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sariyastars · 15 days ago

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🕷 Silk and Shadows

I. Shattered Threads

Pairing: Older! Damian Wayne x Spider! Reader Synopsis: While fighting a multiversal anomaly, Spiderlily is thrown into a city of shadows. With their Gizmo shattered and no way home, they discover Gotham’s dangers are far greater than they ever imagined. But giving up is not an option, because with great power, comes great responsibility. TW: Violence, Anxiety, Light Injury, Threatening Creatures, & Disorientation Word Count: 3,601

The city lights of New York had begun to flicker on, as the sun slowly fell over the building's horizons. For the past week, you have been running on pure willpower. Between starting university, working, maintaining a personal life, and keeping up with New York as the friendly neighborhood Spiderlily, it has been difficult to say the least. You loved your life, but being (y/n) and Spiderlily was beyond demanding.

Bells of the cafe chimed, as you turned to greet the customer. While attending New York University, you worked at a local cafe part-time to help with the bills. The cafe was a small and cozy place, just off of a corner 10 minutes away from NYU. As you lift your head up from wiping the counters, you see your two best friends bounce in.

Lenora Peterson, better known as Leni, has light brown medium-length hair that curls just a bit at the ends and big golden brown eyes that somehow always seem to have a mischievous glint to them. Leni is the crazy engineer type. She has quite the passion for crafting things and trying out new scientific experiments that should probably be considered illegal. You guessed that being a Mechanical Engineer major allowed her to create such strange machinery whenever she pleased.

Hanley Munoz, also known as LeyLey, stands at 5'10" with fluffy brown hair styled to the side. His green eyes, often framed by his black thick rimmed glasses, are calculating. Kind but never sure. Hanley was never great with social cues and is trusting to a fault, but is incredibly intelligent despite this. Majoring in Biochemistry, he dedicates most of his time playing lacrosse for the NYU team.

And then there was you. NYU Biophysics major and local spider-hero. The three of you were like the Three Stooges. Ever since middle school, you were always seen together and rarely ever apart. Participating in multiple different science fairs and other events together. However, you never wanted to involve them in your private life as Spiderlily. It did not take long for Leni to figure out your identity, but Hanley still has not yet seemed to catch on. His lack of awareness played well for you, and you planned to keep it that way.

Although, ever since Leni has found out about Spiderlily, she began to self-proclaim herself as your ‘man in the chair’. While you were adamantly against this for a while, she ended up becoming one of your greatest assets. She has helped you improve and fix your gadgets when you didn’t have the time. She’s guided you through the city countless times. She has even made your spidersuit. Now, Leni was no seamstress. Except for when the fabric involves vibranium. How she managed to get her hands on a vibranium custom spider suit for you is beyond your comprehension. You’ve learned it’s best not to ask her these kinds of questions. Especially when it's handed to you on such a nice silver platter.

The smell of coffee washes over you once again as you place your cleaning rag off to the side of the counter. Both Leni and Hanley make their way up to the register to greet you.

“And how may I help you guys today?”, you ask playfully, meeting them at the front register with your hands on the counter and your head tilted to the side.

“Our usuals please, madam.”, Leni retorts back in a terrible fake British accent. Her arm is slung around Hanley’s left one, whose hands are in his pocket. His Lacrosse bag is slung on his right arm, along with his school bag. The two both seem tired from the day, but Leni seems to be a bit more energetic as she is tugging Hanley back and forth as she sways.

You note the tired eyes Hanley has while he attempts to stifle a yawn. Presumably exhausted from his classes and Lacrosse practice. You look over to Leni who is now pulling out her wallet. Guess it was her turn to spot for coffee.

As you type up their usual coffee orders, you read it out loud to them- “So, that’ll be one blended medium vanilla frap and one extra large salted caramel cold brew.”.

“Oh! Can you add 5 extra shots to my cold brew.”, Leni quickly pipes in.

You look up at her with a stoic stare. “You’re joking. Right?”

“No, I have some essays I have to suffer through tonight for English 1301, and our personal project I want to complete.”, Leni finishes with an obvious wink at you. Hinting at the new spider gadgets she has been working on for the past week.

“What? You got something in your eye?”, Hanley questions, turning his head to Leni with a weird look of confusion.

You both are so lucky Hanley is as oblivious as he is. Truly.

Your eyes roll at this as you let out a soft chuckle. “Legally, no. Cold brews are already at max level of caffeine and it would be illegal for me to add any more. So, no.”

Leni scowls at your response, her lips pursing together in thought. “Can you leave some space in the cup and give me 5 shots on the side?”

You both stare at each other for what seems like a long moment. You are lucky the cafe is not busy at this hour.

“Fine.”, you state while typing it into the system, your face still deadpan before letting out a soft smile. Leni cheered at this and tapped her card on the card reader.

“What? No tip?”, you tease her again. She playfully sticks her tongue out at you, while Hanley begins to pull out a couple bucks from his wallet and drops it into your tip jar.

“Thank you, HANLEY.”, you emphasize his name. Leni laughs at this and begins to drag Hanley towards their usual table. Hanley grunts in response, as if saying ‘no problem’, as he allows himself to get dragged away from the counter. You laugh as well and begin to turn away to work on their drinks. You were the only barista for the closing night shift today.

After handing Leni and Hanley their drinks, you lean against the counter as you all chat about your days. Leni is venting about her English 1301 essay she needs to complete. One hand is holding her coffee, that she had poured the 5 extra shots of espresso into, and the other is waving around in the air. “It’s 2 pages TOO long.”, she sighs exasperatedly. Drama queen.

On the other hand, Hanley is mostly quiet. Listening intently to Leni while sipping his vanilla frappuccino. He speaks about his coach and his teammates once in a while, but his schedule remains relatively consistent compared to Leni.

You love moments like these. Where it’s just the three of you without the weight of anything else on your shoulders. No NYU scholarship kid. No Spiderlily. Just (y/n), and their best friends.

The cafe is quiet now, with only the three of you left. It is 8pm, just about closing time. You sigh softly, now beginning the closing routine. As you clean up the cafe, you glance over to Leni, who’s sketching something on a napkin, and Hanley, who’s absorbed in his phone. Just for a moment, everything feels normal.

With the closing routine completed, you lock the cafe up. The metallic click of the lock hit your ears, signaling that the door was properly closed and secure for the night. Leni stood beside you, watching as you locked the door, while Hanley stood a couple steps farther away- adjusting his bags on his shoulders.

Just as you had removed your key from the lock and turned to face them, your Gizmo buzzed on your wrist, notifying you of yet another anomaly. You quickly glance at the watch that was now lighting up beneath your hoodie’s sleeve. Ignoring the watch, you give Leni a knowing look before glancing over to Hanley who was now yawning. His breath was visible with the cold crisp air.

“Heyyy, oh my gosh. Completely forgot. I have a huge project to work on tonight that I really need to focus on. Rain check on our study group tonight?”, you ask hesitantly while slowly backing up, ready to run to your apartment.

Leni, always being your cover, quickly grabs Hanley’s arm and begins dragging him in the opposite direction. “Yep! No worries, Hanley and I can just work on other stuff. Isn’t that right, Leyley.”

Before Hanley can respond, Leni is already pulling him farther away. His eyebrows are scrunchies in confusion, but is accepting of his fate. Leni waves in your direction as the two slowly get farther and farther away.

“Bye! We’ll see you tomorrow!”, she waves excitedly. Hanley looks back as well, throwing up a small wave and smile.

Once the two were far enough, you rapidly whip yourself around and book it towards your apartment. The cold air was sharp against your face as you ran home. While running, you pull back the sleeve of your hoodie to read your Gizmo that was continuing to buzz for your attention.

ATTENTION: ANOMALY DETECTED- HIGH PRIORITY

The screen flickered with a brief glitch, just for a moment, before the alert stabilized. Your heart sped up a bit more and a knot tightened in your chest. “High priority?”, you whispered to yourself, your breath visible in the cold air. It has been a long while since you had such an urgent anomaly from the Spider-Society. You were grateful Leni was able to pull Hanley away so efficiently.

Busting into your apartment, your bag tumbled across the room as you swung yourself into your bedroom. You quickly rip your spidersuit from your hidden wardrobe compartment and throw it on. The suit is sleek and form-fitting. Vibrant crimson web lines flow out from the center of your chest, with patterns similar to that of a spider lily at the base of your boots. Your spider logo is black, like the rest of your suit, with scarlet accents and covers a majority of your chest and shoulders with its long legs and stylized body.

With a quick tug on your mask, you flatten the fabric around your neck and head towards your back apartment window. It creaks as you push it open, letting a gust of the cold night’s air. Luckily you could not feel much of it through the suit, as it was well insulated with its own warmer. You hop over the window’s sill, gripping to the wall, and push it back shut.

Dangling off of the wall, 5 stories up in the air, you check your Gizmo again to locate the anomaly. Downtown. Not terribly far.

You jumped off of the building and shot a string of web from your wrist, your body twisting as you glided through the city. The New York’s city lights twinkled around you as you flipped past each window. As much as you loved to admire your city, you couldn’t help but focus on the alert on your wrist. A high-priority anomaly was never an easy night. They were world destroying. You had to take care of this anomaly and fast.

As you swung into the heart of the city, the air and your chest felt heavier. It was almost suffocating. You jumped up, landing on a nearby building of the location, and found the anomaly. It was a large, iridescent vortex of crackling energy. The area around it was distorted, almost as if it was being sucked into it. The vortex pulsed and projected streaks of colors that flickered erratically.

Your jaw became slightly ajar at the sight, as a dark clawed hand gripped the vortex’s edge. Almost as if it was trying to pry itself out from its gravitational pull. Soon enough, the shadow ripped itself from the vortex. Its body glitched erratically, similarly to that of the vortex itself. It had no distinct features, just the empty silhouette of a creature, and eyes that were nothing but narrow slits. The creature howled, its voice raspy and defective.

“Jesus Christ.”, you muttered.

Just as you spoke, another clawed creature ripped itself from the vortex that was soon followed by another. Within just moments, multiple of these shadows had clambered through. You swallowed hard, examining the situation.

“God… Ah, fuck it.”

You flick your wrist, shooting yourself to the closest shadow creature. They had begun to scramble down the street. With a quick dive, you drive your feet into the nearest creature. Curb stomping them as hard as you could. The creature screeched at the impact before glitching bright colors and dispersing into a black mist.

“One down… One too many to go…”, you say looking at your surrounding vicinity that was now infected with these things.

You barely get a moment before another shadow lunges at you from behind. Your spidey sense had activated, causing you to jump up quickly. Its claws sliced the concrete street that you were just standing on a second ago, leaving a large scratch mark ingrained into it. You managed to land on a light post, but another lunged at you off of the nearby building. Your body twisted as you jumped, attempting to dodge all of these creatures' attacks. Just one hit might render you unconscious.

Hanging on the side of a metal balcony, you watch as three more creatures advance toward you. While there were no distinctive figures to them, it almost felt as if they were predators- hunting their prey. Their eyes were locked onto you. Their movements seemed calculated, oddly robotic, and trained onto you.

The first shadow attacked from below, scaling up the building quickly- tearing into the brick as it raced up. You jumped off of the creaky metal balcony, getting away just in time before webbing yourself up towards another building. As you jumped, you twisted your body around to shoot a web directly at its supposed face. The web hit, covering its face in the sticky strands. It immediately reached up to claw it off of its face, releasing the creature from the building and causing it to fall. A glitchy hiss echoed your ears as the creature was falling. It was not long before the creature hit the ground, dispersing into a glitch of bright colors and black mist- just like the first one.

Another creature advanced towards you, leaping off of the previous creature's body right before it had hit the concrete. Swinging on your web, you redirected your momentum to make a tight turn and kick the creature with all of your weight. The force from your kick sent the creature through a wall as it yelled and dispersed.

“So sorry tax-payers!”, you yelled out, still swinging and webbing the creatures as you moved by.

You continued to take them down as quickly as possible. All it seemed to take was one good hit to destroy them, but there were just so many. You had to handle it by closing the vortex.

As you were thinking, you could hear a shriek cutting through the yells of the shadows. It was sharp and fearful. Your head quickly snapped in the direction of the scream; your spidey sense rang. Abandoning the creatures in front of you, you immediately zipped towards the voice.

There, a young woman stood shaking on the side of the street. Her phone was raised, held tightly in her hands as it recorded a creature about to pounce on her.

“Run!”, you yelled at her, but she did not move. Her eyes glistened with fascination but her body shook with fear.

“I said MOVE!”, you yelled once again, charging at her full speed.

The creature was just about to pounce, its claws ready to tear into the woman. You quickly shot out a web and yanked her back towards you. The woman flew across the pavement, still attached to your web. Her beanie had slipped off, but otherwise she was still intact with her phone in her hand.

Where the creature had pounced, was left a small crater in the sidewalk. Cracked and dented. That was going to need quite a bit of fixing.

“Seriously? Risking it all just for what? A TikTok?”, you questioned the woman with a breathy angry sigh, grabbing her beanie and slapping it into her chest. “Now GO.”, you demanded.

“But I-”

Another shadow creature began to approach.

“GO!”

The woman nodded at this and quickly scampered off at the sight of it. The creature screamed once again, charging at you like a bull.

“Always giving me more work.”, you muttered to yourself.

As the creature charged, you jumped up and shot two webs on the street below you. Once it had ran under you, you used the momentum of your webs to slam yourself down onto it.

You continued to take down more shadow creatures as you made your way back towards the vortex that was now pulsating rapidly.

“Okay, Spiderlily.”, you spoke to yourself. “How do we close a giant neon pulsating shadow puking multiversal portal? The answer is totally obvious. Came in the spidey handbook!”

Landing on the same building as the vortex, you look up at it. Analyzing it.

“Think, Spiderlily. Think.”, you whispered, staring deep into its colors.

It did not look like your typical portal. It was cracked, ripped- unstable with frayed ends. Everything about it was simply unnatural. It throbbed violently and seemed to distort reality itself. This anomaly was different from your usual ones. You couldn’t open a portal and kick this portal into it. There had to be a way to reverse it. You just didn’t know how.

Eventually, you decide that any attempt is better than no attempt. So, you began to pull at the edges of the vortex with your hands and attempt to physically shut it. Sure, there is probably a better solution, but there wasn’t much time and your options were looking relatively limited.

Good news though, the vortex was moving. It was closing with the force you were putting into it. Feeling it slowly inch, you began to pull harder. Soon enough you were close enough to grab the other edge of it with your hand and were now able to pull both ends towards the center.

“Come on…Come on!”, you grunted through your teeth.

The vortex continued to thrash against you, colors flying out of it as some left over shadows shrieked in the distance. You were nearly there, with just a bit more you would be able to forcibly shut it closed.

Just as you were about to give the last pull, you saw a flash of movement come from behind you and a ringing in your head. Within a split second, you feel a kick on your back. With no time to react, you fall into the vortex.

You felt a surge of panic as you were kicked into the vortex. As you fell, you could see a humanoid shape stand at the end of the vortex you had just fell through. It was glitchy, shadowy, just like the creatures you fought before. However, it held a more sinister smile to it.

Your surroundings dissolved into a blur of glitchy bright lights and colors as the world around you fractured into jagged shards. Your senses were overwhelmed, caught in the series of spiraling portals. Each one flew past you like windows into other dimensions. Worlds you didn’t recognize.

Soon enough, the vortex had spit you out. You tumbled across yet another rooftop, the gravel scratching your sides as you rolled. It took a moment, but you eventually were able to push yourself up- groaning as you held your side. Definitely bruised.

You looked around at your surroundings. The colors of this world were relatively similar, but somehow darker. As you stood up, you immediately checked your Gizmo. The screen was cracked, a bit glitchy, but still responded when you touched the screen. You sighed at this and immediately looked to see what universe you were pushed into. Hopefully, if you were lucky, it would be one of your other spider friends.

