#i also have thoughts on cass and how the judge could be such a good foil for herrrr lmk if yall want more i just dumped 2 many words here

[disco-troy]

One of the things I really want someone to bring back from the Humpries run is the idea of the judge as a villain.

Within the superhero community, Nightwing represents trust. He not only assumes leadership positions and gains the trust of other heroes (especially when compared to his mentor), but he also strives to see the best in people through the way he lives his life. However, it's something he struggles with a lot because the way he was raised and the things he's been through. He yearns to trust and find goodness in others.

For instance, in the Judas Contract despite Terra's recent betrayal, Nightwing chooses to trust Joey.

The judge serves as the antithesis to Nightwing's philosophy, undermining the very idea of trust. With the judge, trust becomes a liability. He challenges Nightwing's history of trust and reinforces moments when that philosophy has been called into question.

What happens when the judge makes him doubt his friends, his allies, and his support system? Who is Nightwing without his safety net? This not only creates a compelling narrative point, but it also explains why Nightwing isn't calling on the Titans or his family for help with this problem (something that Taylor's run lacks, to be honest). It introduces more conflict for Dick – he wants to trust his friends and family, yet he's afraid of what the judge might offer them or what he might uncover about them if the judge digs deep enough.

Plus the judge works so well in the setting of Bludhaven. Gotham has so many rouges that just tear it apart morally and look into what the city means. Bludhaven doesn't really have that yet (Dixon's run sets up characters, but none of them mean anything thematically). Why is Bludhaven corrupt? How does this hurt the city? The judge started this by exposing the decisions of giving flooded homes to veterans to save money and the casino owner who covered up the murder of a child. A casino and a city built on the blood of others. Both Nightwing and the judge seek to uncover the cracks in the system where people fall. The judge aims to expose the inherent corruption of humanity and reinforce the notion that humans are inherently self-serving. Dick, on the other hand, aims to catch those who have fallen through the cracks.

The judge is also immensely entertaining to read, with a distinct personality that meshes well with Nightwing. He is both a meticulous planner and an improviser, allowing readers to see different aspects of Nightwing's crime-fighting abilities. Dick will have to engage in intense detective work to track down the judge, especially since the judge's "power" revolves around manipulating people. Nightwing must rely on his understanding of people as a detective, which happens to be one of his strengths. But here's the twist: the judge turns Nightwing's strength into a weakness. He can sway anyone to his side, mess with loyalties, and make it impossible to trust anyone. It becomes impossible to discern who is lying or who has suddenly changed allegiance because the judge flips a coin and presents them with an irresistible offer. Every waking moment becomes a mind game.

To defeat the judge, Nightwing must question everyone around him - he can never allow himself to fully trust anyone. This especially hurts if it comes after he's made connections with the people in Bludhaven. How does he rebuild trust or begin to forgive? How does a betrayal as Nightwing affect those he is friends with as Dick Grayson?

He plays with Dick's guilt complex as well. The judge can see people's deepest desires and when Dick feels guilty for his friends death or crises he couldnt avert I want Dick being promised absolution and it hurting so much but having to refuse it. Having to refuse promises of family when he's missing the circus.

And while his home is Bludhaven he does have the potential to be a heavy hitter. His powers could manipulate many people with power in the dcu and become a huge threat, and his philosphy could apply to many situations. What would the judge do if he went out of Bludhaven? Went against the Titans? The greater hero community? What would he say about say Lex Luthor's brand of corruption or if he set his sight to the governments? His statement has the capability to make a ripple in the DC universe, with Nightwing being his opposite and meeting him every step of the way.

Nightwing doesn't really have an ideological nemesis - but the judge is a perfect fit. He's a foil and an antagonist - doubting what it means for Dick to be a hero, bringing up his guilt and jealousy and all his negative emotions to the forefront. Having to grapple with his worst feelings he forces Dick to confront his darkest emotions head-on. Defeating the judge won't just require physical strength, but emotional sacrifices too.

The judge can throw in some challenge and conflict in Dick's run that is sorely missing right now. Even if he wins against the judge, he still loses. He still needs to have his trust in people doubted, he still feels guilt for everything the judge does. Let Dick rise to the challenge of his name, allow the judge to shake his foundations and come out stronger. When the judge is the Destroyer, deconstructing bludhaven to its rotten core and exposing its cracks, I want to see Dick be The Eternal Rebuilder - ready to catch people, rebuild relationships and forgive others - maybe eventually even himself.

[azsazz]

Over Ice

Hockey!Rhysand x Reader

Summary: Anon Req: I think we could really have fun with the different courts and Illyrian values on a thematic basis but ALSO if the reader is in something very artsy and hasn’t really been into sports and then she’s walking around Campus and BOOM right smack dab into Broody McBrooder!! She THEN finds out he’s the tutor for one of her hardest courses (personally Psych would be a good one) and they become super duper close with him and the team!!! She decides to wear Cass’ jersey to make him mad and when he finally gets a hold of her after the game: *cue innocent shrug* he asked me to!

Warnings: None.

Word Count: 3032

Notes: While I work on a plot for an azzy hockey x figure skater au, please enjoy a rhys hockey au 🤪

This was originally an Az idea but I thought it fit better for Rhys bby so here we are. I feel like I've forgotten how to write and this is shit (dont judge me im going thru smthin rn)

_________________________________________

A giant FU stares up at you.

Well, actually, it’s only an F, but it may as well be the former with the way it’s circled in thick, red ink.

Three. Fucking. Times.

Tears sting the back of your eyes but you refuse to let them fall. It never feels good, failing, and even if you’d gotten a C+ like you hoped, you would’ve still beaten yourself up over the grade because plain and simple: that’s who you are.

Two months ago, at the beginning of the semester, psychology had seemed like a breeze. The lectures were easy to listen to and intriguing, and you had no trouble following along with the professors’ slideshows as you took detailed notes of everything on the screen. Your assigned readings were completed in a similar state, though they weren’t graded but included important information you’d find on the tests.

Somewhere along the line, your grade slipped, and you don’t remember if it had been between studying for Biology or reveling in your newfound freedom away from your parents, partying and enjoying a true college experience with your roommates.

Whatever happened, the repercussions are hitting you right in the face, the taunting letter you have never seen before on any of your assignments throughout all your years of learning.

If your parents saw this, they would bring the entire house down with their scolding.

It’s not like you didn’t try. You studied, even if the word is a loose term for what material you used. Things started piling up this month, with it being a new semester and all. You didn’t schedule out the time to focus on psychology when the classes you were really interested in—Introduction to Nutrition and Kinesiology—took first and second place for your attention. Plus, with the number of social events your best friends—who are also conveniently your roommates—invited you too, it was almost impossible to say no. Friends are a vital part of the college experience and you were in desperate need of some fun after having spent the summer lounging at home with your parents.

You found a psych support group that met at the library once a week to study together. It wasn’t anything like you thought it would be, a bunch of clueless students with grades similar to yours. All they seemed to want to do with your precious time was bitch and moan about the professor instead of actually trying to conquer the areas of study for the upcoming test.

And now the consequences of your actions have made themselves known.

Grumbling, you shove the test into your binder before shutting it with a snap that does nothing to ease your frustration. A few students still trail from the room, though most bolted right after being released. Some linger at the bottom of the lecture hall where the professor sits, answering their questions.

You have about a million-and-one of your own but you’re too worked up about your grade to go down there and hash it out with Mr. Hybern. His peppery colored hair is perfectly coiffed on this terrible day, his beard trimmed close to his jowls. His gleaming, golden skin makes you think that maybe he’d spent his weekend grading tests out in the sun, and you have half a mind to stomp your way down the stairs and demand a second review of your test.

It wouldn’t solve your irritation, and it would certainly be embarrassing if in fact your F is correct.

Placing your binder, notebook, and pens back into your bag, you zip it, sling it over your shoulder, and make your way to the exit, holding your chin high because if there’s one thing you’re not going to do, is cry over your terrible, awful grade in public.

The waterworks will just have to wait until you’re locked in your private bedroom in your shared dorm.

There is good news. It’s Friday, which means you can snag the pint of your favorite ice cream that your roommates won’t dare touch because ‘no ice cream that’s worth it should have fruit in it, that’s like asking for a steak on your spaghetti.’ You have no idea what Mor—one of your roommates—was on about when she brought up the awful comparison, and in reply all you’d done is scooped out a chunk of cherries embedded into the creamy, pink goodness and stuffed it into your mouth.

With it being the weekend, you can also wallow well into the night without having to worry about hiding your puffy eyes in the morning. You’ll have all day tomorrow to figure out a plan of action, once you allow yourself the time to properly grieve and process…and maybe have a drink or two.

You shoulder through the heavy lecture hall door with your head down, hiding the red stain to your cheeks. So, maybe you’re not going to hold you head high as you trail back to your dorm, but you will not cry.

The door swings open and you barely catch the noise of surprise before you’re barreling into something that’s akin to a brick wall. Your breath leaves your body in a whoosh and your balance slips out from under you, arms flailing as you fall.

You squeeze your eyes shut, bracing for impact, but it never comes.

Slowly, mortified because you know exactly what’s cushioned your fall, you peek your eyes open, carefully meeting a sapphire gaze that surely would take your breath away should you have any left.

This close, you can see the perfection of his angular features: a long, straight nose, high cheekbones under the dusting of pink that caresses his own face. His lashes are dark as charcoal, the same color of his hair that looks as soft as silk.

Whatever it is that has you entranced by his beauty, the sentiment seems to be mutual. Those bright eyes trace across your features, carefully drinking you in. You don’t know if you’re thankful that your face is already as red as the marker on your test or if you want him to see the way your cheeks go molten.

There’s a warmth against your hips that you don’t notice until he speaks, his hands that have a solid grip around you, keeping you steady to his chest. His whispered breath brushes across your lips. “By all means,” he teases softly, “Take your time.”

“Oh, my Gods, I am so sorry,” you squeak, rolling off his chest. You can hear his chuckling as you scramble to climb to your feet, but your knees are so weak at the sight—and touch—of the most handsome man you’ve ever seen lifting gracefully to his feet, holding a hand down to help you up.

You try not to notice just how big his hand is in yours, and for the second time today, you fail.

“Don’t worry about it, darling,” he says, displaying an easy grin that makes your heart stutter in your chest. The door opens with a loud click and the both of you startle. His hand comes down warmly on your spine, ushering you out of the way of the student that’s beaming grin falters into apology at the idea of almost running you down, already on the phone with someone and gushing over their test result.

It’s hard to reign in your glare.

The student’s conversation seems to jolt the man out of his stupor. He blinks, shaking his head as if to rid him of a spell you might have cast on him, or maybe he’s testing to see if he has a concussion from the fall.

When he returns his attention to you, it takes everything in your power not to melt into a puddle beneath that gaze.

“Is Mr. H still passing out tests?” he asks, and you swallow the sourness that accompanies the name of your professor. You and he are not on good terms right now, not that this boy knows that.

“Yeah,” you answer, remembering you saw him sitting on his throne (desk chair) with his loyal citizens (students) kissing his feet (talking through their tests). “I think so.” Then, because you’re pretty sure you would remember a face like his if he were in your lecture, you ask, “Are you in this class?”

“No,” he answers with a scoff that tells you he breezed by this class. “I took Psych 101 freshman year, but I have Professor Hybern again for Cognitive Psychology and I need to turn in my paper early.”

Turning in a paper early? What is he, some kind of genius?

“Oh,” you answer lamely, “Cool.”

