wondered how Jason would behave in the dark, when nobody else could see him. 

But Bruce liked Jason. And more importantly, he loved Jason. And so did Dick, and Alfred. Jason was a good Robin, and a good son. There was no reason to toss him away. There probably never would be. 

At that moment, Bruce looks over at the kid. Then his lips pull into a frown, slightly deeper than his usual expression. 

How old was Jason now? Fifteen? He’d just brought home his science test today. He’d gotten an A+  on it. Smart boy, sitting in front of the Batcomputer like this. Calm, still, his eyes glaring red like a sadistic maniac despite his small frame showing no signs of a threat. Even though Bruce knows he doesn’t really mean to, the corners of Jason’s lips are twisted upwards naturally, face full of wonder and patience and intuition as each criminal flickers of the screen. 

Bruce pulls his eyes away from the boy, one hand pulling the Batman cowl closer to him from atop the desk. 

Just keep going through intel check, Bruce, he tells himself. Jason will be fine.

“Batman?” he hears the boy beside him call out.  

“Hm?” the older man replies, voice coming out in a low grumble with little effort. 

“Was there ever anyone that beat you?”

“Beat me?” Batman repeats, knuckles now tightening around the cowl. 

“Yeah, you know. Any of these guys who got the better of you?”

Now why on earth was Jason asking him that?

Batman blinks once, then decides to think. 

“The Joker has a bit of a reputation,” his voice answers in a rumble. It’s never brought him much pleasure to think of his failures and the ones that get away. “Catwoman-” there’s a tinge of distaste in his mouth, “-uh, Deathstroke is pretty nasty. So is that Mockingbird-”

“You’ve been beaten by Mockingbird?” Jason suddenly exclaims, turning to face his adopted father. 

Batman’s jaw clenches because, really- why was Jason asking him this? But also because Mockingbird had slipped away from Batman about three times. Only one of those times had Batman actually managed to confine and subdue them- at least for a short period. And then there was that one time, when Mockingbird had actually helped Bruce.

It was Batman and Deathstroke, and then Mockingbird. Batman didn’t know what their motives were for helping him, although after it definitely made him consider that Mocking may have been more of an antihero than an actual villain. Once Mockingbird had managed to incapacitate Deathstroke for a moment, they disappeared and reappeared on top of a shipping container. 

“Sorry, Batman,” they said, voice majorly distorted and flickering between high and low pitches through their mask. “I’ve gotta run. Prior engagements and all.”

“I’ve still got to bring you to justice,” Batman promised in return, his voice deep and serious. “You’re not off the hook yet, bird.”

“If you say so,” they replied, pushing themselves up from a kneeling stance and into a standing one. “Keep in touch, ya fuckin’ loser!” 

And then the Mockingbird had hopped out of his sight completely. 

“Yeah,” Bruce pulls the bat cowl over his head. “I’ve been beaten by the Mockingbird.”

“Hm,” Jason shoots back in response. His arms bend, hands coming behind his head as he leans back in his chair and continues watching the computer. “Wasn’t expecting that.”

It was quiet for a while, but Jason was the one who broke it of course. “So like, how was the fight?” the boy prods. “Did you even use a batarang?”

He’s still on this?

Okay, what’s the bug up Jason’s ass about the Mockingbird?

“Cause’, I always thought they were a pretty low level threat.”

Bruce looks over at Jason, who’s still in his leaning back, comfy and relaxed position. “They can copy anything. Don’t ever underestimate an opponent.”

“Copy anything? Even you?” Jason questions with narrowed eyes. 

A memory comes to Bruce. The one where Mockingbird punched him square in the face, and then caught Batman’s next punch like it was nothing- even though there was no doubt that Batman loomed over Mocking in both weight and height. Then they’d kneed Batman right in the groin, and stalked toward him as the great bat stumbled back. 

“Going to have to do better than that, Bat.”

“Yeah,” Bruce says. “Even me.”

✮ ✭ ✮

Jason had been interested in Mockingbird after that. 

He really had always assumed that they were a pretty low level, common threat. They weren’t like, as big of a deal as the Joker, but they also weren’t something Batman would’ve just ignored. When Jason had finally gotten a looksie in Batman’s intel files, he saw the crimes Mockingbird  had committed for Batman to take notice. 

Assault, robbery, smuggling, kidnapping, grand theft auto, murder, property damage, vandalism, gang activity- and that was just what Batman had noted. Jason knew just by looking through it there was way more than all that going on. But the Mockingbird file was short. No name, no identity, there was a picture of them in armor, but it wasn’t as usefulof who was under the mask. Batman didn’t even seem to know whether Mockingbird was a boy or a girl. He knew the crimes, the strengths, and that they possessed the ability to copy anything they saw, which made them a difficult opponent to outfight, but little more.

Jason became fascinated. Such a minor inconvenience compared to everything else going on, and yet, an inconvenience that was capable of besting even the Batman. 

He’d only seen Mockingbird once before that conversation with Bruce in the Batcave. 

The big guy himself had taken Jason out to investigate some suspicious activity and possibly a robbery in an abandoned apartment building. Batman hadn’t said anything, but Jason knew on the way over he was thinking about Catwoman. He’d decided to keep his mouth shut and not give his two cents on the matter, although he certainly thought it very loudly. 

Once outside, with the rain pouring, and Batman motioning Robin to stay back while he investigated the door, a sudden clang! rung through the air and caused both males to look up at the noise. 

“Oh,” Mockingbird had said. “It’s you.”

Upon first examination, the Robin was quick to take in the appearance of the Mockingbird. Their voice was crazy- changing pitches and tones eerily, so it was impossible to know what their real voice sounded like. Their armor was white, a little clunky, with grey accents made of something like rubber. There were boots, zippers, pockets, gloves hiding secret blades and some kind of metal around the knuckles. A white hood was draped over the back of their head and around their mask, which was also white and grey, covering the entirety of their face. There were many eyes, however, all glowing red and slanting up the forehead like a spider. 

“Surprised to see me?” Batman had prompted them, putting pressure on his toes so only Jason could see he was ready to fight if needed. 

“It seems you are the one surprised to see me,” Mockingbird responded. Their gloved, gauntleted fingers wrapped around the fence of the balcony in front of them. “Who’s this- another Robin?” Their head cocked towards Jason, leaning in a little as two pairs of red eyes narrowed evilly. “Come to play?”

Jason kind of liked that. It spurred him on, creating an opportunity to fight and prove himself with permission from this other party.

But Batman wasn’t done with his grit. “Did you rob this place, Mocking?”

Mockingbird’s head returned to focus on the Bat. “Hardly,” they said. “But I might know who did.”

“And that is?” Batman pressed. 

Mockingbird was quiet. The rain pitter pattered around all three of them. Then they answered, “Haven’t got a clue.”

Mockingbird laughed, jumped over the railing and began climbing up to the balcony above them. Batman had already turned to Jason, who was fully ready to chase after them, when Mockingbird busted through the door and into the building. 

“Do not engage!” Batman had ordered. 

“He’s gonna get away!” Jason argued back, already imagining the exit strategy that villain could’ve thought of. 

“Do. Not. Engage. Stay here, Robin!” Batman commanded again. And then he had entered the building himself at the bottom floor, while Jason waited outside and did nothing but think angry thoughts. 

It was so stupid, too, because the Mockingbird had gotten away. 

✮ ✭ ✮

Days went on with Jason’s mind trapped around the Mockingbird. On day three since the Batcave, he’d even thought to call up Nightwing and interrogate him about this mysterious person.

“Uh, why do you want to know about that?” Dick’s dumb voice had echoed through the phone.

Jason rolled his eyes before deciding to respond. “Can’t you just answer the question, Dickie? Or is a brain another thing you’re missing with your cock?”

Jason being Jason always seemed to work to get Dick to tell him things. It was like an extra super power. But it would seem Jason’s efforts had been in vain, since Dick didn’t tell him much more than Jason already knew. Well, he did find out that Dick once got his ass kicked by Mockingbird, but that hadn’t helped him learn anything.

Bruce knew what his son was thinking about. At dinner, the very idea of this Mockingbird was burned into the kids brain, even when he hadn’t said a word. It was irking the Batman by this point. Because, again, what was the bug up Jason’s ass about them? He’d never thought about anyone this much to Batman’s knowledge. Not Bane, or the Joker, or even the Riddler, who Mockingbird was occasionally seen with. Nothing compared to Mockingbird. It was like Jason had a crush.

Was it? Was it like that?

✮ ✭ ✮

One can imagine the look on Jason’s face when a crime alert popped to life on the Batcomputer, followed by real time camera footage of a figure in a white and grey suit spraying bullets left and right from an assault rifle in a warehouse.

His eyes were gleaming. A real happy smile mixed with a cruel, brash one. The boys knuckles were going white as he palmed the edge of the desk, now attentively standing up so he could drink in every detail of the grainy footage.

“What are we waiting for?” He turned to Bruce, lips curled upwards.

Bruce is a serious man. He looked at Jason carefully as he thought, and then he replied: “I can handle it alone.”

Jason shook his head immediately. “No way, Batman. Remember when they got the better of you that one time? I can help.”

“I know how the Mockingbird operates. I won’t be going in cold.”

“You knew how they operated last time too!” Jason cried. “They’re going to kill people!”

Well, Batman thought that Jason was going to kill Mockingbird. This seemed more likely than Mockingbird killing people, which Batman could never actually prove even with very high suspicions.

“I’m sorry Jason but I’m going alone.”

Oh, Bruce wouldn’t miss the look on Jason’s face after that sentence. It was kinda tinged pink, his brows furrowing like a brat. A scary brat, though. Now it seemed more like Jason was going to kill Batman. So he adds, “that’s an order, Robin.”

Dick Grayson would’ve stayed put easy peasy. Hell, Dick wouldn’t have even questioned the big Bat in the first place. But Jason wasn’t Dick. So one can imagine the only mild level of true shock that Batman experienced when his Robin suddenly dropped down next to him.

It went like this:

Batman arrives to the warehouse, full of shipping containers and blinking lights above. It’s chilly, the floors dirty, but there’s no sight of the Mockingbird or bodies until he rounds the next corner.

Said bodies are hanging from a net attached to the ceiling, but they’re still warm. Bruce can see it through his mask, and he can hear the breathing and quietest of moans.

Behind the net, standing on a container was his target. Two sets of red eyes narrowed like a Cheshire Cat when they landed on him.

“Ah, Batman,” they greet, voice going crazy as usual. “I was expecting the police but, not you.”

“Gotta expect the unexpected, Mockingbird,” Bruce decides to answer back. His eyes narrow behind his cowl. “What’s a bird like you doing in a place like this?”

“I’d expect the same thing a Bat is doing in a place like this- or a Robin.”

“Robin’s not here,” Batman snaps immediately, fists tightening with his stance. “It’s just you, and me.”

“A shame,” Mockingbird twists in their position slightly, giving them a ghostly outline of a more feminine form for a second, which Batman tries to memorize. “I like this new one. He’s got- what’s the word?” they roll their hand as they search their mind. “Spunk?”

“I’ll be sure to tell him that,” Batman promises. “Right after I hand you over the Police.”

“He can tell me that himself!” Robin announces, and then he literally falls from the air and onto his knees carefully beside his mentor.

Jason’s eyes are already on Bruce’s when they meet for a split instant. They’re narrowed, smirking, snarky, and enough to make Batman suddenly want to roar out at his adopted son. Disobeying direct orders from the Batman? Really?

“Good to see you, bird,” Jason tells the villain. “Let’s dance.”

The Mockingbird drops from the container and onto the ground sleekly, not even stopping to soothe their pointed toes as they walk towards the pair. “As long as it’s short. I’ve got school in the morning.”

Jason both loved, and felt frustrated during the fight.

He loved being close to Mockingbird, the one responsible for singlehandedly taking down the Batman that one time. Up close, he could see how fluid they were. How they moved, caught punches, received and reacted to punches with their body- everything. Jason’s mind even started to calculate their height, since this was now the closest he’d ever been to them.

But the Mockingbird wasn’t giving the Robin a whole lot of attention. They just seemed concerned with Batman, simply kicking Robin away when he got too close. Jason would’ve said he let them, but the truth was once Mockingbird saw him attempt a kick, they’d already copied exactly what to do and returned it to him like it was nothing. It was like the world’s cruelest kind of blue balls.

Did Mockingbird not find Jason that much of a threat? Was Batman really his only concern?

Whilst the Mockingbird begins gripping Batman by the collar and slamming him against a crate, Jason takes his chance. He cocks his fist back, lines himself up perfectly, and BAM! Fist to helmet, the Mockingbird dives to the floor in a heap and Batman’s pushing himself to his feet.

“Ha!” Jason suddenly booms, his hands flying into the air like he’s cheering, a wicked smile across his boyish face. “I landed a punch of the Mockingbird!”

“Robin,” Batman growls beside him, fighting the urge to chew him out in front of the bad guy. It’s a low voice, and it’s enough to make Jason’s good mood dampen slightly.

Mockingbird’s hands sprawl in front of them, slowly pushing themselves back up. When they turn to face the two, the young Robin is taken back at the sight.

Mockingbird’s helmet, right at the left side of the jaw, is cracked. A small piece is missing, revealing a hint at the color of the skin underneath. Jason only sees it as his goal- the first sight of who could be behind the mask. Batman sees it as a warning- that his apprentice may have unveiled a piece of something that perhaps he should not have.

It is quiet, Mockingbird not daring to move other than the movement of their heaving chest, until Batman speaks out. “Stand down, Mockingbird,” he commands. “There’s nothing left for you here.”

Mockingbird’s head flares between the two men in front of them, all red eyes slanted angrily and cruelly. It seems they’re in their own state of disbelief as well. “I told you I had school in the morning!” they roar, although to Jason it sounds like a sign of weakness. It sounds like submitting to humor after their fight is lost. “You’re going to let me go to school with a bruise?!”

“I’m sure they’ll understand,” Batman replies. “Robin, get the handcuffs.”