As soon as you clicked the screen for it, the Gizmo beeped.

ERROR: UNREGISTERED DIMENSION

“...What?”, you whispered. It glitches again.

You attempt to recalibrate it, however nothing seems to work. You continue to get the same notification. Bewildered, you slap the watch on your wrist. Every dimension is registered, even if the Spider-Society does not have all of the spiders from each one. This was supposed to be impossible.

A wave of anxiety washes over you after minutes of attempting to recalibrate it. Your knees were buckling, realizing that there was no way to fix it without any tools. Getting back was going to prove more difficult.

“No, no, no, no!”, you yelled as you continued to slap it- not knowing what else to do. Your breath quickened as you stared in disbelief. You were stranded.

Your heart pounded in your ears at this thought as you turned your attention to your surroundings. The buildings were similar to New York, but the streets sounded different. The air was heavier, thicker. You could feel the weight of it pressing down on you like some sort of thick fog. The architecture around you was so similar yet so different. Everything was just darker, as if encased in an evercasting shadow. You glanced across the city skyline, your eyes catching onto a beam of light- piercing the foggy night sky. A bat logo.

Shit.

Next ➔

A/N: yay! so happy to finally push out the first chapter. hopefully i keep up the motivation to get this finished. i haven't written creatively in a really long time, so i am a bit rusty. i am also a very slow writer which does not help my case lol. anyway, i hope yall liked it! i think im still tryna get a grip on spiderlily's character, so if you guys have any suggestions for this fic- i am very open to it!! i appreciate all comments, notes, and reposts dearly. <3 this was also inspired by a bunch of fic's i have read in the past and @/yannawayne, so please go check them out!

#SnS #dc comics #dcu #damian wayne #damian al ghul #robin #damian wayne x reader #damian wayne x you #damian wayne x y/n #x reader #spiderman #across the spiderverse #into the spider verse #spider reader #batman #bruce wayne #batfamily #not canon #probably ooc

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morverenmaybewrites · 3 months ago

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Masterlist of My Works

Morveren | AO3

This is a personal blog, but I do take the occasional ask/requests. SFW asks only, please.

Genshin Impact

Stories:

✸ Someday, Somewhere (Xiao x Reader) (AO3)

You meet Adeptus Xiao under strange new skies.

✸ Speak (Xiao x Reader) (AO3)

Learning to love him is like learning a different language.

✸ Silk Flowers (Xiao x Reader) (Tumblr | AO3)

It was the silk flowers.

In summer time, they are practically given away: to seamstresses, to scribes, or perhaps, woven into the hair of a well-known customer. The token of a bargain well-struck.

Xiao claims not to be bothered by them, that adepti are above petty mortal concerns like jealousy.

Perhaps he is right, and you are reading too much into it.

But perhaps, as you are slowly learning, adepti are closer to humans than they’d like to admit.

You decide to test this theory.

"Xiao, if you hate the flowers so much," you say, smiling. "Why not take them off?"

✸ A Crown of Bone (Zhongli x Reader) (Tumblr | AO3)

Imagine being a changeling child and living your life in quiet yearning.

You had been found in the dead of winter, or so your mother tells you, a half-fey child abandoned in a snowbank.

Imagine a lifetime of secrets: your first memories are of a spring that does not belong to the mortal realm. You dream of golden eyes gleaming at you from the darkness as your mother picked you up and carried you away.

Imagine keeping these things to yourself, tucked away against the curve of your ribs, right next to your slow-beating heart. Secrets that are half-yearning and half-memory: someone had left you there in that snowbank, and there are days that you think that they did not do so willingly.

And you hope that one day, they will find you again

Headcanons:

✶Imagine Zhongli as Your Reincarnated Lover (Zhongli x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Imagine Being Kaeya's Childhood Friend (Kaeya Alberich x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Diluc x Fatui Reader (Diluc Ragnvindr x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Imagine sliding your fingers underneath Dilucs glove (Diluc Ragnvindr x Reader) (Tumblr)

Batman: Arkham and DC

Stories:

✸ The Pizza Delivery Girl's Survival Guide to Gotham City (Jason Todd x Reader) (AO3)

People who lived outside of Gotham City would most often think of it in terms of its heroes and villains. About Batman and Robin, Joker and Harley Quinn.

People who actually live in Gotham City would only think of one thing: surviving.

Who cares about the people in costumes when your house has been bombed for the fifth time, or your wife has been taken hostage just because she worked in a bank?

Or, in your case, when you have to make regular deliveries to places where even Batman feared to tread?

Because let's face it. In a world full of superheroes and costumed villains, the real heroes are the ones who make sure that people get their pizzas in forty-five minutes or less.

✸ His Father's Son (Jason Todd x Reader, Dark Fantasy!AU) (AO3)

Gotham City: the world’s last and greatest bastion of magic. A city made out of spells and twisting steel.

And the only place where the dead can be brought back to life.

After Jason Todd had been forcibly resurrected by his father, he left Gotham City in search of a new life. One where he did not have to be constantly reminded that he now sits on the border between the monstrous and the miraculous. One where he could forget that no longer quite belongs in the world of the living.

But when a strange new curse surfaces, one that causes plants to take root inside of living people and leaving flowering corpses in its wake, Jason finds that he must come back and help solve the case before it devours the city whole.

✸ Rules of Vanishing (Jason Todd x Reader) (AO3)

Here are the rules to survive as a civilian in Gotham City:

The first rule is to keep your head down. Don't draw attention to yourself. Don't make eye contact. Walk briskly and with purpose. Don't wear anything flashy that can be stolen and most certainly do not walk down that dark alley.

The second rule is don't be a hero. Avoid confrontations. Walk the other way when you see a standoff. Don't try to help that man getting beat up in the alley, because odds are you'll get killed right along with him. Gotham City has Batman for a reason.

The third and most important rule is this: Don't get involved with superheroes.

Or in your case, gun-toting vigilantes.

✸ Next to Last (Jason Todd x Reader) (AO3)

After Batman’s death, Jason is left to pick up the pieces.

✸ Revenant (Creature!Jason x Reader) (Tumblr)

✸ Imagine Early Mornings with Bruce Wayne (Bruce Wayne x Reader) (Tumblr)

Headcanons:

✶ Imagine Dark Fantasy!Gotham City (Tumblr)

✶How would Jason react to having his face traced (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Domestic Headcanons (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Eurydice! Jason Todd and Orpheus! Reader (Jason Todd x Reader (Tumblr)

✶ Jason Todd's life outside of work (Gen) (Tumblr)

✶ Jason Todd's day to day life (Gen, mild Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Imagine Wayne Manor as a Haunted House (Bruce Wayne x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Sleeping Arrangements (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ What kind of praise/compliments Jason would be fine with? (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ What freaks him out most in a relationship? (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ Jealousy and Insecurity Headcanons (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ What lesson about love are they still trying to learn? (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

✶ How has their understanding of love changed? (Jason Todd x Reader) (Tumblr)

Boku no Hero Academia | My Hero Academia

✸ Stolen (Hawks | Keigo Takami x Reader) (AO3)

He is five years old when he decides to be a hero. It is not as simple learning to fly nor is it as easy as saving people.

But he does not know that yet.

Snapshots of Hawks’ life from child to hero to something else in between.

Jujutsu Kaisen

✸ Made New (Kento Nanami x Reader) (Tumblr) (AO3)

Your husband, Kento Nanami, comes back home after Shibuya. Only he isn't quite the same.

#masterlist #jason todd x reader #hawks x reader #zhongli x reader #xiao x reader #diluc x reader #morverenmaybewrites

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yanmuffins · 1 month ago

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Glad you getting better muffin! I just wanted to ask if you could show the style of clothes that teen!vampire!reader wore and when she become adult after and before the biting thing please?

context &. context.

anon i love you. i hope your crops are watered and your harvest is bountiful. i'm really excited that i get to talk about this!! disclaimer: i know a lot of people aren't too keen on inserts being too characterized or specific, but i hope everyone will enjoy her fashion style! i promise it's relevant and i had a lot of fun with it.

so. where do i even begin with this post?

it all begins, of course, with vampire! reader's coming to the wayne manor as a child and the circumnsances behind it. that was a huge shift in her life. she was very little when it happened, long before damian could even dream of being concieved. media was going insane over this bastard wayne child that appeared out of nowhere, hoping to catch a glimpse of her to stamp on next day's newspaper and magazines. and as guarded as she was from the public eye, public appearances were inevitable, even if they were minimal at the time. so it was very important for her to dress and behave very proper and put-together.

but damage control wasn't the only, or even the biggest reason she was dressed like that. we have already established vampire! reader's fashion sense was greatly influenced by alfred, yes (and it still kind of is) — but also the new (fancy, upper-class) environment she found herself in. alfred mostly dressed her in whatever he thought was fitting for a wayne child, and although his choices might have been a bit outdated, no words of complaint were uttered. little vampire! reader's outfits were the least of bruce's problems at the time.

but all in all, it was alfred wanting to welcome her into the family and make her legitimate, providing the best of the best, donning her in the best fabrics from the best seamstresses and the best boutiques. he would show her old pictures of her grandmother, martha wayne, how she dressed, would show her the jewelry that were her heirlooms, and let her take a look at martha's old clothes that she could use once she was old enough, if she so desired.

now reader's fashion choices walk hand in hand with her upbringing, with the education she recieved. she takes being a "proper wayne lady" very seriously. it was a choice of mine to only have vampire! reader wear darker, more somber colors. it overall fits thr wayne/gotham aesthetic as well as emphasizes her upbriging, her blending in to the point of not being noticed. darker colors are also heavily associated with vampires, so there's that too!

onto the outfits. now, teen! vampire! reader is a bit more laid-back and experimental than her child self. but... not really. she begins to coordinate her own outfits without alfred's help, but his influence is far too ingrained in her brain for her to truly distance herself from it. she has certain luxury brands she will and will not buy from, seamstresses she contacts when she wants a piece custom-made.

the excessive formality of her childhood outfits dwindles, but doesn't completely disappear. it gives place to looser silhouettes, a pop of a brighter, non-muted color here and there, a shorter (gasp!) skirt if she's feeling daring, cashmere cardigans and (gasp!) a pair of sneakers here and there. she will go for more formal outfits here and there, but they have a certain joviality to them. the mary-jane shoes are still there, and so are the ballet flats, but now they're joined by loafers and oxfords. of course we have the fancier, tailored fits, with the tweed jackets and such, but they're mostly reserved for fitting occasions. heavy on the usage of long black/grey skirts, usage of pants or shorter bottoms pretty much non-existent.

this is somehwere around the time she convinces bruce to ditch the homeschooling and let her attend high school.

now, as vampire! reader reaches adulthood, the laid-backness of her outfits take a backseat. she leans onto more mature options, martha wayne and alfred's influence back with more force as she adds plenty of her grandmother's belongings into her own wardrobe. with some adjustments, that iconic black dress martha wayne wore to that charity ball fits bruce wayne's daughter like a glove at yet another charity event at the manor. and so many 50's-inspired outfits. her skirts are long, pleated or circle/swing for a more voluminous look with the help of some peticoats. full of neat gathers. usually plain dark or grey in color, but sometimes there's a plaid or a pied-de-poule to add a bit of fun to the outfit.

and that's when she starts wearing martha wayne's jewelry, too, so vampire! reader is getting fancy old money points not just for wearing expensive designer items like they cost $99 cents, but also because a lot of her wardrobe has extremely valuable, genuine vintage pieces that she inherited from a family member.

(can you tell i'm having fun leaning into the nepo-baby aspect of this? because i am. this reader is emotionally neglected but broke she is not.)

here you don't really have the loose sillhouette anymore. there's a lot of things reminiscent of her teenage phase, but now we have puffy skirts with a snatched waist — but nothing too form-fitting, either! no such thing as pencil skirts in her wardrobe, elegant as they may be. sometimes you might get an off-shoulder moment, but that's about it. we have a lot of fur (from martha's wardrobe), wool, velvet, etc.

(most of these are for fancier occasions!!)

but although she wears a lot of vintage or vintage-inspired outfits, there are fits that very much modern. get this: vampire! reader wears pants. jeans, mostly, and not very often, now that she's gone to college, but still. ironically, the sneakers are pretty much out, with designer slingback heels taking their place. designer heels, in general. lots of bags.

vampire! reader also... kinda flirts with the color red here and there, before being turned into a vampire. just a little pop of red here and there, maybe it's a more daring choice of dress she wore. just eyeing the color red sheepishly one time or another. hehe.

and, of course, her style of dressing is very much related to her upbringing. shaped by it, actually. she does enjoy the way she dresses, but i do think it portrays well the overly-posh, demure and modest image she maintains even uncounciously. always safe and never daring (as in she will stick with the outfits she deems proper/appropriate and will not deviate from them, at least not too much), always aiming to honor the family name.

but! onto the more modern outfits that i put together myself:

these are outfits vampire! reader wears on a daily basis! at this point she goes out a bit more often, to go to class, go shopping, a stop by a nice restaurant for lunch…

now here's some more references that i found on pinterest:

now you must be asking yourself: what about haute couture? does vampire! reader purchase those gorgeous, straight-out-of-a-dream dresses? and the answer is no. not often, at least. again, she keeps a very muted, elegant, somber style with no room for sequins, rhinestones, intricate or unconventional designs, anything too flashy in general. in those occasions she’s invited to fashion weeks she might stare at some of them longingly, desperate to find a plain enough dress she can wear to one of those few public appearances in she’s allowed to make. this is all before vampire! reader... well, being turned into a vampire. but i will say that the changes start some time before her transformation. her gradual changes and ultimate style as a vampire are still a work in progress, i'll admit. but.

dresses get more fitted, at first. the necklines get lower. skirts get a tiny bit shorter. the outfits more playful, more risqué, more assymetrical. there are corsets, deep red and green velvet, delicate laces, sleeveless tops with no white blouse underneath. it's cunty, that's all. and honestly? this is once again vampire! reader being influenced, this time by her sire, as she goes out with them into the night. the confidence isn't really there, lots of outfits she hasn't really picked and isn’t comfortable wearing.

(jason, duke and damian are first to notice it, and it makes a few alarms go off in their heads.)

i have some references and inspo, lots of them from 90's and early 2000's fits. she’ll lean more into haute couture then.

but i’m still deciding on vampire! reader’s style once she gets turned. this is the overall gist of it, though. a femme fatale kinda vibe — sexier, cuntier and absolutely powerful once that confidence kicks in and she starts wearing what she wants.

so that’s it for now I guess?? thank you for the ask anon, this was super fun!! ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡と

#asks.#anonymous.#yandere batfam #yandere batfamily #yandere batfam x reader #yandere batfamily x reader #vampire! batsis.#long post.

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i-smoke-chapstick · 10 months ago

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Request: I'm already back for more. As l've already told you I love your interpretation of a reader with dwarfism and since you are okay with me requesting more, can I get multiple headcanons of Gotham!Rogues x Dwarf!reader with just either simply day to day headcanons or their first reaction to meeting/seeing them? Rogues including jervis(obv Imao), Jerome, Oswald, Victor fries, Zsasz, and ra's al ghul!

The plot can be the reader being similar to the Cheshire Cat or Nightcrawler when it comes to teleportation powers. They're friends with Barbara, Selina, and Tabitha. The rogues always see photos on them on the news, newspapers, and sometimes in person but if they even get caught staring, reader teleports themself and whoever they're with away, so they don't really get a chance to talk or know them.

Like last time, only write this if you're okay with it and I'll understand if you can't or just don't want too!