His answering grin cracks open the casing of the butterflies you didn’t know were living in your stomach, taking off in a flurry of emotion.

He shrugs like he couldn’t really care less about any of it, but to you, the fact that he’s managed to pass Psych 101 at all is an impressive feat, though you don’t know why he’d sign up for even more torture. “Sure. Look, I’ve got to run, but are you sure you’re okay?”

It’s nice of him to ask if you’re okay when he’s the one who had his back painted to the floor only moments ago. “Yeah, I’m fine, but I should be the one asking you that. Are you okay?”

His laughter is rich and warm, and you want to melt into it. Before you have the chance to make even more a fool of yourself in front of this handsome stranger, he answers. “I’ve been checked harder, darling. You have a nice day now.”

“Thanks, you too,” your words trail off as he catches the door on its next outswing, ducking inside without waiting for your response.

Jeeze, he must really be in a rush, then.

It’s when you exit the doors to the psychology building that you curse yourself. You should’ve gotten his number, his name at least. You could’ve invited him over for something more distracting and yummier than the ice cream you’d planned on demolishing.

At least you have something better to think about tonight than your test.

With a heavy sigh, you allow your backpack to fall off your shoulder. Now that you’ve arrived back to your dorm, you’re suddenly feeling more exhausted than ever.

The walk home from class had been nice, your time spent thinking about the boy you’d run into. The broadness of his shoulders you didn’t seem to notice until he turned away, stretching wide beneath his tight t-shirt. The bulge of his biceps beneath said t-shirt, flexing as he pulled the door open for himself. The shape of his ass in those snug jeans.

The sight of that is what had your eyes nearly popping from your head. What’s he doing that gives him such a bubblicious ass? Squats? Lunges? You can do those. You choose not to, but if there’s a guarantee that you’d have an ass like that, you’d start right this second.

Tucking your lip into your mouth in concentration, you plant your hands on your hips, making your way to the refrigerator that your ice cream is housed in, lunging your way there.

It’s not that far, the communal space in your shared dorm is small, but your heartrate is elevated by the time you’re two lunges away from your prize: your ice cream.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Mother!” You shout as the voice of your roommate breaks your concentration. Your knees wobble and your thighs shake, unable to hold you up from the burst of exertion you used. You clearly need to get into the gym more, another thing to add to your already busy schedule. “You scared me!”

Mor rolls her chocolate-brown eyes, sliding into one of the stools at your counter. It’s not built for it, the laminate countertop doesn’t hang over the island far enough for your legs to fit, but you and your roommates thought they were cute, nonetheless. You can suffer having to hunch over your knees to reach your cereal bowls in the mornings in favor of having more space for company to sit.

When you haul yourself off the ground, you take in your roommate. She’s wearing some kind of jersey, one you’ve never even seen in her wardrobe before, and you probably spend more time in there than her because she has every item of clothing you could ever imagine. The top she’s wearing now totally clashes with everything that screams Mor: silk scarves, tight bodice tops, leather pants, and what she has on now isn’t even red, a color that’s a staple in her closet.

“Well, if you were paying attention,” she scolds playfully, flipping open the compact in her hand, checking her makeup in the tiny mirror. She makes a few faces that would make you chuckle if you didn’t notice how she looks like she’s ready to go out, and that means she’s going to try to drag you with. “You would’ve heard me walk into the room. I am wearing heels, you know.”

Of course you know. Mor doesn’t do sneakers, only when it’s five in the morning and the sun is still sleeping, the perfect time for working out where nobody will catch her. Maybe I should join her, you think, mind wandering back to that boy’s butt.

“Why are your cheeks all red?” She asks, planting her palms on the counter and leaning towards you, eyes narrowed in inquisition.

“Nothing,” you wave her off, reaching for the door to the freezer. It’s the last thing between you and the cherry chunk ice cream calling your name.

Before you can open it more than an inch, it slams closed, Mor’s sharp, bright red fingernails splayed out to stop you.

Damnit, how does she move so silently?

“What do you think you’re doing?” You question each other at the same time, biting back your smiles at the mistake.

She answers first. “Why do you look like you’re about to get the ice cream, put your pajamas on, and wallow in bed all night?”

“Because that’s exactly what I’m going to do,” you cross your arms over your chest defiantly. “So, if you’ll excuse me…” You trail off, hoping she’ll step away and leave you to your peace.

She doesn’t. That’s not Mor.

“I had a rough day!”

“You say that every day,” she whines, stomping her heel-clad foot. “Don’t you even want to know what I’m inviting you to tonight?”

“From the look of your clothes, no, I don’t want to know what you’re doing tonight, Mor, and no, I don’t want to join you, either.”

Your roommate scrunches her nose, tipping it towards the ceiling. “I’ll have you know that this outfit is cute.”

“Yeah, if the definition of cute changed to ‘not pleasing or appealing to look at.’”

“You take that back,” Mor shouts, full naming you.

As your lips part in apology, because that was rude of you, your other roommate pads out of her room. Her reading glasses are perched up on her nose, blue eyes round and wide, and it always looks like she’s looking around the room in wonder. She has a blanket thrown over her shoulders and looks every bit of cozy you wish you were.

“Gwyn,” you sigh in relief at the sight of her. “Please, help.”

“I already said no,” she offers you a sympathetic wince. “I don’t think there’s any getting you out of the hockey game, sorry babe.”

Now it’s your jaw that falls to the floor. No, it falls through the floor and about five more floors down, hitting the lobby with a crack that echoes through the building.

You whirl on Mor. “Hockey game? Since when have you been interested in hockey?”

“Since my cousin got named team captain this year,” she says smugly, and you don’t know why she’s acting vain, it just means that he’s captain of the douchebags now, even you know that. Mor turns, showing off the back of her jersey. The number one stands out like a beacon, and you brush her blonde hair over her shoulder to read the smaller patches spelling out what is in fact, her family name.

Cunningham.

“Think of all the parties we’ll get into,” she says over her shoulder, and she does have a point there. The athletes at your college are a group of students that you don’t ever interact with, nor do you care. Mor is all about connections though, and if she wants to go to the hockey game, then it looks like you’re going with her.

You wonder what excuse Gwyn used to get out of it. She looks mighty comfy right now, slinking over the plop down on the couch and turn on a movie.

“Why do we have to go to the game? Can’t we just go to the parties?” You ask, grasping for anything to get out of this. You don’t want to go sit in the cold arena and watch a bunch of guys wearing full-body padding slide up and down the ice. Why couldn’t her cousin have been on the baseball team? They have nice, tight uniforms.

“Because,” Mor emphasizes with a glare, spinning to face you once more to give you the full effect of her irritation. “I’m a good cousin, and if we don’t attend the games, we’re going to be blacklisted from the parties,” she grumbles, the fight leaving her a little bit. “I’ve already argued about it with Rhys, I don’t want to have to argue with you too.”

It’s with your sigh that Mor brightens. “Fine. I’ll come with you, but I’m not going to be happy about it. And don’t expect me to cheer.”

Her squeal pierces the sound barrier. What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?

Mor grabs your hand, dragging you towards the empty single room that’s left in your dorm. She uses it as an extension of her closet until someone else gets placed with you. So far, you’ve been lucky, living here since freshman year, just the three of you. “Great! I got you a shirt!”

_________________________________________

Over Ice Taglist:

[luizd3ad]

When in Doubt, Blame Damian | Jason x Reader

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 ࣪˖⤷ .𖥔 ݁ ˖ ࣪ ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 ˖ ⤷

Pairing: Jason Todd x GN! Reader

WC: 928

CW: Swearing, over thinking. It’s mostly kinda fluffy. No use of Y/N.

Author's Note: I got this idea while giving my dog a bath sooo here you go idk lol hope you like it🖤

Summary: You get a dog!! … but you didn’t tell Jason.

Not my picture

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You blamed Damian.

You normally blame Damian for a lot. More than you're willing to admit, sometimes for stuff he wasn't even involved in.

But this time you think it's actually his fault.

How could you not blame him? If he hadn't asked for a ride to the pet store. If he didn't insist that Titus absolutely needed a new friend. If he never put that little puppy in your arms basically forcing you to fall in love with the little baby that was giving you kisses, then you wouldn't be here right now.

You wouldn't be in yours and your boyfriend's apartment trying to figure out how to tell said boyfriend that you guys now had a dog. 

Would Jason be mad? Honestly? You didn't know. The topic of getting a dog or a cat has came up a few times.

He would usually say things like ‘Maybe’ or ‘Now's just probably not a good time’ it was never a definite yes or no.

So maybe it wouldn't be that bad, you thought to yourself trying to give yourself some confidence. 

I mean it was your apartment too. You contributed. And it would feel nice to have something to keep you company while Jason was on patrol or had to go somewhere for a while.

You'd hyped yourself up at this point you had some good arguments lined up for why it was a good idea.

You felt confident about your choice, especially when you looked down at the little puppy sleeping peacefully in his bed that was in your shared bedroom. You got this, you told yourself and you really believed that. You genuinely did.

That was until you heard the front door unlock. 

You rush out the room, closing the door softly trying not to wake up the puppy. 

You walked into the living room to greet Jason who was out all morning and most of the afternoon training with Dick, Cass and Duke. 

“Hey Jay.” You say giving him a soft kiss.

“Hi my love. How was your day?”

Jason says, giving you a tight hug, holding you for a moment. 

“Umm it was you know. It was fine. Hung out with Dames. Nothing crazy you know? How about you?”

You rambled pulling away from Jason trying not to sound suspicious while walking to the couch in the living room. 

Jason gives you a questioning look but ends up just dropping it and following you to the couch.

“It was fine. Just the normal shit. I missed you though.”

Jay pulls you into him while giving you a kiss on your head. You feel kinda guilty at this point.

You don't like keeping things from Jason. He has a lot of trust issues so it was important that you guys had a lot of honesty and communication in your relationship. 

You pull away from Jason and look at him, giving him a slightly guilty look.

“Jay, I have something to tell you. Don't be mad.”

“Did something happen when you were out with the Demon Spawn? Did he do something? What did he say? I'm gonna kick that little brats ass.”

Jason runs his hand through his hair already mad at Damian for whatever Jason thinks he did. 

“Jay calm down Dames didn't technically do anything. I did something, and before you get mad-”

You were interrupted when you heard a puppy bark and a slight clawing sound at the bedroom door and judging by Jasons face he also heard it. 

“What was that?”

“What was what?”

You give a little chuckle, now trying to play it off. Hoping that this isn't how Jason finds out but knowing that it is. 

“Babe Is there a dog here?”

“Um technically..? Yes?”

Jason sighs and gets up to the bedroom and opens the door letting the dog run up to you as he tries to climb up on you. You pick him up, putting him on your lap while he starts playing with your hand. 

“Babe, who’s dog is that?”

“Umm… Ours?”

“When did we get a dog?”

Jason says wide eyed and raises his eyebrows at you.

“It's all Damian's fault! He told me how lonely Titus gets sometimes and I felt bad and just look at how cute he is!”

You try to explain picking the dog up so Jason can look at him.

 “Don't be mad jay..”

You say putting the puppy on the floor so he can run around a little all while you look extremely guilty.

“Mad? Why would I be mad? Wait baby, is this what you were trying to tell me?”

Jason says sitting next to you on the couch while looking at you concerned. 

“Yes… I felt bad making a choice like that without you and I know how you don't like it when people hide stuff from you and I just don't want to make you mad.”

“Baby, I'm not mad. I'm not thrilled that you got a dog without me, especially because it was with the Demon Spawn. But I'm not mad.”