One step into the movement and Mockingbird is already gone. They jump back up a container about 9 feet, and disappear into the darkness, their footsteps disappearing with them.

✮ ✭ ✮

Jason Todd got in trouble after that.

Batman was more than displeased with his actions. Disobeying direct orders, following him, punching the target maybe a little too hard- Bruce let Jason know he’d crossed the line. And although the boy was stunned about it at first, he quickly argued back in typical Jason fashion. Bruce wasn’t having it.

He had this look of disapproval looming over his features the entire time. Shaking his head, clenching his jaw- but Jason didn’t back down. He said he did the right thing. He said Batman was being ungrateful for the help. But everything was looping back to the fact that Jason had broken rules, and that he shouldn’t have been the help in the first place. It was a circle that Bruce made sure Jason could not escape from.

At the end, Bruce benched Jason from Robin duties for two weeks. This had gained an audible “What?!” from Jason, but Bruce didn’t care. Then he left Jason alone in the Batcave, and ordered he leave his suit on the desk.

After a week, Jason had not left the house unless it was for school. Of course he’d considered sneaking out, but the anxious thought of Alfred’s ever watchful eyes were enough to stop him in his tracks before they even started.

Instead, Jason sat in front of the Batcomputer, or polished up the Batmobile, or just watched cartoons while he griped.

Who did Batman think he was? Too good for the sidekicks help? Yeah, that’s what Jason was to him. A sidekick. He’d been a sidekick to Mockingbird before he landed a hit on them, too. But not anymore. And Batman wasn’t even happy for him about it.

Batman was never happy for Jason about anything. Not his grades, or his skills, or his help. The thought alone kept Jason up at night, his face hot with anger as his hands balled into tight fists of fury.

Jason kind of feels that way now, too. He’s in front of the Batcomputer again, running intel check for the week while Batman’s off god knows where doing something that probably will never even make a difference.

“Fucking dickhead,” Jason says to himself, eyes narrowing.

To pass time, he ends up throwing opening one of Batman’s file drawers and updating them with new information. There’s not a lot that’s new, though. The Penguin is still crazy. Joker is still crazy. Jason actually thought Deathstroke was kind of cool, but still crazy. So everyone’s still crazy. Everyone’s still the same. 

Although, when Jason gets to the Mockingbird file, he stops. It’s the same as the last time he looked at it- short and simple. 

Taking a pencil from a desk across the cave, the boy returns to his place in front of the file and frantically begins making notes in it. S/C skin, he writes. In school (?). Teen? Armor can be broken. 

And then Jason looks at a photo of them in the file. They’ve got their full suit on, in front of a brick wall. One arm looks like it’s holding the camera, the other is bent with their hand on their forehead in a salute. Jason can just smell the smile underneath their mask, the stench of slyness and cockiness that just came naturally with all their little quips. If you were to ask Batman, he’d say Mockingbird reminded him of Jason when they spoke. But Jason didn’t want to think about that, so he never did. 

Jason would’ve left it alone. It wasn’t like there weren’t other villains out there running around who hadn’t beaten the Batman. Scarecrow was pretty scrawny too, and he’d won once or twice, right? Maybe it was time to move on. That’s what Jason would’ve done. 

The Batcomputer begins flashing red. Pink light seeps from the computer, and Jason turns around to meet the blinking and beeping. Fate be damned, there they are on the screen. Mockingbird in action, breaking into a big warehouse, then turning to the security camera and giving a great wave. One of there red mechanical eyes winks, and they slip through the door and disappear. 

Jason’s eyes widen, then narrow. Breaking and entering was one thing. Being cocky was another. What was Batman going to do about this? Nothing probably. Nobody else would either. Mockingbird always avoided arrest. Who knew what they were doing in there? Shifting things around, stealing, vandalizing even. 

Jason’s hands balled and unballed in fists. He breathes through his nose, watching the screen stop its blinking but no sign of Batman appearing on the camera feed.

So he grabs his suit. 

✮ ✭ ✮

Now yes, Jason was already punished by Batman. Yes, he knew he was disobeying orders. But this time it would work out. This time, it made sense. This time would be different. He’d stop Mockingbird once and for all, bring them to their knees just like last time. 

That’s what he says he’ll do as he stands outside the warehouse now, cape thwipping behind him. He’d stolen the Robin suit back, too. Because while he was stupid for this, he wasn’t just plain stupid. Though, he was stupid enough to go inside without thinking, which almost immediately earned him a swift pipe in the face. 

When Jason woke up, the first thing he feels is discomfort. 

His green eyes hazy and groggy, he attempts to move his head around, but his chin scraps against the floor. It burns, but then so do his knees and feet. His hands are behind his back, scratching against wrist ties that hiss against his gloves. 

“Hey,” a glitching voice calls out. “You awake?”

Jason only continues struggling, his jaw clenching while his teeth grind together in frustration. 

“That’s not getting old, but-” a hand clasps Jason’s cape. He feels the pressure, the stretch, and he tears his body away from it at once, knocking his jaw against the floor in the process. When his face averts to peep at the figure behind him, multiple red eyes slim, a head cocks to the side, and then the white gauntlet fist clasps his fabrics again- harder. 

Jason is thrown against a wall behind him, hard. His spine aches, back of his head knocking against it as he slips down tiredly. But his teeth are still in a grit, so everyone present knows he’s still up for a fight in typical Jason fashion.

“See I didn’t want to do that to you, but we both know you wouldn’t on your own,” Mockingbird says. “You’re welcome for that position change, by the way.”

Jason’s vision ceases being blurry. He looks up from his now sitting position, hands still behind him with his back against the wall to see the villain a few feet from him. They’re clad in their usual uniform, speaking in their usual crazy distorted voice changer. “Sorry about the face piping, by the way. Got ya’ good there.”

In response, through angry brows, Jason gathers a wad of wet spit in his mouth. In one swift motion, he passes it through his mouth, where it lands at the feet of the Mockingbird harshly. 

They’re quiet for a while. And then, much to Jason’s dismay, they say, “I like you, kid.”

Jason’s cheeks go pink at that, and he immediately looks away, enraged.

“Oh, man,” Mockingbird tilts their head back, leaning back on their feet as they look around impatiently. “How long is this gonna take, B-Man? I got school in the morning.”

There they go about school again. The piece of shit. Jason’s already gathering another collection of spit in his throat as they speak. 

“Fuck, he always takes so long.”

Jason decides to listen to them speak as his wrists struggle against the ties.

“‘Oh I’m Batman. I have daddy issues and I take forever to get places!’. So annoying. You know what I mean?”

Jason just stares. 

“Okay then,” Mockingbird turns back around. “Keep your secrets.”

Then it’s quiet. Until-

“Hot in here. You mind if I take this off? Nah, you’re fine.”

Jason’s eyes widen. 

Two armored hands reach up, fingers slipping and clashing against the material. The hood is the first to fall away. Then something clicks. The Mockingbird bends over, pulling the helmet from their head. Jason watches in awe as hair appears first, then the whole face. 

You turn to the kid, helmet stuck between your hip and arm lazily. His pale green eyes are wide, mouth slightly agape as he looks up at you. You can’t tell if it’s shock or awe, or maybe both. Either way, his ears go pink, deepening into a rose. 

“You’re a girl?” he mumbles, half to himself. 

“If you say so,” he hears you reply casually, but this time in your true, normal voice. You’re a person. A real person. He’s looking at the real face of the Mockingbird. The great tyrant he’s been hunting so long. The being responsible for taking down the Batman. And yet, for some reason, you don’t even look much older than he is. 

You chuck your helmet to the side absent mindedly, turning around to walk in bored circles. “Fuckin’ hate dealing with B-Man.”

Jason looks down, but a few minutes later, you’re on his ass again. 

“What are you?” You say from ahead of him. “Twelve?”

“I’m fifteen,” Jason grits back, eyes angry again. “I’m old enough to kick your ass.”

“Yeah, so like twelve.”

Jason makes a move to jump, but his hands won’t give. He looks like a rabid dog instead, baring his teeth. Soon, he’s gonna get out of these restraints and show you how old he really is. 

Suspiciously enough, Jason’s not putting up as much of a fight as you know he can. You’ve seen this Robin fight before. He wasn’t as good as the one before him, but impressive nonetheless. You’d made sure not to keep the restraints too tight on him. He had plenty of space to pick himself up and throw some kicks at you or something. But he wasn’t doing that at all. In fact, for the most part, the kid just seemed to like looking at you. Sometimes it was angry- usually it was angry- which was entertaining of course. But sometimes it was that shock and awe look. That prompted your interest a bit as well. 

“So,” you quit pacing, arms crossing over your chest. “How’s it like working with the Batman?”

Jason doesn’t answer. From behind his pink lips, you can see his tongue prodding along the skin. He’ll probably make another move to spit at you momentarily. 

“Not the talking type either? God, Dick never shut up. It was always just talkie, talkie, talkie.”

Dick?

How do you know the other Robin’s name? Do you know Jason’s? Or Bruce’s even? Well, Jason agrees with the part about Dick never shutting the hell up, but that’s besides the point. How do you know his name?

You watch the kids eyes go wide slightly, shoulders tensing as a sign of stress. 

“I didn’t actually know his name,” you tell him, turning around. “The other Robin. I just heard the B-Man use it. Kind of a fifty-fifty chance. Your response tells me everything though.” Then, at the end, you throw in, “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna do anything to Dick,” because it seems like the right thing to say and you mean it. 

“What’s your deal?” you hear the kid snap from behind you, venom and bile on the tip of his tongue. 

“Me? I’m the cure for a sick, sad world, kid.”

Jason recounts crimes Batman once mentioned you’d committed. He picks the first one in his brain. “You pushed a man off a building.”

“He was a rapist, Robin,” you shoot back casually, as if you’d had this conversation a million times. “He deserved it.”

“He-”

“What?” you spin around to face the boy. “You wouldn’t have done the same?”

Jason would’ve done the same actually. Too many times had he yelled at his own father for letting the dangerous criminals to get away, knowing full well the number of people about to get hurt. How many times Jason wanted to sift through Batman’s files and find every pervert, child beater, drug selling shithead and beat them up himself. It made it hard for him to win the argument with you now. 

It takes a while, but eventually, you hear the kid mutter a, “Yeah.” When you look at him, his eyes are glued on a point on the floor, scowling. It doesn’t feel directed at you this time though. 

“You’re fifteen,” he hears you say to yourself as you turn back around so your back faces him. “I don’t know why I asked you that.”

“I’m not that young...” you hear him hiss, which makes you smile to yourself for a second. 

It’s quiet for a few seconds. Maybe a whole minute. 

“Are you going to kill me?”

“No. Are you ever going to escape?”

Jason’s eyebrows raise. 

“Don’t be stupid,” you say as his eyes stay on your back. “We both know you can get out of this easily, kid. But if you’d really rather wait for Penguin to get here and give you an epic smackdown, then be my guest.”

“I thought we were waiting for Batman.”

“Yeah, I thought he’d be here by now.”

Jason feels a pang in his chest. Sudden, enough for him to have an instant to wonder if he’s going into cardiac arrest. 

“I’ve never had it out for Bat, really.”

“Why do you always give him so much trouble then?” the kid spits. 

“What? You mean like the other day?” you turn back around to look at him. “It’s not about B-Man.”

“I thought you beat him once,” the Robin continues to question, brows furrowing. 

You think for a moment. “Yeah, once or twice. But I wouldn’t kill him, ya’ know?”

“Why not?” Jason asks in curiosity, though when he says it it sounds more like a grit than anything. 

“It’s just Batman,” you shrug. “There are bigger issues around here.”

He’s quiet. Then he says, “Issues like rapists?”

You hold eye contact with each other for a long time. Even from your distance a few feet away, you can see the flecks in his eyes. Light green all around, with yellow and cyan in the center. The softest, most barely noticeable freckles of all time over his cheekbones. Striking black hair that somehow does and doesn’t fit him. Chapped pink lips. Boy wonder. Really only fifteen?

“Issues like rapists,” you repeat back to him in agreement. 

He doesn’t break eye contact either. It stays quiet until you break it for the last time. 

“Alright, get outta’ here.”

“What?”

“You heard me,” you say. “Go. You really need me to take the ties off? Come on, stand up. Go.”

Jason pushes himself off the ground slowly, watching you with both disbelief and caution. His back scrapes against the container he leaned against as a wall for so long. His knees are aching, and he really doesn’t believe what he’s hearing.

But your face isn’t changing. It’s not joking or humorous. 

Still watching you, the kids hands come apart with a snap. The zip tie flits somewhere across the room meaninglessly. You knew he could get out of it so easily. 

“What about... the epic smackdown I’m getting?”

“I can take it,” you tell him. “Scram, kiddo.”

Your left arm reaches out to the direction your helmet was thrown in. In a second or two, it’s zipped back into your hand cleanly, whirring like a magnet. Jason watches your face disappear back behind the white and grey mask, red eyes coming to life. “Before I change my mind,” you urge, your voice back to glitching and switching unrecognizably. He can’t believe the Mockingbird actually has a real face now. 

“Babe, you really gotta’ hurry up here,” the Robin keeps hearing you urge. “You won’t get an offer like this again.”

It takes a while, but Jason is gone. He uses a side door just in time to hear the distorted voice of the Mockingbird greet a wild, “Hey there pals!” before he disappears into the night. Even carrying himself all the way back home to the Batcave, he doesn’t believe what just happened there. It’s just not believable. It’s not plausible. Why let him go? Why even give him the opportunity to leave at all? Why show your face?

It didn’t really matter at the end of it. 

Jason thought about it for a long time. He thought of the Mockingbird often. Imagined your face again when he slept and when he woke up. 

Mostly, he just seemed to hope that he’d get to see you again.

✮ ✭ ✮

It’s funny because when the reader tells him he won’t get the opportunity to escape from being kidnapped again, the next time he’s kidnapped he gets hit with a crowbar like a million times and then blown up lol. 

anyway tell me if you want a part two cause i already have an idea for it. deez nuts i haven’t slept in 2 days

[flashfuture]

Batman and Robin

I wanna talk about the original dynamic duo and what they mean to each other, or one very specific issue that I love for nostalgia. That being Batman vol 1 20.  

