#every noise outside has me jumping up to see if it's the delivery van

[ladysparrow01]

"Her spirits still continued very high, but there was a flutter in them which prevented their giving much pleasure to her sister, and this agitation increased as the evening drew on. She could scarcely eat any dinner, and when they afterwards returned to the drawing-room, seemed anxiously listening to the sound of every carriage."

Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility.

[king-finnigan]

Starman (Waiting in the Sky)

(This was written for the Witcher Flash Fic Challenge nr. 22!)(And yes, this is my first official Jaskel fic!)

Also on Ao3

---

He can feel the heat rising from the asphalt as he steps out of the bus. It takes him a second or two to let his ears block out the noise of the city – the car horns blaring, the humdrum of people in the distance, the constant sirens and buses and metros, crates being loaded out of a delivery van down the street.

It’s been five months since he moved here with his boyfriend Jaskier, and still Eskel can’t get used to all the noise. Sure, he’d known beforehand that New York would be a lot louder than the countryside but still, the sheer amount of it still manages to startle him every single day.

He tips his head backward, basking in the shadow of the tall buildings surrounding him for a few seconds, though the stench of fumes quickly distracts him from the peaceful moment and he opens his eyes again, heading to the door of the apartment building.

There’s a trash bag next to the door, he notices as he fumbles with the key, trying to unlock the rusty door that was once painted a dubious shade of green. The black plastic has been ripped down the side, spilling its contents all over the sidewalk, spreading its stink everywhere. He sighs. That’s the fifth time this week someone left their trash next to the door instead of in the big garbage container at the side of the building.

At least it isn’t diapers today.

He finally manages to open the door, closing it quickly behind him in a futile attempt to keep the summer heat out. To no avail; it’s as warm in the stairwell as it is outside.

With a deep, wary sigh, he starts his trek up the stairs. The couple in 2B is arguing again, he hears, something about beer cans. The baby in 3C is wailing, the mother clearly desperately trying to shush him – though if the 2B couple keeps arguing that loudly, it might take a while until the baby finally falls asleep. Loud music is coming from 4A and Eskel takes a second to stay on the floor, knocking on the door a few times.

“Hey, Kenneth, can you keep it down a bit?” he asks through the door. He waits a few seconds but eventually the music is turned down a notch.

“Sorry, Mr. E!” Kenneth yells from inside. Eskel smiles softly and reminds himself to check up on the kid later; his mother is working three minimum wage jobs and has asked him to keep an eye on Kenneth from time to time, just to make sure he’s alright.

He fumbles with the keys again when he reaches his own front door – 5D, on the highest floor of the building – and lets himself inside.

He’s greeted by humid, warm air, the scent of chicken nuggets, and David Bowie.

He dumps his bag on the threadbare, faded sofa as he makes his way to the back of the apartment, where the kitchen is. There, he leans against the doorframe as he watches his boyfriend for a few seconds.

The back of Jaskier’s neck is wet with sweat, the small brown hairs at his nape curling slightly, even though he’s only wearing a tank top and a shorts, legs bare as he moves from one foot to another. He's holding a spatula in one hand, the other swinging loosely by his side as he belts along to the radio.

“Good evening to you too,” Eskel says, interrupting David Bowie.

Jaskier makes a slight jump – always startled so easily – and turns around with a bright grin on his face.

“Oh, hello! You’re back early.”

Eskel glances at the clock – 7 in the evening, and still it’s as warm as it was this afternoon. He’s actually quite late, but there was an emergency at the vet where he works.

“Forgive me for not hugging you.” Jaskier has already turned back around, poking at something in the frying pan in front of him. “It’s just so warm and I don’t wanna get even more sweaty.”

“Hm, I understand completely,” Eskel says slowly as he detaches himself from the doorway, trying to keep his footsteps silent as he stalks towards his unsuspecting boyfriend. “It is way too warm for a hug.”

Jaskier squeals as Eskel plasters himself to his back, arms wrapping around him, face buried in the heated skin on the side of Jaskier’s neck.

Jaskier struggles in his grip. “Get off of me, you big brute!” he laughs, palms pushing at Eskel’s forearms. “I don’t wanna cuddle, you’re all sweaty!”

“Oh, and you’re not?” Eskel mutters into his skin, pressing a small kiss against the underside of his jaw.

After a few seconds, Jaskier sags, poking at the chicken nuggets in the frying pan again. He slowly starts swaying from foot to foot and Eskel moves along with him, closing his eyes contentedly as Jaskier softly continues singing to the song on the radio.

“There’s a starman waiting in the sky. He’d like to come and meet us but he thinks he’d blow our minds.”

Eskel sighs softly, letting himself sink into the moment. There’s a car honking in the distance, and he can hear the distant murmur of people drifting in through the window, along with the scorching breeze, a bead of sweat rolling down his neck and into his shirt. Jaskier in his arms, singing along to an old song in their crappy apartment in the middle of the hottest summer Eskel has ever had the displeasure to experience. The baby starts wailing again downstairs and Kenneth has turned his music back up and they’re both penniless for the foreseeable future.

And yet, he’s never been so happy.

“He told me, let the children lose it, let the children use it, let all the children boogie,” Jaskier sings softly, before humming the melody of the guitar.

“I love you,” Eskel whispers softly into his ear, and he can feel his love smile more than he sees it.

“I love you to,” Jaskier responds, craning his neck so he can give Eskel a kiss - hot, slick and slightly sweaty.

“Love?”

“Yes, dear heart?”

The scent of burnt food permeates the humid air around them. “The chicken nuggets are burning.”

“Oh, fuck-“

[hybridfanfiction]

Owner Training - 7

*Just a quick fluffy filler chapter. I needed some Yoongles fluff in my life. I hope everyone is staying safe!* 

***

“What is this?”

Your brother Jimin and his hybrid Taehyung are visiting, aka they invited themselves over, and were carrying a potted plant and a giant bag full of...

“Jimin, is that weed?” 

“No!” he looks down at his giant plastic bag filled with stuff that looks suspiciously like it IS weed. “Why? Do you want some? Because I know this guy that...”

“Jimin!” 

“Right. No, this isn’t weed. For humans, at least,” he grins deviously and you narrow your eyes at him. He’s up to something. 

“Then what is it?” 

Keys jangle in the lock and you turn to the door, wishing you’d thought to send a warning text. 

“Hey, babe. They didn’t have the chips you like, so I just got another carton of ice cream. If you’re nice to me I’ll let you have some,” Yoongi says absentmindedly as he kicks off his shoes and closes the door. 