Jason says pulling you into him kissing the top of your head.

“You're not mad? Really?”

“I can't be mad at you baby. You mean everything to me.”

Jason says while the puppy runs up to you guys laying down at your feet.

“I'm still sorry Jay.”

“I know you are, baby. It's okay, promise. Now what's this little guy's name?”

Jason says picking up the puppy and looking at his face while you smile at them.

Maybe you shouldn't blame Damian… this time.

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[speedforce-zoomies]

Something I think that’s funny (not in a judgey way) is how a lot of the fandom views Tim’s relationships with the other Batfam members/Gotham heroes

Tim might be the bat fam member/Gotham vigilante with the most positive relationships out of every one but for the angst a lot of people ignore that (again not judging, also love a good angsty fic, just think it’s interesting) and I listed it out below : )

Tim & Alfred - Alfred loves him, that’s one of his boys

Tim & Jim Gordon - as far as I’m aware Gordon has never had anything bad to say about Tim

Lucius Fox - they worked well together to stop Ra’s al Ghul from destroying Wayne enterprises/Industries (whatever its being called now) in Red Robin

Tim & Bruce - that’s his son and most of the time Bruce acts like it

Tim & Selina “He’s a goody two-shoes but I like that kid” (Catwoman #31)

Kate Kane - as of Tim Drake: Robin their relationship hit a rough spot but he was still wanting to do whatever he could to protect her so I think they are/ will be good

(Tim & Luke Fox - genuinely have no idea if they’ve had any significant interactions so I’m gonna assume they’re good but not sure if it counts so I’ll leave that up to individual opinion)

Tim & Barbara - Barbara has said he’s the only batboy with manners lol and she has fallen for his baby brother charms

Tim & Dick - has literally stated in canon that he would do anything for Tim, he’s Dick’s litte brother, Dick is absolutely Tim’s favorite brother

Tim & Jean Paul Valley - JPV hurt him but due to his reaction to hearing Tim got the clench and trying to save him he obviously still cares and they’ve worked together since so I think they’re on good terms

Tim & Helena - she was so genuinely heartbroken when she thought he was killed by killer croc, has also fallen for his little brother charms

Tim & Cassandra - siblings who have each others back no matter what

Tim & Jason - despite their rocky start, as of Knight Terrors: Robin they’ve been shown to have a civil if not a positive relationship

Tim & Stephanie - besties despite being exes

Tim & Harper Row - what I’ve seen of them has been a fun relationship “I should go. Probably some kind of mischief going on.” “Mischief huh?” (Batman Eternal #52 I think)

Tim & Duke Thomas - they alway come through for each other and haven’t had any beef as far as I’m aware

Tim & Darcy Thomas - good relationship

Tim & Damian - as of Tim Drake: Robin, Tim is calling Damian his little brother. They may have hated each other in the beginning but they don’t now

(Am I missing anyone??)

Out of the other characters that are generally considered to have good/positive relationships with everyone else -

From my understanding, Alfred, Gordon, & Barbara have had mostly positive relationships with the others (sometimes they’ve had bumps in the road but usually the relationship recovered from that) but I don’t recall if they have had a relationship with ALL of the above characters

Cass and Jason did have beef due to extremely different ideologies and I’m not aware of that being resolved

Duke Thomas has not been shown to have interactions with all of those listed above

Dick has some on again off again beefs with some of the others

+ other beefs I’m aware of

Jason & Damian last I recall were still getting into tumbles whenever they made the other angry, which is a lot

Bruce has multiple beefs going on at all times it seems : (

I feel like I’m forgetting some unresolved beef involving JPV but maybe I’m wrong

Anyways my point is, unless I’m majorly wrong about any of the above, or forgetting several people, Tim is most likely the canonical Batfam member with the most positive relationships amongst Gotham vigilantes (if I went past that that list would never end lol) even if a lot of his relationships with the others started out rough or had a rough patch at some point

[idkwhatimdoingbutslay]

ARCANE REWATCH LETS GO: ACT I

(Note rambles up ahead)

Some of the greatest sibling representation I’ve seen. These kids are amazing. With just a few lines, everything just clicks. Their circumstances, their position between each other, the dynamics. Just something about it all works so well. 

I LOVE how sunlight looks in this show GOSH

And the colour blue immediately standing out is great foreshadowing. You see it already in the cold opening with Powder’s hair and then again and again with her hair AND the hex crystals. 

Jayce having those hex crystals just sitting around this guy 😭

How were all of these enforcers so slow. I’m surprised there were no citizens trying to get in on the fun but also not at all. Living in their own bubble with the dutiful enforcers as protectors and heroes. 

I love how movement looks in this show. So fluid. 

I miss you Claggor and Mylo :(

“Trouble finds you” me when fate in Arcane :((((

GET ‘EMMMMMM

Fortiche x Saliva and Blood they could never make me hate you

THE SCOREEEE DAMNNNN. You don’t notice it until it’s super obvious, the only way a score should be. 

Where the gang got beat up is so abandoned. Considering how Piltover is built, I wonder who lives there

A nail bomb is still insane. 

To think I really thought on my first watch that they’d dive in to get the bag back :(

JINX FIRST MENTION

WHO TOLD WHAT WAS DOWN HEREEEE COME ALONG IF YOU WANTED A PEAKKKK

Wow remember when Vi’s self regulation was kind of good?

I LOVE the design of the Undercity. Its rough, mishmash landscape coated in green in comparison to the sunlight and blues and golds of Topside. 

HEYYY BABETTE

VANDER!

omg the ponytail on huck :(to think where it ends up)

Why is this man Australian 😭

Vander really had ride or dies ……

Vander you’re a father!!!!!!!!!

Vander aligning himself with Vi :( they are soooo riddled with guilt omg

The way the colour blue is used in this show is perfect. Blue is supposed to be a sign of life, full of beauty, but it’s so foreboding. 

BABY EKKO HEYYY KINGGGG

Claggor they robbed me of you 

What did Grayson even see in Marcus, I don’t understand? I don’t care how much of an obligation her felt for Piltover, it’s so obviously built on his disdain for the Undercity

Grayson and Vander are NOT in the same boat. Stop trynna do that

Blue is back in Silco’s lair

Wow his intro is perfection

BABY CAITLYN

What was Jayce even getting in the Undercity ??

Wouldn’t mind a little more on Jayce’s backstory tbh 

The fact that Jayce has a confirmed hyper fixation of rocks is great. 

Never ever get catch me skipping this intro!!!!

Oh do I love a good conundrum! Stfu Heimerdogger 😭

Richest person in Piltover but the poorest Medarda……….. Capitalism and elitism is one hell of a drug

KIRAMMANS!!!!! I love that Caitlyn is even involved in the conversation with her parents regarding Jayce and that her input is valued. Her parents knew how smart she was, but eventually it stopped being very beneficial to Cass. Her smarts put her and their system in danger. 

Tobias calling Cass darling 🤭🤭🤭

Hi Sevika ✊🏾

I love the councilor’s designs I really do :( you’d think that Cassandra is the most boring looking, but there’s something so classic about her look. 

The way the councilors are judge, jury and executioner 

“If we condone this, what’s next” this mentally in Act I is soooo frustrating. 

I don’t completely hate Heimerdinger’s view on magic cuz he’s objectively right, but, again, the council is wayyyy too concerned about protecting their little bubble. What is REAL progress? Can we sacrifice real progress for comfort? No, not at all. And so much power is ALREADY in the wrong hands. Him and his peers’ hands. 

Piltover is way too quick in condemnation I have no idea how they function like that

The spit that comes out when Silco says “Power” during his speech to Deckard… I hate this show 😭

Not me feeling sorry for Jayce. Rip. 

The our love scene is so…….. like this song should NOT BE HERE

“You’ve got a good heart” speech. KILL ME

“I’m guessing that’s for me” Grayson says about Vi……. Yeah I hate that. Vi isn’t cargo or product she’s a suffering child

Vander and Vi are wayyyyyyy to similar I hate their screwed up, self sacrificial, altruism in these awful circumstances 

The way people just…. Die in this show. Such a heavy consequence and there isn’t even anything crazy dramatic about it all. Benzo and Grayson are just gone… No coming back. But Grayson’s death is still baffling to me. All Topside seems to ever want is condemnation and yet their sheriff dies and there doesn’t seem to be a massive uproar? We need to see what happens during the time jump :(((((

Now look what you’ve done Marcus 😭 All for what? Marcus get a grip challenge

Jayce and Viktor are at it!!!!! Her kings!!!!!!

Silco saying he doesn’t want to win in the war, he just wants to scare Piltover and earn respect. Like come on, this isn’t about anybody else but himself and his own gain! It was not about the Undercity being able to thrive, it was about the Undercity functioning under his control without Topside interference. He wanted to replace topside, not dismantle the system. The writing for him is very good

Need to understand the different regions of both Topside and the Undercity

Damn does this show know how to age characters. 

Shimmer is such a stupid name 😭 Hextech isn’t all that good either

MEL JAYCE AND VIKTOR ULTIMATE TRIO

“Land of progress, equality, innovation” EAT MY CHEEKS! Jayce’s naivety I don’t entirely hate but damn is it frustrating. 

Og fight between big tattoo guy and Vi 🙏🏾

Wow I HATE this episode. The insane foreboding feeling is just so overwhelming like I’m actually going to be sick

Claggor and Mylo are so similar to Silco and Vander I think. 

A little confused on how deckard kind just went back to normal after taking shimmer. How does the body bounce back like that? Especially in its unstable form?

The way everything is just going right, I HATEEEEEE THIS SHOWWWW

Learning to love the Hextech plot line, it’s very fun with some great character dynamics on all sides. It’s a good way to represent Topside while still completely contrasting what we are all too aware of in regards to the Undercity. 

Wonder how the power of the Hextech exploded Sevika’s harm and everyone else’s limbs were fine, and Clag and Mylo were killed indirectly

Where did the rest of the crystals end up going? Just out of use? Because Powder seemed to have a decent amount and I don’t think they were all used at the canary? Unless I’m wrong 

Wow this episode is awful

Silco literally stabbing Vander in the back. I feel like a lot of the Silco metaphors were very in the nose lol. Like the cat and mouse

Vander choosing to save Vi over killing silco for good :(

“Vi it worked” AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

“You did this?” AHABAJANAKAKSOENWJWKDKWLWKDIIE

“I only wanted to help” IM GONNA SISNSIDNJSNSJEND

Marcus you are NOT the hero here do NOT piss me off

Powder is so needy it hurts. Meeting silco in desperation and tragedy and soon relishing in it. Isn’t that nice. 

I CAN SEE THE TEAR IN MY FATHERS FACE BEFORE IT FALLS OUT!!!!!!!

Goodbye makes me so emotional :(((((

[zeroducks-2]

(I hope I worded this right and that it does not come across as rude or snarky, I genuinely want to hear your thoughts) So does that mean your interpretation of Bruce is that he is, how do I say it, “indefinitely fucked/flawed”? That there are not many moments where he did goodness for the pure sake of it? Or it’s something like, 90% flawed 10% good?

It actually depends on who writes him, and on the media we're taking into consideration. I know that this might sound contradictory with my previous post, but I honestly don't think there's one interpretation of a character who's 80+ year old and went through the hands of hundreds of writers.

There are a few things that only "happened once" if you understand what I mean, like Cassandra's story. That story has only one iteration, there are no variants to take into consideration or other Batman media that explore it, so we can judge it by what happened that one time, but this is a rarity among the most important Batman stories. Think of UTRH. Bruce is way less ruthless in the animated version and the ending is very different from what happens in the comics.

