#i like to image that she looks like martha wayne

[goddessofbees]

Lady Gotham and Clockwork definitely swap blackmail

Lady Gotham wanted a meeting with Dan and Jason, Dan being embarrassed by his pseudo aunt (she likes being called aunty Gotham), I like to think that Jason's her favorite. Clockwork would be there but he got busy with time (ha!)

[tacagen]

we are NOT!! TALKING ENOUGH ABOUT THIS PAGE. LIKE THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DEPICTIONS OF THAWNE TO EVER EXIST IN COMICS!! THE BLOOD!! THE BRUISES UNDER HIS EYES!! THE LIFELESS EXPRESSION!! THE HAIR!! THE BUILD!! THE EVERYTHING!! AND ITS A FUCKING CORPSE!!! HIS RENAISSANCE PAINTING ASS IS JUST LYING AROUND IN THE MORGUE WAITING FOR THE AUTOPSY!!!!

[bloomeng]

This is my official Batfam Magical Girl AU Masterpost (everyone clapped)

(image updated: 9/21/24)

I’m going to do a brief overview and then go into more details for those interested.

Bruce being from old money (and apparently being connected to Camelot) inherited a mysterious mineral with unknown properties. In its raw form it’s very unassuming, but when cut like gemstones and added to accessories it can be harnessed into a tool. By altering the mineral into a wearable item it allows the magic within to be channeled. The magic of the mineral connects with its wielder to create an outfit and (typically) a weapon. These outfits do not grant the wearer special abilities outside of the transformation and the weapon, but when worn the wearer is granted (what is basically) hammerspace and a nearly impenetrable outfit. The uniform granted is not something they can alter the appearance of but will change gradually overtime to reflect how the wielder has grown.

This mineral will henceforth be known as Arcanium. It operates on Kryptonite logic in that it’s— allegedly— super rare but also shows up whenever the plot needs it. (I’m aware it shares a name with a card game, but I wanted my Kryptonite spoof)

Martha Wayne unknowingly started the cycle by turning— what she thought was a rare gemstone— into a brooch. She died shortly after having it made and Alfred held onto it in her memory. Like canon Bruce goes on his journey of self-exploration to train. When he comes back he enacts his plan the way he does in Batman: Year One, where he goes out in basically just make-up, and it goes poorly. He wanders his manor trying to formulate a strategy and is drawn to his parent’s room and finds his mother’s brooch. Cue the first magical girl transformation. From there he alters the brooch to fit his bat aesthetic and the Batman Brooch is born.

Dick comes into his life the same way as canon. Bruce takes him in as a ward, Dick tries to track down Zucco on his own, etc. Bruce decides to use the other raw sample of Arcanium to turn into a second magical artifact. He lets Dick pick the theme, and thus the Robin Pendant is born. The rest is history.

(Before I continue I want to warn that I’m making shit up as I go, so some of this is subject to change as I move forward.)

The Robin Pendant is passed down from Robin to Robin. Each Robin got their own unique look while using it. Following canon, Dick and Bruce have their falling out and Dick gives up the Robin Pendant in a moment of anger. In this au I think Dick, not having the pendant to fall back on, tries to lead a vigilante-free life, but of course falls back into it. During a fight he somehow manages to stumble across Arcanium in its raw form. Recognizing it he takes it with him. Like Nightwing: Year One he has his conversation with Superman and decides to become his own hero. Using his knowledge of Arcanium from his years with Bruce he creates his own magical artifact and becomes Nightwing.

This is a good place to interject that I’m not changing any of their hero names. I was asked about it a couple times due to the caption, “Red Bow & Sailor Nightwing” on my Dick and Jason designs. It was just a silly caption, because I didn’t want to simply state “Jason and Dick Magical Girl au.” But being serious, I don’t really see a reason to change their names, with the exception of maybe Red Hood, seeing as I didn’t give him a red hood. My au operates on Sailor Moon logic where despite the lack of masks no one recognizes them, and it’s just vaguely explained by magic. I think it would be funny if Bruce chose to wear a mask anyway because he’s that paranoid, but we’ll see when I actually design him. Anyway point is Red Hood is lacking a red hood, maybe he secretly has a red hood on his jacket or maybe he really does go by Red Bow, I’ll leave that up to interpretation.

Arcanium does not just accidentally appear. At the end of the day it’s still a mineral and it’s not sentient, but the magic has an element of “the wand chooses the user.” It’s not so much a “chosen one thing,” so much as the magic can sense intention. It doesn’t care about the morality of the user, the magic is more seeking a symbiotic connection. (Meaning yes rogues can in fact wield artifacts.) Simply put, it wants a host that will be able to wield it. In its raw form the magic is dormant but it seeks to be… not dormant, so when it finds those who actually have the potential to create an artifact and use it, it reveals itself. It was not a coincidence that Martha had the inclination to have the brooch made, it was not a coincidence that Bruce was drawn to his parent’s room, and it was not a coincidence that Dick found Arcanium in the alleyway.

Each of the Bats have their origin moments with their own magical artifacts. I don’t have the whole timeline down, but I will say there was a lot of drama between Tim and Damian, because Tim was forced to hand over the pendant. Even though he technically relinquished it, emotionally the connection wasn’t severed. No one was sure if the transition would work, but Arcanium responds to whoever needs it more and therefore who will use it more. Like canon, Tim is having an awful time during that era. On top of all of it he’s had his title stripped from him and he can’t even argue because if it wasn’t the right move the pendant wouldn’t have responded to Damian. Dick tries to comfort him by telling him that Arcanium will appear for him when he’s ready, but Tim is furious and impatient. So like a well-adjusted person he decides he’s going to engineer his own magical artifact artificially. It goes as well as his attempt to clone Kon does. It’s not until Tim starts to get back on his feet that Arcanium presents itself to him. My thinking is that while Arcanium finds its users when they need it most, Tim’s case is abnormal. His acquisition of the pendant was unconventional from the start since he showed up and demanded to take on the Robin role. Arcanium is drawn to individuals who will actually use its properties. Tim tends to rely more on his own detective work, which renders the pendant’s properties pretty moot. Especially when he’s going off the deep end, he becomes a hermit meaning a) he wouldn’t really need/use Arcanium’s properties and b) he inadvertently limited his own chances of stumbling across it “in the wild.”

In a similar vein I believe Barbara’s journey is abnormal in that she forged her own Batgirl artifact that operates a little differently than the others, seeing as she made it without Bruce’s influence. After the accident she shelved it, maybe she passed it down to Cass, but eventually she gets it back. She created the Oracle identity without it, and for a long time the Batgirl artifact is something she avoids using, until she gets the idea to combine it with her computer to create a magic computer… sort of. She gets a uniform that is basically connected to the computer.

Going back to Damian needing the Robin Pendant more, its reaction to his acquisition was unique. As I mentioned previously the suits typically provide a weapon, well Damian is the exception. Unlike all the other Robin’s Damian didn’t need more weapons in his life, what he needed was guidance. For the first time the pendant granted Damian a magical animal guardian, which is how he gets Alfred the Cat in this au. Despite being an animal lover Damian is extremely pissed at this development. He wanted dual swords or a scarier animal at least. He can’t formally communicate with Alfred the Cat but he understands him intrinsically, though Alfred the Cat seems to be able to understand human speech somewhat. Only Damian seems to be able to truly understand Alfred the Cat. (Cue the antics of his siblings trying to figure out what the cat means or trying to control him in any capacity.) Besides being an animal, Alfred the Cat is also unique in that he doesn’t dissipate when Damian isn’t in uniform the way that the weapons do. Like the weapons he can be summoned by the pendant, but he seems to have existed prior to the pendant’s creation. (I’m toying with the idea that while in uniform, the cat would also get some sort of uniform.)

Before I get into Duke and his abnormalities, I want to address the Speedsters in this au. It’ll make sense after.

So the Flash. I want to say I don’t know if I will get around to creating full designs for them. I do have plans for Bart and maybe Wally, but I have determined how I want their mechanics to operate in the context of the au. Not all the heroes in this au are “magical girls,” in fact I’ve made the executive decision that you have to be human to wield an artifact. Arcanium may have magic in it, but it doesn’t grant its user magical abilities beyond the uniform itself. The speedsters retain their canon origins, hit by lighting blah blah blah, only with one key difference: they had Arcanium on them when they were hit. Instead of engineering an artifact Arcanium fused with their bodies granting them powers. I want to keep the magic transformation aspect (because it’s not a magical girl au without it), so instead of using a physical artifact as a channel for their powers, it’s instead the act of transforming that serves as a gateway to their speed abilities.

To me it was always important to maintain Batman’s identity of not having super powers and having to rely on engineering, which is why the Batfam have to physically build their artifacts. In a similar way I wanted to retain the integrity of the Flash’s identity of being meta but also still human. Which brings me back to Duke. I know in canon that Duke inherited his abilities, but for the sake of the au I’ve decide that he either had an accident when he was young in which traces of Arcanium fused with him or his parents had it in them and he inherited it from them, but regardless it’s less potent, but operates similar to the Speedsters. For years he couldn’t fully transform or use his powers and it wasn’t until— with Bruce’s guidance— he was able to create an artifact that allowed him to channel his abilities and transform. Even though he is a meta I wanted him to still have some of those Batfam qualities in there.