Jimin quirks an eyebrow at you, mouthing “Babe?” You pretend to ignore him. 

Suddenly, Yoongi freezes, his little sniff barely perceptible if you weren’t staring right at him and waiting to see if he was going to blow up. 

“Hi, Yoongi!” 

Taehyung bellows a happy greeting as he rushes towards the cat hybrid. He ignores the flicking tail and narrowed eyes, instead wrapping himself excitedly around Yoongi and giving him a hug. 

“Hello, dog.” 

Well, you supposed that was better than scratching his face. 

“Hey, Yoongi. Tae Tae and I brought you a housewarming slash apparently dating my sister present.” 

Jimin’s tone was innocent and sweet, but a lifetime of living with the secret Slytherin gave you access to all of his tells. Jimin was on the offensive and prepared to make Yoongi suffer. In a loving way, of course. 

“That’s uhh...nice of you?” 

Yoongi shot Jimin a confused look as he tried to peel Taehyung off of him, probably wondering what you’d told him. 

“Here’s a houseplant for you. His name is Esteban. Don’t let it die or I’ll be really hurt,” Jimin stated, smirking as he set the little green plant on the coffee table. 

It just looked like a weed to you - green, no sign of blooms or anything interesting. The pot was cute though. It looked like Taehyung had made it himself since it was hand-painted with little cats in a style vaguely resembling Van Gough. 

Yoongi glanced at it, his eyes narrowing a bit before blowing wide after a sniff or two. What could be so surprising about that little thing? 

“Andddd...a big freezer bag full of the dried stuff. All for you, Kitten,” Taehyung giggled, waving the bag that you’d been inspecting earlier in the hybrid’s face. 

“Don’t fucking call me kitten,” Yoongi murmured, but he accepted the bag anyway with a nervous look at you. 

“Well, we’ll just wanted to give you a little something to welcome you to the family. One of these days we’ll have a big party with the whole crew, kay? See you guys!” Jimin pulls Taehyung along with him as he heads towards the door, pausing only when he passes by you to whisper in your ear. 

“You and I need to catch up, it seems.” 

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll call you later. Out.” 

Jimin giggles and waves one last time, winking at Yoongi before he slams the door. 

You sigh and fall into the couch, shaking your head. 

“I love my brother, but he gives me a headache.” 

“Same,” Yoongi grumbles and drops into the spot next to you, throwing the bag onto the table before he leans over and starts scenting your neck. 

You giggle and try to push him off, but he nips your shoulder in protest. 

“Seriously,” you laugh, “What is that crap they gave you?” 

He hums, pulling back and laying an arm across the back of the couch. 

“Catnip.” 

“Seriously?”

He nods, quirking an amused eyebrow. 

“Does it make you high or something?” 

“Kinda.” 

You peek at him in suspicion. “Kinda?” 

“It’s kinda like weed, but doesn’t last very long.” 

“So my brother just welcomed you to the family with drugs.” 

He snorts and kicks his feet up. “Basically.” 

You groan and rub your forehead as Yoongi laughs lightly, reaching over to casually clutch your thigh as he gets comfortable. 

“Can you put my ice cream in the fridge?” 

You snort, completely unsurprised. Yoongi was one of the hardest working people you’ve ever met - outside of the house. Once he was in that door, however, all bets were off. 

“So are you going to use some?” you ask as you make the trek to the kitchen. You throw the ice cream (pure vanilla, of course. Nevermind that you liked cookie dough) into the freezer and peek inside the bag to see what else he got. 

“Maybe. Maybe not. Don’t know yet. Get your cute butt in here so we can watch the show already.” 

“Fine, fine,” you blush and grab the treats he’d bought, rushing back to curl against him. 

He hums and kisses the side of your face, eyes glued to his show. 

***

It had been three days since Jimin’s crazy delivery and it still sat on the coffee table half-covered with magazines and random trash. You had been overtaken by curiosity and went to the internet for answers the other day and fell absolutely in love with how cute cats were on catnip. 

You still weren’t very clear on how it affected hybrids, but if it was anything like the videos you saw, Yoongi would be adorable. You figured half of his resistance to using it had been worry over your reaction, so you decided to take the initiative. 

Once Yoongi was out busking ( because he still refused to just stay home and hadn’t found anything else yet that hired hybrids), you took the chance to open the bag of catnip. You took a quick sniff and shrugged your shoulders, only really smelling a hint of mint to it. 

You take a handful of the dried plant and sprinkle it all over the couch. It’s going to be a bitch to clean later, but the couch is Yoongi’s go-to spot when he gets home. If you’re going to get a chance to make this work it needs to be done immediately. 

Then it’s just a matter of waiting. You prepare dinner, do laundry, make him a little treat in case you need to apologize and wait for the sun to fall. 

Soon enough, the familiar key jangle at the front door alerts you to his arrival. You’re so nervous you’re shaking, but you stand your ground and wait in your normal spot on the couch. You glance over as soon as the door is open wide, smiling happily in greeting. 

“Hey, sweetheart. How was your day?” 

“Not bad,” he answered with a sigh, rolling his shoulders and kicking his shoes so they went flying. 

“Wasn’t too busy in the park today so I was worried I wouldn’t get anything, but this old foreign lady and her yappy Yorkies came through. One of them lunged at me and starting barking like crazy, running around me in circles. It didn’t seem mad so much as excited, to be honest. But she apologized by throwing what she had in her wallet at me. $200.” 

“Congrats.” 

He drops onto the couch with a groan as you tense in anticipation. 

It starts slowly - a narrowed gaze being pinned on you, those eyes widening in surprise as he realizes what you’ve done. The nose wriggle that made you want to die from the cuteness as he groans and faceplants onto the couch cushions.

You giggle when you realize he’s rubbing his face onto the cushion, pausing every few seconds to take another sniff. He sneezes and looks up at you in surprised wonder, like that noise had come from you. His eyes are blown wide and he has little green specks on his cheek from the catnip. 

“How you feeling?” You asked, reaching down to run your fingers through his hair. 

His purrs grow louder and he rubs his face into your arm. 

“Fuzzy.” 

You laugh and watch in amusement as he rolls over and rubs his entire body against the couch. To be honest, you hadn’t been sure it would work like this. You’d thought that maybe he had to light it up and smoke it because of his human side, but this was so. much. better. 

Suddenly, he sits up and stares at the hallway, licking his lips like they were chapped. Then he jumps off the couch and runs away. You can hear the moment he hits your mattress and...is he jumping on the bed? 

“Yoongi?” 

You stand up and go to the bedroom, peeking inside. He’s having the time of his life, jumping up and down with a smile. You cover your grin with your hand. 