So just for context in the 1940s a single man was not going to adopt a child he had no blood connection with, it just wasn’t done. But in this issue that is being challenged. Okay panel time and yes Alfred used to look way different. I’m gonna put all this under a cut so it’s easy to scroll past if you’re not interested because there is a lot. 

This has to be one of my absolute favorite panels from the golden age. Just them having a pillow fight and behaving like actual people

So then some random couple shows up claiming to be Dick’s aunt and uncle. Bruce is of course not appreciative of this. 

Bruce refuses to give Dick to them and they say they’ll go to court. You can see right here their devotion to one another. Who knows what ages they want the characters to be but Dick has lived with Bruce for about three years at this point so maybe like eleven. So it’s been some time and like Bruce says Dick is like a son.

They don’t have a lawyer which was the weirdest part to me but whatever Bruce you do you. This is Alfred’s opinion on the matter. 

This one is weird because the page lay out was weird but here we go with Bruce’s testimony. Unfortunately Bruce used all of his emotional reserves on this court case and can no longer express affection. Kidding but I always make that joke when I show people this comic. 

And here is Dick’s turn. This is what I meant about Dick not seeing Bruce as a father right away. Even when Dick goes off to college he thanks Bruce for being a brother figure which was weird but whatever. In regards to this comic clearly Dick wants to stay with Bruce.

Interesting to see Bruce’s cover as a playboy come and bite him in the ass. 

And he looses custody of Dick Grayson, not that it was a spoiler. The editorial title for the comic was literally, “Bruce Wayne Loses the Guardianship of Dick Grayson” 

So you can clearly see that no one was happy with arrangement. And boy seeing Dick cry pulls at my heartstrings. 

And this goes to show what Tim knew all along, Batman needs a Robin or you know a son. 

Good news Dick clearly snuck out because Robin has work to do. 

I would so adore it if Dick made a call back to this when Bruce insults his puns.

But of course Dick’s uncle is a monster who invites Bruce over for this. Which just jesus christ this was breezed by so quickly as were all Golden Age stories but it’s pretty fucked.  

Batman doesn’t do ransoms, because to him this was just a glorified kidnapping, and goes to terrify these losers. Also yes Dick’s aunt was wearing a wig for some reason during the trial. Then they have Bruce kidnapped and Robin and Alfred go save him. It was weird and if you want screen shots I can give them but I’m gonna skip it. 

I’m sure Bruce kicking someone out of court room would have been the biggest meme if it happened today. 

And all is right in the world. 

[bonyarishitafuan]

A lot of people probably are gonna hate me for this, and if you disagree with what I’m about to say, please don't bother to respond, just ignore me completely and move on, go make yourself happy.

It’s just that I honestly don't see how this:

can be the same as this:

Personally, I don't care for Dick-lite Pre-Crisis Jason at all, because he’s never seemed to me a real character with any real personality of his own, and I just really don’t buy the idea of a teenager, with still very recently murdered parents that might as well be every bit as the same kind of loving parents and positive influences to their kid as the Flying Graysons, getting over the loss of their old parents’ and accepting someone they’ve only just met around the time their parents died as his true new parent in practically no time at all...especially when it’s happened in a world where a preteen could end up spending the rest of his adulthood fighting crimes in a bat suit after witnessing his parents being gunned down by a mugger.

The only thing Pre-Crisis/Earth 1 Jason Robin seemed to have going on was being a son to Batman/Bruce (and a son to Nocturna, because clearly if he could’ve gotten over his real dad so easily, why wouldn’t he have also gotten over his real mom and come to think of this mysterious criminal lady as his true new mom when she had wanted so much for him to be her son and they had lived together for like a week)--and I feel that if the executives at the time had really wanted Bruce to become a dad, they'd probably just let him settle down and give him a biological child as in the Golden Age, but instead they gave him a second Robin; and the way they laid themselves out to make the relationship between him and this second Robin to be exactly father-and-son despite the fact that Bruce would’ve had to be real stupid to actively endangering a young person whom he consider his own little boy by bringing him to fight crimes just never sits right with me.

It always seems to me like they’re just trying to retcon the original Batman and Robin relationship without actually retconning Bruce and Dick, who hadn’t really been Bruce’s adopted kid just then and had often regarded his mentor Bruce as more of his older brother/closest friend rather than just plain old “dad”--It’s like they’re just trying to remove every implication that there's ever anything gay/creepy in the original Batman and Robin dynamic, simply by bringing in another Robin character, one with the exact same backstory as Dick and nothing that could actually differentiate him from Dick (except him being originally blond-haired and himself outright telling people that he’s “not Dick” in one of his few featurings in the New Titans where he’s portrayed as every bit as much as a smart, decent, capable young person equipped to be a successful young hero just as Dick Robin or Tim Robin would’ve easily been portrayed), and making his relationship with Batman to be plainly, unequivocally father-and-son, then with there being no actual difference between Robin II and Robin I and the two Robins being virtually the same, sure the viewers would see that the relationship between Batman and Robin II and the relationship between Batman and Robin I are very much the same too, and no one could say if there’s any resemblance of a gay couple with a creepy age difference in the original Batman and Robin’s dynamic ever again since they’ve always been father and son.

It just feels so manipulative to me and I hate it, but that’s just how I feel and I’m not saying that it’s truly the case. I’m sorry if this offends anyone who loves Earth 1 Jason. If you love him, that’s great. There’s nothing wrong to love a wholesome Robin and his altogether wholesome relationship with Batman, nor there’s anything wrong to love Red Hood Jason but prefer his softer New52 version which would’ve certainly seemed to be a less drastic change from his Pre52 version if he’s more like his Earth 1 counterpart to begin with.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong to prefer one version of a character to another, to just say fuck canon and recreate a character you love into the way you could enjoy them most and have all the fun you want with them.

What gets to me and drives me bonkers, is when people couldn’t just be happy with their headcanon, but have to go out of their way to tell other people that it’s fact that Pre-Crsis/Earth 1 Jason and Post-Crisis/New Earth Jason are the same character, while in actuality, they weren’t even meant to be the same in the first place.

If DC had ever wanted to just keep using Pre-Crisis Jason but give him a new backstory, they would just follow up on whatever he had been doing with Bruce as his pre-crisis self while casually throwing in his new backstory at some point, just as they did with a lot of other characters such as Donna post-crisis, not give him a full reintroduction in Batman #408 and rewrite his relationship with Bruce from the ground up.

It just makes me want to scream, when people, who never seems to have a lot of problems with Under the Hood and maybe also Lost Days, have to go out and call every portrayal of Pre-52 Jason and some of the more recent Red Hood Jason that shares a resemblance to him wrong for not portraying Jason as that sweet little bookworm he really truly was, and that an entire different life experience just cannot change a character in any substantial way, and Jason being an angry kid with aggressive and violent tendencies is just something that had never been established until the more recent retcon/the OOC work of Jim Starlin, while in truth Pre-Crisis Jason with the exact same backstory as Dick just simply cannot be the same as Crime Alley Kid Jason, who doesn’t even have the same biological parents as Pre-Crisis Jason to provide him with the same gene that the Flying Todds, which were Joe and Trina Todd, had created their son with. 

If Pre-Crisis Jason and Post-Crisis Jason are one and the same, then it’d mean Dick is also very much the same as Jason is the same as Tim is the same as Damian is the same as Bruce and no one character is truly unique and special because every character ever made is just an alternate version of another character.

It had been shown most clearly since his first appearance that Post-Crisis/New Earth Jason, other than literally being a different kid with the same name, was nothing like his pre-crisis counterpart, but rather a bold, outspoken, confrontational, fully independent and proactive ghetto kid, who had got some serious stones to rob Batman’s gear, actually succeed in taking the tire off the freaking Batmobile and getting away originally, and had only run into Batman when he had come back to steal more, and called Batman a “big boob” after he had given him a good hit right in his Bat stomach.

This precious cupcake here↓

↑...that was often used as a proof that the NE Angry Robin Jason is a later retcon/ mere misconception had actually only ever existed in Detective Comics #569-573 during the earlier part of the writer Mike Barr’s run. These 5 issues from Barr are all notably 60s-ish, and while they’re published after CoIE and Batman Year one, it’s clear that they’re Earth 1 stories, seeing that they’re written with characters such as Earth 1 Catwoman. It was only in #574 that Jason’s New Earth origin was first introduced in Detective Comics, right before Batman Year Two; and although the issue was still written by Mike Barr and it did seem to have followed directly after #573, the previous issue was ended with the caption of “The New Origin of Batman”, and the tone of #574 as well as the writer’s latter issues and his portrayal of Jason Robin were no longer the same.

↑Detective Comics #574↑

It was stated by Bruce repeatedly, in both his own title and Detective Comics, that the reason he had taken in NE Jason as his new Robin was to save him from walking down the wrong path and to provide an outlet for his rage.

While no doubt Jim Starlin’s NE Jason Robin (that everyone hates) was the most aggressive and violent, it had never contradicted how the character was initially written by Max Allen Collins, the writer of Batman #408.

↑Batman #410 by Collins↑

↑ Batman #411 by Collins, after Jason had found out that Willis was murdered by Two-Face and Bruce had been hiding the information from him ↑

Although in the end of Batman #411, Jason did seem to have gotten over his anger and saved Two-Face’s life, judging by the way he’d talked about his dad Willis in his first introduction and the fact that he’d never before bothered to find out what had happened to the man the whole time while he’s in the manor where he had all the resources to acquire the information, it was doubtful that he and Willis had had a good relationship, and what he’d felt for his crook dad then could hardly be the same as what he felt later in “The Diplomat’s Son” story.

NE Jason had always been consistent in being a fearless, proactive, feisty individual with a hot temper, even in the hand of a writer with a much mellower sense of writing like Mike Barr.

↑ Jason and Bruce encountered Two-Face again in Detective Comics #580-581 by Barrs ↑

It had been established from the get-go that NE Jason Robin was the type of kid who would challenge Batman and go out handling a criminal on his own without consulting him or anyone else first, and was morally questionable with tendencies to aggression and violence, which was perfectly understandable for someone with his background--Only at the beginning it’s easy to brush these things off, because there's never any real consequence to his behavior and so Bruce was okay when he’d behaved this way at the beginning, and since Jason’d still got a lot to learn and was eager to learn from Bruce at the beginning, it would only be right that he’s more agreeable and willing to obey Bruce, but once he had completed his training and been allowed on the field, it would also only be right for him to feel like he had learnt enough and gotten the hang of the business already, and so just easily slipped into his old habit of handling things on his own, just as he had always been while he had been surviving in the Crime Alley on his own before Bruce came along.

NE Jason Robin wasn’t suddenly turned from 0-100 in The Diplomat’s Son story (though I really doubt that it’d be impossible for someone, especially someone around Jason’s age, to go from 0-100 if they have to deal with what Jason had dealt with in the story)--

↓ This didn’t happen until after the diplomat’s son was let go by the police due to his status, and on his way out of the police station where he’d been initially brought in by Jason and Bruce for raping and kidnapping an innocent woman, the mofo called his victim right in front of Jason and Bruce and threatened her on the phone, which led the woman to immediately commit suicide. 

I’ve always thought it’s a good story and a lot more tasteful than it’s usually given credit for. It wouldn’t even have been the first time a “teenage superhero” has killed in the DCU (whether it was accidental or intentional); it’s certainly not something so dark and controversial that DC wouldn’t go for it, they could’ve easily just gone for it and had Jason Robin murder a criminal then, except they never really showed that he did. The audience just naturally assumed that he did because the whole scene was shown through Bruce’s view, and Bruce could see that even if Jason didn’t really kill the rapist then, he might very well be capable of it, and it makes the whole Under the Hood storyline as well as the continuation of Red Hood Jason possible.

The concept of Under the Hood and the continuing existence of Red Hood Jason works, instead of just being a complete character assassination like One-Year-Later Cass, only with Jason being his post-crisis version with all of his very established traits and his very established problems with Bruce.

If Under the Hood Jason is indeed Earth 1 Jason or similar to him, he would really need to be under some outside influence for him to do the things he had done, for there’s just no other justification for his action.

He would really have to be driven mad by the effect of the Lazarus Pit (which has only ever been showed to exist momentarily on other characters), he would have to be incapacitated the whole time, unable to control his own action or even form any conscious decision--and it would only make it extremely possible for him to do something truly awful such as killing some innocent or other heroes or even someone in the Batfam, since he wouldn’t be able to stop himself even if he wanted to, or be able to tell if that’s wrong; that’s what being incapacitated means, that’s why people who’s committed crimes, even as bad as murders, cannot be held legally accountable when they’re proven to be mentally ill--and if that’s truly the case, then Bruce as well as Dick (who had a pretty amicable relationship with Earth 1 Jason) and everybody else who has any knowledge about the matter would all have to be some real awful persons to not lift a finger to help him, by making it a point to stop him from committing any more murder that he wouldn’t have committed if he could help it, and figuring out a way to relieve him from the influence by means of the various science and magic overflowing in their world, like they’ve repeatedly done for many others who’ve been in the similar position, and eventually getting him the hell out of this altogether traumatic crime-fighting life, so he could finally begin to heal from his extensive traumas, including being forced to kill which has always been a very common cause of PTSD for soldiers at war; and even if Jason doesn’t leave the crime-fighting life forever, he could no longer continue operating as the Red Hood; it’d just make no sense for him to keep up the identity previously belonged to his murderer, and have it constantly remind him of how he didn’t just get brutally murdered, he was also forced into becoming a murderer himself, which.he never would’ve become if he wasn’t literally out of his mind.