Bruce did a lot of good things for the pure sake of it, there's no denying that. He's able to offer a helping hand even to the most monstruous, he will help criminals because he genuinely wants them to better themselves. He will get down to his knees to hug and comfort a crying child, he will use his money and resource and do whatever he can to heal his city.

But he will also beat people to the point of crippling them, he will send folks to jail for the most minor of offences, he considers disabled and "mentally challenged" people as a burden for society.

He loves the kids he keeps around and would die for them. But he also hits Dick and will beat him into a pulp when Dick refuses to do his bidding. He suffered for Jason's death and wanted to kill Joker in the heat of the moment, but will also cut Jason's neck and leave him to die again in order to save Joker's life. As protective and sweet as he is with Tim, he used Stephanie to manipulate him into becoming Robin again, acting terribly towards both kids. And I could go on but you get the picture.

All of these things shouldn't coexist but they do because the character is written by different people with different opinions and understanding of right and wrong, of what is an isn't an acceptable behavior for a man and a parental figure to have, and of who the character is and stands for in general.

It might seem that I don't like Bruce all that much and I surely don't like him as a person, but I also love him as a character for what he represents historically, for the nuance of his many depictions. Though I rarely ever defend him when it comes to people criticising his actions, because those actions need to be criticised. And I will hiss at canon stuff that insists on making Bruce always look like the flawless hero because he ain't it, and at people who claim that nonsense takes are canon (like Cass being his favorite) because I have a personal issue with people taking a headcanon that comes from the fact that they didn't read the comics, and shoving it on everyone's face demanding they accept it as "what actually happened".

I hope it makes sense.

[stormhearty]

Hello again, haha :)

Good luck and good work to you! I haven't read Eris's yet, just the reader's and Tarquin's (which I loved). Let's modernize it! Cass😳🙀 ah, I'm fine! It's been a bit of a slog, but today is Sunday and I've taken the opportunity to rest a bit (sleep😂).

I've never read a manwha, but it sounds good. An inspiring manwha! LOL. A recommendation of your favorite?

It's a wonder she's not dead yet. She needs to go to the police station and report him for abandoning a child🤣🤣

Maybe you need to see if the books on your to-read list are also discounted (just to check). Lmao. Well, I'm helping, since you said you have a goal of reading more!

The Narnia books give me the impression that they're much better than the movies! I'll read them one day!

A tag just for me? I feel so adorable! An emoji tag? I love ducks 🦆, or could it be a name? Emerald, because I love green things. So undecided. I could be a parrot soon, since I talk more than I should because my thoughts are always racing and I'm also racing to keep up with them so I don't forget. Make up your mind!

Don't worry, I know how working as a nurse takes up a lot of time and I'd be in bed until I had to go back to work too. I understand😹 I'm studying for today's lesson and I've jumped at the chance to come here hehe. Thank you! I love expressing my opinion, especially if it's about something I like. YES! Ms. SJM should explain a bit more about the other courts. I confess I'd like to see a bit more of the Autumnal Court(?) I don't know why, but I'd like to see more about Eris and the place my dear Lucien had to leave. I also confess that part of my curiosity is to get to know more about Eris, because, amazingly, I have a crush on him after reading a few things here! (Even though I know the poor guy barely has any screen time. Judge me) LMAO. I think a lot of fans were expecting this🤣🤣 let's make a protest for Tarquin to appear more. Maybe Helion too! Bring them all!!!😂😳 Note: Before I felt more mysterious without emoji, but I love it. I feel mysterious with a brand now😘 🦆

Sorry for the broken responses though! And I decided to just put together both of your asks~ It might be easier for me to reply to both!

And thank you! I do hope you enjoy the Eris one! It's very angsty~ Yup! I am having a difficult time with the Modern!Cassian one though~ More like always having difficulty starting it but that's a me problem.

And that's me the past few days. It was my weekend at work and all I did was lay in bed attempting to get some sleep. As usual. And then yesterday I had dinner with coworkers it was fun, that's why I haven't been able to reply to anything the last few days.

My favorite manwha reads (some are finished, some are on hiatus and some are ongoing):

Finished:

Who Made Me a Princess (this is a must to read)

Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion

The First Night with the Duke

Flirting with the Villain's Dad

Ongoing:

Villains Are Destined to Die

A Stemother's Marchen

How to Win My Husband Over

The Siren: Becoming the Villain's Family

I Married the Male Lead's Dad

The Dark Lord's Confession

Hiatus:

Secret Lady

Roxana (How to Protect the Main Lead's Older Brother)

The Villainess is a Marionette

Into the Light, Once Again

The Archduke's Adopted Saint

I can't list all of them because it'd be so much! There are many manwha's I have dropped over the years because it got really boring or I lost interest.

But I actually own already LOTR and Narnia books! The Narnia was a behemoth of a book since it was the compilation of all the books. So I have to lug that thing around when I have to read it 🤣🤣 And they are! I did just love the actors for the movie version of Narnia.

Well, I think it has been touched on here on Tumblr that Autumn Court has so many hidden secrets and the betrayal and all that stuff, the secret affairs. It sounds so spicy compared to everywhere else. And SAME! I was in love with Eris even though he barely had any scenes. And our boi, Lucien~

Oh my god. If Rhysand wasn't Feyre's mate I would have so petitioned for Tarquin to be with her. LMAO.

Mysterious with a brand~ my duckie nonnie~

[folliesandfolderols]

Writing prompts day 92-94

From this prompt list. If you’ve read this far, I’m not sure you need any explanation, but the short version is I hadn’t written any fiction since 2019, I set a goal to write at least 150 words/day in 2024, and this list was my way to restart. Also I abruptly decided on day 2 I would write an entire Tim/Damian story connecting all the prompts, because I am Good at Judging My Limits. /sarcasm Anyway, I finished the rough draft a while ago and am now unlocking the old entries as I edit.

Read from the beginning here, or on ao3 here.

Days 89-91 here

***

2. “I’m not sharing you with anybody. You’re mine, and mine only, and I’m going to make you remember that.”

55. “Only I get to touch you like this, okay?”

123. “Are we— are we really going to do this here?”

131. Hands firm on their thighs, keeping them from snapping them shut.

***

They ambled outside with deliberate ease, made it three doors down, and only then did Tim allow the breath to leave his chest in a massive whoosh.

"Oh my God, that was rough." Stephanie gave him a sympathetic squeeze around the shoulders.

Tim shook his head, nauseated and disappointed with himself about it. He was too dizzy to keep walking. Leaning one hand on the brick wall nearest him, he dropped his head low and focused on breathing.

After a second, Steph's hand rested between his shoulder blades, patting in sympathy. "It's okay. You handled it so well. I don't think he had a clue how hard that was for you."

"I don't know what my problem is," he wheezed. "I've moved on. I'm fine. We're friendly. But seeing him is—" He swallowed down the sick saliva pooling beneath his tongue.

Stephanie sighed, but her voice was warm with sympathy. "Yeah, you're fine, all right." She rubbed his back a little harder. "You just haven't seen him much since everything blew up in your face. It was a surprise, that's all. I think it would throw anyone off to see their queer awakening walk up to them at lunch and announce he cooked the food. It doesn't mean you're wrong."

Tim finally felt steady enough to walk to a nearby bench and sit down to lean his elbows on his knees. Steph wasn't wrong, but she didn't have the whole picture of exactly how shitty he'd been to his ex. Bernard's voice played on a loop in his mind, not relaxed and sociable like he'd been today, but furious, with an edge of tears lining the words: Of course I know! I kept waiting for you to trust me but you never will, will you?

To which Tim of course had replied, It's not about trust, it's about protecting you!

It's about prioritizing Batman and his mission above literally everything and everyone else. Keep telling yourself it’s to protect me, Tim, I'm sure the cause'll keep you warm once I'm gone. Fuck this.

That hadn't been the end. The end had been worse because Bernard had been so calm about it. Tim had been forced to be mature, and logical, and clear-thinking, all the things he was best at, in the most painful way.

Stephanie sat beside him, a hex wrench in her hand, and began working out the screws in the anti-homeless bar between them. He started laughing, glad for the distraction. "That's vandalism, ma'am. Pretty sure I should bust you for that."

She grinned, proud of herself. "Fuck anti-homeless architecture. You okay?"

He shrugged. "Sure. Like I said, I'm fine."

"Good, because Damian's texting me wondering what's wrong with you. I guess he's at the restaurant across the street and they seated him at the window because they're douchebags. I hope he doesn't go back."

Tim resisted the urge to look over and see if he could spot him. "Pon la Mesa always does that, so he only goes there when he wants people to see him. He's getting info for that human trafficking case that me and Jason have been working with him on."

"Well, he's worried about you." Stephanie gave him a searching look as he sat up straight. "When Cass sent me that pic of you two sleeping in the same bed, I thought it was just an accident because you had been keeping an eye on him after he got hurt, but he never used to worry about you. Wanna tell me something?"

Tim shot to his feet and strode away, determined to look one hundred percent okay to any watching eyes. "Nah, I'm good, thanks."

Stephanie hustled after him, dropping the divider bar into a nearby trash can as she went. "Oh, that is a fascinating reaction."

"Yeah, well, you can draw your own conclusions, Ms. Big-Time Field Agent," he shot back over his shoulder.

A plume of smoke flowed into the air precariously close to the garage where he'd parked, followed shortly after by a muffled boom and a blacker cloud following the first. A bright yellow figure leaped overhead toward the explosion as the shrieks and horn honking started.

"Shit." Tim drew to a halt and shaded his eyes, trying to pinpoint the source. "Think Duke's got this?"

Stephanie copied the action, bouncing on her heels. "I've got my communicator in. We'll know if he needs backup."

Tim fished around in his pocket for his own comm. Flashing her a grin as he put it into his ear, he said, "I'm gonna miss having you around, Batgirl the Purple."

She waggled her eyebrows. "Not as much as you would've if you didn't have a certain someone to keep you company, am I right?"

He was saved from replying by Duke's voice, clear in their ears, saying, "Oh my God, I think I see Tim's car in this parking garage. Dude, are you okay?"

"No names over comms!" at least four voices chorused, but since only one of them was Bruce all the rest were laughing about it.

"I'm fine, by the way," Tim added.

"Sorry, sorry." He didn't sound too sorry. "Can I get some backup? It's just, two of these bank robbers are metas but there are like ten regular humans in the gang too."

"On our way," Stephanie replied, and dragged Tim into a nearby alleyway so they could change.

***

Around 4 AM, when Damian texted him sleep well, Tim realized he'd been coming over every night. He hadn't noticed before because Damian’s presence hadn't felt like an impingement on his mental space the way other people’s did.

He got ready for bed but didn't lie down, wandering around his apartment and tidying up various flat surfaces, then moving on to the kitchen counters. When he caught himself considering descaling the coffee maker he finally admitted to himself that he was stalling. Frowning, he pulled his phone from his pocket and opened the message thread with Damian.

You've got me messed up.

A few seconds later, Damian called. “Why are you still awake?” he asked, sounding offensively alert himself.

Tim shrugged, remembered Damian couldn't see it, and said, “I dunno, it's weird, but I think I'm having a hard time because you're not here.”

A pause, then Damian said, “I can only see one solution then. I'll have to be sure to be with you whenever you're ready to sleep.”

Tim grinned. “Does that mean you'll hop on an elevator at WE and come hold my hand while I take a desk nap?”