But what about the Superfam? They’re not human so how do their transformations work? The answer is simple: They’re not “magical girls.” At least not real ones, they’re faking. They’re not human (Kon and Jon are technically half human but they still get their abilities from their Kryptonian DNA), and thus cannot forge a connection with Arcanium. Truthfully I’m about to get silly— even sillier than this au already is— but I have decided that Clark is a fake artifact wielder. I like the idea that Batman has been operating longer than Superman has, so when Clark decided to become a hero in his own right his only example of how to style himself was from the bat themed vigilante, who might as well be a cryptid, operating out of Gotham. Only blurry pictures of him existed, so Clark designed his outfit based on his Kryptonian origins and Batman’s aesthetics. He had no idea about the existence of Arcanium or how it worked. This is also why Kon’s design looks so much like his canon outfit with a few magical girl elements (and definitely not because I think the lines in his canon suit already lend themselves well to a magical girl aesthetic and didn’t want to change much). Later when he gets to know Batman more he learns about the transformations, to which he panics and invents his own transformation using Kryptonian tech (ex: MAWS’s transformation). For years Bruce goes crazy trying to figure out Arcanium’s effects on aliens and if it grants them abilities on top of the ones they’re born with, and if Clark has plans to use it as a weapon, and how he managed to forge the connection in the first place— Clark comes clean as a fake once they reveal their identities to each other.

Side tangent but I find it hilarious that Green Lanterns are— by technicality— already “magical girls,” considering they’re granted magical accessories that give them powers and transform their clothing. Hal is very clear with the JL that he is nothing like Batman and constantly feels the need to assert that he is not a magical artifact wielder. The non-human members of the team still lump them together anyway.

Things I haven’t figured out:

- what each of the batfam’s weapons are

- what each of the magical artifacts are

- what to refer to magical artifact wielders as

Stepping outside the canon(?) lore of the au for a minute, obviously I’m redesigning DC characters using inspiration from a genre, because that’s what “magical girl” is. It’s a genre. This is why I refer to it in quotes and don’t call them magical boys, because I am always referring to it as a genre, which isn’t a gendered thing. However, in universe they wouldn’t call themselves magical anything, the same way the characters of Sailor Moon don’t refer to themselves as magical girls, but rather Sailor Scouts. As of right now I’m sort of just referring to them as artifact wielders, but I feel like Bruce would come up with a better name. On a similar note, throughout this whole thing I’ve been referring to Arcanium in it’s wearable state as an artifact. I don’t know if that’s the best term, but I can’t think of anything better for the generalized form of Arcanium outside of it’s raw state. For now I guess it will be “artifacts” and “artifact wielders.”

- how the wonderfam fits into this

I really can’t think of a reason why Wonder Woman would be a “magical girl” in this au. She was born with abilities, she’s not human, and I can’t see her altering her uniform to match the aesthetic. A transformation would just be a waste of time for her. I could to see maybe Cassie or Donna wanting to match with their respective teams, and perhaps maybe that’s why they would alter their uniforms? All I know is I want see Tim, Kon, Bart and Cassie as a matching “magical girl set.”

Fin… for now.

[I’m just going to put this here preemptively, because I’ve gotten messages about turning my au into fics or tiktok skits. You’re free to use this lore HOWEVER you MUST credit me not just for the designs but for the creation of the lore. I’ve put a lot of time and thought into this and I love that people love it, so I just ask for recognition. If you want to make something that’s inspired by my designs or loosely based on my au, just a simple credit for the inspiration is fine. You’re free to change things this is just how my own au operates. Regardless I would prefer to be tagged so that people can find me but also because I’d love to see other’s work.]

Current designs:

[acid-ixx]

mild spoilers for chapter six for my series again &. again, but i really feel the need to ramble about this, and i'd love to hear anybody's opinion on this hehe.

as i write outline chapter six (and write for chapter five), i'd like to say i couldn't wait to write the reader's face reveal in bruce's perspective. and it's not just angst, for me, this plays a very pivotal turn for the series— because bruce will spiral to insanity.

to never once see a single portrait of your second youngest child, whose presence has long been erased from the manor, not a single image, nor trace of you is sickening to the heart, even if he scours through the internet day and night for a single memoir of you, nothing— but to find your portrait in alfred's living quarters and seeing you for the first time in forever? graduating a milestone no less?

god, he's in for a ride just analyzing every aspect of your physical appearance.

the color of your eyes, the shape of your nose, the quip of your mouth, the fat in your cheeks; even the length of your lashes! god, does he brand it into the deepest parts of his mind to never forget you anymore. his pearl, his treasure.

the longer he stares, the more he notices and gazes even more, obsessive as he stands lonesome in the room with every bone in his body locking up, his eyes unable to look away from the portrait that showcases his baby child.

and there, there it is that he concludes a detail so small it's unrecognizable for someone who's seen it for his entire life; yet it's all the same triggered deranged emotions deep within him.

— you don't just share him and your mother's traits, no, your smile is also reminiscent of his mother's.

martha wayne, who'd died in his arms, laying in a pool of her blood with a bullet grazed deep inside her body. his loving mother, who caressed his face whenever he'd cry from his nightmares, who'd shown him motherly love that until now he still craves.

she died with her pearl necklace that once decorated her porcelain neck spilling to the ground and stained with crimson.

you wore pearl earrings on your graduation.

the thought alone is enough for him to just snap.

this? this is the child that he's been neglecting far too long? who shares the same, loving expression of his mother's? his child? not even a single memory could be conjured with you but fantasies now do. if your happiest moments were within the picture frame that he holds with shivering fingers at present; could your smile be any wider if you'd be with him?

how come he never once noticed? why is bruce always destined to fail left and right? why, just why is he brimming with jealousy for all the people who must've seen your smile before him, and contempt for himself that he was never there to pick you up from the police station beforehand?

bruce isn't a heckler for favoritism, but a darker part of him is motivated to take you away from wherever you are, and to never let anybody else witness his beautiful, little treasure.

he's gotham's knight, first and foremost. but he's a father, too, with goals to protect his children just like a father should.

and the things he'd do for you, his child, now? anything.

if it means he has to see that smile, then he'll turn the world upside-down.

he has to protect your smile.

[l0s3rd0wnt0wn]

Image if we look like our mom wix with Martha Wayne

Everyday we look at Bruce he sees his mother then his woman who got away and modelling agency requesting us or talking to us at galas

When the reader started straightening their hair, that's when you began to feel Bruce's eyes on you constantly. It makes his heart break because you remind him of your mother when she was younger and had her hair straightened. Either he starts ignoring you, or he gives you crazy attention as if you were his little princess. It's so odd, but who are you to turn down his affection? When he sees you accidentally wear jewelry that used to belong to his mother, he lets you keep it. He says he’d rather have it on someone than let it collect dust in that dirty old box, but in reality, he just wants to see you wear it. You look like a proper young lady—an elegant, sweet, charming girl. The way those jewels glittered on your dark skin just made sense to him, and I think Bruce would go crazy if the male reader started growing into Bruce's old suits and how well you fit into them. You looked so much like the next Wayne heir and how you can take on his legacy. When you come to him for help with your tie, he stares down at you as you try to hold yourself up strong, trying to look intimidating. But all he can see is his little boy, who was so small he couldn't even wrap around his whole finger around his hand. He’s in shambles when you get old enough to wear his father's suits, and he gives them to you, saying they always looked better on you. You were his baby; that was just a fact. You were meant to be protected by him; you were meant to have him as your mentor. You were meant for him and only him. He's your father, your dad, your old man, so let him be that to you once again, even if it's for one minute. If you take up modeling like your mother, he'll ensure you'll only do it for Wayne Enterprises, so the two of you can take pictures together. Being close to you, he knows deep down you'd rather die than have him touch you, but he knows a deep part of you wants his attention, his love, his affection. So for now, you'll do this photo shoot with him because it's the only time your dad feels like a dad.

[bruciemilf]

No Capes! AU where Bruce and everyone else is an actor.

Famous Hollywood moguls Thomas and Martha would've rather died in real life than make Bruce a child actor so he didn't start till he was 24

It's an ongoing gag that Thomas always tweets "On my way to die again! As if you didn't know" with every Gray Ghost remake

The Waynes are always just. So chaotic

Bruce and Selina constantly bring stray cats on set; Bruce just hides them under his black shirt famously known as a void with no end.

Behind the Scenes cuts have images of this man pulling 10 cats from under there and the director is convinced he has a cryptid on set

They have to edit so much footage because Bruce always says "sorry" after "punching" someone. "Bruce, they have padding, they're fine!" "And no health Insurance. Do something about that."

Sometimes he forgets to take off the costume after filming. The record set for how many Subways he sent into a panic is infinite

That being said, Bruce's kids aren't afraid of him at all, and WILL run up to him everytime they visit to chant "dork! Dork! Dork!" While flocking around him. He cries from happiness

But he cries all the time, so it's hard to tell for what

The movie's soundtrack is just Bruce's middle school playlist, " They said they needed something rotten and terrible, like, -- poison for the ears. If you listen to it you get sick."

Bruce's biggest "diva moment" was refusing to give up the eyeliner and he still sends apology cards to the cast and crew for his " horrible behavior"

"He just kinda said no a bit loud and ran out of the studio while sobbing quietly."