“Yoongi?” 

His head turns sharply when he hears you, staring at you without really seeing you. He backflips off the mattress and runs back into the living room, vaulting over the couch. You had no idea Yoongi could even move like that! 

His purrs become loud again and you rush over to see him rubbing his face into the cushions again, only this time he was practically laying on the floor, only leaning his head up to get another fix. 

You lean your hand down to see if he wanted help up, but when he grabs the offered hand he pulls you down to him instead. He rolls you under him and tucks his head into your neck, licking your throat as his purrs rumble against your chest. 

“Wow, this stuff really takes you out of it, huh?” 

“Hungry.” 

“Yeah? You got the munchies, baby?” 

He nips on your ear in retaliation, but you just laugh. 

“Alright. I got you.” 

You push the incredibly high hybrid off of you and walk towards the kitchen, peeking behind to watch him jump up and run back and forth between the couch and the hallway. You shake your head and grin to yourself, pulling a box of his cereal down from the fridge. 

The sound of the food hitting the bowl was enough to bring the hybrid running towards the kitchen, where he latched himself to your back. 

“Lots.” 

“Okay, sweetheart. I’ll give you lots.” 

True to your word, you fill the bowl with his cereal and milk until it’s practically overflowing. He finally settles down long enough for you to bring him his food, his eyes zeroed in on it like prey. 

He digs in silently, only a slight purr of happiness coming through as he shovels the cereal without a thought into his mouth. 

Or so you’d believed. 

When he was finally done slurping all the milk down he pushed the bowl towards you with a sigh. 

You can feel that the bowl isn’t completely empty when you grab it, which seemed impossible due to how eagerly he’d been eating. A quick peek inside shows that he’s eaten everything except the triangle-shaped cereal pieces. 

“Yoongi, what’s that?” 

“Don’t like triangles.” 

You stare at the hybrid incredulously. “Really? Baby, they taste exactly the same. It’s all made with the same stuff, just shaped differently.” 

He shakes his head, “Nope. Triangles are gross.” 

You throw the bowl into the seat and shake your head. 

“If you say so.” 

It’s only been a few minutes, but you notice that his eyes are clearing up a little bit. 

“How are you doing?” 

“Good. Wanna cuddle.” 

You could totally do that. You grab his hand and lead him to the bedroom, letting him wrap himself around you when you lay down. He laces his tail around your waist and holds you close. 

“Smell good.” 

“Thanks, sweetheart. Are you mad?” 

“Nope. Had fun. Maybe not again for a while though. Old knees.” 

You giggle and he squeezes you fondly. 

“Love you.” 

Your heart stutters and butterflies go wild in your tummy, a phenomenon that happens every single time Yoongi says something like this to you. 

You kiss the top of his head and remind yourself to send Jimin a thank you text. 

[talented-headache]

Blame It On The Blonde

Pairing: HundarNova

Summary: James and Brett are stuck in a safe house together and it’s all Aleks’s fault. He should have known James was an idiot and crushing hard on their coworker. 

For the @ccsecretsanta

Merry Christmas, @tophatgoat it’s a little late but I hope you enjoy. 

[AO3 Link] [Link]

James wished he could blame Aleks on his now giant problem. Mostly because he’s been blaming his partner for year. For everything. But this all fell on James. It had been a rush decision and now he was the one stuck dealing with the consequences.

“I fucking hate the snow. There’s a very clear reason I moved to Los Santos.” Brett bitched at him. One hand moved from the steering wheel to wave at the window, the powdered snow instantly turned to water before being swept away from by the whippers. Every word had an emphasis that went along with the hand motions.

James looked up from his burner, one of the Fakehaus guys was watching Ein as they laid low for the next few weeks. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t constantly check in on his girl. He didn’t say anything to Brett yet he playfully rolled his eyes as they pulled into the Suburbian driveway, hours away from the city.

James stared at the boring and admittedly too small house they were forced to stay in. He had to block out the flashback of when he stood next to Aleks as everything fell apart around them. It was like the mist that closes in around headlights, barely there but creeping in with every rotation of the tires. He almost wished that instead of taking Aleks’s original spot he forced Brett and Lindsey to switch. Those assholes were going east towards warmer weather, bright lights, and gambling, while their latest group of stragglers they’ve adopted headed South to hid under FAHC’s protection.

James sat in the warm car for a minute after Brett stepped out to stretch his muscles. He could already feel his joints start to ache as the cold breeze hit his jacket from the open door. He reluctantly left when he felt the need to stand as his muscles jumped and twitched.

He smirked as he listened to Brett’s continuous grumbling as he shook his hat out, the snowflakes still clinging to it stubbornly. The grass could still be seen, barely, under the white layer but there was no doubt by morning there wouldn’t be any green in the neighborhood. James had to resist the urge to stare as Brett raked a hand over his smooth head, probably still getting used to the cold air against it.

James cleared his throat, not shocked that the noise didn’t startle Brett. He’s been making it for years to mess with people.

“Huh, then why did you fuckin’ pick this piece of shit?” James asked, the little actual irritation he felt bleed through as he moved to get his shit out of the trunk.

“I didn’t. Aleks did.” Brett said as he moved to stand next to him. “ I didn’t find out about this until he gave me the address in the van.”

James could feel the warmth from Brett’s arm as it brushed against his. “That’s what you fucking get for letting him plan shit.”

“Yeah, no more of that from now on.”

James laughed at him. They both knew if Aleks wanted to make a plan they’d make it happen with very little hesitation. Not in a friendship way either but the fact that they’re all danger junkies and their co-leader was the best at being reckless. It made their work easier.

Aleks had been so excited about planning the heist by himself, his confidence shot after their losses that year. He only took ideas from the crew and basically created a secret plan to surprise them. Early Christmas present he said. He had worked over those stupid plans and evacuations for months. But now they were successfully richer and stuck in a frozen hell hole; hours away from the city he was still learning to love.

“Are you even listening to me?” Brett cut through James’s thought process. He cringed as he was caught stuck in the past.

:Fucking, no.” James scoffed quickly grabbing his bags before walking to the door.

“Wow.” Brett laughed and opened the door for them. The house was barely decorated but it was furnished. And fucking freezing. James immediately found the thermostat, his body long used to the overbearing heat of Los Santos. Brett flopped onto the ugly fucking brown couch.

“Never thought I’d actually miss cow print.” James commented. Brett stretched his legs out in front of him and glared. He already had his phone out and was texting away on it.

“If you’re implying that you can sit on that fucking couch without contracting some venereal disease then do I have some news for you, buddy.”