Damian breathed out a laugh. “No, it means you can come to my office and use the couch there while I work.”

That actually sounded great. Damian’s glass walls could of course be turned opaque with the press of a button and no one bothered him unless it was absolutely necessary. It wouldn't help tonight, though. 

“If it weren't so late, I'd drive to you now.” Tim wandered into his bedroom and hopped onto the bed. “I think you've turned into my—” lovie, he almost said, but switched words at the last second, “—comfort object. I'm like a little kid who's lost his favorite stuffed animal. Which raises the interesting question of what type of stuffie you'd be."

"Tt. A dragon bat, obviously, like Goliath. No other creature would be worthy."

Damian spoke in lofty tones, but Tim had to restrain the urge to giggle. It wasn't often that Damian's playful side peeked out from under the reserve. And when had he started considering Damian's idiosyncrasies cute?

"Oh yeah, obviously, I don't know what I was thinking." Tim turned off the light, pulled the covers over his head and snuggled down.

"Neither do I. Clearly my absence has a deleterious effect on your brain."

He had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud. Damian's idea of flirting made him sound like a Victorian professor, but Tim was into it. "Can't have that. You'd better come over tomorrow night or I won't be able to work my case load anymore."

"Gladly." That made Tim blush, but before he could reply, Damian continued, "For now, you should get some sleep."

"I'll do my best, but no promises. If I come see you tomorrow at work you'll know why."

"I hope you do." And that had no facetious edge whatsoever.

Tim let the following silence stretch out just a second too long before he experienced the horrified realization that he didn't want to hang up first. Sputtering out, "Okay see you later bye!" he hit the end call button and rolled onto his back, gusting out a sigh.

The bed felt too big.

***

Tim made it all the way to one o'clock before he gave in to the urge to go visit Damian's office. He did grab a condom and a couple of packets of lube from his spare utility belt that he kept in a locked drawer first, though, because it paid to be prepared. 

Damian’s administrative assistant waved him in with a smile. "He's in a lunch meeting now, but he'll be back in a few minutes. He said you might work here for a bit today," she said, hustling to hit the button to whiten the windows. "Let me know if you need anything, okay? I'll be at my desk."

"Thanks, Adriana," he said, perching on the edge of the couch like he wasn't going to pass out on it in five seconds flat as soon as she left. Once the door clicked shut behind her, he shoved off his shoes and stretched out on the leather cushions.

Just as he was about to drift off, his phone chimed with Stephanie's text tone. Grumbling under his breath, he picked it up to read: well, shit.

That never boded well. He opened the link she'd sent. It was an Pixtagraph post from appetite_gotham, a local foodie scene account, detailing the new menu at Chez Vous. There were ten pictures on the post, mostly of the revamped interior of the dining room, the lunch entrees, and the dishes they'd ordered, but the eighth one was what Stephanie had linked to.

Tim sat up, staring at the picture in growing dismay. It was of Bernard, Tim, and Stephanie, taken from behind Tim so only his blurry back showed as he hugged Bernard. The angle made his embrace look a lot more enthusiastically full-body than it had actually been. Bernard's smile also appeared to be brighter than it had in reality—he always did photograph well.

The relevant part of the caption read, 8. Chez Vous's new sous chef, Bernard Dowd, gives a warm welcome to Tim Drake, one of Bruce Wayne’s assortment of adoptees. At least three highly-liked comments below excitedly recalled seeing Tim and Bernard together in the past at a few Pride parades. Apparently Stephanie didn't warrant any identification.

He tapped back to messages and texted her, shiiiiiiit that looks rly bad steph

She replied, it does! and they've got like a million followers. someone else linked to their own creeper shot of the three of us hanging for that whole five minutes saying I'm your new beard which is hilarious for a bunch of reasons. idk you might wanna talk to bruce's pr team about this one even though I know you usually fly under the radar.

Tim scrolled through the comments in a state of mild horror, not least because less than half of them were about the actual restaurant that was supposed to be highlighted. Bernard was going to want to kill him. Ugh. He was supposed to be the least interesting Wayne kid. No one in the media ever recognized him or cared unless he was with Bruce or Damian.

Damian. Oh shit.

Tim hopped to his feet, ready to get his shoes on and run for it until he could figure out a plan of action, but before he could leave Damian stormed into the room, phone in hand, color high on his cheeks. He drew to a sudden halt at the sight of Tim, spun around, and softly closed the door behind him.

Tim bounced on the balls of his feet, identifying alternative exits although he kind of hated himself for the automatic impulse. "Before you say anything, I can explain," he blurted, waving the phone in his own hand as if that would tell the tale.

Damian paused, then flipped the lock in the door. "Explain, then," he said, without turning to look at Tim.

Who narrowed his eyes in sudden suspicion. "Hold on. What are you mad about?"

Damian faced him, jaw set in the way that meant he was truly furious. "I just had to give a mid-quarter report to some board members, one of whom is on Katarina's list of clientele. Looking into the face of that smug pervert and pretending I'm not going to punch his nose flat at the first opportunity has put me into a temper, I'll admit. So, say what you're going to say. It's already been a shit day."

Great. Excellent timing all around. Tim bit his lip and wordlessly held out his phone.

Damian took it and looked at the picture, first with a frown of confusion and then with no expression at all. The redness faded from his face, leaving him pale. He scrolled down a bit, then handed the phone back to Tim and stood straight, stance wide and gaze direct. "I take it this post is a surprise to you."

Tim nodded. "Yeah, I didn't realize anyone was taking pictures. He really was only with us for a few minutes, and we left right after."

"Yes." Damian's fingers gave a restless tap on the biceps they held. "I saw you on the street afterward, if you recall."

Where he'd spotted Tim having a mini-breakdown that he now knew was over his ex. Tim slid his phone back into his pocket and reached to touch Damian's elbow. "I was taken by surprise. I haven't seen him in over a year."

"And are you sorry about that fact?"

Tim wrinkled his forehead at the question. "I mean . . . I guess? Because that means I didn't do a very good job of staying friends with him."

Damian's whole body jolted as if the answer had hit him with an electric shock. He strode to his desk and rested his hands flat on the oak surface, pressing so hard Tim half-expected to see dents appear in the grain. "So I should expect more photos of you being friends with your first boyfriend in the near future. Understood. No further explanation is required, so you should go."

Tim ignored that last as inconsequential, suddenly struck by a conjecture that seemed too good to be true. His heartbeat sped up, until his voice felt thin in his throat. "Wait. Damian. Would you not like that? Like, would it bother you?"

Damian shifted to grip the edge of his desk so tightly his knuckles whitened. "Of course not. Why should I mind if someone I . . . someone I . . ." He growled in frustration. "Why should I mind if you meet with and touch the man who was your first male crush, your first male kiss, your first male everything, not to mention your first live-in relationship? It's meaningless as long as you say so, correct?"

Tim swallowed, mouth dry. He couldn't miss the implications. But at the same time, “I've had to watch a gorgeous blonde hang all over you for weeks now for the fucking job and you're telling me you're bothered by me hugging my ex after an accidental run-in? That's not really fair.”

“I'm not interested in being fair,” Damian gritted out. “And yes, for the fucking job. Did you expect me to do anything other than my best acting knowing the success of a case we’ve worked on for months depends on it? Believe me, I'm not getting nearly as much out of Katarina as you did from that asshole Bernard Dowd.”

Despite himself, Tim bristled a bit. “One, not an asshole, and two, I've seen your face when you look at Katarina. Don’t insult my intelligence by pretending you don’t like her.”

Damian waved that away, impatient. “Of course I care about her. Why shouldn’t I? She’s a sex trafficking victim showing extraordinary courage without any training. And he absolutely is an asshole. He knew your vigilante identity and familial obligations and instead of accepting your need for privacy for what it was—protection for him—not to mention your preexisting commitments, he chose to tax you with them as if they were a betrayal. When in reality, it was simply two teenagers having outgrown their relationship, as is perfectly normal.” He paused. “Or so I’ve been told. I myself am far more single-minded than a typical person. In any case, I despise false reasoning and blame shifting and he’s guilty of both. Therefore: asshole.”

Tim had to think for a moment, unaccustomed warmth at the sideways defense suffusing him. (Although how Damian knew all that would necessitate further thought.) “I . . . okay. I see your reasoning though I’m not sure I can agree with it. But, I promise I didn’t know he was there yesterday. Steph just really likes French food and neither of us had been keeping track of his movements. And I’m sorry that it bothers you. It's okay if you’re jealous."

"I don't need your permission for jealousy," Damian spat out, spinning to give him a baleful glance. He reached out one long arm and grabbed Tim by the wrist, yanking him close. 

Tim didn't bother trying to avoid his grip. “I know. But, like you said to me, it’s kind of flattering. For the record, I never felt jealous about him like I've been over you.” Mostly because he'd never wondered where he stood with Bernard until it was too late to fix said standing, but it was the truth.

Damian shook his head, eyes glittering with anger and something else Tim couldn’t put his finger on. "Very well then." He seized Tim's waist and sat him on the desk, then shoved his thighs apart with firm hands and stood between them when Tim would have snapped them shut. "Since you've so kindly given your approval, I'm going to make my opinion on the matter very clear. I’m not sharing you with anybody. You’re mine, and mine only, and I’m going to make you remember that."

He kissed Tim, hard enough to lean him back onto his elbows, teeth a mean edge against his lips as his tongue demanded entry. Tim unbuttoned Damian’s blazer and waistcoat, and slipped his hands inside to crumple the fine linen shirt in his fists, pulling him even closer. His legs were shaking, so he hooked his ankles around Damian's thighs to hide it.

“Yeah? Well, likewise, you cocky bastard,” he snapped out, fighting to keep his tone cutting when really all he wanted to do was lie down on the desk and give in. He slid his hands down to grip Damian’s ass. “Only I get to touch you like this, got it?”

Damian’s hands made quick work of Tim’s tie and shirt buttons, yanking his shirttail from his pants and flipping the button at the waist loose. “Got it.” He bent to suck a bruise into the delicate skin over Tim’s collarbone.

"Dami," he moaned, then flushed in embarrassment at the sound of his voice, already gone weak with pleading. "Are we—” He cut himself off with a muffled exclamation as Damian gripped his waist.“Are we really going to do this here?"

Damian looked at him as if he were insane. "Do you want to wait for the end of day?" He dropped a hand to Tim's crotch and palmed his rapidly hardening erection. "I don't think you do."

"No," Tim agreed. He pulled Damian's head down again by his tie. "I really, really don't," he whispered into his mouth, and kissed him again.

day 95 here

[colorfulyetsinful]

This is a hc timeline list for a fanfic I’m writing (it’s not even about Bruce, I just like writing lore).

No capes au, meaning no power or hero or villains. It’s hard to explain, maybe I’ll go into it more once I publish the fic.

(I’m not sure if this makes sense but I hope it makes sense)

Going one for the Kent’s bc I got plans for Clarky boy >:}

Anyways enjoy!!