Literally every villain on set is a sweetheart. Selina does her own make-up as well as Bruce's and Oz's and you can see Carmine lurking like a little gobling behind them just to scare her

There's this joke that none of Selina's streams ever go well because the crew is her curse. She's trying to talk about how to steal on set, meanwhile, Bruce next to her, "Did you know cats have no collarbone. Also, the electric chair was invented by a dentist."

You'd think everyone's favorite duo would be Bruce and Selina, and you wouldn't be wrong, but the public can't wait for Bruce and Carmine to have a press conference or interview together

Mostly because Carmine obviously dealt some shady cards in his past and Bruce is so clueless . " Have I ever tried coke...No, I like Pepsi." While Carmine is trying not to laugh behind him

Edward is just as bad. He's trying to tell the director that's not how bombs are made, and someone's head exploding wouldn't look like that, and Bruce is like :O Eddie, I didn't know you were a gamer

Edward is a menace on set and Bruce stays blind to it because he like him. There's rows of videos of Bruce stopping mid scene, going " Eddie," before jumping on the guy like the kitten he's NOT

Alfred still brings Bruce lunch and snacks and he throws down with Oz for no reason. He always brings the kids (read; they sneak in) and it's very clear they're not getting any shooting done that day

Dick, age 10, impatiently asks why Gray Ghost can't have a sidekick. In the last moments of the movie Dick runs in, improvises a scene with Bruce, and the fans love him too much not to include him after

You just leave Bruce alone when his babies are on set; Damian is strapped to his chest cause he's so small that everyone almost steps on him, Jason is giving the writers tip, Tim is taking pics of everyone, and Bruce smothers them with kisses constantly

[figutii]

oh god. i have the idea of the decade fr.

fem!catwoman accomplice x civilian!jason todd

introduction: the boy is mine

bruce wayne's parents get to the black limbo without any accidents. no man with a pistol shoots at martha. thomas wayne never has to step in front of his wife. bruce doesn't have to relive a traumatic event for the rest of his life.

when bruce wayne does political posturing by visiting the yearly circus event near the city border, he doesn't know why it is a 7-year-old that has him on a chokehold. he grants the kid a scholarship, by that establishing a strong bond with the athlete. maybe it was the familarity when he saw the family trio successfully cloud swinging.

it doesn't end there. playboy bruce seems to be a magnet. after half a decade, his sports car gets disassembled on an open street at daylight. he had a meeting nearby. he doesn't file charges but instead sees potential in the neglected, young kid.

"uh, he's just another prick of high-class nepo babies," selina remarks with irony, stretching the thin black fabric of her knee socks over her leg. you know that she likes to play with men as if they are toys in the shape of mice, but still, you almost caught yourself believing that she was serious this time.

"just phone me when it's over and don't forget - if you wrap him around your finger…" her manicured fingernail glides across her matte lips, "then you'll do mami a favour, got it?"

here you are. the unnecessarily long taxi drive has led you to an antique manshion far away from the city center. it makes you raise an eyebrow at how selina has managed to play tom and jerry with the playboy bruce wayne. aren't there enough overpriviliged males in their 40s who don't reside near an isolated forest?

"ms reader? welcome to the wayne mansion, master todd is awaiting you inside," a bald-headed slim butler smiles at you, holding the door open to an entrance that has to be bigger than your kitchen, bathroom and bedroom together.

a neverending maze of long halls follows. portraits that scream auctions with a sum of money you don't want to imagine, a deer head not escaping from the corner of your eye.

"master todd, ms reader is here." so a simple knock on the door isn't how it functions here. the tiles beneath reflect your facial expression and remind you that you most likely wouldn't find your way out of this villa.

"thanks alfred."

when you look up, you almost forget to blink. the image before you reminds you of the several posts you've seen online - where girls decribe the boys they've encountered on their vacation. how they had one second of mutually intense eye contact before walking the other way and never seeing them again. that type of beauty.

black glasses, a shameful realization of a pair of fit arms and tall height. piercing blue eyes that immediately remind you of the copyrighted wayne images selina had shown you with popcorn on your laps.

"thank you mr alfred," you smile, the said man giving you a simple nod before dissapearing down the hall. you get a short fit of phobia when the entirely empty space re-appears.

"you can take a seat wherever you want," he closes the door behind him. the size of the room makes you jealous of your own shitty environment near the east end of the city. selina does have reasons after all. and you are sure that this isn't even his bedroom but an extension by just looking at the other door.

the table is clean and bigger than the second-hand table in your kitchen. chairs that don't scratch against moldy and bloated wooden plates. several posters hang above the pc setup. must be nice to live in abundance.

you don't notice that you've been all by yourself, internally. "which learning material do you want to begin with?" he asks as you eventually stop to slack off. the window grants you view to the trees, a fresh aroma spreading into the room. "i don't really mind… i have difficulties with this part," and with that, the depressing pile of unnecessary notes gets more comprehensible. for the first time in years you understand power point presentations that are devoid of words.

"makes more sense now, thank you."

after hours of learning and taking tips from the raven-haired, you quickly get a new image of the boy. you weren't that worried with how the adoptive son of the bruce wayne would turn out - like you already knew what spoiled brat you had to deal with. however, when he reveals himself as a kind and respectful young man, you feel embarassed at your false predictions.

"so, this is your special field?" your pen points at the bright blue banner of a motorcycle. arrows around it lead to boxes of text, probably describing the technical elemets of the vessel. the name of the vehicle is only quoted in kanji. you wouldn't be able to afford it anyway.

"yes, engineering," there is a slight shrug in his shoulders, him sounding nonchalant. "you don't like it?" you try to follow up with an interesting-sounding question, or at least you try to sound talkative.

"i wanted to sign up for an english literature course but my mother argues it wouldn't be worth the scholarship," he pushes his glasses back, looking at the table while doing so. you think longer after hearing his response.

"i get you. trying to make your parent proud, right?" you don't get too much of a reaction other than a nod. "you could still attend some extra curricula activities." it shouldn't be this complicated for him, no?

he meets your gaze, "i'm over it to be honest. the bookshelves are more than enough." the end of his sentence sounds like an assurance for you, but your are fine with that. you can't change much about it - well, nothing. you have to deal with loud neighbours and noisy people who can't live without permanent provocations.

"how 'bout you?"

you dramatically roll your eyes, which makes him smile. "i'm doing it for the money obviously," you joke. jason peter, as you later find out, reflects the same sarcastic sentiment with a knowing look. "just joking, it just happened to be this" you liar. "i hate every minute there, but hey!"

to have a longer conversation with him shouldn't shock you. he is open and genuine. too bad that you won't get to see him after this. as much as you like to be delusional and supportive of miss kyle, you know that he is a busy student with a schedule that's way worse than what you already have to deal with. ugh, the thought alone triggers you.

but before you say your goodbyes, you want to get some information out of him. not because selina has asked you to do so but due to gossip articles. "so, how is it living away from the city?"

he doesn't seem to be taken back, but more as in i'm used to it. he purses his lips, looking up to the ceiling, "as a child it felt very… hm, peculiar. now i've grown to love living here with alfred and bruce." you don't know why you are happy for him when he lives on more than quadruple the size of hectars. but then, alfred, him and even the playboy - they seem like good guys.

he also shares that he visits his mother on the weekends. that's the last talking point before you go.

"oh, reader! mind if i give you my number?" he exclaims when you descend the steps with alfred.

you can't help the grin. "my pleasure."

when the first drop of rain falls on your leather sleeves you are immediately rewarded with the peaceful scent of petrichor. as much as gotham is and will always be a hellhole, you can't get rid of its nostalgic values.

the billboard behind you is torn down, the face of a woman with a ring in her hand half-watching you stand on the rooftop across the lit apartments. the streets below you don't pose a danger, or at least not yet. you jump from balconies to muddy roof gardens until you reach the neighbouring districts.

the absence of too much police siren and screaming doesn't hold you back from looking out for women, children and other civilians. you relax with the regular rythm of water droplets until you have to scare away a drunk guy from a group of teenagers.

out of nowhere you hear bickering. you don't mind it much but pull up when it gets too loud.

"whaaat? scared, young boy?" three man with caps. "yeah, jus' give us the money 'n you go." another voice chimes in, "why else is a moneybag here, huh?" your observing shouldn't take longer than needed, but when you somehow recognize the pair of red jordans and strands of black hair above glasses, you freeze for a second.

"'m getting pissed now rich fucker! show me the money!"

you transport yourself to the other side, where the boy is standing against the wall. here you have a perfect view from the dripping roof.

"nah, we gotta get him," and when the low-lives stand a meter away, you don't expect jason to throw a punch at the man in the middle.