Thank you tons again! - anon

‘VOULEZ-VOUS,

-GOTHAM VILLIANS X READER-

⋆ Characters ↬ Jervis Tetch, Jerome Valeska, Oswald Cobblepot, Victor Fries, Victor Zsasz, Ra's Al Ghul

⋆ 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒 ; gotham villians with a cheshire cat!reader who has dwarfism!

⋆ tags/warnings. GOTHAM!villains x female reader. FLUFF! I love readers power SOSOSOSO much! Super creative <3 Also villians being whipped for reader just cuz they can. Protective Tabitha. REALLY protective Oswald. Jerome's a bit insensitive. Victor Zsasz is not immune to a pretty girls smile. Have never written for Victor Fries or Ra's, so fingers crossed their parts aren’t too bad! Ra’s and Fries parts got a little angsty

𝐽𝐸𝑅𝑉𝐼𝑆 𝑇𝐸𝑇𝐶𝐻

♫ “Across the room, your eyes are glowin' in the dark." Voulez-Vous by ABBA

Oh, the man is completely enthralled with you. How could he not be? You're the missing piece to his wonderland puzzle.

Similarly to Alice, he believes your powers go hand and hand with each other. He rules the mind, while you have complete control of your body. His first thought when he see's you in the newspaper is simple.

He must have you.

He will do anything it takes to track you down. He finds himself becoming more and more entranced with the prospect of you working with him, partners in crime, connected body and soul. Of course those feelings of admiration become obsession.

Before you know it, the man is going lengths to find you; just like how he was with Alice. Hiring Jim Gordon as a bounty hunter? Mayhaps...

When he finally finds you at the siren's club, he can't help but be in awe. You're so small, so fragile, so unique. He wants to kiss your flattened cheekbones that look like pure porcelain. Your his doll.

"My dear, Y/N!" He's calling when he finds you, his teeth spread into a wide grin. He finds your eyes quickly turning to meet his gaze, glowing underneath the club's light. His shadow towers over you.

"You look ravishing, I must admi-" He goes to speak, just before you disappear from thin air. His mouth is open for a few moments, eyebrows scrunched.

Where did his precious little Cheshire Cat go?

Oh yeah, he's pouting. He's never been a fan of the disappearing act. But he doesn't mind. He's determined. He's played this game with Alice for far too long, he will not take no for an answer.

You'll find notes, gifts, flowers, dresses tailored to your sizing. All perfectly crafted from Gotham's most professional hypnotized seamstresses or florists.

Barbara is smirking when she finds the gifts, cackling about how sweet small little Y/N has a loony admirer. Tabitha's less than pleased, throwing out any bouquet she finds before you see them. Selina agrees, the guy's a freak.

It's up to you if you want to give him a chance <3 He would be the most devoted lover and partner if you decided too...if not a bit overly infatuated.

𝐽𝐸𝑅𝛰𝑀𝐸 𝑉𝐴𝐿𝐸𝑆𝐾𝐴

♫ “Nothing promised, no regrets." Voulez-Vous by ABBA

Uh oh! Murderous clown on the loose, and he's also 100% fixated, just like a certain hatter.

Jerome brushes you off at first, don't get him wrong, he adores your work on the city. Nothing he loves more than seeing some horribles destroy Gotham! He's a fan, if you could call him that.

It takes him some time to warm up to the idea of being whipped. But once he is, you have him wrapped around your pretty little finger.

Similar to Jervis- he can't help himself. You're powerful. You're strange. You're a freak just like him and the rest of these bad boys in Gotham! You remind him of the circus, all different shapes and sizes of people around him. You belong with him. By his side. On his side. Maybe sitting in his lap... What?

Yeah, he's not sure where that came from either. But hey, he's not complaining! He likes to think he's a bachelor, a young beau waiting for his turn in the love game! Before he knows it, he's slicking his hair back, putting on his finest and most colorful suits, and making sure his face is stapled all the way. Then he's getting his cult to crash the Siren's club. Moment of silence for Tabitha who will have to clean it up after.

The place is a shit show, people in makeup dancing wildly and giggling manically. Tabitha, Barbra, Selina and you get tied up in the confusion. It's hard to fight back against a bunch of crazies when your expensive alcohol is being thrown at walls, and you four are simultaneously tied up together in one big rope. Barbra's throwing a bit of a hissy fit.

Everyone is quiet when Jerome enters, dressed to the nines, with a loud and boisterous,

"Hey gorgeous! I'm sure you've heard of me," He speaks, bending down to your level, invading your personal space. He goes to continue, until the four of you evaporate before him. Teleported away. He's left staring at the loose ropes, smile unchanged- but eyes widened in surprise.

Oh. Okay. So that's how it's gonna be. Alright.

Jerome loves a game of cat and mouse.

He craves attention. He loves the center stage, and he will not be ignored. No no no no.

He will not leave your club alone until you confront him. Yeah, sorry Babs and Tabs. Barbara will start urging you to just "sleep with the damn clown!" while Tabitha is trying desperately to not have you anywhere near that creep.

But the club isn't all he'll do, doll! No, he'll get his cult to do more and more mass murders and sprees across the city, each one broadcasted on live television. Each time, he looks into the camera, blood on his face, professing his undying love.

"This is for you, Y/N!" He's showcasing the violence around, "Call me!" He gestures, ending the broadcast abruptly.

Well, kind of hard to ignore a man when your club is in shambles, Barbara is going batshit insane, AND you have Jim Gordon trying to find you; just in order to stop these massacres around the city in your honor.

Once again, you should give the man a chance! He doesn't think he'd make a horrible boyfriend, y'know, if you're into gingers.

𝛰𝑆𝑊𝐴𝐿𝐷 𝐶𝛰𝐵𝐵𝐿𝐸𝑃𝛰𝑇

♫ “Take it now or leave it." Voulez-Vous by ABBA

Ozzie's a bit harder to gauge, because I don't think he'd become infatuated with someone unless he got to meet them first. So for arguments sake, we are just going to say you two have meet previously on many occasions! Specifically when he's had some bad blood with Barbara and Tabitha.

At first, he detests you. He thinks you're a nuisance, and a powerful tool for the Siren's. You can escape from ANYONES grasp, and take them with you. His nose is scrunching up every time he thinks of just how he can get rid of you.

Well, if he can't get rid of you, he's well versed in manipulation. Perhaps he can convince you to join his team.

You're going about your day at the club, tending bar on a step stool, the usual. Oswald comes in, Victor trailing behind him. Tabitha and Barbara are instantly on alert.

"Hello." Oswald fixes his suit jacket, rolling his cane in his fingertips. He wears a faux smile, and Tabitha huffs.

"What can we help you with, Ozzie?" Barbara is smiling, just as fake as his. It's a weird Gotham crime boss stand-off.

"I was wondering if you, my dear," He speaks, suddenly nodding down to you, "Would like to accompany me for lunch tomorrow."

Yeah, everyone's jaws drop, including Oswald's at the silence. Oswald didn't necessarily intend for it to sound like he was trying to ask you on a date. He's flushing red under everyone's gaze, suddenly fidgeting. If you look closely, Victor's giving a lazy amused smirk in the back.

"Like hell-" Tabitha's about to answer for you, before you squint at the man.

"Sure." You scan him up and down, hesitantly. Before anyone has a chance to speak, Oswald's turning on his heel.

"Wonderful! 2:00 sharp. Don't be late." He's smiling, knowing he's got a one-up on the Siren's.

...Well, leave it Oz to have things never work out quite his way. One lunch turns into two, and two turns into three. He's forcing himself to remember why he's doing this; you are just a tool. This is all a charade!

Hard to focus though, when you two seem to enjoy one another's company. Like when you show him what it feels like to teleport, (He's closing his eyes in fear, only for it to feel like nothing.) Or when you two have a strangely intimate discussion about what it was like growing up not very normal.

He's opening up about his schoolyard bullies, about his mother. About the feeling of being taunted, teased for his nose or height. You tell him, you know the feeling.

He stares at you, eyes focused solely on you. He's enamored.

He turns viciously protective over you. Any snide comment made towards you by a henchman of his, or a frequent at the Siren's club, they are brutally stabbed to death, a bit impulsively, with a bottle shard.

When he realizes he's falling in love with you, similar to Jervis, he likes doing grand gestures to get your attention. If there's anything you desire, you'll get it. Which is why when he finds out you're avoiding him, he becomes sour.

What? Why are you leaving him? He doesn't understand. The intimacies you two have shared, did they mean nothing to you? He's hurt, he's angry, he's aggressive. He's more irritable than usual; and judging from the fact he's irritable ALL the time, it's pretty bad. If you don't explain yourself, this sadness will probably turn into anger. He already believes you two have some weird pseudo-romantic relationship, so he's taking this like a break-up. He's a vengeful ex.

Whenever he stops by the Siren's club, and sees you teleport away at the sight of him, it stings. It all comes to a head when he's breaking down in his mansion. You will have to be the one to confront him, because he'll be too busy sulking. He loves you. He doesn't want to make you uncomfortable. If you don't want to talk to him, he won't force you, even if he's going crazy trying to figure out why.

When he sees you, he's standing up in a hurry, fumbling over his words, sniffling. His blue-green eyes are puffy, and you'll have to sigh and talk to him.

Please, tell him why your avoiding him. Explain if you're insecure, if you're scared of loving. He'll be thankful for the explanation. He'll be angry on your behalf for anyone who made you believe you were unloved, whether for your dwarfism or your powers. He's promising to kill for you, tear down the city to avenge you.

"Okay, Oz, I'm not dead yet."

"Yet?!"

Cuties <3

𝑉𝐼𝐶𝑇𝛰𝑅 𝐹𝑅𝐼𝐸𝑆

♫ “Now is all we get." Voulez-Vous by ABBA

Forgive him, he’s trying his hardest not to care, and failing miserably.

Similarly to Ozzie, I can’t see him becoming infatuated or obsessed like Jerome and Jervis so quickly, not since what happened with Nora. So, I’m imagining you’ve also met him once or twice; using your powers for the sirens, just like he and firefly have done some hitjobs for you four in the past.

He’s in love with the idea of having a family; of being accepted, of leaving this life behind. It’s made him bitter, cold; but the man will do anything for love. Anything.

And it’s hard not to notice the small woman running around on her toes in the club, parts of her body vanishing here and there. You’re gorgeous to him. Those small cheshire-like smiles you send him when he’s supposed to be working. They break his hard exterior. He doesn’t know if he loves or hates it. He loves it.

Even a small pit of jealousy fills him, whenever he sees you in the news. Or when he watches silently on the sidelines, while you talk with Barbara and Tabitha and Selina. You do it so effortlessly. How could anyone not be entranced by you?

He thinks that he’s a freak. Firefly’s a freak. Just like Jerome and Oz, he definitely finds solace in the idea you are just like him. You’re one of them; a freak. Pushed out by Gotham’s careless inhabitants, forced into this life. He remembers being driven out of town by Penguins army. He wonders if you’ve expirenced the same treatment at one point in your life. He wants to show you, he’s here for you. He loves you, every part of you. No matter how unconvential or mistreated. He just wants to take care of you.

Just like Oz, he’ll be ready to kill anyone for you. Freeze em’ to death in one single sweep. Just give him the go ahead.

Victor is terrified of hurting you, as well. Not only your tiny stature, but he’s sure he’d get ice burns from his fingertips. He imagines a life where it’s just the two of you, without the cold, back when he was just himself. He dreams of cooking for you. Owning an apartment. Even having a family. He swears, he’d be gentle. But he’s too uncertain. He isn’t good enough, and he certainly isn’t good for you.

You’ll have to be the first person to talk to him, warm up to him. He might not state it directly, other than a nonchalant nod here and there, but it makes him feel special. It’s the little interactions you two have that make him fall helmet over heels.

You two will spend hours, at the club, watching from the sidelines. Barbara and Tabitha out on business, Selina doing…Selina things. You’ll poke fun at the passerby’s to get a reaction out of him.

“Oh god, I just saw that guy kissing that girl- what’s he doing with that other chick?…Oh- they are making out. Oh, okay, he’s taking him to the back. I’ll give you $20 if Barbara kills this guy for doing it on her desk.” You’re snickering, gossiping. Every now and then you look over at him to see him already staring at you, the hint of a smile on his lips. It’s all you’ll get for now…until he responds.

“…Guess you’ll owe me $20 then.” He’s firing back, voice low. It’s the first time he’s spoken. The first time you’ve seen him do something other than brooding. It’s sweet.

These little things will become routine, and he’ll find solace in them. Eventually you’ll even play some tricks with your teleportation on the clubs costomers, scaring them, bumping into them. All the while you’re watching him in the corner, smiling, exhaling through his nose. He playfully scolds you sometimes, other times he chuckles. Either way, it’s a sight to see.

God, please don’t dissapear on this man. I don’t think he could take it. Gotham be damned, if you ever find yourself scared of him, he’d be broken. He’d think it was his fault, he’d think he lost his second chance at love. If you ran away from him, he might just up and leave Gotham.

But even if you did try to avoid him for awhile, I think he’d let you go without a fight. He’d just be more sulky than usual, more prone to picking petty fights with Firefly. You might find the room uncomfortably cold, even when he’s not occupying it. (He froze the AC to the club, he was upset. Sorry Barbara.)

I think he’s the only one on this list of characters that Barbara, Tabitha, and Selina might all actively approve of. Barbara wouldn’t mind having a henchman dating her bestie; soldifies his loyalty to them. Also, he’s good eye-candy. Tabitha doesn’t have any personal issue with the man, other than previously working with Penguin, of course. Selina will still make fun of him for being a walking freezer, but hey, what can you do. You have their blessing.

If you caught him before he decided to up and leave, explain to him why you run away, why you’ve been avoiding him. He won’t just understand, he’ll practically worship you. He’ll explain himself too, why he’s terrified of touching you. It’s not because of your dwarfism, or your powers. It’s just how he’s afraid of hurting or loosing you. Loving people is hard.

If he could cry, he would. But his tears will freeze when they touch his cheek. You’ll have to show him you aren’t fragile. He’ll believe you.

You guys can heal eachother.

𝑉𝐼𝐶𝑇𝛰𝑅 𝑍𝑆𝐴𝑆𝑍

♫ “The girl means business, so I'll offer her a drink." Voulez-Vous by ABBA

THIS Victor, on the other hand, is much more brash in his approaches to courting you.

He’s heard about you on the radio, from his boss, seen you in the newspapers, on the tv, watched you from the window in your apartment.

…What? Who said that?

He studies your every move. The man is calculated in his methods, what can he say? He’s not obsessed! (loud incorrect buzzer)

He just wants to size you up a little, see who the newest danger is in Gotham. He’ll convince himself he’s doing it for his boss, whether it be Falcone or Penguin. But it definitely goes deeper.

Unlike the other villians on this list that see your dwarfism as something to empathize with, Victor doesn’t really pay it any mind. He’s been around the block a few times- he’s been with women of all ages, heights, race, etc. The man really doesn’t have a type. What he’s attracted to is strength, independence, someone who will laugh at his dry humor with him. He’s stalked you at the club. He sees the way you banter with Tabitha and Selina, the way you make Barbara dissapear when she’s being too annoying with a flick of your wrist.

He’s incredibly attracted to a woman whose witty and good at what they do. Just like him.

Victor’s more subtle in his approach. He’ll make it casual.

So when you’re at the bar in the club, sitting around, watching the passerby’s, he’ll make his move.

“Now, what’s a girl like you doing here, alone?” He sneaks up behind you, giving you a start. You flush red at the man in front of you. Victor Zsasz. The words are spoken as he drums his fingers on the bar, cocking his head at your short frame. He towers over you, caging you in.

When you don’t speak, it doesn’t phase him. You’re about to teleport away in an instant, until he drawls your attention back to him with a lazy smile.

