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jadelotusflower · 1 month ago

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Stargate rewatch: 2x05 Need

I'm going to say upfront that I don't really love this episode. But it's lore-important, revealing up the adverse affects of using the sarcophagus.

It's inevitable that in sci-fi shows, particularly long running ones such as Stargate, that the level of advanced technology obtained in-universe becomes a problem for the writing staff. You have to keep your characters in reasonable jeopardy, but you have to play within the established world where there seem to be easy solutions to all their problems. To avoid this, it will often be a case of one step forward two steps back - a new ally will be killed off, a new technology will be taken or our heoroes will be forced to leave it behind, it's all standard tv stuff.

In this case it's the sarcophagus, established in the film as literally able to resurrect the dead, and therefore obtaining one would be a huge win for the SGC, and a big priority. They dealt with this in Hathor by shooting the thing up, but it was inevitable that they'd come across another so there has to be some other reason they can't use it, otherwise anytime someone with in mortal peril the audience would ask 'why don't they use a sarcophagus?'.

The Solution? Sarcophagus use = drugs. Oh, and it makes you evil.

Written by Robert C Cooper (with Damian Kindler as co-story credit, his first of the series) and directed by David Warry-Smith.

SG-1 watch a naquadah delivery ceremony, and we get a stock shot of a pyramid and mine that will be reused many times over the seasons.

They follow a hooded figure into the forest to the edge of a cliff, where Jack articulates that she’s going to jump, but does nothing.

Daniel’s the only one who takes action to stop this suicide attempt, but in doing so gets them all captured.

The would-be jumper is Princess Shyla, her father is Pyrus the God Slayer, who overthrew the Goa'uld and took his place but still forces the populace to mine the naquadah and send through the Stargate.

Sam reveals she can now sense the presence of a Goa'uld, also a vital lore moment.

Daniel apologises for their predicament, and while I get that Daniel needs to rein in the impulsiveness, the insinuation that he should totally have let someone leap to their death is a bit weird.

The Goa'uld who once ruled the planet is never named, and we never see this symbol again as far as I know. There are carvings on the wall behind the sarcophagus, but I don't know enough about the art style or god form to make a refined guess what culture they were aiming at.

"You know, I've seen an awful lot of union violations around here, I should probably speak to your supervisor." Heh, I love it when Jack gets sassy with the Jaffa. This Jaffa however gets sassy back, sarcastically asking about Jack's leg in response to an earlier quip that he couldn't kneel because of his ACL (an inside reference to RDA's knee problems).

SG1 attempt to escape, but Daniel gets smooshed by falling rocks (like father like son). However, since Sam specifically says that he's alive, this doesn't go on the Daniel Death Tally, but he does get treated in the sarcophagus for the third time.

Shyla showing Daniel the trees as a marvel only to realise that he has seen them on other worlds is a nice in-joke that they have and will shoot in this Vancouver forest many, many times.

Shyla also tells Daniel that he's her destiny, and that she was going to jump off the cliff because she feared her promised lover from beyond the sun would never arrive, and lo and behold, he saves her life. Daniel is appropriately disturbed, and under ordinary circumstances this would probably be the point he'd go "sorry, I'm married," but he's in a bit of a precarious position, knowing that Shyla essentially holds the lives of Jack, Sam, and Teal'c in her hand, and puncturing her delusions would end very badly for all of them.

So off Daniel tots to explain the situation, and they're understandably less than pleased he can't spring them yet.

"Surprisingly difficult to kill you, isn't it?" Oh Jack, you don't know the half of it.

I actually don't mind this gown - it's the headpiece that ruins the look. I get what they were going for with the asymmetry but it's still ugly.

Pyrus reveals he's over 700 years old thanks to the sarcophagus, which explains why he's such a jerk. Daniel hasn't yet honed his diplomacy skills, and his lack of tact makes things worse, giving Shyla even more power over the the situation as the intermediary between him and Pyrus. She kisses Daniel and when he pulls away, manipulates him into going back into the sarcophagus.

It's unclear how much Shyla's mind has been altered by the sarcophagus - she hasn't used it to extend her life, and it's clear she's aware of its addictive properties, but is her amorality a consequence of sarcophagus use or is she just a rotten person who would get someone hooked on drugs so they'll be romantically pliable? We never actually see her use it, just encourage others to, and that she was intending to commit suicide does indicate an altered or depressed mental state which could be interpreted either way (either she don't use it regularly and therefore doesn't get the constant euphoria from it, or she does use it and was in that moment feeling withdrawal symptoms that sent her to the cliff rather than back to get another hit).

Days later, Daniel is high on sarc and hair gel, completely oblivious to his friend's distress and proselytizing the benefits, including that he no longer needs his glasses. Given he has a very loose relationship with wearing them anyway, you can see how the others are not impressed.

"No you look, Jack. I have got everything under control, okay? God, you never show me any respect. Your way didn't work. Now I'm handling it." An interesting question is how exactly it affects Daniel - stripping away his inhibitions and sense of morality as his only focus becomes another go in the sarc and the euphoria it brings, and yet there's the sense that there are some real, buried emotions bubbling to the surface. On some level, Daniel does believe that Jack doesn't respect him and resents his brute force approach, but while usually this might only frustrate him, under the influence of the sarc it's focused and weaponised.

Sam's memories of Jolinar indicate the Tok'ra don't use the sarcophagus because it takes ones "Kalesh" i.e. soul, likely derived from the Ancient Egyptian concept of "Ka" being a vital essence or life force.

"The man who would be king." Jack the Sean Connery fan checks out.

Keeping Sam in frame to give Daniel the side-eye as he kisses Shyla goodbye was a great directorial choice.

"We had a nice time sir. Carter picked up some naquadah, Teal'c made some new friends, as always. Daniel got engaged." I generally find the "girl on every planet" fixation by fandom to be off putting, but this is a nice Jack line in context.

Speaking of, Sam is the one that finally points out Daniel already has a wife, and as a fan of Sha're and the Daniel/Sha're relationship this is a hard episode. On the one hand it's clear that it isn't so much Shyla that Daniel can't get out of his head but the sarcophagus, on the other hand the dismissive way he speaks of Sha're is terrible, and so contrary to Daniel's character. At this stage of the show he has two consuming passions: the pursuit of knowledge and finding Sha're, that they both would be wholly replaced with his need for the sarcophagus shows just how much his mind has been altered.

"And even if I find Sha're one day, what are the chances she's ever going to be the same again?" However, like his blowing up at Jack, there's probably a kernel of truth here - deep down in a place Daniel doesn't want to admit or address, he does fear that Sha're is irrevocably lost to him, and that he can never go back to that happy life he had with her. Shanks's delievery of this line is nuanced as well, where he has to force himself to say Sha're's name and it almost seems in that infinitesimal moment he might snap out of it.

But he doesn't, and accuses Sam of never knowing what love is, to which she responds that the Daniel she knows would never say such a thing. I think she's right, and in this case rather than revealing an uninhibited, genuine thought Daniel is instead using a false but targeted cruelty because he can't let himself listen to her reason.

I always find drug rage/withdrawal scenes difficult to watch.

But Jack talks him down, and there is a nice comforting hug. Jack also crucially backs up the recovered Daniel's suggestion that they return to Shyla's planet to try and free the people there from slavery (and get Earth access to the naqudah mine). It's a nice moment when he tells Hammond he wants Daniel back on the team.

Shyla destroys the sarcophagus pretty readily, which indicates to me she can't have been too much in its thrall. Although perhaps it affects people differently, and some are more susceptible to its negative energy than others, because Daniel went off the deep end very quickly from very short term use while Shyla - though manipulative - doesn't show the same heightened behaviour. Although perhaps her negative traits of cunning have been amplified, while Daniel's personality already leans towards the manic. Or, the sarcophagus affects Daniel more because it was used to literally raise him from the dead the first time, and to heal mortal injuries the next two times, and so he got mega doses of the tech, hooking him onto it more effectively.

Shyla does at least show some remorse over what she did, and hopefully goes on to abdicate her throne and allow the people her father subjugated to form a fairer governing system.

I think we can assume the SGC does get access to the naquadah and maintains diplomatic relations with the planet. So...happy ending I guess?

#jlf watches #stargate sg-1 #stargate rewatch #daniel jackson #2x05 need

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bluebellhairpin · 4 years ago

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In the Life of

Batfam X Batmom!Reader

A/N: Behold, my latest Batmom braindump. - Nemo

Summary: A collection of goings-on’s of Wayne Manor, some dating back to... a while ago.

Warnings: Kidnappings. Jason’s death mentioned. It’s mostly a crack fic though ngl there.

Listening to: ‘You Might Think’ by The Cars - ‘You might think I'm delirious, the way I run you down. But somewhere sometimes, when you're curious, I'll be back around.’

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

Damian only calls Batmom ‘Mother’ when something is wrong, otherwise it’s Ummi and Ummi only.

Mind you, ‘something wrong’ can range from ‘this gala is boring, Jason’s getting on my nerves, and I seek your comfort until we go home’ or ‘I’m on a livestream ‘cause I got kidnapped and I’m worried about my wellbeing and the wellbeing of the other with me’.

Reading the context is often rather useful.

Dick has a cereal box collection hidden in his wardrobe. He likes trying new brands and flavors, but only his favorites get saved into his stash so he remembers that he thought they were ‘exceptional grains’.

Only Alfred and Batmom know about it.

One of Jason’s favorite games to play when he visits is seeing how long it takes Tim to realize he isn’t re-topping his coffee mug himself and that it’s actually Jason.

The record was gained with the help of Damian (duelly noted in the whole household as the longest one time they got along), and it took him almost twelve days to realize.

Bruce was happy Jason stayed for so long at once.

Batmom wasn’t happy at how much coffee Tim drank.

Tim doesn’t actually like coffee.

Batmom gives Alfred nights off cooking. She cooks dinner and Alfred doesn’t know what to do with himself for a few hours ‘cause she banned him from stepping or loitering near the kitchen.

Jason often helps. It’s prime mother/son bonding time and Jason is very pleased that Damian hasn’t figured that out yet.

Tim often sits near the door on guard duty on these nights just to make sure. Alfred is one sneaky butler.

Most family members have rather normal names for each other in their phone contacts. Not Jason. Jason is different. Here’s some of them;

Trust Fund Middle-Aged Man - Bruce

The Exorcist - Dick (’cause of a unmentionable reenactment the spider walk scene)

Megamind Kinnie - Tim

Demon Spawn - Damian (duh)

Angel on Earth - Cass

Ma (with five heart emojis on either side) - Batmom

My Dream Father - Alfred

When Cass joined the household, everyone took it differently. Like there were thoughts about how things changed, and then how they actually were.

Dick thought he’d get someone to gossip with. He did not.

Jason and Cass made a book club. It mostly consists of Jason babbling about plot holes and Cass pointing out her favorite lines.

Tim got someone to keep him company when he stays up late. It makes him feel guilty and he hasn’t gone to bed later than 2 am ever since.

Damian got a ‘worthy’ sparring partner. He was quite surprised the first time he landed on his back.

Bruce got a ‘daddy’s girl’. A nice fifth shadow to add to his collection, and just to prove it she is very good at sneaking up on people.

Batmom finally got a girl.

Alfred was also shocked at Bruce bringing home a girl. He thought Batmam only had boys, but he was much too happy to be proven wrong. Even if he is a little protective.

Batmom used to be very close the the Gotham City Sirens, and the Birds of Prey. They still go out of ‘Ladies Nights’.

It was only until after Damian showed up, and he asked when she went that they actually found out about them.

Bruce had never asked, and the others never knew.

Except for Alfred.

Alfred always knows.

Jason was very jealous when he found out about it. Getting to spend time with more than one badass woman at once? He can only dream.

Duke and Steph - they’re not a permanent member of the household, even though Batmom literally offers every time either comes and visits.

Bruce wonders why, mainly because he’s the one who adpots the children in this family, not Batmom.

‘Up you game Wayne, I’m just getting in before you for once.’ - Batmom

Steph says no cause of ‘independence’ when really she just kinda doesn’t want to be around Tim. For reasons.

Duke doesn’t know why he says no. Some underlying fear of becoming a Robin like all the other Wayne kids maybe?

Batmom and Selina Kyle have unresolved and unspoken tension.

It’s common knowledge that Batman and Catwoman had a thing going for a while, but Batmom always had a thing with Bruce Wayne. Still does and that the difference.

Either way, they don’t let something as trivial as a man get in the way too much. They know their strengths, and if push comes to shove they work together.

They make an eerily good team, and it scares Bruce to think about what they might’ve done to him if they were closer friends and he treated them any less than he did.

It’s obvious by now that each member of the Batfamily have a corresponding 'super’ best friend.

Bruce and Clark Kent. Tim and Kon El. Damian and Jon Kent. Dick and Wally West. Jason and Bizaro?

Batmom had to resist mothering Bizaro the first time she saw him.

Alfred also has one, he gets along rather well with Martian Manhunter and no one knows why.

Birds of the feather flock together, and Batmom and Diana Prince are also rather close. Batmom often jokes to Bruce that if the offer came she’d leave him for her.

Jason’s death has been - to date - the cause of the biggest rift between Bruce and Batmom.

After Bruce came home that night, Batmom suck around for a little while, long eough for the funeral, before she went MIA.

It took weeks for Bruce to track her down, and months before he was able to coax her back.

And then that was only per Dick and Alfred’s added request.

The time she was gone, Bruce was worried, since before she left she expressed her newfound rage towards the Joker. Even though her time away was spent tracking down the Joker in an effort of vengeance, she was unsuccessful and ended up coming home.

It was almost her Batman Villain story.

Only once Tim entered the picture did things start to go back to normal between them both again. But they ended up coming back stronger than ever. (Aw)

Tim has a list of which people are most useful in a tough situation. There are multiple lists, for a number of these kind of situations. The general list - the list for ‘we don’t know what’s happening but this person is who I want with me’ - goes as follows.

It only has the batfamily members that are usually on-hand.

Batman is first.

Rather obvious, but Bruce is an all-rounder. He taught them all most of what they know.

Red Hood is second.

Jason spent a while on his own hence can handle himself very well, he’s still got connections, and compared to everyone else he’s built like a tank.

Red Robin is second.

This is out of Tim’s thoughts, but he’s smaller, got the glider wings, and he’s the smartest out of everyone.

Nightwing is fourth.

Flexible. Experienced. Team player. But he’s not as brutal as Bruce or Jason can act and that can be a drawback.

Valentine (Batmom) is sixth.

She hasn’t worked in the field in a long time, but she’s kept up the training. Lack of field work is the only downside seen, except for ‘that’s my mom’.

Robin is always second last.

Tim and Damian do not get along in day-today life, and even if they do put that aside in the field, it’s still not good for tight spots.

Alfred is last.

Not because he isn’t useful. Alfred has no alter-ego and Tim hasn’t confronted the butler about it yet.

Bruce got Alfred flowers on Fathers day once.

Not only did Alfred tear up, but so did Bruce. And Dick.

Dick ran outside and grabbed a handful of daises and brought them in for Alfred too and they all defiantly cried after that.

Series Taglist; @natatawa-ako @marvelous-glims @padfoot-siriusly-approves @princesscornbread @eternalharry @mysticchopshop

Taglist is Open!

#The adventures of batmom #batfam x batmom #damian wayne x batmom #jason todd x batmom #bruce wayne x batmom #bruce wayne headcanons #dick grayson headcanon #jason todd headcanons #tim drake headcanon #Damian Wayne headcanons #batfam x reader #dick grayson x batmom #tim drake x batmom

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soulmate-game · 4 years ago

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Bio Dad Bruce Wayne Month 2020

Day 1: Meeting for the first time

Not my best work, but decent. I hope you enjoy!

—*—*—*—*—*

Mari was intelligent. That much could not be disputed— and despite her dislike for the sciences in general, she was fully capable of comprehending them when she wanted to. She just usually didn’t care enough to try. But genetics? That was kinda cool. So, when she was ten years old and they began their short unit on it, she was obsessed. And by obsessed, she dove in head first. Like, the fact that her eye color didn’t match either of her parents or grandparents. How could she have blue eyes when none of them did? She delved in deeper and deeper until she uncovered a truth her parents hadn’t wanted her to figure out quite so soon.

She was adopted.

Mari never told her parents about her discovery, the epiphany only managing to sate her curiosity. Who needed blood relation when her parents loved her like real ones anyway? But as the years passed and certain life changes came up, she couldn’t help but feel intrigued by the mystery of where her DNA came from. The heroism thing had to have some root in genetics, right? Okay, so maybe she was just looking for someone to be mad at besides Master Fu. But still, could she be blamed?

So, when Marinette was thirteen years old, she traced her DNA back to her biological parents. And for a while, that was it. She had once again sated her curiosity. She didn’t need anything else. Her mother was dead, and she doubted her biological father knew a thing about her. So Marinette forgot about her discovery, or at least let it sink into the recesses of her brain. And there it stayed, until she was eighteen.

—* — * — * — * — *

It had to be one of the most accidentally dramatic days possible. Top floor of Wayne Enterprises, in one of Bruce’s massive conference rooms with every member of his large family in attendance. Even Kori and Mar’i were there, and Jason’s boyfriend Roy. Everyone was getting fairly restless, considering that Bruce had only informed a few of them (Read: just Dick, who was vibrating in his seat and not soothing anyone’s nerves) about what they were even all called in for. In their civilian identities, no less. It was very odd. Damian, not least of all, was sitting beside Bruce with his jaw clenched but eyes scanning the room in curiosity. He had come a long way from the surly ten year old, and he hadn’t even killed anyone in four years. He had well and truly become a Bat, and with that progress came the lessening of his old temper and brattiness.