"the fuck are you doin' you son of a-" the bottom of your heels press against solid surface and you hear an immediate "what the fuck?!" you are a little bit out of balance until you see another mugger getting closer.

you target his knees and hit him on the side of his skull. your throat gets engulfed by wet clothing. another one is trying to choke you from behind but you are prepared and drill your fingers into his face with a kick into his groin. he cries out in pain as he folds into half.

when someone yells, you almost forget the last one. he holds a piece of what looks like a broken drawers in his hands. you are met with resistance as you nudge against him and are able to snatch it away after many attemps. then you smash it against his side.

what you don't expect is jason throwing punches at the macho in a yellow sweater. he does a good job but you take a hard swing with your leg brace and succed at bringing him down.

from the corner of your eyes you catch one of them trying to get up, but you signal jason to run. after turning into an alleyway, it's unbelievable that you still hear hawling. "get that bitch!" you don't say anything, holding tightly around his waist and having your grapple gun ready.

you are too consumed with the fear of falling when you wiggle sideways - opossed to vertically flying - that you almost blend out the stuck breath in his throat. the cityscape at night was mesmerizing to marvel, neon signs of cafés, motels and bars greeting you. different patches in blues, reds, yellows and whites coating bland skyscrapers in vivid colours. the most tireless character has to be the pearly moon above gotham.

your foot land on stable ground, plummeting onto all four. the boy next to you exhales, facing the night sky. you feel guilty for snatching him away like he is a puppet. he's definetely weighing way more than a doll, the close crash against a water pipe being proof. you really needed to get rid of those losers.

"hey-" you stop. no matter if you apologize, this isn't personal. you also fear of exposing yourself, jason todd is not stupid. anyone would put two and two together when they hear your voice. don't forget to lower your tone, or else cut if off completely.

he looks up. you catch yourself melting at the cute cat-like face he makes. cheeks red and glasses crooked. you stand up, beckoning him to do the same, the hook in your hand prepared for another wobbly flight. by the expression he makes - you know he'd rather jump off then risk another possible hit against concrete but the 9th floor isn't save for that.

without another word you have him against you, this time even managing to get smoothly between apartment blocks, spas and shouting men behind their windows. you are too focused to cherish the way he has his big arms around your shoulders. oh, and he is very warm and confortable. his head does move up once or twice, possibly goggling at the billboards.

you even take a detour to stay a little longer in the air, his longer legs entangling with yours. if you get home you immediately have to research how much this device can hold, just for the safety of your future missions.

his hair tickles your cheek when you drop him at a bus stop. the wealthier part shouldn't be as threatening as the east side. you quickly get on the roof of a bakery and crouch down. your index finger wiggles as you get his attention, voice distorting like you have a sore throat, "careful next time." you only see his curious blue eyes before you dissapear under the luna.

the digits on your screen scream anxiety, your thumb twitching. selina told you to just call him although you made it clear that it wasn't easy. there was no chance that the accomplice of catwoman would befriend a millionair's son. for her it's not a moral dilemma, and that's okay. it is just unrealistic for you, personally. a little crush would never last. on top of that, you don't have any right to expect anything. this isn't about you.

"gotham today, my name is valerie vale and we are in front of the crime scene at marco's jeweler. recent cases of high-end brands closing down their shops-" you yank off the cable. your belly aches, repeatingly inhaling for air.

you

hey, hope you're doing fine

how's your week?

the dark blue outlook does minimal work at easing your mind. instead, you take a seat and listen to the sink in the kitchen. you are restless - you can't figure out why. after all, he's free from injuries. maybe you were too harsh on him?

selina wasn't fazed by the incident. "great job sweetie," is what she sung as she danced through the front door. well, it can't be changed. he's well and that should be enough. visiting his parent's home at the end of the week is inevitable. bruce should give him a team of bodyguards if that's what's needed.

it's in the afternoon, sun dipping through the curtains. after some late-night errands you aren't motivated to do anything. your brain collects all your to-do's like a vacuum and you scoff. the brightness of your phone leads you to another fit of rage.

a message.

jason todd

good morning reader, my weekend has been rather out of the ordinary. it's a long story and i don't intend to bore you. how was your day?

you

i wouldn't mind jason

tell me

you face the walnut door weeks after the short exchange. bruce and selina have hit it off, the latter wanting you to accept another invitation. this time you have let the depressing bag of academic work behind and instead brought some books along with you.

"ah, i'm sure that master todd will be delighted by the present," alfred accompanies you up the stairs. "i'm quite devestated by the state of the heating stove so if you'll excuse me miss reader, i have a long way to go." you immediately reassure him that you can go find his room and part ways.

"jason?" you ask after there has been no reaction. five minutes are gone and you aren't keen on waiting another one. his room is empty but by the sounds behind the other door you allow yourself to sit down. it's not lady-like to barge into someone else's private zone but you aren't going to wait while stuffed bats are drilling holes into the back of your head.

you carefully place the paper bag on the free tabletop and examine. a few movie posters, stacks of literature and portraits of family. the room is halfway illuminated by the long monitor. must have cost three months of rent, you twist your mouth. the look is washed off your face when you stare into the white screen.

"catwoman and accomplice at it again! who is the unknown criminal next to the ex-arkham asylum detainee?"

your heart drills against your rib cage, legs stiff as the sickening font of black letters laughs at you. the door is still closed. you count down. then you do another round and the door doesn't open. that's when you step forward and bend closer.

"17th of this month has witnessed another victim of craftman's businesses throughout gotham city. it's none other then thief and arkham asylum escapee catwoman. after years, the police struggle to identify her real name and location. what we know from past documents are her ambitions: robbing and sabotaging the craftmanship of the working class," you crunch your face at the media fabrication, "a young policeman by the name of jim gordon tells gotham times that catwoman doesn't work alone but rather closely with another criminal-"

"reader."

· .’★: many don't know how muchhh reblogs help and motivate us writers. pls consider doing so and comment ur thoughts. likes alone don't change much. part 2 follows if there is enough support.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Keepsafes

Fandom: Batman, DC Comics

Summary: AU where Martha and Thomas survive, and they adopt the batkids.

Chapters: 56/?

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Thomas Wayne, Martha Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Harvey Dent, Dick Grayson, Cassandra Cain, David Cain, Talia al Ghul, Damian Wayne, Jason Todd, Tim Drake

Relationships: Thomas Wayne/Martha Wayne/Alfred Pennyworth, BruHarvey, BruTalia

Additional Tags: Canon Divergent AU, Hurt/Comfort, Bruce Wayne is Not Batman, Angst, Alfred Pennyworth Knows All, Bruce Wayne Only Has One Child, Bruce Wayne is Not An Only Child, Bi Bruce Wayne, Unsafe for Work

Chapter Fifty-Six: Identity

Martha looked through a menu book for dessert options at her next gala. Cassandra climbed behind her on the couch and wrapped her arms around Martha’s neck, nestling her face against Martha’s shoulder. “Hi, baby,” Martha whispered. 

“Hi, Mommy. I’m going to be Aurora. Daddy cried in the car,” Cassandra whispered, “What are you doing?”

Martha set her menu book aside and let Cassandra lie on her lap. “Congratulations, baby! I’m so proud of you!” Martha smiled as she showered Cassandra in kisses. Cassandra laughed and held Martha’s face in her hands. “Mommy’s just planning a gala.”

“What’s that?” Cassandra asked. 

They held eye contact while Martha searched for a way to explain. “A gala is a party to raise money to help people. This gala is for children to get better healthcare and schooling in low-income neighborhoods,” Martha whispered. 

“What kids are coming?” Cassandra asked. 

“Oh… No, sweetheart—. Actually, you’ve made an excellent point,” Martha whispered, “Do you want to help me out with something?” Cassandra sat up and nodded. 

**

Gilda straddled Harvey’s waist, sweating in the dimly lit bedroom as she started grinding faster and harder as she came a second time. “Do you feel alright?” Gilda asked. 

“I think I wanna go down on you this time,” Harvey whispered. 

“On me?” Gilda asked. Harvey nodded. “What about you?” She took his hand, letting it rest on her breast. “I could do this differently.”

“Please, baby,” Harvey whimpered, “Please.” 

“Actually, um… I’m tired, honey,” Gilda mumbled as she rolled off him. Harvey frowned. 

“Gil’, come on. Get back on top if you want. It’s fine,” Harvey replied. Gilda shook her head as she climbed out of bed. “Gilda?”

“It’s okay, ‘Pollo,” Gilda replied, “Can I talk to you about my script? I think it’s coming together.” Harvey forced a smile. 

“Yeah?” Harvey asked as he pulled on his pants and followed her to the bathroom, and sat on the counter. 

He looked over at her and touched her cheek with the back of his finger in a singular affectionate gesture. “Okay… So, you know how Redd appears in the second act, right?” Gilda asked. “In this scene I wrote today, Copper’s just waking up, he looks all worn out, and he’s dragging.. And he looks out the window, lighting a cigarette with weary eyes as he sees Redd standing across the street at the light rail station. Copper leans forward as he sees something the audience can’t and the train rumbles past, obscuring his view. 

“As he loses sight of Redd, he sees himself… Young Copper, where his current reflection should be. Then, the light rail passes, Redd’s gone, and Copper is just regular Copper… And he turns away from the window and mutters, ‘Good,’ but he’s got this puzzled look on his face.” Gilda flushed the toilet and walked past Harvey to wash her hands. 

“I like that. I like the idea of the windows and mirrored images. There’s something so cool about the way Redd and Copper are a boy and a man completely obsessed with each other for completely separate reasons… And I think I prefer this version of the story where Redd doesn’t know Copper’s his father,” Harvey commended her. 

“There was no mirror in this scene,” Gilda replied. 