James glared at him and loudly scoffed at him, ready to throw a fake fit. He bought that couch, the second of its kind, not long after their move. It wasn’t his fault that Aleks was a fucking dumbass.

~

James hated unpacking. He usually just leaves everything in his case until he needed it, which is exactly what he did. So he hung out on the bed until he really needed to move, which was hopefully never.

Night had already fallen over the neighborhood and he ate the few granola bars left over from the road trip. Brett promised a food delivery in the morning so he had no need to save them. The side crew has long since checked in so all he needed was to  here from Aleks and Lindsey. He wasn’t that worried about them, even if something went wrong those two could take care of it. They have before.

“James.” Brett’s voice carried across the house. James had gotten used to ignoring Brett’s irritated voice in the past few years. Mostly because he tended to not be on the receiving end of it. He closed his eyes and hoped if he pretended to sleep Brett would leave him alone, and while he really wanted to sleep but he couldn’t afford to fuck up his schedule more than he already had with the heist.

“James.” The irritation forced James up and out of the room before he even realized he was moving.

He could see Brett standing at the foot of his temporary bed. The scowl on his face was the one generally reserved for him and Aleks when their ideas went too far. This time is was thrown at a hideous red and yellow sweater he hung in front of his face.

“I thought we burned all those.” James said and Brett turned to look at him, he waved the sweater face stuck in between reprimanding James and chuckling with him.  

“They weren’t that bad, a few of the other Fakes definitely were though.” Brett said, his face went back to the dark irritation that plagued it when he walked in.

“Why did you even bring it? Can it even fucking fit you?” James said. He took the sweater from him and playfully pulled the arm of the sleeve to stretch it against Brett’s. He tried not to think about anything but making Brett laugh, especially the way his fingers barely skimmed his skin.

“I didn’t, you fuck.” He took the sweater back and threw it on the pile of clothes on the bed. “I didn’t bring these either.”

He pointed after it as it landed. The god awful mix of red and greens that could be seen under the sweater made James’s head hurt.

“What the fuck?”

“Exactly.” Brett answered, “All of my shirts are missing, even my work out ones.”

James breathed in deeply, the urge to scream almost too much as he turned to stare out the door then back at Brett.

“James?” Brett asked, James must have looked crazy because he did a few more times before he stomped out of the room. He rushed back to his own temporary room, he could almost feel the house shake with each step. Brett followed him back calling his name, amusement in his voice rather than concern.

He all but tore his bag in his rush to see the contents inside. He could barely hear Brett’s breathless laugh over his scream as his own pile of red and green formed on the bed.

~

I actually fucking hate you.

I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about this time.

~

“Can’t sleep?” Brett’s voice almost startled James out of his thoughts. Memories so far in the past that they felt like the melting snowflakes as they hit the window.

He shouldn’t even be sitting there, in the window. It’s might as well be the first rule of the safe house and if Aleks caught him James would actually get himself stabbed by his friend. James had to resist smiling at the thought of Aleks ranting at him as blood showed on his ghastly fake gold sweater.

“James.”

“What?” His headache only grew as the ambient noise he managed to block out filled the air. Not just Brett and his every movement but the wind against the house and the creaks created from it. Brett was silent and James didn’t even realize he had moved to stand in front of him, even with his sweater with what James had to assume was a fat Santa face. He held out a plain white mug out to James who gratefully took it.

“Tea?” James asked as he cradled the mug in his hands. The warmth grounded him in the present as Brett sat on the ledge with his own cup. “Is this tea?”

“Shut up and drink it.” Brett said, a small chuckle as he watched James sip from the cup purposely making a slurping noise as he did.

While silence filled the living room again, it was comfortable and relaxing. Completely different from terror of before. Terror isn’t the right word for it, more existential. Something Aleks would tell him is the same thing.

“Lindsey and I stayed in a place like this a few years ago.” Brett was the first to break the silence. James hummed at him, not necessarily prompting him on but not rejecting him either.

“It was more of a fucking shithole, though. The stove had been stolen and she broke the fucking door on the last night.” Brett’s nostalgic face seemed so different from James’s. He always assumed he was frowning when he thought but Brett looked content as he looked outside.

“How’d she fucking do that?” James’s voice was bordering too high pitched for the time of night but he never really cared and if Brett did he didn’t show it.

“No idea. I don’t actually remember much of that night.” James choked on his tea but it didn’t stop him from laughing at Brett. He always forgot the party side of the more responsible leader. It took him awhile to catch his breath from his wheezing and it was only because Brett gave him a ‘you done’ look.

“Look, I’m not going to pester you to talk about what’s going on in your head.” Brett started. James expected more but there wasn’t even a single ‘you’ve been quiet’ or anything.

“Thanks.”

“Now, finish your fucking tea and go to sleep.” Brett used his mug to point down the hall towards James’s room.

“I’m good. I don’t think sleep and I are going to get along tonight.” James offered, it was only a small fraction of the problem and usually only happened when he was far away from the crew. A few days was fine but no contact for a week outside initial contact wasn’t apparently.

“What, you want to braid each other’s hair and paint our toe nails?” Brett asked, the sarcasm in his voice on level with nearly every time he spoke. If it wasn’t for the amusement in his eyes James would believe he was actually irritated.

“You don’t exactly have much, dude.” James replied. “But a few more stories wouldn’t hurt.”

Brett stood but didn’t go far. He lent down and kept his face close to James’s. When he looked up at him Brett placed a small kiss to his forehead. “I’ll make more tea than. And if you’re a good boy I’ll tell you about mine and Joel’s French heist.”

“Fuck you!” James yelled out after him. All he got was a middle finger in return.

~

He was startled awake. For a second he couldn’t move his body as sleep still had a hold of him. He slowly reached his hand over to the other side of the bed only to feel the cold pillow. He didn’t panic, Brett had always been a morning person and James usually caught him after his new home workout during their long week trapped in the house. Besides nothing happened last night and James wasn’t one to cling anyway.

He almost let himself drift back to sleep when his interruption showed back up, he didn’t realize what was about to happen until it did. There was a distant crash from the outside of the door and light footsteps, but they were nothing compared to the shock of his door being kicked open. It bounced off the wall, hard enough to almost crack the drywall behind it and close again. James jumped the noise knocking the sleep from his eyes.

“Merry Christmas, you fucking bitch.” Aleks didn’t quite yell into the room but he did throw his lanky body onto the bed. He barely missed James as he bounced. He didn’t move away from his friend as they both relaxed into the bed.