Make note: lessening. Not erasure.

It wasn’t long, maybe ten or fifteen minutes of Bruce checking his phone and grinning secretively without answering anyone’s questions, before a businesslike tap-tap-tap sounded on the door to the conference room. Immediately, everything went silent. Kori, Tim, and Jason stopped trying to get Dick to say anything intelligible and went instead to just keeping the man in his seat at all. Bruce let out a rare, soft chuckle before raising his coffee mug to his lips. He called out:

“Come on in, miss MDC. We’re ready for our meeting,” before taking a long sip.

And as soon as the door opened all the way, admitting a short woman of asian descent with navy black hair brushing the bottom of her shoulder blades and piercing (familiar. Too familiar) deep blue eyes, he promptly choked. Trying his damndest not to get coffee everywhere, Bruce devolved into a coughing fit even as his eyes continued to flitter up to the figure just admitted into the room. The woman pretended not to notice his suffering, closing the door behind her and walking forward towards the side of the rectangular-set-up ring of tables that was closest to her and also unoccupied. She plopped a heavy bag down onto the table, reaching in and pulling out a large red and white polka-dotted journal from within, along with a black pen. But despite her businesslike movements and her silence, nobody missed the way that her far too familiar stunningly blue eyes twinkled in suppressed mirth. She didn’t seem surprised at all.

That was the last time Bruce was ever gonna let Tim do someone’s background check on his own. He should have at least looked at the file Tim had made, but of course not. Tim was capable, he trusted the boy with half of their entire family’s company. One background check on one highly reputable designer? Of course he could trust Tim.

Except apparently not. This is what Bruce got for keeping secrets.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng,” Bruce spoke once he got a handle of himself, pushing back his chair almost hurriedly and standing. Damian followed suit, laser focused on his father along with everyone else who knew just how out of character the older man was being just then. It was hard to fluster Bruce at all those days, let alone make him choke and hurry to stand. “I— Welcome to WE. I’m—“ Bruce was cut off by a soft chuckle.

“Bruce Wayne, my biological father and employer for the next few weeks. I know,” Marinette interrupted, sending a sly smile his way. “I had a feeling somebody didn’t actually tell you my name. I was planning on coming to Gotham later this year after I graduated Lycee and demanding to get to know you, but it looks like you did the hard work for me without even knowing. But,” her smile widened in good humor as she walked up closer to Bruce, holding her hand out for a shake. “I do have to say, now that I’ve seen you in person I feel a bit cheated. With how tall you are, you’d think I would have inherited at least a couple more inches.”

“Excuse me? Who do you think you are, claiming to be a Wayne?” Damian asked, tone sharp and his emerald eyes glaring straight towards her. Bruce just took Marinette’s hand, shaking it gently from surprise, but his foot gently kicked his son in the ankle.

“Damian,” Bruce said simply, the single name laced with warning as it came out of his mouth. He turned his attention back to the girl in front of him. “It is nice to finally meet you in person, Marinette. I admit, I did not know of our relation until a few years ago, and I wasn’t in the right mindset back then to welcome another child. Besides, I had it on good authority that your adoptive parents are more than wonderful to you.”

Marinette shrugged. “I don’t mind. I didn’t look into who my biological father was until I was thirteen, anyway. I don’t think things would have ended well if you had just shown up in Paris one day asking to be involved in my life. Enough of that though,” Marinette turned to the sixteen year old by Bruce’s side now stiffened and wide-mouthed. His entire expression, subdued as it was, still managed to clearly telegraph betrayal. And then those eyes locked on Marinettes, and the emerald simmered into something much more vile and acidic. Marinette was not perturbed, merely giving the younger boy a smile and holding out her hand for a shake.

“You must be my half-brother, Damian. I expected someone carved out of stone, with how the tabloids paint you as unfeeling and cold,” she joked. Damian glared harder. She raised an eyebrow. “You seem pretty heated and angry, like a hissing cat, to me. And by the way, I never claimed to be a Wayne. My last name is Dupain-Cheng, and I don’t plan on changing it anytime soon. Having the same blood relation as you does not mean I plan to throw away the name given to me by the ones who actually raised me. But, it does mean that I will get to know you one way or another. I’m not easy to get rid of, and I’ve always wanted a sibling or two.”

That was when the room couldn’t hold it any more; everyone bar the three in the center of the room burst out laughing. It wasn’t too raucous, confusion dampening the hysteria that usually would have taken over, but there was a good round of chuckles and laughter. When it settled down, Damian’s shoulders had slightly relaxed but he still hadn’t taken Marinette’s hand. Instead, he turned to his father again.

“Explain.” He demanded. Bruce sighed, his gaze connecting with Marinette’s own identical one. He searched her for any hesitation, but only got a flash of a bright smile in return. Bruce straightened his shoulders, clasping his hands behind his back and turning to face Damian and the rest of the room.

“I found out about Marinette shortly after Damian was… introduced to the family,” Bruce admitted, resisting the urge to glance at Marinette after the hedged mention of how he met Damian. “I decided to scour every resource I had to make sure I couldn’t be surprised by another biological child. And, lo and behold, I found out that I was right to do so. Her biological mother passed away in childbirth however, so she was adopted by a couple in Paris. I did not see any need to contact her at the time. A friend of mine did happen to be in Paris back then though, and hung around to make sure Marinette was being treated well before leaving again.”

“You sent a friend of yours to spy on me?” Marinette asked, but she just sounded thoroughly amused. “Geez. Now I know where I get it from. When I was thirteen, I had a bit of a bad habit of spying on my friends when I was worried instead of confronting them head on. It took a while to grow out of, and even now I can easily slip back into the habit if I’m not careful. But, as great as this reunion is, it isn’t what I’m being paid to be here for,” Her grin turned downright wicked as she snapped open her sketchbook and clicked her pen.

“I am MDC, the owner and CEO of the up and rising fashion label Spotted Designs, where every look will turn heads and ensure confidence. Monsieur Wayne,” her grin turned into a sly smirk when she said his name, which visibly made Bruce twitch. “Has hired me today to design all of you a new outfit for his gala in four months time, as well as a casual outfit of your own choosing should you want one. Before I get started, I would like to ask you to please sign your NDAs, which my assistant and best friend will bring in for you in a few minutes, before we conclude this meeting. I go by an alias for a reason, I value my privacy, and I would prefer it if word did not get out about my being MDC just yet. Being CEO of a business I started from scratch when I’m only eighteen right now will garner attention that I am not patient enough to deal with right now.”

The silence was near palpable until Jason huffed in amusement and remarked: “Yup. I can see the resemblance.”

“Resemblance?” Duke asked, leaning forward with an incredulous look on his face. “It’s like seeing a tiny, genderswapped, innocent copy of Damian. Is anyone else terrified right now?”

“Tt,” Damian tutted, letting a heavy breath out through his nose before shoving his hand forward. He didn’t look pleased, but neither did he look venomous or betrayed anymore. “Miss Dupain-Cheng. I am Damian Wayne, and I look forward to working with you.” He greeted as if the past few minutes hadn’t happened at all. Marinette beamed, letting out a short belt of delighted laughter before clasping his hand firmly with hers.

“My competence always wins people over,” she teased.

“Only if they don’t see you trip over empty air first,” a new voice joined in, lightly joining the teasing. It belonged to a tall, blond haired green eyed man that looked about the same age as Marinette herself. He came carrying a large two-foot stack of papers as easily as if he was only carrying one sheet. Closing the door behind him with his foot, he went around the large square of tables distributing NDAs to everyone who hadn’t already signed one. “Mari’s the clumsiest person I’ve ever seen, but I’ve also seen her hand sew a double sided ball gown with a layer of knife-resistant fabric in less than thirty hours and still threaten anyone to come near with a needle to the eye, so I’ve learned to just not take anything about her at face value anymore.”

“Oh shut up,” Marinette snapped back cheerfully, rolling her eyes. “This is my best friend, assistant, and business partner Adrien Agreste.”

“I deal with all the paperwork and spotlight that she doesn’t want to handle,” he agreed, nearly blinding everyone with his beaming smile. “Now. Please sign these NDAs, and you can experience Marinette’s skill firsthand.”

After papers were signed and Adrien left, Bruce tried to start another conversation with Marinette.

“So, when did you find out—“

“I’m going to start with taking all of your measurements, if you don’t mind. You first, Monsieur Wayne.”

Bruce blinked, not used to being interrupted. “Ah. We can do this tomorrow, I wasn’t expecting—“

“That’s not my fault, Monsieur Wayne. I came here knowing exactly who I was going to deal with, and you want me to make a quite frankly horrifying amount of clothing in a very short amount of time. Any designer lesser than me would be completely incapable of meeting your deadline. I plan on sticking to my schedule, which means that we are going to get everyone’s measurements and a baseline of the kind of designs you all want done today before the end of our scheduled appointment.”

“Marinette, I would really like to talk about—“

“Arms out. And take your suit jacket off, I can’t get an accurate measurement with it,” she once again interrupted, businesslike and efficient as she took her measuring tape and lined it up against various parts of his body, jotting down the results. She didn’t entertain any of his attempts at conversation in the meantime, instead using the dead time to grill Damian on what he wanted for his suit design.

And, like a partnership that never should have existed, Damian merely smirked and played along with her game. He answered her questions thoroughly but precisely, never allowing their father a chance to make actual conversation. Next thing the poor eldest Wayne knew, Marinette had already taken everyone’s measurements and almost an hour had passed. No less than ten pages of her notebook were already filled with neat lines of notes and numbers.

“You really take this whole thing seriously, don’t you?” Tim asked, in the middle of describing his ideal suit to Marinette. She hummed, grinning up at him mysteriously. As if she was in on a joke he hadn’t heard.

“Designing is my life, Monsieur Drake. This company is something I’ve been building from the ground up since I was thirteen, I’ve made my own clothes since I was ten. Of course I take it seriously. Now. I believe that is everything I need,” she stood up, asking a few last second questions as she gathered up her things. Seeing his chance, Brucie walked her to the door.

“Really, Marinette, I would like to talk to you more. Would you like to come to the Manor tonight, for dinner maybe?”

Marinette smirked, opening the door before Bruce could and turning her head to say over her shoulder: “Not tonight, but maybe tomorrow. Do me a favor though, and try not to get too injured on patrol. I need you all in good enough shape to stand while I do your initial fittings later this week. Gotham might need it’s vigilantes, but you will all regret it if you break a bone before I can fit my prototypes to you.”

Nobody was able to say a word before she closed the door behind her and continued briskly to the elevator. Bruce stood, dumbfounded. Tim, Jason, and Dick, after a moment, started cackling.

“Oh yeah. That’s Damian’s sister.”

“Tt. At least this proves it.”

Bruce, suddenly very exhausted, turned to his son while rubbing his forehead. “Proves what, Damian?”

His trademark razor sharp smirk overtook his face as Damian replied: “Your blood children really are much more competent and effective than the strays you took in.”

“Hey!”

—*—*—*—*—*

“You didn’t have a full conversation?” Adrien guessed, looking exactly like the cat who caught the canary. Marinette had her head in her hands, her entire face red.

“I didn't know how to have an actual conversation with them, Adrien! You should have seen it, Monsieur Wayne—“

“You can just say your father, you know.”

“—Wanted to talk about feelings. Emotions! Gooey, family stuff and probably sentimental things. In front of so many people, too. I panicked!”

“You panicked and went full Business Empress mode,” Adrien agreed, patting her back in both comfort and condescension. “It’s okay. You at least agreed to dinner tomorrow night.”

“Fuuuuuuuuuck, I diiiiiid. Quick, let’s come up with a way to fake my kidnapping.”

“No.”

“Damn.”

#maribat #ml x dc #mlb x dc #b!dbwm2020 #Bio dad bruce wayne #B!dbwm #platonic brucinette #No romantic pairing #Day One #Platonic Daminette

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zielleromanova · 3 years ago

Text

03| Gotham Academy

-Three days Later-

Cora E. | Gotham City | 1:00 p.m.

The rain was softly hitting the glass windows of the limousine, making soft tapping sounds. I watched as the buildings rolled by as I listened to some Taylor Swift songs on my cellphone.

It's been three days since that talk with my father, and I just flew here to Gotham City about an hour ago with Charles as my escort. I was going to study at Gotham Academy for the rest of my Senior High School years. My father believed it would do me well to stay away from New York for now. To 'heal the emotional wound'. Whatever. I just wanted away from my real life right now, at least until my mom's death hurt less.

I chuckled to myself at the thought, thinking it funny at how I behave at times. Weak.

"Are you quite alright over there, Miss Cora?" Charles asked me from the driver's seat. I must've looked strange chuckling to myself alone in the backseat.

I looked up at his eyes through the rear-view mirror before smiling warmly at him. "Yes Charles, I'm fine. Just remembered something. Thank you for asking, though."

He nodded curtly before taking his eyes back on the road. "We are almost there at Gotham Academy." He said, his voice laced with a heavy English accent.

"Thank you," I say quietly, before closing my eyes and leaning my head against the headrest. My earphones were still in my ears, playing soft music.

I focused my attention on the music in my ears, beginning to feel calm and relaxed. I enjoyed the feeling of the slight bumps in the road, as it slowly lulled me to become half-asleep, half-awake.

I didn't notice how fast each minute passed by, nor did I notice how many songs finished playing on my phone, but I did notice when Charles suddenly stopped the car.

Noticing the sudden stop in the car's motion, I moved my head up and opened my eyes. Looking around, I noticed that we were no longer on the dull, dark streets of Gotham. Instead, we were in the parking lot of a wide, tall building. Its outside walls were the colour of clouds on a good, sunny day. Its windows were a dark shade of blue, like the middle of the sea, and reflected the buildings surrounding it. They were also quite large, if I do say so myself.

The doors to the school were great in width and height. They had iron handles and were also one-way-looking glass.

"We're here, Miss Coralynn," Charles said as he stepped out of the limousine and walked towards my car door. He gently pulled the door open and waited for me to step out. I gather my small bag and my suitcase as I stepped out of the car. Charles tried to take my suitcase from me, but I softly pushed his hand away. He's done more than enough just by making sure I got here to Gotham Academy safely.

Charles and I silently walked into the building and headed towards the receptionist. She was pretty, with light blonde hair and bluebell eyes.

"Everhart, Coralynn," I said to her, and she immediately looked at her computer. I glanced around as she was looking for my name on her screen.

Gotham Academy was quite a prestigious high school. The students here come from well-off families. The receptionist then spoke up.

"Ah! Miss Everhart of Hart Industries!" she exclaimed, smiling. I just nodded politely. "Your dormitory is on the topmost floor of the building. Come along please. I'll show you the way."

Looking back at Charles who was behind me, I pucked up the handle of my suitcase and dragged it towards the elevator. It wasn't difficult. It had wheels anyway.

In the elevator, Charles and I stood behind the receptionist as she pressed the button with the number 31 written on it. We all stood in silence as we waited for the elevator to take us to our destination.

Once we reached our destination, the lady led us through a short, wide hallway. There were two Mahogany doors opposite of each other. If you walked past them, it would lead to a spacious balcony overlooking all of Gotham City. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

"Two doors, huh?" I absentmindedly asked the blonde lady in front of me. She looked at me and smile gently.

"Yes," she replied. "Your room is the door to the right. However, you will have a neighbour. Damian Wayne."

Wayne. The name sounded so familiar. It rings a bell in my head. I believe I heard my father, even my mother, mention that name. Then it hit me.

"A prince of Gotham? Wayne Enterprises? Son of billionaire Bruce Wayne?" Questions shot out of my mouth like a shotgun. I wasn't at all pleased with having to share the same floor with a rich boy from Gotham. He's probably another one of those jerks.

The receptionist laughed light-heartedly at my questions. "Yes, that one."

"I see..." I murmured. "Anyway, thank you for taking us here. I'll be fine now."

The lady nodded, smiling again with her pearly white teeth. "I'll see you around d then, Miss Everhart. If you ever need me, my name is Kara."

With that last statement, she placed my room keys in my hands and left. Charles and I looked at each other before opening the door to my new residence. The room was spectacular.

It was very big, and had a pretty staircase leading to a cozy mezzanine. The living room had a plush beige sofa in it, along with a glass coffee table. There was a 32-inch television in front of the sofa.

In another part of the room, there was a kitchen. It was complete with a cooking range, an oven, and a kitchen island. It also had a small fridge, enough to contain a weekly supply for just one person.

Going up the staircase, I went to the mezzanine while Charles carried my suitcase. The entire mezzanine was dedicated to being a bedroom, and it was definitely cozy. It had a large fake fur rug surrounding the floor area around the bed. The bed itself was plush and looked like it jumped out of a Disney princess's bedroom.

Not bad...

"I assume you'll be fine here for the rest of your stay?" Charles suddenly asked from behind me. I spun around to face him and saw him setting down my suitcase in the floor.

"Yes," I said softly. He nodded and proceeded to walk to the staircase.

"Well then, I'll be on my way, miss. Have fun." Charles said as he walked away.

"Thank you, Charles. For everything."