Warning ⚠️

-young Bruce Wayne

-and underage drug use (it’s only mentioned)

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

Bruce is basically Damian mixed with dick’s public persona

- basically he’s stand offish and a smart ass with a charming smile

Autistic coded (where Damian gets it from

Chosen not to have friends, but when Clark and Diana became his partners for a group project, he couldn’t get ride of them

Bruce and Oliver had a rivalry going on

hey didn’t realize it at first until they shared a class in 8th grade, and after that they couldn’t stand each other

Him and Harley some how became besties (kinda like how Damian and Colin are)

He scolds her for being interested in a delinquent (joker)

She comes back at him for having a on-off relationship with Talía

Him, Harley, Harvey, Edward, Pamela, and Selina used to sneak out of school to go smoke pot

(Usually on Wednesdays and Fridays every other week)

He definitely went through a rebellious stage

Cheated on his current gf (idk you pick) with Talía

Him and Talía were that toxic couple that shouldn’t be together but are

Kinda like Maddie and Nate but Bruce would never put his hands on her (he wouldn’t and he couldn’t that bitch would beat his ass)

Him and Selina are childhood friends in the sense that they met like 4 time from the age of 8-13 and fully became friends in Highschool

Talía and Bruce are childhood sweethearts

He was a band kid,,,he definitely played the trombone

Also was in a garage band bc of Eddie

He played the drums

Thought he was going to get ride of Harley after graduation

Nah they both were in the same criminal psychology major

Didn’t know how to drive until he was well into uni (he was driven around by a butler his whole life what do you expect)

Him, Clark, and Diana are drinking buddies

Him and Harley stopped being friends after she dropped out of school and ran away with her bf

Selina, Pamela, and Harley had a reunion in jail

Bruce dropped his friendship Harvey bc they both got drunk and had a fight at a club

Finally broke it off with Talía

Well she broke it off with him…he tells ppl his version tho

Lives up to his name as “Gotham’s playboy” for the rest of college

Him and Oliver (Queen) hooked up at a college graduation party

Woke up to matching rings and a marriage certificate

They were both mortified

He took Dick in around the age of 26 (dick was around 6)

Adopted him a year later

A bit clueless, so Alfred basically raised him

He really learned what patience was with Dick

Found and adopted Jason when Dick was about to turn 7 (Jason was still 5 turning 6)

Thought he was doing good bc now Dick had a friend :D

It didn’t work

Dick was ok about Jason, just was annoyed with Bruce

He lost his parents, anger is one stage of grief

“Now you know how it feels to raise a child, Mister. Bruce”

Yes Alfred is so smugges

But Jason is Bruce’s baby

Jason was such a good boy he couldn’t see how any one could be mean or say anything bad about him

He became such a family man

Him and Selina start having a physical relationship after Jason was adopted

They aren’t really dating bc they didn’t want to “be committed to anything”

Lowkey dating

He help Clark and Lois get together

He was also the best man for their wedding

Also a groomsman for Oliver

Adopted Tim and Cass a few weeks later (the judge looked at him crazy) when dick was 10, Jason 8, cass 9, and Tim 7

Told Alfred there will be no more kids after them

Haha

He helped Kate with the legal team to adopted Harper and Cullen

Since Lucius Fox and him were working long hours, he suggested that the kids have a sleepover

He regretted it later on bc too much kids in the house

But he was happy that his kiddies were talking to other kids that wasn’t themselves or their cousins

(It still didn’t help their social skills)

He also helped Harley turn a new leaf and got her back on her feet after she finally ended things with her ex

She slowly became the family therapist

Her and Bruce also fixed their friendship and now Bruce regrets Bri going her back in his life

(This is a lie, he actually missed Harley)

Was the one that got her and Pamela the apartment together

Also help both of them finish their degree and even get their doctorate

AND helped them adopt a child together

It was a long process due to their criminal record but nothing money can’t fix

Colin was that child

He’s a little shit but the girls love him

Talia and him had a special night together

(He’s not tied down so it’s not cheating 🙄)

It was back before he even had Dick so he wasn’t with Selina

But that night brought a 9 year old Damian to his foot step when Dick was 13

(Is the math mathing??)

“No more kids, huh” 🤨

“Alfred, I didn’t even know this one existed”

He thought Dick was a hard time???

Damian truly humbled him

Selina loved him but Damian was always guarded with her

He grew to accept her as Bruce’s gf

“We’re not dating Damian”

“Then why tf is she here if your not committed”

Stephanie just added herself to the family after her and Tim started dating

Bruce couldn’t get rid of her after they broke up bc she started dating his daughter

He secretly loves her but honestly she just makes herself at home

Colin is that same way but he’s been here longer then Stephanie so🤷‍♂️

Colin and Damian are besties on accident

- They met at dojo class and was the only one not scared to take Damian 1v1

He got his ass beat, but gave damian a bloody nose so, even!!

Damian is autistic coded

Bruce adopted Duke after Damian

It was the same judge every time

The judge didn’t even hold a trial bc he just wants Bruce out of the court room

“This is the last one Alfred I SWEAR”

“You said that TGE LAST TIME”

It wasn’t but it was t by adopt

He proposed to Selina on Hanukkah/Christmas party when Damian was 12

(Hanukkah/Christmas bc Bruce and Tim are Jewish and raised dick and Jason as Jewish, but Damian, Duke, Cass, and Selina aren’t Jewish)

“I’m not dating her” “we’re not doing any commitment” my ass

It’s been 10 years BRUCE

ANYWWYS she said yes

The kids + other were the wedding party

Damian was the ring barrier

Harley was the maid of honor

Clark was the best man

Other ppl from the league was invited bc Bruce did have other friends in school, but he mostly hanged out with his little group

Selina adopted the kids as her stepchildren

(She loves her little kittens)

They honeymoon in Thailand (Selina is haft Thai)

Another year into their marriage and Selina is pregnant:D

“…”

“…at least this isn’t some kid I found on the street or was from an old fling”

“So you acknowledge that there’s a problem”

They were expecting twins

Bruce is happy to have kids with Selina but some times he wishes he would have stop at Jason

(This is another lie, this man is whipped for his family)

Honestly Bruce is happy how big his family have grown since it was just him and Alfred for so long Alfred is happy that Bruce had grown into such a family man and is happy how he far he’s gone since his rebellious younger years

[a-simple-life-23]

Love & InSIMplicity (30)

Lou drives to Cassandra’s house to pick her up for Harvestfest (cleaning up quite well I might add), as she gets into his car Cassandra tells Lou that her family is considered wealthy and that he should know going in that they have high expectations for her and also trying to passively ask him to be on his best behavior. He smiles, “no problem, I got this.” Until they of course arrive at Ophelia Villa, then Lou’s confidence dropped just a little bit.

Lou, like a true gentleman held the door open for Cassandra to walk through, Mortimer and Bella immediately embrace her, and Bella gives Lou a slight side eye. Cassandra hadn’t seen her parents eyes light up like that since before she moved out, they fawned over her and asked questions, Mortimer got teary eyed over seeing the ultrasound photos, Cassandra was able to breathe a sigh of relief that her parents were so accepting.

They graciously asked Lou question, wanting to get to know him and starting small conversations, while Lou looked slightly awkward, he navigated conversation with them smoothly and tried to make a good first impression. It was the first time the Goth’s dining table had been fully seated since Cassandra and Wolfgang had broken up. Mortimer definitely seemed more open to accepting Lou, but Bella had obvious reservations and while she acted civilly, she wasn’t acting warmly.

After the meal on the way to the bathroom, Mortimer pulled Cass aside. “I can tell this guy has had a rough start in life. I see some of that reflected in his eyes when he talks. I also know a good man when I see one, and he is a good man.” Cassandra averted her gaze and looked down at her slightly growing stomach, “that doesn’t mean he won’t be without fault, and if I could be in charge of your life I would want you to be with someone who is already successful, that can take care of you and your baby, but I’m not in charge of you and I don’t want to lose my family again” Cassandra and Mortimer hugged, and he walked away to let her continue to the bathroom.

On her way out, Bella took Cassandra aside. “That man isn’t good for you,” Bella said quietly. Cassandra rolled her eyes, “just please trust me, I know how people like him work and he is just agreeing to take advantage, please reconsider. Me and your father can help you take care of this baby, more than Lou can” Cassandra started to get irritated, “you haven’t even given him a chance. You’re so quick to judge people and write them off without ever getting to know anybody. Have you ever thought maybe that’s why dad…” Cassandra trailed off realizing what she was about to say, Bella looked obviously hurt, “I know what you must think..” Bella said quietly, “but I don’t want what happened to me, happen to you. And I know the chances of that are high. I don’t want my daughter to experience that kind of heartbreak and betrayal”

Bella softly tucked Cassandra’s hair behind her ears, “having a family is a wonderful thing, but with it can come incredible heartbreak if you’re not careful” and with that, Bella walked away leaving Cassandra in the hallway. Unbeknownst to either of them, Lou happened to be at the end of the hallway and had heard everything. When Cassandra had rounded the corner, without prompting Lou had scooped her up and kissed her passionately, he was surprised that Cassandra had stood up for him the way she did.

Later that evening when Lou dropped her off at her apartment, she invited him in and sat on her bed with her head in her hands. “This is going to be a journey” Cassandra said, Lou looked and her and placed his arm over her, “let’s do it” Cassandra looked up at him, “let’s really do it, we can do this. We can be a family and I can help.” Cassandra replied, “really?”

Lou kissed her on the cheek, “really. We’re going to give this an honest try”

[tokiro07]

Cipher Academy ch.41 thoughts

[You Have Chosen...Wisely]

Danny, you're doing...what I believe and hope to be a good job for the most part, but dude, what the hell? Is Yonakiuguisu's sister's name "Invicious" or "Amvicious"? As far as I can find, you don't have a twitter like David Evelyn, which would be really helpful for putting out statements to acknowledge things like that

God, this really is Medaka Box all over again...I still see people calling the nurse Aoiki instead of Aoki!

Last week, I didn't make any definitive statement on which choice that Iroha would make, but I did suggest that if he chose the dancer over his friend, he'd do it because that's what the friend would do. I was close, but not quite right: he chose the dancer because he wouldn't be able to face his friend if he'd abandoned someone else, and only wants to see his friend after achieving his dream of ending all wars

This is pretty typical shonen stuff, and definitely a Nisio move (see: Hitoyoshi not marrying Medaka for ten years until he proved he was her equal), but man it's a narrative choice that I eat up. That sort of conviction is always something that makes characters easy to get invested in since it gives more weight to their goals, and it provides a lot of opportunity for drama, like the two of them having a chance reunion before that time or otherwise being forced together at a low point for Iroha

It also helps recontextualize Iroha's original statement that he wants to end all wars. Originally, I thought it was something he just said to appease Oboro, or maybe that he was inspired by Kogoe, but now I'm thinking that Am/Invicious is actually the one who inspired him. What she said or did doesn't really matter right now, but whatever it was, I think that's what's shaped all of Iroha's actions up to this point. Protecting Kogoe, choosing not to use the Glasses Weapon, picking Kasuri during the Casse-Tete Quartet, all of that could well be an attempt to emulate [X]vicious, and our meeting her will make many of the pieces of Iroha's character fall into place (the rest of course will be put in place by meeting his dad)

Also, she's definitely First Girl. The Childhood Friend. The gold standard by which all other girls in the Cipher Acadaharem will be judged. Or they're too close for that to even be an option, who knows, but I'm willing to bet that at least Anonymity or Kasuri are gonna get competitive

Speaking of Anonymity, I'm sad to see that she's not in the starting lineup, but she's gotten so much shine lately that I can't complain. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, after all, so it's going to be fun to see her return, especially since I'm more than willing to bet that it'll be as a member of Class F's team to capitalize on that plot point

I also love that Hanagoromo is the one to join from Class E; she's easily been the one from that class with the most presence, both in that she's reappeared a number of times (seen when Iroha recruited Yugata to the Trilemma and during the Trilemma itself), AND was hiding during every major story beat prior to her introduction. Her gimmick is super fun, her sniper imagery is inventive, and gosh darnit, she's just really pretty. I think she's my 4th cutest (Anonymity, Yosaimura, Yugata), but that's subject to change

I enjoyed Oboro's deference to Kasuri before joining the team too, it's a nice little callback to their shared introductory story. That's all I really have to say on the subject for now, but I might revisit it later

It looks like we're going to be entering the metaverse next week, but honestly I won't be surprised if Nisio finds a way to stall for a few more chapters. We're so close to the 1-year anniversary, and that seems like a milestone he'd want to time a little better. Either he's going to stall, or he's going to use the anniversary for something specific within the metaverse. Since we don't know yet what the metaverse is going to be like, I can't really hazard a guess on how it will alter the dynamic of the story, but it really does feel a lot like how it felt waiting to get to the Grand Line in One Piece. It's only the starting line, but it feels like a huge payoff in and of itself

[just-4pple-pi3]

Silas Marner by George Eliot

Sep 1, 2024

[Spoilers ahead for Silas Marner by George Eliot]

I believe books require a particular atmosphere and mood to read in. Today was a cold cloudy day. Usually cloudy days are hot and humid here, but today was an exception. My mind has been at ease due to the weather. I was glad that I am not sick, and do not have flu and cough. Moreover, I did not have my morning class. The sleep knowing that there is no schedule the next day is comforting. Therefore, I finished Silas Marner. Yesterday, I was in the part where Silas complains about his robbery. It was sad that he lost his meaning in life for the second time. When this novel was in my syllabus i roughly read the summary only and had found it to be terribly boring. But after reading the whole of it, I'll say it is full of good vibes, this book was perfect for a day like this.