“I know. But the reflection of his child self acted as a mirror. And then, at the beginning when he’s a kid, he’s looking in the mirror when the shot goes off. Right? And when he’s a teenager, he’s looking at Redd’s mom through the window, and she’s sitting at her mirror with her back to him… And she waves like she’s expecting him… And he says, ‘I hate when you do that.’ I don’t know. I loved all those little things about the mirror being like this window into his memories,” Harvey replied, “It’s better like that. It’s shaping up to be something special.” 

“I didn’t think you noticed all of that,” Gilda whispered. 

Harvey took a quick glance at her posterior before tugging her nightie into place. “I’m genuinely interested in your work. It comforts me when I’m at my desk, reading case files, and looking at you on the floor with your typewriter. I’m obsessed with your imagination and how you can nurture it to life… I’m obsessed with you,” Harvey confessed. 

“Obsessed?” Gilda teased. 

“So obsessed,” Harvey replied as he picked her up and carried her back to bed.

**

Bruce came in late from work the following afternoon and showered downstairs before running into Martha as she stepped into the living room with two plates. “Hi, lovey,” Martha smiled, “How was your day?” 

“Not bad. I work Thanksgiving by the way,” Bruce replied.

“Brucie—.”

“It can’t be helped, Mom… Besides, we’re notorious for chaotic Thanksgivings. Don’t tell the kids yet. I’ll talk to them about it. And uh… The weekend after, I’d like to um… I want—.” 

“You want us to meet the mystery woman?” Martha interrupted. Bruce nodded. “Why are you so afraid I won’t like her?”

Bruce made a soft noise and took a glance at his plate. “Mom, you did not… You made bazargan. What did I do to deserve such a good—?”

“Bruce, my question,” Martha replied.

“Your opinion means everything to me. If you don’t like her, it'll crush me,” Bruce whispered. 

“Have you had this same conversation with Alfred or your father?” Martha questioned.

“No, because Dad’s thrilled about—. Dad is Dad. And Alfred… I don’t think he’s ever told me no before, let alone said he didn’t like one of my friends—.”

“What is Thomas thrilled about?” Martha interrupted. Bruce returned to his meal as if he hadn’t heard her. “Bruce Thomas Wayne.”

“Mom, there’s nothing to worry about. I promise you. I’m not gonna spring any big news on you when you meet her… I just want you to keep an open mind because she’s special to me,” Bruce replied. 

“Is she pregnant?” Martha asked. 

“No. Well… I don’t think she is—.”

“Bruce, are you being safe?” Martha asked. Bruce shook his head. “Do you want something to—?”

“I haven’t thought about it. I just—. I don’t think either of us care about that right now,” Bruce interrupted. Martha started to eat. “Mom?”

She ran a hand down the back of his hair without looking at him. “You should care even if she doesn’t. A child is a huge responsibility, Bruce… You’re twenty-six, a medical intern, and you’re already spread so thin. We hardly ever see you anymore, and I think that’s normal… But when do you have time for yourself? I don’t want you to burn yourself out,” Martha replied. 

“Trust me, I’ll sleep once I get some time off,” Bruce reassured her. “What’s going on in Mom’s life?”

“I’m gonna invite kids from three different elementary schools to this year’s gala… Oh, and Cassie and I were thinking about doing an ocean theme,” Martha replied. 

“In the winter?” Bruce asked as he ate. 

“Back to the drawing board then,” Martha sighed.

“The best theme idea has been staring you in the face for five years, Mom… And it’s the best way to get Dick to show his face,” Bruce suggested. 

“What? No. No, I can’t do that—.”

“Do you want me to ask him? I know he’s got a network of acro-buddies all over now—.”

“I can’t ask Dick to do that,” Martha whispered. 

“Can’t ask me to do what?” Dick questioned as he slid down the staircase. “Hi, Bruce.”

“What do you think about a circus theme for Mom’s winter gala?” Bruce asked. Martha scowled at Bruce. 

“Sounds sick. Maybe Mom and I can do a routine together. She’s been getting good with the silks,” Dick replied as he leaned over the back of the couch and kissed Martha’s cheek. “It’d be nice to perform with my mom ag—. It’d be nice to perform with my mom. I want to perform with you.”

Martha softened and held Dick’s hand. “Sounds like a plan… What are you doing up?” Martha asked. 

“I had a nightmare,” Dick replied, “But I’m okay.” 

“C’mere, Robin,” Martha whispered. Dick sat on her other side and lay over her lap. “I love you boys so much.” 

“I love you, Mom,” Dick whispered.

“Love you, Mom,” Bruce smiled. 

“And?” Martha replied. Bruce and Dick groaned in unison. “For me?”

“I love you, Bruce,” Dick muttered.

“Love you too, Dick,” Bruce replied before pretending to gag. Martha sucked her teeth and played with Dick’s hair. “Goodnight, you two.” 

**

Alfred pulled Thomas in close as he pushed inside him slowly. They lay on their sides facing the wall, and Thomas murmured something incoherent as Alfred ran his hand down Thomas’ stomach to the base of his cock. “What was that darling?” Alfred asked as he started to stroke Thomas’ cock. Thomas moaned and whimpered. Alfred stopped stroking for a moment to cup his lover’s balls. Thomas hid his face in the pile of pillows. 

The room was near silent, outside of Thomas’ murmurs and whimpers, so Alfred stroked deeper to hear more from Thomas. “Please darling. You’re so quiet,” Alfred whispered, “Does something hurt?” 

“Fuck!” Thomas cursed into his pillow before cumming in Alfred’s hand. Alfred kept stroking until Thomas grabbed his wrist, and he rolled onto his stomach. Alfred came, took off his condom, and dumped it in the wastebasket before he heard a sob escape the pillows. 

“Thomas?” Alfred whispered as he rubbed Thomas’ back. “What’s the matter?” 

“I don’t know,” Thomas sobbed. Alfred pulled Thomas toward his lap, and Thomas shook his head. “No. It was good. You were good. I love you, and I’m sorry for crying—.”

“It’s not a problem, dar—.” 

“Bruce is going to move out soon… Dick is probably heading to Beijing next year… Cassie’s making her own way in school, and she’s got her Sleeping Beauty solo. I retired… And for what?” Thomas cried. “They’re our babies, but they’re not babies anymore… I don’t want them to go.” 

“Thomas, Master Bruce is not moving out. He’s far too stressed with his internship to leave home just yet. I’ve spoken to him, and he says he has no interest in moving until he’s finished residency… Thomas, perhaps you’re feeling unfulfilled,” Alfred replied. Thomas covered his face with his hands. 

“Who am I when I’m not a father or a doctor or the fucking mayor of—?”

“You are always a father but before all of that, you were a kind soul begging for the same excitement that Bruce seeks now. Perhaps you’ve forgotten what excites you,” Alfred suggested. Thomas rolled off of Alfred’s lap and lay facing the door.

[chronicfandom118]

OC INTRO: Martha McCoy

[First image is their base look, second image is after they get involved with the Wayne's, third image is them when they are comfortable. I also have them as fancy/pre-batfam. lmk if you guys want to see those too.

FANDOM: DC (Batfamily)

Age: 25

Gender: Non-Binary (AFAB) uses they/them, but will also use she/her because of the upper class but doesn't really like it.

Sexuality: Bi

In-Universe Relevance: They are Bruce Wayne's bio kid. A lot like Thomas Wayne in regards to fuck's given.

Abilities: Some self-defense training and they know how to shoot a gun.

BACKGROUND: They grew up attending galas and therefore have met Bruce and family. They were also brought along to meetings and office business because of their parents. They were an only child so taking over the family business was a must. Obviously rich upper class. They were named after Bruce's mom (their mother knew they were Bruce's kid and just lied to her husband). Their father did not know until after Martha was 19. When they learned their father was dirty (from going to meetings sometimes by themselves) they were trying to figure out how to get all the info to tell the cops about it. Batman found them one night and very soon after the encounter it comes out that they are Bruce's kid. There had always been talk due to their looks and name about being Bruce's kid. Their dad told everyone that he was not the bio dad and divorcing his wife, this was how Martha found out both of these things. Bruce jokingly he offered to take a test before this all came out. They plotted to help Batman get their father whether he wanted help or not. They officially meet the family knowing they are Bruce's kid. After helping take down their father with Batman, they find out one of the kid's is a vigilante which then leads to the conversation that Bruce is Batman.

(I can give an age line up for all the kids with Martha too)

[dickheadcanons]

Your brain is literally gynormous. Do you think Damian's and Dick's relationship is paternal? Because, as someone who has actually had to raise their sibling (do not recommend) it looks more like a guy that had too much in his plate trying to be the best caregiver he could, but not really being a parent, if that makes sense. I feel like the idea of him wanting to adopt him feels like kind of a retcon, couldn't really see it in the og run. But of course, it could be because it's not exactly the same as my experience (abusive father, incapable mother, yknow the drill). What do you think? All your posts are so good.

Also while you're at it, what do you think of Dick as a parent? Some elseworlds have played with the concept, and main continuity did something too with Olivia but T*m Tayl*r fucked that up too. I also wonder how Damian would be as a dad, but I don't think I've ever seen any stories with it.

omg anon thank you and thank you for asking!! this is literally one of my favorite topics!! i was thinking about making a post on this and now you gave me the excuse for it!!