Moreover, there could never have been a Tim Robin (even if Tim didn’t go by Robin but something else), if the Jason who died in A Death in the Family had the same disposition as Earth 1 Jason and none of his NE traits which was the one and only justification Bruce had for taking in Tim as his third teenage partner, seeing that Tim is patient and careful and cooperative with all the qualities to become the same kind of hero like Dick, and not at all “reckless” and “rebellious” like NE Jason, and so he’s likely to turn out like Dick and not get himself killed like Jason (that’s the only true significant retcon Pre52 Jason had. Although NE Jason Robin could be rather reckless and rebellious, that’s certainly not why he had gotten killed. They just made Bruce and everyone pretend that that’s what killed him, so it wouldn’t seem so utterly horrible for Bruce to endanger another teenage kid with no superpower or any previous fighting training by bringing them in the business that had already gotten one kid killed, and also for Dick and everyone else to just let him).

It’s a complete disregard of facts and logic to call Earth 1 Jason and Red Hood Jason the same character, which doesn’t really matter as long as it’s only headcanon; but when people push it as a fact, it really just sound to me like they’re saying that it’s wrong to like Pre 52 Jason/Post-Crisis Jason Robin, which I very much do because I actually think he’s an interesting character with an interesting and more coherent story than a lot of other DC characters.

It’s like they’re saying that it’s just plain wrong and unnatural for a person to have aggressive and violent tendencies and be inclined to criminal behavior simply because they had grown up in a most crime-infested place and had to rely on themselves and learned to do what it takes to survive since before twelve, or become more and more violent simply because they’ve been made to work in an extremely violent environment and have never been provided with any kind of actual aid for their mental health the entire time.

It’s like that if a person, after being brutally murdered and then coming back to find that their mentor/guardian who was the closest thing they had to a family and was also responsible for their death in a major way just didn’t seem to be giving any shit about that at all, is filled with such murderous rage that they could very well just go out and kill a bunch of criminals, but they aren’t actually a smol whump baby with no absolutely agency of their own that must be protected at all times all along, then they’re just no good at all and don’t deserve any love or respect or understanding.

...I don’t like myself for ranting about this. I hope I could just not give any shit about this dumb thing, but it’d been driving me crazy and I’d just got to let it out.

[heyitsani]

Pretend You Know This Song

Word Count: 2265

Rating: Teen and Up

Warnings: General Batfam chaos, Reverse Robins (not really a warning but eh)

Pairing: Damian Wayne/Jon Kent and brief hints of one-sided-ish Jason Todd/Dick Grayson

Notes: As I told @mlim8, this comic has been living in my brain rent-free since she posted it and I couldn’t resist.  Go shower it with the most affection you possibly can because it’s adorable and I love it.  And Mel.

This is also kind of just a shit post because I needed to get it out of my head.  So I wrote and edited in less than two hours.  Don’t judge.

You can also read this on AO3 here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Damian and his father were already seated at the table in the small dining room the family used for regular meals when the others started filtering in.  It had been a particularly rough night on patrol, both Jason and Richard getting a little more roughed up than usual, so it was unsurprising that everyone was slow to wake.  Though, had it been a working day, he was certain his father would have managed to pull himself out of bed long before he actually did.

“Tim, I was unaware you stayed the night,” his father greeted his second eldest son as he entered the room.  Damian was unsurprised by the raised eyebrow and silence from his younger brother was he took the seat just to the left of the eldest of the Wayne kids.  It was as far away as he could get from the man he still struggled to be around.  Not that Damian blamed him.

There was a soft scuffing sound of socked feet being dragged on a Persian rug as Jason entered the room and slumped in the seat next to Tim.  Damian knew that if either of them had been more aware, they would be on opposite sides of the table as well.

“Good Morning, Master Jason,” Alfred greeted as he set a plate in front of the teenager before he set one down in front of Tim as well.  

“Morning, Alfie,” Jason intoned before diving headfirst into the plate of food without greeting any of the others around him.  It was all very mundane and ordinary for each of them.  After years of being a family, however mismatched they were, they had become terribly predictable.

More unsurprising than all of the other entrances to the dining room was Richard’s.  Despite having only been with them for a little over a year and still suffering the loss of his parents, Damian couldn’t help but compare the boy to a literal ray of sunshine.  He had no idea how the thirteen-year-old managed it, but he always managed to seem so cheerful.  Despite the various bandages and bruises that could be seen over what bits of skin were exposed, he still bounded into the room with a bright smile.  

Damian watched him greet each family member over the top of the newspaper he was reading, grudgingly accepting the hug he gave the eldest so freely, before the teen bounced over to his seat by Bruce.  

“Morning everyone,” the boy greeted with a warm smile before turning that smile upward to Alfred as the man set a plate in front of him.  “Thanks, Alfred.”  The older man smiled and patted his head before heading back to the kitchen.  “I have an announcement,” Richard’s voice sounded from his chair, and Damian glanced up to see him smiling that smile with his hands clasped in front of him.

He could see the others at the table look over at Richard and regard him carefully.  Rarely ever did Richard not command the attention of whatever room or crowd he was in.  The acrobatic nature of him wanted the attention.  In a small, family setting it was no different.

“So I’ve decided!  When I grow up, I’m going to marry Jon,” he offered up freely, and Damian felt his eyes roll immediately before dropping them back down to the paper in front of him.  He heard his father let out a chuckle, something only Richard could pull from the head of the household, and he noticed Tim regarding Jason, who was frozen looking at the youngest.  “He’s kind, and smart, and handsome,” he listed but Damian found himself more interested in the growing smirk on Tim’s face as he continued to watch Jason for some reason.

A quick glance at the teen showed he was still frozen watching the youngest.  

“And he can fly!” Richard finished his list off with a bright smile on his face, seemingly proud of the list of reasons he had made in Jon’s favor.  And though Damian couldn’t exactly fault the younger for seeing Jon’s better qualities, he was a little disturbed given the age difference between his best friend and his younger brother.

“WHAT?!”  Jason’s outburst seemed to catch everyone but Tim off guard and Damian made a mental note to ask the other man about that.  “EW!!  NO!!! You can’t marry Jon!  He’s already so old!”  Damian glanced over at Richard as Jason ranted, clenching the paper a little tighter at Jon being deemed “old” when Damian was two years his senior.  He decidedly ignored the smirk Tim sent his way despite seeing it out of the corner of his eye.  Bastard. “If you marry him when you’re older, he’ll be like 1,000!!”  Damian watched Richard’s face turn confused, brows pulling together as Jason spoke.

While Damian didn’t see the harm in Richard’s little crush, he was still young after all, Jason seemed to be completely outraged by the idea.  A glance at the other two adult at the table told him his father was simply exasperated and trying to ignore the situation but Tim looked almost…amused as he typed into his phone.  He really needed to get to the bottom of that.

“Besides, you can’t even date him!”  Damian grabbed his tea as Jason continued and tried to go back to reading the paper.  “He’s gonna marry Dami!”  The words caught him off guard enough to cause him to spit out the tea he had just taken a sip of.  

“Wh-what?!?”

“W-we are not, Todd!” Damian found himself exclaiming, eyes wide as he took in the determined look on Jason’s face and the tears welling in Richard’s eyes.  Damn it all to hell, he grumbled mentally.  The last thing he wanted was a crying Richard.  

“Liar!”  Jason turned an accusing finger on Damian.  “I saw you smile at him during patrol!”  Damian sat there for a moment, stunned, before he noticed a movement out of the corner of his eye and looked over at Tim.  

“Drake!  Are you recoding?!”

That damn smirk slid back onto his face.  “No.”  

The sigh his father heaved from his end of the table was loud enough to draw Damian’s wide eyes.  He could see Richard with his face buried in his hands and buried in his father’s chest.  “You boys are lovely this morning,” the man said flatly, an arm wrapped around Richard’s shoulders.

“Father…!”  Damian gestured over to the other two, one who still hadn’t put down his phone and the other who was no glaring at the food in front of him. But his father simply raised an eyebrow and started to rub circles on Richard’s back.

“That is certainly enough of this conversation,” Alfred stepped into the room and immediately took Tim’s phone out of his hand.  Despite the protests from Tim, Damian knew Alfred would most likely delete the video.  “Can you boys please finish up your meal without another incident?  Master Richard, you have yet to touch your food.”  His tone went from hard to soft as he reached the youngest who was still clinging to his adoptive father.  “Why don’t we put this behind us for the time being and enjoy the rest of our meal?” There was a muffled sniffle before Damian saw Richard’s head nod and him slowly sit up.  But he kept his eyes downcast as he moved back to his chair and refused to look at anyone as he started to slowly eat.

Damian found himself clenching his fist to keep from getting up to comfort the boy.  He knew that after the year of practically being his father, he would always struggle not to be the one the teen turned to when he was upset.  But this time, it was Damian he was upset with.  So he pushed the instinct down and stood from his seat.

“Titus come,” he called for the dog who had been laying at his feet the entire debacle as he stepped away from the table.  “It is time for your walk.”  He didn’t bother to look at anyone other than Richard as he left the room, but not even a glance was sent his way.  It bothered him more than he wanted to admit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The evenings patrol had been quiet, and Damian found himself thankful for that given his mind kept going back to what had transpired at breakfast earlier in the day.  He could tell Richard was still upset about the events, but Damian had no idea how to make the situation better.  He didn’t want to encourage Richard’s crush given that yeah…maybe him and Jon were something to one another.  But he also didn’t want to stop him from behaving as a young teenager should.  The only thing he could think of to do was request that Robin join Nightwing on patrol instead of Batman.

And though the teen was a vigilant as ever, Damian knew him well enough to notice that he was always just on the edge of saying something.  It wasn’t until they took a moment to just observe the city below them that he seemed to have gained the courage.

“D…” he started, and Damian bit his tongue at the reprimand that wanted to surface at the nickname.  “I’m sorry I said I was gonna marry Jon,” the teen said quietly, latching onto Damian’s wrist.  The apology was definitely not what the elder had expected.  “I didn’t know you were dating.”  And though the almost heartbroken sound of Richard’s voice made his chest ache, Damian wasn’t sure what to say.

“N-No names in the field, Robin,” he chastised him carefully.  What was he supposed to say to Richard?  He didn’t want to lie but he also didn’t want to explain something he wasn’t even quite sure of himself.  The fact that Jason had picked up on it was enough to show that perhaps Damian wasn’t keeping his feelings as under wraps as he thought.  “Let’s head back.  I do not think there is any reason for us to remain out tonight.  We can have some hot chocolate before bed,” he offered as an acceptance of the apology.

And when Richard’s smile went from sad to it’s usual brilliance, Damian knew he had made the right call.  What the consequences of his lack of denial would be, he’d have to deal with them later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a few days since the incident that shall not be named took place and Damian found himself letting Jon into his Bludhaven apartment after having just handed Richard over to Alfred to take home after he had stayed over for the weekend.  He hadn’t been expecting his best friend, but he didn’t find it an unpleasant surprise so he didn’t complain.

“Dick already gone?” Jon questioned, glancing around to see the chaos the teen had left behind but not the teen himself.  Damian only hummed with a nod as he picked up various items the teen had upended or left behind.  He made a pile of things to wash and things to return the next time he was in Gotham, which likely would be in the next day or so.  “So….”

Damian looked at Jon over his shoulder and raised an eyebrow, noticing he was rubbing the back of his neck.  The bashful act immediately put Damian on edge.  “What?”

“Why did Dick tell me that he approves of our relationship?”  Damian froze in mid reach for an item and instead stood up, arms crossed over his chest. He knew he looked as annoyed as he felt. Damnit Richard.  “Are we in a relationship?”  

Damian huffed a breath. “Ignore him.  It was Jason who put the thought in his head the other morning,” he waved a hand at the other man and went back to picking up the items strewn about his apartment.  

“But now I’m very curious as to what exactly happened,” Jon teased, and Damian sent him an annoyed look before entering his room and depositing the laundry into his dirty clothes hamper. He knew that Jon would follow him, but he still rolled his eyes when he turned and found the taller man leaning on the frame of the doorway.  “And maybe I don’t want to ignore what Dick said.”  That caused Damian freeze for the second time in a matter of minutes.

“What exactly are you implying here, Kent?”  He let the laundry basket drop the few inches he had picked it up back to the floor, turning to find the man standing just behind him.  “Jon?”

Jon’s blue eyes traced over Damian’s face and the older man found himself holding his breath as the man searched for whatever it was he was hoping to find.  “Maybe I’ve just been waiting for some kind of hint and Dick finally gave it to me…”  Whatever Jon had been looking for he must have found because his warm hands rose to cup Damian’s face as Jon stepped a bit closer.  

“A hint toward what?” Damian whispered, focusing all his strength at resisting the urge to look down to Jon’s lips that were moving closer with each passing moment.

“That this would be a welcomed gesture,” the man muttered, leaning forward and effectively closing the space between their mouths.  And though shock reverberated through his body, Damian allowed his eyes to slip shut so he could enjoy the moment for however long Jon allowed it to take place. If he was going to offer this side of him so freely to Damian, who was Damian to deny him something he himself had been yearning for for years?

[rosesgonerogue]

I didn’t so much fall in love- It kicked me in the face Chapter Three

The Wayne Manor was exactly what Marinette had come to expect after years of knowing famous people. It was expertly decorated, but it had an almost somber feel to it - it matched Gotham’s general aesthetic. 

Also meeting expectations was the Wayne family itself. Marinette had done her homework, taking hours to research each member long before setting foot in Gotham. It was clear that they had been warned to behave, but chaos still bubbled beneath their calm facades, she could see it in their eyes. 

“Miss Dupain-Cheng, allow me to introduce you to Masters Bruce, Richard, Jason, Timothy, and Damian.” 

Marinette nodded to each in turn, her hand unconsciously tightening on Leo’s. She took a steadying breath. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Marinette Dupain-Cheng, and this is my son Leo. If you’re interested, I made some macarons for you, as I do for most meetings with my clients.” She set the box on the coffee table. “I would recommend eating them in the next day or so.” 

Tim looked like he was going to faint, and it was then that Marinette noticed the harsh bruise on his jaw - almost like he’d gotten kicked. Surely it had to be a coincidence, there was no way… 

Damian huffed, and the entire family seemed to stiffen. When he spoke, his words were sharp, acidic. “You’re meant to be a seamstress, not a baker. Besides, what kind of professional brings a child to a business meeting? Is his father too worthless to watch him?” 