“So…” He whistles. “What’s your drink of choice? Wait- Let me guess.” The man doesn’t stop talking, listing off drinks that are most definitely not your drink of choice.

He watches you all the time. He knows exactly what your favorite drink is. But he wants you to stay.

It’s a bit awkward, a bit intimidating, and strangely charming. He speaks with an inflection that borders on sarcasm and curiosity. It’s intriguing, coming from Gotham’s most dangerous hitman.

“Can I ask-“ You squeak, now nursing a drink he ordered for you. It’s a Vodka Cran, and it could be worse. “…Is there a hit on me?”

He stares at you expressionless for uncomfortably long, before it forms into something quizzical.

“…Nah,” His voice is slow. He clicks his tongue. “Just an admirer.”

There’s an awkward scilence. He shrugs.

“Y’know. I’m a big fan of this place. Like the ambience.” He sips his own drink, you don’t know what it is. Just as his words sound out, you swear you can overhear a gunshot in the distance, probably from Barbara’s meeting with some other underground boss. Somehow, the sentiment makes you laugh.

He perks up at the sound.

You aren’t used to this. Someone being so casual about you, your powers, your small stature. He’s a bit flirty from time to time, but between the alcohol and his quips, you don’t seem to mind. He seems oddly genuine in his demeanor with every compliment or joke that slips.

You two keep the banter going for the rest of the night. Mostly chatting about how tiring your respective bosses can be. He does a poor drunken impression of Penguin, and you do one of Barbara. It’s a relaxing night in comparison to what you usually expirence living in Gotham.

You think you only see him every so often. Coming by the club whenever Penguin comes, or when a job is sent out, and his target is there. He’ll always send you a wink when he leaves, blood on his face.

But he sees you every day.

Yeah, the stalking only worsens. If you find your phone in different places throughout the day, or your window reopened, he’s the reason why.

He’s fine like this. In his head, the two of you are going steady. He’s pretty committed. You’re his girl, and that’s that.

Until you start avoiding him like the plague.

Zsasz WILL find a way to confront you. He doesn’t care if you teleport away each and everytime. He’ll find a way to get the message clear, through other means.

If you find a “talk to me.” with a smiley face, written with some poor saps blood, on your mirror, I apologize. He’s gotta get the message sent somehow.

Yeah, he won’t give up. He’ll go great lengths to get you two back together. He’s also listening to disco break-up ballads to cope. He’s getting the zsaszettes to stalk you when he can’t. If you still won’t budge, yeah, Tabitha might end up with a gun pointed at her head until you talk to him.

He’s not necessarily angry, but chasing after you is certainly taking a toll on him. Give the guy some credit.

Tabitha, still with a gun pointed at her, will be barking at you to not talk to him. He’s a creep, he’s an asshole, and you shouldn’t compromise your honor! (His eye will twitch at her words, trigger finger itching.)

Up to you what you decide to do! Explain the situation, talk to him, make things official, or…bye bye Tabitha. And that still won’t stop him. He doesn’t take rejection very seriously.

When you tell him exactly why you teleport yourself away, he’s the only one on this list who might think it’s stupid. He’ll understand, don’t get me wrong, but this is Gotham! Why would you be insecure? He garuntees you he’s met at least ten other people with far worse skeletons in their closet. You’ll have to teach him that’s not the issue.

Yeah, our little sociopath has a hard time with feelings. But I think you two would maybe be good for eachother! Teach him to listen more, whip him up into shape, and reap the benefits of having Gotham’s number one hitman as your personal bodyguard and lover. He’ll take you to stakeouts, make fun of Jim Gordon, crash your place. You two can watch Netflix under the blankets. He loves your size- cuddling into you like his own personal pillow.

Tabitha’s very dissapointed.

𝑅𝐴’𝑆 𝐴𝐿 𝐺𝐻𝑈𝐿

♫ “I'm really glad you came, you know the stars, you know the game.” Voulez-Vous by ABBA

May god have mercy on your soul, reader. Ra’s is a sight to behold when he’s in love.

He heard whispers of your name all around Gotham. He sees you on the news when he’s absentmindedly listening. A girl who can teleport herself and others, to any location? Even the power to control which body parts you maneuver. Extrodinary.

He’s immeadiatley infatuated with your power. He wants to covet you. Possess you. Have you close to him. He needs to see your power for himself.

He’s similarly calculated in his response to tracking you down. He will appear at the club, slinking into the shadows, whispering a quaint,

“Hello.”

It makes you jump, and as if on instinct, you teleport yourself away. He marvels at the way in which you do so right infront of his eyes. How rare it is, for him to be so easily confounded.

He must see you again.

You’ll feel his presence every now and then. Maybe even catch a glimpse of him watching you. You’ll turn back, eyes squinted, only to find he’s not there anymore. It confuses you just the same.

Though, you eventually get used to him watching. It turns into a little game between the two of you. If he can catch you, if you can catch him. It’s strangely endearing.

He’s also becoming increasingly more attentive to your daily habits. He memorizes your schedule. He sends members of the League of Shadows to observe you, to take notes on how you use your powers.

If any member insults you, or pokes fun at your dwarfism, Ra’s will spare them no mercy. Yeah…he’s making it a big deal. He’s ruthlessly insulting them for their ignorance, before killing them without a second thought. In a way, you belong to Ra’s already. He will not stand for disrespect among his order.

Ra’s is a gentleman. Just like Ozzie and Jervis, you’ll find gifts littered around your apartment. Little notes from him, written in the most exquisite cursive, expressing his admiration of you. Beautiful, rare, and expensive jewelry, tailored to the size of your wrists and neck.

You’ll see him exiting Barbara’s office sometimes, when he needs her for the demons head. He’ll send you a smile, half-way gentle, half-way playful. He’s unsure where the lines between love and facination blur; but he’s slowly realizing he loves you. He hasn’t felt such a way in decades. He’s been alive for very very long. No human woman has made him feel so helpless. He enjoys it thoroughly.

He’ll confess, the night before Gotham is meant to be blown to the ground. He’ll turn up, before the events are set in motion. You won’t have a clue in the world what he’s up to.

“My dear.” He’ll drawl, and you’ll go to teleport away, as you always do. It’s tradition for you two at this point.

Before you get a chance, he’ll click is tongue at you.

“Wait.” He speaks, voice sounding strangely desperate. It makes you freeze. “Come with me. Leave the city. Get somewhere else. I’d like to show you my home.”

Your choice, if you choose to leave with him. He’d make for a very attentive lover, and would protect you at any cost. But if you choose to do so, you’ll leave Tabitha and Barbara and Selina to their own fate <\3

Not that it matters if you decide to reject his offer. He’ll have you, one way or another.

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mochinek0 · 1 year ago

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Daminette December 2023: 26-Sparkles

Marinette had moved to Gotham. She had opened up a small shop that had a house in the second story. She would be a seamstress, while making her own comissions on the side. The newest addition to her move, was a puppy. He was still in training. She had heard how dangerous Gotham was and decided to get a guard dog. She had named him Damian.

"Damian!" she cried out, "Damian! Damian, where are you?"

Damian Wayne was annoyed. He was in the park with Titus and somoene kept calling out his name. Titus was starting to bark in response, likely calling attention to him. Damian stood up and decided it was better to confront the person causing a scene.

Damian opened his mouth to shout at them to stop calling his name when an Akita ran up to the girl. She kneel down and hugged it.

"Damian, you're back!" She smiled.

Damian blushed, watched the girl rub the dog's fluffy mane. Her smile shone brightly. Her eyes sparkled with happiness. Most of the time, he saw people with animals, but they're eyes seemed bored. Their pet had become a chore to them. The girl, in front of him, seemed to really care about him. The girl extended her hand, holding out a treat. Damian cleared his throat, drawing her attention.

"You shouldn't give him a treat after." he spoke.

Marinette turned to see a guy standing a few steps away from her. She looked at him confused.

'Was he talking to me?'

"He ran away?" He asked, "Correct?"

Mari nodded, closing the her fingers over the treat, before her dog could get it.

"Giving him a treat will teach him it is okay to run away from you." the boy declared.

"Oh." She replied, frowning, "Sorry. I'm still learning. It's my first time having a pet and I thought I was making progress training him."

'I need to read those training books more when the store gets slow.'

Mari noticed her dog, jumping excitedly, wagging his tail, waiting for his treat. Standing next to the boy was a black dog, remaining still.

'I guess he knows what he's talking about.'

"What exactly are you training him for?" he asked.

"Guard dog." she answered.

"Why?" he questioned.

"Let's just say.....people don't really like me." Marinette spoke, "They will, at first, then they all turn on me. Damian will be my protector."

"So Damian the Dog is-" he began.

"It's just Damian." Mari replied, glaring at him.

He chuckled, "So am I. I thought someone was calling my name, earlier."

"Oh!" she replied, shocked, "I'm so sorry."

"It is quite alright." He stated, "I named my cat after my grandfather. He is called Alfred the Cat. I suppose correcting you was a habit." making her giggle.

"I trained my own dog." Damian declared, "Perhaps I may be of some service."

"Really?" She smiled, "I'd like that a lot. Thank you, Damian the Human."

Marinette turned to her dog, Damian, hiding her blush.

'He's so cute. Why do I keep falling for guys with green eyes that sparkle? Damn, this weakness!'

"Let us exchange numbers." Damian the Human called out, "We need to set a schedule to meet up."

They exchanged numbers. Marinette listed him as Damian the Human.

"Marinette." he poke.

She looked up at him.

"Just testing it out." he smirked, walking away.

Mari flushed and made sure her dog's leash was properly attached before leading him away.

TAGLIST: @maribat-calendar-events @animeweebgirl@a-star-with-a-human-name@meme991001@vixen-uchiha@abrx2002@alysrose-starchild@fandom-trapped-03@dood-space@moonlightstar64@saltymiraculer@marveldcedits20@09shell-sea09@icerosecrystal@animegirlweeb@insane-fangirl-of-everything@blueblossombliss@nickristus-dreamer@megawhitleycalderonpaganus@missmadwoman@meira-3919@princessdaisysolosyourfaves@blep-23@fangirlingfanatic@darkhinauniverse@ravenr22@im-a-satanic-ritual@ravennm84@bianca-hooks123@a-slytherinish-gryffindor@starling218

#marinette dupain cheng #marinette in gotham #damian the dog #damian wayne #titus the dog #damian x marinette #marinette x damian #mlb x dc #dc x mlb #damian the human #green eyes #sparkles #mochinek0

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imheretoreadafic · 10 days ago

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Really appreciate that in Gotham when someone snaps, they go and buy/make a costume. I imagine being a tailor and / or seamstress in Gotham pays very well.

#gotham #batman #dcu #dcu universe #meme

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maribatz-2k · 1 year ago

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Child Of Mine

09/20/2023

Chapter 17

First|Previous

Two years later, Mari and Alix had moved to New Jersey to rebuild their lives. Alix applied for the art teacher position at the local schools and Marinette had opened a small store. The girls had found a dreary location of Gotham and sold their condo in London to a starting out family.

You’re probably wondering what would make the girls move to this location. Well my dear Watson, a dart to the globe did. Their home lays between the shady side and the abandoned side of the great city. If you’re wondering, the shady side is the rich smugs who flaunt money and don’t care for their city. What? Did you think we were talking about the side that has all the criminals who just want to tear up their city and take over like kings? Ha! That’s the abandoned side.

See Mari and Alix did research on Gotham after their dart landed on this city. They learned about the “Amazing” Batman and his fledglings, the villains of misfits, and the rich and poor communities. Since the loss and found of their sons, Mari and Alix decided they wanted to be helpful towards the wandering children of Gotham. Alix teaches the kids in the art studio she and Mari bought when Alix is not working at the school. Marinette makes sure they are fed and clothed, with maybe some medical assistances.

Marinette was working with a client when Alix walked in with a paper bag, two to-go cups of coffee, and a slim briefcase. Mari had to hold back her chuckle watching her wife stumble over the furniture to reach the desk to unload her supply. Her wife’s once proper bun was scattered and frizzed as if she had been pulling at it all day.

“I think its time to cut your hair short again. You look like Ms. Frizzle.” Mari comments winning a chuckle the tall male.

“If those rich brats tell me free form is not art one more time and we will continue to have problems.” Alix responds, placing the bags and drinks down on the entertainment table, fixes her hair, and walkover circling the client. “Oh wow, when is the big day?”

“The gala is in two weeks, and I plan to propose to my girlfriend.” The client was a tall, strapping young man, crisp straight black hair that didn’t pass his ears unless untamed. He stood there trying to not be pricked by the seamstress as he shifted to look at the red head that entered the building.

“I’m thankful I had a suit already prepared so I didn’t have to do it all from scratch. And in short amount of time.” Marinette looked up with a smile as she gave a small giggle.

“Why ordering a suit so close to the timeline?” Alix asks as she sits down on the sofa with her coffee and watches. The young man looks down as he answers.

“My brothers thought they would be funny and use my best suit for a joke. I’m still amazed they were able to do it. But it cost me my only good suit.” The man looked grim at the memory again. He was getting a whole new suit thanks to his brothers pranks. They had taken his suit and put it on the cow and painted superman’s insignia on her chest. His youngest brother was really pissed that they did that to his cow and ended up shredding the suit up to get it off. Alix fell back laughing at response then covered her mouth.

“Shit, I’m sorry. Reminds me of me and my friends growing up pulling some dumb stuff like that. Mari shook her head then stood up.

“You guys were horrible with your pranks. Alright Dick, please tell me if you feel uncomfortable anywhere?” She addresses the man then steps back to watch him examine his new suit. He moved around freely then twisted, feeling no rubbing or tightness anywhere.

“This feels good. Thank you.” He gives her the most shiniest smile that could surpass Adrien’s.

“No problem. Go ahead and change out of them and ill have ready the day of the gala so you don’t have to worry about further damages. If you want, we can even bring it to your door.” Marinette offered. He gave another smile then went to the dressing area. Alix smiled as her wife turned to her and gave her own distressed smile. She offered Mari her cup of coffee and pastry from the bag. Gratefully she accepted then sat down with Alix and nibbled.

“What would I do without you.” She retorted.

“Absolutely die. Not even Chloe could revive you.”

“No, but she would try. Dr. Bourgeois is now top 20 in general doctor in France. She would definitely try.” Alix laughs holding her stomach. It was a shock to everyone when Chloe announced that she was approved to Med School in London after école secondaire. But she continues to prove everyone wrong.

“I think I saw she was suppose to be coming out here for Christmas with Adrien. Think the blondes can handle this dark life?” Alix asked earning another shudder and giggles from Mari. Dick steps out from the dressing room, dressed back in his jeans and button up blue and black plaid shirt, the full suit draped on his arms.

“You sure you can bring to my apartment the day of the gala? I hate to be a bother.” His concern showing in his tone despite his smile.

“Yes monsieur, it will be fine. Besides you’re paying full price for a premade suit. I hate to see the money go to waste.” Marinette says with a smile of her own. Standing she walks over and takes the suit from him, then place it on a hanger and hang it up on a rolling hanging line. “Now, go home and spend time with your family. I must close up.” He gave her another smile then runs out of the door. She didn’t need to lock up yet it was only after 17:00 after all, but she had mini-clienteles coming in and she didn’t want anyone to scare them off.

Taps on the back door sprung a smile on Mari’s lips as she ran to it. Quickly she opened the door and ushered the children in. It was only a small handful this time round.

“Quickly now. I have three bathrooms available if you all need ‘em, all on second floor and one down here. Feel free to shower if you desire. You’ll find fresh clean clothes sitting on hangers in the bathroom closets. I hope they are the right sizes. I will be in the front.” Mari turned away letting the kids get their space then headed back to the lobby. She had the blinds draped half – way up, just to allow sunlight to still enter, and double check to lock the door. Finally, a set of kids walk in the lobby with her and Alix. It was three girls and two young strapping young boys.