Long story short, I don't think that “parental” is a binary thing. I mean, I know several bio-parents who are just guys with too much on their plates, trying to be the best they can, you know? And people can see parent figures in all kinds of relationships that aren’t blood or traditional moms/dads, especially with people who didn't know each other from birth. There are a million ways to be parented, and a million ways to act as a parent.

The way I think about it is, is Dick Damain's John Grayson? No, I don't think so.

But is Dick Damian's Bruce Wayne? Yes. Totally. Absolutely.

More under the cut bc I have a lot of thoughts.

I think to talk about Dick and Damian, we have to start with Dick and Bruce. So much about Dick and Damian is a reflection of the original Dynamic Duo, and I think that's very much the case with this element as well. From the start of their very long comic history, Dick and Bruce have been dancing around their relationship. We get early comics that say they're "like" father and son, we have Bruce saying he couldn't care about Dick more than if he was Bruce's son, but we also have places where they call each other their best friends, where they act more like brothers, etc etc.

When it comes to who our parents are, I think there is the responsibility, and the result. Certain people have the responsibility, the duty, to be our parents, and sometimes (because death or illness or being shitty people), they aren't able to meet those responsibilities. That never removes the responsibility; they don't stop being the parent. But they aren't able to create the result of us becoming good stable adults. That's where other people can step in, where the parental figure appears, and those are the people that we actually point to when we say "they made me the person I am today."

In fandom, we see a lot of Dick not wanting Bruce to replace his father, of him asking not to be adopted. I think this is a fine characterization that works with who Dick is, but Bruce is actually the one to say that he is not going to replace Dick's father. He says it completely unprompted, too. This is withholding the responsibility of being Dick's parent from Bruce, keeping him at a distance and reserving it as an honor for someone who can't hold it anymore, even as Bruce demands responsibility for literally everything else about Dick.

And I think that it's very telling of what Bruce's idea of a father is. The thing about having a dead parent at a young age is that the person of your parents is still tangled in the role of parent in your life; Mom is mom, not Martha, and because she's dead, the image of both Martha and "mom" is frozen. For Bruce, the relationship of father and son is frozen in the relationship of specifically his father and him. Of course Bruce is not Dick's father; Bruce himself is so different from what his conception of a father is. And as a fellow son, for Bruce, someone who just got back from 7 years abroad studying to be Batman, for whom the nearly 20 year old wound is still fresh, the idea of even wanting another father doesn't make sense, particularly for a boy that Bruce identifies with so hard that he becomes the third person ever to know who Batman is.

This looming memory is even worse when it's Dick's turn to be Batman. While Bruce looks at Dick and sees the memory of his own loss, the shadow of his own grief, Dick is looking at Damian and seeing Bruce. Dick knows very well who Damian lost; Dick is grieving what Damian lost more than Damian is. Bruce couldn't conceive of replacing a father, but Dick is struggling to imagining himself replacing Bruce at his job, much less who he was in his personal relationships.

But even if Damian isn't Dick's responsibility, Dick doesn't hesitate to care about Damian's future. "Who's going to save him if we don't?" At the start of the DickBats era, Dick isn't looking at Damian as a family member, really. He's looking at Damian as a victim, abet a very involved, very dangerous one. It's how Bruce looked at Dick too, before he had any reason to know that this kid would become something more to him. But, like Bruce, what Dick does to save Damian is bring him into the thing that is most precious to him; Batman. The mission. Saving people. A way to live in the world.

I know saying someone is the Batman to their Robin is like, a joke at this point. Something unbelievably cheesy. But you google "iconic duos" and Batman and Robin are one of the first responses. There's a reason for the joke. So imagine you are Robin, and your Batman is dead. And you have to go and find a new partner. Dick making Damian his Robin is heavy, just as heavy to me as adoption papers. Bruce made Dick his partner without any idea of what that meant. Dick, and the audience, had 70 years of expectation on what Dick and Damian could be. Dick making Damian Robin was a very specific claim, far stronger imo than just claiming him as a son would have been.

Because, to be honest (and speak to your other question), I don't think Dick thinks a lot about being a parent. I don't really think it's that important to him. Dick is a leader, a mentor, he deals with a ton of teenagers and kids through his vigilante work, he goes to Tim's sidekick parent's meetings and takes Jason skiing and more than that, he's also young. He's in his 20s. He should be at the club. I think he probably thinks he'll have kids in an abstract way, but it's not something he's looking for, consciously or unconsciously. He's not searching for connection, or to fix his mistakes or his past, the things that lead Bruce to adopting sidekicks. He'd be a great dad, and I think we see him being pretty good with his Elseworlds kids, but Dick is a very practical person, and him taking a kid in (vs finding somewhere else they can go) is not really the practical choice.

Except for one kid. There's just been one kid with legitimately no where else to go, where Dick is truly the only option, because going home meant only bad things for him. Dick made Damian part of his family in the ways that mattered to them both in that moment. With their lives, adoption doesn't really make a huge material difference on custody (if Damian wanted to leave, Dick couldn't have stopped him; Damian has access to basically unlimited money and can feed and clothe and wash himself. and possibly already has a phd.), and Dick wanted Damian to choose, anyway. If I recall correctly, Dick says he didn't think about taking Damian with him until Bruce comes back. He thought about taking Damian with him, thought that Damian might be better with Dick (his partner!!!!) than even with Bruce, his dad, the person Dick loves so much, only in the face of them being separated.

Meanwhile Damian, for all his blustering about how Dick needs to "earn" his respect, warms up to Dick startlingly quickly. For Damian, who had never known a father, who in his initial run hadn't even known his mother for more than two years, whose other male family is Ra’s al Ghul, his father is Batman. Even in Tomasi's kinder depiction of Damian's childhood, Damian only knows the Bat. And when he meets Bruce, the first thing he expresses is disappointment. Bruce the man is underwhelming and then goes and dies. So much for the mythic hero!

And then he meets Dick. Who manages to teach Damian something, who doesn't discount his skills even when he's wrong. Who proves that he is better at being Batman than Damian, and shows that he wants Damian around. And, even more importantly, who doesn't die. Dick is stable in a world constantly in flux. Damian screws up a lot in that run, and he leaves for long stretches of it, but Dick is always there when he gets back. There's no blame here, but the truth is that Dick is the one who stays.

Bruce was Damian's father, but what does that mean to someone whose never met a father at all? Bruce might have tried to connect with Damian before he died, but he doesn’t do it in a way that works. He doesn’t give Damian trust, he doesn’t encourage him in the ways Damian finds important…the first person to do that is Dick. Dick gives Damian responsibility, makes him part of the team. It could be argued that Damian didn’t deserve it, but we’re not talking about deserving. We’re talking about what worked. It sounds like as good an idea as making a tiny 8 year old acrobat a sidekick, but it undeniably worked for both Damian and Dick. Does that mean that either of these relationships were parental in the way that we think of it in the real world, in the way that a child psychologist would say is good and healthy? I have no idea. But they are the most parental in the absence of any other parents, and I think that means a lot.

Unfortunately, we don't get to actually see the dissolution of Dick and Damian's partnership. DC conveniently skips over showing us Bruce coming back and Dick becoming Nightwing again; preNew 52, Dick is still Batman with Damian even when Bruce returns, and in the New 52, he's been Batman "Before" and we don't really see the end, just a vague aftermath. But if it did take that kind of change to make them realize their relationship had a flavor of "parent and child", had the makings of something like a father and son, well, they'd just be following in the original Batman's footprints.

[fangedbats]

another snippet based off of this !! probably going to make this a full fic over the weekend

The gala’s music swirled around him, the sounds of laughter and soft chatter filling the grand hall. Bruce stood by the edge of the dance floor, watching as Gotham’s elite danced under the soft, golden lights. The perfect, polished image of the night—until the soft, inviting voice of a socialite broke through his thoughts.

“Mr. Wayne, would you care to join the dance floor?”

He turned to face her, the polite smile he wore often slipping into place. "I’m afraid not, not tonight."

She looked at him with a soft, knowing expression, and for a moment, Bruce felt the weight of her unspoken understanding. She smiled gracefully—accepting his refusal with ease before mingling back into the crowd. She knew, like everyone else, that he rarely danced. But tonight—the night of all nights—it would have been expected.

It would have been her 58th birthday.

Bruce’s fingers tightened slightly around his glass as his gaze turned back to the dancers. The music, soft and nostalgic, echoed a rhythm he couldn’t shake. He was supposed to be celebrating his mother’s memory, honoring her vision for the city she loved.

The Martha Wayne Foundation had been her dream, her passion, and he had continued it after her death—because it was her legacy, because it was right. But every gala, every event, every birthday—it reminded him of the quiet moments they had shared. The moments before the world was ripped away from him, before his mother’s warm embrace was forever lost.

Martha had loved to dance. He remembered those nights, when he was younger, when she would twirl him around the living room, her laughter echoing against the walls. He could still feel the warmth of her hand on his, the gentle rhythm as they danced together, the way her smile would light up the room.

How she had pulled a awestruck Thomas into dance while Bruce watched. His parents' laughter had floated around the room, timeless then and in his memories still.

He had been too young to understand how precious those moments were, how fleeting. But now, every time a dance floor called, it was as if a piece of her was still there, waiting for him to take her hand, waiting for him to feel her presence. But he couldn’t. Not yet.