“It’s ten in the morning. How are you already drunk?” James asked his head snuggled back into his pillow, a deep sigh coming from the true annoyance he felt.

“Oh, please. I’m tipsy at most, asshole. Lindsey made some home made eggnog. It’s fucking great, man.” Aleks replied, his face slightly red as he stared at the roof. It stood out from the blue pillow case in a way that made James wished he had his phone in hand. He’d have to remember it for later.

“Why are you even here?” he asked instead, already missing his alone time away.

“Fake AH crashed our down time. They fucking took the cops’ attention off of us with their own Christmas heist. We decided to have a family Christmas instead. Three days late but still, we even brought presents.” Aleks had that rare soft look on his face as he smiled over at James. It was still a recent thing to see him open with his emotions. Like being in control of his situation for once allowed him to do what he wanted without consequences or fear. It was more comforting than nice to see. James learned to ground himself in the present with it, one of the few changes that they needed.

He hummed and whipped the sleep crust from his eyes, purposely using his middle finger. Aleks just smiled at him. “How was the vacation?”

“Quiet.”

“I fucking doubt that.” Aleks snorted. His eyes scrunched up as he laughed at his own joke.

“You planned this, didn’t you?” James asked as he stretched his body. Aleks snorted and James saw his face light up.

“Yeah, dawg, if you hadn’t of asked for the switch I would have come up with some excuse to switch Brett and Lindsey.” He explained, the amusement in his voice as he moved to sit back on his elbows.

“I hate you, so much.” James reached over and kicked at him. Aleks continued to giggle and clutched onto the sheets as James attacked him. Eventually James managed to push him off the bed, yet he managed to take all of the blankets with him.

James let out a small screech as the comfort and warmth was taken from him. Aleks’s dumb head popped up from the side he landed on.

“Oh, good. You’re wearing pants.”

He groaned and grabbed his pillow. He flung it at Aleks’s face. It his with a thump and he dramatically went with the movement. He landed hard on the floor, hitting his head on the wall as he did.

“Hey! Stop fucking around.” Brett’s voice carried across the house. “Come decorate this stupid fucking tree.”

Aleks ran out of the room just as James threw another pillow at him. The last James saw of him was his middle finger as it rounded the corner. He slowly moved to follow Aleks, he groaned as the only available thing to throw on was a sweater that looked like it had cows fucking on it. They were probably supposed to be reindeer but the material made them look fat and round.

The first thing he saw as he entered the living room was the dead and brown pine tree. It wasn’t that tall, barely taller than Lindsey as she tried to toss some garland onto it. Aleks had already gotten another cup of eggnog and sat on the couch.

“Oh, good, that fuck got you out of bed.” Brett asked. He was leaning against the corner between the kitchen and living room. Today his sweater was neon green with red plaid all over it, even the words were made of the ugly combination.

“Is that a Fake Pine sweater?” James asked, barely restraining the giggle he had in his throat. Aleks and Lindsey didn’t.

“Yeah.” Brett shrugged, massive shoulders pulling at the seams slightly. “I hate it.”

“How did you do it?” James asked turning to the blondes, they were in the post laugh stuttery laugh stages. James scowled at them when they wouldn’t stop.

“A magician never reveals her secrets.” Lindsey replied, she bowed low and a piece of her hair got caught by one of the branches.

“She’s also the one to stash all the cars before the fucking heist.” Aleks pipped in. Lindsey threw an ornament at him. They bickered but it was lost on James as he moved to the kitchen to grab his own glass of eggnog.

“Sleep well?” Brett moved to stand behind him not quite touching him but close enough James could feel the heat from his chest. James thought about yelling at him and telling him to fuck off. Instead he smiled, a full mouth smile that everybody knew meant trouble. Brett scowled at him, eyebrows scrunched in confusion, and took a step back for his safety.

“Amazing. I think it was the tea. Really put me to sleep.” James said and drank from the cup he made. Brett opened his mouth to say something in return but was interrupted by the front door being thrown open.  

“Presents!” A voice called out and chatter filled the air as the living room.

“We’re right here, you bitch.” James yelled back at them as he stepped around Brett who just smirked down and followed him. “Stop fucking yelling.”

The side crew had filled the room, not everyone James hopped to see but he had no control over people he wasn’t in command of anymore. He still missed the flashes of tall teenager and brown hairs and short and long haired people. He forced it out of his mind as Aleks roughly grabbed a present from the hands of their new intern.

James sat on the couch with Aleks, they each took their own corner and it wasn’t long before Brett worked his way onto the middle seat. James allowed himself to slowly relax next to him as everybody started to sing some butchered version of Holy Night and threw tinsel at each other.

[henry-hart]

The Danger Begins s1 ep1

I’m so glad I decided to rewatch this because it made me so happy!!!! (also, to keep you guys from getting uber annoyed with me, i’m just gonna lb on one big post like this from now on lolol)

first off

s1 henry was the cutest thing to ever exist. ever. my heart couldn’t take it bc he’s so grown now but in that first ep he’s this adorable little baby chick ajdksjslk

it was so incredible to see Siren on my screen. Like, within thirty seconds BAM there she was. i felt blessed, like she blessed my laptop

PIPER. MY OVERDRAMATIC DAUGHTER. I miss her “I am NOT okay!!!” catchphrase akdjlsj 

her “so we’re living like animals now” reply to being told to wait for her video to load---same girl, same.

Henry at 13 was a million times more proactive about the whole job search than I have ever been and I’m 22 sksjskjsk

his whole “I’m not good at anything. I’m a big ball of average”---I feel that lol

“No special skills needed.” “That’s me!!” 

okay one of Char’s first lines was “One day when you two are cleaning my pool bc you failed this algebra test...” and it doesn’t get more iconic than that

GOOCH. I HAVE MISSED YOU. 

Ray just coming in with all these ridiculous questions lolol poor Hen

“I’m 13. I’ll be 14....on my next bday.” ajskjsksljk

“Ah, so you’re aging sequentially. I like that. The name’s Ray.” “Nice to meet you, Ray. I’m Henry.” “You ask a lot of questions.” “I....don’t think....I’ve asked any questions...????” loved it

I laughed when Ray changed into his uniform and the zipper got stuck (that never happens again????)