Everyone in the room froze, and Marinette could feel the warmth drain out of her. She felt eerily similar to when Tikki used ice powers, in fact. There was no way for her to know, but when she spoke, Marinette’s words carried the weight of an avalanche. 

“You yourself are legally a child sitting in on a business meeting, Monsieur Wayne, and I did not object to it because I trust your father to parent you how he sees fit. I could explain to you that other than myself, my only options for Leo’s care are my parents, who are busy preparing for my mother’s surgery while running the most successful bakery in Paris, or my friends, who are all dealing with professional lives of their own. I could explain that, but I shouldn’t have to, because he is my son, and I will raise him as I see fit. And I’m a fashion designer, not a seamstress. This isn’t the seventeenth century.” She paused, staring the offender down. “Do you have any further objections, Monsieur Wayne?” 

A small part of her glowed in satisfaction when Damian ducked his head. “Do as you must.” She missed the way that Tim blinked owlishly, exchanging surprised looks with Dick.

Instead she straightened her jacket, murmuring a few comforting words to Leo before finally letting his hand go. “I prefer getting to know my clients before I actually begin, it helps me make the perfect piece. Does some-”

“I’ll be first,” Jason said, shoving Dick out of the way.

“Perfect. If you’ll come this way, Monsieur Todd, we can sit…”

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

The satisfied look on Jason’s face was more than a little disconcerting to Tim. He didn’t really feel like hearing the woman who’d occupied his mind for the past day, so he turned his attention elsewhere. He still needed to come to terms with the fact that she had gone head to head with Damian and come out on top after all.

Leo was scrutinizing one of the paintings on the wall, a tiny version of MDC herself. He had the same dark hair, light freckles on pale skin, and wide blue eyes…

No. Please no. Tim glanced subtly at Bruce. Surely he wouldn’t try to adopt either parts. Marinette was an adult with two living parents, and Leo had Marinette, so they were safe, right? 

Regardless, that would be an issue for another time. Tim found himself crouching next to Leo. “That painting is of Monsieur Bruce’s parents,” he said in French. 

The child switched his soulful eyes to Tim’s face, his expression serious. “You know French.” 

“Yes, I really like languages, so I learned as many as I could,” Tim said, resisting the urge to ruffle the boy’s hair. “Your name is Leo, right?” 

“Yes, Monsieur.” 

“You can call me Tim. Are you enjoying Gotham so far?” 

Leo thought hard for a moment. “Maman and I had a lot of fun today, but yesterday was a little scary, the way it sometimes gets in Paris.” 

He desperately wanted to ask Leo more about the scary things in Paris, but it wasn’t fair to ask a child. Instead, Tim let the boy pull him around the parlor, asking questions about anything he found even remotely interesting. 

“And that is the trophy Dick, my oldest brother, got for gymnastics in seventh grade,” Tim explained, hefting the boy higher up so he could see the object in question more clearly. “That’s the ribbon Jason got for a creative writing contest, and Damian’s martial arts trophy. A couple of these belong to Bruce…” 

Leo stared at the glass case like it would afford him the answers to the universe before looking up to Tim’s face. “Where are your trophies?” 

“What?” 

“Everyone else has trophies. Where are yours?” 

“That’s… I mean, I have some, I just didn’t think they were very important,” Tim said with a shrug. 

“But families should be together,” Leo said with wide, unblinking eyes. “That’s why I wanted to come with Maman, even though it made your brother be mean to her.” 

Tim smiled, pushing down the barrage of emotions fighting within him. “You’re right, you’re absolutely right. Your Maman is a very smart lady.” 

“Maman is the smartest,” Leo said solemnly. 

“You must be right again,” Tim said conspiratorially. “She’s also the best at making clothes.” 

The boy’s face didn’t change in the least, there wasn’t a trace of a smile, but he slowly patted Tim’s cheek. “I like you.” 

“That’s high praise.” 

TIm golted, his cheeks flooding with color when he found himself next to Marinettte. She was smiling kindly when she said, “Thank you for watching Leo, that really wasn’t necessary. But I didn’t know you spoke French. That’s very impressive, Mr. Drake.”

“Call me Tim, please. And you’ve caught me, I have a deep love of languages. It’s helped in this position, though,” he said with a smile. “Business transactions are a lot easier when you don’t need a translator.” 

“I’ve also found that to be true,” Marinette said, lips quirked. “It’s finally your turn for your consultation. We can do it with or without Leo, whatever you would prefer.” 

“Leo and I are friends now, of course I would need his opinion!” Tim said, just barely noticing that he was still holding the child. “After all, I need his help making sure that I have the best suit at the entire Wayne Gala.” 

That actually coaxed a smile out of the boy, and the resemblance between him and his mother had never been stronger. Marinette looked surprised, but her eyes were warm. “A lot of designers despair over men’s fashion, you know. People lash out whenever you stray too far from the traditional designs, and no one can really reinvent the suit. While it doesn’t let us exercise as much creativity and freedom as women’s fashion, I actually love things like this. Men’s suits are all about attention to detail - how I can work to show your personality in an appropriate but memorable manner. Do you have any specific requests?” 

Against his will, Tim felt his face heat up, doubtlessly turning as red as his vigilante suit. “I fully admit that I was the one who originally commissioned you. I even had to fight Damian. And yet, I haven’t thought about the specifics of what I might want until now.” 

Thankfully, Marinette laughed. “You’d be surprised at how often that happens. That’s perfectly fine. I just didn’t want to leave out anything you desperately wanted. Do you have a specific color for your suit in mind?” 

“Black?” Tim asked helplessly. “I’ve followed your career for a long time, Mademoiselle, but that doesn’t mean that I know anything about fashion. I just know that your fashion seems… magical.” 

Marinette’s lips quirked upwards, a knowing sparkle in her eyes. “That’s an interesting comment. I have a proposal for you, Timothy Drake. If you have any pressing requests I will include them, but I want to keep yours a surprise.” 

Tim swallowed, completely unprepared to deal with the sparkle in her eyes. “I trust you.”

“The exterior is going to be a neutral color because you’re a business man who needs to keep up appearances. That means the most fun we’ll get to have is with the lining. Any opinions?” Marinette asked. “I only bring it up because it’s the most flexible part.” 

“I don’t know, I think all of my suit linings are black or gray,” Tim said, slightly distressed. 

Leo stared him down with serious eyes before saying, “Maman, the inside needs to be red. Ladybug red.” 

“Ladybug? You want me to look like a beetle?” Tim asked. 

Marinette smiled slightly at his comment, but her eyes were fixed on her son. “Are you sure, mon cher? Ladybug red?”

“That’s what he needs,” Leo confirmed. 

Thinking about his brothers’ laughter if he showed up in a polka-dot suit, Tim asked again, “Ladybugs? Are you sure, Leo?” 

“Oh, not the bug,” the fashion designer assured him, finally breaking eye contact with her son. “She tries to keep her existence quiet, but Ladybug is one of Paris’s heroes.” 

“She’s the best hero,” Leo said solemnly. “But you’re nice like she is. You need to have red like she does.” 

There was a strange look in Marinette’s eye that Tim couldn’t quite decipher, but she smiled nonetheless. “You should feel honored. Once someone back in Paris asked me to make something in Ladybug red, and Leo hid the fabric so I had to make it in a slightly different shade. He must really like you.” 

He wanted to say something, anything. Tim had never felt so… he didn’t even know how to describe it. He had spent his life building it into what he had wanted it to be, propping himself up with his accomplishments. He stood alone in his skyscraper, trying to catch up to Bruce and his brothers, but Marinette and Leo had violently dragged him down to the ground, standing outside with everyone. Maybe his family had never been as distant as he thought. 

Or maybe the caffeine withdrawal was finally getting to him.

Taglist: 

@ii-fox-demon @queen-in-a-flower-crown @novaloptr @saphiraazure2708 @iamabrownfox @smolplantmum @redhoodedtoad @loysydark @slytheringinger300 @finallyaniguana @brokenwordsarehard2 @abrx2002 @mystery-5-5 @zalladane @moonlightstar64  @marinettepotterandplagg @black-streak @purplesundaze @maribat-is-lifeblood

Note: 

Damian’s going to be a jerk in this. Beware. 

[sparkleofpizza]

Being a Kent and dating a batboy - headcanon

Tim Drake

You were Clark’s adoptive daughter, he had decided to take you in after your parents left you behind;

You were Conner and Jon’s little sister;

Very overprotective over you;

You had known Tim for a very long time now, since he was Conner’s best friend and all;

You though he was very cute, not that you would admit it to anyone;

Lois knew - she knew everything, but didn’t say anything to you, letting you tell her yourself when you felt comfortable enough to;

She knew the boys would freak out if they found out, even Clark;

Lex Luthor was planning something big and bad, very bad;

Lois was out of the country for some conference she would be covering for te Daily Planet and they’d be damned if they let anything happen to you, so they did the most logic thing they could think of at the moment: send you away to stay at the Wayne Manor while they sorted things out;

You weren’t a super and although you knew how to fight they couldn’t risk you getting hurt;

 You were offended they thought you couldn’t handle yourself, but knew they were only doing it out of love;

You also wouldn’t pass up the opportunity of spending some quality time with Tim without one of your brother lurking around;

He was over the moon to know you were staying over for a while;

The both of you did everything together;

Stayed up all night working on cases;

Drank a lot of coffee;

Went on little coffee dates, not like you actually called it a date;

Watched movies and lots of tv shows;

Sparred together;

The nights Tim left for patrol were the worse, you would stay up waiting for him to come back, worried out of your mind;

I mean, your brothers and father were fighting a big threat back home, and your crush was risking his neck to save the city, it is impossible not to worry;

So one night you wrapped yourself up in one of his blankets and lied on his bed, waiting for him to return;

Oh, when he saw you so peacefully asleep, he felt like his heart was going to explode, you were just so so so adorable;

He lied down next to you, groaning a bit since he got hurt during patrol;

You sat up, eyes wide open when you heard that sound, turning around and grabbing his face in between your hands;

“Are you hurt?” You asked, way too serious “It’s just a broken rib” He smiled at you, leaning in your touch

To this day you still don’t know what gotten into you, but you pressed your lips against his in a heated kiss, pouring all of your emotions in it;

He obviously kissed you back;

You spend the rest of the night in each others arms, professing their love for one another;

Actually, you started to spend most of your nights like that;

And days too;

You were always in each others embrace;

You were afraid to tell your brothers and father that you and Tim were dating;

You were pretty sure Conner would freak out, you are his little sister and you’re dating his best friend;,

The both of you would sneak out a lot after you went home;

Whenever Tim was around you and your brothers or his brothers were there too, he had to fight back the urge to just wrap his arms around your waist and prep kisses all over your face;

You would sneak off a lot, not really wanting anyone to know about your relationship;

Damian was the first one to find out about you and Tim and surprisingly allowed you to tell the news to everyone when you were ready for it;

Lois knew, of course she knew, you couldn’t just get your first boyfriend who was also a vigilant and your brother’s best friend and just not tell your mother about it;

It was a chaos when everyone found out;

You and Tim were cuddling in the Cave, him working and you sitting on his lap, massaging his scalp and playing with his hair;

Conner yelled and tried to kill your boyfriend the moment he saw it;

Jon tried to kill him too, Clark was just too shocked to say something;

Bruce stood still watching the scene unfold before he tried to break them free;

Jason slid some money to Dick, loosing the bet they had placed on the both of you as Damian shook his head in shame;

The fight had escalated way too quickly;

You were so frustrated you said you would only talk to them when they learned how to behave like proper human beings and not treat you like an object of possession;

Walking alone I’m Gotham at 3 am couldn’t possibly be a good idea, but there you were, on your own only wearing a hood and not even carrying your phone with you;

You ended up with a superficial cut on your side and a bruised hand after kicking 4 thugs asses on your own;

Tim was the first to find you, pulling you into a tight embrace, but panicking once he saw some blood dripping - it was really a small cut, but he carried you to the hospital despite your protests;

Your father and brothers soon learned about where you were, they were kind of shocked that Tim thought you should get medical help when you clearly had a very superficial cut and Alfred could’ve handled it in a blink of an eye; 

That kind of made them start to change their minds about you guys relationship;

Of course it doesn’t mean that Jon and specially Conner didn’t threatened to kill Tim very slowly if he ever hurt you, and that they were always keeping an eye on you;

So secret make out sessions had to become even more secretive and silent, God you hated super hearing;

You once had to stay with your hair down for almost a week because of a hickey Tim left on your neck, and from there on you both agreed that hickeys were only allowed in the body parts that would remain covered in clothing;

Overall, dis-considering your family overprotectiveness, you were just too happy;

Tim made you happy and you loved him.

Damian Wayne

You were Clark’s baby daughter;

Actually just two years younger than Jon, but they still treated you as a baby;

You didn’t really want to take on the mantle of being Supergirl, so you only ever did superhero activity when it was extremely important;

That being said you weren’t a big part of meeting your family vigilantes and superhero acquaintances;

You actually randomly met Damian not knowing he was your brother’s friend - you knew of him, but didn’t remember his face;

He was in Metropolis to visit Jon and they were supposed to meet at an ice cream shop, but he got lost, running into you. You being he nice person you are decided to take him there, and then once you saw your brother, you were really confused until you realized they were friends;

Damian thought you were a bit stupid, he knew who you were and you didn’t recognize him - he was just bitter that you didn’t remember his face;

You took it upon yourself to make up for the fact that you didn’t remember him, you were feeling so guilty over it;

So every time you saw Damian you would brightly smile at him and ask him how he was doing, ask him about his pets - you learned that from Jon - ask him about Robin, but he didn’t seem to want to talk;

You were sure he hated you, and that made you really sad;

You just had a minor huge crush on him;

One day you had a horrible day at school, people were mean, you failed a geometry test and it just straight up sucked to the point that literally anything could make you cry, so when you only muttered a small hello upon seeing Damian he knew something was up, and he was onto it to find out what it was;

Oh boy, once he cornered you and saw your big round sad eyes full of tears and lip quivering from trying not to cry he promised he would break every single bone of whoever had done that to you;

See, he had a crush on you too;

He started tutoring you on geometry, and you actually improved, he was done with school, but was so smart and that made you a bit more attracted to him;

Your mom, Lois, asked you about your feelings towards him, but you just brushed it off, you didn’t confirm nor denied it;

One day during one of your study dates, Damian placed his hand on your thigh, you tried to ignore it, but before you could realized it you were both kissing each other with you being lied on bed with him on top of you;

That became normal and shortly after you two were dating;

Damian wanted to make things right, so he planned a dinner with both his and yours family to announce you two were dating;

Everyone was shocked, Damian was dating? And it was you????