His mother had believed in Gotham in ways that no one else had. She had worked tirelessly for the city's people, long before Bruce could fully understand her efforts.

The Wayne Foundation had grown, changing lives, just as she had dreamed. Even now, it flourished—because of her vision.

As he watched the dancers, he felt the bittersweet pull of his memories. It wasn’t the gala he resented. It wasn’t the celebration of his mother’s work that he avoided. It was the quiet moments he couldn’t forget—the way she had held him, the way they had danced together, the way he had felt her warmth and her love.

For a long moment, Bruce just stood there, letting the music wash over him, honoring the woman who had given him so much more than just the foundation—she had given him a sense of purpose, of belonging, that he was only now beginning to understand.

The music gradually softened, and Bruce found himself standing at the edge of the crowd, eyes scanning the room. The event was a success, as always, but his mind was elsewhere, still lost in the quiet ache of memory.

He caught sight of Alfred, moving through the crowd with his usual grace, offering his own quiet brand of support as he approached Bruce with a subtle, knowing smile.

“Master Bruce,” Alfred said softly, “It’s a fine evening, isn’t it?”

Bruce nodded, though his expression was distant. “Yes, it is.”

Alfred’s eyes glinted with understanding, and he paused, looking out over the gala. “I noticed you didn’t take the floor tonight.”

Bruce’s gaze turned back to the dancers. “I can’t.”

Alfred’s smile faltered, and he placed a hand gently on Bruce’s shoulder. “It’s not about the dance, sir. It’s about the person you are honoring. She would be proud of everything you’ve done for this city, for her foundation. For Gotham.”

Bruce’s throat tightened, and he exhaled slowly. “I know. I just... I can’t bring myself to do it.”

Alfred gave him a reassuring look, one that spoke more volumes than words ever could. “When you’re ready, Master Bruce. You’ve made her proud already.”

Bruce gave a tight nod, his eyes lingering on Alfred for a moment before he turned back to the podium. The evening was moving forward, and it was time to fulfill his duty—to honor his mother’s memory in a way that didn’t require a dance.

With a silent sigh, he made his way toward the stage, the murmurs of the crowd dying down as he took the microphone. He adjusted it with a steady hand, trying to steady his emotions, to focus on the words he needed to say.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight,” Bruce began, his voice calm but firm. “Tonight, we honor my mother, Martha Wayne, and her tireless work to make Gotham a better place. Her vision for this city—her belief in its people—has shaped everything the Wayne Foundation does.”

His gaze swept the room, taking in the faces of those who had gathered, those who had contributed to the cause his mother had built. For a moment, he felt a sense of warmth, a connection to the legacy she had left behind.

“She believed in giving people the opportunity to succeed, to rise above the challenges they faced. And that’s a belief that still lives on in all of us.”

Bruce paused, his voice steady but thick with emotion. “We carry her work forward not because we have to, but because we want to. Because we owe it to her, and to all those who still need us.”

He cleared his throat, trying to push back the lump in his throat, but it was harder than he had expected. He wasn’t just honoring her memory. He was honoring the hope she had brought to Gotham.

“I miss her,” he added quietly, his gaze softening as he allowed himself to be vulnerable, just for a moment. “But I know she would be proud of the work we continue to do here. And I promise we will keep fighting for Gotham’s future—just as she always did.”

The room was silent for a beat before the applause began, and Bruce allowed himself a small, genuine smile. He had said what needed to be said. He had honored her the way she deserved.

As he stepped off the stage, Alfred was waiting nearby, his presence a quiet comfort. Bruce didn’t need to say anything; Alfred knew him well enough to understand the weight of the moment.

“I think she would have enjoyed that, Master Wayne,” Alfred said with a slight nod.

Bruce nodded, his chest tight but lighter than it had been all evening. “Thank you, Alfred. For everything.”

Alfred gave him a soft, proud, smile. “You’re welcome, sir. It’s an honor to serve both you and your mother’s legacy.”

Bruce glanced out at the crowd one more time, seeing not just the celebration of wealth and status, but the tangible impact of his mother’s work, carried on by those who cared.

And for the first time that night, he felt her presence again—not in the dance, but in the work they were doing together, for Gotham.

[phantoms-lair]

Batman Exalted thing - The First Exaltation

Bruce sometimes wished he crafted the identity of a reclusive hermit rather than a media darling. All he wanted to do was buckle down on the imminent attempt at a dimensional invasion and try to think of a way to solve it without relying on a power up from the enemy.

But instead here he was in an interview, talking about his company and charity work. "There's been some criticism of the Martha Wayne Free Clinic as of late. Some are skeptical about the noted criminal cliental." asked the interviewer.

Bruce fought back his annoyance. "My mother believed, as do I, that no person is expendable. Some have made poor decisions. Some had poor decisions made on their behalf without their consent. Some are children. All of them, all of them are entitled to medical care. The moment you start adding restrictions, it becomes all too easy to add more and more until only people who have been chosen as the 'right' people can gain aid. And there is nothing more abhorrent to me. Everyone in Gotham deserves care."

Will you protect all the people of Gotham?

Something twinged in his mind as wrong about the question, but he answered anyway. "Every last one." Bruce reaffirmed.

"That's quite a statement, given Gotham houses individuals like Scarecrow and the Joker." The interviewer pressed.

"They're still human. If Scarecrow had a heart attack in Blackgate, he'd still receive life saving care. Outside should be no different."

"But should that be the case? Do people like that deserve to be saved?"

Will you save them?

Bruce fought the urge to scowl. "Of course. And if I can save their minds too, I'll do it. I refuse to give up on anyone."

"MmmHmm." The interviewer looked at him like she'd figured something out. "You had a well know friendship with Harvey Dent. Between that and your charity clinic serving villains, it seems you have some connections to the wrong side of the tracks. Maybe the squeaky clean image of Bruce Wayne is hiding something else?"

Is your philanthropy really to help others, or just a cover?

He stood up, letting a sliver of his anger slip through. At this point it would be stranger not to take offense. "I watched my parents die in a mugging. It would have been so easy to act like you. To judge and look down on people I could easily blame for my grief. But my parents loved Gotham and wanted to see it rise above it's own ashes. And in trying to see their wishes granted I grew to love the city too. All of it. Good and Bad. And I will never give up on it or stop fighting to make it better."

Do you think you can protect the city?

"I will protect Gotham till the day it kills me." Bruce snarled, rising to his feet. And he knew something wasn't right. Something was feeding into his emotions. But it was too late to stop it. The screens cut to static as Bruce Wayne exploded.

~

The Bats had gotten their first, because of course they did. Jim was listening to his radio as he made his way to the studio, not saying a word.

Some of the reports were positive. Everyone else had made it out of the studio. Whatever had caused Bruce Wayne to explode in a dizzying array of light hadn't affected anyone else. This being Gotham, every had evacuated quickly. And the studio didn't seem to be catching ablaze. Small mercies.

From the radio he heard that most of the Bats had shown up, despite it being the middle of the day. They'd sealed the place tight, with Spoiler and Signal bodyguarding the entrance, saying only Gordon himself could get through. His men had tried to force the issue and they'd threatened Black Bat in retaliation.

Jim pulled into the crime scene that was likely the death spot of Gotham's Favorite Son. Spoiler was at the door, arms crossed, while Signal was talking to the EMTs. When she saw him she nodded and moved aside.

Jim didn't know what he was going to find inside. But whatever it was, it wasn't this. Despite video of the explosion going out before the feed was cut, Bruce Wayne seemed to be alive and well, sitting of the set with his head in his hands.

The power literally rippling off him was new. A bright blue energy flowed from his eyes and into a beautiful display rippling around him. It was Gotham, not any one part of it but a rippling view of the city from Park Row to Bristol ever shifting and changing, leading into a night sky with bats flying around. All contained in a very familiar, albeit larger than life silhouette of a sharp eared cowl and cape. The imagery plus his being there for the first conversation with Quill made it obvious.

Bruce Wayne was Batman. And he'd just Exalted, publicly, while in his civilian persona.

"Does one of you powers include seeing the future?" Nightwing asked someone on the other end of the phone. "Then I don't think not being able to accurately get into the mindset of a manipulative sociopath is a personal failing."

"What does Quill say?" Bruce asked in a completely exhausted tone.

"That you're an Exigent, like her. You're in 'Iconic' or 'Bonfire' anima, which is a representation of your soul and power and it's going to take a while for it to calm down. Also that in retrospect it makes sense as he wants a throne to be a power behind and Batman would never accept a throne but Bruce Wayne is more vulnerable. as well as already being a power in the city."

"Nightwing!" Robin hissed, glaring at Nightwing,

"He's involved." Bruce said in the same tired voice. "He's been involved since before you were born. We can trust him, and against Ketchup we need all the help we can get. The question is, what is our next move?" "If you want to kill off Bruce Wayne, now is the time." Red Robin said idlily. "Drake!" Robin shouted reprovingly. It wasn't just Bruce. It was Bruce's whole damn family. "What? He can make a new identity easily. All the paperwork is in place for Uncle Eddie if we need something in a pinch. But this would allow him to devote his time to his actual interests rather than juggle a very public identity that mostly annoys him." Red Robin shrugged. "Most people don't change identities like a coat, Baby Bird." Nightwing said, gently. "They need to get on my level." Red Robin sniped back.