"It has been a pleasure, darling." He says in a fatherly tone. Before he could leave, I rushed up to him and embraced him tightly.

"I'll see you soon, Charles."

"I could say the same, Miss Cora."

It wasn't long before I heard fading footsteps and the door clicking shut a few seconds after he walked down the stairs. Sighing loudly, I decided to get familiar with my room, before I would get familiar with the building.

Well, this is my new life now...

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iwritethat · 5 years ago

Text

Damian Wayne: Caught Out

A/N: Update! 🙌

>>>>——————————>

8 months and 13 days.

That's how long you had been dating Damian Wayne or Robin as you've come to understand, however this relationship was kept strictly under wraps meaning no one except Damian and yourself knew about it.

You intended to keep it that way in fear Batman would split you up, granted you'd known Damian for a few years after meeting in Gotham Academy at the age of 11 and remained friends up to the age of 16 - that's when he unexpectedly asked you out on a date. He'd also revealed that he was Robin when you were 15 and you had visited the Manor many times giving you the opportunity to meet Alfred, Bruce Wayne and Tim on some rare occasions.

Once you started dating, Damian thought it'd be best to keep it from his family as his 'brothers' could be very testing and having a girlfriend would definitely have negative repercussions in the form of mockery. So you agreed to go along with it, any visit to the manor was purely platonic and he used his role of Robin to sneak away and visit you during patrol. Dates would happen anywhere outside of the Manor or family interventions fortunately for you.

Usually a tap on on your window would signify his arrival, once you'd open it you received a sweet kiss from your boyfriend and hold normal conversation. If you were lucky he would come in and stay for a while, allowing you to remove his mask before you kissed him.

"Beloved, what are you -" He questioned, your hand slipping through his hold as you reached for his domino mask.

"I want to see your eyes." Upon hearing your reason, he released a sigh and allowed you to do as you pleased. One hand lay on your waist and the other traced circles onto your wrist as your thumbs reached the edge of his make to removed it.

Damian held an expression of both confusion and amusement with a raised eyebrow since he didn't understand the point of your actions but trusted you none the less.

"Don't look at me like that Dami." You muttered and then pulled him in for a kiss which he happily returned and you could feel the smirk on his lips as you did so.

That was the basis of your relationship, no one knew. Though life is full of surprises so it couldn't all be perfect right?

It was a cold evening and unsurprisingly dark despite it only being 6pm, this was Gotham after all. Damian had been absent for over a week and you hadn't seen him in a while but assumed he was on a case elsewhere, so when you unexpectedly ran into Robin you were delighted and pulled him into your embrace immediately.

"Hold on." Robin ordered wrapping arm around your waist and later grappled you to the nearest rooftop.

Soon after you found yourself pinned to a wall with your boyfriend's lips firmly on yours, pulling away he had a smirk plastered on his face.

"You miss me or something?" You smugly asked, already knowing his unwillingness to admit such feelings as your fingers tangled themselves in his hair.

"I suppose, beloved." He quickly confirmed before leaning in to kiss you again, you reciprocated again pulling him closer to you if that was even possible. A few minutes had passed before the thing you dreaded most come to pass...

"Ahem."

That interruption shattered your whole world, you felt Damian tense up under your touch and not in a good way, very reluctantly your boyfriend pulled away to meet the dark gaze of his father.

"Dark Knight." Damian acknowledged coldly, you were impressed how he kept his calm demeanour in front of the Batman.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Batman bellowed, classic deep voice used to add emphasis on his anger.

"Kissing my girlfriend, what does it look like?" Damian retorted as if it were the most obvious answer in the world, he certainly retained his standoffish attitude during his absence.

Nightwing appeared beside his mentor following the yell heard from the next rooftop over and came to inspect the commotion, immediately he realised the severity of the situation laid out before him and a blissful smile made its way onto his features.

"Aw, Robin has a girlfriend! He's all grown up, this is unbelievable. What is your name ma'am?" Nightwing politely inquired, apparently curious.

"(Y/n)." A short answer yes but you didn't trust yourself to say anymore in fear of faltering, and despite their intimidating presence you’d been putting up with Damian Wayne for almost 7 years.

"Well (y/n), you're going to have to meet the family sometime - how long has it been now?" The black and blue clad hero continued, admiring Damian's protective hold over you.

Your breath hitched and of course Damian noticed, Batman was going to kill you if he found out you'd been dating his sidekick for 8 months without his knowledge.

"Long enough for me to know that I love her."

Nightwing was beaming at his 'brother's' statement, Batman held a poker face so you were slightly concerned about his true feelings toward you. Damian turned his head to you for your reaction at his words, yes he called you beloved but you didn't think he meant it - this was Damian Wayne, son of a millionaire falling for you. Wow.

A genuine smile makes its way to your face and was most likely accompanied by a faint flush, you would've kissed him if not for the presence of his mentors which prevented you from doing many things at the moment.

"Does (y/n) know who you are?" Batman intervened, his hand on the bridge of his nose to further elaborate on his frustration.

Paleness overtook, you could not answer this question so gave a pleading look to your boyfriend since you didn't want to get him into trouble on account of revealing trade secrets.

Unsurprisingly, Damian shrugged this off and cut to the chase - of course.

"If you're asking if (y/n) knows my identity then the answer is yes." Robin spoke up, small smirk appearing on his features.

"Then we need to sort this matter privately." Batman breathed, to any sidekick of the Dark Knight 'privately' indicated a trip to the Batcave though you were completely oblivious to this hidden meaning.

"Oh oh, can I come?!" Nightwing chimed excitedly.

Batman sent a glare to Nightwing before jumping off of the building, Nightwing gave a mock salute and followed the actions of his mentor leaving Robin and a thoroughly confused you on the rooftop.

Damian took a few steps toward the area where his mentor had disappeared until he realised your expression, his lips forming into a smirk. Taking a few paces back he was able to intertwine his fingers with yours and carefully guide you to the ledge. Releasing a nervous laugh you stepped backwards, you hand still in his.

"Nah-ah, no way, nein, nope, non, not in a million years."

"Everything will be fine beloved, I will not let you get hurt." Robin assured, his tone softening at your behaviour and attempted to provide you with some comfort in the form of tracing circles onto your hand with his thumb in a soothing manner.

Reluctantly you retraced your steps back to your boyfriend's side allowing him to sweep you into his arms so you could wrap yours around his neck for extra security, he was surprisingly strong and made it look so easy. You cursed him quite loudly once he jumped off the roof and fortunately you both landed safely in a car, later discovered to be the Batmobile's backseat.

Releasing a sigh of relief you noticed you had captivated everyone's attention, Nightwing wearing an expression of amusement as his arm rested on the front seat turning to you and Batman remained unreadable when staring at you through the centre mirror.

Eyes widening you hesitantly removed yourself from Damian who observed your actions carefully as you slid into the seat next to him.

Unsurprisingly you were fairly embarrassed and eternally grateful when the Batmobile started moving at unfathomable speeds, you were unable to contain your excitement as Gotham's night lights blurred beside you.

"This is amazing! Okay, we should do this more often." You grinned, Nightwing taking a quick glance at you.

"I officially approve, (y/n) is great. Damian can you keep her?" He asked happily.

"I intend to Grays- Nightwing, as long as you don't scare her off..." Damian scowled at his 'brother' despite the internal pride brewing due to Grayson's approval.

Arriving at the Batcave was a momentous occasion for you, it was truly a site to behold and Damian had to resort to practically dragging you through to the main area because you found everything so fascinating.

"Beloved I understand this is new to you but -"

"Damian, have you seen this place though?!" You marvelled, taking in a variety of aspects in awe as you continued a stop-start walked, Robin by your side.

"Yes (y/n), I see it almost everyday." Damian retorted monotonously as if it were the most obvious thing in the world - which supposedly it was.

"But Damian, it's amazing! Look! Why didn't you show me this sooner? It's huge." You continued, leaving Robin quite amused at your bewilderment, like that of a kid in a candy store.

"Because Batman wouldn't allow it, speaking of..." Your boyfriend started, hoping you'd get the hint.

"Yeah, yeah Batman and all that, but are you seeing all of this? A helicopter, a motorcycle, batarangs, Batman and - Damian - Batman!" You began your observations full of wonder but upon facing Batman you instantly sought the assistance of your boyfriend - with the presence of the Dark Knight before you, the stammering occurred after the initial realisation and you instinctively clutched Damian's arm a little tighter. Damian initially smiled at the way you simply brushed off Batman to begin with but found it cute how you attempted to suppress your embarrassment.

"Miss (L/n), it's intriguing that you are dating my son and failed to mention this to me." Batman smiled during his statement and went to remove his cowl.

Damian Wayne, Bruce Wayne's son. Bruce was Batman, obviously after Damian had revealed to you that he was in fact Robin you suspected his father of being Batman. After all, you'd need a lot of money to finance all of this, Robin is quite close to Batman and the Manor would provide easy access to the Batcave of course. It was kind of obvious now that you thought about it.

At this point, you were unsure how to begin and welcomed any distractions - fortunately Alfred made his way down the stairs bearing a tray of refreshments and eagerly took this opportunity.

"Hi Alfred!" You beamed, waving to the butler you'd come to be very fond of.

"Ah Miss (Y/n), I was wondering how long it would take for you to find your way here." The elderly butler acknowledged, a hint of happiness detected in his tone.

"Did you know these two were dating?" Bruce asked his loyal butler, gesturing to the teenagers before him.

"I had my suspicions Master Bruce." Alfred replied, handing a hot drink to Nightwing.

"How long?" Your boyfriend's father questioned again, this time in a less distressing tone.

"About 8 months sir." Awkwardly came from your lips, causing Nightwing to choke on his beverage and Bruce to raise an eyebrow. Damian smirking at their reactions, clearly you'd hidden your relationship very well.

"Well then... It's nice to finally see you two together. I am happy for you both." Bruce commented after a lengthy silence, Nightwing held a thumbs up to you both behind Batman allowing you to relax a little.

"Thank you father."

"Yes, thank you Mr Wayne." You echoed

"You can call me Bruce (y/n), you know that." Bruce genuinely smiled, with a nod from you, both Bruce and Nightwing left the cave accompanied by Alfred.

Damian and yourself remained in the Batcave, the atmosphere settling due to the acceptance given by Damian's family.

"That went... better than I thought..." You breathed, relief still evident.

"Agreed." Damian acknowledged quite content himself.

It was then you recalled the words your boyfriend had said earlier and decided now was a great time to call him up on them.

"So... you love me?"

"I thought that was obvious in the ways I show you affection beloved?" Damian retorted, slight bewilderment in his voice due to the fact you were actually questioning his feelings toward you.

"Yeah, but it's nice to hear those words sometimes because I love you too Damian." You justified wistfully, causing Damian to turn to you with wide eyes at your statement.

"I understand why you believe those words are 'nice to hear' now I've heard you say them to me (y/n)." You boyfriend smirked, pulling you close to him and carefully placed his lips on yours.

"Uh Bruce?! Is there a new Batgirl I didn't know about because Damian has taken quite a liking to her!" Tim yelled upon entering the Batcave and witnessing the scene before him.

#damian wayne #damian wayne imagine #damian wayne x reader #robin imagine #robin x reader #dc #dc imagine

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kandoesfanfics-writes · 5 years ago

Note

You’re my new bodyguard and you’re cute. -Damianette pairing please (I would love to see how Batman’s blood son would take it.)

Sorry this took so long! I got sick, but now I’m better.

Damian’s mouth hung open in shock.

He stared at the gorgeous dark haired woman currently tying the three would-be assassins up. Damian had no idea you could use a garden hose like that, but she was certainly making use of it. All three men were unconscious now, their weapons scattered around them. They’d never saw her coming.

To be fair, Damian hadn’t seen her coming either.

Ms. Marinette Dupain-Cheng was the bodyguard Diana had suggested to his father after assassins had made it clear Damian Wayne was their target. Damian had insisted that he could handle himself and didn’t need a bodyguard, but Bruce wouldn’t give in. He insisted that Damian needed a bodyguard so that the family’s secret identities wouldn’t be at risk. After all, Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne, might know some self-defense, but not as much as Robin would know.

Damian eventually relented to Bruce’s demands and had agreed. Today was supposed to be the day he would meet his new bodyguard. Lo and behold, whoever was targeting him had stalked him to their meetup. Before Damian could even do anything, this tiny slip of a woman had nearly thrown him behind a table and challenged the men. She never strayed far from him, but had fought off their attackers with formidable skills...especially since her weapon of choice was a steel yoyo.

He’d watched her dance around them with grace. Damian had never witnessed such skills from a civilian combatant before. A tickle in the back of his reminded him that Diana was the one who knew her. If Wonder Woman thought this young lady could be of service to them then she had to be some kind of warrior. Diana wouldn’t trust just anyone to help him and his father.

She was more than he’d ever expected.

Damian watched, still in shock, as the young woman turned around to look at him. Her dark black hair had fallen out of her bun, leaving it loose around her face. Those brilliant blue eyes locked onto him before a worried expression broke out on her face. She gently ran her hands over his arms before taking his hands.

“Are you okay? Have you been hurt?” she asked.

Damian shook his head before swallowing.

“Miss Dupain-Cheng, I presume?” he said, his voice slightly hoarse.

The young lady gave him a gigawatt smile. Now that the shock had worn off, Damian paid more attention to the person in front of him. She had pale skin with freckles splashed ever so lightly across the bridge of her nose. Her eyes were a beautiful bluebell color framed with dark lashes. Her lips were a pretty pink color, and her smile made Damian’s stomach flutter. She was tiny, probably only around five feet tall. Her build reminded him more of a gymnast, lean muscles that didn’t appear very strong at first. He was certain that those small hands of hers could break him if she pleased, despite appearances.

“Yes, I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng. You can call me Marinette,” the bodyguard-Marinette said cheerfully. “I’m sorry we had to meet this way, Mr. Wayne. I’m your new bodyguard.”

“You’re very cute and could probably kick my ass.”

Marinette’s eyes widened before she began to laugh. Damian felt his cheeks heat up as he realized he said that out loud. He watched her laugh, feeling warmth pool into his chest. Even her laugh was enchanting. Damian only snapped out of his stupor when she grabbed his hand.

“Come along, Mr. Wayne. We really should get you to your next appointment. The police should be here soon to pick them up,” Marinette said. “I told Diana and your father that I would bring you to Wayne Enterprises as soon as our meeting was done. I assume I am satisfactory?”

Damian smiled and replied, “More than satisfactory. Could you show me how to use a yoyo like that?”

“Perhaps, Mr. Wayne. Perhaps.”

Damian laughed at the teasing tone in her voice.

Maybe this whole bodyguard thing wouldn’t be so bad after all.

#daminette #maribat #kan writes things #marinette x damian #damian x marinette

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goldandbluesmiles · 5 years ago

Text

Protective

Summary: Bruce is protective Alpha, especially when it comes to his children.

Notes: Some discriminatory language.

Ao3

XXX

The gala was in full swing when Jason spotted the baby bat. He nudged Tim who was beside him, shoving a pastry in his mouth.

"Hey, Timmy," he said to the younger boy, "What do you think's happenin' over there?"

Tim followed his gaze, took in Damian's rigid posture, the cruel smirks on the two boys that looked his age, and the weirdly smug glee on a boy who looked about ten.

"Doesn't look too good," said Tim

"Nope," said Jason, "Should we...?"

"Any other time, I would have just let him deal with it but this is the Martha Wayne Foundation Gala,"

It was the one gala that they attended no matter what. All anger, fights and problems were put aside to come to help support their dad on his mother's birthday. There was also an unofficial rule among the bat kids that no one would cause any havoc during the gala and they would intervene if they saw something brewing.

And by the scowl on Damian's face, something was definitely brewing. The young Omega looked seconds away from punching someone.

"Yeah, let's go," said Jason

Both Alphas weaved their way through the crowd toward their younger brother. As they got closer, Jason started to hear what the other boys were saying and it made his blood boil in anger.

"Go back...'" "Your kind-" "Tainted,"

Jason was ready to march over and teach the little brats a lesson when he noticed another body moving toward the youngest Wayne.

Apparently Bruce Wayne had noticed his youngest son's plight because of course, he had. And it was good because this place did not need Jason to go around shaking little kids, no matter how much they deserved it. Bruce would handle this much better.

"Well, hello there young gentlemen," he said in a pleasant tone, the cold fury in his eyes only visible to people that really knew him.

From across the room, Jason saw Dick start to make his way to them. Cass and Steph had also detangled themselves from the dance floor. Duke was already standing at his left. Everyone else ignored their little gathering. If there was one thing the Waynes were good at, it was blending.

"Hello Mr. Wayne," said one of the older boys, looking just a little scared. Good.

"And your names," asked Bruce.

"I'm William," said the older redhead and then pointed to the younger boy, "This is my brother, Harris,"

"William and Harris," said Bruce, "The Livingston boys,"

"Yes, sir,"

"And you, son?" said Bruce, making Damian tense. He relaxed once Bruce moved his hand to his shoulder.

"Jared Lucky, Mr. Wayne,"

"Alright, Jared," said Bruce, tone still biting, "I'm guessing all your parents are here tonight?"

The boys nodded.

"Okay, here's what we're going to do," said Bruce, "Jared and Harris are going to stand right here. William, you are going to go get both your parents and bring them here,"

The little brat nodded and quickly took off.