Jon wanted to jump up his neck and kill him, how could he date his little sister? The bro code!

Damian was unfazed and so were you, not letting anyone get in the middle of your relationship;

Clark was a bit weirded out because you were dating Bruce’s son, but he knew he was a good kid so it was ok for him, Conner thought it was odd and gave Damian a threat if he ever hurt you, Lois was over the moon; 

But they were all a bit skepitical about your relationship, everyone thought you wouldn’t last too long;

You were happy everyone took it better than expected, Jon would get there someday too, he couldn’t be mad at you both forever;

Or so you thought;

You and Damian had a date planned? Better think again, Jon is there to ruin it;

You two are making out? Better run fast because Jon is ready to punch Damian;

The truth was that he was feeling left out, Damian is his best friend and he didn’t say anything about liking you, he had to find out when you both got together, and well you’re his sister dating his best friend! It is weird for him! 

Everyone soon found out Damian meant serious business with you, the hardest and most horrible way, but they did;

You were out on the field with everyone, it was one of those times there was a big threat and you had to help out;

You were about the get shot and Damian just jumped in front of you, taking the bullet for you;

“Did you just take a bullet for me?” You yelled, kneeling down and pressing on the wound He smiled weekly at you “Of course, beloved, I couldn’t let you get hurt” You looked skeptically at him “You do realize I’m bulletproof, right?”

Jon was flipping his shit once he saw his best friend, collapsing by his side and apologizing for ever thinking he was just messing around with you, and also stating he was stupid for jumping in front of a bullet;

You stayed with Damian 24/7 during his recovery, doing everything for him and just being extra cuddly and lovely;

Jon stopped bothering you, stating he was 100% on board of you two dating, but the moment he saw you making out, Damian without a shirt and you on his lap, boy... He was traumatized.

[lunap95]

Chapters: 6/7 Fandom: Super Sons (Comics), Batman - All Media Types, Superman - All Media Types Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Jonathan Kent/Damian Wayne, Jonathan Samuel Kent/Damian Wayne Characters: Damian Wayne, Jonathan Samuel Kent, Maya Ducard, Collin Wilkes, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Duke Thomas, Cassandra Cain, Alfred Pennyworth, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Kon-El | Conner Kent, Kara Zor-El Additional Tags: Roommates, Domestic Fluff, adopting a pet, High School, Jealousy, Running Away, Partners in Crime, Fake/Pretend Relationship, getting caught, Heartbeats, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Alternate Universe - Royalty, Masquerade, Family Vacation, Marriage Proposal, JonDami Week 2021 Summary:

Hey hey hey!  So I have to admit that this one is my favourite one in the @jondami-week so far because I just had sooo much fun with the names of the tales you cannot imagine

Day 6: Royalty AU | Masquerade | different first meeting

And guess what? You can also read it under the tag

A set of firecrackers exploded every time a royal family crossed the door of the Metropolis palace. Jon has counted five families arriving today for the great ball that meant his coming of age. Although it would be great to see some of his dad’s friends again, it was not an event he was waiting for. He understood why it was important that the heir and future king of such a big kingdom like Metropolis should be presented in society at his 18th birthday, but he also knew there were a lot of people with second intentions coming to the party. It was part of the reason he insisted so much on making it a masquerade party.

“Don’t you think that blue and red might be a bit… obvious?” asked Conner watching the mask he had chosen.

“Well, they are the colours of the house of El so…” he shrugged. “And aren’t you going to use a similar one?”

“Yes, but I actually want Tim to recognise me.”

Jon rolled his eyes at the antics of his older brother. It was a pity that Conner could not inherit the kingdom instead of him but being an attempted evil clone of his father created by an evil sorcerer made the council a bit reticent to accept him. If it was not by the intervention of his father Conner would not probably be even there.

“You crushing after one of the Gotham princes is creepy as hell.”

“Oh, is that so? Weren’t you the one excited about meeting ‘the Robin’ for the first time?”

The young prince suppressed the urges of throwing the mask at his head. Not because he was not right, but only to shut him up. Because his brother actually had a point, he had been excited about meeting the youngest prince of Gotham for a while, since his deeds started to arrive in the form of songs and stories. It was not weird for the princes of Gotham to be the protagonist of several adventures, having in consideration that his father was the great Dark Knight. Jon had been a fan of the Gotham royal family for a while, reading The Ballads of Nightwing, The Perils of Batgirl, The Dark Adventures of Red Hood among others every night. His brother favourite was The Hardships of the Red Robin, which encouraged him to join the Young Justice Force after hearing the Red Robin was going to be its commander. Jon was still too young to join any of the battalions of the Justice League Alliance, but after the party he would probably join one. Hopefully the Teen Titans so he could fight along with Damian Wayne. The youngest of the Gotahm princes was a complete mystery, a young knight with excellent capabilities that claimed to be the biological son of Bruce Wayne. No one had ever heard about him before that but it seemed like the Gotham royalty was quite fine with him and soon his adventures turned into The Song of the Robin, Jon’s favourite.

So when in the middle of the dance Jon observed a green masks with red, yellow and black details, he knew it was him. Apart from the fact that Nightwing was beside him of course (and Nightwing did not even need a mask because everyone knew about his particular bottom).

“This is a waste of time,” he heard the young prince whispering. “I don’t understand why Father insisted I have to come.”

“He thinks you and Jon could be good friends,” Jon smiled at the words of Nightwing. “As long as you know who to behave of course.”

“I have excellent manners, Grayson.”

“Then you wouldn’t refuse me this dance,” interrupted Jon offering his hand.

When he felt warm skin against him, he dared to rise only to fine green eyes staring at him. Damian looked slightly annoyed but not angry, which Jon supposed was a good start. They moved slowly to the ballroom, where the Gothamite let him put his hand over his hip so he could lead. The soft music guided them in a strange silence, his brain trying to think of a topic interesting enough to impress him.

“You know who I am,” said Damian. “You came looking for me.”

“Indeed,” Jon did not see the point in trying to hide it. “I might be a big fan of yours.”

“Oh, please,” the young prince tried to get away but Jon skilfully redirected him as if he was making him turn. “Let me go, I’m not in the mood of a fanboy.”

“You’re not even going to give me a chance,” Jon knew he should be enjoying teasing him this much but the way Robin nose wrinkles was just too cute.

“Don’t see why I should,” again his attempts at leaving were being cut short by swift moves of his companion. “Stop.”

“My, my, don’t tell me the great Robin is not able of surpassing a simple boy.”

Damian smiled, finally interested in the challenge the masqueraded boy was proposing. To anyone on the crowd, it looked like the two young boys were following an intricate dance while in fact both were just trying to win their strange competition. Jon used his speed to cut and guide Damian around him every time he tried to sneak away while the older boy calculated his every move making it harder every time. The song stopped with Damian finally kicking his feet. His body was about to crash against the floor when an arm wrapped his hips. Looking up he could see a mischievous spark inside those stunning green eyes.

“Congratulations, farm boy,” the boy smiled. “You entertained me more than I expected.”

“Always a pleasure,” Jon took the liberty of kissing his hand. “Would it be too risky to ask for the next dance?”

“Hmm,” Damian seemed to think for a bit. “Very well, but only one more, I must leave in order to meet the prince of Metropolis. I’m afraid politics demands that I at least attempt to befriend him.”

“Oh, in that case,” he winked at him. “I think we might be able to enjoy more than one dance.”

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Make A Scene

AMHL – Masterlist

Dick immediately noticed when Y/N started getting quieter and quieter as they got closer and closer to the venue.

Bruce had hired a driver to pick them up from their apartment in Gotham. And the car had gone quiet now. 

Dick reached over to gently hold her hand.

“Nervous?” He asked.

Y/N shrugged, not really seeing the point in trying to lie to her boyfriend.

“This isn’t your first rodeo, ya know.”

She gave him a look. “You know that wasn’t the same.” Her eyes flickered to the driver. “I wasn’t exactly…myself. And I wasn’t your girlfriend.”

Also, tonight they didn’t have the security and comfort of being at Wayne Manor.

No, instead this particular event was being held at the ballroom of Gotham’s most extravagant five-star hotel. It was a party for Wayne Enterprises, not a personal charity or party of the Wayne family.

Bruce had kindly asked Dick and Y/N to attend when board members and business partners started asking if the whole family would be attending. Jason hadn’t answered anyone’s calls or texts about it. None of them expected him to show up. Tim had to attend since he worked for Wayne Enterprises. And Damian…Well, Damian was his father’s son and not yet an adult. He basically had to do whatever Bruce asked of him while he lived under his roof.

“I’m not gonna leave your side,” Dick promised.

He squeezed her hand to further emphasize it.

Their car pulled up to the carpet at the bottom of the stairs.

There had to be a hundred journalists and photographers, along with random civilians who had nothing better to do than to see Gotham’s elite get out of cars and walk into a hotel.

Dick took in a deep breath.

Thankfully the car’s windows were tinted and protected them from any onlookers.

“Ready?” He asked her.

She nodded.

Dick opened the door and ignored the screams and flashes as he carefully helped Y/N out of the car with his offered hand. He also shielded her from the photographers to give her a moment to get out and adjust herself before they could capture any photos of her.

“Mr. Grayson! Mr. Grayson! Who is your mystery girlfriend?” Someone yelled.

Sometimes Y/N forgot that Dick was somewhat of a celebrity in Gotham City through association.

It wasn’t like people were asking for selfies everywhere he went. Or that the paparazzi were following his every move.

But in Gotham, people took note of where Dick Grayson went and who he was with.

And everyone noticed he’d had the same woman on his arm for quite some time now.

Even though Y/N and Dick had been dating for over a year, the media still couldn’t figure out Y/N’s identity. 

What they didn’t realize was that she controlled every single piece of information about herself that lived on the internet.

They didn’t stand a chance. 

Dick smiled and waved at people who called his name. But his hand other hand never left Y/N’s as he helped her up the stairs.

“Who are you wearing?” A female journalist yelled at Y/N.

She ignored them and focused on getting up the stairs without tripping and face planting. Not that Dick would ever let that happen.

However, she knew her outfit was going to draw gazes.

Y/N had made a promise to herself that if she was going to be forced to attend events like this with Dick, then she was going make a statement. People were already going to be staring at her, so she figured she might as well give them something good to stare at.

Instead of wearing a typical cocktail and formal dress, Y/N wore a full men’s suit that was tailored to perfection, but with the bowtie undone. It was what the fashion magazines would describe as “androgynous” in the press tomorrow morning.

Y/N wanted to control her own narrative. And she’d rather be judged for her bold decisions than just her trying to blend in.

Bruce insisted on paying for all the boys’ date’s dresses – in this case, suit – if they happened to bring one. He always thought it was more of an incentive for them to attend these terrible events if he encouraged them to bring significant others. And the press always had a field day with it, which only helped throw people of their trail when it came to their secret lives as vigilantes.

Everyone kept screaming Dick’s name as they walked in, and Y/N wondered how he got so good at smiling through the chaos and ignoring them.

Once they were inside, Dick felt the tension leave Y/N’s body a bit.

“Alcohol?” He offered with a smirk.

“Yes, please.”

He nodded, knowing it was exactly what she needed.

Quickly, he grabbed two champagne flutes off a passing waiter.

They clinked glasses.

Then he leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Thank you for being my date.”

Y/N smiled at his sincerity.

Dick sighed before he threw back the champagne, “The quicker we find Bruce and prove we were here, the sooner we can leave.”

“Try not to sound so excited,” she laughed darkly.

Suddenly felt a small human wrap around her thighs.

Y/N gasped in excitement, “Dami!”

Dick smiled as he looked down at his 10-year-old brother hugging his girlfriend.

“Dick gave me the drawing you made for us. It’s so beautiful. I’m trying to find the perfect frame for it,” she told the boy.

Damian beamed with pride at that.

Suddenly the boy started asking a million questions about Stoker, one of his kittens that he’d given to them to take care of when Bruce gave a limit to how many cats Damian was allowed to have in the manor.

Then, to Dick’s shock, he saw Jason slowly walk over to them with his hands in his pant pockets.

He was not at all dressed nice enough for the event. No suit jacket. No tie. His white button-up shirt wrinkled, messily tucked into his pants, and with two many buttons undone. The sloppiness of it all clearly wasn’t an issue with the women, seeing as all of them were ogling Jason.

“Todd,” Damian greeted coldly, pausing his conversation with Y/N, who whipped around at the name.

“Hey, you,” Y/N smiled as she went to greet him.

Jason gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek and a quick hug.

“I really didn’t think you were coming,” Dick told his brother.

“Well, I wasn’t. But I got a business engagement.”

Y/N and Dick shared a confused look.

“What do you mean?” Dick asked.

“I found my neighbor crying on her fire escape a few nights ago. Apparently… one of the finance bros of Wayne fucking Enterprises was everything but a gentleman to her.”

Y/N’s eyes widened in realization. “J, I already took care of that.”

“I know,” Jason nodded as his eyes scanned the room. He was clearly on a personal mission tonight. “You deleted the evidence. I am teaching him a lesson.”

Dick slowly put together what they were implying.

“Oh, please don’t make a scene, Jason.” Dick begged him.