“Oh my goodness you all look so cute! I’m glad they fit.” Marinette squeals happily. The youngest girls smile brightly, the oldest gave a curt nod. The boys just blush and scowl. “Oh, I’m sorry. You two look very handsome in your clothes.” This earned two happy smiles. Alix chuckles watching them all. Marinette crouched down to their level and adjusted the kids clothes accordingly, allowing room to grow and be able to still move around without contrition should they have to run away from strangers.

“Did you place your clothes in the hamper so I can wash them tonight?” All five of them nodded their heads. Mari smiles and stands back up, heading over to Alix to grab a couple of back packs. “Here, there are more clothes in here for you all. You are welcome to share them with others, but they are closer to your sizes. If you need more or just want to hang out, you are always welcome here.” Alix smiles as she hands the boys their bags.

“I even snuck in a couple of Mari’s famous homemade snacks.” She gave a wink as the woman gave a mock gasp of disbelief. The children giggle, even the oldest girl gave a mischievous smile. Closing the blinds completely, the girls walked the children out the back and to their “respective” homes. The couple stuck to the shadows watching them leave their sides, then headed out of the alleys to the main road to head home. Not aware of the time, the two decided to stop somewhere to pick up food. Thankfully, there was always the Tai place that remained open until midnight.

“Think we’ll run into him tonight?” Alix whispered to Mari on the way home holding their food bags. Mari shrugs holding Alix’s arm as they walked to their condo. Well aware it was time for patrol, the girls kept their eyes to the road avoiding to look around for the night crew.

The day of the gala couldn’t have come soon enough. Marinette was dressed as in her red pant suit and blazer featuring a white blouse ruffle down the front. Her hair was tied up in a tight professional bun pinned together by pearl barrettes and bobby pins. Sporting a pair of black kitten heels while Alix sported standard black slacks and a blue blouse, hair freshly cut to her old sporty, pixie style, and tennis shoes.

“Really?”

“What? You said dress business casual. Tennis shoes is the best casual.” Alix smiles innocently. Mari just shakes her head and smiles. They grab the dressing bag and head out the door to the addressed location. Luck was on their side, out of all the taxi cabs that never cross their living area, one comes by. They hailed it down then pass the address to the young man behind the wheel. The cab stopped in front of a rich apartment complex a couple blocks away from Wayne Enterprise. Alix hopped to main door, looked through the rows of name tags then pressed the button. The intercom let out a buzzing noise, then the door unlocked to let the girls in.

After three flights of stairs, they reach the apartment door greeted by loud shouts on the other side of the door. Fighting instinct, Marinette knocks on the door then tried to wiggle to doorknob finding it unlocked. They pushed the door open coming face to face with Dick wrestling with someone in his underwear. Alix let out a wolf call making the two men freeze in their spot and look up.

“Are we interrupting something?” Marinette asks. Dick quickly pushes against the other man to stand up.

“No, no. My brother just decided he needed to be an Ass.” Dick says turning his glare at the man below him.

“In your whitey tighties?” Alix smirks, raising a brow at the man. Dick’s face burns red. He leans over and grabs the blanket off the back of his sofa and wrap it around his waist.

“I-is that my suit?” He cleared his throat as he tried to speak. Alix and Mari laugh for his change of subject before handing the dress bag to him. Dick left the room to put it on, leaving the two with his so-called brother. The brother sat up on the floor and stared at the Alix and Marinette curiously.

“So, are you two going to just stay here until he pays you or are you looking for something else?” He asks clearly insinuating something inappropriate. Before Alix could say anything, Dick returned dressed dashing in the new black and white suit, with a tinge of blue that shined based on the lighting.

“Don’t you look sexy. If Kor’i doesn’t say ‘Yes’ I will.”

“Thanks Jason, but you’re not my type.” Dick says. “Thank you ladies. I’ll let you know what happens. Will need to commission you for future functions.” Marinette smiled widely.

“Always welcome to have the clients. Enjoy your gala.” They walk out and head back to the elevator when Jason ran up to them.

“Hey wait! I wanted to apologize.” Jason stops next to them, rubbing the back of his neck. Mari examined the young man, something about him feeling familiar to her. He stood a foot and a half taller than her in heels. White tuff of hair twirled in the front, body as brawny and muscular as her papa’s if she had anyone to compare to. His eyes held a bright blue hue to it but something about his eyes, something more, intriguing was drawing her in.

“Not a worry at all. Mari and I are use to mischief behavior all the time.” Alix gives him a wink then elbowed her wife, returning her back to earth. Before Marinette can say anything further, the elevator arrived and opened. “Our ride is here. It was a pleasure to meet you.” Alix drags the blunette into the machine and pushes the first floor. Mari just blinks and waves at the man hearing him just before the door closes.

“Another time.”

@laurcad123 @vixen-uchiha @iamablinkmarvelarmy @emimar7 @magic-miraculous @jayjayspixiepop @galla02006 @queenz-z @tazanna-blythe @talia-scar123

#maribat #mlb x dc #alixnette #child of mine #mother x child #alix x marinette #ml x dc #mominette

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abyssal-ali · 2 years ago

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Enchanted

A/N: Jasonette one-shot inspired by Taylor Swift's "Enchanted". Thanks to @forgottenfriends for inspiring me to adapt it to a Royal AU💜

If anyone wants to be part of a permanent or Maribat-specific tag list DM me or leave a comment. Constructive criticism or any feedback is appreciated!

~1.2k words

Marinette was tired of being at the royal family of Gotham's ball. Even the Wayne children, who usually livened up their father's dull parties, were being abnormally well-behaved.

She excused herself from the vapid conversation and found what appeared to be a good hiding spot. Escaping, she scanned the room for anyone who noticed her disappearing and accidentally locked eyes with someone. They were such a gorgeous colour; she almost wanted to talk to their owner just so she could examine them up close. A vision of a suit for next season incorporating the colour floated in front of her and she wished again to have her sketchbook. If she'd met the person before her hasty appointment as the royals' official seamstress, maybe she could have livened up this ball's outfits (her predecessor had very little vision and left to her half-finished outfits that she despaired over)...

The crowd parted and the owner of the hypnotizing eyes stepped in front of her. Marinette was torn from her half-finished design and realized she was staring, blushing profusely.

He gave a quick nod of his head. “Have we met before?” he asked charmingly. “I'm sure I would remember meeting someone with such good style as yourself before.”

“No, we haven't. I thank you for your compliment; I'm MDC.”

“Jason Todd-Wayne, at your service.” His lips just brushed the back of her hand as he bowed over it.

“Enc-delighted to make your acquaintance.”

“So, why do you look so bored?”

“Socializing with the elites is exhausting and your siblings are being remarkably polite for once.” Marinette clapped her hand over her mouth. Dang sleep deprivation. “I'm so sorry! I've just heard about previous galas and your family's antics, that wasn't meant...”

Jason laughed. “It's fine! When they're quiet like this, they're usually planning something, so keep an eye out if you want your dress to remain unscathed. Do you have a name or shall I call you M?”

“You haven't earned my name yet, monsieur, so M will have to do.”

“What does earning it involve?”

“Mmm, normally you'd have to be family or a close friend, or a loyal patron for over two years.”

“Would a waltz make us close enough friends?” He extended his hand with a flourish, which she took.

“Perhaps. No stepping on my toes, though,” she warned.

“I'll have you know I never step on people's toes unless they deserve it,” he said in mock offence as they move onto the dancefloor.

Although Marinette was a good dancer (thanks to several years of ballet when she was younger, which kept her light on her feet), she did not particularly enjoy it, but Jason was an excellent partner and kept her entertained with gossip and 'secrets' about fellow dancers and the royal family, so the time flew by faster than they did around the ballroom.

When Jason led her to the refreshments table for a cup of punch, a pretty blonde in a layered purple tulle dress approached the duo and cheerfully asked, “who's your new friend, Jay?” as she looped her arm through Jason's.

“None of your business,” he shot back.

Marinette noticed the girl tapping Jason's arm possessively. She'd given him her calling card and had considered inviting him for a free consultation (yes, she just wanted to use his eyes for her new ideas, she shamelessly admitted it, but she also wanted to spend more time with him) but now those thoughts vanished. Far be it from her to get tangled up in court relationships.

Swallowing, she excused herself and retrieved her wrap, heading out to her transportation home. She looked back once at the lights and glamour—sorry, clamour. The chandeliers had begun raining glitter and the unsuspecting crowd was soon covered in it, minus the royal family, of course, who had stepped away in time.

Replaying the evening in her mind as she was driven home, she found herself blushing as she recalled Jason's smooth lines and interested countenance. She'd thought he was flirting with her, interested in her, but obviously, the blonde had other ideas, whether Jason agreed or not. Marinette refused to be part of another love triangle, even if she'd also been the other girl in the previous one.

She stepped inside and found herself humming one of the pieces the 4-piece orchestra had played as she danced with Jason, her feet following the steps as she prepared for bed, finally. She'd moved to Gotham, been instated as the royal seamstress, gone over her predecessor's things and organized her workrooms to suit herself, gone over the royals' designs for tonight's ball (thankfully half were done and she only needed to add her signature touches and glam to the remaining four outfits), and then had to work on said clothing with her new crew of fellow textile workers.

This left very little time for sleep, and Marinette had been counting the minutes until she could politely leave her first Gotham ball for her bed. She was grateful that King Bruce has given her an invitation so she could see her designs in action and get a sense of what would be required for future events, but that was mostly overshadowed by her wish for sleep.

The clock struck two as she crawled between her sheets. Ah, blessed, comfy bed.

A knock on her door made her sit up angrily. Could she not get one peaceful, complete, uninterrupted night of sleep?!

She yanked her fluffy robe closed and flung the door open to see Jason on her step, still in his suit.

“Jason?”

He smiled, a little nervously. “Hey, M. I never got your full name; your card just has your initials and your address. Isn't that a bit backward? Anyways, you left before I could tell you I was enchanted to meet you.”

“Would you like to come in? Unless you have someone waiting for you?” Please don't.

“Nah, I don't. You're sure?”

“Of course...it was enchanting to meet you too. I wanted to tell you...”

He chuckled as he stepped in. “That was the doing of my older brother Dick and my younger brother's girlfriend, Stephanie. She's the one you met with me—she was warning me to move out of the way. I was going to sweep you off your feet and play your knight-in-not-shiny-armour, but you left. Did you read the Morse code?”

Marinette's eyes widened. “That's what that tapping was! Oh, I thought she was your girlfriend. So you're not in love with someone else, then...?”

“Nope. Were you worried?” he smirked.

“...maybe,” she drawled. “Well, you came out this late so I suppose I should reward your efforts. My name is Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“Beautiful like you.”

Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. “So...this is just the first page?”

“Of our relationship? I hope it's not the end, I just got ypur name!” Jason joked. “I suppose I should leave you to your rest, mademoiselle. Enchanté.”

“Enchanté. Good night, Jason!” Marinette waved him off and went back to bed, dreaming of dancing with Jason, staring into his gorgeous eyes. He really was enchanting.

#Jasonette #Maribat #ali writes #Inspired by Taylor Swift

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us-the-voices-and-more-voices-2 · 6 months ago

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sorry I’m throwing my hat in with condiment king headcannons

He actually is a really really good cook he wanted to be a professional chef he even went to cooking school! But he went into debt and no one was hiring basically homeless Mr mayo

he works at a fast food joint as the only employee, everyone is a dickhead to him. But it’s either this or nothing Gotham has shit hiring rates and Wayne tech literally has no openings for cooks or cook hands.

His weapons are expired sauces, why? It’s free! And he has almost unlimited sauces. He also makes the most heinous sauces known to man and just in general horrible food stuff’s because it makes everyone vomit.

the Gotham rouges consider him the best cook of them all, and they appreciate him for it.

robs people with his sauces bc he’s broke as shit

27 years old and the most sleep deprived person alive

actually has a secret identity but his costume is so bad that almost everyone knows who he is.

lover of all puns

Kinda sick and unwell bc he drinks the Gotham tap water. some one get him a water filter

best friends with kite man and eraser bc D listers stick together

has beef with bat burger purely because the fast food joint he works at is in opposition to it.

somehow is a formidable opponent at times.

is allergic to nickel of all things

is actually a really good seamstress and basically uses punk patch techniques for his suit.

has a cute beanie in the shape of a crown when in civies

has his own brand of sauces that actually taste amazing but it never goes anywhere

#-pop #condiment king

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writing-nothing-but-spilled-ink · 16 days ago

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Anyways this thought came to my head now I'm obligated to share

This is an au where Selina Kyle and Bruce actually get married and are in the process of like sharing a life together

Anyways this is a thing I think would be funny if it happened

Bruce is just excited to tell his friend the good news but his friend isn't exactly thrilled it's 2 am and while Gotham never sleeps Harvey dent aka two face is fucking horrified by the. Text he just received from fucking Bruce Wayne, how he got his number he doesn't fucking know the text in question

JUST GOT MARRIED!!!! 🥳🍾🍻🎉 Also totally off topic but I did not sign a prenup btw any idea of what my shares are Selina is asked for some so I gave her some but I don't actually know what they are

Two face just immediately starts blowing up Bruce's phone trying to get that man to answer is a fucking nightmare especially whenever he gets a new partner to spend time with it's like he can't see behind the pretty girl in front of him, he may be the world's greatest detective but when it comes to romantic partners he's the world's biggest idiot especially when he's in love

Finally two face starts falling Bruce and when he finally does answer he's on speaker with Selina in the room

"Bruce for the love of God tell me you had her sign a goddamn prenup, did you even discuss custody arrangements, HOW AND WHY ARE YOU GIVING HER YOUR SHARES WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT IS THAT YOU HAVE TELL ME THAT THIS IS A JOKE".

Bruce: I think your jealous of what I have with Selina, I trust her completely there's no need for a prenup, as for the kids they won't be a problem, and that's precisely why I texted you afterall you were one of my closest advisors for years also I thought you'd be happy for me, ya know it's not my fault yo-"

Two face: BRUCE I AM NOT JEALOUS I AM CONCERNED SELINA IS INFAMOUS FOR BEING INTERESTED IN HER OWN POCKETS AND ANYTHING SHINY, AND NEED I REMIND YOU THAT WE AREN'T FRIENDS WE HAVENT BEEN FRIENDS FOR YEARS IDK IF YOUR DRUNK OR STUPID BUT KNOWING YOU ITS PROBABLY BOTH, YOU NEED TO SEND ME ALL THE PAPERWORK REGARDING YOUR NEW MARRIAGE IMMEDIATELY SO I CAN FIX THIS GODDAMN MESS CAUSE I WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU CRY AND WHINE WHEN THIS BLOWS UP IN YOUR STUPID ASS FACE DOES ALFRED EVEN ONOW OF YOUR STUPIDITY BECAUSE THIS IS A NEW KIND OF STUPID EVEN FOR YOU WORLDS GREATEST DETECTIVE MY ASS

Bruce merely smiles and says you wouldn't be nearly this worked up if you didn't care I knew you were still in there harv I just wanted the proof that my friend still exists I'd like for you to be my second best man at my wedding also you should come to dinner some time the kids they all miss you, and some of them have started to take an interest in the law you were at the top of your field maybe you could point them in the right direction, as for me and Selina while we did elope it has not get been made official so if you really want me to do all this paperwork you must come over for a family meal Bruce then promptly hangs up leaving Harvey absolutely flabbergasted because wtf just happened and how the fuck, wait did he just get fucking adopted by Bruce Wayne, he's a fucking supervillain and he got roped into attending a family dinner..