"Father?" murmured Damian, looking up at him with a questioning look. Jason took a quick look at his siblings and saw that all of them, except Dick, looking varying degrees of confused. Even Cass.

Taking in their reactions, Jason realized that none of them had ever seen Bruce in his protective Alpha mode before. Sure they had all seen Batman but not Bruce.

Jason had been the target of many cruel taunts once when he had joined Gotham's 'high' society. And he knew from stories that while Dick had charmed everybody with his personality and smile, that had still been whispers of gypsy and uncivilized. Bruce had shut all of them down with a vicious look and cruel smile. The rest of them had probably never needed it. Tim was a born elite. No one would ever say anything about Cass. Stephanie held her head high and dared anyone to come close enough to speak. Duke was relatively new.

None of them had seen Papa Bruce protecting his pups, which meant that they were in a for a treat tonight.

Damian was still waiting for an answer when two couple showed up with a flustered looking William. The red-headed woman instantly took her boys in her arms, glaring at Bruce. The Luckys just looked really confused.

"Bruce," said Mr. Lucky, "What is going on here? Did the boys get into a scuffle or something?"

"Or something," said Bruce, "Boys, why don't you repeat for your parents what you were saying to Damian here,"

"But-"

"Repeat it," this time the words came out sharper, making a few heads turn their way. Jason sent them a few glares, making them turn right back around.

"Boys," said Mrs. Lucky, "Explain yourselves,"

William and Jared quietly repeated the things that had been said, making Jason tremble with anger. Around him, the rest of his family was in similar states.

Worst of all was Damian, head bowed with shame as if he was the one who had done something wrong.

God, these boys were lucky Jason had a little more control now. Otherwise, they would be getting good talking to at the least.

"God, Bruce," said Mr. Lucky, "I am so sorry. We will definitely be talking to Jared once we get home,"

"This is our fault," said Mrs. Lucky, "He said he wanted to experience boarding at Gotham Academy and we figured it wouldn't be a problem. I have to admit, since then we haven't really monitored the content he takes in,"

"Which will be fixed," said Mr. Lucky, "You have my word, Bruce,"

"I would hope so, Sean," said Bruce

That started a whole other round of apologies and promises. Jason looked at them carefully, looking for any indication that these people were insincere or were talking out of their ass to keep Bruce happy. He found nothing. Thye seemed to mean it.

The Livingstons were another story though. The guy was impassive, wearing his businessman's face while his wife was openly glaring at them.

Once the Luckys finally stopped, Bruce turned toward the other couple.

"And what about Mr. and Mrs. Livingston," said Bruce, "Anything to say about your boys' behaviour?"

The guys cleared his throat but the lady beat him to it.

"I don't see the problem with my boys expressing themselves," she said, tone haughty

God, what a bitch.

"Excuse me," said Bruce, "Expressing themselves? There is expressing yourself and then there is discriminatory language, not to mention verbal assault,"

"Now. Now, Bruce," said the man, "Don't you think you're overreacting a bit?"

The complete and utter fury on Bruce's face was a thing to behold. The Lucky family took a step back and the two brothers looked ready to piss themselves. Even Mr. Lviningston looked like he was regretting his decision to be here.

The only one still glaring was Mrs. Livingston or as Jason would call her from now, She-devil.

"Overreacting? Overreacting?" hissed Bruce, "Your sons used derogatory language to talk to mine and you think I'm overreacting,"

"Some terms fit," said the She-devil, "Especially for a...brood like yours,"

Bruce tightened his hold on Damian's shoulder and took a step forward, "Listen here, Susan,"

"Sasha," she muttered

"Susan, Sasha, fucking Sally," said Bruce, "I don't care! The only reason, the only reason I am not making a goddamn sacrificial spectacle of you in front of this whole room is that it has become obvious to me that these boys have some very poor role models, and given their age, should be given a chance to rectify their mistakes and humiliating them in front of a room full of people will not do that,"

"Because let's be honest here, with today's school curriculum and resources available it is obvious where these boys learned language like this. I would hate to think what you would say to my son -to my children- given the opportunity to be honest without consequences,"

Both boys were now looking at their parents with confused eyes.

"Now, do me a favour and leave this place,"

Sasha went to say something else but Harris tugged at her dress, "Mom let's go,"

"Don't talk out of line, Harris,"

The boy flinched. Beside him, Jason felt Tim tense. He as starting to hate this woman more by the second.

"We will take our leave," said Mr. Livingston

"Please do," said Bruce, tone rivalling the Arctic winds, "And consider yourselves disinvited from any event that has even a small part of the Waynes in it,"

That was basically 99.9% of Gotham City.

The family four left, quickly being swallowed up by the crowd.

"Well, no more sleepovers at their house," muttered Sean, and then turned toward Bruce, "You know some of us to send our boys to the dormitories despite living in the city. William and Jared roomed together and when Jared started having sleepovers with them, Carrie and I were happy. He gets lonely at home, you know. Obviously we didn't realize the differences in values, we'll definitely make sure to talk to Jared,"

"We're so sorry, Damian," said Carrie, lowering herself a little so she could look him in the eye, "You didn't deserve that,"

Damian nodded.

"I'm also going to look into the Livingstons a little more closely," said Sean, "There was something not right about the way Sasha spoke to her youngest,"

"Hmm," said Bruce, "I think we've all had enough excitement for the night,"

The Luckys obviously saw the dismissal and left without saying much more.

As soon as they were gone, Bruce led them to the back balcony, rarely used by anyone and completely deserted. Once they were there, he picked up Damian and held him close, gently cooing at him and scenting him.

It was proof of how emotionally taxing the whole thing had been that Damina didn't even fight it a little, just melted into his father's arms.

"Listen to me, Damian," said Bruce, gently stroking his hair, "Nobody gets to talk to you like that, nobody,"

Damian nodded against Bruce's shoulder.

"Nobody gets to talk to anyone of you like that," said Bruce, looking at each one of them in the eye. They all nodded too.

"Now I have to stay here for the speeches but you are all welcome to go back in," said Bruce, "Damian, do you want to go with Dick?"

"Yes, Father," mumbled Damian

Dick gently took their brother and held him close, similar to how Bruce had been holding him.

"Let's go, guys," said Dick

"I should be inside in an hour," said Bruce

They all nodded at him and quickly made their way to the exit. Jason thanked whatever deity was out there, that the Gala was always held in the manor. They all gathered just outside the door and for a second just looked at each other.

Stephanie was the first to crack, a few chuckles escaping her. Cass smiled next and Tim let out a giggle. Them suddenly they were all laughing, except for Damian who had a sleepy smile on his face.

"Holy shit," said Stephanie, "Holy shit. Forget Batman. Bruce Wayne is fucking terrifying,"

"Did you see the guy's face?" said Duke

"Susan can go die though," said Stephanie

"Sasha," said Tim, copying her haughty tone

"Susan, Sasha, fucking Sally," said Jason and they burst into laughter again.

"God, I've never seen him like that," said Tim as they started to make their way into the family room.

"He used to do it a lot when we were kids," said Dick, gesturing to Jason, "And it surprised people a lot more then. He's changed his public act a lot over the years but back then- imagine twenty-two years old Brucie Wayne, playboy extraordinaire instantly switching to Bruce Wayne, Protective Alpha dad. It was amazing to watch,"

"Yeah," said Jason, getting a little lost in his memories, "I remember this one time he told someone and, I quote, "this boy has more class in his pinky finger than you have in your whole body, Jennifer,"

"Jennifer?" asked Tim

"Her actual name was Jenna,"

Duke snorted, "Of course it was,"

"Guys shhh," said Dick out of nowhere

"What," whispered Stephanie

"I think he's asleep,"

Jason looked at Damian a little closely and sure enough, the little boy was curled up in Dick's lap, fast asleep.

"Aww," said Cass, "Poor little brother,"

"Yeah," said Steph, "All jokes aside, he really doesn't deserve that shit,"

"Good thing we got Bruce, right?" said Duke, looking at them

"Right," Jason found himself saying. His siblings gave him weird looks but he just smiled. Just because Red Hood and Batman didn't agree on some things didn't mean Jason had forgotten what it had felt like to have Bruce's protection, to be held close like he was something precious.

It was really something.

Slowly they all started to make their way out of the room and upstairs to change. Jason went with Dick to help put Damian to bed without waking him up. Once they were done, Dick gave him a quick pat on the back and headed toward his room. Jason went to the room he stayed in when he was at the manor and changed quickly. Instead of going to bed, he headed down to the kitchen and waited. Half an hour later, Bruce walked in, already having changed into sweats and a t-shirt.

"Oh, hey Jason," said Bruce, "What are you still doing up?"

Jason started to think of a lie but then decided against it.

"Waiting for you,"

Bruce smiled, "Come on,"

Together they took out some leftover cake from the fridge and headed toward the sitting room. Bruce took a seat at the love seat and Jason joined him.

"Any particular reason you were waiting for me?"

"Feeling nostalgic, I guess," said Jason, "We used to sit here whenever we came back from a shitty gala or event,"

"I remember. You would wait for me in the kitchen and then we would get whatever we could find from the fridge and eat in here,"

"Yeah," said Jason, "It always felt great, you know. Having you in my corner. I'm glad that other kids get it too now,"

"Jason," said Bruce, putting his plate down, "You still have it. I know we're not the most conventional pack but I am this pack's Alpha and you are a part of it. As such you will always have me in your corner. Even if you don't like thinking of me as your father, I am you Alpha,"

Jason opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Instead, he just lowered his gaze, a sudden pressure building behind his eyes.

Jesus, he would never get over how small Bruce could make him feel.

"Oh, Jaybird," murmured Bruce, taking away his plate and pulling him into his arms, "My little pup,"

"Not a pup," he sniffed, tucking his face close to Bruce's neck and breathing in his scent of burnt cinnamon mixed with sage.

"Still my pup," said Bruce, "And I'm sorry,"

"For what?"

"Forever letting you think you didn't have me in the same capacity as you used to. I should have made it clear as soon as we agreed to clear the air. You always had me, Jaylad,"

Jason smiled and curled closer, "Love you, Dad,"

He felt Bruce's smile at his temple.

"I love you too, Jay,"

#batfamilyaobweek #batfamily #bruce wayne #dick grayson #tim drake #damian wayne #Jason Todd #cassandra cain #stephanie brown #batdad

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crystalangelluna · 4 years ago

Text

A New Chance Chapter 5

Ao3/ Part 1 /Part 2 /Part 3 /Part 4/ Part 5(You're here)

Taglist: @wannajointhecrabcult @kceedraws @thequeenofpotatoeunicornss @lilyreadbooks12

Enjoy:

{With the PMH (Past Miraculous Holder} They were all sitting in the movie theater, eating popcorn, and watching the events unfold themselves.

“Our little bug needs some guidance, you guys thinking what I am thinking.” The first-ever ladybug spoke up (Mei).

“We should give her a surprise, after school”

Everyone agreed and started planning out their idea. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// (With Mari) Yesterday was pretty embarrassing, especially since the assassins escaped. Oh well, I don’t want to relive that again.

(Mari it is Mei, after school today, go to the alleyway near _______ street. We have a surprise for you. Make sure to bring Kaalki with you. And just know, we are looking after you.)

(Thank you, Mei, I am happy to hear from you again, say hi to the others for me, will you?).

She happily agreed.

In under 10 minutes, I got ready to go to school, I grabbed my purse along with Tikki and Kaalki, and headed out.

Gotham Academy

Very different than I had pictured it, but it will do.

Being the new student sucks sometimes but it is what it is.

My mission is to avoid Damien at all costs. But apparently luck isn’t on my side, because he is on the other side of the school steps,

Great way of keeping a low profile, Mari. I scolded myself

Just ignore the pretty boy… Just ignore the pretty, wait what? Stop it, Mari, you promised yourself you wouldn’t go down this path again…

Just ignore your childhood crush,

Shi- No cussing, a tinny voice said in the back of my head. Shoot he’s looking at me better RUN!!!

(Damian’s pov) Yesterday was pretty embarrassing, and not to mention the bloody assassins dared to escape. All because of my insolent brothers.

Alfred dropped me off at Gotham Academy. I honestly don’t understand why my father forces me to even go to this school. I am clearly more intelligent than these empty-headed people. But apparently, I have to “socialize” with kids my age. No thank you I am fine with just one friend.

Where did that come from?

I was about to go inside when I noticed someone on the other side of the school steps.

It seemed the new student was having a fight with herself, she then ran up the steps and trip but got back up and headed to the office.

What an idiot.

Whispers were going around the school, so were rumors and questions about the new student. Why would a new student be joining in the middle of the trimester, and especially in the city with the worst crime in the world?

Suspicious…

I headed to my first class, Physics

I sat at the back of the classroom next to Jon because he is the most tolerable in the whole school.

“Good morning class today we have a new student, please introduce yourself, Miss.”

The same girl from earlier stood up to speak,” Hi my name is Marinette Dupain-Cheng and I originally lived in Paris.” This raises my suspensions even more, why would someone who lives in a safe city be somewhere like Gotham. People are Weird.

(Mari's POV)

“Thank you Marinette, you sit next to Marely, please raise your hand.” A black-haired, brown-eyed, Hispanic-looking girl raised her hand. While I was walking to my seat, 2 things stood out to me. I was sitting behind the one person I didn’t want to sit near.

Damian Freaking Wayne/Robin. And he was glaring at me, great, the famous bat glare.

I just sighed.

Great trying to stay away from Damian is harder than I thought,

Mei and the rest had something to do with this.

(Mei and the rest of the crew) They were snickering at the screen that showed their beloved little bug and her fate. Marinette was correct; they were a part of it, especially if they were planning her love life all while eating popcorn. This was going to be Fun.

(Time skip, Mari's Pov)

It was lunchtime already and so far I was done with my first 3 classes. I had Marely in all of my classes so she showed me around the school. She easily became one of my new best friends. Luckily for me, Damien was only in my first class.

Lunch came and went by, I punched a kid in the face cause he went too far in his opinion on me, then we got sent to the principal's office only for him to place us in detention for the next day. And then it was time for the last class of the day...

Gym.

Oh how I was excited to participate in this class {who hates the gym, cause I do?}

The Gym teacher announced that they would be competing against the art teacher's class since the teacher was absent for the day.

Low and behold…

…

{You guys probably think It is Damian, am I right?}...

…

It was that jerk face that I met earlier, the one I punched in the face, for calling me pathetic and a liar. Can't I have no enough enemies in my life? Jack, Jacob, Jim whatever his name is,

he is going DOWN!!!

Too bad he got on my bad side, you never want to see a pissed off, Mari.

Also, too bad for him, dodgeball is my favorite game, and I happen to be the best at it.

Well back when I was alive in my Paris.

And I happen to be the hero Ladybug. And I carry the Kwami's Of Creation and Teleportation right now, and not to mention the others especially Plagg./p>

Calm down Mari, it is okay you have another chance, you can sorta of start over again. I told myself.

Right now you have to show jerk face exactly who he messed with.

(Another time skip cause ya author too lazy 🤪)

Let's just say he will never mess with me, again. And for that matter, if these Gotham kids are who I think are, word spreads fast, and they would know not to mess with me.

As I was heading to the direction Mei talked to me again.

(Bring Marely with you, she will play a big roll in the future. Oh and she needs to know the truth after your surprise)

(Are you sure, that could be dangerous and risky?)

(Trust me you will need all the help you can get, just don't worry about it right now, you know what Bunnixx would say!!)

(Yeah, yeah I know, everything has a time and place.)

(Marley's pov)

I was about to leave the building when Marinette or as she told me to call her Mari, called out to me. I turned around and saw her running towards me.

She tripped but caught herself gracefully, I giggled.

" Do you need anything Mari?"

"I was wondering if you would like to hang out right now?"

My common sense screamed at me not to go because, 1.We are in Gotham for crying out loud. 2.She could be a villain in disguise And 3. I just met her.

But alas my gut is telling me to go, and I trust my gut, especially since it got me out of sticky situations.

So I went with her.

(Damian's POV) All-day people were pestering me with rumors about the new student. Especially after school, apparently, she beat up a kid and beat him at Dodgeball.

I spotted her talking to the girl she sat next to during Physics.

They left the building, and then I did what any reasonable person would do.

I dragged Jon with me and we followed them.

This is Gotham after all. And I am the son of the World's greatest detective.

(Mari's POV)

Someone was following me, I bet I know who.

It won't be of any use losing them now.

I’m just going to let them be surprised. Oh the CHAOS!!!

When we arrived at the place Mei informed me, Marely was confused.

"Just wait for it." Not even 5 seconds later a portal opened up behind us and covered our mouths, I wonder if this is the surprise that Mei had for me.

Then they yanked us into the portal and it closed.

I looked into a familiar room that I thought I would never see again I turned around and I saw…

And older looking Adrien and Kagami than me, precisely 3 years.

I was wrapped in a hug. I didn't even know that we were crying, once that was over I looked up to see Marely super confused and shocked.

I mean who wouldn't be both when you were kidnapped, then your recently new friend hugs your kidnappers and they all cry, and you don't even know what is going on.

"Umm, Marely meet my best friends Adrien and Kagami, from another alternate universe."

"Hi, I am Adrien" The sunshine boy is back.

"Greetings, nice to meet the friend of my best friend."

"Hi, I am Marely, can you tell me what the heck is going on???"

"Well, you see Marely…"

(With Damian)

Wtf just happened?!?!?!?