Because he knew Bruce wouldn’t be dealing with the aftermath; it would be him.

“Don’t worry!” Jason laughed. "I’m gonna take him outside before I beat the shit out of him. No one here will even notice. It’ll be fine,” Jason assured him as he gave Dick a far too heavy slap on the back.

“Just tell Bruce and he’ll get him fired,” Dick tried to convince him to take the less violent route.

“Oh, we already did,” Y/N muttered.

Dick’s gaze shot to his girlfriend.

“He’s getting fired on Monday,” she clarified sheepishly.

“Since when do the two of you work together behind my back?” Dick accused them.

But he wasn’t actually mad about anything – maybe just a little bit bitter.

Jason opened his mouth.

“I swear to God, Jason, if you say ‘club business,’ I will lose it…” Dick warned.

Y/N tried to hide her smile.

“Got him,” Jason growled as he glared at someone on the other side of the room.

As soon as he left them, Dick gave Y/N his full attention.

“Seriously?” He accused.

“I’m sorry! He asked me for a favor and I was happy to do it once I realized what it was,” Y/N defended.

Dick pouted a little. Mostly because he hated being left out.

“Don’t worry, ya big baby. I’m still your ‘guy in the chair’ and no one else’s,” she teased before giving him a kiss, immediately wiping the lipstick off his lips.

“How come Jason gets to beat up people at events like this, but I’m expected to behave like a well-trained dog?” Damian mumbled.

Dick sighed and shook his head.

“Jason likes to think he’s a lone wolf who doesn’t have to play by the rules,” Y/N tried to comfort the boy.

To distract Damian from getting further into how unfair it was, Y/N asked him to show her more of his drawings.

This seemed to please Damian and he pulled his phone out, flipping through photos and showing Y/N his recent sketches.

With Y/N being entertained by his youngest brother, Dick decided to go to the bar and get the two of them a stronger drink and maybe get a kiddie cocktail for Damian. He’d pretend to be patronized and annoyed by it, but Dick knew better.

He patiently waited for the bartender’s attention. 

“So Gotham’s Golden Boy really has returned…” a husky voice uttered beside him at the bar.

Dick glanced over to see a beautiful woman close to his age eyeing him.

It was clear what she wanted. Dick used tactics like this on countless missions.

“So I have,” he answered.

He was polite, but distant.

Women hitting on him at events like this was nothing new. To Gotham, Dick Grayson was a Bruce Wayne 2.0 – younger, just as charming and handsome as his mentor and stand-in father figure. 

Dick knew how to play the game. But he never had any interest in casual relationships like Bruce did.

“Back for good?” The woman persisted.

“My girlfriend and I are just in town for a few weeks,” he answered before ordering his drinks with the bartender finally.

“Oh, brought up the girlfriend rather quickly,” she laughed.

Dick quirked an eyebrow. “Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s just…my friends and I had a bet going.”

Then she pointed to a group of three young women, who were giggling and smiling, not even trying to pretend like they weren’t watching them closely.

“Oh, yeah?” Dick asked, already tired of this conversation.

--

Jason had already rejoined Y/N and Damian.

Y/N looked down to see his knuckles red with irritation and bruised.

“Please tell me there’s not a corpse in the alley behind this hotel now…” Y/N sighed.

“No,” Jason answered coldly. “Though there fucking should be.”

“What did he do?” Damian asked curiously, clearly he hadn’t been listening to their earlier conversation that closely.

Y/N shifted her weight in discomfort, not sure how to handle the subject with the boy. Yes, Damian was far more mature than many grown men, but he was still just a kid. There were some things Y/N felt like they should at least try to protect him from still. 

“He got my neighbor too drunk to consent, filmed them having sex without her knowing it, and then showed it to a bunch of people at their work,” Jason answered bluntly.

Damian’s brow furrowed, clearly thinking long and hard about what his brother just told him.

After a moment, the boy perked up, “I know where we could hide the body so even father won’t find out.”

“Damian!” Y/N scolded.

But Jason was beaming.

Y/N looked around for Dick, hoping to find another sane person to stop the two boys from actually murdering anyone tonight.

But when she finally spotted him, she saw a woman standing far too close to Dick and pointing to a group of girls who flirtatiously waved and winked at both of them.

“Real cute,” Y/N muttered to herself.

“Vultures,” Damian growled as he followed her gaze.

“Jason, if I leave you alone with Damian, are you going to kill someone?” She asked without taking her eyes off her boyfriend.

“I don’t need to be watched,” Damian groaned.

“No, I need you to watch Jason to make sure he doesn’t change his mind about keeping that asshole alive.”

“Fine,” Damian whined.

Without any further confirmation, Y/N left them. 

She walked across the party on a mission, never taking her stare off of her boyfriend.

Dick did a double take when he noticed her heading towards him.

“Hey,” he greeted innocently.

Because he was innocent. All he’d done was be polite to a bunch of women who were after him for his name…and maybe his good looks.

“I was wondering where my drink was,” Y/N said with a surprising calmness and smile.

Then she turned to the woman. 

“Hi, I’m Y/N. You must be a friend of Dick’s.” 

She held her hand out.

No cattiness. No rudeness.

Y/N said it with the same kindness that drunk women having with other drunk women in bar bathrooms.

“Oh…I’m Irina,” the woman stuttered as she took Y/N’s offered hand, clearly confused by Y/N’s niceness.

Dick held out her drink.

Y/N took it, quickly clinked her glass with both Dick and Irina.

“Cheers,” she sang before tossing it back and chugging the drink that was meant to be slowly sipped.

Dick didn’t know what game his girlfriend was playing, but he was intrigued.

Once Y/N lightly placed her empty glass back on the bar, she turned to Dick and tilted her head to the side. “Could you show me to the bathrooms? I have no idea where they are.”

“Of course,” Dick answered without knowing where this was going.

“It was nice meeting you, Irina,” Y/N told the woman as she linked her fingers with Dick’s and guided him away.

—

Meanwhile, Jason watched the interaction as if he were watching an award-winning movie. Him and Damian were way too far to hear, but everyone in the bat family could read lips more than fluently.

Then Jason smirked as he watched Y/N drag Dick away.

“Boys,” Bruce greeted as he snuck up on the two of them. “What are we staring at?”

“Oh, you know,” Jason hummed with hilarity, “just watching Y/N assert her dominance.”

“Good for her,” Bruce grinned as he realized what was happening.

He moved his attention to his youngest boy. “Alfred is waiting outside with the car. You’re officially released from your duties.”

“Finally,” Damian groaned.

“Don’t you wanna say bye to Y/N?” Jason asked.

“They’re coming to the manor tomorrow afternoon,” Bruce answered for his son. Then he raised a brow at Jason. “You’re welcome to join us.”

Jason’s only response was a shrug.

Bruce tried to hide his disappointment and nodded before he guided Damian away and walked him outside, where Alfred was waiting.

10 minutes later, Jason saw Dick trailing behind Y/N as she walked back to the main area of the event.

Jason burst out laughing at the spectacle. 

Dick’s hair was an absolute mess. Half of his shirt was untucked. His jacket was draped over his forearm. His lips were swollen and pink. Y/N had left lipstick all over his neck and even a bit on the collar of his shirt.

Yet somehow not a single hair was out of place on Y/N and her makeup was still immaculate. Her outfit was just as sleek and clean as when she’d arrived. The only thing different was the proud smirk on her lips.

Clearly Y/N had just had her way with Dick.

But she wanted to make sure the whole party knew about it.

—

Y/N hadn’t said a word to Dick since she dragged him from that woman.

Her body did all the talking.

One second they were at the bathroom doors, the next Y/N had thrown him against the tiled wall after locking the bathroom door.

She gave no verbal explanation, just started kissing him and undoing his pants.

“Not that I’m complaining. Like, at all,” Dick laughed as they rejoined the party. “But wanna to tell me what that was all about?”

Y/N finally stopped walking and turned to face him with narrowed eyes. “I think you know, Richard.”

Y/N only ever used his full first name to provoke and tease him. And he hated that it worked every single time.

Dick glanced around to see that everyone in their vicinity was eyeing them. Well, they were mostly eyeing him and how it was clear he’d just been fucked in the bathroom.

He stepped close to her and lowered his voice, “Ohhh, I see how it is.” His eyes flickered down to her lips for a split second. “If a guy does that, he’s jealous and possessive. But if a woman does it, it’s sexy…”

Y/N proudly smiled like the cheshire cat. “Exactly.”

Something over his shoulder caught her attention. “Oh, I see Tim. I’m going to go say hi.”

Without hesitation, she brushed past him.

Dick let his head fall, put his hands on his hips, and laughed.

He’d pay her back later tonight. And by ‘pay her back,’ he would just tell her how incredibly hot her behavior had been and basically invite her to do it whenever she damn well pleased.

Dick felt a presence beside him, and he didn’t have to raise his head to know it was Bruce.

“Hey,” Dick greeted him nonchalantly.

“You have lipstick all over your neck,” Bruce told him as he took a sip of his drink and looked around the party. “And your zippers down.”

“Sure is,” Dick sighed.

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

OK. This was way too fun to write. 

Let me know what you think!!!

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[hains-mae]

Flowers - Pt. 3

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 (end)

(Damian x Reader) Soulmate AU

Rating: T

Ages: Damian and you are 16, everyone’s ages follow after.

Summary: Soulmate AU where the wounds on your soulmate turns into a flower tattoo on your skin, if it heals with no scars the tattoo goes away, if it heals with a scar then the tattoo stays.

It just got worse.

Disclaimer: I do not own DC. If I did, I wouldn’t make it as confusing as it is now.

The convention hall was huge. The lights shone brightly at the many innovative inventions made by the young minds of Gotham City. the entire city was invited to participate after all. As Wayne Enterprise made the whole event international, we had guests from all over the globe looking for potential students to take under their wing. Rumour has it that everyone on the guest list was hand picked by the man, Bruce Wayne, himself.

I looked around in a daze as I clutched the metal briefcase that held my project.

Running in an hour or two of sleep and caffein, I made my way through the growing crowd. Finally I was able to locate my designated table, a small booth in the chemistry section. I made quick work on unpacking the projector and placed it square on a folding table. It would play the presentation of what my project was about and all the necessary details to explain the chemical compounds and a quick scanned blueprint.

“I feel so nervous.” I mumbled to no one in particular.

Then placing a black cloth on the table as my workspace, I made sure to put the specifically designed gun carefully on a stand that I had quickly melded together. The projectiles rested in the container. Only two remained. I stared at it for a while as the scene of that fateful night replayed in my head.

I had found my soulmate.

Which was good.

He was Robin.

Which was bad.

There was a chance he could be Damian Wayne.

Which was worse.

This relationship was doomed from the start. My soulmate was a freaking vigilante! He was running around at night, putting his life in danger. Death was a constant in my mind after that. Knowing that one day I might loose him. It was a weird thing, this soulmate bond that we shared. Somehow meeting him solidified his existence in my life. Now every time I received another flower on my skin I would know what might’ve caused it. Worry started to form in my gut as I thought about the bullet wound in his shoulder.

I shook my head to get any more lingering thoughts out as I willed myself to focus on the task at hand. I needed to get my head in the game.

Pulling the beakers and flasks out as carefully as I could, I placed them each on the other side of the table. I filled them with their chemicals and started the burner. I had wanted to show them the process as a prototype. I doubted anybody here wanted to be encased in rock.

I was so deep in thought as I mindlessly tinkered around to keep my hands busy that I didn’t even realise a figure standing before me until he cleared his throat.

Looking up from my notes my eyes grew wide.

Mr. Bruce Wayne, owner and CEO of the Wayne Enterprises was standing at my table. He had a charming smile plastered on his face.

“My, what an interesting piece we have here. Don’t you agree Damian?” His voice was calm and even.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

“I do, father.” He agreed. His eyes caught mine, and all I could do was stare into his green orbs.

“Oh forgive me.” Mr. Wayne chuckled and held out his hand. “Bruce Wayne.”

I returned the gesture and shook his hand telling him my own name.

“Pleasure to meet you.” He said. “And this is my son, Damian.”

“We met.” He said simply, but still took my hand and shook it.

“I’m really interested in your work.” Mr. Wayne continued. “I’d like to come back after I make the opening speech.”

“Of course.” I plastered on the best smile I could muster.

It wasn’t too long after that when Mr. Wayne came back, but this time he had an entourage. To his right he had his sons, all 4 of them. They were exactly as the magazines showed and described them to be. Each one was dashing. I didn’t know much about them, but hearing their names tossed around every day in school made me involuntarily learn anyway.

Richard, the eldest had a polite smile and kind blue eyes. They were warm in a comforting way and his manners were that of a well bred socialite. He waved at some of the students and nodded at a few of the adults he passed.

The one beside him was Jason, his cold glare could strike fear into anyone’s hearts. Especially when he is backed up with high status and money. No one dared mess with him. But even I had to admit there was a certain charm to his features, he had a bad boy kind of vibe.

Tim was next, walking just a few steps ahead of his older brothers. His nose was buried in an iPad and his fingers were flying through the screen at top speed. He was just a few years older than me, and I’ve actually seen him around the campus before, but I never met him.

Lastly, Damian. He stole a glance at me as they walked towards my table and turned to Tim, mumbling something before looking ahead.

To Mr. Wayne’s left were two well renowned chemists that I personally follow. Their works and research papers were incredible, it was actually the basis of my own invention. Instantly the butterflies in my stomach fluttered around.

After introductions were made, I presented my work and did a sample test before leading their attention to the finished product which were the glowing orbs.

“And what inspired you to create such an invention?” Mr. Wayne inquired.

“I just wanted to help.” I said truthfully. “We’re aware of the crimes around our city, and I thought it would make the job of catching the criminals easier.”

“And it will.” He smiled. “I’d like to offer you an internship in my company. And if you wouldn’t mind, a mentorship with my two top scientists there.”

“It would be an honour!”

This had to be the greatest moment of my life. For the first time that day I felt my mood get better.