I felt that the first half was bland. I could feel that the writer perhaps first thought about the latter part of the story, which is so well-written in terms of humor, speech, thoughts. The first parts see Silas Marner from a third person perspective, but no one will be able to guess what they are getting into, whether reading this book is going to be good or bad. I found most of the detailed explanation regarding how we should feel or how the characters feel about something to be exhaustive in that the language was not understandable. I assume the purpose was to make the emotions understood as a whole, but that purpose failed in my opinion. Perhaps this purpose served during its contemporary times. In this aspect, the parts from where Silas is consoled by his neighbors for the theft and especially from the part where the 'un (baby) arrives is well-written in that, almost every aspect is understood fully. But i will say a part I found to be witty yet exhaustive is where Silas comes to put forth the charge in Rainbow after getting fully soaked in rain and we see the conversation of the people of that area. Perhaps why this part is so long and boring is exactly to bring that effect in that the neighbors are engaging in useless talks and affairs that goes on and on.

Another witty character portrayal is that of Godfrey Cass, his emotions, thoughts, and motives were well portrayed. The writing starts to get better and enough keep you hooked after Marner discovers the 'un. Overall, you can definitely trust this book to be a good read full of good vibes that will leave your heart fuller towards the end, I can assure you of that.

Did you know that George Eliot is actually female? Her actual name is Mary Ann Evans. In that era, in the 19th century, women authors were still not free from prejudice about their writings, deemed to be "too emotional". She wanted her publishes to be judged solely based on their literary merit and not with biasness, which is why she took up the pen name.

September the 1st is also world letter day. I was thinking of writing letters to the few friends of mine. I pondered abt what to write, how to make the envelop and the letter exceptional and creative, what gifts should i give. I might attempt to gift handmade bookmarks. I'll share here if I do. It has been a long time since I did arts and crafts.

~Just Apple Pie. Really gotta make some apple pie someday.

[misireads]

The Breakdown by B.A. Paris

[ audiobook, listened in english ]

on a stormy night, a young teacher is driving home from a party with friends and decides to take a shortcut through a winding forest path, where she sees a lone car parked on the side of the road. she gives the driver a chance to ask for her help but when they don't, she decides to keep driving and goes home. the next day, a story about a woman having been murdered in her car on the forest road is all over the news. weighted by the guilt of not having helped the woman in the car, the main character gradually spirals out of control with increased paranoia as she believes the murderer saw her that night and is now after her as well. at the same time, lapses in her memory make her worry she's on path to having early onset dementia like her late mother, and all of this combined is also making her previously happy marriage fall apart.

➕ yes i'm back giving ms paris another chance, because she was recommended to me. so did i like this better than behind closed doors? absolutely i did, here we have a genuine mystery thriller with all the cosy tropes and a plot with actual tension! i knew this was a superior book from scene one, it immediately set such a strong scene, i was just YEEHAAAW time to buckle in, finally. it's not the most masterful or unique story or anything and has a bit of a lacklustre deus ex machina resolution, but it's the good old thing. with an ending i didn't see coming, too! obviously behind closed doors immediately put me in the mindset of finding the husband suspicious but [spoiler] humouring that the best friend might be the bad guy was just a wild theory of mine, and i certainly didn't suspect two people. i thought it would just be choosing between the husband and the john guy, where either could be the culprit

➕ a spoiler-free plus point, more vaguely: there weren't a whole lot of suspects in here, but i think the story did a good job juggling with those it had and making you wonder which one it is, steering you this and that way as it went. i don't mind simpler mysteries like this because i'm not very smart so it makes me feel like i can actually participate in the guessing game GNDJGNDJ

➕ the main character is almost reminiscent of victorian era stuff, what a Woe Is Me dramatic bitch with larger than life emotions and melancholy. horrible but great

➖ these bitches be speaking all their stupid ass thoughts out loud in these books tho. sometimes you just wanna reach out a hand and put it in front of their mouths like shush…time to shut up. why are you saying these things in this situation. don't you have even a crumb of self-awareness. AND the fact that she immediately jumps into thinking the murderer is also after her (based on… umm… nothing???) because clearly she's such an important person, some real self-important buffoon behaviour. plus never once thinking the culprit could be a woman, not a man. heteronormative self-important buffoon behaviour?

➖ this isn't a massive complaint since i overall enjoyed the story but the pacing was a bit off. the beginning is a bangin' but then when we get to the silent calls and cass's dementia scares, well about half of those could have been halved or cut out tbh. and the SMS part in the end, it was not only some hyper turbo mode exposition stuff which seems to be a common problem in paris's writing judging by these two books, but also dear god, fucking insufferable to listen to in audiobook form LMAO

➖ speaking of phones. how are the characters in her books so dumb about phones? like, we are talking about mobile phones here, right? i had so many questions about the silent call sequences. why didn't she ever call the number back? track down where the calls came from? why didn't she just leave the line open to a forever stalemate/wasting the caller's time until they have to give up? how did she know the caller was a man? why didn't she just leave the phone be and only let the answering machine work when any important person needed to get to her? why do both the house phone and matthew's phone work but magically hers never does so she can't use it????? this all was some real tedious buffalo shit ass garbage plot-convenient turdmageddon stuff right here

➖ probably there was something else but i forgot because the phone stuff got me so worked up. oh now i remember! maybe the dumbest scene i've ever come across in any book (in recent memory anyway). the main character looking at a room, ""sensing"" that something is amiss (but not actually seeing a single thing, not going in to investigate, nuthin'), and proceeding to verbally freak out about it to the point of calling the police that someone has broken in, like, yes okay sure go ahead and have some fucking sixth sense, but did it not cross her mind for even a second that she could, oh i don't know, have like… evidence? to back her words up? and how it looks and sounds like that she doesn't??? i'm just, i can't. that scene was so fucking stupid, it made me second guess whether i like this book after all. like sure she's messed up from paranoia and drugs and whatever but that scene was very much set up as her being like, 100% confidently saying this shit and underlining how sharp she is feeling about it. well if you're so fucking sharp then put yourself in another person's position for five fucking seconds and think how what you're saying sounds like to them i beg you, jesus christ on wheels.

⭐ score: 3½ -- still, i liked it. maybe because i read it after behind closed doors, which i didn't like. so i was just so happy to have a genuine, atmospheric murder mystery to listen to that also managed to surprise me a little.

[silentcrowsilentravens]

Hi Raven, can I ask for Bela, Daniela, and Cassandra leaving secret admirer style letters for a maid, only for her to figure out its them somehow? Thanks in advance!

I'm assuming you meant each daughter separately, but if not drop another message in my inbox.

Bela Dimitrescu, Cassandra Dimitrescu, and Daniela Dimitrescu x readers where they leave letters expressing their affection for a particular maid, only for her to discover their identity accidentally.

(Fem reader).

Word counts: 687 (Bela), 770 (Cass), 413 (Dani)

Warnings: brief mentions of violence.

Masterlists here!

Bela Dimitrescu

"Did you receive a new letter today?"

You look over at Sasha, who you've been assigned the same task with today. You'd definitely consider her one of your closest friends, hence why she knows about the unsigned letters of admiration you’ve been receiving.

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Nobody has that big of a smile on their face after being told to clean the library," she replies in a low voice. Remarks like that are best uttered that way, lest you be overheard by one of the Dimitrescus. "How long will it be before the two of you properly meet? I’m dying to know who this mysterious, charming woman is.”

“I’m not sure, but I'm hoping it will be soon. I am thinking about leaving something where she leaves her letters, asking her to meet me somewhere.” 

“Do it,” Sasha encourages. She pushes open the library door before coming to an abrupt stop, holding out an arm to make you do the same. You shoot her a questioning look and she nods towards something.

One of Lady Dimitrescu's daughters is occupying a chair, legs drawn up towards her chest and head propped up with one of her hands. Judging by the blonde hair hanging out of her dark hood, it's Bela.

Time to be on your best behavior. 

“Good morning, Lady Bela.” 

There is no response. She doesn’t even move. You approach her a little and realize that she appears to be asleep. You inform Sasha of this. 

“Are you sure?”

You nod. “Should I wake her?”

You know that every Dimitrescu daughter is dangerous. Any one of them could cut you open for a mistake, or simply because they feel like it. But you also know that Bela tends to be the most corrigible and controlled of her siblings. Plus, she can't possibly be comfortable sleeping in that position.

"No!" Sasha whisper-shouts. "Do you have a death wish?" 

You turn back towards Bela and your eyes fall on the book she has sitting on the arm of the chair. What catches your attention is not the book itself, but rather the notes resting on one of its open pages. They're done in pretty handwriting that you recognize.

It's the same as in the letters you've been receiving. Realization dawns upon you.

"...I'm going to wake her." 

Sasha sternly says your name. You ignore her and raise your voice a bit. “Lady Bela?” 

Bela jerks awake and pulls her sickle out of its sheath, knocking her book and papers to the floor in the process. 

Having preemptively stepped back, the point of the weapon hovers a few inches away from your face. You offer a smile. “I thought I might try to spare your neck and back. You fell asleep.” 

Bela holds your gaze for a moment longer before putting her sickle away. “...Thank you.” 

You bend down and pick up her things, making sure the notes are on top when you hold them out towards her. Bela looks at them, then up at you. She knows you know. You see the flash of recognition in her amber eyes. “When you’re finished with your work for today, I would like to have a word with you.” 

“Understood, my Lady.”

Bela takes her stuff back. Her hand brushes against yours. Then, she leaves. 

Sasha has gone as white as a sheet. “I can’t believe you. My heart is still pounding. Do you think you’re going to get in trouble? I’ve never heard her tell someone that she wants to speak with them like that.” 

“No,” you answer easily. “Now, should we get started with this library?” 

When you finish your last task for the day, you find Bela already waiting for you.  

"This happened sooner than I anticipated. I was thinking about how to go about revealing myself to you before I drifted off, actually. More specifically, I was in the middle of deciding what flowers to give you." She holds out a bouquet that had previously been behind her back. "I hope that you feel the same as I do."