“Did you have to melt my phone???” Hen, sweetie, hate to break it to you, but your phone gets broken.....preeeeetty much every ep (need me a bank account like that where I can steady get new iphones)

WhAt Do YoU mEaN nO sPeCiAl SkIlLs HeNrY???? yOu NoTiCeD tHe TaToO!!!!!! u smart lil cookie

Ray was all “I’m getting old. I can’t do this forever.” Two things: 1) RAY DID YOU JUST REFER TO YOURSELF AND OLD IN THE SAME SENTENCE??? 2) why is this never mentioned again??? Like, Ray got a sidekick to pass the mantle onto someone younger to keep protecting Swellview when he’s done. We’re like 4 yrs down the line, and they haven’t even hinted towards CM retiring??? (I know that would mean the end of the show, but they could at least bring it up every now and then)

OK. hated the toddler then. hate him now. 

Props to the props department (ha ha get it???) for all the junk in the store. It’s all so strange and doesn’t make sense and fits the show so well (also it seems like each ep has diff junk??? that’s impressive)

“They seem like nice kids.” “Yeah, they’re names are Jasper x Charlotte. I’ve known them ever since--” “Get rid of them.” “I’ll get rid of them.”

DAWWWW Jasper x his buckets :’))))

“I told you Canadian money upsets ppl!!!” Ah Char (I wonder if Riele comes up with some of these Canada jokes??)

OMG I FORGOT ABOUT HEN’S HORRIBLE TEST WARDROBE. IMAGINE IF THEY HAD KEPT ONE OF THOSE IDEAS AKSJLKSJ (there really wasn’t any need for a whole test wardrobe tho--just style an outfit to fits Ray’s. His obvs works out well for him) (I know that’s what they ended up doing lolol)

Okay, Ray’s “Oh man. I ate a lot of fruit.” line KILLS. ME. bc when i first watched this ep, every time the scene changed and Ray was shown w/ a diff fruit, I was like, “Why...is he eating so much fruit????” bc they’re all diff and he even eats a whole pineapple--outside peel and all. BUT I WAS THINKING IT AND THEN HE SAID IT AND IT MADE IT ONE MILLION TIMES FUNNIER.

LIL BB HEN IN HIS SUIT FOR THE FIRST TIME. I CRY. HE’S SO TINY AND HAPPY

“Chew gum. Blow bubble. Fight crime.” Ray wrote those instructions. I just know it. aksjskl

“And what does a single flashing light mean?” “Just to shoot me a text, you know, whenever.” aksjklsk

HENRY JUST GAVE HIS PLEDGE. THEN. HE. SAID. THE. ICONIC. “FEELS GOOD” FOR. THE. FIRST. TIME. I’M CRYING.

Hen not knowing how to get the tubes to work and just jumping up and down making noises aksjlsk

“Affirmative.” “That means ‘yes’.” “I got that.” and so the sass begins lolol love it

“Awwww no! That was my favorite bridge!”

“I hate my life and I am NOT okay.” i feel u Pipes

the sass is strong in those Hart kids. Siren x Jake can’t catch a break aksjslk

Siren. Hart. Is. So. Beautiful. her hair just looks so good this ep

“I’ll run away. I’ll do it.” ajskjskl Pipes chill

Jake....Siren...that’s....your son on the tv screen...like.....that’s literally your child’s face.....the product of both of your genes is right there.....plastered on the screen.....how do u....not....recognize him?????

“Two ppl said they might come.” “Who?” “Sidney Birnbaum and Oliver Pook.” “Ew.” “Those guys eat bugs.” “So? They’re people.” I just love the kid’s line delivery here lolol

I just want everyone to know that s1 Henry is the cutest. I already said it, but I’m saying it again. 

Henry panicking bc he doesn’t want C x J to keep reading about KD but he also doesn’t know what to do so he just throws a glass and smacks C’s phone out of her hand and clean across the room ajskjslk SAME

Jace was so.....twitchy in the first two seasons. He’s really mellowed---which I understand it happens when you get older---but it’s just so funny to see this little bean with all his crazy expressions and loud outbursts and rapid movements lolol

Hey Lelani? You’re hot (give me ukelele lessons pls)

“The toddler’s men stole 5,000 packages of diapers. Can you guess why?” “Uhhhh???” “To bombard the diapers with radioactive zenite particles.” “.....I would not have guessed that.”

also Ray getting lower to the ground as he talks and Hen just following is so funny to me. Ray was really extra in that first ep 

RAYMOND MANCHESTER HOW DARE YOU GET MAD AT HEN FOR WANTING TO GO TO HIS BFF’S BDAY PARTY INSTEAD OF FIGHTING CRIME. HE IS 13. AND YOU WOULD LATER CALL HIM UP WITH THE EMERGENCY ALARM PAST 12 AT NIGHT FOR CORNDOGS, SO I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT.

“Okay. Okay. It’s cool. You go to Jasper’s party. I’ll handle the toddler by myself. Don’t worry about it.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah. I’ve battled the toddler alone before--almost killed me, but whatever.” and u still want to take a 13 yr old out there??? Ray.

“No, I’m not bringing the muffins!” but u said u would

okay, but the news jumping from CM’s kidnapping to a report on why squirrels love nuts???? TOO tru (they really do that “here’s something serious. kids are dying. now here’s this pointless and meaningless crap” lolol)

“I can’t talk! I’m naked!” friends anyone??? (“You can’t come in. Ross is naked.” “Why’d you tell her I was naked???” “I couldn’t tell her I was naked. She’s allowed to see me naked.” “Why does anyone have to be naked???”) (sorry i just love friends akjslkjs)

I FORGOT WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO HAVE SIDNEY X OLIVER ON MY SCREEN. I LOVE THEM. 

I hate u toddler. just in case you were doubting.

Jasper unknowingly saving the day by downloading that sound effect app on Hen’s phone *claps for him*

Henry just....completely kicking butt on his second day???? That’s my son.

“Captain Man!” “Henry!” “It’s Kid Danger.” :))))) I’M SQUEALING. I’M SO PROUD OF HIM. HIS LIL POINT TO RAY AND THAT SMALL SMILE. TOO. CUTE. (also Ray just namedropping like they don’t have identities to protect)

“How do I get you out of there?” “I don’t know. This is the first time I’ve been stuck in a baby bouncer hovering over a bottomless ball pit.” CALL SUPERHEROES OUT, RAY. all these extravagant traps they’re caught in and they just....know what to do??? Doubtful. (bottomless pits are impossible, but you know lol)

Ray swinging around everywhere in that baby bouncer was hilarious alkjdlksj

that spitting device is the literal WORST thing i have ever seen. i freaking hate spit.