A moment later his phone dings and he opens it to see a big list of various foods drinks appetizers and deserts with a text at the bottom that says choose three of your favorites from each category and just dress casual or whatever's most comfortable to you it's only a small family dinner please email Alfred a list of any diet restrictions or food allergies you may have it'll be nice to have you over and don't worry Selina has agreed to play nice I know the two of you haven't always gotten along, his phone lights up again with a Gmail account to Alfred pennyworth two face can't argue so he just sighs exasperated and just RSVPs everything and goes in to see the gotham seamstress for something a bit more fancy for this get together and one extra nice suit for the wedding

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tarrenterror25 · 2 years ago

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Title: When the Night is Over Chapter: 2 of ? Pairing: Alfred Pennyworth (The Batman) x F!OC Rating: E Word Count: 5.8K

Summary: After the flood, Dulce looks to do her part to help Gotham heal and hopes to bring change to the city. As a wealthy designer there’s little she can do, but when she becomes privy to the identity of the Batman, she seizes the opportunity to help the caped crusader. With her close to Bruce, Alfred Pennyworth fears she has ulterior motives for the vigilante, but little does he know who she really has eyes for. Dulce learns what it’s like to live a double life and the sacrifices it takes to save a city.

Tags: post-The Batman, post-disaster, MxF, light violence/injury, family trauma, mention of family death

Playlist here

Notes: Much of this chapter takes inspiration from the Nolanverse.

Chapter 2: And So It Goes

“There are many kinds of beauty, and you can find it where you least expect.” - Jean Paul Gaultier

It’s just another late night for Dulce at the Castillo fashion house. The last employee left hours ago and outside the streets are empty save for the occasional newspaper blowing in the wind, The moon shines on the damp city streets and the stoplights change their color for the occasional lonely vehicle passing through.

Inside the backroom of Castillo, Dulce sits at her work station. She’s seen designers who usually keep their offices upstairs, but she has her table right with the other designers and seamstresses that she oversees. Her table is at the front of the room, but what’s important to Dulce is that she doesn’t place herself above those that she employs, figuratively and literally. Gotham has enough people who walk all over the ones who hold them up and she’s not trying to be like them.

She checks her watch and gasps at the time. How did it get so late already?

Dulce sets down her work and tries to tidy up her station, but settles on leaving it for tomorrow after she fumbles with some rolls of fabric that keep rolling off the table. She grabs her coat and heads out the employee entrance, being sure to lock up before she heads off.

The parking situation isn’t the best in Gotham, but thankfully for Dulce there’s a parking garage not far from where she works.

There’s a brisk wind that sweeps through the streets and has Dulce pulling her coat tight around her. Her heels click on the concrete sidewalk with sure steps. One can never be too careful when traversing the streets of Gotham at night. Whenever Dulce stays late, she never has any problems, but tonight she was particularly late and the night seemed darker than ever at this hour. Working in the Diamond District means that police regularly patrol the area, but tonight Dulce doesn’t see a single patrol car.

Somewhere in the distance, Dulce thinks she can hear the sound of someone struggling with something.

She picks up the pace.

Even in the finest parts of Gotham, no one is safe.

Not bothering to wait on the crosswalk signal, she crosses the street and arrives at the parking garage. Dulce wasn’t just late to leaving work, but she was also late to getting there and that makes her parking situation more on the less than desirable side.

On the bottom floor she finds the elevator and takes it up all the way to the top. When the doors part, she can spot her vehicle on the far side, all alone. She steps out of the elevator and glances over her shoulder as her ears hear something again.

There is definitely the sounds of a struggle somewhere.

Dulce can hear faints grunts.

And a whoosh.

Call her curious, but she gravitates towards the edge of structure, hands braced on the short wall that keeps her from falling from a high place. She scans the ground below. Nothing. She looks up and peers into the night.

Something’s moving out there.

Is it...flying? Possibly?

Dulce squints, trying to make out the black clad figure flailing in the wind. She catches a glimpse of the unmistakeable shape of pointed ears.

“The Batman,” she breathes.

He’s gliding, though not very gracefully. Dulce watches him weave through taller buildings in the distance. He seems to have trouble turning and instead of sharp swoops around the corners, he’s making wide sweeps. Before Dulce can ponder exactly what he’s doing, she sees him clip the edge of a rooftop and he begins to spiral. He rights himself, but she notices that he seems to be getting closer to her.

And closer.

The Batman releases a parachute and tries to steer himself to land, but he’s coming straight for her. Dulce’s stunned in place and she isn’t moving until it’s too late. When she does turn to move out of the way, the hulking vigilante tries to upright himself for the landing, but he only barrels into her, knocking her to the ground.

Dulce hits the concrete and the Batman keeps rolling until he harshly hits a couple of bollards. He groans in pain and lets out a curse.

For a minute, Dulce just lays there face down on the concrete, not worried about the sting from her scraped hands and knees. The Batman, or what she hopes is the Batman, is right behind her, shuffling to stand up. She can hear him struggling with the parachute. The harsh tearing of fabric rips into the night.

Slowly, Dulce pushes herself up, wincing at the small debris embedded into her hands and knees. A midnight clad arm helps her help and murmurs a soft apology.

Dulce brushes herself off, her coat is definitely going to need to go to the dry cleaners, but that’s not what’s important to her right now. She’s still reeling over the fact that Batman is right in front of her. “Thank you,” she says as she squats down to pick up the spilled contents of her purse.

The vigilante is silent save for some strained groans as he moves to collect the parachute and what appears to be a gliding suit attached to it. The city lights illuminate the dark enough that Dulce can see the apparatus is in disrepair, there’s a huge tear through the gliding suit. She slowly stands and watches as he briefly assesses the damage.

After a moment, he just angrily balls up the whole thing, quickly tugging the parachute and crudely rolling it up to make it easier to carry. Dulce doesn’t miss that he winces with each movement and that when he tries to walk off, he limps, a hand coming up to his side. He makes it over to the elevator and pushes the button to call it up.

“Hey,” Dulce says tentatively, “I can...give you a ride somewhere if you want.”

“No,” is all he says in response without turning to face her.

She frowns at that. “You’re in no shape to walk anywhere and judging from that in your hands, I don’t think you’ll be flying anywhere either,” she says.

The elevator doors part, but he doesn’t move.

“I’m fine,” he finally replies.

He takes a step forward to get on the lift, but a wave of pain comes over him making him stumble and brace himself against the doors. Dulce hurries over to him, unsure of whether she should touch him to help him, her hands just hover over his form. “Take it easy,” she says. “Just...Just let me help you. I can’t just leave you like this. Um, you have a vehicle or something?”

Dulce takes the wadded up parachute and gliding suit as Batman climbs into the passenger seat of her vehicle. She places it into the backseat behind him.

Call it curiosity again, but as she hears him shifting to get comfortable and buckling his seatbelt, she examines the apparatus. She quickly takes in where it’s torn, where it’s supposed to connect, and tries to analyze the craftsmanship as quickly as she can without being suspicious.

She moves to shut the backdoor until something catches her eye.

A label. On the suit.

A quick glance over to where Batman is in the passenger seat to make sure he’s not looking and she feigns that she’s just setting her coat in the backseat. “Just gonna set this back here, too,” she says glancing up to the rearview mirror where their eyes briefly meet.

Her heart pounds as his dark eyes hold her gaze and for a moment she thinks he’s onto her, but he just turns away. Dulce pretends to be folding up her coat, but grabs ahold of the label and yanks it off of the gliding suit, using the coat and a fake cough to muffle the high pitched rip.

Shutting the backdoor, she puts the label into the pocket of her skirt and gets in the driver seat.

Batman is silent during the drive save for a few directions. Unsure of how to break the tension, Dulce just dives right into what she wants to ask.

“I couldn’t help, but notice your suit,” she says. “It looks like it’ll need someone to patch it up.”

He’s quiet.

“No offense to whoever made it, but...I think I could do a pretty good job if you’d like.”

He’s quiet again. No, not quiet, Dulce feels like that doesn’t describe the way sound seems to dissipate around him. He’s silent.

“I know you don’t know me,” Dulce goes on as she drives. “But I’m a designer, my name is Dulce and I could...I could help you.”

“Turn here,” he says softly.

“I’m serious. I can darn, mend, or whatever you need to get that repaired.”

“What is it to you?” he asks looking straight ahead.

The question catches her off guard and she stumbles a bit over her words.

“You’re...you’re the- the Batman,” Dulce replies. “Helping you is helping Gotham and I care about this city too much to ignore the opportunity to offer my assistance.”

“I appreciate the offer,” the vigilante says. “But no.”

Dulce arrives at the specified destination, it’s just an empty street. She throws the car in park with a scowl and turns to face him. “I could help you, really!” she insists.

She reaches into the backseat and grabs the wadded up suit and parachute and shows him the tear. “I’m telling you,” she says, “I could fix this up and maybe, I don’t know, maybe even make it better. You...you used this from atop the GCPD didn’t you? I remember reading about it! It’s failed you once before and...I think I can really help improve it.”

“No,” he says unbuckling his seat belt and taking the suit from her. He exits the vehicle and begins walking off.

“Wait! Hold on!” Dulce calls out as she follows him. “You don’t have to do this alone, you know!”

The caped crusader turns a corner into an alley and Dulce hurries after him. “Hey!” she calls out.

When she turns the corner and steps into the mouth of the alley, she’s only met with a pair of lonely dumpsters.

Back in her car, Dulce angrily buckles her seatbelt. She feels defeated and a bit embarrassed. She’s also still trying to process what just happened; the Batman knocking her into the ground and then being in her vehicle was a little surreal and she was sure that no one would believe her even if she wanted to tell them.

Dulce examines her knees now that the adrenaline has worn off and she can feel the harsh sting of the scrapes she’s suffered. They’re minor and just need to be cleaned. She digs in her purse for some kind of handkerchief to wipe off the-

The label.

The scrapes can wait.

The car is thrown into drive and Dulce speeds home. She doesn’t bother hanging up her coat or purse, she just drops them by the door and races to her desk.

Dulce’s home is not at all what one would expect for someone in her position. For starters, it’s a loft and very open save for the bedroom tucked away in the wings. Dulce saw no need for something grand like a mansion or a penthouse like the rest of her peers. She only has herself to care for so she saw no need to take up so much space.

Warm earth tones decorate the space and there’s teal and rose gold accent furniture to brighten the space. There’s a brick wall with large windows that overlook the city and as for the furnishings, well, it’s clear that she’s not expecting many guests over. There’s a modest size television and a loveseat precisely large enough for just two people. Contrary to the sparse furnishings for company, Dulce’s space is lived in; sketches litter her dining table along with some work binders and there’s fashion magazines with tabs in them scattered on the coffee table. A small stack of books occupies the wingback chair next to the loveseat and on an end table sits the remainder of this morning’s coffee.

At her desk are swatch boards with fabrics, more sketches and work related things that she shoves aside. “Damn it,” she curses as some of the things fall to the floor.

She sits at the desk and turns on an overhead lamp and retrieves from her pocket the label she ripped off of Batman’s suit.

It’s just a standard looking cloth label, but whatever was stitched onto it is missing now save for a few letters.

It takes all night and Dulce’s no genius, but she doesn’t have to be to figure out the origins of the label, the origins of the suit.

The stitching on the label had come undone, but with a good set of glasses, a steady hand with the right tools, and a lot of patience, it’s like connect the dots for Dulce and she can make out the rest of the words.

Why does the Batman have something from Wayne Enterprises?

Dulce skips out on work at the fashion house so she can research further. She’s not a tech wizard so she has to do her detective work the hard way. She makes some phone calls, writes a bunch of emails, and does whatever she can to figure this out. It takes a few days and a lot of dead ends before she makes any headway.

Why am I doing this? She ponders at her desk in her home.

Instead of the usual fashion sketches, gown ideas, and scraps of fabric on her desk there’s pages of information she’s printed out about Wayne Enterprises: she has a directory of their departments, contact information for the head of each department, and information on the current board members as well as all of their public business proposals in the last few years. Wayne Enterprises has a few connections to military technology, but none of that sticks out to her. The city funded projects for better equipment for the GCPD, but again, nothing sticks out to her. She’s even called the GCPD and spoken with Commissioner Gordon to ask if he knew about any odd projects or happenings involving gliding suits. He seemed amused and surprised at the question so another dead end.

Why was she doing this?

I have a chance to find out who the Batman is.

But why did she want to know who he was?

The city...I can help him and help the city.

She kept telling herself that while she kept searching for answers. She kept telling herself that it wasn’t her pride driving her to find the truth. And once she found out who he was, what then?

She shakes her head.

She’d figure that out later.

When Dulce does go back to work, she stays even later than usual to see if she can spot the caped crusader, but he never shows. She tries to investigate the area where she dropped him off, but nothing. Just when it seems like she’ll have to give up her search, she makes a breakthrough.

The head of the research and development department at Wayne Enterprises is a man just like any other so Dulce is able to lay on the sweet talk to get him open up. It burns her to do this and to dumb herself down as well, but whatever gets her the answers she needs, she’ll do it.

“I’m certain I just have the wrong number, silly me!” she says sweetly over the phone.

Her voice is sweet, but she’s sitting in her office chair at her desk, boredly scribbling something on a piece of paper. She could vomit right now.

“That’s quite alright,” Roger, the man in question on the other end of the line says. “Who were you trying to reach Ms. Salazar?”

“Oh, well you see, Mr. Wayne is sponsoring my upcoming fashion show and he gave me a number for a uh, well, I’m not quite sure who, his handwriting is practically chicken scratch!”

Roger laughs at that and Dulce makes sure to laugh, too. Not just any laugh, that high pitched kind of laugh that gets men to say anything because they think it’ll go right over your head anyhow.

“Yeah, I’m not sure what you could find in our department for that, miss,” he says with a chuckle. “Unless you want tactical armor!”

Got him.

“Oh, Roger, you’re hilarious, really,” she says feigning that he’s the funniest person she’s ever come across. “Tactical armor! I hope you have something else I can work with besides that. Got any parachutes laying around?”

She says the last part with a flirty tone.

“I might have a few. You like base jumping?”

“Base jumping? Oh! Well, I’ve never been.”

“I could take you sometime, I’ve got a private helicopter we could take to-”

“I didn’t think there was any research to be had in base jumping of all things!” she says trying to get him back on track.

“Oh, of course,” he replies. “Not to get all technical, but it’s perfect for military use. We’ve got a couple of suits here we use to test out all kinds of things. Come by and maybe I give you a private tour of the department?”

The last part he says with too much innuendo for Dulce’s liking. She’s sorely tempted to take him up on his offer, to see for herself, but she decides against it. She’s not ready to indulge this Roger in that sort of thing.

“Wow, that’s such a kind offer, Roger, really,” she replies. “And I would love to keep chatting, but I should get going now.”

“How about dinner sometime? I know this-”

Click.

A shudder comes over Dulce and she composes herself to gather her findings.

She is certain that the gliding suit came from Wayne Enterprises now. The only question that remained is who took it and how did they get it without anyone noticing.

Maybe it was someone working in the department or it could be military personnel. Batman definitely seems like he has military experience. Was Wayne Enterprises hiding something? Some kind of vigilante program they were keeping under wraps?

Instead of sitting in front of the television with her dinner, Dulce takes her plate to her computer. She starts searching videos posted online of Batman and studying them. She stays up into the night watching grainy cellphone videos and CCTV footage of the caped crusader. She scrolls through comments, forums, and blogs reading theory after theory about who the Batman might be.

She glances at the time on her computer screen and curses at seeing how late it is. She really shouldn’t be pouring herself into all of this, but she can’t help it now, she’s in too deep.

A sigh.

She should be working on planning her upcoming show and her spring collection. She only has a few designs hammered out and some need alterations and-

Oh no!