#damianette #daminette #maridami #damian x marinette #marinette x damian #maribat #mlb x dc #ml x dc

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aquariusrunes · 5 years ago

Text

The Superfriends AU (part 1)

Her nails were like daggers prodding into his cheeks. He was honestly surprised his skin wasn’t being pierced, that blood wasn’t running down his angler face, dripping from his chin. His siblings always squinted when grabbed by the smaller woman, but not him. Damian’s bright green eyes were wide open, staring back into the woman’s large brown ones, watching as she examined him.

“My god, its like someone chiseled your cheekbones out of marble.” She whispered, turning his face to the left sharply.

It had been almost three years since Damian saw his father’s eccentric aunt in person. Since then practically all of his baby fat had melted away, he’d grown half a foot, and had leaped over the finish line of puberty coming out the other side lean and lithe. All of the height and dominance of his father with the beauty and charm of his mother.

“Well, I suppose mother did plan ahead with my looks while I was incubating. Probably did have a professional design my bone structure.” He wouldn’t put it past her at least.

Edna released his face and climbed off the table she had jumped up on to get to him. Back when he was ten or thirteen, he didn’t remember her being so staggeringly short, but now the height difference was alarming.

“Truly a work of art, I must give credit where credit is do.” She walked past him towards his father, who was smiling with his hands in his pockets. “You will do nicely.”

“So glad my son will work for you Edna.”

“Credit does not go to you,” She said, walking out the door, the two men following her. “From the story I heard, you quite literally had nothing to do with his creation.” Damian watched the woman walk and couldn’t help but compare it to the trot of a proud dog, which reminded him of Titus who was sitting back at the hotel all by himself. “Now Damian, my assistant will take your measurements so we can make sure all of the outfits fit perfectly for the photoshoots. We’ll be having it in the next couple of months.”

“Alfred could have done that back in Gotham.” He mused, following his father’s lead by resting his hands in the pockets of his jacket. “I didn’t have to miss school to come with you Father.”

He could hear the taller man laugh. “Just last year you nearly took my head off when I wanted to send you to the academy.” He was catching up to Edna now. “You should have seen him, we had to bribe him just to get him to go quietly.”

“Well, at least he’s enjoying it now.” She said.

Yes, he was very much enjoying school. Which he father appreciated, but Damian doubted he’d appreciate it quite as much if he knew his class was full of metahumans, demi-gods and demonically influenced children. Gotham Academy had not been what he expected but he did enjoy it. The pure chaos and calculatingly cruel aura of his class was something to behold. They may only be Sophomores but they were feared throughout the entire Gotham and Metropolis Educational System.

“I like to learn.” He said simply, walking closely behind the two. “What’s your collection about Enda?” He asked, ignoring the look his father shot him when he left off the family classifier.

“I was visiting Greece last summer and was struck with inspiration upon hearing about the twins.” She pushed up her glasses as they walked into a studio space, a professionally dressed eighteen-year-old waiting for them. “This is Violet Parr, my assistant.” Edna introduced quickly. “Violet, be a dear and take Damian’s measurements.” She was y’all and very thin, with a round face and inky black hair hanging around her shoulders. Her eyes were large and a soft shade of lavender-blue. They reminded him of his cousin.

Damian followed the girl’s lead as she led him to a slightly raised platform and began pushing his arms straight out, a position that’d make her job easier. He’d had his measurements taken several times in his life, the most recent was when he was getting fitted for a new Robin Uniform, now that it was assumed he was finished growing.

“I can think of a few myths with Greek Twins.” Bruce said, sitting down in a white egg shaped chair. “Which ones inspired you?”

“Apollo and Artemis!” Edna chimed. “The Sun and Moon.” She twirled around, suddenly two sets of chains, golden and silver, in her hands. “The color scheme alone has been clogging my head for months!”

“Chains?” He heard his father ask.

“You think of me as an Apollo?” Damian asked, ego flaring slightly.

“Oh no.” She set the chains down on the coffee table. “You will be my male Artimes. I have another model in mind for Apollo, I’m in talks with his father currently.”

“Artemis?” He and his father echoed.

The Greek Goddess? Artemis? Damnian had met Artemis on a handful of occasions thanks to Diana, and he could attest he looked nothing like the amazon, even if she were male he still wouldn’t look like her. He didn’t even act like her. And he also felt like portraying her as a man was insulting her legacy quite a lot.

“Yes! One of them, I am planning to have a female set of my twins as well.” She smiled to herself, turning towards the desk in the room. She traced a picture frame with her finger. “And I have the perfect model to be Damian’s counterpart.”

The hair on the back of Damian’s neck stood, he could practically see the same reaction course through his father. They both knew immediately who Edna was referring to, because Damian only had one counterpart. One person who, when with, he felt an equalness or sense of yin and yang from. His blue eyed half.

His father would gush about his niece, really his cousin, whenever he got an opportunity to. Sometimes she would send him things, or make him a nice suit jacket or tie. So when he wore something the girl had made for him, he never missed a chance to network for her. He would never give out her name, just talk about how brilliant and kind and professional she was. Whenever she was ready to go public with her talent and family connections, Wayne Enterprises support would be evident.

She was of course, all the things his father described her as, and so much more. But to their small inner family, she was also notorious for her relationship with Damian. Dick often cooed about how she helped him to act his age, and embrace being a young and childlike, which was just a nice way to excuse their pranks. Most of his family often failed to notice the utter awfulness of the girl’s mind and just what Damian did to it.

She was terribly clever, had been her whole life, or at least as long as Damian had known her. She was also hilariously sassy, never before had he come across someone who could rival Alfred’s one liners. His cousin was one of the few who would actually make him laugh. She was downright evil when his influence was added. And while she did helped him act his age, she also brought out a lot of his more devilish qualities. They were a lethal combination and everyone who had ever seen them interact knew it.

“Isn't she a tad preoccupied?” Bruce asked. “What with all of Hawkmoth’s rampages? I highly doubt Marinette could, or would even be comfortable with leaving Paris.” Damian glanced warily at Violet for a moment as she started the measurements of his legs. When the girl caught his gaze she gave him a strong reassuring smile and a small nodded. A super then, he quickly concluded. He knew Edna employed a handful of the ones she trusted.

“Oh, I’m sure I can convince her.” Edna’s smirk was deadly. “And if not, I’ll just have to have a chat with an old friend of mine.” She snatched another picture frame from off the desk. Damian could barely see the photo from his current angle, he was only able to make out the pattern of a Hawaiian shirt.

_______________________________________________________________________

(part 1) - Here (part 2) (part 2.5) (part 3) - soon

@graduatedmelon @northernbluetongue @violatiger8

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dast218 · 5 years ago

Text

Days that turned into months and eventually years - Pt 2

Pt 1 Next

Being a father, especially a single parent who was also protecting the city in disguise, wasn’t at all what Damian expected it to be. Sure it was tiring, wearisome and frustrating but he couldn’t for the life of him imagine a world without Thomas. His little sunshine brought joy into an apartment that was once a sol dreadful reminder of his lost. Of course there were moments where he wanted to dump it all and move out, but he simply couldn’t bring himself to do so. The vigilante wanted his son to remember his mother and what better way than to grow up being surrounded by her style, inputs and creativity.

Although Damian wouldn’t admit it, he knew that his family and friends were proud of how far he has gotten. For the first few months he attended therapy religiously, trying to work out his emotions and find a sense of peace. Damian desired to be a good father to Thomas, so he decided to first focus on himself. It wasn’t easy to break apart the imaginary barriers, reflect on his childhood and speak freely about his late wife but at last he succeeded. Damian finally found a sense of belonging. But as the saying goes, everything that's good eventually comes to an end. All the months of therapy, years of building and strengthening bonds, and family emotional support nights seemed to slip through his fingers one fateful Saturday afternoon. His reality spiraled down within seconds.

-----

Knock, knock, bang, knock

Damian sighs as he gets up to open the door, he tried ignoring the knocking, he really did but it just got louder and louder each time. Ugg it’s not even six yet, I am gonna strangle the first person I see in my doorstep. This better be important. Yep Damian is still Demon Spawn especially when he gets irritated.

Reaching out and barely twisting the handle, the whole door slams open. Wide and behold, Adrien is standing in his full glory jumping as a sick puppy.

“It’s not even six yet what are you doing in my apartment at this time of day?!”

“I came early, you needed someone to babysit Tommy and who better than his favorite uncle.”

“I doubt that you are his favorite.”

“I claim otherwise”

“Fine, there is no point of arguing with a lunatic”

“Hey!”

Damian ignored one of his best friends and with a slight smile started walking towards the kitchen. He truly was a 5 year old hyper kid stuck in a 25 year old body. No wonder Thomas and Adrien both got along so easily. Till this day he still shudders at the memory of them destroying the kitchen after a food fight broke out.

“You know that my fight is at 5 right?”

“Yep. I thought you might need some extra time to get prepared.” They both understood the silent message behind those words. This was going to be the first time he traveled outside of the county without Thomas and after what happened all those years back he was afraid of leaving him behind.

Now that Damian thought about it he really needed the extra time to himself, to simply finish packing and organizing his thoughts. He releases out a low “Thanks.”

“Hey Damian, you know fully well that Thomas will be safe with me. Have I ever disappointed you?”

Looking up Damian saw Adrien’s gentle simile and opened arms. “Well that's debatable but I know that you are always here for me, what will make this time any different.”

Out of nowhere a tiny black blur zoomed directly in front of his face.

“How dare you guys forget about me! I am hurt” The god of destruction placed his tiny hand in front of his heart, putting on a pained expression. “I would be the first one to cataclysm anyone who dares to touch a hair on my kitten. You ungrateful humans.”

“Plagg!! Get your little self over here and stop bothering them!” Tikki yelled from across the room.

“Nope. I am not moving anywhere until I receive the recognition I deserve. Not even your demands will change my mind Sugarcube” Tikki stared at his response grumbling “We went over this like a thousand times. Stop calling me Sugarcube!”

With a satisfied smile, which quickly changed back into a stubborn expression, Plagg replied “never” as he returned back to eyeing Damian.

“Plagg, of course I trust you more than anyone to protect Thomas but how should I say this … umm your powers aren’t always the most stable.”

Both Tikki and Adrien were stifling a laugh. Of course you can count on Damian to put down Plagg.

The god of destruction just huffed and flew towards the refrigerator, opening it to reveal a pile of cheese. “Oh my sweet delicious camembert!”

“Don't eat all of it. That's all you are getting during our stay here.”

Plagg glared, “Try me.”

Before Adrien could respond he heard a huge gasp and was knocked out of his chair.

“Uncle Sunshine! You are here.” The five and a half year old exclaimed as he jumped on top of Adrien.

Ruffling Thomas’s hair, the former model chuckled. “Hey cupcake. Where did you come up with that ridiculous nickname?”

“Plagg told me that it was one of your favorite names growing up”

“Plagg!!”

Damian decided to just lean back and enjoy the bantering. He was content in watching Plagg’s and Adrien’s antics while hearing Thomas’ giggles fill the apartment. After Marinette’s disappearance he was left as the next in line to become the guardian, as the kwamis took a liking to him and he in return accepted the new responsibility. Following and learning from Marinette’s way of balancing her hero, guardian and daily life, he allowed the holders to continue keeping their representative kwamis. After all, even though Hawkmoth was defeated crimes still arose in the city of love, allowing Luka, Chloé and Kagami to roam the skies. Two years ago, Adrien moved permanently to Gotham to live with his boyfriend, Jon. He graduated with a master’s degree in teaching, patrols the nights constantly and helps out in several missions under a new persona. The Waynes agreed that Chat Noir shouldn’t be seen out in the most crime filled city with the lurking danger of people trying to get their hands on the miraculous. Of course Adrien still transforms, as the suit does give him extra protection but now he carries a green-black cape at all times, covering his bodysuit.

-----------

It was mid-afternoon when Damian finally landed at his destination in Europe. He could have used Kaalki to teleport himself within seconds but he still wasn't used the idea of transforming and nevertheless using a kwami. Sure he was the guardian and he didn't hold any grudges but he just felt more comfortable in leaving the transformations to the professionals while simply taking care of the tiny creatures.

He was still confused as to why the head leader of the Dobronski billionaire company wanted to specifically speak with him. Sure he became the CEO of the Waynes business at the early age of nineteen and had a vast amount of experience under his belt but the same could be said about his adopted brothers. Why not ask them to come and discuss the final details of the deal? Damian was frustrated that he had to leave Gotham for this stupid arrangement between the companies but agreed to do so after Burce’s pleading. A change in environment for a few days will do you good.

----------

Damian and his alter ego had seen a lot. But nothing in the world could prepare him for Marinette standing wide-eyed when the doors to the company’s mansion opened.

-----------

I just wanted to say thank you guys for all the wonderful comments, I wasn’t expecting to receive much attention on this fanfic. You guys are the best 💖

I was debating how deep I want to dive in anddd I am going full on. Lets just say that this part was more on the lighter side of the spectrum.

Comments and constructive criticism are always welcomed :)

@urbanpineapplefarmer @18-fandoms-unite-08 @clumsy-owl-4178 @rebecarojas07

#finally uploaded #welcome aboard to a crazy ride #i tired #daminette #maribat

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bluebellhairpin · 5 years ago

Text

Masquerade

Bruce Wayne X Batmom!Reader

A/N: Goes along the same plane as my other Batmom fic. I think. It’s so short. - Nemo

Summary: You love costumes and getting dressed up. Gotham is known for it’s parties, and this time it’s a masquerade. Although, at a party where everyone wears a mask (in Gotham no less) it seems an invitation for trouble.

Listening to: ‘Feeling Good’ by Michael Bublé (slowed) - ‘Butterflies all havin' fun, you know what I mean, sleep in peace when day is done, that's what I mean.’

Series Masterlist

Masterlist

You loved dressing up. Ever since you were a child, you'd get into your mother's old clothes and make-up, do yourself up to a child's standard of 'fancy', and parade around you home as if you were someone important.

Now that you're older, that hasn't changed. You still love it, even if the clothes you wear are more expensive, and undoubtedly your own.

Gotham is notorious for three things; crime, rich people, and rich people galas. So well known are Gotham’s galas, and so numerous the rich people, that three weeks without some sort of spruced-up gathering was as unusual as Joker not harassing Batman and the city for more than a month.

Your favorite of the gatherings, were the themed ones. You know, like having everyone dress in blue, or something linking to the ocean, or costumes and dresses designed to mimic a superheroes (You naturally went as you husbands alter-ego of Batman, while that afternoon you practically had to wrestle said husband into a Superman themed costume).

Tonight was another themed gala, a masquerade, and you were over the moon with joy. In true masquerade fashion, you’d already heard of a number of people coming as their own versions of characters from Phantom of the Opera. Pulling a Phantom costume on Bruce - as nice as he’d look with it on - wasn’t unique enough this time.

Your eldest son, Dick, was going a Raoul anyway. He's always been the dramatic one, and you could see the similarities between him and Raoul, so it fits.

Jason had gathered together a costume, fit with a full-face skull mask, for the occasion. Technically he was still dead, so a masquerade was a good opportunity for him to join the family to the gala.

Tim was difficult to pick for, but he eventually agreed to something simple, and Gothic. In tune with the true masquerade fashion. You thought he looked like a vampire.

For Damian, it was much harder. When it came to dressing up in more than a suit he was just like his father, but you managed to pull him around when you brought out a mask that came complete with buck horns.

You and Bruce would be in costumes themed as Hades and Persephone. Yours was flowery and, as Bruce described it, heavenly.

He was handsome as ever, and had vouched for a painted-on mask rather than a real one, so you went with that too. The area around both of your eyes were painted black or white, and splattered with shining gold leaf.

The five of you - Jason (dubbed Jake for the night) arriving incognito - were a sight to behold.

Cameras flashed, people yelled, and you all having been weathered to this situation walked through it without so much as flinching -stopping for mandatory photos and some questions along the way.

Inside was as extravagant as ever. Two chandeliers hung from the ceiling, sending a warm glow and sparkles around the room. Candelabras were sitting wherever the chandeliers light couldn't reach, and sheer red fabric wrapped across the ceiling and down the walls. The people were dressed as fancy as the room was decorated. All colors made an appearance, and masks of all sorts made their debut.

It was fantastic. You felt like you were practically glowing.

A few hours later and the gala was in full swing. Some were already tipsy, and a number had already been shipped off home. Other had run off to more secluded areas of the host building - not being able to wait until they themselves got home. Damian was glued to your side, watching you as you filtered your way from person to person, group to group, chatting to anyone and everyone - even though he knew you weren’t exactly the most social person ever. These parties made you a new person.

Bruce was stuck between joining you at your unoccupied side, and making his own conversation with businessmen and women. He preferred one much more to the other.

Dick was very happy to loiter around the bar, finding enough entertainment in the people and false comfort he could provide there.

Tim was very content watching whoever decided to dance - which on two occasions were you and Damian, then you and Bruce.

Jason - Jake - was yet to take off his mask, and had gained a small hoard of people who were betting on what it would take to get him to take it off.

All-in-all, everyone seemed to be having an OK time. Until smoke started billowing out of the vents near the floor.

You thought it was amazing. Even though every one of your family members were in very different parts of the venue, they managed to share looks and all took off. You also managed to sulk away - only you remaining of the Wayne's would look suspicious.