God, i wish the toddler had stayed tf down there in that ball pit. i wish that bottle had blown him to the center of the earth. (sorry i just really don’t like him akdjslj)

“What do we do with this? (the bottle bomb)” “We give the baby his bottle.” “Ah. Good call.” “Hey.” “Suuuuup.” “Hurry.” “Oh, right.” aksjlsksjl there are some really good moments in this ep

Ray shielding Henry was <33333 (it would be really messed up if he hadn’t considering he’s indestructible, but I like to think that he chose to)

AJKSJSKLSKSJLK HENRY’S FACE WHEN RAY TOLD HIM “GOOD JOB” WAS SOOOOOOO PRECIOUS. He looked so shocked. Like, “CM thinks I did a good job????” 

It’s like, Henry’s second day on the job, and they’re just namedropping right and left. Why be careful???? It’s not like they have secret identities or anything.....(they steady use their real names. i guess they don’t really have to worry. C must be the only smart person in Swellview bc no one else seems capable of figuring it out. I mean, not even his parents recognized him ajksjslk)

If you need any proof that Ray is a good guy, just watch this ep. His willingness to show up to J’s party despite only knowing Hen for like two days is a solid testament to his character. This is the Ray I know and love.

awwwwww poor Jasp. your party isn’t a flop. It’s about to be lit af because your bff is HENRY FREAKING HART, THE SWEETEST BOY TO EVER LIVE.

Ray, your excuse is horrible. “My van broke down across the street so I decided to come into this house and into this basement.” alskjlskj what is that????

“You’re CM!” “Thank you.” “You’re my hero!” “Of course.” oh Ray

Henry’s just watching J freak out over CM, watching how excited and happy J is and knowing he did that for him, and it’s just----my heart is all ajkdjlsjks

Char is the cutest in this ep. she’s fangirling over CM, and it’s so weird bc now she can’t stand him lolol

Hen x Ray pretending they don’t know each other. SO. PRECIOUS. Ray’s face is so sweet and they share this secret smile and just GAHHHH

J asking CM if he can hit him w/ a bball bat alksjlk “Remember kids: never do this to anyone but CM bc regular ppl could be badly inju--AHHHHHH.......I wasn’t done talking.” “Did that hurt?” “Yeah. But I’m okay.” the way Ray says yeah cracks me up bc it’s like, duh it hurt. it was a bat hitting my head lolol

“Hey, CM?” “Yes, boy?” “Would it be ok if Jasp texted a few friends and told them you were here at his party?” “Suuurrreeee. I love being used.” Ray kills me. cooper x jace have some of the best line delivery/comedic timing akdjslkj

*J is shaking CM’s hand* “Thank you so much! This is the best day of my life!” “Ha ha, are your hands always this sweaty?” “Yes sir.” “He takes medicine for it.” “Wellllll, it���s not working.” *wipes hand on J and leaves wet mark* ajsklj poor Jasper

Henry brought the muffins after all <33333 “Muffins.” “Yeah.” (you can tell Jace x Sean were already good friends. so cute.)

Hen x Char got Jasp the bucket from the shop that Gooch wouldn’t let him have. Dawwwwww

“For awhile there, I thought you weren’t gonna come.” “Come on, man. I’ll always be there for you.” then. they. hug. they’re. so. cute. i. love. solid. friendships.

HENRY’S LAST LITTLE LOOK AT THE PARTY BEFORE HE LEAVES IS THE BEST THING EVER. THE LITTLE NOD HE MAKES LIKE, “YEAH. THIS IS GOOD.” LIKE, HE’S PERFECTLY OK WITH MISSING OUT SO LONG AS EVERYONE ELSE IS HAVING FUN. AHHHHHH. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. :)))))) <3333333

that was a perfect way to end an ep

<3

I’m glad I watched this. I’ve forgotten most of the earlier episodes which is a crime because they’re so good. It was hard to see Jace so little when he’s so grown now!!!!! My heart couldn’t take it. But lil Henry is precious and I love him. Stay tuned for more rewatches!!!! xoxoxox

[audreycritter]

I know you're already writing The Librarian, but I'm greedy. If you're still doing Flash fics - Bruce and Selina? Or Selina interacting with one of the bat kids? Thanks :)

Rating: T? Maybe G? Idk it’s pretty darn mild.

French Fries

“Just a coffee?” he repeated, to make sure. Catwoman studied her nails with a slight frown and nodded at him, a little distracted.

“That’s all,” she said. “Black.”

He didn’t sigh or shrug or give any indication that he felt any particular way about this aside from a pause that stretched out a bit long even for him.

“A coffee,” she repeated. “Un café.”

“You’re not going to steal my fries,” Batman said sternly, more a declaration than a warning or a question.

“Me?” she asked, lifting her goggles to blink at him. “Steal?”

“Hnn,” was all he said. His cowl hid any expression around his eyes and underneath the cowl, his discipline smoothed out any expression that might have dared show itself anyway, but one corner of his mouth quirked up just slightly.

Catwoman slid her goggles back down and moved closer to him. How the hell he managed cursive with a pencil while wearing the gauntleted gloves was beyond her, but his script neatly filled part of the white notepaper all the same. She tried blowing on the lower part of his cheek to see if he’d react. He didn’t.

She traced his jawline with a fingernail and he did not flinch or jerk away, but the pencil stopped moving and he exhaled long and slow and soft. It would have been sweet if it wasn’t clearly a noise of irritation. Catwoman glanced down at the paper, where the pencil mark made a long, marring gash through the words above his present line. She grinned and sat back.

Batman did not bother to erase the line, but finished the short list and then stood and stepped off the edge of the roof. Catwoman yawned and sat back, propping her weight on her outstretched arms, and a second later there was a snick as the grappling hook caught the concrete.

Down the building face, he tucked the folded paper into a windowsill while hanging from one arm, then pressed the recoil button and soared vertically with his cape fluttering around him. At the top, he swung up over onto the roof again.

Catwoman was examining a batarang and he glanced down at the compartment on his utility belt and bit off his own compulsion to sigh. He held a hand out for it and she laughed and shook her head.

“Finders keepers,” she said, spinning the flat edge around on a finger.

“That hardly applies to pickpocketing,” he retorted.

“I thought your belt was ‘impossible,’” she smirked.

“That wasn’t a challenge,” he said, turning to gaze across the city instead of look at her. If he did, she’d know how close she was to eliciting a laugh and it wasn’t exactly the sort of behavior he wanted to encourage.

“Just like ‘take off your pants and get in the van’ wasn’t a challenge?” she asked, snatching his cape and pulling hard. He actually staggered a step back before whirling to scowl at her.

“That was an emergency,” he said, irritated. “And you were wearing that ridiculous disguise. You can’t possibly think that was intended to be flirtatious.”