You gingerly accept the flowers. "I do."

Cassandra Dimitrescu

You've been receiving lovely letters for quite a while now. They are often the part of your day that you look forward to the most, especially since you started leaving replies and picked up conversation with the writer. She signs her letters with the name Andra, but you know not her true identity. All you know is that she makes you very happy and you're becoming smitten with her.

The words Andra writes for you frequently leave you grinning and blushing like a fool. She makes you laugh and shares interesting (although purposefully vague) stories with you. She calls you darling. You want nothing more than to feel her touch. 

The one thing you know about her appearance is that she has dark hair, but that hardly narrows anything down since the majority of the maids do. Idly, you think about her as you head towards the dining room. 

Because the maid typically responsible for pouring wine during meals has recently been taken to the cellar, the duty has been passed onto you. Likely because you're not as frightened in the presence of the lady and her daughters as many members of the maid staff, and therefore less likely to make nervous mistakes and pour with shaky hands. 

You push open one of the doors at the beginning of dinner, a bottle of Sanguis Virginis in hand. Since they're seated facing the direction you came from, you immediately see the big grin on Daniela's face and how Cassandra seems as though she's seconds away from committing murder. Granted, that's not rare for her, but the accompanying facial expression is typically a gleeful one and not… immense annoyance. The kind that only a sibling can bring forth. 

Your eyes catch hers for just a second before her head dips down towards her plate and her hood obscures them from view. It seems to be a habit of hers to keep her head at an angle that makes it more difficult to see her face than either of her sisters', so you think nothing of it. 

"What is so funny, Daniela?" Lady Dimitrescu drawls. She gives you only the briefest glance of acknowledgment as you fill her glass, then move onto Bela's.

"Andra is in love," Daniela answers in a sing-song voice.

When the name leaves her mouth, it's like a brick abruptly hitting you in the face.

"Shut up!" Cassandra hisses, which only elicits laughter from the youngest sister. "And don't call me that!"

You've somehow never realized that Andra's name slots into the end of Cassandra's. Probably because you never even considered the possibility of it being her.

Was it only a mere coincidence? It had to be. You find it difficult to wrap your head around the middle sister being the Andra who's been writing to you. There is no way Cassandra Dimitrescu has feelings for you. Maybe Andra is nowhere even close to the author's actual name. 

"Why? Is only your girlfriend allowed to call you that?" Daniela rests her chin on her interlocked fingers.

And… there goes another brick. At this rate, you're going to end up collapsing to the floor unconscious.  

You desperately wish you could properly see Cassandra's face.  

A throat clears beside you and you stop pouring, realizing that you are dangerously close to overfilling the eldest sister's cup. She raises an eyebrow at you.

"Sorry, Lady Bela." You bow down slightly in apology. "It won't happen again."

"No elbows on the table, Daniela," Lady Dimitrescu chides. "Cassandra, is this true? That sounds very unlike you."

Cassandra only grunts.

"Seems to me like you've been spending too much time with her." Bela nods at Daniela. "She's rubbing off on you."

The rest of dinner is spent with you on autopilot as you try to process what you've learned. You only snap out of it once you're dismissed. 

"Wait."

You stop just short of the maid's quarters, turning to find Cassandra approaching.

"Hello, Lady Cassandra," you greet.

"Listen. What you heard? It isn't true. Daniela is full of shit."

"What isn't true?" You feign a look of ignorance. 

"That I have interest in y—someone! Someone." 

Wow. 

It's clear that she didn't think through what she was going to say before following after you. 

"You're much smoother in your letters, I see." 

Cassandra glares at you. It's the kind that makes new maids cower, but you aren't afraid.

"Are you disappointed?" 

"No…" you answer. "Just surprised. And hopeful that we can spend some time together now."

"If that is what you hope, then you ought to accompany me somewhere else. My room, perhaps?"

"I would like that, Andra."

Daniela Dimitrescu

You're building a considerable stack of letters. At this point, you're starting to feel them beneath your pillow when you rest your head on it. You really ought to find a better place to put them before they start affecting the quality of your sleep. You don't want to throw any of them away. 

The words filling them are that of an incurable romantic and true flirt. 

You have often wondered who the writer is. A few days ago, you found yourself sure that you've figured it out. 

It began with a book. Recently, she mentioned that you remind her of a character from a novel she started reading. While you were cleaning the floor on Monday, Daniela and Bela passed by. They were discussing something, but you didn't catch what. You ended up too focused on what Daniela was carrying. It was the exact same book. 

Sure, with the sheer number of books in Castle Dimitrescu, there very well could have been a few copies of a particular title. 

Part of you didn't want there to be any of this one.

Daniela used to monitor the section of the Castle you were always assigned to clean. She's flirted with you more than a few times before, leaving you a flustered mess. But the head maid told you that she does that with a lot of the maidens. You thought about it more, though, and you realized that you hadn't actually heard any more talk of that in quite a while. 

Did you manage to catch her interest? 

On Tuesday, you reread all of the letters, imagining the words in them spoken with Daniela's voice. You tried to picture her saying them to you.

On Wednesday, you manage to build up the courage to try and find out if you're right. You leave a letter where you normally find new ones, asking the writer to meet you in the garden.  

You finish your daily duties a bit later than anticipated. When you return to the maid's quarters, you find a response. 

'See you there, Angel.'

Hopefully, you're not too late. You rush down to the meeting place.

Daniela Dimitrescu is there. She’s laying on a low stone wall out in the sun, one of her arms being used as a pillow and the other holding up the novel, a leg dangling over one side and idly swinging back and forth. She sits up when she sees you approaching, her face breaking into a grin. 

You match it.

[lilyqueenoffrogs]

My heart has been broken so here are some BatFam HCs😬:

There is old videos of Bruce roller skating with Oliver and Harvey

Duke has a drivers permit but no license

Damian watched Wild Crats

Tim has a bennie babies

Barbara can braid hair really well

Bruce knows how to skateboard

Alfred was in a band when he was younger

Dick can play the hermonica

Jason is allergic to bees

Alfred watches Judge Judy in his free time

Damian made peanut butter cookies for Alfred on Father’s Day

Steph took dance classes

Duke swears a lot

Everyone constantly saying “ow” if they bump into something or drop something

Lightsaber fights

Dicks history teacher didn’t like him and after dick graduate they thought they were free and then they got Jason, and then Tim, and Duke and Damian (the poor bastard)

Jason tried to get Damian to play for the little league team he couched but was turned down

Steph, and Cass play ice hockey

Duke is scared of horses

Cass likes soft pretzels

There is a picture of Dick mid jump off the stair case and Bruce desperately trying to catch him before he got hurt

Tim is good a raising plants

Pics of baby Jason covered head to toe in mud and Ace also covered in mud

Duke is great at naming constilations

Pics of puppy ace

Pic of Baby Bruce with no front teeth holding a praying mantis

Kate once burned off some of her hair so instead of just cutting off the brunt part she shave her head

Duke has a popular Twitter

Bruce tap danced when he was a wee lad

Steph wears basketball shorts under all her dresses

Tim and Damian built a treehouse

Damian is taller than Tim

If Jason didn’t die I think he would have just shot up in like freshman year, my boys growing like a damn weed

Tim wears skirts

Tim use to stay at the manor when he was a lil baby when his parents when away

The Drakes were originally from California and then moved to Gotham

Jason knows all the yo yo tricks (only cause he was trying to show Dick he was cool when he was like 10)

Dick used to babysit Jason

Jason picks up Tim and Damian from school

Both Tim and Damian have never been in a bounce house

Bruce hates the sound of velcro

Everyone loves brownies

Tim once had to pick up Damian so he came on his skateboard and brought Damians rollerblader so they could skate home together

Tim looks like a middle schooler

Okay I’m done, still sad but this was fun to do.

[fancyfade]

I do really want to think of how i want Bruce and Damian's relationship to go down b/c I think their dynamic is greatly influenced by Bruce's failures as a father and some of those failures are IC but some of them are stupid as hell.

Also note: this is kind of my thought appendices to this (link) reblog chain

it can be hard to square Son of the Demon Bruce with Batman and Son Bruce (and like. impossible to square him with Batman Inc Bruce). But it might be able to be done (we'll see that later). first

The failures that I think are in character to Batman at that time (2000s)

Being exacting in his standards and uncompromising: Bruce is a perfectionist and he applies this to everyone he works with (except sometimes Tim and Robin Jason) much to their utter annoyance. He's also fairly egotistical and thinks that his way of doing things is right, so he wants people to be perfect his way, not whatever way they are doing.

(examples from this from text: Damian often feels like Bruce just orders him to be a mini-me and doesn't explain things in Tomasi's run on B&R, and honestly like... Bruce doesn't explain things. He's like "don't go on patrol b/c I todl you not to" he doesn't mention that Nobody is out*, he didn't explain his connection to Nobody, probably more that aren't on the top of my head at the moment)

Being predisposed to judging Damian harshly: Thinking of this post (link) about Bruce referring to Cass (when talking to cain) as "You made her like us" when referring to her training. Bruce seems to put a lot of focus on actions, rather than like 'you're innately a good/bad person'. That's probably why he was so reluctant to believe that Cass killed someone at first, he was convinced the video was faked. And Damian has done a lot of actions that Bruce would hate -- as well as attacking Tim, who did have a favorite-syndrome going on at the time. Like Bruce was consistently the best to Tim in that era. And since Tim was in Bruce's house when this was going on it is possible Bruce feels like he was responsible for not 'controlling' Damian better. That could hypothetically influence later interactions.

Not being emotionally available: He is pretty much never emotionally available, it would be OOC if he was emotionally available.

With the combination of those 3 factors, it's very easy for Damian to feel like his only connections to his dad are what he can do for him in the field and blood.

I also think that Bruce's failures as a father are not really that OOC to Son of the Demon Bruce, because while Son of the Demon Bruce was very enthusiastic about having a kid and like 'he'll be the happiest baby in the world!' there was an incredibly important second part which was he became controlling of Talia to the extent that he acted like an idiot (tried to force her out of combat when they were in the battlefield, causing someone to sneak up on them and she had to kill that person to save Bruce's life). Talia winds up faking a miscarriage to try to get him to act like himself and not a possessive overprotective weirdo who will throw away everything he was working for previously.

and when he does see her next, in detective comics annual 1, he is very cold to her and judgmental of her despite them having parted on not hostile terms (he obviously didn't know she faked a miscarriage).

Like my assumption is he has so many emotions wrapped in this that he would be afraid to address them (as typical) and make many mistakes.

But then like.

The failures I think do not work for him period:

Him wanting to give Damian back to the League of Shadows because he had a vision that evil future batman damian would get gotham destroyed. I'm sorry but like. If your Batman is pro sending a child into an abusive situation based on some dream they had you don't understand batman, fundamentally, at all.

Not caring what's going on with Damian as long as he's not destroying the world (this is like. TT2016 to modern era stuff). Like if anything I think he would tend to micro-managing out of worry (like he was in B&R 2011) or being demanding and exacting, not like "oh not my problem." maybe if Damian was living w/ Talia (non-morrison version) he'd be a lot more hands off, since he was fine w/ that after RRAG. But like. that damian was not living w/ any of his parents or family members.

anyway it is so frustrating when like. one character's interactions are very tied into things that don't work for another character but i hope I can make it work.

*granted I'm sure if Damian knew that Nobody was out he would've been like "ah so it's dangerous and you need my help even more" XD