"Killing off Bruce Wayne is not an option. I can feel the ripples of my death having an affect in the city. People are already planning to use it to roll back a lot of the philanthropic works I've done." Bruce blinked. "That interviewer was accepting a bribe to discredit me."

"How do you know?" Gordon asked. "I just do." Bruce sounded more bewildered than tired.

"Can an Exigent be the chosen of a location, like a city?" Nightwing asked Quill. "She says yes." Bruce sat up straighter. "Ask Quill what we should say. Her whole power revolves around stories and that's what we need right now."

"Okay, give her a minute." Nightwing instructed. "Okay, send out word that Bruce Wayne is alive, but under some kind of magical effect. Unknown, but a curse hasn't been ruled out. Bring in Justice League members know to work with magic as cover. Have them recommend isolation until the effects are fully known, which will give Bruce the privacy he needs to get this under control."

"I'll get on the official story then." He was going to get answers out of Batman, out of Bruce, but later. "If news of your survival isn't slowing down the plans, let me know. Nightwing, I take it you can call the Justice League." "There's someone else you need to call first." Bruce reminded Nightwing. "He's panicking right now with the news, but won't admit it."

"Oracle's already keeping Agent A informed." "Not him. R2." Nightwing snorted. "And he pretends he doesn't care." Jim saw himself out. And much as it still burned a little that something was obviously being kept from him, Bruce had said nothing to try to hide his own secrets or that of his children's. Which meant R2, whoever that was, was likely someone else's secret that Bruce didn't feel at liberty to say, like Oracle and Agent A. So fair.

That was for later. They all had work to do.

[arkhameirs]

BRUCE WAYNE + MARTHA ARKAHM - a study in expression ; there was something very mysterious and endearing about my mother. at times she was so secure in who she was and what she wanted to be ... that i remember being awed and her presence was an awesome force. then there were times where sadness engulfed and there was no light to be had , those times i told myself that she had somehow gone away ... that she had ebbed away as does the sea upon the shore. her behavior wasn't a reflection of the child that she couldn't bear to look at but ? she felt deeper than anyone else. how was i , at a child meant to deal with my father's indiscretions ? - they tell me i look like the spitting image of her , we have the same arkham features that when i look into the mirror i'm left with nothing but fear. the fear that history , her history is staring back at me. i love her , and i forgive her - she is human , and loved me as best she could. i wonder now , would she approve , would she love the son that had so deeply fallen from grace ? - bruce wayne entry #1457 sept 24th , 2023.

[ev-arrested]

OK if you want Dick/Tiger prompts I have like eight rattling around my skull of varying degrees of fleshed out so I'll just. Spam you.

First up: Mr and Ms Smith AU Dick and Tiger are both spies (maybe Bruce followed in Alfred's MI6 footsteps to fight crime and pursue justice instead of doing it via kevlar fursuit so the Batfam is a spyfam), married, and they live across from an equally married but still superheroes Midpollo. Midnighter and Tiger have THE most suburban dad rivalry going and it annoys the hell out of both of them to have any part in a suburban dad rivalry until Midnighter gets a fancy garden tech inspired grill and Tiger HAS to one up him to make him stop looking so fucking smug. Absolutely nobody knows how when or why Dick and Tiger got married, except for Helena (she officiated) and Dick's gym students (witnesses/flower girls). It's all fun and games and Tiger being awestruck and horrified that Dick looks sane standing next to his family UNTIL Tiger's organization starts investigating the identity of the Bats and. Well. Love conquers all in the end. Possibly with the help of how great Dick looks in an evening gown with a thigh high slit and Martha Wayne's pearls. I have a very vivid image of absolutely everyone in slightly bloody formal wear standing around as Dick and Tiger do a vow renewal while the dust is still settling and Dick's siblings are sundry shades of obnoxiously overdramatic sobbing, Bruce looks like he's eaten a lemon, Apollo and Midnighter are there as Tiger's groomsmen because at some point during the conflict he was forced to deem them adequate backup in battle, Helena is yet again stuck officiating, Dick's gym students are his bridesmaids. Dick is wearing the aforementioned evening gown with a thigh high slit but he's added a veil that was visibly made as part of a $5 Halloween costume. Tiger is absolutely slaying in deep reds with gold embroidery. He and Dick renew their vows in the smoking rubble of whatever ballroom just exploded and it is the first time almost everyone present has ever seen Tiger smile.

You’re in for a treat when Dick Grayson week starts tomorrow. I had an ancient Mr. and Mr. Grayson sketch from like a year ago that I fucking excavated, and turns out tomorrow’s prompts include “Spyral Crew”, so guess what sketch is (probably) getting posted and when

[maniacwatchestheworld]

After about-faces so very graciously gave me a list of Elseworlds stories to check out that heavily involve Harvey... Of course my brain decided that the first Elseworlds story that I should check out should be one that wasn't on the list at all! :D

I ended up reading Citizen Wayne. A story in which Harvey and Bruce are both found dead and wearing silly costumes after falling off the roof of the city courthouse, and so an investigator from the District Attorney's office has to go around and find out what happened by interviewing people who knew Bruce and Harvey. Honestly I liked the story. But I'm also the pretentious sort that enjoyed Citizen Kane as well!

But the reason that I read it? Because it's the story where Harvey Dent is Batman and Bruce Wayne never was. And honestly I just dig the idea. I wish that we could know why Harvey decided to become Batman specifically, but the nature of the story understandably left that entirely ambiguous. They show us why Bruce never became Batman (in this universe, his mother is still alive! Martha kept Bruce from doing anything that would lead him down the path to becoming Batman because she doesn't want him to die stupidly. Turns out he died stupidly, being a hero regardless!), but sadly they never tell us why Harvey wanted to adopt the image of a bat specifically. Becoming a crime fighter who terrifies the shit out of criminals? Actually that perfectly tracks with Harvey's character! But becoming Batman specifically? It honestly doesn't make much sense with the kind of person that Harvey is. Harvey becoming a vigilante makes complete sense! I like vigilante Harvey! But Batman Harvey is a little more puzzling. However I will admit. I just LOVE what Harvey does with it!

I ADORE this Batman outfit for Harvey! Honestly, it's even better than the other Batman Look Harvey has. Harvey clearly took the assignment of 'Batman' and made an outfit that is entirely his own and different from what Bruce would make, and I absolutely ADORE him for that! This outfit is just so... HIM! And so I REALLY like it!

Less fancy gadgets and gimmicks. Harvey has a utility belt with a few tricks in it, but not nearly the kind of fancy arsenal that Bruce would come up with. His outfit is much more like a military dress uniform than the outfit of an acrobat, and I could easily see this outfit as being padded, armored, or even bulletproofed. He managed to accomplish the silhouette of a bat, but in an entirely different way than Bruce did with the cape. Also the mask is a lovely piece and I like it a lot. This outfit is simpler than Bruce's, probably cheaper, and more easy to maintain and replace, and has less versatility than Bruce's, but that suits Harvey just fine. Harvey tends to be pretty straightforwards as a vigilante. He sees evil being done, he finds it, and then savagely punches it until the crime stops, or until the perpetrator is dead. He doesn't need fancy gadgets or gimmicks. He just needs tools to get him to the heart of a crime, his fists, and a way to flee without ending up dead. It's a GREAT outfit, I honestly enjoy Harvey being Batman like this, and I just wish that the story wasn't predicated on the fact that Harvey and Bruce are dead from the outset!

Like... I freaking WISH that we could see more of this Batman! He's neat! He's unique! Sure, he's a murderer, but I just think that this idea has potential and wish that I could just see a little more of him! Why does he have to be dead...? Shame. >.<

I wanna bring him back to life.

[consultingsister-a5]

i can't believe you have that picture on your wall.

a meme / from @batfall

"Which one?" Cee calls from the other room, finishing off their drinks with a flourish. Maybe she can't cook, but she can make a good drink. "The vagina one? Oh--" She comes in behind him, glasses in hand. It's not 'the vagina one' he's looking at.

It's a black-and-white picture, although she is pretty sure it wasn't originally black and white. She just thought it looked classier that way. The image is taken by someone standing, with four smiling faces looking up at them. Cee likes to think it was taken by her own father, although she has no memory of her father with a camera in his hand.

The two women look the same age, and the two small children, each perched on their mother's knees, must have only a couple months between them too; maybe a year. The children's hair is damp and sticking to their foreheads and they have towels wrapped around them. Cee doesn't remember whose pool it was; there was nothing with the picture to suggest it was taken in England or America. It's too focused on the beach chairs and happy families. The whole story behind Mrs Holmes and Mrs Wayne's bookend smiles has been lost to history. Along with the women themselves.

It was a mystery if the two women ever got past small talk. Did Violet Holmes admit to her 'friend' that she felt as if she was losing her mind? the picture was surely taken only a year or so before her death after all. Did Martha Wayne pat Violet's knee and say, I know what you mean. These old houses are haunted, I don't know where I begin and the darkness ends anymore. Could they have saved each other if they had?

None of this is obvious in the old picture. It's just two loving, happy mothers and two protected, happy children. That's why Cee likes it. If you didn't know the women, the picture wouldn't stand out among the many other happy smiling faces on her wall. They look normal; it makes her feel normal."It's nice, isn't it? Do you want a copy?"