By the end of the night, the ruckus was dealt with, and everyone was sent home. You only really liked two things more than dressing-up; your family, and a good chase. Tonight had all three. And laying in your bed, husband by your side, and youngest son drifting in and out of sleep on your stomach, you couldn’t think of any night better than this one.

The night of the masquerade.

#Bruce Wayne x reader #Bruce Wayne x batmom #Batfam x reader #batfam x batmom #batman x reader #bruce wayne one shot #bruce wayne imagine #batman imagine #batman one shot

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gothamdetected-a · 5 years ago

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an idiot’s guide to ra’s al ghul.

ok so at this point im really gna say fuck dc canon, and go completely off piste and write my own.

dc really don't know how to write this man a backstory and he literally has one of the least developed and simultaneously confusing origins of any batman rogue. so here, lemme fix that.

ra's al ghul is a moniker, a title that is passed down. anyone who leads the league of assassins/shadows, becomes ra's al ghul (roughly translated to the demon's head). this explains how a White Man, henri ducard was able to become ra's al ghul in batman begins. at the passing of the head of the league, the next in line, by order of physical and mental prowess, becomes the next ra's. bruce himself is, at one point, supposed to pick up the mantle - the current ra's considers him his only worthy successor (a la arkham city & some of the comics from the 80s/90s), the man who will replace him and exceed him. however bruce, due to his unwavering morals and refusal to kill in order to bring "justice" ends up spurning the league, and is disowned by ra's in a very effective way - he tries to kill bruce. ra's still holds some sort of belief that bruce will return to him, despite all of this. he uses talia and then damian as a pawn in this game, to draw bruce back to the league and have him become the next demon's head.

so who is "ra's", or at least the goateed, green pant suited, scimitar wielding ninja who is most commonly seen as THE "ra's"? well, dc couldn't really make up their minds, so i'll do my best to patch it together from the 8 different versions, and compile something that agrees with most of it.

ra's was born approximately 600 years ago, to a man known as the Sensei (an asian martial artist) and an unknown mother of arabic descent, somewhere in the middle east. little is known about his early years, other than he was obsessed with the sciences, and became a physician with a wife named Sora. he made many discoveries ahead of time - understanding microscopic pathogens, how to cure diseases such as cholera and typhoid, although his greatest discovery was the Lazarus Pits - a natural phenomenon containing a mysterious green liquid with immense restorative properties. ( this is not to be confused with the fountain of youth at shangri-la, which his father, the Sensei, used). ra's uses the pit on the son of a local sultan who is dying, but when the boy returns, he is not all there. the empathy is gone, and he gets pretty funky about killing people, including ra's wife, sora. it is important to note, at this point, ra's is not called ra's, but dc have never given him a name so idek what to call him. so we don't know his real name, age, or what his chilhood was like. lets keep it that way, we stan an air of mystery.

the death of his wife and the overpowering grief leads to a fixation with revenge - ra's trains furiously to master martial arts and eventually kills the sultan, his son and razes their city to the ground. at this point he becomes "the demon's head" and founds the league, with the aim of eradicating evil from the world, mostly through assassination and genocide. which, you know. isn't great. this is also the period in which ra's begins to use the lazarus pit on himself, in order to prolong his life. he seeks more pits throughout the world, travelling extensively, and finds three more: one in switzerland, one in what will later become gotham, and one on infinity island, making a grand total of four. dc can go fuck themselves there is literally only four, you can't just keep making more when it's convenient. ra's intends to only use the pits until a worthy successor can be found for the league, but two problems occur; one) he starts going a bit nuts from over using the pits, and it does become like an addiction and two) he never finds someone he considers worthy.

so, skip through a bunch of wars he fought in, the league becoming globally established, and the industrial revolution. ra's doesn't like that. bad machines, destroying the earth, coating the skies with pollution and leading to greater inequality. so ra's decides it's time to purge humanity, and leave only the people he deems worthy behind, in a fresh clean world (in a real james bond villain move.). he builds wonder city, beneath gotham and around the gotham lazarus pit, but the city is never used because ra's does something mad stupid and falls in love. so much for eco terrorism, he's now off having babies with a woman named melisande. or one particular baby - talia. due to ra's having been using the pits for centuries before boning this poor woman, talia comes out with slowed aging abilities. ra's eventually murders melisande when she gets antsy about him training their kid to be a master assassin. he does a very similar thing with a russian lady to produce talia's half sister, nyssa. so by now the 20th century is in full swing, ra's has a cute lil murder family and the league has become a smaller part of a huge underground organisation called The Demon, at which ra's sits at the head. he still hasn't found a successor though, and he's getting Old. the lazarus pits are no longer bringing him back 100% - he loses more and more of his sanity with each ressurection. and then. wow. bruce wayne appears. and ra's sees a huge amount of himself in this kid, the loss, the anger. boom, we got ourself a successor.

we all know how that wound up.

so ra's is now Personally Mad at batman, and we get the Contagion storyline. back to his old, eco-terrorism ways, ra's unleashes the clench, a really nasty virus that's definitely worse than your average cold. batman eventually finds and disperses a cure, but gotham is Mad Fucked. damian wayne is born, trained by his mama and gramps, and then abandoned at 10 on bruce's doorstep. there's a brief interlude where bane also goes to train under ra's in the hopes of being the worthy successor and marrying talia instead, but then everyone realises he's one sandwich short of a picnic and ra's kicks him out in his ass once batman beats him in another fight. there's also some funky moments where ra's

• tries to resurrect thomas and martha wayne. it goes about as well as you'd expect.

• pisses off both of his daughters who start to work against him. talia half teams up with supes. wild.

• lets his guard down and most of the lazarus pits are destroyed, leaving only the one beneath gotham.

• tries to body swap with his grandson (i literally hate dc)

• watches batman accidentally kill his old dad the Sensei, by dragging him into a lazarus pit which destroys the nasty man's corrupted soul and heals bruce tf up which is how dc get away with him looking permenantly 30

• has another, estranged child, who becomes the White Ghost

• helps tim find bruce after he "died" but then becomes a lil bitch over it and tries to do a ninja take over of gotham and destroy anything about wayne. he fist fights tim, and dick, and then lo and behold it was all a test or some shit, which is the dc version of "he woke up and it was all a dream".

• makes superhumans in whale wombs which honestly, when i read the issues, i wanted to Die. literally straight up end me.

there's a bunch more stuff but im not a masochist enough to keep going. the point is, he's an old naughty man, kind of bruce's father in law, definitely insane, and dc will probably drag this mans back at some point. but i like to go with the arkham knight ending, where bruce chooses to cut a half-resurrected ra's off from the last of the lazarus pit, and drops his dying body off at the gcpd to an indeterminate fate, while nyssa becomes the new demon's head. its a good ending. makes sense. works well with everything. gives him a solid out. but honestly they won't leave him alone and he'll be back soon i'm sure, being pesky and owning really freaking cool swords.

so yeah, that's a rough and ready guide to ra's al ghul, because dc really can't manage this themselves and i'm made to pick up the slack.

#nyall should let me know if theres anyone else you want me to do this for #just kind of compile and simplify some of the most confusing characters because honestly #i have so much fun doing stuff like this #and just geeking tf out and using the full breadth of my dc knowledge #which is still nothing compared to the entirety of canon but still #uwu love me please #\system\directory\hidden.txt ›› META #long post /

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pamphletstoinspire · 6 years ago

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The Church's Year - INSTRUCTION ON THE FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

ORIGIN OF THIS FESTIVAL

After many devout souls had venerated the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with sincere devotion, in the solitude of quiet life, as is seen in the lives of SS..Augustine, Bernard, Bonaventura, Thomas of Aquin, Francis de Sales, Ignatius, Clara, Gertrude, Mechtild, Catharine of Sienna, Theresa, and others, our divine Saviour willed that His heart's infinite love should be recognized by all men, and be kindled in cold hearts by a new fire of love. For this end He made use of a feeble, obscure instrument, that all the world might know that the devotion to His loving heart; previously almost entirely unknown, was His own work. This instrument, disregarded by the world, was one who shone before God in all 'the radiance of the most sublime virtues; the nun Margaret Alacoque of the order of the Visitation of Mary, at Paray, in Burgundy. In the year 1675, whilst she was one day in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament; our Lord appeared to her, and pointing to His heart which He showed to her, surrounded with flames, surmounted by the cross, encircled with a crown of thorns, and pierced with a gaping wound, He said to her: "Behold this heart, which has loved mankind so much, and which receives only ingratitude and coldness in return for its love. My desire is that you should make reparation to my heart for this ingratitude, and induce others also to make reparation." Our Lord then designated the Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi as the special day for this duty. In several subsequent apparitions our divine Lord repeated this injunction, and made the most unbounded promises in favor' of all who would apply themselves to this office of reparation to His Sacred Heart. The following are some of His promises;

I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

I will establish peace in their families.

I will console them in all their pains and trials.

I will be their assured refuge in life, and especially in death.

I will shed abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.

Sinners shall find in my Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.

Lukewarm souls will be rendered fervent.

Fervent souls shall rise rapidly to greater perfection.

I will bless those houses where the image of my heart shall be exposed and honored.

I will give to priests the gift of moving the hardest hearts.

Persons who propagate this devotion,. shall have their names inscribed on my heart, never to be effaced from it.

Margaret obeyed, but found everywhere the greatest opposition, actual sneers and persecution, even from her Sisters in religion, until finally, with the aid of her divine spouse, she succeeded as mistress of novices, in bringing her young charges to the veneration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. But this did not content her zeal; although opposition continued, she strove to fulfil the command of Jesus, who assisted her by at last changing the hardened hearts of the nuns and inflaming them with the same love of His Sacred Heart. This devotion soon spread from the convent throughout the adjoining dioceses, where confraternities in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus arose, and Pope Clement, XIII., after causing the strictest investigation to be made, commanded the Festival of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be observed throughout the Catholic Church on the first Friday after the octave of Corpus Christi.

ON DEVOTION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

I. OBJECT OF THIS DEVOTION

By the Sacred Heart of Jesus must be understood not the lifeless heart, separated from the body of Christ, but the tender, loving heart of the God-Man, the home of all His emotions, the fountain of all His virtues, and the most touching embodiment of His infinite love for man. The Catholic Church, in like manner, sets apart certain festivals with appropriate Mass and office, in honor of the cross, of our Lord's sacred blood and wounds that our devotion to the Redeemer may be rendered more fervent by the contemplation of these objects, for Jesus has shed His blood for us, has received wounds for us which He retained even after His resurrection, as eternal signs of His immense love for man, has taken them with Him to heaven, and will show them to us on the judgment Day. How much more should our Saviour's Sacred Heart be the object of our devotion, since all the thoughts, sentiments, and emotions of this most loving heart aim only at our salvation, and since it is always ready to receive truly penitent sinners to forgive them, again to turn His love to them, and make them sharers in eternal bliss.

Therefore the saints have from the first encouraged a tender devotion to this most Sacred Heart, as already mentioned. "Longinus," says St. Augustine, "opened the side of Jesus with His spear; in it I enter, and securely rest." "O how good," exclaims St. Bernard, "how lovely to take up my abode in this Heart! In this temple, in this sanctuary, before this ark of the covenant, I will adore and praise the name of the Lord, and say with the prophet: I have found in the heart of Jesus, my king, my brother, my friend." "Believe me, O blinded men," says St. Bonaventura, "if you knew how to enter by His sacred wounds into the interior of Jesus, you would there find not, only a wonderful sweetness for your soul, but even sweet repose for your body. And if even the body there finds rest, how great, think you, must be the sweetness which the spirit there enjoys, if through these wounds we become united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus!" And St. Peter Damian says: "In this adorable heart we find the weapons with which to defend ourselves against our enemies, a cure for our ills, powerful help against temptations, the sweetest consolation is suffering, and the purest joy in this valley of tears."

St. Mechtild and St. Gertrude found themselves transported in an especial manner by the tenderness of this adorable heart, to adore it fervently, and Gertrude, enlightened by the Spirit of God, spoke these prophetic words: "The Lord retained until these late centuries the devotion to His Sacred Heart, as a last effort of His divine love." We have already seen how these words have been verified in the pious Margaret. O would that Jesus' great desire that all men, might know and love His Sacred Heart be accomplished!

II. EXCELLENCE OF THIS DEVOTION

It is, says the venerable P. Simon Gourdan:

The most sacred devotion, for by it man venerates the holiest sentiments and emotions of the Heart of Jesus, by which He has sanctified the Church, glorified His Heavenly Father, and presented Himself to us as the perfect model of the most exalted sanctity.

The oldest devotion of the holy Church, which, instructed by the great St. Paul, has at all times recognized the munificence of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The most approved devotion, for the holy Scriptures everywhere exhort us to renew our heart by changing our lives, rendering them contrite by true penance, inflaming them with the fire of divine love, and adorning them by the exercise of all virtue. Therefore a new heart is promised on which to remodel our Heart. That Heart can be no other than the Heart of Jesus, which is given us as an example of all virtue, and which we must imitate if we wish to be saved.

The most perfect devotion, for it is the: source of all other devotions; the Heart of Jesus is that inexhaustible treasury from which the Mother of God and all the saints have drawn their graces, their life, their virtues, and all spiritual blessings. Filled from this treasury, other servants of God have instituted different devotions.

The most useful devotion, for in it we have the Fountain of Life itself before our eyes, from which we can draw directly, and increase in all virtue by adoring this divine Heart, meditating on its holy desires, and seeking to imitate it.

The devotion most pleasing to Christ, for by it we honor God, as Christ requires, in spirit and in truth, because we adore the interior power of God, seeking to please His heart.

Finally; the most necessary devotion, for its object is that we become intimately connected as members with Jesus, our Head, that we live by and according to His spirit, and have only one heart and soul with Christ.

Because this devotion is of such importance, we cannot sufficiently recommend it to all who are anxious for their soul's salvation. Every person may cherish this devotion, and venerate the Heart of Jesus by himself, but there is a greater blessing when pious souls make the devotion in a confraternity. In the year 1726 there existed more than three hundred such confraternities, and they are now spread throughout all Catholic countries. Do not delay then, O Christian soul, to practise this devotion, uniting with others . to honor the divine Heart of Jesus, because in this most Blessed Heart all men find their reconciliation, the pious their assurance, sinners their hope, the oppressed their comfort, the sick their relief, those who are fighting their strength, the dying their refuge and the elect their joy and bliss.

The Introit of this day's Mass reads: He will have mercy according to the multitude of his mercies: for he bath not willingly afflicted nor cast off the children of men: the Lord is good to them that hope in him, to the soul that seeketh him. Allel. allel. (Lament III. 32: 33. 25.) The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever: to generation and generation. (Ps. LXXXVIII, 1.). Glory &c.

COLLECT Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty God, that we who, glorying in the most Sacred Heart of Thy beloved Son, celebrate the singular benefits of His love toward us, may rejoice equally in their operation and their fruit. Through the same &c.

LESSON (Isai. XII. 1?6.) I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thou wart angry with me; thy wrath is turned away, and, thou hast comforted me. Behold God is my Saviour, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: because the Lord is my strength and my raise, and he is become my salvation. You shall draw waters with joy out of the Saviour's fountains: and you shall say in that day: Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among tie people: remember that his name is high. Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things: show this forth in all the earth. Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of thee, the Holy One of Israel.

EXPLANATION This lesson is a hymn of praise for the deliverance of the Jews from the hands of their enemies, and at the same time a prophecy of the coming redemption of mankind from sin and death through Christ. Man will then draw waters with joy, says the prophet, from the Saviour's fountains. These fountains are the graces which Jesus has gained for us on the cross, but especially, as St: Augustine says, the holy Sacraments of Baptism and Communion. We should rejoice on account of these graces, particularly that the Holy One of Israel, Christ, the Son of God, dwells in the midst of Sion, that is, in the Catholic Church, in the Blessed Sacrament, to remain there to the end of the world. - Oh! let us often approach this everflowing fountain of all grace, the holy Eucharist, and let us draw with confidences consolation, help, and strength from this fountain of love.

GOSPEL (John XIX. 31-35.) At that time, The Jews (because it was the parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath-day (for that was a great. sabbath-day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers, therefore, came, and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other that was crucified with him. But after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it hath given testimony: and his testimony is true.

EXPLANATION According to the Jewish law a criminal could not be put to death, nor could the body of one who had been executed, remain in the place of execution, on the Sabbath day; it was for this reason that the Jews asked Pilate, the governor, to have the Body of Christ and those of the two thieves buried. Before this could be done, the bones of the crucified, according to the Roman law, had to be broken with iron clubs. The soldiers did so to the two thieves, who were yet alive; when they came to Jesus and found Him dead, they did not break His bones, but one of them, Longinus, opened the Saviour's side with a spear, as was foretold by the prophet.

Jesus permitted His most Sacred Heart to be opened to atone for and efface those sins of men which originate in the heart, as Christ Himself says: (Matt. XV. 19.) From the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts; false testimonies, blasphemies; also to show us the infinite love with which He has loved lts from the beginning, so that lie even shed the last drop of His heart's blood for our salvation; to make, as it were, a place of refuge in His heart for us, as St. Augustine says: "The Evangelist is very careful in his expression; he does not say, the soldiers pierced or wounded His side, but he o p e n e d it, as if to open for us the door of life, from which flow the Sacraments of the Church, without which there can be no access to the true life." As often, then, as a temptation arises, or trouble depresses us, let us take refuge in that abode, and dwell there, until the tempest is over; as says the prophet; (Is. II. 10.) Enter thou into the rock, and hide thee in the pit. Who is the rock but Christ, and what is the pit but His wound?