She had been so busy with the mystery of the Batman that she neglected to deliver Bruce’s garments.

The next morning, she pops into work and packs Bruce’s clothes into some garment bags. She delegates some work to her employees as she grabs a work binder and then sets off for Wayne Tower. She’s already called Bruce’s office to make sure he’s prepared for her to stop by and she’ll go ahead and go over some things with him about the fashion show.

Dulce wonders what Bruce would think if she told him about her findings. He probably wouldn’t care. Or would he? If the GCPD found out about it, there is sure to be a thorough investigation of Wayne Enterprises. Bruce might have some interest, but Dulce doesn’t have interest in telling him. She wants to figure out who the vigilante is herself and speak to him face to face.

There’s her pride again.

The elevator ride to the top of Wayne Tower takes longer than Dulce expects. Her arms are starting to grow weary from holding the garment bags, but thankfully the doors part and she steps into a foyer of sorts. Not like she would forget where she is, but in case she did, the large ‘W’ motif on the polished tile beneath her heels is a good reminder.

Dulce’s greeted by an older woman in the foyer, Dory, who lets her in through the double doors of Bruce’s home.

The place is rather dark in terms of lighting and structure; gothic arches and deep wood tones are the highlights of the space. Large windows allow for natural light, but in Gotham, even living in the highest building means you’re still getting gray skies.

“Allow me to take those, miss,” a familiar warm voice says.

Alfred approaches Dulce and politely takes the garment bags from her.

Even out of the formal wear, he still looks so handsome. Dulce has to pretend she doesn’t have chills from the slight contact his hand made with hers just now.

“Bruce will be down momentarily,” Alfred explains. “Follow me and I’ll show you to the parlor where you can wait.”

The butler guides Dulce through the halls decorated with antiques and a few sparse family portraits that seem to stop the closer to the end of the hall they get. Alfred hangs up the garment bags in a closet and continues towards the parlor. Despite the use of the cane, Alfred seems to stride through the halls. It gives Dulce the sense that though Bruce’s name may be on the building, Alfred seems to be the one in charge of things here.

The parlor is a very open room with more dark colored furniture and gothic details. The only light that illuminates the space is from the large windows though in this room, it seems brighter than the foyer. There are two couches across from each other and a coffee table in the middle.

“Would you like me to take your coat?” Alfred asks.

“Oh, yes please,” Dulce says.

The butler tucks his cane under his arm and his fingers hook under the collar of her coat to help her out of it. The hairs on the back of her neck stand up at him being so close to her.

As he hangs her coat up in a closet nearby, Dulce smooths out her skirt and blouse. She starts to adjust her hair and then has to tell herself to stop fussing.

“Bruce tells me that the two of you have more in common than he realized,” Alfred says coming to stand beside her.

“Oh, yes,” Dulce replies as she clears her throat. “I’m also technically an orphan I suppose, but I wasn’t alone, I had some...relatives. But they passed when I was very young.”

She rambles and inwardly rolls her eyes at not being able to keep her composure around Alfred.

“If I may inquire, your name is different than that of your house?” Alfred asks.

It’s a question she’s been asked time and time again. Why is her name different than the one that’s on the building of her business? Alfred senses he’s broached a sensitive topic and apologizes.

“No, it’s alright, really,” Dulce says. “I get that a lot and perhaps that’s why people don’t remember me often.”

“You don’t seem like type one would easily forget,” Alfred replies.

There are those damn butterflies again. God, he’s so smooth.

Dulce explains, “My parents didn’t have the loving relationship that Thomas and Martha had. I was given my mother’s maiden name when I was born.”

“I imagine from the business side of things, your family didn’t take to that?” Alfred asks.

Dulce can tell he’s just making conversation to kill time while she waits for Bruce and damn, he’s really good at it. She feels so calm and relaxed, not her usual tense self with the wall she always has to put up. She laughs a little at his question and he smiles, too.

“You’re right, they didn’t like it at all,” she explains. “When my parents passed, my grandfather looked after me. He and a few aunts and uncles were quite...distraught that his only son had only one child and that the child didn’t even have his last name. My father left me his share of the business and at some point I think they tried to write me out of it while he was...on his deathbed.”

Alfred’s eyes shoot up in surprise and Dulce nervously chuckles at her moment of oversharing.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Apologies,” she says, a hand coming up to her chest. “That...that is a rather grim thing to say. I’m so sorry.”

He gives a sympathetic smile. “It’s alright,” he assures her. “Bruce has dealt with similar circumstances. It’s easy for people to try and take advantage of someone who has lost something.”

Alfred insists that Dulce have a seat as Dory brings in a tea cart. The butler thanks her and she leaves. Dulce sits on the couch and can’t help, but watch Alfred as he sets his cane aside and begins to set out the contents of the cart on the table.

“I hope you’ll forgive Bruce’s tardiness,” Alfred says as he sets out tea for two on the table. “I have told him time and time again how rude it is to keep a lady waiting.”

“I don’t mind the wait,” Dulce says softer than she realizes.

She did mind. Usually. Dulce hates having her time wasted and people like Bruce are typically her least favorite. But for once she’s thankful that she’s being made to wait. She gets to chat with Alfred and admire him for that much longer.

The butler takes a shiny teapot and pours its contents into the two cups. The warm and comforting scent of lavender wafts up to Dulce. On the tea cart there are also a couple of silver serving bowls that Alfred arranges on the table. One has fresh and fragrant strawberries and the other has teacakes.

Dulce wants nothing more than to have Alfred sit down next to her, have tea, and tell her everything about himself. He’s a mystery she wants to unravel and the thought frightens her.

She doesn’t want to feel this way about him; she doesn’t want to get butterflies in her stomach, feel her heart jump at the sight of him, or lose her breath when his hand brushes hers. But she feels all of those things all at once and it overwhelms her.

Bruce finally enters the parlor and Alfred greets him.

“Thanks, Al,” Bruce says dismissing the butler.

He sits across Dulce and helps himself to a strawberry. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” he says around the fruit.

Bruce looks exhausted, more so than whenever she’s seen him before. It’s eleven in the afternoon so it’s not like she’s dropped in on him at the crack of dawn or anything. She’s tempted to reschedule this visit, but she’s already taken time out of her day and again, Dulce hates having her time wasted.

“It’s alright,” she says with a worried brow. “Is this going to be a productive talk or-”

“Yes,” he says stuffing a cake into his mouth and washing it down with the tea.

“Right,” Dulce says pursing her lips at being interrupted.

Something about Bruce feels...off. It’s not like she’s familiar enough with him to know what his normal behavior is outside of social functions, but she can just sense that he’s withdrawn from her.

Wanting to just get this over with, Dulce retrieves the binder she brought and flips through some pages to go over a general idea of the event. She has photographs, some mood boards, spreadsheets, and all kinds of details covering everything from security to catering.

The show is to be held at Gotham’s Botanical Gardens and will feature some live music as well. “I’d like to get Dinah Lance for the event,” Dulce says.

Dulce’s choosing to make a statement with the show so she’s hired local vendors to work the event. “I’m using this as an opportunity to showcase the talents of the citizens of Gotham,” she explains. “Vendors who were affected by the flood will be offering their services to us. We’ll have photographers, food, drink, entertainment, and whatever else we need.”

“And the cost?”

“We’ll supply them with the cost of materials, any other fees, as well as pay for their time. They’ll pay nothing out of their own pockets.”

Bruce just nods as he eats a few more strawberries and Dulce feels relief wash over her. She’s never worked closely with Bruce Wayne and so she isn’t sure how he is with his money. Thankfully, he seems quite generous and she starts to feel optimistic about future business ventures.

"And funds from the sold pieces will go towards the relief efforts,” Dulce says.

“Why not auction them off?” Bruce quietly suggests.

Dulce blinks a few times, his response catching her off guard. This whole time Bruce has been fairly quiet and has hardly looked at her. She’s trying not to be offended and attributing it to his tiredness, but up until this point she really just felt he didn’t care and was just letting her talk his ear off.

He clears his throat and explains by saying, “Drive up the price a bit? People want what other people want.”

“That’s, wow, I didn’t even think of that,” Dulce replies with a genuine smile. “That’s a great idea!”

As the two talk, Dulce realizes how wrong she’s about Bruce this whole time that she’s never spoken with him; he’s shy and a little awkward, but well-spoken and not at all the lazy playboy the tabloids make him out to be. At the time, she believed the lazy part at least, not so much the latter.

The planning finally comes to an end for the moment, all the fruit, cakes, and tea gone. The two plan to meet again at a later date as they rise from the couch. Dory beckons Bruce to a side office where he has a phone call waiting for him. Bruce hurriedly excuses himself, keeping his head down as Alfred enters and retrieves Dulce’s coat.

“Went well, I hope?” he asks as he hands the coat to Dulce.

“Oh, yes, I guess,” she says as she reaches out to take the coat. “I worry that he thinks some of my ideas are too ambitious. He’s not exactly perfect for bouncing ideas with, but we’ll just have to see.”

Alfred holds the coat out and makes a gesture for her to turn around so he can help her put it on. It catches Dulce off guard as his face is not stern, but it definitely says that there’s no room for questions. For a moment she’s just standing there staring at Alfred.

“Something wrong?” he asks, raising his brow.

Oh, the way he looks with just his scarred brow quirked up; Dulce’s suddenly lost for words. The two of them are nearly eye level; Alfred doesn’t have much of a height difference when she’s in heels, he’s about a few inches taller, but with that look on his face, she swears he’s looking down on her with how small she feels.

“What? Oh, no, I just, um...”

Slowly Dulce turns and guides her arms into the sleeves of her coat. Alfred’s fingers in the collar brush against her neck as he helps secure it on her shoulders.

“Thank you,” Dulce says softly.

Bruce walks back into the room and thanks Dulce again for coming as Alfred steps aside. Dulce can hardly process Bruce’s words as she buttons up her coat, her mind still reeling from the interaction. She feels almost light headed, she needs to get home quick before she embarrasses herself further.

“Thank you for having me,” she says starting for the way out.

“Oh!” She quickly turns and faces Bruce. “One more thing,” she asks. “What do you plan on wearing?”

Bruce just shrugs and his hand comes up to rub his chin thoughtfully, but it’s more like he’s trying to hide behind his hand and not speak. Alfred gives him a look that says he should probably answer Dulce who’s looking at Bruce with a concerned brow.

“Just something I have here,” he says softly. He clears his throat and says it a bit louder when Dulce doesn’t quite hear him, but he speaks quickly like he’s trying to avoid talking.

“Yeah, that won’t do,” Dulce says. “Stop by again and I’ll fit the both of you?”

The last part she asks with a glance to Alfred who just nods his approval.

“That’s fine, but really,” Bruce says. “I’m fine. I’ll just-”

Alfred interjects. “I’ll have the front desk schedule something with you, miss,” he says with a warm smile that begs for forgiveness for his ward.

“No, Alfred, it’s fine,” Bruce argues, his voice louder than it’s been the entire afternoon. He looks to Dulce and says firmly, “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine.”

Dulce waves her hand dismissively and says, “I won’t press the matter, but really I think you should-”

Silence befalls them like a wind takes out a flame.

The air is thick, heavy with tension. A clock ticking somewhere on the wall is suddenly deafening to the trio.

Dulce’s wide eyes flick over to Bruce who stares at her with a hard expression, jaw clenched and his pupils wide.

It speaks volumes.

She knows she’s heard that line before though it was much softer that time, raspier, and more articulate than Bruce is at the moment. Her eyes flick over his form, mentally comparing his figure to all the videos and photographs she’s been studying. The dots connecting in her head as Bruce gives the faintest tilt of his head that says “don’t”.

Alfred looks between the two of them, confusion evident on his features, and clears his throat. “Let me walk you out, miss,” he says stepping between them. “Bruce has some other matters to tend to and I’m sure you’re also quite busy.”

It all makes sense now, the realization flooding her mind; of course Bruce would have access to the tech at Wayne Enterprise and that’s why he’s been so quiet and so reserved, and that’s why he looks so tired.

It all makes sense.

Dulce follows Alfred out of the parlor, but not before looking over her shoulder at Bruce and saying one last thing.

“Bruce,” she says.

Bruce looks to Dulce, she can see it on his face now, yes, that brooding stillness in his dark eyes. She can see it even without all the black around it and she’s certain, it’s him.

“Don’t stay out too late tonight.”

#when the night is over #wtnio #Alfred Pennyworth #alfred pennyworth x oc #alfred pennyworth fanfiction #alfred pennyworth x f!oc #the batman!alfred pennyworth #the batman!alfred pennyworth x oc

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hatterhare · 1 year ago

Text

More Pauline Backstory stuff because inspiration strikes randomly and hard

Content Warning:

Abuse (general) / Misogyny / Murder (blunt force + beheading) / Death / Adultery

Pauline Margaret Tailor - later Pauline Margaret Dekker after marriage - was born on December 11th, 1942 to her parents Dolly Tailor (Mother) and Joseph Tailor (Father). She had an older brother - Daniel Tailor - and a younger sister - Juliet Tailor - whom she got along with well.

Joseph Tailor was not a kind man and would often enact strict rules on his wife and children - particularly Pauline and Juliet. This led to Pauline having an extremely close relationship with her mother. Her mother, being a seamstress, would teach her daughters how to sew and create things from bits of fabric left over from her projects. Pauline immediately fell in love with the idea of creation and especially all the different colors things could be made from. She heavily associated different colors with different emotions and would color code everything in her life accordingly - including her diary.

As Pauline grew older, her childhood fascination with color and emotion grew more intense. She would spend hours detailing how different colors made people react - in a multitude of contexts. Writing all of her observations down in notebooks she kept under the boxspring of her bed. She wasn't very popular in school due to her bookish nature and she didn't have much interest in dating. She kissed a boy on a dare, but she either didn't notice when people liked her or outright ignored them.

Unfortunately, when she was in her senior year of high school, Pauline's brother got killed in a hunting accident. Their father brought him home wrapped in a quilt their mother had made and he was buried in the backyard. When washing the quilt, Pauline had what seemed to be a mental break at the time as she began to panic and describe in detail exactly what her brother felt in his final moments. She clung to the quilt as she was carted to the hospital, as even though it caused her distress, it was also somehow keeping her close to Daniel. Since then, Pauline has been fixated on the idea of quilts and quilting and began making blankets as a way to ease her mind when she begins to miss her brother or other things upset her.

Eventually, Pauline tried to apply for college, but found it difficult to get in as a woman in her time. She eventually brought all of her research on psychology and color to the Dean's office - who promptly laughed in her face. Saying, quote, "Doll, with a pretty face like yours, you shouldn't be writing about this sciencey stuff. Why don't you go home and worry about what's for dinner instead, hm?" Pauline left in a hurry, bursting into tears behind the head office. There she met George Dekker, a clean dressed man who offered her a hankerchief and asked her what the trouble was. The two immediately hit it off, despite some of George's odd behaviors. Eventually after a lengthy courting process, the two of them got married and moved to Gotham City.

George claimed the move was for work when Pauline questioned him why they were so close to so much crime. She felt uneasy, but accepted it as an answer. For a while she and George were happy, she was a homebody who was happy to be so and George brought home enough money to be comfortable and spoil his wife. But, as the years went by, George grew increasingly distant. He became cold to his wife, working extremely long hours at work only to come home in such a bad sorts that he barely acknowledged Pauline outside of barking at her to fetch his dinner. The money too was starting to inexplicably drain from their funds.