The rest of the days passed on in a blur. My invention was one of the top picked topics in the scene, much to my pleasure, and the interview for the internships and mentorships went well. I honestly couldn’t ask for more.

Mr. Wayne’s secretary handed me, and a couple of other students he scouted, a form to fill out and sign. Our parents/legal guardians were immediately informed and the school assured them before any action is taken they will be holding another meeting. Everything seemed to be going smoothly. Many of us were able to grab great opportunities, both in and out of the cities.

I looked around and saw all the doors opening up for the next generation in Gotham. Happy smiles and excited chatter filled the room. Promises of a greater future were announced. I realised, this was probably history in the making. This would be where everything turns around for the better. I might sound overly sentimental, and perhaps a tad bit exaggerated, but I was feeling hopeful.

The interviews were over, and after the last of them had been held, the announcement came to remind us of the upcoming gala. We had an entire day to prepare – “Therefore, use it wisely.” Our professor advised.

Many of the girls had rushed out in groups (with a teacher chaperone) as they headed towards the fancy boutiques and malls. I on the other hand decided to be practical. My roommate and a couple of friends that I had made during my stay, required it be essential that I tag along with them. I was peer pressured (and I say that lightly), but it felt good to explore the city without the danger.

“Oh my god I just saw the Wayne brothers!” Someone squealed at the store front that we were in.

“What? No way! Where?” Another piqued.

We heard the teacher sigh and ask us not to make a scene since we were in public. I felt myself tense at the thought of him and his green eyes.

“They’re heading this way!”

I dove behind one of the clothing hangers and hid as best as I could. Good lord, is this some kind of drama series? My new friends sputtered out a greeting as I imagined them walking by, and all I could do was concentrate on not self-combusting.

“Y/n?”

My eyes darted up from the spot on the floor that I was staring at. I didn’t want to come out, but the longer I stayed behind the wall of clothes, the more embarrassed I became. With a defeated sigh, I walked out.

“H-hey.” I waved lamely.

“What were you doing behind the clothes rack?” Damian cocked a brow at me.

“I was looking at it, kinda the reason I came here.” I said, not really meaning to sound defensive but it came out that way anyway, and I already wanted to take it back.

“You’re that girl with the blue marbles.” The eldest said smiling broadly. “Y/n L/n, right?”

I nodded meekly.

Dick smirked and went back to his smoothie.

“The one Damian wouldn’t shut up about?” Jason teased wickedly. I felt my blood rise up to my face.

Damian kicked him behind his knees which only made the man laugh.

“You know better than to tease.” Tim rolled his eyes at his brothers antics. “You’re embarrassing him in front of his crush.”

I just wished the floor would swallow me whole right now.

Tim immediately hid behind Dick and the laughter was nearly uncontrollable from his brothers. Damian was currently fuming, and tomato red in the face.

“I’m going to kill you Drake.” He said through clenched teeth.

Dick groaned. “Cant you guys behave?” He strolled over to me and tapped my shoulder lightly. “You’re embarrassing y/n.”

“Sorry, it was just meant for lil-D over here.” Jason apologised.

“Alright boys, that’s enough.” The teacher called out. “We’ve got a schedule to follow. I’ll have to cut this meeting short.” She was right, and I was so thankful at the moment that we did.

Dick apologised again, and pushed his brothers to move along. As soon as they were out of earshot the girls bombarded me with questions, demanding they know the details. There wasn’t anything to tell, since I’ve only known them as long as the length of this trip, but they didn’t let the subject go. I thanked my lucky stars that the rumours I heard about the boys and their fanatic fangirls did not exist in the group I was in. They had gushed about how lucky I was to catch their eye – I really wish they didn’t – and how amazing it must be for them to hold an interest in me – I honestly could care less. But girls being girls, I had to let them be.

The evening  of the gala arrived faster than I anticipated, and true to their promise, the girls had all squeezed themselves into my room.

“You guys really don’t have to do this.” I said, slightly exasperated.

“Nonsense.” They quipped back. “We’re all going to look fabulous and make a great impression.”

They rolled out their brush pouches and stacked their make up on the vanity table. I eyed it all wearily.

Sometimes I had to hand it them, females can be terrifying when they need to be.

“Do you think this will be it?” One of them asked out of the blue. “Is this what is going to turn this city around.”

“I hope so. Thing’s are getting worse around Gotham, if this works, we can secure a safer future.”

“Look at us sounding diplomatic.” We laughed at that.

“I think it’ll work out.” I told them with an air of confidence. I saw the looks everyone had at the gatherings. It wasn’t just hope. There was a sense of motivation. An active decision in every one of them that wanted to strive for more. It was encouraging and empowering.

We all shared a unanimous agreement and continued on preparing.

I wasn’t joking when I said I would be practical. I pulled out one of my mothers old gowns from a battered box that was hidden deep under my suitcase. It was off white, with a few hints of lavender and creamy grey. The dress was long-sleeved, made with loose and flowy material. The collar tapered upwards and into a modest keyhole neckline. On my waist rested a silver strap embezzled with crystals. It’s length reached the floor and the slightest movement swayed in the wind. It made me look like I was floating.

As we made our way to the entrance of the gala, men in black suit tailcoats took our coats and opened the grand doors. I was in shock at the beauty of the room.

The entire ceiling look painted on by Michelangelo, in between hung massive sparkling chandeliers. The windows were from ceiling to floor and draped in expensive red velvet curtains. I gazed in awe at the marbled floor that were polished so well we could see our reflection from it.

Light music hummed tastefully in the air as my friends were whisked off by the boys for a dance.

“Y/n!” A savvy voice called out from across the crowd. Turning around I found the Wayne brothers around a table. I managed a wave.

They waved back and invited me over. How could I refuse? Steeling my nerves, I walked towards them.

“Good evening.” I said politely.

“You look stunning.” Dick complimented. Beside him was a woman with incredibly dazzling red hair, it almost looked like it was on fire. Her bright smile reached up to her green eyes. “This is Kory. Kory Anders. Kory, Y/n.”

She stood up tall and shook my outstretched hand.

“Pleasure.” I said as I introduced myself.

“It is glorious to finally meet you.” She said. “I have heard many things.”

I noted her slight accent and choice of words. She must’ve come from another country.

“All good I hope.” I chuckled nervously.

Her smile only widened. “You need not worry.”

“Would you like to sit with us?” Tim offered.

I looked across the dance hall and saw that my friends were already at their own table. I accepted it and sat down at the last seat which was available, and as fate would have it, it was next to Damian.

When I moved to take my place, his perfume infiltrated my senses, leaving me slightly light headed. I pushed my qualms away not wanting to look rude.

“Hello again.” I spoke to him.

Damian nodded, his expression unreadable.

We made small talk, and discussed about the what I should be expecting when I started working at their fathers’ company. They gave me the basic ropes and tried to ease the pressure away.

Then the topic moved to my invention. I told them how I actually got the idea from my dad, they found it honourable in a way. I felt a sense of pride blossom.

Jokes went around as the food was being served. I quickly learnt Dick had the worst case of pun-overdrive, yet it still had me giggling because of how bad it was. Jason was not any better at his come backs to his brothers play on words. They made quiet the duo. Kory laughed heartily between them. Tim and Damian were taking turns lightly jabbing one another, it was almost endearing. As I looked at them from where I sat I couldn’t help but miss the simpler times my family and I shared.

The melody from the band took a slow turn and I saw Dick stand up.

“May I have this dance?” He offered his hand to Kory and exaggerated a bow.

“I would be delighted.” She giggled and let herself be swept onto the dance floor.

I watched as they danced to a slow waltz. Her hands were on his neck as his was kept firmly on the small of her back. They looked lovely together.

“That’s my cue.” Jason spoke up, his eyes gazing the crowd for what I assume was a possible dance partner.

Tim followed shortly behind, but not without leaving us with a wink and tap on his nose.

Damian cleared his throat, breaking my reverie.

He stood and offered his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

I blinked at him, surprised that he actually asked. I gingerly put my hand on his and nodded.

He expertly sashayed us to the middle and twirled me around before moving us to the rhythm of the music.

“You’re good.” I should’ve known he was a skilled dancer.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” He replied.

His scent was overwhelming, especially being this close to him. I reminded myself that his boy could very well be Robin.

Robin, the vigilante. I sighed inwardly. How could I have forgotten? But if he was then… My hand that was on his shoulder tightened ever so slightly as I remembered the gun shot.

“Is everything okay?” Damian asked, squeezing my hand.

“Yeah, everything’s fine.” I lied. The urge to just ask him never felt so powerful until this moment.

It’s not your place to know. I scolded myself for being presumptuous. This could all have been a big misunderstanding on my part, and I could very well upset him if I asked, not to mention embarrass myself. It wasn’t that I wanted to pry, but the bond I shared with my soulmate only seemed to strengthen these past few days. It drew us closer but I couldn’t begin to explain how. You hugged him, you hugged a stranger – that is a mystery in itself, my inner muse stated.

But then the question of the day was; if he was aware of who I was. There was no way he could possibly tell, there was no proof except for the time I cried out in pain when he got shot. Then again, anyone would’ve screamed if they witnessed that.

I settled with the verdict that he most likely doesn’t know.

“I’d like to apologise about yesterday.” Damian said, sounding solemn. “My brothers have been a thorn to my side ever since I could remember.”

I laughed. “It was embarrassing, but I forgive you, and your brothers.” He visibly relaxed. “It felt like I was reliving some old memories.”

“Do you have siblings as well?”

I shook my head. “No, but it would be nice to. Unfortunately right now it’s just me and my mom. It gets a little lonely but we manage.”

Damian let out a quiet ‘oh’ before lapsing into silence again. I didn’t want to kill the mood so I quickly thought of what to say to keep the conversation going.

“So what about you?” I asked. “I mean, anything you’re comfortable sharing of course.”

The boy sighed and looked up to think before answering.

“I like to paint.” He said. My eyes grew wide at that.

“For real?”

He arched a brow in confusion. “Yes. Is something wrong with that?”

I quickly shook my head again. “No, no of course not. I just, well, it’s surprising. That’s all.”

“Tt, not something you expected?” He teased lightly which only made me surprised all the more.

Was he trying to – flirt?

I laughed. “Guilty as charged.”

Damian looked a little proud of himself.

“What do you like to paint?” I asked curiously.

“Mostly portraits.” He answered easily. “And my pets.”

I gave a fake gasp. “The Damian Wayne, painting his pets. I would never have guessed.”

He smirked.

“So, is it a dog?” I asked.

“Yes, there’s a dog.”

“There’s? Meaning there are more?”

He smirked again this time wider.

“A cat.” I guessed.

He nodded. “Yes there’s a cat too. Though I doubt you’d be able to guess the rest of them.”

Laughing again, I shook my head in disbelief. “You are one intriguing person, Damian Wayne.”

“I could say the same about you.” He told me squarely.

The heat on my cheeks creept up. I looked away a little embarrassed.

He opened his mouth to say something to me, but was cut off.

I heard screams.

Damian quickly pushed me to the ground and shielded me as the glass windows shattered. The shards fell ferociously all around us.

“Fuck.” He gritted his teeth and looked down at me. “Are you okay?”

I nodded. “What was that?” I clutched my head, my ears were ringing from the sound of the blast that shattered the windows. I looked around panicked and scared.

“Don’t know.” He told me gruffly as he pulled us both back up.

Grappling hooks shot up from the broken windows and before I knew it I saw the pointed end of a sword aimed towards Damian’s.

“Damian!”

In that moment I cast aside all the doubts. I still wasn’t sure but if by a long shot; this was Robin, if Damian was Robin, then he could do something about this.

He knew how to fight. Unlike me. If I could give him a head start or a fighting chance, then he and the other superheroes could save everyone.

That’s what I told myself anyway as time stilled and I took the leap.

The blade sliced into my lower back and for a split second all I could feel was searing hot white pain. I cried out as it rippled through my torso. The sword was pulled out just as quick as it was pushed in. I could swear the world was tipping over. The blood had gushed out and I found it staining Damian’s pristine suit.

I could barely hear Damian’s scream as I phased in and out of consciousness. Somehow he had blocked another hit that was aimed at us before kicking the man as far away as possible. He pulled me towards him and muttered something incoherent before dashing across the hall.

The warmth of my own blood pooled over me. Mom would kill me when she saw the stain, if I wouldn’t bleed to death before she finds out that is.

“Shitshitshit, y/n!” He ducked behind a table and grabbed a bunch of  napkins, applying pressure as he held it against my stomach. “Stay with me, you’re going to be alright.”

I weakly nodded, feeling sick to my stomach at the smell of iron and sudden blood loss.

“Fuck.” Jason slid next to us as the gunshots started to fire. He noticed me and his features paled. “Oh, shit.”

“Jason, I need to bring her somewhere safe!” Damian said, his voice urgent.

“All citizen, please evacuate the building!” A strong voice bellowed from above us. It was a woman, dressed in purple. Her hair was on fire (literally) as it trailed behind her.

Starfire. But what was she doing in Metropolis…?

The people ran towards the entrance and a man in a tight body suit with a blue winged symbol on his chest directed the crowd flow.

Superboy zoomed in next, his features etched in worry as soon as he saw me. The wound must’ve been worse that I thought.

“What the hell is going on?!” Damian demanded from the superhero. “I thought this place was secured.”

“Kryptonite.” Superbly answered with an ominous tone. “I don’t know what happened but we should get the civilians – uh, you guys, to safety.”

The amendment wasn’t lost on me.

“Y/n, I’m going to find you after all this is over.” Damian promised. “Until then please, hang in there.”

I managed a weak smile and a sad excuse of a chuckle as the blood started to run down the corner of my mouth.

“I still need to guess the rest of your pets.” I joked, hoping to lighten the scene.

His response was a pained smile.

“Take her to Alfred.” He delicately passed me on to Superboy’s arms. “He’ll know what to do.”

Superboy nodded and flew away. The last thing I remembered was Nightwing and Starfire fighting off mechanical robots and ninja assassins. After that, my world went dark.

...

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... to be continued ...