AN ACT OF RESIGNATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS

[An indulgence of one hundred Days is gained by saying this prayer with true contrition, before a picture of the sacred heart of Jesus, and a plenary indulgence by saying it every day for a month, and receiving the Sacraments of Penance and Communion, and Praying for the Church.]

O Jesus, most worthy of love! I gratefully offer Thee my heart in compensation for my great unfaithfulness, and consecrate myself wholly and forever to Thy service, purposing, with Thy grace, no more to offend Thee. Amen

#feast of the sacred heart of jesus

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satire-please · 7 years ago

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My Teeth are like Swords - Part 2

Summary: (I’m tired and can’t transfer this in a way to keep my italics in dang it.) Tim is a detective...who lives with detectives. The other Bat's start noticing something different about one of their own. And Tim realizes that he can't hide forever.

Part 1

Dragon Tim on Ao3

Like finding gold dust on a blood moon, there are times Tim will hear about his Mother. It’s difficult to encounter another drake, they’re too rare, too widely spread that it’s a miracle that Tim has met two. But it’s always a surprise to hear that Janet Drake is considered a romantic, sentimental imbecile to other dragonfolk.

To mate with a human is one thing, but to shift and willingly live beside them in their pitiful metal ant hills? Preposterous.

And to carry young on that state? Inside of their own bodies instead of in a proper shell as hard as diamonds? Unheard of.

What foolish unnecessary risks.

Tim felt his core bubble in warmth whenever he hears such slander. That Mother would care that much. Once, he did approached her on the subject.

“I spent many centuries as a upstanding, model drake.”Janet sniffed disdainfully, steering Tim from a fuming man at one of Gotham’s many galas. The drake from the east is starting to show, smoke passing from his nose uncontrollably. How embarrassing, her Timothy showed more restraint when he was three. “Now I find it much more valuable of my time to do as I please. Besides, the fact remains that my line will continue to endure and adapt unlike most bloodlines that will taste stone and dust.”

Tim summed it up to, ‘I do what I want. Leave me alone or burn.’

She glanced behind her to give the man a subtle sneer. What a fool to think that she would accept such an inadequate betrothal for her son. And, to add insult to injury, the man’s daughter hadn’t even bothered to present herself. “A dragon is a dragon, Timothy. It doesn't matter if you are half, a quarter or only possess a single drop of our blood. Magic doesn't care. It will still take, you will still shift, you will still fly. And if those incessant pathetic hair ribbons say anything different, show them there are still ways to make a dragon fry.”

Tim loved his Mother.

It’s...a shame he’s the only one who knew how she died.

And it wasn’t from that stupid water Obeah left, no matter how traditional to dragon slaying poison is. True it weakened her to the point of inducing a death-like coma, but if Tim lifted an eyelid the iris would still flash and respond. If Tim pressed his hand to her chest, he’d still feel the hint of fire tucked within.

Robbing the cemetery had been a pain though. It’s not like he could just tell Dad that, ‘Um hey, mother’s not dead. No, I know she seems like she’s dead. Yes, I know she doesn’t have a pulse, but you see–’

Yeah, not happening.

He abused his connections for a nice cave carved out of the cliff face next to the manor. It’s not like Mr. Wayne was using it. It could be accessed from the rocky beach if necessary, the entrance tight until you were a couple meters in. Then it stretched enough for his mother’s body to shift unconsciously, so the dragon could heal and sleep in peace.

Tim had thought it was perfect.

It didn’t matter much in the end.

Not when Mother finally woke and could smell Tim’s lie about Dad. Not when she stopped eating. The young teen would find, hunt, and drag dead deer and antelope into the cave only to rot around her body as she stared emptily at the stone walls. She waited for death. Nothing could change her mind...no matter how much he begged and pleaded.

“Please!” He stroked her rough eyelid, thoughts racing for any excuse for her to stay with him. To not leave him alone. “Isn’t there something you still have to teach me?”

His hand falls away as a lazy violet eye cracks open. It’s bigger than his head and the pupil focuses so achingly slow. “You’ve known all since you turned twelve, my pet. Our race never repeats themselves, not with memories like ours.”

“B-But I need–”

“You have my hoard, you will not go without means. You have my brain, you will do well and even thrive. You have a territory, a perfect environment for your future form and most of all you possess a purpose to keep your heart beating. Even if it is as ridiculous as looking after those silly humans. I am satisfied...now let me die in peace.”

“No please, m-mother, stay with me.”

“Oh, my darling. One day you will understand. Our love...is a terrible thing.”

And with that she stopped responding. Tim reasoned, screamed, cried while the reflection of his distraught face became clear in those unblinking glassy eyes. His throat raw as he hit and scratched uselessly at the black scales going grey, like the ashy rock dripping behind them until the camouflage of her skin was truth and she was stone.

Like all dragons when they die.

That’s how Timothy Drake inherited Gotham, sobbing on his knees as the refuge became a crypt.

It takes several years before Tim raids another grave...his father’s.

After all, Mother would appreciate his skeleton crystallizing next to hers. She would have liked that.

Timothy still loves his Mother.

It's a slow night and Jason’s gonna explode. He's stopped four muggings, seven car thefts, and a couple of kids trying to make a molotov cocktail. Okay, Jason felt bad at stopping the last one, come on what is he turning into? A twitchy cop? Geez, let kids be kids and fuck the police. He’s about to shoot his own damn foot for some excitement when he sees something in the corner of his eye as he hits the next roof.

Oh-ho? In the curve of hanging gargoyles menacingly scowling at those is a hint of red that tugs a smirk on Hood’s lips.

Replacement.

Well, alright, he hasn't meant that name in a bad way for a while. It's not like Jay wants to carve a new one in Mr. Serious anymore. Sure, he’s an annoying prude with the biggest stick up his ass, hangin’ off Bats’ every word like the good guard dog, the good tool he is, but, hey, he ain't a bad guy. Saved Jay from enough pinches that he feels right and guilty about the whole almost bleedin’ him out thing. So he makes it up the only way he can..with tough love. Plus, the more Jay can shake that Babybird nice and loose, the better. He takes in the former Robin’s figure, how he’s hunched in upon himself. His head of black resting on his knees as the crouch tucks him right under one of the silent stone guardians.

Babybird snoozing on the job? Have some shame.

Not that Jay has any of that. He barely stops himself from snickering, giving himself away when the helmet goes static for it, and creeps closer. Close enough to get the best view of the little shit’s face. It takes a Bat to sneak up on a Bat, you know. A grin spreads wide on his cheeks as he pulls his gun from his holster (it’s only rubber bullets now, calm the fuck down) Then, he aims to the sky and fires.

The crack of the bullet gives Jay the most beautiful flinch and jerk you ever did see–

Boom.

–but the returning blast of burning hot possible death that floods the ledge is not.

It takes every scrap of speed he has to not singe his fucking eyebrows off. It’s more fire than force, but thank Batman for quick reflexes and the tell tale click near Red.

“What the hell, Babybird?” Smoke billows, curling around the two and Jason coughs, waving his arms madly.

“I could say the same for you, asshole.” In the black mess, a spark sputters between Tim’s teeth, just like an annoying lighter that flickers and hurts your thumb the more you try, as he tries to control his shaky breathing. Inhale. Damn, that really startled him. Exhale. His fangs sink into his lower lip, drawing blood over the rude awakening. He shakes his head like a dog, forcing what was sharp canines into blunt square human teeth. “Gunshot really? Gosh, you always have to be a dick, don’t you?”

“Do you always have to throw something flashy when ya wake up? Ain’t that Robin’s way?” Jason brushes his clothes, disgruntled. He didn’t see a flash grenade or anything, but Bats right? More prepared than a Girl Scout.

“Maybe.” Tim wonders how long he’s going to get convenient excuses.

“What? Ya sleep with them or something? Didn’t know ya needed a teddy bear, Replacement.”

Tim smirked, “Oh, come on, Hood, didn’t you learn to let sleeping dragons lie?”

“Ha, ha. Whatever, call it a night, you pyromaniac piece of shit.” Jason puts his gun away and fishes for a peace offering under his collar. He thrusts the white cigarette at the other, “Smokes?”

“Not right now, Hood.”

“Your loss, Replacement.” Jason lights it, dragging a puff to cover up a pout. Hmpf, stuffy princess. Doesn’t drink with him (I’m not legal to drink, Jason). Never smokes with him (We have set an example to Damian, Jason). Jay should be offended cause nowadays Tim carries the hazy scent round like a club’s perfume and Jay knows he’s hiding the good stuff somewhere.

He’s just never seen Tim do it.

Tim observes the turn of Jason’s mouth and jerks his head towards the street below, “Not smokes, but you hungry enough for hotdogs?”

“This is Gotham, baby, when I am ever not down for hotdogs?”

The two shoot their grappling lines towards a vendor who’s too used to this shit to give one. But as Tim rattles off their order, something itches at Jason. Something that’s off.

(The Gargoyle they left above bares new marks along its side. The side that Jason couldn’t see. They were not chiseled in, but Tim is sure most wouldn’t notice the new additions.)

Whatever.

He’ll figure it out.

Timmy’s been sleeping more.

Dick is so grateful he wipes at an imaginary tear, sniffs, and whips out his phone to snap a picture again. Tim doesn’t snore, but that’s definite drool on his chin, nicccccccce. Dick takes in the scene and gets another shot from a different angle. He almost has a full album now titled, Behold the Cryptid Sleeps, it’s only fair after all the pictures Tim took of them when he was their cutest little stalker. For now, Dick just calls it karma and texts Babs to back the good stuff up.

But, okay, Dick admits it’s starting to get weird.

And Timmy’s sleeping habits have always been weird. Before he had stolen Bruce’s crown and title of Sleep Dep King. Working on case after case, day after day only to finally pass out, usually with something like,

“How many days does it take to start hallucinating again, Bruce?”

“...Three.”

“Huh, so that’s why you’re purple with seven eyes.”

It usually takes a lot to get Timmy to crash and burn into a bed, usually (always) in the form of Alfred and good food laced with sedatives. It’s not that Timmy doesn’t know that they’re in the food, it’s just that no one says no to Alfred Pennyworth. No one.

But now it’s like Tim is on an egg timer and it’s wonderful.

After about 24 or 26 hours, against his will, Timmy starts swaying on his feet and lurches grumpily towards a safe, soft spot to snooze. True, Dick notes sometimes they’re odd places, like underneath the desk of the bat computer, nestled in much of the wiring. Or head resting on the kitchen table, his angry eyes drooping with, “I don’t understand. Coffee has failed me, Alfred.”

“Our bodies change over time, Master Timothy. One cannot expect caffeine to sustain them forever.”

“You’re...lying. You did something to the coffee, admit it!”

“I have not...this time.”

“You must have I...can’t even–” But Tim doesn’t get to finish the response.

“Master Dick I believe Master Timothy needs to be escorted to his room. If you would–” Alfred leaves the sentence open, because anytime Dick can hold an unconscious, not struggling brother? You know he’s all over that.

Bruce has even started to prioritize breaks in the patrol schedule for Tim. Or, to be more accurate, he’s encouraging (enforcing) Tim to use the breaks that have always been there.

But…really the switch in the dynamic is kinda odd, especially when Dick finds Tim on one of the Manor’s couches after patrol, his skin paler than milk and shivering in his sleep. When the room is set to 75 degrees….and he’s under at least five blankets.

Dick pads over and cups the younger vigilante face in two hands. “Holy Batman, Timmy, you're as cold as ice.” His brow furrows when Tim barely responds to the statement, his eyes half open to blurrily peer at Dick. That’s not a good sign. Plus, he’s is not kidding. Tim’s skin is cool to the touch, it could compete with one of the dripping stalagmites in the cave.

“S’cold Dick…and tired.” The words push out of his lips clumsily. He raises his arms to grasp the Dick’s wrists as if he was going to push the hands off his cheek and then just forgot. The heat’s too inviting. “Just need sleep, m’fine.”

“I think you're a liar that lies, Babybird.” Dick leans back only to pull the covers off enough to slip beside Tim onto the couch. He tugs the boy in with an arm until Tim's head finds a comfy spot on his shoulder. Heck yeah, it's cuddle time. The best way to share body heat ever. He looks around the den and sees the remote for the T.V. It takes a few tries to stretch in a way to get it, especially without moving too far from Tim, but Dick’s not an acrobat for nothing.

Tim huffs a weary laugh against Dick’s neck, “Well, I'm the guy that lies to Batman, you know.”

“Shhhhhhh, he’ll hear you.” Dick pats Tim’s hair, starts clicking channel after channel (a thousand channels is just not enough) for something to watch.

“M’good, you can go.” Tim didn’t expect it would take so long for his core to normalize. Fire might smoulder under his breast, but damn it, it’s sucking most of the heat from his extremities. To his calculations, it may be months before his body can adjust to the change...if ever. Tim can already imagine the mountain of clothing he’ll need for Gotham’s winter. Mother got away with it by layering and calling in fashion. How is Tim going to spin it when he’s jumping off roof-tops fat with every wool item he can find? Oh. Or he could design heaters in his clothing. That could work. But still, this is the reason why most drakes live near volcanoes. Temperature regulation is a bitch.

Dick hums above him and breaks Tim’s line of thought. Oh well, he guesses he’ll stay here for a bit longer, just until he thaws out and stops being an Tim-icicle. It’s not that Dick minds, right? He fades away at the sound of a bad romantic comedy playing in the background.

He doesn’t see the frown on Dick’s face.

Or hear him quietly whisper into his com, “Alfred, could you run some tests for me?”

Alfred would have a conniption.

“Drake, you wretched slob.”

Damian must see to it that the competent butler never visits the former Robin. Ever. The man is old and truly must be spared from any health issues that may occur from witnessing this vile display of chaos. In fact, Damian wishes he could spare himself from the scene, yet Father did request him to fetch the evidence and Dick is off planet. How dare he.

Damian squints pass the entrance only to flinch back. There in the dark, two pinpricks of purple follow his every move...and hiss.

The Robin swallows and forces the door open all the way, allowing the dim light from the basement to flood the room. There are no light switches. It’s...odd. The boiler hums nearby explaining the heat that’s almost sweltering. Heaps of objects litter the floor, making narrow pathways here and there. Fortunately, food must be absent in the debris since the smell lacks rot. Instead what perfumes the air is what Damian associates with his predecessor, the smell of spices burned with a touch of something chemical. Gasoline, perhaps? Damian’s breathing finally evens out when he spots a mess of black hair poking out from a mountain of bedding.

Blearily, Tim focuses on the intruder. “Damian? What are you doing here?” he sleepily grumbles.

Though Grayson might find the tone endearing, Damian does not.

“I have come for the Spear of Enue. Father requires it and has requested me to retrieve it from you. He said it was in your possession?”

“B needs to leave my stuff alone.” Tim sits upright, staring emptily for a moment and clearly displeased about being awake. Then, with a groan he sluggishly works himself out of the bedding. “But a case is a case, I guess. Yeah, I have it, just give me a sec to get it.”

“The spear is here?”

A hum. “Sure, it is, why wouldn’t it be?”

Well, at least Drake seems more amenable when half-awake. Robin crosses his arms and strives not to look too haughty. Usually collecting data from the older vigilante takes more coaxing (threats) and persuasion (heavy bickering) to get the desired result. Perhaps he should lend his assistance.

“Drake, where are your lights? Two pairs of eyes would obviously be quicker than one.”

“Lights?” A confused tone. “Why would I need lights? I can see just fine.”

“Tch, I’m surprised you can locate anything in this outrageous dump.”

“Mother always said I was a messy hoarder, but I have a strong belief that mess is a matter of perspective. Besides, I know exactly where everything is.”

Tim slinks out of bed and makes his way toward a pile that seems to have earned the category of lethal and shiny weapons. Damian attempts to move towards the same direction, but his foot hits an item and he just manages to make the trip look intentional. Of course, Drake was not even looking. Wait.

“Drake, is that my katana?” He points to the hilt barely poking out from the bottom, half of the weapon slithering from under the bed.

It’s a silly habit that Tim can’t shake from childhood to put the most prized things under his bed, like the old cardboard box full of pictures, a few stacks of spanish golden doubloons marked from a toddler’s teething, a cursed ruby the size of a skull, you know the usual.

“...Yes?” Tim’s head bobs up from his search and glances over at the weapon. Then, he pauses for a moment or two, his expression shifting so fast (Mine, not mine, mine, not mine) that Damian cannot place it, “Oh, sorry. I guess you’d want that back. I mean, of course you do, it belongs to you, I only had it because you were gone and–”

Drake cuts off, making no movement towards the old katana. Damian reasons it must have been acquired while he was not among the living. He doesn’t know how to feel about Drake keeping that kind of memento, yet he notes there is a definite lack of rage that usually accompanies such a theft. In addition, Drake looks like a petulant child.

“It does not matter. I no longer require a child’s katana.” Damian waves a hand to the other heaps. “The spear, however, Drake, Father needs immediately.”

“Right.”