“It’s hard to tell with you sometimes,” she said obstinately. She reached up to hand him the batarang, which he accepted gingerly with two fingers as if it might explode. She shivered when she realized it had been an actual possibility, considering him and his arsenal.

He actually clicked open the eye visors in the cowl to meet her gaze.

“You know what I do during daylight hours, my reputation,” he said, as if they hadn’t had this conversation half a dozen times already. “If I’m flirting with you, you’ll know. That was a matter of safety.”

“Damn, but you’re prickly tonight,” Catwoman complained. “Are you hangry?”

“I don’t know what that means,” he said stiffly, though she guessed he had to know somehow or other. She didn’t explain.

The roof access door opened just a crack and a paper sack and drink carrier were set on the roof, then the door clicked shut.

“Delivery, too,” she said, whistling. “You don’t even really need to go home if you don’t want to.”

He ignored this and strode over to pick up the food.

This time when he rejoined her, he sat down next to her and handed her the coffee. The other drink looked like it might be a milkshake.

“Are you eating with the gloves on,” she asked, when the burger was halfway to his mouth. He froze for a second and then took a bite as an answer. She rolled her eyes. “It’s a wonder you aren’t dead already.”

For a few minutes, they were quiet and the quiet shifted to companionable, like it usually did these days. He turned his head to scan the skyline, his eye visors still retracted, and Selina snuck a French fry.

She sipped her coffee immediately after, making it soggy, but he’d looked back and she didn’t want to risk her mouth being visibly occupied with food.

It happened again, and then again. He’d let his gaze drift over the city and her hand would creep into the thin cardboard package. Even as good as she was, he had to know she was doing it, so she figured he’d stop her if it really bothered him.

He wadded up the foil wrapped from the burger and tipped the fry container up. It was nearly empty.

“Selina,” he exclaimed, sounding a little shocked. It probably would have sounded flat to most people but she’d known him a long time.

“What?” she asked, a little surprised herself that he apparently hadn’t noticed and feeling a little triumphant that she hadn’t lost her game. She raised an eyebrow even though it was pointless with the mask and goggles and she slurped his milkshake.

His jaw tightened and he reached forward and took it from her hand.

“I could have gotten you anything,” he said.

“It’s more fun this way,” she answered.

But now that the glow of victory was fading a little, she realized that he seemed…distracted. He’d sought her out tonight so it probably wasn’t that she wasn’t interesting, otherwise, he wouldn’t have wasted his time.

He was sometimes infuriatingly unromantic and practical like that.

“You okay?” she asked, bumping his knee with hers. She sipped her own coffee this time and admitted to herself that it was actually really good coffee for a midnight diner.

“Hn,” he said without looking over. “I’m fine.”

“That’s great,” she said, taking the milkshake from him and sucking down a drink again. She put it back in his motionless hand, his fingers still in a C-shape she fit the cup into. “Now how about the truth? I don’t like playing therapist so I’m not asking again.”

Batman scoped out the rooftop and surrounding buildings before setting the milkshake down and pushing his cowl off his head. His hair was slightly damp with sweat and he still wore a domino mask, but it was much more like looking at Bruce than Batman.

Selina pulled her goggles down around her neck and tugged her own mask off. She wasn’t wearing a domino but she didn’t ever care as much as he did about the identity thing.

He finished the French fries while they sat and she’d nearly given up on him actually saying anything more when he spoke, facing the city instead of her.

Their shoulders were touching after she’d scooted closer but for a brief moment, it felt like there was an actual barrier between them as he looked straight ahead; it was like being dragged to confession as a child, but as the confessor for once.

“It doesn’t matter how much I do,” he said. “It’s not enough.”

Selina wanted to tease him about midlife crises, but she held her tongue.

“There was a drive-by tonight,” he said. “I didn’t get there in time. A pedestrian died on the scene.”

“If you think that was your fault, I’m going to scratch your face,” Selina said seriously.

He looked at her then, his slight frown belying the intensity in his eyes. She didn’t scratch his face.

“It all feels like my fault,” he said levelly. “Every time I’m not fast enough. It all matters or none of it does.”

“That sounds like a shitty way to live,” she observed, she hoped neutrally.

The city had his attention again.

“It is,” he said in agreement. “But I can’t settle for the alternative. Too many already do.”

Selina opened her mouth to point out how stupid this sounded, as if his sense of guilt negated the lack of care others might show, but she reconsidered and said simply, “I’m sorry.”

His posture dipped a little and then straightened again and he nodded.

Selina put an arm around his waist and leaned her head against his shoulder. She put her hand in his free hand, intertwining glove and gauntlet.

“For the record, the apology was not for the fries,” she said quietly.

He chuckled, a coarse and cut-off sound, and said, “Noted.”

They didn’t move from the spot for a long time and when the sun began to tinge the eastern horizon faint purple against the dark sky, he lifted her chin with two fingers and kissed her.

It wasn’t hard or passionate, like some kisses she’d had from him or other men. It was gentle, for all the confidence in his movement, and when she ducked her head after he pulled back, she frowned at her hands and then looked up at him again.

“What do you say we get out of here?” he asked. “I know a place.”

“If it has a bed and a nap, count me in,” Selina said, stretching.

“I think that can be arranged,” he answered. “As long as you promise to not steal the blankets.”

“I can’t promise something against my nature,” she retorted, standing and stretching again. “I’ll meet you there, Bat.”

“Selina,” he said, just as she was about to run and leap. She hesitated and looked back. “Thank you,” he said.

“You’re too hard on yourself,” she said in reply, and then she jumped.

He repositioned the cowl and made the journey alone back across the city and through the outskirts and into the Cave.

She wasn’t there.

Bruce climbed the stairs into the Manor thirty minutes later, after writing patrol reports and storing the suit and repairing a utility belt compartment. It was fully dawn outside but the house was still quiet.

He didn’t hear the shower running until he was in the hall leading to the master bedroom.

Tim was sitting on the floor, back propped against the bedroom door, looking groggy and half-asleep.

“Is this an authorized use of your space?” Tim asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

“Selina?” Bruce asked, holding out a hand to the teen.

Tim nodded and let Bruce pull him to his feet.

“Yeah,” Bruce said. “Thanks.”

“M’going to bed,” Tim mumbled in reply. “Don’t let her steal the silverware.”

“Has she ever stolen the silverware?” Bruce asked dryly, raising an eyebrow.

“No?” Tim said like it was a question. He disappeared around the corner.

Bruce went into the bedroom. The bathroom door was cracked open and the shower was still running and on his bed was a paper bag. Curious, he wondered over and tipped it to look inside.

It was full of French fries.