In such stressful circumstances, Pauline took up her old hobby of sewing quilts and soon the living room became a mess of random scraps of fabric and various pins stuck in the furniture. One day, George accidentally pricked himself on one of Pauline's thick needles. He used her current project to stop the bleeding. Proceeding to berate his wife, screaming at her and throwing her sewing supplies at her and into the walls. Eventually slamming the door as he left in his anger. Pauline cried as she picked up her supplies, eventually picking up the quilt her husband had bled all over. She was struck with the same kind of vision she had when she was cleaning her brother's quilt. A vivid play by play of George's memories. This time she stood strong as she watched the apparition of her husband - who had been secretely leading an underground mob and sleeping around with various women in the city.

Pauline became so blinded by rage that when her husband finally came home from work - she bashed his head in with a cast iron skillet. Proceeding to cut off his head and carrying it in her tote bag to where she saw the mob hanging out. She plopped it in front of the members, using it as intimidation to get them to follow her orders - which after some apprehension they eventually did. With the help of the gang, she avoided time in jail. Going to her husband's funeral stone faced under a black veil - it would be the only time wearing no color was enjoyable to her.

She continued to lead the mob for 40 more years. Using her men to do what she always dreamed of doing and amassing wealth and a reputation along the way. She learned to be a sharp shooter, getting scarily accurate with a pistol. She also found creative ways to use her memory seeing ability to dig up dirt on her enemies in a way few would detect. She also discovered that she could pull pieces of soul onto her needle if she pulled it all the way through someones skin - and she could trap them within her blankets if she used it to quilt with.

During her 40s, she met and fell in love with a lounge singer named Pearl Darling. The two had a secret affair. Pauline used her men to keep it private, silencing anyone who dared to try and out her. The two remained happily together until Pearl passed at the age of 68. Some of her soul now resides in a small felt doll Pauline keeps on her nightstand.

As Pauline has gotten older, her vision has started to decrease, meaning she can no longer see colors as vibrantly as before. She has become obsessed with the idea of becoming younger, kidnapping random citizens to steal souls as she researches the key to immortality.

#hare for a chat #i dont know why i got so focused on crazy quilt of all characters but here we are #still upset hes not actually an old woman

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21stcenturyschizoidfag · 1 year ago

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i would be the gotham city seamstress BTW i wiuld be the one running back and forth to 83738 different charity shops looking for stuff to modify for the villains costumes. and i would do it for free. Or for kisses. Dont read that last part

#the costume design really is the only thing im 99.9% sure i love with no ragrets..#averyposting #(im watching batman forever)

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as-is-above-so-below · 2 years ago

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In the Middle of the Night (Jason Todd x OC)

Masterlist

Chapter 3, Chapter 5

story summary: Melanie Withers and Jason Todd do everything together - including but not limited to stealing tires off Gotham's famous vigilante. The newest additions to the Wayne family begin their journey, learning how to navigate their new family, life as vigilantes, adolescence, grief, and rebirth.

chapter summary: Melanie's birthday and AN ADOPTION!

Chapter 4

December 2011

Bruce wasn't able to enroll them at Gotham Academy before he became their legal guardian, so the weeks following Thanksgiving were mainly spent exploring the manor, causing mischief, and lazing about. As promised, Dick took Melanie out to find decor for her room, just the two of them. He had to use a little force to get her to pick things out as Alfred had, but he was more teasing and antagonizing. It was strangely nice getting to bond with him without Nightwing and Robin in the way. Jason got the same treatment, a full day out on the town and a trip to the arcade. He and Bruce had another spitting argument about the future of Robin; this time, they made sure to lock down the Batcave, barring Jason and Melanie from spying again.

Rude.

Her thirteenth birthday came and went as well. Bruce put up a fight, but she insisted on not having a party. Next year you can throw the birthday bash of your dreams , she told him. Alfred and Jason (mainly Alfred) baked her a delicious cake, which they all horribly sang “Happy Birthday” over. Her cheeks were flushed a deep red for an hour afterward. Dick gifted her a giant, thick quilt that she eyeballed on their shopping trip but had passed up because it was outrageously priced.

“Dick, I can’t take this–”

“Yes, you can! I threw the receipt out, you don’t have a choice,” he snickered, the tip of his tongue stuck between his teeth.

Smug bastard.

Again against her request, Jason bought her a stereo system, so they could listen to music and dance together. He was a big fan of dancing with her – it was one of the few things they had when they were at their lowest. Even if they couldn’t scrounge batteries for their little pocket radio, he would always sing or hum a tune. Starving, exhausted, and dirty, he could still hold her close and shuffle about whatever place they temporarily called home. She almost couldn’t be upset with him for giving her such a thoughtful gift, but she still gave him a half-hearted shove.

Ironically, the only person who did what she asked was Bruce. Instead of buying her a gift, he surprised her with a visit from the seamstress and Lucius Fox. The seamstress took her measurements and walked her through what she wanted her dress to look like for the Wayne Gala on New Year's Eve. When the woman left, Bruce took her and Jason down to the cave to design their suits with Lucius, which was much more interesting than the dress.

After a half hour spent arguing, Melanie relented and let Jason take up the mantle.

Jason was officially Robin.

His would remain relatively unchanged from the original Robin suit. It would still be red, green, and yellow, with the Robin emblem on his left breastplate. With the addition of pants. And sleeves. And actual shoes.

Okay, maybe a lot was changed, but the structure was there.

When her turn came, she hastily shoved Jason into the elevator, ignoring his complaints. Her persona would be a surprise .

Soft snow flurried to the ground, carried by a cold breeze that had taken over Gotham. The temperatures had dropped significantly in December, and snow had quickly turned from a thin blanket to several inches of fluff. The Gotham City Courthouse was huge and historical; not as intimidating as the manor, but a close second. It was possible that the courthouse itself wasn’t intimidating and instead the task ahead made Jason nervous. As they climbed the white marble steps, his hand shot out to grab Melanie’s in front of him, but Dick came up behind and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You alright there, Jaybird?” he questioned, giving him a gentle, reassuring squeeze. When Jason didn’t respond, he wrapped an arm around his back in a side hug. “I know it seems scary, but it’ll be quick. Won’t be in here for more than thirty minutes, promise.”

Jason’s head bobbed, finally breaking his gaze from the building and meeting Dick’s. “I just… I don’t like places like this. It makes me queasy,” he muttered, suddenly feeling small.

Dick’s palm pressed his shoulder, rubbing gently in an attempt to ground the teen. He didn’t want to pretend to know what Jason and Melanie were going through; when he became Bruce’s ward, he had come from a loving, albeit unconventional, family. He didn’t know what it was like to starve or fend for himself on the streets of Gotham. But what he could do was be a shoulder to lean on and offer his unconditional support.

Bruce’s hand around Melanie’s steadied her when they crossed through the double doors of the small municipal courtroom. It wasn’t as big as a criminal court, meant only for proceedings such as adoption. There were just enough seats for a few friends or family to attend if invited; that wasn’t the case for them today. Melanie had asked if Bruce and Dick would invite their “super friends” as she called them, but they decided it was too soon to introduce their real identities. So for now, it was just Dick and Alfred joining them. Jason appeared beside her with tender fingertips to her spine, which she leaned into with a smile.

“We’re going to sit on the left there,” Bruce commented, tilting his head in the direction of the long table. “Dick and Alfred will sit behind us. The judge is just going to go over the paperwork and make sure everything is in order. Then she’ll ask the state’s attorney if they object to the motion – Which they won’t,” he quickly added, seeing Jason and Melanie’s eye shoot to his. “They won’t. I promise. Everything’s taken care of, but it's all part of the process. I’ll sign the declaration, and we’ll submit the forms to change your names.”

Melanie nodded in understanding, happy to have the process explained. They’d talked about it several times before their appointment, but it was reassuring to hear it again. The judge entered from the door behind the bench, signaling them to sit down. Melanie and Jason slid into their seats before Bruce settled between them, patting Jason’s thigh with a smile.

“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Wayne. Considering your experience with Mr. Grayson, I don’t have to ask nearly as many questions as I usually would.” She shuffled some papers around, her glasses on the tip of her nose while she searched through the stack. “Ah, here it is. It looks like everything is in order.” Her glasses were placed on the desk, and her body leaned forward. “Mr. Wayne, do you understand that adoption is a lifelong, permanent commitment? And that you are assuming all responsibility and liability for these children?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Miss Withers, Mr. Todd, do you want this adoption to proceed? Are you happy under Mr. Wayne’s care?”

Warm smiles graced both of their faces as they chirped, “Yes” and “Definitely”, talking over each other.

The older woman grinned back at them, her eyes crinkling. She turned her eyes to Dick in the back, waving her hand. “Hello again, Mr. Grayson. Lovely to see you all grown up. Your brother’s been treating you two well, I hope?”

“He’s obnoxious–”

“ Jason!”

“What?! He is!”

Dick snickered behind them, arms crossed over his chest. He shifted forward over the guard rail and flicked the back of Jason’s head, causing a howl from the kid. He whipped around to retaliate until Bruce scolded the boys with a harsh ch between his teeth. “We are in a courthouse. Knock it off.”

Jason hesitated but decided it was in his best interest to do as he was told.

The judge met Bruce’s apologetic eyes with a gentle shake of her head, her lips tugging at the edges. “I think I’ve seen enough. Is the paperwork for name changes here as well?”

“Yes, your Honor–”

“Bruce,” Jason whispered, tugging on the sleeve of his suit jacket. Bruce gave him all of his attention, his torso moving into Jason’s space. “Do I– Do I have to change my name?” His stomach rolled helplessly, his heart beating in his throat, and his eyes quickly dashed down to the table. He hated feeling like this. The last thing he wanted was to offend the man who was adopting him and giving him so much. What if he got angry? What if he kicked him out? He would never see Melanie again –

The man’s dark brows came together, wrinkles forming between them. His large, calloused hand reached up to caress the nape of his neck. Jason instantly relaxed but still looked away. “Of course not, son. Do you want to change your mind?” His voice was low, speaking only to him as if he were the most important person in the world.

Son.

His bottom lip caught between his teeth, and he raised his eyes back to Bruce’s.

Bruce pressed a soft kiss to the top of his head, and his face turned a deep shade of red. He never received that kind of affection from anyone besides Mel and his mom, let alone his father. His stomach stopped turning and filled with warm, fuzzy butterflies at the comforting hold.

Keeping his hand in place, Bruce addressed the woman, “Just for Melanie, your Honor.”

“Very well.” Her glasses slid back onto the bridge of her nose and her pen dragged across the paper. “It will take a few days for the name change to go through. I can have the Records department reach out when Melanie’s new birth certificate is ready. Otherwise, the adoption is officially approved by the City of Gotham!” She cracked her gavel, and a small applause broke out from Dick, Alfred, Bruce, and the woman at the bench. A hand ruffled her hair as she giggled, squirming away from the force. Melanie leaned into Bruce’s side and buried her face there, his arm draping over her with a throaty laugh.

“Before you all go, I do have to warn you, court dockets and schedules are available to the public. There wasn’t a crowd when you arrived because you were early, but–”

Dick’s chest huffed with an accompanying eye roll. “How many people are there?” His voice was practically begging. “It can’t be as bad as when I was adopted, right?”

A sympathetic grimace spread on her wrinkled face.

Dick and Bruce sandwiched them together between their bodies as they exited City Hall. Melanie’s fingers gripped the back of Bruce’s jacket at the flashing lights and loud attempts to grab his attention. Jason walked beside her, holding her hand tightly from Dick’s side. “Holy shit,” he exhaled a short ha! “I don’t remember nearly this many people last time.”

Holy shit’s right.

“Double the kid, double the crowd?” Jason offered, his thumb dragging back and forth across her knuckles.

Bruce scowled with pinched lips and his perfect posture somehow straightened more. Dealing with reporters came with being a Wayne, but that didn’t make it any less irritating. He had hoped to have at least a few hours to prepare them for the media frenzy that would follow the breaking news of two new children. “This is unfortunately a regular occurrence. Consider it an initiation into the family,” he muttered in an attempt to lighten the mood. “Alfred went around back to get the car, so this should be quick. If you’d like to speak, you can, but don’t feel pressured.”

Dick gasped, almost like he was going to jump out of his skin. “Does that mean I can–”

“Absolutely not.”

He visibly deflated, his lips in a deep pout. “But Bruce–”

“Dick, I said no.”

“But the chaos–!”

Dick stopped himself as a pretty redhead met the group halfway up the steps, batting her lashes at Bruce. Jason and Melanie shared a look that said Ew.

“Hello, Vicki.”

DOUBLE ew. Who would willingly go by Vicki ?

“Hi, Bruce. Mr. Grayson,” she gave Dick a quick side-eye. “And you two must be the newest additions!”

“This is Melanie,” Bruce explained, being cordial with the reporter with his dazzling smile. “And this is Jason. They’ve been in my care for the last month.” He neglected to mention just how they came under his care. The public didn’t need to know about their… criminal tendencies. “They needed a home and I’m happy to give them one.”

“That’s wonderful! Would either of you care to comment?”

Jason’s face was plastered with a wicked smirk, mischief rolling in his gut. “Fu-”

Bruce’s large hand slapped over his mouth.

Melanie choked on the laugh in her throat, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment, and Dick chortled next to Jason. Bruce glared at her, daring her to try anything funny. Alright, alright.

“Um…” She looked up at him, her hand pulling harder on his clothes. “I’m–I’m really happy we met Bruce. We were struggling just a month ago and ah… I’m not sure where we would be without him.” Bruce’s hand left Jason’s face and caressed her hair with a small but warm smile. Suddenly, a well-timed car horn all but saved them and she pressed against Bruce’s back, urging him forward.

“Thank you, Vicki, but we have to get going. A quick word?”

Dick nudged his elbow in the direction of the black vehicle through the crowd. “Give them a minute. Let’s go,” he said while moving in between Jason and Melanie, offering his hand to her, which she took. He kept a hand between Jason’s shoulders to lead them to the car, and to keep them both close in the thick crowd. He shuffled them into the car first before sliding in, letting out a hearty groan-mixed huff. “Unbelievable, they’re like vultures. It’s gross,” he muttered, dusting off his arms as if to rub away the feeling of hands grabbing at him.

Melanie squeezed into Jason to look out the window with him, their noses squished against the glass. Her hands pressed into his thighs to support her weight as she leaned over him. “What are they talking about?” Jason questioned, watching their conversation. The reporter had lowered her microphone and leaned in to speak quietly with him. They were clearly speaking privately.

“He is reminding Miss Vale of his rules,” Alfred informed them, turning his head to look at Dick with a raised brow.

“Rules?” Melanie asked, just as he made his way towards the car. The rear side door opened, and Bruce slid into the seat across from them.

“I cannot trust a single one of you to be civilized with the media,” Bruce grumbled, plopping into the seat with a thud. “I was reminding Vicki to let her colleagues know that they are still not allowed to speak with any of you without my presence until you are eighteen. Obviously, that rule has proven its efficacy. Again.”

“Awe c’mon Bruce, I’m not that bad–”

“You absolutely are. You called Vicki a cheap knock-off of Lois Lane and tried to bite her finger– ”

“She was pinching my cheek! I don’t know what it is with the public and their incessant need to always touch me, but it all started with her! I have no regrets.”

Bruce shot him a look and Dick huffed. No one spoke, leaving the car in a comfortable silence as Alfred drove them back to the manor.

“If I may, Master Bruce,” the butler paused, waiting for Bruce’s affirmation to continue. “Etiquette training is just as important as the physical and mental preparation of their roles. Perhaps Master Dick could use a refresher as well.”

Dick’s long body was thrown across his seat with a dramatic groan, flopping into Bruce’s lap. “Can it at least wait until after we go sledding?”

“Only if I’m invited.”

The next morning, where a photo of Bruce, Dick, and Alfred in a small courtroom sat on display on the center table in the grand foyer, another frame was added. With a much older Dick, Bruce, Alfred, Jason, and Melanie in the same room, with beaming smiles and bunny ears stuck up behind the newest Waynes.

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