It is then he notices Drake’s unusual attire. The vigilante groggily separates the pile for what Damian seeks in boxers and a baggy Gotham U sweatshirt that keeps sliding over a white shoulder. How peculiar, Drake never went to college so why...ah, yes, Dick. But what really has Damian’s brows rising is the two thick watches on Tim's wrist. One that he's definitely seen on his father once before and a glint of something shiny peeking from the sweatshirt.

“Do you often sleep in diamonds, Drake?”

“They're nice to look at before bed,” Tim muttered absentmindedly.

“Is that a slogan for this new fashion statement?” Damian walks over and curiously pulls down the collar to look at it more closely. Many of the gems are larger than an egg as they lace together in the metal filigree. It covers a wide band over Drake’s collarbones before cascading towards his sternum in delicate chains. “This piece is familiar to me. Drake, are these the jewels we recovered from Catwoman?”

“One, I demand the fundamental human right to always be pretty, witty, and gay. You’ll understand when you’re older. Two, I bought these from that auction fair and square, so Selina should have keep her mangy paws off them.”

Suddenly, Damian remembers that specific tackle to take down the thief had been...more enthusiastic and vicious on Drake’s part. Usually Father is the one to handle any incidents with her, but perhaps all it takes is emotional investment to pin down the slippery woman.

Tim pries off Damian’s fingers only to press what he seeks in them. “Here, the spear. Now, get out. If you’re gonna mock and insult me, I want four more hours of sleep first.”

The spear is heavy, but Damian manages with a tilt to this lips. “Very well, I’ll skin and eviscerate you later, Drake.”

Drake snorts. “And, hey, you have a spear and everything. All you have to do is be knighted and we’d have the perfect fairytale set up. Farewell, Sir Brat.” He waves to the door before collapsing onto the bed, preparing his nest the way he wants it.

Damian watches the ritual all the way to the door. Stops to take in the scene one a final time. It’s strange, but it does seem like a lair from one of his grandfather’s monster stories. Dark, warm like a breathing thing, full of hidden treasure...and danger.

How right he is.

But he comes to the realization later...much later.

Bruce has seen a lot.

He’s fought aliens on ships millions of lightyears from Earth and tangled with kraken under the sea. He’s negotiated with Circe for Diana’s sake and fed viruses to ruin robot armies for Clark’s. He’s handled witches, sorcerers, and time-travellers from around the world. Every night he tries to plug one of Gotham’s bleeding holes as they gush out the vile and the crazy with the Joker, Ivy, Harvey, and more.

Bruce has seen a lot.

But the universe keeps surprising him one way or another. And sometimes? Closer to the heart then he expected.

“So, you’re the drake that rejected my proposal.”

“And you’re the dame that didn’t even bother to show up to make it.”

Bruces eyes flicker back and forth between his third son and the young, literally steaming woman in front of them. Her pale white hair whips behind her like something alive. The villain of the month does the same. Apparently, Gotham has the perfect waterfront property for the taking, especially with the leyline that cuts right through the city or so the warlock just finished monologuing about.

“What are you doing? I said destroy them.” The fuming sorcerer demands pointing at the Bat-clan. Golems rise in various stages around them being the only opponents beyond the man and woman. They’re all near the Manor by the beach, a few miles from the city but even with the home field advantage...Bruce feels a thread of concern to see Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian joining him to put their backs against the cliff face below his family home.

“Just a moment, Master, I have some unfinished business to attend to.” The woman raises a hand and starts to undo her cloak.

“Master? My, my.” Tim flicks his bo to the side. It’s not going to be useful here. Ugh, this is not how he wanted this to go. “Just how low has your line fallen? Mother was right to refuse to even consider you as a candidate. Do you follow his every command or do you just lick his boots?”

“How. Dare. You.” The woman’s eyes glow yellow and her voice’s pitch becomes grating.

Tim snorts. “Look at you. You can’t even control your shift….pathetic.”

“Red Robin, the situation, now.” Bruce tries striking another golem, but Tim ducks to put himself between the Bats and the newcomers.

“You judge me, when you wear human flesh so much that you stink of it? Your true scent barely bleeds through.” The odor of rancid sulfur strikes the air. The woman peels off her clothes, layer by layer until a pile litters the sand. “Half-breed.”

Rude. The human and dragon are both his scents. Tim thinks he smells fine, thanks.

“I said–” The villain tries to command but the dame strides towards Red Robin.

“How are you different from me? The warlock will save my line and give us power, but you? You play at human.”

“I do what I want,” Tim icily states. “Which is more that I can say for you. Now get out of my territory or burn.”

“No, I think I’m going to put a male in his place. Beneath me.” And the woman lets out a cry that turns into a roar. The other Bats watch as the woman’s form hutches over, makes a terrible crack and then grows. And grows. And grows. Scales take shape as her neck elongates and it’s sickening. Before them a white dragon rises and crashes a claw on the beach. It’s the size of a house.

‘Well…’ Bruce thinks. ‘That’s something new.’

“A dragon, come on. You have to be fuckin’ kiddin’ me,” Jason snarls, shooting at the beast. The rubber bullets do nothing but irritate the overgrown Godzilla-wanna-be.

“Wait, it gets better,” Tim mutters. “So, burn it is. This is why we can’t have nice things between dragons. What a pity...bring it.”

And there is a collective gasp.

Because Tim smirks and the beach is overcome with a violent blast. When the smoke clears...there’s nothing?

Nothing but the golems on the beach, the Bats fighting them and the warlock hissing out commands to a white giant worm, who is diverting much from his cunning plan.

But no Tim.

The white dragon shrieks in fury and raises her giant wings, preparing to crush those on the sand when something large slams into her side. She lurches over and peers over her shoulder. Nothing. But several of her scales are cracked from the impact.

Then, it’s as if thunder booms right in front of them, making their eardrums ring from the force of the sound. Under the blow, the white worm topples forward attempting to steady herself.

It’s shadowy and massive, a heavy body and the thumping beat of wings. It’s slowly moving into the moonlight on the beach, kicking up sand.

The Bats shields their eyes even with the whiteouts down, the gust knocking into kevlar and nomac. Nightwing automatically throws an arm out to keep Robin from falling; Hood makes an unconscious grab to the other arm.

And when he lights down, massive razor-tipped claws digging into the sand, the black scales and shiny leather of wings give the Bats one hell of an answer to all those burning questions.

Timmy’s always cold.

The cave, the hoard.

The night vision.

The ever-ready exploding “pellets”.

All of it comes to a sudden dawning realization.

The baddie of the night looks from one dragon to the other, trepidation leaking in because who would have thought two dragons at once.

Low muttering, winding a spell even as the new dragon throws back his power neck and roars. It shakes them down to their very bones, a sound unlike any they’ve heard before.

The shift of muscle, dark eyes narrowing, and the first lunge is punctuated by the abrupt cries of the Bats who have come to the realization this is one of their own.

But there’s no pause when claws come up to strike, when the first is a good one, raking into his side, putting his first blow into soft underbelly, close to the intended target.

(Only one way to kill a dragon, the heart has to go.)

“Motherfuck--Tim!” But Hood can do nothing but watch the blood, ripe and rich in the night splatter the beach, hoping stupidly it ain’t all Red’s.

“Get to the sides!” the Batman roars, already moving, already reaching for the next weapon in his belt.

He sees the opening when both dragons rear up on hind legs for the next blow, his gauntlet spitting out flash pellets.

It’s go time as the rest of the Robins take it all in and move. Robin pulls a duck and dodge through legs with a batarangs ready for the baddie on the other side.

Hood pulls a whole lotta how ya’ doin’ when the .45s spit a few rubber bullets right on the gouge marks, sliding through the sand as the bigger dragon leans down to latch teeth into Tim’s neck and hold the fuck on.

Nightwing leaps, even with the sand trying to bog him down, both sticks out in a double blow at the exposed weakness behind the white dragon’s ear. He has enough time to cringe at the sound of pain tearing into the night, to see the gleam of claws sinking into her belly in a knee-jerk reaction.

The fight going on behind them, the golem starting to shift and move at the sorcerer’s botched command, and Robin just breathes out a deep damn sigh because honestly, some of us have homework to dumb down. But he shifts, pulling out pellets in rapid succession as he moves closer to the army. The abrupt, “huu,” is just more proof he is a superior marksman. The mental note to pick up the tome from which those accursed spells emanate from is another task on the night’s to-do list.

The abrupt shock of Nightwing’s stick and the barrage of bullets takes its toll, getting the white dragon to jerk away from that black jugular, to rear back with pain.

The claws sink deeper, Red growling low, smoke curling from his maw. His eyes slide to the sides, making sure the Bats are out of firing range before he opens his maw with that familiar and suddenly very telling click.

“Down!” It’s Batman that throws the last exploding batarang within range to the white dragon’s injured belly, so the blast of burning blue flame ignites, sets the soft, vulnerable innards to char.

Red, however, takes the last blow for his own (because she picked the wrong fucking city, the wrong family, the wrong dragon to fuck with), claws sinking in, and the meaty thump in the center is just at the right place to reach.

Low and huffing, “try me.”

“You wouldn’t,” her voice cracks from agony.

“Threaten what’s mine, and I won’t think twice.” He gives just the smallest squeeze to punctuate the point.

“Better not fuck with him, bitch,” Hood’s voice, lazy through the synths while he eyes the army Demon is gonna be taking on, “he ain’t one ta joke.”

The white dragon growls and the iridescent black dragon can feel her tensing up as if to give her last hurrah, to go out with a bang, but he’s having none of that. He snarls, the sound deep from within his chest as he snaps his jaws just in front of the dame’s face, sparks clicking behind his gleaming ivory teeth. “You should know,” he practically purrs, “there are fates worse than death. Don’t. Push. Me.” His words, his threat (a bluff, shh), thankfully, gets the right reaction. She sags with a trailing growl, eyes glittering with malice and defeat.

“Go. Get out of my territory.” The words leave no argument.

“W-Who…” she spits blood, dotting the sand, “who would want...your...shoddy terr-territory anyway.”

Slowly, he retracts, pulling his claws back while the click echoes against the bluff, a warning and a promise. But the dame doesn’t move to start the fight up again. She needs time to heal the grievous injuries. The mage will earn his own fate.

“And now, next on the list,” Nightwing sighs, looking from the dragon to where Robin has starting whipping out the tricks and traps on the moving golem.

“By the way, Timmers,” Hood’s neck cranes as he look up at the massive face hanging low, the chest heaving with that little scuffle. “You ever think, hmm, I dunno to say you might be a motherfucking dragon or some shit? I mean, don’t they say that shit right off the fucking bat?”

The dragon huffs down at him as Hood holds up a hand to demonstrate, “‘nice ta meetcha. Name’s Timmy. Like long flights ‘round the beach, beatin’ the shit outta assholes, and literally roasting my enemies.

Ya know, just the usual shit for Gotham.”

#Dragon Tim #my writing #tim drake #batfamily #I'm tired #iphoenixrising is awesome and helped with the fighting scene #allseer is a sweet beta too

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redrobin-detective · 8 years ago

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Awesome jeesh, my heart Dick... how about some Bruce headcanons on realizing/reflecting on the ways he's been a crappy dad to all his kids and the ways they act distant/resigned/distrustful towards his behaviour? Bonus on his opinions on the effect Dick has onot the family when he'said in the patriarch role vs Bruce? Extra bonus on headcanons on how Bruce would try to fix things for each kid down the road.

Like okay, I love Bruce for being a very interesting complex character. I absolutely love and hate him at the same time for being so incredibly flawed and messing up with his kids all the fucking time. It’s terrible because damn Bruce, get it together but also I like having protagonists that are far from perfect and make mistakes that have me screaming because it feels real and interesting.

So the thing about Bruce is, he knows he’s an emotional fuck-up. He knew it before he took in any kids and he knew it after he had like 15 kids in his house. But B’s problem is that he loves so intensely and so strongly that he hates to see suffering. If he didn’t love the hell out of Gotham, he wouldn’t be doing what he does at Batman. So he certainly loves the hell out of his kids but he’s terrible at expressing it and in his attempt to avoid his bursting emotions, he makes things far worse both him and his kids.

The case with Dick, Bruce had no idea what the fuck he was doing. He’s in his early 20’s, no older than 25. He’s emotionally messed up, he’s been a vigilante in a goddamn batsuit for 1-3 years now, he knows if he doesn’t shape up he could go down a dark path. So he sees this tiny circus orphan and he sees the similarities between himself and he cannot let that go into social services. He wants to do everything in his power to help that boy but… he doesn’t know how. Luckily Dick is beautiful and made of sunshine and helps Bruce along. He’s patient and open and loving and puts up with B’s emotional constipation. He heals Bruce, makes him better (which is why he’s always been and always will be Bruce’s favorite, sorry but it’s true). But over time even Dick’s legendary patience wears thin and he demands more of Bruce: more love, more respect, more independence. And Bruce still can’t get over the fact that his smol bb is all grown and refuses to help Dick grow causing his first bird to angrily fly the nest. Once Dick is full grown as Nightwing, Bruce develops a respect for Dick as an adult and a fighter. But there’s still tension but he makes a greater effort to get along with Dick because he loves that kid so fucking much.

I’ve always said, terrible as it is, that Jason was chosen so quickly after Dick left bc Bruce missed the hell out of Dick. He missed his partner and his son, so when he sees a sassy kid stealing tired with maybe a passing resemblance to Dick, Bruce thought with his heart and took him in. Now it doesn’t take long before Bruce also is in so effing deep with Jason and would do anything for him. Jay is damaged, like him, so he thinks because fighting crime helped Bruce recover (lol u wild Broose) it will help jay. Really, really bad mistake. It made things worse with Jay and, coupled with Bruce’s normal emotional incompetence, led to Jason searching for his mom and getting himself killed. Bruce was… beyond devastated. His parents’ death nearly broke him but to lose a son… that’s a special kind of agony. Bruce closes in on himself, he’d opened himself to love and been burned so he decides never again. He basically cuts off all contact with Dick and immerses himself in his mission and his misery.

Then comes along good ole Timmy who is able to smack some sense into Bruce. He helps repair the relationship between him and Dick and gives bruce back some of his hope. But B is still angry and depressed and he makes it clear that Tim is a soldier, a partner, but never a son. Which is absolutely hilarious considering like 5 issues later Bruce is making heart eyes at Tim and nagging him to be careful and junk. So, like the others, Bruce falls hard for Tim but ignores it and absolutely will not allow himself to show affection for Tim. So on one hand, Tim and Bruce have the most stable partnership bc Tim is the compliant Robin who doesn’t demand anything from Bruce. on the other, it’s incredibly bad for both their emotional/mental health (Tim is a sad bean who needs love but can’t/won’t ask and Bruce isn’t allowing his Jason wounds to heal). But over time, Tim grows more confident and Bruce moves on little by little and things are better. BUT! B’s still a shit and he won’t let another kid die so he puts Tim through some brutal, emotional training to “make Tim better”. This shows that while Bruce does loves Tim like a son, he refuses to treat Tim as one putting Tim’s skill/safety above his mental/emotional health. We see this again and again, Tim is always the one who suffers because Bruce will shield Dick and Jay but Tim is tough and can ‘handle it’. News Flash, he can’t and you’re a dick.

Quickly on Cassie cause my fingers are hurting again. Bruce took in Cassandra, like Tim, only as a partner. She was insanely talented and he wanted her in his war on crime. But also, like with Jay, he’s thinking that punching criminals in the face will heal her like it did him (again, fucking wild man). He makes several comments like “she’s just like me, this is what she needs”. He honestly believes he’s doing right by her. But as they develop it gets complicated, Cass is trying to find life outside of fighting and Bruce is resistant at first. He wants her to be happy here, he doesn’t want her to grow beyond that. He’s also horrified to learn that Cass has killed before, not even caring she was forced to and was only like 6 at the time. He treated her like a weapon just like Cain did for awhile, it’s obvious to everyone else (including the readers) but not Cass. Babs slaps bruce around and he realizes his error. Cass is not him, she wants more from life than to be a fighter and while she may have killed, it was not her fault. From then on he tries to be better for her, not just as a teacher, but almost a father. He buys her presents, hugs her, lets her get an apartment in the city so she can really live. It’s still awkward cause it’s clear Bruce identifies so much with her and places a lot of what HE thinks SHE should do/feel onto her. Only after a bit does he begin to allow her to grow herself.

Now Damian comes along and it’s just kind of a disaster for awhile. For one, Damian’s a shit. Two, Bruce has become complacent because self-sacrificing Tim puts up with a lot of bullshit and is super compliant as Robin (Hint: Dami is not like that). When Damian doesn’t fall into line as expected, Bruce basically doesn’t want anything to do with the kid which is terrible. No Damian isn’t easy but he’s your fucking kid and he’s been brainwashed for 10 years?? Damian goes back between the LoA and the Manor until whoops B dies. Then god BLESS Dick Grayson for stepping up to the bat for Dami when literally no one else would. And lo and behold, Dick helps him become a better person/Robin. Now Bruce is back and is all 'Hey look, that kid is slightly more tolerable now, I think I’ll try and bond now’ which is annoying as shit but Damian relishes having his dad back. Luckily, Bruce has learned about kids a teeny bit so he actually does some good work with Damian and, again, he loves the fuck out of that kid. He continues to fuck up but, like Tim, he has low expectations of Bruce being available to him but, also like Jason, he really, really needed Bruce’s love. Luckily, B is working to be that dad for Damian so he can learn after all

#batman asks #this got way too long #TL:DR- Bruce loves his kids but is shit at showing it

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